Thursday, July 12. Winter Park is where Sharon has lived the longest, after St. Pete Beach and Atlantic/Neptune , but Ernie is coming on with a strong #4. It was a short drive to WP from our campground on Rabbit Ears Pass, made longer by driving down the pass and then back up to find a hiking trail, and it wasn't even for the one we wanted. And the hike was abbreviated when we came upon a dude in t-shirt and shorts who got lost yesterday and spent the night in the woods. He was thirsty and hungry and lost. So we gave him water and a fig bar and led him back to a trail. He didn't want to go back the way we were, so he continued on a trail that should have ended up back at the trailhead, but he wasn't there when we returned. And there were police officers looking for him at the parking lot, so we passed on what we could to them.
US-40 to Winter Park is a beautiful drive, following the Colorado River when it's still small. Driving through Kremmling and Hot Springs and Granby and then Tabernash before coming into Fraser and lunch at Azteca, a favorite Mexican restaurant. Our lunch wasn't quite up to our expectations, but it was still good, and it will stay on our favorites list.
Well fed, it was off to St. Louis Campground for parking and unleashing our bikes for a romp. Creekside is a lot rockier in Summer on mountain bikes than in Winter on x-skis. But we persevered, and then took Flume and Chainsaw back, faster, smoother, and more downhill, all the while listening to thunder and ever darkening skies. We got back to Ernie and packed the bike gear quickly.
A dear friend is building a new house in Fraser, and we took the opportunity to stop by Greg's new construction to see what he's up to. His plans are inspiring, as well as his work ethic. We got a tour, then agreed to meet up at Deno's later.
Peter and Sandra have a beautiful townhome in Winter Park. Peter sent me the garage code, and we parked Ernie in front of the garage.
We caught up with Greg at Deno's, then relaxed in the luxury of the townhome before another sublime rest in Ernie.
Day 2, Friday July 13.
We drove to the top of Berthoud Pass, then hiked to the top, from 11,300' to 12,500' in a little over 2 miles. Beautiful views, but it got us huffing and puffing.
Returning to the lower altitude of Winter Park (9950'), we rode to the grocery store with my panniers. One, it was good exercise, and two, Ernie would have been a problem to park.
We broke out our computers for the first time since Port Townsend, and I was able to update the Reality spreadsheet of where we've been and where we might go. Sharon tried to do some work related stuff, but had an issue.
Peter and Sandra and Quentin and Poppy arrived, and we enjoyed catching up on everyone's lives over dinner, and Peter and I got in a little bike ride with Poppy at sunset.
Day 3, Saturday, July 14.
After a flavorful breakfast we all took to the trails. Winter Park has a bajillion miles of mountain bike trails and forest roads, and we got quite the workout both climbing and descending. I'd like to say some of the vistas took my breath away, but the climbs immediately before were more likely the cause.
Jennifer came up for the evening, and all is good.
Pictures are at https://photos.app.goo.gl/hwHtwMLdU1XEEvnV9
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