Lookout Mountain has many icons as a part of its history and is, in fact, an icon itself and pinnacle of the Denver Mountain Parks system. Some of the many things we associate with it are the old west and Buffalo Bill’s grave and museum, hang gliders, thrilling bicycle rides, and today, even skateboards tear down the straight-aways and cautiously enter the 2 series of tight switchbacks.
Always a center for tourists and outdoor activities, back in the day, folks could ride the funicular, a cog railroad that flourished until the era of the automobile. Once the auto road was built, much of it thanks to a man nicknamed “Cement Bill”, the flood of enthusiasts kicked into high gear. An auto race of small sports cars used to be held. As a small child, I remember it during the ‘50’s, before most of the houses at the base of the mountain were built.
One vivid memory comes from when I worked at Coors Ceramics. We had a Wednesday night bike club that went up Lookout after work. One special week we got off work to ride with the Coors Light team at lunch. I got to personally ride and converse with Olympic Gold Medalists Alexi Grewal and Connie Carpenter. At the pavilion on top, we were greeted by company-provided, ice cold troughs of beer and all the pizza we could eat. The good old days!!
Always a center for tourists and outdoor activities, back in the day, folks could ride the funicular, a cog railroad that flourished until the era of the automobile. Once the auto road was built, much of it thanks to a man nicknamed “Cement Bill”, the flood of enthusiasts kicked into high gear. An auto race of small sports cars used to be held. As a small child, I remember it during the ‘50’s, before most of the houses at the base of the mountain were built.
One vivid memory comes from when I worked at Coors Ceramics. We had a Wednesday night bike club that went up Lookout after work. One special week we got off work to ride with the Coors Light team at lunch. I got to personally ride and converse with Olympic Gold Medalists Alexi Grewal and Connie Carpenter. At the pavilion on top, we were greeted by company-provided, ice cold troughs of beer and all the pizza we could eat. The good old days!!
Lookout Mountain (song lyrics)
I’m flying down old Lookout Mountain
Headin’ round a curve
That turns me back to where I’ve been
Swinging like a pendulum
Keeping perfect time
Going into the next hairpin
It took a long time
For me to climb that mighty hill
No matter how many times I do it
I never get my fill
They buried Buffalo Bill up here
Back in ‘17
When this old road was brand new
That poor old boy took sick and died
Visiting his kin
Wyoming folks so sad and blue
I’ve been climbing
This mountain most of my days
One of the first things I remember
Were the coins on his grave
The little town so far below
My, how it has grown
And how the time
has surely flown
There’s folks who’ll always want to brave
That steep and winding road
No matter if
they’re young or old
It took a long time
For me to climb that mighty hill
No matter how many times I do it
I never get my fill
Gary Shoe: Lead Banjo and Mandolin, Lead Vocal, Harmony Vocal
Maureen Shoe: Harmony Vocal
Lookout Mountain © 2014 by Gary and Maureen Shoe
I’m flying down old Lookout Mountain
Headin’ round a curve
That turns me back to where I’ve been
Swinging like a pendulum
Keeping perfect time
Going into the next hairpin
It took a long time
For me to climb that mighty hill
No matter how many times I do it
I never get my fill
They buried Buffalo Bill up here
Back in ‘17
When this old road was brand new
That poor old boy took sick and died
Visiting his kin
Wyoming folks so sad and blue
I’ve been climbing
This mountain most of my days
One of the first things I remember
Were the coins on his grave
The little town so far below
My, how it has grown
And how the time
has surely flown
There’s folks who’ll always want to brave
That steep and winding road
No matter if
they’re young or old
It took a long time
For me to climb that mighty hill
No matter how many times I do it
I never get my fill
Gary Shoe: Lead Banjo and Mandolin, Lead Vocal, Harmony Vocal
Maureen Shoe: Harmony Vocal
Lookout Mountain © 2014 by Gary and Maureen Shoe
The 'Good Old Band In The Box Boys' bluegrass quartet:
Style: BG_BNJR.STY. Bluegrass Pop (100 RS)
All RealTracks. Quartet.
RT592: Bass, Acoustic Bluegrass Doc Ev 100, Dow Tomlin
RT598: Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Bluegrass Doc Ev 100, PG Artist
RT589: Banjo, Bluegrass Doc Ev 100 (Rhythm), Scott Vestal
RT599: Mandolin, Rhythm Bluegrass Doc Ev 100, PG Artist
"Band In A Box" is a product of PG Music. Ask me about it sometime and I'll talk your leg off.
Style: BG_BNJR.STY. Bluegrass Pop (100 RS)
All RealTracks. Quartet.
RT592: Bass, Acoustic Bluegrass Doc Ev 100, Dow Tomlin
RT598: Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Bluegrass Doc Ev 100, PG Artist
RT589: Banjo, Bluegrass Doc Ev 100 (Rhythm), Scott Vestal
RT599: Mandolin, Rhythm Bluegrass Doc Ev 100, PG Artist
"Band In A Box" is a product of PG Music. Ask me about it sometime and I'll talk your leg off.