A bullion of flowers

Today's Daffodil Hill began as a 19th century way station for teamsters and travelers over Kit Carson Pass.

Each year during the first days of spring it's a mass of blossoms that must number in the millions with much of them stemming from the more than 500,000 bulbs planted over three generations by the McLaughlin family, who took over the ranch from an old Dutchman in 1887.

Over the years family members were born and died at the ranch and in 1923 the 17-room, 21Ú2-story house burned. In 1935, Lizzie Van Vorst McLaughlin died and her children Jesse and Mary decided to plant daffodils in her memory.

A few daffodils were planted each year and then people stopped to admire the blooms. As the groups of tourists grew, so did the plantings. As many as 4,000 have visited the ranch in a day. The family plans to plant 10,000 this year. More than 300 varieties are spread over six acres along with tulips, blooming trees, farm animals, historic buildings and relics of farm life.

Daffodil season at the hill is supported by donations from visitors and time from family and friends who volunteer for everything from plantings, to spring cleanup and the fall walnut harvest.

"We hope that the new rush of golden blooms will give visitors something to take away with hem, not a treasure of ore, but a memorable bullion of flowering loveliness and a sense of God at work in this act of our sharing with them."

- Source: Daffodil Hill