Telluride, CO to Pine, CO
Today we drive to spend the night with Kevin and Chris and their pups! We weren’t sure this day would happen but we are both so excited that it’s here.
Winslow was making some noises this morning and Jason wasn’t happy. We couldn’t tell if it was just the condition of the roads or something else. This caused about a half hour of stress and then the sound was done. Hmm. No idea.
I was texting Kev and Chris because there were lots of roads out. My phone was telling us we had to go one way- Jason’s said a different way. Turns out- today was the FIRST DAY of construction on a bridge which closed the road from 830-1230 and then 130-430. An hour window to get through the road. Yeah no we weren’t risking that time frame. Oh wait? There is another road closed due to mudslides? Sure! Add that to today. We went from arriving at 2pm to after 4pm just by these two issues. Sigh.
We drove through some towns we wished we had gotten to but just didn’t have the time. Ridgway looked awesome and we’d love to check that out. We also drove through two towns we love but didn’t stop in this time- Buena Vista and Salina. We will see you the next time out here, my friends.
We stopped for puppy bathroom break at a few cool spots. Great sports complex with cool metal signs- well maintained- with tools even available to fix mountain bikes. So cool. Also we stopped at Blue Mesa Lake- which Jason decided was too blue to let the dogs swim in. Chemically maybe? The funny thing is we passed a lot of boats today and being from the coast seeing a boat in the mountains doesn’t make much sense to us. But hey- use whatever waterway you can to enjoy your life I guess!
I took the wheel for awhile and I’ll say it because it is my story- I was doing great driving! These roads aren’t easy by any stretch, but I was holding my own. There was an Rpod behind us for awhile and I made Jason take photos! Haha he wasn’t amused but complied.
And then, a familiar road. I knew there was something about this area but couldn’t really remember it. We arrived to the top of Old Monarch Pass and Jason asked me if I was okay to keep going. The road was tricky but I was confident. I pushed ahead. Not even 100 feet later I remember this road as an 18 wheeler FLIES up the hill, straight at us.
I said to Jason “Nope, nope I can’t do this!” And he replied “Well you’re going to do it now!” Holy crap. I made the turn, driving well under the speed limit, and then found the first turn off and took it. I had the car in park and the emergency brake up but I still couldn’t let my foot off the brake to let Jason into the driver’s seat. I remember this damn road now! Screw this. Jason was back at the wheel- probably very relieved that I was ready to hand it over.
The roads stayed familiar through South Park and into Pine. We sent a text to Kennedy Space Station to let them know that Sweaty Paws and Bearded Beauty were on their road. I made some screeching sounds with glee and there they were! Kevin was dancing in the streets and the stars felt like every thing was suddenly aligned.
The hugs and puppy barks were so much to handle. My heart was bursting. Zeke and I were old pals, though the last time I saw him he had two different buds with him- the legendary Magellan and Kev’s dog Zeb, who have recently crossed the rainbow bridge though forever live in our hearts. With 5 dogs before I didn’t make as much of a connection with Zeke, who constantly wants love and attention and makes the most expressive faces you’ll ever see a dog make! But added to the mix is the beautiful almost 2 year old pup- Abiquiu. Q (or Abi) is just the sweetest thing but holy shit was she energetic! She raced around to greet us and Bear and Patch did not quite get the memo that this was supposed to be fun and chill and they should get along with everyone. Jason and Kevin slowly walked around the back of the house and they showed off some of the changes since the last time we were here. Slowly the dogs got more comfortable with movement and settled.
We dropped the trailer quickly and headed inside. Chris had gone to Trader Joe’s and bought us all the vegan treats to eat! It was so thoughtful of them to do this for me 💜.
We started as all good meals do- so many different chips and dips and Chris’s top notch margaritas. I love it- she measured each one separately and poured them one at a time. This is what makes them special! Measuring drinks- what a concept! 😂
We spend the night by the table or the fire, talking about our adventures and what they’ve been up to. With Kev and Chris, it just feels comfortable. Like not a day has gone by without seeing each other even if it’s been weeks or months.
What a perfect night!
Vegan On the Rhode 