Day 10 - July 6th

Today, we leave Denver and start our ride home. We rode north through Fort Collins, CO toward Wyoming.

Since we didn't get a picture of the Colorado sign when we came into the state, we took a picture as we were leaving...



and another picture of us entering Wyoming...



This was a long day, 400+ miles to our destination (Sturgis, SD). We skirted rain all morning and finally, in the early afternoon, we rode through a small storm. It cleared off and looked like it was going to be nice...



We stopped in Lusk, WY for gas and food. The truck stop diner, The Outpost, was the best diner in 50 miles (since in was the only diner in 50 miles). We had a paddy melt, fries and, of course, a milk shake... not. The Outpost doesn't make milk shakes so I had to settle for a piece of homemade chocolate peanut butter pie. When we went outside, after our meal, things did not look very good. Black clouds to the west and north meant we were going to ride through another storm. The road from Lusk, WY to Sturgis, SD was a great ride but the weather was very trying. Rain, wind and dark clouds met us about 10 miles out of Lusk and stayed with us till Newcastle, WY. We arrived at the South Dakota line just before dusk, still about 70 miles from Sturgis, SD.




We rode on into Sturgis and arrived about 10pm. Wet, worn and weary but excited about the experiences we were enjoying.

Day 9 - July 5th

We chose the "Estes Park Ride" today. The ride started out on the interstate...



After getting off the interstate and going north, the scenery was magnificent...



We stopped at Berthoud Pass. The temperature was dropping quickly as we went higher into the mountains...



Blue skies and beautiful roads...





We stopped at Grand City for lunch. By the time we finished the weather was turning. The skies were gray and rain was rolling in.



After we entered Estes Park and climbed to the summit, the drizzle was coming down harder and colder...



but the views were still spectacular.











We rode out of the park and started back to the hotel (90 miles away). A storm came up and rain, sleet, small hail and wind were with us for about 30 miles. We finally stopped at a roadside diner and drank coffee until the storm let up.

A great ride and made more memorable by the weather.

Day 8 - July 4th

It's Independence Day, and we chose to go on the "Canyons and Curves" Ride.
The ride started at 8:00am...



The ride went through some nice canyons and, of course, had a few curves, too.







After a few hours on the ride, Ron and I decided to visit his nephew in Eagle, CO. I think both of us wanted some semblance of family on this holiday. Ron's nephew and his nephew's wife were very hospitable, and made us feel welcome and at home. We left Eagle and stopped at the Eagle Diner for burgers and shakes before our 120 mile ride back to the hotel.

Day 7 - July 3rd

Today was the first day of organized rides by the Colorado VTX Riders. We chose to go on the Mt. Evans Ride, over 200 miles and to the top of Mt. Evans (over 14,000 feet above sea level).

We started out at 8:00am...




There's always something to see in Colorado. This is near Red Rock, on the way to Mt. Evans.



This lake is at the Visitor's Center at the foot of Mt. Evans (the visitor's center is at 10,000 ft.)



Here we are at the top. Yep, we rode the motorcycles all the way to 14,000 ft above sea level.



The amazing thing was that there were many bicyclists pedaling to the top.

Day 6 - July 2

(posted July 7th)

Today was a "regrouping" day. We are in Denver for the next five days. Washed clothes, bought some sun block and after sun lotion (much needed).

I thought I'd share some video of roads we have experienced.

You may want mute your sound...
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Arkansas - Rt. 412...


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New Mexico - Rt. 104
(where "No Country for Old Men" was filmed)...


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Las Vegas, NM to Taos, NM...


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Bridge over the Rio Grande River Gorge, Taos, NM


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The Rainbow on the Santa Fe Trail
(between Taos, NM and Trinidad, CO


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To the Top of Mt. Evans (14,100 ft)...

Day 5 - July 1

(posted on Thursday)

After a restful night in Trinidad, CO, we packed up to ride north about 210 miles to Denver. This was all interstate and not much fun.
Lunch on the interstate, of course, was at the Cracker Barrel. We ordered milkshakes and wondered if the perfect milkshake might have been under our noses all the time.
Nope... ok but not even close.

We did stop at Compassion International in Colorado Springs and at the Air Force Academy Campus.
The chapel at the Academy was inspiring.








The balcony and pipe organ...


We arrived in Denver just in time for rush hour. Rode 220 miles and feeling the road. Tomorrow is wash day and BBQ Meet and Great with the 160 other riders that are coming into Colorado to ride over the next four days.

Day 4 - June 30

(posted on Thursday)

We left Tucumcari, NM about 9am, headed for Taos, NM and Trinidad, CO. We decided to take Rt. 104 to Taos. This is the road that was used in the filming of "No Country for Old Men". The land was as desolete as I've ever seen.

We rode into Las Vegas, NM and started climbing first into the upper mesa (miles and miles of pasture and grazing land and the temperate became cooler. After Las Vegas, we rode into the higher elevation and pine forests.

We arrived at Taos, NM and stopped at the Visitor's Center. Our first question, of course, was "Where is the best milkshake in town?" We were told, "The Taos Cow" (a deli in the heart of town). Unfortunately, the Taos Cow had a freezer on the blink and no ice cream.
We decided to eat a sandwich at Olgivie's, which overlooks the plaza.

This is the view from our table at the restaurant.

We rode north of town to see the bridge over the Rio Grande Gorge.


Rain was moving in from the north, so we rode back through Taos and headed for Trinidad, CO (about 120 miles away).
We rode on a great two lane road from Taos (although construction and a big RV made it hard for the first few miles. Rain followed us but we only had a few drops. The end result was magnificent... a beautiful double rainbow over a green valley on the Santa Fe Trail.




We pulled into Trinidad about 9pm. Rode about 350 miles but some of the prettiest sofar. I think it may be a taste of what is in store for us in Colorado.

Day 3 - June 29 (Monday)

(posted on Wednesday - poor internet service in OK and NM)
We left Weatherford, OK about 9am and started out on what we thought would be our hottest and most boring part of the ride. We rode I40 and Rt 66 on and off. There were storms to our south and we could see and feel them. The temps stayed cooler because of the storms so we didn't mind at all.







Texas panhandle...




At a Texas Rest Stop on I40...


We stopped for lunch at the BIG TEXAN... home of the 72 ouncer



Somedays you eat the bear, somedays the bear eats you.



Our search for the perfect milkshake continues. These from the BIG TEXAN were a "5 out of 10". Tally's was still the best, but I believe somewhere, out there, the perfect milkshake exists. The quest continues...


We rode 435 miles and were on the road 12 hours. Tomorrow we're headed from Tucumcari, NM though Taos and then Trinidad, CO. It's only 320 miles. Should be an easy day.

Day 2 - June 28th (Sunday)

We left Mountain Home, AR Sunday Morning. It was a great day... Worship was awesome!




We traveled Rt. 412 across Arkansas into the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee's got took, no doubt about it. There is no comparision to East Tennessee, North Georgia and Western Carolina to this area of Arkansas/Oklahoma. No wonder they call it the "Trail of Tears."

We met up with Route 66 in Tulsa, OK. Along the way, we stopped at Tally's for lunch.


We continue our search for the perfect milkshake. Tally's wasn't bad... better than Patty Ann's.



We're starting to get the feel for the road. The day was not as hot as yesterday (95 vs. 110). The sun was out in full force though and our arms and faces are feeling it.

Route 66 was fun we bounced from interstate to 66 and back. These are pictures of me and Ron in front of Tally's Cafe.



We road through Chandler, OK where the Route 66 Museum is found. We found it closed. One more reason for a return trip.



We pulled into Weatherford, OK about 8:30pm. We rode 435 miles. Very hot and sunny. I think this is going to leave a mark...