Sunday, July 12, 2009

Super Vacation

We spent a tremendously relaxing three days in Peyton hosted by George and Helen. We would later come to find it may have been too relaxing. But that's getting ahead of ourselves. We lounged upstairs in the living room, and occasionally downstairs in the basement – sometimes on the porch, and sometimes in the dining room. Jordan and Jeremy pretended they were cowboys at one point and I climbed a tree.

On day two of the lounge-fest we borrowed Helen's Subaru and drove to Manitou Springs for a day trip. Passed through Colorado Springs on the way and deposited the car in the middle of downtown. Manitou is a tourist-friendly place with plenty of shops and a walkable downtown, all within, I believe, sight of Pike's Peak. Or at least it's close. We strolled around and visited all manner of souvenir boutiques. First we went to the Navajo store to browse dreamcatchers, and statuettes, and carved figurines, and woven blankets, and clocks and some John Wayne merchandise. We went to a music shop and a glass blowing place and a store specializing in dragons and the like. They also had voluptous fairy figurines and ridiculous swords and throwing stars. There was a bike shop too where I was very pleased to pick up a pair of used Speedplays for $15. We talked to the mechanic and some of the other employees about the trip and then set off looking for somewhere to eat. We stopped at the barbeque joint, dismayed to find that their mushroom burger was only topped with mushrooms, not made of mushrooms. Settled at the Nile Cafe for Gyros and Veggie Plates. Let us not forget the Poppy Seed, the hippie shop where we were shown some very fine glass mushrooms as well as a whole slew of Bob Marley tee shirts. And of course there was the bead store where you could customize your own jewelry.

Then we drove to Garden of the Gods, a stand of very impressive rocks tucked into the Colorado countryside. I'll let the photos do the talking and share a small anecdote. The Garden has been made friendly for all visitors and a concrete walkway loops around the different formations. Suffice it to say after the last month we yearned for more adventure. After somewhat rudely scoffing at some amateur rock climbers we ventured up a trail and to small boulders. Toward the end of the path was a sign imploring you to go no further and which also threatened a five hundred dollar fine if you did. We pressed on nonetheless and scrambled up some rocks to an excellent, if somewhat frightening, view. I should mention that the current “we” does not include Leslie, who depending on your perspective, exercised better judgment. We decided that was far enough and came back down the rock face and entered “legal” territory just before we met a very nice female ranger who told us we weren't supposed to be up there.

We drove back to Peyton and gorged ourselves as usual and started watching the movies we had rented. Wendy and Lucy, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Event Horizon, and TransAmerica. Speaking of the boob tube, Adam's grandparents have Versus and we joyfully watched the Tour every morning. Jeremy wrapped his bars with his new tape and everyone did some regular maintenance. We mapped out about eight days of riding before going to bed and naturally sleeping in the next morning. We ate too much ice cream, and too much pasta, and drank too many Hansen's, and too much cereal, etc. But we enjoyed every minute of it and are eternally grateful to George and Helen for having us. Thank you very much.

Career change?

We saw this sign in Missouri too. Five dollars more in Colorado.

Mineral springs. It tastes sort of like Perrier, but maybe more like Alka Seltzer.

Main drag, Manitou Springs.

Can you believe how big that plaque is?

Hanging loose.

From on high.

2 comments:

  1. Hi all,

    The photos are great.

    And did you buy dream catchers, blankets, John Wayne photos and blown glass dust catchers? I'm sure all the purchases would fit in your saddle bags.

    Janet Shannon just came by -- post an address and I'll mail the meals she dropped off.

    And thank you to George and Helen for hosting our riders.

    Take care. Ride safely.

    Love,

    Cheri (aka Mike's Mom)

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  2. The old Guy:

    If you find any portraits of E.T.'s or Elvis on velour at the next geegaw shop, get me one. Sorry to hear about the high price of putting a tent down. How did the second day of hills go? Did you guys realize that you are going over passes 2 or 3 thousand feet higher than the riders of the Tour De France?

    Watch out for altitude sickness. I didn't like hearing that Jordan had a headache. From the net:

    AMS (acute mountain sickness) is common at high altitudes. At elevations over 10,000 feet (3,048 meters), 75% of people will have mild symptoms. The occurrence of AMS is dependent upon the elevation, the rate of ascent, and individual susceptibility. Many people will experience mild AMS during the acclimatization process. Symptoms usually start 12-24 hours after arrival at altitude and begin to decrease in severity about the third day. The symptoms of Mild AMS are headache, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, nausea, disturbed sleep, and a general feeling of malaise. Symptoms tend to be worse at night and when respiratory drive is decreased. Mild AMS does not interfere with normal activity and symptoms generally subside within 2-4 days as the body acclimatizes. As long as symptoms are mild, and only a nuisance, ascent can continue at a moderate rate. When hiking, it is essential that you communicate any symptoms of illness immediately to others on your trip. AMS is considered to be a neurological problem caused by changes in the central nervous system. It is basically a mild form of High Altitude Cerebral Edema.

    Keep an eye on each other and don't push too hard. If someone is showing symptoms get to a lower altitude if possible. Unless a really big earth quake hits, California will still be here when you get back. Yes you guys are animals, but you're not invincible.

    Very hot here, I imagine its the same for you. Drink 1 water bottle per hour if you can. Drinking steadily before you feel the need. 1 water bottle per hour should keep you out of trouble. No booze, coffee or other dehydrating liquids. Save that for the low lands.

    Thanks to George and Helen and each of the wonderful people who have helped you on your way across the nation. Those folks are restoring all of our faith in mankind. As the day to day grind or our daily existence drags on and as our pace of life seems to get faster and faster, it is easy to forget how wonderful people can be. Our sons and we will remember your generosity as long as we live. As for the 3 of you riders, practice random acts of kindness. Remember the "code of the road" and help out where you can. Karma is real and it pays dividends. Stay safe and keep the blog and letters coming.

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