Wandering Retirees

Yesterday we decided to take a day off from riding and enjoy the town of Salida. Built on the Arkansas River, Salida grew first as a mining town and now seems to be a resort town and a lovely place to live for about 6,000 folks. River sports are big and there’s a thriving arts community.

We walked the two miles downtown past a really elaborate skate park, and a public hot springs spa next to the visitors center. Our visit corresponds to an Arts Festival downtown. There was a “Pollack in the Park” exhibit where volunteers can lie on a swinging platform above a 12 x 12 canvas spread below. The ‘artist’ is given a squeeze bottle full of paint, set into motion and, voilà, a Pollack. Sort of. Really fun to watch, though.

We had lunch overlooking the river and shopped for postcards and just enjoyed wandering about. After our walk back, a nap, a stint in the hot tub and supper rounded out the day.

Today we set out on a 200 mile loop with Salida as the easternmost point. Connie found this exceptionally nice route up US 285 then west on County Rte 306 which took us over Cottonwood Pass. Twisty and gorgeous with a bit of difficulty we thoroughly loved this ride. We stopped at the top to enjoy the view from 12,300 feet. I climbed to the summit and took a few nice shots. Getting there required a trek of about 2/10 mile with a rise of about 250 feet. It took me Almost 30 minutes and I had to stop several times to catch my breath. I’m glad to say there were no hyper athletic youngsters jogging by at their ease. That would have been a bit much as I huffed and puffed my slow way upward.

On the way up, we both met Joe, who lives in Colorado, walking down hill carrying his skis. There’s still abundant snow in places and he was taking full advantage. In a few of the pics you might be able to see ski tracks yet. Anyway, the walk down was a LOT easier and we so enjoyed this stop. It’s not very famous, but Cottonwood Pass may be my favorite on this trip.

Our ride down the other side of the pass took us by Taylor Reservoir and the Taylor River on County Road 209.

Then picking up Rt 742, we rode into Gunnison for fuel and some lunch. After lunch we headed east on US 50 for a bit then turned south on CO Rte 114 over North Cochetopa Pass, then on to US 285 again to return to our hotel.

The landscape here is Colorado is so varied in such short distances. This morning we traveled on roads banked by snow,; descended through canyons to Gunnison; rose to the heavily forested North Cochetopa Pass: into an arid high plateau and then descended to an arid plain before arriving back at our hotel.

All told, it was a 6-1/2 hour ride and we loved every minute. Now we’re chillin’ with a cuppa and soft seats.

Tomorrow it’s off to our final base in Colorado in a town called Manitou Springs, close by to Colorado Springs. Wednesday we hope to climb Pikes Peak. As with all else here, it’s “weather permitting.” We’ll see.

Our route for today:

https://scenicapp.space/route/rppfMsfW