Finally, Back at it!! 6-20-2017

Finally concluded some family health problems with my Dad, got the forks rebuilt on the trike, so it was time to head out again, on a trip we've been thinking about for months.

This time, we have some friends along. They're riding to celebrate their 50 years together, we're just riding for fun, and to complete the  IBA National Parks Master Traveler Certification. We're headed north this time, up into South Dakota & Wyoming, and other places as time and funds allow.

We left Monday, met our friends a few miles up the road, then continued on US-287. ....And, it rained, while we were still south & east of DFW. Ah well, starting out in the rain..  must mean we got it out of the way early... right???   (We hope)  We traveled only to Vernon, Tx for the day, opting for an early start today.

We hit the road around 6.30am. We figured we'd find a local cafe/restaurant for breakfast. I guess the fast food joints and the chain restaurants put them all out of business. We could find none open, until Amarillo. A jaunt of 170 miles, then had to settle for a Denny's...  brunch.

We then hit the road hard, thru the rest of the Texas panhandle, the Oklahoma panhandle, into Colorado. I did get a pic of the Colorado welcome sign...  for got Oklahoma. But, in my defense, we had a cross wind from the west...  hard & hot.

Colorado

We continued on to Lamar, detoured around road construction that stretched the length of the city, then headed to a Historic Site that I wanted to visit. It's called Bent's Old Fort, near LaJunta, Co. A very colorful history and accurate restoration.

The Fort itself is set back a ways from the parking area & restrooms. There is a walking trail, or a phone call from the parking area will bring a shuttle for your pleasure. While the others called for the shuttle, I walked some of the way back to see some interesting fauna along the trail.

and finally, Bent's Old Fort, outside & in

An old cannon parked out front, and an actual Conestoga Wagon on display, plus a teepee (don't know if it's historically accurate or not)

We are overnighting in LaJunta, headed more northerly in the morning.

445 miles for the day...  and the bike ambient air temp showed a high of 99*, averaged 97* most of the day. Forecast for tomorrow, in this area, is 102*.  We're gonna start EARLY!!!!