And that's a wrap, another lovely Colorado vacation in the books.
It was, as always, beautiful. Perfect temps, magnificent scenery, and zero stress. No schedule except check in/out times at the lodges. Our day consisted of getting up, eating a tasty breakfast provided by our hosts, and wandering onto whatever road looked interesting. Cooler sammiches and road snacks for most other meals. A couple of sit-down dinners when we felt the need for pampering.
We again did the "miss I-25 and I-70 at every opportunity" dance. On the way up it meant jumping off I-25 at Pueblo and heading to Georgetown by way of Cañon City, Hartsell, Fairplay, Grant, and Guanella Pass. Most other days it was a combination of whatever available back road struck our fancy. Some familiar, some new, and all with gorgeous views. New roads included Lookout Mountain with its grand 180 degree vista of the Golden/Denver cityscape and Plains extending to the horizon. Ute Pass provided a breathtaking overlook with it's deep valley and picture-perfect mountain backdrop to the west. Requisite drives through Poudre Canyon and RMNP. Trail Ridge Road had been open a mere five days when we went through. Old Fall River Road isn't expected to open until at least July. We also discovered Stove Prairie/Buckhorn Road (N CO 27) from Poudre Canyon down through Masonville. Well worth the hour's drive time.
The day we relocated to Creede started with a visit to Leadville, cutting south from Vail through Minturn and Red Cliff (a cool little place in it's own right). If you haven't visited the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum in Leadville, do so at your earliest opportunity. Our original plan was heading down to Buena Vista, then west to Gunnison via Taylor Pass. We really enjoy the drive from Gunnison down 149 through Lake City to Creede. Meandering down Lake Fork of the Gunnison and over Slumgullion Pass is great - slow down, chill, and take in the wonder. Unfortunately, that plan was nuked from orbit when the bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir developed a nasty crack and was closed (CO 149 where it heads south from US 50). With the bridge closure there's just no way from Gunnison to CO 149 that doesn't involve several hours drive or some serious offroading, so south through Poncha Springs, Saguache, and Del Norte it was. The offset was a 1.5 hour reduction in travel time which got us to Creede that much earlier.
Central Colorado had almost 140% its normal snowpack so every river was brimming full and running hard. Daily thunderstorms occasionally upped the ante. South-central Colorado didn't have quite so much snow, but still enough that the mighty Rio Grande was running bank to bank, much to the delight of every trout fisherman this side of... wherever.
No hiccups, hitches, or calamities. Not so much as a mildly unfortunate event. Even the perpetual Summer road construction delays/closures were met with anticipation. We would turn off the pickup, roll down the windows, and enjoy the view while cool mountain breezes wafted through the cab. At a construction stop just outside Red Cliff, six beautiful AC Cobras pulled up behind us - tops down and side pipes crackling. What a glorious noise. Just down the road we stopped at Camp Hale, now a protected National Historic Site. Several good documentaries on YouTube if you're interested.
Unfortunately, it couldn't last forever so back to the grind. This morning as I got ready my blushing bride reminded me that, while I have to return to work, she doesn't. She's playing this retirement thing for all it's worth.
I looked to the cat for sympathy. He responded by rolling over and licking his butt.
Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming...
Brad
