Grand Canyon Trip Day 7

Day 7 started with clean jeans, every 3rd day! Once again we had perfect riding weather--cool, crisp, sunny blue skies! Headed east on highway 50 and rode in the mountains, smelling the pine trees, enjoying the fresh air.

Our first stop was Cimmaron Canyon, steep cliffs, narrow pass, sharing the canyon with a stream.

Next, we came to Lake Fork, a lake that we rode next to for some 15 or 20 miles or so. Then it changed to the Gunnison River Canyon, then a wide, green valley until we got into Gunnison.
Did I mention the weather was perfect, the rodes were ideal, the sun was shining, it was cool, and we were surrounded by beauty every where we looked.

Started a long, twistie climb up the mountains until we got to Monarch Pass, which is the Continental Divide. We had lunch there, celebrated Roy's birthday (we suprised him, his wife tipped us off and he didn't know we knew). Took our time there, enjoying the snow and pine trees. A few snow balls were thrown. The ride down was fun, a long, twistie downhill run. By the time we got to the bottom it was HOT! Stopped and took off the cold weather gear and got ready for the heat. Rain clouds were starting to form, so we ran as fast as we could and got away from them, only to see our next obstacle come into view.

SMOKE! There were some fires, and the canyon in front of us was smokey. We tied bandanas over our noses and mouths and rode through it, not too bad really. The canyon we were riding trough had us next to the Arkansas River, the same canyon you see if you visit Royal Gorge. Watched the rafters on the river and saw trains on the train tracks.

Then it was just plain, super hot, drab landscape the rest of the way into Pueblo where we are spending the night. Nice to get in earlier today and cool off some. Traveled a meer 230 miles today, 2300 so far for the trip. Tomorrow we shart the long drive towards home.