Lake City, Colorado to Taos, New Mexico
It was time for the next phase of my return to Texas and Taos, New Mexico was in my sights.
It was a sparkling clear day and temp was in the 60's. I still felt queasy and was dealing with allergies as well, so I wasn't feeling great.
What's this? A 1200GS at the same lodge...
Grabbed breakfast in town and uploaded the last ride update before heading south on Hwy 149 towards Creede and Pagosa Springs. Of course I'd just gotten in the groove when I realized I wasn't wearing my motorcycle jacket. In my prepping the bike, I'd forgotten about it hanging in the closet and had to make a quick return to the motel.
The ride south had great views, clear weather, nice big sweepers and S curves. The terrain began to change, as the mountains took on a more arid feel than around the Silverton area.
I stopped at Freemon's General Store to grab a Coke to try and get revved up a little, then zoomed along until Creede.
Mt. St. Helen's was erupting... not
The little town of Creede had loads of character and was bustling with tourists. I continued on through downtown towards the sheer canyon behind the community and was pleased to see the road continued on up into the hills.
The road rose sharply through a mine area, with sheer drop-offs down to a creek filled with tourists panning for gold in the little river. After buying the Ohlins I was tempted to pan for gold myself to try and recoup some money for this trip.
The road continued to tighten and steepen which filtered out most of the the tourists who were hesitating and reversing their Lexus' to avoid any chance of dirt contamination.
The road continued up through the mountains, passing through several mines and aspen groves and up into the high country where it eventually became a two track through the mountains.
A handful of mountain bikers and a couple of hikers were all I saw near the top. I rode up high through some small streams and rough spots, eventually stopping near the top.
I hung out for a few enjoying the mountain beauty until the tapping thoughts of making Taos made me leave.
Shot a couple of one-handed videos on the way back down to Creede:
Once back in Creede, I continued on south to Pagosa Springs and made the turnoff onto Hwy 84, then crossed into New Mexico. I felt a tinge of sadness knowing I was entering the final phase of my journey and would no longer be in such beautiful country and cool weather.
The incredible New Mexico skies took my attention as they always do. The color of the sky in New Mexico just seems to be a different blue than I've seen anywhere and I always remember it.
In Chama I gassed up and bought a souvenir - first one of the trip.
I just HAD to buy something at a place like this
Next was Tierra Amarilla and Hwy 64 for Taos.
I descended from the mountains and hills into the flats.
About 20 miles out of Taos there was a cloud dumping rain and I caught the edge of it as I rode through the plains. I'm glad I only caught the edge because the wind was so ferocious that the rain hit me sideways. I had to lay on the tank and slow to about 20 mph just to stay on the road.
Along the way I saw several earth homes built into the ground - some with bizarre fantasy like facades. I began to notice the number of them spread over the valley. Eventually I passed the Earthship Center where alternative off-the-grid energy efficient home building methods are shown.
I crossed the deep Rio Grande Gorge and stopped to go out on the bridge and snap some pics. Below, on the side of the canyon was a crumpled white object which appeared to be a jeep that had gone over the edge. The canyon is quite impressive.
The white spec seemed to be a destroyed Jeep
A gaggle of pseudo-spiritual ethereal artists hawked their new age crap by the roadside.
No, I don't need authentic Indian dream crystals
Tired, tatty, tourist traveler in Taos
Checking in to a Super 8, I talked with two Texans on Gold Wings who had been to Los Alamos and were hitting Colorado for an event. They were interested in the dirty GS. We had a good talk then I grabbed something to eat and crashed.
The Route:
