The morning is bright... The are still clouds, the wind cold and crispy...
I walk out in the morning around 6:00 AM. And walk around to see the hints of the sun restless to come out.
I quickly take shower, get ready and pack the saddles.
And walk over for a quick breakfast.
And I see many riders who reached later than me to call the place home for the night!
After an omlette and a cup of coffee I start. But before that I have a message to take with me! How true, I say, and take a picture of the statement on the wall...
I will be riding through Capitol Reef, Glen Canyon, Four Corners and eventually into Colorado. I leave Hwy 12 and turn east on Hwy 24.
Not even a couple of miles, I can see the grandeur of the Capitol Reef. Clearly not many people visit here, and this being a week day, adds to the desolate nature of the place. Man, at this rate I will never reach Colorado, I kid myself!
Nonetheless, the place looked stunning in the early morning sun! Just when I was saddling up and roll out of the pull over point, I see two girls doing their morning run, and stop by to look at the hieroglyphics on the rocks. They are sweaty and beautiful! I cannot help thinking these two beautiful creatures are as beautiful as the background! God is certainly a great artist, I say to myself, and just as he has created beautiful places, he has created beautiful creatures. I say thanks for the lovely sights, and move on....
Its still just about 9 to 10 AM, and I can see the place getting heated up. So, I pull over someplace to peel off some layers and continue.
Again this is another beautiful road I tell myself. Just when I was saddling up, I see a bunch of Gold Wingers fly by and I wave cheerfully at them, and they return waves from the fast moving bikes.
Glen Canyon
I get off of Hwy 24 onto south on 95. A few miles down the road, I come upon Glen Canyon...
Glen Canyon has the dramatic orange cliffs around with deep green waters with green foliage. Very unearthly, and quite. I meet with a bunch of folks from England in an RV. They offer to take my picture.
Just after they scurry into the inviting RV. I can hear the air-conditioning working its best to keep the vehicle inviting. They wait for me to leave (very nice of them I thought), but because of me taking a long time, they wave good-bye and move on.
Down below the valley, I see few cars parked - probably those folks are cruising on those cool green waters... Me, I jump on the bike and move on.
Road meanders on and come across a place where they had to cut a mountain to make the road. It was dramatic, and felt like thats the way it always was...
After taking the picture I scurry to my steed, and roll on. I make constant progress on Hwy 95 all the way to Hwy 191. Turn south my ride continues to a town the small town of Bluff. Here I gas up and chew on a protein bar, and wash it down with some more water. Light up a cigarette under the shade of the gas station.
An old car pulls by, and the lady goes into the shop. Its one of those good old cadillac kind of cars, dusty beige in color, lost the charm over a period of years. There is an native american old man sitting on the front with a kid and an old woman in the back. He starts a conversation....
Him: 'I live around the corner...'
Me: 'Yeah, thats good. This a beautiful part of the country.'
Him: 'Where are you going?'
Me: 'Denver'
Him: 'Where are you coming from?'
Me: 'San Francisco'
Him: 'Never been to San Francisco'
Me: 'That place is also nice... Just not as hot' and laugh.
Him (suddenly out of context): 'I hope you found what you are looking for'
Me (taken aback from the unexpected question): 'I dont know. I am still looking I guess'
Him (smiles, and gives and enigmatic nod).
I say good bye to him, and get on Hwy 162 east still thinking about the question the old man asked. Have I found what I am looking for? What am I looking for?
Pretty interesting question for me from a old man, for the rest of my trip I thought. I give it some serious thought as a couple of dusty towns pass by. The road is named 'The Trail of Ancients', and I hope the ancients will show me what I am looking for.
Just after another hour or so, I find myself racing with a while Toyota. I patiently follow the old car. There is just the two of us on the road. Just looking at the back of the car, I settle into a leisurely run.
Suddenly the Hwy number changes to 41, and I know I have entered Colorado. I turn south on Hwy 160. Just a few miles down I am looking forward to the 'Four Corners' national monument.
I walk out in the morning around 6:00 AM. And walk around to see the hints of the sun restless to come out.
I quickly take shower, get ready and pack the saddles.
And walk over for a quick breakfast.
And I see many riders who reached later than me to call the place home for the night!
After an omlette and a cup of coffee I start. But before that I have a message to take with me! How true, I say, and take a picture of the statement on the wall...
I will be riding through Capitol Reef, Glen Canyon, Four Corners and eventually into Colorado. I leave Hwy 12 and turn east on Hwy 24.
Not even a couple of miles, I can see the grandeur of the Capitol Reef. Clearly not many people visit here, and this being a week day, adds to the desolate nature of the place. Man, at this rate I will never reach Colorado, I kid myself!
Nonetheless, the place looked stunning in the early morning sun! Just when I was saddling up and roll out of the pull over point, I see two girls doing their morning run, and stop by to look at the hieroglyphics on the rocks. They are sweaty and beautiful! I cannot help thinking these two beautiful creatures are as beautiful as the background! God is certainly a great artist, I say to myself, and just as he has created beautiful places, he has created beautiful creatures. I say thanks for the lovely sights, and move on....
Its still just about 9 to 10 AM, and I can see the place getting heated up. So, I pull over someplace to peel off some layers and continue.
Again this is another beautiful road I tell myself. Just when I was saddling up, I see a bunch of Gold Wingers fly by and I wave cheerfully at them, and they return waves from the fast moving bikes.
Glen Canyon
I get off of Hwy 24 onto south on 95. A few miles down the road, I come upon Glen Canyon...
Glen Canyon has the dramatic orange cliffs around with deep green waters with green foliage. Very unearthly, and quite. I meet with a bunch of folks from England in an RV. They offer to take my picture.
Just after they scurry into the inviting RV. I can hear the air-conditioning working its best to keep the vehicle inviting. They wait for me to leave (very nice of them I thought), but because of me taking a long time, they wave good-bye and move on.
Down below the valley, I see few cars parked - probably those folks are cruising on those cool green waters... Me, I jump on the bike and move on.
Road meanders on and come across a place where they had to cut a mountain to make the road. It was dramatic, and felt like thats the way it always was...
After taking the picture I scurry to my steed, and roll on. I make constant progress on Hwy 95 all the way to Hwy 191. Turn south my ride continues to a town the small town of Bluff. Here I gas up and chew on a protein bar, and wash it down with some more water. Light up a cigarette under the shade of the gas station.
An old car pulls by, and the lady goes into the shop. Its one of those good old cadillac kind of cars, dusty beige in color, lost the charm over a period of years. There is an native american old man sitting on the front with a kid and an old woman in the back. He starts a conversation....
Him: 'I live around the corner...'
Me: 'Yeah, thats good. This a beautiful part of the country.'
Him: 'Where are you going?'
Me: 'Denver'
Him: 'Where are you coming from?'
Me: 'San Francisco'
Him: 'Never been to San Francisco'
Me: 'That place is also nice... Just not as hot' and laugh.
Him (suddenly out of context): 'I hope you found what you are looking for'
Me (taken aback from the unexpected question): 'I dont know. I am still looking I guess'
Him (smiles, and gives and enigmatic nod).
I say good bye to him, and get on Hwy 162 east still thinking about the question the old man asked. Have I found what I am looking for? What am I looking for?
Pretty interesting question for me from a old man, for the rest of my trip I thought. I give it some serious thought as a couple of dusty towns pass by. The road is named 'The Trail of Ancients', and I hope the ancients will show me what I am looking for.
Just after another hour or so, I find myself racing with a while Toyota. I patiently follow the old car. There is just the two of us on the road. Just looking at the back of the car, I settle into a leisurely run.
Suddenly the Hwy number changes to 41, and I know I have entered Colorado. I turn south on Hwy 160. Just a few miles down I am looking forward to the 'Four Corners' national monument.
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