Omayra Acevedo, Elbert County. The best thing ever has happened! Nothing. Why do I find comfort in nothing? Because I can focus, work harder and feel accomplished when I have no unnecessary distractions holding me back. Except for all the shoveling I’ve been doing lately. Still, I find myself making shoveling snow a part of my workout routine, or I use the time to meditate. After all, at least I get to be outside for a while. Though I am loving where I am in life, professionally, academically and personally, it’s just that I forget how important it is to step away, even from the things I enjoy.

For this week’s adventure, I thought it’d be nice to visit the town of Elizabeth, in Elbert County, Colorado. It was the 11th of November 2020, my first time there. At first sight, I thought that there wasn’t much to the rural town of Elizabeth; some Victorian-style homes, antique shops, vintage clothing boutiques, coffee shop, gas station, etc. Then, as an amateur researcher, I went home and did some digging. I discovered so many amazing things, but if I wrote about them all, this column would turn into a book.

In October of 1890, Elizabeth was incorporated and got its start as a saw mill camp. Its original name was Russellville, but was renamed after a close family member of the governor, John Evans. That’s the very short version of Elizabeth’s history. I promise this is a pretty cool hidden gem of a town. 

It is also home to Rambler Ranch. The company dedicated to preserving and restoring the automotive inventions of Charles Williams Nash. Nash was an American automobile entrepreneur, who served as an executive in the automotive industry and helped build up General Motors. Long story short, at Rambler Ranch you can see a massive collection of Nash’s 1917-1957 automobile inventions and collection. Way cool! 

This was only one of the several facts that impressed me about the town of Elizabeth. I’d love to return and explore more. Stampedes, summer festivals, the quaint little boutiques, and the local outdoor recreational areas are all calling my name. 

As I looked around the town of Elizabeth, I thought to myself that it looked so peaceful. I began to wonder if the residents living there found it as wonderful and beneficial as shoveling snow became for me. 

Stepping away from daily life offers many great opportunities; a fresh outlook for starters. Besides, you never know what you’re going to discover and learn.

For more information, check out https://www.townofelizabeth.org/

(Originally published in the April 8, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)