Thursday
The drive to Kansas, if it weren't through Kansas
Thursday is a driving day. It takes eight
and a half hours to get to Denver if you're going 5 over Kansas' 80mph speed
limit.
I'm planning on spending the time with my favorite podcasts: Gen Why, Up and Vanished,
and CodePen Radio.
Up and Vanished is sure to be especially atmospheric: it investigates the disappearance
of a young woman in Crestone, CO aka "The Tibet of North America." Kristal Reisinger was
29 when she disappeared. She had recently moved to Crestone in search of
good vibrations, synergy, enlightenment.
Kristal's story is especially jarring given its setting. The Rockies are so beautiful, the
wooded hush so powerful, it doesn't seem like someone should meet a horrible end there.
I'm hooked hopelessly.
Friday
The scenic Denver skyline.
I'm staying in a super cute Airbnb in Denver's RiNo neighborhood.
I'll miss their very own First Friday by a week (bummer) but I'm still in close proximity to
all sorts of breweries, coffee shops, and -- importantly -- highways.
Why would I want to be near highways? Because I plan on spending my first
day in Colorado mountain biking.
First thing Friday morning I'm packing my bike, some peanut butter 'n banana sandwiches,
and about 5 liters of water and I'm headed 45 minutes southwest of town to a trail system called The Buffalo Creek Big Loop.
Those 25 miles of intermediate trails have my name written all over them.
Saturday
Snowy, snowy Breckenridge, CO.
On to Breck!
I'll be honest, when I saw that the forecast for the week
before my trip called for alternating rain and snow every day, I
had some second thoughts.
But shit, mountains are mountains, rain or shine. I'm doing my homework,
plotting my route, and going to granny creep it over the mountains and through the woods.
I may have to leave the mountain bike back in Denver, but there are still
crepes to eat, burgers to smash,
and trolls
to take selfies in front of.
Sunday
Back to balmy Denver.
On my way back into Denver on Sunday morning, I'm going to make a stop through Rocky Mountain State Park. There are 300 miles of trail in the park, so I'm going to remember to get a map before I strike out.
Monday
Sunrise at Red Rocks.
Sadness -- it's another driving day, this time in the wrong direction.
To check another Colorado landmark off the list before I take off, I'm going
to get up before the butt crack of dawn and head to Red Rocks Amphitheatre, hoping for a
view like the above.