Blackhawk to Glenwood Springs

Another early start to cram in all the planned activities. Gerry is starting to think a sleep in is overdue.

Leaving Blackhawk we gassed up at Idaho springs. A quick blast up the 103 leads us to the base of Mount Evans and the rangers hut.

We flashed our yearly pass to all National Parks and avoided forking over more money as everyone in cars in front of us had done.

Being a National Park the speed limit was low but the road was a bit choppy in places so time to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

The reason for visiting this park was to admire the views and knock off the highest road in North America. (We will also travel the lowest road before the trip is done.) Its one way up and the same way down. The elevation at 14,000 feet is getting up there.

Our niece Kiri has recently been to Kathmandu. We probably haven't caught up with her achievement, but - other than in a plane - this was the highest we have been.

It was a beautiful day with no wind. Perfect conditions to tackle this slow but winding road that was narrow in places and with a sheer drop off. A cake walk at reasonable speeds but not the place to prove your racing prowess.

Rode to the top and then walked up to the very top.

The road was narrow and had some tight switchbacks

Hard to capture the height involved but the top had 360 degree views and all the other mountains were  below us. Almost a feeling of being out of the atmosphere up there. The walk to the top left you sightly breathless and giddy.

It was much cooler then the lower area we started our ride in of course. However we struck it lucky, it was about 40 degrees. Any wind and it would have been half that.

Then just because we could we had another spectacular ride through beautiful countryside in a very pleasant 80 degrees. We spent the first 3/4 of the day riding with Gary and Barbara. It was easily as spectacular as anything in the South Islands Alpine passes. The difference was drivers were more courteous.

Even the motorway had vistas to burn

Through the Eisenhower Tunnel.

Another pass.You are up so high here you forget until you try passing uphill
 and your motorcycle tells you it needs oxygen too.

A stop at Leadville to stretch our legs and explore the old town feel.  Trading on its wild west past a bit.  Nice stop.

We hadn't done an extreme altitude mountain pass in a hour or so. Independence Pass lay between Leadville and Aspen. Tally ho! (Giddy up?)

An American gentleman took this photo. We had a chat him and his son. The people often are happy to talk at length. As so often he was keen to understand what we where doing, where we were from, if we liked America and if the people were treating us well. Still haven't seen an abnormal amount of obese people either. In fact they are overwhelmingly trim and fit.

We have had nothing but good experience here and can't say enough good things about it. The idiots are there of course but in every day life the resounding culture is one of good manners and patience.

What goes up must come down so we descended sharply into Aspen. The heat really got cooking now. 100 degrees. That's about 37 degrees in Celsius. It is only going to get hotter from here.

Aspen is a nice but expensive town. Gucci etc.  We settled for a McDonald's Smoothie. You can take the boy to Aspen but you can't take the Hutt out of the boy.

Hey Gerry. Hurry up! I'm cooking here.

We left Aspen hot and in good spirits. We arrived in Glenwood springs after another day of 10 hours plus on the road again.  A salad at a nearby Mexican restaurant was all our swollen bellies could handle.

At quick chat at the pool with our tour companions and then we left them to it.

Tomorrow we are off at 7am and finish the day in Moab, Utah. It will be HOT HOT HOT.

love to all.  M&G