Saturday, October 12, 2019

Trip to Northern Colorado 2019

We rented a cabin July 2019 in Walden Colorado and made day trips from there.  Two days of riding to get there, two days back.  Four Fossils strong, Paul, Keith, Jeff and Wayne.  Unfortunately Jeff had to leave early to get home.

First day was from Minneapolis to Kadoka SD, about 500 miles.  Second day was from Kadoka to Walden CO, about 460 miles.  Stayed off of interstates for the most part except for the last stretch from Vivian SD to Kadoka.  Nice but long days.  (Click on any pic for full size)

Second day was very hot, this is my helmet on ice.


Once in Walden we found our rental house, settled in and planned our day excursions.  Walden is in the middle of the high plains surrounded by mountains in every direction.  An excellent place to call home away from home.

Our daily rides from Walden.

First day was south to Granby, then north and east through The Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, then skirting west of Fort Collins on a twisty, less traveled road and back home on beautiful US14.

our rental house in Walden
Rocky Mountain National Park was very busy that day but still very nice:


at around 12,000 feet here
Keith and Jeff checking out the view


Wayne and Paul checking out the view from the comfort of our seats

Found a nice place to eat in Estes Park.  Open air with a talented singer/guitar player.

The next day we rode west to Steamboat Springs where we did some souvenir shopping and ate lunch.  Afterwards the other guys headed back to Walden and I zoomed way south to Loveland Pass and then back north through Grandy.

a stop on state hwy 134.  Highly recommended!

This is what can happen when riding on open range state highways.  That is manure on my side stand. 
Loveland Pass


There was snow up there.  So much that I met a guy who was skiing on a snow field just over the mountain to the right.
The next day was to the north east, north and west into the southern Medicine Bow range. We rode part way towards Laramie and said goodbye to Jeff then I headed north on gravel and the other two went back to Walden for R&R.   Beautiful passes from Centennial WY to Baggs WY.  Then home was so far away with no highways through the mountain wilderness that I had to go way south through Steamboat Springs and got back to Walden after dark.

Shortcut to WY was up a gravel pass.  A bit of problem for this big touring bike but we did alright
Rain and cold on Snowy Pass, Medicine Bow National Forest.  Still beautiful!

Warmer and dry once I got to the western ranges.  WY Hwy 70, don't know name of pass.

Our last day out of Walden was east back on beautiful hwy 14 to Fort Collins where we had brunch at a restaurant owned by Keith's nephew.  Yumm!

This is Larry the BBQ guy in Walden.  A wonderful Christian man who became a close friend.


Keith and his nephew, owner of Doug's Day Diner, Fort Collins.  
From there we visited the Harley Dealer in Fort Collins and then made our way to Keith's brother's house where we had supper.  Then a couple of long days home back the way we came.

Odo shows total trip miles:  just under 3K


all in all, it was a great trip, with great brothers, great fellowship, great rides, great scenery, ... i think you get the idea...
grace and peace in our Lord, Jesus Christ
Fossil Wayne

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Trip to NoCarolina 2017

We had a great week August of 2017 in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina.  Found great roads and had a great time.... have I mentioned, it was great?!   Here are some pictures, click on each to enlarge:



went there in two groups, one by trailer...


... one by bike


we crossed the Missippi via ferry!


both groups meet up near Nashville









had to ride in rain from Nashville to No Car


Finally off the freeway and out of the rain



Our Rental Cabin in the mountains

a creek ran by our cabin!
I slept on the porch



Riding every day taking in the sights and twisties
"how about we take this road to that road?"


Fossils Lloyd, Paul, Keith, Bill, Greg, Wayne (Jim behind the camera)



There's Jim!


Greg's rental bike.  (his was broken)





we found a town named after me!



the mountains were "smokey"!



on the "Tail of the Dragon"

Bill at the "tree of shame"











On the day when most went to a motorcycle museum
I rode south on my own.  Here are some of those pics


Wayne, Keith and Jim went to the Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville while the rest headed home.
Paul and Bill get the "ironbutt" reward for riding straight home.
Lloyd and Greg waited in Wayne'sville for bike repair.
One of Johnny's guitars in the museum




















afterwards a BBQ joint in Nashville



trip home for Jim and Keith via truck/trailer







I stayed another day and took in the Grand Ole Opry










the next day, I traveled back on my own through
Kentucky and found another ferry across the Ohio river


a state park on the Ohio river where pirates used to attack pioneers


 After the stop at the state park then I got serious about getting home and hit the super slab.  A long ride to cap a great trip with wonderful Christian brothers!  Thanks guys!