Sunday July 31, Into the Mountains

We got an early start, because today was going to be a relatively long ride:  400 miles in the mountains, about 8 hours in the saddle (not including stops for pictures, breaks, gas, food, etc).  But, it just didn't seem all that long.  Right out of Colorado Springs we found beautiful scenery, as we worked our way to Monarch Pass.  The special gift was that the scenery got better as we drove.  The morning weather (the first 6-7 hours) was very pleasant...we even work jackets.

The drive to Monarch was nostalgic for me.  When I was a senior at the AF Academy, I loved skiing Monarch:  fewer crowds, and an easy 4 hour drive.  I'd load up my skis on my '69 Datsun 1600, go pick up my girlfriend Ann Kennedy, and we'd make that drive many Sundays, leaving at 0400 and getting there when the lift lines opened.  Ahh, to have that stamina again!!  :)

Utah, Rt 128 to Moab, was incredible.  I've never been here, so I was awe struck by the landscape.

Curt led the ride today, and he did great, despite his broken left wing.  Jim still rides like there's no tomorrow, never seeming to get tired or complaining (although sometimes he forgets to latch down his saddle bag before departing rest stops...).  Kevin is looking more and more confident every day on his bike.  He's not reluctant at all any more to back his bike into spots, and you should see his progress on mountain twisties going 60mph.  Bob is as steady as ever, never a worry while riding (although sometimes at stops we're not so sure..)  :)

Here are some of today's pics:

Royal Gorge

Bob, Kevin, and Jim at Royal Gorge

The bridge at Royal Gorge

Bob, Jim, Curt, and Kevin

Bob, Jim, me, Kevin

Boys will be boyz

Bob says he'll buy a bottle of wine from Napa for the first person who can tell what's different about his bike

All of us just before getting into Moab

This picture can't capture the beauty of the 40+ miles on 128 as we entered Moab.

Finally at our stop at the Kokopelli Lodge