Itching for the Open Road

I had to go. Talking about riding and whining because I havent gone as much as I liked was wearing on my soul. It was time to SOLO RIDE! I did enjoy the group trip I went on a few weeks ago, but now it was time for me to go solo and just explore roads and places that I wanted.

I saw that the weather was clear for the Labor day weekend, I saw an opening in the schedule and I decided was going to go. First, I needed to clear it with Staci. She is a dream! Her words to me were, “GO!” I love my wife.

So with not much planning I packed some clothes, the tent and sleeping bag, gassed up and pushed off to go explorer roads and places of my choosing.

Route 66?? to far and I needed to plan that better.

North into Montana? Again more planing.

I didn’t have anywhere in particular to in mind. I did enjoy southern Colorado and I love the mining towns, so with not much more thought than that I pushed off. Destination Durango Colorado.

I downloaded some audio books and loaded them on my iPod. I have to admit that the 4.5 hour drive was a breeze. even though I had ridden the exact road two weeks ago i was engrossed time flew by. I did check into a hotel for the first night as I was tired and needed a home base.

Draper To Durango

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Day 2

When I arrived I started looking for places to go of interest. I discovered some great roads and that there was a 4 Corners Rally in Ignacio Colorado going on that weekend. I dropped the windshield and emptied the saddlebags and shoved off for Ignacio.

I am not much for Rallys and the thousands of people who you pass expecting a wave (it gets old after the 200th person) so I just took back roads and tried to avoid the crowds. I got there early enough to check out the booths before it got too crowded. about the time I got bored I tuned into the beer tent with a pretty good 70′s rock and roll band. 70′s rock is my music and from looking around the crowd it appears my generation was well represented and appreciated the music. I wonder what happens when the 80s generation takes over. I hate their music!

4 beers and a cigar later I decided to mosey back to Durango. Took the long way home and just got lost in the most beautiful country that God has created.

70s rock band doing Hendrix. He hit most of it.

The crowd was sparse.. the way I like it.

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DAY 3  Durango Farmington Grand Junction

The next day I shoved off to make my way to Farmington New Mexico and I knew that I had a long way to go but also knew that I had a long time to do it.

These are the best rides. Rides where you have time to stop and see what is on the road, in fact, that is the objective. This ride was that. Lots of dirt roads and u-turns to look at what was along the trail.

The ride from Durango to Pagosa Springs was spectacular.

Mountain range approaching Pagosa Springs

The bridge said 1924

Pagosa Springs is located in Colorado, just 35 miles north of the New Mexico border and along the Western slope of the Continental Divide.The signs pointed to multiple “hot springs” locations. When I stopped for gas, I asked another local biker what the deal was. He told me that they have the largest and hottest natural mineral outflow in the world.He said the Indians called the area, “Pagosah” which means in Ute,”healing waters”. (I took notes on a napkin)The soaring cliffs, ragged peaks, undisturbed wilderness, cascading rivers, hot springs inspire me to come back to this place, stay and explore more of the back country. Either way this ride was scenic.

Just down the road about 1o miles from the New Mexico border was a bend in the road called Chromo. I was getting into the music when a schoolhouse caught my eye. I made a u-turn and went through a gate to explorer.

There was a schoolhouse just like this on my grandpas ranch in Meeker Colorado and I wanted a look see.

The Schoolhouse

Treasures

check out the soda fountain stools

Some cool antiques, old stove church Pews and a soda fountain were locked inside. couldn’t help but think most of that stuff would look cool in a basement.

A little further on down the road I was looking for some old mining towns or encampments. If you can find them off the road you can see some pretty cool stuff. As I rounded a turn I spotted some old buildings and what really caught my eye was the stone house up against the cliff. I pulled off the road and prepared to go offroading. Now I have done this before and it’s not a problem if the bike is stripped down. But will all my stuff and loaded bags, this rutted road was all I could handle.

View from the highway. Check out the stone building

Hmm. Wonder whose house this was?

Funny thing was, I tried to jump the fence and look closer but the young Bull was not having it. The closer I got the more he charged the fence. Discretion is the better part of valor so I respectfully retreated and got back on the road.

I found these abandoned rail cars on my way back. Dont know who hauled them there but they were old.

D&RGW (Denver and Rio Grande Railroad)

Looked like a sheep or hog carrier. To small to for cows or horses.

From there on out the road got pretty hot. The terrain was desert and the scenery scarce. The closer I got to Farmington the worse it got. It was typical desert reservation and quite frankly, I just wanted to get through it.

I did see a sign just outside of Farmington that caught my eye. First I had a powerful thirst, and second I saw that it was a bikers bar. (see the other bike?)

Stopped in to cool down, have a brew and watch NASCAR with the natives. Pretty redneck huh?

Pushed off to Farmington and got a room for the night. Enjoyed a couple of glasses of Scotch and watched Sons of Anarchy on the Ipod. Great was to kill the afternoon and evening. Slept like a baby!

Next morning I was looking for a way out and to miss backtracking. I also figured that I was there so why not go see the “shiprock” and 4 corners Monument.

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The closer I got the more I realized how big this thing is. I wanted to see it but had a lot on the agenda and didn’t know if i wanted to drive all the way to the base and explore. This photo from the road is all I decided to do and then push on to 4 corners.

The "Shiprock"

I pushed on to the 4 Corners monument. I don’t know what I expected, but thought, what the hell.

As I approached the entrance, I started to kick myself. I hate tourist traps and the shack and the entrance with the Indian charging $3.00 almost made me turn around. Ahh in for a penny, in for a pound, $3! Making my way to through the Navajo taco stands and the countless stands selling worthless trinkets I arrived at the monument.

My token "I was here" photo

I did get cornered by some Soldiers for Christ bike riders. They asked me to take their picture and then took mine. Just as their “spiel” started about their cause and looking to see if I showed some interest, I found an excuse to bow out and get out of there. It was unique, I am glad I stopped but it wont be on my list of places to come back to.

Pushing on I realized that I made a mistake by not allowing more time to go through Mesa Verde National Park and see the ancient Indian ruins. I blitzed through on my way to Silverton and vowed to return on another trip to spend some time (With Staci).

The road to Ouray Colorado from Durango is my favorite. There is so much to see on this stretch that I also warrants another trip.

Here are some photos of what I saw on route.

The road cut leaves great views. Looking back.

Looking down toward Silverton Co. Good looking bike, Huh?

All of the mountains were stained with minerals and tailings from mines

Turning the corner and seeing THIS! BAM!

I was passing by an old building and saw a mine opening. I had to stop and look around.

10 Minutes off the road the opening.

Not locked so I went in.

Looking back towards the entrance.

About 100' in I found a gate...and the lock was rusted out. Hmmm, DEEPER!

100' further it turned and there had been a cave in exposing the sky

Dead End! The shaft was flooded.

Mine entrance. Minerals in the water. Check out the Ore Car tracks.

THIS is what I wanted to do this ride for! Getting off the road, off the bike and into some bits of history and do some exploring. I could feel my batteries recharging and getting back to center after every step.

Moving onto Ouray, I spotted something off the road I missed on the last trip through.

This Ravine is cut through the rock and was pretty spectacular.

Looking back towards the road to Silverton.

Some pretty deep cuts.

I wasn't having any of this walkway....pretty rusty.

Downstream to Ouray

Also found this odd-shaped building and found the plaque explaining its purpose. Cool huh?

Wonder what they used this for?

Found this on the other side.

Stopped in Ouray and got a bite to eat and a Beer. Great town, on my “comeback” list. There were HUNDREDS of weekend bikers there, showing off their bike and new wives.

The weather was great the whole trip until that afternoon the wind started blowing , so I pushed off  for Grand Junction.

The wind started blowing out of the canyon and the gusts and cross winds made me change lanes a few times. I was glad that I wasnt with a group as that was one less person to worry about. The ride home the next day was COLD. I didn’t bring enough clothes and froze most of the way home. It appears that the premium riding season for this part of the country is coming to a close. Winter is around the corner…Damn!

GREAT TRIP. Just what the doctor ordered.

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The “Shiprock”

The crowd was sparce.. the way I like it.

70s rock band doing Hendrix

Wonder what they used this for?

Found this on the other side.

Downstream to Ouray

I wasn’t having any of this walkway….pretty rusty.

Some pretty deep cuts.

looking back towards the road to Silverton.

10 Minutes off the road the opening.

Mine entrance. Minerals in the water. Check out the Ore Car tracks.

Looking back towards the entrance.

100′ further it turned and there had been a cave in exposing the sky

Dead End! The shaft was flooded.

About 100′ in I found a gate…and the lock was rusted out. DEEPER!

Not locked so I went in.

Turning the corner and seeing THIS! BAM!

All of the mountains were stained with minerals and tailings from mines

Looking down toward Silverton Co. Good looking bike, Huh?

The road cut leaves great views. Looking back.

My token “I was here” photo

Looked like a sheep or hog carrier. To small to for cows or horses.

D&RGW (Denver and Rio Grande Railroad)

Hmm. Wonder who’s house this was?

View fro m the highway. Check out the stone building

Mountain range approaching Pagosa Springs

check out the soda fountain stools

Treasures

The Schoolhouse

The bridge said 1924

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