Home and summary

(Note: to view the entire trip, begin with Tuesday, Aug 3)

Weds 11th. We rode from Amarillo to Houston with only a couple of remarks. It was a long day, and the temp was 106F at one point. And I saw a "Miss Me Yet" billboard (not the Minnesota original) somewhere between Amarillo and Fort Worth.

Here is a mileage summary for the trip:

Here is the actual route traveled (in yellow; ignore the magenta). Click the map for a larger image.

and a blow up of the 100K foot ride (again in yellow):

And finally, here are some photos from my camera (not cell phone) that I was unable to upload until now.

Going green. And red. And home.

Tuesday 10th. Leaving Chama we headed straight to Santa Fe and Tomasita's, my favorite eatery in SF. They do a mean green and red chile, made daily, for soaking hot fresh sopapillas.

Then it was time to start for home, and we headed for Amarillo. Tomorrow we hope to be in Houston.
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Suite Rest

Monday 9th. We continued riding through Ouray to Silverton to Durango to Chama. The mountain road defies description. I can say that negotiating 10 mph switchbacks with a precipitous drop and no guard rails places a premium on motorcycle proficiency.

We arrived in Chama expecting another Hotchkiss Motel experience. Instead we are enjoying a pleasant suite with fireplace, big screen TV, couch, etc. And outside each door hangs a decorative string of chili peppers. I HEART NEW MEXICO!

Total mileage: 2176

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Gorgeous Gorge

Today 9th we rode around the rim of the Black Canyon. A few photos make commentary superfluous.
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The Bates Motel

Sunday 8th continued from Aspen down the enchanted canyon of the White River, ending the day at the Hotchkiss Motel. Greeted by a seedy Russian proprietor and his Olga-from-the-Volga wife, who seemed surprised that anybody would want to stay there. We can honestly say that it is the best (only) motel in Hotchkiss.
Milage so far: 1868

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Aspen in Mole

Sunday 8th we stopped for lunch at a recommended Aspen Mexican restaurant. Their chicken in mole poses no threat to Hugo's in Houston.
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Independence Day

(Monday 9th In Chama NM catching up)

Sunday 8th we left Denver, passing through Leadville en route to Aspen. The route led up to Independence Pass at 12095 feet, a road with enough precipitous hair pen turns to make women tremble and strong men faint. The effect is augmented when experienced on a motorcycle.
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No update tonight

Sunday. In Hotchkiss w bad connection
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More ride photos

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Lovely Loveland

The big ride today, the 100000 Foot Ride. Good weather (mostly), enough curves to satisfy the most jaded rider, and scenery to match. We took few pictures since this trip is all about the bike. So here is just a sample, Loveland pass on the continental divide.
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Cliff & Sandy Siegel

Good to see old friends.
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Brothers and Friends

In Denver today (fri). Ride from Pueblo was pleasant and lovely. Spent some time @ BMW getting a problem w Kammy's bike fixed.
Then visited K's gracious brother Darius at his home near Red Rocks. Photo of house and views from his veranda attached. We're not in Houston anymore.
Tonight plan to visit Cliff & Sandy then prep for tomorrow's big ride.

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Pueblo CO

Tonight we are in Pueblo. We've ridden over 900 miles in one and a half days, in spite of rain and time spent replacing a lost cell phone. I think I've proved the feasibility of long distance motorcycle travel. The damp and soggy photo I am attaching is our redemption after several hours riding in the rain, taken from Trinidad on the CO side of Raton Pass. The rain caught us in NM and dropped temperature from mid 80s to 53 in 2 minutes.
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Big times at the Walmart

In picturesque downtown Vernon. Hey, who needs Sedona?
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Hot enough for you?

105 degrees. It separates the Texans from the Californians.
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My riding partner Kamy

Outside the haute cuisine Wendy's in College Station
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Departure

I really do wear ATGATT. Helmet & jacket off for sake of photo.
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Beginning trip to Colorado via Motorcycle, August 2010,

This is the beginning of a trip to Colorado and New Mexico via my BMW F650GS motorcycle. I will be sending photos and brief messages from my Blackberry during the trip.

Here is a map of the route.

View Colorado 3 in a larger map

I'll be riding the 100,000 foot ride in Denver.