I was in Winslow, Arizona last year on the Route 66 trip. “The Standing on the Corner Music Festival” was happening the following weekend, I missed it! The plan was to make it the following year. That time is here.

   I rally the troops, “Easy G” and “Roadrunner”, they are in. Contact “Jetson” in Denver, why not!

   We plan on the afternoon of September the 19th, meet in Roosevelt. Ride to “Easy G’s” deer camp west of Ozona. We catch some food in Ozona before heading to camp. As usual we get caught in the dark. Dodge deer all the way to the camp. Arrive no problem, relax for a bit and hit the sack. A long day awaits tomorrow.

   Roll out at first light. Catch hwy 1137 to Big Lake. Aquick stop for a taco in Big Lake. Run through Garden City up to Big Spring. Continue north through Lamesa, Lubbock. Stop in Amarillo at Smokey Joe’s, just west of down town on Route 66. Great burgers and cold brew!

   We take the short cut towards Dalhart. You know shortcuts, never what they seem. Construction hold up, hurry up and wait! Finally traffic moves, we continue up hwy 1061. Very little traffic, thats good. Intersect hwy 87 at Hartley and continue on through Dalhart.

At Raton Pass, gas stop. Called Bryan in Colorado City, Colorado, our stop for the evening.

   Arrange to meet at the High Octane Bar and Grill in town. Perfect timing, we arrive at the same time. After food and drink we head west to Bryan’s cabin 20 miles west. Nighfall has caught us again! Deer everywhere, beware. Make it to the turnoff, winding, twisting road, dirt, gravel and deep ruts. Uphill, quite the challenge! Arrive safely!

   After a good nights rest, time to go to Bishop’s Castle, up the road about 2 miles. One man pretty much built this castle. He used truck with pulleys to hoist materials. Quite the feat.

   Bryan played tour guide, took us to Cañon City and Royal Gorge. Last time that I visited the Gorge, you could drive across the bridge. Not anymore, $35 bucks just to walk on it! We continue west to Salida to connect with Ronnie, long time friend. We arrive at Ronnie’s and Charlotte’s in midafternoon. Visit for a bit and Bryan rolls back to his house before dark.

   We go grab some Mexican food and settle in for the evening.

   Next morning we head north to Buena Vista, take a left to Cottonwood Pass. My first trip up this road. Just recently paved on the west side of the mountain. Beautiful lake at the bottom of the mountain. We continue south to Gunnison. Turn west on hwy 50 to Blue Mesa. At the dam we turn northwest towards Hotchkiss. The Black Canyon is to our immediate left. Incredible views with the aspen trees turning colors. Continue on this road through Hotchkiss to Delta. At Delta we turn north to Grand Junction. Our goal is to reach the Colorado National Monument Park before dark. Turns out it closes at 5 pm. So much for that, we secure a room and get dinner and get ready for tomorrow.

   Up early we travel west to the park, we catch the south entrance, about a 20 mile stretch of road. Incredible views and turn outs along the edge of a cliff. One for your bucket list for sure.

   We leave the park and head back on the interstate through Grand Junction towards the Grand Mesa. We catch hwy 65 through Mesa and Grand Mesa, hard to put into words, the beauty on this road. We ride on down to Cedaredge, gas up and continue south back to Hotchkiss. Turn north to Carbondale, then back east through Aspen and Independence Pass. Back to Salida before dark.

   Next day “Easy G’ and “Roadrunner” leave for Texas. Ronnie and myself go fishing in Leadville.

   Land 4 keepers, not bad! We travel back to Salida to await “Jetson’s” arrival. We arrives right after dark.

   Next morning we embark on the rest of the “Take It Easy Tour” breakfast in town then run south and hit hwy 114 through the mountains, my first time on this road. Nice, not much traffic. We catch hwy 50 just east of Gunnison. Run west to Blue Mesa. Catch hwy 149 to Lake City and Creede down to South Fork. turn west to Wolf Creek Pass. Last time over this pass was 1982, snow on the road that year, kinda sketchy. Make our way over the pass down to Pagosa Springs. Catch hwy 160 to Durango. Make a quick stop at the Durango Harley to change my batteries in my fob. All good now, room time. Get a room on the north side of town, walking distance to some Texas BBQ. Full gut time for bed.