Fall colors.

Looking forward to...

It’s fall, really it is, I saw the snow on Humphrey’s as we drove home from Durango. Ah, Durango. It was a trip thought of, way back then.

Fall ushers in the closing of a season, the entry into a new one. An afternoon so to speak of the year. An afternoon which ends too quickly, falling into holidays and long shadows and short evenings. Looking back to “where did the year go?” A time when as Kristin Butcher so eloquently put it, “knowing that summer’s fitness will soon succumb to the call of hot chocolate, chili, and stout beer”

So, we planned a run to Durango, just to celebrate this closing. It started out with an afternoon departure, which lead to a late night arrival in Cortez, Colorado.

Yes, the alarm is most certainly OFF. We’ll meet tomorrow for the continental breakfast and decide on the day’s activities.

We awoke to rain, which really wasn’t unexpected. The forecast called for it, although, we had a hope it was wrong. Spruce Tree Coffeehouse became the destination, decided it could be just as fun sitting in a bookshop coffeehouse as anywhere.

Damp leaves just don’t have the same effect when kicking and running in a pile. Our coffee finished, and the rain in sporadic showers, so up the road to Mesa Verde NP we went. Ended up not having any rain while at the park - yeah!

Stop the camera way down, find a steady place to set it, and it doesn't really matter how many people are in the room - just don’t let them stand in the same spot for very long!

Good visit, lots of laughs and a little hiking make for some hungry natives. Steamworks in Durango is the location of our dinner, since I told the girls they could see Mr. Kev and I routing around in a Cajun Crab Boil. Oh, it was good.

At this point, we decided to not fall into the trap of parental over-planning. On the docket was jeep rental and high country. But, that was relinquished to a day of play. Things like badminton and pedal cars, teeter totters and laughter. It was a good trade. 

We went up to the Vallecito Trailhead, hoping to see some fall colors and do a little physical activity.

It was most enjoyable hiking and created an appetite for lunch. We ate then traveled to the lake, and did fun things, like throwing rocks in the water. Or mud, it you’re me ;o) they splat quite unexpectedly.

Campfire and marshmallows wait back at camp, and we partake. We all comment on how many stars can be seen without the lights of Phx all around.

One final high five and a coffee for the road. Just plain Grand.

July, Fireworks, and Colorado.

A little bit of travel, little bit of camping, little bit of fun. We made our annual trip to the Estes Park area, along with some travel stops along the way in Durango and Leadville. You see, traveling from the desert of Phoenix to the Colorado high country is a way to wear long sleeves in July. And for this desert dweller, that’s kind of a fun novelty.

This year we decided upon a 3 day travel schedule, instead of pushing through in two. Three days gave us the option of sleeping in during our camps, or doing some side road traveling to see something different. All in all, 3 days was a very relaxed way to spend the trip. Coffee in Durango, and of course stopping at Cafe Dawn in Salida. Worthy coffee and chocolate chip cookies. Which, they were so good, I just had to ask who was making them. So, spoke with Dawn, of Cafe Dawn and I stumble upon a great secret - the pastry chef - spoken in hushed tones by Dawn, was, Flour Girl. And I was told she was incognito, not advertising and only selling to those within her close circle of friends. Well, I just had to do a little searching, and it seems Flour Girl is a Public Figure on Facebook! Who would’ve thought?

Anyway, Leadville was the second night camping, having Mt Massive in view. 14,000 feet in view, now that’s a worthy view. Once in Estes, all sorts of frivolous activities took place including some projects. Every year, my mom dreams up some craft to complete. This year we did some cyanotype photography. It was an interesting project, expose some treated paper to the sun then rinse. Basically contact photography, but once the kids saw the results, they participated. So, here's the photos, since there is about 65,000 words there.

2011colo from cookiedough on Vimeo.


Great times, great food, great views. Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

Ah…Durango. This, is gonna be a long one.

So, the week at the cabin was just plain refreshing. Now, hit the road again, or roads as the case may be, to Boulder, then skirt Denver along the side of the mountains to 285 and cut through the rock to the interior of Colorado. Cutting through on 285 means driving right by the Kenosha Pass trailhead. Written and photographed by at least one –


http://www.anthonysloan.com/blog08oct1.html

Ridden by many. Grand country that.

It was a tough one driving by, seeing cars lining both sides of the road, beautiful fall day, bike on the rack in the back of the truck…tough indeed. But, the destination had it’s own calling, and quite a journey to get there.

Made an accidental rest stop in Salida. My love and I had one of those inevitable mis-communication moments. Such is life and the inaccuracies of the English language. But oh, what a glorious result, we entered town looking for a spot to make a very needed rest – and see a coffee shop – Café Dawn. Providence I say, providence.



Hey, the road needs traveled, the rest is needed, and why not at a coffee shop? What better place? Ok, a little background is needed. When possible, I will seek out the independent, local restaurant or coffee shop. I mean, don’t get me wrong, there is a place for Starbucks, and you will get the same latte in Phoenix as in Taipei, which is a comfort when away from home for some time. Albeit you will see a different menu -



But, for coffee shops, I mean, Macy’s in Flagstaff, Wicked Brew in Moab, Arches Book Company in Moab, Barking Dog Café and Stone Cup in Lyons, Kind Coffee and Coffee on the Rocks in Estes Park, Steaming Bean in Durango, all had great coffee. Some roasted their own beans, several used somebody else who was local in their own context. But, Café Dawn stood alone. The latte there invoked all of the senses. Sight – it was the only one on the trip which had art in it. Smell – great smell, as they all had. Taste – again very good, as all were. Sound – yes, they all had that whirring of the froth, building the anticipation of the drink once delivered. And finally Touch – it was the only one with texture, the texture of the latte. Thick, dense, velvet micro-foamed froth. Not just milk with foam on top poured into espresso.

Salida needs to be visited again – especially with trails like these:

Starvation Creek – Salida, CO

http://jenyjomtbbliss.blogspot.com/2009/08/frisatsun-pony-love.html

But, the road needs traveled, and the destination awaits. What a glorious side trip, and as Shakespeare said "things won are done, joy's soul lies in the doing". So, on with the adventure.

We made our temporary home at Vallecito Reservoir. Nice campground, yes, flush potties and electricity. Magnificent spruce trees, and a fire ring for marshmallows. You know that food group that exists at the very point of the food triangle. Absolutely not left out, just minimized, or reserved, for special occasions. We'll come back to that later.

With Durango, comes high country as well. We made an afternoon trek to Molas Pass, 10,910 feet above sea level. Basically, uh, thin air. If you are flying a plane at that altitude, oxygen is required. But, plane piloting not withstanding, the high country holds particular sway over my desires and appreciations. It is so grand, it reminds me that my footsteps here aren't nearly as important as I think they are sometimes. Gives perspective.

The view into the Weminuche Wilderness


Above treeline



The Fam



The waning light and colors of summer.



And the Colorado Trail.



We leave the top of the world, to drive back to town. Steamworks Brewery awaits. Oh, green chili tamales and pizza's for the girls. Wow. Now, time for the drive back to camp. Sleep a sleep of blissful rest. Under a large comforter of course, for these Phoenicians.

The next day brought sleeping in, breakfast at camp and a late start. A truly restful day on vacation. Gather some wood, since tonight, it's...marshmallows!







And so ends a deligthful romp in Durango. Sleep. Awake. Make coffee. Hit the road. Phoenix and home calls.