9 @ Hitting the Rockies in Colorado

Torrey, Utah to Telluride, CO was a drive along 12 to 95 and then on to 191 which must rate in one of the best roads in the country. Today's drive is a big one, 350 miles  of 6 hours. No doubt my travelling companions will play long and hard on devices searching for signal. Range is sketchy and that's being positive. We're a bit canyoned out so Canyonlands has been scrubbed and Colorado has been dialled in. Let's get closer.

It winds it's way thru canyon after canyon each revealing its own uniqueness. From red rocks, balancing boulders, white serrations, rock slivers reaching hundreds of feet hight whilst precariously leaning towards each car as we speed past. Switch backs are endless climbing to 10000 ft high to reveal the broadest of horizons. In the distance, across the seemingly never ending plain another mountain chain rises. And so it goes. The occasional pullout area for yet more pix joined by other travellers.

Understandably motorcycles are everywhere often in groups touring this amazing landscape. Mostly Harley's, ridden often helmet-less with bandanas shielding from the sun and adding suitable protection. It seems alien for riders to be dressed casually low in the saddle being whipped by the wind, sunglasses wrapped. Harley's have a real pack mentality though the occasional ones and twos there are often tour groups of ten or so!

Crossed the Colorado river and her gorges etched out over time. It is a shell of the torrents that must have ripped through with the Hoover Dam and the one near Page strangling her flow.

Left the Mormon state and the change immediately becomes obvious. The Rockies rise up, vegetation greens and housing shows more prosperity moving from outback littered yards to wooden weatherboard establishment. Once tourism towns are reached the bar is furthered lifted. Comparing the historic heritage in Flagstaff the town was made from free masonry where Telluride the stone masons shaped and pointed up their stone making grand Victorian statements. The well kept weatherboard houses now preserved are fitting for the mining of tourists.

Got the last room in Icehouse, Telluride, a little lie down, a quick pick me up drink, on the cable car and over the mountain to where blues was on in ski village. Sat on the lawns and chilled. Lenore mosh pitted it and turned on some moves! Couple of beers watching the sun set followed by pizza and a cable home. Big day!