Fall Aspen Leaves
Bill D
Active Jeeper
- Posts
- 402
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
- Vehicle(s)
- 1980 CJ5 Renegade. 6-258 engine, Howell FI, T-176 four speed, 300 transfer with Terra Low 4:1 gears, Dana 30 front with ARB air locker, AMC 20 rear with one piece axles and welded axle tubes and an ARB air locker. Both differentials running 3.73:1 R&P's. Onboard air, Warn 8,000lb. Winch- - -
2003 Jeep TJ "Rubicon" with all the Rubicon goodies, Terra-Flex 3" lift, adjustable track bar, sway bar disconnects, LED headlight conversion, Quadratec 9000 winch. - - -
1963 Willys CJ5 with a 134 ci F - head, three speed T90 tranny and a Warn overdrive. - - -
1949 CJ-3A. My latest acquisition and favorite plaything.
Yesterday was getting close to the optimum viewing time for fall colors here in Colorado so Carol and I decided to go up into the high country for some viewing. I had taken the top off and purchased a Bikini top but we decided that since it was a warm, cloudless day here in Colorado Springs, the Bikini top would be sufficient.
We threw some extra cloths, some picnic items and "Sooner" the wonder dog into the back of the CJ5, filled the gas tank and set off on highway 24 west. The polo shirt that I had started out with was just fine until we got to Divide, CO but by then, I decided that the hoodie that I had brought might feel good. By Buena Vista, the leather jacket on over the hoodie felt even better. We had already started to see a buildup of the heavy grey clouds and a few sprinkles on the windshield.
We had planned to go on west up toward Mount Princeton to the ghost town of Saint Elmo, then over Tincup Pass to Taylor Park, then back east to Buena Vista and home. . . .about a four hour trip.
The rain held off and we even had some bright sunshine up most of Tincup Pass. The day was progressing mostly as planned even though it was a bit colder than anticipated. Even at that, it was fairly pleasant. The top of Tincup Pass brought another surprise. Wind was picking up and some of the gusts were pretty strong. It had again clouded up and was throwing some very light rain against us. In case there is a question in anyone's mind, Bikini tops are meant to keep only the sun off of a person and that wasn't a problem at the moment. To those who haven't driven it in some time, Tincup Pass is very rocky and the going is slow. By the time we arrived at the lake at the bottom, the shadows were getting long and it was now a given that it would be full dark by the time we got home.
We drove on through the town of Tincup (Tincup is not a town, only a collection of residences in various stages of disrepair) and north into Taylor Park to the Cottonwood Pass road that would take us back to Buena Vista. Surprise!!!! There was a large sign and several barricades informing us that Cottonwood Pass Road was closed.
To make a long story short, we finally arrived back at Buena Vista by going south to Gunnison, east to Poncha Springs and north to Buena Vista - a good many miles out of our way. We fueled in Buena Vista and took highway 24 back to Colorado Springs and home arriving at 9:30 pm.
One incident on the way home - it was pitch black, had been raining and the pavement was wet and black, traffic was heavy with strings of 15-25 vehicles in the oncoming lane of the two lane highway when a car pulled into our lane to pass a truck in the middle of one of those strings. Apparently oblivious to us, he came right on forcing us to do a locked brakes skid to the far right shoulder. I had no idea how far of a drop off awaited but luckily, nobody hit anybody.
A day in the life of a Jeeper.
We threw some extra cloths, some picnic items and "Sooner" the wonder dog into the back of the CJ5, filled the gas tank and set off on highway 24 west. The polo shirt that I had started out with was just fine until we got to Divide, CO but by then, I decided that the hoodie that I had brought might feel good. By Buena Vista, the leather jacket on over the hoodie felt even better. We had already started to see a buildup of the heavy grey clouds and a few sprinkles on the windshield.
We had planned to go on west up toward Mount Princeton to the ghost town of Saint Elmo, then over Tincup Pass to Taylor Park, then back east to Buena Vista and home. . . .about a four hour trip.
The rain held off and we even had some bright sunshine up most of Tincup Pass. The day was progressing mostly as planned even though it was a bit colder than anticipated. Even at that, it was fairly pleasant. The top of Tincup Pass brought another surprise. Wind was picking up and some of the gusts were pretty strong. It had again clouded up and was throwing some very light rain against us. In case there is a question in anyone's mind, Bikini tops are meant to keep only the sun off of a person and that wasn't a problem at the moment. To those who haven't driven it in some time, Tincup Pass is very rocky and the going is slow. By the time we arrived at the lake at the bottom, the shadows were getting long and it was now a given that it would be full dark by the time we got home.
We drove on through the town of Tincup (Tincup is not a town, only a collection of residences in various stages of disrepair) and north into Taylor Park to the Cottonwood Pass road that would take us back to Buena Vista. Surprise!!!! There was a large sign and several barricades informing us that Cottonwood Pass Road was closed.
To make a long story short, we finally arrived back at Buena Vista by going south to Gunnison, east to Poncha Springs and north to Buena Vista - a good many miles out of our way. We fueled in Buena Vista and took highway 24 back to Colorado Springs and home arriving at 9:30 pm.
One incident on the way home - it was pitch black, had been raining and the pavement was wet and black, traffic was heavy with strings of 15-25 vehicles in the oncoming lane of the two lane highway when a car pulled into our lane to pass a truck in the middle of one of those strings. Apparently oblivious to us, he came right on forcing us to do a locked brakes skid to the far right shoulder. I had no idea how far of a drop off awaited but luckily, nobody hit anybody.
A day in the life of a Jeeper.
