Colorado Calling - Day 2 continued...

The sun is going down, and the light is adding a magical touch! Just around a corner, I enter another red canyon! And every curve seem more beautiful than the previous one.

There is music in the air, there is color around - red, green and orange, the solitude of the place is divine. I dismount the steed, and I get a feeling this bike belongs here.




The floor is also teeming with colors. Red flowers in a red canyon? You betcha!


Just a few steps down the road, I find the source of the music! A tiny stream flowing just around the corner. The water reflecting the mood around! So serene! I cannot but sit next to the stream and hear what it has to say for sometime! I never wanted to leave this place! But the stream says, I will be here and come back when you want. Take me with you wherever you are. I am thrilled, and soak up the place as much as I can... There is so much! I need another life to soak it all, I tell myself.

I go to the stream, and touch the water... Its so pleasant... The land where I come from, every stream, mountain and the ocean are considered sacred. I cup my hands and collect some water. I even drink it to make it part of me. Wash my face and throw some more on my head. This cools me down more than I thought it would.

For once the time stood still... My mind stood still... Bliss...

Can this last? May be not! I am glad that I got to experience this at least for a few moments.

I reluctantly jump on the bike, and she seems eager to go as ever! I even scold her about her eagerness! And she carries me from this magical place! Someday I will bring you back, she says!

The road climbs high again, and wait a minute... I am riding on a ridge, and I can see the land dropping on both sides...

I guess, I am running out of adjectives to describe the road and the place and the ride. I slow down to the third gear. The shoulders seem to be disappearing! Did I say I have vertigo? Why am I feeling that now? There are no guard rails, and the breeze tries to nudge the steed. At slow speeds I can see the steed is responding to the wind, and makes me nervous! Even though there are no one around, I carefully stick to the center of the road.

I don't even know how long this stretch was! But it was wonderful... Exiting the narrow over the ridge road, I immediately pull over and look behind! My heart was racing as if I came out of a scary ride in an amusement park.

From this point on the scenery becomes less dramatic. I am able to munch some more miles. The sun seems to be in a hurry to go down. I realize that I am far far away from my destination - another three hundred miles....

There is a grove of trees attract me and make me stop.



I press on. This Hwy UT-12 is certainly one of the best roads so far. Suddenly the terrain feels like I am in the Sierras. Tall mountains, dense foliage. I also see a lot of deers on the road side, and that certainly attracts quite a few of the hunters. Them in camouflaged dresses and jeeps, moving slowly on the road. I quickly pass them, and the night is quickly on me.



By the time Hwy12 ends, I am in a town called 'Torrey'. There is sign of civilization. I pull into a gas station and the clock is ticking towards 7.00 PM. I am supposed to be somewhere near Cortez, Colorado. With the recent sighting of so many deers on the road side, I did not want to ride through the darkness, and also miss out the sceneries.

So, I check into a motel called 'Wonderland Inn'. They have a restaurant, so I can freshen up and get my dinner. I check into room number 38. The room is big and spacious on a bluff.

Love these kind of places.... The staff is friendly. I choose a table and sit down and order for a cup of coffee. It tastes so good. After 500 miles or so today, I am enjoying the warmth of soft conversations around me. I can see a very young couple on my left. A big family with three kids in front, and a couple of harley riders on my right! I observe there are tourists from outside the country. I can hear them speak all kinds of European languages. Very few American guys around.

I order for pasta with garlic bread. It tastes very good! My idea for the trip has been that I get a good breakfast, and have a couple of protein bars for lunch and get good dinner. Enjoy the food, and am thankful for a fantastic day! Make a quick call to Mo. The night is cool, and I take a leisurely walk, lighting up a cigarette.