We wanted to drive down the Million Dollar Highway.
The starting point is in the tiny town of Ouray, Colorado.
We arrived just after 8:00 am.
Unfortunately, access to the highway was closed from 8:00 to noon for work on the power lines.
We had a couple of hours to kill.
Ouray has hot springs we could have soaked in.
But they weren’t open to the public that early in the morning.
They also have ATVs to rent to explore the countryside.
But they also weren’t available that early in the morning.
We decided to go for a hike.
There’s a river and a waterfall, and you can hike to the top of the canyon to look down on it.
Off we went.
At the very, very, very top, there’s a bridge that you can walk on to cross the gorge.
It’s metal with an open weave so that you can see the view while you cross.
“We don’t have to do this,” Bob said kindly.
He knows I’m afraid of heights.
“I didn’t climb all the way up here to not cross that bridge,” I said, “I’m doing it.”
Setting my eyes on a spot on the other side, I plowed forward, refusing to look out or down.
I made it!
Bob laughed and said that now I have to go back.
Again, I set my eyes on a spot on the other side and plowed forward, refusing to look out or down.
I’m not sure, but I think I may have died of fright just a little bit.
A few other hikers had approached the bridge by that time.
“Don’t mind me,” I said to them, slightly crazed with fear, “I’m terrified of heights.”
They all cheered because I did it anyway.
I now have some new best friends.
It was the greatest road closure ever.
