Day 4 – Soggy Sunday

You just can’t expect everyday to be perfect and today was not. We left Meeker under cloudy skies and headed toward cloudier skies. We decided to wear our liners but not our rain gear. We headed north toward Craig where we would make the first decision of the day – continue with rain gear or chance getting soaked.

We got to Craig where the sky was dark an ominous. We decided it was time to suit up. It was a good thing we did because it began to rain on us almost immediately after we got back on the road.

We rode along the Yampa River for many miles.

Our original plan was to stop in Steamboat for an espresso, but we decided to make tracks and carry on toward Granby where we would either go to Rocky Mountain National Park or directly to Golden. Once in Steamboat the rain was coming down hard. We chose not to stop and push forward to Granby.

We were now climbing into the beautiful Rocky Mountains and neither of us could enjoy the sites because our shields were fogging up. So was the atmosphere!

We gassed up Granby and made the decision to get to Highway 70 and head straight to Golden. But, we hit the mother of all traffic jams. It took us 30 minutes to ride 7 miles. It was stop, go, stop and put your foot down every few feet.

Tom’s intolerance for traffic changed our direction. We flipped a u-turn and headed to the park. It rained but we had no lightning. As soon as we entered the park a herd of elk was there to greet us.

We steadily climbed in elevation until we met the clouds.

The highest point in the park is 14,259 feet in elevation. Our navigation peaked at a little over 12,000 feet. When we stopped at the visitors center we were at 11,827 feet in elevation.

We then determined it was time to head for Golden. The road was beautiful and followed Boulder Creek and then Clear Creek.

After arriving in Golden, we checked in to our inn and took a walk in search of Denver Beer Company’s Graham Cracker Porter. Not a drop was to be found so we settled on an amber ale and burgers. Tom ordered the 1/2 pound jalapeño burger and was soon melting. Cathy flagged down the waitress and asked her for a glass of milk. She asked Tom if the burger was too hot, implying that he couldn’t handle it. When she brought the milk, she told him it was on the kid’s menu for free. Tom shot back and asked for a Hello Kitty glass. He probably should have scrubbed the porter and jalapeño plan and just had graham crackers and a glass of milk… much more his speed.

Although the day was not ideal, we got to see some of the most beautiful country in America. Tomorrow we have a full day off the bike. We will explore Golden and then head out to Morrison to see Joe Bonamassa at Red Rocks Amphitheater.

The barn outlook is looking up!