Final leg of the ride into Phoenix

On the ride down the mountains - which I forgot how breathtaking that ride is - I could feel the heat of the valley approaching. The last 40 miles were in 105+ air temps, then add in the heat from the road itself and I had my own little sauna going at the end.

Some tidbits from the ride there and back
Highest elevation- 7850 ft
Continental Divide- crossed it twice- though the crossing in New Mexico was not nearly the same height
Rio Grande- crossed it twice
Weirdest non- nature sight: a conversion van (with full standing height roof) with a living room love seat strapped to the roof sideways and piled with boxes and a half dozen bikes strapped to the roof in front of it! I am surprised it did not tip over it looked so top heavy.
A first: A danger bear crossing sign. Not sure which was scarier, that or the multiple moose warnings. Did come across (not literally) 3 run over deers on the road. Why I try not to ride highways after dark, the big critters are hell on the front of a motorcycle.

Total miles to Denver:960
total miles home: 1170
Grand total: 2130 miles in 4 days of riding

Number of espresso shots: can't count that high

No rain today- of course. I knew that would happen as soon as I bought a face shield for my helmut. So the helmut stayed strapped to the bike the whole ride(s) home.

Lordsburg NM

Just made the turn off if I10 and now heading north on 70 towards Globe Az

Rainbow

A rainbow over Truth or Consequences NM.

Stop for lunch in Santa Fe

Have 425+ miles behind me, trying to stay ahead of the rain. Only went through a couple of brief showers. About an hour now to Albuquerque AND A Starbucks!
The views are so much better than last week when it rained most of the way from Santa Fe.

Sent from my iPhone

Wagon Mound NM

Gorgeous Views

125 miles south of Denver. Clear skies, the views of the mountain are spectacular!
Temp about 58 when I left this morning but starting to warm up. A lot of motorcycle rally's on the road between Denver and Colorado Springs.

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The Las Vegas Strip

Seems a bit tamer than the one in Nevada. IMO

Found a Starbucks

On Rte 25 heading north in Bernanillo. Sun is shining and temps in low 80's. About 6 hours more to Denver.

Say what....ohhhh hookup

Screen cap of Starbucks app in Grant New Mexico.

Night in Grant New Mexico

I would love to say it is refreshing to drive for 3+ hours in the rain on a motorcycle but I cannot, but at least the rain suit worked well and kept me dry. Stopped at a gas station and put on my leather jacket under the rain jacket as the temps had dropped into the 60's - but I was warm enough.
Even with the rain the sights threw the painted desert were pretty incredible and a I saw a lot of rainbows when the rain would let up, mother nature is such a tease though as I could see the clear skies in my review mirror.
Looks like tomorrow's travel holds more of the same for me and I am hopeful that the last 500 miles of the trip is not all in rain.

Been in rain since last post

With thus still ahead. The rain suit is getting a workout. Currently in the Navajo Nation with about 200 miles to Albuquerque.

Stop at Meteor Crater National Park

That is what I am driving into. Have not seen any cars or trucks yet using wipers. So hopefully it will stay south while I skirt to the north. About 4 hrs to Albuquerque.

Lunch in Camp Verde, AZ

Stopping for lunch and caffeine refueling at a Starbucks in Camp Verde, AZ.  Beautiful ride, but there was a stretch of about 4 miles where there were a lot of brush fires on the side of the road.  Lots of crews trying to get them under control.

Heading to Denver

All packed up and ready to go, looking forward to arriving in Denver tomorrow and seeing all my friends there.