Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. Man! What a year it has been and it’s only February. Soon, my life will take another turn. This time, for the better. A turn that I never thought would occur. Not because I don’t think I deserve it, but because I’m human and when I dream, I tend to dream unrealistically big. Yet, I keep telling myself that I shouldn’t be surprised because I know that hard work truly does pay off. 

The year was 2011 and it was my fourth year in Colorado. I had just purchased my very first professional camera. I was beside myself! I couldn’t wait to take photos of anything and everything I came across. Every photo opportunity filled me with excitement! Elk, deer, moose, marmots, birds, the sky, rocks, trees, mountains, rivers and everything in between. I couldn’t get enough.

I began to crave more and more experiences through the lens. Naturally, I took a road trip. I drove from Coal Creek Canyon, where I was living, to the ghost town of Crystal, Colorado. I was extremely motivated to take my own photos of a place I had seen a million times in magazines and postcards. I just couldn’t believe that such a place existed. 

The Crystal Mill has been historically known as the Sheep Mountain Mill. It is also known as the most photographed location in our colorful state. 

It was built in 1892 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. It ceased operations in 1917. It is a wooden structure that has never had electricity. It utilized the adjacent Crystal River to power the air compressor that was used to run the mill. It would help ventilate the nearby mines and pneumatic tools. Due to inclement weather, the mill is only accessible during summer and autumn months. Go ahead and add this to your bucket list. It’s more incredible in person than any photo could ever capture. Trust me!

The Crystal River is part of the Roaring Fork River that’s approximately 40 miles long and stretches along some of Colorado’s most breath-taking scenery. It is highly popular among fishermen for fly fishing. Don’t like fishing? No worries. It’s still a great place to go sit beside and have a picnic, take photos or just sit and breathe. The views of the Crystal River and Crystal Mill are incredible from any angle. 

I’ll admit that for many years I hated life. However, something inside kept convincing me that one day it’ll all be worth it. After moving to Colorado and at 40 years young, I can tell you that I was right. Every single struggle, every challenge I’ve been faced with, every experience and every decision – right or wrong – has led me to the place where I am now.  A place where I can comfortably say that life is not perfect and it will never be, but I’m loving my life just as it is! I sure hope you are too.

(Originally published in the February 27, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)