6 weekends consecutive marathoning – not sure who needed a mountain break more, me or Pup?  Light-bulb idea💡  VRBO rental in the Colorado mountains, one where I could bring Ro.  If I could spend hotel $$ in rural Midwest America, I can afford a weekend in Colorado paradise.

Friday night drive, 2 ½ hours due west.  US 285 to Fairplay, 15 miles on Colorado 9 toward Hartsel. Pitch dark, no city lights.  Dirt road, just short of the Divide.  Creep’d along after Maps App crapped out – luckily, no more than 200 feet from my pinned location.  Isolated, no cell service, COLD too!

Backpack, 2 bags of food.  Pronghorn & deer [heads] mounted in the entry, written warning ’bout moose.  I’d explore in the morning.  Tired; shuteye calling.  Are there bear here?

Vibrant pink start.  GREAT day to be a dog: NO leash all weekend.  Where first?  Nearby snowbank or fast-flowing stream; Colorado paradise.  I retreated inside for a jacket.  29 degrees 🙂

Hike.  Afternoon ride into Fairplay.  ‘nother hike, DirectTV in the cabin.  Lazy mental retreat away.  Couple of chipmunks, fish in the stream but notta lotta visible wildlife.

Warmed up 20 degrees during the day, warm enough for Ro to river explore.  Brrr.  After initially slipping into the water, Pup decided stream-drinking the only way to go.  LOL>

On the drive home, explored Colorado’s oldest working courthouse (9964ft elevation).  Colorado addicted: trail running & thin-air hikes ALL summer.  LOVE LOVE my Colorado life ❤

mountain retreat, Fairplay CO