Picto Diary 27, 28 July 2019
Above: Mystic Biscuit Coffee House. Del Norte, Colorado. US 160. 27 July 2019.
Out and about on the Duc with Markco and Elk.
Taking a ride break, heading east on US 160. — at Colorado Grille & Tap House / Mystic Biscuit Coffee House.
This segment of road, US 160, from Pagosa Springs, CO direction Walsenberg, CO is new to me.
Later on this road segment, in Monte Vista, we found out why advance planning may pay dividends. It was Saturday and the town was holding a big parade on Main Street. The parade, just ending with growing traffic as we rode the detour around the perimeter of the town. The parade was the finale of a rodeo celebrated the day before. The forced detour around the town held us up for a half hour, but, more importantly, knowing of this celebration in advance would have given us the opportunity to participate in the festivities ... to absorb some local color, as it were.
After visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park, we stopped at a generic Mexican restaurant in Fort Garland where we learned that there was another celebration going on in a town, St. Luis, 20 miles south. St. Luis was Colorado's first town, colonized in the late 1700's by Spanish/Mexican settlers, long before "manifest destiny" brought American settlers west in 1847 (for purists, Native American peoples were in the area... they were nomadic and did not settle any particular area). It was late in the day, and we had a few miles to cover to get to Walsenburg, so we passed on making the excursion to St. Luis. But, here, another example how a bit of forward planning could have made for some interesting visits.
Serendipity, not assiduous advance planning, guides this trip. Each morning we wake up and say, "where are we going today?" That's a good process too. Today it delivered us to Great Sand Dunes National Park, a surprisingly interesting place none of us highly knowledgeable riders (cough) had ever heard of.
Above: Elk. Great Sand Dunes National Park. Colorado. 27 July 2019.
Out and about on the Duc with Markco and Elk.
Elk and the highest sand dunes of North America. Back drop: Sangria de Cristo Range.
Quirk of the prevailing winds creates dunes by bringing sandstone particles from the SW. Sand particles are blocked by the mountain range from further NE progress. Dunes are created when opposite direction winds come off of the Sangria de Christo range. —Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Above: Great Sand Dunes National Park. Colorado. 27 July 2019.
Out and about on the Duc with Markco and Elk.
It appears, looking at this image, that the great American vacation is alive and well — at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Above: Burlington Northern coal train. Walsenburg, CO. 28 December 2019.
Out and about on the Duc with Markco and Elk.
Coal fired energy underlying the greatest economy ever experienced by America! Thank you Warren Buffet, principal owner of Burlington Northern, making America great again! — in Walsenburg, Colorado. And, Thank-you, President Barack Obama, "the oil and gas president" for brining the US out of a terrible recession on the back of the timely and fortuitous fracking boom, to ensure, finally, on you watch, US achieving energy independence! America! What a country!
Above: Alpine Rose, Markco, and Elk. Alpine Rose Restaurant, Walsenburg, CO. 28 December 2019.
Out and about on the Duc with Markco and Elk.
Alpine Rose. Running this fine establishment for 46 years. We were served by granddaughter ready to go to college next year. Rose. Making America great!
Above: Stone Wall. CO SR12. Stone Wall, CO.
A "who knew?" road, from Walsenberg, CO to Trinidad, CO. My first time riding CO SR12, a twisty, motorcycle friendly, well maintained, scenic road in an obscure area of south east central Colorado.
In addition to the stone wall, which is a geologic feature along which CO SR 12 runs north/south for forty miles or so, lottsa Catholic churches, some run down, others in operation, reminding of the early pre-American, Spanish/Mexican settlement of this area.
Above: Chain saw tree art. Trinidad, CO. 28 July 2019.
Out and about on the Duc with Markco and Elk.
Above: Rio Grand River Gorge. NM SR 76. Low Road. 28 July 2019.
Out and about on the Duc with Markco and Elk.
Ride segment is between Taos, NM, and Santa Fe, NM.
Why the Spanish name, "Rio Grande?" Name the river after the English speaking conquerors of this area.
Say, Polk River, Donaphan River or Kearney River. First time riding this segment. Here reminds of Salmon River Gorge near Riggins, ID. — at Low Road From Taos and Santa Fe.
Between Raton, NM and Taos, NM was another great, first time riding experience. US 64 via Cimarron and Angel Fire.
Addendum:
My family and I bowled at Canyon Country A&W (Blanding, UT). I love that place. Made some new friends at the pottery factory too.
HELOC,
Plantation, FL
Sorry to have missed this one. I have been "advising" several retail companies that are bleeding serious red ink....the general advise is "Sell out if you can, take what you can get. Your business model and you are old." A zebra can't change its stripes.
Looking forward to seeing you in the coming Last, Last Big Dog Days. (Our product is old, as is our business model and our principals LOL).
Looked like you and Mark had some fun. Looking for the updates on Monte Video adventures.
Dr. G
Professor of Motorcycle Adventure
Crow Agency, MT
Gulp. Something came up. Can't come. I'll call you.
I am spending the night in Blanding as I read this.Great area to ride in.
Hill Climb, Hilton Head, SC