The skies were clear enough on the 11th to cowboy camp for the first time in weeks, but I still got soaked by the heavy dew fall almost as soon as the sun went down. But the stars were bright on the moonless night, and it was a thrill to be camping right on the Divide with great views both east and west. An icy wind came up before dawn, but I made my coffee in the lee of a rock and headed out the last few miles to Monarch Pass.
I got a ride into Salida from Sean at Absolute Bikes, who shuttle mountain bikers up to the pass so that they can blast down into Salida. It was much too soon to check into my hotel so I got second breakfast at an all you can eat buffet, and waited for Cathy to drive up from Boulder.
We spent yesterday and today just poking around Salida, eating good food, pick nicking by the river, drinking good beer and whisky, checking out the galleries. There are some seriously good and thoughtful artists here, not just tourist town schlock. Not a carved bear in sight.
But really the highlight is just spending time with Cathy after being apart for weeks. I love being with her and talking with her, and miss that when I am out on the trail. Getting to spend a zero day with her is the best day off rom hiking that I could ask for.
Back to the trail tomorrow.