I made a stop at the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Pool which was unfortunately underwhelming. It is supposed to be nice but it was a Sunday just too crowded; lockers out of order, every nook and cranny in the stream where the hot water bubbled up was taken by people. I hung out in the lukewarm pool then the hotter regular pool for about 25 minutes, then showered and left. I enjoyed Ouray much better and Glenwood is the best but that was 1998 and 1993. Then there was the long drive back along Route 285. There was more gorgeous views of the collegiate range (Mt. Princeton, Mt. Harvard & Mt. Yale -- I kid you not), the Arkansas River Valley where there are whitewater rafting, kayaking outfits all along Route 285.

Then 285 turns eastward towards Denver, with more gorgeous views and scenic lookouts. I was getting tired of driving though. I have driven a lot this vacation. Whew! I had to stop and take a break at Fairway CO. I got a diet lemon pepsi for caffeine and gas for the car. I also called Linda who said she'd be around but apparently she is not. Oh well. I left a message that I'd call her when my cell phone was working which it was not. Lots of cell phone vortexes on this trip.

I was about to reach another highlight of the trip up Kenosha pass above what is called South Park (where the cartoon got its name), a beautiful endless expanse of valley with tall mountains in the distance. As I mentioned, I traveled this route almost 30 years ago, prob. 1975 with that guy Peter, friend of Dave's, enroute to the Crested Butte ski area. I finally got back here -- better late than never -- to take a pix of this beautiful scenic view at a lookout point. It remains breathtaking after all these years. I'm surprised nobody else stopped. I guess it's old hat to most locals returning to Denver after a weekend like people in our area returning from the beaches ...

US 285 turned into a 4-lane highway much of the way into Denver then turned into Hampden Street in South Denver. I finally got to I-25 and crossed it, turned into a little shopping center with a King Sooooper (King Sooper, local supermarket chain) and called Linda. I left a message telling her I'd look for a hotel near I-225 (1 exit away) which will take me to Denver Int'l Airport tomorrow. However I saw a Marriott literally right across the street so I booked myself a room right here and that is where I am. I let Linda know but she's not around. I discovered after I got home she had turned off her phone to study for her test. The broadband web access does not work and an engineer is being sent up. Mario the engineer fixed it! I talked to Dave briefly and that's all she wrote. I'll do a wash tonight and completely pack up. It would've been nice to see Linda again but I am ready to go back. I am driven out! And had a great long vacation!

8/11/03 - Drove back to Denver International Airport via I-225 to I-70 to Peña Blvd. but I couldn't find a gas station prior to returning the car. There used to be one right by all the rental car returns but apparently it was at a previous exit. I didn't have time to look for it so I returned the car and took a bath on 2 gallons for $10. I should've done it the night before when I was doing the laundry. There was a Texaco right on Hampden. Oh well. The good news: I was let through security at the airport without being double-checked! Perhaps their advice that everyone take their shoes off helped. The Frontier flight was running late and got in 1/2 hour late. I arrived home at 6 pm. What a neurotic mom sitting next to me with her 3-yr. old as well as the guy behind me constantly on the cell phone prior to taking off and right after landing. Glad to be home! I knew I was back because I heard the familiar car alarms beeping!

I hope you enjoyed my story and pictures -- David Kaufman