To Central Colorado, Day 6

After having a fairly good night's rest, packing and loading stuff, and enjoying apple/cherry turnovers, juice & coffee in the lobby, we left Glenwood Springs on Rt. 70 East. This Glenwood Canyon is such a terrifically beautiful drive. Three tunnels, including the Eisenhower Tunnel are on the route and so much fun. Along the way are several ski towns (for the rich and famous, Bill comments) such as Edwards and Vail--lots of condos and townhouses.

Starting through the Eisenhower Tunnel, I-70

Eventually we climbed to Vail Pass and took time to stop and admire the views. I had to also admire the many cyclists that were stopped there. I don't know how they are able to peddle up these inclines to such altitudes. John's comment was, "I have yet to see an overweight cyclist!" True, true.

A cyclist I caught on TR Road

A rest stop at Vail Pass on I-70

We thought of stopping in Silverthorne on the way down to do a bit of shopping at the outlet stores. However, there is only one exit there so if you miss it, there is no place to do a turn around for miles. And we did miss it. On through the Eisenhower Tunnel and a picnic stop at Georgetown. John found a roadside table under some shade trees just across from a little grocery store. How convenient! We finished up most stuff in the cooler.

Ready to travel after a picnic at Georgetown

It wasn't far up Rt. 40 to Winter Park and the Olympia Motor Lodge. After checking in and having a bit of a rest, we went to the hot tub (and I do mean HOT) for awhile. At six we met Terry and Donna Ward (my roommate at ONU) for supper at Smoking Moe's, a barbecue place. The food was great. This was in a little shopping center called Cooper Creek Square that we had never seen in spite of traveling through and staying in this place for years. Becky did some shopping for her grand kids in a little shop here.

After supper the Wards invited us to their condo in Frasier for dessert. It was great as was the fellowship. We stayed too long, probably, since they are heading home to the St. Louis area tomorrow. They are wonderful hosts, though, and we had a good time. After a good night's rest, we ride through RMNP and into Estes Park tomorrow! I'll add pics to this long blurb later. By the way, it was 49 degrees when we returned to the motel! After all, we are at 9000 feet here.