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Corporatemonkey
Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 07:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

So I got back from my Colorado adventure. 11 days, 8 states, 3000+ miles, and not one Buell was seen. Where are all the Buells?

For those of you who do not remember my original plan was to take my bike, but after my get off in Montana, I couldn't take the bike. Luckily an offer came up to transport a vehicle (Honda Element) from Tucson to Seattle. The agreement was I got to tour Colorado.

After the rain I had on this trip, I am very glad I didn't take the bike.

Here is a short run down of the trip, including some photos.

Day one: Flew to Tucson to get the vehicle. I was nice to see the owner (my father) left a large can of WD40 in the back... in the desert heat. It had exploded, and left quite a mess. Then I was informed the vehicle needed servicing. That delayed me by a day.

Day two: Tucson, Phoenix, to Flagstaff. I stayed in Flagstaff late last year, I was nice to see the same hotel I stayed at last year was extensively remodeled. Of course the price went up $30.

Day three: Flagstaff, Monument Valley, Four corners, to Durango CO. I did Monument Valley last year during a record monsoon. I was nice to see it on a great day. Four Corners is a rip, but I paid the $3 to use the can... Durango on the other hand was quite a surprise. I really liked this place.
As I usually travel for tasty chow, this was a HUGE surprise. They have more four/five star restaurants per capita then San Fran.
I lucked out and found a wonderful French restaurant located in a guys house. Turns out he was a lead cook at the French Laundry for 10 years (those of you who are familiar with this place will understand the importance). It was fantastic. I will be heading back to Durango to ride the Silverton train. This town is a must stop.


Monument Valley


Four Corners


Durango's Palmer Hotel


Palmer's interior

Day four: Durango up 550 (Million $ Hwy) to Silverton, over CR8 to Telluride, to Montrose

550 is a great road, lots of scenery. I liked Silverton for what it was, a classic old west mining town.
Heading out of Silverton, I wanted to check out Telluride. The problem is Telluride is on the other side of the hill, and it is a LONG drive around. My navigation system found this road (CR8) that went up over the hill. Too bad is was a goat trail. I made it fine, but the Element is not really made for this. I had AWD, but I really need low range. At the high altitude, it was really slow going. If you are in the area, I will advise you to avoid it, unless you are in a lifted jeep.
When I finally arrived in Montrose the weather turned for the worse. The rain was intense. As I tried to get a room, I found out there was a Leanne Rimes concert nearby. I was forced to take a room at a dive motel. : ( I was not pleased...


Silverton city hall


Silverton train


CR8


CR8's highest point


Rain outside my dive motel

Day five: Montose, Black Canyon of Gunnison, to Aspen.
The Black canyon was truly spectacular. If you are in the area it is a must. The drive to Aspen was very scenic. As for Aspen itself, I really liked it. I had a top floor suite at the Annebelle Inn, a very nice B&B if are ever there. After a good night out, I was so glad to fall into a comfy bed.


Gunnison black canyon


Aspen from out front of my Inn


Aspen near the gondolas


Aspen Police force (Volvo XC90's)


First Morgan Aero 8 I have seen stateside. Had colorado plates. $$$

Day six: Aspen over Independence pass (I82), to Manitou Springs.
THIS IS A MUST. The road is something I will have to bring the bike on. Very peaceful drive, with great curves. This IS a motorcycle road.
As I headed into Colorado springs I decided to check out The garden of the gods, and 7 falls. both were very cool. The garden of the gods looks man made. And 7 falls was downright terrifying. To climb the falls you need to take this VERY steep series of stairs. I thought of them more as a fire escape ladder. I am ok with heights (not great), by the time I was halfway up, I was nearing a panic attack. The problem is the line behind you, you just have to keep going. Going back down was worse. NEVER AGAIN...
The most interesting part of the day was getting to the Cliffhouse hotel. I have always known about it (one of the top 5 hotels in the US), but didn't know exactly where it was. I rolled right past it by accident. I pulled over to call to see it they had a room. I figured it would be outrageous. To my pleasant surprise they had a suite available, and I was able to negotiate a decent rate. I cannot say enough good things about this place. The staff was top notch. I had an memorable dinner out on their veranda. As I was out there late enjoying an order of Chateaubriand, the sky opened up. It gave me a fantastic light show as I enjoyed a nice scotch. It was a GREAT nite.
If you are in the area check them out
http://www.thecliffhouse.com


Heading up 82


Independence Pass


Garden of the Gods


7 Falls


More of 7 Falls


THE STAIRS!!!


I just loved this sign from 7 Falls.


Cliffhouse Hotel

Day seven: Pikes Peak Cog railway, Pike Peak, to Westminister (north of Denver)

This day I headed over to the Pikes Peak Cog railway to head up to the peak. This was a great trip, well worth the $32. I was fortune it enough to sit next to the train engineer, so we spoke tech on the way up. For those that like engineering ponder this. This swiss diesel/electic cog cars are powered by 2 modern cat generators. The electric motors draw on average 400 amps @ 2000 volts. Talk about juice...
The top of Pikes peak was much larger then I anticipated. It is almost like a plateau lots of space up there. I only saw 2 motorcycle up there.
Later that day I head up to Arvada (Denver suburb) to meet up with a fellow BadWebber. Matt (Elf) and his wife were very gracious hosts. I had a great time with them, enjoying and open mic night at this pizza joint.

Other than that I was not really impressed with Denver. Denver has to have the worst drivers I have ever seen (and I'm from Seattle...) It seems to be the MO is merge, then look, then maybe signal, in that order. Pure chaos.


Pikes Peak


Cog train


The view

Day eight: Westminister to Estes Park, over Rocky mountain National park, to Cheyenne WY

This was a long day. Heading to the Rocky mountain national park was a last minute choice. I am really glad I saw it by car, not bike. The weather heading up looked threatening. When I reached the summit it turned nasty. Long construction delays, high wind, and driving rain. The few motorcyclist I saw looked miserable.
When I got to Cheyenne, I checked into a "Little America" hotel. This place reminded me of a Eisenhower era White house. Lots of Gold, and powder blue. I did get a full PR dinner for $14.95.


Rocky Mountain National Park


The weather near the summit


Construction delays


Made some new friends on the way down


Little America


The view from the deck

Day nine: Cheyenne, Devils Tower, Sheridan WY

This was another long day . I headed north to see Devils tower. I spaced that Sturgis was on. At least 40% of the traffic were HD's. Not one of them were wearing helmets.
I got close to the tower, but didn't proceed into the park as the Sturgis crowd had taken it over. It was just a little loud.
As I headed out of there toward home I figured Sheridan WY was far enough away to avoid the Sturgis crowd. Boy was I wrong. I was tired, and one of the only rooms left in town was at this dive motel called the Holiday Lodge. It was run by a family from Iran. They seems to like profits... The dive room was $120 a night. It was so bad I nearly slept in the car. Between the noise of the motorcycles, someone trying my door at 3am, and the fact the place wasn't very clean I couldn't wait to get out of there. The best part was the water pressure (or lack of). The shower was a joke. DO NOT STAY HERE.


Devils tower

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/Corporate_M onkey/Colorado%20Trip/?action=view&current=MOV0138 3.flv
Video of Devils tower. Check out the number of motorcycles


The "Bates" motel (read the sign, yes they put blow up sharks in the pool)


$120 a night for all this luxury


The shower, cheap bastards

Day ten: Sheridan, Missoula MT, to Spokane WA

This day I was determined to make it home. After my misserable night at the "Bates motel" I just wanted to head home (about 1000 miles). I had a business deal I had to take care of in Missoula, luckily that was on the way. Missoula was full of smoke from the nearby forest fires. I couldn't stay long as it was really making my eyes burn.
As I got near Coeurdalene ID I was fairly tired. I stared looking for a room. To my surprise there was some major boxing match in town, and all the rooms were full. Same thing in Post falls. I was forced to head to Spokane WA. As I got into town I decided I wanted something better to stay in. I was heading to the Davenport, but they wanted a bit more than I really wanted to spend just for one night. So I headed off to the Hilton/doubletree next to the river walk. I negotiated a decent rate for a upgraded room ($159).

The room was quite large (800+ sq ft) with a great view. As I was in there, I heard someone at the front door. I ignored them as I was tired. A few minutes later the phone rings. It is the front desk calling to ask if I could check the drawers, and closet. Turns out it was someone else's room. That was the guest trying to get in.
Needless to say I was less than thrilled. They sent up the guest to get his stuff. Turns out he was business guy that had been there for a month. He was really cool, but wanted his room back. The hotel was so embarrassed they got me a new room. This time it was a suite. This room was huge with a separate bedroom. This time I didn't take any chances, I check the place out first. Funny thing, the A/C in the bedroom was being worked on.

After calling the front desk again, they were so embarrassed that they sent up the front desk manager to settle this. This time I was less than accommodating. Luckily the manager showed up with a special key... I asked what this key was for. He said the 15 floor (one up from the suite I was in). I asked if there were rooms on the top floor (I thought they were all corporate meeting facilities). Turns out the key is for the elevator. The 15th floor is a room... The Presidential Suite.

It was all mine... And it was HUGE. It had multi entrances, multi bedrooms, multi baths, a formal dining room, a bar, fireplace, a four person hot tub, etc...

I asked what the rack rate on this room was, $4000 a night...

After the night before I figured this was justice. I didn't set foot out the room.

I order room service from the steakhouse downstairs. I ordered Prime rib, and they promised to have it up in 25mins.

When the waiter arrived, he apologized that they took the order, they were out of PR, and asked it a 22 ounce Spencer steak could be substituted. They comped me a $72 steak... One of the more interesting hotel experiences I have had.


Presidential Suite


The view

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/Corporate_M onkey/Colorado%20Trip/?action=view&current=Preside ntialSuite.flv
Video tour of the room.

Day eleven: Spokane to Seattle.

A very uneventful drive home.


All in all it was a great trip. I will have to redo some of it with the motorcycle. Maybe next year?

Now all I have to do is sell the vehicle, anyone want a 2004 Honda Element? I'll give you a good deal...
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Elf
Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 10:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Great photos, Jamie! So you didn't get stuck leaving RMNP! We enjoyed meeting you, and hope to do it again if you come back thru(or we make it to Seattle soon!)! Dinner was most appreciated!

BTW, the little plane ROCKS! It does try to go airborne if you go too fast though.
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Jumpinjewels
Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 12:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks for the pictures. Brings back memories of our 1,500mi trip last mo thru this beautiful state of Co.

Went up thru Rocky Mtn Natl Park last weekend but we had alot nicer weather than you had. Construction was a pain tho.

We're heading to Taos, NM this weekend.

Glad you enjoyed Colorado. Come back soon with your bike.
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Corporatemonkey
Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 03:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Matt,

Take a photo of the little plane on the bike. I would love to see it.
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Djkaplan
Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 03:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Beautiful pics... loved the commentary!
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Tx05xb12s
Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 04:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yeah, that was cool of you to spend the time to share with us that didn't get a vacation this year. I feel better simply from enjoying your trip!
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Mr_grumpy
Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 04:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Is the Element stick or auto? the wife likes them but won't drive auto.
Nobody has them here either.

Nice suite, Do you reckon they'd have done that if you'd turned up on a bike though?

Great pics too thanks, it's nice to be a vicarious tourist.
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Nemesis
Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 05:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You could have seen lots of Buells if you had looked up a certain head porting shop that specializes in Buells located between Denver and Ft Collins. You probably drove right past them in fact. They even hold the AMA and SCTA record for the fastest Buell in the world!

(Message edited by nemesis on August 14, 2007)
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Vanvideo
Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 05:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Great Pics!
That was a once in a lifetime trip. It must have been fantastic.
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Corporatemonkey
Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 03:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Grumpy,

Sorry to say it is an automatic, but here is the ad it you are curious.

http://tinyurl.com/2b3g4z
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Ozarkdennis
Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 07:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You didn't see another Buell because you went at the wrong time. You need to be in Cortez, Durango, Silverton and or Taos the 2 week's after Labor Day. Groucho will be there on it's maiden long trip. (from NW Ar)


Check all the campgrounds, me, the Uly, the wife and her Zook will be somewhere in time.

Nice pic's. I am getting very antsy to leave.

Dennis
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Corporatemonkey
Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 11:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have loads of photos (3gb) and info on the areas I visited. If anyone wants anything let me know
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