RABBIT EARS, MUDDY, AND WILLOW CREEK PASSES August 10, 2020

Up early, I had a lot of driving to do. The plan was to bag Mt. Ida in Rocky Mountain National Park, but with a detour to Fort Collins, CO, lodging there was getting too expensive. I was getting anxious to get this over with, as I was risking a collision at the wheel. Getting a Supercharge at the mall, I took off to head east on Interstate 80, with the next Supercharge in Rawlins, WY. I had to rest partway, as I didn’t have my usual caffeine. Charging to the full, I had to make it to Interstate 70 and Silverthorne, by my plans. I had hoped to camp at the Peak One Campground, but the sites were all taken. There was a charging op enroute, but this would take time. I’d have to look for a campground, and I figured that this would be easy.

With desolate highways south on CO 130 to Walden, CO, I stopped for a rest and drink. No diet soda at the liquor store, and the market had no usable public restroom. Using my pee bottle many times, I made it to U. S. 40. Going west, I crossed over Rabbit Ears Pass, with photos of the "ears." Going on a few miles, I turned around to head back over the pass. No indication for Muddy Pass, though I was going now eastbound on U. S. 40.

Worried about charge, I stopped in Kremmling, CO, to ask where the charging station was. Directed to the Kum & Go, there was a brand new set of Superchargers. What a surprise! I expected hours to have to wait, but it was less than 35 minutes. I bought plenty of drinks with energy, and then continued to the highway to go over Willow Creek Pass. Getting there, with scenic forests, I drove on a few miles to turn around and go back over it. It was beautiful. I captured video and photos.

Declining to head for Silverthorne, I continued east on U. S. 40, and I’d try to get a campsite by Winter Park, closer by. Getting a Big Mac and spicy chicken sandwich at the McD’s, I found the Idlewild campground which looked full. I pulled off at a scenic view of the ski resort, to finish my sandwiches. With cellular later, I made a reservation for the motel in Lakewood, CO, a side city of Denver.

Going over Berthoud Pass, it was so scenic. I headed east on the Interstate to get to the outskirts of Denver. To the motel, it cost more, but I saw no camping ops. Stuck, the next day, I would finish the pass crossings.

This all was starting to get old, and also risky. My eyes were closing as I drove. Used to doing this, I never veer off the road, but some day, I may nod off. Taking medication, I did hit the curb, once, though at a slower speed. I had to take my car in, for an alignment fix. I had also then gotten new tires, for a discount.

To bed, as I was too tired for looking up an old local peak buddy, I met him in 1978. Probably dead, or having forgotten me, he claimed later to be gay. We bagged a couple of 14’ers, but he gave out after only three peaks. I used to write, but I guess that he lost interest. Important as he was an old Air Force buddy and officer, of a hate filled, then probably deranged, Sierra Club hiker, I did get this referral to stay at his place.

He related stories of this person’s hate. He had a girlfriend of color, who then rejected him. Other details that I can’t remember, but he confirms mental issues. This hateful former AF officer stated to attend a KKK Rally some 500 miles away to support his driving experience. On my second carpool with him, he suddenly put a lethal military knife to my temple, saying crazily, “Give me a reason,” over and over. I was driving him and another to a Sierra Club hike with the usual carpool. I feared that I was dead, but kept my cool, and tried to play this down. He put the knife away eventually, and had also made death threats. I did the hike, and carpooled back with things then as near normal, but I was sure scared.

I suggested seeing a doctor, who looked to place him on medication. Civil enough then, this went on for awhile, and he even got married with a kid, a cute blonde girl, with his blue eyed, blonde, though overweight and bespectacled wife. One day, he showed up at my apartment door, claiming his wife took everything, locked him out, then filed for divorce. Fearing retribution if I refused, I let him use my new sleeping bag. This did go peacefully, but he did look me up. I now fear for the same, where he shows up at my door, unannounced. He is violent, and hateful, so without medication, what might he do? Voted to a high Club chapter office, he stated to decline, as it’s unpaid volunteer work, but honored by the Singles Section, with their obvious race hate.

The judge, albeit the highest Club chapter officer, refused to censure hate speech, saying First Amendment rights. This judge did also look me up, not but a few years ago, saying that he found my address by the Net, though I saw no such thing on my own searching. He had sent me a letter, which I foolishly replied by his e-mail address and phone number. I had then to move, fearing for terror or another visit by this deranged hiker, or others. They state to support arson, in supporting past eco-terror. I now have security cams to record intrusions. Because they hate me so much, with a ban on my advanced peak bagging section in 1987, I have to fear for my safety. I’m insured, but then they have attorneys with similar hate.

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