The motel was the cheapest listed on Hotels.com. It had a two out of five star rating but a 4.1 of 5 on the number scale. Not sure what the difference is but it is definitely a 4.5 out of 5 in my book. So once we got settled in we headed 30 minutes north on Colorado Route 135 to Crested Butte for dinner. We got there in the middle of a festival and the downtown was blocked off to traffic. The last time Lisa and I were there there was also a festival and the street was blocked. It made me wonder if the street is blocked off every weekend. So we walked around looking for a steak house and found a pub that served steak, close enough. The West End Public House has a great 12 oz. New York strip. Chris had chicken and waffles which made me envious but it's not in my diet plan.
West End Public House |
From the collection I call "My bike in front of scenic shit" |
I got up at seven the next morning and realized that I had forgotten my toothbrush so it was off to the local Walmart for that and toothpaste. This was one of the older Walmarts like you don't see anymore. It was very small with a little electronics section in the middle of the store. Anyone remember that lay out?
We rode west to the Blue Mesa Reservoir for a few more scenic shots then turned the bikes back east. While stopped at a rest stop an older guy on a V-Strom pulled in and said hello. I noticed the Oregon plates and talked to him for a little bit. He had just come through Grand Junction visiting his son and was on his way to Texas to visit his other son. I thought "There's one lucky guy" but then so am I.
We made one last stop in Gunnison on the way back through for gas. I got to talking with a guy on a Harley with New Mexico plates. The bike had the same dirty look form rain that our had. The guy had rode up Saturday from Albuquerque and was on his way home. On the way to Monarch Pass I questioned why I love to ride so much. I mean it's really nothing more than a mode of transportation, one in which you're exposed to the elements and vulnerable to careless drivers and wild animals. I couldn't come up with an answer that satisfied. All I know is that I spend a lot of time laughing or singing out loud when I ride. I know the guy on the Harley, the older gentleman on the V-Strom and Chris could identify.
Poor Man's GPS |
The traffic was heavier through here but a lot better than it would have been had I come through Woodland Park and across route 24. I stopped for a little water break in Canon City. Canon City's chief industry appears to be prisons by the way.
I finally pulled in around 4 o'clock. I got in and was met with the greeting I always look forward to from Moon, Dash and Ruby the three wonder dogs. The wife was still at work unfortunately. It was a great ride.
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