Blog update July 8, 2008

 

   More updates from the last few days. 

 

July 5, 2008     Jack writes:

 

After another robust breakfast at the Riverside Cafe I headed off to Walden. CO.  The ride was only 50 miles but included a 1000' climb and significant headwinds.   I have learned that a headwind is no fun.   On a steep climb there is a beautiful view at the end and a lovely long downhill reward.   With the wind it is just a long hard struuuuuuugle.  Along the  way I talked to two groups that were heading west so learned some of the idiosyncracies of Walden.  It was an interesting experience.  It is a rather modest town of 734 souls with a very imposing granite courthouse.    Cyclists may camp in the village park but must check in with the Sheriff's office first.  Millie at the office was very accomodating and just needed to know my name.  Showers were supposed to be available at the local pool.  It turned out that the pool was CLOSED for July 4th and 5th.  It was a lovely facility adjacent to the park.  Also the modern-looking library is always closed on weekends and is open only 10 to 6 during the week.   I called my new friend, Millie and she arranged to have the pool opened in the evening.  When I questioned the wisdom of closing the pool on the 4th she mentioned something about the power struggles that go on in small towns.  The Moose Creek Cafe in town was great, in fact we ate three meals there, about the best endorsement anyone can give. 

 

July 6, 2008

 

After breakfast at the Moose Creek, where else, I cycled on to Kemmerling, CO, a 90 mile ride.  A stop for a hot fudge sundae in Hot Sulphur Springs was fuel enough to complete the ride.  I am not sure how my mileage on burgers and sundaes compares to mileage on gasoline.  A nice nap and a big pizza at the best pizza in town ended the day.  We stayed the night at the Easton Hotel, a sort of European style hotel, modest but clean.  Dorothy at the desk was enjoying her day of watching the entire Harry Potter series non-stop and invited us to join her.  We decided that a good nights rest was going to be a greater benefit. 

 

July 7, 2008

 

Another great breakfast at the Family Resturant where they make fresh donuts every morning plus big servings of eggs, bacon and hash browns.   The 50 mile ride to Keystone, CO started in the rain,  the first messy start in almost 4 weeks.  The reward at the end of the ride was being welcomed by our longtime friends, George and Athalie Leichnetz at their condo in Keystone.   George and I have known each other since 1967 when we were in grad school at Ohio State together.   He arrived at MCV one year before I did, so we have known and worked together for over 40 years!!!  They have been feeding us ever since our arrival.  A sumptuous lunch,  grilled brots for dinner,  was followed by a good nights sleep.    Their condo is in the Rockies, 6 miles from Dillon but with the feel that one is in a very remote setting.  

 

July 8, 2008

 

A day of rest.   I did not even get on the bicycle for the first time since Missoula, two weeks and two days ago.   The goal of fattening me up continued with a robust breakfast of waffles, eggs and bacon.   A tour, by car,  (boy, you can really cover a lot of distance in a short time by car) offered up spectacular views from Loveland pass. 

Tomorrow is my 66 birthday so a Black Forest Cake is waiting on the kitchen counter for the feast this evening.   I plan to ride over the last and highest pass of my trip tomorrow, the Hoosier Pass at 11,542,  the last two digets are for my birth year, 1942.

Philip and I offer our deep thanks to George and Athalie for their over-the-top hospitality which included using the internet to post these updates.  This has been a VERY welcome break in the trip.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.