2008 Summer Journey

[toolinalong]

I'm going to have to agree with you; Naturita does have that "Bates Motel" kind of feel to it. No doubt harmless, but something odd is in the air nonetheless.

[Dr. Strangelove]

beautiful pics as usual. and love the details...

Did you sleep with Mrs Smith AND Mrs Wesson?

anything go bump in the night?

When you shot through the door, did like really cool light rays come through, like in the movies? Could that be why they call it The Ray?

Should we look for your picture in our local post offices any time soon? Can you return to Colorado?

just asking, ok?

DS

[GypsyRR]

beautiful pics as usual. and love the details...

Did you sleep with Mrs Smith AND Mrs Wesson?

anything go bump in the night?

When you shot through the door, did like really cool light rays come through, like in the movies? Could that be why they call it The Ray?

Should we look for your picture in our local post offices any time soon? Can you return to Colorado?

just asking, ok?

DS

Hahahaha. Actually, I had Kimber, KelTec, and Springfield to keep me company that night!!! (.45, 9mm, and .380).

There were some "odd" things that happened in the night in that room. I'm not one who believes in that sort of thing though. However, some odd things happened that would ALMOST make me believe in ghosts!!!

No one was shot. However, after checking in, I wondered if I would have to start a ride report with the title "And Then I Shot Him."

Thanks for asking, though. But for the time being. I should be welcomed back to Colorado with no problems. Not even one ticket on this trip! I'm a law abiding citizen. I've been reformed for over a year now!!!

[GypsyRR]

The thought about riding 141 from Naturita came from a report I saw on another forum. The photos looked like everything I was hoping to see one day. I can't remember the name of the report though. I'd love to give him credit, if I could.

I was not disappointed at all!!!!!

141 from Naturita to Gateway was so different than anything I have ever seen in all my life. I was in awe the whole way. Every turn yielded another 'mouth-dropping' scene; so much so that I was just going camera crazy!!! I almost forgot about how fun the ride was, even.!!! Almost.

The whole time, however, a storm was brewing and I was racing to beat it to Gateway, and then racing it to get back to Naturita to load the DR650 back on the trailer and head to Moab.

Here are some road shots from 141 between Naturita and Gateway.

First the map again:
Notice all the twists and turns? Those are taking you around huge buttes and bluffs through the canyon walls. What an incredible place!!!



Now some sights from the route:












Oh yeah - decided to use a camelbak on this ride. Good decision. It was hotter than hell............... until the rain came!!!




More shots from the road (before the rain)








more in next post

[GypsyRR]

more shots from the road:










This was the first place I stopped for a photo op:








The San Miguel River (if I remember correctly)
















more in next post

[GypsyRR]

continuing


The canyon was really that close. I am leaving out a lot of photos. It was really more amazing than the photos can convey. I wish I could have shared this ride with someone just to see them smile in amazement as I did!!

More photos from the route:

[GypsyRR]

Continuing CO 141, Naturita:

Amazing, huh? The various geological formations and different strata in the area was so intriguing. It occurred to me, that so much of the beauty and glory we see in nature is a result of upheaval, or erosion, or some sort of cataclysmic event - just like the beauty I found in the scorched areas from the wildfires. Amazing. I would hope that my life would be as interesting and beautiful after upheaval and erosion, that people would want to understand and search out answers for how someone can overcome after such events.


I found this (and left it where it was). I don't know anything about it. Does anyone know?




As I approached Gateway, a storm was fully developed and started dumping rain on me in this canyon. I stopped and put my camera gear in waterproof bags in my tail pack. I, however, was without my own waterproof gear. The one day I decided I would not need it: I needed it!!!!! So no pictures of the rain, but things did not really look much better once I arrived in Gateway. The rain had let up, but I could see another storm building and just sitting in John Brown Canyon.

At Gateway, I was surprised to find this brand new "city" being established there. I'm not sure what it is. (it was starting to rain again, and I was trying to just find gas so I could head back to Naturita and get out of the canyon before the storms started dropping buckets of rain).

It reminded me of maybe a retirement village. But it's brand new, it seems, and it is just stuck out here in the middle of nothing. It was sort of odd, but the area IS beautiful, so why not? Here is the Gateway area now. Complete with gas station, hotel, condos, stores, etc - all in this one little community just stuck out in 'nowhere'.





Here was another interesting part of the trip. The ruins of a hanging flume. What an amazing feat, yet without much result for the financier. If you look about 1/3 of the way down the canyon wall, you can see what is left of the flume.







and a close up of what is left of the flume




As I said, by the time I got to the edge of Gateway, I was in rain. I filled up the tank on the DR650 and then waited a bit to see if it would let up before trying to get down John Brown Canyon for some more dirt road experience. The rain DID let up momentarily, but I could see the canyon was still holding rain clouds waiting to disperse the water they held. Still, I wanted to see a least a portion of it, so I headed down the John Brown Canyon which does go all the way into Utah.

The first sign I was read mentioned the dangers of being in a canyon during a rainstorm - and how fast rain can turn the canyon into a dangerous situation. But still I proceeded a little further.













Then I came upon this sign, as the clouds were getting more and more black in the canyon. I deferred to better judgement and turned around - especially after seeing the road beyond the sign.






I was really disappointed. I had looked forward to this ride for 2 days and now it was ending. As I left the canyon, the rain clouds were still covering the John Brown Canyon, and now starting to cover 141 as well. I was racing them to get back to Naturita so that I could load the DR on my trailer with the other two bikes and head toward Moab. I had decided to go to Moab after checking weather on my iPhone. It showed most of Colorado to have rainy weather for the next few days, while the area around Moab was to suppose to be clear


Heading out of the canyon





and the storm as I raced back to Naturita:












As I pulled into The Ray Motel, in Naturita, I started stripping things off the bike, throwing gear into the truck, yanking off my jacket and helmet while thunder and lightning were sounding and lighting up the sky around me. Just as I got the DR on the trailer, the heavens opened and buckets of rain dropped. I had two straps on the bike - just enough to hold it steady in the rain and wind, and I dove into the truck. I waited an hour for the rain to let up so that I could finish tying down the bikes and organizing the truck for my drive to Moab. An hour of rest and reflection after such a great ride!!!





Next - on to Moab - which disappointed me, so I kept driving till I got to Green River to sleep for a couple of hours in the truck before heading on to the Flaming Gorge.

[Ves]

continuing


The canyon was really that close. I am leaving out a lot of photos. It was really more amazing than the photos can convey. I wish I could have shared this ride with someone just to see them smile in amazement as I did!!

...

Well, if it makes you feel any better you were breathing my exhaust, as I had just been there a few days before. I totally agree, it is a must-ride for anyone going to the area. And yes, it was hot when I was there also. And yes, I literally smiled in my helmet as I went up and down that road.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I would hope that my life would be as interesting and beautiful after upheaval and erosion, that people would want to understand and search out answers for how someone can overcome after such events.

or learn to live within them and enjoy the change or the challenge to again find the peace in preperation for the next twist in the road's journey. There will always be a "next" rodeo.

John

[BMWEW1]

Hey G-RR... I continue to enjoy every moment of your trip! Of course the rides and scenery are the main focus, but include more on your fish'in breaks, pics of them trout too!

[MikeCam]

...with the title "And Then I Shot Him."

sub-title: (many pics, not safe for dial-up or weak sisters)

[munchmeister]

WOW !! What a GREAT ride report, Gypsy. The photos are just fantastic and your report, well, it is much more than that. Your thoughts along the way make it all the more interesting to read. Thanks for being such an open person and being willing to share with us anonymous admirers. Now you know why us Coloradans love this place so much, though I must say you have seen more of Colorado in one trip than I have seen living here for years. SW Colorado is just amazing and you are definitely getting on to the best roads and visiting some of Colorado's gems.
--Doug

[GypsyRR]

Flaming Gorge

since I've been stuck in motel rooms sick for the last few days, I had a chance (once I started staying awake longer) to put together some photos again and try to catch up to myself on the ride report. The report left off at Naturita. There is sooooooo much more. It only got better. So I continue:


When I finished riding 141 and made it back to my truck at The Ray Motel in Naturita, a huge thunderstorm had developed and was dropping buckets of rain. I was able to get the bike on the trailer and throw my stuff in the truck right before the sky opened. But I had to wait for the rain to let up before I could strap down the bikes. So I spent about 2 hours resting in my truck in the rain. Then I was finally able to tighten everything down and head out.


Here is the route I took to Moab and then on to Green River and then on to Flaming Gorge.




The road out of Naturita to Moab was marked with diversity again just as so much of the sights I've seen along routes have been. It started out like the red canyon I had just ridden through but soon the reds gave way to multiple colors and then chalky whites. Then once close to Moab, the tell tale orange/rust hues that characterize it were dominant.

The prettiest scenes were just out of Naturita where the storm had already passed, but left vestiges of it's presence in the lighting and colors.






There was one tiny break in the clouds where the sun was able to cast that small orange glow on to the mountain below. It changed shapes as I traveled up the mountains near it. It was like watching the changing colors and shapes through a kaleidoscope.






Sorry - but I have no photos of Moab. Once I started getting close to Moab I started seeing the typical tourist signs and traps. It was around 7:00 when I finally hit the city and amount of people was astounding. Seriously. Not only was it bumper to bumper traffic at 7:00 pm, but on the sidewalks and crossing the streets (anywhere they wanted), there were people on foot. You could not even tell it was dusk because the city was so lit up by neon lights. It reminded me of Las Vegas, minus the gambling and the guys on the corner handing out cards for shows. It was nothing that I had always heard Moab to be. I think had I been ready for the complete tourist nature of the town I would have reacted better.

I did try to find a place to camp, but since it was wall to wall people, cars, and shops, and lights it was hard to see signs pointing to the roads that would take me out of the city to some camping. I stopped at the visitors bureau and they told me all the parks were full and they were not sending any people to the northern parks anyway because of horrible mosquito problems. They suggested I camp at one of the campgrounds within town. "What campgrounds?" She gave me a list and directions. They were just like trailer parks tucked between tourist shops and packed with RV's and more people. I honestly looked at one, but just could not bring myself to camp like that. I decided I would look for a truck stop instead. It would be more quiet and I would just sleep in my truck. But I could not find one and dragging that trailer around Moab with people just darting out in front of traffic was getting on my nerves. I left.

I drove on until I got to Green River. It was dark by then. I found a truck stop right next to a motel, so I pulled up, parked, and slept. I think I may have written from that motel parking lot. I can't remember.

Green River might have been a nice town. I didn't see much of it. I left at daylight and decided to go on to Flaming Gorge and catch Moab at a better time when I know better the type of campground I want and the right places to go for riding.

On the way to Flaming Gorge though the mountains again changed colors. Had I not already loved geology, (although I don't know enough about it), this journey would have made me love it. The changes and formations can only ignite questions and wonder about geology and earth sciences.



Coal mining:









continued next post

[GypsyRR]

#2


Heading toward Flaming Gorge the reds have given way to a chalky white with a slight celery tint to it. 191 south of the Flaming Gorge was a beautiful road. Surely it rates as an all time favorite motorcycle road in that area, i would think.










The ascent right before you get to the more Alpine area south of Flaming Gorge was really beautiful. It's a wide ascent and you can look back down on the valley below. I was too busy driving to take photos though.

Soon, I was back in Alpine and Aspen and started looking for a place to camp.






I ended up at Lodgepole Campground staying right next to the campground hosts who were two really terrific people. They looked after and watched over me as if I was one of their own. For a National forest campground, it was very nice. I've been disappointed in many I've looked at because the camping areas were so close to each other, it was hard to have any privacy. These were spaced nicely with lots of trees and nature between you and your 'neighbor'.

Here was my campsite:






My camp hosts were right across the road, but my campsite was set back off the road further than most places have them. This is their campsite:
:eek1 :eek1





Wow - what a way to camp!!! They do this in the summers and love it. I wanted to show you their place though because a couple of evenings they would build a fire and invite campers to join them around the fire. I was 'like family' by then, so this gave me a chance to meet other campers as well. All of them were interested to know why I was alone and why I was draggin' around 3 bikes. They enjoyed my stories and thoughts and I loved hearing theirs even more.

I stayed at this campground about 4 days because by this time in the trip I had become exhausted and needed a couple of days to just sleep and reorganize again. (yeah, I guess I probably do organize a lot). It was cool enough during the day to take naps and the camp hosts weren't early risers, so no noises to wake me early in the morning. This was one of the most peaceful places of my journey. I would return here just to camp, even if Flaming Gorge were not close by.

The first day I got to lodgepole, it started hailing. I had only had the GS for a couple of days and certainly didn't want the first mark on it to be from hail, so I grabbed my armor and laid it over the tank. What else could I do?



Pea size hail, I guess right? BTW, I did not go out in the hail to get the pictures. They came after the hail stopped. soon after.





Another thing about my campground hosts. The last evening I was there, they had pretty much figured out that I was eating only meals from Mountain House - ready to eat meals. Which I still enjoy, but I think they took pity on me. Carolyn came out of her camper on her way to 'make the rounds' and had two plastic dishes in her hands.

"Hon, you must be starvin for some real vegetables. Here. Eat this. It's only leftovers and you may not even like it. Eat what you want though. It won't hurt my feelings if you don't like it. Here is some pasta salad and macaroni salad."

I know some of you don't like food photos, but I just want you to see how delicious this looked to someone who had been eating 'boil in the bag' meals for the last several weeks. It was gourmet!!!! She even brought salt and pepper!!!!! How thoughtful is that??







I was soooo thankful and so grateful. I was also very glad she had rounds to make because trying to eat this delicious food with a fork was taking too long. I hate to admit it - but yes, when no one was looking. I put down the fork and used my fingers. Which may seem really hideous to you and I'm sure one day when I'm eating normal food again day in and day out, I'll think so too. But the experience gave me new insight into something I saw in Africa last year.

I was in Nairobi last fall and I visited a school and feeding center. For 90% of those children the meal they received for lunch while I was there photographing was the only real meal they would have all day. For many of them, it was the only food they would have all day. I remember the teachers continually telling them to use their utensils to eat their rice and beans when one would try to hurry and just grab with their fingers. All I can say is, I understand those kids now. This food tasted so good and the texture and flavors and smell was so different than the food I had been living on, that instinct just took over and I laid down the fork and ate like a starving child. I wanted to hurry and eat it all before she came back. I was shocked at myself. But I was smiling the whole time. It was good - and all within probably 3 minutes.





hahahaha - I'm laughing at myself still.

The next morning as I was packing up my bike I was secretly hoping to slip out before Carolyn awakened because I hate to say good-bye. We had informally said goodbye the night before around the fire with other people there. That was easier. A face to face encounter and a goodbye was going to be hard.

I was strapping down the last bike and her door opened. I looked up to see Carolyn holding a plate with food, napkins and two coffee mugs.

"Come on over here and sit with me and have some breakfast."

I smiled a huge grin at her readiness. She must had been up and watching me from their window and knew exactly when to come out.

"I just need to finish this bike and then wash my hands and then I'll be right there."

She had toasted bagels, different spreads, butter, and some hot chocolate for me. Bagels - hand food. No fork necessary. hahahaha. I did use a knife to spread the cream cheese though.

We talked of plans; hers, mine. We talked of routes and things I should see. We talked till the sun started getting hot on our faces. I wouldn't hurry off. Not in the face of such graciousness and kindness. Eventually the goodbye came with all the well wishes we could think of for each other. She turned toward her motor home, and I climbed up in the truck.

While I was camped there, I did take some rides down to the Flaming Gorge and through the geological loop called Sheep Creek Loop. Those photos next.

[GypsyRR]

#3

Flaming Gorge truly was beautiful. The Flaming Gorge Dam holds the Green River in a beautiful reservoir full of trophy trout. I think the record is a 50 pound Brown Trout. But every year trout as big as 30 pounds are pulled out of there. That's huge!

My first stop was just outside of Dutch John at Little Hole River. This is a premier fly fishing river. Beautiful.



I'm sure the fishing is good as long as you don't have paddlers floating through your drift!!




I shot those photos from an overlook just a mile up the road. I stayed here a while because unlike the areas in Colorado that I had seen already where wildfires had burned, this area did not seem show the same beauty among ashes as the Colorado land had already begun to do. These fires that came through here were in 2002, I believe, yet the scars still remain so central to the landscape.









What is so staggering when you stand among the skeletal sentinels, is the silence that deafens. For days I have found myself among aspens that chime in the wind, and pines that bend and creak under the sway of wind, and grass rustling and flowers bristling and bending at the wind's command. But when I stood among these fire brands, there is only a haunting silence, except for the empty sound of wind. Only wind. No sound from the effects of wind; only the wind. And the trees, the skeletal trees, just stand unmoved. Dead.








more next post

[GypsyRR]

#4

Before ever getting to the dam or the Little Hole river, you do have to cross Cart Creek. The bridge is the attraction at that point!!







It spans Cart Creek, but it also spans the division between the reservoir and the creek. On one side you can see the stunning canyon of the creek.....




and then moving to the other side of the bridge..............






you can see the immense reservoir





once crossing the dam, you can see how high it is by peering over the side at the river below. I think I remember reading it is 900' high.




If heights scare you, just look of to the other side and see the rock islands in the middle of the reservoir and the people boating and fishing. The water is truly that color (if your computer monitor is calibrated the same as mine







But that is only one view of the reservoir. When I crossed back over the dam, and headed north on 44 toward Manila, UT, I got a whole other view of the water and the 'red canyon' that was truly amazing.









I rode my bike down for a closer view:

















continued next post.

[GypsyRR]

It was getting late in the afternoon and people were coming off the lake, so I stayed out of their way and then rode to find Sheep Creek Loop,which my camp hosts had made me promise I would go see. I think that is the name of it. It's a loop off of 44 and I it's number is 1370. Here is a link to a google map of it. Sheep Creek Loop

For those who love geology, you would really enjoy riding this loop. It is partially paved, partially dirt/gravel, and mostly pot holes!!!! There is a different geological time period or formation every 500 feet, I would guess. And it is all marked and labeled for you. It is a beautiful drive. You won't go fast though. You could, but you won't want to. Everything is so different and stunning - almost surreal that it is all within such a compact area. Here are some sights along that loop. BTW; this ride is being posted at adventure rider where there is additional commentary and photos and questions answered if you are interested. It is here: ride report












(I just liked this tree)













I thought it was like a theme park. I wanted to ride it again, but I remember Carolyn telling me about Deep Creek for fishing. So I thought I would take the dirt road turn off for that adventure. It was gravel and dirt downhill all the way. But the R1150R is a workhorse and I felt confident I could handle it on gravel just fine, so on we went.


(sorry about all the tire photos - I was experimenting)








Getting to the bottom, I found Deep Creek and a campground right on it that looked like it had been taken over by teenage boys. I was not impressed with DEEP creek. What's deep? It must be deep at another point.



I felt stares, and got uncomfortable, so I decided to leave. When I turned around, a four wheeler came out of the pack of teenagers and for the entire climb up out of Deep Creek, it was a 'race'. Maybe. I can't be sure, but I know I was pushing my limits on the RR, and the 4 wheeler was staying right in my dust all the way. Once we hit pavement though, he turned back. Certainly he could have passed had he wanted to (or could). I like to think that maybe I just out rode him, but I know I'm probably fooling myself!!!



The next morning I left the Flaming Gorge area and headed to Jackson, Wyoming................. after a gracious breakfast from Carolyn.

[bmwdave52]

Gypsy, you and your ride reports are amazing.
I know what you mean about the silence in vast, empty places. Modern man(woman) is not used to total quiet. It takes some getting used to. Worth it though.

[abglenn]

Bet'ca you're feeling like a real mountain man, minus the man and a few other things. Got a question. What kinda camera equipment are you shooting with? It seems your lens choice is right-on with fine distance detail. Happy trails to you and your guttsy advanture.

[GypsyRR]

Got a question. What kinda camera equipment are you shooting with? It seems your lens choice is right-on with fine distance detail.

abglenn:

My set up changed back in June when one of my point and shoot cameras flew from my hand and went bouncing down CO 50 near Blue Mesa Reservoir. But originally, I had 2 point and shoot cameras with me, and 2 dslr cameras.

On this trip I brought:

1) Nikon coolpix that I have to fix weekly. It has suffered many falls and drops but has been a good camera and takes great photos and it won't quit working, so I keep using it. However, not much works on it well anymore, except for the simplest point and shoot function. The video does not work anymore. The zoom only works a tiny bit before it says "lens error" and shuts the camera down for 3-30 minutes. (honestly - I'm not sure how long it shuts it down, it just doesn't work when I need it to if I push zoom too far). The lens cover is missing. The mount threads for the tripod/bike mount are stripped. So the most I can do with this camera is point and shoot. No mounting it on the bike, or video, or zooming.

2) Canon XT - my bike camera. It goes in the tail bag or around my neck on all my rides.

3) Canon 40D - I'm more selective about where this camera goes because it would be more costly for me to replace it.


Lenses I brought with me

Canon L 70-200 IS 2.8 - selective about where this lens goes.
Canon L 24-70 2.8 - selective with this one as well
Canon 28-135 IS 3.5 - a good walk (or ride) around lens that is usually on the XT
Sigma 10-22 (or maybe 10-20??) - my wide angle. goes in the tail bag on all rides
Tamron 90mm macro- my favorite lens. goes in the tail bag on all rides.


that's it. that pretty well covers all my needs for the most part. There have been times I wish I had my 400mm with me, but it is too difficult to carry it for use just once in a while. I had a 1.4 and 2x teleconverter with me for a while, but rarely used them, so a those were mailed home with some other things that kept getting in my way as I traveled.