Lost, Lenses, and Laughs: How Two Harley Riders Conquered Colorado (Mostly)

Jeannette Ortega
Jul 26
5 min read

Our maiden adventure!

Ali - my schedule just cleared up!

Jen - Really?

Ali - Yes, I can go with you on your annual birthday trip!

and...that is how it all began!

And just like that a wonderful friendship was born!

Apparently, all it takes is eight years, a mutual friend, two Harleys, and a casual suggestion to "take some pictures" to kickstart an epic adventure. That's how Ali and I, Jen, found ourselves planning a trip that would lead to Colorado, a new business venture, and more pee breaks than a toddler on a juice cleanse.

Timmy wondering where in the heck we are

Day 1: The "Are We There Yet?" Edition (Spoiler: No)

October 6th, 2023. We packed up the Jeep, grabbed our adventure buddy Timmy (who, spoiler alert, has a penchant for escape), and hit the road. Hours later, after diligently following navigation that clearly moonlighted as a stand-up comedian, we found ourselves majestically lost in the middle of nowhere. Because nothing says "spontaneous road trip" like a full-blown existential crisis in a field. Eventually, we wrangled our way back to civilization and made it to Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort in Mancos, Colorado. After a much-needed meal, we settled into our cabin, lit a fire, roasted marshmallows (because what else do you do in Colorado?), snapped some star pictures, and tried to forget our earlier geographical embarrassment.

Day 2: The "Grumpy Waitress & Pants-Around-Ankles" Extravaganza

October 7th, 2023. Our mission: capture Colorado's glorious fall colors. Our obstacles: leaking water harnesses (Ali's, naturally), a lost screw for my harness (because who needs stability?), and breakfast at the Durango Diner. Now, I loved their logo, and the food was fantastic, but one waitress seemed to be channeling her inner Grumpy Cat. She gave Ali the royal treatment but glared at me when I tried to order a slightly modified version of Ali's dish. Apparently, customization is a cardinal sin in Durango. Who knew?

Undeterred by the culinary crankiness, we set off to find a dirt road leading to fall foliage nirvana. We found Forest Road 783, and lo and behold, it led to the perfect pull-out spot. And because I have the bladder of a hummingbird, I immediately had to pee. Naturally, I squatted right outside the Jeep, convinced no one was around. Wrong. I got caught with my pants around my ankles. Ali, being the supportive friend she is, promptly dissolved into laughter. Cameras in hand, we captured the magnificent colors, drove a bit further, found even more color, and then, because our stomachs have their own agenda, we headed to Silverton for a bite and a cold beverage. On the way back, a sign for Durango Hot Springs caught Ali's eye, and being the sweetheart she is, she booked us a birthday soak for me! We ended the day with more marshmallows and ice-cold Modelos, because after a day like that, you need an adult beverage.

Day 3: "EPIC" Fails & Moose Woes

October 8th, 2023. We dubbed this day "EPIC" – for epic times, epic shots, epic fails, and epic laughs. Our journey led us to Telluride and Ouray, where our first dirt road stop unveiled a 3-mile hike bursting with even more vibrant colors and jaw-dropping views. It was so good, it almost made me forget my public urination incident. Our first epic laugh on this hike? Losing Timmy. He'd fallen out of my backpack. Note to self: invest in industrial-strength Timmy restraints. Little did we know, this gorgeous road would spark a new business venture idea. Stay tuned!

Back at the Jeep, we headed to Silverton for food and tourist activities. We found the food hilariously overpriced, so we skipped it. We stumbled upon Tony Newlin Gallery, a fellow photographer whose work was so inspiring it made us think, "If he can do it, so can we!" After snagging a few antiques, we continued to Ouray, desperate for sustenance. We ended up at "The True Grit Cafe" in Ridgway, CO, honoring the True Grit movie.

As we drove back through Silverton, exhausted and deep in conversation, we completely forgot about our cameras. Then, a miracle! A moose and her calf, right by the side of the road! This was Megan's (my daughter's) one request. I slammed on the brakes, we both scrambled out, only to realize we had the wrong lenses on. In our frantic attempt to switch, Momma moose and baby vanished into the forest. We sat there, shocked and utterly deflated. I texted Megan the news, and her reaction was priceless: "OMG!!!!! Aren't you both there with your cameras!!!! Ouch, epic fail." Yeah, Megan, ouch indeed.

This was taken by Jen on that wonderful 3-mile hike.

Day 4: Skunks, Spontaneity, & Schoolgirl Giggles

October 9th, 2023. Our last day was a masterclass in spontaneous combustion. We planned an entire day and did precisely none of it. First, back to the Durango Diner for breakfast. This time, I was treated like a human being. Success! Full-bellied, camera-ready, and hiking-gear-clad, we set off to find an infamous bench a grocery store cashier had told us about for sunrise pictures. We found the bench, but sunrise? Nope. We spent too much time laughing and chatting over coffee. Still, we got some amazing pictures from the bench.

Noticing the time, we cut our hike short for my birthday hot springs soak. It was amazing and so relaxing, washing away the lingering scent of moose disappointment. On our way back to the cabin, we stopped at the grocery store for my birthday dinner: hotdogs, chips, and salsa. Because who needs fancy when you have pure joy? By the way, we almost got kicked out of the store, and I almost peed myself, from giggling like schoolgirls at something Ali said that we absolutely cannot repeat here. Back at the cabin, we roasted wieners on tree branches, just like old times, enjoying our simple dinner until a skunk decided to crash the party. We grabbed our hotdogs (and nothing else, obviously) and hauled butt to the safety of our cabin, laughing hysterically the entire way. One of my best birthdays ever.

Day 5: Homeward Bound, Friendships Forged

October 10th, 2023. Time to head home. Our first trip together was undeniably unforgettable. We hiked, we lost Timmy multiple times (but always found him!), we ate great food, drank refreshing beverages, admired other photographers (from a distance, post-moose incident), almost got that moose picture, soaked in hot springs, and had the best birthday meal of all time (skunk and all). But the most epic thing about this trip? A lifelong friendship, cemented by shared laughter, unexpected detours, and a mutual appreciation for hotdogs on sticks.

Be sure to scroll to the end to view and or purchase our two favorites pictures from this adventure.

So, what's your most memorable "epic fail" on a trip? Share your stories in the comments below!

Some more pictures of our maiden adventure.