What do the following have in common?
Antelope, Bear, Bison, Clark, Dispensary, Eagle, Falls, Mcknight’s, Moose, Ore House.
If you said, “the BMCU 2019 Memorial Day Tour to Steamboat Springs, CO,” you’d be correct!
Last Saturday, 26 members of the BMCU in their 16 vehicles set out to invade Steamboat Springs. With few minor disruptions, the Tour to Steamboat was uneventful. That is, if you can discount the amazingly beautiful drive on US 40 in northwestern Colorado. That stretch of 166 miles is one of the most scenic and lightly traveled routes that the Club takes. Looking ahead, one could see for miles with no other vehicles, save our Tour’s, in sight. To the left were lofty peaks capped with pristine white snow, while on the right, critters of all sorts, antelope, bison and deer, dotted the high desert. The group slithered along the undulating road like a large serpent, basking in the sun, as they headed east.
Once in Steamboat, about half the group decided to scrutinize the vittles at McKnight’s Irish Pub. Their Fish & Chips was the choice of most and was very tasty. The Pub was close enough to the hotel that several members chose to walk to and from dinner!
Sunday morning, the members were met with an announcement that there had been a bear in the parking lot and around the extremities of the hotel. Examples of this were the heavy trash containers that were tipped over and stripped of their contents. Seems that the bears were coming out of hibernation and were hungry. The hotel was very thorough to warn everyone not to leave any food in their vehicles as that would only encourage the bears to shred convertible tops and break windows, attempting to get to the food.
Just about everyone headed for Fish Creek Falls. The Falls are 280 feet of exquisite, cascading water. An excellent example of Nature’s artistry. Inferior to the Falls, but nevertheless equally attention grabbing, was the kaleidoscopic presentation of the British cars in the Falls parking lot. Many questions were asked and some lucky children even got to sit in one of the vehicles. Thanks Pat & Donna.
The large group split up after the Falls excursion to mine downtown Steamboat Springs for sales, bargains or souvenirs. Several of the group discovered Hwy 14 which weaved its way through pastoral elegance, making for a wonderful drive. With all this activity and exploration under their belts, the group decided to take Larry’s recommendation and visit the Ore House for dinner. Seems they had a special going on, celebrating their opening in 1971 and that’s what they were selling their Prime Rib dinner for, $19.71. It was very delightful and so was the scrumptious and voluptuous, Mountain Mud Pie dessert!
Returning to the hotel with bellies bulging, the members found a moose on the loose! He was having his dinner by stripping the fresh, young leaves from the limbs of the trees he could reach. After many pictures taken, the moose gently climbed the bank next to the road, easily stepped over the guard rail and with his police entourage blocking traffic, crossed the highway for the next course of his meal. Not to be outdone by a moose, Drew broke out his guitar and true to BMCU Tour tradition, performed a live concert in the hotel game room. His selection of ribald classics was tempered by several favorite, mellow selections. The Poker Run also came to it’s conclusion during a break. The final results were not determined until the last card was drawn, with Clayton & Sharon winning.
Our eyes were to the sky all weekend with regards to the weather. Many of the group left early Monday morning to avoid what was thought to be more rain coming. The remaining folks decided to take a drive through a resplendently exquisite valley of massive ranches to the General Store in Clark. The store had everything from homemade pies, to groceries, to a small restaurant and the local Post Office! Continuing on from Clark, the route took the club members up to the Steamboat Springs State Park and higher elevation. The rain began in earnest up higher, so a U-turn was made and a lower climate was sought, back in downtown Steamboat. The plan worked and by the time the main drag was reached, the sun was out and temperature was very pleasant.
After lunch, we split up as we were on a mission to discover and check out the eateries in town, to determine the location for dinner. It was impossible to be inside with the sun shining and many explored the Rotary Riparian Conservation Area. This was a quiet gem that was vacant of tourist. The only sounds were from the frogs and birds. This led to a tasty Mexican dinner that filled our stomachs. Then it was time to fill our LBC’s gas tanks in preparation for the next morning’s departure.
Tuesday morning, “What to our wondering eyes should appear,” but cars covered with frozen vapor. The snow covered the ground and our LBCs. With a bit of extra prompting, all the vehicle fired right up, were pulled under the hotel portico, and loaded with luggage. The people at the front desk assured us that the snow would be gone by the time we reached Hayden, a few miles to the west, and they were correct. The snow stopped. The rain stopped and the sun came out giving us dry roads. It was amazing that the cloud cover kept parting, as if on cue, as we traveled. The bypass from Vernal to Duchesne was liked by all and I think we’ll by seeing that route again. Very quiet, beautiful farmland, quaint towns and no tanker trucks!
The only critical predicament came when we began the descent through Daniel’s Canyon. The clouds that had been parting for us all day, decided to converge and pummel us with rain, sleet and hail. Yes, the conditions were insidious. Yes, visibility went way down. Yes, it was scary. Yes, we found all the water leaks in our vehicles. And, yes, we were happy to exit the canyon with only a light rain falling as we approached Heber. The rest of the way home was on clear and dry roads. The driveway never looked better.
OK, you have a year to get your Britmobile in shape and reliable enough to join us and go on next year’s Memorial Day Tour, May 23-25 or 26th. Watch this site for the announcement of the location.