Mesa Verde The Scenic Ride

Chriss Horstman

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Hi Again:
Today is the day for the scenic ride. I will start from the city of Cortez traveling north on Hwy 145 to 62 then 550 south to Ouray Hot Springs. Here I will take a lunch break and sightsee. The route back will be south on 550 to Durango and once again west to Mesa Verde. This loop is known as the (Click)...San Juan Skyway.



Well I got off to a slow start getting gas, buying a "sub" for lunch and making my way thru the city of Cortez. My first stop was the town of Delores to see the "Galloping Goose" belonging to the Rio Grande Southern Railroad Company. The entire ride was spectacular, calling it a scenic ride does not do it justice. I love riding high altitude twisty mountain roads. I will only post a few of my pictures as there is so much better information and pictures posted on the Internet. Check my "blue" hyper links. Once back I will need to change camp sites. I plan to wait awhile longer for Carol to return. If she does not, then I plan to push on northward as we originally planned.

Chriss Horstman

Masa Verde Regroup

Double click picture to enlarge

Hi Everyone:

Once again this morning is the start of another bright sunny day. Like before I am up early, breakfast dishes done and I am off to see the wizard. The plan today is to take out the big Kaw C14 and do some canyon riding. Right off the start I have a problem. When Carol was here she helped me unload our motorcycle from the trailer and it didn't get any further then the soft gravel next to the motorhome. The spot where it sits is uphill in soft deep gravel. I tried very hard but I could not push the bike out and up onto the road. There wasn't any help around, our camp area was now empty.

Well!!! It was a wild ride out with the rear wheel throwing a gravel roster tail. Within a few feet of the soft gravel was the camp road. It was a blacktop trail with a 6 inch jagged edge which I had to go over at sharp angle. I made it, but with more speed then I wanted. Now with a quick turn I was headed downhill on a narrow twisty blacktop trail with way to much speed. So much for a souped up highly modified temperamental engine. No need for canyon riding now, I just had all I wanted. Anyway, off I went in search of the highest point in the park.

What a beautiful park. The road up the mountain is in very good condition with tight to sweeping turns. The C-14 has so much extra HP that one must stay in control or pay the price for an airborne flight. I stop at as many lookout points as I can. This is difficult at some turnoffs as the compound angle and grades can be very steep. I find without Carol and our heavy bags my motorcycles suspension is now set way to high and stiff. I am on my very tip toes at every stop. I must be careful or a tip over could happen.

I eventually stop at Spruce Tree house, once again hoping to see Carol....... no joy. I do meet some other riders. It is amazing how many couples are on long distance trips together. While on the road riding we just don't have the opportunity to stop and talk with each other. I arrive at the highest point in the park planning to make a cell phone call to sweet Carol. I am very disappointed as my batteries are weak and the phone continuously shuts down. Another rider comes along and loans me his battery to make a call. I need to find out where Carol is and if she is OK. Her phone rings a few times and then stops. I call back and can only leave a message. I wait but have no return call and soon I must return the borrowed battery. It will be a few more days before I can try a call again.

The ride back down the mountain was spectacular. Mesa Verde is a beautiful park and stretches for mile after mile, sometime as far as you can see. I push it hard on the way down, only to be flagged to a stop near the bottom. It was a park law enforcement officer. I am told in so many words that they have a lookout near the highest point and can observe fast traffic going down the mountain. I say I don't think it was me, but if so I am very sorry. I am giving a dirty look followed with a head nod that meant "get the hell out of here and don't do that again". With a quick yes mam I am gone. So kind she was.

I ride into town looking for a cell phone store where I could purchase a charger for my phone. Once again...... no joy. I return back to camp with tomorrows plan. I will ride the scenic loop that Carol described in our first Mesa Verde post. After dinner I attend another Ranger campfire. I meet a few new campers and turn in early.
Chriss