Monumental Day

We left Paonia this morning and ended up at Rock Springs, WY. Along the way we ran through Colorado Monument out side of Grand Junction. None of us had been through there before so that was fun to see for the first time. 

Later we drove beside the Flaming Gorge National Monument which was another great ride section for the day. We arrived at the KOA in Rock Springs, WY at 6:00. Enjoy the pictures.

Breakfast was eaten here.

Steve at the entrance 

Jerry 

Jerry again

Jerry

Jim and Steve

Another state crossing

Flaming Gorge

Jerry is now in the same state as Carmel.

Top O'the Rockies rally

Jerry and I met Thursday morning in Flagstaff for breakfast and then got back on the road at 9:00 am. We had nice weather for the rest of the almost 500 miles and arrived in Paonia, CO at 6:30 pm. Steve had already arrived and met us in the parking lot. I ran into folks I had met last year at this and other bike events.

After pitching our tents we had a bite to eat and then found the beer garden for a cold beverage and listened to some live music.

Friday morning found us taking showers and eating a pancake and eggs breakfast hosted by local young adults raising money for their school activities. Jerry and I took a 173 mile ride down highway 92 (in the rain) along the Blue Mesa Reservoir to Gunnison for lunch and back. The return trip was nice and dry and made for a great ride back up 92 to the rally. Steve elected to hang out at the rally grounds and visit with other riders many of whom will be continuing on to Billings, MT, like us, to attend the big MOA rally next week.

Another evening of live music and then to bed. Today, Saturday, the activities are yet to be planned. Such is the relaxed life on the road.

Breakfast in Flagstaff

At the border

Our first home away from home

Black Canyon of the Gunnison along Hwy 92

Packed and ready to leave

I'll be leaving at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow. Vroom.

The Big summer trip of 2015

Well Thursday morning I'll be starting my main summer trip for this year. Jerry Stutler and I will meet up in Flagstaff that morning for breakfast and then proceed to Paonia, CO where we will connect with Steve at the Top O'the Rockies BMW rally for the weekend. Steve will have started out on Wednesday.

At the end of this weekend the 3 of us will meander North through Colorado and Wyoming and end up in Billings, MT for the annual BMW MOA (motorcycle owners of America) rally. Afterwards we will catch up with Frank and Bruce in Montana and then zig zag across Idaho and Utah for another week of great riding.

I'll try and post often while on this trip with pictures and words of wisdom (or at least tell about the daily activities).

Thanks for following along.

Bike all cleaned up, new tires, brake pads and front wheel bearings ready to be loaded

Some of the "stuff" to go on the bike

More "stuff"

Back home

Tuesday I left my cousins at 6:00 am MDT and after 645 miles I arrived home at 6:00 pm AZ time which made the trip 13 hours long. The temperatures were in the 50s most of the morning as I rode southwesterly through Colorado. Then in the four corners area it was up in the 90s and finally around Tuba City, AZ it hit 108 but fortunately that only lasted for maybe a 1/2 hour then I started to gain elevation going into Flagstaff. I hit a little sprinkle after Flagstaff so that was refreshing.

Now to get some chores out of the way and put new tires on the bike so that it's ready for the "big" trip starting July 16th. Stay tuned for that one folks and thanks for following along.

Day of rest

Steve and I are spending a couple days with our cousin Bonnie and her husband Jeff. Yesterday we stopped at our old family cabin and talked to the new owner. He has done some yard clean up and put a fence around the property. 

Steve and Jeff with Britany.

Easy day

I rode 112 miles today which took me up to Lizard Head pass and back to camp with a stop in Ridgeway for lunch. Blue skies and mild temperatures made for a perfect ride.

Telluride day

Today was a laid back day. We didn't leave camp until after 11:00 and then rode to Telluride which was maybe an hour away. Had lunch and then sat on a park bench and watched people scurrying about with their days activities. We're back at camp now enjoying an afternoon beer. Life is good.

Let the weekend begin

I made it to the KOA near Ouray at 3:30. It was a great ride especially from Durango to Ouray.

Off again on another long weekend of riding

Steve and I will be meeting in Ouray, Colorado on Thursday to attend yet another ST Owners Campout. It should be nice and cool there with lots of great Rocky Mountain roads to ride. Sunday we will be going to visit our cousin Bonnie and her husband Jeff out side of Bailey. I also want to see if our old cabin in Grant has changed since new owners bought it last year.

I'll try and add pictures Thursday night

Back home

Well we rode home Monday. Down I-25 to Socorro and then west on Hwy 60 past the VLA (very large array) which are radio wave receiving antennas listening for intelligent signals from outer space. Then down the road we stopped in Pie Town for guess what? We continued on west to Payson where we pretty much all split up to go to our respective homes. It was a great weekend with old and new friends.

Mmmm warm pecan pie and coffer

Cold and rainy morning ride

We road a loop ride on Hwy 4 that goes by Los Alamos. It got down to 40 and light rain off and on. We got back to the hotel and took a shuttle to Old Town where we did a quick tour of the old churches. One is promoted as the oldest in the USA. We're now having a burger.

Frank and Kim

Unique spiral stair case