HOOSIER, COTTONWOOD, NORTH, AND WOLF CREEK PASSES August 11, 2020

Not able to sleep longer, and wishing now to get this over with, I took off on checking out. Taking the freeway east to the Interstate, I motored in the dark to exit at a Starbucks. A freeway sign indicated closed at the “Gypsum Exit.” To check on this, I had to get a signal. The coffeeshop allowed for dining in, and the manager said that they were the second largest Starbucks in Colorado. I ordered an Impossible sandwich, and also a coffee drink. They said that there was a fire shutting down the Interstate, but that I would be okay to get to Silverthorne. Gypsum is perhaps hundreds of miles down the road. Motoring on, then relieved that I’d make my destination, I needed a break, stopping in Georgetown, CO. I found the Superchargers in Silverthorne, next to another Starbucks. I ordered more coffee, and then to motor on, taking CO 9 south.

Passing through Breckenridge, CO, I marveled at the luxury development. I had thoughts of a deluxe time lodging here, but at over $200/night, too rich for my blood. Maybe some day with a partner to share, I’ll ski here with my forthcoming CyberTruck. We can snow camp in the rear, with even climate control. With a 100 cu ft. closable cargo bed, it will be roomy and supported with mattresses. I like it with a signal, to be connected all night. Music and movies inside the cab shell. Only then for the camping fee, so we can tour the resorts forever. I had offered a free season pass during the big snow year in 2018 or so. Nobody to even inquire, so any companion is unlikely. The pass is good for some 25 resorts, so it’d be to hit them all. I may do this alone, as even with salary, no one wishes to team up and ski for free.

Stopping past the Quandry Peak trailhead, I inquired in Alma, CO, then seeing the historic section in Fairplay, CO. A doable hike to the top, maybe someday. Using my navigator to get to Cottonwood Pass, I went through Buena Vista, CO. The area has changed. I had to eventually get to Poncha Springs, CO, for another Supercharge.

With plenty of range, I approached and then did the pass, hitting 90 mph on an uphill straightaway, with even a short trail hike to an overlook by the pass summit. A USFS crew was here for trail construction. They had logs to mark the trail edges, and it looked like a lot of work. I advised them by my Watch stats, that the overlook is a 0.68 mile round trip, with some 206 feet of gain. Though my Watch gives slightly different numbers for the same trail, I deem this to the (I guess) analog barometer, and the glitches of an assisted GPS.

Motoring down the pass highway westward, I came to an unsigned junction. Using my phone, I determined that Crested Butte was 27 miles to the north. With enough charge for a visit, I took the highway right. Taking photos ahead, I sure enjoyed the drive. The navigator told me to take a right, for some reason, but I saw then the majestic view of the crested butte ahead. I took photos, then headed back onto the highway to the town. There, I took the side road to the historic and creative district. Going slow due to foot traffic on the main street, it looked like throngs of people dining and enjoying. I came to the mining park, and then turned back to get to the main highway. There was more of the town, but I had lodging tonight in New Mexico.

Headed back south to Gunnison, CO, I took U. S. 50 east. Turning off on CO 114 to get to North Pass, a soda truck was ahead of me. This was a longer narrow road, but with a short passing lane, I could zoom past the slower truck. With photos captured of the views ahead, I finally came to stop at North Pass. Scenic, with even a canyon to motor through, and trailheads enroute.

Now, it was to get a Supercharge in Poncha Springs. No camping available in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. I hoped for my 2X on High Dune, but I already decided to skip Wheeler Peak, the highpoint of New Mexico. I needed sleep and rest, and I knew this. To finally Saguache, I headed back north to get charged up quickly. I got two pork tamales and drink at the nearby eatery, and tipped well, as it was also a gas station, and I kept safe. A shapely young blonde had outdoor gear on her truck, looking like a ORV sort of person. The most attractive person that I had seen on this trip, and I didn’t talk to her, despite her glancing at me.

Taking now the highways back south to do my final pass, I stopped at a gas station to use the restroom and get drink. The chubby dirty blonde overcharged me, and I complained to the manager, as she refused to give me a refund or credit. Upset at their attitude, I said that I’d post this on the Net. By me, they again overcharged me, but being in a rush and for 50 cents, I left.

From Wolf Creek Pass, it’s a long way to my bargain lodging in Farmington, NM. I got to the pass at about magic hour, but it was a freeway, with highway development. Taking backlit photos ahead, the camera work wasn’t so easy. Grunge perhaps from camping on the inside of my windshield caused unwanted smudges to show up in the photos.

I had initially planned to do this in the Fall, with the colors. It’s then a long way further from Utah, but then I’d see Colorado. No much aspens of note this far south except on the pass highway, mostly on the west side. Good to get this done now, I continued to Pagosa Springs, CO, and saw an “Asian Fusion” restaurant. Curious, I stopped and ordered Shishito Peppers, thinking it would be more of a smidgen. It was a lot, so I feasted well. Then came the Tonkatsu ramen. Okay for this part of the country, I slurped it down. I had plenty of diet soda, and then used the restroom. Some maskless moron then used the urinal right next to me, so I held my breath. Tipping to a total of $33 even, I had a superior dining experience but for the potential infection.

Still a longer drive in the night, I headed towards Durango, CO. Turning south onto U. S. 550, I was so disappointed that it started as a two lane highway. It finally turned to a freeway, so I stopped at a gas station for rest and more caffeine. Now praying to make it safely, I finally came to the town. Bigger than when I was last here, this might be a good place to retire. Plenty of familiar businesses along the streets, and I got to the motel about midnight. Relieved to have made it safely, I looked at what to do next.

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