Telluride......It's FREE

Something I found very interesting about Telluride is that even in this day and age, there were things that were FREE. By FREE, I mean no charge, no money exchanged....FREE.

Matt was always talking about the FREE BOX. He said it was a place in town, sheltered, where people could leave things they didn't need anymore, and other people could come and take what they needed or wanted.

I kept picturing a BOX and was surprised when we came upon the FREE BOX on our trip. It isn't really a BOX at all. It's a wooden wall of bins that are labeled. It's located right off of Main Street right in the middle of town! People drop clothing, shoes and things that they no longer need or want into the bins.

See that covered green turtle sandbox up on the top of the bins? We were in a store shopping a while after I took this picture, and someone walked in carrying the turtle! What a great way to get rid of what you don't need.....and for someone else to be able to use it. Sure beats the landfill!

One day while we were in town, Matt asked if we wanted to walk back to his house or take the bus. We were tired and said we would prefer the bus. I figured it couldn't cost that much. He didn't live that far. Oh, it didn't cost much. It was FREE! I didn't get a picture of the bus, so this one is from about.com. There is actually a history behind the "Galloping Goose" buses and you can read about it here.

Another day Matt decided to take us on the gondola up to Mountain Village. Mountain Village is a little "town" that lies higher up the mountain. There are condos and houses and stores and restaurants. I was leery of the gondola since I really don't like heights at all, but I promised myself that I was going to step out of my comfort zone this trip, so off we went to the gondola.

I asked Matt how much it would cost, and he laughed. He said Michael and Bern had asked the same thing....and again...it's FREE. It was an awesome ride with a spectacular view! That's Telluride down below!!! Oh and yes, there are cars where you can bring dogs with and Luna went with us!

Mountain Village also put in this huge boulder with hand and foot holds for people to climb.

When we got there, there was a family climbing it and Matt joined in. It too was FREE. Not only would our town never put in something like that where people just go use it....because someone would get hurt and sue....but if they did put something like that in....you can be sure it wouldn't be FREE.

Now I realize that Telluride is a tiny little town, and a very wealthy little town at that....and that most things there cost you an arm and a leg.....but how cool is it that you can really go somewhere and get something for nothing? I say, "Chee Hoo!"

How about your town? Big? Small? Anything FREE?