So today I woke up with the idea of riding up to Lyons and taking my favorite Canyon to Estes Park (ST Vrain Canyon Hiway 7) and check out how Devils Gulch and Glen Haven are fairing after almost nine months after the Sept 2013 Floods. I have to say, even after this amount of time I was awe struck by the devastation that flash floods can do in the mountain canyons. If one is not a believer of the power/force of flash floods, go take this drive. These canyons were a beautiful ride with the stream running along the road. Scenic pull outs for picnic and fishing were plentiful. Some times the stream was obscured by tall pine trees, and a short hike down the embankment through the trees was necessary. Sharing the creek side were expensive houses and cute rustic cabins, that dotted the creek line of St. Vrain Canyon (South ST. Vrain Creek) and most of the meandering creek (North Fork of the Big Thompson River) of Devils Gulch. During the fishing season, when I rode these canyons the breakfast aroma of fried bacon and eggs would waft across the road from the fishing camps and cabins, and find its way into my helmet, to be savored by my sense of smell.
Today I navigated the curves a bit slower as to let my eyes and mind take in the devastation that had transpired back in September. It was difficult to focus on the sights as my eyes welled up with tears thinking of the people who had their homes and futures washed down stream in an instant. Very moving. The scars that have been left on the landscape are going to take generations to repair and heal. What use to be beautiful ride along the flowing crooked streams are now just repaired pavement along a wide gravel and sand pit, a path for the spring snow melt to find its way down out of the mountains. After making my way down 34 along the Big Thompson Canyon, Hiway 34, I headed over to Berthoud to have lunch at Grandpa's Cafe. They have a new location and I wanted to check them out. Made a detour up and around Cater Lake. Beautiful small reservoir that has numerous sail boats tacking back and forth on it during the summer. On to lunch and then just flat land riding on home. All in all, a great ride of 200+ miles. ................................................ When is there not a Great Ride?
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...a=dme&mrsp=15&sz=11&via=1,2,3,4,5,13&t=m&z=10
Today I navigated the curves a bit slower as to let my eyes and mind take in the devastation that had transpired back in September. It was difficult to focus on the sights as my eyes welled up with tears thinking of the people who had their homes and futures washed down stream in an instant. Very moving. The scars that have been left on the landscape are going to take generations to repair and heal. What use to be beautiful ride along the flowing crooked streams are now just repaired pavement along a wide gravel and sand pit, a path for the spring snow melt to find its way down out of the mountains. After making my way down 34 along the Big Thompson Canyon, Hiway 34, I headed over to Berthoud to have lunch at Grandpa's Cafe. They have a new location and I wanted to check them out. Made a detour up and around Cater Lake. Beautiful small reservoir that has numerous sail boats tacking back and forth on it during the summer. On to lunch and then just flat land riding on home. All in all, a great ride of 200+ miles. ................................................ When is there not a Great Ride?
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...a=dme&mrsp=15&sz=11&via=1,2,3,4,5,13&t=m&z=10
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