Chapter 676

Sep 1-9, 2024

Ouray Summary

wonderful

link to Colorado 2024 Photo Album

Got my covid shot in a grocery store when we landed in Colorado. On the first night in Ouray I wanted to hit Mr Grumpy Pants Brewery as online it seemed to have an unpretentious and Colorado homey atmosphere. Met a nice Army couple and spent a few hours with them. They said I was the most interesting man in the world and wanted to subscribe to my blog. At the Gold Belt Pub when the shots of Jack came out we called it a night. 

Overall, Ouray is a gem. Yes, it is a tourist attraction but is yet unspoiled and throngs of tourists have not yet beaten down a path to it. We met many congenial people. A couple celebrating their 8th Anniversary from Interlaken, Switzerland a place I visited many times. I asked them to compare their home town to Colorado. Was surprised that they said their home had been spoiled by tourism and immigrants. Isn't it sad that when a beautiful place becomes "discovered", it is ruined by it's own success.

A youngster who finished well in the foot race was happy and proud he had come from sea level N.Y.C. to the this 8,000 ft start line. Robbie, the owner of Greenwood's breakfast spot in Ridgway who had roots in Willsboro where Colleen did some nurse residency. Bob, the bar helpler who's mom owned a herd of thoroughbreds summering in Saratoga, partnered with Bobby Flay and trained by Todd Pletcher. Shared a Telluride gondola with a Colorado University counselor who remembered passing by us on the hike to Bridal Veil Falls. The miner from Leadville who was soaking in the hot springs with us. A lot of Texans. So many connections and conversations.

But not before Colleen had her fill of smores around the ole campfire at the Timber Ridge Lodge. Owners Brian and Julie very pleasant  and accomodating. One night we shared stories with an Amish couple celebrating their 36th Anniversary. The wife was in bare feet. The ground was cold and rough. They had a driver who brought them and many kin up from Missouri.

The lounge lobby at Timber Lodge is relaxing. Had Brian shoot photo, asked him to make sure he got the two deer in photo but he still chopped one in half.

Colleen thinks their Hot Springs has the best backdrop ever. Since I qualified for free entry in my age group, I agreed and took advantage maybe 5 nights to soothe my hiking muscles.

A side trip to Silverton down the Million Dollar highway one day with this drone shot. The Red Mountain is actually more dramatic from the ground but this shows a nice alternative view.

There was some sort of fire in the distance one day with smoke partially filling the air. It made an orange sunset but when I launched the drone I was too late. This is from right above our lodge with Hot Springs below.

Collleen insists  on many selfies. I didn't think much of the street view in Telluride as we got off the gondola but later I realized Bridal Veil Falls is in the far distance so I drew in our hike with a yellow line.

Didn't mention our drive up Owl Creek Pass to where John Wayne's movie, True Grit was filmed. Believe he won his only Academy Award for that one. The last day we overnighted in Grand Junction and did some famous Palisades Peaches and wine. A phone call from a boutique there firmed up my FB marketplace motorcycle sale deal with a Bulgarian (Mr Goranov) nurse from Staten Island. Yes, he drove up with  cash when I got home and I finished my motorcycle career. I kept around 100 photos in the linked album above but a description of each would just be too much.

We did both come down with Covid, but we will survive.