Fraser and I have returned from our whirlwind road trip through the dusty roads of Colorado. We decided that, at the height of the U.S. - Canada trade war (which has halted all beaver tail trade), we would embark on a goodwill tour south of the border. Though we did not succeed in patching up recent hiccups between our respective heads of state, I left Colorado with a lighter heart, a nourished soul, and physically invigorated from ambling around the Rocky Mountains.
Some highlights:
The evening we arrived in Denver, we went out to the glorious Red Rocks Amphitheater to see old college friends Mandolin Orange open for the Avett Brothers. As night fell, it was surreal to hear music all around and see stars above.
The next day, after a morning climbing excursion with Len and Tara (who are both quickly becoming crag pros!) we set off for Paonia to see Sally and her new digs. We sat on Sal’s verandah catching up on life, politics and the universe, and eating a homemade pie with fruit from Sally’s cherry tree. I’d like to go on the record here and say that it was the best cherry pie of my life.
After a few sun drenched hours in the Black Canyon, we took off for the Ranch for a visit with Tony and in search of direction (specifically, topographic maps). As to be expected, Tony suggested a route of unparalleled beauty in Gunnison National Forest that left us physically pooped at the end of each day. The trail was brimming with wildflowers and butterflies kept us company.
We emerged from our first expedition near Crested Butte, and jetted down to Crestone to see Uncle Pat and Katie. It was so smoky from forest fires that the Sangre de Cristo mountains weren’t visible until we were a few miles out of town. Uncle Pat welcomed us smelly hikers and offered us showers, news of the world, and a delicious lunch at Desert Sage (Yak Burgers were on the menu; I had a tempeh sandwich). Nourished, rested and considerably cleaner, we departed for Expedition #2.
Joining Darby for a few days of his summer-long Continental Divide Trail odyssey was surely the highlight of the trip. It so happened that Tony was bringing Darby a new horse after his former horse Louise ran away (Thelma stayed), so we all met up for the arrival of Banjo The Horse at Wolf Creek Pass. Here’s Darby carefully organizing his re-supply into his saddle bags while Len entertains us:
We then set out for a few days of trail hiking with Darby, which was the perfect opportunity to hear about his adventures so far, his musings on architecture and adulthood, and benefit from his superb trail cooking skills.
Darby says that he is travelling with four creatures (Thelma, Banjo, Hondo the Dog, and his sourdough starter). He makes delicious sourdough chapati on his camp wok (which currently seems to be his favourite tool).
It was sad to say goodbye to Darby and the backcountry, but after a few nights on the trail we had to make our way back to Denver. We ended our Colorado tour with a great visit with Grampy and Stephanie, and only wish we could have stayed in Colorado a few days (or weeks, or months!) longer.
All our love,
Claire & Fraser
