Wandering Retirees

We had a fun ride from our Air BnB rental in Colorado Springs to Dillon, CO. Our trip lasted about 150 miles over some amazing roads. But first, we had to get packed up. Three nights in one spot is an open invitation for everything you own to run and hide in every nook and cranny. It all just scatters, you know? It took a little while to get it all together so we were a bit later getting away than we’d hoped. Packing was also a bit easier because we were wearing a high percentage of our clothes. Did I mention it was 34F this morning, with a pleasant breeze from the south? This is June, for pity’s sake. 😀

Our first hour or so was a long, slow climb beyond the first range of mountains through a low hanging cloud. Brrrr! Though our gear is very good and the seats heat up to a lovely toasty-ness, we stopped gratefully for cup of coffee at De Kerr’s Corner (café) at the junction of Routes 67 and 126 along the South Platte River. The place was filled with bikers and fishermen and serves wonderful food. The tackle shop next door is called “Ties & Lies” and they advertise fly fishing lessons. Wonderful! Connie got some really nice shots along that stretch of our journey.

We rode north on Rt. 126 and passed a huge tract of land, many square miles, that had been burned a couple of years ago. Amazing how capricious a fire can be: there are stands of stately firs still standing where the fire swept around leaving them untouched in swaths of ashes. It’s sad that so much land and many houses, were destroyed, yet there’s a lot of green new growth taking hold again. It’s wondrous how tenacious life is.

We stopped for lunch in South Park, CO. Yes, there is such a place though there is no sign of Kenny. By then the sun was out and we enjoyed a balmy 52F. We headed up State Rt. 9 toward Breckenridge and some really lovely roads surrounded by snow capped peaks and still frozen ponds. On the way we passed through Alma, CO, which lays claim to being the highest incorporated municipality in the US at 10,361 feet, and Hoosier Pass at 11,542 feet.

Then after some awesome twisties and fun stretches of road, we came to Breckenridge, which is best known as a ski resort town at 9,600 feet. It’s a very fancy, beautiful place and we noticed a lot of very chic people and posh boutiques on our way through town. It’s easy to see why folks would give a lot to come there to vacation or even live there full time.

Our destination, Dillon, is also a resort town but offers a somewhat less rarified atmosphere at 9,111 feet and somewhat more modest environs. It’s situated on the shores of the Dillon Reservoir and has it’s own glorious views. When we pulled into our Great Western motel, we saw dozens of small sail boats on the water. The sun was out and a brisk breeze was blowing beautiful beautiful craft over white capped water with snow capped mountains in the background. It was enchanting! However, the temperature was 50F and the water couldn’t be above 38F. If you’ve ever been on the water you know it was COLD out there! If you like to sail in this weather, you are your own kind of crazy. Makes riding a motorcycle look almost staid. Just saying.

At the end our day we are so glad to be enjoying life in each other’s company. Life is really good. Good night, friends.

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Cloudy, cold morning. And still beautiful.

More views of the Collegiate Peaks. Can’t get enough. Note the snow fences in the picture below. They are at least 12 ft high.

Dillon Lake Reservoir