ExPoordition - Downside - In more ways than one
When ever I tell people what I'm doing with the ExPoordition and that I work for a magazine they tell me how lucky I am. They say things like "sounds like your living the dream", or " what a great opportunity". And I whole heartedly agree. It has been a true priveledge and blessing to go on this trip, and help out at the Overland Journal.
But to be straight, I don't think I'd do this type of trip again, this long, alone. There have been days where things are straight up lonely. Not many, but a few. I can be a pretty good loner, and I can strike up conversation with strangers quite easily, but when most of your time is spent alone, seeing and doing amazing things, the experience just isn't complete. I think also, when life slows down enough to do a lot of thinking and reflecting certain memories or emotions are allowed to be revisited. For me this can add to feeling a little alone when there is no one to confide in.
But forturnately, times like this have been pretty few during this trip.
I am currently am enjoying the hospitality of Ben Edmonson, and his wife Beverly in their cozy flat in Telluride. It has been here were I have been able to clean up, sit down, and chill out beneith the beauty of the local mountains.
I drove to Telluride from Ouray via the infamous Black Bear Pass Rd. The following are a few photos from the Box Canyon falls in Ouray to the steeps of Black Bear pass.
Box Canyon Falls
The Red Mountain that give Red Mountain Pass its name.
Despite what the guide books say, I think this part "looks" the most unnerving. But driving it wasn't too, but bad.
The first, toughest and highest switch back of the most exposed part of the trail.
