Snippets

[kkbii]

Have a great trip . we will be waiting on ride reports.

[Crusty]

Cold Rain

I made it to Cheyenne Wells, Colorado this afternoon after pushing through Missouri and Kansas. I'm in a motel again. There are scattered showers all around me and there's no such thing as warm rain in Colorado. I was just about to get soaked when I spotted this motel and I made a quick executive decision. In other words, I wimped out.

Today went a lot smoother than yesterday did. Traffic wasn't that bad and I was able to maintain a mostly steady speed at, or slightly above, the Speed Limit. I did that for a couple of reasons. I want my tires to last the whole trip and higher speed wears them out faster and there were a whole lot of State Revenue Enhancement personnel along the way. So far, there have been many in each State I've been in. I guess they're warming up for the Holiday Weekend.

Back in 2005, Terri (my Ex) and I rode our bikes out to Colorado. We discovered a real gem of a restaurant in Russell, Kansas called Meridy's and we had dinner there. Since we were staying in a motel up the road for the night, we went back to Meridy's for breakfast. Both meals were way above average. That stayed in my memory, so I made it a point to stop there for lunch today. After that many years, anything was possible. The restaurant may have changed hands or it may have changed cooks or it may even have gone out of business.

It's still in business and the food is still very good and reasonably priced. I'm glad I stopped there. As I was getting ready to leave, the waitress told me that the next time I come back, I should try the Chicken Fried Steak. I don't know when I'll be back again, but I bet I'll remember that if I do manage to get back again. Nice people, nice prices and good food. I recommend it as worth stopping for.

Well; I'm in for the evening. I'll probably send this out in the morning if I can find a Golden Starches with WiFi.

Cold Fog

I'm in Colorado Springs having an expensive Flat White coffee in a Starbucks type coffee shop.I left the really crappy motel at about 6:00 AM. I took Gargle's route to Colorado Springs and boy, it's over some crappy road.

I was sunny when I left the motel; but I could see the thick layer of fog between me and the mountains. I had to stop when I first turned onto State Rt. 94 and put on my sweatshirt. Now, I'm thinking I might put on my electric jacket liner and my winter gloves.

I don't recognize Colorado Springs any more. I found my way to Route 115, but nothing is like it was when I lived here in the 70s. There are two Space Force bases here that I never heard of, as well as the other military bases. I think that makes five or six in all. The city has grown until I don't know most of the major streets and roads.

Well; I've finished my coffee. I'll be in Cedaredge by tonight.

[Crusty]

In Cedaredge


I made it to Susan's House around dinnertime yesterday. it was sunny and in the 80s when I arrived, but I encountered rain, snow, thunderstorms and temperatures ranging from mid-40s to mid-80s along the way.

I left the Black Bear Coffee Shop in Colorado Springs and headed south on Rt.115. The sun came out within 10 miles and it immediately started warming up. By the time I got to US Rt. 50, I was feeling pretty comfortable. I followed Rt.50 west and stopped in Salida and got lunch at a Macca's. It was warm enough that I took off my sweatshirt, then I continued west. The sky was darkening as I approached Monarch Pass, so I got smart and pulled into a Chain-Up area and put the rain liner in my jacket as well as putting on my sweatshirt again. I also put on my winter gloves. I didn't put on my rain pants, which turned out to be a mistake.

I was on my way up the pass when big raindrops began hitting me. The rain got heavier for a while, then became snow as my elevation increased. Once over the summit, the snow turned back to rain; thgen the rain quit altogether and the sun reappeared. There were a few scattered very dark clouds that were visibly raining, but there was sun on me. As I pulled into Gunnison, a very large cloud that had several bolts of lightning hitting the ground was directly in my path, so I pulled into another Micky D's and got a coffee and an apple pie to wait it out.

After the storm passed, I continued west until I hit a construction zone. All the westbound traffic was stopped and there were no eastbound vehicles on the road. I stopped at 2:20 (I looked at my watch). We sat until 3:15 when I saw a string of vehicles coming east towards us. There were 118 cars, trucks and motorcycles (I counted them) that passed me, then the westbound traffic got to go, There was only one lane open and our speed varied from stopped to a pulse quicking 23 MPH. It took a while to get through the construction, then the race was on. Frustrated drivers were looking to pass and make up time; timid drivers from the flat lands were driving beyond their abilities, trying to get the yahoos off their tails, and it was all happening on very twisty mountain pass roads.

I had taken off my sweatshirt and swapped my winter gloves for my thin gloves while I was waiting at the Construction site, and that was a good thing. I finally made my way into Montrose, where I got gas, then found my way to Cedaredge and Susan's house.

I really like the dry climate here. It gets hot during the day, but cools down into the 40s at night which makes for really good sleeping.

I don't know when I'll be able to send this out. Susan doesn't have internet. I'll have to hit a McDonald's or the Public Library or someplace with Wee-Fee or somethin' to send it out. Just so you know, today is Friday May 26.

Today, we're going out to see some of the area, and I think we're stopping for BBQ at a local joint. If it's any good, I'll let everybody know.

[sportsterpaul]

Okay John, what happened with the Bar-b-que?

[Crusty]

A Sunny Sunday


On Friday, we went down to Hotchkiss and Paonia. We stopped at Zack's BBQ where I ate a superb BBQ Brisket sandwich that was the match of any brisket I've ever eaten; and that's saying something. If you get the opportunity to stop in Hotchkiss, Colorado, make it a point to stop there for lunch. You won't be disappointed by the quality.

Yesterday, I went up to Grand Junction and bought oil; then, I stopped at Wallyworld and did an oil change in the parking lot. I had bought a sealable Rubbermaid plastic pan with a lid that was big enough to hold the oil and left the waste oil and filter at the auto department. Then, I stopped at the quarter car wash and washed the bike.

The weather was nice when I set out in the morning, but as I got close to Grand Junction, there was one really dark cloud that that was visibly raining and I saw one bolt of lightning. Fortunately, I didn't get caught by the rain. After this trip, I don't think I'll be buying oil and filters from the MoFoCo. The prices have jumped too high, too fast. I can get Amsoil Full Synthetic for less than Syn 3 Synthetic Blend, and I can get HiFlo Filtro oil filters with the nut welded to the end for a lot cheaper, as well. I consider both alternates to have better quality and cost a lot less.

Last night I and a a neighbor (Karen) were treated to a private concert by Two Lane Road. TLR is the duo of Susan and Rob and they play mostly Rock and Country locally. It was a good time. The concert was only an hour long, because Rob had to be out the door early, but I really enjoyed listening to him and Susan play. Susan plays organ and is the lead singer, while Rob is a pretty decent guitarist and sings harmony. They both enjoy playing quite a bit, so it was a Win for all of us. Karen and I enjoyed listening and Susan and Rob love playing.

Today, Susan and I are going to do a bit more sightseeing. I love Colorado. I really like the dry climate and the mountains make for some spectacular scenery and the roads are wonderful, for the most part. I have said many times that God created Colorado so that motorcyclists would know what Heaven is going to be like. I'd seriously consider moving out here if I could afford it.

Getting back to today, I think Susan is going to drive us up to Grand Mesa. She makes a very good tour guide and knows the area; in the same kind of way that my brother David is a great tour guide for people visiting Cincinnati.

I'm being tracked. I have a tracker that I keep in my jacket pocket. A couple of friends have access to it. I don't and I wouldn't know how to track myself if I did. If you understand how these things work and want to follow my trail as I bumble my way North, then I suggest you contact RD and he can give you the information you'll need. Or he can tell you how to contact the person who supplied me with the tracker. If you really need to track me and don't know how to contact RD, then either send me an e-mail or leave voice mail on the phone. The phone works better for now, but once I'm over the border, then probably e-mail.

Once again, I don't know when I'll be able to get Internet access. I'm writing this on Sunday morning. Hopefully, I'll be able to send this today.

[Crusty]

Price, Utah


I'm taking a break in Price, UT. I had a Migraine hit me this morning in Delta, CO and it has slowed me down. I'm now planning to hit the Utah Lake State Park campground in Provo and set up there for tonight. The Headache wasn't bad, but it has made me weak and tired; that's why I'm taking a break now.

Yesterday, Susan drove us out to Escalante Canyon. It was amazingly beautiful. Susan took some photos and her neighbor, Karen was going to e-mail them to me, but I never got them. I'll call Sue and see if she can get Karen to send them again.

The scenery in both Colorado and Utah is spectacular. Every time I come out this way, I really wish I could afford to live out west. I priced housed around the Grand Junction/ Western Slope area, and there's no way in hell I could afford one. Oh, well; I'll just have to be content with my little house in Cheviot.

Well; I just looked at Gargle Maps. I'm an hour and a half from the campground. If I get back out there, I could be setting up my tent well before dinner time.

The Adventure continues.

[sprink]

Thanks for the updates. Been wondering if you were still in CO.

[sportsterpaul]

Thanks John, sorry about the migraine.
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