I got a later start than I'd wanted to, but when I decided to send out the early
morning pictures I knew it would delay my departure. I was trying to get to
Naturita by 10:00 for church services. As I started down the road I realized
that being late while riding one of the most deer prone sections of road was a
really bad combination.
I just had to deal with the fact that I'd be late, and not let it make me go too
fast or be inattentive. I slowed down to do 50 and kept my eyes open.
Especially because deer are much more active early in the morning than they are
later in the day.
One big problem with the section of road between Blanding and Monticello is that
the trees come right to the edge of the road, and deer can jump out at you
between the trees. I've always thought of it as one big long Rorschach Ink Blot
test. I imagine myself with a pshychologist:
Dr: "So Mr Jones, you have a deep fear that Bambi, the little deer from the
disney movie is trying to kill you?"
Me: "Yes"
Dr: "So lets do a little test and see what we find. Look at that tree on the
left there, in the shadows, needles, and patterns, do you think you see a deer"
Me: "Ummm No"
Dr: "How about that one on the right?"
Me: "Uh no"
Dr:" On the left, on the right, the big patch on the right, left, right, bush,
next, next, next......................"
There is nearly 20 miles of tree lined road that I had to ride and be careful of
deer the whole way. I didn't see a single one.
At Monticello I turned right towards Dove Creek. This road still had the chance
of deer, but it was 4 lanes wide and more importantly, the trees were cut back a
good 10 yards meaning I'd have plenty of time to see a deer spring out of the
trees and stop. Once I got to Dove Creek I turned North onto highway 141. That's
the same 141 that John and I rode 2 days ago, but this is the Southern half.
Within a couple miles I saw something that I don't think I've ever seen before.
A massive field of sunflowers. Even though I was late, I pulled over to take a
quick picture. All of the sunflowers were turned to the East, but the faces
were turned down. Is that how sunflowers grow normally?
Back on the road, but slowed just a bit because once again, the trees and bushes
came right up to the road. About 12 miles along and the road dropped down into
a canyon. Once again I tried some pictures but they're all washed out by the
smoke. I got a couple that were recognizable, but not many.
I wrote on the day 2 report that this road was long, straight, and boring, and
made a joke about disappointment. I think I was mostly remembering the heat
from the day I rode the highway, because this morning in the cool air, it was a
blast. I loved the twists, turns, and especially the scenery. There were a few
straight sections with nary a tree in sight, but those were great because I
could blast down the road without worrying about deer.
When I reached disappointment, I looked for the "Lone Cone" but it was nearly
invisible in the smoke. The lone cone is a solitary mountain that juts up on
the large mesa. As kids, whenever we got an ice cream cone, we'd try to lick it
into the shape of the mountain, then hold it up and yell "Lone Cone". Well, I
still do it now, but we're not talking about that.
By the time I reached Naturita's LDS church, it was 10:30. I took off my helmet,
jacket, and gloves. Tried to make my hair look presentable, and tried to stroll
in unobserved. Yeah, right. In a small congregation of about 50, the guy in
grubby tennis shoes, jeans, and pull over shirt stood out from all the white
shirts. But no one pointed and laught, and a couple skooched over so I could sit
down.
Over the years I've attended allot of meetings without planning in advance and
without my "Sunday Best" clothes. I've always felt welcome, and I've always
tried to make others feel welcome too.
After the meeting ended, about 15 people introduced themselves asked my name. I
told the first lady I was a Naturita Native and had quite a swarm for a bit. 4
or 5 remembered my father and grandfather, including one old farmer who's land
my dad used to run sheep on. I'm horrible with names so I don't remember any of
them, but it was good to hear. I guess my grandpa used to be the leader of the
congregation and one man recounted some of the advice grandpa had given him when
he took over the leadership.
I didn't stay for the entire 3 hour block (yes, Mormons have 3 hours of church
meetings every Sunday, the leadership have more). I thanked them for the warm
welcome and headed back to the bike.
Yesterday at my aunt's home I showed her my pictures of the Naturita house. If
you noticed in the pictures, there was an old copy machine in front of the
fireplace. The house has been used as a junk storage for years but has been
cleaned up some since the last time I visited. The copy manchine however was
still there right in front of the fireplace along with some old boards.
My Aunt said that I should have moved it all, because on the right side of the
fireplace was a little rock sticking out that I, as a small child, had claimed
for my own, and used to hang my hat on. Well dang, now I had to go back to
Naturita yet again. So from the church house, I rode up to Nucla for a couple
quick pictures, then followed the Nucla loop again to the West, then a mile
North on 141 to the old farm house.
I parked in front of the farm house and went inside. I moved that 200lb copier
out of the way, and tossed the old boards to the side, and there was my little
hat hook right where my Aunt said it would be. I took a bunch of pictures
trying to get a decent perspective of the hook, then took my Harley riding hat
and hung on it and took some pics. I'm gonna have to get a hammer and chisel
and come back for that rock now.
As I was leaving I realized that I forgot to tell one part of my story from
yesterday. I talked about the door frame and the door nob that I took with me.
But some of the screws that held metal plates onto the door were missing. I
started to look around on the ground trying see if I could find the screws. At
one point a walked over by what looked like a sawhorse made out of pipe. I
figured I'd lean against the pipe and squat down to look closely at the ground.
As I put my hand on the end of the pipe, I gripped the end a bit and my fingers
crushed something. Instantly I felt something crawling over my fingers. I
looked up to see hornets coming out of their nest that I'd just crushed. It was
built into the end of the pipe and I had destroyed part of it.
I jerked my hand back very quickly and turned to run away. I got about 4 steps,
but I wasn't looking where I was going, and a foot caught on something. I went
down very hard on my left knee, right hand, then right shoulder. It completely
knocked the breath out of me.
I got up very quickly because breath or no breath, I didn't want a swarm of
hornets (or whatever they were) stinging me. But there was nothing. I could
hear them angrily buzzing back over by the pipe but they weren't after me. I
decided that my visit was over, got on the bike and left.
Today I was very cautious to park and stay well away from that pipe. I could
see they'd already rebuilt the nest but I got the bike parked ready to go just
in case.
After getting my fireplace pictures I took one more look around the place. I
had seen a bowl filled with water when I moved the copiers, and over in another
corner, I saw a bowl heaping with some sort of dry pet food. Then I spotted a
cat up on a shelf. I guess someone's keeping a pet here now.
I got back on the bike and rode out to highway 141 for my next decision. Which
way do I turn?
I could turn right and ride highway 141 in the reverse that John and I did 2
days ago. Or I could turn left and head towards Telluride. I sat there about
30 seconds and turned left toward Telluride. Mostly I wanted some altitude and
cool air. It was already getting pretty hot, and 141 North would be even hotter.
I took the Nucla loop for the 3rd time which dumped me back on the highway
towards Norwood. I could have taken 141 around, but the loop is kinda cool.
I made it to Norwood and kept going. Just East is "Norwood Hill" and I was at
the top of it. It's a sheer bluff that the road was chiseled into the side of.
It's pretty steep and winds back and forth as the bluff does. The roads been
improved allot over the years though, and I was able to do some fun riding down
those turns.
At the bottom of the hill, the road follows a river that winds along the bottom
of a canyon. About 17 miles brought me to the turnoff towards Telluride. There
were cars everywhere on that road. A major bicycle race starts tomorrow and the
whole area is preparing for it. As I neared Telluride I saw distance markers
and viewing areas already setup. I stopped for a picture by the town sign, and
a panorama, then rode on in. Many of the streets were already blocked off.
There were already people with sleeping bags saving areas for spectators.
I parked the bike and walked around looking for something to eat. I found a nice
little mexican place. You order at the counter, pay, and take a numbered card
back to your table. They bring the food out, you eat and can leave. I've had
allot of trouble getting through restaurants quickly on this trip.
I got 3 soft tacos, fish, beef, and chicken. I wish I'd gotten all fish because
it was fantastic with a really crunchy batter and bit of guacamole. I sat
eating my tacos and watching people out the front window. What's with rich
people and Spandex? I saw lots of interesting hair and hats.
After I finished eating I wound my way out through the obstacle course the town
has become. I gassed up at the only gas station owned by a hippy, then turned
South. I wasn't going to ride all the way to Cortez, as I said, I wanted some
cool air, and the closest was at the top of Lizardhead pass about 17 miles South.
I stopped at allot of scenic overlooks, but the smoke was even thicker than
previous. At one stop was a Channel 9 new van. I guy had a tripod setup and
was trying to get some scenic video. I took my photos and rode on. At the next
scenic overlook the same van pulled up. The guy recognized me and we chatted a
bit about how bad the smoke was. He said he wasn't sure he'd gotten a single
usable clip of photo yet. He's getting some stock footage that they can use
during tomorrow's race to fill gaps when nothing else interesting is going on.
I reached the top of the pass and found a nice spot to sit for a while and enjoy
the scenery and cool air.
Many more cars and trucks passed by than I expected or have seen on previous
rides. I think allot of people are scoping out their spots for the race.
Finally it was time to head back down. As I approached the blacktop I noticed
that it was all brand new and that there was a 6" difference between the ground
and the road. I had to back up a ways and take a running start to pop up onto
the road. That was a bit nerve wracking but it went ok.
I go back down fine, but it was slow behind all the traffic. When I turned back
towards highway 62 the traffic got really bad. There were allot of slow moving
cars, and unfortunately allot of very impatient drivers who kept trying to pass
everyone whether there was room or not. I once had 2 cars at the same time try
to pass me just before a turn. They almost hit each other, then both wanted to
cram into the space ahead of me when another car came around the corner.
I backed way off and hugged the right side to let the idiots get around as fast
as they want. It wasn't like they were actually going to get anywhere because
the traffic went on and on ahead of us.
Once onto 62 it was just more of the same. RVs, trailers, slow cars were
everywhere, and the people who felt the right to pass and jeopardize everyone
else's lives kept trying to pass and having to re-Lerge at the last second.
Finally a bunch of slow moving cars pulled over and the rest of us zipped past
just as we began the long descent into Ridgway.
The rest of the ride was hot and highway like. I gassed in Ridgway, then rode
North through Montrose and on to Delta for the night.
Clumps of trees along the rode hiding Bambi
Wide open sections where I could make up some time.
Massive fields of Sunflowers. I guess someone has to grow them so my wife can
eat em
One big sunflower
Looking down off the highway. Dang smoke. It was a wonderful view
More highway and views
The long straight portions of 141 that were also tree and deer free. Can you
say 80?
That's as good as I could get of the Lone Cone
Naturita LDS church. Just a small Chapel and one wing of classrooms
This is the spot in Nucla where I hit a deer 5 years ago. Now tell me I'm
paranoid.
The 5th Avenue Grill where I had breakfast yesterday
The Fireplace without junk in front of it
The Hat Rock
It works
Descending Norwood Hill
Uncompahgre Forest just below Telluride
A color accented view
Coming up the valley to Telluride
Welcome to Telluride
I thought it was hilarious that the sign showed my speed as I walked toward it
Panorama of Telluride
Bike parked in Telluride
My lunch. $17 - ouch
The lunch Place
Cruising towards Lizard Head. The mountains over the trees were much more
dramatic
My news van buddy
A colorized view
A Dramatic view
The view at the top of Lizardhead Pass
The bike by the sign. There were too many unsavory types to risk putting the
camera on the tripod away from me
The bike race painted symbols marking the top of the pass. I'm sure the riders
will love seeing that
I actually got a decent mountain shot on the way down.
And another. Maybe the wind is blowing from somewhere not burning
The bikes that track and send video of the race were out practicing
