Destination...Gunnison

Start out on a road trip at oh, say, dark 30.  Bikes loaded and nearly wiggling with anticipation.  The wiggling started weeks ago, as it usually does with a quick email. "hey, what do you think about riding in Gunnison?" Well, it's within easy distance of numerous bucket list rides, how do we make this happen?

And happen it does. Even with 11 hours of driving from the big Phoenix town. Names are tossed around like Nerf balls, bouncing with excitement. Names like 401, Monarch Crest, 403? Hartman Rocks, Doctor Park...the decision is left up to our hosts, but we are on the way.

Yeah, dark:30 starts with a fuel up.  But that early start puts us in Flagstaff bright and early, early enough for a stop at Late for the Train for a proper breakfast - coffee and chocolate chip cookies!

It's a trip I have been on a number of times, across Northern Arizona ,that is.  Snacks along the way, since there is Durango coming. I need to point out a ride we did awhile back. Molas Pass, and the climb up the road from Coal Bank. That was a good one. This time we enjoy some extra cookies while looking into the Weminuche Wilderness.

Our arrival in Gunny is a little later than hoped, but food and friends await. The best part? Having our hosts look at us increduouly when we ask how far do we need to drive to the restaraunt - drive, they say - tonight - We Ride!

hmmm...hike-a-bike

Yes sir, Flag was good. A little chilly (by Phx August standards) when we arrived and humid, it had rained the night before.  Perfect compliment to a stop at Late for the Train.

Some puddles, and really good dirt, no dust. A little dew on the grass, making sparkles across the meadow. It always feels good to start suiting up at the parking area. This morning was no different, pine scented sunshine indeed.

Rode up Elden road, then cut off at Red Onion. That is a fun little section.

Mushrooms and corndogs along the trail ;o)

I have wanted to find Jedi the last couple times we've been there, and Mark was more than amiable (at least at this point in the ride) to attempt the find. After all, it was printed on the map. We made it down the same section of trail we have ridden in the past (Brookbank I think), and then the steep little down into the dry lakes area.

That is where things get a little sketchy. The Dry Lakes area, was nice and open, wildflowers were blooming, birds were chirping, the air was fresh. Oh, that's right we're riding trail here, gotta keep focused.  We went down the first trail (should've kept going) but it just didn't feel right. I asked if Mark thought it didn't feel right either or if it was just a couple psi change in the fork was necessary.  He thought either could cause my discomfort. Ok, well in that case, I didn't think this was the right trail. Besides, there is more trail to explore! Turn around and attempt another...

So we went down the Dry Lakes area a little farther then jumped into Nottingham Forest. The trail went well for awhile, a couple deadfall trees we needed to cross, some mushrooms,

and then, it well, turned uphill and got really lightly used looking. Not bad at first, then kinda like we were in the forest. Well, we had always been in the forest, but on a trail in the forest. Now, we were just IN the forest. This is surprising says me. I thought many people used this trail and it just peter'd out.  Well, our map shows it parallels another trail, and if we just head down a bit....

And that was it, the point in every story where it goes from being just a ho-hum event to an epic. We wandered off plan (ok, I went willing off plan, because really, plans are meant to be basic guidelines, kinda like story boards are to movies.  Well, we had just stepped into artist license within the confines of the Impressionist movement. These are heady days now!)

So we tromped around, kinda up kinda down, that trail intersection must be here somewhere. The forest continued and became denser - eventually we popped out on Schultz Creek Trail. Bummer, all that elevation burnt carrying our bikes.

We crossed the road, and head out onto the AZT - which ended the ride in a fast and flowy descent to the vehicle. Ah, another smile inducing ride.

and...homeward bound

A week in Estes Park, with all the assorted coffee shop stops, conversations and fantastic meals, it was time to head for home. Since really, if you stayed on vacation long enough, would you start to appreciate it less?

Don't know, but it could be fun to find out.  Our home bound journey involved a stay in Redstone, home to some historic coking kilns.

Through Paonia, which lead to a stop at a road side stand, where the local cherries and hard cider where just the thing to add to a camping dinner.

We planned a few nights in Telluride, since it was a new area to us.  That meant coffee in the morning, a little trip up Ophir Pass and some time spent in town. The crazy hound thought the gondola was just a pretty keen way to travel.

  

And the final evening before sleeping in our own familiar beds.

of gravel roads and fishing poles

Estes Park - in the rain. Yep, set up the camper in the rain. Rain drops on the roof always make for good sleeping though.

A new day dawned, with a little more rain.

It was a welcomed sight, during the day with the camper set up. With the wildfire activity in Colorado, the rains aided the containment and forced the Wildfire Danger signs into the Green zone.

We spent time doing inside activities like popcorn popping and craft projects. Several episodes of Hogan's Heroes made the time pass quickly.

As always, the sun comes out and now, as the title suggests, you can almost hear the whistling as Andy and Opie walk down the road.  Except, we were riding bikes and fishing was just one of the pastimes enjoyed.

We had a hike planned this year, to see some Homestead Ruins. Since little feet were involved, a pre-hike sounded like a good idea, much in the way a good baker "samples" the cookiedough before letting the kids know it's finished.  But anyway, I convinced my ever-loving wife to join me on this adventure, although I don't think I used the word adventure when speaking with her, most likely something more innocuous like walk, or stroll.

Up the mountain we head, with a hand drawn map from the 80's maybe?  Oh, and a note that said "Not to Scale".  Yeah, that sounded like adventure in my mind. There wasn't much left of the homesteads, but we did get to see some great country, and my wife captured a photo of me doing something my biking friends know quite well.  Reading a map and trying to determine just where we are. With storm clouds building.

We made it back, it was only 5 hours later. And we had an adventure together. That's worth bunches.