2010 Kiwi Invasion

June 13, 2010

The adventure continues

While the Cortez rally is offically over, Vin and Sami, Howard and Clive, and myself have latched onto the travelers heading to the HSVROC rally. We are going to follow them as far west as Kayenta, then turn north to head towards Monument Valley, the Moki Dugway, and end up in Moab. Yvette has taken the Jeep with the empty trailer and headed home via Moab, as she has class on Monday.  JameyT, Trouble and Maxx  are going to HSVROC, but they want to see Monument Valley as well, so are headed North out of Cortez, then will come down south to Kayenta to rejoin the group. If all goes well, we might all end up in Kayenta at the same time...

Scenery Shot

And another. Not much to look at out here, really. 

The Four Corners is under reconstruction, as it was actually off by a bit. The new plaza will be completed in July.

It is hard to tell in the photo, but some of the clouds actually appear red underneath. Skid and I were speculating that the red color is reflected off of the red rocks and dirt. 

 All didn't go well, we got a call in Kayenta from JameyT. Trouble's bike had split a rim near Mexican Hat and was broke down. Jamey got a hold of Yvette who was near Moab, but she turned around and went back to get them. We left Kayenta after lunch and headed to Mexican Hat to meet up with JameyT and Trouble. We figured Yvette would arrive shortly after we did. 

Scenery in Monument Valley. 

Clive, Howard, Sami and Vin

Major scenery in Monument Valley

We called Yvette when we got to Mexican Hat, as Jamey was out of cell service. She told us they were 6 miles north of town, and that she was probably 20 miles out. We gassed up and went to meet up with them. We got there maybe 10 minutes before Yvette, so timing was great. Melanie was a sad camper, as she thought it was the end of their vacation for them. We loaded up the bike, and since Yvette wanted to see the Moki Dugway anyway, they decided to follow us. We had gone past the turn off by only a couple of miles, so we backtracked and then waited while JameyT went into Mexican hat to fill up. We let the girls in the Jeep go first...

This sign announces that we are getting close. Here is a brief description of the Dugway from the Natural Bridges National Monument Visitor Center. 

The Mokee Dugway is located on Utah Route 261 just north of Mexican Hat, UT. It was constructed in 1958 by Texas Zinc, a mining company, to transport uranium ore from the "Happy Jack" mine in Fry Canyon, UT. to the processing mill in Mexican Hat. The three miles of unpaved, but well graded, switchbacks descend 1100 feet from the top of Cedar Mesa (on which you are now standing). The State of Utah recommends that only vehicles less than 28 feet in length and 10,000 pounds in weight attempt to negotiate this steep (10% grade), narrow and winding road.

There really is a road here... it crosses the photo a couple of times. While the 'straights' were gravel, the corners were paved, I suppose to stop the 'washboarding' that always effects gravel roads.

Here's a picture from a different angle.

The view from the top. It was spectacular.

And one of the group. Sami and Vin, Yvette and I, JameyT and Melanie, Howard and Clive.

Shortly before Moab the weather turned on us. Since we now had JameyT and Trouble in the group, we decided to skip the overnight in Moab, and head straight home. 

You can see the rain chasing us. It was like this most the way home. As the temps fell,  the ladies, Yvette, Trouble and Sami decided to travel in the Jeep. We handed out warm gear as best we could, and braved the cold to make it home successfully. We had called Yvette's mom earlier to let her know the change in plans, as she was sitting the dogs, and she had a huge pot of homemade chicken with noodles ready when we arrived. Delicious, and hot! 

485 miles, and about 10 hours on the road. It was a long, but fun, day. 

http://www.mapquest.com/mq/7-K4Id49qm

June 14, 2010
Colorado National Monument


The weather continued to be nasty, so we decided to take it easy. The Kiwi's were ready to take a break from the bikes.

Trouble had cheered up a bit, and she and JameyT decided to continue on, riding two-up on his Nomad. They left Melanies Drifter in our care, and motored on. 

 The day didn't improve by noon, but we decided to go check out the Colorado National Monument, and took the Jeep.

Howard enjoying the scenery

Pretty purple flowers

Clive reading about the canyon

Kiwi's and canyons

Next time, lets bring zmean1!

A formation called 'The Coke Ovens'

Howard has spotted something near the visitor center. 

Here leezard, leezard, leezard... 

While at the visitor center, Clive and I went to look off the overlook, and a nice couple pointed out about 14 desert longhorn sheep below us. They were VERY hard to see, and I could only spot them when they moved. It was very impressive and something I had not seen before. I didn't even attempt to take their picture with my snapshot camera, they would have been mere dots... 

All the activity, and the elevation takes its toll. 

We are all enjoying a wonderful dinner Yvette's mom cooked up. She's the lovely lady sitting next to Clive. 

Enchilada's, green chili, pinto beans and pan fried potatoes. Sherm will remember this meal!

The invasion is official! 

June 15, 2010

The Labor Day Loop

Over Labor Day the last few years, I have led a ride I call the 'Labor Day Loop'. Participation is growing, and last year I think we had 7 riders. I thought Jazz and Clive might enjoy the ride, so decided to take them on it. We traveled it backwards from previous years, so rode down I-70 and took the turn off to Mesa. We went over the Grand Mesa, past Paonia reservoir, up over McClure Pass then on to Glenwood and back to my place. 

Getting ready to start the day. Howard on the Drifter, and Clive on the Intruder.

On the frontage road to Rifle. Darn glad the antenna was in such great focus... =P

Clive is a sportbike man. He's been riding the Seca, but thought he would give the 800 Intruder a try. Rumor has it he enjoyed the little cruiser so much he's considering buying one!

A pic of the Grand Mesa. If you click on it you might be able to see the snow still on the top, and Powderhorn Ski area on the far left. 

There is a wonderful canyon just off I-70 that is lots of fun. 

Clive and Howard playing

Happy Kiwi's

View from the road

Highway into the sky

Howard and Clive being tourists

The view they were photographing

Cobbett lake on the downhill side

Photo op

View from the other side

Howard clowning around at Clives request. 

We stopped for lunch in a small town called Austin, located on a scenic shortcut below Cedaredge. 

The proprietor told us about their lunch buffet. Here Howard and Clive put a serious hurt on it.  

Roast Beef, Macaroni and cheese with ham, Mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh baked rolls and a very nice salad bar. Oh yum! The roast beef was some of the most tender-est and flavorful I've ever had.

Inside view. Plain, but cozy.

Our host

The summit of McClure Pass. The road up to here is filled with gentle sweepers and wonderful curves. My favorite place to play a bit is the road around the Paonia Reservoir, but it was under construction.  

Howard at Hays Creek Falls. Astute observers will recognize this pic from the trip going to Cortez.

Howard and Clive at the Coke ovens near Redstone CO. 

A nice shot of Chair Mountain. From the correct angle, the mountain looks like a gigantic throne. 

This gent from the UK stopped and chatted for a bit. It was very amusing to listen to the banter going on between the three of them. 

The Kiwi's found a new buddy, who talked them into buying an Ice Cream cone.

The Redstone General Store. Clive is checking out an old ore cart full of marble chips. There is a marble quarry nearby, located in Marble, CO, that supplied all the marble for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and for the State Capitol. The quarry was closed for a long time, but reopened a few years ago. 

Headed  home. Complete with camera strap... 

Tinker trying to convince Clive he would rather play ball than look at that camera. We seem to have tuckered Howard out again. 

CROTCH MONSTER!!

Ringo got too close while Tinker was trying to beg for food.

Another good meal with friends

Simple but satisfying. Hotdogs on the grill with chips, baked beans and potato salad.

5 hours, 225 miles

http://www.mapquest.com/mq/4-rgqFeXA1P2Ee

June 16, 2010
Dead Horse Point


The original plan had been to overnight in Moab on Sunday night. In the morning we were going to ride out to Dead Horse Point, then come home via Unaweep Canyon and Gateway, CO. Since our change of plans prevented that idea, we decided to go ride that route today. We got up bright and early and headed down the interstate to Moab. Neither Howard nor Clive had taken the Cisco exit to go the back way into Moab, and I knew they would appreciate the canyon, we went that route.

Howard cruising along outside of Grand Junction

Several times during our trip, Clive was mistaken for a highway worker.

 I wonder why?

The sign said 'Follow me'. =P

The construction didn't last long, and the bonus was, we were first in line and had the road to ourselves!

Clive and Howard on Utah highway 128

A little blurry but you get the idea. 

Photo by Howard... I think...

Red rock canyons carved by the Colorado river. 

Dead Horse point. The views were spectacular! In all the years I 4-wheeled around Moab, this was my first visit.

These bright blue objects are Potash Evaporation Ponds. It seems they pump water into the ground to dissolve the potash, then pump it back up and let it evaporate, leaving the potash behind for use in fertilizers. They dye the water this bright blue to aid in evaporation.  

I'll get an 'I told you so' from Skid for this picture, and deservedly so. I really didn't expect the last bit of tread to disappear so fast. Once back in Moab I called a few places and found the ONE tire available to fit the Connie. I went ahead and replaced it, but the delay cost us our trip through Unaweep canyon http://www.motorcyclecolorado.com/unaweep_canyon.htm . I have yet been able to ride that road, despite multiple plans to do so. 

Notice the new sticker Howard was nice enough to add. =)

A cool picture of sun rays. We got detoured on the way home, and had the opportunity to snap this picture. 

Once home, I made the group some famous Mesa Grande Taco's. Those who have ridden the Labor Day Loop will know what I'm talking about. As we pulled up, we saw JameyT's son Austin walking up the side walk. He had delivered a replacement rim for Melanie's bike. Luckily, he decided to join us for dinner, and the next days ride. 

Sorry Sherm, the tacos were consumed so fast, this is the best I could do... 

7 hours, 416 miles

http://www.mapquest.com/mq/2-x1n0

June 17, 2010

The Last Day

Today we plan on heading east a bit. We are going to go visit The Maroon Belle's, drive over Independence Pass, have dinner in Leadville, and head home via Minturn. It should be a GREAT day!

Clive, Austin, Howard and Yvette, getting ready to go. 

Crater Lake at the foot of Maroon Belles. 

Howard and Clive at the the ghost town of Independence. 

http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/co/independence.html

The final approach to the summit looking up

and looking behind us. 

The scenery shot Howard took. Maybe next time we can bring Skid and Sandy... <G>

And here they are at the top of the pass. 

Obligatory group shot

Twin Lakes General Store. We stopped here for some snacks and gas for the Intruder. 

View headed down highway 82

A picture of the view over the lake

Pretty neat panorama effect. I didn't know my little camera would do this!

The bikes lined up in Leadville, CO. The elevation of the town in 10,182ft, the highest incorporated town in the United States. 

Dinner at Quincy's. This charming little restaurant has one quirk. They only serve two entries. You can have your choice between steak or vegetarian lasagna. They serve Filet Mignon Sunday thru Thursday, and Prime Rib Friday and Saturday. Either entrie comes with a hunk of fresh baked bread, a baked potato and a dinner salad with house dressing.  

The food was excellent! By limiting choices, they keep the prices very low. A 9oz filet was $9.99, the 15oz filet was $15.99. They also offered a 10 oz and a 12oz. 

Awww... There is a story about a pilot who used to fly his plane under the bridge behind us.... until a downdraft put a stop to that particular stunt. 

Howard's camera does the panorama's too! This is a picture of the abandoned mining town of Gilman, just above Minturn. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilman,_Colorado

Back at the house, Tinker tries to persuade Howard to play ball

And Clive enjoys spoiling Cleo, or She Who Must Be Obeyed

7 hours, 229 miles

http://www.mapquest.com/mq/3-P3lICjKJ

All in all we spent about 25 hours and did 1355 miles on the bikes.

This ends the Kiwi Invasion. Vin and I took Howard and Clive to The Denver International Airport the next day to catch the first flight in their journey home. Their visit was most enjoyable, and much too short. We hope you bloke's will return someday, and soon... 

Pö atarau
E moea iho nei
E haere ana
Koe ki pämamao

Haere rä
Ka hoki mai anö

On a moonlit night
I see in a dream
You going away
To a distant land

Farewell,
But return again