I bought a National Parks Stamp book back in 2024...so now I "have" to galivant all over the country to get the stamps! Life is tough sometimes! haha.
As it happens, I suddenly have five days with no meetings and only one appointment. So we cancel the appointment and off I go.
My first night is spent in Naturita, Colorado (no pix). The ride from West Valley to Moab is a yawner, but from Moab through La Sal, Utah, into Colorado, past Paradox, and Bedrock to the tiny town of Naturita is SPECTACULAR!
These two pix are on the way a few miles before arriving at Naturita.
Then the next morning I'm off to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP via the 550 (Million Dollar Highway).
At a gas stop on my way, a local describes the Black Canyon as a 'mini grand canyon', which is a good description.
At a gas stop on my way, a local describes the Black Canyon as a 'mini grand canyon', which is a good description.
Below is the model of the Black Canyon in the visitor center.
And the pix that I took while there that fall way short of what my eyes were seeing!
I didn't try to hike any of the (mostly) snow covered trails.
OK....I get the stamp and then point my front tire toward Pagosa Springs traversing even more miles on the 550 - from Montrose to several miles south of Durango, tken to Pagosa where I'll stay two nights.
The Million Dollar Hwy is beautiful in the summer, but in the winter when nearly everything except the road is covered with snow....it is equally beautiful....stunning even!
WOW!
Typical "don't do it justice" pix
Now I have dinner and breakfasts for two days.
The Great Sand Dunes NP is next and....
the following morning I wait for the temps to warm up a bit and just as I'm about to gear up and walk out the door I hear the unmistakable sound of the burner in a hot air balloon. I step outside and hear a childs voice giving me a cheery "hello" and look straight up a hundred feet or so, to see the balloon - the basket carrying what I assumed to be a young family, and their tour guide.
And....the basket and balloon are desending. They landed on the lawn in front of my condo where the recovery team was waiting.
That was a neat and unique way to start out this day of riding, NP stamping and riding some more!
And its off I go toward the Great Sand Dunes NP.
I'm sure there are those people who can see beauty in an exceedingly large pile of sand, but I'm not one.
For me, the ride there and then the park was underwhelming - still... a day on the bike is a good day.
I get the stamp and make the return ride back to Pagosa Springs, a two hundred-twenty miles round trip.
The Park sign.
The pile of sand
And off and return to the condo where I enjoy a meticulously prepared dinner....(LOL).... meh....it was filling! Followed by an exciting evening of crosswords and 'sets' playing.
After my 'fine dining' and game playing I start packing for the ride home in the morning. The wind HOWLS all night long as black clouds rumble their way across the sky....sheesh....I'm a little concerned about the weather.
My concern was for nothing, in the morning while it was CHILLY, the skies were mostly blue.
After scraping the frost off the bike seat I was on my way.
The route home takes me right past the Mesa Verde NP...how fortuitous!
This depiction is at the entrance of the visitor center.
Stamp obtained, bathroom visited, and I continue my way home. By now the temps are quite pleasant, the ride equally so and I'm able to stay off the super slab until the last 50 miles.
But instead of going straight home I head for the Community Center where Beverly volunteers as a sewing instructor once a week.
But she is not there?? I call from the parking lot and Bev answers...Where are you? - I ask.
I'm home waiting for you - She answers!
What a pair we are - 45 years and we still missed each other for the four days I was gone!
A happy wife, and a happy life is incredibly good stuff!!
Aaaand motorcycles are also incredibly good stuff!
Aaaaand - Life is sweet!
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