Day 30 The San Juan Skyway and the Eco Goddess!

Shortly after waving good-bye to the Ancient Puebloans of Mesa Verde, the old Ford and the Sunnybrook 5er made tracks for the San Juan Skyway. Billed as an All-American Road (what does that mean?) and America's most scenic road, we knew there be jaw dropping vistas of the Colorado Rockies. I've been waiting to see them for a long time. Of concern, major concern, are the several mountain passes we'd have to negotiate. Not sure the old Ford is up to the task, We thought going back into Utah, through Moab and around the mountains. ultimately, we decided to chance the passes.

The scenery is spectacular! The Skyway did not disappoint. It lived up to all our expectations. The snow covered Rockies are impressive, the grandeur magnificent. Perhaps even more impressive than the Grand Canyon!

Here we are, riding up, down, over and around the Rockies Mountains listening to and singing along with John Denver. It is nirvana!

After almost six hours of impressive mountain scenery, the likes of which we have not experienced, we found ourselves in Carbondale, home of the Eco Goddess, an eating establishment owned and operated by Lisa Ruoff. The Ruoff family and I go back to the 60's when I was best friends with Lisa's Uncle Bob. His sister Janet married Rob Ruoff. I got to know Lisa's Mom, Dad, and siblings very well. Lisa, the baby of the clan, came along at about the time I was starting my career. That limited my time with her and her family.

Anyway, here she is, in Carbondale, CO, running her own business. We planned to arrive in Carbondale at around lunch time, find her establishment, say hello and enjoy a healthy lunch. We had a lovely visit and an outstanding lunch.

Eco Goddess is all about healthy, organic food. There are not meat dishes on the menu, but that's OK when you can do such amazing things with vegetables! if you're ever in Carbondale, do yourself a favor, skip the Fat Burger and enjoy a healthy meal (try the Veggie Lasagna) in a warm, friendly establishment run by an owner who cares about you, healthy consumption, and her business. You won't be disappointed!

When our meal was over, we drove another ten miles or so to the Aspen-Basalt Campground where we set up camp. We'll be here for the next week to check out Carbondale, Basalt, and Aspen

NOTE: There is a RR Museum on Ridgeway, CO. In it's collection is the "Galloping Goose." we took a photo, but there are better ones on the museum's web page. Click here for info and pic of the "Galloping Goose."

---

Sent from my iPhone by My Vacation app (www.myvacationapp.com)