Pueblos to the Million Dollar Highway

Thursday September 9. Got up early and went back to the cafe for breakfast before heading out to do the Mesa loop trail, visiting a number of ruins. Then I took a guided tour of Balcony House with a small group and a ranger. It was fabulous. You had to reach it by descending a hundred feet over the cliff, traversing a ledge and climbing a thirty rung ladder. After that tour, I rode to Spruce Tree House (another site) and the excellent museum, which had lots of artifacts from the ruins.

Then I descended from Mesa Verde and began to ride north. This afternoon was all about the ride. Several good highways to reach the one I had been told about. It's called the Million Dollar Highway and connects two mining towns up in the mountains. The road has hundreds of twists and turns, and even has two double 's' turns in it, as it rises up over a couple of passes and follows the San Juan River canyon. Magnificent road. However, the going was slow, because of the turns and lack of guardrails (again).

From there I headed through the Black Canyon National Park area as I headed further north and east. The canyon is spectacular! with cliffs that are hundreds of feet high. The ride is along the lip of the canyon with spectacular drop offs. Again the route was slow going and I was trying to get too far. The towns were very far apart and the road was deserted and the time was getting late! Went through a couple of tiny towns with no motels. Luckily, finally, found a town with a motel! Checked in, but no computer. However, there was a diner right across the street, so I headed across and treated myself to a club sandwich.