I listened to the mountain breezes whispering through pine needles in a forest overlooking scenic Gold Lake and the snowcapped peaks of Colorado’s Continental Divide.

Gold Lake’s history is filled with adventure. Nearly 200 hundred years ago, Chief Niwot gathered his warriors here for summer retreats. During Colorado’s gold rush, the property was a gold mining district, even though gold was never found here. At the turn of the century the Lefthand Ditch Company acquired the lake’s water rights and built a dam.

Through the years, Gold Lake has operated as many things– from a summer Girl Scout camp to a corporate retreat to a private club.

I enjoyed a massage by a licensed therapist. As the lights were dimmed and soft music played in the background, time just flew by for me, and I emerged completely relaxed. The spa offers a variety of aromatherapy facial and massages.

I don''t fish, but I saw others lazily casting a line into the deep-blue waters of Gold Lake and rowing boats to do "catch and release" fly fishing. Trails in the surrounding national forests beckon invitingly for mountain biking, horseback riding or hiking. I took a leisurely mile-long hike along wooded trails around the lake.

Gold Lake''s beautiful restored cabins, each have a different artistic decor, ranging from Victorian to Oriental to Western. My husband and I stayed in Russell''s Ranch (named after western artist Charles Russell), which is a Western-style cabin filled with antiques. In the living room, my husband was intrigued with a table (a former old woodworking bench). I loved the beautiful 1878 Steinway piano. Our bathroom featured a stunning copper cactus and desert scene wall.

We ate great food at Alice''s Restaurant in the old 100+-year lodge, which once was the dining hall for the Girl Scouts. I tried a house specialty, a dessert called Gold Lake chocolate mountain, which is a tall mound of rich chocolate cake served alongside a lake of orange sauce.

We were fascinated by the high backed willow chairs and large candelabra in the rustic dining room, which is open to the public. For more casual meals, Karel''s Bad Tavern, also located in the main Lodge, features a lighter, simpler, menu. The resort is owned and operated by a friendly young couple,who came from St. Louis seeking a life change from their demanding urban careers in marketing and architecture. They purchased the Gold Lake property and utilized their talents to develop the property into an upscale mountain resort. A large white circular tent located near an old Indian mound offers seats up to 75 people for elegant, indoor/outdoor summer events, including weddings.

For directions to this mountain resort above Boulder, call 1-800-450-3544 or 1-303-459-3544.