The choice of the new hotel turned out well. A comfortable bed and an AC that doesn’t roar through the night. Still, I woke up early again.
Breakfast at the hotel was fine, but nothing close to what you get at Norwegian hotels. At least it was clean and had some options – mostly unhealthy ones. Good thing I had fruit in the car.
Today I planned a quieter day. Some driving, but definitely less than yesterday. The goal was to head into the Rocky Mountains west of Denver.
First, though, I needed to stop at my old hotel to sort out the missing bill. The receptionist tried to help but couldn’t solve it. Then the manager came in and explained that since the booking was through hotels.com, she couldn’t print it. Still, she let me take a photo of the bill with the refund listed and even refunded the one night I actually stayed. With apologies on top, it was handled well. When it comes to customer service and goodwill, the US is really strong.
On the way west, I stopped at an outlet center that opened at 10, perfectly timed with my drive around Denver. Traffic wasn’t too bad. The outlet itself, though, was a disappointment – mostly low-quality shops with a few better ones scattered in between. At least I managed to stock up on socks to replace the hole-filled ones I had to throw out.
Then into the Rocky Mountains. A welcome change of scenery – mountains, trees, and a winding highway climbing upwards.
My first stop was Idaho Springs, a former gold mining town. No gold for me, unfortunately. I parked at the visitor center, which offers free parking, and took the chance to use the restroom before chatting with the very friendly ladies there. They handed me maps and directions, masters of small talk just like everyone else around here.
They calculate everything in driving time, but I prefer walking. At about 2300 meters above sea level, four blocks of the town center have been closed off and restored with houses from the 1870s. Small shops, cafés, and restaurants give it a cozy feel. At the Buffalo Cafe, I tried a bison burger – tasty and not too expensive.
After a walk through the town, I drove on toward Georgetown. On the way, I discovered the Georgetown Loop Railway. It starts at 2600 meters and climbs to 2900, pulled by an old steam engine. By pure luck, I arrived just 15 minutes before the last departure. A return ticket cost $36, and the train had nine open cars, nearly full. The ride up and down took 25 minutes each way, with some beautiful views along the route. The history being told was mostly drowned out by the steam engine right beside me, but I learned that the line once went all the way to Denver and carried freight. Georgetown itself grew from silver mining.
Afterward, I had a short walk through Georgetown, which is much smaller than Idaho Springs. Also with renovated houses, but not quite as well organized or charming.
From there, I took the scenic Guanella Pass route. I’m used to winding roads, but I had never been this high up before. I even logged a cache above 3000 meters, though sadly none at the summit viewpoint of 3500 meters. The view was stunning, but the thin air was noticeable – I found myself breathing faster and more shallow.
On the way down I ran into the only rain shower of my trip. Not much mobile signal in these parts either – Norway does it much better with 5G nearly everywhere. I might be spoiled.
Back in Denver, I stopped at Target to stock up on drinks. I also found a Catan Escape game and some pens before heading to the hotel. Dinner was a small portion of chicken teriyaki with rice and vegetables – though here, a “small” portion could feed a family. I ate half and saved the rest for tomorrow.
A full but calmer day, and tomorrow holds more to explore.