Awesome report!!!! (I'm still working on mine ) Funny - I was on a completely different trip, but I've got the same photos - Rabbit's Ear Pass and Fremont Pass! (Bonus points: the photo of my BF and me kissing on top of Independence Pass made it in the Denver Post!)
Your trip sounds ideal. I've always heard that the food at BTC's rest stops was better, and it sounds like it really was. On RTR, we only had fruit and Gatorade supplied for free - we had to buy our PBJ's from the vendors. There were plenty of vendors, but free is faster.
I hope your friend feels better. You're quite brave to set out on this adventure on your own - not sure I could have done that!
Post more pics when you get a chance. Like you, I'm hooked on Colorado, and can't wait to get back!
For 3 days, I get to part of a thousand other journeys.