The official travel journal of Jerry & Ann Linebarger
www.linebloggers.com
Our next choice for a high mountain experience was Ophir Pass which begins just south of Telluride. You can see the town of Ophir in the background. Ophir was named after an Old Testament reference to a region rich in gold, in hopes that the nearby mines would bring similar fortunes.
As you leave the old township of Ophir, the road starts to ascend immediately trough scenic woods and aspen stands. As you continue, the road rises above the timberline and becomes a narrow shelf road cut into talus slopes with tight switchbacks and high, steep drop-offs. Along the way, we spotted a vivid reminder to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
All the
4-wheel-drive passes are one-lane with turnouts. Courtesy says that
the driver coming uphill has the right of way but we found few drivers
who honored that rule. Jerry had to collapse his side-view mirror a
number of times to permit cars to pass.
We made it! We bagged another summit.
We had some rain while crossing Ophir Pass but we didn't mind. It only added to the experience.
We celebrated our first anniversary with Harley on August 1. The entire day was his. We took him to the South Fork of the San Miguel River between Ames and Illium to run and play off-leash. And, of course, we had a picnic!
Life is good.
Yes, Dad, life IS good!
