Winter Park Tres Day 5-6

The last full day in Winter Park and we're getting sad.   We went to The Ditch tonight to get the last awesome dinner on our trip (no dinners in Denver).  BUT NOOOOOOOO!  They are closed until Friday for a employee rafting outing.  I'm thinking Mullins should have a employee rafting party down the Crawfish . . . . . might not be the same I suppose.

This was the last chance for days off here as school is out Wednesday and Ride the Rockies is next week.  Even in my long distance biking stage I NEVER contemplated Ride the Rockies. 
Tuesday we went to breakfast at Sharky's to fill up as we would forgo lunch for a bigger dinner.  When we're traveling it seems when we have a bigger lunch we're sort of full for a big dinner. So it's a choice  . . sometimes.

The 2nd breakfast was just as good as #1.  THE goto breakfast place.

We drive up to Grand Lake, Colorado's largest natural lake also called Spirit Lake by the American Indians.  The town of Grand Lake has a population of a little under 500 and was a outfitting and supply spot for mining communities in the mountains.

FUN FACT - The growing season in Grand Lake is 49 days. 

There is just a lot of STUFF here - touristy but not expensive at all.  We purchased this candle holder carved from dead Aspen . . .$24.

The town is all boardwalk and old westy. I gotta think the place is PACKED in the summer but there is still school so this is really the season between seasons. I feel we are the vanguard for the coming hordes.  And it seems we are doing our best to help the economy. 

   The lake itself was formed 30,000 years ago (give or take 3 years) from glaciers. It's the headwaters of the Colorado river with a depth of 265 feet.

 
You really can't see the mansions on the other side. They are HUGE but little spec against that hill.

Before you get to Grand Lake you come to Granby. The town was formed by pioneers who received the land in the Homestead Act of  1862 (called immigrants now).  Largest town in the county at about 1,500 in population.  Back then they felt a growing population helped the economy.  Now the government feels making America SMALLER will help the economy.

FUN FACT - in 2004  DMarvin Heemeyer took a modified bulldozer and bulldozed the bank, a hardware store, a concrete company, a utility service center, the town hall, the police department, and a former mayor's home.  He was pissed off at the city council over a zoning deal.  7 million dollars in damage.

Granby also has a great lake.  It's weird seeing cars pulling boats up into the mountains.

Peak Brewery

Got home, went to the Peak for the BEST big Pizza and a couple beers and called it a night.                                                                        Today was golf day at The Pole Creek Golf Club.  Winner of many awards (except for the food . . at least what we had).   DJ was a ride along and we teamed up with 2 other guys.

I only played 9 holes on the Ranch course. Wanted to play the Ridge but that was the next 9 holes and I wanted to see what the course was like before I forked out THAT much money.

The greens were in spring condition - like 3 weeks ago with sand so putting was odd.  Putting downhill and the ball slows down.

That ball track (below) is mine.  Drive of 212 with 278 to go.  80 yards out of the trap and from 190 I  hit AND held the green.  I got lucky as I JUST got over a greens side trap.  Ended with a 48 on this unique thinking mans course. 

Chilled out and did laundry and so forth as tomorrow (today) is get away day as we move operations to downtown Denver two blocks from Coors Field. 

As I said we TRIED to go to The Ditch but NOOOOOO  so we went to a pizza/pasta place right near by.  The interesting thing about this is that the entire building, inside, is covered with money. 

There is going to be a whole lot of people going to jail for damaging Federal Property.  But if they launder the money it you can get out of jail for free with a pardon . . if they know any reality stars or Fox News Propaganda Machine.

That is it for now - Brit Floyd tomorrow night and the Rocky Game Friday.  Denver has had two record highs the last 2 days and it should be warm again.  

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I don't know what is going on in Wisconsin but the big news here is the FBI guy that accidentally shot a guy in a nightclub in Denver.  Never do a back flip with a loaded gun.  Probably was sick that day for that lesson. 

There is HUGE storm in the Eastern Plains tonight. They are showing photos of PALM size hail.  Seriously?  

And TV?  LITERALLY (I mean really!) 70% of all advertisements are political.  Have I said that in a previous blog?  hmmmm  Well, it's crazy, in your face, no holds barred.  Mostly about how to pay for schools and immigrants.  

AND I see Columbus is getting a Wood Fired Pizza place, opening in August.  

That's it 

See ya   

Winter Park Tres day 3-4 Coors

One of the big things being talked about in these here parts is weed waste.  The strict rules for cannabis in CO means a huge huge waste in packaging as every little thing needs it's own container.  All of those little black plastic containers that all weed comes in.

I suppose this is an issue but wow - think about 10 years ago when camera film all came in this same black plastic containers.  Trillions of them EVERYWHERE.

But every little thing helps. What, are they going to complain about plastic straws next?

++++

I don't know about Wisconsin at the moment but I think 60% of the ad's on TV are political in CO and they are not so panzy-ish ad's I have seen in Wisconsin.  These democrats are in attack/mad dog mode. No beating around the bush on what they believe in (unlike Tony Evers).

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

SO -  our trip.  Sunday was a washout but it was a forecasted washout so we were all good. Local shopping for beads and trinkets. 

Monday was a trip to Golden which is basically the Middelton of Denver.  We decided to go to the Coors Brewery and take the free tour.

Got to the appointed parking lot about 10:30ish and hopped on the little bus that drove us to the parking lot across the street.

It's a self guided tour and only takes about 1/2 hour if you are actually there for the tour. Seems many people take the "tour" but go right for the 3 glasses of free beer.

So we are slowly walking the tour but sort of slide past the "what barley is" and "what hops look like" and so forth.  But then we come to the boilers that are boiling the wort.  We stop and gawk.









      Beautiful brass boiling kettles and I wonder how many there are that we CAN'T see.  Are these the show pieces? 

The entire area smells like boiling wort and DJ says "mmmmmm smells like chicken".

Urine sample for DJ? 

This is one half of one room with another room with maybe 30 more of these. 

Moving on we get a small sample about halfway through the tour.  Frankly I'm underwhelmed and THIS is what everybody is scrambling for?

Moving on we see the canning area where millions of Coors 12 packs are racing down the line (those photos are in the camera) and learn that Blue Moon was originally brewed at Coors Field (thy have a large brewery in Coors Field) and ONLY sold there.

Seems Blue Moon became popular and while it is still brewed at Coors there are other places now.  But if you go to Coors Field you get the freshest Blue Moon made.

But finally we come to the tasting room and it seems you get three 8 oz glasses of beer . . . . . all before noon.   SWEET!!  An excuse!

As were drinking different beer we have a great conversation with other travelers (who were here yesterday).   I did not know Miller owns Coors which owns Leinies. 

Since this is a FREE tour we figured why not get a vacation photo.

   
HUNGER sets in after 24 oz of beer BEFORE NOON.

So we leave and get in line for the bus back to our car.  We get in and take the shuttle to the parking lot next to us and a burger joint we were looking for is right across the parking lot.

Bob's Atomic Burger. Outstanding burgers.  Truly.  If I HAD too make a comparison take the outside of a Butter Burger and the inside of a Five Guys burger.  But that is doing it an injustice.  The burger to bun ratio is perfect.  Everything was tasty and it's a very unique place.  Burgers were $5.75 for 3/8th pound?

A GoTo place if you get to Golden.

It's HOT - Denver is breaking records.  The car ON the highway is reading 101 which means it's more like 94ish.  I swear I have never been in Denver when it's NOT 90.  Seriously.   But 90 here is not like 90 in Wisconsin.  People still drive with windows open and it feels more like the low 80s (no humidity).  The tems in Winter Park are 68 to 72 so far with very very few clouds. We wake up to temps in the upper 30s.

We drive back up the hill and up to the Continental Divide . . Berthoud Pass at 11,300 feet.

Berthoud Pass at 11,300 feet

NOTE - all of these images on the blog are iPhone shots - the actual camera shots are still inside the camera. 

So today we're going up to Grand Lake which is near the entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park.  Going golfing tomorrow at The Pole Creek Golf Course. Then Denver for a few days, a concert and a ball game as we are staying a block away from Coors Field.

Cheers - let the adventure continue.

Rod and DJ

Winter Park Tres - Day 1-2

Ugly Truth Astrology - Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18

You are the George W. Bush of your colleagues. Hooray! No one wants to admit they know you, but they'll secretly vote for you, again. 

         --Rooster Magazine 

and that was to good part - I am in love with this magazine and am going to get a subscription.
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It's Sunday night, raining for the last 6 hours with thunderstorms and showers and 48 degrees so why not write a blog  OH - I'm not complaining at all. The forecast was right on and Plan A went into effect and all is perfect STILL.

View from the balcony most of Sunday

No photos of the first 2 days driving through Iowa or Nebraska because, well, they are Iowa or Nebraska. We get to Kearny night #1 and Winter Park the next day. Not real bad but literally nothing to talk about.   

HOWEVER - I believe Nebraska gets a bad rap.  I have no issues driving across NE except for the length.  The scenery is fine.  It's "flat,  Wisconsin".  Still green and still fertile.  Now Colorado is a different story.  The butt hole of the trip, until you hit the mountains, 

When you turn off 80 and head southwest on 76 it all of a sudden becomes The High Plains that are hot, desolate and boring until you reach the butt hole ugly side of Denver.  But driving is pretty easy with wide and numerous lanes (unlike in town) so it's just a different kind of butt hole.  And that is what you come to expect when you drive from Columbus to Winter Park CO.  Make sure you have Pandora and NPR on the radio to stay sane and not shoot yourself out of boredom.

 (Holy shit trying to spell "boredom" was such a pain)

ANYWAY - we make some stops in Denver and proceed to Winter Park. It's 92 degrees in Denver and it gets down to 57 on the way up the mountain. This is Saturday and I'm surprised at the lack of visitors but it's early in the season.  Temp in Winter Park is a wonderful 65.  Being this high up it  feels warmer then we are used too. It feels more like 75. 

Both of us feel excellent health-wise as altitude sickness is a real thing the first day or two being 3/4ers of a mile above Denver.  Lots of water and take it easy that first day or two with aspirin (the "taking it easy" was a big FAIL but moron that later).

SafeWay Parking lot

We arrive and move into the place huffing and puffing gasping for air (literally).  First thing is to get some grocery's so we go to the amazing SafeWay, (sigh, I wish we had a Safeway in Columbus)  and even the parking lot is beautiful.

Notice the sky. That was what it was for the last 3 days before today so . . not complaining about rain.

The odd thing is that the air is so thin everything balloons out. Chips and yogurt and soda is REALLY effervescent.  I have no idea what science they need for brewing and bottling.
           

Dinner time and we go out to The Ditch on 40.  A local-ish place that seem to put Hatch Chile's on everything and everything tastes GREAT.  My favorite Philly Cheesesteak of all time (so far  . . at level 64).  Seriously - I thought about that sandwich for a year. 

DJ has the quesadilla and yummy yummy.  Great laid back place. Full of typical Winter Park people (as I have seen in 3 years). Fun, happy, youngish (compared to me). a good fun group.

Here is the deal with Winter Park as I know it, the highest incorporated town in the United States.  First there was Fraser, a typical tiny mountain town. Then the huge Winter Park ski complex was built. NOW, Winter Park the town next to the complex is growing into a real vibrant fun town.

More and more and more and more mountain bikers are flocking here with the world class biking hills for all ages.  It seems that the town first spent all the effort into winter operations and now they can work on the summer crowd.  Not just the athletes but family's galore all biking the mountains. And ALL of them are in great shape. This has to be the most "in shape" place I have ever seen when it comes to all ages.  Except for my side of the age mountain.    

This is a huge young, ski, skate board, mountain bike, dog friendly and growing area.  

So that is that. 

Saturday is a beautiful day and we go for a small hike near our (the) condo, not far, just to get our legs and lungs accustomed.  Been there before.  

First we stopped at a dispensary and then 100 yards away I spot this tree, for 3 hours I stare at it trying to fathom the meaning.  Is it just playing with me? Sending a message?  What does it all mean.  I just don't know. 

 THAT NEVER HAPPENED - KIDDING, or did it!

Were walking along the trail and stop to take photos here and there.

tree

All is going well, the sun is hot as we blindly go forth. Having been on this trail before it's pretty much a no brainer . . but there sure is a lot of new construction around.   

The issue was that with so much building there were . . . detours  . . . yea . . . here we go!  We come to a crossroads, one way is the normal known trail, that leads around the lake, the other is this brand new bridge trail to the unknown.  

We laughed and say this was a life test. The normal way?  or adventure.  What would I do on Survivor - It's the bridge to the unknown.

Looks good to me so we go forth.  I started to take photos as reference . . just in case.   HEY - a joke is that DJ and I would be the first to not make it out of the US on Amazing Race.  

We're walking along and DJ sees a log over a ditch leading to some sweet little unbuilt cabins and complete cabins.  We're looking and day dreaming and wandering around and DJ says go this way and I'm good I know how to get back to the river and yada yada yada.

We come to a road but . . . . I don't think this goes where we want.  Let's head back, so we're walking back between buildings and . . . they all look the freaking same!  same color same shape-ish. The little sidewalks just lead in circles.  Wait . . where are we?  This way?  we know WHAT direction but every path is blocked by condos or a construction fence and water is running low because this was just suppose to be a three hour tour.  We see a family with bikes go by but can't get there!  

I spot a new path and we head towards it but then it forks into two directions . . . SERIOUSLY?  We go left which is towards the condo, it goes for 1/2 a mile and then because of more construction sort of doubles back on itself . . and ends up ON the highway.  ZOOM!   ZOOM! ZOOM!  

SO - what does a tired thirsty couple do in this situation?  Head to the brewery, about another mile towards home.  

    

 The Peak Bistro and Brewery is the #1 Go To place we have found in the 3 years here. Have spent way too much time outside sucking down almost every beer style they have. 

We get there and it's happy hour and we collapse, beer is served and then served again and then one more time and we had only been there 10 minutes. 

Ordered some of there outstanding pizza.  It's one of those gold star ones that stand out in your mind and you crave.  In fact all food there is great. 

We got baked . . no really, DJ gets a sun burn but not a hurty one. Again, not one cloud. 

Once again fantastic atmosphere and outstanding playlist on their music.  I don't know what they have but every year it's right on. Millennial Alternative?  I take some of their artists and make my own station. "Banks" is one from yesterday. 

We sit there for a long time soaking up the mountains and fresh air laughing about getting lost in a new cabin complex. Not lost, we knew where we wanted to go, just were blocked my the stupid maze.     

Looking at a map today we see there IS no route that would have helped us. it truly is a maze with the road going 4 miles out of the way to the left and and a nightmare UP the other way. 

The Peak Bistro and Brewery

and that is it. A mile walk back and we totally collapse. 

Yea - a "take it easy" day.

On to Golden CO tomorrow. 

Cheers.

The adventure continues