Up and out of my comfortable abode, and then - pow! - an eleven-mile climb up to Hoosier Pass: at 11,542' (over two miles high!), the highest point on the TransAmerica Trail.
![The Old Coot conquers Hoosier Pass Hoosier Pass](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXDk4nREi5nU55qZyDpLpcAmeMt1efos0MbCblrgxrh2jeGWf3ONJuTSjoJVGVP6dc_8O_OTx_qu6jzFPoDbWS5uvMGh71-1goxR273SD6FgNdja8JrZjFTUwua3iW45BXBlKWd0V1Z8/s1600/P1010645.jpg) |
The Old Coot conquers Hoosier Pass |
What was nice, though, was the other side: a 2500' descent over 30 miles into the wide spot named Hartsel. Nice, except for the cloudburst and accompanying hail. I barely had time to get my rain gear and pannier covers on when it hit - and all I could do was turn my back to the wind and huddle on the shoulder. After about five minutes that seemed like an eternity, a passing motorist took pity and offered shelter. Half an hour later, the storm moved on and the sun tried its best to break through.
![Sun rays over Colorado sun rays through rain clouds](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrZ5ytGrUaa7b0idsfVcx3atfX6g_1QcpjY-dmDRM7dgWd-1Jj9yIIQPrMsDjqdugetOXQ-KLNq3uCVpIqWCZ9vRaoYc4oikQGM8JCCm-InfeY_FfUYNBMGAJWsl6rLR5L2JVun8tXA4/s1600/P1010655.jpg) |
Sun rays over Colorado |
Though small, Hartsel did have its scenic attractions. And it provided what may well prove to be the most interesting evening of the trip.
![Some cool old mining cars old mining cars](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUblyOlTkV0kvIjEBPUJCelfF-XLwgKweRlzoi6piQCQnJFgaJeGQSIXp15TqX8l1TF8zI2jVjSwLMvN5azAAtDtAHsYwdE-SOGmseKuIQvwxa3_0EJ07j6zKVktInSjWs7G2kq8UZRvg/s1600/P1010669.jpg) |
Some cool old mining cars |
![I liked this old gas station in Hartsel. old Hartsel gas station](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_ajYfdp4FIgnQrE9UFUGvGsxXp4gtuBYzDFi2Gc1Qf5SwnG4eGS6UWR-48GU9P1YImCnAjjD5a96O8G2qB1w_z_J_nfzW5NlLjWrN2VblTQjO-1CxBhysPwQ8YhFTIrbnA5a4dY_yAc/s1600/P1010673.jpg) |
I liked this old gas station in Hartsel. |
The TransAmerica map said that camping was allowed in the city park, and to check at the mercantile. But the mercantile was closed, so I wandered over to the bar & grill. The barkeeper said I could camp in the grassy area out back - or, if I didn't want to bother setting up a tent, I could sleep in the children's playhouse behind the church. That sounded good to me, so I wandered over to check it out.
![The Hartsel church in a schoolhouse Hartsel schoolhouse](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iaovYROwa2rI8jAymRlq8H3sCuPaVkybSfwnk7gfseICwx7ROPeTo8U0To1F-IjcNgdtPQdiJRx74AbYtAtWRKI1jnHmQ2ppKhqEO2SpY2Zsi1RQlBg5cYR0a2IMDltOVfqnMTJM0eE/s1600/P1010677.jpg) |
The Hartsel church in a schoolhouse |
![My wee Hartsel abode Hartsel playhouse](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIS73HGJStAtSRnLptUlR2z1IcyhJ5Kmplr4YF2imqFxSzqP235uZQ3yLwB3MtPM7MhzFanbuXos4iej04aUFeQ5rLHOuLYKYeNk6G-w5lrWQfcTcPtxrPV2xjp6oHgJHxjefWkj3q1ho/s1600/P1010684.jpg) |
My wee Hartsel abode |
There, I found Diedra and Jeanine, two of the town's younger citizens, on the merry-go-round. They cajoled me into joining them, and after
we were I was thoroughly exhausted, they thought to decorate the roof of the playhouse with their presence. I snapped a picture before heading off to the bar for supper and my third beer (what decadence!) of the trip. They did warn me to look out for the coyotes.
![Jeanine and Diedra: kittens on a hot tin roof Jeanine and Diedra](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZBOzk3nElEUHL4PDj8DupSWMlcOuSlHFQVhjLE5QmhLi6LiWvjENlWeJVItGPsE9ie5p7aN_fG_scnwCj7khEsM898y3uFiQNn54Sj5vtldb9OY9gL2E89cnMVTVaXgOGQMh3x1VvRY/s1600/P1010674.jpg) |
Jeanine and Diedra: kittens on a hot tin roof |
Upon returning to my lodgings, I spread out my sleeping bag and assorted paraphernalia (no, not
that type of paraphernalia!), and attempted a little blogging; but that beer had done its work and I was out in short order.
Unless I missed it, I don't think you filled us in on your medical condition after you left Missoula. This must be a case of "no news is good news," since you've crossed many passes since then!
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd mentioned it somewhere - maybe in another reply that not everyone saw. It was finally diagnosed as pleuropericarditis, an inflammation of the lining around the heart and lungs. Treatment: anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen) and rest. That's why I was in Missoula so long.
DeleteSince then, I've been fine.
Heh heh, that last photo of the girls reminds me of ABBA.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the condition was treatable. I wonder if you would have beome aware of it if you had not done the bike ride.