Day 6: Buena Vista Layover – Rehydrate

I don’t know if it was the heat, the altitude or just plain old dehydration, but a headache had settled into then base of my skull starting when I was in Dolores and lingering as I rode to Buena Vista. It pretty much set up camp by morning of my layover. It was good I had a layover day to rest and rehydrate, acclimatize and calm the buzzies. It was good to sleep in at the Vista Court Cabins. It was good to relax. It was good to stroll a mile from our cabin to downtown Buena Vista for a leisurely coffee and breakfast at The Midland Station. It was good to survey my stuff. It was good to unload the bike and ride without saddlebags, a trunk, a fuel, and a duffle and a backpack. It was good to spend time with someone else and just chill.

On Day 5, I made my first crossing of the Continental Divide via Wolf Creek Pass. I was nervous. The route rates with high technical difficulty. I don’t know that I agreed with that, but it was a good ride. On this layover day, we decided to head up to Aspen for lunch at Ryno’s Pub via Independence Pass. Now, that was a technical ride. Tight little hairpins, shear dropoffs and amazing views. I have some video, but as I am in a Lyft on my way to meet some high school and college friends, I can’t get to them right now. You will have to settle for the money shots.

I think the last time I went over Independence Pass I went to Aspen to sit on two panels at the Aspen Ideas Festival. If you haven’t been to Aspen, it’s hard to explain the high mountain luxury of this place. It is beautiful and quaint while being expensive and snobby at the same time. Last time we were here, my husband spotted John Oats of 80s music Hall & Oats fame on a street corner. The gift of memory kept on giving.

Back in Buena Vista my headache finally released it’s strangle hold on my brain. Which was good, because there was great beer to be had at the Jailhouse Craft Beer Bar and The Lariat. I know I’m actually on Day 7 today. I have another layover tomorrow in Aurora, Colorado with family. I plan for an indulgent day of a long massage, maybe a pedicure and some quality do nothing time. So, I will get all caught up then.

Happy cooking and beer drinking.