The room was small but the blessing was two beds. The TV had cable or something very like cable. The local weather channel was what we watched, trying to see what tomorrow would bring. The anchor man went on about the problems of the area while mentioning that a record high had been reached that afternoon. A whole whopping 83 degrees. This coment sent Kuma and I into a small fit of laughter. Though we would soon find that we wished it had continued.
The second day on the road went fairly smoothly until we reached the town of Poncha Springs. It had begun to snow with not too much surprise, we were in the mountains after all this kind of thing can happen. The temperature had dropped significantly to just above freezing. The GPS had lead us to a pass in the mountains named Monarch Pass a name that Kuma and I would have burned into our memories.
The pass was closed due to white out conditions and if we didn't have four wheel drive we could not continue forward. This is what a very cold man with the state told us, who's bright orange truck was blocking the road. With some thinking we picked up a map of Colorado back in town and started towards Buena Vista where there is another pass not too out of the way.
A solid hour later we were heading up the goat trail through the mountains, happy that we would not have to wait out the weather on Monarch Pass. It soon became very appearent that this way would not do. A sign along the road read, "Pass is not plowed Sept.-Jun. Only snowmobiles may pass. If rescue is needed the cost of rescue will be fined to those at fault of not reading this sign" pretty black and white to us that this was not a good idea. Back again to Monarch pass to wait it out.
As we traveled down the highway we saw a sign that told us Monarch Pass was open, but there was an important piece of information both of us had failed to recognize as danger.
Back on the mountain we traveled the pass without much trouble but, as we climbed higher up the slopes the road's condition began to worsen. The snow that had been falling was covering the road turning a normally dangerous pass into a living HELL. Kuma spun out. The truck turned two 360's before stopping. We were facing the opposite direction and in the wrong lane. Getting our bearing we start back at the pass thinking we've gone this far and it is almost over. Man were we wrong. About another mile down the truck goes completely out of Kuma's control. We spin again and again gaining more speed as we slide down the mountain. The truck comes to a screaming halt, before we hit oncoming traffic, into the side of the mountain. A wave of powder is sent sailing over the truck. We are stuck. The entire back of the truck is covered in snow. Kuma and I get to the shovels and begin the process of freeing ourselves. At the top of the hill we see our heroes, Snow Plows. I leap with joy no joke. Moments, I mean only moments, later a very kind man and his family stop with a tow line and free us from the side of the mountain. The couple tells us that the rest of the pass is down hill and gets much drier. With what little courage we have left we press forward. Our two wheel drive F-150 made its way down the pass without anymore trouble.
That night we reach Hotchkiss, too late to go to the farm, we have to get a motel room. Not much to say. Pricey without anything nice to show for the price.
Next day it's to the farm. Round earth farm is located on a scenic mesa top that over looks the entire valley and give a breathe taking view of the rocky peaks.
Next blog will have more farm details and the latest experiences. Peace out ya'll.
