RED MOUNTAIN PASS

Thursday, August 19
Riding south on US 550 we pass through the town of Ouray, one of many natural hot springs in Colorado. Between Ouray and Silverton we'll ascend to 11,000 feet in the Red Mountain Pass. Silver mines opened up this country, which may explain why this stretch of road is known as the "Million Dollar Highway." Riding closer to these mountains the shades of red change with the sunlight and the strata. Still more astonishing geology as every mile goes by.

13 MILES OF UNBELIEVABLE

Wednesday, August 18
We continued south out of Rocky Mt. National Park toward Glenwood Springs, Colo. Glenwood Canyon was new to me, and breathtaking in its walls and curves. A thrilling ride.

RAINBOW CURVE OVERLOOK

Wednesday, August 18
We stopped for this view of Rainbow Curve. Later, after a rain shower, there was a major rainbow dipping into the valley.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

Wednesday, August 18
Rocky Mountain National Park is our second major destination on this trip. Mountains are vast. The views are spectacular. Altitudes range from 7000 ft above sea level, to >12,000 feet. Roads wind around peaks, across saddles, overlook valleys, to rise above the tree line into high country tundra. Just after entering the park we stopped for pictures.  Riding farther into the park we discovered that road construction was holding up traffic for significant amounts of time. Dozens of cars would line up waiting for the signal to ascend. With gorgeous weather we rode up the the Alpine Visitors Center and beyond, crossing the Continental Divide at Milner Pass.

On the way into the high country

Approaching a road construction delay, in high tundra.

While waiting in line, looking in a spotted mirror.

East is east; west is west and water flows downhill.

RIDING BIG THOMPSON CANYON

Wednesday, August 18
On the way to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, we ride through Big Thompson Canyon, following the river of the same name. Very beautiful ride, and the best is yet to come.

THE DEVIL IS AN ARTIST

Saturday, August 14
I wonder why so many natural wonders were believed to be the work of the devil? Long before it was discovered by Steven Spielberg, I visited the Devil's Tower during the mountaineering summer of 1970. Then it seemed that the earth had an erection, an expression of the male principle in nature. Uncanny and challenging, I wanted to climb it, but didn't since the Grand Tetons beckoned.

Barbara after her first look at the Devil's handiwork

My second close encounter

Over 800 feet high from base to top

A pair of climbers doing Yosemite-style crack climbing in the heat

Barb and I reached DT in the afternoon, and posed for pictures. First Barbara, who was impressed and excited to be there. Then me, having a second close encounter with the artist's work. Since the weather was changeable, we decided to hike the easy loop around the tower's base. In the space of an hour we went from sweating to dodging chilled raindrops. There were at least 8 climbing teams on the crevices that day. My telephoto picked out one pair, about half way to the top. As luck would have it, the battery in my camera died shortly thereafter, so, dear readers, you're spared my observations on rock climbing then and now. I did ask a couple of National Park Rangers if they had ever encountered any aliens on the premises. One replied that there were strange happenings at night. Glad know somebody's keeping watch, I told him. 
Satisfied that we had indeed seen one of America's natural wonders, and eager to reach Estes Park Colorado, we embiked again and rode off to the south, stopping for the night in the town of Gillette, Wyoming.

ALADDIN WYOMING

Saturday, August 14
Rode out of Rapid City and said goodbye to Sturgis. On Rt 34 West, we stopped for lunch in a little crossroads called Aladdin. In a tiny cafe we enjoyed the best hamburgers ever, and made the acquaintance of two memorable people. First is Ryan Prizio, a man who is riding a bicycle from coast to coast, and blogging the trip at www.ryanprizio.com. An impressive effort. My longest bicycle ride, back in the late '60s, was ~700 miles from NY to Cincinnati. I know what it's like, and wish him the best of luck on his journey.
The next guy was a biker named Marvin, who, over lunch, told more jokes per minute than anyone I've ever met. He's a member of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, and is spreading the word wherever he rides. Great to meet you Marvin!

Shaking hands with Marvin on the way to Devil's Tower