in Kansas
Day 37 - 7/21/06
Started: Colorado Springs, CO
Stopped: Cripple Creek, CO
Today's Miles: 56.25
Total Miles: 1926.58
Today's Total Ascent: 4460
Today's Total Descent: 2455
It was with just a little reluctance that I began this day. It is always hard to leave a comfortable home. Nancy Albertson made me a great breakfast of eggs, toast, and tea. We enjoyed a nice, liesurely conversation, and I got out of the house a bit later than intended. The day before had ended with an absolutely torrential downpour, and I expected the same this afternoon. Also, I had descended from the Rockies, but the trail this day would have me turn west and start climbing again into the Pikes Peak National Forest. I was correct to anticipate a difficult day, but the ascent was worth it. The scenery was really beautiful, and the ride felt good. In the morning I traveled through the Garden of the Gods from Colorado Springs to Manitou Springs. The Garden of the Gods is not very large, but it is quite beautiful - red rocks reminiscent of those in Utah. Despite overcast skies, there were a lot of people there. There are a number of nice, graded pedestrian paths through the park, and I think I might have been allowed to ride them on the bike, but Coltrane and I stuck to the road, from which we could see most of the big monuments. From Manitou Springs, a cute little town, we began the ride up around Pike's Peak.
I was aiming to hit Grean Mountain Falls by lunchtime, so that I could connect with Dick Bratton, the ADT trail coordinator for Colorado, for lunch. Unfortunately, his cell phone was turned off this day. I have another number for him, but I couldn't find it while I was on the bike. So we missed each other. I pushed on to Divide, where I stopped at a grocery store for some lunch food.
I had heard wonderful things about Mueller State Park and thought about stopping there for the night. But the park is about 1500 feet below the summit to Cripple Creek. And I had to be in Florence, CO, the next day before noon to pick up a mail drop. Also, it is really hard for me to stop at the bottom of a hill. I always feel like I ought to push to the top. So I ended my day in Cripple Creek - unfortunately unable to find a good place to camp. I suppose I should have pushed on just about five more miles and I could have easily found an out of the way place to set up a tent near the side of the Shelf Road. Anyway, I got a hotel room in town. It is an old gold mining town, now dominated by casinos. And these were not fun casinos - at least, not fun to my way of thinking. They were full of electronic gambling machines, computer slots, poker, blackjack, etc. I enjoy a good game a poker or blackjack, but I want it to be interactive. I like sitting at the table with other people. I didn't gamble in Cripple Creek.
Day 38 - 7/22/06
Started: Cripple Creek, CO
Stopped: Lake Pueblo State Park, CO
Today's Miles: 61.63
Total Miles: 1988.21
Today's Total Ascent: 1382
Today's Total Descent: 5519
The difference between the beginning of the day and the end was incredible. I descended from Cripple Creek into Canon City on the Shelf Road. For 12 miles it is a dirt road, descending very quickly for about 2500 feet, then more slowly as it winds along the cliffs above the river. It was very rough riding, hard on me, the bike, and the dog. But it was also absolutely gorgeous, possibly the most beautiful part of the ride thus far. We took lots of pictures, and stopped a couple times to play beside the road. North of Canon City the road emerges in a lush farm valley called Garden Park, where apparently many dinosaur fossils have been discovered. We skirted the edge of Canon City, where one can find - though I didn't - the world's highest suspension bridge. Very quickly the terrain flattened out, and it was hard to believe that the mountains were right behind me. I rode through Florence, CO, picked up some dog food, and proceeded to Lake Pueblo State Park. By the time we got there, it was incredibly hot, the mountains were visible only as shadows on the horizon, and the terrain was beginning to feel much more like the Nevada desert than the rest of Colorado.
Day 39 - 7/23/06
Started: Lake Pueblo State Park, CO
Stopped: Rocky Ford, CO
Today's Miles: 78.75
Total Miles: 2066.96
Today's Total Ascent: 1237
Today's Total Descent: 1650
This morning we passed some wonderful farmland. I wish I had stopped to take some pictures, but I didn't. It is a funny illusion of the flatlands, that they will go on interminably. But the terrain and the views do actually change. This was a long hard day. For much of the day I was riding into the wind. Today felt like a fight. And the day won.
Day 40 - 7/24/06
Started: Rocky Ford, CO
Stopped: Lamar, CO
Today's Miles: 75.39
Total Miles: 2142.35
Today's Total Ascent: 1068
Today's Total Descent: 1404
This morning, in La Junta, I met Debbie Schachner, who is section-hiking the ADT. It was really exciting to meet someone else doing the trail. She is hiking alone, taking her time and stopping often to speak with rotary and elks clubs to raise money for libraries. I think she said that her web site is www.walkingwithfaith.com. After La Junta I hit headwinds again and had a rough afternoon. It was particularly rough after the John Martin Reservoir. The trail took me onto a very rough dirt road for about 12 miles. We were able to press through, but I really am not enjoying riding rough roads with loose gravel. I'm going to have to be very careful to look ahead to the upcoming road surfaces and make changes still as I go.
Day 41 - 7/25/06
Started: Lamar, CO
Stopped: Syracuse, KS
Today's Miles: 54.70 (so far)
Total Miles: 2197.05
Today's Total Ascent: 514
Today's Total Descent: 713
Finally, the wind was at my back today. What a difference! It was a shorter day anyway, but really wonderful to have mother nature's help. We followed the trail to Holly; there we jumped onto US 50 to avoid gravel roads. The riding itself has been uneventful, but very hot. I think I need to get back to the early morning starts that I was doing when I traveled through the desert. Also, I think the wind is tending to be more favorable early in the day.
Tonight I am in Syracuse, KS. I've arranged to pitch my tent in a public park. And I understand there is a pool where I can shower and cool off. I need to go check them both out now.
There has been a special request for info about Coltrane... He is well. The heat gets to him and makes him sluggish. But the rash on his belly seems to have been resolved. And I am getting better about making sure he gets enough exercise and takes enough breaks from the trailer. He does not interact with other people or dogs nearly as much as he does at home or as much as I thought he might on the trip. Still, he really seems to enjoy exploring each new place that we stop. He particularly gets excited when there is a lake or river involved, so I try to stop at water whenever I am able. He is traveling like a real trooper, and of course it is wonderful for me to have the company. I think that we will spend several nights in Kansas in public parks. I am hopeful that this will give us occasion to discover other dogs and potential playmates for Coltrane.
Last, a couple weeks ago now, outside Frisco, we ran into a couple who was riding a tandem bike. They helped give me directions through a maze of bike trails between Frisco and Breckenridge. They took a picture of me. If you'd like to see it, visit http://www.denlynmor.com/MidJulyPhotos.htm
Started: Colorado Springs, CO
Stopped: Cripple Creek, CO
Today's Miles: 56.25
Total Miles: 1926.58
Today's Total Ascent: 4460
Today's Total Descent: 2455
It was with just a little reluctance that I began this day. It is always hard to leave a comfortable home. Nancy Albertson made me a great breakfast of eggs, toast, and tea. We enjoyed a nice, liesurely conversation, and I got out of the house a bit later than intended. The day before had ended with an absolutely torrential downpour, and I expected the same this afternoon. Also, I had descended from the Rockies, but the trail this day would have me turn west and start climbing again into the Pikes Peak National Forest. I was correct to anticipate a difficult day, but the ascent was worth it. The scenery was really beautiful, and the ride felt good. In the morning I traveled through the Garden of the Gods from Colorado Springs to Manitou Springs. The Garden of the Gods is not very large, but it is quite beautiful - red rocks reminiscent of those in Utah. Despite overcast skies, there were a lot of people there. There are a number of nice, graded pedestrian paths through the park, and I think I might have been allowed to ride them on the bike, but Coltrane and I stuck to the road, from which we could see most of the big monuments. From Manitou Springs, a cute little town, we began the ride up around Pike's Peak.
I was aiming to hit Grean Mountain Falls by lunchtime, so that I could connect with Dick Bratton, the ADT trail coordinator for Colorado, for lunch. Unfortunately, his cell phone was turned off this day. I have another number for him, but I couldn't find it while I was on the bike. So we missed each other. I pushed on to Divide, where I stopped at a grocery store for some lunch food.
I had heard wonderful things about Mueller State Park and thought about stopping there for the night. But the park is about 1500 feet below the summit to Cripple Creek. And I had to be in Florence, CO, the next day before noon to pick up a mail drop. Also, it is really hard for me to stop at the bottom of a hill. I always feel like I ought to push to the top. So I ended my day in Cripple Creek - unfortunately unable to find a good place to camp. I suppose I should have pushed on just about five more miles and I could have easily found an out of the way place to set up a tent near the side of the Shelf Road. Anyway, I got a hotel room in town. It is an old gold mining town, now dominated by casinos. And these were not fun casinos - at least, not fun to my way of thinking. They were full of electronic gambling machines, computer slots, poker, blackjack, etc. I enjoy a good game a poker or blackjack, but I want it to be interactive. I like sitting at the table with other people. I didn't gamble in Cripple Creek.
Day 38 - 7/22/06
Started: Cripple Creek, CO
Stopped: Lake Pueblo State Park, CO
Today's Miles: 61.63
Total Miles: 1988.21
Today's Total Ascent: 1382
Today's Total Descent: 5519
The difference between the beginning of the day and the end was incredible. I descended from Cripple Creek into Canon City on the Shelf Road. For 12 miles it is a dirt road, descending very quickly for about 2500 feet, then more slowly as it winds along the cliffs above the river. It was very rough riding, hard on me, the bike, and the dog. But it was also absolutely gorgeous, possibly the most beautiful part of the ride thus far. We took lots of pictures, and stopped a couple times to play beside the road. North of Canon City the road emerges in a lush farm valley called Garden Park, where apparently many dinosaur fossils have been discovered. We skirted the edge of Canon City, where one can find - though I didn't - the world's highest suspension bridge. Very quickly the terrain flattened out, and it was hard to believe that the mountains were right behind me. I rode through Florence, CO, picked up some dog food, and proceeded to Lake Pueblo State Park. By the time we got there, it was incredibly hot, the mountains were visible only as shadows on the horizon, and the terrain was beginning to feel much more like the Nevada desert than the rest of Colorado.
Day 39 - 7/23/06
Started: Lake Pueblo State Park, CO
Stopped: Rocky Ford, CO
Today's Miles: 78.75
Total Miles: 2066.96
Today's Total Ascent: 1237
Today's Total Descent: 1650
This morning we passed some wonderful farmland. I wish I had stopped to take some pictures, but I didn't. It is a funny illusion of the flatlands, that they will go on interminably. But the terrain and the views do actually change. This was a long hard day. For much of the day I was riding into the wind. Today felt like a fight. And the day won.
Day 40 - 7/24/06
Started: Rocky Ford, CO
Stopped: Lamar, CO
Today's Miles: 75.39
Total Miles: 2142.35
Today's Total Ascent: 1068
Today's Total Descent: 1404
This morning, in La Junta, I met Debbie Schachner, who is section-hiking the ADT. It was really exciting to meet someone else doing the trail. She is hiking alone, taking her time and stopping often to speak with rotary and elks clubs to raise money for libraries. I think she said that her web site is www.walkingwithfaith.com. After La Junta I hit headwinds again and had a rough afternoon. It was particularly rough after the John Martin Reservoir. The trail took me onto a very rough dirt road for about 12 miles. We were able to press through, but I really am not enjoying riding rough roads with loose gravel. I'm going to have to be very careful to look ahead to the upcoming road surfaces and make changes still as I go.
Day 41 - 7/25/06
Started: Lamar, CO
Stopped: Syracuse, KS
Today's Miles: 54.70 (so far)
Total Miles: 2197.05
Today's Total Ascent: 514
Today's Total Descent: 713
Finally, the wind was at my back today. What a difference! It was a shorter day anyway, but really wonderful to have mother nature's help. We followed the trail to Holly; there we jumped onto US 50 to avoid gravel roads. The riding itself has been uneventful, but very hot. I think I need to get back to the early morning starts that I was doing when I traveled through the desert. Also, I think the wind is tending to be more favorable early in the day.
Tonight I am in Syracuse, KS. I've arranged to pitch my tent in a public park. And I understand there is a pool where I can shower and cool off. I need to go check them both out now.
There has been a special request for info about Coltrane... He is well. The heat gets to him and makes him sluggish. But the rash on his belly seems to have been resolved. And I am getting better about making sure he gets enough exercise and takes enough breaks from the trailer. He does not interact with other people or dogs nearly as much as he does at home or as much as I thought he might on the trip. Still, he really seems to enjoy exploring each new place that we stop. He particularly gets excited when there is a lake or river involved, so I try to stop at water whenever I am able. He is traveling like a real trooper, and of course it is wonderful for me to have the company. I think that we will spend several nights in Kansas in public parks. I am hopeful that this will give us occasion to discover other dogs and potential playmates for Coltrane.
Last, a couple weeks ago now, outside Frisco, we ran into a couple who was riding a tandem bike. They helped give me directions through a maze of bike trails between Frisco and Breckenridge. They took a picture of me. If you'd like to see it, visit http://www.denlynmor.com/MidJulyPhotos.htm
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