Colorado - Walsenburg

We had an interesting night last night with 3 room changes at the motel. When we checked in and went to our room it still hadn't been made up, so we were allocated another room. Later that night after dinner, I was in the shower when I felt cold water splashing on me from above the shower curtain. I thought Tracee was behind it so accused her (wrongly). I then looked up and saw the ceiling tile above my head buckling and water seeping through! I got changed and went to report it to the manager. By the time I got back to our room, there was a hole in the ceiling where the tile used to be and water pouring through! Room change number 3! This meant a rather late night - which we didn't want. We were both tired and were up at 5:30am the next morning for an early breakfast and getting on the road.

I can't say New Mexico inspired us very much. Admittedly we were only at one town in the northern part and I believe most of the attractions are further south in Albuquerque and Santa Fe (or Roswell if you are a UFO buff). It just seemed a rather arid, uninteresting landscape.

We fueled up and headed north on 550 and crossed the state line back into Colorado. We linked up with 160 East near Carton Junction, stopped for coffee in Pagosa Springs and then headed through the San Juan National Forest.

One thing about mountain passes in Colorado - they are quite a long ride to get over conmpared to back in NZ. To ride over Arthurs Pass or Lewis Pass it only seems like a few km's from the bottom to the other side. We rode up Wolf Creek Pass (11,000 ft) and the sign at the bottom said 'Summit 8 miles'. Although it is summer here, when you ride over these passes - the air does get quite chilly!

Just alongside the San Juan National Forest is the Rio Grande National Forest - the source of the famous Rio Grande river. The river starts out here in the mountain range fresh and clear. By the time it hits Texas it is dirty with silt!

We past a group of 3 motorcyclists towing trailers. You see that a lot over here. I actually thought they were quite 'soft'. If they were riding 'two up' I could perhaps understand the need for a trailer - but these were single riders! Tracee & I are riding two-up, with only one pack on the back carrier and two side panniers on the bike to see us through 8 weeks! Basically, I packed a toothbrush and two changes of undies - the rest is pretty much Tracee's stuff :-)

We had lunch in Monte Vista and then continued along 160 East and past the settlement of Fort Garland. This place is famous for the 9th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers that were stationed here, along with Colonel Kit Carson (and his New Mexico Volunteers), who successfully negotiated a treaty with the Ute Indians in 1867.

We rode over North La Veta Pass (where we managed to out run a storm) and pulled into Walsenburg for the night - a 443 km ride for the day. In case you are wondering, the town was named after some German dude called Walsen who was a successful merchant in the 1800's. It was also the home of Robert Ford (the assassin of legendary outlaw Jesse James) who operated a saloon and gambling house here.

It is with some sadness that this will be our last night in Colorado. We have ridden most of the major roads in the state and really enjoyed our time here (7 nights in all). Tomorrow - Kansas!