7-21-06
Start: 5 mi. from Hwy 24, CO
Destination: Leadville, CO
Elevation: 10,200 ft. - highest incorporated city in the US!
Miles: 16.8
Weather: Cool, Scattered Showers All Day
We hiked the Colorado Trail out to Hwy 24 and took the bike route into Leadville. We wanted to get there today hoping to get our maildrop. Hickory wasn't about to walk 10 road miles, so he hitched a ride into town. We walked it, of course, and as he rode by in a jeep he smiled and waved. We asked him (Hickory) to ask the driver to honk so we knew he had a ride. We trudged on. It wasn't a whole lot of fun walking the road, although the scenery was very cool. We could see Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in CO, as well as Mt. Massive, the 2nd highest. We stopped for lunch at a stream and ate tuna bagels while dipping our feet in the ice cold water. It felt so nice! We also had a little splash fight that was fun. It got us both laughing pretty hard. It was a really nice way to break up the day.
I finally felt the very obvious effects of the altitude. I didn't notice as much while climbing the big peaks. I think that's because being out of breath when climbing seems normal to me. But walking a fairly flat road and feeling out of breath felt very strange. I think it's because I had something to compare it to. Kansas, for example, was hot, but I rarely felt out of breath unless we were really pushing it. Here, I'll be walking at 2 mph and I'm huffing and puffing.
We were so happy to finally reach Leadville. Hickory left us a message saying he'd already saved us both a bunk at the hostel, and was going to treat us to a burger and a beer when we got here. So we got to Leadville, got directions to the hostel, and headed to our bunks. We went to the post office to pick up our mail drop package, but it wasn't there yet. We'll have to get it tomorrow when they open at 9.
This is our first hostel experience, and it's really a good one. The owners are great, and it's just a lot of fun. I unfortunately played hermit and checked maps, mileage and mail drop possibilities instead of visiting much, but it had to be done. There are quite a lot of people here, mostly outdoors enthusiasts, so I'm a little sad at missing the chance to chat - we're hanging around for 7:30 breakfast, so maybe I can talk and visit then.
Hickory did keep his end of the bargain and take us to a place for a burger and beer, recommended by Bill, one of the hostel owners. We had huge buffalo burgers, Fat Tire beer, and on our way back to the hostel, we stopped for a milkshake - special request by good ol' me. :)
It's so silly. I can hear mom over in the next bunk snorting and poofing air, and it's making me giggle. I know I snore, so I can't talk too smart, but it's still funny. Yeah, I think it's time I join the chorus.
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