SAS
Seeking higher vistas
It was great to meet-up with you guys...I wish the work scheduled would have been more favorable and allowed more days--c'est la vie--that is just how the cookie crumbles, sometimes.
I rolled into Ouray at about 7pm and met the fellas at the Outlaw Saloon and Restaurant. While the atmosphere was, indeed casual, this was no burger joint! Hahaha Thank you to my brother, Steve, for picking up my dinner tab.
Back at camp, we fiddled with the 'campfire in a can', and determined that the 'Little Buddy' heater applied near the tank/regulator was just the ticket to prevent freezing and an abrupt shut-down. Great way to wind down a long day, around the glow of a fire.
Monday morning we rolled-out at approximately 8am, and sped toward Montrose. We arrived at the local Mickey D's for a breakfast biscuit and coffee; right at rush-hour, it seemed, for when we entered the door and stood in line, there were a good dozen fellows right behind us. I think Jeff picked up my tab here, so thank you, Jeff; or perhaps they just lost track of who ordered and paid-for-what in that mad rush? LOL
Back on the road, we headed east on U.S. 50 toward Gunnison, and then Monarch Pass. Down the pass and to the junction of U.S. 285, and drove north to Buena Vista and then U.S. 24 to Leadville. We fueled-up on the south side of town, and both Gary and Greg decided to not proceed over Mosquito Pass.
Jeff and Mitch in the Tacoma, and Steve and myself in the Trooper headed into Leadville proper and turned east. I knew I was looking for County Road 3, but we didn't see any signs on the main road. So taking a chance, I lead us up what turned out to be CR 1. Well, we were close! We got up high and could see/recognize CR 3 across the valley, so we took a spur road that brought us right to it. Up we went, the bumpy western side of Mosquito Pass. A few switchbacks and amazing views back to the west, southwest filled with storm clouds. Soon we were at the summit, 13,185 feet above sea level.
I rolled into Ouray at about 7pm and met the fellas at the Outlaw Saloon and Restaurant. While the atmosphere was, indeed casual, this was no burger joint! Hahaha Thank you to my brother, Steve, for picking up my dinner tab.
Back at camp, we fiddled with the 'campfire in a can', and determined that the 'Little Buddy' heater applied near the tank/regulator was just the ticket to prevent freezing and an abrupt shut-down. Great way to wind down a long day, around the glow of a fire.
Monday morning we rolled-out at approximately 8am, and sped toward Montrose. We arrived at the local Mickey D's for a breakfast biscuit and coffee; right at rush-hour, it seemed, for when we entered the door and stood in line, there were a good dozen fellows right behind us. I think Jeff picked up my tab here, so thank you, Jeff; or perhaps they just lost track of who ordered and paid-for-what in that mad rush? LOL
Back on the road, we headed east on U.S. 50 toward Gunnison, and then Monarch Pass. Down the pass and to the junction of U.S. 285, and drove north to Buena Vista and then U.S. 24 to Leadville. We fueled-up on the south side of town, and both Gary and Greg decided to not proceed over Mosquito Pass.
Jeff and Mitch in the Tacoma, and Steve and myself in the Trooper headed into Leadville proper and turned east. I knew I was looking for County Road 3, but we didn't see any signs on the main road. So taking a chance, I lead us up what turned out to be CR 1. Well, we were close! We got up high and could see/recognize CR 3 across the valley, so we took a spur road that brought us right to it. Up we went, the bumpy western side of Mosquito Pass. A few switchbacks and amazing views back to the west, southwest filled with storm clouds. Soon we were at the summit, 13,185 feet above sea level.