Morning comes early to Colorado. In this dusty land of firebrands, privateers, and scoundrels, you keep your whiskey bottle close and your pistol closer. Danger is never further than the next cafe au lait. You've got to have hair-trigger nerves and an iron constitution to survive out here. It also doesn't hurt to have a tan and a really cool mountain bike.
We weren't ready for the road yet. Peak performance was still eluding us. Otto wasn't ready -- he needed a lube. Kristanne wasn't ready -- she needed a measles shot. I wasn't ready -- I still couldn't believe David Lee Roth ever left Van Halen.
We got ready and hit the road, finally shuffling off the mortal coil that
was Boulder and heading west for the Frying Pan River. On the way, we were
treated to a graphic reminder of the universality of the band America, as you
can see there on the right. Just as surely as we've all had our experiences
with muskrat love, we've all also been through the desert on a horse with
No Name. And I know I don't have to remind you that Oz never did give nothing
to the tin man that he didn't already have.
Glib references to 70's bands aside, it was a rather scenic drive across I-70 from Denver to Glenwood Springs. Taxing as the mountains were to Otto's overburdened powerplant, the grandeur of the Colorado River canyon made it all worth it. And we even got Today's Scenic Shot!
We both loved Glenwood Springs, a resort town on the banks of the Colorado River that was once a favorite vacation spot of Al Capone and the Chicago mob. Established as a tourist hotel over 100 years ago, the Hotel Colorado boasts an epic charm and a classic design. It adjoins the healing waters of Glenwood Hot Springs, which, for the convenience of bathers, are contained in a giant stone-lined pool. The Hot Springs also feature a wonderfully nostalgic bathhouse right across the river from the old train station that has stood for decades. The Hotel Colorado still lists train schedules for vacationers returning to Denver or Salt Lake City.
Glenwood Springs also boasted Big Sid's Bottle Shop, a local landmark of
dubious renown. Naturally, we couldn't resist a picture. It's not often
we meet fellow Sids on the road, and we like a little commemoration.
Now, what would y'all say to a tiny little visit to the Kamping Korner? Sounds good, doesn't it? Todays topic is, "Food -- What Not to Eat." Some of you have written in suggesting that we discuss how we eat on the road. After all, isn't the temptation to paddle across the River Styx right on into a fast food hell just too great for a couple Extreme Telecommuters in the wild?
I won't lie -- it can be difficult It can be darn difficult. But so far we have enjoyed considerable success by continuing to cook up innovative and exciting dishes right on Otto's two-burner stove. You'd be surprised what you can do with a couple cans of soup and a jar of Johnny's Salad Elegance. Or, maybe you're like me, and you wouldn't be surprised at all since you, too, spent entire months subsisting on nothing but Kraft Ranch Dressing and Tabasco sandwiches on white bread. They're actually not bad, if you get the Tabasco ratio right.
We're heading to Utah! See you then!
Total Miles for 6/18=270 (Told you we'd get back in the groove)