Day 4: Montrose, Colorado

Starting Mileage: 7821
Ending Mileage: 8221
Miles traveled: 401
April 16, 2008

Got an early start out of Bryce Canyon. Grace programmed the iPod to play “The Best of Scottish Pipes and Drums” in honor of the anniversary of the Culloden Battle. After about the 5th song, Brian said, “I don’t know if I can take much more of this, Love.” Which was fine because Grace then said, “It’s ok—bagpipes still make me cry…so let’s put on some Alex Beaton (another Scottish singer).”

First order of business was to get gas. It was decided that Brian would fill the tank…and Grace would clean the windshield. But she couldn’t do so because the water the squeegee was in was frozen.

The next several hours of leaving Bryce Canyon…and Utah…was filled with just some breath-taking scenery. Grace had the camera going constantly. At times, she would say she was giving the camera a rest only to get frustrated at the next turn to *yet another* spectacular view and the camera was not ready. Brian would say, “Ohh—great view on the left!” Just to have Grace say, “You should see the view I’m shooting on the right!” I’m sure our necks got a real workout looking back and forth at ALL the scenery.




We stopped for breakfast at a small place in Boulder, Utah called “Hell’s Backbone Grill.” Luckily, it had internet connection…so we charted out our course…along with having a great breakfast.



Oh…I forgot to say that today was the first time we “plugged in” our gear. Both Grace and Brian have electric jackets and Grace has electric pants (no funny comments, now!). Brian had electric socks—but Grace’s made it too snug in her boots, so she didn’t wear hers. Both have electric gloves…but this day, Grace wore hers and Brian did not (the bike has heated hand grips). We were *toasty* even as we climbed up to 9900 ft. into very cold and snowy Colorado.

Our original plan was to head to Ogden, Utah (where Brian had wanted to see some museums) and to Denver. However, since we started this trek a day late and also stayed an extra day at Bryce Canyon, we had to forego these places. Even so—it turns out that the pass through the Rockies was closed due to a snow storm. Aah, Springtime in the Rockies!

Butts were less sore this day because Brian stopped off at a Honda/BMW service shop in Grand Junction to adjust the rear shock. After the mechanic showed Brian how to do it, the ride was much smoother. Oh, JOY!

Forced to head south, we made it as far as a small town called Montrose, Colorado—just a ways outside of Grand Junction. We stayed at a Best Western there…which just happened to have a Jacuzzi in the room! As soon as we were in the room, Grace stripped and made a mad dash for the Jacuzzi. She was in it before it was filled up—she just wanted the hot water to soak away the sore muscles. It was *heavenly*. Grace’s cold is now full-on and she’s been fighting it with Clariton D and Benydryl and tries to keep her coughing to a minimum by constantly sucking on either Halls’ Lemon Cough Drops, or Halls Vitamin C lozenges…which she keeps in her pockets. Brian is glad he didn’t have to witness the balancing act she had to do on the back of the bike to remove her gloves, fish out the lozenge out of her pocket, remove the wrapper, stick the wrapper in her pocket, open her helmet visor and stick the lozenge in her mouth, put her gloves back on…all at 80 mph through windy roads and gusty winds. By evening…she just looks miserable. Grace continually asserts she is having a GREAT time.