Moody black and white portrait in vintage-styled interior setting.

We love to travel!

Any opportunity for a mountain getaway, you bet we’re taking it! Melissa’s daughter, Hannah just had her birthday, so we decided to run away to a spooky hotel in Victor, Colorado for the weekend to celebrate. She also brought her good friend, Celly along for the ride. For this trip, we brought both our film and digital cameras to capture the adventure. We trekked up Old Stage Road to get there and the mountain views were absolutely incredible! Then once we got up to Victor, we explored the abandoned mining houses.

A wooden trail sign for St. Peters Dome Trail stands against a snowy mountain landscape.
Someone in a patterned jacket looks out over a vast mountain landscape.
Person in plaid jacket stands on snowy mountain overlook with scenic winter landscape view in background.
A photographer with a camera smiles while standing against a mountain backdrop.
A joyful expression captured against a snowy mountain backdrop on a sunny winter day.
A snow-covered mountain road winds through a forest under bright blue winter skies.
Photographer with long hair and glasses uses vintage camera in snowy outdoor setting.
A photographer strikes a fun pose on a rocky mountain overlook.
A playful moment between a dog and people climbing on large rocks in a mountain setting.
Majestic rock formations rising against deep blue sky in mountain wilderness.
A photographer taking pictures in an abandoned room with mesh wire and warm lighting.
Two people exploring a dilapidated room with peeling walls and damaged ceiling.
An old weathered white staircase with peeling paint in an abandoned building.
A photographer with camera gear stands in a rustic wooden doorway.
A figure stands in a doorway of a deteriorating room with exposed brick and peeling walls.
Person in plaid shirt poses against weathered wall interior with natural lighting.
Sunlit window frame showcasing a snow-covered mountain landscape view.
Figure in tie-dye sweatshirt peeks through rustic wooden doorway with dramatic lighting.
Black and white portrait of someone wearing glasses and smiling warmly.
A silhouetted figure gazes at an abandoned building in snowy winter light.

Then we got to our hotel, The Black Monarch! It has all the spooky vibes, there are a few different rooms, each designed after serial killers or famous people. We stayed in the Nicola Tesla inspired room and had a blast taking photos of the intricate decor, and reading some "interesting" books.

Night view of a historic downtown building corner with illuminated storefronts in black and white.
Large urban mural featuring artistic portrait on building exterior wall.
Close-up shot of vintage round spectacles with decorative metal frame in moody lighting.
Animal skull specimen photographed in dramatic low key lighting against dark background.
Artistic black and white photograph of a hand holding a CD in dark atmospheric lighting.
Vintage science fiction books arranged on a shelf with an antique globe in the background.
Decorative spherical light fixture with intricate cutout pattern in wooden box frame.
Antique telescope with metal gears and chain mechanisms captured in dramatic sunlight.
Silhouette figure stands near window in dark moody room with dramatic contrast.
Vintage living room with Christmas tree, lamps and wall clock in monochromatic style.
Close-up of antique metal ornamental figure detail with weathered patina.
Black Monarch Boutique Hotel vintage-style logo design on wooden background.
Reading scene by a window featuring a book and warm natural lighting.
Person holding black book over face while sitting by window in dark room.
A cozy reading nook with books, striped socks, and a decorative fossil shell on display.
Glass skull illuminated with dramatic smoke effects in black and white.
View through window curtains of old brick buildings in mountain town.
Historic brick buildings line snowy small town street viewed from above.
Vintage ceramic hand candle holder on dark table with decorative elements.
Snowy street view of a historic mountain town with brick buildings and a stop sign in winter.
Night time view of illuminated building along curved road with glowing lights.

Then we went off to dinner in Cripple Creek, fair warning for people traveling with pals under 21. You can't get into most restaurants, since it's a casino town! But we ended up at Ralf's Break Room, and the wings were delicious. Then we took a spooky drive back into town, playing the soundtrack to "The Corpse Bride." Then when we got back to the hotel, that was the movie we put on as everyone fell asleep!

Then we went off to dinner in Cripple Creek, fair warning for people traveling with pals under 21. You can't get into most restaurants, since it's a casino town! But we ended up at Ralf's Break Room, and the wings were delicious. Then we took a spooky drive back into town, playing the soundtrack to "The Corpse Bride." Then when we got back to the hotel, that was the movie we put on as everyone fell asleep!

Woman in black winter coat smiling on city street with brick buildings in background.
Elegant crystal chandelier with cascading beads illuminated in warm lighting.
Minimalist black and white architectural photograph of white building facade with windows.

The next morning, we got all gussied up for some "edgy" hotel photos. We definitely embraced our dramatic sides, but sometimes it was hard not to laugh! Side note– we would love to shoot some couples portraits or bridal boudoir here, if you love those dark and moody vibes!

Two women in dark outfits pose by large windows in a moody vintage-style room with dramatic lighting.
A gothic portrait in dramatic lighting shows a figure in a striped dress standing by a window with dimly lit candles.
Person in dark dress poses dramatically on black furniture with moody lighting.
Gothic styled photo with person holding amber crystal skull against dark background.
Gothic bedroom scene with mounted deer skulls and dramatic lighting on a dark wall.
Person in a black mesh top holds a vintage framed photograph near a window.
Person in dark dress examines a vintage telescope by a window with natural lighting.
A messy unmade bed is shown in black and white with sunlight streaming through windows.
A moody black and white image shows a silhouetted figure looking through window curtains.
Person smiles while looking through an antique telescope in a room with technical drawings on the wall.
Black and white portrait of a woman with long hair looking down while wearing dark clothing.
Portrait of woman in floral dress lying on dark couch near window with natural lighting.
Artistic black and white photo of figure on bed with mounted skulls and technical drawing on wall.
Person in a floral dress laughs joyfully while relaxing in a leather armchair in a dimly lit room.
Two friends share a cozy moment on a sofa in a warmly lit vintage-style room.

Then before we headed back, we stopped by Sunnyside Cemetery and drove through the graveyard, most of the gravestones were from the 18 and 1900's, and at night, it's definitely super spooky! Then we also adventured to a couple of the old other abandoned mines.

American flag flies over snow-lined basketball court with mountains in the background.
Ornate cemetery entrance arch with mountain backdrop at Sunnyside Cemetery.
Dilapidated wooden structure showing exposed beams and deteriorating framework.
Historic mining equipment and wooden structures stand against a snowy mountainside.
Wooden mining headframe tower stands against bright blue sky on hilltop.
Two weathered wooden barns stand in deep snow against a stark winter landscape.
Weathered red barn with metal roof and chimney against vibrant blue sky.
Rustic industrial gears and machinery equipment set against snowy mountain backdrop.
A weathered wooden cabin nestled in a snowy mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks in the distance.
Panoramic winter mountain landscape with snow-covered peaks and evergreen forest.
Historic mining structures nestled in snowy mountain landscape with evergreen forest.
Pink brick Victorian-style house nestled among snow-covered evergreen trees.
Snow-capped mountain peak rises against deep blue sky with evergreen trees in foreground.
Black and white photograph of snow-covered mountain peaks under dramatic sky.

Couldn't have asked for a more aesthetic mini vacation! Mountains, spooky vibes and good company! We definitely recommend taking a trip to one of our favorite towns! Go play in Victor!