Steamboat, CO

 After the splash of showers and a bit of snow the ride to Steamboat up Rt 40 was stunning.  Long sweepers and beautiful scenery, much different than what we see in the east.  We checked into the Ptarmigan Inn and wandered the area for tacos for lunch then on to the Jacuzzi and pool.  A nice way to end a short ride.  We went into town for a sushi dinner, site seeing and then back to the hotel.

It is a beautiful town with great memories.  My roommate in the army joined me for a ski week here in 1979 and we loved the mountain and the nightlife in the town.  At that time it was just a Sheraton on the mountain with a couple of other small lodges.  The area is about 3 miles from the town.  Back then it was still a real western town.  I think the mountain looks better with a coat of snow.  The town and the mountain have grown together and is well developed.

My son also egged me on to do the mountain slider which was a blast.  I have to admit that I was probably the slowest person on the mountain, oh and the oldest.

We were rested the next morning with plans of going to a small mining town called Craig but a staff member told us the Steamboat Lake was a prettier ride so that is what we did.  The road was a very winding 2 lane with cattle farms all around climbing to a crystal clear lake surrounded by the mountains.

It was only a 60 mile round trip on the paved roads but Ryan wanted to test out his Tiger on the dirt and gravel roads.  It was a clay and gravel road, well packed down easy on the road bike until a bit of rain made the rear slip a bit on the corners but the surface was fine for me.  He had no problems.

We stopped to visit some of the local residents.

No fence and Ryan then warned me that the bull was not to happy with me stopping to photograph his ladies.  We stopped at the local general store, Clark’s, and had lunch.  I had the chili made the western way with chunks of steak.  Excellent! Then back to town.  Dinner was at a steakhouse where the diners were expected to cook their own steak.  I am not so sure I like this idea since I go out to eat so I don’t have to cook.

The steak was excellent, probably because of the chef!

We had a light evening and Ryan had his cigar on the back deck enjoying the crisp clear evening.  We also had time for another dip in the pool.

It was time to leave the next day heading back to Broomfield.  We were taking a route back to Kremmling then down to I-70.  The views were amazing.

 We didn’t know that Saturday I-70 had been closed due to multiple mud slides but it turns out that where we got to I-70 it was clear for us all the way back into Denver.  The slides were just west of us.  So we were very lucky.  We arrived in time for the after 4th of July cookout at Ryan’s best friends house.  Chris and Sarah were great hosts and a crowd of other friends were there.  A fun afternoon.

I now have a day off to rest before the long ride home.  I will be leaving in the early morning on Tuesday heading for Kansas.  I am afraid the weather looks hot so the early morning hours is best.  Happy 4th to everyone!