Bull Rush

THREE

Hazel

After I get the ladies to their bird-watching appointment and arrange to have Grace take them to lunch and the local winery after, I make my way into town. Purgatory Falls, Colorado, is one of the most gorgeous places in the state, maybe even the country. It was founded in the 1860s but grew during Colorado’s silver boom over a decade later. Ramsey’s family had been one of the first to set a stake on the edge of town, but they hadn’t been the only homesteaders out here. The Briggs—my family, the Silvertons, and the McDaniels also made their homes here in the late nineteenth century, and the town still embraces its historical roots—one of the things that continues to draw tourists in by the busload. The other being the massive glittery casino on the edge of town.

Main Street is lined with historic storefronts, quaint cafes, and old-school saloons that have been converted in more recent years to appease visitors who want to feel like they’re stepping back in time. Flower boxes line the sidewalks and cloth banners dangle from the lampposts with advertisements for the upcoming fall Harvest Fest. It looks like something from a storybook, and thanks to the local bakery, Hotcakes, it smells like one too when I step out of my car.