Day 47 9.3
This morning after coffee & catching up about her weekend, I spent the morning making some appointments for my upcoming travels back to Denver in a couple of weeks. I was getting my tires rotated, a campsite in an overpriced state park, & my reservation to park my car off site when I left Denver.
I met the new neighbor that was camped behind us, named Hank. Then I drove into town to the library where I had to download a bunch a files onto my computer. Then store for ice & firewood. I drove back to camp having completed it all then dove into my Spanish lesson.
Talie in her new shirt….shes got a great sense of humor!
As the evening grew near, I made us a campfire & Hank came down & we got to know him as we all enjoyed the night. Hank is a really interesting guy…lives part time in Idaho & part time in Hawaii….both places off the grid. He’s a former jeep-camper, but on this trip he’s towing a trailer for the first time.
We all had binoculars as we watched 9 elk come out in the meadow…now you know it’s fall in the mountains when the elk start coming to lower elevation.
The stars popped out to create a brilliant sky. I was so happy to be back here!
Day 48 9.4
I was up & out of camp by 7:30am & on my way into CB. I was headed to Dave the mechanics place for an oil change. He’s helped me out before when my 4WD got stuck one year & several of my friends use him. I’ve driven about 5,300 miles so far, so time for that maintenance…and unlike the chain shops, I knew he’d be able to work my wonderful old 4Runner (because so many people drive these great old cars that live out here!)
I’d let my phone battery practically drain, so while it charged, I went to breakfast at Paradise Diner..always yummy! Then I headed out to climb Scarp Ridge for the second time this year. It was just as hard today as it was when Danny was here. But, I’d made it almost up to the top, when the black clouds & booms of thunder started.I can’t remember ever turning around on this hike that I’ve done about 18 or 20 times before, but even though I was almost there, finding yourself at above 12,000’ when the storms blow in is not a good thing. The wind picked up so strong & the temps plummeted as they do in mountain storms, I hiked down to the tree line, put on my rain jacket & pack cover & started down as quickly as I could…what a bummer.
But as I hurried down the trail & almost back to the trailhead, I spied three women in front of me. Then I heard, “Hey Vicki!”…it was my friend Greta! So, that was the highlight seeing her on the trail. We made plans to get together soon before she & I both leave town. What a wonderful spontaneous surprise!
This cutie stuck it’s head out on my way back down the rough road.
I went back to camp & worked on my website all day. The skies finally cleared & it was a nice evening. Talie was having a special visitor this evening. Her friend, Nathan Bilow is a Getty photographer & has lived in CB & known Talie a long time. He is taking photos of her for Getty’s stock photography site & started that process this evening. He said that there is a huge amount of requests for older women being active & especially in nature. I sat & watched as he took photos & videos of her. Then they moved over to my site, where Talie & I sit in the evenings for our campfires.
Then he asked icky old grungy dirt bag me if I would let him photograph me in the morning. I’d thought I’d have a bit of time to clean up before then, so I said yes. But….then he started shooting images right then. Wow…the vanity bug bites fast, because I was not prepared. But then oh well I thought…this is the real me, out here slightly dirty, disheveled, hat hair, sweat hair, a bit pink from the mountain sun, but my smiles are all genuine the shadows of these mountains…so, what the hell?
I even had to sign a “model’s release”…that’s a first & I’d bet a last too.
The night ended with campfire conversation with Hank, Talie & me.
Day 49 9.5
The photographer would be back early this morning & I managed to clean up slightly…well, it was good enough (which I have fairly low standard when I’m out here!) All morning in camp, Nathan shot photos & videos & Talie & I just did what we always to…chat, laugh, check out the sunrise, do a ‘cheer’s” with our morning coffee.
Then it began to rain, so I ran into town for paper for the fire, water & a slice of Stash pizza. Then back out at camp, I tucked into the lounge (the back of my 4Runner) with the hatch keeping me mostly dry & read all day.
Talie making kindling for me…she’s wicked with a hatchet!
Tracy came out & we built a big fire & the three of us chatted until way after dark. And, yes, Tracy is my “big beer” friend, so we both enjoyed a yummy Bourbon County Stout I’d brought from home. It was so great to see her again…I treasure my women friends & nights like this sitting around a warm campfire, with the stars above us & the mountains beside us, is just the best! And I never take these friendships for granted…they mean the world to me.
Day 50 9.6
This morning was dry & gorgeous!
Talie & I walked up the road to see how nice it is since the county worked on it in July when were here last. Talie is such a remarkable woman…she’s so active, upbeat & positive. But to walk along chatting with her as she negotiates this gravel & dirt road with her crutches & one leg, is truly amazing. We checked out how much the leaves are turning…not much yet, but soon will be.
Talie snapped a photo of me dragging back kindling for our next campfire.
Danny’s best friend Mike Meinke was coming out this morning. Mike has recently bought a Class C camper (he’s also tried a teardrop & a trailer) & was on his way back from it’s maiden voyage. He’d left Kansas about 9 days ago, driven to southern California & now is on his way back. He’s never wilderness camped before, but was going to try it tonight. The spot next to mine had come open this morning, so it was on hold until he got here around 10:30am.
I introduced Talie & Mike & we visited for awhile. Mike has his dog Ava with him & I’m not sure either of them ‘loved’ the roughing it part of camp. But I wanted him to be able to see more than just the campsite, so I moved everything from my front seat to the rear, & we took off towards town. We had lunch at Paradise then walked the few blocks of downtown. Whenever anyone comes to CB, I always tell them to drive the valley roads. But, I have had a couple of people that have only checked out the town, without seeing the massive beauty that driving these roads gives you. Mike wasn’t up for hiking down to the river, so I drove out to Gothic Road then up to Emerald Lake.
I think Ava didn’t like riding in the front seat floor & Mike was probably too crammed also, but this was the vehicle we had. When you own a Class C, you either tow a vehicle or stay put. And while I love this road, these mountains & this amazing view, it doesn’t always capture everyone the way it does me. And that’s OK. Ava wanted to get back to the RV, so after the lake I called off the tour & we drove back to camp.
Mike & Ava napped awhile, I put my stuff back where it goes in 4Runner & read for the afternoon.
I built another campfire as the sun would be setting soon, & Hank, Mike & Talie & I sat around at talked travel, camping, & all those similar subjects that I can listen to & talk about endlessly.
Day 51 9.7
Happy Birthday Luke! A happy guy in northern California & soon to be married! What a fantastic year this will be for our family!
We had a slow morning in camp, Mike brought over his coffee & the three of us chatted. Talie & I are used to below freezing nights out here & chilly mornings until the sun comes up around 8am. Mike had discovered overnight & this morning his heater is not working on this newest camper….he said poor Ava had been super cold in the night. He’s wonderfully mechanical so I have no doubt he’ll get it fixed fast, but I’m not sure he’ll want to camp where it’s cold enough to require heat either. He was headed back to hot Kansas today, so he won’t miss the heater for the rest of this trip. He pulled out about noon, hoping to get back to Kansas City sometime tomorrow.
I had a nice long conversation with Luke…always makes my day to talk to one of my happy kids or grandkids!
It was late for a big hike & the weather has been rainy & stormy most afternoons, so I drove just down the road a bit to hike Long Lake.
Since it’s turned colder now, there’s not the mass of humanity swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking & swimming their dogs here…it was pretty quiet.
Tina, the friend that lives in Rocky Mountain National Park that I’d seen earlier on this trip, was in CB with both her kids. I was supposed to meet her today, but she’d had a crisis happen with part of her family back in Kansas, so that meet up got called off. I know she was super stressed about it all & it was not a fun way to end her family trip out here.
I ran some errands in town, then hiked the Lower Loop toward the river. This was the hike I wanted Mike to see yesterday, but since he didn’t want to do it, it was perfect for me for today.
After my hike, I went to Bones for one of their awesome margaritas & some chips & salsa…yummy for sure.
Back at camp we added a new neighbor to our campfire convo’s…his name is Brian & he was camped in a trailer next to Hank. One of the best parts of travel is meeting people you’d otherwise never meet….& I’ve been so fortunate to meet so many that have become friends.
Day 52 9.8
Talie was doing Bridges of the Butte this morning. A long time fundraiser for Adaptive Sports & so much fun for the town. When I first started coming here, it was a 24 hour ride as your go all around the town over maybe 12 or so bridges. Everyone dresses in costume & has a blast. This year, it’s pared down to 4 hours, but everyone was still going to have a great time. Talie had mentioned to me earlier in the week that I should borrow a bike & ride. I kind of shrugged it off. She’s also mentioned this morning, she did not have a costume, but was riding anyway. We both left camp about the same time, her headed to the ride & me to get water & hike. But, then when I got to the 4 way where I get my water, I noticed in the Little Free Library (because I always look to see what books they have), there was a bright gold foam cowboy hat…just waiting for someone to need it. I grabbed it headed up to the start of the event & Talie thought it was perfect for her. She introduced me to some friends & workers from Adaptive & they encouraged me to borrow on of their townies & ride.
And I said YES!
I haven’t ridden one of these bikes since I was probably 10 years old & this one is giant. I can’t even touch the ground with my feet, but have to slide off the seat to do so. So, in the first block of our riding, I was going out on a limb to try to steer & take a selfie of me & Talie! Happy to report I kept upright with no crashes!.
Dickey, Talie & me…on my HUGE pink townie bike!
Some random photos from others who rode in the event.
This miniature Wonder Woman rode & rode…I bet she went more laps than I did. But at one point, she just rolled her top down & kept on peddling. She was adorable!
I’ve seen Dickie ride this event every year I’ve seen it. I’d be he has the most impressive collection of very high heeled sparkly shoes in every color! Then he rides his bike in them for hours! It’s totally CB!
This a local named Michael Blunck who just arrived at the Bridges of the Butte as he finished riding his single speed townie bike from Craig Hospital in Englewood (Denver) to Crested Butte in 9 days…235 miles on a townie! His townie is named “the Dragon Wagon”. Everyone was super stoked for his arrival.
There was a pizza party after the ride that we all joined.
Then I was walking up the street a couple of blocks to the Public House to meet up with Greta. We’d originally intended to meet at the former Brick Oven, where I’d spent so many afternoons at the best outdoor bar ever drinking super great beer & chatting with old friends & meeting new ones. Since the billionaire took it over, I haven’t been there. It just re opened after a couple of years this past July when Danny & I were here together. It’s called Bruhaus. But today when I’d looked up the beer menu, the two stouts on tap were outrageously priced. One pint was $22 per glass & the other $40 (you’re not even supposed to serve high alcohol beers in a pint glass anway!) I’d heard just to buy a soft drink there was $6.25. So, it was a no-go for me so we switched to public house where I had a good IPA for $5. Call me cheap, but I’ve drank a lot of expensive beer in my life, & that’s just crazy to charge those prices.
But the best part of the late afternoon was catching up with Greta. She works with our mutual friend Rick at the Visitors Center in Gothic. We met the summer, years ago, when we both camped out on Gothic & the rough road was super thick with mud. We were muddy all the time. But I enjoy our friendship a lot & was happy we could get together. And, I told her I’d randomly met her friend Kelly from Breck when we’d camped next to each other at Turtle Rock last week. Small world but I’m glad I’ve filled part of my world with all these wonderful, badass, outdoor loving & caring women!
Then I headed back out to camp for the night.
Some nights my fires are good & sometimes they’re difficult…tonights was a good one!
You may get tired of the pictures of the Butte, but I never do…each one is unique. Tonights sky was candy cotton pink!
Day 53 9.9
Talie left early this morning to go with Adaptive to go mountain biking. Hank came down & we visited for a long time on such a beautiful morning.
Everyday when Talie & I drive out of camp them back in, we’re watching for the leaves changing. It’s slowly beginning to start.
I was doing a town hike today…getting a late start, but I do love this hike. It’s called Upper Loop to the Bridges Trail & it has such a wonderful Aspen forest for being so close to town.
Fall is here.
A section of Aspens all leaning to one side.
There’s a dozen or so bridges to cross in the forest. It’s a shared trail with mountain bikers too.
A pretty view of Whetstone…no leaves changing color there yet.
I headed back out to camp after a quick stop at the store. There was no one around, so I listened to an audio book while I prepared my lunch. Then it was a Spanish lesson & a quiet afternoon to read.