Author Topic: Southpark Colorado... Michigan Creek Ranch  (Read 1969 times)

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Offline heffay

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Southpark Colorado... Michigan Creek Ranch
« on: April 30, 2009, 10:44:52 AM »
Just thought some of you may be interested in some, what I think are quite beautiful, pictures of the ranch in South Park, Colorado that I've been remodeling/preserving/landscaping/taking care of for the past several years.

please enjoy...

Right click a picture and choose view picture then click the magnifying glass/curser to view larger size


























































« Last Edit: April 30, 2009, 11:26:30 AM by heffay »
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Offline flybox1

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Re: Southpark Colorado... Michigan Creek Ranch
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2009, 11:08:31 AM »
nice piece of history you got there.
reminds me of my grandfathers place over in Eastern WA. 
mtns/prairie/barns/corral/odd farming equip.  He was a apple & cherry orchard farmer/bricklayer, and, thankfully, there is one historic building named after him, still standing. 
unfortunately, the homestead and farm is long gone.  some good memories of learning to drive and hitting apple trees, sometimes on purpose to try to fill the flatbed.
Heep up the good work.
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Offline kghost

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Re: Southpark Colorado... Michigan Creek Ranch
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2009, 11:10:36 AM »
Nice work Heff...

Looks better without the snow  ;)
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Offline heffay

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Re: Southpark Colorado... Michigan Creek Ranch
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2009, 11:20:59 AM »
Thank You.

that truck in the picture would normally sit 3-4 feet lower... the gate was impassible as it was frozen in place.
we arrived the night before that shot was taken and we trekked thru the snow... it was like we were on the moon!

anyway... South Park has recently been designated a national historic heritage area.  We're considering a highway pullout for historic interest involving at least the barn and possibly other structures on the site.

pending more research... the barn and settler's cabin date back to 1850... we're basing that on construction techniques, hewn logs, and the use of square blacksmith nails.  the house was built in 1900 and the garage sometime later... none of which include typical modern-day framing techniques. 

we have several avenues for research... but it has just begun... at this point, our main focus is ecological preservation of Michigan Creek.  Yesterday, we spoke w/ the local wetland preservationists and have reserved a $100k fund for this purpose. 
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline heffay

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Re: Southpark Colorado... Michigan Creek Ranch
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2009, 11:31:14 AM »
almost forgot one!

... this is the owner of the ranch and his 1950? something Minneapolis Moline tractor purchased new by his father for the family farm in Oklahoma...


It was recently rebuilt.   ;)

Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline neudl

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Re: Southpark Colorado... Michigan Creek Ranch
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2009, 01:02:36 PM »
Heffay - is that just outside Jefferson?  Back in the 70s my folks bought 15 acres near there, and built a beautiful cabin. I spent every weekend and most of my summers up there until I moved out here to Washington.  I still go back at least once a year.  Nothing like that first sight of South Park when you come over Kenosha pass.

Offline cb650

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Re: Southpark Colorado... Michigan Creek Ranch
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2009, 03:52:36 PM »
I dont see Cartman or Kenny.
18 grand and 18 miles dont make you a biker

fuzzybutt

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Re: Southpark Colorado... Michigan Creek Ranch
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2009, 04:54:17 PM »
so there really IS a Southpark Colorado.

Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Southpark Colorado... Michigan Creek Ranch
« Reply #8 on: April 30, 2009, 05:06:32 PM »
Yep, on the way to Crested Butte. Beautiful place.
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Offline cb650

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18 grand and 18 miles dont make you a biker

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Re: Southpark Colorado... Michigan Creek Ranch
« Reply #10 on: April 30, 2009, 10:51:45 PM »
Look's like the perfect place for an upcoming wedding?!

Nice pixs. You get adopted yet  ;D
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Offline cb750fbomb

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Re: Southpark Colorado... Michigan Creek Ranch
« Reply #11 on: April 30, 2009, 11:15:30 PM »
What a beautiful place with snow and without. I would love to go out west at some point.
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Offline heffay

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Re: Southpark Colorado... Michigan Creek Ranch
« Reply #12 on: May 01, 2009, 07:58:02 AM »
Heffay - is that just outside Jefferson?  Back in the 70s my folks bought 15 acres near there, and built a beautiful cabin. I spent every weekend and most of my summers up there until I moved out here to Washington.  I still go back at least once a year.  Nothing like that first sight of South Park when you come over Kenosha pass.

yep... that first beautiful site over the pass includes the view of jefferson and the ranch, only another 2 miles to the west, right off of highway 285.
they've got 335 acres of wind swept prairie at 9,000+ feet of elevation. 

the wind is incredible up there w/ the norm being in excess of 30mph... occasionally it kicks up to 100+
the temps can get quite bitter as well w/ drops to the 40 below zero mark.
spring has not really sprung there yet... that comes in late may, sometimes june.
the growing season is very short... only 4-5 months, if that.
ranching is hard up there and its nice to get the historic recognition so money can be made thru other opportunities... historic tourism is the fastest growing sector of tourism, you know.   ;)

Look's like the perfect place for an upcoming wedding?!
Nice pixs. You get adopted yet  ;D
about that... considering the owners are the parents of the last x-girlfriend... maybe not so much.   :D
still working on the adoption part... they have 3 houses and only 2 kids, they can't just give them both one and a half!   8)
Today: '73 cb350f, '96 Ducati 900 Supersport
Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f