Composer | Pianist | Music Informatics
Today, Ruby Jean took me up. Higher than we had ever climbed before. The California Pass reaches 12,960 feet. And there just isn’t much up there.
Just silence. And beauty. In all directions.
Oh, and an old, abandoned mining town called Animas Forks. Now, that’s my kinda town!
This morning I awoke to find that the fall color was moving in. And quickly.
Many of the local mountain trails connect Ouray, Teluride, and Silverton, so if you’re in the area and you’re Jeepin’ around, you’ll most certainly end up visiting Silverton. Silverton is a former silver mining camp, most or all of which is now included in a federally designated National Historic Landmark District called the Silverton Historic District.
Here’s a nifty little video describing Silverton and the surrounding area:
Taking a few days to acclimate to the altitude…
One of the effects of high altitude is light-headed dizziness. Driving on narrow, rugged roads that are barely clinging on to the side of a mountain at 11,000 feet isn’t advised. So today, Ruby Jean and I decided to take an easy (non-technical) drive up Brown Mountain.
Even so, the views were spectacular.
Along the way, I found dispersed campsites — even near the top. I stopped and asked someone about them and guess what? He lives in Centerville, Ohio!
So, sitting high up in the San Juan Mountains, we had a strange (but fun!) chat about Bill’s Donuts and Marion’s Pizza.
Small world.
Nestled high in the San Juan Mountains, Ouray was established in the mid-late 19th century by miners in search of sliver and gold. The town sits at about 7,800 feet, but the surrounding mountains frequently exceed 12,000 feet in elevation.
Due to its unique history, the entire length of Main Street is registered as a National Historic District. Here’s a great video summarizing why Ouray is a desirable destination in 2018.
Wait! Did you say that Ouray is the Jeeping Capital of the World?!? Well, Ruby Jean heard you and is ready to go…
Have you ever wondered what the perfect campground is like? Until this week, I thought there was only one. Lucky for us there’s another, and it’s in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
And there are even opportunities for Jeeping nearby! Can you believe it?!?
Perfect. (Except that you generally need reservations a year in advance…)
On my way down to the 24th Gateway to the Cumberlands Jeep Jamboree, I took a small detour to camp along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. It was lovely!
