Yesterday was another down day. We did chores instead of taking long rides. Shopping for a week, cooking multiple meals, laundry, and resting up some. We’ve spent more than a week at more than 5,500 up to 11,000 feet. The altitude and very low humidity take some getting used to. Though we’re acclimating well (we think, anyway), the days have been tiring. And then there’s our lovely cabin that sits 200 feet up a 10-12% grade, rutted gravel drive from the street. I’m not risking the bike so we get to carry our things. Connie has been a trouper; I’m the whiney one. But this is a lovely place with a view of the Gunnison Valley.
Over the next few nights we will have a new moon, and great sky viewing. This area is known for having fewer outdoor lights, hence little light pollution. We’re looking forward to it so long as we can stay awake that long.
Today we beat the heat with an early ride north on CO 133 across the McClure Pass (only 10,000’) to Redstone, Carbondale and Marble. The forecast was for 94+F so early was better. Once over the pass, the road followed the course of the Crystal River which may have had as many fishermen as fish. Seemed a bit crowded to me. Passing cutoffs for Redstone and Marble, we sussed our Carbondale. This part of the state is know for its mining, especially coal and marble. We passed two mines with scores of rail cars heaped with coal for market. Based on signs, it’s anthracite they mine here which is akin to the coal found in the Poconos. It’s sobering that we still use so much coal to run our industries.
Squiggle squiggle!
Carbondale is a fancy town built on the wealth extracted from the ground. It still looks well-to-do with well manicured and sprinklered lawns, upscale developments, and vacuous, entitled drivers. It’s the first time we’ve encountered this in southern CO. Sorry to say it encouraged us to move on.
So we retraced our route to a tiny cut-off to Redstone, a cute little town (?) of 127 souls who reside full time. It’s right on the river and offers fishing, tubing, hiking, trail riding, and lots of crafts. We stopped in the General Store and met Skye, a third year student at Colorado State majoring in Mechanical Engineering. She was raised in town and is working the summer break. She mentioned that nearly every structure in town is owned by full time residents. (There are a few BNBs for summer visits.) The town was built for miners for the local mine only a short distance away. They are self contained since winter is serious business at 7,100 feet. Looking up the valley looms Mt Sopris at 13,000 feet. Redstone is a lovely, even magnetic place.
Our next stop after turning east on CR 3 was the town of Marble, famous for … marble. Marble has the feel of a mining town where practicality seems to matter more than quaintness. The roads are dusty and lined with businesses too busy for aesthetics, so it feels like we imagine a frontier town would. We stopped for lunch at Slow Groovin’ BBQ. With a big smoker out front and plenty of porch space, this just screams country food. There’s no frills about the staff or the menu, and it is very very good. We shared an order of brisket and slaw, corn bread, beans and fries. Rolling out was about the best we could manage. It was dynamite.
The ride home was mostly relaxed and very fun. Having left most of our stuff at the cottage, we could ride more quickly and nimbly. (Yes, that’s a word.). It was so fun even as the temp was rising. Back at the cottage we squared away the bike, our gear and put our feet up. Read, ‘nap’.
Tomorrow we plan a more ambitious outing through Kebler Pass and beyond. We’ll let you know.
Wandering Retirees 