Escaping the heat
Colorado's heat wave wasn't easing up so we made a detour into the mountains and the small town of Lake City after stocking up on food. October is the end of the season with many businesses closing. The small grocery stores had very little on the shelves and the restaurants' menus were out of many items. The temps were 20 degrees cooler than in the cities on the front range.
Most of the people at our campground were seasonal from Texas. Every morning and evening we could hear the southern twang from the small propane firepit as they gathered to tell stories. Probably the same as last week.
The Packer Saloon and Cannibal Grill in memory of Colorado's Cannibal, Alfred Packard.
In 1874, Alfred Packer guided five men to Gunnison, Colorado to explore the mountains for gold even though winter weather was on its way.
Months later, Packer arrived alone in and with his clients’ belongings and cash, he said he had been abandoned by the others. Later he confessed to being forced to cannibalism as they got lost in a storm and soon without any food. He shared how in order to survive he ate the flesh of his companions after each one died and to having killed the last surviving explorer in self-defense.
Later that summer, the five bodies were found at the massacre site and there was evidence that their skulls had been crushed while they were sleeping. After being accused of murder, Packer fled and hid for nine years.
He was returned to Lake City to be tried for his crimes after being captured in Wyoming. He was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison for five counts of voluntary manslaughter.
The governor pardoned him in 1901. Never actually found guilty of cannibalism.
We took a self guided tour of the town reading the placards. We realized that every time we explore local history, it begins in the late 1800s. Very little is written about the Ute Indians that inhabited Colorado before the white people arrived.
Most people had ATVs and off road vehicle and traveled in packs. They like to have a friend if they get into a bind. I wouldn't mind being the first in line. The further back in the pack, the more dust to breath as they fly up the dirt roads.
We occasionally come across other hikers coming towards us on the trails. They often look startled to see us coming down the trail directly towards them. They are deciding whether to put on their masks and figuring out how to get 6 feet of separation or just be cool and walk briskly by while looking the other way. Do they greet you with a "hello" or just wave to avoid potential contamination. So many decisions. I sometimes wonder if they get any closer to the edge if they will plummet down the hill. We usually find a place to step aside and signal them on. I occasionally wonder what they would do if I should suddenly "stumble" towards them as they get closer. Just kidding? ;-}
Signing in at the USFS book in case we don't return and they know where to find us..
Fall is in the air. Actually, next week they are expecting up to 13 inches of snow in the mountains.
Lake San Cristobal
Next, we settled into our campground in Fruita with the intention of parking and plugging into the electricity. and wait until sundown to finish setting up since the temp was 95Fand heading to 101F for a new record. As we kicked back to read as the power went off. A car accident on the interstate took out a power pole, knocking out power for 2000 unsuspecting folks. We found a tree and spray bottle to keep somewhat cool but the power company had us up and running in an hour. I had been eyeballing the swimming pool but some kids beat me to it.
I thought I was being cleaver by setting the alarm for 6am the next morning for a bike ride before the heat returned the next day. We were freezing in no time and headed home for our jackets after 4 miles. The smoke from all of the fires in the west and one 8 miles north of us had blocked much of the sun giving it a red glow. Mother Nature must not be happy with us humans.
Hanging out with the locals in Colorado National Monument.
A mom and her kid!
Mike's grandson, TJ, joined the Navy and is now in Chicago, IL for two weeks of quarantine before starting basic training. We are excited for him and what lies ahead.
Amanda, his daughter, is doing well and hanging in there with chemo ever other week.
After four months in Colorado, we are excited to cross over into Utah are hoping for rain to help with the fires in the West.
