Breckenridge to Black Canyon.

Track. Sail - Aim

"It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out, it's the grain of sand in your shoe" Robert W Service.

Day 69.

Woke up really early for a head start before the boys were awake and before long we were on stunning mountain passes going up into Colorado. We arrived at Hoosier Pass in time breakfast, showers and then had a beautiful hike up into the snow. At an elevation of 11, 542ft (3,518m) and as a part of the Mosquito range of the Rocky Mountains, the pass was stunning and although rated easy, left us breathless in more ways than one.

After a snowball fight, we carried on to Breckenridge in the hope of finding Beth, an ex-sidmouthian.

As chance would have it we found her in her Pottery painting and art studio, right at the base of the gondola to the ski-field in the fantastically scenic town. An ideal job! she was in full swing with her teaching and our arrival was a complete surprise we wondered off into town and amused ourselves for a few hours. Becs even got her highlights done. There was a lovely playpark and river for throwing dandelions into which had been frozen solid only a month previously.

We spent the afternoon painting in the amazing studio and then had a cracking night in the comfort of Beths home, hot tub, fish tacos prepared by Chris and much to catch up on. Another highlight was Solomon's first solo roll over.

  Day 70.

A slow and stubbling start and we were off on our way again to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, north of Ouray. We broke the days driving in a town with a lovely park and had our picnic.

When we arrived at the canyon we set off on a hike along the rim to the visitors centre. We didn't quite make it all the way but it was a nice walk and we saw lots of wildlife including chipmunk and deer. We were all asleep by 8.30pm!