Melnq8, I really enjoyed your report and photos. The details of the highways and trails are great info for anyone planning a similar trip.

Many years ago I drove a car from OH to LA for friends who had moved to LA. I remember driving through the never ending flat lands of the mid-west and seeing the mountains appear in the distance. I thought of the settlers in Conestoga wagons and could not imagine how they made it further west. I drove to the top of Pikes Peak and my memory of Utah is pink. It was an interesting trip. No GPS or,internet and someone looking through the keyhole of my room in some cowboy town. You live in beautiful country. Thanks for bringing back some memories.

Thanks for reading gomiki!

Nice report Mel! We've taken several short CO trips this summer. In early June, I needed to get away and we ended up in Steamboat at the HOMEWOOD SUITES lol. It was very quiet and far from full occupancy. A couple of friends headed to the same hotel a week after we returned and then followed by another couple we know so that must've been the start of their building toward a sold out season. On the way, we took the longer drive via Hwy 14 and over Cameron Pass. It was so green and beautiful with a bit of fresh snow, so it's heartbreaking thinking about the destruction from the Cameron Peak fire.

While we didn't experience crazy crowds in Steamboat, Ouray in August was a completely different story. I couldn't wait to leave and was told our hotel had been sold out all summer and into the fall which was not normal. It has been such an odd summer. It's funny that you mention Hesperus, as we stayed there for a couple of nights and it was nice being away from crowds, relaxing and enjoying the views of the La Plata mountains.

Anyway, thanks for your report. Even though we've kept pretty busy, the covid summer feels like a blur so I appreciate reading about your adventures and reminding me of ours.

Thanks, wtm003.

The summer has definitely been a blur. Heck, the past seven months has been.

You certainly timed your drive over Cameron Pass well. All these fires...I just wish it would snow!