Day 8

From Show Low we drove along the Mogollon Rim to Payson and then on to Strawberry where we stopped for breakfast and a piece of pie :o) With the weather turning cooler and wet we decided to head to my house the shortest route but stopped along the way to see our cousin Bob, the brother of Bill.
My portion of the trip is now over. Steve hung around on Friday and we continued our visiting. Tomorrow he will be hitting the road back to Kansas Ciy.

Day 7

We woke up to another blue sky day, life is good. After a breakfast of instant oatmeal we were off to see the Catwalk. This is a walkway made of expanded metal that winds its way through a narrow rock canyon. We didn't get very far as there were repairs being made to the catwalk probably do to flooding.
We then headed to Arizona on highway 78 which took us to Clifton/Morenci where we saw another open pit copper mine.
This put us on The Coronado Trail or highway 191 which used to be highway 666 but that designation couldn't pass modern "political correctness". No pictures of this road do to paying attention while driving. Not finding a suitable camp site we opted for a motel in Show Low and a prime rib dinner :o)

Day 6.2

After arriving at the cliff dwelling information center and getting a little education we went to saddle up and I noticed cords showing all around my rear tire which had 7,900 miles on it. We were 44 miles from town on a very winding road, which may have been a good thing seeing as how the edges had plenty of rubber. So I dialed the throttle response to the RAIN setting and the suspension to COMFORT. I also brought up the tire pressure readings to the display and we headed back to town. Once in town I couldn't find a motorcycle shop on my GPS so Steve pulled out his BMW Anonymous book and I called a rider listed in Silver City. He was out of town riding with 9 other guys but was able to direct me to the only bike shop in town. Even though they specialized in ATVs they had a 180/55 ZR 17 no name sport tire in stock. Although a tad smaller than stock I took it and $134 and 45 minutes later we were back on the road. A burger, some Walmart shopping and back to the KOA for the evening.

Day 6

We slept in a little (at least I did). We then made some instant oatmeal and decided to ride around the local area today. Out side of town is a large open pit copper mine that goes back to the Spaniard occupation of this part of the country. Then it was on to some cliff dwellings.

Day 5 part 2

In the middle of our 380 mile trek today we made a side trip to Pie Town, NM and had a piece of Blueberry pie, al a mode of course. To offset this indulgence we cooked our freeze dried dinners at the KOA in Silver City. Tomorrow we're off to explore the local highways and sights.

Day 5

We decided to head for warmer country. The thought of waking up in a tent to 17 degree temperatures in lower Colorado didn't sound too inviting so after a nice breakfast with cousin Bill we headed south in New Mexico and landed in Silver City. On the way we passed through El Malpais Nat. Monument which had a pleasant road to ride and interesting rock formations.

Pictures of the old pueblo

Here are pictures of the ruins at an old pueblo from the 1600's taken on day 4.

4th day

This morning we got up early and headed out to see a mass ascension of hot air balloons which is the kick off for the annual Albuquerque hot air balloon festival. There must have been close to 200 in the air scattered all over the skies above town. Steve and I then rode a loop ride north of town that took us to some old pueblos and some scenic roads. We will spend another night at Bill's and figure out where our next destination will be. We will try and stay away from cold weather.

3rd day

We woke to drizzle and 33 degree weather. After another breakfast at Denny's we hit I-25 and headed to Albuquerque. It stayed around 35 deg. For over an hour and then slowly worked up to the 40s. Finally just south of Santa Fe the clouds broke and it jumped up to the 60s. We then turned off the highway and drove to Tent Rocks Nat. Monument and saw some unique formations caused by erosion. After seeing this we finished our trip to Albuquerque and arrived at our cousin Bill Green's house. Bill took us to dinner at El Pinto's a huge New Mexican restaurant. We spent the evening in good conversation covering firearms, politics and energy issues.

2nd day

We woke this morning to over cast skies and chilly weather. After a nice breakfast at Denny's we headed north on I-25 and Trinidad, CO where we turned west on highway 12. The sky turned blue and the Aspen trees were turning bright yellow and gold. It made for a beautiful ride on nice winding blacktop. We followed a route that curved back south to Taos, NM where we stopped for lunch. There was a home coming parade that slowed the traffic in town but we managed to get through and find a parking spot for the bikes. A burger and beer later we were back on the road. The ride back looped us through Angel Fire and Eagles Nest. We went past the Boy Scout camp Philmont and the NRA Whittington Center. Along the last stretch of road was a herd of Buffalo and many Antelope.

First night

Here we are at a KOA Kabin in Raton, NM. Chilly weather which is suppose to be around for several days.

Let the ride begin

We are off like a flash, Steve from Kansas City and me from Paulden. 600+ mile day for both of us ending in Raton, NM. I'll have my SPOT turned on leaving bread crumbs along the way.
See you down the road.
Jim