Riding to the West side

[Earache]

Oh well, we should probably be going slower through here anyway...

[Earache]

Into Ouray and we hit our hotel, Ouray Chalet Inn, to get outta wet clothes and into some bars for beer. Starting to see a pattern develop on this trip?

[Earache]

Had a local brew at the first bar -stale tasting and no head at all...

[Earache]

Quick walk through town to the next bar...

[Earache]

The rain cloud that we rode through 30 minutes earlier has followed us down the hill into Ouray...

[Earache]

I've always wanted to stop at this little brew house on previous trips, but it was always closed. Happened to be open today, so in we go for a brew...

Quirky little place with a nice way of ordering more beer - ring the cowbell above your stool...





Not the most modern of tap handles, nor the most sanitary. Guy names his beers by number; 1, 2 IV, etc...

[Earache]

Up the next day and time to be heading east back to Indy...

[Earache]

Made a run to Silverton before heading east. Passed a small waterfall on the way out...




A Colorado flag hung on the hill....

[Earache]

Stopped at a swanky restaurant that I knew for breakfast...




Ever since the Cow Place closed, I can't bear to eat anywhere else for breakfast.

[Earache]

back over 550...




Roads sucked as usual...

[Earache]

We were greeted by the Colorado Welcome Wagon. 87 in a 55 is apparently frowned upon here. Trooper was telling us how dangerous it is to speed, etc and then Neil accidentally flashed his badge (he's a Chicago cop) while gettinmg his license out. He then informed the cop that he was carrying two loaded weapons.

Cop says "cool" and then starts telling us which roads we should take as they're curvier. No mention of a performance award at all after that point.



I've got to get me one of those badges.

[Earache]

Back through Minturn...

[Earache]

One more night in Colorado at the Ameristar Casino in Black Hawk...





Had to ride through some hard rains to get here. It actually felt good and Colorado really needs the rain.

[Earache]

It's raining hard now, we're cold and tired so we hit the first bar we see for some quick chow and beers...

[Earache]

The next day we leave Black Hawk at 0500 for the long ride home. We hump it to Des Moines, Iowa for the night. Rode 750 miles today and didn't take a single picture.

The last day of the trip is pent riding from DSM to Indy. Had to take a break in Le Roy, IL and let the tornadoes pass...