July Fourth is best celebrated with family in a small town. We chose Buena Vista, Colorado (pop. 2500) and substited friends for family. Actually Jim and Cathy are nearly family and we had the use of their kids, grandkids and dogs, too. Add a very low-key parade, great weather, barbequed ribs, chicken, beans, salad, wine, beer and laughter and it was nearly perfect.
We took a great bike ride from Leadville and despite the 10,500 foot starting elevation and our mountain bikes vs. their top-end road machines we were able to keep up - well with Jim, anyway. Cathy was taking it easy on us. She is truly an animal; last year she and a friend rode from Colorado to Seattle.
