today’s the day, finally connected with a Harvest Host in Oroville WA. The winery is Esther Briques Winery, meaning sweet fragrance http://www.estherbricques.com . The owner Linda said it was not intentional, either way it works. Arriving mid-afternoon after an interesting lunch experience in Omak WA more on that later. We parked right next to grapes that were planted in 2007. They started the vineyard in 2001 and it has grown each year. In choosing the name of the winery she picked on E so she was closer to the beginning of the alphabet so when sellers are listed alphabetically she is not lost in the middle.

 

 

 

 

We spent some time chit chatting with these two retired teachers who are working harder now since when they were working for a living. I can tell they both enjoy creating and sharing the ‘fruits of their labor’ Roy tasted a few wines and we settled on Forbearance. Story behind this blend is the day they were beginning to harvest the grapes they treed a mom and three cubs. Long story short after the local fire department came out and Washington Fish and Game came out they were able to get the bears down. Linda decided to name it Forbearance after the incident.

Now for lunch (small rant here) Do you know two 3 piece dark meat chicken one side each is over 20 bucks at KFC. You can tell I don’t eat at KFC often. It was almost as bad getting just 8 pieces of dark meat. I just thought I would share that. Now back to the blog.

Animals are increasing we saw two deer in a field. I also wanted to show you pictures of one of the dams in the area.

 

 

 

We’ve been gone a week today next stop Canada.

But It Helps….. I have to say my husband is not super crazy. We did not take Black Bear Road (didn’t need to get to Telluride that quickly). https://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/177-black-bear-road-usa.html Yes, I’m quoting C.W. McCall again.

The drive up to Ouray was adventuresome all by itself. We passed three over 10,000 foot passes. I also saw the 10,000 foot elevation sign I think 4 times. It was up, down, up, up, up.

Coal Pass was the smallest of the passes, then we come upon the next pass Molas, there was a nice mountain lake that you could look down on.

I think with sites like the pic above I could get used to high places.
I did a little bit of shopping in Silverton,

a couple of t-shirts and even some jewelry. Coming out of Silverton we head up the million dollar highway https://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/635-million-dollar-highway-usa.html On the way to Ouray we find a geocache that shows a plaque to commenorate a unique profession.

After picking my heart out of my throat seeing switchbacks and hairpins we arrive in Ouray.

I didn’t stop at the hotsprings because of my lack of tolerance to heat. Heading back the way we came we were able to get a picture of Red Mountain Pass.

I’ve enjoyed riding all the back roads this trip it has stretched my boundries.

Up On The Great Divide, this is where we were on Friday the 10th. Of course, we had the C.W. McCall song. Wolf Creek Pass https://genius.com/Cw-mccall-wolf-creek-pass-lyrics the drive was fun but I have issues with it. There were no telephone poles so I could not count them, I think the tunnel moved, and a few other things, you will have to drive to find out. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Creek_Pass

People who know me know I don’t do heights or curves add them together you get Wolf Creek Pass. I am getting better with those two things on this trip. When you take a look from the top of a mountain you see how expansive the land is, you also see the curves in the road you have to travel. (Just Saying)

Oh BTW there is a feed store in Pagosa Springs.

Yes you can if you take the 15 minute one way narrow road above Canon City called Skyline Dr.

I will say that this drive is NOT for people who are not into heights the road at times look like it will end.

I assure you the road did not end. I was a little nervous that it might. http://www.canoncity.org/visitors/skyline_drive.php the views from both sides of the road take your breathe away.

After regaining my breath we decided to drive out to the Suspension Bridge. No I did not do the zipline but if you look close there are two in this picture.

There is also a tram that crosses the gorge also.

This was a full day now tomorrow we are headed to Durango via Wolf Creek Pass.

Sunday, morning Roy, me, Dave and Dave’s wife Candi decide to head to West Bend and talk to the animal’s or at least feed them. The place is called Shalom Wildlife Zoo in Westbend Wi http://www.shalomwildlife.com I was impressed with the animals and being able to feed them. If you are ever in West Bend area take the whole family. We saw deer, elk, zebra, birds. Candi was the one doing the feeding, I was there for morale support, Dave was map reader and Roy drove the golf cart. It was fun watching Candi feed the llama

Dave was feeding these deer that are always spotted.

We finished up the park and headed over to brunch on West Bend. Good weekend and fun time hanging with Candi and Dave

Saturday evening was cool as Dave and Candi stopped by the trailer and then we headed to dinner. The amazing thing is seeing him after about 22 years his voice hasn’t changed but he looks so much like our dad grey beard and all. I enjoyed meeting Candi Dave’s wife because I’m no longer the youngest. So we head to the bowling alley in Mayville for dinner, the bartender was Brandon but for some reason I kept calling him Tyler , Taylor for some reason he was not a Brandon. It’s been fun hanging with my bro and Candi I’m so thankful he’s kicked cancer’s butt.