Denny - High Plains Library, Greeley, CO
Friday night after our marathon bike rides we drove up to old Ft. Lupton for the Heritage Days event Saturday. Just when we pulled up to park the RV we were greeted with “We have a real problem with ticks! Watch yourselves.” Thankfully the little critters left us alone.
It was SO fun to meet the reenactors! We set up camp next to TWO professional groups who were fun to watch in action. Bernie Kendall was representing the French Voyageurs and he was a master at engaging people in history. It was inspiring really. Then on the other side were the Topographic Engineers we’d met many years ago at Los Golondrinas in Santa Fe, NM. (Dennis Chappell was with that group. We met Dennis April 26 at the Pueblo Battalion Monument where he shared his knowledge about the history of Old Bent’s Fort - see the YT Video.) Both groups are incredible. The knowledge these two groups have is just amazing!
The crowds weren’t overwhelming in numbers but the event was well planned and organized. I was able to interview Mary Biefel who spins Buffalo Fur! Look for her on our Trek 2025 YouTube playlist. She has a store called “Tall Bull Studio” in Lakewood, CO.
May 4 Church & a Tender Mercy
After a day in the hot sun, our lack of water drove us to a Best Western Saturday night to get presentable for church. What a friendly and happy bunch we found that Sunday morning! They truly felt like a big family the way they interacted with each other. It was very touching to see the care and love amongst them. Here we had our second miracle – finding Gabriel Thatcher, electrician extraordinaire and good Samaritan. Our plug to the trailer lights fell out of the socket on the way to Lupton and was ruined by dragging along the road. He ordered our part on Amazon, had it delivered by 8pm Sunday night, and had us on the road first thing Monday morning without missing a day or two travel-time. Gabriel will be featured in Kevin’s blog also.
May 5
Downtown Denver to Brighton – This was my least enjoyable day on the bike trails. I started in downtown Denver – on a maze of trails rarely certain I was taking the right route. You can rest assured my phone was fully charged and I was using Kevin’s map.
We started really early and the wind was less, so that was nice. I was following the river close to the brush/trees and suddenly found myself battling GNATS! Swarms of gnats. I was trying to keep my mouth shut as I went. I wondered if the Battalion women had to endure the bugs as well? They probably wanted to be close to the water to make it easier to get to, but if it was like my experience there would be a price to be paid by doing so.
Someone had painted a Chinese Dragon right on the cement trail which was a happy moment. I saw a whole group of pelicans swimming in the river which was also a fun surprise. There were more homeless “dugouts” and litter than I liked so I didn’t stop for photos – just kept pedaling happy to find the car.
I need to give a shoutout to my doctor, Stacey Clardy. She is the one who recommended my helmet. Just as I was getting ready to hop on my bike, my foot caught on the pedal and crash! I went to the ground. My helmet saved my noggin and I was not hurt.
May 6 RAIN! And Blessed Internet!
With heavy rain predicted, we pedaled extra yesterday and got the trailer ready so we could “catch up” today and try to get our hotspot issue resolved. I think (cross your fingers) after a multitude of customer support phone calls we have it working. It’s been a great frustration and kept us from being able to keep up on our blog and correspondence. The Greeley High Plains Library is fabulous! We’re living the high life at the moment – at an RV park for the next few days – with our own water, sewer, electrical (and propane if we wish.)
