We pull into Ouray earlier then the rest and it takes only a little schmoozing to get the lady at the Rental Agency to give me the key to the condo. Another quick detour to the liquor store and the grocery and we settle in to await the others
The view from the balcony is as spectacular as I remember it to be. The weather is in the eighties and the beer is about 40 degrees cooler then that so I am happy. We discuss doing something productive but Bob and I agree that doing anything of that nature with the others out there riding would threaten the universal balance so we just go into our normal lazy state.
The Whips arrive with Toby and Edd soon enough. For a small monthly fee you can join Whip's Bike of the month club. Whip will send you what motorcycle he is officially tired of riding and a hint to what motorcycle he has just purchased. This is this month's model but we have seat issues. stay tuned!!
Chris Olson beats them as do Twisties and Bullet from Salt Lake. It always feels good when all the birds are in the roost. There is not an easy way to communicate on the road. Some folks put in cell phone connections, but out here there are still very big stretches where you can't talk to each other because there is no service. We have a nice dinner at the Outlaw with much fun to be had. We have a bit of a walk down the hill back to the condo, and the weather is perfect to walk off the Scotch and food eaten. As I settle into bed, I reflect on the fact that I am in a grand place with the friends I love to be with and that the next morning will have us setting off on a grand adventure into the backcountry
Dawn breaks and the view is still as spectacular as the afternoon before
I am not the least bit hungary but the rest of the clan sets off to have a bite to eat. While they do that I decide to see what tourists are in the area and maybe look at the fish in the nearby park.
The flowers are in bloom and catch my eye right away
Even the mundane sort of flowers catch my eye up here.
Ouray and the area was founded on mining and this area still has working gold and silver mines.
I love these old carts
As I keep wandering waiting for the kids to get the jeeps, I come upon a couple of locals sunning themselves. Must be nice to have a life of luxury.
But we have things to see today! I leave the fish and look for my English driver to take me into the bush. As some of you know, Whip made a horrible mistake in reviewing history and gave Killer the nickname Monty(I know how can you give a guy nicknamed Killer another nickname?). Well I figured the best way to handle this as a German, is to just treat him, like my personal valet and hope he doesn't drive us off a cliff recounting his exploits in Tobruk or outside Caen back in 44.
Now I love the Mr. G. He is without the best $3000 4WD (minus the $3000 Transmission) I have ever owned. Growing up, I went on a lot of adventures in troopers but these new jeeps are pretty amazing beasts.
We are in the Red Menace and soon find ourselves in the lead of the column with out any real idea of what lays ahead other then the fact we wish to get to Engineers pass if it is reachable. Monty sets us off and the road is rough.
The road lets up some as we climb but it is not for the feint of heart. Monty does a very adequate job of maneuvering us through the rough spots and I busy myself taking photo's
Chris Olson has the smallest jeep and along with the Whips is our rear guard. Here he is with Whip in the front approaching a rest spot for the column.
The road up is still challenging but not as crazy as the first 2 miles
Monty and Edd surveying our surrondings as we ponder pressing on. Doesn't Monty just look English in that bush hat. And you wonder why the Australians and South Africans hated serving under the British.
Also please note the mine in the picture
However the scenery just gets better around each bend. This area is just below tree line with some really majestic valleys with run off fed streams. There has to be a lot of wildlife in the area. There are too many folks on this road but we do see a lone doe coming around a corner.
Water is everywhere here and most of it is stunning! As we get further and further up the trail, It is quiet, too quiet....I have the feeling we are.....
...being watched! I spy the varmit up the hill. I am sure he has a cell phone to warn HQ further up the trail. So much for the element of surprise.
The ruins of old claims are everywhere. I wonder if there is any ore in there still? I am sure there are a million stories out there lost in the annals of history about this place.
We climb up out of the tree line and start to see a lot of snow and loose rocks. The trail calls for us to stay alert all the time. Whip calls from back down a ways to say he has a possible issue. It appears that the little jeep has slipped off the road a small ways and needs assistance in getting out. Before we can turn around they are back on the road and we continue to climb even more vigilant of the fact that up here a mistake can have serious consequences.
You can see here the danger as we pass through a tricky spot.
The road below looks like it could be going to the Kyber Pass instead of Ouray
Victory!!!! We make our goal and decide to head down to Silverton instead of heading to Lake City. It is just too far to get there and back in one day, but we all agree it is a great achievement in the annals of Hoondom and we are happy
We stop for lunch at a great spot and take a well deserved break. The ladies are having as much fun as we are
Whip and I agree we have a rough life and need to stop getting so caught up in the hustle and bustle.
We come upon a ghost town on the way down the hill and take some time to explore the hopes and dreams of those no longer with us. I have mixed emotions about ghost towns. They are fun to photograph but they also are often historical markers showing what happens when things go wrong somehow.
We see a chance to have what I call the ultimate "album cover" shot. I would like to think we would be a cross between "The Outlaws and Fleetwood Mac"
The sun is getting lower now and we need to make tracks. I never understand where time goes as we are on the road. It never stands still or shifts speed, but it sure does seem to get by quicker on the road for me.
Water is still there and the falls are wonderful this year
We saddle on into Silverton
I have no idea how they know I am going to be there but there is a band waiting to greet me! Actually they claimed that they do this every year, but I understand that they were trying to put me at ease. We enjoy a lovely dinner in town laughing about the adventures we have had today. It warms me to no end and I make the decision to extend my trip a day to enjoy one more day in the back country. It is too wonderful to miss.
Life sure is good out here
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