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

[firewalk]

Thank you very much for the updates

[Trteamer]

Thanks for the ping! I am a Colorado FReeper and proud of it. We have a good bunch of FReepers out here and the leftists are always on the defense. We live in a very cool state with lots of things to do and see.

We are a strong Republican state, especially the northern part, and our economy is ON FIRE! That's right folks, the recession is over and business is strong!

MY FReeper friends and I like to FReep the leftists and have Support Our Troops rallies. Twice this summer, FReepers weldgophardline and fire engine red have taken first place in the local parades, with their Support Our Troops float. Nice job!

If you wish to see more of our FReeping antics, go to FR's home page, scroll down and find "Operation Infinite Freep". Enjoy youyrself, we did! LOL!

Tomorrow I have to do something you can't do in the flatlands, I have to travel up to 11,000 feet to help my friend recover an ATV that rolled down a mountain. It is a total wreck, but my friends college age son is fine, he jumped off as it started rolling and only bruised his ego. I plan on taking lots of photos to tease him with.

Thank God for Free Republic! I have made so many FRiends here and learned so much also. The leftists really hate to argue with us FReepers, we are too well informed!

All the Best.

[dutchess]

Hi FRee. So great to see you!!!! Hugs to your kitty vikings!!!

[Dubya]

"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33, NIV).

---

A Word From Billy Graham
"Many people are building their lives on the rock of materialism. I find across the country a deep economic discontent among people in every walk of life. People want more and more things. They forget that we are enjoying the highest standard of living the world has ever known. We still have poverty, and hundreds of agencies are trying to do something about it; but many people who have enough are still dissatisfied. We want more, more, more. But Jesus said, 'You cannot serve both God and money' (Matthew 6:24, NIV). He said that a man's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses (Matthew 6:25-34). Adolf Berle, in his study of power, points out that riches often make people solitary and lonely and, of course, afraid. Many times a rich man knows loneliness and fear, because when he makes wealth his god, it leaves him empty. You see, without God life loses its zest, purpose and meaning."

---

Money -- A Temporary Gift
"My family 'had it all': a beautiful home, two expensive cars, investments, a condo at Lake Tahoe, respect in our community and many friends. We thought life couldn't be better. But one day the bank called. My partner of two years was deeply involved in drugs. More than $400,000 was missing from the account of a construction loan that I had personally guaranteed. The bank wanted me to pay off the discrepancy -- immediately. In the end we lost everything -- even many of our 'friends.' Then I landed in the hospital for three surgeries. But none of that was so bad as was Labor Day, 1983. In the wee hours of the morning a policeman arrived to tell us that our 19-year-old son, Frank, was dead: a drowning accident. The ache that I felt was unbearable. I did not think that I would survive. But then an incredible gift arrived from God. Frank's death quickly revealed what was important and what was not. Family was. Health was. Friends were. Faith was. God was. Money was not. Do I miss all of the things that money can buy? No. The loss of material things brought balance into our lives. Is it wrong to have money, to be wealthy? Is 'wealthy Christian' an oxymoron? I think not. God gives us the use of money temporarily, not forever. With wise stewardship money can give us the freedom to pursue our Christian values and to put our faith into action. Using and increasing God's money enables Christians to give back and to support projects, causes and missions about which they feel passionate. What a gift to share!" (Judith Briles).


Prayer
Lord, we confess that we sometimes rely on our possessions to provide for the future, when we should be relying on You. Forgive us for putting our trust in things that do not last. Show us how we can share the love of Christ through the resources You have entrusted to us. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

[Mama_Bear]

Hi Amy. What an interesting rock formation.

In researching Colorado I found some websites that had photos of the Garden of the Gods, but didn't have a place to fit them into the presentation. Thanks for adding it here.

Is that one of your photos? It's very nice.

[Mama_Bear]

Hey, Free! There you are. We've been missing you around here. But, I understand how it is. There just aren't enough hours in the day. Glad to know that everything is okay with you.

What a great post!!

Thank you, ma'am. And thank you for the calendar page. It's a sweet one. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Hi Trteamer. I am so glad you came by. You know, I have long admired your and your fellow Coloradans dedication in keeping your 'Support our Troops' vigil before the public and in standing up for conservative values. I feel like we are brothers and sisters in arms. Our FResno group has always been proud of your efforts out there.

I also envy you your state representatives....or rather your conservative electorate who seem to have their priorities straight...at least the majority of them. How I wish it was the same in California!

Colorado is breathtakingly beautiful! I enjoyed presenting your state and hope to be able to spend some time there someday. Looks like autumn is the perfect time to visit.

Thank God for Free Republic! I have made so many FRiends here and learned so much also.

Yes, FR has put us in touch with others like ourselves. It's nice to know we aren't alone, isn't it?

[JustAmy]

There are many interesting rock formations in Utah and Colorado. It is almost impossible to capture the scope of them. Here is another ... you may recognize a couple of guys. :)

[Mama_Bear]

Good evening, Dubya. Thanks for bringing us this inspirational post.

[Donaeus]

Thank you for the continued updates for the wonderful work Steve and the other medical personnel are doing. It is a relief to know we have your son and the others taking care of the hurt and hurting. I'm praying for their strength, stamina, compassion and safety. May the Lord bless and guide their hands of healing.

[Mama_Bear]

Yes, I sure do! Would that be Mr. Just and Just Jr? :-)

Hey, I love what you are doing with your borders! I don't think I can do that in photoshop. Nice work. You are picking this up fast! See how much fun it is?

[Mama_Bear]

I wish I were in Colorado!

Me too! Bet it is cooler there than it is here in the San Joaquin Valley. I think it got up to about 97 today.

[Trteamer]

Here is tomorrow nights weather forcast for Tin Cup Colorado:

THURSDAY NIGHT

MOSTLY CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS THEN SCATTERED SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE 30S. CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS 40 PERCENT.

Cold enough for you, 30's and thunderstorms. LOL! I love cold weather,

[Mama_Bear]

LOWS IN THE 30S.

OMG! That's too cold for me! There must be a happy medium somewhere. LOL!

[JustAmy]

"I love what you are doing with your borders; You are picking this up fast!"

I never know how the border will look so it is always trial and error. If it looks okay, I keep it, otherwise, start over.

One more interesting rock formation.

[Diver Dave]

Amy, get down from those rocks! You're gonna get hurt if you keep messin' around. :)

[Mama_Bear]

I never know how the border will look so it is always trial and error. If it looks okay, I keep it, otherwise, start over.

That's how I do it. Trial and error. But the nice thing is you can just start over. Anything you do can easily be un-done.

[Mama_Bear]

Nice to see you all here today. Thanks for helping us celebrate the great state of Colorado.

To our Finest Colorado friends.....FReep on, brothers and sisters!

[Mama_Bear]

[Mama_Bear]

By gosh, I am going to get this thread to 100 if I have to post to myself! LOL!

There, it's done! Yippee!

.........

Good night again. I am off to bed. It's been a long day.