August 15 through August 17 - Riding to Rockmor!

Monday, August 15, 2016

I had poured over the maps and detailed a route for us that would eventually land us in Buena Vista, CO for the Rockmor event.  Rockmor is a new event and targeted toward ADV (Adventure Riders) and Dual Sport riders and is being held in Buena Vista, CO.  We actually had a tough time deciding what event to attend for our vacation (Eric has limited time off now that he is working full time).  We decided to attend Rockmor so I could expand my riding experiences and stretch those limits!  I really want to get comfortable riding gravel and dirt on the Beastie Bike.  So, Rockmor it was!  Fortunately, although I was late to the party (again) they found a space for us.  Yippee Skippy, here we go to Colorado for some dirty fun!

A few weeks ago at the ADV Woman Rally, I scored on a set of Butler Maps and they were awesome to use for planning!

Because of "life" we weren't able to leave on our vacation until Monday afternoon.  Starting from home, we headed out toward Page, AZ where we planned on spending the first night.  I was excited to be riding the Beastie Bike again and Eric was on his reliable Super Tenere.  It was already warm and the temperature continued to rise as we headed east.  Our first stop was at Pipe Spring.  There is a convenience store/gas station and across the street is Pipe Spring National Monument.  We didn't explore it today because we have been there many times in the past.  However, it is definitely worth a stop and look around.  Also, you can get a stamp for your National Park Passport!

In addition to Pipe Spring NM, this is the Tribal Headquarters for the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians! Kaibab Band. 

 From there, we continued on to Kanab, UT and then toward Page, AZ.  It was warm indeed!  I had made a reservation at the Page/Lake Powell Campground for a tent site with power.  Eric uses a CPAP machine at night, so until we sort out a smaller, battery powered machine, we need power.  No problem, the campground was very accommodating and we were given a delightful site.

We set up camp pretty quickly and both laughed because the tent site was on sand and when you stepped into the tent the floor would move around, hahahaha!

 I'm glad we had done a trial camping trip to Torrey the week before.  This really helped expedite putting up the tent and cots.

 We ordered pizza for dinner.  Yup, we sure did, lol.  As we were waiting for our dinner to arrive, I spied three people up on the mesa above us.  Wow, turns out it was two young Native American's practicing ring dancing with their coach/tutor.  You can barely see them in this picture.

 Or this one.

 But this picture is better (hey, I have a small point & shoot camera).  It was so cool to watch them practicing with the hoops.  Apparently there is going to be a big PowWow in a month or so and I imagine they were practicing for that.

 We were entertained, had pizza delivered and then just sat back with a drink to enjoy ourselves.

It was VERY hot and neither of us could actually get in the sleeping bags so we both just slept on top.  This was going to change very soon, lol.

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

The next morning we broke down our camp, packed up the bikes and headed to Cortez, CO via Monument Valley and Mexican Hat.

 The weather was lovely although a bit warm.  And, surprise, traffic wasn't bad at all!

 After meandering through Monument Valley, we made a late lunch stop at the San Juan Inn at Mexican Hat, UT.  I've stayed here many times and it is the BEST accommodations in Mexican Hat.  Apparently, it has been "discovered" because rooms are pricier and harder to get these days.  Oh well, our lunch was great and the scenery simply stunning.

Originally, we had intended to ride the Moki Dugway but time was getting short on us so we just pushed on toward Cortez, CO for our campsite.  Although we stayed dry, it was obviously raining and storming over by Shiprock, AZ.  I love how dramatic this photo is!

 We stopped for a quick break at the intersection of CO 160 and CO 491 where a small Native American shop is located.

 I always enjoy reading the information boards at rest areas or scenic pull offs.

We had booked a tent site with power at the Cortez KOA and it was very nice.  Instead of sand, we had pea gravel on which to pitch the tent.  Again, we were pretty quick about setting things up.  No pizza delivery today though.  We used our new little camp stove and had chicken and rice with cheese sauce!  Yummy!

 One of the campground residents drove by in his rat car.  Reminded me of Jeremy Loveall :-)

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

We had a good night sleep and were up at a reasonable hour to tear down the campsite, pack up the bikes and move on. Our goal for today was Lake City, CO.  I chose this route because it's been a long time since I've ridden on some of the southern Colorado Rocky Mountain passes and I remembered the road from Creede to Lake City was particularly beautiful and wanted to ride that again.

We left Cortez and continued on CO Highway 160 to Pagosa Springs.  We stopped for brekkie in Pagosa Springs at a small, local eatery and it was delish!  Back on the bikes, we headed toward Wolf Creek Pass, one of my favorites!!

Somehow, I lagged behind and Eric was cruising up the pass, eating up the sweepers like they were nothing.  There were about 4 bikes ahead of him but not anyone we knew.  I twisted the wick to catch up with Eric and then on our comm system, I heard, "There's a Popo behind you."  Oh my!  I looked in my mirror, and sure enough, disco lights were flashing.  I signaled and moved over into the right lane and guess what?  The Popo moved into the right lane as well.  Oh CRAP!  It's me, it's me he's after.  Poop.

When I realized it was me he was after, I put on my right signal and pointed with my hand that I would pull over up the road where there was a space to park.  CRAP, oh, I said that.  Actually, I said a lot more than that to myself.  Piss!

So, I pull off the highway and of course, the pull off is sloped and I can't just park.  I stop and try to maneuver the bike so I could put down the kick stand.  By now, Trooper S. was next to me.  I told him I needed a moment to get parked safely, I had earplugs in and couldn't hear much and bear with me, the bike is new and heavy.

Jeez, it felt like eternity before I got the Beastie Bike parked, my helmet off and the earplugs out.  CRAP.  I have to admit that Trooper S. was patient and kind.  Yeah, big deal, hahahahaha.  He told me I was going xx in a 45 zone.  What????  No way.  There is NO WAY I could have been going that speed on those sweepers!  He told me yes, yes indeed I was.  CRAP.  Could you just maybe give me a warning?  No, sorry, with the camera and radar all recording it, no can do.  CRAP.

However, I will give you a yy rather than the zz you deserve.  Oh, thank you Trooper S!  So, I get off the bike, dig out my driver license, registration and insurance papers and Trooper S goes back to his patrol car and I light up a smoke, lol.  Hey, it was stressful.

 My selfie says it all, CRAP!!!!

 And, look at that sky, it was going to dump on me anytime now!  At least I remembered to take some pictures :-)

Trooper S then returns to me and my bike and asks if I'm with the other motorcyclists that were ahead of me.  "No, I'm just with my husband, we don't know the other riders."  Okay, Trooper S then asks if my husband is going to return and look for me.  Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!  "I don't think so, I know where we're going and it's very unlikely he'll turn around."  Trooper S said, "Hmmmmm."

So, the next thing was sign here and press hard, four copies.  CRAP!  Dang it, on one hand I was pissy because of the ticket and on the other hand I was impressed I could take those sweepers at that speed, lol :-)  Anyway, Trooper S was kind, gave me a ticket for a "minimal" amount so I don't get hammered by insurance and then told me to slow down.  Well, heck, Wolf Creek Pass at 45 mph is not much fun at all.  I know, it's not fun.  That is way too slow and boring......but of course, I maintained 45 mph for the duration of the pass.  CRAP!

I then remounted the bike and tried to depart.  Well, it wasn't a very graceful departure.  I was shook from being stopped and heck, I was on a slope, the bike was heavy and whatever.....I finally managed to get the bike in gear and pull out without falling or getting hit by another vehicle.  Oh piss.......

My honey, Eric was waiting for me at the top of the pass but I didn't stop.  I just said on the comm, "Here I am, let's go" and that's what we did.  I didn't even stop for the obligatory Continental Divide photo op.

Oh well....so on we go.  Yes, it did rain.  And, it rained pretty darn hard.  Fortunately, we did stop somewhere and put on the pinlock faceshields and zipped up our gear vents.

From CO Highway 160, we turned onto CO Highway 149 that would take us through Creede and eventually to Lake City via Slumgullion Pass.  It rained off and on the entire portion of this ride.  However, we had our few lucky moments when it was dry.  We took a little break at a scenic pull out and I snapped these pictures.

Interesting, eh?

 This was the view the other direction.

 Yes, the sky was ominous and it delivered what it promised :-)

 Although it rained almost the entire ride from Creede to Lake City, it was still beautiful.  Someday, maybe in another life, I'll be able to ride it in the sunshine!

We pulled into Lake City and found our camp site.  We were originally going to tent camp but after all the rain and more rain threatened, we asked if a cabin might be available.  Well yes, hooray!  We got the last "Camp Cabin" available.  No plumbing but dry and electricity along with a fridge and microwave!  Hooray!  Good thing because it poured rain all night long :-)

Here is our home for the night.  This was a very nice private campground with full cabins, camp cabins, RV spaces and tent spaces.  The public bathrooms and showers were clean and nice.

 We fixed dinner using the microwave, had a few cocktails and called it a night.  We both slept very well, like Goldilocks, not too hot and not too cold.  It poured all night long.  So glad we got the camp cabin :-)

We were both looking forward to tomorrow when we would arrive in Buena Vista and the Rockmor event!

Stay tuned, more to come.  Much more.  Some pretty exciting stuff coming up :-)

Cheers and thank you from the bottom of my heart for following my blog and especially my Spot tracker!  You peeps are simply the best ever and I love you all.

 Cletha