Travelin' Man Joe

So today is May 28... here is what Dennis wrote, about our ride yesterday of 510 miles or so... along with some photos. I did this already this morning and somehow managed to delete the entire post!
CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE.

Dennis writes on his Facebook page:

Okay, so to catch up on day two... From Guymon, OK. we left at 8am and rode into a corner of New Mexico and had lunch in Raton. We got into more mountainous terrain all the while climbing in elevation. First out of desert area of Guymon about 25 miles we passed a lone camel in a big range! Joe was focused on the road so he missed it and I didn't get a picture. Ran into a nice couple from San Antonio pulling a horse trailer at a rest stop (see the snake sign pic).

They were headed to Colorado Springs area to family for a few days to do some "cowboying" helping tend cattle and mend fences. We passed a "posted" dormant volcano just off the highway that was pretty cool. Probably about a 1000 feet tall with the typical cone shape and ringed depression at the top. In the same area we passed a small herd of antelope just about 50 feet off the side of the highway. Again, Joe focused on the road so no stopping for a pic. He did say later than he did see them and was nervous they'd run out into our path since they were inside the fence line. I'll bet we could have stopped and got a close up pic. No problem...still got a long way to go to get to Durango. After Raton then we really started into the mountains and took a back road (Hwy 12) from 25N over to 160 west. High country with small, small hamlets (?).

Then up again into higher country and into the San Rafael National Forest. Saw Elk on the mountainside fields (Joe focused on road) and beautiful emerald blue lakes.

Again, almost no traffic. Finally on 160 about 3pm and still about 275 miles to go! 160 had a lot more traffic (Durango/Denver route) and we passed a lot of motorcycle groups. And we were still headed up in elevation and there was snow up in the tops! Put a fleece on to stay warmer as it was getting chilly.

Now we are steadily climbing and the views are incredible and road pretty decent. Small towns and a resort or two for winter sports or summer rafting/mountain biking. I will starting to get pretty chilly again when we made it up into the snowy elevations. There was no snow on the roads of course but still enough on the ground up in the trees. Finally we pulled over at the top at a Scenic Overlook and the large display said Continental Divide. (no wonder I was cold at this point so I broke out the leather over my fleece and heavier gloves and on with the heated grips!. Now we were really into even more beautiful country with deep valleys and drop offs and long vistas. We came down pretty fast in elevations with lots of sweeping turns and came upon one hairpin with emergency vehicles. right on the curve, hard against the concrete barrier was an overturned freight trailer. With no tractor in sight and tire marks up along the barrier I was sure the guy went over. But fortunately a little further ahead there he was hooked up to a big tow smashed on a front side and corner pretty badly. I'm sure the driver had some very drawers after that one! It had to be at least 1000 feet down over that barrier. not sure if he lost his brakes or just too fast but just a few hundred yards before the turn was a "runaway truck turn out". At least he lived to talk about that one. Well on down we went passing a beautiful waterfall (didn't get the pic...Joe focused on the road), and a neat mountain pinnacle that looked like a tall, big chimney with the biggest rock on top. not sure what was holding it up (again, no pic). Well this is getting long winded and probably boring for most of you. Needless to say we covered over 500 miles today and ended up in Durango about 6pm (mountain) and went for an expensive steak dinner at the Ore House Restaurant. Neat old downtown right next to the Durango/Silverton old steam train depot. Steak good, expensive, had to move tables because small child at nearby table was annoying Joe big time. Great service. One note: when checking into the Best Western the lady said no smoking and no marijuana allowed in the rooms! Welcome to Colorado. One thing about riding long distances on bikes...lots of time for reflection. Guess it's that Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance kind of thing. 4:45am. Took at shower and posted. Guess I'll try to get a little more shut eye. Slower trip planned for today. Only about 200 miles planned. Slower pace. good deal.

So here are a few of the pictures I (Joe) did get. Check out the one with the rocks balancing in the crevices... whoa!