Thursday was officially called “YOYO,” you’re on your own. The tour offered several activity options, including a 40 mile bike ride, a hike near the Maroon Bells (two bell-shaped, 14,000-foot peaks near Aspen, Colorado. Famous for their striking wine-colored rock and reflection in Maroon Lake, they are among the most photographed mountains in North America) or relaxing in the work’s largest, naturally heated hot spring pool located across from the hotel. Alan and I choose option #3: relaxing in the heated spring pools. After nearly three weeks of travel, it was glorious! The healing powers of the mineral hot springs have been appreciated for many generations, going back to native indigenous tribes.
Afterwards we stopped at a nearby brewery called Casey Brewery Taproom and munched on an early dinner from Smoke Modern BBQ located next to the brewery. Both the beer and bbq were delicious.
Alan and I decided to go out for dessert when we ran into the Pampered Pedalers group. We tagged along to the Glenwood Canyon for an evening drink and dessert. Always good conversation. To wrap up the evening, Drew lent me air compression boots for my legs. Similar to what a hospital uses after surgery. The boots inflate and deflate sequentially to boost blood circulation, reduce muscle soreness, and speed up post-workout recovery. This rhythmic squeezing moves blood and lymphatic fluid out of the legs to help clear out lactic acid and reduce swelling. A welcome aide to help my legs recover from all the recent hiking and biking.
Glenwood Hot Springs
Falling Waters
Sacred Waters
Cascade Waters
Alan enjoying the “exhale bath.” 75 degrees.
Historic Drinking Spring: the Ute people called the spring Yampah, meaning the “Big Medicine.”
The Hotel Colorado where we stayed three nights. Silver tycoon Walter Devereux built the luxury hotel in 1893 to resemble the Villa de Medici in Rome.
Hotel Colorado earned the nickname "White House of the West" from the many visits by President Theodore Roosevelt.
The compression boots courtesy of Drew (who is a personal trainer and movement specialist).
The Glenwood Springs post office.