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up and we were the only ones on the road, for me this is the best time to travel. Crossing into Colorado we pulled into a little town called Dinosaur for fuel and that cup of Joe. Sitting there savoring our brew we looked off to the east, our direction of travel, and weren't to thrilled with what we saw. The sky was dark over the Rocky Mountain range ahead and we had two tall passes to cross this day, better get started and hope for the best. Well we made it to Craig before the rain started, then a few sprinkles followed by a few more and before long it was raining in earnest. We made it to Steamboat Springs where we fueled and asked the attendant for his restaurant recommendation. Following his directions a few minute later we were in Freshies removing our now soaked raingear and leaving a rather large puddle by the coat rack. We then sat down for a pleasant meal and to contemplate the upcoming pass. Our lunch was over all to soon and back to the storm it was figuring we were already wet how much worse could it get? Let me tell you, the first sign we saw said Rabbit Ear Pass Icy Conditions Ahead, Caution. Not being the brightest son my mother raised I continued on, though Don did follow, and soon we were traveling in a snow storm with several inches of slush on the road and probably looking much like snowmen on wheels. The road kept climbing and we kept going, fortunately without any other traffic, four ways flashing and Barb in a perpetual prayer. I must confess I silently joined her not only about our current condition but thinking of Berthoud Pass further on knowing it was a thousand feet higher. After cresting the summit the falling snow diminished and the roadway quickly cleared. Quietly giving thanks we enjoyed the break in the rain and dry roadbed as the miles rolled by towards our next obstacle. There was a comforting look to the sky ahead and to our great relief Berthoud Pass conditions were bare and dry. It was a different case when we reached the junction with I-70, heavy rain with which we had to deal with all the way to Aunt Billie's house 30 some miles down the road. Pulling in to the driveway around 2:30 PM we quickly unpacked, changed into dry clothes and then the skies cleared and the sun came out so what should we do, why wash the bikes of course. The next two days will be spent visiting, having a new rear tire mounted on my bike then Monday will find us back on the road heading to Austin and joining up with Mike and Wanda.
13 June
After two days visiting in Denver we all were anxious to get back on the road. Planning to leave at 6:30 AM we were up at 5 AM, all packed and drinking coffee. No one wanted to wake up Aunt Billie or Uncle Ed but we sure didn't want to leave without saying goodbye and thanking them for their hospitality. I guess we made enough noise as Billie and Ed threw on their bathrobes and came out to see us off. If you have read about the Posse Ride 2004 you know I had wanted to ride over Skyline Drive in Canon City Colorado but found it closed on the day we were there. To my great delight this year the gate was open and slowly we proceeded up the narrow one way road to the top where we took in the view of the city and I reminisced about my youth when, during my family's summer vacations to visit Grandparents, my brothers and I would climb the sandstone ridge called Skyline Drive and at times pick petrified sharks teeth from the rock. Heading south from Canon we wanted to avoid I-25 so decided to take SH96 to SH165 and come out on the interstate at Colorado City. Along the way, with myself in the lead, I made a for
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