There's a lot of Color Between Phoenix & Aspen

I just threw my camera in the garbage. What's the point after seeing these? Bravo!

Twin Lakes, CO​

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Time to start heading south.​

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Chalk Creek was colorful.​

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I stopped for fuel and snacks in Buena Vista. People here are friendly.
As I get back to making miles, I begin to feel pretty bad. I've got some sort of headache and upset stomach.​

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I realized it probably had something to do with the high elevations and the lack of good sleep.​

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I tried to forget the ill feelings and still had a blast over Monarch Pass.​

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I found some excellent color...





...along the Lake Fork Gunnison River.





The bike enjoyed the rest.





I enjoyed the break on the banks of the river and began to feel a little better.








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You're a lucky man to live in such a beautiful state. I love to ski and snowboard there in the winter, but haven't visited much the rest of the year. Thanks!

A picture is worth a thousand words, but the real reason there are so few words in my reports is I never really know what to say and lack any creative writing skills. I'm glad you are enjoying.

Thanks Oli-San!

Not a fan of the desert? It is pretty boring during mid-day, but the sunrise and sunsets are 2nd to none. Thanks for following along Mike.

You're welcome, eddyturn. I change my backgrounds almost daily, and always have a hard time deciding.

Thanks peejay!

Noooo! Don't throw it away. Send it to me. I could always use another. Go back to my reports before the fall of 2009 and you'll see I've learned alot since then. If you are motivated, photography skills can be learned.

I rolled through Lake City, then up another pass.




The SIlver Thread Scenic Byway was a blast.









Wagon Wheel Gap
















Wolf Creek Pass





I ski Wolf Creek frequently, so I'm in very familiar territory now.









I stopped at one of my favorite restaurants in Pagosa Springs for an ealy dinner, but found they had moved.
I wasn't sure where to, so I continued west. I found a cool campsite along the Lower Peidra River a couple miles off the highway.






I set up camp and cooked up a Mountain House Meal. This was the only night I even bothered setting up the tent.
It was good that I did, as it seemed much colder tonight.





Sunset on the Lower Piedra River.






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Day 4 Map: Going Home





I head west on the U.S. 160...














...totally forgetting about the construction delays. The only road I covered twice on this route had several one-lane sections.
Maybe I should have rerouted through New Mexico.




Indian Reservation Highways on a Hazy Day














I take a different route. I've never ridden through the Navajo Nation on the U.S. 191 before.





Nothing much to see here, so I keep moving along.
Road hazards included a large herd of goats.
Do goats have herds? Flocks? How about a gaggle of goats?










I'm lost on Mars.


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As always, a great report with incredible photography and a fantastic story!!!

I'm glad to see you have not forgotten about April. I think she was feeling a little neglected lately.

Wow, What can I say ? I am just blown away by your your report and photo's !!
Apart from motorcycling I am a keen photographer, so just love some of the photographs of your road trip to Colorado and back. I am really envious of the lovely colorful scenes that you have in your fall, and would love to get there some time on my Caponord.

I was directed to your report by someone posting a link on the AF1 / Caponord site.

So hopefully I will get there some day with my Nikon D3 as this is now well up there on my bucket list of things to do before I part this earth !!

Thanks again for sharing it with us.

I had plans to stop for a hike into Canyon De Chelly...




...but it was such a hazy, ugly day...




...and I had so many long miles to ride.




Home...




...was on my mind.




I stopped at the Mogollon Rim only 2 hours from home.




I hung my feet over the edge and enjoyed the view.




After laying on a rock staring into the sky for awhile...




I went to check out the variety of wildflowers around.


































Dead Wood




April loves a great view.




Below the rim now, we head home.




The sun dropped out of sight while I was fueling up the bike for the last time in Payson.




After a fun blast in the dark down the curves of the 87 I was home.




Rider: Dave
Bike: 2002 Aprilia RST1000 Futura
Distance: 1817 Miles of Asphalt
Time: Four Days
Dates: October 4-7, 2012
Locations: AZ, UT, CO
Colors: Billions

I would do it again...

...if there weren't so many other places to ride.


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Hi Glenn! Yes, April was disappointed the KTM got to go to Alaska this summer and she didn't.
Maybe someday she'll get the chance.

Thanks ScatmanJack! I hang out on Aprilia Forum sometimes as well. Usually in the Futura section, of course.
If you like landscape photography, you can't beat the Southwest USA. I hope you get the chance to visit.





A different look. You guys might remember this one from day one.

Man, I have as much fun with ride reports and (mostly) photograph on ADV forum than with the technical stuff (although they are very helpful, of course). And your ride reports are just classic! Inspiring pics, great approach with the words... Just great. I must thank you for sharing and say that your photograph work make me wonder if I could express all the marvel of motorcycle adventure with as much honesty as you do on this site. It's an incredible contribution to keep inmates interested in this website. I must say as well I only think in going to USA when I think of surfing in California during fall time (to much hassle to get a visa). But motorcycle adventure start to get me thinking of going there some day too. This could be interesting: riding some of this awesome places I've been seeing on your ride reports and ride some waves at the end of the trip!

Anyways, congratulations, thank you and keep the mirrors up. Cheers,

Arjones.

P.S.: since it seems you like good photographs, I think you would like to check this out http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=832590 . This guy shoots some great photos as well.

I love the Aprilia Futura! Yours is my favorite color. Awesome pictures of the bike!

Those roads, the colors, amazing.

I never understood why that bike wasn't more popular, perhaps it was becasue not enough people got to ride them?

you'll have that bike broken in pretty soon. 30, 40K more miles and should hit its sweet spot.

Ian

Thanks Dave. That was great. I never knew that bend in the Colorado was so close to the road.

Great report and remarkable pictures, this could be you best report to date maybe that's because I love the San Juans so much. It's amazing how many miles you can cover and get so many great photos. You are one "focused" dude.

Thanks for the great report.

Oh yes. I already spotted that RR, but thanks for the heads up. His style reminds me I need to take the time to shoot scenes with me riding through it. I've done this a little with the in-camera intervolometer, but when putting down so many miles, it's hard to set the camera up for multiple passes. I hope you get the chance to visit someday.

Hi Ian. I think the bike is even getting close to its first valve inspection. I hope she remains such a fun and reliable bike. IMO, there hasn't been a better SPORT-tourer made since. Thanks!

Hi DK. Horseshoe Bend is only a few miles south of Page. The turnoff and dirt parking lot is marked. There was a hike over a hill in mostly sand. The sign said the hike was 1/4 mile, but I swear it was closer to 1/2 miles each way. It is an impressive and HUGE view. I was only able to capture it with an 8mm Fisheye lens. I tried a 16 mm lens held vertically and stitched into a pano and still couldn't get it all in well.

I converted this fisheye shot into a B&W with PicMonkey



The 16mm Stitched

Thanks for the wonderful compliment FRS!

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Thanks for the new desktop background!

Gorgeous photography and a fantastic ride report!

Thanks for sharing!