What I did on my summer vacation...now with trip photos.

[wheatonFJR]

...From the midwest, I'd have to have my wife fly west, meet her out there, then ride around...

Exactly what we did. Wife flew into DIA, I met her out there...

...Please, do share with us your impressions of the road from Jacob Lake down to the Park. I cannot put into words how much I enjoyed the Kaibab Plateau....

I don't have pictures from that part of the ride, but I can see it in my minds eye very clearly. Wide open meadows for much of it like Yellowstone. Immensely beautiful. It only needed more animals...at a distance, but the scenery was very enjoyable. Louanne and I did have a contest on the way out to see who could see more deer. We tied...only 3 a piece. But none close...unless we passed a bunch of unseen close deer.

awesome trip!

Yeah, that was my sentiment. First 2-week trip with wifey...

...Ya, that one got me as well. "The Devils Backbone"....You turn the corner and ... SWEETMERCIFULJEEBUZ!...

My sentiments exactly!

 

[TripperMike]

The pictures......simply amazing.

What an awesome trip. One you'll be able to relive with "wifey" for many years to come.

 

[Hudson]

awesome trip!

Gunny. Nice pix and write-up, Wheaton. Makes me feel like I was tagging right along.

 

[Bugnatr]

Very nice report Mark! Everyone should ride southern Utah, it is awesome.

Sooo next year you will have to ride farther west so we can meet your better half.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Day 12 - On to SW Colorado

Well, we start winding our our way back to Denver International Airport, little by little...but we have primo spots to visit first. Today we are trekking east to Cortez in SW Colorado. Here is an early version of what the day was going to be...



I revised this route later when the landslide closed the road to Page. So we ended up heading south and heading east on US 160, having gas stops in Tuba City and Cayenta, before heading north to Monument Valley. We stayed up north and headed east on a nice 2-laner that took us into Colorado. When we turned east on US 160, I thought about this same road in Missouri that I have so much fun on.

During the trip planning, this was the day I presumed we would enjoy the least. Many miles, main roads, possibly killer temperatures, not as many sights to gawk at, etc. As it turned out, we had a pretty good day.

But first we had to say good-bye to our good friend, that crazy SkooterG...



He looks a little cold, but he is only upset that he's not on the podium at the IBR.

We started out in the cool/cold temps of the North Rim. We had both the rain and quilted liners under our Olympia Mesh jackets. I was a little nervous about heading out early on the Park road north...so we kept our eyes peeled for deer, and kept the speed down a little bit when the foliage was close. We passed mile after mile of burned out forest from a fire that occurred a few years back that forced the evacuation of all but emergency personnel from the North Rim. Must have been pretty scary at the time.



We did finally quickly turn east and get to the lower elevations and the warmth that went along with it. We weren't expecting the beauty of the Vermillion Cliffs as you headed towards the Colorado...



A McD's in Tuba City, across from our gas stop.



We stopped in Cayenta... at a McDs for a light lunch, and filled up the gas tank before heading north.

We actually saw a lot of good scenery as we headed east on the main road, it wasn't as barren as I had imagined. The overcast skies also conveniently kept the temperatures down so we could enjoy the scenery more.

Monolith in Monument Valley...



Classic southwestern scenery...



If you squint carefully, you can see some dude in a Mexican Hat/sombrero...



I loved the burnt browns and oranges of the southwest...



As we turned east on UT 162, that 2 laner that follows the San Juan River east and south to the 4 corners region, we saw some sheep being herded along a road by dogs, no humans around...



This guy was one of the dogs in charge, he's giving me and the FJR "the evil eye" here, about to take a bite out of that rear BT-023...



Well, what did I unexpectedly see as we got to the 4 corners area?



Yep, seeing Shiprock...in New Mexico, as viewed from Colorado at US 160 and CO 41. I wanted to see this dramatic Rock ever since I saw an RR with it on it. Very pleasant surprise.

Well, the rest of the way, we were being hammered by high winds. We also went through more road construction. Seems like most of 160 in Arizona was under construction. But no matter now, we're at the the Best Western in Cortez, and there is a pool (of course)and a great hot tub!

Next, Day 13 - Mesa Verde and Ouray!

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Excellent route choice! I was hoping you'd pass through Monument Valley and Mexican Hat. I wish you could have ducked over to Goosenecks after you passed Mexican Hat.

I was so out of time that I had to write off Mesa Verde. I wanted to give that place all the time and attention it deserved and I was out of both when I passed through there.

 

[GunMD]

Kick *** photos of a kick *** ride! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Auburn]

Kick *** photos of a kick *** ride! Thanks for sharing.

+1. Gunny!

 

[Niehart]

Kick *** photos of a kick *** ride! Thanks for sharing.

+1. Gunny!

+1

 

[wheatonFJR]

Day 13 - Mesa Verde and Ouray

Woke up lazily as this was not a long distance day.

Today's destinations were favorites from a trip Louanne and I took 25 years ago to celebrate me finally graduating college at the ripe old age of 29. After being married for five years, with most of those years with me in school at night and working during the day, I graduated and we were done with that part of our lives. Now I could finally make some decent $$money$$, and Louanne wouldn't feel like a widow while I was at school or studying.

We celebrated that graduation with a trip out west, with two of the favorite stops being the ones we were going to make this day. Will we still love these places? Or did we romanticize them in our photo albums?

So, we headed east of Cortez towards Mesa Verde, uh oh, looks like a good bit of rain north of Durango...


That could take some magic out of today's alpine ride later on in the day.

Wasn't raining at MV...the ancient indian ruins were amazing and well worth visiting. The mystery and intrigue behind the physical presence left before us is one that remains unsolved, though many interesting things have been discovered about that culture.

I hate to say this, but I think Bust dropped his pants inside the Kiva...


Well, after MV (saw a couple FJRs in the parking lot btw), we headed east to Durango, had lunch, and gassed up. Then headed north on US 550 with lots of expectations of mountain wonder...

We did see some cows waiting for Bus #47. Evidently it was late...


While we were at MV, the clouds and rain must have cleared out to the west, as it really was a spectacular day of mountain riding and sightseeing. One of favorite spots on this trip was Molas Pass just south of Silverton. Just beautiful, we lingered here for a good long time...


Blue sky and big mountains and FJRs...that's what I like...


Approaching Silverton in the mountain valley below...


We rode through Silverton and stopped for a short break, then continued north towards the Million Dollar Highway and Ouray beyond...


Million Dollar Highway...


Glad I'm not a snow plow driver there...

Bear Creek Falls, just south of Ouray...


We finally arrive in Ouray! We get to the Comfort Inn there via all the gravel side streets.

After checking in at the motel, we head over to the hot springs pool on the north side of town. Looking back south, Mount Abrams, bathed in the glow of the afternoon sun...


I love this view. Stared at that mountain and the other mountainsides all around as the late afternoon sun would provide breathtakingly gorgeous views as the minutes and hours rolled by. After a good soaking at the springs, we left and walked the town, visiting various shops as Louanne purchased little momentos that she somehow fit on our poor heavy laden FJR.

Here is a view from the main drag, looking north and east towards a successful local establishment...


We ate at one of the recommended local establishments, O'Brien's Pub and Grill. Had some great food and drink there in the outdoor seating under the trellis. Even had some warm peach cobbler to finish it off. Yummm....

After that, it was a nice walk back to our Comfort Inn, where we watched swarms of hummingbirds fight over who got the next sip of nectar from the Inn's feeders. Wow, they really had a gathering there. After some reclination and reading, we finished off the night in the outdoor hot tub until the innkeeper booted us out.

What a day. One of the best.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Day 14 - Ouray, Black Canyon and Gunnison

Well, we're getting near the end of this saga, as it is Thursday morning and Louanne's plane heads out on Saturday. But there's still lots of good stuff left as we wind our way east towards Denver.

First and foremost, this was the hot springs day. This is a day of luxuriating in and next to the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, before heading out late in the day for Gunnison. We got to the pool early, and stayed late.

Looking north at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool...


The water slide feeds into the cold pool at 80F, the nearer pool is the warm pool at 95F, the pool to the right was the hot pool at 105F. Louanne and I were usually in the warm pool...it was just right. Occasionally, I would dip into the chilly 80F water if I was feeling adventurous!

We'd enjoy the views...here's the view to the south with Mt Abrams (renamed Mark's Mtn according to Louanne)in the background...


Well, we had lunch and stayed longer, ending up gearing up and leaving around 2pm. We headed north into the lower elevations. I was reminded why I hate Montrose, CO. It is always pecking hot there and you always end up wilting at one of the 27 traffic lights as you try to get through town. You are just trying to get through town, and these traffic lights keep stopping you in the heat. What's up with that?

So as we head east, we decide to visit the south rim of the Black Canyon to see what that's all about...wow. Talk about a steep narrow Canyon!


River way down at the bottom...




Looking east through the gaping jaws of the Canyon...


It's a long way down, isn't it Bungie?


Black Canyon is very dramatic! Louanne went out to the "exposed" overlooks, I would not have enjoyed going out there with my "heights thing". I did go out to some, but NOT this one...


Last shot of Black Canyon...


From Black Canyon, we headed east to our motel in Gunnison. I forgot the nice road in between Black Canyon and Gunnison...very nice. Unfortunately this time, there were guys in stop paddles...but after that part there was still some fun stuff and plenty of room for passing in FJR style. However, I remember from the NAFO days, that Colorado is pretty much for the scenery. With the speed limits so low, it doesn't really pay to speed, right Trooper Fenwick?

We got to our motel and walked to downtown where we had a late supper at the Gunnysack...the same place where Griff, Turvy, FJRocket, and I had a beer with Pinhead in July of 2004 2008 (you pinhead!). Had it really been nine years!? (No, five years ya *****).

Whoa...time flies. (but evidently not as fast as I thought...whew.)

 

[Bungie]

It's a long way down, isn't it Bungie?

Mommy.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Great looking trip Mark. Thanks for sharing it with us!

--G

 

[Redfish Hunter]

With the Black Canyon and many other things "Out West" my photo skills and my camera were seriously outmatched. Nothing I did ever seemed to do any justice to the scenery there. I have studied pictures and videos not just here but professional stuff and I don't think film (or its digital equivalent) will ever do a proper job of conveying the awesome scale and the beauty of those places.

I hope one day either Tyler or GeorgiaRoller make it out there so I can see what they turn in.

I am happy for you Mark. You are doing great, I am loving this Report.

 

[Tyler]

Fantastic journey, Mark... you did much of the trip I took in October 2012, my first "big" trip since the accident... unfortunately we missed out on Colorado due to snow but I will live vicariously through your pics until I can get out there myself! Looks like the trip of a lifetime for you two... glad the missus was there to share it with you. B)

 

[bgross]

Thanks for such a great RR and photos.

I've been forwarding some of the pics to my bride/CFO in hopes that she'll get the bug. (The past few years we've been traveling across the pond - on the theory that we need to do it before we're too old and decrepit to do it. Pretty sure the same principle applies for road trips over here....)

 

[not2shabby]

Fricken awesome! Color me jealous.

 

[Mihalis fjr]

E X C E L L E N T..!!!

Thanks for sharing with us!!!

 

[El Toro Joe]

Great report and pics Mark...wish I could get my wife to go on a trip like that.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Day 15 - On to Independence Pass

Well, yesterday we had a pretty great day soaking in the Hot Springs. I don't know what it was, sitting in the sun for so long or what, but my energy was sapped by the end of the day. Same with Louanne. And we hardly rode any yesterday either. So when I had planned the last big blast on that awesome road on the north side of Black Canyon, it was going to be 350 miles or so of motorcycle greatness.

But I called an audible. I cancelled that. I would never have done this on a solo trip, but I could just tell the energy wasn't going to be there for the ride, we had really packed a lot on the FJR, and the spring was really not set for the weight.

The important thing for this trip was enjoyment, and seeing beautiful sights together. We hadn't had this much time alone since the first baby was born 24 years ago. So we were going to savor our last full riding day together on a 200 mile day instead of a 350 mile day. The main thing I wanted to share on this day with Louanne was Independence Pass. It's one of my favorite spots...something about that Pass speaks to me.

So we're going to just head east up and over Monarch Pass, then take a left and head north past Buena Vista and then take the road west past Twin Lakes to the top of the Pass. After that, we would just meander the rest of the day, maybe into Leadville for lunch, then take US 24 north to the Interstate, then west a few miles to Edwards, CO where we will stay over at Louanne's brother Larry's place. They won't be there, but have given us run of their place, stocked it with goodies, and have a grill for some burgers for our last evening together on the trip. Not a bad Plan B.

You know, since the FJR was loaded up like a mule, I didn't horse it around too much on this trip. But with the 2 uphill lanes going up to the pass, the FJR stretched it's legs out a little bit for one of the rare times 2-up on this trip. Let's just say it was fun.

Having just crossed the pass, I was back in 2-up tourist mode on the downhill, east side of the Pass...



Heading north on the high mountain plains south of Buena Vista, looking west at the Collegiate Peaks...



We head west towards Independence Pass past the beautiful Twin Lakes area...



Finally at the Pass...



Looking east at the last switchback...





More views...



Posing...



Saw a few "Look at ME" toys at the top of the Pass...





We did finally leave the cold, windy Pass that I love so much, and headed down to the warmer climes of Leadville...



We had a nice lunch in town, then walked around to the various antique, gift and oddity shops. I hate shopping with a passion, but I buttoned my lip, took a patience pill and tried to spy interesting historical or nostalgic things. I threatened to buy a couple things and, to get Louanne back, stayed in some stores much longer than she would have.

Actually, it was a fun time, just glad we did not do too much of THAT on this trip.

It was getting towards mid afternoon when we left Leadville for some scenic US 24 switchbacks through the mountains north and west of Leadville down towards the Interstate. Louanne spied one of her favorite things, a flowing mountain river alongside the road as we got to lower elevations. She used the SENA to tell me that she wanted to stop along the stream somewhere. In Minturn, we found the perfect place...a little city park along the river. Louanne doffed her riding gear, and sat in the cold mountain river and cooled herself off. She loves this sort of thing...



Well, after a not so brief interlude here, with Louanne happy and satisfied, we geared up and headed down the road, caught the Interstate for a few miles, and caught the exit for Edwards, Colorado. We found Larry and Brenda's place and enjoyed our last evening together at their apartment and deck. They have a great view...looking east and south towards the Interstate...



Here I am waving goodbye to y'all cuz this RR is just about done...



After enjoying a nice cookout meal and a beer, we relaxed for most of the evening. Later, Louanne organized her things so I could drop her off the next day at the departures part of the SouthWest Airlines Terminal at DIA.

Twas a good last day...