August 28, 2014
Black Bear Pass, Ouray, CO
I drove 1,000 miles to travel back up the Black Bear Pass......a memory of three years ago that I held on to so tightly that my inner-self wouldn't rest until it lived it again.
And today, that happened. But a completely different memory was formed this time. I'm struggling to find the words to describe this trek up that beloved treacherous mountain....
As we headed up that perilous wet 12,000' mountain.....the only Jeep to tackle it this day.....the temperatures were dropping into the 40's...the rain turned to sleet....then snow.....and the fog was so thick the mountain disappeared from view.
Did I mention we were in an open-air itsy-bitsy Jeep with 5 people in it?
This was not for the faint of heart, folks.......climbing over 12,000' on narrow, wet and dangerous trails with only inches from the edge.....and being the only Jeep in sight did cause me to rethink whether this was a good idea or not.
I held it as long as I possibly could.....I was sitting on the hump seat in the back and kept "mouthing" to the driver in his rear-view mirror how desperate I was getting....but folks, we are hanging off a mountain....there's just no rest stops on this trail.
He finally stopped.....I climbed over the rear spare tire.....told everyone to sing while I relieved myself at the back of the Jeep in 40 degree weather with a fantastic view of Telluride.....and all was well in my universe once again. Ahhhhhh.
After a warm, dry lunch in Telluride, this little group of 5 who feel like family now, headed back to Ouray a different route over the mountains....a sunny, beautiful, aspen-tree-lined route this time.....
Black Bear Pass, Ouray, CO
We Lived.
Barely.
I drove 1,000 miles to travel back up the Black Bear Pass......a memory of three years ago that I held on to so tightly that my inner-self wouldn't rest until it lived it again.
And today, that happened. But a completely different memory was formed this time. I'm struggling to find the words to describe this trek up that beloved treacherous mountain....
The weather said partly sunny....high of 66......but when we woke this morning, it was pouring rain. P-O-U-R-I-N-G.
We went anyway.
As we headed up that perilous wet 12,000' mountain.....the only Jeep to tackle it this day.....the temperatures were dropping into the 40's...the rain turned to sleet....then snow.....and the fog was so thick the mountain disappeared from view.
Did I mention we were in an open-air itsy-bitsy Jeep with 5 people in it?
This was not for the faint of heart, folks.......climbing over 12,000' on narrow, wet and dangerous trails with only inches from the edge.....and being the only Jeep in sight did cause me to rethink whether this was a good idea or not.
And then it happened.
I had to pee......
BAD.
I held it as long as I possibly could.....I was sitting on the hump seat in the back and kept "mouthing" to the driver in his rear-view mirror how desperate I was getting....but folks, we are hanging off a mountain....there's just no rest stops on this trail.
He finally stopped.....I climbed over the rear spare tire.....told everyone to sing while I relieved myself at the back of the Jeep in 40 degree weather with a fantastic view of Telluride.....and all was well in my universe once again. Ahhhhhh.
After a warm, dry lunch in Telluride, this little group of 5 who feel like family now, headed back to Ouray a different route over the mountains....a sunny, beautiful, aspen-tree-lined route this time.....
......and promptly kissed the ground.
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24 comments:
Well you did it so stop being so adventurous and come down to earth please...be safe
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!that’s a dangerous trek to pEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. I’m glad the sun found you. Always nice to have some sunshine. My shrink does phone call sessions if you feel you need guidance before starting the next climb. Skip
Thanks so much for the fantastic travelogue. Feel like I am taking the trip with you.
LIZ. no wonder you had to pee.
IT'S OFFICIAL: YOU ARE CRAZY!! :) Glad you are back okay, but do NOT. Repeat: DO NOT GO THERE. AGAIN ESP IN THE RAIN. Poor Chuck was probably worried SICK. You nut.
Love you anyway....K
Liz
Thanks for the reflection. You are still crazy though. That's what I love about you. You love the risk and challenge then you shsre with us the reward.
Enough now. Blessings.
Grace and peace,
Jack
Looks like you are having a ball. Stay safe. Linda B.
Okay, you had me at 'Black Bear' Pass. Add ice, rain and sleet....I'm running to the ski lodge and having a frothy adult beverage. Plus, I look terrible in a hoodie! Glad you're doing it...because I know how invigorating it can be. Keep writing so I can arm-chair quarterback and wrap myself in air conditioning. Keep safe dear friend and breathe in some mountain air for me. Love you, Sandee
Can't wait for the next episode!!!!!
My prayers worked!!! Becky asked for prayers for you for a safe trip up this pass in Bible Study and I got her prayer request(I do pray for you and Chuck anyway but this gave me an extra incentive). I have praying for you ever since. Thank you Jesus for answering my prayer of a safe mountain journey for Liz and her friend Jim!!
Miss you sweet girlfriend!
gg
Yes that sounds like a very nerve racking trip, one I am not sure I would have made even in my younger days ha! Glad you got relief and then made it the rest of the way safely. Things are about the same here, we missed your smiling face at Bible Study Wed. You have really made my days each and everyone with your fabulous writings as well as great description and pictures of what was happening each day. Like a blow by blow you might say! Well you rest up and enjoy the Labor Day weekend. Looking forward to your next post.
Love Ya,
John
Beautiful but believe I would choose a helicopter ride
Wow...you got guts girl! I'm with Judy...I'd have chosen helicopter, but I'm a chicken....lol. You did a GREAT job on the video clip! Such talent my friend.
The ONLY good thing about this is that you didn't SEE a black bear! Indiana Etheridge!
So good I had to put it on my FB....we just bought our first jeep...
Fantastic
Got our jeep today; however, it will NEVER see that road.
You are amazing!!!
Nope - not for me! I wouldn't have seen anything because I would have been so terrified! Yep - you and your crew have guts!
Not for me I want to live not b scared to death.....U can't see view n drive ??
I would like to know which song the rest of the jeep sang while you were hanging out the back?!!!! Love you-have fun!
Yay! Glad you got to go at it again!
You are out of your ever loving mind. My stomach kinda queasy just watching this. helen
Just finished reading your blog. I love Ouray and have been there several times. It is a precious town enclosed by a box canyon. You sure are a character and I love the way you write.
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