Utah and ear's Ears

Utah and Bear's Ears

BEARS EARS & UTAH

9.6-12.17 - WI, IA, MO, CO, UT, & CO 

 with Brother Paul 

Trip 3093 / ‘17 Total 15967+ 3294 = 19260

Life 409738 + 3294 = 413032 

Day: 1 Date: Wednesday 9.6.17

Str Cty: Home Str Mls: 41449 / 41650

End Cty: Columbus, NE End Mls: 42140

Dly Mls: 486 Tot Mls: 486

Time: 7:45 Notes: We changed our trip from 9.26 to tomorrow because of too many conflicts, once Paul got permission from his boss to be off causing rushed organization and packing. Left at 8:30 in 48 degree sunshine. Rode to Dubuque and caught Hwy 20 until Fort Dodge where we dropped down to Hwy 30 to Columbus and the HIx.  70 was high after 2:00. The corn was more mature here than at home, maybe an earlier variety. The housing in the country were very upscale, but not in the towns. State roads were very good all day. It is amazing- the size of commercial grain storage facilities all along the way, but more amazing was the number of grainers on farms so farmers can store their own grain to avoid storage costs and better sell over time when the markets are better.

Day: 2 Date: Thursday 9.7.17

Str Cty: Columbus Str Mls: 42140

End Cty: La Junta, CO End Mls: 42630

Dly Mls: 489 Tot Mls: 97

Time: 7 hrs 47 min Notes: 90 degrees at checkin. We rode every variety of road from interstate to county trunks- left on Hwy 30 in 50 degree weather. Then to I80 before going to the hinterland of fed and state Hwy 383/40 roads, ending up on a county road into La Junta and the HIx. As we progressed on our route the towns deteriorated and the farm housing was poorer than yesterday. I am wondering how many Dreamers live around here. 

After getting to western NE and into Colorado one could not see a tree, crops, or houses around the horizon- desolate landscape except where irrigation was possible. Had a troubled checkin and a second floor room away from the elevator- wrote the priority club. We gained 2400 feet today from 2000’ last nite. We saw at least half a dozen trains lined up going east, most hauling coal.

Day: 3 Date: Friday 9.8.17

Str Cty: La Junta, CO Str Mls: 42630

End Cty: Cortez, CO End Mls: 43016

Mls: 388 Tot Mls: 1363Time: 7:15 Notes: into the mountains and on to Mesa Verde National Park. Left at 7:34 and rose 2000’ in first 50 miles in desert to 4k’. Then rose 3800’ more to go over the 9800 pass east of Alamosa in comfortable 50-75 temperatures. Alamosa was 135 miles from La Junta on a 6k’ plain. Then we rose quickly over the Continental Divide at 10800 before dropping 3k’+ in less than 10 miles to a 7500 feet plateau thru Pagosa Springs, past Bayfied (where Lynne  M lives), and Durango. 10 miles out of Cortez we turn to take the 46 mile side trip in Mesa Verde NP to see the cliff dewellings and the Fairview rooms where marnie and I stayed years ago and went over 8400’ to get there. Got to Cortez HIx at 4:30 and again they had not read my requests again. Ribeye for dinner next door. We saw an eagle and many antelope today, otherwise we have seen no wildlife. Sprinkled on twice for short distance from rouge clouds

Day: 4 Date: Saturday 9.9.17

Str Cty: Cortez  Str Mls: 43015 

End Cty: Moab, UT End Mls: 43363

Dly Mls: 349 Tot Mls: 1712

Time: 6 hrs 10 min Notes: Mexican Hat, Bear’s Ears, Natural Bridges, the canyons, the Colorado river, Hanksville, and on to Moab. Left at 8 am  and rode to Mexican Hat on 160-162-261. In 8 miles with Paul leading we went up a cliff of 1400 feet with no forward progress. Four miles south of Hwy 95 we got the goods on Bear’s  Ears and turned on to Hwy 95 Natural Bridges. We drove the loop and Paul walked to see them. We were at 6k’, hot, and exertion caused me  to be light headed. We then moved on to the Colorado River, the canyons I like, and stopped at Hanksville. Then we took Hwy 24 for 50 miles to I70, 30 miles on I70 to 191 south to Moab. Temperatures started at 60 in the morning and to 88 degrees in Hanksville. Dinner at the Moab Brewery where I've always eaten. 

Day: 5 Date: Sunday 9.10.17

Str Cty: Moab, UT Str Mls: 43363

End Cty: Walden, CO End Mls: 43718

Dly Mls: 350 Tot Mls: 2062

Time: 6 hrs 10 min Notes: 82/86/9600 

Left at 7:45 and took Hwy 128 along the Colorado River for 50 miles and connected to I70 to and through Grand Junction and rejoined the river. We followed it all the way til we turned off in 120 miles at Wolcott. We needed gas but there were none for 50 miles. We rose 8200 and 9600 feet before getting gas. Since we were off route we ended up going to Steamboat Springs. Then we went above 9600’ on Hwy 40 - the second Continental Divide crossing. Took Hwy 14 30 miles to Walden and we are staying at the North Park motel, parking right in front of our room.. ..120$. Dinner at the River Rock restaurant for ribeye.

Day: 6 Date: Monday  9.11.17

Str Cty: Moab, UT Str Mls: 43718

End Cty: Columbus, NE End Mls: 44265

Dly Mls: 551 Tot Mls: 2613

Time: hrs 8 min 30 Notes: 10300 on the second Continental Divide and went down 5000’ in the next 30 miles and 4000’ more to  get to Columbus at 1200’. 4000’ at Moab and 8200’ in Walden last nite..slept well drugged.  Saw deer and a moose family, probably a dozen and a baby. Temperature was a problem..started at 44 degrees and coming off the mountain of 10300 and dropped 5000’ with increased so the temp rose to high 50s. Breakfast at McDonalds in Fort Collins. After 100 miles on 14 to I76 temps rose to the 80s. When we hit I70 the temp rose to 88-94 (struggled on) and stayed there for 275 miles to Columbus at 5:30. It was so hot and close we rode in long sleeved shirts instead of jackets. Talked with Marn to catch up on Nook.

Day: 7 Date: Monday  911.17

Str Cty: Columbus  Str Mls: 44265

End Cty: Home End Mls: 44743

Dly Mls: 481 Tot Mls: 3093

Time: 7 hrs  25 min Notes: 50-80 degrees… 

mpg=45…average speed = 64 mph. On the road at 8:00 in 50+ weather on Hwy 30. After 120 miles we found our road was blocked so we had to take 2.8 miles on a gravel road and then hit Hwy 20 east. We got to Dubuque at 2:30 and home at 4:30. In the last week the green of corn and beans has turned to harvest yellow, especially in southern NE and IA.

Columbus… La Junta, Co… Cortez to Mexican Hat…Mexican Hat to Kane Gulch Ranger Station (4 miles S of 95) to Bear’s Ears…. BE to Hanksville … Hanks to Moab… Along the Colorado River to Walden and 14 in Colorado…. To Columbus NE.. 

Lifetime = 413032 miles

‘17 Summer = 19260 miles