Montrose REST DAYS (July 28-29)

After working our way across three states it is time to relax a bit. Once we reached Dolores it was clear that the pressure of climbing nearly 100,000 feet over about 20 days had caught up both from a riding stand point and from a family stand point. So, We spent the past two days enjoying some rest and recreations. Also, Andrew left today and so we wanted to enjoy our last full day together.

June 28th. We drove from Dolores to Montrose where we are staying at the Jellystone campground. Originally I was going to bike to Telluride on the 28th, rest on the 29th and then tomorrow Rebecca was going to drive me back to Telluride and I would bike to Montrose. However, I realized that two days of rest were needed and with Andrew flying out I packed up the bike and just drove to Montrose. I have to remember that this is a tour and not a race and this trip is as much about seeing the country as spending quality time with family. So, I may not ride every mile. This is ok. In fact, I have already had to skip about 15 miles due to unsafe descents. So, thats my two cents on it. If I miss a few miles here and there to have a higher quality experiance and see more of our great country, I am all for it!

Yesterday we slept in a bit and were happy that Graham allowed us this luxury. We made some pancakes and bacon and watched Big Hero 6 at the camper before making our drive. It was a beautiful drive and we saw many great small towns, mountain peaks and had a great 110 mile drive to Montrose.

Once we got our camp site set up we enjoyed the pool, had a violin practice and made a great dinner of chicken marsala, mashed potatoes and pasta. Rebecca picked up a few bottles of wine and we stayed up late watching a movie on our outdoor theater. 

Boy did it get cold up here. By the end of the movie we were all snuggled up in blankets outside!  It was a great day!

June 29th.  Andrew is leaving us today. I am sad to be losing my riding companion, but I knew it was coming and am ready to do some solo riding. I am so grateful for Andrew being here with me the past three weeks of riding. It was so comforting to have some one with me through such desolate regions of the country. We were fortunate that we never REALLY needed each other, but it was good to know we had that life line. Now that we are in more populated areas I feel more comfortable riding alone, but it will still be lonely I am sure.

Again, we slept in a bit and passed on breakfast as Andrew was getting set to fly out.

I had a bunch of work to catch up on so I spent a few hours on the computer this morning getting things done. Andrew is shipping his bike home so we stopped by the local bike shop to take care of this. I picked up a few needed supplies and had some great banter with the local riders. Montrose is a really great community and it is clear that they embrace their bike riding.

We had just enough time to get some lunch at the Dragon Wall restaurant and went to the airport to say our goodbyes. After this the four of us headed up to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP and saw some amazing vistas. We took a few photo ops and did a few miles of hiking with the kids. The height and extreme drop off cliffs were AMAZING!!

Rebecca and I had scheduled a few massages with the local Thai Massage specialist and enjoyed some much needed relaxation while we took turns with the kids. We did some shopping and enjoyed the Russell Stover chocolate factory store. For what ever reason Graham found it the right time to have a complete meltdown but this was overshadowed by the exception 3lb box of slightly blemished chocolates for only $12.99!!!! Charlotte go about a one lb sold chocolate rabbit for like $3 and we all had incredible ice cream sundaes. So, with our belly's full of chocolate and ice cream and muscles relaxed we headed back to the campsite for some swimming, relaxations and planning for the days to come.
Bloopers!!!

Tomorrow we are taking a trip to Ouray where they have some hot springs and it is my plan to bike up there to get the miles (and climbing) I would have gotten in going from Telluride to Montrose. I am looking forward to another great day tomorrow!