Cruisn' in Colorado

Two years ago Jon and I planned a week-long motorcycle trip around Colorado. Jon broke his collar bone right before we were supposed to leave so we did the trip in my car. It was very beautiful but I knew it would be a lot more fun on a motorcycle. Last week my husband and I and two friends were finally able go on that ride.

We took the bikes on trailers to a quilting friend's home in Cimarron, NM. We parked the trucks and trailers and took off on the motorcycles.

Since I haven't found a safe way to take pictures while I'm riding, most of my photos are taken from the side of the road. We stopped at Monument Lake along the Highway of Legends Scenic Byway. I used a little tripod and the timer setting on my camera.

This is Bishop Castle near Beulah. Since 1969, a man named Jim Bishop has single-handedly gathered and set tons of rock to create this stone and iron fortress in the middle of nowhere. Very impressive.

The high plains along the Gold Belt Tour are large grassy areas surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

The Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway took us through those mountains to Independence Pass. We just missed a hail storm. Actually, we were very lucky with weather during the whole trip. There were several light showers throughout the trip but nothing heavy while we were on the motorcycles.

A wrong turn while looking for our B&B near Carbondale brought us to an overlook of this lovely valley.

The Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic Byway on the western edge of Colorado reminds me of the Road Runner cartoon show. Soaring red rocks and cliffs, and very few trees. A big rain storm followed us to Gateway Canyons. It started pouring rain right after we arrived. About 30 minutes later, we were treated to a double-ended rainbow. Gorgeous.

While sitting outside our rooms at Lake City, we watched a chipmunk near the end of the building jump up and grab a poppy. Then the chipmunk would happily eat all the petals he had knocked down. By the time I got my camera, the other residents came out to enjoy the cool air and the chipmunk ran away. It started raining hard and a short time later we were treated to a double rainbow!

The Silver Thread Scenic Byway winds through Creede toward Alamosa. They were having a Tomahawk and Knife Throwing contest in Creede. All the participants were dressed like Mountain men. Fun!

It was a wonderful trip. I'm so happy we were able to go on the motorcycles this time. You can see all of our photos here.