Wow. So much to tell. The day started cold (48 F) in Lake City and quickly turned FOGGY as I headed for Gunnison. I stopped to snap a phone pic before diving into it. The fog was never thick. Visibility was not a problem but it was wet. Now and then I would actually climb over the fog only to dive back into it. Pretty fun.
Most of the road into and out of Gunnison was US Route 50, the first transcontinental highway in North America. In Nevada it is called "The Loneliest Highway in America" and for good reason. But in Colorado it takes you over Monarch Pass.
At the crest there is a tramway up to the top of Monarch Ridge. On top of that there is a glass observation room with an outside deck around it. After wandering around the observation deck for a while, I called Jan. I figured if it worked for all those antennas, it might work for me. Sure enough. It was great to hear her voice...and looking south I was pretty sure I could see our house.
Turning north in Poncha Springs led me to Route 24, Buena Vista and Leadville (Elevation above 10,000 ft.) and onto Colorado 91 and The Top of the Rockies Byway. Along the way I went over Freemont Pass (over 11,000 feet).
I am pretty sure I spent more time over 10,000 feet today than at any other time in the past (outside of an airplane). My 900 foot MSL body knows the difference. No problems so far...in fact I seem to be getting better acclimated. Good thing.
Anyway, I connected to I-70 heading East toward Idaho Springs and Denver. BUMMER. I sat in an hour long traffic jam at a walking pace or stopped. The locals in Idaho Springs say it happens every weekend winter and summer. Yuck. Note to self... Avoid I-70.
Idaho Springs was a welcome relief. Camping options were poor, so tonight is a motel night again; a 30's era motor court with no pavement. Idaho Springs actually has a hot springs with the requisite 1900's "spa hotel" built around and over it. I didn't pay to go in. Looked a bit distressed. But Idaho Springs is nevertheless a nice little mining town. The Azteca serves a good margarita and a great plate of Carne Asada. Not all bad.
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| Early morning fog between Lake City and Gunnison |
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| The view from Monarch Pass Observation Tower |
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| Chapman Peak is hidden behind the two to the left. |
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| The sky is so blue this high. |
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| Radio antennas can be short up here. |
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| Just in case you missed the point of the Continental Divide |
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| Lots of riders out this weekend |
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| Approaching Leadville |
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| Top of the Rockies Byway: Came from there |
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| going here... |
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| Never took a bath and never kissed a woman (no surprise there). |
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| Check out the damned clever spark catcher. This thing prevented forest fires. |
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| The Idaho Springs Historical Society may be on hard times. |
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| Idaho Springs actually looks nicer than this shot indicates |
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| GOLD! |
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