Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Pagosa Springs: Hot Springs and Cold Rides

This morning we ventured out to the Hot Springs. After a light breakfast and coffee at the condo, we put our suits on under our clothes, hopped on the bikes, and headed headed for the springs. The weather was beautiful, but we could see the clouds build up over the San Juan mountains to the east.

After a couple of hours of moving from one pool to another -- each pool with a different relaxing water temperature -- we looked at the skies to the east and decided it was time to leave -- along with everyone else. By the time we had showered, dressed back in our street clothes, and reached the bikes, the rain started. It wasn't heavy, but what fell out of the sky were big, fat, semi-solid chunks of rain that were not quite hail.

Luckily, it barely began before it stopped again, and we were able to get in our rain gear as we left the Hot Springs and headed back to the condo. Of course, that was when the steady light drizzle started. We stopped for linner (dunch?) to wait for the rain to pass.

Just our luck, the rain quit almost as soon as we walked into Wolfe Brewing. (Of course we would stop at brewery for dunch (linner?), wouldn't you?) We ate and enjoyed the atmosphere. It was pretty quiet for a brewery, but it was still fairly early -- not even happy hour(s) yet. About the time we finished our meal and paid the bill, it had started sprinkling again.

The cold ride "home" after the relaxing hot mineral water, was certainly a shock to the system. We had planned to make a couple of tourist shopping stops along the way, but bagged that idea when the sky turned liquid. Don't get me wrong, I like when it rains, it keeps the fire danger away. But I really don't like riding in the stuff. A lot of drivers are stupid enough around motorcycles on a good weather day, but when the weather is bad, it's even more dangerous for those of us out on two wheels.

When we got back to the condo, I hesitated to take off my chaps because they were keeping my legs warm -- I had worn shorts anticipating the stroll around Pagosa Springs. Instead, I pulled my clean jeans and socks out of the dryer and put those on. Ah, warmth.

Last night we had talked about heading out to one of the local casinos with Donna's friend Denise, but between the hot springs, the cold ride, and the overall malaise of the day, we pooped out early and will part with our hard-earned money later in the week.

Tomorrow we are off to Mesa Verde National Park bright and early. We opted for the bus tour that leaves at 7:15 AM instead of riding out there. This way, we don't have to stress about traffic or worry about the weather. We can enjoy the park and relax as we travel back and forth to the park.

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