Day 39 8.26
It rained overnight & this morning the skies were filled with clouds. My phone rang at 6:45 mountain time, but 8:45 Florida time. It was the doctors office where I’d had the very unsuccessful virtual appointment. To make a long story short, they were following up. (Note: I’d received a letter in the mail last week that Danny sent me a screen shot of asking “if I were going to miss another appointment, please let them know ahead of time". I called the office & asked them to please change my record to indicate I had not missed the appointment, but that had failed to tell me I needed to be in the state of Florida when I took the call. They were super nice & said they would.) Onto this mornings call…the woman on the phone apologized for the miscommunication, told me about this Federal law instated in 2023 & they had changed their system to indicate you are required to be in the state at the time of the appointment by putting a red pop up box when you go into to complete your e-paperwork & also the schedulers were now telling patients who were making virtual appointments, this information. I said that was great. Then she set me up an appointment for the day after I got back & said she thought there’d be no problem getting me in for the shot that week. I said thanks…so I guess the shot is back on. We’ll see. But I did appreciate a follow up & their changing their system so it doesn’t happen again.
Then I stayed in bed later than normal. I drove into Salida & hiked what the locals call “S” mountain. It rises above the town near the river. Years ago, Danny & were out here on the 4th of July at a Brew-Fest & watched a tiny bit of the mountain catch on fire after one of the fireworks went off. Then the town sat & watched as the firetruck made it’s way up the mountain to put it out. Today, I was on the trail, just to see what it was like.
The views of Salida as you climb up the mountain.
I’d made it to the top where there’s a tiny white building & visited with a couple from Austin while we watched the sky grow darker & head our way. I was supposed to be hiking a loop trail, but as the clouds got darker, I decided to just head back the way I came.
Once at the bottom & no severe weather yet, I took what would have been the loop backwards & hiked it for awhile. It was much lower in case the storm did come in.
As you hike to the top & behind the mountain, you can sooooo many other trails going off in all directions to the mountains behind “S”. A mountain bikers dream to have so many choices.
This is the view from town & the tiny white building at the top is the end of this trail.
If you’ve never been to Salida, it’s a pretty cool mountain town. They call this the “Banana Belt” because while they do have winter & cold, you can supposedly hike here all year round.
Sherry was staying with her friend Becky in Salida while on her bike trip so I met her, Becky & Lynn for lunch at Sweeties Sandwich shop & we took our food down by the river & ate & chatted. We walked around town, shopping in their cute stores, then went to Woods Distillery for a cocktail. Somehow, I took no pictures of this afternoon. We stayed there awhile just visiting.
I stayed even longer because right after they left to go to their cars then back to Becky’s, it poured & poured…super heavy rain. Eventually I just left to walk the few blocks to my car…I was soaked by the time I got back.
For dinner I got a little pizza & a beer. Evidently it was Happy Hour which was BOGO.
I jokingly asked if I could get my free one to…& they said yes. During Covid, they started beers to go…so, they just slap this little sticker across the top (in case you get pulled over) & you’re good to go.
This campsite has been fantastic for watching big storms come in & beautiful skies at sunset.
The rain quit & I had a nice night in camp…the temps have dropped a bit though, so time to layer up! I took down my tent (glad it was dry by now) & packed it away. This free BLM camp has been great…but time to move on up the road.
Day 40 8.27
I wasn’t moving very far though…about 20 miles…just a couple of miles north of Buena Vista. I read about a campsite, then once I got there I realized Danny & I had stayed here last summer on our way home from CB. The host last year told us it was going to a fee & reservation only campground, but none of those things had happened by the time I got there today. It was pretty full, but I found a really nice site…perfect size for me to back in my 4Runner & a large space for a picnic table, my tent & trees for my hammock (I love it when I can hang up my hammock) & it was getting tons of morning sunshine….a huge bonus!
I made some tea, ate something & sat awhile in the warm sun. I’d had an awful night last night…lots of nightmares & I really really hate those nights. I did my Spanish & set up tent…I was staying here through part of the Labor Day weekend. I had a neighbor with the small TAB trailer & she came over & introduced herself. We chatted for a bit, then agreed we’d meet up again this evening, when we were both back in camp.
I was not feeling good at all this morning, so I decided to not hike, but take the scenic drive up to Twin Lakes & see what damage the spring fire had done.
I drove up the road but not all the way to the pass. Always, sooo very pretty up here. My campground was off the road called Colorado…I’ve camped off of here a lot. You drive through 3 tunnels & the road sits right above the Arkansas river…it’s really washboard & bumpy, but very pretty!
So surprised at the color of this water. This is old mining area, but not sure if thats the reason or just the geology of the place.
This pic doesn’t show it well, but there’s burn area over there. There’s also historic buildings that used to be a resort back in the late 1800’s. Lots of cool buildings & history of rich people coming here & how they got here & who built it all. It’s amazing they saved it all with the fire so very close. Also, over there is part of both the Colorado trail & the Continental Divide trail. I’ve hiked that area before, but today was just for taking it easy (sad face).
Still some flowers to find!
I met Sherry & Lynn & her cyclist friend Eric at their stop for the day…another day completed! Her trip is going perfectly!
We ate at Sherry’s fave BV restaurant called Casa Sanchez 3….it was sooo delicious! It lasted me 3 meals.
Back in camp I read in my hammock for quite awhile. Then Kelly came over & we visited until way after dark. I’ve met another new camping friend & I love that! And, it turns out we have a mutual friend in CB!
Day 41 8.28
I enjoyed tea & conversation with Kelly this morning as the sun rose to warm up the day. Today was another new trail called Harvard Lakes. Rated moderately challenging but not a long mileage hike, I took off to find the trail head. So, here’s the thing about so many of the hikes here, near all the 14ers…they are hard. Most of the hikes, at least that you’ll find on All Trails, are rated hard. But I’d found one that was ‘moderatly hard’….jump to the end of this hike…It about killed me. And it shouldn’t have, but everything this year is harder.
It was 2 3/4 miles up…1,800’ & it felt like forever. It was such a rough & rocky trail but it was the climbing that got me. I was sweating like never before…if I was catching something yesterday & that’s why I felt so awful, surely I would sweat it out today. I couldn’t believe how hard this trail was feeling.
This trail intersects with the Colorado Trail. Finally I was at the top, feeling like I’d been hit by a bus.
Lower Harvard Lake
Upper Harvard Lake
There was a lot of blow down in this part of the forest, but still some color left too.
After making it back to car…feeling exhausted, I drove into town & did laundry, then hit the store for ice & water.
There’s a gear shop in downtown BV that also houses an ice cream/food place. I decided it was time to eat some veggies since for about the past three weeks the only veggies I’ve had are pieces of lettuce on the many burgers I’ve eaten & a lot of green chiles. This salad was super super yummy!
Then I walked across to the street to the Deer Hammer distillery…yum! I think I like their whiskey better than Woods in Salida.
Grateful for the sunshine to dry out my laundry! And to warm my body as I used my portable shower to get clean with today.
The Turtle Rock campground is named after this rock. They’re fun to go walking & climbing around on. Still feeling exhausted but wanting to move a little bit, I took a slow walk around, up, down & over some of these rock formations near camp.
I can still see some of the Collegiate Peaks from here & this sunset was breathtaking!
Day 42 8.29
I had a slow day in camp….hoping to hear from a friend but the call/text never came. Someday’s that’s just how it goes.
I finally left camp & went to try a new place called Buena Viking. I had a good burger & this drink with bacon flavored bourbon (made in house), maple syrup & bitters. It was good but as Danny mentioned…it should have come with a slice of crispy bacon as the garnish (I wanted more bacon flavor).
Alpenglow!
Another pretty sunset. I finished another book & just enjoyed a really mellow pretty evening.
Day 43 8.30
I knew Sherry had been in Leadville yesterday so today I was going to try to see it through ‘new eyes’ & do a hike. I’ve never been impressed by this old mining town that is the highest city in our country. So, I took the drive & walked through the town a bit this morning. Yes, I stopped in Melanzanna…as much as I’ve bitched about that company I really do love their products. They have a rack you can buy off of if you don’t have an appointment…you only get to choose ONE thing. Appointments are 8 months out….just crazy. But they are super great hoodies & I think I’ve been in one almost everyday since I’ve been on this trip. So, I added one more to my ‘collection” and it’s funny, I have one that’s a mens size M, a women’s size L & todays is a women’s M…go figure.
I was headed down a decent gravel road for 7 miles then I would hit another road that was warned to be a bit ‘rough’ for another .9 miles. The 7 mile trek was great, but I hesitated when I got to the other road. It looked really rough. I thought about walking it but glad I didn’t. Instead I drove it…& drove & drove & drove. There were only about three places I could turn around & I saw no end in site & it just got worse the farther I went. Eventually, deciding going out & back on this road was enough adventure for today, I found a wide-ish spot, did a 25 point turn (ha ha) & went back. It wasn’t quite white knuckle…but I didn’t want to take it that far.
I did drive over to Turquoise Lake just to see again. I’ve camped & hiked here before…really pretty with its crystal clear water.
Today would be a day I’d end up putting a lot of miles on my car. Tom & Kelly had invited me back to camp with them in their new amazing camp site, but I was settled into mine for the busy weekend. But, I did want to see them again, so off I took to a bit south of Salida. We visited for a while…talking travels & trails & special campsites. I really enjoyed all my time with them & hope Danny is with me the next time!
My friend Talie, from CB was at a camper van get together this weekend in Salida so I stopped by & said hi to her for a short while. I met some of her friends…old & new & then I took off for my campsite.
Another colorful beautiful sky to end the day.
Day 44 8.31
I have only done one hike along Cottonwood Pass even though I’ve driven it so many many times. Todays hike was a good way up the pass….it’s called Lost Lake. Not a hard hike or a long one…there were lots of families hiking this trail. But surprisingly, the trail wasn’t crowded.
It was a really pretty hike for only being about 3.5 miles RT.
My second hike of the day was just right at the end of town in Buena Vista across the river. It was a loop hike going up into the more desert like part of the mountains here. It’s also a mountain bike trail but there were few bikers or hikers on this hot afternoon.
The hike was super hot so a big soak in the river felt great afterwards!
The Arkansas River…pretty, clear & always fun.
I stopped into Eddyline Brewery for lunch & a beer. There were tons of dogs there on the patio…but this guy was the hugest of them all.
I went back to camp, took down my tent, hammock & put away my chair. I’d be leaving tomorrow morning very early…headed to Denver for the 3rd time this trip. Had a nice long phone conversation with Danny before he went to bed…always a good way to end the day.
Day 45 9.1
I left at daylight making my way to Denver. No much traffic this early in the morning on this normally super RV filled two lane highway ….yay! I had some stops to make in Denver & at the last minute looked for a place that might be open on a Sunday to get an oil change. Yay….I found one in Aurora…the other side of Denver. I pulled in & in short time they told me they couldn’t do it. I had Danny on speaker phone & they were sort of freaking us out at first, but then we realized it was all okay. They just weren’t equipped to do my car. So, I was a bit irritated I’d driven out here, but oh well. I made a mad dash to the store & Walgreens then drove to the Capitol building.
Sherry was ending her 11 days of biking from Santa Fe to Denver. Quite a few of her friends & fellow cyclists showed up to cheer her in! Some had even met her on the trail & ridden in with her. You have no idea what it takes to do this quest she’s on & she has more mental fortitude than anyone I know. We were all so happy for her! Her trip went perfectly!
After the cheers & shouts had died down, we all met at the Pub & Pint just around the corner for beers & food!
Evidently this is a British way of dispensing spirits…they had soooo many bottles of different kinds of liquor. The bartender was great at explaining it all to me also.
They keep the ‘Firkin’ kegs below the restaurant & you can see them from the window in the floor. I don’t know much about them but something with a hammer is how you open them????
It’s been great meeting some of Sherry's friends & seeing the ones I already knew again. It was so fun to be part of this special trip…Santa Fe to Denver!
Sherry is off to more world adventures…this time on a plane instead of a bike, but I’m sure I’ll be seeing her next year!
And, once again, I headed west. Unsure of where I was camping on this Sunday of Labor Day weekend. I drove & drove out to Kenosha Pass. I took a chance that the campground might have a an open spot & I have found one…just one left. It was $12 bucks but evening was approaching so I grabbed quick.
No service here at 10,000’ so I read & just enjoyed the evening.
Day 46 9.2
I’ve seen these kind of structures built into forests before but there’s about 15 of them along this part of the trail.
This is part of the Colorado trail. Boy would I love to do this thru hike!
Think this is a grouse.
So many amazing views of South Park. From 10,000’, it looks so much different than just zooming past it. Such a gorgeous place!
The trail backed by huge beautiful mountains.
Oh noooo…summer is about over. The leaves are beginning to change.
I was hoping to visit my cousin in Confer today…about 30 miles back east. But, it wouldn’t be until later this afternoon. I’ve always wanted to eat at the giant hot dog place that I’ve driven by loads of times, so today was the day.
I ordered the brat with green chile & cheese.
I took my over priced & not outstanding brat outside to eat by the river. Once was definitely enough to visit this place.
Oh how I wished I’d skipped the hot dog place & come here first. The food looked great & they were super nice. It was still quite inside, so I took my computer in with me & ordered a beer & downloaded all my photos. It was a great place to sit & wait for the time to visit my cousin.
I then went up to Conifer & sat at my cousins gorgeous house to visit for a couple of hours. I always try to stop by & see them when I’m in Colorado. And, I’m always so happy that I’ve done it…I come from a very small family & growing up these were about the only cousins I knew. They will soon leave for their home in Arizona where they spend the winters.
When I left there I had just barely enough daylight for my 3.5 hour drive. I was headed to my ‘mountain home”…a little town that will forever hold a huge piece of my heart. I headed over Cottonwood Pass…glad I was going in that direction rather than the other. When I’d driven along 285, the northbound holiday traffic was bumper to bumper…for miles & miles.
But on the other side of Cottonwood, there wasn’t much vehicle traffic, but some nice animal traffic!
Talie was also arriving back in CB today. She unpacked from her weekend campout, then headed out to Washington Gulch very surprised to find all three campsites overlooking the meadow open!! She parked her car in my site, then went to hers to put up her tent.
I arrived a little later & we were both back in our best ever campsites! And, it’s always great to see & camp with Talie. And always, always, always, wonderful to be back in this beautiful mountain space!