Kategorie: Allgemein

Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly was missed yesterday – so in the morning sun.

And there is an interesting and effective way installed to find the ancient dwelling down in the valley.

Nothing special about the way to the City of Page – especially the Taco Bell was not special.

A short evening sunset walk around the so called ‘New Wave’ – actually the Beehive Trail.

AND now we are in the vicinity to enter the daily lottery for the entry permit towards The Wave. And … drum roll … J succeed! We will go there day after tomorrow!!!! Actually one of the dreams come true – after trying over the at least the last 22 years.

We celebrate at the Grand Canyon Brewery and Distillery. Locals normally will not go there – our host told us. Too expensive and too much hype. True but it is exactly what you need to good as tourist (good food, interesting beers – I mean it in the German way of the expression, nice talks to others).

But the Whisky is not too bad … will try it further on. Current favourite – Bonfire.

Definitely the bottle designer did a gorgeous job.

Remark – it is laundry evening.

Create your dreams – every day

Day starts as stunning as yesterday ended.

‚Only‘ Target is to get and enjoy Canyon de Chelly (spell :shay:).

With a short hike to the (real) White House. One of the Navajo ruins down in the canyon.

And a second approach at sunset.

Create your dreams – every day

Good cold but sunny morning.

Moki Dugway – called one of Americas scenic byways – and it is.

Valley of the Gods – a great detour from the highway (again 4×4).

Mexican Hat – seen just from the road.

Where is Forrest … only suicidal people in the middle of the road.

Monument Valley – and of course the small (open to public) circle through the valley.

And at the end the light that the sun casts into The Valley.

That’s real great cinema!

Create your dreams – every day

Rough tracks was fun – and enough. So easy day planned in the Needles – the southeastern part of Canyonlands. Needles named according the numerous sandstone peaks.

Just pick up the ‘latest’ information at the newspaper rock. Some additional info received!

Nice start with short hike.

Second stop at the Potholes – nice micro universe. But the rock formations are even more fascinating.

It ends fast as a grey / orange / black wall is emerging.

And the fun – fortunately in the car – with the heavy hailstorm.

BTW – another entry into backcountry of Canyonlands would have been challenging due to heaviest thunderstorms.

Despite the weather along the day we decide to stick to the plan and use the Devil Canyon Campground. Good decision!

My God, it’s full of stars!

Create your dreams – every day

The night was quite windy and brought rest only in the morning.

Morning is bright and beautiful … dark clouds seem to be far away in the Northwest.

Finish the White Rim Trail of Island in the Sky Part of Canyonlands National Park with this start:

Around we see rain and thunderstorms.

But – what was nice and beautiful at the beginning finished with a bit of a challenge.

What goes up…

… must come down.

Now the western side of the park and therefore the trail is the Green River.

And of course the weather again. Receiving the warning about thunderstorms causing flash floods. In the end we are lucky – seeing the clouds and the rain around us, but hit only with short rain.

Sand road after leaving the park in the north covered with only some water.

With the gorgeous exit up to the Horse-thief trail.

The facts: 117 Miles – driving time for us rookies 13 hours.

BTW – the remains of the real challenging weather we see when returning to Moab. Street cleaning with wheel loaders are still ongoing.

Just for the records: Blanding is a dry town.

Create your Dreams – every day

The White Rim Trail of Island in the Sky Part of Canyonlands National Park keeps us busy for the whole day (and more!).

What an entry – the Shafer Trail.

This part of the park is the triangle built by Green River and Colorado River. Their meeting point is its edge in the south.

Nothing more to say than the pictures now following.

And the weather is getting more and more interesting.

I admit – this was just the beginning – even more remote as expected. But wait for tomorrow.

Sunset is calm.

In between again … it is full of stars … and the Milky Way … and the satellites … and the shooting stars …

Create your Dreams – every day

Going to sleep early provides the chance to get up early. And this is necessary. Entering national park from 7 am to 5 pm requires an additional entry permit. So let’s be there before sunrise. 

Delicate Arch (from different views)

Devils garden with Landscape Arch

Skyline Arch (from both sides)

Way to Tower Arch with some nice detours.

At that point, bones were aching (particular knee and hips) – so decision was easy: let’s get out, have a shower, go shopping (Canyonland supplies also have to be considered for tomorrow on) and reenter Archer National Park for sunset and a self prepared dinner.

But back for sunset at Double Arch!

And leaving with a glance into Park Avenue.

Create your Dreams – every day

Getting up early and leaving Crawford.

Even not planned, just had four the black Canyon of Gunnison – only 15 miles away.

What an amazing detour. Continuing what we have seen the day before, but rougher, deeper and … what to say … cooler.

Entering Utah and the landscape is even more empty. Having this in mind the small changes I even more remarkable.

The jewel in Cisco:

Have a great conversation with the lady about music of the 60s and the 70s and the performances of these actors up to today.

Without even really prepared to – entering the Colorado Valley with Highway 128.

Finally reaching Moab up with town centre Campground …

…and the beloved Moab brewery.



Create your Dreams – every day

Pickup of vehicle – frog green Jeep Wrangler.

Still in Denver: Bass Pro – the event to stock up your Outdoor gear.

Heading away from Denver – mainly in westerly direction. And then reaching the ‘pre‘ Black Canyon – Curecanti Natl Rec Area.

Crawford for the night AirBnB with beautiful Sunset Terrace.

Create your dreams – every day

Enjoy lazy morning. Continue planning for next stage. Making calls home.

After making some final groceries cleaning up the bike a bit (will go back tomorrow).

In the evening some live music at the ‘Very Nice Brewery’ – of course accompanied by a beer.

Create your dreams – every day

Trip to the final destination before stage 1 comes to an end.

But waiting until rain stops is necessary. Nice ride to Aspen, even though the wide part of Hwy 82.

But then up to the Independence Pass – still Hwy 82. In the end at an altitude of 12,095 ft (3,687 m) sea level.

AND on the way rain starts which turns into hail. Also a new experience!

The advantage of hail is that it simply bounces away and doesn’t soak everything like rain/water does.

It does look a bit like the Alps. But you have to realize that the valley is already at an altitude of over 3,000 meters – and then come the mountains.

Final miles lead through Central city – a centre of gambling and casinos.

In the end, arrive at the nice  accommodation booked on AirBnB. And actually enjoying coffee and an evening drink in the sun. 

And unbelievable – the day ends in the sun …

Create your dreams – every day

Long sleep in the morning. Then planning for the next stage which J has perfectly prepared. Still steps open and additional arrangements are made.

In the afternoon a short ride to Carbondale to do some groceries.

Then the Fry Pan Road up to enjoy the valley. This seems to be a fly fishing dorado …

Up there visiting a Swiss fellow – Hans Ruedi. Okay in reality the John Ruedi Reservoir.

Back in the White River Valley – just be lucky not to have the rain on the way back home.

Evening again at the neighbourhood ‘Propaganda Pie’ for – today – a pizza Boston style.

Create your dream – every day

From Lake (Fun) City starting at some chilly temperatures. Air clear, blue sky with some clouds …

What is left and right of the route

Entering Cimarron Canyon over the Blue Mesa Dam

Following the Rim

Arriving in Redstone – the stay for two nights to relax. For what ever reason the town is called Redstone. The small town is awesome and I will explore tomorrow.

The town is stretching along the river – perfect to relax behind the lodge.

Create your dreams – every day

This point at the Navajo Lake in New Mexico is the most southern point is stage 1 tour.

Early morning crawling out of the tent. Sky has cleared up and it is a nice and sunny day.

Finally it need 3 hours (without hurry) from getting up to departure.

Just 10 minutes on the road the stop. A crashed working truck is recovered – with closing road for 40 minutes – the guys doing the recovery are real professionals 😉

Hwy 149 along Rio Grande…

… with the town Creede …

… and Bear Creek Pass

Sheriffs department seems always be nice to me – reminding me about my speed – this time when entering Lake City.

Create your dreams – every day

Monday, September 1st and Labour Day.

Short leg planed for today. Just about 100 miles. So easy and relaxed start into the day after yesterday‘s long ride.

Leaving Silverton in Million Dollar weather (clear air, sunshine, blue sky with some clouds)…

… and continue southern part of Hwy 550 to Durango.

Event in between: Speed limits in case of curves are really a topic for the safety on road. Fortunately I only got a friendly reminder to reduce my speed (which was definitely too fast.

Campground above the lake …

Thunderstorms are passing by – leaving only some drops of water for my setup.

Create your dreams – every day

Coffee on the veranda looking into the sunny wide … what a start of the day. Again Jake and its offer is awesome.

Down into the valley on the Rim Drive of the National Park and passing the Independence Monument!

Hwy 141 – just not to go the direct way to Silverton … BUT what an amazing ride.

I don’t know how many pictures to post … after any corner the canyon narrows and the view is even more spectacular than before.

And this is really dangerous to ride … you want to look left and right – up and down … but please stay on the road. Plus it was getting warmer and warmer. However – never wanna miss this!

Finally get back on Hwy 550 – the famous Million Dollar Highway – just north of Ouray. And the southern direction is not looking too good wheatherwise.

OK – I can claim – I just did it in cold rain!

Silverton – stay in the Grand Imperial Hotel … the place to be.

With its restaurant and bar.

And again, it’s also about meeting people. Today at  the bar a couple served in the forces and she is working with a (big) supplier of Airbus. Both are in the voluntary search and rescue in Utah just preparing for the final test. Crossing fingers!

BTW – just was lucky as the route will be closed for construction by day after tomorrow. The highway south of Silverton was closed last week.

Create your dreams – every day

Today’s leg is not too long, so I can start late … meaning at 10am.

Heading into to late morning sun (therefore SE) enjoying the fresh air and recognizing…

Fog rising behind cliffs – see first highlight.

Highlights today:

Short stop at Dinosaur National Monument. But not spending time for a tour (done this decades ago – therefore only seconds related to the age of the bones).

But the cliffs and mountains are still gorgeous.

Hwy 139 climbing up to the Douglas Pass …

… and going down.

From Grand Junction – the point you more or less always pass when cruising the southwest – the direction is again south to enter the Colorado National Monument.

Behind there is the AirBnB accommodation I booked, wondering what I will get after reading the description. Actually it is gorgeous.

Calm cabin beside the horse range of Jake Stephens in Glade Park – a gem in AirBnB. Unbelievable – and …. just see the pictures.

Create your dreams – every day

Late departure from Evanston to avoid the last rain showers passing through the area of my route.

Actually, my planning was not proper enough. At one point the 171 turned into a gravel road. However, let’s make it and hope the tires will be fine afterwards.

In the end, all went fine.

Accidentally I am passing by the Piedmont Charcoal Kilns State Historic Site.

After some miles on I 80 (horrible with the bike) leaving at Fort Bridger.

Now the landscape raises with gorgeous formations (at that point many in grey colour).

Turning into red was the title. Latest at the red Canyon it was.

And all this water is dammed at the Flaming Gorge Dam.

To get there to cross the bridge.

Thoughts in the end of the day: the road really crosses the border of the States regularly …

And the real end of the day while writing this and preparing the pics – Little J‘s Bar. Too Lord and too many young guys …

But ‚805‘ is not too bad.

Create your dreams – every day

After replanning during the wet day yesterday – it is again to hit the road. Leaving Glen the biker and bike collector and his Swiss Mountain Motel which gave me shelter from the rain.

Cruising south under clouds towards hopefully sunnier parts from Wyoming to Idaho to Wyoming to Utah.

Then you could smell it: smoke and wet ash.

Thanks to all Firefighters – and especially these packing together after killed the fire just beside Hwy 89.

From Geneva to Montpelier and further to Paris (not taking the way towards Bern).

Later passing Bear Lake – quite touristic area.

And in the end of the day it is the farmers market and live open air music in Evanston.

And I could not resist the little girls directly selling their Mint-Oreo-Something – sugar shock ;-).

Create your dreams – every day

Original plan was: Chill, Cruise & Distillery

But rain, heavy rain and thunderstorm gives the clear guidance for the day – stay dry and chill.

Hope I will be able to escape to South without getting too wet tomorrow.

What is skipped:

• Swan Valley
• Grand Teton Distillery
• Teton Pass

Create your dreams – every day