Day 23 – Rand, CO to Kremmling, CO

Miles today – 58

Total Miles – 1426

Donna drove Mark and me down to the hard surfaced road from the Whispering Elk Ranch and we set off to climb Willow reek Pass.  We would cross the Continental Divide once more, this time at 9,621.  We were both a bit apprehensive because this was to be the highest peak so far.  The morning weather was perfect, sunny cool and blue skies. We began experiencing some rolling hills then a fairly steady climb up a 6% grade.  Before we knew it we had reached the summit without much effort. 

On the descent down the other side, we saw a moose and some dramatic rock formations,

We realized that the remainder of the day was mostly down hill and that we would be arriving in Kremmling ahead of schedule.  We stopped in Hot Sulphur Springs and had a very leisurely lunch, then rode on.  The ride from Parshall, CO toward Kremmling was one of the most beautiful of the trip.  We rode downhill into a stiff wind through a canyon of rock cliffs rising on both sides of the road and the Colorado River running swiftly below us.  It simply doesn’t get too much better than this.

Fighting the wind the rest of the way into Kremmling, we arrived at about 2:30.  We finally had cell phone reception and called Mark’s wife, Caroline to pick us up.  She was at a rodeo in Walden with their two kids, Michael and Jilly but it only took her about 45 minutes to arrive and drive us to Breckenridge where we would spend the next few nights.  Rather than moving every day, we decided to spend the next four nights in Breckenridge which will require Donna or Caroline shuttling us out to our starting point each day.  So, tomorrow we will be driven back to Kremmling and we will ride back to Breckenridge.  It’s worth the hassle to be able to stay in Breckenridge.  My friend and fellow Arthritis Foundation Board Member, Frank Kelly donated a beautiful three bedroom condo at the top of Main Street in town.  After some of the “rustic” places we have stayed, this place is a paradise.  I don’t suspect I will enjoy this kind of luxury for the rest of the trip.  Thanks, Frank.

The cabin we had last night has a small step down into the bathroom.  Donna warned everybody to be careful, then proceeded to miss the step herself, twisting her ankle which now is swollen and she is having trouble getting around.  Breckenridge is a great walking town but it doesn’t look like Donna will get to see much of it this “trip”. 

I couldn’t post pictures of Whisper Elk Ranch last night because we had a weak signal so I’ll post a few now.  Here's the now infamous Tom (sitting next to me) and Paul from Cincinnati,

 Here is the entrance to Whispering Elk and what the skies have looked like for  the past few days (when it wasn't raining).

I really enjoy your comments on the  blogs so keep them coming.

David

June 27, 2009