Day 11 and 12 5/28-29
Durango to Montrose to Telluride to Moab.....
The $500,000 Highway, the ER, Buds, and stupid NPS....
Wow, what a couple days it has been. Highs, both altitude and scenery, and majors lows......
Left Durango early, and it was still chilly. Stopped by the Durango/Silverton narrow gauge railway for a few quick shots of the cars and depot.
Very excited to head to Moab....At least that was the plan....Taking 550, the million dollar highway to Ouray. A very nice ride....Wow, it really the best way to describe the ascent. Very impressive.
About two years ago, I had an unpleasant encounter with blood clots.....DVT and multiple Pulmonary Embolisms. Was on the rat poison, (coumadin) for about 6 months, and the Doctor took me off of the medication. I was a bit confused as to why it was discontinued for me, as when I was in the hospital I tested positive for the Factor V Leiden gene. (which makes one more susceptible to clotting issues)...
About 20 minutes into the ride, I felt a strange pain in my right calf. Kind of like a bee sting. Very quick, but as I rose in elevation, the frequency of the “stings” increased. By the time I reached Silverton, I was getting concerned. The right calf is where the first clot started. Perhaps I was hyper sensitive, but clots are serious business!! Of course no hospital in Silverton, so I continued North and the problems continued. That is why I'm calling the ride the $500,000 highway. I was only able to enjoy the ride for a bit.....But I did get a few nice images......
Made it to Ridgeway, and discovered the nearest hospital was in Montrose. Made it there as quickly as possible to the ER, where I had an ultrasound. Of course, nothing was showing. As I descended into Montrose, the frequency of the pains subsided, and by the time I reached Montrose, nothing. Long story short, the Doctor said it was probably just a muscle spasm, and was just a coincidence. He felt the altitude had nothing to do with the pain. I did not agree. As I was leaving, he said if it happened again at high altitudes, then go back and have them recheck. But if it was a coincidence, why would he say that???
Several hours behind schedule, and not in the best mental shape, I decided to stay in Montrose. I broke my rule of no motels on this trip, but was not feeling like finding a park and setting up camp. Got a nice sleep, and was on the road about 8:00AM. The ride back on 550 South was nice.
First stop was Telluride, home of the Telluride Bud Company. My wife's Uncle and Cousin are running the shop. I had not seen them in a few years, so I dropped by. Unexpectedly of course. Pop in's are fun!! Here a few pics from the shop.....
Bridal Falls is just down the road. Unfortunately, the timing/lighting could not have been worse...
Left Telluride and headed to Moab. Long ride, very cool, yet erie and I probably only saw about 5 cars. It would also be nice if signs warned or explained how many miles to the next gas station. I had fueled up leaving Montrose. Not wanting to pay 4.17 a gallon in Telluride, and having a gallon spare, I wasn't too concerned. Checking the Garmin, it showed many stations along the way. But the Stupid Garmin shows direct mileage when checking for POI's, (points of interest)...not actual mileage.....Stretched it as much as I could and I literally coasted into the station in Dove Springs........Check out how much fuel it took!!!!
Yes, friends, the tank will hold more than 5.3 gallons!!
Headed towards Moab, and another just “wow” of the landscape......I've been to Bryce Canyon and Zion previously, and this part of Utah did not disappoint either. I have to say in my opinion, Utah is tops for riding with scenery.
Was planning on staying at Arches National Park. Made it to town, Moab, about 4:30.....Arches is about 6 miles out of town. The website said it has some “drive up” camping spots. The girl told me that they did not. Yes, they were aware that the website was wrong, and they are “working” on correcting it. Whatever.....If they are aware of the problem, get it fixed!! Anywho, she told me the group camping site, which had been reserved, was open....as the group canceled. Great!! I'll take a spot. She then told me it was 18 miles from the entrance!! NFW.....I needed some groceries and ice...so she said she would hold a spot for me. Another 6 miles back to town, another 6 miles to the entrance, then 18 miles to the campsite. The ride is great, but I was hot and wanted to make camp. As I got to the campground, it said full. A rather surely employee came out and ask if she could help me. I said I was here for a tent site at the group campground. She then informed me that it was going to be occupied. A mixup with paperwork. No apologies, no nothing other than I was not going to be staying there. A bit peeved as I had no had to go back 18 miles to get out of the park... About a two hour and 50 mile $#%^@%^ up. Great Job NPS. As they told me I could stay, they should have at least accommodated me somehow. Thousands of acres and they say no???? I'm not happy...
Got a couple pics on the way out.....call this the currency shot of the day...
Back to town again, and found an RV place in town. Very close to town, but they have a tent area. $20.00, (which I negotiated down from $30.00)......
I'm here now, and ready for a great day tomorrow. Back to Arches. O yes, the camping there is 20.00 a night. But they also charge an entrance fee even when you are camping. BS!! The entrance fee should be included.
That's it for now. I'm ready to work on the images and ride tomorrow!!
Update.....8:00am.....Arose early to head to Arches to capture that early morning light. Arrived about 5:30am. It was spectacular!! Also that early no rangers or traffic so riding at 80+ was not only possible but achieved. With such a limited time frame of predawn/sunrise light, I chose the balanced rock area. Going to pack up and head north. First shot I took this morning....It's a winner!!
