TO RIDE TO TELLURIDE



 

Ready to Roll


 Saturday morning and all is well in the World (as far as we know) and today we will take the
Beemer up over the mountains, through Telluride and down to Placerville to see if we can find the
site where Thomas Kinkade painted "Autumn Snow" which we have in Cozy Comfort.

 All dogs walked, other contained in the "sin bin" we set off with rain gear in the trunks, as you
never know. The ride out of Dolores is slow as the local law has so little to do he will generally
spend some time harrassing motorists so better keep on his good side.

 Today Dolores looks lovely, as though someone has been round to every homeowner and said
"For ........ sake get this place cleaned up!" Well it looks delightful with fresh mown lawns and
paddocks, flowers, hanging baskets and window boxes ablaze in color. The Dolores River is still
in full flow but a little muddy and I prefer to see it in winter with the snow covered edges and
white water coming through the ice.



The Dolores River

 There is a winter feel as we ride along the flat portion with a blizzard of white which is the
Cottonwwod fluff which is everywhere. The ride is gorgeous and brisk but just a little attention is
needed to winter road damage and falling rocks and of course care in the bends as some of the
"tar snakes" can get pretty soft as the temperature rises.

 Through Stoner and now the gentle climb up to Rico with it's quaint mainstreet and a whole load
of new buildings as more and more people try and jam into the steep sided little community. Out
of Rico and the twisters begin and the uphill bends to the top of the Lizard Pass. Time to stop
and admire the scenery and the magnitude of the mountains. Yes, Colorado is a magical place.



Top Of the LIZZARD



Top of the Morning!



 Now the descent, taking care on the road, past the unfrozen trout Lake and on through the other
bends, with and without guard rails. Some do have the black and yellow arrows and when they
put these up in Colorado they mean BEND!



The Unfrozen Trout Lake




WE MEAN IT!!

 Past the turn that I remember seeing a car having gone over the edge in a blizzard and on to
Mountain Village where we normally ski. The decision, the beauty of intercom, is a quick stop for
a couple of BM's..... but as we enter the road up to the Gondola there is a sign saying "Event
Parking" which turns out to be a blue grass festival and there are more cars here than in the
height of the ski season. We wander around and try for a parking slot down in the village but
everything is cordonned off so nothing for it but to go back to the main parking lot. Fortunately for
us there is a perfect slot on the top floor which is just made for the Beemer. A gentle stroll over to
the Gondola and the short ride down to the ski lifts in the center of MV. The queue to get over the
mountain on the Gondola is unbelievable and looks like about a 30-45 minute wait so that project
gets kicked into touch and we settle for a couple of drinks in the warm sunshine.



A Little Refreshment in Mountain Village


 A little later we push on back to the parking lot looking at the green slopes that that we normally
hammer down without a second thought during the blast on the lower reaches of "Misty Maiden".




The Bottom of MISTY MAIDEN




Downhill to Placerville

 Onward down the hill passing the hoards of Hardley Ablesons and their wannabee riders who as
a group seem to live in a different world from all other motorcyclists. The vast majority would
never be seen in any form of safety attire and must live in the eternal hope that "it" will never
happen to me! 



LUV IT !

 No sign of anything of the Kinkade kind so stop for lunch in Sawpit and ask the waitress who of
course has never heard of Thomas Kinkade or no doubt Placerville just 2 miles further on. Service
is slow in these parts and time is moving on so with a Pool deadline in the Hollywood it's time for
a No-Stop 80 miler. Fun, fun, fun! 



Over the Lizzard Coming Home



Another great stretch of road

 We take the Hollywood by storm and the cues are doing their thing as we sink frame after frame
and a few Gt's too boot.

 That wrapped up our week and the return trip in the bus went completely without incident
although I'm now told the bedroom AC may need a service before Donner in 2 weeks time.......
yes, I'm going to ride some trials again.... YIPEEEE!!!  


Tony  &  Brenda