Today our good fortune with the weather ended. A tropical thing from the Pacific brought in rain, lots of rain. So I would call the 68 mile ride the most challenging of the trip. There was one major 3000 ' climb over Dallas Divide that was less than fun in a cold rain and a head wind. The downhill wasn't much better as it was hard to stay warm since the rain gear worked like all rain gear does - it didn't. But the sun did come out every now and then for the end of the ride up into the ski resort town of Telluride, three miles off the route. So all's well that ends well. Hat's off to the SAG driver, Sally, for providing much needed and timely support stops all day.
We had visited Telluride many years ago but one forgets how beautiful the valley is with the surrounding mountains. We drove to the end of the road to view Bridal Veil Falls. With snow melt and all of the recent rain, it was very spectacular. We read that in 2008 Telluride received 0.3" of rain. We got that much today in 15 minutes! Sally located and visited the local yarn store but no purchases. And instead of camping in the free city campground, which is on the verge of flooding, we are in a nice dry simple ski lodge room. A quick storm just moved through as this was being composed.
Glad to know that you made it and that the sun came out so you could see those beautiful mountains.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to talk to Sally today!