Day 37: Panguitch, UT to Zion National Park and St. George, UT
Zion National Park is unlike every other canyon park I’ve seen. You’re in the valley looking up, not at the rim looking down. It’s a totally different perspective.
Day 36: Torrey, UT to Scenic Byway 12, Bryce Canyon NP, and Panguitch, UT
All American Road Utah 12. Some amazing views and some “vertiginous twisties” on the way to Bryce Canyon National Park. Canyons and Hoodoos and 1,000 foot Drop-offs. Oh My!
Day 35: Moab, UT to Canyonlands National Park, the Bicentennial Highway, Capitol Reef National Park and Torrey, UT
The second longest day so far. Moab, Canyonlands NP, Utah’s Bicentennial Highway, Capitol Reef NP, and an adorable B&B in Torrey, UT. Oh and a massage chair in my room. How nice.
Day 34: Hanging Out in Moab, UT
No, Not my picture. Just hanging in Moab. Laundry, restocking stuff and a nice dinner.
Day 33: Mexican Hat, UT to Arches National Park and Moab, UT
By far, today was the most visually stunning day so far. Monument Valley is impressive. The town of Mexican Hat was disappointing (although the “hat” is pretty cool). Arches is amazing—the landscape is like another planet.
Day 32: Dolores, CO to Monument Valley and Mexican Hat, UT
Into Utah. Monument Valley and Mexican Hat. From the mountains to the desert in about 3 hours. A dramatic change in landscape.
Day 31: Durango, CO to Mesa Verde National Park, and Dolores, CO
Decided not to do the Million Dollar Highway in the snow, which I think it the right call. Instead, I enjoyed Mesa Verde National Park and am spending the night in Dolores, CO.
Day 30: Durango, CO to Silverton, CO to Durango
My ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. No riding today, but an amazing day of soaking in the beauty of the landscape.
Day 29: Pagosa Springs, CO to Durango, CO
A great breakfast in Pagosa Springs with a former TI Colleague, and the long way…from Pagosa Springs to Durango, via New Mexico.
Day 27: Castle Rock, CO to Salida, CO
Through the Royal Gorge and along the Arkansas river to Salida (with a long i). A very nice town with nice people and a vibrant downtown art, coffee, food, outdoor vibe.
Day 26: Denver, CO to Castle Rock, CO
A very short day due to high winds. Caught up on laundry and had a nice dinner.
Day 25: Manitou Springs, CO to Denver, CO
The Cog railway (mostly) up Pikes Peak and a beautiful ride up to Denver. A lot of wind, and dinner with old HS buddy, Paul.
Day 24: Pueblo, CO to Manitou Springs, CO
A short ride today to Colorado Springs to get new tires and a software update for my bike. Then, off to the Garden of the Gods to see the amazing rock formations. Lots of views of Pikes Peak.
Day 23: Pueblo, CO Loop
My first full day in Colorado didn’t disappoint. A 175 mile loop arund Pueblo included the San Isabel National Forest, amazing views of the Rockies, Royal Gorge, Skyline Drive and Liberty Point.
Day 22: Dodge City, KS to Pueblo, CO
From flat and monotonous to the Rocky Mountains, today I crossed over into Colorado, and down to Pueblo. The Pueblo Riverwalk and dinner at Brues Alehouse Brewing Company.
Day 21: Emporia, KS to Dodge City, KS
Yup. Kansas is flat, and riding in Kansas is monotonous. But, Dodge City is cool. The Boot Hill Museum is really well done. I spent a couple hours there learning about the history of the town.
Day 20: Lake Ozark, MO to Emporia, KS
A fairly practical day. Riding to Kansas City to get my bike serviced, then down to Emporia, KS for the night.
Day 19: Cape Girardeau, MO to Lake Ozark, MO
Started off with some rain, but turned out to be a beautiful day of riding out the the Lake of the Ozarks. Dinner on the deck at sunset with live music. Life is good!
Day 18: Nashville, TN to Cape Girardeau, MO
An entirely practical day of riding back to Cape Girardeau to avoid the storms hitting the midwest. Not much to report or see today.
Day 16: Cape Girardeau, MO to Nashville, TN
Cape Girardeau to Nashville through the Land Between the Lakes, a beautiful National Recreation Area. Wondering why the tortoise crossed the road?