[bbally]

My buddy was going to use my V-rod and go with... cancelled out at the last minute... so I took the FLSTFB out on my own!

I will take you on my recent 1486 mile road trip and the parking lot grilling that had the guests out of their rooms and speaking with a strange guy drinking Coors light and grilling in the parking lot in front of his room at 9 pm.

The wife went to Moab, UT with her girl friends for the weekend starting Friday, I had just got back from the Mining Engineering conference where I was presenting my paper on orphan mine water reclamation. She asked what I was planning, I had a couple hundred in my pocket and told her I was going to load the motorbike up with some stuff and head out on a road trip. And so the 1486 mile odyssey started.

I left Grand Junction Colorado at 12 noon on Friday and headed east. I decided I did not want a lot of high speed super slab time, I wanted the older Route 66 experience for this ride, so the back roads and by-ways would be the travel lanes of choice.

Also made a deal with myself that I would eat a private establishments, no fast food chains. Since lunch on the road is required when you are planning 10 hours in the saddle.

First place a small barbeque joint in Gunnison Colorado..... excellent food and a wonderful owner, she kept wanting to give me more food..

After lunch and some fuel it was on the road again!!!!!! Came across this art deco era sign that I am sure is an original Holiday Inn sign... for those that remember the green center striped towel of that era.

__________________
USMC '79-'85 Sgt.
1st Mar Div, 1st FSSG Det A in the Stumps

PGR Rider

Freedom is different for those whom have fought to preserve it!

 

[bbally]

Had to stop at the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.....

Finally made it to Trinidad Colorado at 9 PM it was a very good day of riding!

Saturday Morning I am hunting state lines and back roads, I am traveling out 160 to the Grasslands, crossing into Kansas, down to Oklahoma and on into Texas then back up to Oklahoma and the Black Mesa.... I would get lost and end up doing 56 miles of dirt, sand roads and washes till I popped onto black top in Campo Colorado and returned to Dubois City, OK.

The dirt road out there in no where land and a strange ranch mailbox I came across.

__________________
USMC '79-'85 Sgt.
1st Mar Div, 1st FSSG Det A in the Stumps

PGR Rider

Freedom is different for those whom have fought to preserve it!

 

[bbally]

After this cost me 1.5 hours of time, but time well spent doing a little dual sport ride with the Softtail Fat Boy Lo

I decided to head to Clayton NM for the evening.

I checked into my hotel and ran for some supplies. I had the Colorado lamb with me marinading in the cooler during the trip. I needed a small grill since I figured the hotel would have one, but this one did not. And I really needed a beer!

I carry a fork and the Picnic knife in the cooler at all times.

I fire up the disposible grill...

As the charcoal starts to come up to temp a weird thing starts happening, like bugs to the blue zapper light, guys start coming out of their rooms to see what this crazy guy is doing with fire in the parking lot. I continue to cook after answering a couple questions.

Finally done and boy did it taste good!

__________________
USMC '79-'85 Sgt.
1st Mar Div, 1st FSSG Det A in the Stumps

PGR Rider

Freedom is different for those whom have fought to preserve it!

 

[bbally]

Sunday morning winds at 40 MPH, Taos pass closed for road ice treatment. Changed plans and headed through a whole in the rain that showed up on my smart phone weather app.

Pic of the Colorado sign the day before.....

First the skies make me put on the wet gear.

Glad I did, rain, snow, sleet..... but not to bad with the gear on.

I cut across the 165 to San isabel national forest after checking the radar on the phone one more time.

It has a private castle on top.

Decided I would then hook into US 50 and head over the 11000 plus foot pass called Monarch.

Spend some time looking at the Gunnison Gorge.

Great time, and fantastic lamb!!!!
__________________
USMC '79-'85 Sgt.
1st Mar Div, 1st FSSG Det A in the Stumps

PGR Rider

Freedom is different for those whom have fought to preserve it!

 

[Sherri]

Wow, what an awesome trip !