Yesterday was the most incredible drive. Moments of breathtaking beauty, moments of knee-shaking fear. Quite a few hours on the road for a paltry 200+ miles, but what miles!
The drive from Cripple Creek to highway 50 way down in southern CO was mysterious at first, as one map program showed that there was a way to go kinda sorta directly, but another only showed a prohibitively circuitous route. And Mike's atlas, 2006, which is proving to be such a help to me, showed no way at all.
Anyway, there was a drive, and it was lovely. Cripple Creek is a bit like Eureka West, lots of elevation change, lots of old restored buildings, lots of tourist draw (old West mining motif). Right through town for me, then up and up (though we started at better than 9000'), then out into a succession of lovely wide valleys, some with lakes, some just beautiful wildflower bedecked pastures. Surrounded by what seem to be gentle hills, not craggy mountains, though these hills are at uber elevations. Made me think of how neat it must have been to find these lovely areas after the incredibly difficult climb from the eastern Co plains for the early pioneers and settlers. Cropland was pretty much left behind in KS, and landuse here seems to be pasture for very few cattle, and otherwise just open. Anyway, I was in mild dropjawed wonder mode, as new vistas continually opened as I moved into different areas, and from time to time there were the glimpses of snowtopped big craggy mountains in the distance.
Big long descent, then, toward the scenic highway 50 Mike's atlas had suggested. During that leg of the trip, the little Camry was tabulating 55 MPG! Well, if I had been impressed with the scenery of that leg, the piece of road up next took impression to the next level.
Basically, there was a long stretch of road that ran along the Arkansas (I think) river, a strongly flowing, rapids-filled river maybe 50-75 yards wide. And because the river's course was tortuous, so was the road. And because the river was in a canyon it had carved, so was the road. And what a canyon: narrow in places, wider in places, with walls of huge rock formations, around which and through which the road twisted and turned. Rocks as big as houses, airplane hangers, multi-storied office buildings. Craggy slopes that began at the edge of the road and shot up at a 45 degree angle for hundreds of feet. Areas where the road was enclosed by rock walls, areas where the view opened out, presenting vistas of mountains farther off. And all the while, the river running rapidly next to the road, at times open, at times rock strewn and rapids filled.
Not much chance for pictures, sorry to say. This type of drive is a challenge, as there is so much desire to look around, but one going at speeds ranging from 40 to 65 mph, one of a long train of cars. Road is two laned blacktop, not many places to pass, which was fine as I drove as slowly (for a change) as I could get away with, and kept as large a gap between the Camry and the car in front as I could, often a hundred yards or so.
I took a video at a roadside stop, but it is large in size, and I don't know if it will upload or not, from where I am.
And this part of the drive was only the beginning of the day's experiences. However, now I need to get on the road, heading for Bryce Canyon for this day's endpoint. More later, if the internet gods so decree.
Basically, there was a long stretch of road that ran along the Arkansas (I think) river, a strongly flowing, rapids-filled river maybe 50-75 yards wide. And because the river's course was tortuous, so was the road. And because the river was in a canyon it had carved, so was the road. And what a canyon: narrow in places, wider in places, with walls of huge rock formations, around which and through which the road twisted and turned. Rocks as big as houses, airplane hangers, multi-storied office buildings. Craggy slopes that began at the edge of the road and shot up at a 45 degree angle for hundreds of feet. Areas where the road was enclosed by rock walls, areas where the view opened out, presenting vistas of mountains farther off. And all the while, the river running rapidly next to the road, at times open, at times rock strewn and rapids filled.
Not much chance for pictures, sorry to say. This type of drive is a challenge, as there is so much desire to look around, but one going at speeds ranging from 40 to 65 mph, one of a long train of cars. Road is two laned blacktop, not many places to pass, which was fine as I drove as slowly (for a change) as I could get away with, and kept as large a gap between the Camry and the car in front as I could, often a hundred yards or so.
I took a video at a roadside stop, but it is large in size, and I don't know if it will upload or not, from where I am.
And this part of the drive was only the beginning of the day's experiences. However, now I need to get on the road, heading for Bryce Canyon for this day's endpoint. More later, if the internet gods so decree.
Rick what great description of the terrain enabling my mind to see. I've driven this road and what desolate beauty nature throws at us. Did you stop at the electrolux cafe on hwy 50; great camping up the mountain from there; flowing water and majestic trees. Not sure what your return trip is, but dropping into New Mexico and touring the classic , Eureka like town of Silver City is Wonderful . Take and soak it all in. Bill
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