Round 2, Day 4 30Jun06

Here's a map of the Deckers/Lone Rock area, just north of Woodland Park on Rt67.
After mooching one last breakfast (thanks, guys, really), they decided to head to 11-mile lake to try the fish there, while I figgered on one day of relaxing and riding before returning to COS and DFW that evening.

So while the boys headed south I packed up and loaded up, and headed into Deckers for a relaxing cuppo coffee and to watch the days traffic along the roadway.

Coffee Low Lite out, I headed south on 67 myself into Woodland Park where I picked up Rampart Range Road back northbound (I'm a motorcycle rider - I don't have to explain myself). It was a pretty rough road in parts, with some deep silt in the corners that twice caught me unawares and left me stopped for a good shake and laugh, and quite washboarded in other sections making me check the condition of my baggage - and my luggage as well (if you know what I mean!). Through it all, though, was constant beauty of separation from civilization and closeness to wilderness. Even the pull out campsites were primative and hidden. The views were wonderful and infrequent enough to be really special.

Towards the northern juncture with 67 as it bends east towards Sedalia and I-25 (ugh) the RV's and 4-wheelers became more populous, but it was still a great ride. The final hurrah on dirt was down a 10% grade. That's big stuff, folks. Eventually I picked up 67 back through Deckers (again) and West Creek. Here (final) picture, I saw the real horror of the Hayman fires of which I've spoken. Notice the vertical trees and the circle of horizontal ones around the house/barn. I suspect the owner took a chainsaw and simply felled his beautiful woods to save his home. What a tragedy.

Back to COS, into the storage unit, a cab and a plane and I was home, back once again to the 100 degree metromess and the struggles of everyday life.

But I keep the flies we used in my wallet to seed daydreams when necessary.