Day 54: Frisco, CO to Kremmling, CO (44 miles, 2509 total)

We woke up to another chilly morning, but not as bad as the day before. Although the campground was full, the place was quiet, and I slept hard. Sleeping in the high altitudes is quite a contrast to the the rest of the trip as we sleep bundled up rather than on top of our sleeping bags.

After studying the maps with our compadres, we rolled out by 7:30 headed for Kremmling. Yesterday, we discovered that for the next week we have to follow the guidebook exactly in order to make it to Alecia and Matt's wedding. Since AK is in the wedding, we need to arrive in Colorado Springs by Tuesday night in order for her to comfortably tend to and help out with wedding related events. So, just like our last wedding break, we needed to find a town on the route with a bike shop and a car rental agency. Looking ahead, the only option is Lander, WY. Otherwise we will be in the middle of nowhere, literaly. Anyway, if we follow the guidebook exactly for the next few days we will arrive in Lander on Monday night. So, we will have to take it pretty chill for the next week as we follow the guidebook, and I must admit we are pretty excited to have a good excuse to go easy on the miles in the next few days. Not to worry though, when we get back on the trail we will have three weeks !
left and only 3 days to gain on the guidebook.

Anyway, after about 5 miles on the bike path, we crossed over the Dillon Reservoir Dam (the reservoir is so full that the spillway is in use) and arived in Silverthorne.

We decided to stop into a cafe for breakfast #2 which was tasty and provided an nice escape from the cold until the sun provided enough warmth to ride comfortably. After we had finished eating, Paul and Annemieke stopped by to to chat about maps and today's destination. Desperate for a shower, AK called ahead to the various campgrounds and found the Red Mountain RV Park boasting showers, laundry, and soft grass for 6 bucks per person. We were all sold.

We pedalled out of Silverthorne down (literally) Route 9 towards Kremmling. The scenery was beautiful as always as we paralled the Blue River for miles. Both AK and I are growing more and more excited to be moving to such a beautiful state.

The Blue River dumped into the Green Mountain Reservoir which was surrounded by several awesome campgrounds. We actually were supposed to head south under the reservoir and through the town of Heeney on Route 30, but I missed the turn and we stayed on Route 9. As a result, our mileage was shorter, but we were exposed to a bit more traffic.

Just outside of Kremmling, we crossed the Colorado River which looks extremely small up here. But it is cool to imagine that theoretically, when I pee in the woods here it can seep into the river and run all the way down through Mexico and into the gulf. Well, either that or into the drinking supply for the L.A. Basin, but whatever.

Just after the Colorado River, we saw a few flashes of lightening, and we high-tailed it off the road and took cover under a nearby shed. After about 20 minutes we rolled out and into town for shakes and burgers.

While chowing down, we spotted the Dutchesses and then later Shawn. Already setup behind the local fire department, Shawn decided to move over to the RV park after hearing of the showers and laundry options. Sometimes a shower is well worth moving camp.

We grabbed some mac and cheese, corn, and brocoli at the market and headed for the RV Park. The woman at the front desk was eager to receive us as she is very proud of what all they offer cyclists for only 6 bucks, and she should be. The showers were fantastic, the bathrooms were spotless, and we did all our laundry.

We both showered up and AK took care of the laundry while I biked into town for some beer and a haircut. Rosie stayed open late to give me my seven dollar haircut complete with an eyebrow buzz. I grabbed a six pack of Bud to share with my fellow cyclists and a Gatorade for AK and headed back to the RV Park. Since I didn't have my trailer on and with my new aerodynamic haircut, I zipped past Paul and Annemeike on their way to the park.

While cooking dinner, Dale and then Sid arrived and once agian the crew was back together. I have a feeling that we all will continue to arrive at the same destination until we take our second wedding break.

Anyway, the mosquitos are brutal here, so we are gonna jump into the tent and take cover.

Jeff