We arrived in our happy place, Steamboat Springs, CO, on 22 July. For those of you who hear the words “Steamboat Springs” and think “World Class powder skiing”, you aren’t wrong. That’s what first brought us here. Linda’s first visit was in 1978, I first came the winter after our marriage in 1983. Since then, we discovered Summers in Steamboat. It’s incredible! Mountain Biking, Road Biking, River Tubing, Fishing, White Water Kayaking, Lake Kayaking, hiking; they are all readily available.
Our dear friends Stan and Karen Wallace came to visit us on 26 – 31 July. We wore them out! We started with a hike on the Tombstone Trail at Steamboat Lake. It’s moderate difficulty, and only a mile long, but the view is spectacular. Several Eagles were spotted, airing their wings to cool off in the 90 degree heat (but it’s a dry heat!). We then hit the marina and did some paddle boarding. This was new to Karen and Stan, but they both engaged valiantly. A good time was had by all.
An early morning wake up got us to the Yampa Valley Hot Air Balloon Rodeo. 28 balloons went aloft, and it was amazing to have them fill the sky.
Afterward, we did a tube float down the Yampa River, which runs right through Steamboat.
We next went to the hot springs to warm our frosted buns, and we finished off with a night at the Rodeo. Riding the bucking broncos looks tough, but riding those bulls looks like it just shouldn’t be done. Horses want you off their backs, but bulls want to kill you.
There was also an amazing display of trick-riding.
The following day we took it a bit easier. We did an “escape room” with a western theme. Two engineers, a physicist and a law enforcement professional were stressed to solve the challenge in an hour. We did finally find the gold, but I’m glad the room managers don’t post videos of our flailing efforts.
Stan and Karen are now back in Virginia. Coming back from dropping them off in Denver, I had a Mule Deer Buck try to commit suicide on my truck. Fortunately, I saw him coming and braked in time. The look in his eyes (I got to see them quite close) was that of sincere determination.
I hit the Emerald Mountain, on the West side of Steamboat, for an exhausting 4 hr. bike ride. Gravel and trail riding in Colorado is a bit different than back in VA. First, you need to avoid the cows on the trail. They are generally pretty slow to get out of your way. Second, you need to avoid what the cows leave behind on the trail. I don’t mind a bit of dirt and mud, but that stuff ain’t either. Talk about trail hazards!