Day 15 Chicken stripes and dragging pegs

We had 2 different plans for today depending on the weather. When we awoke the sun was shining. It was 52 degrees and the forecast for the day was sunny with a high of 70. Since we were staying at the same motel for another night we did not have to pack the bike with the extra weight of our luggage. For that reason we chose to ride the more challenging mountain loop. It was time to get rid of those chicken stripes on the new rear tire and drag some pegs through those mountain switchbacks.
After a quick gas stop and a tire pressure check, we headed north around 8:00 AM on 550 out of Durango. It’s known as the Million Dollar Highway. This road takes you into some high mountain passes with altitudes over 11,000 feet as you pass through the old mining towns of Silverton and Ouway. This is truly God’s country. I felt I was in motorcycle heaven as we passed beautiful mountain streams and waterfalls all along the route.
When we reached the town of Montrose, we turned east on 50 and headed to Gunnison. We then took 149 south through the Rio Grande National Forest. As we motored through the forest the large Cottonwood trees were shedding their cotton and as it drifted in the breeze it appeared as if it was snowing in June.
We picked up 160 west in South Fork and traveled through Pagosa Springs and Chimney Rock as we headed back to Durango. We arrived at home base around 6:00, cleaned the bugs off the bike and had some dinner again at the Texas BBQ place across the street.
Tomorrow we’re heading east and dropping down into New Mexico briefly before visiting San Luis where Tom’s family has some property.
Life is good.

Total miles: 402 Butt factor: 3

Day 14 T.G.I.F. part 2

When you’re riding a motorcycle for 10 to 12 hours a day you have plenty of time to think to yourself. During most of this trip my thoughts are as pleasant as the sights around me. Today was the second Friday that I’ve been on the road and my thoughts often returned to the dreaded days of last summer. Those Fridays will be forever in my mind but today the visual pleasures sure helped me to forget.
This morning our primary task was to get my rear tire fixed. We found a Honda dealer in Monticello which was about 20 miles North from where we were staying. We were in no hurry to get on the road because the dealership didn’t open till 9:00 AM. We left Blanding at 8:15 and arrived at 8:45. As we pulled into the parking lot we met a couple from Tennessee who were waiting to have their Goldwing repaired too. So Tom and I decided to go have some breakfast while we waited our turn. It was 11:30 when we finally pulled out of Monticello with my new Dunlop Elite III.
With a new confidence in my bike we took 191 North to 211. This is the entrance road to the Canyonlands NP. The colorful grandeur spires of cedar mesa sandstone that have been eroded over time, dominated the area. We left the park and took 46 east into the state of Colorado where it became 90. We continued till 90 became 145 and as we came over a mountain we could see the giant, white capped mountains of the Rockies. It was so nice to see mountains covered with green foliage again instead of the bare rock monuments we saw in Utah. As we drove into the mountains the air smelled so clean and fresh. It was obvious that the area has been receiving an abundance of rain because as we traveled along the creeks and streams at the base of the mountains, the waters were high and the current was fast.
We continued south on 145 past Telluride were we climbed to the elevation of 10,200 ft over Lizard Head Pass. I was literally higher than I’ve ever been, pure euphoria. We descended down into Cortez and took 160 east and arrived at our destination of Durango around 7:00 PM.
There are 2 possible loop rides we can take from here. One will take us east and then south into New Mexico and other north to Silverton and Ouray. So we’ll be staying here for 2 nights and deciding which ride to take depending on the weather in that direction.
Life is good.

Total miles: 365 Butt factor: 3