S2E7: Dave is a vibe.

Day 7: Sept 16, 2023
Longmont, CO, Gold Hill, Co, & Nederland, CO

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As promised, we meet up with Gino at his abode after we check out of the hotel. He offers some of his wife’s homemade gluten-free oat-zucchini-carrot-blueberry bread for us to snack on before departure. He hands us a walkie-talkie, and we make plans to tour some of the area’s finest points of interest from a 4x4 point of view.

We quickly hit dirt and start the western ascent, passing plenitudes of outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds — cyclists, trail runners, and dirt-capable (and some not-so capable) vehicles.

Gino radios over, “I’m going to pull over shortly, and we’ll say hi to Dave.”

We pull up next to a field, and we see a variety of animals: two horses and two donkeys. One of the donkeys brays in greeting. But it’s from the far right corner of the area that an unshorn, burly alpaca races towards us. This is Dave. And Dave. Is. A. Vibe.

Dave the Alpaca is a full-on character surrounded by his posse. They all come up to greet us and say hello, offering their heads for soothing and slow pets. I’ve never been this close to a horse, a donkey, and certainly not a Dave.

Gino has a clear affection for them. Jen’s day is already made. I marvel at our animal brethren.

Next up: the infamous Gold Hill. I’ve known about it via cycling circles with many riding to the Gold Hill Store to eat pie, get provisions, and sip drinks. We’re at 8,000+ feet, and the cyclists are making it look easy. It’s only 62ºF, but it feels like 80ºF while we sit out back with a chocolate chip cookie and a Topo Chico, enjoying our surroundings. In fact, our new IRL friend Ty Brookhart works and resides in the area.

Our next stop is Nederland for a late lunch, and we’ll be traversing the well-known Switzerland Trail.

It’s not difficult, a 2/10 trail according to OnX, and it’s a route the locals just do anytime. It has some technical bits and becomes a forested shelf road here and there as it winds through the mountains. We eventually spit out above Nederland and drop into the town to get some sandwiches and salad at Salto, unwinding with light conversation on the back patio.

Our time with Gino has been unforgettable, and we are ever-grateful for his hospitality. He sells the Colorado life well. The entire time during the drive, he’d point out some rad mountain bike, hiking, or 4x4 trail over the walkie-talkie. As Jen said, “We’re getting the hard sell, eh, Gino?”

We eventually hug, take photos, and part ways. I feel cemented in this time with Gino and am thankful that we shared a sliver of our lives together, no matter how short. We’ll see him again (and the dogs and hope to meet Starla), no doubt.

We’re camping tonight. We wanted at least one night out here, and despite a Saturday, we take our chances mid-afternoon and head to one of the local dispersed areas. We luck out and set up camp at one of the last spots.

I write, Jen knits, and eventually dinner is served. The propane Firecan is promptly deployed as the evening chill sets in. Overnight lows dip just below 40ºF.

It’s gonna be a cold one, but I have a warmed heart.