Days 55 to 60 – Boulder and Aspen

I’ve spent nearly a week off the route in Boulder and Aspen. It was a great vacation, but I suppose it’s about time I get back to pedaling. It was nice to reconnect with four of my old friends whom I haven’t seen in years and to make new friends, too! I even ran into some people in Aspen who happened to also be from Charlottesville and know my coworkers—small world.

Soon after I arrived in Boulder, I came across some horrible news. One of my hiking family from the Appalachian Trail, Britanny, had been in a serious cycling accident and was in a hospital near Denver. Brittany was part of the group of hikers with whom I finished the Appalachian Trail in 2004. I got out to see her during one of my days off. I wish we could have reunited outdoors, but it made me happy to see her nonetheless. I was glad to know that she’s recovering well and that the accident didn’t affect her spirit or smile. A fund has been set up to help Brittany and her husband, Lee. Please help if you can.

After several days in Boulder, it was time to return to the trail. Speshul, Jesse, and I headed out of Boulder for Frisco. They planned to continue to Aspen for the night, and when they proposed that I might join them and return to Frisco on the way back, I accepted. It was precipitating a little.