Rocky Mountain High, part 3

So, the second day we rode to Mount Evans.  Now, I’d like to stress that most of us didn’t know what we were in for and that’s probably a good thing, because I think we’d have opted out.

Mount Evans is 14,130 feet above sea level.  To put this in perspective, the trees stop growing at 10,000 feet. High. Very high.  The weather was cloudy and visibility was not nearly enough.  The road to Mount Evans is, to be kind, terrible.  It’s narrow, no guard rails and many blind corners.  About half way up the mountain we came to a sign that stated, “Road damage due to weather ahead”, so yeah, the road was about to get worse.  And it did.  Large cracks in the road, pieces breaking off, slanting outward, not great.  Then, we came to another sign that informed us that the road was going to narrow. Yeah.  Traffic was heavy and we met cars as they were coming down, hugging the center line (didn’t blame them, I was leaning so far over the bike I thought I’d fall off (hopefully to the inside of the road and not down the mountain).  I prayed a lot going up Mount Evans, and I prayed a lot coming down. Read more about Mount Evans here.  It’s certainly not a road for the faint of heart, not sure where I found the courage except for the fact that there was no place to stop and get off, I had no choice but to keep going.

At the top, most of us had suffered the same condition, legs shaking, nervous stomach and we needed to use the facilities.  Never mind that many of us, and by many of us, I really mean me, hadn’t adapted to the altitude, so breathing was…fun.  The weather was cold but our shaking had little to do with the weather and more to do with the fact that we were scared shitless.  The clouds were low that day and once at the top, we weren’t able to see anything by way of a view, so the best thing about enduring that climb eluded us, except now we can say we did bike up the highest paved road in the United States and we survived.   Oh, and there are plenty of mountain goats that were climbing the rocks and Marmots at the top, interesting to see animals who thrive up there. Marmots chirp looking for each other and scurry along the rocks.  The goats just stopped and stared at us like we were idiots.  

The trip down was just as adventurous because our weather continued to decline and it began sleeting and lightly hailing, so we endured our share of obstacles climbing and descending Mount Evans and, as Deb Joski put it on Facebook, “Did that, don’t need to do it again.” Aaaamen!

By the time we made it to the bottom, all we wanted to do was have a drink.  (I say we, but I mean me. Probably others, but for sure I needed a drink.)  That was a test of a different kind and we passed, without incident.  We stopped at a gas station to put on our rain gear because it began to rain in earnest.  All in all, we saw some beautiful sites, tested our courage and had fun.  Pictures below are courtesy of Deb Joski.

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Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine

I tried something different this week and we really enjoyed it.  I hope you do too.  Next time I make it, I’ll make it with the alternative zucchini instead of the pasta, how will you make it? Do you have a dish you want to share?  Please forward the recipe to me along with your …

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It’s an AH-MAY-ZING week! Check out the new releases.

It’s an AH-MAY-ZING week! Kristen Ashley,  The Time in Between:  http://amzn.to/2glUd9W Laurann Dohner,  Creed:  http://amzn.to/2iF18vH Debbie Macomber,  Hannah’s List:  http://amzn.to/2we7RRW Helen Hardt, Shattered:   http://amzn.to/2wkKx3d Danielle Steel, The Right Time:   http://amzn.to/2wkOCEF Fiona Archer, In His Custody:   http://amzn.to/2gmCPlx Tessa Bailey, Disorderly Conduct:   http://amzn.to/2wPiJr5 Becky McGraw, Gray Matter:   http://amzn.to/2wOUg4U Erin Nicholas Nichols, Turned Up:   http://amzn.to/2vo0YhW Tijan’s Books, Hate to …

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Look What I Found

Some of you may already know this, but I found these awesome Harley Davidson space bags. So, we had to stop at the Harley dealership this week.  Usually, we just want to stop, but The Biker had to order a part and we were on our way somewhere else, so we stopped.  As he spoke …

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I could eat spaghetti every week!

We’re chatting this week about our favorite foods and, I love spaghetti.  My goodness, I honestly could eat it every week.  As time has worn on, and my waistline has expanded, I needed to make a decision.  Enter the Vegetti.  When I first brought this up to The Biker, I got an eye roll and …

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Every so often we meet someone who stays with us – that’s Liz.  I met Liz at Wild Deadwood Reads this June and I instantly loved her and wanted to work with her more.  I asked her if she’d be interested in appearing on Romance on Wheels and she said, “Yes.!” As we chatted we …

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Rocky Mountain High, part 2

So, we arrived at the house we rented on the vacation rental website, VRBO.  The house is beautiful, the owners had left three messages the day of arrival making sure we were all set and didn’t need anything.  Very accommodating and sweet.  You can check it out here and if you’re in the Winter Park, …

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Ethan’s Fried Chicken

In my Chandler County books, the Brass Rail Saloon is a local favorite hangout.  Part of the reason my characters love to go there is Ethan’s Fried Chicken.  Of course the bourbon, pool, friends and atmosphere help, but Ethan is known for two things.  His bourbon blends and his chicken.   Here I’m sharing his …

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I love Tuesdays because that’s when the bulk of new books for the week come out.  Today is no different.  Have fun one-clicking. Susan Stoker et al, Royally Mine: : http://amzn.to/2x8MNea Lexi Blake, Love Another Day: http://amzn.to/2vkVQXd Kristen Proby, The Beauty of Us: http://amzn.to/2x8ugyv Penelope Ward, Drunk Dial: http://amzn.to/2imSuSt Maryann Jordan, Celebrating Love: http://amzn.to/2g1mbHS Elle Boon, Turo’s Dated Mate: http://amzn.to/2vZslfF Donna Grant & 1,001 …

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