I have one more story to tell about this riding trip and the town of Rico. The area around Rico is supposed to be as geothermally active as any spot in Colorado. I know this because I read it in The National Geographic from 1991 I found at The Mineshaft Inn.
There is a resort nearby in Dunton that I heard had high dollar cottages with private hot springs. We were looking for something a bit more our style--free and rustic.
I was having bad neck/spine issues (since the trip had spine fusion surgery) and a soak in the hot springs sounded better than good. We found out about a local spot on the Dolores River, got directions, and headed off on our dirt bikes, wearing swim trunks, helmets, and towel around our necks. Pitch black, no moon.
We found the dirt road, and were looking for a trail that lead down the river bank to the spring. Drove by it and didn't know it. I mean it was dark. Ended up finding some dude in a tent cooking meth instead. We thought the trail was right where he was set up and in an attempt to get away from the situation, we instead ended up tumbling down straight down the river bank into the thickest river willows ever. In our helmets and swim trunks. Dammit. The meth dude was yelling at us trying to figure out who we were. Once he figured out we were idiot dirt bikers looking for a hot spring, and not The Law, he gave us directions and we got back up the bank and found the trail to the hot springs. This time we parked our bikes and walked.
All the adventure was worth it. The hot spring was amazing. 30 yards away runs the Dolores River. We would alternate between 105 degree water and 40 degree water.
Anyway, sometimes common sense is a flower that isn't cultivated in my garden. The flip side is that is makes for a good story.