Sunday, July 7, 2013
We
packed up from Grand Junction, CO and traveled south to Montrose, CO. Montrose
is merely an hour and a half down the road but was a key stop on the way to
where we really wanted to go.
We
set up camp then put the dogs into the jeep to take them up a mountain to
Buckhorn Lake. We went to this lake 2 years ago and had a terrific time. The
last time we were up there we were eating our lunch sitting on a log
overlooking a stream that led into the lake, and roughly 10 yards in front of us,
a grizzly bear crossed the river. I was dumbfounded. I do not think I have ever,
in my life, been more petrified. We scattered as fast as we can and got away without
harm.
This
time, we were heading back to the same spot but with the dogs. We knew most all animals would stay away if
we had them with us. When we reached the top we were startled to see so many
other people there, until we realized it was July 4th weekend. A lot
of people had a 4-day weekend and were camping. There were a lot of families.
Tommy
caught 8 rainbow trout. I struggled to catch just as many, if not more, but I
could not keep them on the hook. It was extremely frustrating. All that
mattered though was that we craved rainbow trout for dinner and Tommy had
caught us some. YUM!!!
 |
| Dinner |
The
dogs had a great time. Sire spent the entire time, over 3 hours, completely in
the water. Beaux adventured around on his own until he became impassive. He
ended up back at the jeep and slept beneath it for a period, while we fished.
We
had a terrific day. We were all weary from the resettlement and the fishing so
we dropped the dogs off at home, fed them, walked them, and then headed
downtown for dinner.
We
awakened early the next day,Saturday,and met up with the friends we met
earlier at a fireworks show. It just so happened that we parked next to a
couple that belonged to The West Slope Jeep Club. The driver was the vice
president. After talking a while he invited us to join his group on a trail
ride. We slipped in line with the rest of the group and headed towards Imogene
Pass. This pass leads to Telluride.
Telluride is one of my most adored places on earth! ~~~~~~~
 |
| Airing down our tires |
 |
| I climbed the water fall |
It’s
peculiar but when I was 15 I repeatedly said that someday I would get a U-Haul
truck, take everything I own and drive to Colorado. It didn’t matter where in
Colorado that I resided; I just had this attraction to be there. At that time
in my life, I have never been west of Virginia so why I was lured there is mystifying,
but it was sincere and has at no time left me.
 |
| driving through a rock |
Currently
that I am back here for the 3rd time, I by no means want to leave.
There is a sense of calm, peace and a belonging here. While we are here we are meeting
with a real estate company and will, hopefully, buy a home here. We equally
cannot wait to start a new adventure here. ~~~~~~~
Back
to the jeep trail. There were 10 of us going and everyone included was tremendously
friendly and embracing to us as invitees.
 |
| can you see how skinny the trail is? |
The
scenery on this trail is exceptional. We drove from just over 5200 feet in
elevation to 13,232 in 45 miles. Along the way we passed a mining town called
Tomboy Canyon. We were advised of a book about a woman who traveled there in
the 1800’s. She met her husband there and remained until her death. The book illuminates
the sufferings and hardships of the intemperate cold winters and the lengthy gloomy
existences in the mines. It is titled The Tomboy Bride, and I anticipate on obtaining
it on my NOOK. (When I find the time to read it is another story!)
 |
| this was NUTS! |
A
lot of the original housing is still in this valley, although collapsed, from
age and weather. The mine openings are still obvious and the little settlement
is inspirational.
Subsequent
to the mine town, we divided up. 5 of us went on towards Telluride while the
other 5 turned around and repeated the trail to head home.
 |
| downtown Telluride |
On
the remaining trail down to telluride we encountered a copious amount of traffic.
The trail is just over the width of one vehicle. We had to pass close to 30 of
jeeps heading the opposite way. It was so dangerous and so frightening at times,
I got out of the jeep. How these individuals maneuvered around each other with
out going over the cliffs was outside my comprehension.
Once
down in Telluride, the last sign on the trail was to ‘beware of a speed bump’.
Ha! Speed bump!
We
drove around downtown but not long. We still had an hour and a half ride back
to base camp. We took the highway back and along the way followed the infamous
Ralph Lauren 7 mile long fence. The name of his ranch is ‘Double R L”. Double R
is for Ralph and Ricky, his wife. It is a 17,000-acre ranch that sits below the San Juan Mountains. His ranch is fenced in. Along highway 62 you follow the fence for just over 7 miles. It is impressive.
 |
| Ralph and Ricky Lauren |
 |
| Ralph Lauren's fence |
We
arrived back home around 4:00, watched Nascar and relished the fresh fish
caught the day before for dinner. Were not sure whats on the schedule for
tomorrow but I’m sure it will be great! Anything in Colorado is great! Thanks
for reading. (double click pictures to enlarge)
We
packed up from Grand Junction, CO and traveled south to Montrose, CO. Montrose
is merely an hour and a half down the road but was a key stop on the way to
where we really wanted to go.
We
set up camp then put the dogs into the jeep to take them up a mountain to
Buckhorn Lake. We went to this lake 2 years ago and had a terrific time. The
last time we were up there we were eating our lunch sitting on a log
overlooking a stream that led into the lake, and roughly 10 yards in front of us,
a grizzly bear crossed the river. I was dumbfounded. I do not think I have ever,
in my life, been more petrified. We scattered as fast as we can and got away without
harm. 
This
time, we were heading back to the same spot but with the dogs. We knew most all animals would stay away if
we had them with us. When we reached the top we were startled to see so many
other people there, until we realized it was July 4th weekend. A lot
of people had a 4-day weekend and were camping. There were a lot of families.
We
had a terrific day. We were all weary from the resettlement and the fishing so
we dropped the dogs off at home, fed them, walked them, and then headed
downtown for dinner.
We
awakened early the next day,Saturday,and met up with the friends we met
earlier at a fireworks show. It just so happened that we parked next to a
couple that belonged to The West Slope Jeep Club. The driver was the vice
president. After talking a while he invited us to join his group on a trail
ride. We slipped in line with the rest of the group and headed towards Imogene
Pass. This pass leads to Telluride.
Telluride is one of my most adored places on earth! ~~~~~~~
It’s
peculiar but when I was 15 I repeatedly said that someday I would get a U-Haul
truck, take everything I own and drive to Colorado. It didn’t matter where in
Colorado that I resided; I just had this attraction to be there. At that time
in my life, I have never been west of Virginia so why I was lured there is mystifying,
but it was sincere and has at no time left me.
Currently
that I am back here for the 3rd time, I by no means want to leave.
There is a sense of calm, peace and a belonging here. While we are here we are meeting
with a real estate company and will, hopefully, buy a home here. We equally
cannot wait to start a new adventure here. ~~~~~~~
The
scenery on this trail is exceptional. We drove from just over 5200 feet in
elevation to 13,232 in 45 miles. Along the way we passed a mining town called
Tomboy Canyon. We were advised of a book about a woman who traveled there in
the 1800’s. She met her husband there and remained until her death. The book illuminates
the sufferings and hardships of the intemperate cold winters and the lengthy gloomy
existences in the mines. It is titled The Tomboy Bride, and I anticipate on obtaining
it on my NOOK. (When I find the time to read it is another story!)
A
lot of the original housing is still in this valley, although collapsed, from
age and weather. The mine openings are still obvious and the little settlement
is inspirational.
Subsequent
to the mine town, we divided up. 5 of us went on towards Telluride while the
other 5 turned around and repeated the trail to head home.
Once
down in Telluride, the last sign on the trail was to ‘beware of a speed bump’.
Ha! Speed bump! 
We
drove around downtown but not long. We still had an hour and a half ride back
to base camp. We took the highway back and along the way followed the infamous
Ralph Lauren 7 mile long fence. The name of his ranch is ‘Double R L”. Double R
is for Ralph and Ricky, his wife. It is a 17,000-acre ranch that sits below the San Juan Mountains. His ranch is fenced in. Along highway 62 you follow the fence for just over 7 miles. It is impressive.
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