Over the Rockies and into Utah!

I last left you in Denver.  The Mile High City!  Denver sure is awesome!  It reminds me quite a bit of Chicago. In fact, there were a couple times when I caught myself thinking we WERE in Chicago!  Next trip back we'll have to stay longer. There's so much to do and lots of friends to see out there!

We planned on pulling out fairly early and meeting Ron's son in Frisco for breakfast at a Denny's there.  It was a beautiful warm morning and even though I knew I'd have to bundle up before the Rockies, I wasn't ready to do so quite yet. Just after Idaho Springs we pulled off to don jackets. I planned on throwing the chaps on after our breakfast. 

Onward we climbed, up the beautiful Rockies!  What an incredible ride!  I was starting to get REALLY hungry by this point and I really needed more coffee!  Luckily Frisco wasn't too much farther.  We exited and searched for the Denny's. And searched a little more.  Hmmmnn.  There doesn't seem to be a Denny's anywhere.  In fact, from what I see as my first impression, Frisco doesn't appear to be a "chain-restaurant" kinda town!  We parked the bikes and went in search of food.  The first place we found was called the Butterhorn Cafe and Bakery. JACKPOT!!!!  This place ROCKED!  

The menu was AMAZING and our server was awesome.  The day we were there was his one-year anniversary in Frisco.  He relocated from Atlanta.  We told him where we were coming from and where we were going.  He was very excited that we were going to Moab.  He said he's always wanted to get there.  Back to the amazing menu!  Here's a glimpse....

I opted for the Eggs Butterhorn...their version of Eggs Benedict.  Tom got the biscuits and gravy, while Ron, Bill, and Sue got French toast in some form or another.  Check these out!

French Toast

More French toast

Biscuits and Gravy

Eggs Butterhorn!  Under that croissant is 2 poached eggs, avocado, Canadian bacon and a roasted red pepper sauce.  Their croissants were so fresh and fluffy!  This food was amazing!

Oh, Ron's son?  Never got to meet up with us.  He got called in to work!

After filling our bellies and taking some pix, we bundled up and headed on up the mountain!

I'm glad I put my chaps on because there were a few spots I really needed them.  Overall it wasn't NEARLY as cold as when we were through there last year.  I was able to take many more pix this time since I wasn't wearing gloves! 

On the downhill side, we stopped at a rest area to lose some clothing!  As we were pulling in the guy standing by the car next to our spot was wearing an Ohio State shirt. I gave him an "O-H"!  Either he didn't hear me or he forgot what shirt he was wearing but his wife/girlfriend picked up his slack!  "I-O"! She answered!  Buckeyes in the Rockies!  Then, I go into the restroom and see this in the stall....

Hahahaaaa!  Someone was creative!  All kind of Ohio references. At this stop!

We were soon back on the road.  Utah-bound!  But not before lunch and a stop at the Harley dealer in Grand Junction!  

Gassed up and back on the road, we motored on into Utah. Just as the Rockies weren't as cold as last year, Utah wasn't nearly as hot!  Perfect temps!  Unfortunately my camera was acting wonky and setting itself to certain settings....like macro.....so a lot of my riding pix didn't go as planned. Bah!  

Here's a couple, though.....

We left I-70 and opted to take route 128 into Moab.  WOW!  This road is incredible!  As we were approaching the canyon area I could see what appeared to be a pretty good storm brewing over it.  They just got slammed in that area over the previous couple days. I was hoping to avoid the really bad stuff. Especially when they get the roads washed out and whatnot. Don't need no whatnot!  

See it here?  To the right?  Yep....that's where we were heading!  

This road is so beautiful and desolate.  Then we approached the canyon area where the river ran along side the roadway.  WOW!  There are no words to describe how beautiful and awesome this canyon is! It's amazing how small I felt!  

Shortly after these pix were taken it started to rain.  While we opted for no rain suits as a group, Tom & I opted to put on the full-faced helmets. I didn't know how nasty it was gonna get and the full-facers are great for the rain!  No need to worry about foggy glasses on these twisty road with those things!  Luckily it didn't get too bad. We passed several areas where you can see the road had been washed out from the previous storms. They were pretty well cleaned up when we came through though. I'd hate to be in the middle of THAT!  

We arrived at the Hampton Inn Moab a little damp and a little tired!  

They let us park our bikes under the unloading overhang, too!  I love when they let us park there!

After unpacking and showering, we found a Mexican restaurant within walking distance.  The food was tasty and the waitress was friendly. Here's my Carne Asada tacos and my local brew from Moab Brewery...

So far, so good in Moab!  

We wandered back to our rooms and planned for an 8-ish breakfast, then Arches National Park!  i was WAY excited to see Arches!  I hit the pillow where I had the BEST sleep so far this trip!  

Stay tuned for Adventures in Arches!