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A Quiet Day in Pagosa Springs, Colorado

19/9/2013

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These two folk are each carrying a Driver and  Putter. Believe me!

Today was scheduled as a bike free day to relax and perhaps do some walking in the area. John is the expert on all things to do with perambulation and he put in the requisite study last night to come up with a plan of (relaxed) action. This commenced with a lateish breakfast followed by a stroll into the village to consult the rangers.  I need some tablets from the pharmacy which also led to  sidewalk chat with a couple from somewhere while standing next to a hot spring feature. Quite hilarious! We then dropped in to a local bakery and ordered a couple of ham and swiss baguettes for lunch. A quick sticky beak around the local museum and we were back to the motel to prepare for our hike.

The trail head was just behind the motel and it zig-zagged up the hill between the one trees to a resting area with a view of the Continental Divide. This was a good excuse for a short rest. I realized that seven weeks sitting on a motorcycle is poor training for hiking up mountains. We followed a route, sort of, deciding where to go as we walked along. There were occasional views out of the forest over the town and valleys to the Rockies, altogether very pretty. It was pleasantly warm and the exercise felt good. We noticed a number of dead pines. This is apparently due to the pine beetle thriving in the dry conditions of recent years. Perhaps the more recent rain can reverse that trend. Neither was there much bird life in evidence.

We inspected the telecommunication towers on top of the hill and decided to have lunch. John found a tree stump and I a rock and we surveyed the town and valley below us, enjoying the dappled shade and the gentle breeze. Yes, we are actually on holiday.

Descending the hill we came across a small cleared area with a sign that suggested we were on a golf tee. It showed a diagram, stated the distance in feet and what par was. And, of course, the hole number. I thought it a joke. No fairways nor greens in sight. It did not even look like a golf course. Then there were these strange baskets placed here and there. Very weird, we agreed. A little further on all is explained by a board. Discgolf. For the uninitiated, like us, that means Frisbee golf.

Thus enlightened we proceeded down the road, to be met by a lady coming in the opposite direction, carrying two Frisbees. After exchanging pleasantries, she told us, with considerable enthusiasm, how the game worked. Did you know you could have a Driver Frisbee and a Putter Frisbee? Well neither did we. Her friend appeared with his gear and after a brief chat they went to play their round and we headed back to town. Live and learn.

The afternoon was spent at leisure and in the evening we walked into the village for dinner. We were delightfully served in the wine bar by Whitney and Cameron and we were pleased to welcome Lavender to the conversation. It was a very pleasant evening, helped by the best wine list we have yet seen.

Pagoda Springs is hosting a hot air balloon event and other activities over the next few days and it us a pity to leave. Black Canyon of the Gunnison, here we come.

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    Duncan learned to ride a motorcycle at the age of twelve on a 50cc Honda belonging to his older brother, Ronald. The arrangement was a short ride in return for cleaning it. He has graduated over the years owning and riding many different bikes, but he has never ridden a Harley Davidson.

    Liz is a more recent inductee to motorcycles, her preferred mode of transport being a VW Golf. Although she rides pillion quite frequently, her luxuriant hair needs careful consideration. On a bike trip her best friend is her hairdryer; and a hot shower every morning is a sine qua non.

    Having grown up in South Africa, home for Duncan and Liz is Melbourne, Australia

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