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Guanella Pass Scenic Byway

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Sunday, Day 3

What do I want to do on a Sunday in Breckenridge? That was the question. As I headed out, I stepped into a warm sunny day that was crystal clear with a sky so blue it hurt the eyes! My first stop was to get a picture of the gondolas. I plan to take them to the top of the mountain before I leave but I like the way they look as the cross above the road, so I stopped for a few pictures. 

Gondola photos done I headed for East Route 70 to find the wildlife viewing area I’d seen a sign for on Friday.

Wildlife Viewing Area

I remembered seeing a road sign for wildlife viewing, specifically big horn sheep. Since my accidental Moose sighting yesterday, I thought maybe my luck would hold. 

The Exit number was 228 and took me off the highway at Georgetown. I tried the visitor center first, but it was so packed I couldn’t even find parking, so I poked along toward the center of town watching for more signs. I spotted two of interest. One was for the Georgetown Loop railroad, and another was for Guanella Pass. I figured the wildlife viewing was probably along the pass.

Guanella Pass- A Scenic Byway

A former burro trail, the now-paved Guanella Pass scenic byway is 22 miles and climbs to timberline, taking in spectacular views of Mount Bierstadt, Mount Evans and the alpine tundra before descending into cool groves of aspen and pine. 

The road twists and turns through a series of hairpin and U-turns with minimal shoulders. Posted speed limits of 10 mph on these curves is common as is rounding a corner to a magnificent vista spread out before you. Of course, finding anyplace to pull over to enjoy the view is a challenge!

This is not the most difficult road I have ever driven but it does present challenges and can get the heart pumping and adrenaline surging.  Thankfully no Big Horn Sheep, elk or deer decided to cross the road in front of me. 

The Scenic Look out

Early on at the start of the pass there was one scenic turn out. I had the good luck to be there when the Georgetown Loop train went by, black smoke billowing out of the engine’s stack. I think I may have to see about taking that train ride now that I’ve seen the train.

The Summit

The summit was packed, cars campers, motorcycles and bicyclists. There were lots of trails leading in all directions and hikers and walkers roamed everywhere.  I managed to snag a spot to park and indulged in a few landscape photos. After all, I was on top of the world here. Before I pulled out to start my downward trip, I debated if I should go back down the way I came and return to Georgetown or continue down the other side of the mountain.

Although I had no idea where I would come out when I reached the other side, I decided I didn’t have any place I needed to be, so I’d just continue to explore.  Going down was easier than the climb had been. There were fewer of those incredibly sharp turns, but the views were no less amazing.

No wildlife this time but the week is only getting started.

Finally Done

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The Bathroom is Done

Everything is in place. The last step was the vanity top. Because it was custom made it took the longest to get done but now it’s in. I even ended up with new fixtures when the holes for the faucet were drilled at 8 inches instead of 4 inches. But it was worth it. Ceiling, vent fan and light, walls. floor, cabinets and vanity! I’m soooo happy! Even Balboa & Banner have added their stamps of Approval.

Banner – sink approved

Balboa – great “mountain” Mom!

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Old Vanity

New Vanity and wall unit for hair dryer

 

custom vanity, sink and new faucet

 

 

 

 

Old vent fan and peeling ceiling

 

New

 

Peeling wall paper and messy glass shelving unit

new look

 

Finished Bath

 

 

The Last Straw

I wasn’t allowed to enjoy my new and improved bathroom for long. That leak no one could see- well it’s back. I got off work yesterday and headed to the bathroom before I planned to feed the cats and get settled for the evening and I heard this plink, plink. plink. I though maybe someone was working on a bathroom in another unit but then a drop hit me in the head! The plink was water dripping on the top of the metal waste basket! I grabbed towels and quickly wiped up the floor where I now saw a puddle of water. Then I put a Tupperware container under the drip to catch the water. It was running down from the vent fan at a pretty good clip.

My next step was to call the HOA maintenance man. He called the unit owner above me and he came down to look right away. This time no one could say it was my imagination. Once I had the unit owners agreement to pay for damages I sent a text to my contractor. He’ll be out to look over the damage on Wednesday. I can’t believe I had the bathroom less than 2 weeks and got another leak! Stay tuned for more adventures of remodeling in a condo! 

Whitewater Falls

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Whitewater Falls

Next on my water fall list was Whitewater Falls. So once I’d managed to make my way up the hill from Silver Run Falls I collapsed in my car to catch my breath and review the directions. Even though my knees were hurting I really wanted to double up. I hate wasting precious time. I drove back and forth in the area the falls were supposed to be without success until I tried a large park turn off. It didn’t have any sign for the falls on the road which is why I kept missing it. I finally tried the turn off just to see where it would take me. I expected a camp ground or something like that. Instead it was the parking area for the falls. 

Whitewater Falls

There was nothing “wild” about the parking area. It was a large manicured area with paved parking and paved paths. They even have restrooms and picnic tables. There were dispensers for parking passes. Fees are reasonable, $3 for vehicles with seven passengers or less; $1 per person for more than seven people traveling together in a vehicle.

I started across the large lawn but every step was like a knife up my leg. This was not going to work. 

Disappointment

As I realized that my old body was letting me down once again I felt the disappointment and frustration wash over me. I promised myself that I would come back again and make this my 1st stop of the day next time. I really wanted to see this falls. This falls was  just featured in an episode of Expedition X where Phil Torres ( A Main Character) climbed the falls. They talked about the stairs to the bottom of the falls where his co star waited and watched. The falls were beautiful in that program.

Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. The falls plunge an amazing 411 feet.  For an excellent view of Whitewater Falls, follow the paved walkway to the upper overlook. The walkway begins at the end of the parking lot and is accessible to wheelchairs. Unfortunately I didn’t have a wheelchair, just my gimpy knees.  A lower overlook is located at the bottom of 154 wooden steps

Whitewater Falls

 

 

 

We’ve Played this Game Before

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We’ve Played this Game Before

Have you ever seen those games of lists on Facebook. You know the ones. They ask you things like how many of the following list of books you’ve read or how many classic films you’ve seen. There’s even a list of foods you hate! Well I was trying to visit all 50 states but I kind of got off track. So let’s play another version of the game called How Many states have you visited?

Rules of the GameWe've Played this game before

For a state to count you must have spent time there. You can’t count changing planes even if you do have a long layover. No you need to spend at least one full day there. Even better is a weekend or a vacation. For example, I had changed planes in Washington DC many times but I couldn’t cross Washington DC off the list until I spent a long weekend exploring the National Mall and looking at frozen cherry blossoms. If I truly want to experience the Cherry Blossoms I’ll need to go back but I can put a check by Washington DC.

The List of States

  1. Alabama – No
  2. Alaska – Yes- Breathtaking and majestic. Loved the glaciers
  3. Arizona – Yes- Sedona and Red Rock Country. I took my first helicopter ride in Arizona.
  4. Arkansas – No
  5. California – Yes but not for vacation (I spent 3 days in San Diego at a business convention)
  6. Colorado- No
  7. Connecticut – Yes (I spent a weekend in Old Saybrook but I don’t remember why)
  8. Delaware – No
  9. Florida – Yes- Love Florida, too bad it’s going to be underwater because of Global Warming. I go often to enjoy it while I can.
  10. Georgia – Yes The Georgia Aquarium is huge and don’t forget to go to the World of Coca Cola
  11. Hawaii –  Yes  Oahu, Big Island and Maui. Still need to go to Kauai. Best time is February when the whales put on quite a show. I also snorkeled with Manta Rays and watched Kilauea prepare to blow her top.
  12. Idaho – No
  13. Illinois- Yes But I need to go again. It was a business trip to Chicago, one of the first times I’d ever been on an airplane (a long time ago) I don’t remember much.
  14. Indiana – No
  15. Iowa – No
  16. Kansas – No
  17. Kentucky – No
  18. Louisiana – Yes, New Orleans. Great food!
  19. Maine – Yes Saw my first wild Moose there
  20. Maryland – Yes Went to the Navel Academy in Annapolis when my brother was a midshipman.
  21. Massachusetts – Yes I guess I can say Yes. I live in Massachusetts
  22. Michigan – No
  23. Minnesota – No
  24. Mississippi – No
  25. Missouri – No
  26. Montana- No
  27. Nebraska – No
  28. Nevada- Yes – Vegas Baby!  Great Shows Great Food Fun Times
  29. New Hampshire – Yes I explored the White Mountains
  30. New Jersey – No
  31. New Mexico – No
  32. New York – Yes My childhood home plus I have visited Niagara Falls several times
  33. North Carolina – No
  34. North Dakota – No
  35. Ohio -No
  36. Oklahoma – No
  37. Oregon – No
  38. Pennsylvania- No
  39. Rhode Island – Yes- Walked the cliff walk and visited the Mansions. Even went to a black tie ball in one
  40. South Carolina- Yes My brother’s wedding
  41. South Dakota – Yes That was an awesome vacation- So much to do there!
  42. Tennessee – Yes – Stayed in Gatlinburg and visited Pigeon Forge. Skipped Dollywood
  43. Texas – Yes – San Antonio. Stayed right on the River Walk
  44. Utah – No
  45. Vermont – Yes Maple Syrup anyone?
  46. Virginia – Yes Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Garden Christmas Town
  47. Washington State- Yes Spent a week on a business trip in Seattle. Took pictures from the top of the space needle and visited Chihuly Gardens
  48. West Virginia – No
  49. Wisconsin – Yes Say Cheese. Actually My brother’s retirement party from the Navy was held in Kenosha
  50. Wyoming – Yes One of my favorite places. Jackson Hole (Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone)
  51. Washington DC – Yes, On a frozen , icy weekend (as mentioned above)

Now Its Your Turn

What does your list look like? How Many states have you visited? Which of my “No” States should I visit next?