Day 3-4: Colorado Springs to Durango

Yesterday, we took off from Colorado Springs, headed to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  On the way, we stopped at this great local restaurant in Gunnison called the Ol' Miner Steakhouse. They had a great soup and salad bar.

Ol' Miner in front of the bikes, Gunnison, CO.

 The next stop was about 60 miles away at the Black Canyon National Park.

The pictures don't even get close to giving this area justice. It is enormous and makes does a great job of letting you know how small you truly are!

This area was called the painted cliffs. 

 We didn't get a ton of time at the canyon, because it was another 3 hours to Durango. We arrived at about 7:00 pm, just in time to get our room and something to eat. Luckily for us, the Durango Brewing Company was right next to our hotel! We had a taste of their specialized Amber Ale, and pork sandwiches.

 This morning, we got up to ride the Durango and Silverton Train. The trip up to Silverton was about 3.5 hours. Great scenery, but if we were to do it again, we would have taken the bus on our way back instead of the train again. All together it was about 7 hours on an open narrow gauge train car at about 20 miles per hour, with real coal and steam in your face! It was a once in a life time experience. Ironically, we sat right next to a couple from Eden Prairie. Small world.

Tomorrow, we head out on a route called the San Juan Highway. It's about a 250 mile loop around the area. We are anxious to get back on the bikes.

Talk with you soon.

Day 2: North Platte to Colorado Springs

We were back on the bikes again today around 6:30 this morning. We took the interstate until we came to Denver. Our original plan was for us to break off of the interstate just past the Colorado border and bypass Denver altogether, but unfortunately, we totally missed the turn off! Must have been memorized by the endless feedlots and cattle farms. 

Traffic was pretty intense around Denver and through to Colorado Springs. I figure it's a Saturday and people have places to go. It is a BUSY area. We are going to be glad to get off of the interstate tomorrow. I am still amazed at the first set of mountains I've seen in quite a while! They are spectacular. 

Dad and I arrived in Colorado Springs around 12:00 Mountain Time. We had a bite to eat at the Village Inn, which was similar to an old Country Kitchen. Great food, and our waitress was helpful guiding us to our next stop, Pikes Peak. 

Most of the picts from today's travels were of that. It was a beautiful ride up to the summit. I'll let the pictures to the talking! 

Crystal Reservoir

Pikes Peak from a distance.

Dad taking some photos.

Getting the Go Pro ready.

BIG FOOT!

This is on the way to the summit. Dad was behind me recording video, and then I  lost him, so I figured I take a few shots while I waited.

Getting higher....

Snow!

Riding on the Edge

The Summit, 14, 115

Dad feeling the effects of thin oxygen. We both were a bit lightheaded.

Pictures from the Summit.

They have a shop and a trolley at the summit. AMAZING!

We weren't the only ones up there.

Afterwards, we stopped for some coffee and ice cream. We deserved it!

Hope all is well back home! Miss everyone. We will update tomorrow.

Day 1: Minnesota to Nebraska

Over 500 miles into the trip and we are still up on two wheels. We started the morning off around 6 am, after anxiously awaiting a swiftly moving storm to pass us to the south. Once we saw it was clear, we headed south towards Pipestone, MN on HWY 23.

Dad and I awaiting departure!

On our journey south, we passed through the well-known energy-efficient, renewable-energy, field of wind turbines. Dad wanted to stop and get a picture. I didn't decline the chance to rest. Riding is hard work!

We stopped for gas in Pipestone around 8:35. We were back on the road in no time. As we left towards Interstate 90, we ran into a few detours which led us into South Dakota with a new route. Soon after we made it to the Interstate, all that was on my mind was food. The next stop brought us to Mitchell, SD, Home to the Corn Palace. 

After brunch at Perkins, I convinced Dad to travel over to see the Corn Palace. We didn't have a chance to tour around, but did stop for a quick picture. I'd like to go back and take a trip around the interior. Or would  I?

I'm not sure what Dad is looking at here? I gave him a count of 3. 

Back on the road again, into the heart of South Dakota, it really started to heat up. Temps rose into the 80's, then well into the 90's. Water was our savior today! Speaking of water, we did cross over the Missouri River, the stomping grounds of Louis and Clark. Even though we had overcast skies, the view was absolutely gorgeous over the river.

HWY 44 took us over the river. 

Dad waking up from his nap. 

As the journey continued west, we ran into a bit of road construction, and some powerful winds with around 50 mile an hour gusts. All we could do was laugh.

Traffic ahead, as we waited for the on coming lane to pass us.  You can't see them, but there-a -coming....this whole process took us about 15 extra minutes. 

Dad to my right, enjoying a break from riding. I was happy to see he was still awake. 

...and the cows to my left, taking a break from eating, or are they?  You definitely learn quickly to appreciate all of the cattle you see while traveling through the Plains States. Wowza.

We continued traveling westbound, until we ran into HWY 83 South into Valentine, Nebraska. I was amazed at the amount of vegetation immersed in the northern part of Nebraksa. Of course, I was under the impression it was going to be corn-husker country from its northern border, to its southern, but I was apparently wrong. We found Valentine to be a perfect location to stop for some cool treats. 

Dad must be repacking again here. He is very organized. 

Strawberry smoothies ROCK!

The further south into NE we got, the more beautiful it became. Just south of Valentine, there is an enormous plot of acreage dedicated to the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge. We stopped to take a picture on an overlook. 

All I was trying to do was get a better view.....now, to explain, if you take a 660 pound motorcycle, with some 200 pounds of extra gear, a 135 pound rider, and slick tires, you don't get a dual-sport bike. (But, I thought I would try!) Luckily, Dad was there to help me get out!

This was the view, afterwards.

The mark I forever left. 

Some 70 miles later, we ended up at our destination of North Platte. We had a delicious Chinese dinner (which I hope doesn't come back to haunt us) and are now in the middle of a severe thunderstorm warning. Hope the bikes are ride-able tomorrow!

P.S. If the tree falls on the FJR again...we'll call.  And I my fortune cookie says,  "Do something unusual tomorrow."

More to come tomorrow.