Can't believe it still . . . Moved to Big Bear Lake, CA, December 2013 Spent two plus years in Winter Park at the Pinnacle Lodge before being sold to a Denver group after the Grand Canyon bike trip. The hotel sale made it a GREAT time for a change. Oh, what a wonderful change. Got to spend six weeks with Abby and my new grandson, Cohen. Born October 2013. WOW! That was a great experience.
Helped them make the move to Oklahoma before I headed west. Spent a couple of weeks, including Thanksgiving, with my sister and her family. How wonderful to spend a 2nd Thanksgiving in OKC with family. Always treasure the time with family. Unfortunately, Emily couldn't join us this year. But she will be moving out west in a couple of weeks.
2012 - The winter that never came. Snow pack at record lows for this time of year. Forest fires in March. May be a tough spring and summer fire season if we don't get snow/rain.
Only a few days on the mountain. Enjoyed Emily and Abby visiting this winter - wish the snow would have been better. Had blizzard conditions when we went to Steamboat - that WASN'T fun. Time to consider ordering passes for next year. . . We'll see.
A quote by my fav, Thoreau: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I have not lived."
July 29 - Officially left Steamboat for Winter Park Camped two nights at Stagecoach State Park (Wed and Thurs nights) - got into Steamboat on Wednesday the 27th. Was very sad to be driving into Steamboat and realizing this adventure was coming to an end - but a new adventure would be beginning soon.
Car, yes car - bought in Flagstaff to get back to Steamboat to move and have for new job and location (hated every minute of buying it), loaded it with half my "stuff" from my 3x5 storage.
July 31 - Hiked to lake - different way to view the continental divide - last few times were on the bike.
Almost six miles round trip. Hard to believe this hike included forest, stream, water falls and SNOW - yes SNOW!
Believe it or not, clean shaven for the new "job" - real world test.
Hard to believe a just over a week earlier I was hiking the Grand Canyon to Plateau Point at 120 degrees . . .
Another day on the journey - the journey called life. I wish there was more time to update my blog to share the experiences of my trip - just for my own sake to keep the memories.
It was people, the places and the time to think about family and friends. Already planning the next trip. Unfortunately, I don't forsee the timeframe or the circumstances will ever be the same - that's what made this so special. Thank you for your thoughts and sharing this adventure. Maybe by the next trip, I will have the journal complete.
Arrived in Flagstaff, AZ yesterday afternoon after a week at the Grand Canyon.
What a wonderful adventure - the ride, the places, the people, the peace, wouldn't trade the experience for the world.
Made it to the Grand Canyon on Day 14 (July 14) at 7:30 pm - forgetting that Arizona is on Mountain Standard Time until 2 days later it was actually 6:30 pm. Interesting story on how I got a place to stay on a Thursday night in a campground at the Grand Canyon - (post sometime over the next few days). Stayed at Desert View Campground for five nights (actually 4 out of 5). 792 miles to the eastern entrance.
The reason the blog has been on hold has been limited or no internet access since leaving Durango. Two days at Mesa Verde (a must see as far as I'm concerned), two LONG days crossing northeast Arizona which is Navajo Indian Reservation (will post more on that part of the trip later) and then a week at the Grand Canyon. Honestly have to say, I didn't miss not having access. Had very limited, random access with my iphone at the Grand Canyon. But honestly, had other things to do than spend too much time typing on a small screen :)
The before leaving, I did a 12 mile round-trip hike to Plateau Point in the Canyon - 120 degrees at the point. But worth it.
Nice view of the Colorado river from the point. Wicked, wild waters. Maybe it is a little like each of us at certain points ~ from far away looking down, we all look calm and peaceful, but when we get up close, we see a different person (good or bad depends on the person's attitude).
Spending two nights in Flagstaff. Bought a car yesterday afternoon (yes, after two years, I finally bought a car - don't plan to use it much but this was plan A on getting back to Steamboat and there really was no Plan B - had time to think about it after over 960 miles on a bike - but didn't have one - LOL). Glad it worked out. Now to plan the trip back. Thinking about Bryce Canyon and Mt Zion in Utah and Moab. Don't know. Maybe back through Pagosa Springs? Still on an adventure . . . the adventure is called life.
Live life and enjoy every day. Take time to meet new people and talk to them. It's the people that have made this trip most enjoyable.
BIKE TRIP - DAY 9 July 9 OFF DAY - taking the day off and spending the Day in Durango - last night it stormed, VERY strong winds, horizontal rains, rain and thunder all night. I was downtown having dinner when the storm came and was a nervous wreck what I would find after taking the shuttle back to the campground. Got back to the campground just before 10 and my little tent held up - High and Dry. Total miles through yesterday: 442.3 in 8 days
Day 8 - Pagosa to Durango and to campground 67.8 miles Day 7 - South Fork to Pagosa (my favorite day) 45.0 miles Day 6 - Saguache to South Fork (uneventful) 54.5 miles
Day 7 has been my favorite so far. Sixth pass in seven days.
Wolf Creek Pass to the continental divide was an incredible adventure. Two tunnels on the ride up. Stopped at a pond early in the climb, met an interesting family from Kentucky spending two weeks in Colorado. Young gentleman that took my pic has published photos in Sports Illustrated for the last two years from the Kentucky Derby - taking pics my little digital probably was an embarrassment for him (maybe more for me :) - hardly).
Finally reaching the summit, the last mile was tough, met a gentleman hiking the Continental Divide, Mark from Wisconsin. We talked for a while - took each other's picture. He was hitch hiking to Pagosa to spend the night and pick up supplies. Saw him again when we got to Pagosa.
Took time to take in a "brief hike" on the summit. Wolf Creek and Tennessee passes have been my favorite. The ride down Wolf Creek was tough. HUGE S turn, cross winds, road construction, carrying my load, a little scary at times. Fortunately, no one could go very fast.
Once reaching the bottom, I stopped and took in a hike to see Treasure Falls. Met interesting people on the hike from Mass. and Houston. Everyone so relaxed and enjoying themselves. What life should be - everyday!!!
Made it Pagosa, stayed in a INEXPENSIVE, aka cheap, motel with no ac. They offered a bicylist rate of $45. Not bad since the forecast was for rain - and it did up raining over night. Good choice - although it wasn't much of a rain - didn't wake me up - would have since I had the window open - lol. Went the to Hot Springs after dinner in the park. Natural Hot Spings. Great spot. Met a local gentleman who as a competitive cyclist and his two sons were also. One lives in Steamboat and won medals in the '84 Olympics - Grewal was his last name. We talked for a long time about cycling and he couldn't believe I was riding my 20 plus year old mountain bike, loaded, through the passes. Great conversation.
Highlights Day 7 (South Fork to Pagosa) - click on arrow to display slideshow.
Highlights Day 6 (South Fork to Pagosa Springs) - click on arrow to dispaly slideshow
California Dreamin’. Can't believe living in NorCal. BUt lovin' every minute. Car-Less for almost 3 years. . . Bike, bus, train, ferry, walk, bike… a car every once in a while. Celebrate the good times of the past and the adventures with very special friends and family. Don't dwell on the past or the future - but do have a bucket list. Live the moment. Peace.
