Didn't Know I Had A Fear Of Heights

Max and Pete/RePete, the two=headed calf. Jones Residence, Denver, CO
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11/5-- Max and I borrowed my brother-in-law's SUV and headed south on 93 to Golden, CO and drove to the top of Lookout Mtn to visit Buffalo Bill's grave and gaze upon plains filled with a new kind of prairie dog. We continued on 285 in search of the fabled Coney Island Hot Dog Stand. We turned around twice but persevered, finally finding it 1 mile past Bailey. Settled in for a tasty smoked elk sausage with onion rings and chocolate marshmallow shake. The rocks and straw diet starts tomorrow.  We retraced 285 back to Morrison and poked around Red Rocks Ampitheater. Very beautiful venue. Got a little lost and ended up on Colfax Avenue with many people determined to T-bone the car. Found Casa Bonita, got a pic of Max then on to home.

Max the gnome conehead meets Angel the cat conehead
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11/6-- FYI checked out fine, no noises now. I always knew that truck was a self-healer. Left Broomfield at 7:30am and went back south and west on 285, crossed the now infamous South Park of Colorado. Beautiful high, stark rolling plains at 10,000'. Continued to Buena Vista and 24. We had lunch at a turn-out looking at the Collegiate Range and Mt. Princeton (14,197') on the headwaters of the Arkansas River.Checked out Salida then west on 50 to Gunnison  and on to the the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, arriving at the campground after dark which is now 6pm. Computer class for two hours then bed.

Tarnation!

Max at Buffalo Bill's Grave Lookout Mtn., Golden, CO
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11/7-- Up at 5:30 to scout locations along the south rim. Took a 3 mile hike at first light then started down the overlooks when the sun got some height. The canyon ranges from 1700' to 2300' deep and some of the overlooks look straight down to the river. It gives a very good idea of what it is to stand at the the edge of the abyss. Weather is beautiful, brisk but not freezing with some clouds finally in the sky. It is a good morning with some serious photo making finally happening. We leave the park at noon after getting a call from wife Karen telling me that some nefarious person is out in the world with numbers of mine trying to drain my photography account. The real world has a habit of reeling you back in at times.

Max enjoys lunch at the Coney Island Hotdog Stand Bailey, CO
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We left Montrose to go south on 550 and are presently enjoying a delicious Reuben sandwich in Ouray, Colorado. After this update we'll head to Durango and Mesa Verde NP. Some thoughts-- I really need to come here when autumn is at peak. All river valleys are full of huge cottonwoods and the aspen groves on the slopes  cover acres and acres. All the towns I've passed through today are so vital, no empty store fronts,etc. I've met very nice folks and continue to expect the same down other roads. Max is good and sends his best. Gotta go now, the light waits for no photographer.

Max at Casa Bonita where, in 1978, my sister and I ate in a cave, were accosted by a man in a gorilla suit and had drawings made of us with really big heads driving really tiny cars
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11/7