Day 9 and 10 VRCC Ride and Leaving Las Vegas to Durango...(and I did not even bring my Durango Boots!
Sitting at a table just outside of Durango. About 6 miles from the “hub”, but about 800 feet above the 'rango. A great couple last days.....Today was very special, as one of those unexpected treasures appeared!! Yet once again, I'm getting ahead of myself. Hmm, getting a head of my self? Sounds auto erotic.
Back to Saturday, and the VRCC Las Vegas Ride. Met up with the group and we departed promptly at 9:30AM. Took a nice loop up north going through a few small towns that shall remain nameless, as I can not remember their names. The first stop was a pullout, overlooking the area where Lonesome Dove was shot. These shots are not of the area, but the group!!
Continued on through Angel Fire, then back down and around to Taos.....Lunch at the Guadalajara Grill, (or something like that).....
Get off that wall!!
Was hoping to get a group shot, but we never found a nice spot, so it was back to Vegas. Everyone kind of went there own way, so I headed back to Storrie Lake State Park. And from my opinion, and a few others I have spoken with, the ugliest of any State Park in NM. Pretty much a dump. But the proximity to Vegas is ideal. Had I known the park was such a pit, I would have headed north to a great looking park we passed on the ride.
The winds were back last night. When I returned to camp, I parked the Valk, and went into the “shelter”. It took me a few seconds to notice, but when I did, the expletives were flying. My mattress and tarp were gone!! Somebody had to have stolen them!! Or, as I soon discovered, it was the 50 mph gusts.....I made a quick walk around the area, and didn't see anything. As I was ready to head to Wally World to replace the missing items, I noticed the tarp along the fence. Ah, the tarp is here. They were not stolen. Faith in humanity is restored. I peered over the fence, and saw the mattress, still inflated, hanging very close to a wall next to the lake. I stepped on the fence, cracking it a bit, and struggled to get the mattress back over the barbed wire and back to the shelter. Made it safely back. Cooked up some Tilapia and was soon ready to crash.
A bit of a tough night of sleeping as even with my excessive weight holding down the mattress, the winds were incredible. I don't believe I ever experienced the barrage that these winds were bringing. It never really let up. Even after sundown, there were still howling.
Got up about 5:00, coffee, breakfast, and packed up for my journey to Durango. A couple nice early morning shots....
A few miles outside of Moro, on what I believe is 64, I came across a real treasure. The town is called Embudo, and the place is the Classical Gas Museum. Johnnie Meier is the proprietor and what a fantastic collection he has. If you are into old gas pumps and globes, this place has more than I've ever seen before. Restored and in top notch condition. A must see if you are in the area. I discovered Johnnie and I have several mutual acquaintances, as he was a former President of the Route 66 Association of New Mexico...
Some subjects are perfect for HDR, and these fit the bill!!! Unfortunately, on this Notebook it is difficult and very time consuming to process an HDR fully, but here are a couple examples...
Continued North West in Chama, then headed to Pagosa Springs. Still early, I decided to continue to Durango, and found the Something Junction State Park. Possibly Conjunction Function, but can't be sure. Nice place, but even the state parks jack the rates in the tourist areas.....$19.00 for the site, but it's pretty nice......still no showers and about a 2.5 mile trek on a washboard gravel road with big drop offs. Wasn't really pleased with that. But you can park right next to your room....
The fire is roaring....
Soon I will be making some dinner, and perhaps working on some images......
Tomorrow?? Not sure but will venture up near Telluride on the 550, and then perhaps some Utah action!!
Update....It is now tomorrow. Sitting in the McD in Durango. Best thing about last night, the winds finally subsided. Worst thing about last night....27 degrees...Cold, so very cold! Up early again, about 4:30. Started the fire, made the coffee, chorizo and eggs for breakfast. Heading North to Ouray and a quick visit to Telluride. Perhaps then West to Arches National Park in Utah!!
