I really like that quote from five-year-old Campbell Van Iderstnie’s (above picture) mother after he finished the four-mile Slacker: “He proved we can all do hard things.”

I sincerely hope everyone has a fantastic week and a safe Independence Day surrounded by family and friends!

Talk to you next week,

Chris…

As of noon on Monday, Clear Creek County is under Stage 2 fire restrictions by order of the Sheriff’s Office.

The order was issued in response to escalating concerns regarding weather patterns, fuel conditions, nearby fire activity and current resource limitations, according to the CCCS office.

Under the new Stage 2 Order, there are significantly stricter limitations on outdoor activities to mitigate the risk of wildfire. 

Open fires of any kind are strictly prohibited, including charcoal grills, coal or wood-burning stoves and sheepherder’s stoves.

The Stage 2 order includes a list of prohibitions, including:

The Sheriff’s Office urges all residents to prioritize emergency preparedness. Citizens are strongly encouraged to register for Lookout Alert at lookoutalert.com, which serves as the primary and fastest method for reaching residents during an active wildfire.

Stage 1 restrictions have been in place since March. According to the CCCS, the Stage 2 requirements will remain in effect until further notice.

In its 25th year, the Slacker race from Loveland Ski Area to City Park in Georgetown drew hundreds of runners/walkers of every age, from every region of Colorado and across the nation.

It’s the highest downhill half-marathon in the country, according to Slackers.

The four-mile or half-marathon (13.1 miles) race descends 2,480 feet in altitude from 10,880 ft. to 8,400 ft., ending at City Park in Georgetown.

At the finish line, barrels of water, energy drinks, frozen pops, fruit of any kind, and, of course, craft beer waited to assist in recovery.

Charlotte Hardy, a cross-country runner and student from Shawnee Mission East High School in Kansas City, Kan., took first place in the women’s four-mile race.

“I think it’s really fun,” Hardy said. “I come out here with my high school cross-country team every year; we kind of hang out and do some bonding, then at the end of the week we do this race.”

In fact, this is at least the fourth year that members of the cross-country team from Shawnee Mission East have participated in the Slacker.

Young but experienced ‘flat land’ cross-country runners like Hardy say the some 8,000 feet increase in altitude is definitely challenging.

“It was an adjustment.”

“Yeah, I definitely felt it, especially in the last mile. I was really feeling the altitude in my lungs and my body,” Hardy said.

Nonetheless, the lack of humidity up here and some Georgetown residents kept her going to finish first.

“Everyone is super welcoming, and everyone was cheering me on,” Hardy said. “After the race, everyone hangs out here; there’s a ton of stuff going on here, and I get to talk to other people doing the race from different backgrounds, so it’s really cool.”

According to organizers, the course is a mix of dirt and paved roads, taking runners on a trip through wetlands, natural waterfalls, views of the Continental Divide, and remnants of historic mining sites.

The Slacker also serves as a benefit for the community.

Organizers say proceeds from the annual event help to support Mount Evans Hospice and the Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District Youth Scholarship Fund.

Idaho Springs’ own Daniel Huey and her dog, “Gooey Huey Kablooey,” completed the course with little concern for their final time.

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Summer reading for kids is back in Clear Creek County, and it kicked off with kids at the Idaho Springs Library digging into the past.

“Unearth a Story” is this year’s theme and local business owner Meghan Vickers agreed to play “show and tell Friday, June 26.

In addition to owning the downtown ice cream shop Sit N Chill at 1501 Miner St. with her husband, Vickers has a Master's Degree in Historical Archaeology.

Earning the Master’s is no easy feat, but Vickers said she was happy to share her education and experience with the local kids.

“It’s hard; it’s a Master's Degree, so it’s two years on top of college, and you have to do a lot of broader studies than just learning the technique of digging,” Vickers said. “You have to learn about the cultures, sociology, and anthropology side of things.”

First question: what’s the difference between Archaeology and Paleontology?

Vickers explained that Archaeology is the study of humans' past, while Paleontologists research the history of plants and animals on Earth.

“It’s a really cool profession, but it’s not super glamorous; it’s not what you see in the movies, Vickers told the kids. “There’s a lot more to it than that, but if you want to pursue it, it can be really rewarding, and you can learn a lot of cool stuff. You’re studying human cultures.”

Tools of the trade were spread across the table for the kids and parents to check out while Vickers explained how professionals use trowels, shovels, dry lines, and brushes to outline an excavation and then carefully remove the ancient mud and dust from an unearthed item.

The brushes Vickers brought with her varied in size and coarseness from a straw broom to an artist’s detail brush.

Also on display were a few pieces Vickers recovered in her career, including several broken pieces of pottery.

Following Vickers’ tutorial, more than a dozen kids enjoyed a couple of Beau Jo’s pizzas and a movie centered around Archaeology: “Dora and the Lost City of Gold”.

The movie was a hit with almost all the kids laughing in unison at the same parts of the film and joking throughout.

However, Vickers has been teaching locals more than Archaeology for years in Clear Creek County:

Celebrate the 4th of July in historic downtown Idaho Springs with a full day of live music, family fun, local vendors, food, shopping, and community celebration. Enjoy free activities including train rides, a climbing wall, face painting, a giant bounce slide, giveaways and more.

2:00 p.m.— Ice Cream Social at Dinger Park

Enjoy a festive ice cream social complete with homemade cakes, pies, refreshments, and of course ice cream at Dinger Park, located at 310 Main Street in Silver Plume, Colorado. Please drop in from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm. All proceeds will benefit People for Silver Plume.

Join the Town of Georgetown on July 4 starting at 11 a.m. for a day full of patriotic fun featuring our annual parade, food & drink, live music, games and more! 

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