Road Trip 2009 Day 3

Today was a low mileage day. I started my day with left over green chile pizza for breakfast. I still needed my caffeine fix so I had a large Iced Mocha espresso while I waited for the first train of the day to depart Chama. I followed the train(see the photo and video) over Cumbres pass along with a small army of cars and trucks, all stopping at each photo op along the way.

After chasing the train I returned to Chama with the intention of getting a Burrito from Feliciano's (the pizza joint) and gassing up the bike, but Chama was without power and the town was closed, as in everybody locked up shop and went home at noon. I had enough gas to get to Pagosa Springs, CO. I guess I will have to return if I want to talk to Frank again and get that burrito.

I gassed up in Pagosa Springs and 4 miles west on U.S. 160 my speedo stopped working, I think everybody ask about my bike may have brought me some bad luck ( I always tell them it's 13 years old and runs great), hopefully the speedo will be my only mechanical problem...

The traffic in Pagosa Springs and Durango was quite heavy and being at only 6000 feet it was getting hot. I was spoiled with Chama's 8000 foot elevation. Over the last few days I have noticed that the temperature has a nice change someplace between 7500 and 8000 feet, anything above 8 is great.

I made it to the motel about 3 p.m. and took a break and ate some trail mix for lunch (missing that burrito). The motel is several miles from downtown, but there is a free trolley (this is a tourist town). About 5 p.m. I caught the trolley to find some supper, And find it I did. I was looking at Francisco's menu and when I saw the Enchiladas Rancheros I knew what I was having and where I was going to eat, but I did continue down the street in a halfhearted effort to see what else there was. Enchiladas Rancheros: One beef and two cheese stacked enchiladas smothered in green chili and Crowned with an egg cooked to order. You know what I say: Everything is better with a Fried egg...

Tomorrow: a Ghost Town or bust...

See you on the road.
GAW

Road Trip 2009 Highlights

Cimarron Canyon State Park.

I couldn't go to bed until This was done. This is a video of U.S. 64 as it climbs through Cimarron Canyon State Park between Cimarron & Eagle Nest, NM. On my first trip through the park I caught up to one truck pulling a trailer and he pulled over at the first possible place to let me by. Once I had the camera all set, I couldn't get a break, so stopped a couple of times to let the cars clear out of my way. You may notice a few cuts. I also muted the sound from most of the video, as I shot this with a Canon G9 digital camera and the wind noise is just to much for it's small microphone. Enjoy.

See you on the Road.
GAW

Road Trip 2009 Day 2

Today was sensory overload. I have so many vinaigrette's banging around in my head I'm dizzy...

1. Breakfast at Copper kitchen in La Junta, CO. Breakfast Burrito to die for. Conversations with the locals.
2. U.S. 350 with the mountains so close yet so far.
3. Raton Pass, the first pass of the day. 7834 ft.
4. Coalfax, NM and the slowly fading wooden passenger car and box car.
5. Cimarron Canyon State Park.
6. U.S. 64 between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla, NM. 11,000 feet, no traffic in my way, two wheel bliss...
7. The double Rainbow.
8. Going 185 miles on ONE tank of gas. The last time I went that far on a tank of gas I had to walk to the gas station.
9. Pizza with Green Chile in it!
10. Getting a ride back to the motel with Frank the owner of Feliciano's Home Run Pizza. He wouldn't let me walk the 2 blocks in the rain.

Though I only traveled just over 400 miles today my brain is truly about to explode. If I were to come home tomorrow my trip would have been a complete success.

Friday will be a low milage day, My plan is to photograph the Cumbres & Toltec. I will then head to Durango, CO a short distance northwest and call it a day.

Click on the image below to see photographic highlights of my Roadtrip.

See you on the road.
GAW

Road Trip 2009 Highlights