So our highlights from the trip begin in Santa Fe, NM where we stopped at a Trader Joe's for the sake of our inner yuppy and I bought: 1 loaf of supremeley dense bread, 1 pound of dark chocolate, 2 cans of peanut butter, and 2 sixers of beer. We also stopped by the plaza and St. Johns College, which is a nice funky little place where they were hosting a summer class from Seattle Pacific and we noticed ads requesting transportation across the country with strangers and numerous volunteer opportunities. From there, we headed to our first overnight spot, Abiquiu Lake, about an hour north of SF. We stayed at a new campsite with full amenities and lots of RVs running their generators. Bill and I hit up a jog in the warm, but dry darkness. In the morning after a cup of french press coffee, we headed out for a longer run to check the area. The altitude was probably aroung 6k' but there were lots of roads to explore and evidently we missed out on a really nice dirt road running for miles along the Chama River which feeds the lake. We had hoped to forego the campsite payment, but we ended up having a really long talk with one of the Forest Rangers, who was not a local but very appreciative of the area. At this point we were still in the very scrubby, red sand type of environ but New Mexico is always mysterious and as the dude said "It's a land that doesn't easily give up its secrets."
Next up was the drive through northern New Mexico and then a stop in Pagosa SPrings, CO. We stolled the main drag in town and I thought it was a neat place, with Victorian houses and some more lush scenery due to the river through town. While definitely being a tourist spot, it didn't seem unbearable and I think it would be a nice little summer spot. It is becoming a pricey place and I was dismayed when I asked about the hot springs and the Forest Service lady told me they were just down the street at 2 spa houses which cost $10-20. I felt like doing my best Vincent Vega impression and replying "that's a $10 soak, they don't put bourbon or nothin' in there?" THe lady noticed my disinterest and followed up by saying there was a place off the beaten path where the locals soak in the pool that drains the spa. This was my assumption of all these places, the locals are note supremely wealthy and there's alot to be discovered if you stay a while.
We camped at Vallecito Lake for the next 2 nights. The weather was crisp and cool with monsoon rains every evening. We were right at a trailhead along this impressive gorge and so when it was warm we were in the creek. Bill and I explored the trail the next morning for a run and we talked to some hikers that make the 50 mile trek from Silverton to Durango and then the train back. We started envisioning an epic run of the thing some day, as it wasn't horrendously steep and looks to follow the water throughout. As we ate breakfast, we noticed and ambulance coming up the road and shortly there were several EMT vehicles arriving and dudes heading out on foot with a spinal board. We never found out quite what was going on, but there were enough questionable looking hikers constantly coming through that it would be easy to see someone breaking a leg or having a heart attack. The lake itself was quite large and there was a road encircling the whole thing for ~15 miles. I didn't run it all for my long run because Billy was only doing 10 so we went out/bacl form the campsite and then I went out again on the dirt section of the road. I could have used some help and more fluids but the place was great and so I managed 2 1/2 hours. The lake was pretty epic, with sheer mountains all around the place and evidently some good fishing.
We headed to Durango on Saturday, so naturally I stepped in to the Durango Brewery to see what the status of the Tour time trial was. I caught the crucial 10 minutes and would have been happy to spend more time in the place but we did some exploring of Main St.. Remind me why we were always in a hurry and never really enjoying anything that was inherently Colorado?
Anyway, I liked Durango alot. It's a bigger town than I envisioned, a regular city but there's a vibe that says there are options there and I don't think the real estate is all out of control. The place is known as a mountian bike heaven, but surprisingly running doesn't seem to be popular. The folks at the Running SHop seemed wierdly incapable of helping us find a track or a measured trail. I'm sure they knew their trails but I don't understand the void. Despite continued issues with the rest of our party, I persuaded Bill to hit the track for a very brief workout in Bayfield, CO. Now I realize my views are not going to be universally respected but I'm just going to say that this trip was undoubtedly soured by the addition of Catherine. All I wanted to do was get some running in, see some new towns and scenery, and sample the local color(ie. beer). That is the typical format for a vacation, yes? We rushed off after the workout to get back to camp, despite the fact the we could tell it was raining in camp and there was a brewery in Bayfield.
Our final stop was Silverton, CO a precariously situated spot waaayyy up in the mountains. This place was all about tourism but there was a great vibe and so many trails and jeep roads to explore. I finally got a little fishing in, nabbing some Brookies on my own Elk Hair Caddis. It is worth noting that there was a strange dynamic in town as there were some clearly "local" folks that were clearly not really active or into outdoors and more into piercings and skateboards and the color black. Now remember, the whole town is above tree line in a state where you get 300+ days of intense sun a year and there's only 1 paved street in town. Anyway, this place was cool and had just what I would want in order to maintain sanity but live the spartan lifestyle. There were runners here, one guy just set a course record at the Hardrock 100 and a girl there made the world moutain team. THis from a place that probably has 500 or less actual residents.
This vacation was pretty excellent, all things considered. I liked each town alot and I aim to make some return visits for sure. It was really hard to come back to Norman in August but I've got some plans, which may or may not be worthwhile, and who am I to blow against the wind.
Next up was the drive through northern New Mexico and then a stop in Pagosa SPrings, CO. We stolled the main drag in town and I thought it was a neat place, with Victorian houses and some more lush scenery due to the river through town. While definitely being a tourist spot, it didn't seem unbearable and I think it would be a nice little summer spot. It is becoming a pricey place and I was dismayed when I asked about the hot springs and the Forest Service lady told me they were just down the street at 2 spa houses which cost $10-20. I felt like doing my best Vincent Vega impression and replying "that's a $10 soak, they don't put bourbon or nothin' in there?" THe lady noticed my disinterest and followed up by saying there was a place off the beaten path where the locals soak in the pool that drains the spa. This was my assumption of all these places, the locals are note supremely wealthy and there's alot to be discovered if you stay a while.
We camped at Vallecito Lake for the next 2 nights. The weather was crisp and cool with monsoon rains every evening. We were right at a trailhead along this impressive gorge and so when it was warm we were in the creek. Bill and I explored the trail the next morning for a run and we talked to some hikers that make the 50 mile trek from Silverton to Durango and then the train back. We started envisioning an epic run of the thing some day, as it wasn't horrendously steep and looks to follow the water throughout. As we ate breakfast, we noticed and ambulance coming up the road and shortly there were several EMT vehicles arriving and dudes heading out on foot with a spinal board. We never found out quite what was going on, but there were enough questionable looking hikers constantly coming through that it would be easy to see someone breaking a leg or having a heart attack. The lake itself was quite large and there was a road encircling the whole thing for ~15 miles. I didn't run it all for my long run because Billy was only doing 10 so we went out/bacl form the campsite and then I went out again on the dirt section of the road. I could have used some help and more fluids but the place was great and so I managed 2 1/2 hours. The lake was pretty epic, with sheer mountains all around the place and evidently some good fishing.
We headed to Durango on Saturday, so naturally I stepped in to the Durango Brewery to see what the status of the Tour time trial was. I caught the crucial 10 minutes and would have been happy to spend more time in the place but we did some exploring of Main St.. Remind me why we were always in a hurry and never really enjoying anything that was inherently Colorado?
Anyway, I liked Durango alot. It's a bigger town than I envisioned, a regular city but there's a vibe that says there are options there and I don't think the real estate is all out of control. The place is known as a mountian bike heaven, but surprisingly running doesn't seem to be popular. The folks at the Running SHop seemed wierdly incapable of helping us find a track or a measured trail. I'm sure they knew their trails but I don't understand the void. Despite continued issues with the rest of our party, I persuaded Bill to hit the track for a very brief workout in Bayfield, CO. Now I realize my views are not going to be universally respected but I'm just going to say that this trip was undoubtedly soured by the addition of Catherine. All I wanted to do was get some running in, see some new towns and scenery, and sample the local color(ie. beer). That is the typical format for a vacation, yes? We rushed off after the workout to get back to camp, despite the fact the we could tell it was raining in camp and there was a brewery in Bayfield.
Our final stop was Silverton, CO a precariously situated spot waaayyy up in the mountains. This place was all about tourism but there was a great vibe and so many trails and jeep roads to explore. I finally got a little fishing in, nabbing some Brookies on my own Elk Hair Caddis. It is worth noting that there was a strange dynamic in town as there were some clearly "local" folks that were clearly not really active or into outdoors and more into piercings and skateboards and the color black. Now remember, the whole town is above tree line in a state where you get 300+ days of intense sun a year and there's only 1 paved street in town. Anyway, this place was cool and had just what I would want in order to maintain sanity but live the spartan lifestyle. There were runners here, one guy just set a course record at the Hardrock 100 and a girl there made the world moutain team. THis from a place that probably has 500 or less actual residents.
This vacation was pretty excellent, all things considered. I liked each town alot and I aim to make some return visits for sure. It was really hard to come back to Norman in August but I've got some plans, which may or may not be worthwhile, and who am I to blow against the wind.
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