tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84164005875986589172024-03-19T01:48:55.084-07:00Pillion PapersMike, the driver, and Lynn, the pillion rider, travel around the world on their BMW R1200GS. Contact us at lynn@lynngrieger.comLynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-88549408771419434782023-10-22T10:51:00.004-07:002023-10-22T10:51:59.599-07:00Colorado/New Mexico Loop on a late Fall day<p> It was a beautiful late October day yesterday, so we decided to ride 194 miles looping south into New Mexico. Thanks to <a href="https://butlermaps.com/" target="_blank">Butler motorcycle maps</a> we chose a road marked in red, meaning lots of elevation changes and twisties.</p><p>To get to the twisty road, we first headed south on US 64/84 through the Chama River Valley. This was our first time riding the BMW on this route that is bordered by ranch land.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYq6_TCz37RZb6sqeoeShYPXDi-oAQFLQlf-dWwlNC_YZOMzHIBg3y9YcCJ754T5m3pV7_6jSURvBef67ypCW4xWOyTlWn1rp5LAW3DtXLt0_bM3qtTPmwaKAQUdulfdUnE7iZQb3ORrauzJesXrZ36tFYbv7DnTHMAcEgzh7cryNzYR66U-uumuHhmls/s3033/1.%20US%2064%20and%2084%20south%20from%20Chama.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1615" data-original-width="3033" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYq6_TCz37RZb6sqeoeShYPXDi-oAQFLQlf-dWwlNC_YZOMzHIBg3y9YcCJ754T5m3pV7_6jSURvBef67ypCW4xWOyTlWn1rp5LAW3DtXLt0_bM3qtTPmwaKAQUdulfdUnE7iZQb3ORrauzJesXrZ36tFYbv7DnTHMAcEgzh7cryNzYR66U-uumuHhmls/s320/1.%20US%2064%20and%2084%20south%20from%20Chama.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We headed east when US 64 split off from US 84 an started to climb up <a href="https://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/6980-brazos-summit.html" target="_blank">Brazos Summit</a>, the second highest paved road in New Mexico.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uXL00KCtkLaBnE8ugamD38ZKW1czp7yslFwZ296EMY9NBdwijIL1V_2oWOFuoG51EdofHlsEIEYSTsg4r0OBFCj-CZTZpzXt4vTNrPTZL9fZBXAsS0IwXemrgxz6wmM8mjGLjizN4Ws6hgdSifucGVQTqUep6lDcepDjMUhgOaSpUNiqBbwqVpMGXhg/s3279/2.%20US%2064E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1585" data-original-width="3279" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uXL00KCtkLaBnE8ugamD38ZKW1czp7yslFwZ296EMY9NBdwijIL1V_2oWOFuoG51EdofHlsEIEYSTsg4r0OBFCj-CZTZpzXt4vTNrPTZL9fZBXAsS0IwXemrgxz6wmM8mjGLjizN4Ws6hgdSifucGVQTqUep6lDcepDjMUhgOaSpUNiqBbwqVpMGXhg/s320/2.%20US%2064E.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>What a fun road on a motorcycle - 77 miles with lots of curves and twisty turns, stunning long views with Fall foliage colors, and almost no other vehicles on the road.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzb5PAftADZZmnniTHhh9B-GgWB4oTawyFqJJs2VpFtRNOYh9iFWhVcx16eCvcu2xwPVJNIBm7Tuj0gb9v1caFYdead8Kqa6qrpXIpK18jxQ5NuBAzOTuGFn2UNe9P8G-rIINRgEHLkYeXAeohcpWeEfm4O3pis1Lb9zLZsfjwQ7CwPdYveqZS7D7Zf4/s4736/5.%20US%2064E%20Brazos%20Summit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzb5PAftADZZmnniTHhh9B-GgWB4oTawyFqJJs2VpFtRNOYh9iFWhVcx16eCvcu2xwPVJNIBm7Tuj0gb9v1caFYdead8Kqa6qrpXIpK18jxQ5NuBAzOTuGFn2UNe9P8G-rIINRgEHLkYeXAeohcpWeEfm4O3pis1Lb9zLZsfjwQ7CwPdYveqZS7D7Zf4/s320/5.%20US%2064E%20Brazos%20Summit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The highway tops off at 10,528' and then winds down to about 8,000' in Tres Piedras at the junction of US 64 and US 285 where we turned north on US 285.<div><br /></div><div>What a change in landscape as we rode on a straight road through a high altitude valley with wide open plains and far-off views of the Rockies.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqJE9xd06wfCwQUeFXjxrrNHcSeK5X9zh0rmVkWhUWP_69NzY_KIFVDr3-rWv_2_LCe4wtQUqqL8vd_5NM1JLMGT_DWHdN4kBBCXwwOhZkRqbk76H8_6Bl0c07AWnbd8qQeXQx54S3g8prW_pfO21vCrXj_k4OIOl-LhOud5bwXML_j6gcwY3IuZytHo/s4666/7.%20US%20285N%20Rio%20Grand%20del%20Norte%20national%20monument.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2315" data-original-width="4666" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqJE9xd06wfCwQUeFXjxrrNHcSeK5X9zh0rmVkWhUWP_69NzY_KIFVDr3-rWv_2_LCe4wtQUqqL8vd_5NM1JLMGT_DWHdN4kBBCXwwOhZkRqbk76H8_6Bl0c07AWnbd8qQeXQx54S3g8prW_pfO21vCrXj_k4OIOl-LhOud5bwXML_j6gcwY3IuZytHo/s320/7.%20US%20285N%20Rio%20Grand%20del%20Norte%20national%20monument.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p>We rode past the <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/rgdnnm" target="_blank">Rio del Norte National Monument</a>, an important wildlife corridor and home to people for thousands of years. </p><p>We crossed back into Colorado and turned west in Antonito on CO 17, one of our favorite drives as it twists and turns through the San Juan Mountains over the <a href="https://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/3804-cumbres-pass.html" target="_blank">Cumbres Pass</a> at 10,022'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwmhkAE44q1oQDZcoMyXKoq9c2Whm4v_-0z-wP6XZsiDzhy4j6NHOfNR5CHpzQRFs1OodYOzAJRC5bkk4JJbwayEfyLfrHPPxhUq3bTJSc6UZ7xLZBC2JoWukRRclA0ox_u2EXa1SjLNseIUHPUcG8NF1iVqu2GlOOs-ql0-ysqUrM0WNJDvIJxzsXeo/s4736/8.%20CO%2017W%20toward%20Chama.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwmhkAE44q1oQDZcoMyXKoq9c2Whm4v_-0z-wP6XZsiDzhy4j6NHOfNR5CHpzQRFs1OodYOzAJRC5bkk4JJbwayEfyLfrHPPxhUq3bTJSc6UZ7xLZBC2JoWukRRclA0ox_u2EXa1SjLNseIUHPUcG8NF1iVqu2GlOOs-ql0-ysqUrM0WNJDvIJxzsXeo/s320/8.%20CO%2017W%20toward%20Chama.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We had a beautiful afternoon with perfect Fall weather, gorgeous scenery, and fun motorcycle roads straddling Colorado and New Mexico.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-91237745468156734172023-09-05T19:15:00.000-07:002023-09-05T19:15:03.800-07:00Tour of the San Juans - Day 2<p> We woke up to a clear, crisp morning in Montrose, Colorado and enjoyed breakfast at the <a href="https://www.backstreetbagel.com/" target="_blank">Backstreet Bagel Company</a>. Having lived in Vermont for several years we love excellent bagels, and they're extremely difficult to find in the West. Backstreet Bagels is a huge hit!</p><p>The first day of our 2-day Labor Day weekend ride in the San Juan Mountain range in the Rockies was filled with twisting roads complete with hairpin turns up and down the mountains with so many amazing mountain vistas. Today was even better!</p><p>We started off south on US 550 and almost immediately saw the high, jagged mountain peaks in the distance ahead of us. Yesterday we rode north on CO 149 on the eastern side of this same mountain range.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK8zMPTFOt32Zn1W1MZZpBtPeoDW9oyAakvzUReuBzZNK79TxgtT5139LsnX2JUdC-jXMTT_JTMgBWVeHvlvC7uP0kpszdfnDcXeB49LrHBMmyBGNhn5Cs_9Ld1MEw410TAGYGCg3WHt0S_gWfaUGgmCvQg7GOrEPHwbAhV_PXCo-pMes94dFHjvl0WM/s4716/2.%20US%20550S%20from%20Montrose%20into%20Ridgway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2328" data-original-width="4716" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK8zMPTFOt32Zn1W1MZZpBtPeoDW9oyAakvzUReuBzZNK79TxgtT5139LsnX2JUdC-jXMTT_JTMgBWVeHvlvC7uP0kpszdfnDcXeB49LrHBMmyBGNhn5Cs_9Ld1MEw410TAGYGCg3WHt0S_gWfaUGgmCvQg7GOrEPHwbAhV_PXCo-pMes94dFHjvl0WM/s320/2.%20US%20550S%20from%20Montrose%20into%20Ridgway.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We rode past <a href="https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Ridgway" target="_blank">Ridgway State Park</a> and reservoir, built in 1978-1987 for flood control and irrigation.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYm-P6MbMm3WAPrGcMN_LfJapczZlrqjVHyoAYPsbMJ1JeJ5ioSAwydi05eujAs50xYiAH4xYBi_RPeds9DGSukeKGC4mJlOMj50AZIgfYJzVjba2CkARdVI0zwsyZEVB6dPJ4RtwQlxCc-PakqUC6-9qtfll_frzZ19tioyFXLNtZ8FEEyke6685cxg/s4736/1.%20US%20550S%20from%20Montrose%20Ridgway%20State%20Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3041" data-original-width="4736" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYm-P6MbMm3WAPrGcMN_LfJapczZlrqjVHyoAYPsbMJ1JeJ5ioSAwydi05eujAs50xYiAH4xYBi_RPeds9DGSukeKGC4mJlOMj50AZIgfYJzVjba2CkARdVI0zwsyZEVB6dPJ4RtwQlxCc-PakqUC6-9qtfll_frzZ19tioyFXLNtZ8FEEyke6685cxg/s320/1.%20US%20550S%20from%20Montrose%20Ridgway%20State%20Park.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We turned southwest on CO 62, riding into the mountains past irrigated fields.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkoiuqwf5lWhpaYNbGcRn0O25iDggTe5V1rJQWdxXatjTh0NAOgE08otbSdiGbOtl0w7kMWBfySOWaQZqeJOlk0fiv9xNnoT3Wuvu9noXfQib1CIuqllKfk-tPe9IozLIpoeTWYC8jR0f0S95OKCbwH5OGI-uUFqCT5SK9pordOiAWTFXVZxGRC6L2yk/s4714/4.%20CO%2062%20from%20Ridgway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2479" data-original-width="4714" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkoiuqwf5lWhpaYNbGcRn0O25iDggTe5V1rJQWdxXatjTh0NAOgE08otbSdiGbOtl0w7kMWBfySOWaQZqeJOlk0fiv9xNnoT3Wuvu9noXfQib1CIuqllKfk-tPe9IozLIpoeTWYC8jR0f0S95OKCbwH5OGI-uUFqCT5SK9pordOiAWTFXVZxGRC6L2yk/s320/4.%20CO%2062%20from%20Ridgway.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We turned south onto CO 145, riding along the San Miquel River toward Telluride.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7V60zmQk_09eX5dW8wRyBuLxNHCbrdTlAirdyKiRzxKCgCBWH7iADOvLevibmPmKbss6wOO0mul3s_BZsozIJJAYX6CTYicONFx88rb5yVW5uyf-Zjxx9uW3D-uG7n20TqQWJZi-YblxKy6PMmYYZEG11TVvs9YTswjOg3MMoZauXk32fQBh7Uw-R4Rc/s4450/6.%20CO%20145S%20San%20Miguel%20River.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3320" data-original-width="4450" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7V60zmQk_09eX5dW8wRyBuLxNHCbrdTlAirdyKiRzxKCgCBWH7iADOvLevibmPmKbss6wOO0mul3s_BZsozIJJAYX6CTYicONFx88rb5yVW5uyf-Zjxx9uW3D-uG7n20TqQWJZi-YblxKy6PMmYYZEG11TVvs9YTswjOg3MMoZauXk32fQBh7Uw-R4Rc/s320/6.%20CO%20145S%20San%20Miguel%20River.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5HE2be-Z4JxONHB2FGmHDQL13MAfjuO6LJtmXP7f89KbouxgSChk5GlobLuqMk-Z5NTpuRni6hZXixuIzmA41OISlE_mFSKN376bZGADh9Ph1AmdSq4uutGiLOiccroyaeG3ZGQ0am2DtE4q1Yqda1uev-Oj5DQeXkM-Gh7HwSI1D_RWvP7KF3hUaVE/s4736/7.%20CO%20145S.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5HE2be-Z4JxONHB2FGmHDQL13MAfjuO6LJtmXP7f89KbouxgSChk5GlobLuqMk-Z5NTpuRni6hZXixuIzmA41OISlE_mFSKN376bZGADh9Ph1AmdSq4uutGiLOiccroyaeG3ZGQ0am2DtE4q1Yqda1uev-Oj5DQeXkM-Gh7HwSI1D_RWvP7KF3hUaVE/s320/7.%20CO%20145S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Our route today didn't take us into Telluride, although we caught glimpses of the ski runs. CO 145 continues it's winding way through the San Juans complete with hairpin turns as we climbed and then descended over and over, always with one amazing view of the high mountains that rise above the treeline after another.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Jkewo43O6OzuOV3vIIKpMMGQ2DD1Ei2ZfpDd07RZT-Etpon82QJ-ciqn4_L9nlPcePRgVNO6V6mpiJ33_38qzjX7SX1tdcnIj53SIoJH9IfOIq0ZnJHDBb0gtqpIs2o80yVsfnyq2buO--rFc2hIv6ZTxbWWn7FLWcjo78Wm8ZWMR48o6U1M5j_RCq0/s2532/10.%20CO%20145S%20past%20Telluride.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2166" data-original-width="2532" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Jkewo43O6OzuOV3vIIKpMMGQ2DD1Ei2ZfpDd07RZT-Etpon82QJ-ciqn4_L9nlPcePRgVNO6V6mpiJ33_38qzjX7SX1tdcnIj53SIoJH9IfOIq0ZnJHDBb0gtqpIs2o80yVsfnyq2buO--rFc2hIv6ZTxbWWn7FLWcjo78Wm8ZWMR48o6U1M5j_RCq0/s320/10.%20CO%20145S%20past%20Telluride.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We stopped at the Sunshine Mountain scenic overview where we saw Wilson Peak (14,017'), Sunshine Mountain (12,930' where it really does look like the sun shines on it even on a day with lots of fluffy clouds) and several other peaks that were first protected in 1932 as the Wilson Mountains Primitive Area, and then expanded in 1980 as part of the larger Lizard Head Wilderness.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggedGLpZFfWMa92GqzKU9Nanh5ODNcPCc8iSwabRBkHiQyqzzaCLPcIdqFBUlTVVog4I60dCHt7UwwRXQ33kAdqt4rXN5dT_c4s0818pH5VPOCnQjDtQeudoHFKepOo1rfgBG67sonMyc-mPj4WnO-IczwB8E8LOaiuWuqDkQrE1d0sBsnORjzrw4uB68/s4289/11.%20CO%20145S%20Sunshine%20Mountain%20Scenic%20Overview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4289" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggedGLpZFfWMa92GqzKU9Nanh5ODNcPCc8iSwabRBkHiQyqzzaCLPcIdqFBUlTVVog4I60dCHt7UwwRXQ33kAdqt4rXN5dT_c4s0818pH5VPOCnQjDtQeudoHFKepOo1rfgBG67sonMyc-mPj4WnO-IczwB8E8LOaiuWuqDkQrE1d0sBsnORjzrw4uB68/s320/11.%20CO%20145S%20Sunshine%20Mountain%20Scenic%20Overview.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqk26gapTXF_M_TVL0e59rNG7b6t_T-okoGj-mHu5CK3unj3crSuN3Q5Rp-vKjt7Vypy8YUYxq4fagh6BKxikNPyq0dhHScJuCuFi1cC-DroEj0DHzbmsOVJQHGy-cQ-Rtvzu7UMjxCXNHadPRPhgL-XfN2qSzg_GDm4zaz3A8r4SelHLeo9iffV5StHI/s4736/14.%20CO%20145S%20Sunshine%20Mountain%20Scenic%20Overview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqk26gapTXF_M_TVL0e59rNG7b6t_T-okoGj-mHu5CK3unj3crSuN3Q5Rp-vKjt7Vypy8YUYxq4fagh6BKxikNPyq0dhHScJuCuFi1cC-DroEj0DHzbmsOVJQHGy-cQ-Rtvzu7UMjxCXNHadPRPhgL-XfN2qSzg_GDm4zaz3A8r4SelHLeo9iffV5StHI/s320/14.%20CO%20145S%20Sunshine%20Mountain%20Scenic%20Overview.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Soon after the stop we rode over <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/lizard-head-pass/" target="_blank">Lizard Head Pass</a> at 10,246' through open meadows. This area must be even more spectacular in the summer when the wildflowers bloom.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxzETg8BNVf-uVicpDH2zHdzLn3d1rsg8oBvs5DxHA_taRtiuWg30Yw0EBSDdZSGSSJ8EkoVol5poIM9-9CZNmn2YLriT_vIst0wDE8gW8OTZYHmkCJOnmfUiXa1txCuEawC8S0wJB8Rpu3rbnuQXCnRsTZkl011KnOuLkTk1Qlf262-aGZQrQtLk9a8/s3870/20%20CO%20145S%20Lizard%20Head%20Pass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="3870" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxzETg8BNVf-uVicpDH2zHdzLn3d1rsg8oBvs5DxHA_taRtiuWg30Yw0EBSDdZSGSSJ8EkoVol5poIM9-9CZNmn2YLriT_vIst0wDE8gW8OTZYHmkCJOnmfUiXa1txCuEawC8S0wJB8Rpu3rbnuQXCnRsTZkl011KnOuLkTk1Qlf262-aGZQrQtLk9a8/s320/20%20CO%20145S%20Lizard%20Head%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>CO 145 dropped down out of the mountains as we neared Dolores (Spanish for 'sorrows' and named for the river where it's located).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAACL594a3GARL0M3IvwGQ5ARmoQr6MXA4s_bvzRK2vTCVWwhYmEZ5nkHOAqI_8Q0TnREW9wqV7IerRQGDawry-1bCpjFpvDCuqlaZT6oqhcZOdv1GLqlvvQIulVFhu9STJNhahnb2j9xhUU-m8jcqswYIZZRKLpgK4zAYVF3oL8ikFgyxqoUwcJx7oCs/s4512/22.%20CO%20145S%20into%20Delores.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3179" data-original-width="4512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAACL594a3GARL0M3IvwGQ5ARmoQr6MXA4s_bvzRK2vTCVWwhYmEZ5nkHOAqI_8Q0TnREW9wqV7IerRQGDawry-1bCpjFpvDCuqlaZT6oqhcZOdv1GLqlvvQIulVFhu9STJNhahnb2j9xhUU-m8jcqswYIZZRKLpgK4zAYVF3oL8ikFgyxqoUwcJx7oCs/s320/22.%20CO%20145S%20into%20Delores.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We picked up CO 184 south in Dolores, riding past small clusters of houses and ranch land to US 160 in Mancos, just outside Mesa Verde National Park. </div><div><br /></div><div>Until now we saw only a few cars and motorcycles, but once on US 160 heading east to Pagosa Springs there was a lot of traffic and larger groups of motorcycles.</div><div><br /></div><div>We rode 251 miles today on roads perfect for motorcycles, traveling the San Juan Byway through southwestern Colorado.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-78396378482562707202023-09-04T18:56:00.001-07:002023-09-04T18:56:38.870-07:00Tour of the San Juans Day OneIt's Labor Day weekend so we decided to hop on the BMW and do a circular loop of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Juan_Mountains" target="_blank">San Juan Mountains</a>, part of the Rockies located in SW Colorado and NW New Mexico. There are over 28 peaks in this mountain range, and 6 of them are over 14,000' high. The San Juans are the largest mountain range by area in Colorado, covering 13 different counties - including our own Archuleta County. <div><br /></div><div>These mountains were created as the continental plates slammed into each other, and then volcanic activity and glaciers carved the steep mountains and U-shaped canyons. The Ute people lived here for hundreds of years, and the Spanish were the first Europeans to explore this area, naming many of the mountains and rivers.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's an absolutely gorgeous spot for motorcycle riders and we took full advantage of the opportunities literally in our back yard.</div><div><br /></div><div>We started our trip heading northeast on US 160 from Pagosa Springs, riding once again over Wolf Creek Pass on the Continental Divide at 10,857'. On the eastern side of the pass we turned north onto CO 149 at <a href="https://www.southfork.org/" target="_blank">South Fork</a>, at the confluence of the South Fork and Rio Grande rivers.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYj7-fHHqTSgcb_GeMoY5XQzy1YuWuGPDxLNqvF3GftxU7bHSg8kR2a3mJK8pOf9xRfZSc7K1kfQeWRIXx83cPzE5sc3UufLeLy0bkRQdHB1J-VyKNVW9hm-9afTk_G0O253xpDmzMxVN_wO1X53wXvrHEmPNAcY8xPVQ1yVk6yeqha-dzf_ESHKugOE/s4736/2.%20CO%20149N%20past%20South%20Fork%20Rio%20Grande.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYj7-fHHqTSgcb_GeMoY5XQzy1YuWuGPDxLNqvF3GftxU7bHSg8kR2a3mJK8pOf9xRfZSc7K1kfQeWRIXx83cPzE5sc3UufLeLy0bkRQdHB1J-VyKNVW9hm-9afTk_G0O253xpDmzMxVN_wO1X53wXvrHEmPNAcY8xPVQ1yVk6yeqha-dzf_ESHKugOE/s320/2.%20CO%20149N%20past%20South%20Fork%20Rio%20Grande.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1G5ZOrXNDu9QSny5MjwSxCcj-p0UlfkNahyIvq0ckyj01JKZW8-FFId8n32Nw6j1VqQSPJSPtJEfSRMOYs0o1wc4s4t6xgVV1a458wxqYviIYBjUW8bfUSutkLnWWFt4vN1em2NKJ-eh-x2rfmuI6DJaxomnz_nNdqgsZK6HPMrSe0i8uahQ55rYSE4/s4690/5.%20%20CO%20149N%20pat%20South%20Fork%20Rio%20Grande.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3159" data-original-width="4690" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1G5ZOrXNDu9QSny5MjwSxCcj-p0UlfkNahyIvq0ckyj01JKZW8-FFId8n32Nw6j1VqQSPJSPtJEfSRMOYs0o1wc4s4t6xgVV1a458wxqYviIYBjUW8bfUSutkLnWWFt4vN1em2NKJ-eh-x2rfmuI6DJaxomnz_nNdqgsZK6HPMrSe0i8uahQ55rYSE4/s320/5.%20%20CO%20149N%20pat%20South%20Fork%20Rio%20Grande.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>South Fork is start of the 117 mile <a href="https://silverthreadbyway.com/" target="_blank">Silver Thread Scenic Byway</a> and we thoroughly enjoyed winding our way along the Rio Grande river. We passed through <a href="https://www.creede.com/" target="_blank">Creede</a>, which bears the distinction of being the town with the most people (257 in the 2020 Census) AND the county seat of Mineral County. It's hard to believe that in 1891 more than 10,000 people lived in Creede due to the silver mining boom.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our first stop of the day was at <a href="https://visitriograndecounty.com/north-clear-creek-falls-waterfalls/" target="_blank">Clear Creek Falls</a>, where the water shoots over the plateau down the rocks of the 100' canyon. From the highway you have no idea that the canyon or the waterfall is just a few hundred feet away - so be sure to stop.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWtFD87PIX9ZewyF2rjxOlednmvSsgeCAQj0MKD_683maFidFbg2-dbxRBGhBtH33a2OizL6AnlbE4p-Xnk9vc2ml5tEoVjFGAZDSMfQ20I9KMKFAupSoKIvR6RDvihXI3Wow82JiZhXS_JMjHYHLZ8wnDGtm4Vg1kKKMhjBdJW0cizlOr5M6EEIrHaI/s4736/15.%20CO149N%20%20Clear%20Creek%20Falls.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4736" data-original-width="3552" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWtFD87PIX9ZewyF2rjxOlednmvSsgeCAQj0MKD_683maFidFbg2-dbxRBGhBtH33a2OizL6AnlbE4p-Xnk9vc2ml5tEoVjFGAZDSMfQ20I9KMKFAupSoKIvR6RDvihXI3Wow82JiZhXS_JMjHYHLZ8wnDGtm4Vg1kKKMhjBdJW0cizlOr5M6EEIrHaI/s320/15.%20CO149N%20%20Clear%20Creek%20Falls.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div> Not long after riding past the waterfall we started climbing up the first of two passes: Spring Creek Pass at 10,898' along the Continental Divide.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuDG9TfHoGmlkgIIexP_Q011tZELBrXtTo6OXz6gDZ0VSPpPlYZBoPLmqH2YYoNo71-iiEBTyXBAMRzK1BiFEYjMxd6frfn4DzZQPixKnZX_6C4rgwIjX5VroL-S_aGlRzqhVaUh-DzGvEiFBCa1AV0_MrseZ9yqUlE3xKe1TfmI-Zt6TFEoToDomt84/s4517/16.%20CO149N%20%20up%20Spring%20Creek%20Pass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3217" data-original-width="4517" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuDG9TfHoGmlkgIIexP_Q011tZELBrXtTo6OXz6gDZ0VSPpPlYZBoPLmqH2YYoNo71-iiEBTyXBAMRzK1BiFEYjMxd6frfn4DzZQPixKnZX_6C4rgwIjX5VroL-S_aGlRzqhVaUh-DzGvEiFBCa1AV0_MrseZ9yqUlE3xKe1TfmI-Zt6TFEoToDomt84/s320/16.%20CO149N%20%20up%20Spring%20Creek%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div>The 2-lane paved road winds and twists, complete with some U-shaped hairpin turns up <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/slumgullion-pass/" target="_blank">Slumgullion Pass</a> at 11,530'. Some of the climbs are 9% grade, and we had a lot of fun zooming along, looking at the mountain peaks in the distance.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our second stop of the day was at <a href="https://silverthreadbyway.com/14-windy-point-overlook" target="_blank">Windy Point overlook</a> where we could clearly see several high peaks of the Umcompahgre Wilderness only 15 miles away.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeflX29ewyH9GGOtM8yjdfwwl5G3mjKfOqZvvcFH5Y8LzuUTxXz7pCAzLIdq2VfAo4LRNDWeoqURLhpQC1Lp6ptHzrDB0PN0r43AoU3u9Az1qUxx8_AeHxi6Eh9CC7rQldgeR-ZiJKdKbvJC8-l5Bgv0-JwXqx0i2opKozCEXv20HDtWCxTkmfzm9Sng/s4736/24.%20CO149N%20%20down%20Slumgullion%20Pass%20to%20Lake%20City%20Windy%20Point%20overlook.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeflX29ewyH9GGOtM8yjdfwwl5G3mjKfOqZvvcFH5Y8LzuUTxXz7pCAzLIdq2VfAo4LRNDWeoqURLhpQC1Lp6ptHzrDB0PN0r43AoU3u9Az1qUxx8_AeHxi6Eh9CC7rQldgeR-ZiJKdKbvJC8-l5Bgv0-JwXqx0i2opKozCEXv20HDtWCxTkmfzm9Sng/s320/24.%20CO149N%20%20down%20Slumgullion%20Pass%20to%20Lake%20City%20Windy%20Point%20overlook.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnabg_DwAhGPURfNE04Ml3_n8h7Cbna2avQF8WRtHP0oULZzYvtraGDpync6KoBrDafZTG3tBWlutdk12hBCQQG5EF5dvplHT5chbJrCW1izoiSDuJBohpo5BlY_TxPAqI2j3_CjOBGtXA7pvAot9HfCi9W18TVzYtk5D4_0NTNXqRLI-L2OXfQxnjETU/s4736/25%20CO149N%20%20down%20Slumgullion%20Pass%20to%20Lake%20City%20Windy%20Point%20overlook.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnabg_DwAhGPURfNE04Ml3_n8h7Cbna2avQF8WRtHP0oULZzYvtraGDpync6KoBrDafZTG3tBWlutdk12hBCQQG5EF5dvplHT5chbJrCW1izoiSDuJBohpo5BlY_TxPAqI2j3_CjOBGtXA7pvAot9HfCi9W18TVzYtk5D4_0NTNXqRLI-L2OXfQxnjETU/s320/25%20CO149N%20%20down%20Slumgullion%20Pass%20to%20Lake%20City%20Windy%20Point%20overlook.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The highest peak (the pointy one that leans to the right) is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncompahgre_Peak" target="_blank">Uncompahgre Peak</a>, at 14,321'.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>We could also see the <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/landmarks/slumgullion-earthflow-nnl/" target="_blank">Slumgullion Earthflow Natural Landmark</a> that started 850 years ago when a huge chunk of rock, dirt and forest broke off and slid 4 miles down the side of the mountain.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTieAf6rYTJmYa4whN_3-AoG94RImK0-GiMCCt8-ENWfcbsMtYI3LJNvifWyJN-QPB2hcctMJuTqh5OKODy8XrBNl3GI1kxiMPAsE41WWdULcSojqYSGkhP4-8VWPjkLqKipd34pg5xBvX3iLrv8H_9-6-fNL7VXsty8Vqqiz1EP4FIvJcfSik2wC90Q/s4736/23.%20CO149N%20%20down%20Slumgullion%20Pass%20Windy%20Point%20overlook%20earthflow%20toe.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTieAf6rYTJmYa4whN_3-AoG94RImK0-GiMCCt8-ENWfcbsMtYI3LJNvifWyJN-QPB2hcctMJuTqh5OKODy8XrBNl3GI1kxiMPAsE41WWdULcSojqYSGkhP4-8VWPjkLqKipd34pg5xBvX3iLrv8H_9-6-fNL7VXsty8Vqqiz1EP4FIvJcfSik2wC90Q/s320/23.%20CO149N%20%20down%20Slumgullion%20Pass%20Windy%20Point%20overlook%20earthflow%20toe.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The earth continues to move about 20' each year, and as we rode past the 'toe' of the earthflow, I wondered when it will slide over the highway.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BIW2tXHUxpwd0bdfOEpE2v5WjQgZqtOr1Gqusd208gnQKrzesmUu-ZSTUemgu1RTMRz-81FiufRNLagnCRnYFFpd1NB45Cwhy3wUCAlg9O9gAvkkFSMqMvX7IFhz-eAgSxwZ77cEurE-F1vP7gy87C3anlfgUf30YpxDab7xJu5NsqHNL2S6fz3v0CU/s4736/26.%20CO149N%20%20down%20Slumgullion%20Pass%20to%20Lake%20City%20earthflow%20toe.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BIW2tXHUxpwd0bdfOEpE2v5WjQgZqtOr1Gqusd208gnQKrzesmUu-ZSTUemgu1RTMRz-81FiufRNLagnCRnYFFpd1NB45Cwhy3wUCAlg9O9gAvkkFSMqMvX7IFhz-eAgSxwZ77cEurE-F1vP7gy87C3anlfgUf30YpxDab7xJu5NsqHNL2S6fz3v0CU/s320/26.%20CO149N%20%20down%20Slumgullion%20Pass%20to%20Lake%20City%20earthflow%20toe.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <div>CO 149 took us into <a href="https://lakecity.com/" target="_blank">Lake City</a>, another town that grew during the mining years to 5000 people, and today is home to about 430. In 1978 the Lake City Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and the town is gorgeous. We stopped for lunch and then rode through the original downtown area, now home to galleries and shops.</div><div><br /></div><div>We continued north on CO 149, riding through a gorge formed by the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WrhvIIx3HwhqT7eswu0-BLJmIkx3LpTi-wDw1HxU1Ii4ZYEyCQ2PMf4s7FzTpVgpzFf-BJTcQHuGhtGbc9PForImKiOh9ngMNWVClnIghrRDMh9cXxEvNguqEy8LY4GMBfwUl74qw6X5xETBL6Q5uuLHBJasN_8SruhW6RfXj7Yf8QfJgR4OwFdq0zg/s4736/28.%20CO%20149N%20from%20Lake%20City.%20Lake%20Fork%20of%20the%20Gunnison.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WrhvIIx3HwhqT7eswu0-BLJmIkx3LpTi-wDw1HxU1Ii4ZYEyCQ2PMf4s7FzTpVgpzFf-BJTcQHuGhtGbc9PForImKiOh9ngMNWVClnIghrRDMh9cXxEvNguqEy8LY4GMBfwUl74qw6X5xETBL6Q5uuLHBJasN_8SruhW6RfXj7Yf8QfJgR4OwFdq0zg/s320/28.%20CO%20149N%20from%20Lake%20City.%20Lake%20Fork%20of%20the%20Gunnison.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The landscape opened up as we rode through grasslands with far off views of more of the San Juan Mountains.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7D8zGGsSINuyTCaPHUHlqbku_7G6sOFTXu__TGWgl4C8KUii8VYhmBJgZg3jcJ_fEQiLxcebHPYyC-J57p44epNPnsFGT8o93yD49ea7gC_T9OqU1PhFXDlbaHFV0vNGqjyahy7PhERHTpN7-cLhv1-KtPQTALcnIjy7NcgPaZM7V2VpyC3OJdEu4W7k/s4595/31.%20CO%20149N%20from%20Lake%20City.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3457" data-original-width="4595" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7D8zGGsSINuyTCaPHUHlqbku_7G6sOFTXu__TGWgl4C8KUii8VYhmBJgZg3jcJ_fEQiLxcebHPYyC-J57p44epNPnsFGT8o93yD49ea7gC_T9OqU1PhFXDlbaHFV0vNGqjyahy7PhERHTpN7-cLhv1-KtPQTALcnIjy7NcgPaZM7V2VpyC3OJdEu4W7k/s320/31.%20CO%20149N%20from%20Lake%20City.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7crq72jX5Jf3sA-s1pWB0FKxZRMMULAAt0nDSjP-4VB0KmKCTg0j8i3S5qhtmgnUlpnO9sRjDc96mHvC_5pzKNHx-kjOtyap6n9W_CFD1CVBSXSQ6JMU4Zew07uO16ftOC2FUDHgfu_RwjJFFPiBStSc9umzxEGYojbCWUA-m0rkcLni0P7YfukJGU9I/s4294/32.%20CO%20149N%20from%20Lake%20City.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2902" data-original-width="4294" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7crq72jX5Jf3sA-s1pWB0FKxZRMMULAAt0nDSjP-4VB0KmKCTg0j8i3S5qhtmgnUlpnO9sRjDc96mHvC_5pzKNHx-kjOtyap6n9W_CFD1CVBSXSQ6JMU4Zew07uO16ftOC2FUDHgfu_RwjJFFPiBStSc9umzxEGYojbCWUA-m0rkcLni0P7YfukJGU9I/s320/32.%20CO%20149N%20from%20Lake%20City.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The Silver Thread Scenic Byway ends at Blue Mesa Reservoir, where CO 149 meets US 50.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OL6VFJzH_leRhB0TB0Uve6-CukMnNkamhQmzSBz11tO384AHBBYPT5igMUa5QkYORuIIB75kSrMoutZ7Q-It0GZsYHJ_8IE7YJ-v68Wb5WXDRqkPJ46vfi4HdUyHlrA4AD-Q1HUWVX-ZXqrdW952Ks63t7ZBspw1NxvcfgVOx0jfu1KKWfob0U-sv4o/s4736/34.%20CO%20149N%20from%20Lake%20City%20Blue%20Mesa%20Reservoir.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3155" data-original-width="4736" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OL6VFJzH_leRhB0TB0Uve6-CukMnNkamhQmzSBz11tO384AHBBYPT5igMUa5QkYORuIIB75kSrMoutZ7Q-It0GZsYHJ_8IE7YJ-v68Wb5WXDRqkPJ46vfi4HdUyHlrA4AD-Q1HUWVX-ZXqrdW952Ks63t7ZBspw1NxvcfgVOx0jfu1KKWfob0U-sv4o/s320/34.%20CO%20149N%20from%20Lake%20City%20Blue%20Mesa%20Reservoir.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The <a href="https://www.thebluemesa.com/" target="_blank">Blue Mesa Reservoir </a>is the largest body of water in Colorado, 20 miles in length with over 96 miles of shoreline. It's impressive to ride for miles along the lake, and we were surprised that there weren't more boats on the water on a beautiful Labor Day weekend. </div><div><br /></div><div>We've ridden on US 50 several times over the last 10 years, and there is always construction. This year was one of the only times we didn't have to stop and wait for several minutes as the traffic was reduced to one-way only for a few miles - but there was a section that was loose gravel, always challenging on a motorcycle.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bebdE1b7-290cOIiN-epg6AD6iawMix0Hm2hSS803elisZ2OWCd_HGZwwhFsI1RyOEZI-dGJAL-kguyhgae-VZH9fGGoz8zi_CwK0CmItEegr5g9btDIOyjXM3LNBzs76vmH8FUXKAUfLhHsecn8YYuhwZ9RDjIuV6ItiOzoplEznBwB1QbXs8pwf_4/s4723/35.%20US%20W50W%20toward%20Montrose%20Blue%20Mesa%20Resevoir.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2607" data-original-width="4723" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bebdE1b7-290cOIiN-epg6AD6iawMix0Hm2hSS803elisZ2OWCd_HGZwwhFsI1RyOEZI-dGJAL-kguyhgae-VZH9fGGoz8zi_CwK0CmItEegr5g9btDIOyjXM3LNBzs76vmH8FUXKAUfLhHsecn8YYuhwZ9RDjIuV6ItiOzoplEznBwB1QbXs8pwf_4/s320/35.%20US%20W50W%20toward%20Montrose%20Blue%20Mesa%20Resevoir.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>We finished the day in Montrose after riding 241 miles through the stunning San Juan Mountains, looking forward to another day as we continue our 2-day ride.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-59016259635356624582023-08-06T18:51:00.004-07:002023-08-06T18:51:56.128-07:00Sunday morning loop into New Mexico<p> It's a beautiful early August day, not too hot and no clouds in the sky - perfect for a morning motorcycle ride. We decided to ride a loop to Navajo Lake and explore some new roads. We started off riding south on US 84, turning west onto US 64 after we crossed from Colorado into New Mexico.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6CnUnhx94o_HrYFY_EGv1MxpK_hpfjAzcl0cVoNGLBadVPw_IEPqoRyPyvWKf0CCq8igclQ3PYPbZDqE17kv7jxIg92_ay_-3FTA00fY_tE-594aL0Cj038HNbOX3VYpds3kbwQmJsW24L3Z1nXAN9uU9stHOPktdaIyJeyvpJpkPYHXI0TQ0C4UDwY/s4736/1.%20US%2064W%20from%20Chromo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3073" data-original-width="4736" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6CnUnhx94o_HrYFY_EGv1MxpK_hpfjAzcl0cVoNGLBadVPw_IEPqoRyPyvWKf0CCq8igclQ3PYPbZDqE17kv7jxIg92_ay_-3FTA00fY_tE-594aL0Cj038HNbOX3VYpds3kbwQmJsW24L3Z1nXAN9uU9stHOPktdaIyJeyvpJpkPYHXI0TQ0C4UDwY/s320/1.%20US%2064W%20from%20Chromo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We rode through the <a href="https://tentribespartnership.org/tribes/jicarilla-apache-nation/" target="_blank">Jicarilla Apache Nation</a> that covers almost 880,000 acres in the upper San Juan River Basin and Rio Chama.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLE8NmfR2eJK6pL_7K-dI_pEG18w6ZCe67jpYGAMMzlsHDWD-bA5epWxDCEKnSedEYbWyDSI_zKhWzPYHV4Hl-Zw8vxw5F0UyPuKO4Eic2SkWE5VEovMEmozf_tcbzj9VAjMMNRdZKwp79yWs7thFHfpmLM9YfhxheglQ5-5x1KL9nX2OuUiG4ri8u-4/s4736/2.%20US%2064W%20from%20Dulce.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2689" data-original-width="4736" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLE8NmfR2eJK6pL_7K-dI_pEG18w6ZCe67jpYGAMMzlsHDWD-bA5epWxDCEKnSedEYbWyDSI_zKhWzPYHV4Hl-Zw8vxw5F0UyPuKO4Eic2SkWE5VEovMEmozf_tcbzj9VAjMMNRdZKwp79yWs7thFHfpmLM9YfhxheglQ5-5x1KL9nX2OuUiG4ri8u-4/s320/2.%20US%2064W%20from%20Dulce.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>There was almost no traffic as we zoomed along the straights and through the gentle curves.</p><p>Our destination was <a href="https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/find-a-park/navajo-lake-state-park/">Navajo Lake</a>, the second largest lake in New Mexico and home to two state parks - one in New Mexico, and the other in <a href="https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Navajo">Colorado</a>. Navajo Dam was built in 1962 on the San Juan River to provide water storage for use on the Navajo Reservation.</p><p>We decided to turn north onto NM 539, a twisting, winding 2-lane paved road that provided lots of motorcycle fun as well as beautiful views.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUx8NDqM6ucKpOsjE9YDW1jqMK67_CnJXjXEIMnrVzdHCAP1N6PFYs3-6Msgj0yVIePNYECD3w9hdIaZXMEZBLtbhRZL0iDFEJvb5FHwa2zNurjZFAszzBI6YOy74lWveOHam4b4SKm1h7q0-IYmBYra7-lWseG8Fdzy5GckuYs7vpUlHT2S-0sc-1LAI/s3686/P1004850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2385" data-original-width="3686" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUx8NDqM6ucKpOsjE9YDW1jqMK67_CnJXjXEIMnrVzdHCAP1N6PFYs3-6Msgj0yVIePNYECD3w9hdIaZXMEZBLtbhRZL0iDFEJvb5FHwa2zNurjZFAszzBI6YOy74lWveOHam4b4SKm1h7q0-IYmBYra7-lWseG8Fdzy5GckuYs7vpUlHT2S-0sc-1LAI/s320/P1004850.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nL24gFSaqHq4o10UtbMGPvw3aD_ptLgrAS4EkFHOyyg-Zx382tHzDXwgMnpd1QcQusEDB0jdG1CTCfydqI7tRHAytKCiah8Dil0J5g5-GSdW1htThQ18b1q-qF35YlUnpv8W-T6Qbwqpdp7F6XsS992jiwbMbP2Gy54cFTX-96gfiZDf3sHwr7C339Q/s4624/8.%20NM%20539N%20hairpin%20turn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3461" data-original-width="4624" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nL24gFSaqHq4o10UtbMGPvw3aD_ptLgrAS4EkFHOyyg-Zx382tHzDXwgMnpd1QcQusEDB0jdG1CTCfydqI7tRHAytKCiah8Dil0J5g5-GSdW1htThQ18b1q-qF35YlUnpv8W-T6Qbwqpdp7F6XsS992jiwbMbP2Gy54cFTX-96gfiZDf3sHwr7C339Q/s320/8.%20NM%20539N%20hairpin%20turn.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The road goes over the dam, providing views in all directions.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSF-KYL00tsILT-wl0sB87fwwLZow4Y_SMLjRMkMubMUSnvtNndvDG9J5N3ncj2Wa-giG_OA0qzVYBLoiFk4komzvaMMZ4avlht2m9OgHeKzZbwgbmSNY6U9hJfx8hXg3jc4Szr_b3MCrI_wWuFEryLipequkUpA7-OUg8arveYzliN9api-JqGKYwDo/s4736/9.%20NM%20539N%20Navajo%20Lake%20dam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3494" data-original-width="4736" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSF-KYL00tsILT-wl0sB87fwwLZow4Y_SMLjRMkMubMUSnvtNndvDG9J5N3ncj2Wa-giG_OA0qzVYBLoiFk4komzvaMMZ4avlht2m9OgHeKzZbwgbmSNY6U9hJfx8hXg3jc4Szr_b3MCrI_wWuFEryLipequkUpA7-OUg8arveYzliN9api-JqGKYwDo/s320/9.%20NM%20539N%20Navajo%20Lake%20dam.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedzaLxCwh3Qug309f2rihwrSRk5aTjqZ-vu3ZihzJ_3aQVvaj8At7RmHuA3ZqjDgJ9BV6pvp7O1AU10GavL5VaOGwbAUMukEYumnRwwJgOw7mU2JFAqR5uqx3a5lkH0AqFCBquDy1KHeBK1FhKIe_JFEbciVMcGxZNNdc0-mBRVScSDaoFkfch_FNf0E/s4736/11.%20NM%20539N%20Navajo%20Lake%20road%20over%20the%20dam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedzaLxCwh3Qug309f2rihwrSRk5aTjqZ-vu3ZihzJ_3aQVvaj8At7RmHuA3ZqjDgJ9BV6pvp7O1AU10GavL5VaOGwbAUMukEYumnRwwJgOw7mU2JFAqR5uqx3a5lkH0AqFCBquDy1KHeBK1FhKIe_JFEbciVMcGxZNNdc0-mBRVScSDaoFkfch_FNf0E/s320/11.%20NM%20539N%20Navajo%20Lake%20road%20over%20the%20dam.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00LBn6d6Cbi25BK21LIzfM6Um42Dl7RjhANCNwCoSsDm8yFoAGQ2RV0Ai4jc0GA5xv0uqKx3jP4rEzIIh0xHL2BLhlQlAmOdm7Uy__85BS1z49xz-icyS6fj2dF0aNGXAFgEWywX4T22I59CUvkWjUkjwr1Ea80pZJ4QjH-q6dVJKLg1aOoTQXn0uhjE/s4053/P1004860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2842" data-original-width="4053" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00LBn6d6Cbi25BK21LIzfM6Um42Dl7RjhANCNwCoSsDm8yFoAGQ2RV0Ai4jc0GA5xv0uqKx3jP4rEzIIh0xHL2BLhlQlAmOdm7Uy__85BS1z49xz-icyS6fj2dF0aNGXAFgEWywX4T22I59CUvkWjUkjwr1Ea80pZJ4QjH-q6dVJKLg1aOoTQXn0uhjE/s320/P1004860.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>NM 539 ends at the junction with NM 511, and we continued north along the lake.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgykjpsWlJ8VmAFU63Z1m-DIHS0PN6XPDg9-noUsTXeLrPe4xdlfd81ntYaxc9V7FJ8iAp55CQc-UGDF_EmgBXHOCfhKWyVWQTVzk5vYgerYu3xOgjmnEpRjMIpkG9v2LLNQ7Appn-stRDAvgATqf5A2t17_o7eL2jnVo4xf7f47jNl556j9pu4UEZLA/s4736/14.%20NM%20511N%20Navajo%20Lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgykjpsWlJ8VmAFU63Z1m-DIHS0PN6XPDg9-noUsTXeLrPe4xdlfd81ntYaxc9V7FJ8iAp55CQc-UGDF_EmgBXHOCfhKWyVWQTVzk5vYgerYu3xOgjmnEpRjMIpkG9v2LLNQ7Appn-stRDAvgATqf5A2t17_o7eL2jnVo4xf7f47jNl556j9pu4UEZLA/s320/14.%20NM%20511N%20Navajo%20Lake.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We crossed back into Colorado, riding into the <a href="https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/" target="_blank">Southern Ute Reservation</a> as the landscape between more green and mountainous.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7P-SMmZnqj40kxdndi6WVzsRc0ciAEX2wfZcUus0NImmLdqHLiaaRuQf99QNxbqhagUZpq_GFl0bTH_ynAZ4SqSB30sZKtJoJp3Q-dZFeGhLItngqu6EAgb4ofXphi_Z2JTSuFNCkItVv9Hf1aBZ6RnauSao4WrTJT7UhVIN58U9bmN152afk5XHPVk/s3614/15.%20NM%20511N.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2381" data-original-width="3614" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7P-SMmZnqj40kxdndi6WVzsRc0ciAEX2wfZcUus0NImmLdqHLiaaRuQf99QNxbqhagUZpq_GFl0bTH_ynAZ4SqSB30sZKtJoJp3Q-dZFeGhLItngqu6EAgb4ofXphi_Z2JTSuFNCkItVv9Hf1aBZ6RnauSao4WrTJT7UhVIN58U9bmN152afk5XHPVk/s320/15.%20NM%20511N.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We turned east onto CO 151 in Ignacio, home to the Southern Ute government. CO 151 is part of the <a href="https://www.codot.gov/travel/colorado-byways/southwest/tracks-across-borders" target="_blank">Tracks Across Borders Scenic Byway</a> which travels 89 miles from Durango, CO in the west to Chama, NM in the east. We caught glimpses of the northern edges of Navajo Lake, and then rode past Chimney Rock National Monument. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZj7-1p76Jy_7x61I7-dzUEhyvHrNrxCYfSCGqAm5HgRqLQb2AnDTE-TcZDkggzMIVFjtDlQhp0o5_MytC_uZjtRIxlhpw3gf0K9zm6zNs5xA6N0kqXpr1vkkrgZC7WhFv3Zgrm3a_BhtchaEmzZZomwx1JB2iSz-Gs0DHslpZXvF0jg9_4-RCiS1JXE/s3687/18.%20CO%20151N%20Chimney%20rock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2183" data-original-width="3687" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZj7-1p76Jy_7x61I7-dzUEhyvHrNrxCYfSCGqAm5HgRqLQb2AnDTE-TcZDkggzMIVFjtDlQhp0o5_MytC_uZjtRIxlhpw3gf0K9zm6zNs5xA6N0kqXpr1vkkrgZC7WhFv3Zgrm3a_BhtchaEmzZZomwx1JB2iSz-Gs0DHslpZXvF0jg9_4-RCiS1JXE/s320/18.%20CO%20151N%20Chimney%20rock.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp8pkw3Zf-vudDHOBMASJOWMoItOr5CWtuwTEOXm_MD4mlfsGmB6xsz0Pbx3njn1f_vJfrFnl5IvDTMZNcsa-rlew_s7BMJYdYxQEx4jje_F-9FBGBQH1Vu4xEaBbymPPLQrST5mSP3OEqZs9PmUgPtRPFe5wk70ePgiqU5n8-73IoVog2t9HfJIaBh0/s4360/20.%20CO%20151N%20Chimney%20rock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2795" data-original-width="4360" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp8pkw3Zf-vudDHOBMASJOWMoItOr5CWtuwTEOXm_MD4mlfsGmB6xsz0Pbx3njn1f_vJfrFnl5IvDTMZNcsa-rlew_s7BMJYdYxQEx4jje_F-9FBGBQH1Vu4xEaBbymPPLQrST5mSP3OEqZs9PmUgPtRPFe5wk70ePgiqU5n8-73IoVog2t9HfJIaBh0/s320/20.%20CO%20151N%20Chimney%20rock.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://www.chimneyrockco.org/" target="_blank">Chimney Rock </a>is the site of over 200 homes and ceremonial buildings of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived in this area from about 600-1125 AD. We hiked here last month when our oldest son and his girlfriend visited, and it's a fascinating stop.</p><p>CO 151 ends at US 160, and we turned east toward Pagosa Springs and then home. We rode about 3.5 hours today, covering 185 miles through northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, still home to the descendants of the Ancestral Puebloans and an important part of our history.</p><p>A perfect way to start an August Sunday.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-16069145460203396232023-07-25T18:44:00.000-07:002023-07-25T18:44:08.122-07:00Riding home: familiar and new Colorado roads<p> We started off the third and last day of our motorcycle trip Monday morning in Leadville, looking forward to more high mountain passes and a road we haven't yet ridden. We started off riding south on US 24, looking out over the snowy Rockies.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2eBRiBHc0bY5gQ0f2XAtobSp94dr_TzD0n68nP_Wf4MJkfVnjQmYzdlp0Oxgw4nK6LEc8vdplbty-v6CsVAFObFucJKEOH7PddtsS4tEGWD-eFja622rPWOsK9fqhDMH_Pzv_lfDa-qwzqPy7j1uEXjnKFaMDl1942yGTI71UouQs3qYqNbH7bnJ748/s4253/1.%20US24%20S%20from%20Leadville.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3149" data-original-width="4253" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2eBRiBHc0bY5gQ0f2XAtobSp94dr_TzD0n68nP_Wf4MJkfVnjQmYzdlp0Oxgw4nK6LEc8vdplbty-v6CsVAFObFucJKEOH7PddtsS4tEGWD-eFja622rPWOsK9fqhDMH_Pzv_lfDa-qwzqPy7j1uEXjnKFaMDl1942yGTI71UouQs3qYqNbH7bnJ748/s320/1.%20US24%20S%20from%20Leadville.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Soon the highway started curving and winding along rocky cliffs cut by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkansas_River" target="_blank">Arkansas River </a>that starts near Leadville and ends 1469 miles later at the Mississippi in Arkansas.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwVGd0LA5RAO6QFMsdUTbYi3qQ4I_C1eUDJrz6P-2QVGgtFiP69OWw-V0xSVjN-0AmX02U3LGYdnlPyeyz0KjbTZxEqTeGr1mwFOgWGIk_v_MRh2th5He9S19pcsaOg1Cn-h2lZi3EryEq63-Bz54GeVhVrmBtv3NF4Nl7YdjP21dKaQytMThF508ZW4/s4250/4.%20US24%20S%20from%20Leadville%20Arkansas%20River.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3422" data-original-width="4250" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwVGd0LA5RAO6QFMsdUTbYi3qQ4I_C1eUDJrz6P-2QVGgtFiP69OWw-V0xSVjN-0AmX02U3LGYdnlPyeyz0KjbTZxEqTeGr1mwFOgWGIk_v_MRh2th5He9S19pcsaOg1Cn-h2lZi3EryEq63-Bz54GeVhVrmBtv3NF4Nl7YdjP21dKaQytMThF508ZW4/s320/4.%20US24%20S%20from%20Leadville%20Arkansas%20River.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We saw a few fly fishermen but no rafts on the river. Soon after we started riding along the <a href="https://www.colorado.com/byways/collegiate-peaks" target="_blank">Collegiate Peaks</a>, a 57 mile stretch of the largest concentration of mountains over 14,000' in the United States.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpYHa-y-t2qc9vQBHfTlasornoWTeTS5BXp6D0ntdLOJv4d9-F3VCgLR0szljvnl1ZuuLMXsgXmk4C8IoQQl5WzDdEr1Up2aDKRY0vzvNyjIt5YqL5BunNLfEjIlhywBJ7c-tNZ6wZcn_z3LQK4YyAUWYMrNV2iJ6jNIXOGNwEmaPiEA0ZFu7DUyXFP8/s4499/6.%20US24%20S%20from%20Leadville%20Collegiate%20Peaks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2835" data-original-width="4499" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpYHa-y-t2qc9vQBHfTlasornoWTeTS5BXp6D0ntdLOJv4d9-F3VCgLR0szljvnl1ZuuLMXsgXmk4C8IoQQl5WzDdEr1Up2aDKRY0vzvNyjIt5YqL5BunNLfEjIlhywBJ7c-tNZ6wZcn_z3LQK4YyAUWYMrNV2iJ6jNIXOGNwEmaPiEA0ZFu7DUyXFP8/s320/6.%20US24%20S%20from%20Leadville%20Collegiate%20Peaks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We've ridden this way many times, but I'm always awed by the sight of these towering mountains, and even more impressed with hikers who climb them.</div><div><br /></div><div>South of Buena Vista US 24 meets up with US 285, continuing south past more of the Collegiate Peaks.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQQChGOIEpeU2afD64mgXmEP-tE9-TvcLia_ff4516I15cjaDk2Qk3ZhAeLtEysVB1OQUCfcaWvC8Py_Zg-D5fRTG3pCTNgrBMDNsZcw-gVqOpTSJE_uuKc-CJDl7sjj0Dt6b_KF-H6AH0P3j4YOXA6vF2h_042NcnvccZUcDk_SCD_doz_jt2uvNHcQ/s4276/8.%20US%20285%20S%20from%20Buena%20Vista%20Collegiate%20Peaks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2948" data-original-width="4276" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQQChGOIEpeU2afD64mgXmEP-tE9-TvcLia_ff4516I15cjaDk2Qk3ZhAeLtEysVB1OQUCfcaWvC8Py_Zg-D5fRTG3pCTNgrBMDNsZcw-gVqOpTSJE_uuKc-CJDl7sjj0Dt6b_KF-H6AH0P3j4YOXA6vF2h_042NcnvccZUcDk_SCD_doz_jt2uvNHcQ/s320/8.%20US%20285%20S%20from%20Buena%20Vista%20Collegiate%20Peaks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In Poncha Springs we turned west onto US 50 and started winding our way up <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/monarch-pass/" target="_blank">Monarch Pass</a> our highest point for today at 11,312'. There's a ski area just east of the summit, and the gondola is open in the summer to take visitors for a sky-high view of the area.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUz30jun79DMXKff1V6OPUG89wcHDYfBVl9IbZ-0KF2LyZun5BynmmaLTB0aDfQO57e0IO8GY7JvxNUaWsarwcKtJGKY0bDRQlzM7wJkhTLjS0m47Z-FR17JOshttRXW1HTmdIjKR85FLaJ3kn7aZTQvQr7UYpRPuzwGZsupBBNjUO8_37jWIpwVi-7I4/s3751/9.%20US%2050W%20toward%20Monarch%20Pass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2388" data-original-width="3751" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUz30jun79DMXKff1V6OPUG89wcHDYfBVl9IbZ-0KF2LyZun5BynmmaLTB0aDfQO57e0IO8GY7JvxNUaWsarwcKtJGKY0bDRQlzM7wJkhTLjS0m47Z-FR17JOshttRXW1HTmdIjKR85FLaJ3kn7aZTQvQr7UYpRPuzwGZsupBBNjUO8_37jWIpwVi-7I4/s320/9.%20US%2050W%20toward%20Monarch%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSg7-wXHsI8YSy_sNTs3imt5tL16E8UsYmPi6W89cCgs3LzB1SxMnSR4lPeO5Xhp0XNyL1_6DOZ0g6ToPUgXp0Ny-fV3VPcZhHKopfvSX1xwGHBVtz8UirxANZIC6d7W7IxMiCyg0oVcVKPIHztNmdHGSPCuOag9kWaskkn4ZNXxEORui2FfD90ywhk5Q/s4482/13.%20US%2050W%20descending%20Monarch%20Pass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2932" data-original-width="4482" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSg7-wXHsI8YSy_sNTs3imt5tL16E8UsYmPi6W89cCgs3LzB1SxMnSR4lPeO5Xhp0XNyL1_6DOZ0g6ToPUgXp0Ny-fV3VPcZhHKopfvSX1xwGHBVtz8UirxANZIC6d7W7IxMiCyg0oVcVKPIHztNmdHGSPCuOag9kWaskkn4ZNXxEORui2FfD90ywhk5Q/s320/13.%20US%2050W%20descending%20Monarch%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div>After riding out into a broad valley, we turned south onto CO 114 - a road we had never been on. To our delight, the first 23 miles were freshly paved, and with no other traffic in sight we zoomed along the road.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwsInDpUGCAkIRZ2-ke-8E2c_FjA3YIp1BD7fQVeT2xA6LSK5yN7t2w5CIlwAwChT7JRfuNklB9SxFJHiWktdGaowAkjd4FU5DhDfX5aBZs4KuMjvKyUouHv0kqIqsL598cGU-RenPF63F17-WJy_RUhMypkeXoVzn9jHbDvIGjZL6bbc6-9QQvn_798/s4736/14.%20CO%20114S.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwsInDpUGCAkIRZ2-ke-8E2c_FjA3YIp1BD7fQVeT2xA6LSK5yN7t2w5CIlwAwChT7JRfuNklB9SxFJHiWktdGaowAkjd4FU5DhDfX5aBZs4KuMjvKyUouHv0kqIqsL598cGU-RenPF63F17-WJy_RUhMypkeXoVzn9jHbDvIGjZL6bbc6-9QQvn_798/s320/14.%20CO%20114S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We knew more fun was in store when we started seeing road signs warning about twisting curves.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kd4BNce9nhxVYHhH2CXH9pSteWmsWVjA5Pzogjj5goMMlqtHR2f60zQbQwP6tUG6mCxJ5IzJkW1l98wRyprV1IW2e3uOrTxsjWsFQAIA9RbtDq3s7usErIAly9cVmxd8QJocLw_1b6PIVkRtL5zV_bMjO1IWAm53JkNjbOdYIluoCmZZyigBvLd6M78/s4736/17.%20CO%20114S.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kd4BNce9nhxVYHhH2CXH9pSteWmsWVjA5Pzogjj5goMMlqtHR2f60zQbQwP6tUG6mCxJ5IzJkW1l98wRyprV1IW2e3uOrTxsjWsFQAIA9RbtDq3s7usErIAly9cVmxd8QJocLw_1b6PIVkRtL5zV_bMjO1IWAm53JkNjbOdYIluoCmZZyigBvLd6M78/s320/17.%20CO%20114S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The ride through Cochetopa Canyon is beautiful, with sharp turns through the rocky canyon.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNy7e1nOt3UKyyo6_NgPu4UZY_2VToQzbnzNjbxCJKV5kMasiCcKuO9btgE-k5aJs6NB8vNHlCaT6Y83xDbcPf8_HX_0PCLbSx1e_ijTP7FuO94VQh_Q55fGg_O5QHvkozVbXsZxS3owUAatvLSqYHtmWaYy1Sp9jcd94Y73KQ4qT5XERB7hqImFAzGs/s4736/20.%20CO%20114SS%20Cochetopa%20Canyon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNy7e1nOt3UKyyo6_NgPu4UZY_2VToQzbnzNjbxCJKV5kMasiCcKuO9btgE-k5aJs6NB8vNHlCaT6Y83xDbcPf8_HX_0PCLbSx1e_ijTP7FuO94VQh_Q55fGg_O5QHvkozVbXsZxS3owUAatvLSqYHtmWaYy1Sp9jcd94Y73KQ4qT5XERB7hqImFAzGs/s320/20.%20CO%20114SS%20Cochetopa%20Canyon.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div>We started seeing signs warning about road construction, and soon came upon the end of the newly paved section of highway. We crossed another pass - this time <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/north-pass/" target="_blank">North Pass</a> at 10,010' that travels along the Continental Divide. This was one of the original routes through the Continental Divide as it's a relatively gentle climb and descent - for a motorcycle, but not for someone with a horse and wagon!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFq-nYSr8NwfBdOQzVzfDqTu8YqGgL8Rz2QeV1aKNLLCECBjKPzONchN_C9e3tcjondGAMvmpqPXD71J4i4X3QF9wwER2ZgVP-vJzKSSpniqPYDzSD2psjfLc3Dl0pmuZHaO2BrjwT0fwgvWEeqO0Mwatxt3bmNQYBB8aGWMic4JrjE6qxt6LqXiBCIc/s4736/22.%20US%20114S%20up%20North%20Pass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFq-nYSr8NwfBdOQzVzfDqTu8YqGgL8Rz2QeV1aKNLLCECBjKPzONchN_C9e3tcjondGAMvmpqPXD71J4i4X3QF9wwER2ZgVP-vJzKSSpniqPYDzSD2psjfLc3Dl0pmuZHaO2BrjwT0fwgvWEeqO0Mwatxt3bmNQYBB8aGWMic4JrjE6qxt6LqXiBCIc/s320/22.%20US%20114S%20up%20North%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyM7F_RWdRcrAJgPMNqOLRromVV9hw4121YSUpJCiIIZBo1EESAO-4oy5EARemKKEJt9F1doaI9igHF5xl3JVWS-qc3nK99rY7Fx-gI4Ap8DydP0Mn5s2JiDg0Y76ICvU82fxsRTkaV6M3D0oSYKIlohv6tZ9ohCXQMptXNeKNP9kr5ZTXxruGSJK3hQ/s4612/24.%20US%20114S%20descending%20North%20Pass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3010" data-original-width="4612" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyM7F_RWdRcrAJgPMNqOLRromVV9hw4121YSUpJCiIIZBo1EESAO-4oy5EARemKKEJt9F1doaI9igHF5xl3JVWS-qc3nK99rY7Fx-gI4Ap8DydP0Mn5s2JiDg0Y76ICvU82fxsRTkaV6M3D0oSYKIlohv6tZ9ohCXQMptXNeKNP9kr5ZTXxruGSJK3hQ/s320/24.%20US%20114S%20descending%20North%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>CO 114 ends at Saguache where we turned once again onto US 285 south. We rode this route through the San Luis Valley in reverse on the first day of this trip, and started thinking about where we might stop for lunch as we passed bright green irrigated fields bordered by dusty brown desert.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rovFGJ1Ws373bKDLxJ1Rh4okflNta0ZLxJr1cOXkVyMfj1H5E-hHJCWIkW-cvr4-vFjPKH1ioGTg2ozCWEetReZIv8yUP6PIITRsOf-nzsxpts2VDLZpiTqlTEh_uVmpve072wukG_DVUiG-H6WneJnGnL5pICu5EzZ350nufNESXwsryCWR4CAJVqI/s4729/26.%20US%20285S%20from%20Saguache.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="4729" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rovFGJ1Ws373bKDLxJ1Rh4okflNta0ZLxJr1cOXkVyMfj1H5E-hHJCWIkW-cvr4-vFjPKH1ioGTg2ozCWEetReZIv8yUP6PIITRsOf-nzsxpts2VDLZpiTqlTEh_uVmpve072wukG_DVUiG-H6WneJnGnL5pICu5EzZ350nufNESXwsryCWR4CAJVqI/s320/26.%20US%20285S%20from%20Saguache.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>We stopped in Del Norte on US 160W for lunch. It's often challenging to find a restaurant open on a Monday, and we were lucky to find the <a href="https://www.threebarrelbrew.com/" target="_blank">Three Barrel Brewing Company</a> open 7 days per week. Leaving Del Norte we had about 90 miles left on our trip, riding over <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/wolf-creek-pass/" target="_blank">Wolf Creek Pass</a> at 10,856'. This is a busy highway with trucks and RVs, and because the road has several tight turns and steep elevation changes, there are runaway truck ramps - just in case.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMo45fHjcQ5USCd_Uiaid-phpq4-96ONPanv8l1GIrYH0O7hQS46BhojEB1LN-U28c4dF4U5LpWEmRevLCigPhvN5kNB63Ref9G1DRzJtMv0B7qgGNCUdwbnoTIDLnX9fmRbNbYZQmfhWH7NrbmtqJPytDbzsn2hHyA-mq3Ecb3UuwVEfvVMpfGGWTQM/s3439/29.%20US%20160W%20Wolf%20Creek%20Pass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2502" data-original-width="3439" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMo45fHjcQ5USCd_Uiaid-phpq4-96ONPanv8l1GIrYH0O7hQS46BhojEB1LN-U28c4dF4U5LpWEmRevLCigPhvN5kNB63Ref9G1DRzJtMv0B7qgGNCUdwbnoTIDLnX9fmRbNbYZQmfhWH7NrbmtqJPytDbzsn2hHyA-mq3Ecb3UuwVEfvVMpfGGWTQM/s320/29.%20US%20160W%20Wolf%20Creek%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFgy6T1u_6DoSi2OUqW-f04w1jgwwnMd0Ixtujc39HOxTekuJu8REpWPgMjM5GqCDXsbLcy_I_-2-VvonEqrqJ21ejCh3B69ZLLr6TQTvqiDivcfWOZWbmCSiUW3cyzLlSI118YzDLjRB62Ndpl6BriDgVnaqqdsdWV1EqgLlS0yFFtfffdYwUX9yJpk/s4736/31.%20US%20160W%20Wolf%20Creek%20Pass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFgy6T1u_6DoSi2OUqW-f04w1jgwwnMd0Ixtujc39HOxTekuJu8REpWPgMjM5GqCDXsbLcy_I_-2-VvonEqrqJ21ejCh3B69ZLLr6TQTvqiDivcfWOZWbmCSiUW3cyzLlSI118YzDLjRB62Ndpl6BriDgVnaqqdsdWV1EqgLlS0yFFtfffdYwUX9yJpk/s320/31.%20US%20160W%20Wolf%20Creek%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8qrZk6x9QwBS5QzBQiznSLp3SpulPAo3OfEKThGqvTg6Ik78O8JGMxFBNpVFZ_lIygwAsGYASBVrX2iLviWmiL4IRBXpJtdT8BcH8Lu40DKRed47DfLdULcVT1e3_XqrWgnZdL1q9ty09oCf3iiQOPrTqH0gyeOkiuyKFroSyJhOZx-CggLwVyyt0Ek/s3883/33.%20US%20160W%20Wolf%20Creek%20Pass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2878" data-original-width="3883" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8qrZk6x9QwBS5QzBQiznSLp3SpulPAo3OfEKThGqvTg6Ik78O8JGMxFBNpVFZ_lIygwAsGYASBVrX2iLviWmiL4IRBXpJtdT8BcH8Lu40DKRed47DfLdULcVT1e3_XqrWgnZdL1q9ty09oCf3iiQOPrTqH0gyeOkiuyKFroSyJhOZx-CggLwVyyt0Ek/s320/33.%20US%20160W%20Wolf%20Creek%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Riding down the Pass into Pagosa Springs we were just a few miles from home. We rode through incredibly beautiful areas over these past three days, yet the final stretch toward home is one of the most gorgeous areas in the entire state.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSV7okhp6YnKzl-HZh9WTHqCSkb7OEBM0qxt8a4wSJdESRNkjgQ67HnLOIO07ENbAdifWAmac4mqoivDBs2Qg3EBVxONe7w2zrRuzNbc700kEjgZg5zeNz1lIbCvsM9AO7YVM8afG5TJkZMQdV496mTX-FFR_oM4-BHrg9eB-dCMkKf1qBETtmOvD1BA/s4736/34.%20US%20160W%20into%20Pagosa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSV7okhp6YnKzl-HZh9WTHqCSkb7OEBM0qxt8a4wSJdESRNkjgQ67HnLOIO07ENbAdifWAmac4mqoivDBs2Qg3EBVxONe7w2zrRuzNbc700kEjgZg5zeNz1lIbCvsM9AO7YVM8afG5TJkZMQdV496mTX-FFR_oM4-BHrg9eB-dCMkKf1qBETtmOvD1BA/s320/34.%20US%20160W%20into%20Pagosa.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-35646161662010446892023-07-24T19:50:00.001-07:002023-07-24T19:51:33.930-07:00High elevation riding<p> We started our ride Sunday in Fairplay, Colorado at 9,954' and 284 miles later finished our ride in <a href="https://leadville.com/" target="_blank">Leadville, Colorado </a>at 10,158'. We intentionally took the long way around to enjoy riding in the Rockies. As the crow flies, only 16 miles separates these two old mining towns.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5aLqjKu0N0aV29oRjsxNmpQUVMGoCpHehOnksQ5lCqDVygHk1zmfl8BJNhZrNgx3vSFQqj2TR9RjOOk21kUPzJGJEiQBQDoOo5yPYMi0rCovugGZkizFZum9EHZyzWw1C5PvwXmgmjozMhdNvTLM0YsPoPEI1xGrowUiBSe05fWLvqOYfpmazGrNUrg/s3921/1.%20CO%209N%20out%20of%20Fairplay.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1676" data-original-width="3921" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5aLqjKu0N0aV29oRjsxNmpQUVMGoCpHehOnksQ5lCqDVygHk1zmfl8BJNhZrNgx3vSFQqj2TR9RjOOk21kUPzJGJEiQBQDoOo5yPYMi0rCovugGZkizFZum9EHZyzWw1C5PvwXmgmjozMhdNvTLM0YsPoPEI1xGrowUiBSe05fWLvqOYfpmazGrNUrg/s320/1.%20CO%209N%20out%20of%20Fairplay.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We took CO 9 north out of Fairplay and soon started climbing up <a href="https://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/3798-hoosier-pass.html" target="_blank">Hoosier Pass</a> at 11,542'. Our approach from south to north is less steep and more sweeping turns compared to the north side which features hairpin turn switchbacks and 8% grades - tons of fun on the BMW!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsziR0ykV2IXc_V1KiG5S8lzp9tJDprz_mIFwEyzecFoGjWTlrFlQIPrFSmxaxl9lNUfkFfJ0Bbu_BDjIh2CMDatfJIOTMg7-RqNjmBXao326Q49D7k0S4z9kppL46ocnYhbnrRkMs9eZ9HIEw6oAlay9IldemqWji6WZwyGO_1AcJApLNYbB3lddCro/s4554/3.%20CO%209N%20up%20Hoosier%20Pass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3165" data-original-width="4554" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsziR0ykV2IXc_V1KiG5S8lzp9tJDprz_mIFwEyzecFoGjWTlrFlQIPrFSmxaxl9lNUfkFfJ0Bbu_BDjIh2CMDatfJIOTMg7-RqNjmBXao326Q49D7k0S4z9kppL46ocnYhbnrRkMs9eZ9HIEw6oAlay9IldemqWji6WZwyGO_1AcJApLNYbB3lddCro/s320/3.%20CO%209N%20up%20Hoosier%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaC15ChxrDCx1tfLs4GwI0EwatQ10w1UD4OGuVzZ84bD5zXMEhcjneImETid0YgURoXrmzki2uvATpQS37LsLaWpG7wV56EebHu3gfqU7LU1NU5dmYnylGdxz05kmg5rj3_VxmHpE7f2zRltG4V0PziX4VGClcqM3TBocVnYhs91BODesqDI2wlUPTPbg/s3658/4.%20top%20of%20Hoosier%20Pass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3496" data-original-width="3658" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaC15ChxrDCx1tfLs4GwI0EwatQ10w1UD4OGuVzZ84bD5zXMEhcjneImETid0YgURoXrmzki2uvATpQS37LsLaWpG7wV56EebHu3gfqU7LU1NU5dmYnylGdxz05kmg5rj3_VxmHpE7f2zRltG4V0PziX4VGClcqM3TBocVnYhs91BODesqDI2wlUPTPbg/s320/4.%20top%20of%20Hoosier%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We stopped at the summit for a photo since our address in Prescott, Arizona was Hoosier Pass!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMYCDgbdf9iL3z-ZNjdSJPchRss6gXqKGYSidJ7vS6Q35pTv8BTMj_cap84cD4bF6FjriRqpnIvO617E6Q_mTK2LDEtUXNa-XdCd4ok9AXmrFIg2xET5g0R2Tr-seces6EpeSr7993EWKrtryoEloKyzqV4kA_upQ889rY1JCbdPK3tQ5ay1Csm276sM/s4182/5.%20CO%209N%20descending%20Hoosier%20Pass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3332" data-original-width="4182" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMYCDgbdf9iL3z-ZNjdSJPchRss6gXqKGYSidJ7vS6Q35pTv8BTMj_cap84cD4bF6FjriRqpnIvO617E6Q_mTK2LDEtUXNa-XdCd4ok9AXmrFIg2xET5g0R2Tr-seces6EpeSr7993EWKrtryoEloKyzqV4kA_upQ889rY1JCbdPK3tQ5ay1Csm276sM/s320/5.%20CO%209N%20descending%20Hoosier%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>As we continued north on CO 9, we passed numerous ski houses, signs that we were getting close to <a href="https://gobreck.com/" target="_blank">Breckenridge</a> - both the town and the ski area. Like many towns in this area, Breckenridge was founded by miners during the 1859 Pike's Peak gold rush. Once the ski area opened in 1961, the town growth exploded and it's packed with tourists all year round.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIbH2lC1Q8QWS5W2AJR61rwxSkMlvLDml3bVBBrgfsLBxrwmN-QjlorbtMbg94XXncPF41o7CzvuWMFKfClP4XnU7xCFMnvaBfRkM2Nw9rEJEpJKOXF1z5CMEfwd_hWpYtwZcCYwYvj1WTqBUTf1AyL7rPWM6CEj0jkBoyQRygVkm7x6dYjyzdK0AX2Y/s2934/8.%20CO%209N%20from%20Hoosier%20Pass%20into%20Breckenridge.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2179" data-original-width="2934" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIbH2lC1Q8QWS5W2AJR61rwxSkMlvLDml3bVBBrgfsLBxrwmN-QjlorbtMbg94XXncPF41o7CzvuWMFKfClP4XnU7xCFMnvaBfRkM2Nw9rEJEpJKOXF1z5CMEfwd_hWpYtwZcCYwYvj1WTqBUTf1AyL7rPWM6CEj0jkBoyQRygVkm7x6dYjyzdK0AX2Y/s320/8.%20CO%209N%20from%20Hoosier%20Pass%20into%20Breckenridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Until we reached Breck we enjoyed little traffic and zooming along the road. All of that changed over the next few miles as we rode through tourist and ski area central - Frisco and Silverthorne, - at times needing to ride east on I70 for a few miles. This is a gorgeous area but challenging for us to enjoy while riding in a sea of traffic. The one bright spot is the huge <a href="https://www.summitcountyco.gov/234/Dillon-Reservoir-Recreation" target="_blank">Dillon Reservoir </a> created in the 1960's to provide water for Denver and today filled with all types of water sport recreation.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFbY72odulcN27gnxx9LJw7tTRDP-3lPjQUkEw1VgCs8Wepiqlzqi2jwUwgRkJ2QShempY-xPpbMnZS_AP0GIUQKjNyIi0T6X-GBfTGTuLNg4ylVZVEhCl9DzmHUVhRDHU05XM7A19GwLx1XEs0oyTrLjGXcwCHMYnLsvRwzK9IryFcosjNiw8JxU158/s4670/11.%20CO%209N%20Dillon%20Reservoir.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2303" data-original-width="4670" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFbY72odulcN27gnxx9LJw7tTRDP-3lPjQUkEw1VgCs8Wepiqlzqi2jwUwgRkJ2QShempY-xPpbMnZS_AP0GIUQKjNyIi0T6X-GBfTGTuLNg4ylVZVEhCl9DzmHUVhRDHU05XM7A19GwLx1XEs0oyTrLjGXcwCHMYnLsvRwzK9IryFcosjNiw8JxU158/s320/11.%20CO%209N%20Dillon%20Reservoir.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We were thrilled to ride out of the traffic as we continued north on CO 9, taking the long way to our eventual destination of Leadville so that we could enjoy more Colorado riding. Our route took us along the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_River_(Colorado)" target="_blank">Blue River</a>, a 65 mile long tributary of the Colorado River that is dammed to form the <a href="https://www.visitgrandcounty.com/explore/lakes-and-rivers/green-mountain-reservoir" target="_blank">Green Mountain Reservoir </a>that was built between 1938 and 1943.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj38rjWMX9a2lg3bUaI5W5xEz6VU1dN8tHb4i7AijuI1Vl7SDieYCcZ0lOe9xz65SpSID34HCDFQ6qYN3Vb3oWrPQh5FT5gCy4aY6rWn5y96u5UxoUl_8l28ReF308eoTWrfWpt5Ahh2bLGsSbwCJHkrlOfTDGXET37NnUqerM8Eu14XdtkVsFvKiKXIU/s3192/13.%20CO%209N%20toward%20Kremmling%20Green%20Mountain%20Reservoir.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2222" data-original-width="3192" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj38rjWMX9a2lg3bUaI5W5xEz6VU1dN8tHb4i7AijuI1Vl7SDieYCcZ0lOe9xz65SpSID34HCDFQ6qYN3Vb3oWrPQh5FT5gCy4aY6rWn5y96u5UxoUl_8l28ReF308eoTWrfWpt5Ahh2bLGsSbwCJHkrlOfTDGXET37NnUqerM8Eu14XdtkVsFvKiKXIU/s320/13.%20CO%209N%20toward%20Kremmling%20Green%20Mountain%20Reservoir.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCleyWbm9jP21Kl8nc404VLjgSuuV-zqDb99GW09Gf9BWmcEDQf6NivKFRWzchY5fMNBPqGwr5mo1lvreLcMTKHqgedJQyaPcKTm2BQjpJhG8XgwXYpT-m4vabTzVSOAj5-Z3UDokEvAsMuJVPNOTQqzGSlO2yawt31QRLc1nC5vVrAtQ13jlopzm_9c/s4536/14.%20CO%209N%20toward%20Kremmling%20Green%20Mountain%20Reservoir.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2446" data-original-width="4536" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCleyWbm9jP21Kl8nc404VLjgSuuV-zqDb99GW09Gf9BWmcEDQf6NivKFRWzchY5fMNBPqGwr5mo1lvreLcMTKHqgedJQyaPcKTm2BQjpJhG8XgwXYpT-m4vabTzVSOAj5-Z3UDokEvAsMuJVPNOTQqzGSlO2yawt31QRLc1nC5vVrAtQ13jlopzm_9c/s320/14.%20CO%209N%20toward%20Kremmling%20Green%20Mountain%20Reservoir.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We crossed the Colorado River just before we reached Kremmling, and then turned north/east onto US40, riding past yet another reservoir - this time the <a href="https://www.coloradoriverdistrict.org/wolford-mountain-reservoir/" target="_blank">Wolford Mountain Reservoir</a>. </p><p>US 40 goes into Steamboat Springs, and along the way we saw numerous signs advertising <a href="https://fmlight.com/" target="_blank">F.M. Light & Sons</a> western clothing store, established in 1905 and continuing to sell western wear today.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnXgU9B8v_q-8E1RM3lom7dd-qBUJa6ZJ1TvocA-izrNlryaM8atYdjSoubuh0OWsud1UsgyWLYZ7QLHGlw44IzcFKIkn3Q8l0NB7wJuEUYa3ek7OLlD_F6GUorddYUYameHg5WZkozzT_mp5OdLlMNh9etvyaim5FxiMb4wA9k0Z5wLbNRUnBTQ8YfA/s3186/P1004704.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3020" data-original-width="3186" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnXgU9B8v_q-8E1RM3lom7dd-qBUJa6ZJ1TvocA-izrNlryaM8atYdjSoubuh0OWsud1UsgyWLYZ7QLHGlw44IzcFKIkn3Q8l0NB7wJuEUYa3ek7OLlD_F6GUorddYUYameHg5WZkozzT_mp5OdLlMNh9etvyaim5FxiMb4wA9k0Z5wLbNRUnBTQ8YfA/s320/P1004704.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Our route took us over two passes over the Continental Divide. First up was <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/muddy-pass/">Muddy Pass</a>, at 8,772' one of the lower passes on our trip. There aren't any hairpin switchbacks on either side of the pass, and then just a few miles down the road we rode up Rabbit Ears Pass at 9,426'. We could see the iconic rabbit ears rock formation long before we actually rode up the pass.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyBms-PujwSOSII5mWZqqyCinpFBiTbGjlSbqOUzgnkbZFeLYYj-uPDQiTljJuLUF7mUbiZ0H4td6oSTAwvihCUKY_psjvNesPu7uOyeJTxPKFe5QQvuDayBS3Ol7eMGQS9wFD_rV83HhoSIy5hQwnF1Rg6mtSst8XniDl_InQw-6l99n-B6QcCRjrYA/s4699/19.%20US%2040%20NE%20toward%20Steamboat.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3163" data-original-width="4699" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyBms-PujwSOSII5mWZqqyCinpFBiTbGjlSbqOUzgnkbZFeLYYj-uPDQiTljJuLUF7mUbiZ0H4td6oSTAwvihCUKY_psjvNesPu7uOyeJTxPKFe5QQvuDayBS3Ol7eMGQS9wFD_rV83HhoSIy5hQwnF1Rg6mtSst8XniDl_InQw-6l99n-B6QcCRjrYA/s320/19.%20US%2040%20NE%20toward%20Steamboat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We made a quick detour into Steamboat Springs for lunch and then continued south on CO 131 through rolling hills and ranchland.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDXFjYDn_8jIfZB2lJ_X4x0mESt2Iq63RRp2-XbeTOlQxk48UzqUvOOea40_ulexpuNb_LLPH1UE2F-THctyim3Eex6ZoH6LpBTZ2SSH3qm083ZiQD88QU2xHZjiWo11rlEzLFThWtHs8eBIHi1DroRQ5ecLunemOMwtZStLQDPmfe1pQ4uWS7z4RQAE/s2405/26.%20CO%20131S%20from%20Yampa.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1209" data-original-width="2405" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDXFjYDn_8jIfZB2lJ_X4x0mESt2Iq63RRp2-XbeTOlQxk48UzqUvOOea40_ulexpuNb_LLPH1UE2F-THctyim3Eex6ZoH6LpBTZ2SSH3qm083ZiQD88QU2xHZjiWo11rlEzLFThWtHs8eBIHi1DroRQ5ecLunemOMwtZStLQDPmfe1pQ4uWS7z4RQAE/s320/26.%20CO%20131S%20from%20Yampa.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We then came upon the Colorado River again, this time riding along the river and watching several rafting groups before we crossed at <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/state-bridge-recreation-site" target="_blank">State Bridge</a>. It was getting hot and I kept imagining how cool it would feel to be rafting today.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheirytoVFtNJNjEBveS_N5DXg1wX1o4lx1Bq9kJX-Rg98w0oaUwRJLnFc7owPJifJQlLrnliORk4ifkDCs-0NLaOE3ZKv-j9vayXQFiWALpBuVloRNG7HhoXnuzRL0iGYW5pbL25EDahrj4BWI0xopTGu3xb9PRYYeo2MQ6Fvakjf3KGTHq9L2VuED9rg/s4057/27.%20CO%20131S%20from%20Yampa%20Colorado%20River.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3411" data-original-width="4057" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheirytoVFtNJNjEBveS_N5DXg1wX1o4lx1Bq9kJX-Rg98w0oaUwRJLnFc7owPJifJQlLrnliORk4ifkDCs-0NLaOE3ZKv-j9vayXQFiWALpBuVloRNG7HhoXnuzRL0iGYW5pbL25EDahrj4BWI0xopTGu3xb9PRYYeo2MQ6Fvakjf3KGTHq9L2VuED9rg/s320/27.%20CO%20131S%20from%20Yampa%20Colorado%20River.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQaArgCUgp3WgwdFvfwImv8hLPxbtjTbyV9WVa6CFQzDnKg1c6j2neY1rcSL2uB4MVQ9vluQdZvuBWK9Kv2itUo66BrerII2QTNRi4q0GTLGwmxgHcQIVOSnJR3avGM6S4Zub23J0lpX-s6ay8tAzr3CbbsGPEsj0g40lzdzIrH4O6d3N0MUc80zIJqo/s4384/29.%20CO%20131S%20Colorado%20River%20crossing%20at%20State%20Bridge.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3180" data-original-width="4384" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQaArgCUgp3WgwdFvfwImv8hLPxbtjTbyV9WVa6CFQzDnKg1c6j2neY1rcSL2uB4MVQ9vluQdZvuBWK9Kv2itUo66BrerII2QTNRi4q0GTLGwmxgHcQIVOSnJR3avGM6S4Zub23J0lpX-s6ay8tAzr3CbbsGPEsj0g40lzdzIrH4O6d3N0MUc80zIJqo/s320/29.%20CO%20131S%20Colorado%20River%20crossing%20at%20State%20Bridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>After crossing the Colorado, we turned south on US 24 which took us into Leadville. Our route today was a large upside-down "U" shape, so now we were headed back into busy traffic as we rode through the ski towns of Beaver Creek and EagleVail. We finally left the traffic behind as we started climbing up <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/tennessee-pass" target="_blank">Tennessee Pass</a>, reaching 10,424'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvsSWvg9cJIoYJw_8Dq4KdC5l0yDaeratlaZm_Gc_npJwgSpuzoay9vxXJZYRHLJAdgsdmNsV1hol98Vw-XulS8jmV9y9Z3hhwi5T_R_RJ8xvOULkKK1fVr29qWrep0Drbi9z3Jj83xhiWzAg4MKnOD5vqgmZOGkA0HYeED-mh8JRE90_iv80JE1_lUE/s4736/33.%20US%2024S%20toward%20Leadville%20Tennessee%20Pass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvsSWvg9cJIoYJw_8Dq4KdC5l0yDaeratlaZm_Gc_npJwgSpuzoay9vxXJZYRHLJAdgsdmNsV1hol98Vw-XulS8jmV9y9Z3hhwi5T_R_RJ8xvOULkKK1fVr29qWrep0Drbi9z3Jj83xhiWzAg4MKnOD5vqgmZOGkA0HYeED-mh8JRE90_iv80JE1_lUE/s320/33.%20US%2024S%20toward%20Leadville%20Tennessee%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This stretch of US 24th is designed the <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/10th-mountain-division-colorado/" target="_blank">US 10th Mountain Division Highway </a>to honor this Army division that was the first to train in winter war, starting in 1942. This is also part of the <a href="https://www.coloradodirectory.com/maps/topoftherockies.html" target="_blank">Top of the Rockies scenic byway</a> that over 75 miles connects several old mining towns, traveling through three national forests - all on a highway that is over 9,000' elevation.</p><p>One of my favorite parts of this route is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Cliff_Bridge" target="_blank">suspension bridge</a> built in 1940 over the Eagle River.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3Dfh-wlDyj4xsMzjUtL22gDGLCOc0932Uqmw0VXG0liMFq5DgvYrn0Jfb33BLz-W4dmJ4gXo7WIz6z_c7U8rFPIn3hH0HjLFEIwiEuGEpma3l6NKMKQIiEGMSz5Bn0Wwz4T3fnPTbJOoOzm2U1WazTe8J_tWbVAdVY_E_lHqKAxn1LRvrBxX2dzjlCs/s4690/P1004754.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3121" data-original-width="4690" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3Dfh-wlDyj4xsMzjUtL22gDGLCOc0932Uqmw0VXG0liMFq5DgvYrn0Jfb33BLz-W4dmJ4gXo7WIz6z_c7U8rFPIn3hH0HjLFEIwiEuGEpma3l6NKMKQIiEGMSz5Bn0Wwz4T3fnPTbJOoOzm2U1WazTe8J_tWbVAdVY_E_lHqKAxn1LRvrBxX2dzjlCs/s320/P1004754.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This route has it all: sweeping turns, tight hairpin switchbacks, huge stands of aspens, long views of the valley far below, and snow peaked mountains that rise over 14,000'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7Yu51M_24dHUW4ATCYRaEQ6NPadx3hjh13kXMer1J2xXXW3m_Mxh7722jugB74lLfLO_aTkffmILpLhU15DwK8rIhkDfSfRKswn_e6tX8KtQmnTo5ERbUQRvEkZPo-Mic0TWMOTJvOHDvdAmcO7X3uUq-YqCYNhqNI5z6en6LjmfxeIQuLL3ldrTwUg/s4736/39.%20US%2024S%20toward%20Leadville.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7Yu51M_24dHUW4ATCYRaEQ6NPadx3hjh13kXMer1J2xXXW3m_Mxh7722jugB74lLfLO_aTkffmILpLhU15DwK8rIhkDfSfRKswn_e6tX8KtQmnTo5ERbUQRvEkZPo-Mic0TWMOTJvOHDvdAmcO7X3uUq-YqCYNhqNI5z6en6LjmfxeIQuLL3ldrTwUg/s320/39.%20US%2024S%20toward%20Leadville.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOy7jyuSgeg3vl9E6xLB6mxHXF65-r5AUmcZ-Kaycws644GByXzebyOIBmcycoPmad9uPe-J67S5vPCIWBaRxoMcyvCvkz2FzgFS2QXicnC3spvfuXvIo_NsYa0KPrGEnVmEOym_mVoXFLCHADeFIv45kqIhK9UMVTyyrOpN7IrjRs1dRKBUjuniB0q4/s4736/41.%20US%2024S%20toward%20Leadville%20past%20Tennessee%20Pass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2706" data-original-width="4736" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOy7jyuSgeg3vl9E6xLB6mxHXF65-r5AUmcZ-Kaycws644GByXzebyOIBmcycoPmad9uPe-J67S5vPCIWBaRxoMcyvCvkz2FzgFS2QXicnC3spvfuXvIo_NsYa0KPrGEnVmEOym_mVoXFLCHADeFIv45kqIhK9UMVTyyrOpN7IrjRs1dRKBUjuniB0q4/s320/41.%20US%2024S%20toward%20Leadville%20past%20Tennessee%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We've ridden this route a few times, but this is our first time staying overnight in Leadville. It's Mike's birthday, and we're planning to celebrate in this still vibrant historic mining town.</p><p><a href="https://www.coloradodirectory.com/maps/topoftherockies.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-33200372108222527202023-07-22T17:43:00.001-07:002023-07-22T17:47:00.954-07:00Colorado mountains and rivers<p> We started the first of a 3-day motorcycle trip today, riding east from Pagosa Springs on US 160E, riding over <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Creek_Pass" target="_blank">Wolf Creek Pass</a> in the San Juan mountains over the Continental Divide. We rode this route in reverse last Sunday, so check out that post for photos of the twists and turns up and over the mountains.</p><p>Once in <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/towns/del-norte/">Del Norte</a> we turned north on CO112, riding through the <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/san-luis-valley-colorado/" target="_blank">San Luis Valley,</a> one of the largest high altitude (about 8,000') valleys in the world and home to ranches and farming.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B-w10NAX95i5MO8fKTvoz2l4D15f_TtsDeWZGXn9MJRw1e9k-y_jc4OoPFHkj-UZXGD_IpetGoMlReaxbHoX55wFghCZz4IVkYUyAtQ-gI-DFopWSh-3kQL1hymxX2SbyaOXphpsDmzvf3mg6o0VZDdl00tCiHUxJRdto_lLAsk7daBTrdf2xG73XTw/s3900/1.%20CO%20112%20north%20from%20Del%20Norte.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2060" data-original-width="3900" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B-w10NAX95i5MO8fKTvoz2l4D15f_TtsDeWZGXn9MJRw1e9k-y_jc4OoPFHkj-UZXGD_IpetGoMlReaxbHoX55wFghCZz4IVkYUyAtQ-gI-DFopWSh-3kQL1hymxX2SbyaOXphpsDmzvf3mg6o0VZDdl00tCiHUxJRdto_lLAsk7daBTrdf2xG73XTw/s320/1.%20CO%20112%20north%20from%20Del%20Norte.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It's the end of July, but riding at this altitude the temperature is comfortable in the mid to high 70's. When we reached <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/towns/saguache/" target="_blank">Saguache</a> (derived from a Ute word that means sand dunes, referencing the nearby <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm" target="_blank">Great Sand Dunes National Park</a>) we turned onto US 285, continuing to head north through the San Luis Valley.<div><br /></div><div>We rode over <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poncha_Pass">Poncha Pass</a>, at just 9,010' one of the lowest passes in Colorado. Winding down the north side of Poncha Pass we came into Poncha Springs, and stopped at the Flamingo food truck for lunch just as it started to rain. This is a do not miss stop - delicious food and friendly people. Luckily there is an indoor place to eat, and by the time we finished lunch the rain stopped.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHF5A8ijtblp_oIFKGqvXrLOinsMjh0LsTzjkLqw3qxaUodW4Elrlo6XLdVLjBsVbYEvjDVULtPYqcUVhhGEfjaBz96mpoKaa4K99zOJwM2PQDOQ4abZNm6eheEuHdLop3rW9jdoJoD-vZVcUZMQMrRA_Wp361rKOrfVzGuQwY69NhHTdYpFkq4G2j1Ic/s4734/3.%20Flamingo%20food%20truck%20Poncha%20Springs.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2428" data-original-width="4734" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHF5A8ijtblp_oIFKGqvXrLOinsMjh0LsTzjkLqw3qxaUodW4Elrlo6XLdVLjBsVbYEvjDVULtPYqcUVhhGEfjaBz96mpoKaa4K99zOJwM2PQDOQ4abZNm6eheEuHdLop3rW9jdoJoD-vZVcUZMQMrRA_Wp361rKOrfVzGuQwY69NhHTdYpFkq4G2j1Ic/s320/3.%20Flamingo%20food%20truck%20Poncha%20Springs.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We turned east on US 50 to ride through <a href="https://royalgorgeregion.com/bighorn-sheep-canyon/" target="_blank">Bighorn Sheep Canyon</a> along the Arkansas River. This was our first time riding the BMW through this area, and the twisting road along steep rocky cliffs and clear water was a ton of fun - even though we didn't see any sheep.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQl4g8ucKLgCHBzAOaLRL5QwtpnHCoSou05mEvvuiQBnizPIKghHrUtjpeUVW3bTJtwSLYHEni8AcXLElkFxURTvM6WpG2g2izBsO16kYTu97l8ygB5HkHvBGMlMMqF6lLNRzQ_Wp2G59CD2IEFsI_xUkBF4uDRVXymJU-x0Seee3Oj0pZSVDb7webMc/s4244/5.%20US%2050E%20Bighorn%20Sheep%20Canyon%20Arkansas%20River.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2528" data-original-width="4244" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQl4g8ucKLgCHBzAOaLRL5QwtpnHCoSou05mEvvuiQBnizPIKghHrUtjpeUVW3bTJtwSLYHEni8AcXLElkFxURTvM6WpG2g2izBsO16kYTu97l8ygB5HkHvBGMlMMqF6lLNRzQ_Wp2G59CD2IEFsI_xUkBF4uDRVXymJU-x0Seee3Oj0pZSVDb7webMc/s320/5.%20US%2050E%20Bighorn%20Sheep%20Canyon%20Arkansas%20River.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpKEnCJj-D6__mp8HgdA3pkeLRjQ1TEaCzCBUrloQw016A2Lh8U0oNV-Ku3FFd7pZXoXF1-q170h2KdohJfsaBGbiXiwquDxlPwgqXue7S5Uy6zar_Elfzx3mnGoqHAzphNAQFK5I5uqHExx3PXJ_3OzOzTQQV68V11b3VX0DyE8zvcMC-lQPGWk4_gk/s2038/6.%20US%2050E%20Bighorn%20Sheep%20Canyon%20Arkansas%20River%20motorcycle%20warning%20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2038" data-original-width="1735" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpKEnCJj-D6__mp8HgdA3pkeLRjQ1TEaCzCBUrloQw016A2Lh8U0oNV-Ku3FFd7pZXoXF1-q170h2KdohJfsaBGbiXiwquDxlPwgqXue7S5Uy6zar_Elfzx3mnGoqHAzphNAQFK5I5uqHExx3PXJ_3OzOzTQQV68V11b3VX0DyE8zvcMC-lQPGWk4_gk/s320/6.%20US%2050E%20Bighorn%20Sheep%20Canyon%20Arkansas%20River%20motorcycle%20warning%20.JPG" width="272" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMorXKzTXDgilSTljXCsCGuaPAPIx8aoWVEpH1WH8dcWdCfASZmaZ1BiaLQp1ZliE6VIKZf6PZKfcAU8CtmMBSojq9SiOag2wQIF_NWck86Urvr8VP5gV-b6kEQnHVxfduZEwLx6Vz4MBnWHoXyGua-HsYpoAmiqMs4mGGL205o25HzDvez4CYMJVHdNg/s4525/13.%20US%2050E%20Bighorn%20Sheep%20Canyon%20Arkansas%20River.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3386" data-original-width="4525" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMorXKzTXDgilSTljXCsCGuaPAPIx8aoWVEpH1WH8dcWdCfASZmaZ1BiaLQp1ZliE6VIKZf6PZKfcAU8CtmMBSojq9SiOag2wQIF_NWck86Urvr8VP5gV-b6kEQnHVxfduZEwLx6Vz4MBnWHoXyGua-HsYpoAmiqMs4mGGL205o25HzDvez4CYMJVHdNg/s320/13.%20US%2050E%20Bighorn%20Sheep%20Canyon%20Arkansas%20River.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Just past Parkdale we left the Arkansas River and turned north on CO 9 and climbed out of the river valley into <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Park_(Park_County,_Colorado)">South Park</a>, one of three high altitude basins in Colorado. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAu6M-g5zQBRllhyZz8RPNddgAg1OpjTxTs68dLst3fcl-zmuA-BmAfzcVH0bRu1cl3be4HevLLUmr3uch9lxDGUXE-_Pc_CJ5-Hlc-GKNQzZ1K79zyIfKh18GSqjD3kzIuzaWXVw_Qal0YPfl4cnzpyALkVRGhwRw0b_3Ar5ykN6WlGK5W_hB-JwWG8/s4119/15.%20CO%209N%20South%20Park.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2312" data-original-width="4119" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAu6M-g5zQBRllhyZz8RPNddgAg1OpjTxTs68dLst3fcl-zmuA-BmAfzcVH0bRu1cl3be4HevLLUmr3uch9lxDGUXE-_Pc_CJ5-Hlc-GKNQzZ1K79zyIfKh18GSqjD3kzIuzaWXVw_Qal0YPfl4cnzpyALkVRGhwRw0b_3Ar5ykN6WlGK5W_hB-JwWG8/s320/15.%20CO%209N%20South%20Park.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We rode 280 miles today, twisting over mountain passes and through river valleys, ending up on a straight road at over 9,000' elevation with views of snowy Rocky Mountain peaks in the distance. Our stop tonight is in <a href="https://www.fairplayco.us/" target="_blank">Fairplay</a>, founded in 1859 as part of the Pike's Peak Gold Rush. You can still pan for gold in the Middle Fork of the South Platte River that runs through town. We've ridden through Fairplay several times, and this will be our first time staying here.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow our route will take us over more mountain passes through the heart of the Rockies. We're looking forward to it!</div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-12551491228336729492023-07-16T18:35:00.002-07:002023-07-16T18:35:39.240-07:00Sunday morning ride<p> We decided to ride in a big circle today, heading south from Chromo, Colorado to Chama, NM and then turning east on CO 17. This is a twisty 2-lane paved road that winds through the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangre_de_Cristo_Mountains" target="_blank">Sangre de Cristo mountains</a> that are the southernmost part of the Rockies straddling the Colorado and New Mexico border.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZWpAhlvDUpuwf8Mdg9RbQkbDm1K6mbJJDGuVzGoxJa7o3nv4d_eb2abUdoW9UViGKcaFCcPeSPopGDHZM3Yp9LIpmVLev1ln-0H9iYrqmdh_G8o2tStbUv2ncwO_Y0sT3wj2o9QQZiZrNF6p8TPNx1VLS3xFWjojpPJh7Y4AM5ejkd6isUU4QvneJ40/s3199/1.%20CO%2017E%20past%20Cumbres%20Pass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1806" data-original-width="3199" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZWpAhlvDUpuwf8Mdg9RbQkbDm1K6mbJJDGuVzGoxJa7o3nv4d_eb2abUdoW9UViGKcaFCcPeSPopGDHZM3Yp9LIpmVLev1ln-0H9iYrqmdh_G8o2tStbUv2ncwO_Y0sT3wj2o9QQZiZrNF6p8TPNx1VLS3xFWjojpPJh7Y4AM5ejkd6isUU4QvneJ40/s320/1.%20CO%2017E%20past%20Cumbres%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSx78AvJfHWZihrXsF0uugD9hOeN8Kk495DPUOUBQi9K9X_j8ODn1asiARkn85T0RpOhes4mDopIb5AtFuOcVP7zc0OjvplggEi4gwNXUSzplLKpswwaDbzdm_7kyYEA-QvExWDOVQukKa5ItFWpLYuyv0iGF5zo761oLygX1y7saNz21shTeDNvq8rpE/s4617/2.%20CO%2017E%20past%20Cumbres%20Pass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2902" data-original-width="4617" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSx78AvJfHWZihrXsF0uugD9hOeN8Kk495DPUOUBQi9K9X_j8ODn1asiARkn85T0RpOhes4mDopIb5AtFuOcVP7zc0OjvplggEi4gwNXUSzplLKpswwaDbzdm_7kyYEA-QvExWDOVQukKa5ItFWpLYuyv0iGF5zo761oLygX1y7saNz21shTeDNvq8rpE/s320/2.%20CO%2017E%20past%20Cumbres%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We rode over <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumbres_Pass" target="_blank">Cumbres Pass </a>at 10,0220' and as we descended toward the east we left behind green meadows and started seeing towering rocky cliffs as we headed into the <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/san-luis-valley-colorado/" target="_blank">San Luis Valley</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgavHYj38zJrIAyFCCeMpdtXBB__ZZ01Bkxs0HtT6sKz-EkZHoOVhM12UlLJKyQRkCywa2RXNxHReBFs19Dla99tskik2oG0ZDQQD5m36gZxcgi2VLlxU786FS18Xiz6dIfXBKRJ3wvtwQcJh8n4kRnsSMVi1XSjX3IHyVG1FuExMl7GCEJYR_EsKCAU/s4736/3.%20CO%2017E%20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3061" data-original-width="4736" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgavHYj38zJrIAyFCCeMpdtXBB__ZZ01Bkxs0HtT6sKz-EkZHoOVhM12UlLJKyQRkCywa2RXNxHReBFs19Dla99tskik2oG0ZDQQD5m36gZxcgi2VLlxU786FS18Xiz6dIfXBKRJ3wvtwQcJh8n4kRnsSMVi1XSjX3IHyVG1FuExMl7GCEJYR_EsKCAU/s320/3.%20CO%2017E%20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At over 7,600' elevation, this 122 mile long, 74 mile wide high desert valley is home to agriculture and ranching. This area was originally home of the Utes, later explored by the Spanish and part of Mexico, and ceded to the United States in 1848 after the Mexican-American war.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgUPlgekFy5wNCwLpY8ENs0iFrwwWvv33Cq9p8nrOax50lBpB8r3T4uV3tuTJB68DkdjdTdeMvVd5P1dCkJuj9ZXPaDypJSve8y0OO2E4l4hcrXWpH22FHrgvQ17tTl5cEuT1E4h9e10HlgQeE88bVud3bWjCN6v8Xxvn7MBeK75Ua9-rYbR889hxZmI/s4383/4.%20CO%2017E%20past%20Fox%20Creek.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2564" data-original-width="4383" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgUPlgekFy5wNCwLpY8ENs0iFrwwWvv33Cq9p8nrOax50lBpB8r3T4uV3tuTJB68DkdjdTdeMvVd5P1dCkJuj9ZXPaDypJSve8y0OO2E4l4hcrXWpH22FHrgvQ17tTl5cEuT1E4h9e10HlgQeE88bVud3bWjCN6v8Xxvn7MBeK75Ua9-rYbR889hxZmI/s320/4.%20CO%2017E%20past%20Fox%20Creek.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p>CO 17 meets up with CO 285 in Antonito, and we then headed west on US 160 in Monte Vista. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLh8-0KxvBUeyLM-WNlOeX3i1Y7z9CgXwNGsXfyP02ihgnhYHYVp7cGF-Q-CInnkmP7bGaG0Wy7kylxVQRLAEMWBdzAJqxy28RAtUxn_4UaksaPmgX9Lhy1BT735y0SUDe2Qs57xih2-3sQxL8aJSE4cyiRIiFdqFcZbWoidYwazpPRcxPPCi67wrqiI/s3798/5.%20CO%20160W%20Monte%20Vista.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2757" data-original-width="3798" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLh8-0KxvBUeyLM-WNlOeX3i1Y7z9CgXwNGsXfyP02ihgnhYHYVp7cGF-Q-CInnkmP7bGaG0Wy7kylxVQRLAEMWBdzAJqxy28RAtUxn_4UaksaPmgX9Lhy1BT735y0SUDe2Qs57xih2-3sQxL8aJSE4cyiRIiFdqFcZbWoidYwazpPRcxPPCi67wrqiI/s320/5.%20CO%20160W%20Monte%20Vista.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Up until this point we saw very little traffic, enjoying the road to ourselves. US 160 is a much more heavily traveled road and Mike zoomed past slower moving RVs and trucks at every opportunity.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaen1hd9hGY7I4SHDZAreuH__kSB0kWuGO3FE4WoIJ0b8tYDcubFmmx7Hbo8cZYyKUWTnjP8wLRjphjqZsHkdKWo6Px-IwHcs9wSWSNsiHCYCUuWsxPXTrQD3d9hrqXq3s3f4ontkL9FF4SVl5PD4kpi00c3hRS0vGmckuHxUbcRDw8-m0CHCWigBSqg/s4096/7.%20CO%20160W%20past%20Del%20Norte.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2183" data-original-width="4096" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaen1hd9hGY7I4SHDZAreuH__kSB0kWuGO3FE4WoIJ0b8tYDcubFmmx7Hbo8cZYyKUWTnjP8wLRjphjqZsHkdKWo6Px-IwHcs9wSWSNsiHCYCUuWsxPXTrQD3d9hrqXq3s3f4ontkL9FF4SVl5PD4kpi00c3hRS0vGmckuHxUbcRDw8-m0CHCWigBSqg/s320/7.%20CO%20160W%20past%20Del%20Norte.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We left home about 8:30am and by the time we reached South Fork we were hungry - and stumbled upon a superb food truck/bar/outdoor spot: <a href="https://rachelskoko.com/" target="_blank">Rachel's</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CZ0Xehqc_aZJZBu92CfzcHXNpEj1v58smUlVhnLa9SErVmsrjHVw01Sqq-Il7sPcWyO6RXju7HjCkzZo_yab5-QWCcZceZEDaa5OUr5FMgNiL3bsKfAdNqJPQBBYxoBVVjfqBJ-5cSSLZT9dTbYSQb-t0N8FgcGID29ZQA_ECxaDPrqo_6ae5jssy60/s4736/8.%20CO%20160W%20South%20Fork%20Rachel's.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CZ0Xehqc_aZJZBu92CfzcHXNpEj1v58smUlVhnLa9SErVmsrjHVw01Sqq-Il7sPcWyO6RXju7HjCkzZo_yab5-QWCcZceZEDaa5OUr5FMgNiL3bsKfAdNqJPQBBYxoBVVjfqBJ-5cSSLZT9dTbYSQb-t0N8FgcGID29ZQA_ECxaDPrqo_6ae5jssy60/s320/8.%20CO%20160W%20South%20Fork%20Rachel's.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>They had a small yet unique and delicious menu - we shared KoKo's Huevos and a Banana Split parfait while sitting at a picnic table in a shaded area. We were too early for the band that starts at noon on Sundays and are already planning another trip here.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7zGrRURibA3KPWWKCCj2qOp1d23aBAp30ilvaGhoLr2tF6wny3wOlmyyD9GXlJVIGAt3t2k561mK8jTaTwrrUov8DGgNl2lXC5BWYiyBeGQay7uqHwwcdeIVPpk7xwZOfI-sIgHUZQe7e4CQf3RhDCv-jih_Ilx-SNQRoAakPhSbHSH2FKgiBKGnVGM/s4736/P1004599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4736" data-original-width="3552" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7zGrRURibA3KPWWKCCj2qOp1d23aBAp30ilvaGhoLr2tF6wny3wOlmyyD9GXlJVIGAt3t2k561mK8jTaTwrrUov8DGgNl2lXC5BWYiyBeGQay7uqHwwcdeIVPpk7xwZOfI-sIgHUZQe7e4CQf3RhDCv-jih_Ilx-SNQRoAakPhSbHSH2FKgiBKGnVGM/s320/P1004599.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiz0jd7fr25KJfjrWDP54vibeYzW8jYOgX1-Gjo0hDn7d584B_pIiWoYMPjnHECgW0u55iVSZcXH2VUKjbRDHrjnrpFOBQBTAfq6kfZXKaeulqrRcWdDDqD-pJq4Ob3jxUceZJW6hwLz160Sk7QEcKXUpBR9J0Vx4XLOIhz1J67M76SsUaK9h7eMdoZEc/s4736/P1004600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4736" data-original-width="3552" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiz0jd7fr25KJfjrWDP54vibeYzW8jYOgX1-Gjo0hDn7d584B_pIiWoYMPjnHECgW0u55iVSZcXH2VUKjbRDHrjnrpFOBQBTAfq6kfZXKaeulqrRcWdDDqD-pJq4Ob3jxUceZJW6hwLz160Sk7QEcKXUpBR9J0Vx4XLOIhz1J67M76SsUaK9h7eMdoZEc/s320/P1004600.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>We continued on US 160W over <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/wolf-creek-pass/" target="_blank">Wolf Creek Pass</a> in the San Juan Mountains, crossing the Continental Divide at 10,857' before we descended down into Pagosa Springs.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRB8JRjMyHwIH5XOlbIuw3QI1myx-sb3fdlthZNgJGJ0VqAApDlX7ud83OIsdl2_uhfhhKF53vkBgU5Zt_p-LiN-WJXkt9IrY1KssgEWgrBPQtUF1xiAKcNwI8zrErpRMABKVuvAek5VaFXo3FrbDNZUNNt8yHTw-ao8tI_YkKJbBvOTilsmI5aiIBpDU/s4736/10.%20CO%20160W%20past%20Wolf%20Creek%20Pass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRB8JRjMyHwIH5XOlbIuw3QI1myx-sb3fdlthZNgJGJ0VqAApDlX7ud83OIsdl2_uhfhhKF53vkBgU5Zt_p-LiN-WJXkt9IrY1KssgEWgrBPQtUF1xiAKcNwI8zrErpRMABKVuvAek5VaFXo3FrbDNZUNNt8yHTw-ao8tI_YkKJbBvOTilsmI5aiIBpDU/s320/10.%20CO%20160W%20past%20Wolf%20Creek%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We live about 25 miles south of Pagosa Springs, so we stopped at the Farmer's Market for fresh Palisade peaches, cherries and sweet corn before turning south on US 84 and home.</div><div><br /></div><div>We rode 220 miles in about 4 hours (including the two stops) on a beautiful July summer morning. Fabulous motorcycle riding is one of the big reasons we live here, and today is a fantastic example of a perfect motorcycle day.<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-4041629328714511492023-06-04T20:14:00.001-07:002023-06-04T20:14:22.825-07:00Last day of our 2-week Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana trip<p> We enjoyed sunny skies our two days in Lakewood, CO visiting our son and his girlfriend, and today the rainy weather finally caught up with us. It poured all night and continued raining hard as we loaded up the BMW (thank goodness our son has a garage). We worked our way through busy Denver traffic and headed south on US 287. Due to the heavy rain and temperatures in the low 40's, I wasn't able to take any pictures until we crossed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenosha_Pass" target="_blank">Kenosha Pass</a> at 10,000' and dropped down into <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/real-south-park-colorado" target="_blank">South Park</a>, the third and final high altitude valley - over 9,000' - in Colorado that we've ridden through on this trip.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyYynOlCR4YOx-jl2BGGuuN9lHD8GgarJY-Q7uLchVm_f6aO4HE1wqobqAIbODQY5wqkdotIRmruo_liRBcl8xGPHMSmO0oXbqODJGUMpSX8H0p1Ei_p6whiw2MouGTLu2gYolYwC_NP6jeBy4-sJC3KVUnrAPXCyv2Szp09AO2z566UGDD6XzBEn/s4580/2.%20South%20Park%20on%20US%20285S.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2417" data-original-width="4580" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyYynOlCR4YOx-jl2BGGuuN9lHD8GgarJY-Q7uLchVm_f6aO4HE1wqobqAIbODQY5wqkdotIRmruo_liRBcl8xGPHMSmO0oXbqODJGUMpSX8H0p1Ei_p6whiw2MouGTLu2gYolYwC_NP6jeBy4-sJC3KVUnrAPXCyv2Szp09AO2z566UGDD6XzBEn/s320/2.%20South%20Park%20on%20US%20285S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We crossed </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trout_Creek_Pass" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Trout Creek Pass</a><span style="text-align: left;"> that marks the southern end of South Park, and once again it started raining. As we wound down toward </span><a href="https://www.buenavistaco.gov/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Buena Vista</a><span style="text-align: left;">, the rain stopped and we were able to enjoy views of the </span><a href="https://www.colorado.com/byways/collegiate-peaks" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Collegiate Peaks</a><span style="text-align: left;">, the highest concentration of mountain peaks >14,000' in the country.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPlP0MANfxf4-72tcO5vWvmfkUYUfv2cIz6_Q0HxE6hp185QwFN6vBEmPjZ_SM5iUjsR7eHCofAdxAfeGJmo3vrlWIQY1cokBCHVTbVPee8A6VwBP78w3JS9c5a8IJ_7xDURYzLgE6W--wH1KWHDsIbJXzJmpLSOeRdpuygFpv1ogit1cWYa5xblK/s4361/4.%20US%20285S%20%20into%20Buena%20Vista.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2804" data-original-width="4361" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPlP0MANfxf4-72tcO5vWvmfkUYUfv2cIz6_Q0HxE6hp185QwFN6vBEmPjZ_SM5iUjsR7eHCofAdxAfeGJmo3vrlWIQY1cokBCHVTbVPee8A6VwBP78w3JS9c5a8IJ_7xDURYzLgE6W--wH1KWHDsIbJXzJmpLSOeRdpuygFpv1ogit1cWYa5xblK/s320/4.%20US%20285S%20%20into%20Buena%20Vista.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitM2D7e6Z6Py17-xqPAfvXYVMf5wdxk-gAH0oFU_qh8guUJMUaGfxeppMxxkpFJGkLtpTZg6aSgFnB9ONd1JvC05Y8ZZ0P0a3bXjUpM0fLFRLm8dwqZX9SQIu29i0iGgUoow6C4BfOLPoQhFD3Y-NdyamIOgcBVWJTrlDuahYW1It_EVQNOL7i0MQZ/s4698/7.%20US%20285S%20Collegiate%20Peaks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3017" data-original-width="4698" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitM2D7e6Z6Py17-xqPAfvXYVMf5wdxk-gAH0oFU_qh8guUJMUaGfxeppMxxkpFJGkLtpTZg6aSgFnB9ONd1JvC05Y8ZZ0P0a3bXjUpM0fLFRLm8dwqZX9SQIu29i0iGgUoow6C4BfOLPoQhFD3Y-NdyamIOgcBVWJTrlDuahYW1It_EVQNOL7i0MQZ/s320/7.%20US%20285S%20Collegiate%20Peaks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The rain picked up again but we had a rain-free window when we stopped for a delicious lunch at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078070327764" target="_blank">FlaminGo food truck</a>. They're open until 1pm - don't miss it!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeCsa4a21gC2txb8mMPdQkYV0q4qSZcQfN1qP_8fBnDXf7S4t18Pp0tsob37qlwEBs5RR-WL4UyaMG32Aj10h7n8ZvlZgUJKerrss4OrQfioprQPF-VUU4EbSROsMSTkijDIZatr4ZWSNak2bTU4A1rIiX_pyj4Z2AIYinl5E-ry_GpX6JNpUwAQm/s4475/8.%20lunch%20in%20Pancha%20Springs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3521" data-original-width="4475" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeCsa4a21gC2txb8mMPdQkYV0q4qSZcQfN1qP_8fBnDXf7S4t18Pp0tsob37qlwEBs5RR-WL4UyaMG32Aj10h7n8ZvlZgUJKerrss4OrQfioprQPF-VUU4EbSROsMSTkijDIZatr4ZWSNak2bTU4A1rIiX_pyj4Z2AIYinl5E-ry_GpX6JNpUwAQm/s320/8.%20lunch%20in%20Pancha%20Springs.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>More rain, then another dry spell as we rode through the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Luis_Valley" target="_blank">San Luis Valley</a>, a major agricultural center. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zzB2pwR4KcJAioftQ7pnN-iJHBYm5COoSmoXtpYYVSLo2WRwYvH9oVBT9ZdE3XhJ36xXJuNhvrGsMK1Waj3RgXVSn71M2X0MRNpocSZx5cufpjM8_f1vZtrupt3sH0F5nxQXHr-h5B-jalpuths_i0DqlP49bpGkU3_3y9qG99kJKzCnUSQ6yJNS/s3812/11.%20%20US%20285S%20past%20Saguache%20in%20San%20Luis%20Valley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1832" data-original-width="3812" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-zzB2pwR4KcJAioftQ7pnN-iJHBYm5COoSmoXtpYYVSLo2WRwYvH9oVBT9ZdE3XhJ36xXJuNhvrGsMK1Waj3RgXVSn71M2X0MRNpocSZx5cufpjM8_f1vZtrupt3sH0F5nxQXHr-h5B-jalpuths_i0DqlP49bpGkU3_3y9qG99kJKzCnUSQ6yJNS/s320/11.%20%20US%20285S%20past%20Saguache%20in%20San%20Luis%20Valley.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>As we started up <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/wolf-creek-pass/" target="_blank">Wolf Creek Pass</a>, 10,857' on the Continental Divide in the San Juan Mountains, we knew we were close to home. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuk71HnJr9JTkT_xfmIled1lx0grnxnoRumDTMHdPXCcLTCeUSPy8xmPtIPl3hJb-LJu8--uXo6DjuiR_FWV92wD2EuPfmHwK5-VDxUvnx4XZgtmSaaxSCaQnuIIn0Tt2Z8A66z4sHspyN6jNtLo5NsqE09xnHO14CcQw6uMX5uJ5D6TN25CKirKA/s4736/15.%20US%20160W%20into%20Pagosa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuk71HnJr9JTkT_xfmIled1lx0grnxnoRumDTMHdPXCcLTCeUSPy8xmPtIPl3hJb-LJu8--uXo6DjuiR_FWV92wD2EuPfmHwK5-VDxUvnx4XZgtmSaaxSCaQnuIIn0Tt2Z8A66z4sHspyN6jNtLo5NsqE09xnHO14CcQw6uMX5uJ5D6TN25CKirKA/s320/15.%20US%20160W%20into%20Pagosa.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Pagosa Springs is on the western side of Wolf Creek Pass and even better the sun was shining!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BEs7Kc3aHwOsO6d6OgITMRd5E3O94fSGDY6KAwml-uQWp4FEg8pkCFVpBPr7s9uywEPWoHji3TqLk5fqK2tFbUK9uoewlNqfyk6gdHHRWGYZFiP3-OJspMVoe_RiZ9_ZorcsSgwFI4QpXKSmSyX0129pFq1VrmtcbnxpKRDHdqPLZ5E9Qfj0Vbkm/s4675/17.%20US%20160W%20into%20Pagosa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2776" data-original-width="4675" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BEs7Kc3aHwOsO6d6OgITMRd5E3O94fSGDY6KAwml-uQWp4FEg8pkCFVpBPr7s9uywEPWoHji3TqLk5fqK2tFbUK9uoewlNqfyk6gdHHRWGYZFiP3-OJspMVoe_RiZ9_ZorcsSgwFI4QpXKSmSyX0129pFq1VrmtcbnxpKRDHdqPLZ5E9Qfj0Vbkm/s320/17.%20US%20160W%20into%20Pagosa.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We rode 303 miles today for a total of 2090 miles on this two-week trip, visiting our two sons, riding through two national parks, and seeing more of the West. Now that we live in Colorado, we plan to explore more of the area this summer - and hopefully not when it's raining!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><br />Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-44243512518699799492023-06-04T18:45:00.003-07:002023-06-04T18:45:41.363-07:00A short day: 33 miles in Colorado's Front Range<p> We had a leisurely start to our morning as we're riding only 33 miles today, from Longmont to Lakewood, Colorado to visit our son and his girlfriend.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYgprl8uo8UpAD-_H3jJdjA41fe9RfU4s21Flbvw3OKimKNbqV5fNOqtTL7lw9lkeH8nNU4kudbgg0zulvH3FTmLQB1FVItsT7Td_im-MuUgnkpUdmj5lyS6jSJ32nAeeDg__HAguWrojA9dN8vdsQ0SeEOVTcV1CkdNK7Co2_rWKjxVrO4haHrhW/s4736/1.%20bike%20at%20Laramie%20hotel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYgprl8uo8UpAD-_H3jJdjA41fe9RfU4s21Flbvw3OKimKNbqV5fNOqtTL7lw9lkeH8nNU4kudbgg0zulvH3FTmLQB1FVItsT7Td_im-MuUgnkpUdmj5lyS6jSJ32nAeeDg__HAguWrojA9dN8vdsQ0SeEOVTcV1CkdNK7Co2_rWKjxVrO4haHrhW/s320/1.%20bike%20at%20Laramie%20hotel.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Over 5 million people live in the <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/front-range-colorado/" target="_blank">Front Range</a>, the eastern-most steep mountains of the Rockies that runs north-south from Casper, WY to Pueblo, CO. It's a beautiful area but because there are so many cities and towns, there is always a lot of traffic.</p><p>Our route took us south on US 287, first along farmland with views of the Rockies, and then into congested city driving.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GBfB-BXrjNlBeQjv0HkrWtoZkWD6Ivrbiq6BS98BeMStc6EZ0AtvJyt-U6StlOoXY1Vmn7mMIsW31sC3r31q0Y0TMDio6L1Nk_u6Y0etU_93IgbyH632aAQ8SOCVH97GbmALKcYrsyuKB66ejM7P9tFLh_UUPLky8oyIA3u44UZcViQI8uXfsE0I/s4556/P1004536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2593" data-original-width="4556" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GBfB-BXrjNlBeQjv0HkrWtoZkWD6Ivrbiq6BS98BeMStc6EZ0AtvJyt-U6StlOoXY1Vmn7mMIsW31sC3r31q0Y0TMDio6L1Nk_u6Y0etU_93IgbyH632aAQ8SOCVH97GbmALKcYrsyuKB66ejM7P9tFLh_UUPLky8oyIA3u44UZcViQI8uXfsE0I/s320/P1004536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We'll spend the next two days here before our last day of this trip.</p>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-59830909220716421802023-06-02T16:29:00.002-07:002023-06-02T18:21:16.987-07:00Rocky Mountain National Park<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7KfmlvR4YJY8uZtYtr2iNRr5cefXVVxbndABFIVoq3jubum7IM7F9s2LbOiWH1gj5ww3xeuBmETOo6WjaAWfcHmf4Mok8-HEOKR_I2J7pLASBZc0uYo6xABVpITPywm0QkXXA4GIPdVLxgJJcNuZ7c0WA9md_JzIDiQbKaYUupk3Zbqdbqxzxtp4/s3678/30.%20bike%20Rocky%20Mtn%20Natl%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20ascending%20Milner%20Pass%20Fairview%20Curve.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3445" data-original-width="3678" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7KfmlvR4YJY8uZtYtr2iNRr5cefXVVxbndABFIVoq3jubum7IM7F9s2LbOiWH1gj5ww3xeuBmETOo6WjaAWfcHmf4Mok8-HEOKR_I2J7pLASBZc0uYo6xABVpITPywm0QkXXA4GIPdVLxgJJcNuZ7c0WA9md_JzIDiQbKaYUupk3Zbqdbqxzxtp4/s320/30.%20bike%20Rocky%20Mtn%20Natl%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20ascending%20Milner%20Pass%20Fairview%20Curve.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The highlight of today's ride from Laramie, WY to Longmont, CO was riding west to east through <a href="https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm" target="_blank">Rocky Mountain National Park</a>, traveling over a narrow, twisting road with sheer drop-offs over the tops of mountains - while it was snowing!</p><p>But before we got to the park, we first rode west from Laramie on WY 230 through a wide, flat valley. Once again we wore our raingear, both to stay warm with temperatures in the low 50's and due to the threat of rain.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VwMYADi95uH_yhuYZBPgA-8WC5_5w3gPn2cBqYA21IOb9Uw_cHvLoAwL6rU444cB-Y8SDVEk3mRVqWSHDxYPken-zZwsjA2k35SJ5SZCR6nTAUtu6TbhLgAm9mO2YD9gEK5O8rV95FGjsNbLItTLkPim7F2_hgnv5oFZ2H24mWn2gZ_IC6qCPHft/s3191/2.%20WY%20230%20west%20out%20of%20Laramie.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="3191" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VwMYADi95uH_yhuYZBPgA-8WC5_5w3gPn2cBqYA21IOb9Uw_cHvLoAwL6rU444cB-Y8SDVEk3mRVqWSHDxYPken-zZwsjA2k35SJ5SZCR6nTAUtu6TbhLgAm9mO2YD9gEK5O8rV95FGjsNbLItTLkPim7F2_hgnv5oFZ2H24mWn2gZ_IC6qCPHft/s320/2.%20WY%20230%20west%20out%20of%20Laramie.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Within a few miles we entered Colorado, and the road name changed from WY 230 to CO 125 as we rode through national forests into <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Park_(Colorado_basin)" target="_blank">North Park</a>, the northernmost large, high altitude valley on the western side of the Front Range. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfttnJBxwHp3saL0iIriCVh0Gf83v6YOszL3b8I1jQwlLkbxw189wAea3x8VNlzPxo2beCqiKJbSNuml0i12IuKAZ7njBihyWGaYQEcjwXXklaWqg9yXqhXEXDmixVWtoUOR8QWUQmC7lN5a5FU2y0bapHap-Ilq8UUrK5EOmVa9o_iEIiGWWNk-qH/s3300/6.%20CO%20127%20west%20North%20Park.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2124" data-original-width="3300" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfttnJBxwHp3saL0iIriCVh0Gf83v6YOszL3b8I1jQwlLkbxw189wAea3x8VNlzPxo2beCqiKJbSNuml0i12IuKAZ7njBihyWGaYQEcjwXXklaWqg9yXqhXEXDmixVWtoUOR8QWUQmC7lN5a5FU2y0bapHap-Ilq8UUrK5EOmVa9o_iEIiGWWNk-qH/s320/6.%20CO%20127%20west%20North%20Park.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoAqaa04fltGtVXXvJhNDFo_UCfzaMxmBLWNiSOmXIqW0iYAbcn-D5Hx2vFHRIVNBt0MlzOZlX0ksYAFYJa01SnmXVvgbWke_coXfX3Azu65ymMxMR6HNF0cY2Yxm6krieDulipVUNOqYVRzsYRDfkzjIWO_ta3KOKj2Nfn-7k7pcUnZsQnSuipk8/s3499/10.%20CO%20127%20west%20North%20Park%20cattle.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1523" data-original-width="3499" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoAqaa04fltGtVXXvJhNDFo_UCfzaMxmBLWNiSOmXIqW0iYAbcn-D5Hx2vFHRIVNBt0MlzOZlX0ksYAFYJa01SnmXVvgbWke_coXfX3Azu65ymMxMR6HNF0cY2Yxm6krieDulipVUNOqYVRzsYRDfkzjIWO_ta3KOKj2Nfn-7k7pcUnZsQnSuipk8/s320/10.%20CO%20127%20west%20North%20Park%20cattle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>As we left the valley we started climbing up <a href="https://www.allrockymountain.com/scenic_drives/willow_creek_pass.php" target="_blank">Willow Creek Pass</a> and crossed the Continental Divide - but not for the last time today. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroyP2qs16FNTzP5_j4TtJUMU9f020eRvlhYVX5vuGJ84S6C7SqULchOaHHnZMTY253Pw5VTUKDITxKnWzfkMHNvTnqXC6itAYSyKWDbYM0WwMn6npHwtsB6cVWsEKVdsj29gYfg14d_5K-j7QeWmt9rXAbQBDd-AyIPN9tVpfesFyGeg78tb5CmzQ/s4138/12.%20CO%20125%20south%20up%20Willow%20Creek%20Pass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3035" data-original-width="4138" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroyP2qs16FNTzP5_j4TtJUMU9f020eRvlhYVX5vuGJ84S6C7SqULchOaHHnZMTY253Pw5VTUKDITxKnWzfkMHNvTnqXC6itAYSyKWDbYM0WwMn6npHwtsB6cVWsEKVdsj29gYfg14d_5K-j7QeWmt9rXAbQBDd-AyIPN9tVpfesFyGeg78tb5CmzQ/s320/12.%20CO%20125%20south%20up%20Willow%20Creek%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GJI34zilnopDGkeCL467GyiRCJoub9nyPbAWxmd7CHrk97tceR0NZeIgKh_n_QAswsySjg1f1ZX8UJkronq57XAVsCGn610OkufBsAy57pGN1QKCCrP0r18HmCAvbVqJ7u8K1TyTqmgiD14NMjb3oHw2cpiOBTQtybeUR94k44jQiD3YW67oSI3q/s4512/13.%20CO%20125%20south%20descending%20Willow%20Creek%20Pass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3320" data-original-width="4512" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GJI34zilnopDGkeCL467GyiRCJoub9nyPbAWxmd7CHrk97tceR0NZeIgKh_n_QAswsySjg1f1ZX8UJkronq57XAVsCGn610OkufBsAy57pGN1QKCCrP0r18HmCAvbVqJ7u8K1TyTqmgiD14NMjb3oHw2cpiOBTQtybeUR94k44jQiD3YW67oSI3q/s320/13.%20CO%20125%20south%20descending%20Willow%20Creek%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We dropped down into <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Park_(Colorado_basin)" target="_blank">Middle Fork</a>, another wide valley at about 8000' elevation,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiOzdt1ZqgkwmBeRABJWEsh8lIJtwOA4RL_csbQ5egQiqh3WzK5Si4olUtznSHostHjPLSfnkoCDvK8ZI8KzCD9bPtMT_QIJPC8yqiGi-ozx1GMdM_NmIpdSMa_spkGXGT2-b1ebSLvJJcxHa5_i1rEqc1aoxfAX1Yg-sazDTsvqcHBADz9kQnUbq/s4736/14.%20CO%20125%20south.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiOzdt1ZqgkwmBeRABJWEsh8lIJtwOA4RL_csbQ5egQiqh3WzK5Si4olUtznSHostHjPLSfnkoCDvK8ZI8KzCD9bPtMT_QIJPC8yqiGi-ozx1GMdM_NmIpdSMa_spkGXGT2-b1ebSLvJJcxHa5_i1rEqc1aoxfAX1Yg-sazDTsvqcHBADz9kQnUbq/s320/14.%20CO%20125%20south.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZunaDsR33MVqfAerEvXxs2Wn7bxuKYnlT-6qeiDekr1lXD_A7457BMMaUyLgXR8qI-HEuSMVcQ_TVpRQ2YmILDt6GawY0-dbBfJAppTP-iFBCsu5B6z7eD7McCGLZ4pgKd22EN9WSDwhyPj0nChFxFG_E4vtOELUGJW005Ly1LXx19PvFWpfSxvJ/s3642/15.%20CO%20125%20south%20Middle%20Park.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1663" data-original-width="3642" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZunaDsR33MVqfAerEvXxs2Wn7bxuKYnlT-6qeiDekr1lXD_A7457BMMaUyLgXR8qI-HEuSMVcQ_TVpRQ2YmILDt6GawY0-dbBfJAppTP-iFBCsu5B6z7eD7McCGLZ4pgKd22EN9WSDwhyPj0nChFxFG_E4vtOELUGJW005Ly1LXx19PvFWpfSxvJ/s320/15.%20CO%20125%20south%20Middle%20Park.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>and then turned east on US 40 and then on US 34 east, passing <a href="https://www.visitgrandcounty.com/explore/lakes-and-rivers/lake-granby" target="_blank">Lake Granby</a>, a large reservoir created in 1950 and the third largest body of water in Colorado.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0UnSPwX2AjaVMuWRwAb1CwYcyYBN4Hxzpcrs99YZHQPHzjP_ZTr6GHCakviZ-2-OUQF1L_ibn7Ykz1r4ebHwRT3EE8qEuHjWle0xkHzX4teTTfX1ykBkglAZPOukS2rC9xETUMO5I6E5z-_kzGGCwJ2w7VC9dJIDSSn82yEUJCf4t2kJngiDSC91/s4709/18.%20US%2040%20east%20Lake%20Granby.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3219" data-original-width="4709" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0UnSPwX2AjaVMuWRwAb1CwYcyYBN4Hxzpcrs99YZHQPHzjP_ZTr6GHCakviZ-2-OUQF1L_ibn7Ykz1r4ebHwRT3EE8qEuHjWle0xkHzX4teTTfX1ykBkglAZPOukS2rC9xETUMO5I6E5z-_kzGGCwJ2w7VC9dJIDSSn82yEUJCf4t2kJngiDSC91/s320/18.%20US%2040%20east%20Lake%20Granby.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After a quick stop for gas and an energy bar, we continued on US 34 east into Rocky Mountain National Park. There is a timed entry requirement this year, and we were lucky to have entry between 9am and 11am. Entering the park at the western entrance means far less traffic and we didn't have to wait in long lines.<div><br /></div><div>When we first started riding through the <a href="https://www.allrockymountain.com/scenic_drives/kawuneeche_valley.php" target="_blank">Kawuneeche Valley</a> we spotted a couple of elk and then an eagle sitting high in a pine tree. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIPdrzT_vU88qCoUi1kALDn1TiPqIF24miHc9ar5h7S25yRhND1TfOCqUJFbC3i006dnfYe2T4c8UvyYo3fZvqwIGdEJk6B04oP25xRKmAbNyHvfEMsAL_qVRdO-yxraoHKYKpcT7EN7YRpvc5MSF_soxjnaoJFuCEoZhGgitYo2tHACVX8xLWa2x/s3794/22.%20Rocky%20Mtn%20National%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20Kawuneeche%20Valley.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2156" data-original-width="3794" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIPdrzT_vU88qCoUi1kALDn1TiPqIF24miHc9ar5h7S25yRhND1TfOCqUJFbC3i006dnfYe2T4c8UvyYo3fZvqwIGdEJk6B04oP25xRKmAbNyHvfEMsAL_qVRdO-yxraoHKYKpcT7EN7YRpvc5MSF_soxjnaoJFuCEoZhGgitYo2tHACVX8xLWa2x/s320/22.%20Rocky%20Mtn%20National%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20Kawuneeche%20Valley.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Then we started climbing through the pine forests as the road twisted around the mountains. We stopped at an overlook while ascending <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/milner-pass/" target="_blank">Milner Pass</a> at 10,759', and even though it was overcast and hazy, the snow-capped mountains are impressive.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopTxiWb681ypgm4MNrB5aI5oNW-0X676dvXZZ1Pkcbr_fYS8QjjF-2pWNxoctIHblI2tzyHWrNM5si7S-m3a1TQG9xK_kfGriYmFarOmXUKW42a4qpXAgqUxEgCCRfaufooG52Gx3t_SN7f7vO-ceiGgWqMMnebQZu-BPn-5DLBv0apVFll-szF3l/s4736/28.%20Rocky%20Mtn%20Natl%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20ascending%20Milner%20Pass%20Fairview%20Curve.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopTxiWb681ypgm4MNrB5aI5oNW-0X676dvXZZ1Pkcbr_fYS8QjjF-2pWNxoctIHblI2tzyHWrNM5si7S-m3a1TQG9xK_kfGriYmFarOmXUKW42a4qpXAgqUxEgCCRfaufooG52Gx3t_SN7f7vO-ceiGgWqMMnebQZu-BPn-5DLBv0apVFll-szF3l/s320/28.%20Rocky%20Mtn%20Natl%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20ascending%20Milner%20Pass%20Fairview%20Curve.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We watched the temperature drop as we climbed, first in the low 40's and then as we rode past the treeline into the tundra, it started snowing and the temperature dropped to 34 degrees.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDcPZSktvPZy6m1gvQAyP43kZ2r3IoVmyrcUuzLNjJ2q-hyVne-WK_dRL97RBlfRiJ14Sy_RCj5frpHpHMsYsi4sVa1Pmh6ez3i7k-zruDC9fiOWAB-rZKDR9lPkI7QL2N-5f_YJ5YO0VsL_nuLIcTCyhDuX-0tGFZ4tY-QkN_PMUFaiOZnehP6WP/s4365/37.%20Rocky%20Mtn%20Natl%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20Trail%20Ridge%20Road.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2196" data-original-width="4365" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDcPZSktvPZy6m1gvQAyP43kZ2r3IoVmyrcUuzLNjJ2q-hyVne-WK_dRL97RBlfRiJ14Sy_RCj5frpHpHMsYsi4sVa1Pmh6ez3i7k-zruDC9fiOWAB-rZKDR9lPkI7QL2N-5f_YJ5YO0VsL_nuLIcTCyhDuX-0tGFZ4tY-QkN_PMUFaiOZnehP6WP/s320/37.%20Rocky%20Mtn%20Natl%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20Trail%20Ridge%20Road.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCNzH0k4GQPVjuv_KM2Ki96VERubr83RglWM5W-APjISs_aYPa6bkRhrT3ksz_byMvPwSS6ByUZUVMpiqMltkxAioeXVFxksV5Ra7EL_e8suEJLbC3dZnjzdfSVmE8cRI18t5EqtA1-UZngvJ3nkhcFN88WUKeE5aEQ19JfbWw2pnaH0kL-DaMGi5/s4155/38.%20Rocky%20Mtn%20Natl%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20past%20Alpine%20Ridge%20visitor%20center.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2437" data-original-width="4155" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCNzH0k4GQPVjuv_KM2Ki96VERubr83RglWM5W-APjISs_aYPa6bkRhrT3ksz_byMvPwSS6ByUZUVMpiqMltkxAioeXVFxksV5Ra7EL_e8suEJLbC3dZnjzdfSVmE8cRI18t5EqtA1-UZngvJ3nkhcFN88WUKeE5aEQ19JfbWw2pnaH0kL-DaMGi5/s320/38.%20Rocky%20Mtn%20Natl%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20past%20Alpine%20Ridge%20visitor%20center.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcLL9WmZVipBcTbE_AAG4bcfYm2Lh4IJi1LFFdXpG7VgfesT94fG6S1cCIsxlnN8w2_Ls1RZ6cYwVU3FlObKlGgJWclRQS45Rp2-4ybxeh-is7_GDLf16M19Z5qezsf0VbdMVPeE5DGVrTM8wWYA5Qd7khMvrT7x8R1msd9nZJCMxx0PlSb1hQ_1D/s4736/43.%20Rocky%20Mtn%20Natl%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20past%20Alpine%20Ridge%20visitor%20center.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcLL9WmZVipBcTbE_AAG4bcfYm2Lh4IJi1LFFdXpG7VgfesT94fG6S1cCIsxlnN8w2_Ls1RZ6cYwVU3FlObKlGgJWclRQS45Rp2-4ybxeh-is7_GDLf16M19Z5qezsf0VbdMVPeE5DGVrTM8wWYA5Qd7khMvrT7x8R1msd9nZJCMxx0PlSb1hQ_1D/s320/43.%20Rocky%20Mtn%20Natl%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20past%20Alpine%20Ridge%20visitor%20center.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It was amazing and sort of terrifying at the same time as Mike navigated the twisting road which at times was wet - but thankfully not icy.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_25rY3sRNfA" width="320" youtube-src-id="_25rY3sRNfA"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/iceberg-pass" target="_blank">Iceberg Pass</a> on Trail Ridge Road peaks at 12,183' and while the tundra at the top was swept bare of snow, we passed tall snowbanks in the forests on the way back down the mountain.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAmWY4V5ZVr_9ro1ibkYtDGg42Hcr8QPbYzPbm23QXWgiAnTiPmaPM7Y_B_S0uhRZsNjfL_jKuHuP6xxI7fydm7U_R9-TJ6DtDL9IojZWUORaAZD9PaZQ5lwv2XVhn2CflZhyeRMDmaR28ZYuHnM4gVOzYR6QoSBH1jmOGxx3kFvehny7QjJNZfM9/s4368/46.%20Rocky%20Mtn%20Natl%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20past%20Forest%20Canyon%20overlook.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3466" data-original-width="4368" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAmWY4V5ZVr_9ro1ibkYtDGg42Hcr8QPbYzPbm23QXWgiAnTiPmaPM7Y_B_S0uhRZsNjfL_jKuHuP6xxI7fydm7U_R9-TJ6DtDL9IojZWUORaAZD9PaZQ5lwv2XVhn2CflZhyeRMDmaR28ZYuHnM4gVOzYR6QoSBH1jmOGxx3kFvehny7QjJNZfM9/s320/46.%20Rocky%20Mtn%20Natl%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20past%20Forest%20Canyon%20overlook.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div>The ride down into the east side of the park was once again sweeping turns and hairpin twisties through pine forests until we rode down into the open valley.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzqM2WzmNePscJGKnD2qigIa0VYEgBHavrCepJEl_XKfuJfJpRMnSouOJsKMGbmEyN1aL1R3f6A1lNtunKCCDy-SminI6YeEqvxozL252KMmMUs9YcScr1oEzAy6_H7LPuQzhWphStY29Lmwtb_K5cx4CznRaK5_FjvSDWJAOsrNWWgbpKBYrxrRI/s4736/48.%20Rocky%20Mtn%20Natl%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20Hiden%20Valley.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzqM2WzmNePscJGKnD2qigIa0VYEgBHavrCepJEl_XKfuJfJpRMnSouOJsKMGbmEyN1aL1R3f6A1lNtunKCCDy-SminI6YeEqvxozL252KMmMUs9YcScr1oEzAy6_H7LPuQzhWphStY29Lmwtb_K5cx4CznRaK5_FjvSDWJAOsrNWWgbpKBYrxrRI/s320/48.%20Rocky%20Mtn%20Natl%20Park%20US%2034%20east%20Hiden%20Valley.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We exited the park on US 36 on the east side into <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/estes-park" target="_blank">Estes Park</a>, first settled by Whites in the 1860's but long home to Arapahoe. It's now a busy tourist destination into Rocky Mountain National Park. From Estes Park we rode on US 36 east through a red rocks canyon as we headed to Longmont, our stop for the night.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwwozI8OtQBCyF4qs_H3zUqGrZLF-8Jo_hahhJxsWKc3e9ra7vAT4d0pjjN3WmEi7ITYB3h7I75Gg2wmEPWvPLIfmsNiNN7J8hn3yRza5PmcQ4_8tZt4p679C-cf5H6g5jjvGERZGoYo8tyTnBrb11nMpnwM9QJfpR3lmU9ze4fvVwWcMqIppTUVg/s4736/51.%20US%2036%20east%20from%20Estes%20Park.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2822" data-original-width="4736" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwwozI8OtQBCyF4qs_H3zUqGrZLF-8Jo_hahhJxsWKc3e9ra7vAT4d0pjjN3WmEi7ITYB3h7I75Gg2wmEPWvPLIfmsNiNN7J8hn3yRza5PmcQ4_8tZt4p679C-cf5H6g5jjvGERZGoYo8tyTnBrb11nMpnwM9QJfpR3lmU9ze4fvVwWcMqIppTUVg/s320/51.%20US%2036%20east%20from%20Estes%20Park.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>We rode 219 miles today through remote high altitude valleys, up and down over the Continental Divide, through snowy conditions on top of 12,000' passes, and finally into the busy <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_Range" target="_blank">Front Range</a> of the Rocky Mountains. Tomorrow we have a short ride to Lakewood, CO to visit our son and his girlfriend for the weekend before one last ride home.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-42517146889576885492023-05-31T19:40:00.005-07:002023-05-31T19:40:52.809-07:00Windy Wyoming<p> We started our day with a walk in <a href="https://thermopolis.com/attractions/hot-springs-state-park/" target="_blank">Thermopolis State Park</a>, home to mineral hot springs and a bison herd. We walked across the Swinging Bridge footbridge over the Bighorn River, and stopped by the <a href="https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=97743" target="_blank">Teepee Fountain</a>, built in 1909 to cool the hot mineral water. As the hot mineral water flows over the stone base, it cools and deposits layers of travertine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBTLnjMTgxx88IT8k_6ufGX8vW5mT7VIQdNkJGxjOXMo4LyKSeKgx5RdLSQ3SkIc73nITWBvfjNOrsgv_KPBkl-ENCNsNFuR3pUjj7FxZe6dup626wbNFknkGjlLxzWRcju5YDGf4xV_3KN5edGRrZTkkyXLRA306aRN2w8fWobeBOekbmSxXKE5d/s4736/1.Thermopolis%20teepee%20fountain%20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBTLnjMTgxx88IT8k_6ufGX8vW5mT7VIQdNkJGxjOXMo4LyKSeKgx5RdLSQ3SkIc73nITWBvfjNOrsgv_KPBkl-ENCNsNFuR3pUjj7FxZe6dup626wbNFknkGjlLxzWRcju5YDGf4xV_3KN5edGRrZTkkyXLRA306aRN2w8fWobeBOekbmSxXKE5d/s320/1.Thermopolis%20teepee%20fountain%20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Once on the BMW, we headed south on US 20 through the <a href="https://travelwyoming.com/listings/wind-river-canyon-scenic-byway/" target="_blank">Wind River Canyon</a>, a gorgeous ride where the rock cliffs rise 2500' with the 2-lane highway, Wind River, and train tracks winding along the bottom of the canyon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikXmD5wbcu866510_w2PQjkA7sz1-uTN-TdKR-CNcj21-nOatNlqJtDvZMp35jesQxBjIdBNzD8XDVTHMWygwZeR0Es_iQRX-hSYrAlG_ZxObKY07T5aDfU6cWbK8A3SpC_cSLG7YxsDz_tP_bRZDgRfd9TF6bpTpsq_HbKtYoG_-RAwXLpzaCZfT/s4736/6.%20US%2020%20Wind%20River%20Canyon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3068" data-original-width="4736" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikXmD5wbcu866510_w2PQjkA7sz1-uTN-TdKR-CNcj21-nOatNlqJtDvZMp35jesQxBjIdBNzD8XDVTHMWygwZeR0Es_iQRX-hSYrAlG_ZxObKY07T5aDfU6cWbK8A3SpC_cSLG7YxsDz_tP_bRZDgRfd9TF6bpTpsq_HbKtYoG_-RAwXLpzaCZfT/s320/6.%20US%2020%20Wind%20River%20Canyon.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaJz2tlUX2y8bI_bV3B0hVdgI2-d-OLzYqXNVryi9mi9vwe0Hlrw8vx2EtEcB_ugzTxly08vTsEj4NJyKfF1_GdIvuZ-S5wCRuzME1qJxmNb9yqPfOzFGL_73LN4eunR7vw_h1_1dxJZEGuqhD-u9wQcwtkpywcpv3PjkqJLqtrnqWOVHaHes1vBS/s4736/7.%20US%2020%20Wind%20River%20Canyon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3019" data-original-width="4736" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaJz2tlUX2y8bI_bV3B0hVdgI2-d-OLzYqXNVryi9mi9vwe0Hlrw8vx2EtEcB_ugzTxly08vTsEj4NJyKfF1_GdIvuZ-S5wCRuzME1qJxmNb9yqPfOzFGL_73LN4eunR7vw_h1_1dxJZEGuqhD-u9wQcwtkpywcpv3PjkqJLqtrnqWOVHaHes1vBS/s320/7.%20US%2020%20Wind%20River%20Canyon.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Some of these rocks date from the Precambrian period, more than 2.9 billion years ago. The road passes through three short tunnels before coming out on the south side of the canyon and the <a href="https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=26" target="_blank">Boysen Dam</a> and Reservoir.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUM5AS-3hmHomdxopRXj6HqSQeOY29kv6R8DKmuIlcVlIdcyZq6n5AflTCj69taueHT1e9KRoCpoCiCDYYzTAKuNzTlRlucEIP_5X6OIQB0y803MDWMa2PGETYUyi06ZOJbDR8GyZofiSyjeHz17vn4mAtPeM_kIIJqVzoI53ZahiYg7K9f9znWH2/s4289/12.%20US%2020%20Wind%20River%20Canyon%20tunnel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2897" data-original-width="4289" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUM5AS-3hmHomdxopRXj6HqSQeOY29kv6R8DKmuIlcVlIdcyZq6n5AflTCj69taueHT1e9KRoCpoCiCDYYzTAKuNzTlRlucEIP_5X6OIQB0y803MDWMa2PGETYUyi06ZOJbDR8GyZofiSyjeHz17vn4mAtPeM_kIIJqVzoI53ZahiYg7K9f9znWH2/s320/12.%20US%2020%20Wind%20River%20Canyon%20tunnel.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/places-to-go/boysen" target="_blank">Boysen State Park</a> covers more than 35,000 acres, including the huge reservoir. Backed by the snow-capped mountains to the West, it's a gorgeous spot - and we saw hardly any traffic.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZKaXnBkF7doWfGg_Jjq1VBguEPGDVH3JPqY7uMSkCGT09W1hlNayVrVHVHB_jZUpbCWZBTJZ3eBpHwId8tSn-jDpQWSxJANwiKnvDh8igjpbf2EAfvf3tD-e85JTymArn6XY-ORyr-QYV6dQY8y52wV6KFPiIIa1IkzysQ7jC5xtE9iE6bCADflT/s3362/16.%20US%2020%20Boysen%20State%20Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1349" data-original-width="3362" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZKaXnBkF7doWfGg_Jjq1VBguEPGDVH3JPqY7uMSkCGT09W1hlNayVrVHVHB_jZUpbCWZBTJZ3eBpHwId8tSn-jDpQWSxJANwiKnvDh8igjpbf2EAfvf3tD-e85JTymArn6XY-ORyr-QYV6dQY8y52wV6KFPiIIa1IkzysQ7jC5xtE9iE6bCADflT/s320/16.%20US%2020%20Boysen%20State%20Park.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We turned west onto US 26, spotting numerous antelope as the road wound up through hills, then down long flat stretches.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiyETNXGy9FUz8_6wg34RTJ_vyVNXpHigxveaxgVFhu9D73WM4tHPx5BuqgLbbNN7nydRU5XdtYxHQi7WVeXvuzTBIcgFE_PWq_zrjUNuvifqb9RwjGxqdWyFC-usDKF7alS2g6DK5N4ktznSmIkPUPs5-IqAfvq_r2PUfuTnJS8QtwP-hNfWJ-aq/s4019/21.%2026W%20toward%20Riverton.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2519" data-original-width="4019" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiyETNXGy9FUz8_6wg34RTJ_vyVNXpHigxveaxgVFhu9D73WM4tHPx5BuqgLbbNN7nydRU5XdtYxHQi7WVeXvuzTBIcgFE_PWq_zrjUNuvifqb9RwjGxqdWyFC-usDKF7alS2g6DK5N4ktznSmIkPUPs5-IqAfvq_r2PUfuTnJS8QtwP-hNfWJ-aq/s320/21.%2026W%20toward%20Riverton.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGMNWF5A9nfCGerdjkmNqX2Ej-WFaP5I_L16iKD2asLuANQ7FL5lOjaltiZRwhrMVkgelvv3HOSIRvLyKMCqAPtmO4NPYoCXbYV6_NI2q9GWSGBPGjYvTseAbF7zmNH6HqpERI20NAVTlRro3yYbP3REqUyClidCdb0n6oVbSF7rn-xXjKRvszzSO/s4736/22.%2026W%20toward%20Riverton.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2617" data-original-width="4736" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGMNWF5A9nfCGerdjkmNqX2Ej-WFaP5I_L16iKD2asLuANQ7FL5lOjaltiZRwhrMVkgelvv3HOSIRvLyKMCqAPtmO4NPYoCXbYV6_NI2q9GWSGBPGjYvTseAbF7zmNH6HqpERI20NAVTlRro3yYbP3REqUyClidCdb0n6oVbSF7rn-xXjKRvszzSO/s320/22.%2026W%20toward%20Riverton.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>There are still patches of snow on the north-facing hills, even though we were never higher than 7000'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWILshHM6MURWqblj4QMiBDM3byhIBjRY45lyvWEDJIrikcfM8JfYdZEz0PKdHuTu8h6dVLyqcv14JfZIn3vZRnSKsQ7kpjvXGf5VPOlLM0yjJGiTHTgkmou3VMKXpAv_oMZBta7E6Y0UwEG1EYy0iESh5yww7vr6-39aPTLUNyJnVEG2Fu4enwZ_/s4686/27.%2026W%20toward%20Riverton.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2099" data-original-width="4686" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWILshHM6MURWqblj4QMiBDM3byhIBjRY45lyvWEDJIrikcfM8JfYdZEz0PKdHuTu8h6dVLyqcv14JfZIn3vZRnSKsQ7kpjvXGf5VPOlLM0yjJGiTHTgkmou3VMKXpAv_oMZBta7E6Y0UwEG1EYy0iESh5yww7vr6-39aPTLUNyJnVEG2Fu4enwZ_/s320/27.%2026W%20toward%20Riverton.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We stopped at <a href="https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=95745" target="_blank">Sweetwater Station</a> at the junction of WY 135 and US 287 for a bathroom break, and thanks to the several interpretive signs, we learned about prehistoric people who lived here for hundreds of years and the Mormon/Oregon Trail that passed nearby. This is a wide-open, empty part of the country and it was a very welcome stop.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9H58fsCzEw7EGQI0hpYhJ7xgxMH1YS3xDojOIRT5L7oUeUN36or4R6HtLLDgx9NBJV5szTg2a_x1fl0N8L_a3Vh-UZvN4q7k6-s_NMn4SRPOquYtYcn1G4M17BZyNUeHeNgNCJEe7jKmC-vT9jtgJZx_VnU_gg7A9LyNFMgs4y5qnSg3NqnhlOpSi/s4736/30.%20WY%20135S%20Sweetwater%20Station.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4736" data-original-width="3552" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9H58fsCzEw7EGQI0hpYhJ7xgxMH1YS3xDojOIRT5L7oUeUN36or4R6HtLLDgx9NBJV5szTg2a_x1fl0N8L_a3Vh-UZvN4q7k6-s_NMn4SRPOquYtYcn1G4M17BZyNUeHeNgNCJEe7jKmC-vT9jtgJZx_VnU_gg7A9LyNFMgs4y5qnSg3NqnhlOpSi/s320/30.%20WY%20135S%20Sweetwater%20Station.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>We continued on US 287 toward Rawlin, passing through more open land on roads that stretched ahead of us as far as we could see.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0e2YRdWweGirQUbxLOk5sFiyNDBoh4hh-3SsM5cd-LiAqw09On03itZpXAum7G9g_WaJftxY2Fzun5TV9vShRbgyNSutI2DZhzYtRIo49JPcvbSb5r66Ol_IJxw50b3Gu5oV3nCKalJ96JKsTCBsBoUk08ZwC_G7NxXi1Yc5IgNdWgwQ5VZM8J6Fm/s3175/32.%20WY287S%20toward%20Rawlin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3175" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0e2YRdWweGirQUbxLOk5sFiyNDBoh4hh-3SsM5cd-LiAqw09On03itZpXAum7G9g_WaJftxY2Fzun5TV9vShRbgyNSutI2DZhzYtRIo49JPcvbSb5r66Ol_IJxw50b3Gu5oV3nCKalJ96JKsTCBsBoUk08ZwC_G7NxXi1Yc5IgNdWgwQ5VZM8J6Fm/s320/32.%20WY287S%20toward%20Rawlin.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DnHrHLH6UCeXs6z7JHnesGzUNJKAUviUoyFWOCed6BcIPd3Szni1fZsSSIPdcw31amEtD25bIKSoCqm1Zd7aff9X7l9YMpSXzEiPapveDmJ60zU7PlJ7nnsDmZVjlBfk94rc97t3k5Y6AOqL6RAtptFCFCiMUi2QlLEjzpqdALfwypiN9UKvRlVa/s4680/34.%20WY287S%20toward%20Rawlin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1877" data-original-width="4680" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DnHrHLH6UCeXs6z7JHnesGzUNJKAUviUoyFWOCed6BcIPd3Szni1fZsSSIPdcw31amEtD25bIKSoCqm1Zd7aff9X7l9YMpSXzEiPapveDmJ60zU7PlJ7nnsDmZVjlBfk94rc97t3k5Y6AOqL6RAtptFCFCiMUi2QlLEjzpqdALfwypiN9UKvRlVa/s320/34.%20WY287S%20toward%20Rawlin.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We stopped for lunch in Rawlin where we realized we had veered away from our planned route. We regrouped, rode a few short miles on I-80, then got back on track on US 30 toward Laramie.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNCTI06_izsGx8qEr1CjB-6h9lX6NoYYFjAzWk5gCGLM4W4ECmq-So92N6-LlHXKBx44F9glbaJruEa_w1TxWEuAHLCSL7pxT2TapFxPYsfTnHi2Myud8nF1sFQZpVPkJrIotbVF1SeQJFmpRnhZYbX0qLMcAWYT7A35e7vMAATZGzdmkNPrVwzsO/s4736/39.%20Rawlin%20bike%20in%20window.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNCTI06_izsGx8qEr1CjB-6h9lX6NoYYFjAzWk5gCGLM4W4ECmq-So92N6-LlHXKBx44F9glbaJruEa_w1TxWEuAHLCSL7pxT2TapFxPYsfTnHi2Myud8nF1sFQZpVPkJrIotbVF1SeQJFmpRnhZYbX0qLMcAWYT7A35e7vMAATZGzdmkNPrVwzsO/s320/39.%20Rawlin%20bike%20in%20window.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>On the way to Laramie several huge tractor trailers carrying wind turbine blades passed us going the other direction, and then we came up groups of wind turbines as far as we could see. We've been buffeted by strong winds every day in Wyoming, and it makes sense to use that wind for energy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygCggzs0zE54b7UU_mpnVwY0AzjYGjrLXQn863p2xFZTLvpEavQmlK_HWnnJ05pJcFFW9-7ENyxTIN0Ri23-Qbqd3kFbDcu-aA1oqRvax92TaYHyIn6up9AUoILC7VJAtdG4jUm9YR3C6sVeC8mF-k9lfiHpnp_4PDKvdeV36qkh6izqQCoyTVUhw/s4736/40.%20US%2030E%20toward%20Laramie%20windmill%20blade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygCggzs0zE54b7UU_mpnVwY0AzjYGjrLXQn863p2xFZTLvpEavQmlK_HWnnJ05pJcFFW9-7ENyxTIN0Ri23-Qbqd3kFbDcu-aA1oqRvax92TaYHyIn6up9AUoILC7VJAtdG4jUm9YR3C6sVeC8mF-k9lfiHpnp_4PDKvdeV36qkh6izqQCoyTVUhw/s320/40.%20US%2030E%20toward%20Laramie%20windmill%20blade.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8_xCVFzQ6fO3evhA0yr0J_ctmN62W7NtuBaUOHxQ8B5EqiUJQzwFEO_bM7NzLBmsNZtw3h2tB8kJfO_elGggwhUMEnRPxCJVJXLJ7Sa-Uq6Gh30MlDNLbtS0FPAreQjgIIy902AoOuuovKQ528y0IrFNLn1PCs2Y4jiHZgqyP5mHmtMbXPJxuTjA/s4379/45.%20US%2030E%20toward%20Laramie%20windmills.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2641" data-original-width="4379" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8_xCVFzQ6fO3evhA0yr0J_ctmN62W7NtuBaUOHxQ8B5EqiUJQzwFEO_bM7NzLBmsNZtw3h2tB8kJfO_elGggwhUMEnRPxCJVJXLJ7Sa-Uq6Gh30MlDNLbtS0FPAreQjgIIy902AoOuuovKQ528y0IrFNLn1PCs2Y4jiHZgqyP5mHmtMbXPJxuTjA/s320/45.%20US%2030E%20toward%20Laramie%20windmills.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We rode 298 miles, ending the day in Laramie. This was the first day of the trip that we didn't need our rain gear and we enjoyed the sunny skies and wide-open landscape.</p><p><span style="background-color: #f4f1ee; color: #473a32; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-27279662721706402492023-05-30T20:46:00.001-07:002023-05-30T20:46:04.526-07:00Yellowstone National Park: bison, mountains, antelope and more bison!<p> We spent 4 days with our son and his girlfriend in Bozeman, MT and thoroughly enjoyed the area. Today we started our journey home, riding from Bozeman through <a href="https://www.destinationmontana.com/paradise-valley-montana/" target="_blank">Paradise Valley</a>, a major valley of the Yellowstone River.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwlXWUjV0Gx53fXwxUFr__J8GZPzJ7naDW-B675cFaRvaVPXtsaTPLq39rDySP7E8KAWBZay94hMWDhxpT6ftV3gLD3PswADQr3MI_JesF_0Bx97zeiG_UJNA32CwKXQcZy7mS9VyYe7FAGYuOJ0XHjfuyndcIX2nBj5HmNN8-x_vJFu8WuzBTSJR/s4441/1.%2089S%20from%20Livingston%20Yellowstone%20River.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3131" data-original-width="4441" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwlXWUjV0Gx53fXwxUFr__J8GZPzJ7naDW-B675cFaRvaVPXtsaTPLq39rDySP7E8KAWBZay94hMWDhxpT6ftV3gLD3PswADQr3MI_JesF_0Bx97zeiG_UJNA32CwKXQcZy7mS9VyYe7FAGYuOJ0XHjfuyndcIX2nBj5HmNN8-x_vJFu8WuzBTSJR/s320/1.%2089S%20from%20Livingston%20Yellowstone%20River.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8QprJhOF3cEXgace8qSJL3sntms6CDv9hGSGGllGb7cuC7hIWQhUw7aSsbbFO8zv6eAzwz3zHGcPvfaYBMJxP6dqj5UzdUaHduDUEfBAWuh5hOLR6fdlJxVDf1AViocBvkTTKnwpsV5ljaW3bPT5eccw7hkt5qNw5eiaXwxTlDJmjw2vVhIZRcti/s4736/3.%20Paradise%20Valley%2089S%20from%20Livingston%20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="4736" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8QprJhOF3cEXgace8qSJL3sntms6CDv9hGSGGllGb7cuC7hIWQhUw7aSsbbFO8zv6eAzwz3zHGcPvfaYBMJxP6dqj5UzdUaHduDUEfBAWuh5hOLR6fdlJxVDf1AViocBvkTTKnwpsV5ljaW3bPT5eccw7hkt5qNw5eiaXwxTlDJmjw2vVhIZRcti/s320/3.%20Paradise%20Valley%2089S%20from%20Livingston%20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Much to our delight, this is a less busy time of year at <a href="WY 120 south from Cody" target="_blank">Yellowstone National Park</a> which meant far less traffic and plenty of time to enjoy the scenery while looking for wildlife.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcS8JXxpNCeiqDe78YuaX4RdnYj6xzAkUO9Tb6behGzn5P6JKif5e9buvFEcxIGGXsDm-O2M0_wT6xDYiRs3QxQ-XrKhpwwqYlcvhzvXcR7ZgiFl0Yn5M9DyC-RnvrkApcKUUPc_gCgLjMiG58hfcp05-5u5H4-e54RefYLnufI4JORmkxvPdQDyJ-/s4736/8.%20Yellowstone.%20from%20north%20entrance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcS8JXxpNCeiqDe78YuaX4RdnYj6xzAkUO9Tb6behGzn5P6JKif5e9buvFEcxIGGXsDm-O2M0_wT6xDYiRs3QxQ-XrKhpwwqYlcvhzvXcR7ZgiFl0Yn5M9DyC-RnvrkApcKUUPc_gCgLjMiG58hfcp05-5u5H4-e54RefYLnufI4JORmkxvPdQDyJ-/s320/8.%20Yellowstone.%20from%20north%20entrance.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yl2cDr34G-diEbTCk1fVeYLAgKDpBkW8XzE6Hf86Ga15cuHGEdNG2GqO2TRhlFPm9BhekENAWJke2y9Yf1TkBhr-IW5qq1VOrjSLOLKaq_zDDxTBcgB4qU5FFrfbbrFqLqEULCL5R15sxhu0QS0g9p7Lr03sKBThXGMAo2mpy_svG0iaUAaOoeTq/s4054/9.%20Yellowstone%20antelope.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2898" data-original-width="4054" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yl2cDr34G-diEbTCk1fVeYLAgKDpBkW8XzE6Hf86Ga15cuHGEdNG2GqO2TRhlFPm9BhekENAWJke2y9Yf1TkBhr-IW5qq1VOrjSLOLKaq_zDDxTBcgB4qU5FFrfbbrFqLqEULCL5R15sxhu0QS0g9p7Lr03sKBThXGMAo2mpy_svG0iaUAaOoeTq/s320/9.%20Yellowstone%20antelope.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1BBCnf_K__BvGfbqMKyWzJZ1ke_5zd3RQosiEkU1MGPygDwl5jL_E1AfvK6SonimIjmekyK8LaEUxLgL5I-VQzyAWz8V-B5K65fc8OHS9MFXZeezgMrXA_6YNKrm1ae05W7xr_ii-fpHlcuNi_TbWJ232VjsBb2PBaWZ8WxYHVGJFBDTbE5TISba/s3844/15.%20Yellowstone%20bison%20at%20Petrified%20Tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2665" data-original-width="3844" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1BBCnf_K__BvGfbqMKyWzJZ1ke_5zd3RQosiEkU1MGPygDwl5jL_E1AfvK6SonimIjmekyK8LaEUxLgL5I-VQzyAWz8V-B5K65fc8OHS9MFXZeezgMrXA_6YNKrm1ae05W7xr_ii-fpHlcuNi_TbWJ232VjsBb2PBaWZ8WxYHVGJFBDTbE5TISba/s320/15.%20Yellowstone%20bison%20at%20Petrified%20Tree.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Much to our relief, this was the closest we came to bison in the park</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">There is still plenty of snow on the tops of the mountains, and plenty of bison including numerous calves.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpg_-JWfYcBcot3LCPhRLanZds4NtResWTFzePgBFgFriqJjrIZsZdwZUQ3veaJsLYv9X7G8vPAoa3eeOjKrQnKYv_FjaSj2jI1hGAiGlwOqBb6Pn5JBxm1nXURAIuPpxgSGzbqCrT5LyrTImHbQQ5qDtSVDb8pNmW72GBnXW8lvz7_2LhsmzB_hUZ/s3305/17.%20Yellowstone%20bison.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2018" data-original-width="3305" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpg_-JWfYcBcot3LCPhRLanZds4NtResWTFzePgBFgFriqJjrIZsZdwZUQ3veaJsLYv9X7G8vPAoa3eeOjKrQnKYv_FjaSj2jI1hGAiGlwOqBb6Pn5JBxm1nXURAIuPpxgSGzbqCrT5LyrTImHbQQ5qDtSVDb8pNmW72GBnXW8lvz7_2LhsmzB_hUZ/s320/17.%20Yellowstone%20bison.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CWGoZhzlCihQfffA3vC7I-9Mr3e4Cwcfj3te40sWPqdl2fk0OiFa7FFbUo_zSZhkhg05ga_uJzaxrsxdrUbRnwh2UK3fPr3Xv3bVDjCfVIFOrcA9URbTohPKkIySX8ZywtNSH3-YOo6UftdAvuvhPqxhNeK8iGQGV7REHsTe4dW7oeQG0A0G7L05/s4705/20.%20Yellowstone%20bison.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3203" data-original-width="4705" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CWGoZhzlCihQfffA3vC7I-9Mr3e4Cwcfj3te40sWPqdl2fk0OiFa7FFbUo_zSZhkhg05ga_uJzaxrsxdrUbRnwh2UK3fPr3Xv3bVDjCfVIFOrcA9URbTohPKkIySX8ZywtNSH3-YOo6UftdAvuvhPqxhNeK8iGQGV7REHsTe4dW7oeQG0A0G7L05/s320/20.%20Yellowstone%20bison.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHszCT9O2LxmIP_0-ww48Slf6jvBsxvm83D8e1TChbgi91zPriSRGjQF58jWeOTZS1NuTRrwlw7H113BwkmKCKSGYuAFovtt6GoseKv1Nju35CFqeVmBIeevhiiJsYvu4k0Vn8F59Y1Lj-VQrAUR3Dh76sXQw2XbqjiapqbUl51ydgg-W1g0Ybd1RC/s4622/22.%20Yellowstone%20bison.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2438" data-original-width="4622" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHszCT9O2LxmIP_0-ww48Slf6jvBsxvm83D8e1TChbgi91zPriSRGjQF58jWeOTZS1NuTRrwlw7H113BwkmKCKSGYuAFovtt6GoseKv1Nju35CFqeVmBIeevhiiJsYvu4k0Vn8F59Y1Lj-VQrAUR3Dh76sXQw2XbqjiapqbUl51ydgg-W1g0Ybd1RC/s320/22.%20Yellowstone%20bison.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4mhOoo9wwVLcQXu2n0Xzj7aKOSMtgYcFtYWuO7F7Sd-sZwTuclKDkcGMkuq8fH-AFMOvVK1LwcDT68dKsKNaDCxmwv7FHPgs_CAGaLaqjVS5M5PoPaMouNQCju1TCd-p-PeL87Aqjo5b2pqctFvom4GwAYjNzSPgcuAvM9HZrsxB3VBMGf3PKT54/s4736/27.%20Yellowstone%20bison.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2311" data-original-width="4736" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4mhOoo9wwVLcQXu2n0Xzj7aKOSMtgYcFtYWuO7F7Sd-sZwTuclKDkcGMkuq8fH-AFMOvVK1LwcDT68dKsKNaDCxmwv7FHPgs_CAGaLaqjVS5M5PoPaMouNQCju1TCd-p-PeL87Aqjo5b2pqctFvom4GwAYjNzSPgcuAvM9HZrsxB3VBMGf3PKT54/s320/27.%20Yellowstone%20bison.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">After we left the park, we rode for a few miles on the <a href="https://www.yellowstonepark.com/road-trips/scenic-drives/beartooth-highway-scenic-drive/" target="_blank">Beartooth Scenic Byway</a> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SVM49gUrdcIG1yKZL0wdqfHyzlT9NmTWEU-yDLueD91BOS3LufQYrHHeW0iWq0vh4lKTtEhnFAe_YgWmLlSkLZIZZk1xkPnNvp2dzgFsmApAG9jdKgCtD5QoKjFmFWoWbR7g79EI5WQaCbXvddUSmJw2LsKX5F66Msm6BIjR5LZf3CqxF4S0N5P_/s4019/30.%20US%20212%20Beartooth%20Scenic%20Byway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3383" data-original-width="4019" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SVM49gUrdcIG1yKZL0wdqfHyzlT9NmTWEU-yDLueD91BOS3LufQYrHHeW0iWq0vh4lKTtEhnFAe_YgWmLlSkLZIZZk1xkPnNvp2dzgFsmApAG9jdKgCtD5QoKjFmFWoWbR7g79EI5WQaCbXvddUSmJw2LsKX5F66Msm6BIjR5LZf3CqxF4S0N5P_/s320/30.%20US%20212%20Beartooth%20Scenic%20Byway.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">before turning south on Wyoming 296, <a href="https://travelwyoming.com/listings/chief-joseph-scenic-byway/" target="_blank">Chief Joseph Scenic Byway</a>, crossing the Shoshone National Forest and the Absaroka Mountains on twisting, tight hairpins and wide sweeping curves.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsJhKKSCpt2NGEaL59SC32ETzLl-RXyPeddwZXMrrE_7j3nHkMhq4VRkYRuAOJoeTTD-GKCJqruW7hPM_Zp80MiC58Sh5te6SYt3HJIDZYWh5pw11V93IdRaOsF8nUsxG2n0OlUGrvfEw1YjhHZ1kR8KXP6vT6HOiBLB879qsw-Rfs2BVtHSyoVMV/s4736/36.%20US%20296%20Chief%20Joseph%20Scenic%20Byway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsJhKKSCpt2NGEaL59SC32ETzLl-RXyPeddwZXMrrE_7j3nHkMhq4VRkYRuAOJoeTTD-GKCJqruW7hPM_Zp80MiC58Sh5te6SYt3HJIDZYWh5pw11V93IdRaOsF8nUsxG2n0OlUGrvfEw1YjhHZ1kR8KXP6vT6HOiBLB879qsw-Rfs2BVtHSyoVMV/s320/36.%20US%20296%20Chief%20Joseph%20Scenic%20Byway.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">We stopped at the Sunlight Bridge and walked out over the spectacular canyon below.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KoFXzSxLOI16ga5JVLnnKfGleLsZWnFD_KupT2FmSLAxb2vEuE2jQh9MpsbmPtntX3tU0Gmza-VYSYbENEEHaKiSWTsyT6B_gZJn3pK8inuEpEuQ09YRRtuzc72uSnbtyLKvqMIYWd0Q3UN2N_6N3TA6IWzCeI4pMzu9KDDPJoVGTBE1wIOHqTuB/s4736/39.%20US%20296%20Chief%20Joseph%20Scenic%20Byway%20Clark's%20Fork.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KoFXzSxLOI16ga5JVLnnKfGleLsZWnFD_KupT2FmSLAxb2vEuE2jQh9MpsbmPtntX3tU0Gmza-VYSYbENEEHaKiSWTsyT6B_gZJn3pK8inuEpEuQ09YRRtuzc72uSnbtyLKvqMIYWd0Q3UN2N_6N3TA6IWzCeI4pMzu9KDDPJoVGTBE1wIOHqTuB/s320/39.%20US%20296%20Chief%20Joseph%20Scenic%20Byway%20Clark's%20Fork.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">After descending more twisties we turned south on WY 120 and rode through gorgeous red cliffs and more open country.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANC_Nj9ahTJ-GPh8J4AH83ce1idukaJ4ULemiHesnwvKUr1nCZLj0rW47qTsBR063lOPbuNrz_BKfSjq5KQaMJGjY4ognsVzIAWkqpKgHunjRTwbVd7xtNsNAXNz_iq0KzBsf-CDNvxKyZJHjC6k15ksYdPy5lQTYw6jrNhSlVA6WzhbaeQZ9UGex/s4736/47.%20US%20296%20Chief%20Joseph%20Scenic%20Byway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANC_Nj9ahTJ-GPh8J4AH83ce1idukaJ4ULemiHesnwvKUr1nCZLj0rW47qTsBR063lOPbuNrz_BKfSjq5KQaMJGjY4ognsVzIAWkqpKgHunjRTwbVd7xtNsNAXNz_iq0KzBsf-CDNvxKyZJHjC6k15ksYdPy5lQTYw6jrNhSlVA6WzhbaeQZ9UGex/s320/47.%20US%20296%20Chief%20Joseph%20Scenic%20Byway.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">After stopping for lunch in Cody, WY, our luck held as we watched rainstorms all around us but only felt a few random raindrops.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVzs-ImLTmv_hEPBLO_YQMKpG1ojIjNCqS4f983U3fJoIW2PuUVV38j3pGQF0UAm3sAgkaUGJvpCPoBZVrkQdMz3Wlnxw-J_v9klWbwPiOaj9IvirNQsAEnH8LKuyw5IF4pOGRata3hrei3HMrP5zJgtc3jzCVVZixVKReTxWLAKpN5Oz-8jCi01k/s4736/50.%20WY%20120%20south%20from%20Cody%20rain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2845" data-original-width="4736" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVzs-ImLTmv_hEPBLO_YQMKpG1ojIjNCqS4f983U3fJoIW2PuUVV38j3pGQF0UAm3sAgkaUGJvpCPoBZVrkQdMz3Wlnxw-J_v9klWbwPiOaj9IvirNQsAEnH8LKuyw5IF4pOGRata3hrei3HMrP5zJgtc3jzCVVZixVKReTxWLAKpN5Oz-8jCi01k/s320/50.%20WY%20120%20south%20from%20Cody%20rain.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">We finished today's 299 absolutely gorgeous miles in <a href="https://thermopolis.com/" target="_blank">Thermopolis, WY</a>, home to mineral hot springs where we spent a relaxing 30 minutes before dinner. Tomorrow we'll spend the entire day in Wyoming on our way to Colorado.</p>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-90846450372760219672023-05-27T08:01:00.001-07:002023-05-27T08:01:31.572-07:00Overcast skies and rain<p> We had a short fourth day, riding 149 miles from Island Park, ID to Bozeman, MT. Once again we started the day wearing all of our liners and raingear since the temperature was in the low 50's and the weather forecast called for rain.</p><p>US 20 north was lined with pine trees, with occasional views of the cloud-covered mountains around us.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWLYFJDvg8uDEhdyCZTYl8vP_vTQZxWNOw_SvyVINn9WqQAxKIwmhKQm_gIQkYwYJ0JvudmlnOvH6CQIZAfutkRp9I8dm8QAN--0utv8E5p3QHkwLH_daSTLyrug-Tf_8cPha9VMkCWwxylF2uzwkpiwp6OAwVn1fNNzMYw2kE5zVHFTTWFa5YAjx/s3871/2.%20US20%20N%20into%20Montana.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3092" data-original-width="3871" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWLYFJDvg8uDEhdyCZTYl8vP_vTQZxWNOw_SvyVINn9WqQAxKIwmhKQm_gIQkYwYJ0JvudmlnOvH6CQIZAfutkRp9I8dm8QAN--0utv8E5p3QHkwLH_daSTLyrug-Tf_8cPha9VMkCWwxylF2uzwkpiwp6OAwVn1fNNzMYw2kE5zVHFTTWFa5YAjx/s320/2.%20US20%20N%20into%20Montana.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In West Yellowstone we turned north onto US 191, and quickly passed into Montana, riding through the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/custergallatin/home" target="_blank">Gallatin National Forest</a>, 3+ million acres that is part of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, stretching through Montana into South Dakota. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpQdqbU-FAWSwjac5Ysn7h32HRuYoe2jL-4w6XM8TvXyAnyNiXMyJD9Zq8wnPa2JroCkgom0BrDxckR3mdeVrE4Kf8e_2I3NpvAE7s2tb9CDyljaJTVAYMO27rgwtg7gBjfCrY_IvmBetCfWQPN0uHmXV_x9V8uLJb0FzWuAmy33TNE7hdrLcmfCm/s4690/7.%20US%20191N%20past%20Big%20Sky%20MT%20and%20Gallatin%20River.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3234" data-original-width="4690" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpQdqbU-FAWSwjac5Ysn7h32HRuYoe2jL-4w6XM8TvXyAnyNiXMyJD9Zq8wnPa2JroCkgom0BrDxckR3mdeVrE4Kf8e_2I3NpvAE7s2tb9CDyljaJTVAYMO27rgwtg7gBjfCrY_IvmBetCfWQPN0uHmXV_x9V8uLJb0FzWuAmy33TNE7hdrLcmfCm/s320/7.%20US%20191N%20past%20Big%20Sky%20MT%20and%20Gallatin%20River.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We saw one sign for Yellowstone, but never truly entered the park. There were several signs about bison roaming nearby, and to our disappointment they never made an appearance.</div><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/custergallatin/home" target="_blank">Gallatin River</a> wound it's way along the highway, the high water due to all of the recent rains and snowmelt churning over rocks. It rained off and on, but luckily never a hard downpour.</div><div><br /></div><div>We'll stay in Bozeman through the weekend with our son and his girlfriend before we head out again, this time southeast toward Denver.<br /><p><br /></p></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-30151099101672451752023-05-25T20:18:00.005-07:002023-05-25T20:24:42.764-07:00Snowy mountains and lush farmland<p> I put on all of my warm liners plus raingear before we left Kemmerer, WY this morning due to cool weather (temperature in the low 50's) and high chance of rain/thunderstorms. We started off under clear blue skies, riding west on US 30.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvst5sJ7vcGXkU8iYFMsZF3E83-ZEXr21AyptCvHkJDgfp1ouoBVyEs7x_pOJya65B_XblL654RzFWddcnCAtxDpo1CKFLV5H-40jWHdQWeasblExmV_WMkhQ6GUq-ztqt4-a7X60vQFmCNTdMHtqWsZTSm8yLbDpshVs04xK_vBY21zpTuhnTQSO5/s3912/1.%20US%2030W%20from%20Kemmerer%20WY.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3912" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvst5sJ7vcGXkU8iYFMsZF3E83-ZEXr21AyptCvHkJDgfp1ouoBVyEs7x_pOJya65B_XblL654RzFWddcnCAtxDpo1CKFLV5H-40jWHdQWeasblExmV_WMkhQ6GUq-ztqt4-a7X60vQFmCNTdMHtqWsZTSm8yLbDpshVs04xK_vBY21zpTuhnTQSO5/s320/1.%20US%2030W%20from%20Kemmerer%20WY.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We passed herds of sheep and cattle as we rode straight west, then turned north on US 89.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmxrzELeV1bKxs4uUebeo1tJW8oVahXaNyfWO5kCeX18xMD_hO4i4VQ7hqStPF1SP5cOk5zTyO0EZZJlhe53gpVFdqbvle6n7-_UV2hzfeIIy5XlU2uNAxjfMryAKbdNnVqLrEEYRc8JehR2G2KTSMdJydTBL1aODf8SYsRpIngIoNVhkWYpX5SgY/s3756/5.%20US%2089N.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1752" data-original-width="3756" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmxrzELeV1bKxs4uUebeo1tJW8oVahXaNyfWO5kCeX18xMD_hO4i4VQ7hqStPF1SP5cOk5zTyO0EZZJlhe53gpVFdqbvle6n7-_UV2hzfeIIy5XlU2uNAxjfMryAKbdNnVqLrEEYRc8JehR2G2KTSMdJydTBL1aODf8SYsRpIngIoNVhkWYpX5SgY/s320/5.%20US%2089N.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajiViNyMbVXqjL0VXOpJXO-WMkZTTA_wtEAuaVhr0tSQsvAJNSeQnooKuwjPYta8PqZn8aweMZboJb6KwFHS8bVsOq1wpjY68IxJaogRq5Te7IerCZdumZSCE7AuEZKe9DCHy0dzDGLH94kh3b9N4hdaagehCKy1gbJ9kR8UGf8dRQp-6Um4ZldX_/s2894/6.%20US%2089N.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1931" data-original-width="2894" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajiViNyMbVXqjL0VXOpJXO-WMkZTTA_wtEAuaVhr0tSQsvAJNSeQnooKuwjPYta8PqZn8aweMZboJb6KwFHS8bVsOq1wpjY68IxJaogRq5Te7IerCZdumZSCE7AuEZKe9DCHy0dzDGLH94kh3b9N4hdaagehCKy1gbJ9kR8UGf8dRQp-6Um4ZldX_/s320/6.%20US%2089N.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We watched the snow-capped mountains get closer, and then the wide-open valley narrowed as we climbed up the <a href="https://usroute89.com/us-route-89-diversion-salt-river-pass/" target="_blank">Salt River Pass</a>, one of the routes used by the California, Oregon, and Mormon wagon trains.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoF5kL1Watd9nhKW2EOYkI4S3px3EYF_RlRPzLna8UAK8RfZ-wd_pia9_PBunu2u_i1AlqroylTOdMIq-Wplr3QIE9nT8H4xZfelZvDsZfAL-WRTKuPZDGmYzvOvBD1c9HUVA3l_B_cz0wRXnFA0gXgHCSVQ4qJQ7uKOYFsqkh0hzAtNU4m6eAEI8/s4736/8.%20US%2089N%20Salt%20River.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3366" data-original-width="4736" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoF5kL1Watd9nhKW2EOYkI4S3px3EYF_RlRPzLna8UAK8RfZ-wd_pia9_PBunu2u_i1AlqroylTOdMIq-Wplr3QIE9nT8H4xZfelZvDsZfAL-WRTKuPZDGmYzvOvBD1c9HUVA3l_B_cz0wRXnFA0gXgHCSVQ4qJQ7uKOYFsqkh0hzAtNU4m6eAEI8/s320/8.%20US%2089N%20Salt%20River.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We continued on 89 north through <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Valley" target="_blank">Star Valley</a>, bordered by the Salt River mountain range in western Wyoming, and the Webster range in eastern Idaho. The 2-lane road sweeps and turns along the <a href="https://www.americanrivers.org/river/snake-river/" target="_blank">Snake River</a>, which eventually dumps into the Columbia River. Due to the high amounts of snow this past winter and rainier than usual Spring, the Snake was churning brown water and often over its banks as we rode past.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We picked up US 191 north into Jackson, WY. The traffic increased as we rode north through several small towns and outlying ranches. One of our favorites is <a href="https://www.visitaftonwy.com/" target="_blank">Afton</a>, home to the largest elk antler bridge in the world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83rtinnzrYG7CGLwQ0jbp8PynNW7yKDqHqwLbQYEVgsD58Br1ZfTIl9VqWP-12bsvsLS1gWj8YewiznrU_Nep65ubOPFMXExsBSrZBnaf48EtMHIf-vweKLX-88Tu4utAMOVhFymbxDgqBZsBrrF-X-ZT-joDdIiOJ_IOyyMl-T_cA2DzYnE-H8-Y/s3271/14.%20US%2089N%20Elk%20bridge%20Afton.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1866" data-original-width="3271" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83rtinnzrYG7CGLwQ0jbp8PynNW7yKDqHqwLbQYEVgsD58Br1ZfTIl9VqWP-12bsvsLS1gWj8YewiznrU_Nep65ubOPFMXExsBSrZBnaf48EtMHIf-vweKLX-88Tu4utAMOVhFymbxDgqBZsBrrF-X-ZT-joDdIiOJ_IOyyMl-T_cA2DzYnE-H8-Y/s320/14.%20US%2089N%20Elk%20bridge%20Afton.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Much of this route goes through the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/btnf" target="_blank">Bridger-Teton National Forest</a>, 3.4 million acres of protected land.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gCSk306yntDWHF_1R9O31Meyiosyxw46WpDkjEu2ALBtcBt91bA832O47B5FKGXG7pJyQGqXZAwPKGPSAR0OlK7QgmIrICo0B_hGmTV5QDf4KO8gkfccQpy0Pd8_3UapkUmiTiqNBI5Aa3NRoRJqEj-Qe_0H5J_Mm7A0YILWfmfjFhVXhbaVQuB8/s4736/17.%20US%2089N%20Bridger-Teton%20National%20Forest%20Snake%20River.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gCSk306yntDWHF_1R9O31Meyiosyxw46WpDkjEu2ALBtcBt91bA832O47B5FKGXG7pJyQGqXZAwPKGPSAR0OlK7QgmIrICo0B_hGmTV5QDf4KO8gkfccQpy0Pd8_3UapkUmiTiqNBI5Aa3NRoRJqEj-Qe_0H5J_Mm7A0YILWfmfjFhVXhbaVQuB8/s320/17.%20US%2089N%20Bridger-Teton%20National%20Forest%20Snake%20River.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprVGTzInRObiFZGReUvtDS4wDaPjhgMpV9379i0ktIGwNa80L6nA0eTeqLtVe-g5YjLs15fE1tYqsZLFQzdbv2prdcASRI1AB1tm7SBZho4YKJ1YH-UGtBp8Hf_QOAvCZlPTaobicUJO-iDhXWWeZKQy0uvkpGkJVwDg2Eq9xduYzLDqQ8gLvuNCk/s3692/19.%20US%20191N%20toward%20Jackson.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1630" data-original-width="3692" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprVGTzInRObiFZGReUvtDS4wDaPjhgMpV9379i0ktIGwNa80L6nA0eTeqLtVe-g5YjLs15fE1tYqsZLFQzdbv2prdcASRI1AB1tm7SBZho4YKJ1YH-UGtBp8Hf_QOAvCZlPTaobicUJO-iDhXWWeZKQy0uvkpGkJVwDg2Eq9xduYzLDqQ8gLvuNCk/s320/19.%20US%20191N%20toward%20Jackson.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We stopped for lunch in Jackson, and then turned west onto WY 22 over the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teton_Pass" target="_blank">Teton Pass</a>. Even with 10% grades, it was one of the lower and tamer passes of our trip and definitely had a lot more traffic than we've seen so far on this trip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1rNKnxnYRHLj7is9q24o5rb1ktNKJM4Ui6BVJOdSsj9vufPGMXwDGQTFfRmosIEvO1sydou06ms6lGg0WY_805DFk5EyDzmRMbVAyGDMxpWmxbxDV_yNtixZGv5BUf1F712b0X0HZh7eWsDYAEgI_k7HAatR-NQhWWYP90h5HLkzs8sPz_m1qaR0/s3676/21.WY22%20Teton%20Pass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2815" data-original-width="3676" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1rNKnxnYRHLj7is9q24o5rb1ktNKJM4Ui6BVJOdSsj9vufPGMXwDGQTFfRmosIEvO1sydou06ms6lGg0WY_805DFk5EyDzmRMbVAyGDMxpWmxbxDV_yNtixZGv5BUf1F712b0X0HZh7eWsDYAEgI_k7HAatR-NQhWWYP90h5HLkzs8sPz_m1qaR0/s320/21.WY22%20Teton%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffbblLrARQRQ0Qt_4yzhTjV72rj7V83fzP9XuV8NRZZNQyynbuLIoFE-t7tw-W1Rnflbyc6cx_KOJ85RMHf5foirxrmQxMRvcG6bRQxEYNpgSfkmWMY5Q4n78V-NLB9sA8xY7F9zHoPNMgNN3QUwOLEJvT6jjNHC3v7yVzkdtcobNnUFRQOMzz60_/s4046/22.%20WY22%20Teton%20Pass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2608" data-original-width="4046" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffbblLrARQRQ0Qt_4yzhTjV72rj7V83fzP9XuV8NRZZNQyynbuLIoFE-t7tw-W1Rnflbyc6cx_KOJ85RMHf5foirxrmQxMRvcG6bRQxEYNpgSfkmWMY5Q4n78V-NLB9sA8xY7F9zHoPNMgNN3QUwOLEJvT6jjNHC3v7yVzkdtcobNnUFRQOMzz60_/s320/22.%20WY22%20Teton%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyEdzx2G9jSrhHfvE8KzkrA37WozXiY4egxHoHafa33zXz9vn-nwI4SFjVi8vQ3OKSw3c7GXiQNSRAIDi7dSyUGNmf5IIUleBirLZaK6UHpIZK9hNVlq3DW99CsFQ1RAqeCCzbN6OmH5vZ79GNtrZ8P93IympDv6oLWeFVnBa8blrIKcvZelGplMX/s4414/23.%20WY%2022%20top%20of%20Teton%20Pass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2954" data-original-width="4414" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyEdzx2G9jSrhHfvE8KzkrA37WozXiY4egxHoHafa33zXz9vn-nwI4SFjVi8vQ3OKSw3c7GXiQNSRAIDi7dSyUGNmf5IIUleBirLZaK6UHpIZK9hNVlq3DW99CsFQ1RAqeCCzbN6OmH5vZ79GNtrZ8P93IympDv6oLWeFVnBa8blrIKcvZelGplMX/s320/23.%20WY%2022%20top%20of%20Teton%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The west side of the pass is in Idaho, the 4th state on this trip. We continued on ID 33 north, riding through rollercoaster hills in the lush farmland with views of the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm" target="_blank">Grand Tetons</a> to the east.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wizZ7n9JIDs0PVWTYz0Akfpg0f-3wm055wbAoGEG8Ni8lOWmCwq_2ZEkGEXgBCZ8ifVHn2bY0gfwcdfsaYVyNb8HwCtrFGdttL_K1szHkHVryLP4fC2VWZKf5kjwyFKbKHRAJkoCP0hnhL7iJTEbacohIEUoSuRiFGZ366lgQGbtUvLZ00SKfImG/s4092/30.%20ID33%20N%20Grand%20Tetons.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2087" data-original-width="4092" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wizZ7n9JIDs0PVWTYz0Akfpg0f-3wm055wbAoGEG8Ni8lOWmCwq_2ZEkGEXgBCZ8ifVHn2bY0gfwcdfsaYVyNb8HwCtrFGdttL_K1szHkHVryLP4fC2VWZKf5kjwyFKbKHRAJkoCP0hnhL7iJTEbacohIEUoSuRiFGZ366lgQGbtUvLZ00SKfImG/s320/30.%20ID33%20N%20Grand%20Tetons.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyDZqqMkCtiyoLNCPEK2WGxMWTpT6rTVSw0S5bkvgLkJSNSCqDeKuxqpSDPdoPOqltqHK_5f1eD7ycOquQWUhrblfyABwzAJ9Zc5NVQLKjhD01IOsUXvQSt0EGvPb968SUDdmxynSqxLIQjy3AoiV0g9LVFrjthP-4Zpm6sFDO6p05MHr6DMZZCt_/s4507/31.%20ID%2032N.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4507" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyDZqqMkCtiyoLNCPEK2WGxMWTpT6rTVSw0S5bkvgLkJSNSCqDeKuxqpSDPdoPOqltqHK_5f1eD7ycOquQWUhrblfyABwzAJ9Zc5NVQLKjhD01IOsUXvQSt0EGvPb968SUDdmxynSqxLIQjy3AoiV0g9LVFrjthP-4Zpm6sFDO6p05MHr6DMZZCt_/s320/31.%20ID%2032N.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had been watching dark rain clouds, and had a few miles of light rain before we rode out of the clouds and back into the sunshine. We turned north onto US 20 into <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_Park,_Idaho" target="_blank">Island Park</a>, our stop for the night. There are less than 400 people who live in Island Park, which is one of the gateways into Yellowstone National Park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We rode 269 miles today and were wowed by the landscape each mile: snowy mountains, green pastures, brown tilled fields, rolling hills, and overflowing rivers and streams. Tomorrow we have a shorter ride into Bozeman, MT where we'll stop for the Memorial Day weekend to visit our youngest son and his girlfriend before we continue on our trip back into Colorado.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-31683116365002836672023-05-24T20:20:00.004-07:002023-05-24T20:20:44.203-07:003 states: Colorado, Utah and Wyoming <p> We started off our day in Grand Junction, Colorado, riding west on CO 340 into Fruita along the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/colm/index.htm" target="_blank">Colorado National Monument's</a> towering red rocks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxQ7vtIufMjTISNZ_QwTHHqqs5y7n3V58sn-RDqLsLNtPDQ8RYKGJYSCSA5hoiW9OaAYCgyNs58NPmtV-ohOwWmEo6b4MBaXLL7L_4o-c2mj5rdWUst_QlBt6dBDrnC7GPASWUsRf_ElfUOTgfKmWOR5aG2JVBbMhzqWCFfoJpJFNnCr5mori7ZnS/s4301/1.%20CO%20340W%20out%20of%20Grand%20Junction%20to%20Fruita.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2610" data-original-width="4301" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxQ7vtIufMjTISNZ_QwTHHqqs5y7n3V58sn-RDqLsLNtPDQ8RYKGJYSCSA5hoiW9OaAYCgyNs58NPmtV-ohOwWmEo6b4MBaXLL7L_4o-c2mj5rdWUst_QlBt6dBDrnC7GPASWUsRf_ElfUOTgfKmWOR5aG2JVBbMhzqWCFfoJpJFNnCr5mori7ZnS/s320/1.%20CO%20340W%20out%20of%20Grand%20Junction%20to%20Fruita.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Once in Fruita we headed west on US 50 for just a few miles until turning north on CO 139 toward Rangely. This 134 mile stretch of road from Fruita to Dinosaur is the <a href="https://www.codot.gov/travel/colorado-byways/northwest/dinosaur-diamond" target="_blank">Dinosaur Diamond scenic byway</a>, home to several dinosaur and fossil museums. We started riding through irrigated green farmland toward the <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/book-cliffs-recreation-area" target="_blank">Book Cliffs</a>. We were at about 5500' in the north desert shrub zone, and as we steadily climbed we rode through stands of aspens and firs as we crested <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Pass" target="_blank">Douglas Pass</a> at 8205'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz95ukcreg_NF1tUmqGo3iMstVF6sjWv1n9UzDK6kD47fOzShjqAM_PQZs-DQwrTYk_B_5VJ5x70LQPV6ab1IXAsdLgtHKpiRIN4wMCUwOnCsKL4SVzA-ACx8LMskwcH2GhZwI1yOVQduur4tBaKPuaMlIWDwlhuzM0RKMJWExCO_nK4Jaq_jyu2_F/s4506/4.%20CO%20139%20toward%20Rangely.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="4506" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz95ukcreg_NF1tUmqGo3iMstVF6sjWv1n9UzDK6kD47fOzShjqAM_PQZs-DQwrTYk_B_5VJ5x70LQPV6ab1IXAsdLgtHKpiRIN4wMCUwOnCsKL4SVzA-ACx8LMskwcH2GhZwI1yOVQduur4tBaKPuaMlIWDwlhuzM0RKMJWExCO_nK4Jaq_jyu2_F/s320/4.%20CO%20139%20toward%20Rangely.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpN5CUmjzty-XTdx5N5xubm7d0R52TE2MLur2cv6yk3qq7mg6fCDXGxCivNRDHmPgAOT1xn5qrffx9qz4ZGty1yYN9fmhc5B4r0AJOg3SFFsT_LeHzeEBLAmZWk4HtMbOak60g6Zuebab0XElmbhMNOW5_ZBCSahK8pwYLEFv8NGdTrrz1lYRJ84da/s4633/6.%20CO%20139%20toward%20Rangely.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2716" data-original-width="4633" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpN5CUmjzty-XTdx5N5xubm7d0R52TE2MLur2cv6yk3qq7mg6fCDXGxCivNRDHmPgAOT1xn5qrffx9qz4ZGty1yYN9fmhc5B4r0AJOg3SFFsT_LeHzeEBLAmZWk4HtMbOak60g6Zuebab0XElmbhMNOW5_ZBCSahK8pwYLEFv8NGdTrrz1lYRJ84da/s320/6.%20CO%20139%20toward%20Rangely.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGE2KiM2vYu9Cp_jqCGjLVNTrXDHmHZGp3-3Dx7J9UdKe0l4TYmlIBvwiyTl1GHzV-WL11Srajo8IJOQQEkL5atQXH-I-dNIYS7kbVIUgKnA9rRzaGbcUBF0HpD3BNhLDLPB6RsxjealP-N0Kb9pm0ot5oCH7vQv7OqeHVraYbn6h_WLtSmMo8PruW/s4709/11.%20CO%20139%20toward%20Rangely.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2767" data-original-width="4709" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGE2KiM2vYu9Cp_jqCGjLVNTrXDHmHZGp3-3Dx7J9UdKe0l4TYmlIBvwiyTl1GHzV-WL11Srajo8IJOQQEkL5atQXH-I-dNIYS7kbVIUgKnA9rRzaGbcUBF0HpD3BNhLDLPB6RsxjealP-N0Kb9pm0ot5oCH7vQv7OqeHVraYbn6h_WLtSmMo8PruW/s320/11.%20CO%20139%20toward%20Rangely.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>It was a gorgeous day for a motorcycle ride as we zoomed along straight sections of the 2-lane highway, then wound around long sweepers, and twisted our way up and down the pass. </p><p>15 miles of CO 139 goes through the <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/canyon-pintado-national-historic-district" target="_blank">Canyon Pintado National Historic District</a>, named by Spanish Fathers Dominguez and Escalante as they traveled through this area in 1776. People have lived in this area for over 11,000 years, and there are numerous places to stop and learn more, plus view pictographs. We stopped at the White Birds Interpretive site and hiked up the steep, short trail to view pictographs of birds and corn.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmDsvTTKGa-j6haKJGGgcDRwH-WczYBM-Y6hCfBEZ1pFEW1r2ZQAL26IEMCotKYKtGfVDd9DnPSoRIX5RhLi__8fWbXhJGaY9Yj0Iee4CGnTVybGTvrcRNeTJGQX1y6CsN7YPIX2AypesmJYinSPSWPvGWgak6LZGcqqA3Dny8neJU9Y-eENK1pW6/s4259/15.%20CO%20139%20White%20Birds%20Interpretive%20site.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4259" data-original-width="3477" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmDsvTTKGa-j6haKJGGgcDRwH-WczYBM-Y6hCfBEZ1pFEW1r2ZQAL26IEMCotKYKtGfVDd9DnPSoRIX5RhLi__8fWbXhJGaY9Yj0Iee4CGnTVybGTvrcRNeTJGQX1y6CsN7YPIX2AypesmJYinSPSWPvGWgak6LZGcqqA3Dny8neJU9Y-eENK1pW6/s320/15.%20CO%20139%20White%20Birds%20Interpretive%20site.JPG" width="261" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZONmL9u61YslxUxtyMX0X5SWlGrE6kOeEpTwQuBCL7maAzWwY-pUDwapvqE0GAcpMfp1vOvBEEcZY15v0pq9FbmFd4xlCEDqsA6lvc8TYdukWIoguEx1SWSNAKJv3cjXew6LNPRYqmnL2BIwyN-38zu_73pkDbkgVKvWhjXA5uXyD4-vAs_neiNb/s4724/16.%20bike%20at%20CO%20139%20White%20Birds%20Interpretive%20site.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3494" data-original-width="4724" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZONmL9u61YslxUxtyMX0X5SWlGrE6kOeEpTwQuBCL7maAzWwY-pUDwapvqE0GAcpMfp1vOvBEEcZY15v0pq9FbmFd4xlCEDqsA6lvc8TYdukWIoguEx1SWSNAKJv3cjXew6LNPRYqmnL2BIwyN-38zu_73pkDbkgVKvWhjXA5uXyD4-vAs_neiNb/s320/16.%20bike%20at%20CO%20139%20White%20Birds%20Interpretive%20site.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ipi_B0HMbGkj2pwAqW6h3DIFf81tdq-tMDEVqXQmclZOceRkJbxfk3ms-a4oJF1bT6mY9_nphA3IUQKK7KrqtK1W8SHe9q3c2gjzbVEuWDtCfG0AHxbRP9tPU96SBL-im6eX-hp6xkX9_yE4BAcjq-uZYiCkvnnAArU5utNEs00zleMo-ZAZNVRk/s4169/17.%20bike%20at%20CO%20139%20White%20Birds%20Interpretive%20site.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3001" data-original-width="4169" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ipi_B0HMbGkj2pwAqW6h3DIFf81tdq-tMDEVqXQmclZOceRkJbxfk3ms-a4oJF1bT6mY9_nphA3IUQKK7KrqtK1W8SHe9q3c2gjzbVEuWDtCfG0AHxbRP9tPU96SBL-im6eX-hp6xkX9_yE4BAcjq-uZYiCkvnnAArU5utNEs00zleMo-ZAZNVRk/s320/17.%20bike%20at%20CO%20139%20White%20Birds%20Interpretive%20site.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Back on the road we turned onto CO 64 in Rangely to Dinosaur (originally it was named Artesia and changed its name when Dinosaur National Monument came into existence). In Dinosaur we turned west onto US 40 and soon crossed into Utah.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAjO8i-6UFT8cDZFTmRq_6xTYEXaLnxmUlpcZdLrC1f8Jh-4sKbCtfQ42HpN84ogEVaK392QUGW90XRUmBfRHYTav7ik1BLzhlxdGnRDPjo5Z3W9nC7saF2t3bnK2XOshxb4miaeKPx9yBGChT6ZJ8RHNVtRQ6SQAmG8rlAo25UM10KLxs42Cqybz/s4640/20.%20US%2040%20from%20Dinosaur%20CO%20to%20Vernal%20UT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2536" data-original-width="4640" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAjO8i-6UFT8cDZFTmRq_6xTYEXaLnxmUlpcZdLrC1f8Jh-4sKbCtfQ42HpN84ogEVaK392QUGW90XRUmBfRHYTav7ik1BLzhlxdGnRDPjo5Z3W9nC7saF2t3bnK2XOshxb4miaeKPx9yBGChT6ZJ8RHNVtRQ6SQAmG8rlAo25UM10KLxs42Cqybz/s320/20.%20US%2040%20from%20Dinosaur%20CO%20to%20Vernal%20UT.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Heading north on US 191 we enjoyed more twisting roads that climbed up and down, through large stands of aspens, and with views of snowy mountains. We also surprised a few deer who bounded across the road in front of us.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWY3NHaPFVpAWINHsgZpR9PBS5JP99FUWGUeC5Mj_f4k5LAecwak3SY7fCkAVeSiODUGu_yAUgSPdG_NrUyt3ZslkYCANbrj28al5Z76nGZZ5CMY9dbKlTmFmdtJavIovzL7iO0l52Prb3iE0rBVLbXJ0IjKD2eWXWTxG9BAP2DpP6jSbY8w9_KOo/s4651/24.%20US%20191N%20toward%20Flaming%20Gorge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3316" data-original-width="4651" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWY3NHaPFVpAWINHsgZpR9PBS5JP99FUWGUeC5Mj_f4k5LAecwak3SY7fCkAVeSiODUGu_yAUgSPdG_NrUyt3ZslkYCANbrj28al5Z76nGZZ5CMY9dbKlTmFmdtJavIovzL7iO0l52Prb3iE0rBVLbXJ0IjKD2eWXWTxG9BAP2DpP6jSbY8w9_KOo/s320/24.%20US%20191N%20toward%20Flaming%20Gorge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH757HQ8d7XQed2tIeGN0wQ3lXY2dNFtB8isyQBDh4AR3-2b1ybL3912xdS9Qj4V_VyVbtBjme9QxAeAaVVcFivws5IMPE1pOuZ0ERZ1g8GXNkq8e2eRQQ6NwXiyG51QeFS-2JV-qabx07mHDJj5E0CHSw5KP1zD0U_fcPcbVKu-5UzWFq-qdE72HN/s3999/25.%20US%20191N%20toward%20Flaming%20Gorge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3003" data-original-width="3999" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH757HQ8d7XQed2tIeGN0wQ3lXY2dNFtB8isyQBDh4AR3-2b1ybL3912xdS9Qj4V_VyVbtBjme9QxAeAaVVcFivws5IMPE1pOuZ0ERZ1g8GXNkq8e2eRQQ6NwXiyG51QeFS-2JV-qabx07mHDJj5E0CHSw5KP1zD0U_fcPcbVKu-5UzWFq-qdE72HN/s320/25.%20US%20191N%20toward%20Flaming%20Gorge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP0unpM69zuS1XiX1b8VKS64myK8phUfz7CCV-lIW9Sb-pxGr5jSPrJNxYAkbRrPKsXPLFsUZRfvL4nRGtb3QYepTrFIwHxi1-bR9MHSbEtVzF8yZ4L3C4EaqFUtZgWP83LugbxyojRg2Z3iNBBOq8uP8aN_BFMGSof2yqhzQNIk4rPlBIznRsdA1/s2980/26.%20UT%2044W%20toward%20Flaming%20Gorge%20deer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2543" data-original-width="2980" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP0unpM69zuS1XiX1b8VKS64myK8phUfz7CCV-lIW9Sb-pxGr5jSPrJNxYAkbRrPKsXPLFsUZRfvL4nRGtb3QYepTrFIwHxi1-bR9MHSbEtVzF8yZ4L3C4EaqFUtZgWP83LugbxyojRg2Z3iNBBOq8uP8aN_BFMGSof2yqhzQNIk4rPlBIznRsdA1/s320/26.%20UT%2044W%20toward%20Flaming%20Gorge%20deer.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Turning west onto UT 44 we rode through some of the most stunning scenery of the day along the Green River and the Flaming Gorge. John Wesley Powell and his intrepid crew started their exploration of the Green and Colorado rivers here in 1869. They named the area <a href="https://www.utah.com/destinations/recreation-areas/flaming-gorge-national-recreation-area/" target="_blank">Flaming Gorge</a> when they saw the sun setting on the red rocks of the canyon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mqm5eFn2PxmJNCOfTms_Utk7ncEqwrfKIH1ZD9LE2bUfnTYOEEoOEhVkgo8OibHOg6sCBAsOiz1wUmGdICDtoKxKeL0I98bDtftOCNTKnMnelJ3FPTCgRBNrb1WQP_Ephsr_rv7njUgOzSAp2NvSuTLFf0doKCu0NG3nGgTUIgLg5lTzBsEWJCSO/s4674/29.%20UT%2044W%20Flaming%20Gorge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3287" data-original-width="4674" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mqm5eFn2PxmJNCOfTms_Utk7ncEqwrfKIH1ZD9LE2bUfnTYOEEoOEhVkgo8OibHOg6sCBAsOiz1wUmGdICDtoKxKeL0I98bDtftOCNTKnMnelJ3FPTCgRBNrb1WQP_Ephsr_rv7njUgOzSAp2NvSuTLFf0doKCu0NG3nGgTUIgLg5lTzBsEWJCSO/s320/29.%20UT%2044W%20Flaming%20Gorge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8Rh9u0MGAAe1jq2SSR3v-JM2kriIpw07GMq5USF0dALPVYFWY5JUSL4bd-We3RDog7nHYUTB2sg_2V8t1M35p2dNpSmSU8SkHVOitdgcYm_LssLt8ggl-Og_-M-G4LCDAMlXSFIAqWMNHu3IDMfaDSyDILnDJmPNuqp0zwxrbr8cZ8V5YkQkAvnc/s4587/30.%20UT%2044W%20Flaming%20Gorge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3291" data-original-width="4587" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8Rh9u0MGAAe1jq2SSR3v-JM2kriIpw07GMq5USF0dALPVYFWY5JUSL4bd-We3RDog7nHYUTB2sg_2V8t1M35p2dNpSmSU8SkHVOitdgcYm_LssLt8ggl-Og_-M-G4LCDAMlXSFIAqWMNHu3IDMfaDSyDILnDJmPNuqp0zwxrbr8cZ8V5YkQkAvnc/s320/30.%20UT%2044W%20Flaming%20Gorge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDI-TUJsF2QrB5MinGuoEf1Y8ASpStNewkgWZ17Q5ZOx03rXL5-Th-ATkPGL8q9dKRZoua-coA3Du5GFN5cOfz79iNRfncomjlSU3BC1zR4gPaIDLl6YICKVarbgwCNmHx9_HIjH5Fy_ic7W8F7GxHI62tH_NN8BzliwdSvmLgEX1ZTAtHL8Y1aG0O/s4728/31.%20UT%2044W%20Flaming%20Gorge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3341" data-original-width="4728" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDI-TUJsF2QrB5MinGuoEf1Y8ASpStNewkgWZ17Q5ZOx03rXL5-Th-ATkPGL8q9dKRZoua-coA3Du5GFN5cOfz79iNRfncomjlSU3BC1zR4gPaIDLl6YICKVarbgwCNmHx9_HIjH5Fy_ic7W8F7GxHI62tH_NN8BzliwdSvmLgEX1ZTAtHL8Y1aG0O/s320/31.%20UT%2044W%20Flaming%20Gorge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>There was almost no traffic, so we were able to pull over and stop at the side of the road a few times to take in more of the amazing scenery.</p><p>We stopped in Manila, UT at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/eatatbrownings/" target="_blank">Browning's</a> for lunch with thick and delicious chocolate marshmallow malts along with our sandwiches. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNW_x-bmYRqh-gX1PtngnK0Sy808m3ACxe9lg4NXUrfRVNPdR1BaAvER4PPuWICaWoZnY7kQ8MJuMl8_xy285TPUSr-YtiMqnrxAVWIqv2kU2ScPGsEf1ipM8FS2DCYKVF6fZzFWAb3a8eXtR9FFuLC4AC9EBWHvCEB3RiiFG3yQLfBssLYBzyqJq/s4736/35.%20Browning's%20restaurant%20Manila%20UT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNW_x-bmYRqh-gX1PtngnK0Sy808m3ACxe9lg4NXUrfRVNPdR1BaAvER4PPuWICaWoZnY7kQ8MJuMl8_xy285TPUSr-YtiMqnrxAVWIqv2kU2ScPGsEf1ipM8FS2DCYKVF6fZzFWAb3a8eXtR9FFuLC4AC9EBWHvCEB3RiiFG3yQLfBssLYBzyqJq/s320/35.%20Browning's%20restaurant%20Manila%20UT.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Heading west on CO 43, which became WY 414, the landscape changed again to a high plateau with distant views of mountains - and also several dark and threatening storm clouds.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ppY6eZis6cK1x0jrbuJbB2zVaK13Tx9OvQ97J1IK3UIn8kGnJdtDcm1ZCM-D5r97FlJzBAsXBSIvnOxWdTqSQME8cxUWhxR60SYnMAtwRqXVXolDAEOQ7nTok3P1DDWpjhX96b9czZ16LP869L--TN-8gEBfhivG--W6t5_2kzorEELiTa71fQ9U/s4736/37.%20WY43%20W%20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2934" data-original-width="4736" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ppY6eZis6cK1x0jrbuJbB2zVaK13Tx9OvQ97J1IK3UIn8kGnJdtDcm1ZCM-D5r97FlJzBAsXBSIvnOxWdTqSQME8cxUWhxR60SYnMAtwRqXVXolDAEOQ7nTok3P1DDWpjhX96b9czZ16LP869L--TN-8gEBfhivG--W6t5_2kzorEELiTa71fQ9U/s320/37.%20WY43%20W%20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1uzHt_B6N7YIiRF-_lt8DikWCIgZ3UAJYh246m3nZalHzL_3HUn3H9sIUuTSff_zWslkHnfLS1EBoh-dP4ruF49OqsK3eMRWyktpZ0JjAQEJ52JGUoCEvU0Aqe3OWQyNO2MkwtAfZ4uCjd66Kk4Z7mids4f4BnWI8d9QjEt8lsS7qCSMiyQpOZ5Z/s4317/44.%20WY43%20W.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="4317" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1uzHt_B6N7YIiRF-_lt8DikWCIgZ3UAJYh246m3nZalHzL_3HUn3H9sIUuTSff_zWslkHnfLS1EBoh-dP4ruF49OqsK3eMRWyktpZ0JjAQEJ52JGUoCEvU0Aqe3OWQyNO2MkwtAfZ4uCjd66Kk4Z7mids4f4BnWI8d9QjEt8lsS7qCSMiyQpOZ5Z/s320/44.%20WY43%20W.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Our luck held out and made it to Kemmerer, WY without getting soaked. We had 298 miles of motorcycle fun through three western states as we continue to head toward Montana.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-82652796355159579982023-05-23T18:55:00.001-07:002023-05-23T18:55:11.540-07:00First ride of 2023<p> A lot has happened since we last were on a BMW trip: we moved from Arizona to Colorado! We live in the San Juan Mountains in southern Colorado, and are thrilled to watch the deer, elk, chipmunks and birds all around our home.</p><p>Today we started a 2-week trip, first heading to Bozeman, Montana to visit our youngest son. We rode 255 miles for the day, first riding west on US 160 out of Pagosa Springs to Durango. </p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhit0et1SsV-f42rj6eHKbcwPLlfLwiaavJxBbC6kf1Wyjw1JAHhSQPFVUmdGlcmKYQ9wVqBrg3MfHqddHv-mjS3WNYGawNhwzoBSPdw6Cuzg9RXn1wTXXyFHXtY5dxOiqBOfT77s6NDtHPYElp1ADHRXJbKJQB2Ajcw2iL9VeYDhyjoaiuAvBDh7Wb/s4169/3.%20Pagosa.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2446" data-original-width="4169" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhit0et1SsV-f42rj6eHKbcwPLlfLwiaavJxBbC6kf1Wyjw1JAHhSQPFVUmdGlcmKYQ9wVqBrg3MfHqddHv-mjS3WNYGawNhwzoBSPdw6Cuzg9RXn1wTXXyFHXtY5dxOiqBOfT77s6NDtHPYElp1ADHRXJbKJQB2Ajcw2iL9VeYDhyjoaiuAvBDh7Wb/s320/3.%20Pagosa.JPG" width="320" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;">Pagosa Springs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In Durango we picked up US 550 north, one of our favorite rides through the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan" target="_blank">San Juan</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncompahgre_National_Forest" target="_blank">Uncompahgre</a> national forests. I've never ridden south to north, and this is the earliest in the year we've been on this route. There's still a lot of snow after one of the snowiest years on record, and the aspens at the higher elevations haven't yet started to leaf out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7K5JIgPocn-Ht90bKZGWlRyRDuz2L3eAUC14q6SoUdfTyBbNdBv-7HrLlHWV9cXBNhhAsG6Hgre5YVBRLYpDN6iEyMy33xgsgRED-iPDdptQ2Yj4vT-UMyeJaQy-C2U3yFOZtfB1T8G_x_HMkc73y-akvjdQx5X7xprAsgQevj_H4PS0yGDf06bfw/s4736/8.%20550%20north%20from%20Durango%20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3066" data-original-width="4736" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7K5JIgPocn-Ht90bKZGWlRyRDuz2L3eAUC14q6SoUdfTyBbNdBv-7HrLlHWV9cXBNhhAsG6Hgre5YVBRLYpDN6iEyMy33xgsgRED-iPDdptQ2Yj4vT-UMyeJaQy-C2U3yFOZtfB1T8G_x_HMkc73y-akvjdQx5X7xprAsgQevj_H4PS0yGDf06bfw/s320/8.%20550%20north%20from%20Durango%20.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9vyKS83_TrOMlSuO7ZLS2Z3F7XMMVOuQyygvd4sHmzBCFxIRACAo7qIK3M5ylbX4I9zmA1w865GN9d73Dq1XjfkeZWUp7PAgTM9A1lxR6mNXNEo5BUYqttp34FE0Fksi6J7dl7C6H51jiEl-VAmc0SaE4ILeVVePLhxVbDBt44m6Aa-R18jmAHll/s4736/14.%20550N%20past%20Coal%20Bank%20Pass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9vyKS83_TrOMlSuO7ZLS2Z3F7XMMVOuQyygvd4sHmzBCFxIRACAo7qIK3M5ylbX4I9zmA1w865GN9d73Dq1XjfkeZWUp7PAgTM9A1lxR6mNXNEo5BUYqttp34FE0Fksi6J7dl7C6H51jiEl-VAmc0SaE4ILeVVePLhxVbDBt44m6Aa-R18jmAHll/s320/14.%20550N%20past%20Coal%20Bank%20Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p>This narrow, 2-lane highway is famous for tight hairpin turns and sheer drop-offs with no guardrails. There wasn't much traffic and we had a lot of fun zooming down the road.</p><p>550 goes through <a href="https://www.silvertoncolorado.com/" target="_blank">Silverton</a>, one of the highest towns in the US at 9,318' and our entrance today to the <a href="https://www.colorado.com/scenic-historic-byways/million-dollar-highway" target="_blank">Million Dollar Highway</a> that runs between Silverton and Ouray. These were originally gold and silver mining towns and today are more famous for the astounding scenery and remote backcountry adventures. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwqbxRIZ6Obko6Ueq1Gqd0gkoXDJpVD-RSh8UNKm0AcXXWzN6PD8H_d5imyZebsRaoj4x84RrOoQCrEmQLF6KPL1e9HfJTNr7sPvO7aBUDgUizr2HgdLY6cmPnAfHKUaCsJlVcQgNjFqiEOcsB_PnHNBDZgVjbH23FJkIW2ByvwgTFFU8p9d8PR66/s4736/28.%20550N%20Red%20Mountain.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwqbxRIZ6Obko6Ueq1Gqd0gkoXDJpVD-RSh8UNKm0AcXXWzN6PD8H_d5imyZebsRaoj4x84RrOoQCrEmQLF6KPL1e9HfJTNr7sPvO7aBUDgUizr2HgdLY6cmPnAfHKUaCsJlVcQgNjFqiEOcsB_PnHNBDZgVjbH23FJkIW2ByvwgTFFU8p9d8PR66/s320/28.%20550N%20Red%20Mountain.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yjZrOKHaEQ_ZzP3JiXk_wWH3f4tJlBJ7ZjRqOaB-lUAp284gdXkSbc0BwuXXYlD3c9k3HXBanCW29TOU5JPDhvski20RHjdOJfAJ8l9Tstui1Z0YM9SKihkXfkEmR7tNvOL3M-xGRf-Ln-TylnWnDngnf5aYd71V31cVDff7SLLXhmh4m5xGsNhB/s4536/30.%20550N%20toward%20Ouray.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2752" data-original-width="4536" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yjZrOKHaEQ_ZzP3JiXk_wWH3f4tJlBJ7ZjRqOaB-lUAp284gdXkSbc0BwuXXYlD3c9k3HXBanCW29TOU5JPDhvski20RHjdOJfAJ8l9Tstui1Z0YM9SKihkXfkEmR7tNvOL3M-xGRf-Ln-TylnWnDngnf5aYd71V31cVDff7SLLXhmh4m5xGsNhB/s320/30.%20550N%20toward%20Ouray.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkztVk6RVf2isy5c1rOcYiqQTBMmGhP6APts_RZqFOAvpeyxejjmS4yMv_4cSPCn5pMTZA_XaKJuT4GlFpJzXSrpkFtQTQeKmmtWPySS6fORSAafee_kvhA165L3o6MCNWthwWWnqW32RVl5_QAFlDOwFr9ihpyB8tddZWZICwAivrA0C9XpPOtHM/s4736/36.%20550N%20toward%20Ouray.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4736" data-original-width="3552" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdkztVk6RVf2isy5c1rOcYiqQTBMmGhP6APts_RZqFOAvpeyxejjmS4yMv_4cSPCn5pMTZA_XaKJuT4GlFpJzXSrpkFtQTQeKmmtWPySS6fORSAafee_kvhA165L3o6MCNWthwWWnqW32RVl5_QAFlDOwFr9ihpyB8tddZWZICwAivrA0C9XpPOtHM/s320/36.%20550N%20toward%20Ouray.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I had on my raingear from the beginning of the trip to stay warm (temperatures in the 50's and low 60's) but when we spotted rain clouds ahead, we stopped so Mike could put on his rain gear.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK5zJxan05UDd2dQAwcmLZ_WH96VWf8YQNMCX1HRgvyH4_xEGM9KZB2gy-uRBHEgwXGKhwvUsBr0S2N_S9bp8FLegYpGR8IUa_F3AHzUn7vPFmAYfq0fFxI35LiX5g49MO70uq3sJ1IstaWBwwYZsG1424txJhjVLQdg87a6Am8--Sgw2KV5lEk4y/s4719/37.%20550N%20Mike%20and%20BMW.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3355" data-original-width="4719" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTK5zJxan05UDd2dQAwcmLZ_WH96VWf8YQNMCX1HRgvyH4_xEGM9KZB2gy-uRBHEgwXGKhwvUsBr0S2N_S9bp8FLegYpGR8IUa_F3AHzUn7vPFmAYfq0fFxI35LiX5g49MO70uq3sJ1IstaWBwwYZsG1424txJhjVLQdg87a6Am8--Sgw2KV5lEk4y/s320/37.%20550N%20Mike%20and%20BMW.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love how small the BMW and Mike look in this photo against the huge mountains!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZ_yGQo27N-Jq7AiQOPPxw3A_xgI_fqhHncS18iFZw3w-_9i90oglZOXvF0IteNOpHmQgp2r5quDkUeeb0t9QY0pBUzU9AnKY9Dxmb-LDlm9Nb0z1CSvYmGrF8i62f1ThMbJGqGP4_kCD4BlROpfizWW5RUXx5tFTAD-CpxswkOUxwFvVCHOWjRLB/s4736/38.%20BMW.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZ_yGQo27N-Jq7AiQOPPxw3A_xgI_fqhHncS18iFZw3w-_9i90oglZOXvF0IteNOpHmQgp2r5quDkUeeb0t9QY0pBUzU9AnKY9Dxmb-LDlm9Nb0z1CSvYmGrF8i62f1ThMbJGqGP4_kCD4BlROpfizWW5RUXx5tFTAD-CpxswkOUxwFvVCHOWjRLB/s320/38.%20BMW.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>It was raining as we rode through Ouray, and then the sun came out as the valley opened up. We stopped in Montrose for lunch, and then continued on US 50 west and north toward Grand Junction. It's amazing how quickly the landscape changes in Colorado. We were out of the snow-capped mountains and at lower elevations riding through the <a href="https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/colorado/dominguez-escalante-nca" target="_blank">Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLR4uf_ukY90PQeVc_iqIJcGUvnKlO4WG0WsH4BSiQWwi-O3XahCrKdI8zzWQzr4wCHzAMnHDTUVYGvpjWYqb7aaP3e_xpGYyYVz0XneLCfaZHHc-LhXvu93PWam40gtVTc_18OXPnZGRt1A35z0vdTZoz_6G0k3bu5EypWlHIOYWV5334q2fqsNPx/s4359/39.%2050W%20into%20Grand%20Junction.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3424" data-original-width="4359" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLR4uf_ukY90PQeVc_iqIJcGUvnKlO4WG0WsH4BSiQWwi-O3XahCrKdI8zzWQzr4wCHzAMnHDTUVYGvpjWYqb7aaP3e_xpGYyYVz0XneLCfaZHHc-LhXvu93PWam40gtVTc_18OXPnZGRt1A35z0vdTZoz_6G0k3bu5EypWlHIOYWV5334q2fqsNPx/s320/39.%2050W%20into%20Grand%20Junction.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_9ftCDyo3wa2zeTKgNhd1JhLf4P-yVLYycdWVE9GqpG9s8aB5osSXBxtsn45XFPmdgDCjHhiZuUAxYS2vB3tkerlB2LA1gNc8IxLA5GYPvtbFnxX6tqFibHUBQCJzcvuAiWgOpF_MIBH3Lq7jWFwrzgHxQjhS_JlxALrOtAAWNt8A8EeH9uUtlnO/s4736/40.%2050W%20into%20Grand%20Junction.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3196" data-original-width="4736" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_9ftCDyo3wa2zeTKgNhd1JhLf4P-yVLYycdWVE9GqpG9s8aB5osSXBxtsn45XFPmdgDCjHhiZuUAxYS2vB3tkerlB2LA1gNc8IxLA5GYPvtbFnxX6tqFibHUBQCJzcvuAiWgOpF_MIBH3Lq7jWFwrzgHxQjhS_JlxALrOtAAWNt8A8EeH9uUtlnO/s320/40.%2050W%20into%20Grand%20Junction.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We rode through the Uncompahgre Plateau where red-rock canyons and sandstone bluffs dominate the landscape.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we headed into Grand Junction, Mike had some fun at a stoplight with a guy on a Ninja. They both did wheelies, and Mike accelerated ahead. The power of the BMW!</div><p>We're spending the night in Grand Junction on the Western Slope of the Rockies and looking forward to sunny skies and fun riding tomorrow as we continue north toward Montana.</p><p><br /></p>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-89892662906486869842022-09-24T16:38:00.001-07:002022-09-24T16:38:13.906-07:00Ajo to home with some wandering in the middle<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-NcixoupoK0dNIrLJysE-cY5injja92Kx0jJGHkpTb2L41trfA_s-AYimnae0P3n4qZ2CPEfBOMCSOBdN3cfQWgh69S5VP7DAe0QFnAqjNypirXTJHj3yM6QqWgnEBnb5E_NkYTxgMD5Yq_wP23ILLAfqkuiyBeG6XQXxYMAIi3PviHyADPpygcR/s4109/1.%2085N.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3013" data-original-width="4109" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-NcixoupoK0dNIrLJysE-cY5injja92Kx0jJGHkpTb2L41trfA_s-AYimnae0P3n4qZ2CPEfBOMCSOBdN3cfQWgh69S5VP7DAe0QFnAqjNypirXTJHj3yM6QqWgnEBnb5E_NkYTxgMD5Yq_wP23ILLAfqkuiyBeG6XQXxYMAIi3PviHyADPpygcR/s320/1.%2085N.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>After a heavy rain with hail last night, we were thrilled that the roads were dry when we started for home from Ajo, AZ at 7am. The ride north on AZ 85 was uneventful, and as we rode along we decided to not retrace our route from Thursday but instead continue on 85 north until we reached Indian School Road.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7Rg00no8qsQ2C-qc7hU7nXVDQugYWpVsv3wbG63-IaNDtQZQ3qqG3iKimTz6hz-FM7RlLCWPROaZGMofoOa8kyG8HPc___w3WkuSE1xZ4FVWFlg3A-qud963UC-h-nldyAeHDEXZwJpRwPda93WQLjJV1Va3GPrXVuD7t1IwzXxSRXcv_-t_blqI/s3814/3.%2085N%20from%20Ajo%20to%20Gila%20Bend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2282" data-original-width="3814" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7Rg00no8qsQ2C-qc7hU7nXVDQugYWpVsv3wbG63-IaNDtQZQ3qqG3iKimTz6hz-FM7RlLCWPROaZGMofoOa8kyG8HPc___w3WkuSE1xZ4FVWFlg3A-qud963UC-h-nldyAeHDEXZwJpRwPda93WQLjJV1Va3GPrXVuD7t1IwzXxSRXcv_-t_blqI/s320/3.%2085N%20from%20Ajo%20to%20Gila%20Bend.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The Garmin GPS kept suggesting that we take the I10 to the 303 and finally north on I17 - all interstate highways that we wanted to avoid. We realized too late that AZ 85 did not go as far north as we expected, and spent some time wandering around, looking for a paved road that would get us back to Vulture Mine Road into Wickenburg.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oam0NhKhH7HwByxGLThgbqFPAuu-usu88D0D9nUc8mXNOvgJE_i0RlUF3GJIjzMMHZmr9p4kanWCVzs0_tvjKLXNv8VPl9zk8DHr0zPGeIgOlF_VB3eTChoQzWS05vylqFS86c8C0nx9tKFURY_7Ms5fdgsK241cXyWccyqnFcdB_Ijj-ME89IKF/s4477/4.%20fields.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2405" data-original-width="4477" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oam0NhKhH7HwByxGLThgbqFPAuu-usu88D0D9nUc8mXNOvgJE_i0RlUF3GJIjzMMHZmr9p4kanWCVzs0_tvjKLXNv8VPl9zk8DHr0zPGeIgOlF_VB3eTChoQzWS05vylqFS86c8C0nx9tKFURY_7Ms5fdgsK241cXyWccyqnFcdB_Ijj-ME89IKF/s320/4.%20fields.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>After stopping at yet another intersection with a dirt road and consulting the <a href="https://butlermaps.com/" target="_blank">Butler motorcycle map</a>, we realized that we needed to backtrack, take the I10 for about 9 miles, and then we would be back on little-traveled, 2-lane, paved roads.</p><p>The Butler map proved correct, and we were soon back on the winding paved roads that led to Vulture Mine Road.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6OVVdWTPUHHzoV8GtgICYQdzn3fNmcWNjjv6iOtQOCQrU1Jx-hV-tE_uJlrrACYvmibz0DrChBmvV2H55lnye_2qigxNWz2aF2UhjS4e6bP12-OHT7iyqPQD5LFFz4_5EuTdC2OiJnZU6GMkk0PknsJ-iQo46YAicTevDXrPA058m9GD-jAqofMg/s4572/7.%20wash%20and%20muddy%20road%20355th%20Ave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3362" data-original-width="4572" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6OVVdWTPUHHzoV8GtgICYQdzn3fNmcWNjjv6iOtQOCQrU1Jx-hV-tE_uJlrrACYvmibz0DrChBmvV2H55lnye_2qigxNWz2aF2UhjS4e6bP12-OHT7iyqPQD5LFFz4_5EuTdC2OiJnZU6GMkk0PknsJ-iQo46YAicTevDXrPA058m9GD-jAqofMg/s320/7.%20wash%20and%20muddy%20road%20355th%20Ave.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We crossed the same muddy wash from Thursday, today with more mud but no problem at all for the BMW.<div><br /></div><div>I wanted to be sure to get a photo of <a href="https://www.vultureminetours.com/" target="_blank">Vulture City</a> - settled in 1863 to house miners from the Vulture Mine, Arizona's most successful gold mine, it grew to 5000 people. The mine closed in 1942 since it was considered a non-essential mine, not needed for WWII efforts and the town became was abandoned.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R5Y0GqEowxPXGrbPOICsI0-zyZvEHH7-L4qbP0H9W7T2Nsckw6n6HD6AVdzah4cQWrWK1UHd2qcyrIBYFOfuQqzWMaFXpTOCVrAzcXCDboZ1nlCkV9vuZHF14X56CbmcMsp1hZibccO52BUm0kXG3yw-UnswctwwhwTFtP6kTUJB8CM9qMkjGQDk/s2951/9.%20Vulture%20Mine%20Road%20toward%20Wickenburg%20Vulture%20City.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="2951" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R5Y0GqEowxPXGrbPOICsI0-zyZvEHH7-L4qbP0H9W7T2Nsckw6n6HD6AVdzah4cQWrWK1UHd2qcyrIBYFOfuQqzWMaFXpTOCVrAzcXCDboZ1nlCkV9vuZHF14X56CbmcMsp1hZibccO52BUm0kXG3yw-UnswctwwhwTFtP6kTUJB8CM9qMkjGQDk/s320/9.%20Vulture%20Mine%20Road%20toward%20Wickenburg%20Vulture%20City.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Some of the buildings have been restored and it's now possible to book a tour or hold a special event in the town.</div><div><br /></div><div>The rest of our ride was uneventful as we wound up 89 from the valley into much cooler temperatures in Yarnell, then continued home on very familiar roads.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomkQhccbVcaVpGciInuJ3DwL4R8lnc4KAjuL5YOCYg5wrf1SehpVbqPoNn1f3KMFCxHRgnzkWLp91T2R81r8iS1qDCx37c8fIpsgNpOLeSL9EiDyxJcmPwD16ZY6AdoqWxe1OR5NaxeZtrZdBVZW-OW_IyvJu2cAr-7awrL3Yq0NWnQ52kNXDtr7g/s3916/12.%2089N%20toward%20Yarnell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2237" data-original-width="3916" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomkQhccbVcaVpGciInuJ3DwL4R8lnc4KAjuL5YOCYg5wrf1SehpVbqPoNn1f3KMFCxHRgnzkWLp91T2R81r8iS1qDCx37c8fIpsgNpOLeSL9EiDyxJcmPwD16ZY6AdoqWxe1OR5NaxeZtrZdBVZW-OW_IyvJu2cAr-7awrL3Yq0NWnQ52kNXDtr7g/s320/12.%2089N%20toward%20Yarnell.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm1SXjk2o4XN60Ibo8L7NOerAp_KcIKQM3-gADKxhmjAwIv-2-0z8pDujMPdRUKIWg-4t-OkXYoUGDfeVpkQ6_RRLfhkHh9CQEJBNI5taRSF_0ZxRSA3pAYVt_GPZgukbufAYOZtck9XgQTl0L_or0q6RbMrGadVjR82GaDzkSQNTF8nCjqvD0-Rj/s4736/14.%2089N%20toward%20Yarnell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm1SXjk2o4XN60Ibo8L7NOerAp_KcIKQM3-gADKxhmjAwIv-2-0z8pDujMPdRUKIWg-4t-OkXYoUGDfeVpkQ6_RRLfhkHh9CQEJBNI5taRSF_0ZxRSA3pAYVt_GPZgukbufAYOZtck9XgQTl0L_or0q6RbMrGadVjR82GaDzkSQNTF8nCjqvD0-Rj/s320/14.%2089N%20toward%20Yarnell.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituMQKq5GABGjUe5DkQIoCYjq6ekqMOeYZafilyfYu0ISPVRyBxkdviQVaHZrWNnB9TqAhoJbJ-AVv_nNnbEdRVuQtqPtfCBZyJjlvBxeJHJniwrsDRd6cSBOkePIZNljNjsKXCbctBVW13ySyLSLoMtz-XnvnFPlMA8HejO8kK_qi8_oTV_IOoo5c/s4709/18.%20%20Iron%20Springs%20road%20into%20Prescott.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2781" data-original-width="4709" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituMQKq5GABGjUe5DkQIoCYjq6ekqMOeYZafilyfYu0ISPVRyBxkdviQVaHZrWNnB9TqAhoJbJ-AVv_nNnbEdRVuQtqPtfCBZyJjlvBxeJHJniwrsDRd6cSBOkePIZNljNjsKXCbctBVW13ySyLSLoMtz-XnvnFPlMA8HejO8kK_qi8_oTV_IOoo5c/s320/18.%20%20Iron%20Springs%20road%20into%20Prescott.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>When I spotted Thumb Butte, I knew we were very close to home. We really enjoyed Ajo and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and being back on the BMW for even a short 3-day trip reminded us how much we enjoy motorcycle travel. We won't wait a year for the next trip!<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-42722949410950494562022-09-23T15:53:00.004-07:002022-09-23T15:53:43.167-07:00Ajo, Arizona and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz_-pq__vcCHvJVk91AyhXAfK_5p7EuzqefFrMBMz0JoQTeRUDdpB5-PuZRzeTqUXlWl65wGIh9I5LlCJpIaQd_zpXF9LYo6og7N_fz_8x5w22969tEbxo7JQ3VxYOp5myWexGAXZDrpGTyh6lAdRGg3mi0-1IGcYfsHRRqd8Azj2OWYT5WcVJOnY/s4736/22.%20Organ%20Pipe%20Cactus%20National%20Monument%20Puerto%20Blanco%20Drive%20bike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz_-pq__vcCHvJVk91AyhXAfK_5p7EuzqefFrMBMz0JoQTeRUDdpB5-PuZRzeTqUXlWl65wGIh9I5LlCJpIaQd_zpXF9LYo6og7N_fz_8x5w22969tEbxo7JQ3VxYOp5myWexGAXZDrpGTyh6lAdRGg3mi0-1IGcYfsHRRqd8Azj2OWYT5WcVJOnY/s320/22.%20Organ%20Pipe%20Cactus%20National%20Monument%20Puerto%20Blanco%20Drive%20bike.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>It was a sunny late-September morning for a ride into Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsl1wYts4mYYcLOcVhWTM85UKhaFy45ZLz8TfABiOGmS4jFaD0LzpuxfAZltXbEeWNpIkvesozI_qGquWxHQXzZO97RbUBZ3blZm5xC108uCXq8kGvKTIh0uxgaZooofDnF1AQlhXO8W5ovPYESLrgQfdRhKIV80NVgOMbpLzs6ogw13LsDVBDz--O/s4736/6.%20breakfast%20n%20Why.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsl1wYts4mYYcLOcVhWTM85UKhaFy45ZLz8TfABiOGmS4jFaD0LzpuxfAZltXbEeWNpIkvesozI_qGquWxHQXzZO97RbUBZ3blZm5xC108uCXq8kGvKTIh0uxgaZooofDnF1AQlhXO8W5ovPYESLrgQfdRhKIV80NVgOMbpLzs6ogw13LsDVBDz--O/s320/6.%20breakfast%20n%20Why.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p> After a quick stop for breakfast at Granny's Kitchen in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why,_Arizona" target="_blank">Why, AZ</a>, we continued south on AZ 80 to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Why supposedly takes its name because it is at a 'Y' intersection of highways 85 and 86. The highway intersection has changed, but the town keeps its name and Granny's Kitchen is a fantastic stop for breakfast or lunch.</p><p><a href="https://www.nps.gov/orpi/index.htm" target="_blank">Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument</a> was established in 1937 to protect and preserve this scenic area in the Sonoran Desert that borders Mexico. It's the only place in the US where organ pipe cactus grow wild.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2vuPXVoRhYsn-V8zPHA4D-5gajPbSQ5VlHhfAaNSVnrHL2z_FHc__dVKkA2rGmMtrEpk9KuKoghsl92aQ-ghaDOMI2F1vMVB3aXaNVmyivqKu8ZyDfAYzaSuWi3eso3a5UfEPLQ1AFm3iHRhgv8c8yppcP77gPXZwq4K6BJBOjFBCo08jTuDzfHQ/s4684/10.%20Organ%20Pipe%20Cactus%20National%20Monument.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2920" data-original-width="4684" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2vuPXVoRhYsn-V8zPHA4D-5gajPbSQ5VlHhfAaNSVnrHL2z_FHc__dVKkA2rGmMtrEpk9KuKoghsl92aQ-ghaDOMI2F1vMVB3aXaNVmyivqKu8ZyDfAYzaSuWi3eso3a5UfEPLQ1AFm3iHRhgv8c8yppcP77gPXZwq4K6BJBOjFBCo08jTuDzfHQ/s320/10.%20Organ%20Pipe%20Cactus%20National%20Monument.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/articles/organ-pipe-cactus.htm#" target="_blank">organ pipe cactus</a> is the second largest columnar cactus in the US (saguaros are taller) and grows up to 23' tall. Arizona is the northernmost limit of the organ pipe cactus which are extremely sensitive to frost.</p><p>We watched a 15-minute video in the visitor center and Mike talked with the park service staff about riding the BMW on the dirt/gravel/sand roads in the park. They suggested we head out on Puerto Blanco Drive since the Ajo Mountain Drive is closed for construction and turn around where the road becomes one-way because the next section has a number of sandy washes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0w0y8vzlEwf2M4bVAGOnz_JJmmhK8-yoxOxC1NhWHln5TyAkVNq7JObZ7pwMhkU6uUDcRJe9s4T32-rCn1hX217kEtWS4oVBX6gHkxd32HidRd_lhi4IT_N5noWyW1f_W6sTauNitW3cR1NrfXxetiObrYf4gPw7gn0pX0pIL-nlDc5pbIm149_2/s4736/14.%20Organ%20Pipe%20Cactus%20National%20Monument%20Puerto%20Blanco%20Drive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0w0y8vzlEwf2M4bVAGOnz_JJmmhK8-yoxOxC1NhWHln5TyAkVNq7JObZ7pwMhkU6uUDcRJe9s4T32-rCn1hX217kEtWS4oVBX6gHkxd32HidRd_lhi4IT_N5noWyW1f_W6sTauNitW3cR1NrfXxetiObrYf4gPw7gn0pX0pIL-nlDc5pbIm149_2/s320/14.%20Organ%20Pipe%20Cactus%20National%20Monument%20Puerto%20Blanco%20Drive.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Mike stuck to the more hard-packed truck tracks on the loose gravel/dirt road, and we were really happy that the hillier parts over the washes were paved.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BticZ3yFPsHDnUBIsvqGOPINuzz9F8Mi7ERFh4DToARqZ7t52zTV-Jefn0wk8dobZX0CYUWHGpDEWsK2wF8MnJzOR70di8CdtRxYonFODAwoOiKJOKJ_uCzfNO36WrqrCyKAe_Ze_7YOebwkQrUpIyLsNq6IEFseCUao04ByxB8FrylCPzGn6d1E/s4165/18.%20Organ%20Pipe%20Cactus%20National%20Monument%20Puerto%20Blanco%20Drive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2375" data-original-width="4165" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BticZ3yFPsHDnUBIsvqGOPINuzz9F8Mi7ERFh4DToARqZ7t52zTV-Jefn0wk8dobZX0CYUWHGpDEWsK2wF8MnJzOR70di8CdtRxYonFODAwoOiKJOKJ_uCzfNO36WrqrCyKAe_Ze_7YOebwkQrUpIyLsNq6IEFseCUao04ByxB8FrylCPzGn6d1E/s320/18.%20Organ%20Pipe%20Cactus%20National%20Monument%20Puerto%20Blanco%20Drive.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We saw only 2 other vehicles over the 10 mile ride, and enjoyed looking at the wide variety of cactus and other desert plants with the mountains in the backdrop.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5GFJRbbY_awHMrCwa6PGjtXqYsVcbVn9wSD5hAFxT9PV7gklLWwhNkt1m6PfB5bHpTyU5iLxfUqo8tG_L2RszJZ-ikqUJ9ZsRLKwopkaSm_YG-W3Gvs5LjYjx3BAMr-oghaTlQwMIJCFPSN91IIqeK31KMhaY3l-Y2hn0PP_LP7AYuLMOdtJpUKC/s4736/31.%20Organ%20Pipe%20Cactus%20National%20Monument%20Puerto%20Blanco%20Drive%20back%20to%20visitor%20center.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5GFJRbbY_awHMrCwa6PGjtXqYsVcbVn9wSD5hAFxT9PV7gklLWwhNkt1m6PfB5bHpTyU5iLxfUqo8tG_L2RszJZ-ikqUJ9ZsRLKwopkaSm_YG-W3Gvs5LjYjx3BAMr-oghaTlQwMIJCFPSN91IIqeK31KMhaY3l-Y2hn0PP_LP7AYuLMOdtJpUKC/s320/31.%20Organ%20Pipe%20Cactus%20National%20Monument%20Puerto%20Blanco%20Drive%20back%20to%20visitor%20center.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn9qPti8oxc1D5TWmYDGXQr385oM8t-SctXJllbvcTPkYkGCR-S8SkuuwmI0tRVJkzkCzVm4PuknOZOskJivVljC1B6O7Wdu5UETPu0WBhQeLXs0jCTK3-ke9xoh_9SzyvBuO9npSC6dcYXg1VRwsoG6tBRXPGjTOp-QRNTJEAdjJVC0SVQJ0akIv/s3544/33.%20Organ%20Pipe%20Cactus%20National%20Monument%20Puerto%20Blanco%20Drive%20back%20to%20visitor%20center.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3544" data-original-width="3286" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn9qPti8oxc1D5TWmYDGXQr385oM8t-SctXJllbvcTPkYkGCR-S8SkuuwmI0tRVJkzkCzVm4PuknOZOskJivVljC1B6O7Wdu5UETPu0WBhQeLXs0jCTK3-ke9xoh_9SzyvBuO9npSC6dcYXg1VRwsoG6tBRXPGjTOp-QRNTJEAdjJVC0SVQJ0akIv/s320/33.%20Organ%20Pipe%20Cactus%20National%20Monument%20Puerto%20Blanco%20Drive%20back%20to%20visitor%20center.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NdHHlW6b9QBE-fvk0aO6Dnx7vM_JyniAfMv9HrTAm-w0yARhtT2x0-oj-Ia5wcm9QN7db7ijH_yjyjkKyqi4aZsTXUd1pxc1AIXA5g3rcdPPecV8Um70uX_5UbRUdvHYz8KRaeptub36TLGqqSKUm-J3449RwFbBaXu-2upSXfNFy_DE-OQFIX2U/s4075/34.%20Organ%20Pipe%20Cactus%20National%20Monument%20Puerto%20Blanco%20Drive%20back%20to%20visitor%20center.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3350" data-original-width="4075" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NdHHlW6b9QBE-fvk0aO6Dnx7vM_JyniAfMv9HrTAm-w0yARhtT2x0-oj-Ia5wcm9QN7db7ijH_yjyjkKyqi4aZsTXUd1pxc1AIXA5g3rcdPPecV8Um70uX_5UbRUdvHYz8KRaeptub36TLGqqSKUm-J3449RwFbBaXu-2upSXfNFy_DE-OQFIX2U/s320/34.%20Organ%20Pipe%20Cactus%20National%20Monument%20Puerto%20Blanco%20Drive%20back%20to%20visitor%20center.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We then decided to continue south on AZ 85 4 miles until we came close to the border before we turned around and headed back north to Ajo.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8z5APxAzTTvehAtdo5KTFbh5351riYTxNkT79r2A28p0zEZkKzQr0O5sMY0Q6l-JEcnAiPAoZ3iX5s4v5lslTrDAEW-_3FdWxRBvFXIVVvssxAfA9rltde2geU_UuiwSO9Sb8auG0CXqJCV-ZqPiajSJs_3VeEDm2jjQYRkQ3-mgwzXD2e8M878x4/s3711/35.%2085%20south%20border%20wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2758" data-original-width="3711" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8z5APxAzTTvehAtdo5KTFbh5351riYTxNkT79r2A28p0zEZkKzQr0O5sMY0Q6l-JEcnAiPAoZ3iX5s4v5lslTrDAEW-_3FdWxRBvFXIVVvssxAfA9rltde2geU_UuiwSO9Sb8auG0CXqJCV-ZqPiajSJs_3VeEDm2jjQYRkQ3-mgwzXD2e8M878x4/s320/35.%2085%20south%20border%20wall.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>By this point it was late morning and the temperature was in the mid-90's so that we felt like we were riding in a convection oven. We decided to park the BMW, get out of our motorcycle gear, and walk the 3 blocks to the town square.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFWKRqhkbUnIgnvdgs5r1Hd86D8mE6GMNOu7-kbq5Xp9_rMvymAnz23T_c6vMTeWJ78e3fVI38Sz3jCYQnFZa87QU9JbDwCgQkVlmBV4anAe_vX-uGfPKbFkX4Mzc1ioyn_RL0RA8DalSqZ0jFfei4OOj_YMr3IOzjUGjRsS0Wwxz7paOUgYeac9s/s4736/42.%20Ajo%20town%20square.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFWKRqhkbUnIgnvdgs5r1Hd86D8mE6GMNOu7-kbq5Xp9_rMvymAnz23T_c6vMTeWJ78e3fVI38Sz3jCYQnFZa87QU9JbDwCgQkVlmBV4anAe_vX-uGfPKbFkX4Mzc1ioyn_RL0RA8DalSqZ0jFfei4OOj_YMr3IOzjUGjRsS0Wwxz7paOUgYeac9s/s320/42.%20Ajo%20town%20square.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.ajochamber.com/" target="_blank">Ajo</a> was the site of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Cornelia_mine" target="_blank">New Cornelia </a>copper mine, and in 1914 John Campbell Greenway came to town and decided to design the town with wide streets and beautiful planned public spaces in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. At the mine's peak 7000 people lived in Ajo. After the mine closed in 1985 many people left and the town declined. Thanks to the <a href="https://www.isdanet.org/" target="_blank">International Sonoran Desert Alliance</a> townspeople came together, wrote grants, and were able to bring in millions of dollars to revitalize the town's historic buildings plus bring together people from the <span style="background-color: white; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.3px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tohono O’odham Nation, Mexico and the United States to preserve and enrich the environment, culture, and economy.</span><div><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;"><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.3px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4w4TIT713sNd5kfY-1ifcjRbYC-rxrE34dfhpcQsn3RKjEz0wyUFXjqy5zISaTpZK43ofq-XQkS4h6oRNjl-ti5MV6BSXRByH0uVVAoJWvv9NPGLUFdb8Fr2HcXuEibGs_geIFz4kUtVQfH_ATrRzNGS3Bed3ivv9xZeAOKi4uFNT2VCrgqy2eYt/s4569/2.%20Curley%20School.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2855" data-original-width="4569" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4w4TIT713sNd5kfY-1ifcjRbYC-rxrE34dfhpcQsn3RKjEz0wyUFXjqy5zISaTpZK43ofq-XQkS4h6oRNjl-ti5MV6BSXRByH0uVVAoJWvv9NPGLUFdb8Fr2HcXuEibGs_geIFz4kUtVQfH_ATrRzNGS3Bed3ivv9xZeAOKi4uFNT2VCrgqy2eYt/s320/2.%20Curley%20School.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5Dy12gxLkiaC6VducuLf_9OYnMvqaaZerbJqGAoDcsEStXFODAD0FDdL5iiOnsVB8nLXy78-UPLqf2CIGIgCBej5sqaG9P0RbKQBi6e417Ji_AW9tWtQDYakk0Dxz4a7YmFsUNAi_21GETc1wLYu3AtvSjw9Lfw7kKSXnKyukrqbL4IfPYpbBgxS/s3543/4.%20mural.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2327" data-original-width="3543" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5Dy12gxLkiaC6VducuLf_9OYnMvqaaZerbJqGAoDcsEStXFODAD0FDdL5iiOnsVB8nLXy78-UPLqf2CIGIgCBej5sqaG9P0RbKQBi6e417Ji_AW9tWtQDYakk0Dxz4a7YmFsUNAi_21GETc1wLYu3AtvSjw9Lfw7kKSXnKyukrqbL4IfPYpbBgxS/s320/4.%20mural.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: proxima-nova;"><br /></span></div>We enjoyed an outdoor lunch from the <a href="https://www.ajocsa.com/ajo-farmers-market" target="_blank">Ajo Farmer's Market and Cafe</a>, walked around the historic square and looked at the many murals that cover many walls in the downtown area. Tomorrow we ride back north to Prescott, looking forward to cooler temperatures.<br /><span style="font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.3px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-14911108209400653122022-09-22T17:55:00.003-07:002022-09-22T17:55:52.888-07:00On the bike again - finally!<p> It's hard to believe that this is the first time we've gone on an overnight BMW ride since June of 2021. It's been a busy year, and we decided to finally go on a trip we've planned a couple of times - to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/orpi/index.htm" target="_blank">Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument</a> in southern Arizona. As usual, we took the less-traveled road - and boy, was this less traveled!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_URHid9Z7QCy5-Sy-5ryyEVSQNhMI1HWdqmHpRRYP4emBrJFeBvYB-7uUlKmnQHOzsOB2k8mJuZI7PvDOlpx7xBBrEg390JWZhbT-U5HLJBocJi-2ZOj4bll2iYSta464J2sBq-EV23vxwigG5nkIu1tuYsrW9aNhT6Zo0j2A0Ad5CpbjkooUepo/s4673/2.%20Skull%20Valley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2637" data-original-width="4673" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_URHid9Z7QCy5-Sy-5ryyEVSQNhMI1HWdqmHpRRYP4emBrJFeBvYB-7uUlKmnQHOzsOB2k8mJuZI7PvDOlpx7xBBrEg390JWZhbT-U5HLJBocJi-2ZOj4bll2iYSta464J2sBq-EV23vxwigG5nkIu1tuYsrW9aNhT6Zo0j2A0Ad5CpbjkooUepo/s320/2.%20Skull%20Valley.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">through Skull Valley</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-dHwB7xAksdJ1H6iD_i-L6n7pfhExNPXnsME0m2AXpn6U9LOPHv_2FLlxLJrp8W130l1obIOU-uR6KIsrU4Osxm5Xva_GnhPURFvndVmQQJNY05tNuGNUbfUh1vn1LxwDeV9Qb3F3tACHx8hyIvXcvaJjufbjrtF2_vL1HfK-Febm8WttrstQ6tF/s3408/4.%20Peeple's%20Valley%20cattle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2308" data-original-width="3408" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-dHwB7xAksdJ1H6iD_i-L6n7pfhExNPXnsME0m2AXpn6U9LOPHv_2FLlxLJrp8W130l1obIOU-uR6KIsrU4Osxm5Xva_GnhPURFvndVmQQJNY05tNuGNUbfUh1vn1LxwDeV9Qb3F3tACHx8hyIvXcvaJjufbjrtF2_vL1HfK-Febm8WttrstQ6tF/s320/4.%20Peeple's%20Valley%20cattle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">cattle in Peeple's Valley</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>We started off on familiar roads, heading out of <a href="https://www.prescott.com/" target="_blank">Prescott</a> through the ranching communities of <a href="https://skullvalley.org/" target="_blank">Skull Valley</a> and Peeple's Valley and then enjoying the twisty descent from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarnell,_Arizona" target="_blank">Yarnell</a> toward <a href="https://outwickenburgway.com/" target="_blank">Wickenburg</a>. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87hVgj7s0P9_1RSX0-1JgqPjhFj4ErPOZCJt_lr33PLg5GnTJwMQMhSPgrJz-En5OE9_6d-pk9_26OtAW4Ov7jT0pPrD2hx79hKl2dSk1BYLD3yRGGKjijIdS2Bh36yR4MrTnIq4OYaIBtfvoj8EhDBCsyRs88w9Zaspx_jsqs7kvM6zpEwtYOkWG/s4736/5.%2089%20south%20of%20Yarnell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87hVgj7s0P9_1RSX0-1JgqPjhFj4ErPOZCJt_lr33PLg5GnTJwMQMhSPgrJz-En5OE9_6d-pk9_26OtAW4Ov7jT0pPrD2hx79hKl2dSk1BYLD3yRGGKjijIdS2Bh36yR4MrTnIq4OYaIBtfvoj8EhDBCsyRs88w9Zaspx_jsqs7kvM6zpEwtYOkWG/s320/5.%2089%20south%20of%20Yarnell.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>In Wickenburg we turned south on Vulture Mine Road. Mike had been here with a friend recently, but all of this was new to me. Vulture Mine Road twists and turns through the <a href="https://www.desertusa.com/sonoran-desert.html" target="_blank">Sonoran Desert</a> and over the course of the next couple of hours we saw only a handful of cars.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1a31u-a-lQYM3yGDDqp_52WAnIAy1MiGnFGZ4BZt3-cyKixhTflAxDj3_ZEsUNAluAvGyUyQsuvvpmz6dX5CUtOq-2wOEgrFHVyNNQc2-5wh_gA5wIC2z9gfATvrCtXpXx6RA5Q7QvmHG5iTlv2JktfwhoyXXEVEJh4kdr5xFQ7Lw-xMh5JyjMQEp/s4736/7.%20Vuture%20Mine%20Road%20from%20Wickenburg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1a31u-a-lQYM3yGDDqp_52WAnIAy1MiGnFGZ4BZt3-cyKixhTflAxDj3_ZEsUNAluAvGyUyQsuvvpmz6dX5CUtOq-2wOEgrFHVyNNQc2-5wh_gA5wIC2z9gfATvrCtXpXx6RA5Q7QvmHG5iTlv2JktfwhoyXXEVEJh4kdr5xFQ7Lw-xMh5JyjMQEp/s320/7.%20Vuture%20Mine%20Road%20from%20Wickenburg.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0q3vkU5G_w9luyU5zDwxIcYWHfp5moPvPrJid_GUPrRr8qSkFmszurur6gkFrJggVgSMwkU5DdojDkb_4KBGLcBHNKLo414l6aWiNpvp5uxPfE0McMFjYNuOOiKF7k11yyUpnyWl_HYrpNEYHsxM7dNpWkjB097XRxAOzpvtRBOt4fA584pE32KZv/s3607/8.%20Vuture%20Mine%20Road%20from%20Wickenburg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2317" data-original-width="3607" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0q3vkU5G_w9luyU5zDwxIcYWHfp5moPvPrJid_GUPrRr8qSkFmszurur6gkFrJggVgSMwkU5DdojDkb_4KBGLcBHNKLo414l6aWiNpvp5uxPfE0McMFjYNuOOiKF7k11yyUpnyWl_HYrpNEYHsxM7dNpWkjB097XRxAOzpvtRBOt4fA584pE32KZv/s320/8.%20Vuture%20Mine%20Road%20from%20Wickenburg.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There were plenty of saguaro cactus and we were glad for the overcast skies that kept the temperature in the low 90's. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3rXaE8W_i_garCoybRhpsUIaD8ylr2XNKTlnzAOq6w2xQj890QPT3pt6lxT6E5zJS6xpxL5zJWCngea-DwkqV1UoEJBlg_8BqgbrT6h9piRmfJxdOIxMV9u09jV5VM6TJNTDTMgCRALDwtaba2JSNwMhCquRr6eeM7hcIUI76AIALFO_VA_e0UF5/s4736/10.%20muddy%20wash%20crossing%20on%20Aguila%20Road.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3rXaE8W_i_garCoybRhpsUIaD8ylr2XNKTlnzAOq6w2xQj890QPT3pt6lxT6E5zJS6xpxL5zJWCngea-DwkqV1UoEJBlg_8BqgbrT6h9piRmfJxdOIxMV9u09jV5VM6TJNTDTMgCRALDwtaba2JSNwMhCquRr6eeM7hcIUI76AIALFO_VA_e0UF5/s320/10.%20muddy%20wash%20crossing%20on%20Aguila%20Road.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><div><br /></div><div>We turned onto Aguila Road, and while we had passed plenty of low areas warning of flash floods, this was the only time the road was still covered in mud from recent rains.</div><div><br /></div><div>We turned west onto <a href="https://azdot.gov/adot-blog/us-80-mother-arizona-highways" target="_blank">Old US 80</a>, which while it now is a twisty 2-lane paved road that winds through irrigated farmland and solar panel farms, historically it was originally a wagon road between Santa Fe, NM and San Diego, and then part of the southern highway route from Georgia to San Diego developed in the early 1900's and completely paved by 1939.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2Ji19Aorw7ROcTYZisaqgmDzNVMHAyJEE8hk2rgbe56lci4Tdj_l_9mSXluShNEr6wd8dgFJ8ulE49Nf3t_38Utzc_d_rWMIfPCA7hGAVgisLIXk1x1-yItbB9josFlS2mt0FYN3XPukewyr0Jg-_BR6REq8Vt-rj7BeNdPp62fafeNagi5ND5Pe/s4049/15.%20Old%20US%2080%20farming.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1893" data-original-width="4049" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2Ji19Aorw7ROcTYZisaqgmDzNVMHAyJEE8hk2rgbe56lci4Tdj_l_9mSXluShNEr6wd8dgFJ8ulE49Nf3t_38Utzc_d_rWMIfPCA7hGAVgisLIXk1x1-yItbB9josFlS2mt0FYN3XPukewyr0Jg-_BR6REq8Vt-rj7BeNdPp62fafeNagi5ND5Pe/s320/15.%20Old%20US%2080%20farming.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We crossed over the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillespie_Dam_Bridge" target="_blank">Gillespie Dam bridge</a> built over the Gila River in 1925-1927 and restored in 2012.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhcqmFWervepr3fplIRsHiZkTUbOSpj1rBUoE14rXfwyUC5aYUVQG5yC5z0ARWxNDlmD0IzMUtNOsFHGVyRI01Oterizm9ImOdWKqHYXKV4caIEtJ_j-UYIoz2nGisOQXwm8qe8ZxAjgUXLFeN_oxVN6ORzKR5sVEiwRkG1PP3igNBwPhUD8tPLGZ/s3108/16.%20Old%20US%2080%20Gillespie%20Dam%20bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="3108" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhcqmFWervepr3fplIRsHiZkTUbOSpj1rBUoE14rXfwyUC5aYUVQG5yC5z0ARWxNDlmD0IzMUtNOsFHGVyRI01Oterizm9ImOdWKqHYXKV4caIEtJ_j-UYIoz2nGisOQXwm8qe8ZxAjgUXLFeN_oxVN6ORzKR5sVEiwRkG1PP3igNBwPhUD8tPLGZ/s320/16.%20Old%20US%2080%20Gillespie%20Dam%20bridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt5TGenWTThBzK38qMoFK8-xedmjQuBx7zhQgcAREywLRVMkHnyIUXZ2iXSNVW_uoDCEl54WB77_60hQDBFjSNiUDgnOHIJFyxcQFlV69LpgrykoNqjH8gK2LudwY6-D8bMGvQXkYjETm3EaMYWZqyPPmhR9vEztVpHzQg69F6H2cq-H5pJDew9LH/s4736/17.%20Old%20US%2080%20Gillespie%20Dam%20bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt5TGenWTThBzK38qMoFK8-xedmjQuBx7zhQgcAREywLRVMkHnyIUXZ2iXSNVW_uoDCEl54WB77_60hQDBFjSNiUDgnOHIJFyxcQFlV69LpgrykoNqjH8gK2LudwY6-D8bMGvQXkYjETm3EaMYWZqyPPmhR9vEztVpHzQg69F6H2cq-H5pJDew9LH/s320/17.%20Old%20US%2080%20Gillespie%20Dam%20bridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We hadn't gone through a town since we left Yarnell early in our trip, and were happy to stop for lunch at <a href="http://www.littleitaliapizza.com/" target="_blank">Little Italy</a> in Gila Bend. Prince Harry actually ate here when he was at Luke Air Force Base for helicopter training. The pizza was great! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBJkNTyRI7Og1nsyBWR0-cWBrfhjol7YuoFuwRoX2ZHpXd_WIh9eC9YnCuJFFj4X8WZ1wmZjhaaJ1e_oF29Zth36kayMxlhHAosKFR6X_xMQez05RRbJSmZ1aNqNBSMqPE9MUJy1X-D46PbAmMdQg81IXCRqLJRdvIhU-1KEpeUOKuNZy_pmz5MwW/s4599/19.%20Gila%20Bend%20restaurant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3518" data-original-width="4599" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBJkNTyRI7Og1nsyBWR0-cWBrfhjol7YuoFuwRoX2ZHpXd_WIh9eC9YnCuJFFj4X8WZ1wmZjhaaJ1e_oF29Zth36kayMxlhHAosKFR6X_xMQez05RRbJSmZ1aNqNBSMqPE9MUJy1X-D46PbAmMdQg81IXCRqLJRdvIhU-1KEpeUOKuNZy_pmz5MwW/s320/19.%20Gila%20Bend%20restaurant.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div>We continued south on US 85 which runs straight through the desert on the way to Mexico.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSe2JPv27y6_ZFaQfhDWuo4Zrp2nmLJBYB3yb8eSzE35OQ67NNo8vXeRdYrL3Zliv7IIJxnyuVtdh46pVDCeAkjArdJ0IYCoRd1IGXsUnEZPNyyB7iHG3Jla5NDp74El-Oq6_Zn5V5ltyvNPWSjRTGejVQ47hLG6BLpMRebEUm7Q1ItlKSBB5RE9n/s4648/20.%2085%20toward%20Ajo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2742" data-original-width="4648" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSe2JPv27y6_ZFaQfhDWuo4Zrp2nmLJBYB3yb8eSzE35OQ67NNo8vXeRdYrL3Zliv7IIJxnyuVtdh46pVDCeAkjArdJ0IYCoRd1IGXsUnEZPNyyB7iHG3Jla5NDp74El-Oq6_Zn5V5ltyvNPWSjRTGejVQ47hLG6BLpMRebEUm7Q1ItlKSBB5RE9n/s320/20.%2085%20toward%20Ajo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Storm clouds were building which kept the temperature hovering just under 90 - a cool day here in the Sonoran desert. We rode into <a href="http://www.ajochamber.com/" target="_blank">Ajo</a>, our stop for the night, just before it started raining. Like so many places in Arizona, Ajo was a former copper mining hub. </div><div><br /></div><div>We rode about 200 miles today - a short day for us but through a part of Arizona where we haven't been before. Tomorrow we continue south to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. <br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-91078552693064152362021-06-12T16:49:00.003-07:002021-06-12T16:49:31.225-07:00Last day of our 2-week, 2800 mile motorcycle trip through Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming<p> The last day of a long motorcycle trip is bittersweet. The days fall into a rhythm: wake up, go for a walk or run, eat breakfast, pack up the bike, ride, unpack, eat, sleep. Repeat. With a small amount of baggage space on the BMW, and needing to carry raingear and cold weather gear, we're limited to just the essentials and basically one or two changes of clothing. Life is simple and we get to either explore new parts of the country or revisit favorite roads. Yet home beckons, even though the first couple of days home are filled with laundry, running errands, and catching up on work.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sftzee23WYw/YMVF1ftEBHI/AAAAAAAAFtk/XW2l-muABy0qMW2ycJlXKtD8STAZB1E-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2159/1.%2BI-40West%2Bfrom%2BFlagstaff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="2159" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sftzee23WYw/YMVF1ftEBHI/AAAAAAAAFtk/XW2l-muABy0qMW2ycJlXKtD8STAZB1E-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/1.%2BI-40West%2Bfrom%2BFlagstaff.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We started our day in Flagstaff, about 100 miles from our home in Prescott, AZ. We've ridden these roads more times than we remember, yet I'm still taken by the high desert beauty. Flagstaff is at about 7000' elevation with tall, green pine trees and tall mountains. We drop down to about 5500' elevation in Prescott, riding through dry grassland and desert scrub bushes. We watched a couple of trains heading to or from Flagstaff as we rode west along I-40, reminding us of the trains we saw in Wyoming earlier on this trip.</p><p>When we turned south on US 89 outside Ash Fork, we knew we were about 1 hour from home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IavwBZmWVIU/YMVGuCRGfAI/AAAAAAAAFts/f0ExCkuGBwIlz1-9Nisjpc7x7fS7EnBiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4657/3.%2B89S%2BGranite%2BMtn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2852" data-original-width="4657" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IavwBZmWVIU/YMVGuCRGfAI/AAAAAAAAFts/f0ExCkuGBwIlz1-9Nisjpc7x7fS7EnBiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/3.%2B89S%2BGranite%2BMtn.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This is the driest time of year in a part of the country that typically gets only about 16" of rain per year. However, we're in the midst of a deep drought, with only .5 inches of precipitation since October 2020; normal would be 3.6". We left Flagstaff at 8am to beat the heat, and met our goal by arriving home just about 10am to 83 degree temperatures.<div><br /></div><div>Riding 2800 miles over 2 weeks seems like a lot, but break it down into daily rides typically averaging around 5-6 hours and it seems like we could almost continue riding without a break. Home and work calls, but we're already dreaming about our next trip on the BMW.<br /><p><br /></p></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-38989213270463229582021-06-11T20:40:00.001-07:002021-06-11T20:40:36.120-07:00376 miles on two roads from Colorado to Arizona<p> Our route today was simple: US 160 West from Pagosa Springs, Colorado to US 89 South to Flagstaff, Arizona. We started out at 8am with temperatures in the mid-50's and ended the day pushing 90 degrees. 160 West took us past <a href="https://www.chimneyrockco.org/" target="_blank">Chimney Rock National Monument</a> between Pagosa Springs and Durango.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kD9rcTaWYIc/YMQjhe9R6uI/AAAAAAAAFsU/s-fZS0_K3Y4buhM2r7xosFcZXn8HKRmqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s4224/3.%2BChimney%2BRock.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2505" data-original-width="4224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kD9rcTaWYIc/YMQjhe9R6uI/AAAAAAAAFsU/s-fZS0_K3Y4buhM2r7xosFcZXn8HKRmqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/3.%2BChimney%2BRock.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>An archaeological site that preserves hundreds of ruins from the Ancestral Puebloans who lived here over 1000 years ago, Chimney Rock is in the San Juan National Forest. Not far down the road we passed <a href="https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm" target="_blank">Mesa Verde</a>, another site where the Ancestral Puebloans lived for over 700 years, building cliff dwellings that exist today. We celebrated as our odometer rolled over to 32,000 miles. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NqrXsxtEM5o/YMQmQljStTI/AAAAAAAAFsk/iFrsPxHGC4sHFmW86NE_DwazeTOZmikAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4568/6.%2B160W%2BMesa%2BVerde%2B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2993" data-original-width="4568" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NqrXsxtEM5o/YMQmQljStTI/AAAAAAAAFsk/iFrsPxHGC4sHFmW86NE_DwazeTOZmikAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/6.%2B160W%2BMesa%2BVerde%2B.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>In Durango, US 160 becomes the <a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-san-juan-skyway" target="_blank">San Juan Skyway</a>, twisting 236 miles through the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. We were only on this route for a few miles, continuing on 160 West while the scenic skyway turns off onto CO 184.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9M0ZZ0sS9w/YMQlS-zU_QI/AAAAAAAAFsc/0EbFEs4nzCoebXClPpteL6cjy_o2UOl0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s4243/P1003131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2390" data-original-width="4243" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9M0ZZ0sS9w/YMQlS-zU_QI/AAAAAAAAFsc/0EbFEs4nzCoebXClPpteL6cjy_o2UOl0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1003131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We rode through <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/cortez" target="_blank">Cortez</a>, just outside the <a href="https://mesaverdecountry.com/things-to-do/ute-mountain-tribal-park/" target="_blank">Ute Mountain Tribal Park</a>. The park is currently closed due to COVID, but we rode past Sleeping Ute Mountain. According to legend, the mountain is the sleeping Great Warrior God who battled evil, was hurt, and lay down falling into a deep sleep.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVstEMywp38/YMQnUziO6lI/AAAAAAAAFss/P0CKTz6qN-g2RdMT6Vl7X7ECEyNswK7vQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4569/8.%2B160W%2Bpast%2BCortez%2BSleeping%2BUte%2BMountain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2228" data-original-width="4569" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVstEMywp38/YMQnUziO6lI/AAAAAAAAFss/P0CKTz6qN-g2RdMT6Vl7X7ECEyNswK7vQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/8.%2B160W%2Bpast%2BCortez%2BSleeping%2BUte%2BMountain.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Until Cortez the scenery was green - irrigated fields of grass and hay and dark green pine trees on the mountain sides. Continuing west past Cortez brown is the dominant color as the desert takes over.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XLWmeelTag/YMQoG56_-NI/AAAAAAAAFs0/8_Sz8uz5dVAAW8o3YtgILmN8xmx8ldsxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2163/10.%2B160W%2Bpast%2BCortez%2Bhorses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="2163" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XLWmeelTag/YMQoG56_-NI/AAAAAAAAFs0/8_Sz8uz5dVAAW8o3YtgILmN8xmx8ldsxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/10.%2B160W%2Bpast%2BCortez%2Bhorses.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>US 160 goes past the <a href="https://navajonationparks.org/tribal-parks/four-corners-monument/" target="_blank">Four Corners Monument</a>, the only place where four states meet: Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. This is another casualty of COVID, closed by the Navajo Nation to minimize the spread of the disease. We saw several groups of horses today as we rode through the vast Navajo Nation, and I wondered how they manage to survive on the scarce brown grass. The 2-lane paved highway stretches straight through the desert, only occasionally sweeping in wide turns.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HLo2kvBKr9o/YMQpg9RGwFI/AAAAAAAAFs8/NqwnQxtbxxoBZ45H251FBmNv4_wM9G9kwCLcBGAsYHQ/s4471/13.%2B160W%2Bpast%2B4%2BCorners.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2054" data-original-width="4471" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HLo2kvBKr9o/YMQpg9RGwFI/AAAAAAAAFs8/NqwnQxtbxxoBZ45H251FBmNv4_wM9G9kwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/13.%2B160W%2Bpast%2B4%2BCorners.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDyURraCRYI/YMQqKtOJQoI/AAAAAAAAFtE/js2f9Ea9PN0G8HNWSs70EZleeCQvThP3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s4056/15.%2B160W%2BRed%2BMesa%2Bhorses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1921" data-original-width="4056" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDyURraCRYI/YMQqKtOJQoI/AAAAAAAAFtE/js2f9Ea9PN0G8HNWSs70EZleeCQvThP3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/15.%2B160W%2BRed%2BMesa%2Bhorses.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We stopped in Kayenta for lunch at Subway, repeating our lunch stop the first day of our trip almost 2 weeks ago when we rode east on US 160. There aren't many places to stop and eat on the Navajo Nation so we made sure to take advantage of places we know are open. After lunch we continued west on US 160, riding through flat areas that stretched out to hazy cliffs in the far distance that alternated with high rock cliffs and craggy canyons.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCWQZYPNno0/YMQric3CKkI/AAAAAAAAFtM/n4ORkORoxkM0OejNaJ0tjE88jOsHFGHwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4614/20.%2B160W%2Bpast%2BKayenta.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3518" data-original-width="4614" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCWQZYPNno0/YMQric3CKkI/AAAAAAAAFtM/n4ORkORoxkM0OejNaJ0tjE88jOsHFGHwQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20.%2B160W%2Bpast%2BKayenta.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBPKwab7RME/YMQrpBXpD1I/AAAAAAAAFtQ/UW2lWO1N0iMtaFoSQdjvhCadSt4RkesLACLcBGAsYHQ/s4712/19.%2B160W%2Bpast%2BKayenta.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3184" data-original-width="4712" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBPKwab7RME/YMQrpBXpD1I/AAAAAAAAFtQ/UW2lWO1N0iMtaFoSQdjvhCadSt4RkesLACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/19.%2B160W%2Bpast%2BKayenta.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>We turned south on US 89 with long-distance views of the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff, AZ, in front of us.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-erOd8yl88D8/YMQsBmfGUbI/AAAAAAAAFtc/rNsyK1CRrBshyBF_qOXS_EqEXPvjNEh2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s4133/21.%2B89S%2BSan%2BFrancisco%2BPeaks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="4133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-erOd8yl88D8/YMQsBmfGUbI/AAAAAAAAFtc/rNsyK1CRrBshyBF_qOXS_EqEXPvjNEh2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/21.%2B89S%2BSan%2BFrancisco%2BPeaks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The temperature climbed and hovered around 90 degrees even as we climbed in elevation to about 7000' in Flagstaff. After 7 hours of travel today, we were ready for an air conditioned hotel room and an early dinner followed by a walk around busy downtown Flagstaff. Tomorrow we head home, finishing our 2-week trip through the Southwest.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-63408603186441974052021-06-09T20:55:00.001-07:002021-06-09T20:58:38.684-07:00Twisting, sweeping turns through the Rocky Mountains<p> We started this morning wandering around Glenwood Springs, Colorado, trying to find CO 82 East. We'd see a sign, get turned around, take a wrong turn on the extremely confusing roundabout, and finally stopped and asked directions. It was worth it, because CO 82 East heads directly toward 12,965' <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Sopris" target="_blank">Mt. Sopris</a> in the Elk Mountain Range of the Rockies just outside Glenwood Springs. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9pg0VT2DUP8/YMF3JfIWxPI/AAAAAAAAFqA/CdWzqG0BRQEVWiJYL6YtwzE53Q67Cix1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s4624/1.%2BCO%2B82E%2BMt.%2BSopris.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3032" data-original-width="4624" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9pg0VT2DUP8/YMF3JfIWxPI/AAAAAAAAFqA/CdWzqG0BRQEVWiJYL6YtwzE53Q67Cix1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/1.%2BCO%2B82E%2BMt.%2BSopris.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The day just kept getting better as we turned south on CO 133, riding along the fast-moving White River on the <a href="https://www.codot.gov/travel/scenic-byways/southwest/west-elk-loop" target="_blank">West Elk Scenic Byway</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zn03bQocyho/YMF34QgD-tI/AAAAAAAAFqI/aXpOzr6WnrEy0F1rMwlbS82TOUo5DwvPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4232/3.%2BCO%2B133S%2BWhite%2BRiver.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="4232" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zn03bQocyho/YMF34QgD-tI/AAAAAAAAFqI/aXpOzr6WnrEy0F1rMwlbS82TOUo5DwvPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/3.%2BCO%2B133S%2BWhite%2BRiver.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The road climbs up 8% grades to <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/mcclure-pass/" target="_blank">McClure Pass</a>, winding to the 8755' summit then twisting down the other side.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtgyNGkAC04/YMF476030SI/AAAAAAAAFqQ/3GEyWzCUzKMVCoGdja44W7sanxW3O8Z8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s4372/5.%2BCO%2B133S%2B.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2589" data-original-width="4372" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtgyNGkAC04/YMF476030SI/AAAAAAAAFqQ/3GEyWzCUzKMVCoGdja44W7sanxW3O8Z8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/5.%2BCO%2B133S%2B.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Like many of the mountain passes in Colorado, the Ute Native Americans were the first to traverse this area, followed by the Spanish in the late 1700's. It's difficult to comprehend how miners and ranchers drove their wagons up the steep grades when this was a rutted dirt road. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AuKs11Zg-ds/YMF7c4E4iEI/AAAAAAAAFqY/LJvneZ1dZ3spSimIU4zFMZ_RntpoPkYNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s4385/6.%2BCO%2B133S%2Btoward%2BMcClure%2BPass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2467" data-original-width="4385" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AuKs11Zg-ds/YMF7c4E4iEI/AAAAAAAAFqY/LJvneZ1dZ3spSimIU4zFMZ_RntpoPkYNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/6.%2BCO%2B133S%2Btoward%2BMcClure%2BPass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KONNoi8wP_8/YMF7iN-FsVI/AAAAAAAAFqc/_fmzfIDwYP8oAT8cOCr6XKybKMSyuxKMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s3585/7.%2BCO%2B133S%2Bdown%2Bfrom%2BMcClure%2BPass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2761" data-original-width="3585" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KONNoi8wP_8/YMF7iN-FsVI/AAAAAAAAFqc/_fmzfIDwYP8oAT8cOCr6XKybKMSyuxKMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/7.%2BCO%2B133S%2Bdown%2Bfrom%2BMcClure%2BPass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>CO 133 winds through <a href="https://www.colorado.com/cities-and-towns/paonia" target="_blank">Paonia</a>, named for numerous peonies in the area (evidently the early settlers didn't know how to spell), and now home to farms, orchards, and wineries.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcxoqM3W6Fs/YMF8RFeI8HI/AAAAAAAAFqk/NZ2zo4NzQbgKLcurKu0nYj_slPJ9MUjOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s4112/P1003041.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="4112" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcxoqM3W6Fs/YMF8RFeI8HI/AAAAAAAAFqk/NZ2zo4NzQbgKLcurKu0nYj_slPJ9MUjOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1003041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Staying on the Elk Loop Scenic Byway, we picked up CO 92 East, continuing through green ranches until the road started climbing, twisting, and turning in the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cure/index.htm" target="_blank">Curecanti National Recreation Area</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMpAufc8QP4/YMF-NG9yLyI/AAAAAAAAFqs/KZllW8dd67sVnR2JYEmrMP-LWUTdV0H1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s4007/12.%2BCO%2B92E%2Bcattle.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2933" data-original-width="4007" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMpAufc8QP4/YMF-NG9yLyI/AAAAAAAAFqs/KZllW8dd67sVnR2JYEmrMP-LWUTdV0H1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/12.%2BCO%2B92E%2Bcattle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WckIDpFLoo/YMF-YBqNoJI/AAAAAAAAFqw/NgyDUCsHAFY9SKcX5Y215G7KlkBdJK0zgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4552/15.%2BCO%2B92E%2BCurecanti%2BNational%2BRecreation%2BARea.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="4552" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WckIDpFLoo/YMF-YBqNoJI/AAAAAAAAFqw/NgyDUCsHAFY9SKcX5Y215G7KlkBdJK0zgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/15.%2BCO%2B92E%2BCurecanti%2BNational%2BRecreation%2BARea.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Steep cliffs drop down to the Gunnison River and reservoirs formed by three different dams and hairpin turns lined with wildflowers and aspens snake through the mountains.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BM9FWNUR9p4/YMF--7CqkII/AAAAAAAAFq8/8LyqcLa90zcDW0zmylyg4kgMvqSk_IUBACLcBGAsYHQ/s4736/17.%2BCO%2B92E%2BCurecanti%2BNational%2BRecreation%2BARea.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BM9FWNUR9p4/YMF--7CqkII/AAAAAAAAFq8/8LyqcLa90zcDW0zmylyg4kgMvqSk_IUBACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/17.%2BCO%2B92E%2BCurecanti%2BNational%2BRecreation%2BARea.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-okTb0jyt_c0/YMF_8g1ZUOI/AAAAAAAAFrE/BaRBArWeYlY5VBbza4AZRhmGeOIKsm5XwCLcBGAsYHQ/s4736/19.%2BCO%2B92E%2BCurecanti%2BNational%2BRecreation%2BARea.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-okTb0jyt_c0/YMF_8g1ZUOI/AAAAAAAAFrE/BaRBArWeYlY5VBbza4AZRhmGeOIKsm5XwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/19.%2BCO%2B92E%2BCurecanti%2BNational%2BRecreation%2BARea.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MV81REc-BRk/YMGAIXW8OqI/AAAAAAAAFrI/GaZSZn2DTcwYj3VKKWpgsofIIHO0gWdgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s4736/21.%2BCO%2B92E%2BCurecanti%2BNational%2BRecreation%2BARea.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MV81REc-BRk/YMGAIXW8OqI/AAAAAAAAFrI/GaZSZn2DTcwYj3VKKWpgsofIIHO0gWdgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/21.%2BCO%2B92E%2BCurecanti%2BNational%2BRecreation%2BARea.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We turned east on US 50, passing by the Blue Mesa Reservoir, then turned south on Colorado 149.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbEZ7fN8_Pg/YMGBXub03PI/AAAAAAAAFrU/RoaMmIVp6tgEH1E4LgV2koacgwvBvddmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4675/24.%2BUS%2B50E%2BBlue%2BMesa%2BReservoir.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3311" data-original-width="4675" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbEZ7fN8_Pg/YMGBXub03PI/AAAAAAAAFrU/RoaMmIVp6tgEH1E4LgV2koacgwvBvddmgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/24.%2BUS%2B50E%2BBlue%2BMesa%2BReservoir.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>CO 149 from Blue Mesa Reservoir to South Fork through the San Juan Mountains was named the <a href="https://silverthreadbyway.com/" target="_blank">Silver Thread Scenic Byway</a> in 1990.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k332RnFXCAM/YMGCK-j3sxI/AAAAAAAAFrc/hUM8Y-NSzJEXHtDKZuA8zt45P0csY7rhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4736/P1003081.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k332RnFXCAM/YMGCK-j3sxI/AAAAAAAAFrc/hUM8Y-NSzJEXHtDKZuA8zt45P0csY7rhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1003081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We stopped in <a href="https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/lake-city-0" target="_blank">Lake City</a>, incorporated as a silver mining town in 1875, for lunch at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LakeCityCafe/" target="_blank">Lake City Cafe</a>, a superb restaurant in a gorgeous setting. Although home to only about 450 residents, it's a busy tourist center with over 400 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9btlGca-fw/YMGENQi0M3I/AAAAAAAAFrk/nKuUO_UFeZ0bc-v4fRoFJxZxIGBE4MmiACLcBGAsYHQ/s4736/29.%2BLake%2BCity%2BCafe.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4736" data-original-width="3552" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9btlGca-fw/YMGENQi0M3I/AAAAAAAAFrk/nKuUO_UFeZ0bc-v4fRoFJxZxIGBE4MmiACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/29.%2BLake%2BCity%2BCafe.JPG" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After lunch we continued south on CO 149, twisting our way up to <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/slumgullion-pass/" target="_blank">Slumgullion Pass </a>at 11,530'.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcJYGO9FQyY/YMGHGEMRacI/AAAAAAAAFrs/ldUPph_hHGQiiWyD4tvukNHS4vYz25imACLcBGAsYHQ/s4540/31.%2BCO%2B149S%2Bto%2BSlumgullion%2BPass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2833" data-original-width="4540" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcJYGO9FQyY/YMGHGEMRacI/AAAAAAAAFrs/ldUPph_hHGQiiWyD4tvukNHS4vYz25imACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/31.%2BCO%2B149S%2Bto%2BSlumgullion%2BPass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>With grades up to 9%, this is one of the steepest paved maintained roads in Colorado. This area is part of the <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/landmarks/slumgullion-earthflow-nnl/" target="_blank">Slumgullion Earthflow National Natural Landmark</a> where about 700 years ago a large chunk of decomposing volcanic rock slid down the mountain to form a natural earth dam that blocked the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and formed Lake San Cristobal (the lake that gives Lake City its name). <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1aQQtO8Gl4/YMGIDTal5FI/AAAAAAAAFr0/ZOa7UQU1DKMIXcrDngu8YzpE7TDtbUNwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s3938/32.%2BCO%2B149S%2Bdown%2Bfrom%2BSlumgullion%2BPass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2253" data-original-width="3938" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q1aQQtO8Gl4/YMGIDTal5FI/AAAAAAAAFr0/ZOa7UQU1DKMIXcrDngu8YzpE7TDtbUNwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/32.%2BCO%2B149S%2Bdown%2Bfrom%2BSlumgullion%2BPass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>CO 149 took us through Creede where two major rivers start: the San Juan and the Rio Grande.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KzP0PI3bpk4/YMGKgZkAXhI/AAAAAAAAFr8/XJFbb-Uo7JAaMubozrXi0bUrtcvYmm4HwCLcBGAsYHQ/s4567/37.%2BCO%2B149S%2BRio%2BGrande%2BRiver.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3404" data-original-width="4567" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KzP0PI3bpk4/YMGKgZkAXhI/AAAAAAAAFr8/XJFbb-Uo7JAaMubozrXi0bUrtcvYmm4HwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/37.%2BCO%2B149S%2BRio%2BGrande%2BRiver.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>CO 149 ends at US 160, and is also the end of the Silver Thread Scenic Byway. We headed west on US 160 to <a href="https://www.uncovercolorado.com/activities/wolf-creek-pass/" target="_blank">Wolf Creek Pass</a> and the Continental Divide. Traffic came to a halt right at the top of the Pass due to a truck pulling a camper that caught fire. We got off the motorcycle, walked around, and read the signs about the Pass at 10,857' for about 25 minutes before we were able to continue down the mountain.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STjsd81Xg2k/YMGLbzBZpxI/AAAAAAAAFsE/5k9CBtwRugAfxg5QR7mpjZSBtsvQdFGaACLcBGAsYHQ/s4512/38.%2BUS%2B160W%2BWolf%2BCreek%2BPass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3160" data-original-width="4512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STjsd81Xg2k/YMGLbzBZpxI/AAAAAAAAFsE/5k9CBtwRugAfxg5QR7mpjZSBtsvQdFGaACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/38.%2BUS%2B160W%2BWolf%2BCreek%2BPass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>We rode 307 miles today, almost exclusively on scenic byways through some of the most beautiful areas of Colorado. We're stopping for the night in <a href="https://visitpagosasprings.com/" target="_blank">Pagosa Springs</a> at 7,126' above sea level in the San Juan Basin. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNUHRtL73lg/YMGMWMF1mhI/AAAAAAAAFsM/4I5UZANbATcKrlbiSKsY2HpFMXw24PHTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4736/18.%2BCO%2B92E%2BCurecanti%2BNational%2BRecreation%2BARea%2BHermit%2527s%2BRest.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNUHRtL73lg/YMGMWMF1mhI/AAAAAAAAFsM/4I5UZANbATcKrlbiSKsY2HpFMXw24PHTgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/18.%2BCO%2B92E%2BCurecanti%2BNational%2BRecreation%2BARea%2BHermit%2527s%2BRest.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">At Hermit's Rest in the Curecanti National Recreation Area</div><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-74846495006615148832021-06-08T19:29:00.001-07:002021-06-08T19:29:24.515-07:00A windy day through Wyoming into Colorado<p> We left Casper, Wyoming early this morning, hoping to beat any late afternoon thunderstorms. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PfauMIqA3xQ/YMAagYnK1OI/AAAAAAAAFo8/lXSGmyLOr5I3DrEieAjhHu3qpyA18JQMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4736/2.%2BWY%2B220W.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PfauMIqA3xQ/YMAagYnK1OI/AAAAAAAAFo8/lXSGmyLOr5I3DrEieAjhHu3qpyA18JQMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2.%2BWY%2B220W.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>After a few short miles on I-25, we turned west onto Wyoming 220, riding along the North Platte River. We enjoyed seeing water, green hills, and even mountains after yesterday's flat trip through the grasslands.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUUgwEkgPII/YMAaZmb7d0I/AAAAAAAAFo4/P7rrh_sBiFQDNN8EJ1gmFQXs08_6fAdDACLcBGAsYHQ/s4446/3.%2BWY%2B220W%2BN.%2BPlatte%2BRiver.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3141" data-original-width="4446" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUUgwEkgPII/YMAaZmb7d0I/AAAAAAAAFo4/P7rrh_sBiFQDNN8EJ1gmFQXs08_6fAdDACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/3.%2BWY%2B220W%2BN.%2BPlatte%2BRiver.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>There are <a href="https://www.geowyo.com/north-platte-river-one-dammed-thing-after-another.html" target="_blank">7 dams</a> along the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Platte_River" target="_blank">North Platte River</a> which which starts in Colorado, flows through Wyoming, and ends up in Nebraska where it joins the South Platte to form the Platte River. We rode past several of the reservoirs formed by the dams, designed to promote agriculture in this semi-arid region of the West.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjPLQyWDmSw/YMAcvJLEIbI/AAAAAAAAFpI/6A4EDr82slg5R39lOguH-TEj_B5Gib2wACLcBGAsYHQ/s4647/5.%2BWY%2B220W%2BAlcova%2BReservoir.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3370" data-original-width="4647" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sjPLQyWDmSw/YMAcvJLEIbI/AAAAAAAAFpI/6A4EDr82slg5R39lOguH-TEj_B5Gib2wACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/5.%2BWY%2B220W%2BAlcova%2BReservoir.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We rode for miles along the <a href="https://www.pathfinderranches.com/" target="_blank">Pathfinder Ranch</a>, originally established in 1964 and today part of a group of professionally managed historic ranches. This is wide open countryside bordered by mountains on both sides.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FjYk8PGodUA/YMAeTiPAKmI/AAAAAAAAFpQ/hIvc4e45D3kfJ_SOUqlY55AUqvp8C17WQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4344/6.%2BWY%2B220%2BW%2BPathfinder%2BRanch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2785" data-original-width="4344" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FjYk8PGodUA/YMAeTiPAKmI/AAAAAAAAFpQ/hIvc4e45D3kfJ_SOUqlY55AUqvp8C17WQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/6.%2BWY%2B220%2BW%2BPathfinder%2BRanch.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyTHCiZ-XFQ/YMAerPfxpmI/AAAAAAAAFpY/taIZ11IF9cUIEssxxoeuP-dQePLqu1BlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s4736/P1002982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyTHCiZ-XFQ/YMAerPfxpmI/AAAAAAAAFpY/taIZ11IF9cUIEssxxoeuP-dQePLqu1BlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1002982.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p>We turned south on US 287 in Muddy Gap Junction, crossing the <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/continental-divide/" target="_blank">Continental Divide</a> the first of four times during today's trip. In Rawlins we turned west on I-80 for a few miles to Creston Junction where we picked up Wyoming 789 South through the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Desert_(Wyoming)" target="_blank">Red River Desert Basin</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvkTWaF0jw8/YMAgrg3fDYI/AAAAAAAAFpg/3nokIDyhRRoQWfZ2jxio0VSiCBLm1_2dQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4736/11.%2BWY%2B789S.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvkTWaF0jw8/YMAgrg3fDYI/AAAAAAAAFpg/3nokIDyhRRoQWfZ2jxio0VSiCBLm1_2dQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/11.%2BWY%2B789S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We saw the first glimpses of the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains as we sped south.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBjoJ4hKCI4/YMAg9y9gJKI/AAAAAAAAFpo/C4BKpFuYCbogT9q8DrJb0V0pwdEA1ybigCLcBGAsYHQ/s4121/12.%2BWY%2B789S.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2936" data-original-width="4121" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBjoJ4hKCI4/YMAg9y9gJKI/AAAAAAAAFpo/C4BKpFuYCbogT9q8DrJb0V0pwdEA1ybigCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/12.%2BWY%2B789S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Just south of Baggs, WY we crossed into Colorado and the road is now CO 13. Every day we are stopped by road construction and today we rode approximately 5 miles on a hard-packed dirt section of the highway that was being repaired. Our route took us through <a href="https://www.ci.craig.co.us/" target="_blank">Craig, CO</a> home to three large coal-powered power plants.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHJJBEuFAOk/YMAjubiqqJI/AAAAAAAAFpw/xfhqqlowtQI_9co0dNu-CgrE5yBixyVBACLcBGAsYHQ/s4465/15.%2BCO%2B13S%2BYampa%2BValley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3375" data-original-width="4465" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHJJBEuFAOk/YMAjubiqqJI/AAAAAAAAFpw/xfhqqlowtQI_9co0dNu-CgrE5yBixyVBACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/15.%2BCO%2B13S%2BYampa%2BValley.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The beginning of today's ride was along straight roads, and finally we were making wide, sweeping turns through the mountains. The wind was even stronger with more gusts as we rode south through Meeker, and then turned east on I-70 in Rifle where we rode along the Colorado River into Glenwood Springs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2nyw2Zjxhs/YMAkt81aW6I/AAAAAAAAFp4/5lMGwFOtL9sM9r5tGi5Q7quKdHOXdrG0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s4252/19.%2BI-70E%2Bfrom%2BRifle%2BColorado%2BRiver.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2989" data-original-width="4252" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2nyw2Zjxhs/YMAkt81aW6I/AAAAAAAAFp4/5lMGwFOtL9sM9r5tGi5Q7quKdHOXdrG0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/19.%2BI-70E%2Bfrom%2BRifle%2BColorado%2BRiver.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We rode 357 miles today on ruler-straight roads through dry grasslands and then on curving, twisting roads into the Rocky Mountains. Tomorrow we continue south through Colorado, and we're looking forward to high mountain passes and twisting roads.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8416400587598658917.post-32027484659183262002021-06-07T18:59:00.006-07:002021-06-07T18:59:47.608-07:00Black Hills, Thunder Basin National Grasslands and more<p> We're back on the road today after a long weekend outside Deadwood, SD. Our route took us southwest on US 85 on winding roads with sweeping turns through the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/blackhills" target="_blank">Black Hills National Forest</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-waRoXeLme-0/YL7GVHdatxI/AAAAAAAAFnw/WgqPJcIAmtsq0eudi_XqqUmqh1Pw4h2GACLcBGAsYHQ/s4342/1.%2B85S%2Bthrough%2BBlack%2BHills.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2995" data-original-width="4342" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-waRoXeLme-0/YL7GVHdatxI/AAAAAAAAFnw/WgqPJcIAmtsq0eudi_XqqUmqh1Pw4h2GACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/1.%2B85S%2Bthrough%2BBlack%2BHills.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b83-c_ILXSA/YL7GbuYENGI/AAAAAAAAFn0/UI_bLs0__YEtIX0H1Idy9k5CAPK_NElYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4736/2.%2B85S%2Bthrough%2BBlack%2BHills.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b83-c_ILXSA/YL7GbuYENGI/AAAAAAAAFn0/UI_bLs0__YEtIX0H1Idy9k5CAPK_NElYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2.%2B85S%2Bthrough%2BBlack%2BHills.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We crossed over into Wyoming and in Newcastle turned west on US 16 and rode out of the Black Hills. We followed train tracks for a few miles, and Mike was excited when the engineer blew the train whistle as the long train of coal cars rumbled past. Wyoming is the nation's <a href="https://www.wyomingmining.org/minerals/coal/" target="_blank">top coal producer</a>, and our route took us through the Powder River Basin where the top 10 producing coal mines are located. </p><p>Just before lunch the odometer rolled over to 31,000 miles which mean we've ridden about 1300 miles so far on this trip. We were lucky today with our lunch stop - <a href="https://www.uedb.org/about/partners/p/item/13599/remys-diner" target="_blank">Remy's Diner</a> in Upton, Wyoming. The owner told us today is the 21st anniversary of her business that features homemade foods, and we enjoyed fabulous chocolate malts along with our sandwiches in a friendly, inviting atmosphere. Don't miss it!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxefxGCtDGI/YL7IdJMColI/AAAAAAAAFoI/eVlb1Y4Dlu8i2eapnhRslsm-MvJX4v5dQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2628/P1002932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="2628" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxefxGCtDGI/YL7IdJMColI/AAAAAAAAFoI/eVlb1Y4Dlu8i2eapnhRslsm-MvJX4v5dQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1002932.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CENxwWJKJoM/YL7JTDjDSoI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/pMBsVGpePYUCn-tqGQ9pKU1oOYQvJW4XgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4736/5.%2BUS%2B16W%2BUpton%2BRemy%2527s%2BDiner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="4736" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CENxwWJKJoM/YL7JTDjDSoI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/pMBsVGpePYUCn-tqGQ9pKU1oOYQvJW4XgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/5.%2BUS%2B16W%2BUpton%2BRemy%2527s%2BDiner.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We turned west onto Wyoming 116 after looking at the map during lunch and realizing we missed our planned turn a few miles back. WY 116 took us through <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbr/home/?cid=fswdev3_008649" target="_blank">Thunder Basin National Grassland</a>. The highway stretched straight out in front of us as far as we could see, occasionally taking a wide sweeping turn.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7r_7leXcLNI/YL7KStvs50I/AAAAAAAAFoY/dlZiujJxQFE-FmOiuQov3HcpelAysqlowCLcBGAsYHQ/s4736/6.%2BWY%2B116%2BW%2BThunder%2BBasin%2BNational%2BGrassland.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2606" data-original-width="4736" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7r_7leXcLNI/YL7KStvs50I/AAAAAAAAFoY/dlZiujJxQFE-FmOiuQov3HcpelAysqlowCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/6.%2BWY%2B116%2BW%2BThunder%2BBasin%2BNational%2BGrassland.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We saw cows, sheep, and plenty of deer but very few vehicles or houses.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNcv7ofTY3Q/YL7KhwGUe1I/AAAAAAAAFoc/xQrvS6cPuMoCJ3vLG3mcfnKexkWN2KAQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2236/8.%2BWY%2B116%2BW%2BThunder%2BBasin%2BNational%2BGrassland.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="2236" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNcv7ofTY3Q/YL7KhwGUe1I/AAAAAAAAFoc/xQrvS6cPuMoCJ3vLG3mcfnKexkWN2KAQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/8.%2BWY%2B116%2BW%2BThunder%2BBasin%2BNational%2BGrassland.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>WY 116 took us to WY 450 which was our original planned route. Listed on the <a href="https://butlermaps.com/" target="_blank">Butler</a> motorcycle map as a lost highway, or a road that has faded center lines and long miles without signs of people that make them seem lost in time. This is a semi-arid climate with few trees, and we could imagine settlers traveling west in covered wagons.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oLG0czLFvjs/YL7Lo7cftCI/AAAAAAAAFoo/3KCpCpvZI1gWQyWyklcE6g2zkkko9K5AQCLcBGAsYHQ/s4080/9.%2BWY%2B450W.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2351" data-original-width="4080" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oLG0czLFvjs/YL7Lo7cftCI/AAAAAAAAFoo/3KCpCpvZI1gWQyWyklcE6g2zkkko9K5AQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/9.%2BWY%2B450W.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We felt lost in time until we passed huge coal mines and saw more trains ferrying cars of coal east. We took a quick jog for 3 miles on WY 59N and then turned west onto WY 387, passing a couple of small towns that support the coal and oil industry in this area. The <a href="https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/brief-history-bozeman-trail" target="_blank">Bozeman Trail</a>, named after John Bozeman who established this route in the 1860's to connect the gold rush territory of southern Montana with the Oregon Trail in eastern Wyoming, crosses the highway and made us think of the vast difference between those early pioneers and us zooming down the highway on our BMW.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUKN-GWTu9s/YL7NvusP_JI/AAAAAAAAFow/HwVV0RpCNLkR2g8U05_OFYxFC9hYfUSAACLcBGAsYHQ/s4635/13.%2BWY%2B387W.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2970" data-original-width="4635" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VUKN-GWTu9s/YL7NvusP_JI/AAAAAAAAFow/HwVV0RpCNLkR2g8U05_OFYxFC9hYfUSAACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/13.%2BWY%2B387W.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We picked up I-25 south for about 40 quick miles with the speed limit posted at 80 mph and unlike most interstates, very little traffic. Our stop for tonight is <a href="https://www.visitcasper.com/" target="_blank">Casper, Wyoming</a>, the second largest city in Wyoming with a long history of oil and cowboy culture. It was 93 degrees when we stopped late in the afternoon, glad to take advantage of air conditioning before we continue our ride tomorrow into Colorado.<br /><p><span style="background-color: #fffdee; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.24px;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p></div>Lynn Grieger and Mike Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06780910808322693014noreply@blogger.com0