In Pursuit of Happiness Independence Day High Country Ride

July 4, 2012
Colorado, USA

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. July 4, 1776, USA declared its independence from British tyranny! And, the rest, as it is said - is history. Happy Birthday USA!

Unlike the majority of American holidays we rightfully celebrate Independence Day on Independence Day instead of a Monday before or after. We did not take a vacation this year for the 4th. We had plans with the Folks for later in the week but those plans fell through. So, today we had our coffee and breakfast at home (bet ya didn't know I could cook - ha!). I prepared one of Tim's favorites -- breakfast pie.

The winds were not forecast as favorable today and we knew it was likely we would get smoke from the wildfires before the day was out but we rolled out anyway for as much of a ride as we could get in. We rode country roads to the east for a while, stopping at a favorite park in the small town of Berthoud CO to have a cup of thermos coffee. While we were sitting there little clouds of smoke drifted through.

Smoke refraction makes for interesting effect

It was getting hot and while we don't mind riding hot our favorite cure for the heat is ride west and up. Why wouldn't we with America's playground right out our front door? We finally convinced ourselves it looked OK due west so we rode up Hwy 34, winding our way through the Big Thompson Canyon headed to the high country.

Big Thompson Canyon - CO Hwy 34

We made our typical stop in Estes Park at the rest area just inside the east side of town. The town was packed with tourists and locals like ourselves trying to beat the heat down below. We love Estes Park but abhor the push-and-shove of a crowd. We wasted no time getting out of town and headed out along the peak-to-peak highway (CO Hwy 7). One can barely get a shot of Lily Lake these days between the trees and the tourists - we rode on by. Again, we made a typical stop - for a photo op at the Chapel on the Rock.

The Ride at the Chapel on the Rock (built 1936)

We turned on CO Hwy 72 thinking a cookie from the New Moon Bakery in Nederland sounded pretty good. A few miles out we met a thundercloud and rain that positioned itself between us and that cookie. I guess we weren't much in the mood for a wet and wild mountain adventure today so we turned around and rode out of the high country via the South St Vrain Canyon.

South St Vrain Canyon

Just past Lyons, we turned south on CO Hwy 93 but as soon as we cleared the foothills enough to see the horizon we turned north and made for home. The winds had picked up out of the northwest and a wall of smoke was rolling in.

We made a quick stop at Walmart, picked up burgers, brats and beer and in typically American fashion, we settled in on the patio for the rest of the day. It is quiet on our American home front tonight - because of the wildfires all firework shows were banned in this area and so far - we have not heard more than the neighbor kids slamming pop rocks on the sidewalk and possibly a Black Cat go off next door. Fireworks don't matter - Ol' Glory is standing out from the flag pole this evening, snapping noisily in the breeze. Salute!

Today's Ride = 150.4 miles

Slide show of today's ride (80 photos):

Alternate link to this slide show