SATURDAY | As we climbed the mountains it became evident that we did not in fact have this gas situation under control. We became nervous just outside of Carbondale. Not anxious enough though not stop on the side of the road for a photograph of the waterfall. The unease and silence set in us we scaled another mountain and the gas tank dropped to below 100 and started flashing red. The flashing and descending numbers didn’t stop as we winded down towards Paonia. It was a slow and panicky glide towards town. On 20 miles of fuel it became apparent that we were going to make it. Just. As we slide into town and pulled up at the gas station we were devastated to see that it was shut. Ash ducked into the grocer for help and we were informed that just on the other side of town we would find salvation. Tyson slithered up to the pump just as the dash hit 0. A sign of relief was exhaled deeply by us both. Refuelled and still shaken we headed back into town to The Living Farm for lunch. Along with all the locals from town we enjoyed a fresh farm to table meal in a space that was oozing small town character and charm. Post lunch we walked the entire 2 minutes of the town. Although it was brief the town was captivating in its old school essence but also terrifying in its horror movie likeness. Back on the road we enjoyed an easy scenic trip into Telluride. Our two bedroom Airbnb was waiting for us on arrival. Car parked and bags dropped we were off to explore the town. With the booming snow covered mountain shadowing the town it felt like we’d stepped into a movie set (the romantic comedy kind, not the mass murder feel of Paonia). As we explored the main strip we noticed all the shops and bars had signs in the door that read ‘closed for mud season, be back in May). We finally located the one restaurant that was still open and settled at the bar for dinner. As we enjoyed our meal we chatted with the bar tender about life in a seasonal town. She informed us that the mountain had closed last weekend and that until May/June everyone clears out. We had double the choice on bar venues than we did on restaurants with two joints remaining opening during snow season. The closer of the two was Last Dollar Saloon and so we headed in there to escape the chill. At the bar we were looked after by Josh who was also serving a group pf local guys at the other end of the room. They wanted nothing to do with us whereas Josh was keen to talk, do shots and have a laugh. Over the course of the evening the group at the other end of the bar grew and contracted in size as locals came and went. We observed from our safe distance all whilst chatting and drinking with Josh. This changed when a friendly couple came in who although they knew the local group were also happy to talk to us. Ash made friends with gal of the pair and before I knew it we were saying goodbye to Josh and heading up the street to a house dance party. Things took a strange turn however when instead of continuing to the house we made a detour into the local electronic store where two of the guys worked. Inside a few of us huddled around phone cases and apple products whilst the guys DJ’d electronic house music. Ash and I tried to recreate the ‘ramp’ vibe of Nashville but people kept disappearing upstairs for large portions of time. When we asked what was going on we were told ‘nothing, its office space’. A few more people rocked up and they too were beckoned upstairs. As we swayed amongst the chargers and speakers we silently agreed with some head nods that this was not our scene and we quickly excited. We popped in to see Josh for a night cap. Ash tried to play some buck hunter with the help of Josh and the only other person in the bar. But the electronic store party had been a bust and brought down the mood, so we strolled the one block home.
AS I was sliding into bed I hear Ash shout from her room that the Notebook was on. Next thing I’m darting in there, and just like that scene in the Sound of Music when Maria holds open the covers for Gretel in the thunder storm I’m jumping into bed as Ash holds open the covers for me. We munch on chips and feel our hearts ache as Noah and Allie find their way back to each other. Knowing the ending and the sadness that comes I bail back to my bed before the devastation of the movie kicks in. SUNDAY | Apart from a couple of other people Telluride is a ghost town on Sunday morning. The sun is out but the air is crisp. We head to the coffee cart for a refreshment, which we then enjoy wandering around town. Our breakfast option is limited to the Bakery so we hit that up before piling back into the car. Before we head out of town we cruise around the mountain and town streets like creeps looking at peoples massive houses and taking pictures. Then we are on the road heading north, the snowy mountains behind us and the desert waiting for us to arrive
0 Comments
|
ArchivesCategories |