A railroad town during the hustling mining era, Basalt today is a growing little community, picturesque and worth a look-see. One can't go too far in the Roaring Fork Valley without nearing the town of Basalt. It straddles the Highway 82 which is the main artery into and out of the valley. It's in Basalt that you'll find the confluence of the Frying Pan River and the Roaring Fork River.

Carbondale is much the same, picturesque and worth a drop-in for lunch. Its history dates back to the era when mining for silver and gold further south was booming. Carbondale was a support area, offering railroad transport, ranching and agricultural products, especially the potato. Even today, a Potato Day is held annually to celebrate the historic harvest.