Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Monday Aug 6<SUP>th </SUP>ColoRODo Springs, CO to Durango, CO Let me start off by apologizing for not posting anything sooner. Its been well over a week since Ive had internet service. Im going to try to catch up if I can, perhaps posting a couple of days worth of traveling for the remainder of the time but Ill just have to wait and see how it goes. Weve been getting to our distinations a lot later then planned. Having too much fun on the road I guess. Without further ado, heres what happened on our 4<SUP>th</SUP> day on the road. Monday morning we awoke to beautiful blue skies and sunshine. A far cry from the pervious evening. Our plan was to drive all the way up to the top of Pikes Peak, 14,110 feet in elevation. Even though I have spent quite a bit of time in CO I had never been to the top. Today was the day. Fueled up and hit the road The entrance is not too far outta town. We did take all three cars up as everyone wanted to drive. Larry bought a guide book and read out loud as we ascended each level. Took us well over an hour to drive the 14 miles to the top. I havent a clue as to how many switchbacks there were but there were A LOT. The second half of the way up is a rutted dirt track. I wish I had a dollar for each photo that was taken of Big Olds. People that were pulled over to look at a view would turn and snap photos of Big Olds as we p***ed by. One SUV that was coming toward us had both the driver and p***enger with cameras pressed up to their faces snapping photos of Big Olds as we crossed paths.
Once at the top we had to pose for a photo op. On the way back down ran in first gear A LOT. They have a little ranger station about halfway down where they make you stop and they check your brakes for over heating. Our little group didnt have any issues. Once down we hit the two laner headed west. We had A LOT of miles to cover today and we had already spent more time climbing to the top then planned. Lunch was a picnic on the side of the road hot rod style. Basicly a lot of nice scenery And alittle rain . and a couple of gas stops till late in the afternoon when we rolled into Gunnison where Johnnie5window lives. Gave him a quick call and got directions to his place which was just a couple miles outside of town. Got the grand tour of the garage first .of course. Lots of GREAT looking cars, projects, and collectables. Then we got to see his poster and artwork collection in the house.
Visited for awhile then we had to hit the road again as we still had over five hours to Durango. Thanks so much sweetie for invited us to stop. I enjoyed meeting you and I look forward to our paths crossing again soon. While on this part of the drive we pulled over to a lookout area to cop a view of the lake and surrounding mountain formation when this guy approached us complimenting us on the cars and asking us where were from and where were heading, you know, the usual roadside conversation. He was from TX and made a comment about his hometown pal named Doc that was into old jalopys. We told him that nickname didnt sound fimliar and that the DOC we knew lived in LA. We mentioned a few real names of folks we knew in his area but nothing clicked. He took a photo of us by the cars, wee bid our nice to meet yas and continued down the road. Yesterday I get a PM from HAMBer Blaster with this photo attached. Seems the guy at the lookout emailed this photo to Blaster AKA Doc in his world and mention he ran into us. It really is a small, small hot rod world. Once we got to Montrose and gased up I thought Id call ahead to Durango to secure a room for the night. First place I called only had a king room left and we really needed something with two beds. She was kind enough to give me a few numbers of other hotels in Durango .no luck. I called her back and she gave me about a dozens more numbers of hotel and motels, still no room. Panic set in. I called her back one last time and asked to reserve her king room and a cot and asked her to save a double room if one became available. At least we would have a roof over our heads even if half of us had to sleep on the floor. Back on the road, and now wee are heading south on 550, one of the most gorgeous highways in CO if not the whole country. Our luck held out to about Ouray then all hell broke loose .it started to storm which normally isnt an issue if your going 50 MPH or faster but at a slower speed the rainX just doesnt cut it and neither the roadster or Big Olds has wipers. Throw in darkness now AND so many switchbacks I lost count, no guardrails, AND deer in the road every so often and you can imagine I was alittle while knuckled to say the least. Took us about an hour and a half to get to Silverton where we regrouped under the awning of a closed gas station. By now its about 9pm and were deciding whether to stop for food and hope that in that hour the rain might let up OR just continue on in the storm and hope for the best. We decided for food and headed down the main street of town BUT not one place was open and it was only 9PM! Well that blew that idea so we headed south to Durango, in the pouring rain, no wipers, rainX not working cuz of the slow speeds, switchbacks and deer in the road ..but we all made it in one piece. Checked in but were too pooped to do anything but order a pizza and head to bed. Our plan was to get up early to see if we could get tickets for the train ride to Silverton. Day 5 Tuesday, Durango to Silverton Train Ride Day 6 Wednesday, Hiking in Blanding, UT Day 7 Thursday, Blanding to Wendover, UT Day 8 Friday/Tech Day 9 Saturday on the Salt
Your reports of previous trips always made me wish that I was there. Was an honor and a pleasure to roll to the salt with you, Larry, and Megan. Great times and great people at every stop. Let me know if you need a tripod for the next trip . Have a safe and fun ride home. Scott.
We all miss you sweetie.... especially Jim PurplePickup is cruzn with us now and believe it or not he actually has a real tripod he's letting me borrow. Have fun in Pebble Beach. Give GZ a hug from me when you see him. We'll swap stories over burgers when you get home. Safe travels to you too. Call me if you need anything. xooxo
Thanks for taking us on another great adventure! Colorado does have some of the BEST scenery.... Malcolm
Thanks for the updates. You do a first cl*** job of do***enting your trips and I know that really is a lot of work. I always have good intentions when I start on a trip but never remember to keep the camara on my shoulder.
Very cool. I live in CO and take it for granted. I live 45 miles from Pikes Peak and have never been there. I go to 5windowjohnnies place every year and really don't take the time to look around. Guess I'll stop and start smelling the roses, as they say! Keep the updates coming!
Hey guys, awesome pics of my stompin grounds! I live in montrose and travel to Gunnison at least once a week. and FYI, those formations there by Blue Mesa Resiviour are called "The Pinnacles." They are actually volcanic ash that has been eroded in that long skinny cylindrical shape! Glad you guys had a nice trip...
I love the Ouray to Durango route in the daytime, very pretty scenery there. At night and in the rain its NOT fun though. Glad you all made it alright.
Wow. Very cool. I have always wanted to go up to the top of Pikes Peak. Those deer in the road were crazy!!!
Pikes Peak highway always takes longer than you anticipate...nice views, eh...??? Now you know why some of us live here. Highway 50 is one of the best two-lanes in ColoRODo...very scenic...and long... Too bad you HAD to stop and see 5windowjohnny...now his head is going to be even bigger ...I heard he's found a '36 Ford coop...did you get to see THAT..??? Thanx for the update, Denise...always look forward to reading them... R-
when they were here, we told them to plan on two hours each way, they said that didn't work, so we said "okay, about an hour each"! yes, this state is a great place to live.
I was honored that Denise, Larry, Megan, and Scott took precious time out to stop by and take the garage tour. They are ********-drivin' heroes and still had a long way to go when I saw 'em. But at least they were on the right side of Colorado finally. However, I will remain ever humble until a huge achievement is accomplished, like say.......making the HAMB Ugliest Custom list.......then it's all over but the cryin' ! I will then consider myself "JETTER" big-time and expect the respect that comes along with such things. BTW, the '36 Three Window is still in it's desert home, hopefully going to get soon ! Johnnie
Denise,Your updates are so special, that if I was with you I would have to check them at the end of each stop to get your personal take on them! and I do wish I was with you guys, Woody
We did the Montrose to Durango trip last summer. Hit snow and sleet at one of the summits past Ouray. That's a wicked drive! Beautiful scenery.
Next trip hope i see ya driving i live 3 miles from RT 66 speedway . Maybe we can all burn some burgurs and dogs . This was a great pictorial of your trip . Maybe once i get something running i'll get out in traffic with you for a few miles .
Just a fantastic post and trip your all undertaking. Man, we live in a great country, warts and all. To be able to cruise around that beautiful countryside in the kind of cars we like is a blessing! We miss oldbobsign here in the Windy City, things ain't the same. But, I know he's having the time of his life and with such great people! Safe trip you all.... Joel
<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">More great travel sagas, wow !!5- window J-man has some very hip cars and art and collectables and, and, and, sorry got carried away. neat stop off for sure. Pikes Peak, to cool, hard to beat senic country like that, damn those deer are scary, hit one last year-outta nowhere. White knux fo sho. You troopers are wearing me out just seein the pix, and I'm lovin it!!! Thank you, good to get an update on the trip. I have slight sun burn just off my screen from the salt, hope ya got a couple gallons of sun screen. Party On-Sololobo/Roadburners of Omaha </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Now THAT is a dubious distinction of the highest caliber...fit only for kings of the road...if...I say IF, and when...I say WHEN you get that shoebox kustom of yours on the road, then and only then will we see just how highway savvy you really are. If, I say IF again, you can keep up with the Jetter boys as for number of miles traversed in a summer...then and only then will it be all over but the cryin'...!!! R-
Just for kicks, now that you've seen the Pikes Peak road, here's an award winning 5-minitue video of it before they paved sections of it. At a LITTLE faster pace, I'll bet. Fun to watch. Keep in mind those huge drop-offs!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edLnXzAwHVc
The Jalopy Journal
