The Best of the Trip

Some of my friends have asked me what I liked best on the trip. Here's the high points from the trip.

The reason I made the trip was to attend my Army Reunion. Well, the unit I lived with in 'Nam. It was great to see the guys again; See you next year in Myrtle Beach. And, of course, great to see my cousin Don and fraternity brother Craig and his wife Janie.

Now most of my time was out playing tourist. I wanted to see the sights, capture some beautiful scenery photos, and visit the SouthWest. The most spectacular spot was (of course) The Grand Canyon.

Second Place goes to Monument Valley


Now for the bicycle trails I rode.

For outstanding scenery while riding, the honor goes to Bell Rock Pathway, Sedona, AZ.


Boggy Draw, outside of Dolores, CO was the trail that made me most at home.


The most tense time on the trail had to be when I encountered the rattlesnake on the trail at McDowell Mountain Park.


The most difficult trail I rode/walked -- its a tie. The Long Loop at McDowell Mountain Park, Scottsdale, AZ and Mike's Trail, Horse Gulch, Durango, CO.




Where I learned about riding rocks and honed my skills most was Big Park Loop, Sedona, AZ.


Best trail signage goes to Trails2000 (Telegraph Trail System - Durango, CO). At each intersection there is a sign showing the trail names, a map, directions, and compass direction.




The best weather during the trip - Albuquerque, NM. The most disappointing ride - Foothills trails, Albuquerque (thanks to the %$#@ goatheads). The city I would least think of living in: Scottsdale, AZ. The city I would most think of moving to: Albuquerque, NM

Home at Last

Late last night (or should I say "early this morning"), I got home. 1040 miles, 16 hours from Albuquerque to Treynor. Was a long drive but as I aimed the car toward Iowa, I just wanted to get home.

Friday, I was planning to ride the ski slope dirt trail. Alas, the day was overcast and drizzling rain. Had breakfast with my cousin and met with a real estate agent friend of his. From there, It was off to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.

From there, it was down time and start packing the car.

In the evening, I visited a fraternity brother and his wife who live in the Albuquerque area. We had a nice visit. We sat on the patio. Pleasant temperature, no bugs, good conversation.

Yesterday, I had breakfast and was on the road at 7:30am MDT. My plan was to overnight in Ft. Morgan, CO. When I got there, I decided to push on. Eventually, after a stop at the local grocery store, I got home about 1am.

Today's photos are of me with my cousin Don, and me with my fraternity brother Craig. Oh, yeh, If you are interested, 3776 miles, 21 days, 20 nights on the road. Rode my Fuel EX7 in Durango, CO, Dolores, CO, Sedona, AZ (2 visits), Scottsdale, AZ and Albuquerque, NM.

Can I have a "do over"?

This morning, I headed to the Foothills area to ride singletrack. As I was checking out the trail, I met Todd - previously from Bellevue NE! We chatted a little and he suggested I ride the ski slope.

Anyway, I headed out on foothills trail 365. Today's photo is of that trail - about a mile from the Montgomery Rd Trailhead. Just as I was feeling good about riding this rocky section, I realized my rear tire was going flat. I realized it was no slow leak - I decided to walk the bike back to the car.

On my way to the bike shop, I stopped by Jiffy Lube, since my car needed that service. The service advisor spoke very fast. Had problems even when asking him to slow down. Of course, he wanted to sell me all kinds of extras. Never will use Jiffy Lube again. By the time I got out of there, I had a headache.

Next stop was at Fat Tire Cycles. I told them my problem and Ed explained to me about the "goatheads" - little thorns that puncture tires in the area. The plant is also know as Puncture Vine and Tribulus terrestris. Ed suggested new tubes the thicker walls and slime inside. He installed the new tubes. Thanks, Ed.

By now it is now too hot to ride up in the foothills area. Went to the hotel and thought about riding at the ski slope. Searching the web, I found that they will only be open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Next idea was the Botanical Gardens since that is just a block from my hotel. Killed a couple hours at the gardens and Aquarium. Took several good photos.

Finally, drove around to the other side of Sandia Peak. There were questions about the ski life opening. The web site said that it will be open July and August for Fri, Sat, Sun from July 7th. Of course, the phone numbers do not allow speaking to a real person. They are just recorded messages and a menu tree. Drove on up to Sandia Peak Crest. Took a couple photos and headed down to the hotel.

While up at the foothills trail area, I got a phone call from Craig - a fraternity brother. We are planning to getting together tomorrow evening.

Paseo del Bosque Bike Trail

This morning, I rode the Paseo del Bosque Bike Trail in Albuquerque with my cousin, Don. Don is a Albuquerque resident.

After the ride we had breakfast and did a walking tour through Old Town. Don had some business for the afternoon. I headed to find a bike shop that could give me recommendations on where to ride dirt in the area.

Stopped by Fat Tire Cycles on Montano Road. Picked up a New Mexico jersey as a souvenir. Visited with Eric - of Fat Tire Cycles. He recommended the Foothills Trails - off the end of Montgomery Blvd. Thanks Eric (and thanks for the t-shirt). Will be checking out the trails in the morning.

Dinner with Don at the Route 66 Diner. Tired tonight. Should be able to sleep well.

Gallup to Albuquerque

Its only about 140 miles on I-40, but yesterday it took me all day to go from Gallup to Albuquerque. In Gallup I stopped by the train/bus station information booth. That verified my plan to play tourist on the way.

South on 602, I saw signs advertising Winfield Trading. Now, I had to check it out.
the store is a seller of fine Indian jewelry. Besides us having the same surname, we are both Nam vets. Had a nice conversation. Left with (bought) a new money clip.

As I approached Ramah, NM, I was getting hungry for breakfast. Not sure what I might find in a small town, I opted for the first eatery I saw. That was Ramah Valley Diner. As it happens, the owner grow up in Iowa and used to run/work at the Perkins Restaurant in Council Bluffs (I-80 and I-29).

On to El Morro National Monument. I hiked the Headland Trail. the trail climbs the bluff and past Ancestral Puebloan ruin, Atsinna. From there, it traverses the top pf the bluff (see photo) and back down. At the bottom you are treated to inscriptions carved into the stone left by visitors years ago - from ancients to early conquerors.

From there, it was a short drive to El Malpais National Monument. I hikes a little of the El Calderon trail. From there I went down Hwy 117. Drove the road up to the Sandstone Bluff Overlook. Then down to La Ventana Natural Arch.

The day was capped wth a dinner with my cousin (an Albuquerque resident).

Catch-Up

Sunday morning some folks met at IHOP for a farewell breakfast. Hugs all around. From there - it was finish loading the car and head to Sedona.

On the way up to Sedona I stopped to see Montezuma's Castle. Its another structure built into the cliffs-side.

I was back in Sedona early afternoon and my room was not ready yet. Stopped in at The Bike & Bean, then went down to the creek crossing. Parking at the trailhead means purchasing a Red Rock vehicle parking permit. Anyway, after purchasing the permit, I walked down to the creek and took a few photos. The area gives a good views of Cathedral Rock.

It was 104 when I got to Sedona in the afternoon. Waited until about 6pm for ride. It was still HOT then. I went up Bell Rock Pathway to Big Park Loops and rode there. Got in about 5.5 miles.

I liked staying at the Wildflower Inn. It is a couple doors down the street from the Bike & Bean. Just a quarter mile or less to the trailhead. Was riding from the hotel room door!

Monday morning I was up early for my bike ride. Headed back up Bell Rock Pathway. But, my heart rate was not cooperating. Could not keep if down. Climbing it went up to 200, down to 125 when resting. Spiking back up as soon as I ride. Decided it was not a good day for me to ride. Early out of the hotel.

Since I was not riding my miles in the morning, stopped in Walnut Canyon National Monumnent. Got my work-out on the steps down and up the canyon. Walnut Canyon is another area where the Indians built homes in the cliff-side.

From there, it was a quick lunch and gas-up in Winslow, AZ. Next stop was Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert. More lots of photos; did some walking on the paths. Amazing that at once this desert was a swamp with huge trees.

It was sunny most of the day, threatening some showers from the South. Did get a couple drops on the windshield. Much of the drive through Painted Desert was under clouds. Bright sunshine broke out near the end. Think the overcast dampened the colors in the desert.

Bunked the night at Gallup, NM.

Desert Botanical Garden

Yesterday, I decided to take a day off the bike. Was debating about riding early in the morning - thinking I should do a pavement ride. But, it was clear and sunny - looking to be a very hot day.

Friday, some of the folks went to the Desert Botanical Garden. I decided it was a good place to go - to shoot of the desert flora. Yes, it was HOT at the garden. However, I got some really good shots.

In the afternoon, it was the business meeting of the reunion. Next year we will go to Myrtle Beach, SC.

The evening was filled with our banquet. I was very busy - taking photos. Portraits of everyone. Then some photos of the crowd. Finally, photos of the program.

The keynote speaker was the Sheriff of Maricopa County, AZ. I had never heard of him, but I guess he is infamous for what he did in the county prison system. Anyway - his remarks were more like a campaign speech. His right wing comments did not belong in the address to our group. Had it not for my respect for the guys and the unit, I would have walked out. Put a hell of a damper on my mood (would have liked to head out and get on my bike!)

The bright spot aftern the address was the auctioning of the photo I donated. The photo was of the memorial for our unit in Ft. Benning, GA. It went for $160!!!