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We drove the short distance from the Colorado Springs area to greater Denver. We chose to camp in Golden, which was central to the people with whom we wanted to visit. Our dear friend Lanis called the night we arrived. It turns out that she needed to inspect an Airstream trailer that she was buying, but the inspection needed to be done by the 15th or so. With the airports closed, flying was not an opting. Since we were within a long stones' throw of Montrose, we offered to check it out for her, since we were going to Glenwood Springs anyway. Montrose was only another 2 1/2 hours drive away, so we departed early for our big road trip through the Rockies, as we had 290 miles to drive, each way. We took I-70 straight West, through the Rockies. The drive was marvelous -- easy, 65 miles per hour, and amazing country to look at when I was not concentrating on driving. We drove to Grand Junction -- only 14 hours from Santa Barbara -- and then headed South to Montrose. Mr. Virgil Turner was a very nice, accommodating man. He operated all of the systems and features of the trailer for us, on request. And as he had stated, everything worked well. It really was a lovely trailer. We reported this to Lanis via cell phone, after which she and Mr. Turner cinched the deal; Lanis now owned a 1968 Airstream, and we had the bill of sale to prove it.We drove back into Delta, and lunched at an A&W we had seen. We love A&Ws. There appear to be far too few of them these McDays. We took Mr. Turner's advice, and drove back along highway 133, which follows the Crystal River through some breathtaking country. See for yourself. The aspens and other trees were "turning", so we caught some of the color. This was taken just above the little town of Marble, so named I believe because a train derailed there in the 1800s, dumping its cargo of marble all about. It was cheaper to leave it than clean it up, so it is still there today.
The 133 rejoined the I-70 at Glenwood Springs. Jody heard about Glenwood Springs from a postcard she received from our friend Joanie Bernard (Ellen and Cora's mother). Joanie and her girls had visited there once on one of their cross-country drives, and had apparently raved about it. With just cause, as it turns out. There is a gigantic hot-springs fed public pool there. Established during the early 1900s, it has been a popular stop for decades. We arrived around 5 PM, armed with our bathing suits and towels, not really knowing what to expect. It was fabulous. The water was very sulfurous, which I really enjoyed. The 'hot tub' was as big as an Olympic pool, and was kept at 104. The swimming pool was 94. It was grand -- we swam for 2 or 3 hours, until hunger drove us from the waters. Here is the 'hot tub'.
And this is the swimming pool. I am at a loss to describe to you its size -- it was gigantic. It took minutes to stroll past. Hundreds could bath in it, and not be particularly aware of each other. As you can see, all ages bathed there -- babies, adults, teens, and the elderly. It was a community event, coming to the baths.
After we got back into our street clothes, we went in search of food, which we found at a brew-pub across the street. They were packed, so it was nearly 9 when we were finished eating. After all the driving, then swimming, then eating, then drinking 1 beer, we were way too relaxed to drive the 2 1/2 hours back down the mountain to Denver. The brew-pub was operated by the Hotel Denver, next door. I inquired about a room for us, and had in mind that if it was $85 or less, we would take it. Of course, I said nothing of this to anyone at the time. The front desk clerk clicked on his computer, and said he had a room we could have for $84 -- so it was fated. We checked in, and then walked back across the street for an apr�s-diner swim. At 9, the pools had even more bathers than they did at 5, with everyone chatting in small groups. It was like a big community-wide party. We loved it. After the swim, we hit the hotel room and watched some TV. We all reported that we slept exceedingly well that nights. |
