Joe Alexander

I left the interstate in the morning and drove the high road through the Rocky Mountains and across Colorado on some old-school American highways. There were lots of miles on two-lane roads and slow winding curves through the mountains.

My morning started by heading south and I could really feel the elevation change as my car struggled a little bit and the temperature on a sunny August day dropped to 39 degrees. That was just on the 34-mile stretch from Silverthorne to Leadville, Colorado, on Highway 91.

From Leadville, I continued south on Highway 24 and then Highway 285 through central Colorado. Mountain peaks and blue skies with puffy white clouds were constantly part of the view. Every once in a while you would spot a little bit of last winter’s snow still clinging to some of the higher mountains.

The last time I saw the Rio Grande, it was at the southern tip of Texas along the Texas border nearly a thousand miles away. It’s almost impossible to believe it could be the same river. Here in Del Norte, Colorado, the water runs cold from the melting mountain snow that feeds it.

Heading west from Del Norte to Durango provides more steep grades and winding turns along Highway 160. I enjoyed the views but I was sure glad I wasn’t driving a semi. And I crossed the Great Divide again, this time at Wolf Creek Pass.

After flying into Denver, I headed west on I-70 and then took a side trip on Highway 6. It was a fun drive on a twisty two-lane road over the mountains and through central Colorado on the way to Silverthorne. I even saw a tiny bit of snow on a few of the peaks (third image) – even in August.

I crossed the continental divide part way through my side trip along Colorado Highway 6.

Farther west along Colorado Highway 6 on the way to Silverthorne. I believe the waterway is part of the Snake River system.

Vail Village is one of the most popular spots along the interstate when you travel west from Denver. Although best known as a ski area, it’s a nice place to stop any time of year. The village is very walkable and has lots of whimsical public art.