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At this point I was exhausted but also on cloud 9!!!! Having accomplished all my Bucket List items on this trip. Nothing better than a campfire on a cool evening and in this case a cup of coffee to try and stay awake long enough to get all my pics and video uploaded onto my laptop.
Last edited by tnriverluver; Sep 21, 2017 at 07:25 PM.
On the return trip from Boulder when I got on 36 I decided to let it hang out a bit and show some guy riding a KLR that a Dyna can take a corner. Nothing extreme but the most spirited riding I did the entire trip until traffic put a halt to it.
Day 5 Weds. Aug 30.
I had just 2 planned rides left at this point and the weather forecast both in Estes area and at home were going downhill quickly. The remains of hurricane Harvey were moving towards my home with 8-12 inch rain and high winds forecast and 80% chance of rain for Estes. The ride to Aspen and Independence Pass would be well over a 400 mile round trip.
Being very tired at this point and considering the possibility of leaving a day early to try and beat the heavy rain at home, I decided instead to just do a short ride locally and take it easy so I could load up, get some sleep, and be able to leave out very early morning. Hwy 7 St Vrain Canyon would be my choice. It would only be about a 70 mile loop back to my camp. Awesome road but it required sitting stopped for 45 minutes where they were paving a section of Peak to Peak outside of Estes. I was really glad I wasn't wearing any gear other than my 3/4 helmet for filming purposes this day.
Later this day I went into Estes Park and did a little family souvenir shopping and just wandering around looking. First time really even being there other than fuel and Subway sandwiches.
Just another typical tourist trap much like Gatlinburg here in Tenn. but not as big and every shop I visited was owned by either Mid Easterners or Asian Indians. I got back to the cabin just before the rain set in and started packing a lot of my stuff I wouldn't need any more use of.
One of the campground owners/workers had told me earlier that every night the elk would come into Estes and hang around the golf course next to the big visitors center around 6 PM. The rain let up about 5 so I decided to hop in my truck and go see if I could find a few. There is a big lake with a paved walking trail around it that hugs the outside edge of the course. After walking about a mile sure enough I spotted a few walking down a long driveway headed to the course. This place is also covered in geese as well as golfers. It has to be interesting trying to play a round of golf at this place lol and I know it must really keep the groundskeepers busy. Bucket List Accomplished!!!!!
Last edited by tnriverluver; Sep 22, 2017 at 09:19 AM.
While I was in Estes I called my mother to check on things at home and she was able to tell me the predicted time Harvey was to arrive. I was lacking much in the way of communication at my campground. As it turned out it was to hit Thurs evening though mid day Friday. So much for heading home on Thursday as that would have put me driving through almost all of the heavy rain so I decided to just wait and leave as was planned on Friday morning instead.
Thurs Aug 31 last day.
Really had nothing at all planned now so I just jumped on the bike and rode around locally again sans any gear. Something I don't get to do unless out of state where it's allowed. Went into Estes and had breakfast at a little restaurant, snapped a few pics and headed back to the campground. I would be leaving at 2 am Friday morning so resting up for the long 18 hour slog home was on my mind.
One of many that have dug up this campground something fierce!!!
Little friend I found on my front porch the night before.
Last edited by tnriverluver; Sep 22, 2017 at 10:29 AM.
When I got back I decided to walk around and check out the campground a bit since I had never strayed away from my cabin the entire stay. Wanted to get a little idea in case I ever come back with my toyhauler. This place goes way back up the side of a mountain and is steep so I didn't end up seeing anywhere near all of it. I stopped in the office to ask what I should do with my key since I was leaving out so early and talking with the owners wife about my trip the issue of traffic came up. She told me that during holidays like the 4th of July and Labor Day that often traffic is backed up past the campground which is 5 miles outside of Estes at a sit still with people trying to get in. Glad I was leaving when I was lol. This is a really big campground that if you have small children would be a great place to stay. It's highly geared toward family with a lot of activities each day and not cramped at all compared to many campgrounds.
I left the cabin at 2am and was shocked at how steep hwy 36 in front of my cabin actually is heading south. Never really noticed the incline at all in either direction on my bike but in the truck in pitch blackness it was Woah Nelly for many miles. I think it actually drops about 3,000 feet before getting to the I-25 area. Also encountered many deer standing on the side of the road that night. All was fine getting out to I-70 since traffic was very very minimal. It was a struggle to stay awake until the sun came up and by then I was driving across Kansas which just SUCKS!!!! I've gone across most of Oklahoma and across SD four times going to Sturgis. Nothing compares to the suck of Kansas!!!! Hitting Kansas City gridlock, then Topeka gridlock, and finally St Louis Labor Day weekend Friday 5pm rush hour traffic nightmare gridlock has put an end to me ever making this particular drive again. Twice this year I've hit St Louis at rush hour. The other coming back from the Mich. UP right after the 4th. Finally even after close to 3 hours total I arrived home just after 10 PM still in one piece!!!!
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