Since Audra is in Alamosa for two weeks, doing Grad Classes, I arranged for us to peel away on the bike for a weekend of New Mexico Green Chili.
The weekend started off with my buddy Matt and I leaving Colorado Springs at 7am, headed for Salida. We had planned a 550 mile loop, where I would split off early at Alamosa, so that Matt could do a 'test run' on his BMW GS.(In about a week, he is attempting a 24 hour, 1000 mile Utah ride.)
After I left Salida, I head south on 285, over 9,010 Poncha Pass.
Once arriving at Alamosa, I picked up Audra at Moffat Hall and we headed east for Trinidad, via the Highway of Legends (my second time to ride it in 5 days).
At the top of Cucharas Pass, we found the Columbine's in full bloom.
Wildlife was all over the place. Dozens of deer and several groups of elk were seen throughout the ride. This bull elk was the highlight of the ride.
Heading in to Trinidad, the view back of the canyon was awesome.
Day number 2 started off in Trinidad, CO, with rain coming down. Fortunately, we had the right gear and remained waterproof and warm, throughout the ride.
Here's a pic of Audra, getting decked out for the wet ride.
On top of Raton Pass, we paused for a picture.
South of Raton, NM, we headed southwest on Highway 64, or the Santa Fe Trail.
A stretch of the legs and a half hour of people watching in Eagles Nest.
Finally, we arrive in Taos. Michael's Kitchen yielded a lunch of enchiladas, tamales, etc... AWESOME.... and a must stop for everyone!
Oh yeah....that is me, feasting on a sopapilla, drizzled in honey-butter!
Leaving Santa Fe, it was still drizzling and the temps were in the 50's.
Finally the sun!!!! In Santa Fe, we stopped at a Starbucks for a 'warm-up coffee'.
An end to a wonderful day, found us in Albuquerque. An evening meal at The Range. Of course, we continue to return to this restaurant for Chili Rellenos.
Day Three. We chose a route we have never driven or ridden before. Hwy 96 is an outstanding stretch of pavement that we highly recommend. Most of the route is above 7,000 feet with high desert, Ponderosa Pines and mountain meadows. Just beautiful!
This morning, I pulled one of the dumbest stunts, in a long time.... I reached out of our, 4th floor, hotel window to snap a pic of the Hot Air Balloons that were dotted across the Albuquerque sky..... and I dropped the camera!!! Yeah, it is dead. So, the rest of the trip, pics are taken with my cell phone camera.
Eating at the Range in Bernalillo, we feasted on pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, pintos and green chili!!!! Out the window next to our table, we could see the Sandia Mountains.
Riding out Highway 550 up to Cuba, the Red Rock is just beautiful. Leaving 550, we rode Hwy 96 through Coyote, over to Highway 84.
Looking over Abiquiu Reservior, the boater's are playing and having fun.
After leaving Pagosa Springs, the views were amazing!
On top of Wolf Creek Pass (10,850), we stopped for a pic on the Continental Divide.
Arriving in Alamosa, we logged 975 miles in three days. The tour, the views and the food were absolutely AWESOME!
To see their Mom and spend some time as a family, the kids arranged for time off from work and drove down to Alamosa. It was obvious that they enjoyed the adventure.
Eating Fajitas outside the apartment.
With no TV, games like SkipBo became big entertainment.
There is a stream that flows around the dunes. The kids built a diversion.
The weekend started off with my buddy Matt and I leaving Colorado Springs at 7am, headed for Salida. We had planned a 550 mile loop, where I would split off early at Alamosa, so that Matt could do a 'test run' on his BMW GS.(In about a week, he is attempting a 24 hour, 1000 mile Utah ride.)
After I left Salida, I head south on 285, over 9,010 Poncha Pass.
Once arriving at Alamosa, I picked up Audra at Moffat Hall and we headed east for Trinidad, via the Highway of Legends (my second time to ride it in 5 days).
At the top of Cucharas Pass, we found the Columbine's in full bloom.
Wildlife was all over the place. Dozens of deer and several groups of elk were seen throughout the ride. This bull elk was the highlight of the ride.
Heading in to Trinidad, the view back of the canyon was awesome.
Day number 2 started off in Trinidad, CO, with rain coming down. Fortunately, we had the right gear and remained waterproof and warm, throughout the ride. 
Here's a pic of Audra, getting decked out for the wet ride.
On top of Raton Pass, we paused for a picture.
South of Raton, NM, we headed southwest on Highway 64, or the Santa Fe Trail.
A stretch of the legs and a half hour of people watching in Eagles Nest.
Finally, we arrive in Taos. Michael's Kitchen yielded a lunch of enchiladas, tamales, etc... AWESOME.... and a must stop for everyone!
Leaving Santa Fe, it was still drizzling and the temps were in the 50's.
Finally the sun!!!! In Santa Fe, we stopped at a Starbucks for a 'warm-up coffee'.
An end to a wonderful day, found us in Albuquerque. An evening meal at The Range. Of course, we continue to return to this restaurant for Chili Rellenos.
Day Three. We chose a route we have never driven or ridden before. Hwy 96 is an outstanding stretch of pavement that we highly recommend. Most of the route is above 7,000 feet with high desert, Ponderosa Pines and mountain meadows. Just beautiful!
Eating at the Range in Bernalillo, we feasted on pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, pintos and green chili!!!! Out the window next to our table, we could see the Sandia Mountains.
Riding out Highway 550 up to Cuba, the Red Rock is just beautiful. Leaving 550, we rode Hwy 96 through Coyote, over to Highway 84.
Looking over Abiquiu Reservior, the boater's are playing and having fun.
After leaving Pagosa Springs, the views were amazing!
On top of Wolf Creek Pass (10,850), we stopped for a pic on the Continental Divide.
Audra drove her car and I led on the bike.
The view from Audra's apartment.
The Apartment Complex. University married housing that we rented for two weeks. It came furnished, but we had to take all the linens, etc.... It didn't take Audra long to set up her home away from home.
This morning (Tuesday), I headed back to The Springs to check on the kids, the house and the yard/plants. I also needed to do some work out of my office. Anyway, on the way home I detoured down the Highway of Legends that runs through La Veta and over to Trinidad. Here are a couple of pics.
