Jeep trek

Since Lou and I are new to the area, we had only a vague idea where Forrest would be taking us in his Jeep. Up into the mountains. On a four-wheel-drive road. Abandoned mines. Water falls. A pass. We'd be gone several hours. And it might be cold.

At Ouray (which the locals pronounce you-ray) we turned onto a nice unpaved road. "Piece of cake," I thought. As we climbed, the road got steeper, narrower and rougher. Then really steep, really narrow and much rougher. Then we passed a sign warning that from there on it was only for four-wheel-drive vehicles.

But Forrest is a pro at this stuff. Not only did I eventually feel at ease (only a couple of ass-puckering moments), I also gained a new appreciation for four drive wheels, good ground clearance and the magic of gear ratios. And I started feeling sorry for Lou being stuck in the back seat. It was his choice, though.

One of the more interesting water crossings

It was over a hundred degrees in places like Grand Junction. Not here.

You can tell who the younger, spryer one is

Then, finally, we reached Imogene Pass. 13,114 feet. The highest in the San Juan range. The second highest in Colorado. Red Mountain Pass, on the Million Dollar Highway, which freaks out a lot of people, was below us. Neener neener neener.

Red Mountain Pass is the grayish triangle in the lower left

Shortly after taking this photo, we saw three bighorn sheep

On the way back, we stopped for lunch and some exploring at one of the abandoned mines.

Forrest says there are lots of other places we can go. I say, "Excellent."