Day 2 was mostly Nebraska.
Can you say flat____________flat_________flat. From Lincoln to Grand Island is about 100 miles of arrow straight travel. You could point a laser down the road and still be in the same lane at the end. The speed limit is 75 - auto traffic travels near 85. The Yamaha loved it and the white lines flashed by. Little rain in the morning and temps in the 50's until I reached Colorado. In Colorado everything changed. The sun came out, the cross winds came up and the temperature increased. By Denver is was low 80's and I was removing layers. Spent the night in Denver, 717 miles for the day.
Day 3 was spectacular. I love Colorado. Nancy pack your bags. Took 285 into the Rockies and across the high plains. Spent an hour climbing in the twisties to top out on an expansive plain surrounded by snow capped peaks. There was still snow on the sides of the road and temps were in the low 50's. Livestock far outnumbered people and all the locals in Fairplay drove pickups and wore cowboy hats. Crossed Monarch pass at 11,312 ft on my way to Gunnison. The snow pack is still present in the woods and parking lots have piles of snow from the last snowfall.
Met the crew in Gunnison, a town of about 6000 at 7,700 ft elevation. A local claimed they have their last frost on June 15th and the first of the next year on August 15th, but the sun is so intense at that elevation that vegetable gardens generate prize winning produce.
Crossed two more high passes with Dave/Cos/Roe including Red Mountain pass at 13,000 ft. Parts of rt 550 had been closed the week before due to snow. Some of the "roads" here are candidates for guard rails. Zero ground between the white line and shear drop. Curvey roads, georgous views & plenty of snow. 407 miles for the day.
Stayed at Dave's cousins place outside of Durango - unbeliveable. Private (Glacier) club, private vacation home on a private golf course. Walnut floors, granite counters, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, hugh fireplace, 2 living rooms (upstairs & down), spectacular views. Everything maintained by a hired crew. Unbeliveable.
More better pictures coming - promise!
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