Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. “I want to hang a map of the world in my house. Then, I’m going to put pins into all the locations that I have traveled to. First, I’m going to have to travel to the top two corners of the map so it won’t fall down.” I can’t take the credit for that one. I found it online as I was researching my next travel-to column topic. If nothing else, I hope it at least made you chuckle.

Once you’re done laughing, let’s pack some snacks, water, a map and of course the camera. I always bring my camera when I travel – no matter the distance. You just never know what you will come across. I was the same way when I lived in Europe. One of my favorite things about living in Europe was the architecture. I had the honor of entering buildings that were several hundred to thousand years old. I felt like I was entering a 13th century movie set. It was wonderful!

Speaking of wonderful, America has castles too. Let’s focus, however, on my favorite place in the whole world, Colorado. There are 13 castles in our colorful state. More than that if you take into consideration the ice castles you can find during winter in the town of Dillon, Colorado. Which I mentioned in the November 29, 2018, issue, “Caves, Castles and Ice.”

So…no need to travel to Europe if you’re curious about castles. Here are a few you can find right in your own backyard. Let’s start with Bishop Castle in Rye, Colorado. Where’s that? Roughly between Cañon City and Colorado City, and less than three hours away. Rumor has it that it may very well be the largest one-man architectural project in the world. I definitely want to go! Who’s with me?! 

Don’t feel like traveling that far? Guess what? Thirty minutes from Denver, in Jefferson County, between the towns of Idledale and Evergreen, you can find the Dunafon Castle. It rests on 17 acres and offers a magnificent view of the crystal-clear waters of Bear Creek. Here are a few more should you wish to go on a castle-finding adventure. Redstone Castle – yep, you guessed it – in Redstone, Colorado. Miramont Castle in Manitou Springs, Cherokee Ranch Castle in Sedalia and Westminster Castle in Westminster.

These one-of-a-kind structures are now attractions, hotels, Bed and Breakfast destinations, conference centers and everything in between. Best of all, they are all free to simply go visit. What are you waiting for?! 

(Originally published in the September 5, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)