Colorado Trippin

[julimike54]

Well this is our trip log for a few days of riding. Hope it's not like the 'come over and see the vacation slides'

So departure at o dark early on the beast of burden

Since we left before ample coffee, had to make our first coffee break stop

Then of course the majority of the day spent droning across Texas

Once into New Mexico there really is no change, other than the variety of bugs that are killed

Finally nearing the days destination, we were able to ride on Old Historic Highway 66, no pictures of highway signs were available, someone stole them

We arrived at the nights lodging, Historic Route 66 Motel, Tucumcari, NM.....just in time

As we're unpacking the drips start, hustle the unload and cover up; without getting real wet. 2+ hours later the rain was gone.

Walked down to Del's Restaurant for dinner, yum

More to follow....

 

[tshelfer]

Seems like everybody who ran west over Labor Day has a rain story to tell.

 

[kickstand~prophet]

Waiting to see how the HD compares to the Ole' Blue?

 

[Burbo]

Look, there's a starbucks to the right of that airplane. Just the kind of ride my GSAdv was built for.......

 

[gixxerjasen]

Tip for next time. I've stayed at the Historic Route 66 Motel. It was ok, wasn't too impressed. The Blue Swallow just down the road is nicer and the folks that run it are top notch, friendly and will take care of you. Still, if you are just looking for a dry place to sleep, the HR66 will do.

 

[julimike54]

Day 2...could see some of the 66 sights

Took NM 104 north, looks a lot like before only some drips...

That lead to Las Vegas

surprise, not the one you thought.

Took NM518 to Taos

looking a little different

at a pull out

where we'd been (across the way)

where we're going

In Taos found a good lunch place

Then a stop at The Rio Grande Gorge for a selfie

On to Pagosa Springs for the night and of course more eating

More to follow.....

 

[julimike54]

Waiting to see how the HD compares to the Ole' Blue?

They are comparable, but very different in how the job is done. HD has tons of torque so not much shifting required, both are comfy (might have to give HD the edge slightly) but need some touches to the HD to fit me a little better. Isn't that why you buy a bike

 

[julimike54]

Tip for next time. I've stayed at the Historic Route 66 Motel. It was ok, wasn't too impressed. The Blue Swallow just down the road is nicer and the folks that run it are top notch, friendly and will take care of you. Still, if you are just looking for a dry place to sleep, the HR66 will do.

No the hotel isn't impressive, it's just a solid basic place to stay. Was going to book at Blue Swallow, but they were full. Looked like a car club was there. Maybe next time?

 

[julimike54]

Seems like everybody who ran west over Labor Day has a rain story to tell.

After that deluge it's just been some drips occasionally. Sun forecast on out

 

[gixxerjasen]

No the hotel isn't impressive, it's just a solid basic place to stay. Was going to book at Blue Swallow, but they were full. Looked like a car club was there. Maybe next time?

The car clubs love that place because some rooms have garages. It's very cool to be there when the classic car clubs are in town for a show. You can stand in the parking lot of the Route 66 era hotel with the Route 66 era cars and you feel like you just stepped out of a time machine.

 

[achesley]

Nice! Love seeing the additions to the sites on 66. Seems like every time I use to travel it, there was something new added along the way. Really miss that about not being able to travel via bike and can't get excited about doing it by cage. Sigh. Thanks for the work of sharing the journey.

 

[_RG_]

Was there a huge Harley event going on this past weekend around Ouray? Between Ridgeway, Silverton and Ouray we saw hundreds of dressed out bikes. Felt like a petunia in an onion patch coming down off the trails covered in dirt on the 1190's.

 

[tshelfer]

Probably. There are always motor events going on in the summer & fall. Between Harley groups, Porsche clubs, Corvette clubs, and antique car clubs, it's been a rare trip to Colorado that I haven't bumped into at least one of them.

 

[julimike54]

Day 3, left Pagosa Springs went to CO 149...

This turned out to be the best day for views

You get to ride along rivers that move from side to side (actually you do)

Next two are outside of Crede

old mine

Then of course there are several passes, just one

Shame the pines have been taken out by a beetle, they are harvesting some

One of the best views from a turnout

O there's that river again

Then we're off onto CO 92

Which really has some twists & grand views (first pic shows where we had been)

(next shows how small you are there)

Arrived in Hotchkiss, CO. Stayed at the Hotchkiss Inn, normal type hotel. Ate across the street at

had trout

couldn't wait for a picture (haha) also if you want some very good strudel, you're in the right place.

More later............

 

[tshelfer]

149 may be my favorite Colorado highway. Great road, fantastic scenery from end to end, and practically no traffic. How good is that?!

 

[kickstand~prophet]

Right past the ole mine picture is where me and the bike took a swim.

 

[tshelfer]

And not far from where you had to help me pick my VStrom up after a parking lot oopsie.

 

[ekms377]

Where did you stay in Pagosa Springs? Thx for sharing!!!

 

[julimike54]

Where did you stay in Pagosa Springs? Thx for sharing!!!

Since after Tucumcari the hotels were a find at the end of the day. Pagosa Springs I'd reviewed some of the hotels in the older part of town and hadn't been impressed. We rode through town and I'd not seen anything that looked promising. I remembered that there was more town out west, it's like they ran out of land and started more town out that way. Out past almost everything we found the Pagosa Springs Inn & Suites. It was a nice hotel, since I used to travel a lot, I nick named hotels like this Universal hotel. They are all adequate and could be located anywhere. When you wake up, you think you could be anywhere, until you read the paper in the room. Since I traveled a lot, I normally seek out places that aren't that way, more adventure?

 

[one Wolf]

There's a pretty little waterfall about half way between Creede and Lake City on 149. Daughter used to always want her picture taken there.

 

[kickstand~prophet]

There's a pretty little waterfall about half way between Creede and Lake City on 149. Daughter used to always want her picture taken there.

This one?

 

[kickstand~prophet]

Wait I thought about it,it is this one?

 

[tshelfer]

Drew, the first picture is the one north of Creede. That's North Clear Creek Falls.

 

[kickstand~prophet]

Drew, the first picture is the one north of Creede. That's North Clear Creek Falls.

Ya I realized after already posting. Too pretty to delete. Think he is speaking of the next one where you and I as well as many others pull of for a few quick pictures. The waterfall in the second picture is now hidden by trees and vines and such. You have to track thru all the mess to get a snap now.

 

[one Wolf]

Yes I'm thinking North Clear Creek. Your pics are obviously early in the season. Never seen quite that much flow. You must have hiked a little to get that angle. I've only seen it from where the folks are standing on the cliff.