The plane to PHX I am to be on is being inspected because it was struck by lightning on the approach into SLC. nice

At SLC airport and watching a Mensa candidate behind the counter "packing" the chips into the rack. Pushing them in so he can fit a couple extra. Brilliant!

Rocky Mountain Park

This is the park across from Brandon's house. These pictures are looking west and his house is in the last house on the right.

Grey, overcast and chilly

Sitting here with morning coffee - second cup, first was at 7:00am- and watching everyone walk and run around the pond all bundled up. It is about 45deg. Lot of new snow up in the mountains, very impressive site seeing it for two straight days coming down.

Visit to the New Belgium Brewery

Nice ride up to the New Belgium Brewery- home of Fat Tire- in Fort Collins CO. http://www.newbelgium.com/home.aspx
I have never experienced a tour like this before where they great you with a beer when you register, and then more 5oz samples during the tour.

Another sample to start the tour

Here is the link to the rest of the pictures:

Breakfast in Denver

Went to a nice place across from a pond/lake with nice views of downtown Denver. Quite happy that the weather forecast has improved and it is now only calling for possible showers today.

Denver- Day 1

Or as my friends back east call it- "Denvah" Came into nice weather and hung out a rooftop bar in downtown Denver across from Coors Field. Real nice out until the clouds moved in and then it was very chilly.

Approach into Salt Lake City this morning

Way too much snow for me....

Ride to Jerome on Route 89A

The ride from Phoenix to Jerome is an incredible ride- both for its beauty and at times incredibly nerve wracking drive.  The ride up route 89A north features 158 turns in 12 miles with many of them 10mph switchbacks.

I would have it enjoyed it a lot more in the Audi and 4 wheels. The road peaks out at 7000ft and then drops back down to 5000 in Jerome. 

Yup, a lot of them white knuckle turns as well

Downtown Jerome

Also saw snow on the road side on the drive up

Looking across the Verde Valley (5000 feet down) across to  Sedona

Was the miners hotel, now a private residence

The Jerome Grand Hotel- Used to be the hospital

WAY too many of these signs on the way to Jerome

But had a great time doing a pub crawl through Jerome, cigar on the hotel deck looking over the valley and watching the lights come on, and then a steak dinner at the hotel restaurant to cap the day. 

Ride through the desert

Rode 360 miles yesterday to kick off bike week here in the desert. Rode up the 87 (Beeline Highway) towards Payson after leaving Fountain Hills and over to Roosevelt Lake. The desert is in full bloom at this time of year and the scenery was spectacular. If you have the chance now is the time to see the desert. It is one of those rides where it seems every turn takes your breath away. I will always be an ocean person but....this is a close second.