Open Thread - Friday, October 6, 2017 - High Times Edition
Editor's note: Photos from the Internet
People don't want other people to get high, because if you get high, you might see the falsity of the fabric of the society we live in.
- Ken Kesey -
In our previous episode, DFH rider was brutalized by the prairie winds of Kansas, and made it to Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs is in the shadow of Pikes Peak.
Since the original plan was to arrive Sunday, and my hands could use the break, I decided to hang around Colorado Springs for the day. I had researched the regulations regarding cannabis and set out to frequent a dispensary. I immediately learned that Colorado Springs, has medical only dispensaries. I presume that is due to the high concentration of evangelicals.
Colorado allows local governments to disallow recreational cannabis shops. The solution is to visit another town. The dispensaries are intriguing. They run you through a gauntlet of showing identification and meeting their regulatory requirements. The stores have loose bud, pre-rolls, edibles, concentrates and a bunch of other stuff that I was unfamiliar with. Sunday afternoon, I visited a dispensary near the base of Pike's Peak. The joint was hopping. There were license plates from all over the mid-west, people from 21-80 years old, SUV loads of soccer mom's, golf foursomes, DFHs and people that did not look the part. The rate of exchange was very rapid, and the store smelled wonderful.
Monday, I set out to get really high. I waited for the fireball to peak above the horizon and set out for The Black Canyon of The Gunnison. The first pass crossing was 38 degrees. When I got to Wilkerson Pass (9,504 ft.), I stopped to take pictures. Unfortunately, I had the camera and phone in a duffle bag and they got cold enough that they would not work. I had to put them in my pockets, to keep the batteries warm enough to work. It is great to get this high! I rode along The Collegiate Peaks,
over Monarch Pass (11,312 ft.),
and on to The Black Canyon of Gunnison. It was absolutely beautiful and exhilarating.
I was now on the western slope. During the evening lay over, I ascertained that the weather was a few days from frozen precipitation above ~7000'. Originally, I was going to swing through New Mexico and approach RMNP from Steamboat Springs. Steamboat Springs was calling for overnight sleet and Rabbit Ears Pass (9426 ft.) had gotten snow, so I switched my itinerary to make sure I made it into RMNP. Tuesday, I did the Hotchkiss to Carbondale run. McClure Pass (8,755 ft.) was absolutely stunning!
Since I was not headed as far north as Steamboat Springs, I also did Minturn to Leadville. US24 travels above 10,000 feet, shadowed by 14,000 foot peaks for over 20 miles. Including Tennessee Pass (10,424 ft.).
Next, back up to Frisco via Colorado 91 and the disappointing Fremont Pass (11,381 ft.).
Wednesday, on to Loveland Pass (11,992 ft.),
and The Peak to Peak. The rides were exhilarating. The isolation, inward focus and external stimulation created a fabulous peaceful feeling, leaving me tired and invigorated.
I made it to Estes Park, the gateway to RMNP. Thursday will be the climax of the trip, literally. Trail Ridge Road peaks at 12,183 feet!
Climax may be under selling Trail Ridge Road. There were 40 MPH winds with gusts to 60 MPH, above the tree line (like this). The ride was exhilarating and terrifying. I could not look around, and ride. The wind meant constant intense vigilant riding. Exhausting, yet cleansing.
Once I crossed RMNP, I had two choices, five to six hours around, or ~2 hours back over the top. Take two.
Predicted higher elevation snow, and lower elevation rain was on the way. Friday morning, I stopped for a couple of PRs and headed east, through The Pawnee National Grassland.
I am still organizing the thinking I had done along the way. Sue was with me, and rushed to the forefront several times. Hopefully, I will be able to collate my thoughts and articulate them.
Have a great weekend! The thread is OPEN.
Comments
getting high
just looking at the pix and descripts. Brings back many similar trips. Thanks for sharing!
Zionism is a social disease
Preferred modus operandi
During the work years, I would hop airplanes and go to all kinds of places, but dropping in just does not leave the same impression. Dialing back as far as motorcycle, places you about as close to the environment as possible without resorting to self motivation. You get to feel the temperature changes, smell the environment, feel the wind, plus driving an immensely powerful and agile machine. For what it is worth, sheep seem to stink worse than cows. I went past a really big herd and phew wee!
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
being out there
is the best way to see what's around. When living in the mountains of AZ, riding the road thru Flagstaff, Four Corners (Anasazi / Mesa Verde), Durango, Silverton (steam narrow gauge rail) and over to Ouray for the radium hot springs, then sometimes on to Telluride (to hell you ride), was my favourite getaway. Good times!
Zionism is a social disease
Almost
I almost headed toward Ouray and Durango. I was up in the air about the next days route and talked to some local riders, in Montrose. They gave the Hotchkiss to Glenwood springs and onto US70 good reviews. I probably should have back tracked to 92 and went up the back side of The Black Canyon of Gunnison. Likewise, I was a few miles away and missed Discovery Pass. Loveland was an OK trade off, but.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Radium hot springs sounds better than household radon
I am having an anxiety attack. I am due to give a urine sample to my PCP's office like NOW and I cannot get my act together. This UTI is literally driving me more crazy. At least my ambulation is functional today. Maybe cerebellum loss means I get to trade old skills every day. Plus my computer is boggy. At least I can still spell without Grammarly. Usually. Computer is now at least 2 seconds behind.
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
UTI
Both when I was caring for Sue, and when my mom was elderly, a UTI would really throw them for a loop. Sue had one, after loosing mobility, and I gave her an anti-biotic, which was really hard on her. Later, she told me she thought I was trying to kill her.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Good morning, Tim ~~~
Beautiful photos! Colorado is magnificent. Unfortunately for me, I'm afraid of heights and those mountain roads are not my cup of tea. I have suffered over many mountain passes, which I have always wished I could enjoy. Ah, well, it's so great that you had the opportunity.
It's good to hear your passenger (Sue) was along for the ride. Finding peace can be challenging, alone.
Have a beautiful day, everyone!
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
My sister
... is afraid of heights. While adolescents, Dad took us on a station wagon trip across the country. We took a route over The Big Horn Range, in WY, that had my sister on the floor of the car for a couple of hours.
Me, I have always liked to get high and go fast. During younger days I was a tree climber, dirt bikes, jump off high places into water, ... Now days, I avoid things with high probability of injury. Before ALS, Sue talked about putting sky diving on the bucket list. I balked at the possible leg, ankle, hip, back, collarbone, ...
Driving a motorcycle briskly along mountain roads, no problem.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
When I was five,
we went to the Grand Canyon. I wouldn't look and my dad got quite upset with me. In my twenties, dad apologized to me for not being compassionate about my fear of heights. It's irrational to me, yet so very real, sigh...
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
Local reports confirm, high times indeed
Sonoma County residents have coffee with cops in 6 cities
LOL
Tomato Fiesta more than tomatoes
Cannabis ordinance and excise tax adopted, fees a work in progress
What a great feeling when someone you vote FOR is actually FOR something, ya know? I said all along having the people who opposed Prop.64 implement it was kinda dumb, but what are you gonna do? "Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown." Yes, it is about water ultimately. Water is life. Let there be life.
The mountains are like church for me, every peak an awesome spire. Inspiring. Thanks.
Thank you
Colorado was like a wine tasting except cannabis. I really enjoyed Agent Orange. Lemon Skunk was OK. You can never go wrong with some old school Afghani. The aromatic characteristic is very nice.
The garden center guy knows everybody? Heh, NC does not permit cultivation, but the local garden center carries the full lines of Advanced Nutrients and Fox Farms.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Very interesting report. Thanks, Tim.
Good morning, Tim. Thanks for the pics, they bring back memories
of a few trips through (or over, as the case may be). Some, like the Black Canyon of the Gunnison were back in our tent camping days. Others were later, in our little 19 foot travel trailer. In early spring and late summer/fall, having hot water on demand, an indoor stove and a furnace really make things nice for us geezers.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Cannabis Culture is amazing isn't it?
Out here in Portland, we made a big show of following the rules to the letter... for about the first 6 months or so, until the Cannabis shops realized that even if they followed the rules the banks wouldn't do business with them. (But every one has an ATM. The banks are fine with taking people's money inside a pot shop, just not from the shop itself.)
This, in my opinion is how empire starts to fall apart. People just ignore their rules. They create their own acceptable behaviors and workarounds that are comfortable for everyone.
Man, I'm feeling revolutionary today. Or rather just totally over the idea of "America" as my country.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNI5QWYcu0I]
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Good morning, Detroit. Throughout history, some variant of
"An it harm none, do what ye will." arises repeatedly. There is a reason for that.
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Smiles to the bud...
made my evening viewing the photos and reading; memories rolling in, it is a Colorado high.