S2E22: Grantland.

Day 22: Oct 1, 2023
Del Norte, CO →
Cortez, CO
Miles: 175

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As we suspect, the weather reports prove wildly inaccurate. At 8,000 feet, we’re subject to alpine weather rules. Meaning, isolated storms can cycle in at anytime, and they do. Lightning flashes, thunder cracks. We sleep in fits and starts. I remove the awning rod that keeps the tent flap open for ventilation. No sense having a literal lightning rod attached to the tent.

Despite another night of Camp Sleep™, we’re moving decently, prepping our usual coffee and tea. We warm our weary bodies in the sun and savor the post-storm morning stillness. Jen FaceTimes her sister, and we wish her Happy Birthday.

We have a date with Grant.

If you read Season 1 of these vehicular adventures, you may remember our dear friend Grant Blakeman and his lovely part-time Colorado home (and Airbnb) in Sage Canyon, the Cliff House and the Workshop Loft. Grant’s back at the Loft, as he splits his time between Cortez and Los Angeles.

We suggest lunch in Durango since it’s along our route. Grant is game to join since Sundays are good for leaving the seclusion of the canyon. Taco Libre is a favorite, so we reunite over street tacos.

Durango is a cute town, one of the more developed ones with a long stretch of small businesses, which makes for a pleasant stroll. We get sourdough from Bread, coffee from Durango Coffee Company, a smoothie from Thimbleberry, and then we just meander.

We discuss dinner plans, stop for groceries, and caravan the hour and a half back to Cortez.

The canyon is a now well-acquainted setting as we’ve spent some time here over the last three years. Julian, Grant’s sister’s partner, is here for an extended stay next door, so we invite him for dinner.

I love to cook, particularly meals to share. Grant cooks up quinoa while I sauté veggies. I stir-fry cubed yellowfin tuna in olive oil and season with coconut aminos, cumin, and garlic powder. The veggies are mixed into the quinoa, with the tuna tossed on top. Dinner is served.

We dig into more conversation that spans our respective histories. We met Julian two years ago during another summer trip, so it’s great hearing about his travels and experiences. A person who’s seen and done a lot in his lifetime. Nine p.m. approaches, and after a full day of meaningful talk, we are all ready to retire.

The wind’s been at it all day, and the weather seems erratic yet again, so Grant graciously allows us to haul in our Hest mattress and pillows to set up on the floor of the Loft. The night darkens, the canyon (mostly) quiets, and we settle into rest.