September 12, 2016
An Overlook on the Colorado River
Wind...my nemesis...it's coming at me in all directions tonight as I'm hunkered down behind a sagebrush with Spacey tied to Blaze. There was one moment when I was holding my pan on the stove with one hand and holding up the tent with the other. But I'm getting ahead of myself. A lot has happened since I arrived in Steamboat and most of it has been off the bike.
Karen and Charley (remember I met Karen out riding with her local group) opened their home and their hearts to me. I came for 2 nights and stayed for 6. We were having fun! And I decided to avoid the roads over Labor Day weekend. Besides, there were "happenings" I didn't want to miss. We went to Happy Hour with the Over the Hill Gang. Then the next night we all went up the gondola for sunset on the mountain. Karen took me paddle boarding for my first time.
I kept wanting to sit down. "Why stand if you can sit?", say I. Valley Girl, the dog wasn't' too happy about things but as long as we stayed away from the shore she'd stay on the board. We were out on a lake north of Steamboat which gave me a chance to see an area I wouldn't normally have gotten to see.
We joined Karen's friends for Happy Hours, airshow, sunset from Thunderhead, etc. Wonderfully active seniors in Steamboat, that's for sure!!! They hike and bike and ski! My kind of folks:)
Friends on the gondola ride up the mountain to see the sunset.
Me on hte same gondola with Steamboat boat behind me.
All my new friends in Steamboat up at Thunderhead for the sunset below
And we cooked together. I love sharing a kitchen and meal ideas with another woman and Karen and I were kindred spirits in the kitchen. (Poor Charley didn't appreciate our vegan efforts...too far out of his comfort zone...but kudos for trying, Charley. You didn't fall for our chocolate pudding made from avocado, cocoa, and honey...yum!)
Charley and Karen eating steamed mussels that Karen prepared...yum!
One of our vegan dishes for dinner...another yum!
Another day I joined Karen and her lady friends for a 6 mile hike up on the mountain. We rode the gondola up then hiked up around the top. It was so beautiful with the fall colors beginning to come out. This mountain is huge with trails and ski runs in all directions. What fun it would be to ski here.
All the ladies in our hiking group.
Karen checking the map:) Don't want to get lost up there!
Fall is a-coming! Aren't the colors amazing?!?!?
Thank you both so much for sharing your home and your friends with me. I'll be back some day...maybe to try some skiing.
So sad to say goodbye...that's always hard for me...your guys were the best!
But alas the day came when I had to pedal away. That's always hard for me because I connect and then have to move on. It never gets easier. There's always a little hole left in my heart for the new friends I've made. But Colorado was pulling my heart strings too.
From Steamboat Springs my plan was to start pedaling south to stay ahead of winter. I went my usual 25 miles and was having a little bit of a challenge finding a camping spot for the night. Lots of fencing and slanted shoulders. None of the usual nooks or crannies, so I kept going. When April toured with me she was always a stickler for a pleasant camp spot so done nights I ask myself if April would approve. I'm more fearful of not finding anything better not knowing what's down the road. This evening I kept going and got to a church that looked promising. I pulled in the driveway and hopped off. I noticed there was another driveway off the same road entrance so I talked myself into going up to the house and asking permission. Not my usual modus operandi. I walked up the driveway to a house that doesn't really have an approachable front door. I'm shouting "Knock! Knock! Anyone home?". Dogs start barking and running up to me. Ya never know with dogs. Will they bite? I'm on their property and they're doing their job. Out comes Eileen. Do you think I could camp at the church for the night? Don't know. Why don't you camp in our yard? OK. I've gotta run to a class but my husband will be home in a few minutes to help you find a spot.
A place to camp AND a shower! Whoopee! In the morning after I'm all packed up, Eileen asked if I want to stay and play. She's going for a massage in the afternoon. Maybe I could too. Yes! And I didn't leave for 5 nights. We had so much fun!
We walked the hay fields (this is at sunset),
played on the hay bales with the dogs,
road the tractor while Steve raked.
We also did a walking class in town that Eileen teaches and toured their family's ranch on a quad bike. Just like summer camp!
Sleeping in the meadow after there by quad bike
An old cabin Steve's brother built.
Riding on the quad bike with the dogs in back
Gate made from iron wagon wheel at the Nonia's house
Look what Eileen picked up to add to her treasure collection
Girls playing in the hay
Sunset over the garden
Sitting around the campfire with friends
Blaze and Spacey next to the cabin
Part of the ranch
Steve's brother's hand built cabin
Following one of the dogs down to the original homestead
I also got to meet some of Steve's family including Noni, the matriarch. At 87, she's an amazing woman who still cooks for the brood, and buzzes around on the ranch on her own quad bike! Their are several of her children and their families scattered about the property in their own houses. It's land the grandfather from Italy acquired and has been handed down. Cattle and hay. As far as the eye can see.
When I ran out of reasons to stay any longer, I pulled myself away...again.
I procrastinate when it comes to writing this blog, like it's homework that has to get done. I'm afraid I won't describe an experience full enough, as deeply as it meant to me, especially when it's about time I've spent with new friends. I just want all the people I've touched over the years to know how important each of you has been in my life...how important and meaningful the time I spent with each of you has meant to me... it's deeper than words can ever say. This journey is far more about the people I meet than any gorgeous view.
You are the true beauty in this world.
Livin' the dream,
BagLady
Facebook: Kathryn Mossbrook Zimmerman
Million dollar views!!!
If it looks like I'm always under my umbrella, you're right! That sun just sears the skin out here!
A snowy view of Crested Butte, the mountain.
