Vacation: The Relaxing Journey Part III

We had made it to Ouray. Sunday afternoon was spent moving into the condo, getting comfortable with space, stuff, and people. We were quite the crew; two dogs, two toddlers, two kids, and five adults all packed into maybe 1,000 square feet with three trucks taking up all the parking. And before you ask, there were two bathrooms, laundry machines, most all kitchen implements, and a TV with satellite. A cozy place.

We hit the trails Monday & Tuesday, which turned out to be totally different days. Monday was clear & warm, Tuesday was drizzly & chilly. We were still in kid mode. When we stopped, little feet were out exploring. Brodie & Christian, the two young boys, were a handful for the Travis & Misty. I got a chance to see what we have in store for ourselves. Woodpiles, decrepit buildings, scree fields, or water were no deterrent for the those two. I think I can be as adventurous, but without the energy. And I have learned fear.

I can't forget to mention that Galen found a best buddy - Preston. This goes back to Sunday in Cortez, but when Galen first saw Preston it was buddy at first sight. At every stop, it was "Pweton," and Preston was really good natured about it too. He helped, guided, and watched over Galen. We are grateful.

It just wasn't just Preston, but Misty & Travis had excellent attitudes too. It was these kinds of people-attitudes that made this an extremely relaxing and pleasant vacation. I would vacation again with these folks; they helped each other out, took turns, were pleasant & polite, and good humored.

Life is good.

Vacation: The Relaxing Journey Part II

Ouray was the destination, Cortez a midpoint in the journey. We didn't want to get stressed, didn't want to be rushed, and wanted Galen to have some fun. Taking a day to reach Cortez turned out to be the right decision. After we laid Galen down to sleep, we adjourned to the stoop, got out some chairs and enjoyed the cool evening.

I'm not sure who woke up first, but I made it to the bathroom first. Eventually we were both up and about, quietly that is, 'cause Galen was still snoozing. Naps are occasionally problematic, but he sleeps well at night. After walking the dogs, visiting the office for coffee, and getting some things repacked Little Man finally woke up. So far, so good. He had been an excellent traveler up to now. With a little luck...

Our truck is decidedly slow and ponderous compared to some others. With 2/3's of the driving past us, beautiful mountains just in front, speed was no longer an issue. Here is where our fellow travelers were to meet up. First up was Preston. He arrived fresh in Cortez after four to six hours of sleep in the past few days. He joined us at the Anasazi Inn for breakfast. Shortly afterwards Travis, Misty, Brodie and Christian arrived and our band was complete. Ouray, here we come.

Here is were things get a little thin the documentation side. Between the stop in the Painted Desert and inside the condo in Ouray I did not take a single photo. Use your imagination...

Leaving Cortez, we wound eastward along SH 160 towards Durango. The horizon was getting closer, higher in the air as world changed from the flat plateau & butte land of the Four Corners to the mountain foothills of San Juan Range of the Rocky Mountains. I was happy. And Galen was snoozing again.

That meant our next stop wasn't until pass number two between Durango and Ouray, the Molas Divide. As far as mountain passes go, this one's pretty well stocked. There's a scenic pullout and a restroom - all at 10, 910 feet above sea level. The restroom wasn't one to deserve a photo, but the remainder of the view certainly was. As we climbed out of Durango, the air grew moist, trees more plentiful, and the peaks more dramatic. And we won no speed races. Leading our convoy, we slowly crept up and down through the curves, gully's, rock walls, and scree fields and SH 550 fingered north towards Ouray.

Racing (yeah, right) downhill from the Molas divide were found precipitation and the town of Silverton. But we were close to our destination, the children were all rested and willing to sit after our stop at the Molas Divide so we cruised on towards Ouray. One of these days I will stay in Silverton awhile, but now was not the time.

Technically speaking, we had been on the Million Dollar Highway since leaving Durango. But to me, it the downhill from Red Mountain Pass into Ouray that make it a Million Dollar Highway. The views are beyond my ability to describe. And then there's the sheer drop-offs just two feet from the tire into the chasm, and no guard rail. The sheer walls of rock, trees growing in impossible places, waterfalls, all combine to one of the most scenic drives I've ever had the pleasure to drive.

We were in Ouray, the condo had been secured, dinner was started, and our adventure was about to begin.

Vacation: The Relaxing Journey Part I

It wasn't as much as we could have used, but it was all we could carve out. Vacation. As in out of the house, see cool stuff, road trip, smell different air, make memories kind of a vacation. We wanted cooler temperatures, and a chance to experience some grand scenery. We chose to visit Ouray, Colorado. We like to off-road, Ouray offers selection of primitive roads to get out and play in the mountains.

This was Galen's first major road trip. He'd flown on several occasions, but road trips are all together different. The first major difference is confinement. He's strapped inside of a car seat whenever we are moving. In a plane you can get up and walk around. Other difference will be discussed in a later paragraph.

This was a kid-, and dog-friendly vacation. We left Saturday morning and took our time. The goal was Cortez, CO by early evening. Just enough time to get dinner, and get Galen some stretching-the-legs time before bed. Practically speaking, that meant we stopped every two hours. Leisurely.

We stopped in Camp Verde for gas, remove-coffee, and snack.

Once we made Flagstaff, AZ we quickly topped off the gas and kept driving north. Just past the Cinder Hills OHV Park we pulled off on a dirt road, took the first small branch and parked in the pine trees for lunch. The dogs romped through pine needles and got off on new smells. Galen tromped about an entirely new landscape.

After a bit of exertion it was lunch, and off to the next stop. Later in the day we stopped between Tuba City and Kayenta, Arizona. A couple of interesting Navaho towns on a road that cuts through the Painted Desert.

I gotta say, this was one of the most Leisurely drives I've ever had. We made Cortez, stopped at a drive-through for some local brew, Sonic for dinner, and at the Travel Lodge for a quiet and peaceful sleep.

Where did it go?

A month ago I still had it and now it is gone. The second nap. I couldn't tell ya exactly when it disappeared, but it was more than two weeks, but less than four. I miss it. It was an afternoon respite, a chance to read email, browse a few web sites, read a magazine and maybe, just maybe watch a TV show. No more.

I write this as he's in his room screaming, not sleeping. He was giving all the signs, grumpy, rubbing eyes, generally less inclined to mind, and moving a little slow. Now he's cussing me with those baby blood curdlering screams, sounding as pitiful as I don't know what.

A week and a half ago we went wheel'n up by Payson. He snoozed then...