Day 15: Silverthorne to Hot Sulphur Springs, CO

60.2 miles, 1881 ft ascent/ 2946 ft descent, max grade 5.9%, 4:21 saddle time, elevation: max = 8729, min = 7368, current 7689 ft.
Brian and I started the day with breakfast at the Mountian Lyon, and then proceeded NW away from Silverthorne and the snow-capped Rockies.
Leaving Silverthorne

Brian is a really smart guy from Chicago with a PhD in PoliSci.  He is easy to talk to and we had another great conversation over breakfast.  
Our journey today was largely downhill as we rode out into the valley.  
Today’s Route

The route started out on a highway, but then left the main road to go around the Gren Mountain reservoir.  Once again, I was struck by the effects of the low snowfall last winter, and the corresponding water shortage. The reservoir was practically empty.  It had a hydroelectric generating station, but it did not look like it would be able to continue generating power much longer.

Green Mountain reservoir

We were following the Blue River all day.  Once we got to the bottom of the valley the route joined a railroad and started to climb.  At one point it made a sharp left into a ravine.  The dramatic change in scenery was striking.

Brian at the Ravine

There is a resort at Hot Sulphur Springs that boasts 20 different hot pools of different temperatures.  I went to check it out, and it was underwhelming.  I decided not to pay the $23 fee because there is a free hot spring on our route a couple days north.  Tonight I am staying in the Canyon Motel because the campground had no water, or bathrooms.  Add to that warnings about bears, and I decided a motel would be a good choice!  We had dinner at the Dean Public House, where we met Taylor.  She is a faculty member at the US Air Force Academy in the physical education department.  We had a great conversation.   The food was also great, which was a surprise based on the appearance of the town, and the fact that it was the only restaurant open.  It was a diamond in the rough.

One of the truly rewarding things about this trip is the people I have met and the great conversations I have had with them.  I have been surprised at the serendipitous connections I have been able to make. 

Tomorrow we head north over a pass to Walden CO, where I am looking forward to re-joining Bill.  

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