It was a beautiful ride today, although quite tough, as we crossed back into our home state of Colorado after having left on this trip on April 24th. The first 19 miles, in particular, was difficult as the road (Hwy 230, in Wyoming, which became Hwy 125 in Colorado) rose up and down (but trending upward overall). We agree with most cyclists that such up and down terrain is more tiring than simply going up to the top of a long pass, then down (the profile of tomorrow's ride).
Once again, the clouds threatened rain off and on all day. When we were about 5 miles from reaching the Colorado border, a thunderstorm broke out in the mountains to the west. We could hear the thunder and see lightening hitting the tops of the peaks. That sent our adrenaline into overdrive. There was no storm shelter of any kind within view (not even a ditch), and I am deathly afraid of lightening,* so we humped it to try to skirt the edge of the storm cloud. Although the road went uphill (of course), I am happy to report that we succeeded, mainly because the storm never really moved off the mountain tops.
We stopped to eat some lunch (peanut butter on bagels, apples and cookies) in Cowdrey (population 77), another near ghost town (the only open business
was the post office). There we met a woman from California who was considering buying a run-down building there. She seemed well-meaning, but what could she be thinking? There were some newly-reopened cabins there for fishermen and other seasonal visitors and a post office, but nothing else. Good luck.
The last time we were in Walden was about 20 years ago. We were then on another bike ride, one of the annual Pharo Death Rides that we have been doing with a group of friends since about 1981. My recollection of Walden from that time was that it was a dump (like Jeffrey City, WY). The motel we stayed in on that trip (now thankfully gone) was a seedy place that smelled of natural gas. We took a group photo on that trip, in front of the Walden cemetery gates. It was foggy that morning and the fog gave the picture an eerie quality that made it a memorable shot.
Walden, which is the county seat of Jackson County, CO, looks a lot better now than what I remember from that earlier trip. The main street through town has several active businesses and the buildings are in good shape. There seem to be more local people here now. But the cemetery hasn't changed much, as one would expect. We hope to get a picture in front of the gates tomorrow.
*This fear is not unfounded. Colorado has the highest death rate in the nation from lightening strikes.
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