If the USA has an "outback", we drove through it. Yesterday, we did more than 75 miles and more than 100 miles today in some very desolate looking land!
We followed along a section of the old Santa Fe Trail.
The Fort Carson Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site.
By the time we reached Trinidad, the temp had started to climb into the low 90's. A big contrast to most of the morning's mid 70's.
From Trinidad, we took a scenic loop on CO-12, up to La Veta.
Along the way, we stopped in Stonewall for lunch at the Stonewall Shopping Bag. I had a great Green Chili covered Burger.
Right outside the window was a very busy Hummingbird feeder.
I was a little nervous about climbing the mountains...
But it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be, even at 10,230' (3118m). The climb was not too steep, going up or down.
We stopped for a few pictures of the narrow gauge trains in Antonito.
Then we finished the last stretch of mountain passes to Chama, NM.
We ended the 397 mile day at the Chama Trails Inn Motel.
View Larger Map
That's a burger? Really???
ReplyDeleteI know it's hard to believe, but there's a bottom bun, a burger, fries, somewhat hot green chili, and cheese on that plate. MMMMMMM!
DeleteErik:
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to go to Chaco Canyon and I notice that you are not that far away. That burger looks too gooey for me
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
The burger was very good! Not too cheesy, and plenty of chili..
DeleteI'll have to Google Chaco Canyon.
Now I'm starting to feel an itching to travel somewhere...
ReplyDeleteI think that they can, and do, put that green chili on everything and it can make just about anything taste good. Mmmm, green chili on fries. Even better than gravy..
I passed on the 1 pound, green chili smothered, breakfast burrito this morning. I'd have loved to try a taste of it though.
DeleteYou're right, green chili makes everything better!
Wow that is quite the elevation. Was it hard to breathe at almost 10,000 ft?
ReplyDeleteI agree - those pics do look like an outback. Must have been odd to see such desolation in this day and age of technology and in your face shopping malls.
I didn't notice a shortage of breath, but I could feel the elevation
DeleteWhere's the beef? Hiding under this pile? You are racking up miles, man. I can't do in five years what you're racking up in one trip.
ReplyDeleteDid you have performance issues with the bike in the high elevations?
Just the opposite, I get better fuel mileage at the higher elevations. I'm glad it's fuel injected.
DeleteFantastic Erik. Every hour is different! Glad you had time and temperatures today to take some photos.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good day!!
DeleteErik ... every day is a good day on a motorcycle! (hot or cold no exception)
DeleteWow, New Mexico! The second picture looks a lot like those places in movies that are often visited by aliens, hehe! Anyway, it looks like you have a very reliable motorcycle. The first time my husband and I went to the countryside on our motorcycles, mine broke down in the middle of nowhere. It’s a good thing that my handy hubby brought tools with him and he managed to fix it before dark. We never went that far off as you did, but hopefully we can get to New Mexico too, maybe next summer. =)
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool, travelling on the road by bike! Riding out to the countryside during the weekends is a favorite pastime of mine. It’s relaxing to just to see the wonders of nature around you. It’s also great for picnics with your loved one! Just bring them there in your bike for a surprise romantic outing. I’m pretty sure that they’re going to love it.
ReplyDeleteI understand how you feel. Climbing the mountains on your bike is a little scary, especially if the road is full of potholes. You might hit one, so you have to be careful. Driving fast is not advisable.
ReplyDelete