Most of Colorado’s Western Slope: mining towns or Swiss chalets.  Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Telluride, Crested Butte – all mountain towns converted to European ski villages.  Pricey New York jewelers, fur coats, Starbucks lattes & SNOW.  Stunning to visit in the summer as well – towering green mountains/14ers capped in white – and generally, without the ‘ski village’ $$$ markup 🙂

Destination: Ouray [your-AY].  Nicknamed “little Switzerland of Colorado”; also known as, America’s ice-climbing capital.  Home of Mt Sneffels, backdrop to Saturday’s high altitude marathon.

Halved the 7-hour drive Thursday after work.  Sleeps in Glenwood Springs, three hour completion Friday morn.  Road-trippin’ stops, mineral springs soak AND an introspective faith walk.

Dennis Weaver Memorial Park.  Created on land purchased by TV’s McCloud, took an unplanned left to what became a quiet/centering spiritual journey.  No idea! located just 20 minutes outside Ouray.  2-ton Eagle soaring over a cache of mountain boulders.  Midday weekday, had the place to myself.

Chose 3 rocks from the pile of prayer stones & created my personal cairn.  Native American wisdom garnished each of the circle’s 4 directions – East spoke closest my heart.  Gazed long at the New Mexico-like landscape around me, bushes lavender & sage.  Crushed sprigs of both together, breathed in its aroma.  Hippie peaceful.  Shed shoes & river-walked before resuming Friday’s Ouray trek.  Good to get quiet & head-speak to the Great White Spirit.  For us Christians, one Living God & Savior.

Lodge check-in.  Late afternoon bib pickup.  Two-hour soak at Orvis Hot Springs.  Early to bed?  Well, not really.  Ash texted: it’s National S’mores Day.  Located a campfire, secured ingredients.  It’s a holiday, right?  Gotta/hafta/must.  Mission accomplished ✔️

Saturday a.m. marathon – Ridgway to Ouray ‘n back.

National S’mores Day is a day that is celebrated on August 10th as a way to honor the iconic campfire treat, the S’more. This holiday is celebrated across the United States – mainly by boy scouts and girls scouts – but can be enjoyed by anyone who has a love of this treat or fond memories of eating it during their youth.