Morning hike in Frisco, then a beautiful drive over the Continental Divide via Loveland Pass. I know I'm overusing the superlatives in this blog, but we really are seeing so many spectacular places!
Got to our friends Jim and Sandy with time for dinner and a nice neighborhood walk. Since the altitude is "only" 5,430 ft., no panting was required!
Started with a nice local history museum in Driggs. Mostly about pioneers and ranching, somehow it was nice to see some well-worn and obvious much-loved saddles. Also a list of how many lashes kids got for various misbehaviors as well as rules for the teachers. Of course, women lost their job if they married. (For those missing rock pictures, it's there--the water is flowing over volcanic tuff.) Then went to both Lower and Upper Mesa Falls. The lower falls were beautiful, but the upper falls truly spectacular. Dinner was delicious: elk ravioli in a wild mushroom sauce.
Busy day! Started with an 8:30 tour of Churchill Downs. It was worth it! The house was a local who hasn't missed the Derby since he first week be when he was 16. We guess he's "our age"--knew all the basic stuff, but also lots of fun details. E.g., having a seat doesn't mean you can see the race--even those in expensive seats. The horses only run when they are three years old. Unfortunately, no horses were there before cause they're doing done renovations. All bets are in cash, and so are payouts. Next was a walking tour of historic Louisville. Lots of old mansions. Many were made into apartment buildings, but are being restore and returned to single family him homes. Most were mixed architectural styles--if Mrs. So-and-so wanted a turret, she got one whether it "fit" or not. There were also beautiful walking paths which many of the houses faced, so it was the back door that faced a street. Plus, Louisville dinner. This time pulled pork, properly coo...
Said goodbye to San Francisco this morning and headed east. Beautiful drive through Stanislaus National Forest, with stops for scenic overlooks and a short walk. Spectacular rock formations! Then over the Sunol Pass and to our motel home for visiting Mono Lake. The thunderstorm kindly waited for us to get our stuff in the room and finished in time for a super walk in the high desert to admire the mountains and the wildflowers before dinner. Everybody wearing masks and keeping their distance, so we feel very comfortable.
So nice to see you guys and show you around the mountains as part of your great big journey home! :)
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