Travelogue -- Dr Bob's US50 Motorcycle Ride
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14 May 2012, 10:45 PM MT, Gunnison, CO

Hello again from Colorado. I didn't travel as far today as I had anticipated. I only advanced 160 miles on US50, but I rode 251 miles to do it. I did some stuff off US50 today. But not the chocolate shake, that was on US50. So far I have put 3,651 miles on the bike since leaving home. The day was beautiful, pilots call it severe clear. A front had moved through yesterday leaving beautiful weather behind.

I could see the Rockies from Pueblo. I could not see them yesterday when I arrived. The sky was dark in that direction. I got in before the rain by only a few minutes. I had wanted to arrive before Elizabeth, and I did, by about two seconds. I got off I-25 going north, she got off I-25 going south, and she followed me into the motel. That's how close it was.

Back to this morning. I didn't notice the white peaks immediately, but soon I did. I stopped to get this picture.

Only about half an hour up US50 I got to my first stop. It is something I have hinted at for a few days. Nobody got in touch with me about the Arkansas River. I guess nobody figured it out, or maybe nobody cared knowing I would take the picture anyway. So, what did I have in mind? The Royal Gorge. There is a suspension bridge over the Arkansas River, more than 1,000 feet above the river. Here's a picture of the bridge from the side.

And here's me on my bike on the bridge high above the water.

Here's a close up look at the cable that holds the bridge in the air.

Looking down one side.

And looking down the other side. Note the railroad track beside the river.

This view is looking off into the distance from the bridge. You can see a part of the river down there.

My second stop was at Monarch Pass, the highest I will be on this ride. The Continental Divide is at Monarch Pass. I was 11,312 feet above sea level. This picture is looking northeast, sort of the direction of Denver.

And this one is looking east, back in the direction of Pueblo.

Here's a picture taken in the pass.

My next stop was in the Alpine village of Crested Butte. This village is almost 9,000 feet above sea level. Elizabeth told me about this town. She was married here. I was looking for wildflowers, which this town is known for, but I was too early in the season. That didn't stop me from taking pictures, though.

This picture was taken at the edge of the town looking at the mountains through a pasture.

I took this picture on my way back to US50. I noticed it on the way to Crested Butte, but did not stop. Going back I did stop. I was taken by the contrast between the smooth face of the mountain and the very rocky face of the mountain immediately beside it.