“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” J.R.R. Tolkien
An aerial view of Wolf Creek Pass and its ski area taken in August, 2008, after the snow melt. -- Photo by Doc Searls
Travels With Maggie*
“Way up high on the Great Divide” sang C. W. McCall in his 1975 recording of “Wolf Creek Pass.”
I experienced McCall’s lyrics, although without the chickens, first hand this day, topping out my drive through the San Juan Mountains at 10,857 feet. Fresh snow had fallen during the night, and the trees on the sides of the steep mountains I traveled between were still draped in white.
In case you’re interested, McCall’ song can be heard at: http://tinyurl.com/3dvdo24
While the road, Highway 160, had been cleared of the storm’s droppings, it was still wet and slick – and quite icy in the two tunnels cutting through mountain rock.
Unlike the driver in McCall’s tune, however, my foot was frequently on my brakes. But since almost no other vehicles were on the road, and since I kept my speed slow enough to feel safe, my heart pounded only with the pleasant thrill of being privileged to drive through such a fantastic landscape.
I love dandelions, but then perhaps that's because I now don't have a lawn to maintain. -- Photo by Pat Bean
I passed quite a few large, scenic RV parks along my drive up and over Wolf Creek Pass, which traverses the mountains from South Fork to Pagosa Springs. But all were closed.
They reminded me why I usually took the more southerly route through New Mexico when heading northwest this time of year.
But I had no regrets. I may be an old broad, but I’m still up for an adventure.
I was quite happy, however, when I came upon the Riverside RV Park just outside Durango. It was open. While it had been a short day in miles, only 131, I was ready to take a break from sitting behind Gypsy Lee’s wheel.
And that I was assigned a site right next to a small pond, where mallards were floating, the ground was littered with dandelions, and where I could watch a robin pulling up a worm for dinner from the damp ground, was the cherry on the top of a hot fudge sundae.
Life was good once again. .
Day 8 of the journey, April 26, 2011.
Pat Bean's blog 
Your story reminds me of the time I drove to the top of Mt. Mansfield in Vermont on the auto toll road which is a dirt road. The way up, you are on the outside of the road, next to the edge looking down the cliff. I had to stop 3 times to catch my breath. But it was worth the drive – a beautiful October day with peak fall foliage season. I wondered if I would be able to drive back down, but that part of the trip wasn’t nearly as scary.
As for dandelions, my mother used to go out in early spring when they first showed up and dig them up to eat. She would even get enough to put up in the freezer. Supposedly a good spring tonic, and then you had to have some sulfur and molasses when you took off your long underwear for the year too!
Gypsy Lee’s only been off pavement a few times, but back when I was driving a 4-wheel drive vehicle, I took as many unpaved roads as I could manage. Got lost a few times, too But what fun. Would you believe I’ve never eaten dandelions. I feel deprived. Thanks for commenting.
Keep writing … Pat Bean https://patbean.wordpress.com
I like dandelions too, especially on the lawn. They go well with the green of the grass, and the leaves are good in salads. They sell dandelion greens at one of our local produce stores, but I just go out and pick mine.
Glad you had a better day. 🙂
looks absolutely beautiful!