Canyon City to Guffey

After being a tourist in Canyon City, it was time to start climbing the Rockies. We were shooting for a long day into Fairplay, but our first climb (3,000+ feet) took a while, and dad was worn out within 37 miles. Since Guffey, CO (home of the wolf rescue and a very interesting guy named Bill) was the first good resting spot we got to, we stayed there for the evening (from 5 thou up to 8,660 in elevation). The climb (up, eventually, to Current Creek Pass) was long and isolated, but I didn't think that the grade was all that difficult. We stopped several times to snack and drink, and I found the terrain enchanting. It wasn't like climbing hills out east. Instead, we were winding our way up in between peaks, carving on the side of the hills or more in the valleys. But we were still gaining quite a bit of elevation. It was an arid spot, but it was still pretty well forrested. The later in the ride, the more grasses and small creeks we ran into. Beutiful country. In Guffey, we got food from this lady that was all over the place. We bunked for the night in this cabin/hostel/shack thing that was really pretty nice on the inside. One of the townspeople has been trying to maintain all of the old mining buildings that used to make up the town, and while he has lost quite a few of the buildings, he pours himself into the community. Doesn't get much back for his troubles, but that happens a lot in the places we've been. I finished up my book, got some rest, and was ready to go the next morning.