sheep-pig does (did) the world: The Colorado Courier: 15 Feb

We arrived in the mile high city of Denver on a direct flight from Tokyo. Joining the immigration queue that we thought looked relatively short but ended up taking a couple of hours. This experience with US customs was Rudy’s best ever. One of his previous encounters involved detention for two hours in Hawaii due to having no planned Hawaiian address / itinerary schedule. Fortunately we lucked out, as another traveller before us was led to detention this time. Our customs officer was great and happy to tell us all about the places we should visit in Europe rather than question our itinerary!

It was great to see Kate-Dawg & Snoop, as planned, at the airport unlike the previous instance where another friend, (who shall remain nameless), helped contribute to Rudy’s previous US detention. (Only joking Johnny!) We piled into our Buick 4x4 and made our way back to the car hire company to validate Rudy’s driver’s licence and double check that we were actually driving a 4x4. With all the assurances given, we started the drive to Steamboat Springs via a grocery store for our week’s supply for the mountains.

The snow started to set in while we were on the outskirts of Denver grabbing a quick bite to eat at a Mexican Cantina. Confident though, that we had secured ourselves a comfortable 4x4. It was only as night fell and we made our way up the I70 that our confidence began to wane. The road became more treacherous and the traffic was slowing considerably. Initially we thought it was because of the volume of traffic and the conditions but it was primarily due to the volume of snow falling and that a car had managed to flip onto its roof (somehow?)

Just prior to seeing this we had also come to the conclusion that our 4x4 was really a 2x4. We put this down to having no traction from the rear wheels when trying to accelerate up the moderate hill. Snoop did a fantastic job driving but needless to say we weren’t happy…. ‘Alamo’ had done it to us again! (circa Mammoth 2012?).

Rather than risk our lives and a week’s grocery supplies we pulled into the first major town we came to… Hello Idaho Springs! Surprisingly enough it was a cool little historic mining town despite having some “bed bug” hotels. We stayed clear of them and found a double room to share just prior to the rush of no vacancy signs being put up as the snow began to really bucket down outside.

After a “short” (read long) stroll in the snowy evening we found the local pizza place in town and had a great meal with a few local beers to boot. Suffice to say we all slept well that night.

The morning brought with it opportunities lost. 30 – 50cm of fresh snow and a local resort beckoning but no mode of transport to get us there. Our car could not be fitted with chains and no (damn) bus services to El Dora from Idaho Springs. So we just had to wait it out. The guy from “Alamo” was going to be there by 12 to change the car over for us. The Dodge Durango 4x4 was worth the wait. Great comfortable car for the conditions we had to deal with.

So we cleared more snow off the car, got some coffees in town and headed for Steamboat. Reports weren’t great snow-wise but we thought they might have got some from the night’s storm than what they had reported. Well, we got there and it was pretty bare relative to where we had just come from. Not that it was bad but just a little disappointing as we’d also been spoilt in Japan previously.

The up side was the ability to explore as the trails went for ages… some of the runs home by the end of the day really worked the legs and made for relaxing après-ski spa and thermal pool sessions.

One afternoon, after a day on the mountain, we headed to the other side of Steamboat to a place called Strawberry Park. It came highly recommended by Carla’s good friends Nat and Laura. Nat warned that clothing was optional after dark so we were a bit wary when we first got there.

One man manned the springs and charged a fee of $12 – making a killing for the number of people that were there. It was freezing outside, but the springs were beautifully warm, even too hot in one section. Rudy being the only one brave (silly) enough out of our crew to try out the ‘ice’ water walk; a 10m walk through the icy water separating the thermal springs. Brrrrrrr!

Looking back at our accommodation at Steamboat, it was perfect for our group of 4. A two bedroom, huge wooden apartment with a great kitchen to cook up our own meals every night, easy access to the pool and spas, and twice weekly ‘country club’ drinks & snacks! Thanks for organizing it Katie and Snoop.

As with most short-lived snow expeditions the snow started to come in toward the end of our days at Steamboat. It made for a lot of fun with Carla, Katie and Snoop upping their games respectively. Carla decided to show us where she had been exploring trees and powder (on her own – very dangerous/albeit courageous), only for her to take off on us. Maybe returning the favour as we left her on her own on a few occasions due to all of our different riding abilities. Although I really think she really just wanted to keep the powder stashes to herself and demonstrate her improved prowess. By the end of the week we were all riding together with Carla even venturing into some of the black runs.

Katie’s boarding was another step up from our previous trip and she ventured deeper into the trees and started to learn how to go over some natural hits (jumps). Kate-dawg’s riding down the mountain was great and at times it was hard to out run her.

David (aka Snoop/Snoop Chow/Snoop Dawg…) also upped his riding with more tree runs, (Japan is paying off!) and was hitting more natural hits/jibs. He came undone a couple of times but that demonstrated his willingness to up his riding and also the fact that riding all day does wear you out. His switch riding was again to the fore.

Steamboat came to an end after a week, when we dropped KayT back to the airport (after a few tears – we saw them Katie!), and a quick ‘Alamo’ car change to a smaller SUV for our next adventure in Colorado.

We drove up to Longmont to stay a night with Nat and James. Who graciously took us in for the night in their beautiful new home and served up a traditional Sunday night lamb roast. It was exceptional.

The next day Snoop and I headed to Frisco to explore a couple of more resorts with the plan to meet Carla, Nat and James at Crested Butte in 4 days. Frisco is a great little town in the Rocky Mountains range situated a short drive for many a resort. Too many for us to visit in 4 days. We rode Loveland, Keystone and Copper while Carla spent time catching up with Nat and James, and exploring Longmont, Boulder, Fort Collins and Denver.

On our way to Crested Butte the snow started to fall, and like moths to a flame our four car-loads all converged to our accommodation on different paths and times.

Over the next few days we all enjoyed the terrain on offer, with some of the steepest runs we’ve had for a while. We did miss our little “Agnes” (Katie) though. Our last night out with the crew of about 15-20 friends was quite entertaining as we headed down town to the local Mexican restaurant which involved copious margaharitas all round. Snoop decided to up his game again and to show he could be considered a Mexican by “pouring” a very very hot habanero sauce on his meal without even first testing its heat. Suffice to say after the alcohol and hot sauce he may have gone a little “loco” (riding the local deer) and really feeling it the next morning. I stuck with a “fajita”, although our waiter had a very interesting way of pronouncing it, much to all of our awe.

After a great couple of weeks in the Colorado snow we headed back to Longmont, via a sushi restaurant in Boulder, and got ready for our flight out of Denver the next day.

As a side trip for the day I had to collect my surfboard… This was weird in a city that is a mile high and a long way from the ocean. My board had sustained a major rail ding somewhere between Tokyo and Colorado and it was somewhat strange ringing around Denver trying to find a surfboard repairer. The best I could manage was an outdoor adventure store which did a relatively good job with some resin they normally use for kayaks. It looked strong and waterproof although a little un-gamely (like my surfing).

The test was to come in our next location: Nicaragua… Keep an eye out for the next edition: The Nicaraguan News.

Idaho Springs - Unexpected layover due to snow storm on I70. Struggled to get up the hills in our 4WD which was actually a 2WD (circa 2012)

Dave n Rudes working out which side of the road
they should be on...

Even Subway had enough of the snow for the season.

The road to Steamboat Springs.. Pic courtesy of Kate Dawg.

More roadside scenery...

And another..

Carls reunited with snow gear (thanks Dave) - mustard beanie in memory of the Japan mustard pants!

Steamboat - known for its trees!

Mappers and Dave getting high in Steamboat...!

Katie dominating!

Chairlift fun!

Snoop Dawg rock hopping..!

And then it started to snow!! Woo hoo!

Snoop chasing fresh pow in the trees...

Gorgeous trees of Steamboat!

A short walk into town (8kms) - Steamboat Springs

Walk encompassing nice scenery - Steamboat Springs

How to retrieve fish sauce from the top shelf in the 'Asian Foods' aisle...
1. Take one person of asian decent
2. Place short armed westerner on shoulders of first person
3. Dig deep with those little arms....