Memorial Day Travels

Memorial Day was a day of travel for us.

Overall about 6 hours of driving, climbing up over 10,000 feet across the Continental Divide and back down below the 5,000 foot elevation.  Breathing easy again, yeah.  

Looking at the map you might wonder why we took a westerly roundabout route, It actually added a half hour to the trip according to google so I'll briefly explain.  The recommended route would have been more direct but it would also have included traversing the steep and winding US Hwy 50 across Monarch Pass.  Monarch Pass is 11,312 feet above sea level and a very scenic drive, in a car...   

With a 6 - 7% grade for almost 10 miles and figuring in the tight winding curves, it was just more of a workout than I wanted to deal with and I didn't want to put Georgie Girl through that kind of a work out either.  Taking Interstate 70 meant that we'd save over 1,000 feet of elevation and Georgie Girl would be able to keep up with traffic, and so she did!

It was a beautiful drive on I-70 passing through the Vail and Breckenridge ski areas, there wasn't enough snow for the skiers but the mountains were still draped in white.  On a side note, I noticed there was a concrete paved sidewalk / bike path following alongside the interstate most of the way.  If you like cycling and have a fit body, it looks like fun.  To be fair, most of the bikes I saw were all electric assist bikes.  

We're staying at Boyd Lake State Park outside of Loveland, Colorado.  This is just a layover on the road to Wyoming.  We'll be here for two days, just because I hate pulling into a place and slipping out the next morning.  And after the drive I had today, I'd like a day of rest before starting the next run.  

I hope you've all had a nice Memorial Day weekend, I know we did.  I'll write again from our next destination.  Have you guessed it yet?  🤔