The Duncan Domain

Day 2 - Arches National Park

Previous day

Sunday

Scott & Joe

Burley, ID to Telluride, CO

549 miles

As the Southwest ODMC Chapter is heading northeast from Arizona to Telluride, we Northwest riders are heading southeast through Utah. While they are getting pounded by three separate thunderstorms, Joe and I learn that one should not assume that towns shown on the map in the middle of nowhere have gas. Between Moab and Telluride, a three hour ride on twisty, two lane roads, towns on the map are nothing more than a cluster of homes. If there ever was a store, it was closed down years ago. Joe ends up literally coasting downhill as much as possible and we finally find some very expensive, but welcome, gas in Bedrock, Colorado.

While not planned, Joe and I explore Arches National Park and we find its beauty to be utterly mind blowing. It becomes very obvious that a proper trip will need to be planned to fully explore and enjoy its wonders. While standing under clear, blue skies in 80 degree weather, we look to the East to see a huge, black thunderstorm over our destination. It's hard to leave Arches and ride into that but friends and family await us and so off we go.

A clear, sunny day in Idaho

After a hearty breakfast, we get on the Interstate and head for Utah. From here, Telluride, Colorado seems a long way off even though we have less miles to ride today than we did yesterday.

Bee Sting Rock

We take a shortcut through the mountains in Utah. We stop to admire the view and the moment Joe takes off his helmet, a bee stings him on the neck. Ouch! I immediately get the Benadryl out of the Wing's trunk but Joe declines the offer. He comes to regret that later in the day.

Welcome to Colorado

The Arizona crew reaches the Colorado border.

One downpour after another

The Arizona crew gets hammered by one storm after the next. Not just rain, but real downpours and enough to force them off the road to sit it out. Meanwhile, Joe and I are basking in sunshine and clear skies up North in Utah.

Wet Harleys

Well, this is one way to wash off the bugs and the dust.

Arches National Park

Joe and I, thinking we have time, decide to take a spin through Arches National Park. The last time I came through here was over 20 years ago when Inga and I were first married and moving to Tucson from Chicago. This view is from the visitor's center parking lot and is nothing compared as to what awaits us inside.

Mind blowing scenery

This is a dangerous park to ride through on a bike. It's almost impossible to keep your eye on the twisty roads due to the breathtaking panoramas. Meanwhile, a ranger says we have 3 hours of riding to Telluride and the eastern ski is black with storm clouds that are spewing lightning bolts. Regretfully, we bail out and get back on the road. Somehow we are able to skirt the storm but we later find out that the Arizona guys are trying to setup camp under that storm.

Mules Ears and Courthouse Towers

Everywhere you look, Arches is filled with sculpted rock scenery like this.

Camping high up in the Aspens

The Arizona riders make camp above Telluride in the aspens at 9,500 + feet. Before they can even finish pitching their tents, another downpour hammers them. They end up eating crackers in their wet tents in the dark. Meanwhile, Joe and I roll into Telluride at dusk and we decide to have dinner in town before we go look for the campsite. We have Chinese food and sake and we arrive in camp well fed, relaxed and dry at 9 PM to find our drenched brothers huddling in their tents. Upon hearing us pull in, they emerge, Joe somehow lights a campfire and the reunion party begins.