Chilly morning, had crackers with peanut butter for breakfast and set off for something more substantial in Pagosa Springs. I passed the turn off to Chimney Rock National Monument, a decision which I will regret but not today. After only a few miles I came upon a small store and got a coffee and donut, which was a nice unexpected treat. US 160 is really busy. There’s a nice wide shoulder so it’s not tense riding, but there are so many cars that it just gets plain loud. Pagosa Springs itself was a construction nightmare, I didn’t spend long there. Picked up some supplies for tonight, had brunch and then left. Noisy though it was, the road was absolutely gorgeous, I would often have to stop and stare. I don’t know if it’s the green, or the water or the mountains or the temperature, but all combined it was a sensory delight. I enjoyed today. I’ve seen the grade for tomorrow’s climb over the pass and it does not frighten me. My funk is gone.
