After another delicious complimentary breakfast, we headed east toward Frisco where we hoped to rent bikes to ride down the Vail Pass. The weather was cool but a bit sunnier. We heard on the news the night before that this part of Colorado actually had snowfall so we were undecided about the biking. Enroute, we drove past the 12 miles that we had rafted down and that’s when I realized we were nestled in the prettiest part of this portion of the Colorado River. While there was the freeway to the right of us, on the opposite side were canyon walls with cool caves and also lush steep green mountainsides. It reminded us of the picturesque setting at the KOA in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Soon after we passed this section, the scenery became starker again. A little while later we were driving in the midst of snow capped peaks…it was raining, sleeting, and then flurrying as we crested the highest elevation at 10,640 feet in Vail. It was fun to view the many area ski resorts from the highway…some still had snow on them. We made our way to the bike rental shop and against our better judgment decided to take the plunge, live on the edge and ride bikes from the Vail Pass back to the bike shop. The owner assured us that the temperature up top was the same as at his store—we soon learned this was NOT the case. They fitted each of us with a bike and helmet, loaded the bikes on a trailer and we piled into another 12 seat van near the Vail Pass to be dropped off for our invigorating 12 mile ride down the mountain, We layered clothes on but did not have gloves…BIG MISTAKE! After 10 minutes, none of us could even feel our hands. We had to stop frequently to rub and thaw out our fingers so we could use the handbrakes on the mostly downhill paved path. It was absolutely beautiful and I did make frequent stops to snap pictures…I do think most of the family members would have appreciated the beauty more if it had been sunny and 20 degrees warmer! At one point it was flurrying but it felt like a squall as we were speeding downhill into the wind and snow.
Finally we arrived at Copper Mountain, a ski resort where there was one store open…a Coffee Shop! We raced inside and parked ourselves next to the gas fireplace where we thawed out with the most delicious hot chocolate we’ve ever tasted!! (Well, Mercy would have enjoyed it more if it was not sweet and tasted like hot sauce…but it was a hit with the rest of us!) By the time we got back to our bikes, the black seats were warmed up from the sun-ahhh life’s simple pleasures. Everyone seemed to enjoy this 2nd half of the ride much more since down in the valley it was significantly warmer and most importantly, it wasn’t snowing. One thing is for sure: we made a memory…hopefully one day it will be a positive one. Actually since I am so late in posting this, the overall consensus is that the bike ride was a fun memory--amazing what time and warm hands can do.
After our infamous bike ride, we ate the sandwiches we had prepared the nite’ before and pressed on east. We did not have hotel reservations because we were uncertain regarding the day’s activities and how far we would be able to reasonably travel. We finally decided to look for lodging in Louisville, Colorado where most rooms were already booked due to a 10K race and an Ultimate Frisbee Tournament. Finally we locked in a reservation for 2 rooms in La Quinta but the rooms were not adjoining which concerned some of us... we waited for Mark to go in for the keys and were surprised that the front desk was able to give us adjoining rooms after all. How kind of the Lord to show such favor in spite of the heart struggles which marked our day. It reminded me of the verse:
If we are faithless, He remains faithful.
2 Timothy 2:13
This was the view from our hotel which reminded me of our time in Jackson Hole...the Colorado River is behind those trees in the foreground...
A stretch of the river we rafted down the day before..
As we drove, the weather started to change...so did the scenery--is that snow in the distance?!
Yup! That's snow all right:)
Getting closer...
In the midst of it!
So pretty!
It's beginning to look alot like Christmas...in May!
I didn't quite catch the sign...it says,"Vail Summit elevation 10,640'!"
Ready to roll....
A different view behind us...
The long and winding road back to civilization and warmth:)! This paved road is for cyclists and runners/walkers only...no motorized vehicles~
Off we go....
There is Curtis in the distance...I stopped to take so many pictures, I was way behind the gang!
I'm catching up...and totally loving this scenery!
Time to stop to blow on our hands so we can actually feel them again! Yeah, we know how to make unforgettable memories :)! if you click on this picture to enlarge it, you can see that it is flurrying!
Enroute to the hotel in Louisville,Colorado...look at how the clouds cast a shadow on the mountain...
So thankful for a day filled with God's mercies toward us...beautiful snowy peaks, occasional blue skies, the sun warming our bike seats after we were warmed by a fire and hot cocoa, safety as 8 of us rode 12 miles without any incidents, safety driving, even adjoining hotel rooms!!...the list is unending...
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