Monday, September 11, 2017

Serendipity in the Centennial State* pt I (couples ride)

It is time for the Annual Couples Ride; our plans to ride to Glacier National Park had to be changed due to the massive forest fires in that area. So I make a quick 're-plan' and route the ride to Colorado.

Unfortunately, the usual suspects have been thinned down a bit. Jan broke a foot training for a run, so Ken and Jan rode in their "Harley-yota" SR5. Julie broke a bone in her wrist so Brent and her stayed home. Christine suffered a concussion a week or so before the ride so she and Harry stayed home. I injured my arm so Bev rode with Ken and Jan so as not to stress my injury any more than necessary (and riding the bike IS necessary!).....so that meant there were 6 of us on two bikes and one car.

I have to admit, having a 4-wheeler along was VERY convenient!
Thanks to Ken and Jan for hauling us to dinner each night!

*Colorado is called the Centennial State because they became the 38th state in 1876.

(ride map in part II)


First stop for lunch at Pin Willies near Talmage, Ut.
It may not look like much on the outside, but the food is GREAT!

Then on to Meeker, Colorado where we spend the night. The next morning we ride over Independence Pass.



On to Idaho Springs, Colorado where we overnight. Then up to Mt Evans (the highest paved road in North America)...well, almost. The road is closed 5 miles short of the top. We stop at Summit Lake then return down the mountain and ride through Leadville, Colorado - the highest city in the U.S.

Ken W, Jan, Beverly, Wendy, Ken W, Rooster







And what is a motorcycle ride with out some rain?


 After an overnight stay in Gunnison, Colorado, we head out for the SR 92, then to the Grand Mesa Scenic highway (SR65). The Grand Mesa is the biggest Mesa in the world.

SR 92, SR 65, and some towns along the way.




We stop in the city of Mesa for lunch, Rooster and I get a javalina, elk, antelope mix burger.....delicious!
This is the Church across the street from the restaurant.







More in part II

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Serendipity in Colorado pt II (couples ride)

After Grand Mesa, we ride to Palisade, Colorado to walk through town and enjoy some of the art there;

Ken is excited to see this fish made out of Harley exhaust mufflers.




Rooster is also excited to find this treasure!




A cool house on the way out of town.

On to Green River, Utah for our last overnight stay of the trip.

Can't go to Green River without getting a photo of the Golden Ratio scuplture.

 Then to Ray's Tavern, one of my favorite eateries...



 There are not enough seats in Kenny's Toyota so Rooster 'hops' in the back...



 What a great ride and wonderful time visiting with friends!

Life is Good!

1600 miles (for me, I got a few more miles than the rest of the group....) of brilliant roads.


Idaho Springs, Colorado to Mt Evans...(almost)

 Mt Evans to Gunnison

Gunnison to Grand Mesa, to Palisade.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Bear Tooth Pass

A four day ride to do the Bear Tooth Pass, Chief Joseph highway, and Yellowstone National Park with biker buddy Ray.
While on our ride we made two new friends from Canada, Steve and Craig.
Here are some pics in no particular order.

North entrance to Yellowstone

Yellowstone bison 

Early morning visitor


Chief Joseph hwy...almost to Cody, Wyoming

Looking down from 11,000 feet on the Bear Tooth.

Still some snow on the Bear Tooth.

Click on the pic and see the bear tooth of Bear Tooth Pass...in the middle of the skyline.

Near the north east entrance of Yellowstone.

Yellowstone

Near the Bear Tooth summit.
Ray, Craig, Steve

Nice trip, 1350 good road miles!