Odometer: 1482-1540 ( 58 miles, 93 kilometers )
Elevation: 3023-2161 meters
Today was another short day. I left Fairplay at 8:30am and arrived in Salida by 1pm. The route was all highway, a net descent, and hills. There was a steady wind from the south east which I had to contend with.
Although by all normal reasoning I should have gone farther today there are choices now of which way to go next and it seemed a good time to rest up and figure out the next steps.
My choices are to take the GDMBR through Marshal Pass or continue along the highway until around the New Mexico border. I consider taking the highway cheating but I am not yet aching to get back to wilderness biking on rough roads and the thought of taking a route up Marshal Pass doesn’t seem like fun. After a good rest I’ll decide tomorrow.
Salida seems like a real town as opposed to others which are more resort towns catering to vacationers. The downtown was vibrant without travelers looking around and milling about with no place to go.
I had lunch at the Boat House which was located beside a stream. Afterward I booked in at the Simple Hostel recommended by a couple I met on the street corner. It is nice to have an adequate option without a high cost. A good rest is all I need.
…the first shot is absolutely stunning !!