Dan's Big Adventure: Shakedown trip - Day 3 - Mueller State Park to Painted Rocks Campground.

Start - Mueller State Park - Elev ~ ~ 9600'
End - Painted Rocks Campground ~ 7850'
High Point - ~ Probably Mueller @ 9600'
Low point - End of Manchester creek ; Elevation ??
Elevation Gain - ~ 800' to 1000' guess
Mileage - ~ 23 miles
Riding Time - 2:18, elapsed time ~ 5 hours

Today's ride was through rolling hills, forests, and drainage's of the South Platte River north of Divide, Colorado. After our wet spring and early summer, all of the open park areas were green and flowering, with great views of Pike Peaks and the Tarryall mountains.
The route we took was not the intended route I had previously scouted, but Don convinced me of a more direct route, that avoided a 4-5 mile steep climb out of West Creek. After a couple of days lugging the trailer, that sounded fine by me! Also, I got to practice trailer touring on some more primitive forest service roads in this area.

Stopped at the super market in Divide to pick up an item or two, and we did get to meet a couple of colorful fellow citizens as the trailer beckoned some questions. One was the great grand daughter of Nikolaus August Otto, who invented a practical combustion engine. After mentioning that he was unjustly rewarded in his own time and by history, she did go on and on about needing to get the heck out of our country after having just escaped the Carolinas. The other fellow was a friendly older gentleman who asked me about my bike, why I bought that particular one, if I was happy with it. It seemed the more I engaged, the twinkle in his eyes laughed more and more. I guess I'm not sure if he was genuinely interested in bikes or more with toying with me, in a friendly way. Perhaps a bit of both.
After a few miles of paved rollers on a ruler straight county road, it was off pavement and forest roads for us.

Great downhill for 4 or 5 miles down Manchester Creek drainage. However, biking karma never seems to sleep, and we did have to make up that descent with a push up FR 358. And I mean push, as it was too steep to ride for either Don or I. More "*good*" training experiences I suppose as there are number of places on the Great Divide Tour that will result in some pushing ith the BOB. Great riding on Rule Ridge road, and Don even pointed out an Indian tree to me. Apparently, the Native Americans used to mark trails by bending young trees over with a rock or log, and the young tree would adapt and keep growing for many decades. ( sorry no picture).

With the updated map that Don bought, we found a back way into the campground, which led us to an old kiln, at least that what we think it is.