A weekend in the Rockies

For the last weekend in July, Yong planned to take us camping. Initially we were to go to Rocky Mountain National Park but there was an arts festival on in Crested Butte so that became our new destination. Jon and I spent much of Friday waiting to leave, hanging out at Yong's out of the sweltering midday heat. Discovered The Creeps which kept us entertained. I managed to stub my toe really badly, pretty certain I broke it in fact. Perfect timing.

Early evening we headed for our campsite at Taylor Park Reservoir, just on the west side of the continental divide. Got there just as it was getting dark, set up camp and Yong heated up some Tamales over the campfire for dinner, accompanied by Pinot Noir in Solo cups (the keg party cups from the movies!). Was surprisingly cold up in the mountains given we were at an elevation of 9400 feet (2865m). Even needed woolly hats.

On Saturday we woke to a spectacular view across the reservoir to the mountains beyond! After an instant oatmeal breakfast we went down to the reservoir for a quick paddle (warmer than expected) then drove to Crested Butte, about an hour away following a river with plenty of rafting, fishing, climbing and horse trekking along its banks.

The festival in Crested Butte was pretty extensive, with artist stalls stretching for several blocks which I hobbled along. Stopped for a drink (Dale's Pale Ale, certainly flavoursome), a bite (including the most delicious cob of corn, brushed liberally with melted butter, amongst other things) and a listen of some blue grass. Hobbled the rest of the way through the stalls then it looked like rain so we made for the car. The rain came faster than my hobbling could keep up with and the first of it beat us back to the car, but thankfully we were already driving by the time the hail hit!

Back at camp it was drier but drizzling fairly persistently. Think it stopped enough for a while to contemplate the idea of finding a short walking track, not that my toe ever made that a real possibility as Jon wouldn't have coped walking that slowly for long. So instead we sheltered in the tent, Yong and Jon sleeping soundly and me dozing in and out. The rain didn't let up all evening but hunger eventually got the better of me so Jon and I heated up the next batch of tamales after dark over the gas stove next to the car while we huddled inside! (no carbon monoxide poisoning for us). They were deliciously messy. Yong woke up for a dance party - headlamp strobe, cellphone speakers and the last of the wine. Woo Saturday Night.

Sunday we breakfasted, packed up camp and headed back to civilisation. There we napped, booked rental cars for our upcoming departure and were fed a delicious saffron rice dinner.