Past 3 Days dictated to Loretta

Michael hasn't had internet access so I (Loretta) am updating the blog with bullet points from the last 3 days.

Day 1: Glenwood Springs to Hotchkiss
Went over a pass elevation 8,755 ft (McClure Pass) to reach Hotchkiss

Day 2: Hotchkiss to Elk Creek Camp ground (Curecanti Recreation Area)
Panaramic view of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - average biking elevation = 9,000 ft.
Also, scattered thunderstorms throughout the day.

Day 3: Elk Creek Campground to Buena Vista
Climb up Cottonwood pass
Climb up to Cottonwood pass was an old washboard road
After half way, a thunderstorm became dangerous: lightning, hale and snow!
Hid under a rock until could flag down someone to give him a ride.
FIVE INCHES OF SNOW was on the ground just a mile up the road from the boulder Michael hid under
Cottonwood pass is part of the Collegiate Peaks in the heart of the Rocky Mountains

This is the update straight from the horses mouth.

Michael will post more details and pictures when he gets back to Wyoming.

-Loretta

Wild Wind

It is decided....with my "weekend" off from work I'll be embarking on a Tour de Colorado.  

Tomorrow (Thursday) after getting home from work and sleeping 'til high noon or so I'll drive the six hours to Glenwood Springs, CO and camp the night at the trailhead.  Friday morning I'll start on what will, hopefully, be a successful 550 mile loop through central Colorado.   

Some highlights of the trip will be:  the newly finished 45 mile bike trail from Aspen, CO to Glenwood Springs, CO, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, the Collegiate Peaks,  climbing up 6 mountain passes (range in summit elevation:  7,950'- 12,326', Colorado National Monument.....

I've been toying with where to go for my upcoming week off...been watching the weather for various locations in my general area and was going to do a Tour de Southern Utah seeing it was sure bet to be sunny, whereas a few days ago the weather for the Colorado loop was rain, thunderstorms....but looks like things might be clear enough to do the loop??  Possibly some scattered thunderstorms??? We'll see soon enough, eh?  

Temps should be a comfortable 70's/40's F....

Am I worried about not being in shape?  Yes and no....I did do a bike ride yesterday in the Flaming Gorge with half the ride being up 7% grade road.  So, hoping that woke my legs up enough for this upcoming tour.  Am I worried about not completing the loop?  Not so much, whatever happens happens...and like Mr. Bob Dylan said, "There's no success like failure..." 

There should be towns with libraries with internet access, but if I fail to find such locations and time I'll update the blog with journal entries....

(Two pics:  first is me punching the wind along the Pacific Ocean, second is of Loretta when we went to Zion Nt'l Park and did the infamous Angels Landing hike....)