Travel Buddy Up a Tree

Several years ago I tried driving to Yankee Boy Basin during late spring. It was still a winter wonderland. My 4 wheel drive vehicle climbed the road, which started out clear with two lanes – then became one. Snow covered in spots – then fully covered in others. As I climbed, icicles began to melt and fall, and signs appeared warning “AVALANCHE AREA - NO STOPPING”. I had nowhere to turn around. Rounding a corner & coming out from under a rock overhang, I slid going over ice that had formed across the road. I was petrified. The back of the car appeared to hang over the edge, and I gingerly turned the vehicle around, sliding several times in the process. It now appeared the front end disappeared over nothingness. Normally a very calm person, I was startled at how shaken and afraid I was.
My grandson (11 years old) is accompanying me on vacation this year. I’ve promised him a trip to Yankee Boy Basin. As I begin the climb however, dread and fear take over. I find I can’t shake it. Once again I’m surprised, as whenever I fear something I usually tackle it. Codi looks at me with anticipation, then sensing my feelings – disappointment. I tell him all is not lost, we will go into town and take the jeep tour. The jeep is open on top and we climb in the front seat. Codi is allowed to stand as we climb. We go by the posted signs and where the icicles were melting – then under the outcropping of rock and around the corner. I now can see why ice was on the road. Ahead is a small cascading waterfall. The guide drives the jeep close to the falls and we laugh as we get sprayed. Further up we see old mines, snow still hanging in places on the mountains, the Coors waterfalls. We stop in a meadow that is profuse with a variety of wildflowers: white, yellow, pinks, reds, and shades of blues and purple. I’m taking pictures and Codi yells for me to “Look”. I laugh, as he has climbed a huge tree stump and is sitting in the middle of it. I wonder how he’s gotten up there, but he’s a ‘boy’. We have time to spare and the guide takes us to an old mine dump, where we pick up pieces of pyrite. Codi has many treasures to take home, as do I.