Travel day today – went as far as Vernal, Utah.  Took back roads instead of Interstate 70.  Worth the extra time.  A feast for the eyes and food for the soul.  Wish we could video and wrap in a ribbon for you to see.  Headed for Salt Lake City tomorrow

They finally took me with them – I was beginning to worry.

Utah is dinosaur land – nothing like a pink dinosaur to great you

These baskets go on for 7 blocks.

The local florist starts these baskets in February – they are watered and fertilized every other day at 2 in the morning

Look how big – we wanted to take home but this won’t fit in the trailer – we tried!

Left my brother Armand’s today – but left late so stayed at the campsite one more night – got up and it was 48 degrees – bit chilly

No Pony Express, no oxen, maybe someone will push me, I’m starting to get a complex, they did’t even dress me up with a bow today

This in one of the local free ranging cows. Apparently he thinks he is a bird. Keeps coming up the driveway, drinking out of the bird bath then tipping it over.

Walked around the town of Buena Vista, went to a small local museum.  Also rode the Royal Gorge dinner train.  We could only get the evening tickets.  Next time hope to do the breakfast or lunch train.  Once it got dark couldn’t see out – but a very nice adult evening with an excellent dinner.

The Pony express never showed up – hoping some oxen will come by and give me a pull

Put about 250 miles on the bike today – rode Independence Pass – beautiful

Mom & Dad left me home today – I thought I would catch a ride with the Pony Express

This was a good indication that riding the bike today was the right decision! There was another sign that said you WOULD get stuck on the switch backs and there was a $1000 fine.

The switchbacks provided quite a view – but I accidentally took a video of the switchback so now I can’t show you!

A little villa in Aspen for sale – said we would take two!

A postman suggested we go the city market that had a little deli, this is Alan and I slumming in Aspen for lunch.

They really should not have left me home – I slept in the cat bed today – wait until Dad tries to cuddle me – hope he brought his eye drops for itchy eyes!

Did some riding today.  Did about 160 miles.  We rode the Tennessee pass and the Battle Mountain pass.

Starting our day

Some serious mountains

This is Colorado riding – traffic stopped in both directions while they cleared loose rock from above

Leadville is the highest incorporated town in the USA.

Look what I found in Leadville – a rug beater or wife beater as Alan would say

And look what else is sold in this shop

Enough said

The Pauls must be traveling – please note the rain gear.

Laid back day today – mostly visited.  Went to the town donut shop but they wouldn’t let him in!

Had to hold Big Al back – he really wanted a donut

This is an attraction in town – it’s for the tenants cats from the second floor down so that they don’t have to walk down from the second floor to let them out or in.  They just open the window!  Quite clever.

The cat elevator

Drinking coffee on the front porch – this is what you see except there are probably 30 of them flitting around.  Have not been able to take a picture of the many chipmunks running around the patio.  Heard wolves last night to.  So busy visiting did not have a chance to ride today as planned.

Very short travel day – arrived in Buena Vista today – beautiful drive between Colorado Springs and here.  It’s really a feast for the eyes.  Saw buffalo and antelope on the ride over.

I didn’t do it – honest

Travel day today.  You know you are in the hinterlands when your accessing your GPS for poi (points of interest which includes gas, restaurants, et.) and the screen comes up blank!  We were on US 94 and let me tell you there was 70 miles of NOTHING but grazing land.  Did see fields of sun flowers – odd to see all the heads of the plants facing one way towards the sun.

Just to let you know camping is alive and well.  It took several calls yesterday and again today to find a spot for the night.  Statistics say that there are 8.9 million rv families and that was back in 2011.  I think at least half are on the road with us!  The place we are at tonight in Colorado doesn’t have a blade of grass.  We are packed so close together I think we are in New York city.  So much the wide open spaces (at least for tonight)!

Tight quarters tonight