Tour de Colorado

I say Part 1 because we are already making plans to go back again... this trip just whet our appetites for more. A fall trip to Rocky Mountain National Park is in the planning stages as we didnt get there this time due to snow/rain/falling rock/zero visibility. And of course, we are totally committed to getting back for some multiple days of Rocky Mountain mountain biking!

The trip started out on a hot hot day as we headed toward Moab in 95+ degree heat... no air conditioning in the Vanagon makes for an interesting drive on such a hot day. We stopped in Moab as a half way point since we were leaving after Rich got off of work. Of course, we HAD to have dinner at our favorite place, Miquel's. http://www.miguelsbajagrill.com/ Miguel's is a little hole in the wall Mexican restaurant that is fantastic! The next morning we got up early, went for a run before the 105 degree temps kicked in and headed out of Dodge. On to Mesa Verde, our first stop.

Mesa Verde is seriously cool. Walking in the footsteps of people who occupied that space 800- 1000 years ago is quite an experience. The cliff dwellings, so full of history, resonates through you as you feel connected to something so grand and to a culture so old and forgotten. We took a couple of the tours so that we could get up close and personal to the history of the Anasazi people. The dwellings were remarkable, so perfect in every sense, from the plum walls and near perfect construction, to the utility of every building and room. It was humbling, to say the least.

The next day we got up early and headed out at 7:30 to ride a trail called Phil's World. http://www.spokejunkies.com/reviews/colorado/index.php?get_page=philsworld We had heard from three different people that this was a trail not to be missed. The trail did not disappoint. Desert singletrack at it's finest with the craziest, most fun section called The Rib Cage that literally felt like a roller coaster - huge 30 foot whoop-de-dos and tons of giggles. The heat chased us away and off we went to The Great Sand Dunes NP.

The sand dunes were also amazing. Such a fascination - reaching 750 feet out of nowhere, seemingly growing from the side of a mountain. Naturally, we did what anyone would do - climb to the top! Of course we did all that very early in the morning to beat the heat knowing that a high sun would be scorching on that sand. Afterward we hung out, and then hung out some more, then in the afternoon, we hiked to a hidden waterfall that took us up a freezing cold stream, into a cave to discover this most amazing sight. Well worth the painful frozen feet!

Afterward, a great little drive through the mountains, north to Denver. We drove through Salida - a really really great little town, that I would love to visit and spend some time in again. We arrived at our friends, Laura and Rich's (old friends from Michigan) in the late afternoon. After a quick run to stretch our legs, we hung out with Rich and Laura, ate some great bbq chicken that their cockatoo, Snuggles, helped cook and drank some great wine. So great to see old friends! The next morning, Rich and I went off to mountain bike with some other Michigan transplants and old friends, Kevin and Danielle. We decided we want to live down the street from them - they have the perfect spot! Off we went, trying to beat the rain, on a most stellar mountain bike ride! Quintessential mountain biking. Gradual ups, through the high altitude pine forests, over rocky ledges, and then down down down - swooping and fast and seriously fun! That night, dinner out with the six of us.

We had planned on hitting RMNP on the way home but the weather kept us from heading that way. Huge storms, hail, snow, etc. made the 12,000 foot pass impassable for us. Another time! A beautiful drive back on I70 and home to more rain! A GREAT trip all in all - super relaxing, super fun, saw lots of amazing sights and got to hang out with some really great people!