18 @ Steamboat to Esters Park

Officer Tim.... Was, as it turned out, quite accommodating. He nodded and smiled and as I gave reason, over and over to justify his intervention, his Buick SUV remained flashing blue and red behind us as if we had lit a beacon for all to see! We were tired after missing numerous turns, being redirected to dirt roads and going further than we anticipated, misdirected mentally and physically so much we were shagged. I was enthusiastic to get to where,???? and after missing the last GPS waypoint, fuck I hoofed it up the hill.

We were hungry, tired, butt sore and just wanted to be there but Officer Tim wanted a chat, and an Interpol check and so we were stationary, standing next to the bike, being interviewed. But yep that doesn't make any sense so I need to back track a little.

Departing from in Steamboat Springs we thought the ride via Granby was a little short, so via Walden was a way we could stretch the legs. Well, so we thought. Over Rabbit Ears Pass looking back at the Ears, turned left and off we went. 

Sometime later there's a bloke, a big bloke, hoodie, black, lots of facial hair, standing with a stop sign, I pulled over and asked, ' you're in the middle of nowhere, what's up? He replied "turn left", which is what we did. You don't argue in those circumstances! Into Walden, a quick piss stop, then out of the town looking for a sign. Mmm, we pulled over after some kms, I think we're heading to Wyoming, so we turned around and back we went. Back the way we came and we ended up speaking to another guy with a similar sign as the first apparition. 

Yep, we were misdirected. 

Again through the town. 

Back again through the town.

Bugger it all we'll go to Fort Collins. At least there is a sign. 

What a beautiful ride, then down the Pouche de Padre Canyon and turned right. Great for a while. 

Road closed. 

Detour. 

Road closed. 

Next road closed.

Rather frustrating accompanied with the realisation that on last nights TV we were warned of storms, like hail, snow, winds were arriving early this afternoon! OMG it's now 1:30pm. That's soon, we better hoof it.

Wrong turn again. 

Doesn't matter I'll hoof it. OMG With a flash of blue and red and a quick chase it was time to meet Office Tim! He revealed to me that I was doing 31 miles over the speed limit. I didn't even question those values, or that miles per hour are much faster than those kms! Anyway in reality if he booked me returning back to the USA would have been a reasonably costly fine. Some sense came to being and I thanked him. But not after he checked my Interpol records from the sanctuary of his Buick. With his directions and words of warning I speed off. Just kidding!

We arrived at Esters Park after a scenic yet slow trip up into the mountains. 

Hotel checked in.

Stephen King got motivation from this 'Stanley Hotel' for the Shining, so worth a visit. Lenore jumped ship and videoed the wanderings deers grazing out side this iconic building. 

Inside.

To the bar. 

A martini.

Then a dinner feast. 

It was good fun. Just a single drink, on the bike....no worries. After all no helmets are the go over here. Up in the mountains, does it get any better than this?