8.01.2009

Welcome to Colorado

On our first day in Colorado, we were drawn to the Front Range like a magnet. With just enough time for a drive before checking into our hotel, we drove north to Boulder, then into Boulder Canyon. I love how you're instantly in the mountains. This is something that made a deep impression on my last visit to Denver, and I've never forgotten it. We don't have this kind of mountain access here in Washington—there are only 5 east-west mountain passes, and most of the land is national forest or wilderness or national park, with limited access by unpaved forest service roads.


Once through Boulder Canyon, we headed south, still deep in the mountains. Enjoying the twisty roads and views, we suddenly rounded a bend and I said, "Stop!" We're well acquainted with the yellow caution signs about curves ahead, but this is one we've never seen before. I actually got out and photographed it, and plan to share it with my Miata friends. (From here on, whenever we'd see this unique sign, Dave would ask if I wanted another picture of it.)

Have you ever noticed how wildly at odds the suggested speed limits can be to the actual road geometry? There's one near our cabin, just a single curve that drops down a hill, that has the slowest speed I've ever seen—15 mph. Even in the truck, we don't need to slow down this much!

Sports car drivers seek out these awesome twisty roads. And I've heard some of our Miata friends say that when you're driving a sports car, just double the recommended speed and add 10!


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