Sunday, June 23, 2013 – Day 10 – Over 3,200 miles behind me

Hello from the great Southwest Desert, where the skies are incredibly blue, there is rarely rain and it is HOT.  Four hours in the saddle today in temps that ranged from the low 80’s to the low 90’s, with a blaring sun.  My planned stop in Santa Fe for two days (which I’ve extended to 3) is perfect timing … it gives me some down time to relax and do some sight seeing.  I checked into the hotel at 1:30 and I’m just chilling now.  Later this evening when it cools, I’m going to see Santa Fe at night and try some of their famous Mexican food. (or maybe no, because one Mexican dinner equals about 300 of my Weight Watchers Points).  By the way, even tough I’m on vacation, I’ve managed to lose a couple of pounds.

Before I get started on the day, I want to say hi to my special grandkids.  Hi Lily!  Hi Mason!  Hi Emma!  Hi Logan!  Grandpa misses all of you guys and when I get back, everyone is going to get a great big bear hug! XOXOXOXO

I pulled out of Durango this morning headed for Santa Fe.  It was warm when I left and the further I got, the hotter it got.  The trip was uneventful and certainly not as exciting as the past few days.  Don’t misunderstand me … the scenery was beautiful in a stark, desolate sort of way, with the landscape covered with mesas, buttes, arroyos, small canyons, scrub brush and dry desert earth.  The colors were striking also, with reds, burnt oranges, tans and other earth tones assaulting the eyes.  I actually love the desert because it’s a place where you can get “lost” and be totally alone with your thoughts.  The total lack of sound once you get away from the beaten path is stunning.  I’d say I could hear myself think, but we all know how silly that idea is …

Anyway, you could take a million pictures of this place and they would all kind of look the same, so here’s just one:

One comment here.  If you ever get to this area, don’t miss the ride down Colorado Route 550 from Montrose, CO, through Ouray and Durango then down into Santa Fe.  What a great ride.  Also, DON’T follow the signs that tell you to take Route 50 … wrong way entirely!

One last piece of good news.  The Colorado State Police have decided not to press charges in the untimely demise of the rodent I ran over two days ago.  They determined he had been drinking prior to stumbling out in front of me.  How terribly sad …  Hey, animals have rights too!

As I mentioned, into Santa Fe tonight, then sightseeing in the city and surrounding area tomorrow and then up to Taos on Tuesday.  Until the next update, thanks for following me!

Saturday, June 22, 2013 – day 9 – 2,800+ miles so far – past the halfway point!

Today, in the spirit of changing things up to avoid boring my audience, I’m using a storyboard format.  Same information, different look, with more web link interaction.

I had a change of plans and instead of going over to Utah to see Arches National Monument, I decided to stay in Colorado.  I made this last minute change because Utah would have been another long “in the saddle” day (I’m starting to walk bow-legged I’ve been riding so much) and I started thinking that Arches would be another hugely crowded National Park because there is a cluster of them in that area and summer is the peak season.

I started my day by riding a coupe of hours to “The Million Dollar Highway”.   But first, I passed a place called Escalante Canyon that was accessible only via a gravel road.  Now, I have an 800 pound cruiser that’s meant to eat up the highways and byways, but I figured I may not get back this way again, so what the hell.  Adapt, improvise and overcome, right?  Well kinda … I got my bike in and out of the canyon, but the effort it took qualified as my exercise for the next two or three months.  Ouch!  However, a truly beautiful place that most tourists don’t see, so well worth the effort.  Once again, my “Get Off The Interstate” philosophy pays dividends.  Here’s a few pix and a web link that also has some pictures:

 This sign faced the road, not oncoming traffic ... almost like they don't want you to find the place!

http://redrockman.com/?page_id=1019

After taking quite a bit of time “working” Escalante, I finally reached Montrose, CO and picked up CO Route 550.  The section between Montrose and Durango comprises the Million Dollar Highway and thanks to Chris T. for recommending this ride.  One word:  SPECTACULAR.  I you travel to Colorado, don’t miss this (unless you have phobias about heights, roads without guardrails, steep ravines, etc.).  The road winds through the mountains and runs past abandoned gold mines.  Click here for a quick overview and history lesson:

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/million.htm

About halfway between Montrose and Durango sits the charming little town of Ouray.  A bit of a tourist trap, but still very neat.  I took an hour or so to walk around and to have lunch at a neat little restaurant with a fabulous view.  Relaxing and rewarding, given the views!

  

My lunchtime view

After lunch, I moved on to finish up today's journey in Durango.  Don’t picture an old west town with wooden sidewalks and saloons wit swinging doors.  This is a clean, small, modern city that has been able to retain the nuances from it’s history.  By the way, Durango is HOT – as in 90+ today.  But, it’s a dry heat … then again so is my oven and it does a swell job cooking the turkey.  There’s a lot to do here … check the website:

http://www.durangogov.org

I’m still deciding on tomorrow’s agenda, but as always, I’ll keep you posted.