Wandering Retirees

This morning we realized we didn’t really have a long riding day in us. Something relaxing that involved food sounded right, especially since we planned to do a big loop through the San Juan Mountains tomorrow , including the Million Dollar Highway. So off we went.

We had a lovely ride down US 550 to Ridgeway, then Rte 62 to Placerville, then left onto Rte 145 through Sawpit to Telluride. Traffic was easy and the scenery kept us happy. In Telluride, we stopped at the Visitor’s Center (always a good idea) and got good help on what to do. We took the gondola ride up the mountain and through to Mountain Village. Packed to the rafters during ski season, it was lightly peopled and easy to navigate. We had a terrific lunch at a little bistro and talked to our server, Emma, most of the time. The place was empty so Emma regaled us with some stories of her travels post-college as a ski bum, seasonal worker and wanderer. Afterwards, we sought out postcards for the grands (not easy anymore, by the way) and headed back toward town.

It’s an article of faith for travelers that glitches come up. While we were at lunch, we learned that there were problems with our reservation at the next stop. We had to be there tomorrow, not the day following as we had planned. The reasons seem murky but we decided to go with it and leave Montrose tomorrow. It’s disappointing because we have to forego our San Juan loop, and we’ll miss a chance to have lunch with an old friend from high school, Bruce and his wife, Terri. He was kind enough to offer to meet us in Durango which would have been right on our route. We will ride this way again for certain.

Back at our bike, we met a fellow rider named Lynn. He’s a Vietnam vet who retired to Durango from the DC area. He’s riding an older 800cc BMW and clearly having a blast. He pointed to a narrow road cut high into the mountain that still has snow. It’s called Black Bear Pass Road and is, according to Lynn, the most dangerous road in Colorado. He’s ridden it. From his bearing and his descriptions, we believed him, too. Watching him ride confirmed he knows his business.

Before we left Telluride, we traveled to far end of Main Street and took in views of Bridal Veil Falls and the Black Bear Pass Road. The falls were beautiful.

Our ride back was a little longer due to traffic and road construction. There was a terrible accident involving a farmer and his equipment. Prayers for the family.

We got back to the cottage and Connie went into hyperdrive. We are largely packed and ready to move in the morning. It was exhausting. I need to sit down.

We hope you’re well and happy. And thanks for following along!

Here’s a link to our ride today.

https://scenicapp.space/ride/GZlBtAkE