Thursday, September 20, 2012

TENMA Return - Sept 20, 2012

The Route

There were three firsts on today's SPECTACULAR ride. My camera has rechargeable battery. I have started each day of this trip with a fresh charge. Today was the first time I ran the battery flat out. (Not to worry, I was once a Boy Scout. I had a charged spare.)

The second First was the route. Today was the first time I made a side-trip and then doubled back to continue my journey. Although I would have preferred to ride the entire San Juan Skyway loop, I couldn't handle the time. And speaking of time, I had hoped to ride the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge train today...but discovered that the round trip is an eight hour affair that starts in the morning. Oh well. Next time plan for a whole day.

Anyway, the third First was Colorado Fall Color. Many of the aspens were glorious gold.

So rather than drone on, here are the pix, some with a note added.


The view south upon turning onto US 50, the first transcontinental highway in the US.




Virtually every lake I saw on this trip was distressed.



Keep and eye out for these golden trees.



The Aspens are turning.



Great rocks.

Lots of construction on the road to Teluride.


This is what always comes to mind when I think of Colorado...a fast, cold stream running along the verge of the road.






Entering Teluride.



Coming into town, someone had modified the "Icy Conditions May Occur" warning  sign on the roadside to say "PRIcy Conditions May Occur". 

Still, cool to have your neighborhood nestled into a mountain side.

Leaving Teluride the same way I came in.


More great rocks.


Southbound on US-550 for Ouray.




Ouray, Colorado



Climbing out of Ouray, southbound for Silverton.




Forecast: 15 and squiggly. Yipee.

Heading for 10,000 foot plus elevation.


Yep, that's the edge of the road...looking down on tree tops...way down. No guard rails.

Waaay down.




Yea Baby! Around the corner and straight into space!


Approaching tree line.



Aspens!


10 MPH!? Wicked!


STella resting up for the next pass.






See the road down in the valley? That's coming up.



That's a 20 MPH curve. Couldn't shoot the 15 or 10 MPH curves.


Silverton, Colorado

Silverton has one paved main drag. All side streets are gravel.

Climbing out of Silverton, bound for Durango.




A guard rail?! Who thought that was a good idea?


Lovely Farmington, NM.


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