October 1
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| Today the plan was to ride to Glenwood Springs to visit my good friends Frank and Barbara. My route would be roundabout, since I wanted to do some sightseeing on the way. I would also be riding solo, since Eric wanted to visit some friends in Colorado Springs. I set my alarm for 6 (first time I set an alarm this whole trip). I was dressed, had the bike packed, and was ready for breakfast by 6:20, but breakfast didn’t start until 7, and the nitwits had locked up the lobby. So I went back to the room and lay down, trying not to disturb Eric’s sleep. At 7 I wolfed down a biscuit with gravy and a cup of coffee, and was at the bike at 7:10. As I cranked up, a movement caught my eye, and I spotted a small herd of elk walking up the road in front of the hotel. I made some pictures of them before I pulled out. Later I learned that Estes Park is wrapped up with elk, and that it is not unusual to see them on the streets. Seemed kind of strange to a Florida boy! |
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As I pulled out of the parking lot, the elk were crossing the road, so I stopped in the middle of the highway and let them cross right in front of me. The morning sun was at my back, and it was a beautiful sight. Majestic mountains in the background, majestic animals in the foreground. I couldn’t get to the camera quick enough to get a picture from this angle.
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A short drive through downtown Estes Park brought me to the gates of Rocky Mountain National Park. I had wanted to come here for a long time, and this was the perfect time to do it. We had hit the fall color change right on the head, and at this early hour, the light was perfect, the air was crisp, and the traffic was non-existent. The aspens looked like they were glowing. I putted along in second gear, maybe 20 MPH, just soaking in the grandeur of the place. I found myself waving what little traffic there was around me, instead of the other way around! It was a lovely ride. |
The park has 60 peaks over 12,000 feet, and the park road is the highest continuous paved road in the US, topping out at 12,183 feet. The road winds from wet, lush valleys up to alpine tundra well above the tree line, so the scenery is varied and spectacular. This is a place that I have to bring Lana back to for some hiking.
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I stopped at the Visitor Center on the west side to have a granola bar and chat with the Rangers. I was supposed to be in Glenwood Springs between noon and 1, and wanted to ride up through Steamboat Springs on my way. Did I have time? The Ranger shook his head, and then suggested that I cut off on 134, south of Steamboat. It would save me an hour, and he promised that it was a beautiful road. He was right.
I got on I -70 at Wolcott, and I was entering Glenwood Canyon, the bike went to reserve, so I backed off on the throttle and eased into Glenwood Springs. Here I got a shock…$3.22 for regular! That was the highest price I paid the whole trip for gas (low was $2.47). Fueled up, I headed towards Frank’s place, looking for a drugstore (needed a new toothbrush) and a liquor store (to buy the obligatory houseguest-bottle-of-wine). That done, I got to Frank and Barb’s house about 1:30, where they introduced me to the dog, Archie, and another weekend house guest, Becky. We had a light lunch, then Frank and I chatted for a few hours while the girls and Archie went hiking. When they returned, Frank and I went for a little walk in the woods.
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Frank had just whipped colon cancer. He had been diagnosed in January, had surgery in February, then chemo. He went from 170 to 130 pounds. Right out of chemo he hit the gym, and on his off days went hiking with a pack full of rocks. He had put 20 pounds back on in 8 weeks! He said that the hike we went on took him 4 hours the first time he tried it, post chemo. We did it in about an hour at a leisurely pace, and he didn’t look like he broke a sweat. He is a great guy, and an inspiration to me. I feel honored to have him as a friend.
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Dinner that night was an excellent pot roast that had been slow-cooking all day in a bath of red wine, with apple pie for dessert. We all turned in at about 10:30.
205 miles for the day.
