From Canon City our destination was our friends' place in Pitkin, Colorado. To get there we had to climb Monarch Pass. It wouldn't have been so bad, but workers were restriping the highway! The restriping truck and its accompanying vehicles were very slow and the road was steep with many curves! Not only did we make it to Monarch Pass, but we did so after passing the restriping team after following them for miles!
It was time for lunch so we pulled over and got out to stretch our legs. Of course, we went in to check out the tourist souvenirs that were available.
After we finished lunch it was time to get on the road. Just before we pulled out of the rest area, here came the restriping team....definitely time to move on down the mountain! Next stop, Gunnison, Colorado. I know, Gunnison is west of Pitkin, but we needed to fill with diesel and dump our tanks---Gunnison has a free dump near the airport.
After taking care of business, we called our friends and let them know we were on our way. They met us at the bottom of their mountain and led us to our parking spot for the next few days....another friend of theirs place just north of town.
We drove to Bill and Boni's to see their place--their road was too steep for Sol. The elevation at their cabin is over 9200 feet. After a quick visit, it was back to our camp site to prepare for the next day. Bill and Boni had many adventures planned for us.
Our first adventure was riding their ATV's up the mountain. Bob rode one, Bobby and Chris another, Bill led the way and DeAnna and I rode with Boni.
Yes, that is Chris under those goggles and that bandana. He didn't want to eat dust!
The gals were somewhat protected by the windshield. LOL
We rode up the mountain, gaining about 2000 feet in elevation. It was quite the ride.
Once we got back to the cabin, everyone showed off their dirt and dust!
Then it was time to relax on the deck, cook some hot dogs and burgers and get ready for the next adventure.
We went hiking in Gunnison National Forest, next to the creek. Chris and Deanna picked out branches that Bill would help them make into walking sticks.
Boni showed them how to woodburn the sticks so they would know whose was whose. We had a fun filled day and were ready to go back to Sol for a rest.
Our plan for the next day was horseback riding. Boni told us about a place north of Gunnison that was good for trail riding, so off we went. Instead of just DeAnna and I riding, Bob and Chris joined us. Off we go on a 2 hour trail ride!
DeAnna's horse was Road Map because its coat looked like one.
Chris was on RV---the horse was as big as an RV!
I was on South Bound and when we headed back toward the stables, he tried to be 'southbound' ahead of the lead horse.
After our trail ride, we found out that one of the stable hands used to be in the army with Bobby! He and Bobby talked while we were riding and Bobby helped with the horses while we were out.
Then it was back to Gunnison to the local brewery to meet Bill and Boni for lunch. After a great lunch we headed back to their cabin for some target shooting and game playing.
Bill and Boni made medals for the Childre Target Shooting Competition of 2018. Chris won first with DeAnna a close second.
Finally, we played a game that was new to us, but that has been around for a long time--Spinner Dominoes. As in golf, the low score wins. Well, I have to say, Emma, Boni's 98 year old mother, put us all to shame. She won. Unfortunately, Bobby lost and he lost so bad that he had to have his name put on the bottom of Bill's game trophy to forever be remembered as a 'Big Loser!'
We had a great time in Pitkin and look forward to visiting again. It was time for us to move on toward Dinosaur National Monument in Utah.
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