Doug's sense of composition, w/o being able to "see," is amazing! He's probably doing about 80 when this was taken!

We rode to Durango, CO on Monday -- across the spooky and infamous "Route 666".... which as it turns out is actually a beacolic ride across beautiful bean-farm land.

In Durango JoeG was feeling uneasy about the useful life of his tires. So, after doing some reasearch via phone, it was decided that on Tuesday we'd boogie up the Millon Dollar Highway past Silverton, Ouray, Montrose, etc. and get new shoes for his bike in Grand Junction.

What a day... what a ride... what a country!

With the exception of some slow going for road work, the weather and road conditions were perfect.

This change from high desert to "Rocky Mountain High" was amazing. Snow capped peaks, fall colors . . . wow.

At the high point, we had snow all about, but nothing much to speak of on the roads except some serious gravel in the switchbacks.

Did I mention the switchbacks?

On our way to Grand Junction for tires, we passed through one of my mental "hi-lights" for this trip. Ouray, CO. Like being in the alps must be, I think.

So, doing a little swift mental calculation I figure we could make Grand Junction, rip the wheels off of Joe's bike, get tires, and still make it back to Ouray as our overnight destination.

By watching the "time of sunset" on my GPS and adjusting our speedometer readings to align properly.....

... we did in fact make it to Grand Junction and get tires....

... and then headed back south . . .

... to Ouray. I had noticed a nice little motel right on the main drag in the middle of town that "had possibilities...."

... so I called them from Grand Junction and voila, there was room at the inn. The Ouray Chalet Inn, to be exact.

We liked it so much we stayed two nights.

Partly becuase "The Outlaw" was just down the block. Steaks you say? They has steaks and goodies deluxe! We ate there both nights.... burp.

Charming place, with a GREAT rag-time, boogie, honky-tonk piano player in the bar.

On our full day in Ouray, we did a ride out and up to Telluride for lunch. Amazing scenery.

Is it an LT, or ??????

BEEEEEUUUUTTTIIIIFULLLL!!!!

Alfresco at the local Mexican restaurant in Telluride.

Couchrocket on the left, JoeG looking at the blonde at the next table.

Thursday we headed south and west. . .

Nicked the corner of Monument Valley . . .

I demonstrate my amazing ability to be in four places at once . . .

But off in the distance I heard, "He's fallen and he can't...." or something like that.

JoeG and I decide that Williams, AZ is a good stopping place. Old Route 66, another great steakhouse, charm, a shower, a BED!

Not my pal Dougie! He has "the fever" by this point... like a horse that can see the barn, like a swallow returning to Capistrano, like a yo-yo at the end of its string... or whatever.

Anyway, my talented, slightly nutso friend decides he is sleeping in his own bed that night -- bids Joe and me adeu, and rides off into the sunset to SoCal.

He made it home safe and sound (notice I didn't say "sane") around 11:00 p.m. after just shy of 900 miles for the day after a week's riding already.... jeeze Dougie, you make me look like a wimp -- which I am.

JoeG and I had a nice dinner, some sleep and then headed across the desert. We split up in Barstow, as JoeG was hankering for his own digs, too... and I headed home to SoCal.

Thanks guys! Great ridin' wich ya!