It is a marvelous route, and yet, it takes effort for me to be satisfied. After being a full-time RVer for so many years it's easy to always expect new places and routes. Repetition seems ridiculous. I really only have one arrow in my quiver, the Granny J Principle of looking at small things more carefully, instead of using the crutch of sheer novelty to keep things interesting. I am gradually seeing the full-time RV lifestyle as channel surfing with gasoline.
It is necessary to climb 1500 feet from the Little Pueblo up to the climax and turnaround point. It is quite amazing how a cyclist can do a tough climb and have no memory of it, because his mind is just floating around somewhere.
On the climb a certain house-for-rent caught my eye. It was modest and cute, and for a second or two I actually wondered what it would be like to live in a normal house again. Don't worry, the notion was dismissed pretty quickly. Almost immediately my mind recoiled at the memories of household clutter, especially the gadgets that run on small, noisy engines.
Although I owned a fix-it-upper house I never experienced owning or building a new house, and probably never will.
I was appalled at the recent story of a relative who was putting an addition on a newer house: there were so many arbitrary regulations and building codes that micromanage "his" house.
An interesting house-on-wheels came by, recently. Look at how inexpensive, light, and comfortable his homemade home is:
I get such a kick out of homemade rigs, while only yawning at the McMansions-on-wheels coming into the park. Most of them are made by manufacturers that are now bankrupt. Many people are capable of getting a primal satisfaction out of being inventive with a basic need such as shelter. They use their brain and hands to come up with the best solutions, considering their budget, while remaining unconcerned with meddlers or the desires of the (resale) marketplace. When the project is done, it is truly theirs, financially, practically, and aesthetically. Most animals have that satisfaction, and so did homo sapiens until recently.
The bicycle ride continued up to the high altitude, turnaround spot. Right at the climax there is a perfect boondocking campsite. The forest has been thinned. It's surprising to see the Forest Service actually practicing real forestry. Usually they have something more important to do, whatever it is.
Naturally, seeing this campsite brought on a fit of nostalgia for my wandering ways as a full time RV boondocker.
