A Few of FR's Finest...Every Day...08-18-04...Colorado ~ "Nothing Without the Diety"

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_bear, dutchess, Aquamarine,

We're
"On the Road Again"...

Please join "A Few of FR's Finest" as we make a cyber-visit to another state in this great Union of ours.

Over the past year each "Finest" hostess has profiled her home state for the Finest Thread. The remaining states are being presented, about one a month, in random order. We hope you are enjoying these visits to our beautiful United States. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your Fine state. I would appreciate your ideas and suggestions on what you would like to see highlighted.

These are the states
we have presented to date:

05-23-03 Alabama 06-27-03 Maryland 07-11-03 Vermont 07-25-03 Utah 08-05-03 Texas 08-22-03 Nevada 08-26-03 Wash DC 09-05-03 Tennessee 09-17-03 Florida 09-19-03 Minnesota 10-03-03 New Mexico 10-14-03 Georgia 10-17-03 Louisiana

10-22-03 Michigan 11-04-03 South Dakota 11-14-03 California 01-09-04 South Carolina 02-06-04 West Virginia 02-20-04 Oregon 03-09-04 Pennsylvania 03-30-04 Wyoming 04-13-04 Mississippi 04-27-04 Missouri 05-25-04 Indiana 07-21-04 Virginia

Today we are visiting Colorado, the "Centennial State", and we salute the Fine FReepers who call Colorado home.

Called the Centennial State because it was admitted to the Union on Aug. 1, 1876, 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Dinosaurs once roamed North America, and what is known today as Colorado was no exception. Evidence of fossils of oysters, shellfish and crustaceous fish have been located in southeastern Colorado; fossil insects, seeds, and leaves in perfect detail as well as petrified stumps of sequoias have been located near Florissant (Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument);

and of course perhaps Colorado’s most famous monument attesting to the presence of dinosaurs, is Dinosaur National Monument, located north of Grand Junction where a variety of dinosaur skeletons have been located and are on display.

The cliff dwellers, ancestors of the Pueblo Indians, were among the first civilized inhabitants of Colorado, and what remains of their culture can be seen at Mesa Verde National Park located in Montezuma County in the extreme southwestern section of Colorado.

They were called Anasazi, an Indian word for "Ancient Ones". What became of them remains a mystery, but the Anasazi disappeared from their cliff dwellings about the year 1300 A.D.




History of Colorado in Brief....

First visited by Spanish explorers in the 1500s, the territory was claimed for Spain by Juan deUlibarri in 1706. The U.S. obtained eastern Colorado as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the central portion in 1845 with the admission of Texas as a state, and the western part in 1848 as a result of the Mexican War.

IMPORTANT DATES IN COLORADO HISTORY
1803: The United States acquired most of eastern Colorado as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
1806: Zebulon M. Pike explored Colorado.
1848: Mexico ceded western Colorado to United States.
1858: Gold discovered in Denver.
1861: Congress established the Colorado territory.
1867: Denver chosen as permanent capital.
1870: Railroad connections established with the East.
1876: Colorado became the 38th state on August 1st.
1899: First beet-sugar refinery began operating at Grand Junction.
1906: Denver Mint issued its first coins.

Colorado Facts

Colorado has the highest mean elevation of any state, with more than 1,000 Rocky Mountain peaks over 10,000 ft high and 54 towering above 14,000 ft. Pikes Peak, the most famous of these mountains, was discovered by U.S. Army lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike in 1806.

Once primarily a mining and agricultural state, Colorado's economy is now driven by the service industries, including medical providers and other business and professional services. Colorado's economy also has a strong manufacturing base. The primary manufactures are food products, printing and publishing, machinery, and electrical instruments. The state is also a communications and transportation hub for the Rocky Mountain Region.

The farm industry, which is primarily concentrated in livestock, is also an important element of the state's economy. The primary crops in Colorado are corn, hay, and wheat.

Breathtaking scenery and world-class skiing make Colorado a prime tourist destination. The main tourist attractions in the state include Rocky Mountain National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Mesa Verde National Park, the Great Sand Dunes and Dinosaur National Monuments, Colorado National Monument, and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument.

and Trivia

• "Beulah red" is the name of the red marble that gives the Colorado State Capitol its distinctive splendor. Cutting, polishing, and installing the marble in the Capitol took six years, from 1894 to 1900. All of the "Beulah red" marble in the world went into the Capitol. It cannot be replaced, at any price.
   
• Colorado is the only state in history, to turn down the Olympics. In 1976 the Winter Olympics were planned to be held in Denver. 62% of all state Voters choose at almost the last minute not to host the Olympics, because of the cost, pollution and population boom it would have on the State Of Colorado, and the City of Denver.
   
• The United States Air Force Academy is located in Colorado Springs.
• The LoDo region of Denver stands for Lower Downtown.
   
• Denver, lays claim to the invention of the cheeseburger. The trademark for the name Cheeseburger was awarded in 1935 to Louis Ballast.
   
• Colorado means "colored red".
   
• Colorado contains 75% of the land area of the U.S. with an altitude over 10,000 feet.
   
• The 13th step of the state capital building in Denver is exactly 1 mile high above sea level.
   
• Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the United States at 10,430 feet elevation.
   
• Katherine Lee Bates wrote "America the Beautiful" after being inspired by the view from Pikes Peak.
   
• Hundreds of thousands of valentines are re-mailed each year from Loveland.  
• Pueblo is the only city in America with four living recipients of the Medal of Honor.
   
• Every year Denver host the worlds largest Rodeo, the Western Stock show.  
• Dove Creek is the "Pinto Bean" capital of the world.
   
• The World's First Rodeo was held on July 4th, 1869 in Deer Trail.
   
• Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike explored the southwest portion of the Louisiana Territory in 1806 and though he never climbed the peak that bears his name, he did publish a report that attracted a lot of interest to the area.
   
• The slogan of "Pikes Peak or Bust," painted across many of the prairie schooners, was born at a time as fortune hunters headed west. Although only a handful of those who flocked to the region ever found gold.
   
• At 14,110 feet above sea level over 400,000 people ascend Pikes Peak each year.
   
• Colorado has the highest mean altitude of all the states.
   
• Mesa Verde features an elaborate four-story city carved in the cliffs by the Ancestral Pueblo people between 600 and 1300 A.D.
   
• Colorado has more microbreweries per capita than any other state.
   
• The highest suspension bridge in the world is over the Royal Gorge near Canon City.
   
• There are nearly 20 rivers whose headwaters begin in Colorado, with the Continental Divide directing each river's course.
   
• The Colorado Rockies play at the 50,000 seat Coors Field, located in downtown Denver.
• Colorado's first and oldest military post, Fort Garland was established in 1858 and commanded by the legendary frontiersman Kit Carson.
   
• John Henry "Doc" Holliday's brief and tumultuous existence led him to Glenwood Springs where he succumbed to tuberculosis and died at the Hotel Glenwood on November 8, 1887.
   
  Thanks to: Colorado Travel & Tourism Authority

Wondering what to see and do?
These links should help you
map out your itinerary.

	Backpacking		Hang/Para Gliding		Rafting
	Ballooning		Hiking/Walking		National & State Parks
	Biking		Horseback Riding		Boating
	Hunting		Rock Climbing		Camping
	Ice Climbing		Scenic Driving		Glider Soaring
	Caving		Ice Skating		Golf
	Cross Country Skiing		Kayaking		Skiing
	Dog Sledding		Sledding		Wildlife Viewing
	Motorsports		Sleigh Rides		Snowshoeing
	Fishing		Mountain Biking		Snowboarding
	Mountaineering		Picnicking		Snowmobiling

Thank you to the following websites for
Colorado information and graphics....

Info Please - Colorado
Colorado
Colorado History

I know there is so much more to say about this great state, and I hope our Colorado FReepers will come and tell us what makes them proud to be a "Coloradan" (Coloradoan?).

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-16-04 Military Monday 08-17-04 Blame it on St.Louie (What was your worst date?)

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

CLICK

[Pippin]

brrrr!

I'll need my jacket!

[SassyMom]

Personally, I would choose fall to visit Colorado. September - October is a GREAT time to visit.

[weldgophardline]

You found one of many Freeper's in the GREAT STATE of Colorado.
We love this state for many reason's and the main one is we have common sense to not be a leftist state.If any one needs to see how we handle the left just check out some of our posts to Operation Infinite Freep. We have so much fun beating the left at their game .

[Mama_Bear]

We love this state for many reason's and the main one is we have common sense to not be a leftist state.

I know!! When I was researching Colorado I was impressed to find so many (R)s after the names of your state's elected officials. I so wish in my lifetime to see that in California.

Yes, you all have been involved in Operation Infinite Freep from the beginning. Dedicated patriots you are!

Colorado is beautiful from everything I've seen. I enjoyed presenting your state. Maybe someday I'll get out there for a visit.

[Mama_Bear]

What breathtaking photos you are posting! I must visit Colorado someday.

[SassyMom]

Thank you, I'm glad that you are enjoying the photos. Some day, kneezles and I are going to move back to Colorado. I'm from Colorado and I miss it TERRIBLY!!!!!!!

[Aquamarine]

Beautiful pictures of the aspen trees.

We may try to go back there in late September some day, need to find a good kennel for Daisy first, just checked one out today and I'm thinking Nah on that one. Lots of problems with traveling for us to overcome.

[Billie]

Gosh, Sassy! Been such a long time! It's so good to see you, and your pictures of Colorado are just beautiful!!!

[SassyMom]

Hey Billie! It's great to see you too. :)

[LadyX]

Well, Mama_B, LadyX did not live in Colorado, but - -

- in South Dakota for one year, two states away

- passed through it, driving from Fairbanks, Alaska through Canada, down the Rockies, across the South and down to South Florida, before reporting to Myrtle Beach AFB, SC

- my son, Steve, lived there four years

Like its other Rockies neighbors, Wyoming and South Dakota and Montana, it is awesomely beautiful country!

We stopped at Ent AFB in Colorado Springs to visit a good friend from Alaska who was then stationed there.

My husband (in civilian clothes) stopped at Security Headquarters to inquire how to contact Bob, and the sergeant at the desk snapped to full attention and *sirred* him all over the place!
Swiftly contacted Bob on base and had him come to where we were.

We took Bob out to dinner, and Bernie described his unusual welcome to him.
Bob laughed really hard, said he would be treated with more respect now, and related that Bernie looked just like their Commanding General..:))

Colorado is truly beautiul.

Pike's Peak

[LadyX]

A *Special Hello* to SassyMom and kneezles !!!

Wonder how many misfired biscuits fell on Colorado during our Famous Biscuit War..:))

[SassyMom]

ROFLOL!!!!! Maybe that is what we saw when we were there in July. LOL

[Mama_Bear]

Like its other Rockies neighbors, Wyoming and South Dakota and Montana, it is awesomely beautiful country!

It sure is! The only thing I can see that Colorado doesn't have is ocean, but the mountains almost make up for that.

I would love to vacation there someday. I especially would like to see the cliff dweller ruins. I've always been fascinated by that kind of thing.

said he would be treated with more respect now, and related that Bernie looked just like their Commanding General..:))

LOL. That's funny. If in doubt, salute it. ;-)

Have a good day Lady Maggie.

[Mama_Bear]

I'll be back in a little while. Will you? Hmmmmmmmm?

Yes, dearbear, I will. TTYL

:-) I'm back!

[LadyX]

~ ~ New Update from Punta Gorda ~ ~

Steve called last night to relate their activities, explaining they remain 12 hours on - 12 off, his shift from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m..

Their two DMAT treatment tents in the parking lot of the Charlotte Regional Medical Center serve as the local Emergency Room. On the two shifts, there is one Physician and one Physician Assistant in each tent, and yesterday his treated 100 patients, going nonstop.
(They alternate between the critical care tent patients, and lesser injured/ill ones.)

He described all the patients as traumatized, but so very appreciative of any kind and caring treatment...hard emotionally, with so many - especially the elderly and infirm - having lost literally everything they owned.

Most cases still are lacerations and fractures, continuing because of doing cleanup. One patient had something heavy badly crush his whole forearm, but they were able to save the arm - another fellow had bones sticking out from both sides of an ankle. Said he had become a "sewing artist," suturing so many. One young girl he treated yesterday had cut her forehead badly on a fish tank.

Still, though, are all the usual ones with breathing problems, heart attacks, etc., but *not yet* illnesses related to the lack of water and sanitation.
One near fatality happened to befall a PA from another DMAT Team in another location. Some unknown insect had stung him, and he rapidly went into anaphylactic shock.

Talk about being in the right place at the right time! His teammates immediately injected him with things to counter it and inserted a breathing tube, but he coded and had to be revived several times, the outcome very much in doubt.

As for their 'Luxury Accommodations,' they have their own sleeping tent by the treatment ones, complete with military type cots - a bit hard on his 6' 5" 185 lb. body.
With their own generators, they have air conditioning, but said he had not packed his sleeping bag and froze to death the first night! The second night, a nurse who had her sleeping bag gave him a blanket belonging to her daughter, with hearts all over it, and he gladly used it! Since then, blankets have been given them.

Asking about his food intake, he said it still was mostly MRE's on the run, and the day before someone gave them hamburgers.
However, the night before, a catering outfit in Ft. Lauderdale who had provided their meals while doing the May Annual Air & Sea Show in Ft. Lauderdale for which DMAT always supplies medical assistance (70 patients from the crowd of 4,000,000 visitors on that weekend) drove all the way across the state just to serve the DMAT crew of 35 a wonderful meal!

Life's Better Moments - - -

The other smaller hospital has power and water now, so they are driven over there to get real and most welcome showers.

He specifically asked me to thank all of you have offered prayer for him, and all of them.
Working 12 hour shifts without a break on a hard parking lot with military boots on, and a tendency for his feet to hurt under normal circumstances, he said emphatically "I feel the Finest prayers so strongly, sustaining me when I otherwise would not be able to keep up the pace, and should be too tired to function!"
He truly attributes his endurance to the strength given by the Lord in response to them.

Another Update !!

Steve just called to say they brought in a DMAT team from Ocala to relieve them briefly. He just arrived at home, and will go back Friday morning at 6:45 a.m.

One of the physicians from Ocala had worked with Steve 20 years ago at Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia, SC, where Steve was in Emergency Medicine Research for 10 years, and before that had worked in their ER during college.
It's a small world indeed - -

[Mama_Bear]

He described all the patients as traumatized, but so very appreciative of any kind and caring treatment...hard emotionally, with so many - especially the elderly and infirm - having lost literally everything they owned.

This is so very sad. Breaks my heart.

God bless the doctors, nurses, rescue workers and relief helpers for the job they do. Thanks for the update, LadyX.

[Billie]

Sistah D, you have mail! Important! :)

[Aquamarine]

Thanks for the update Lady. Continued prayers for your son and the team that has relieved him for the time being. Prayers also for those who are struggling with the after effects of the storm.

[JustAmy]

Another beautiful thread ..... thank you!!

We enjoyed Colorado; we had hoped to visit the Air Force Academy but it was not open to visitors. We spent the day sight seeing in and around Colorado Springs.



Thank you, Lori, for bringing us another state.

[FreeTheHostages]

Well, I have no excuse. Just busy and tired and doing new things. I emphasize: not upset or annoyed or bored, but mostly just too busy and exhausted. But I do pop in and see the lovely work. What a great post!!