On US 189 from Provo UT and into more of the same weather as earlier in the day
Even with rain and clouds the mountains and colors were awesome
In fact, some of the views seemed all the more more dramatic
It was impossible to drive a mile before stopping for another photo
Gray skies didn't lessen this photo even as I stood in the rain to snap it
Also in the rain, the green cedars provide a beautiful backgrounf for fall color
Using a fisherman trail, it was possible to get right next to Deer Creek at a bridge
Same spot, higher view; note two wade fishermen level with headlights
Other fisherman and campers are down the river, in spite of the rain
Continuing into WY the weather worsens and cools with increasing elevation
In Casper WY the weather makes it difficult to see 5 encircling mtn ranges
With mountains looming in the background, I'm approaching a site that is a trek goal
This stone marks the spot where thousands of settlers launched their wagon trains west
A 2nd stone tells more of the Oregon Trail story, see next photo
Many settlers lost their lives crossing the first obstacle, the Platte River
Intersection of Oregon Trail and Poison Spider Rd that criss-crosses the trails (unpaved)
Two days of rain and unpaved Poison Spider Rd leaves me impressed with Izzie as an off-roader
The 1902 Victorian Ferris Mansion B&B in Rawlins WY on US 179 toward CO
Outdoor sculpture in Parachute CO
A steel motorcyclist outdoor sculpture in Parachute CO
Grand Junction CO: Entrance to The National Monument, with no-budget agreement, federal parks were closed but this road must remain open for residents living up on the mesa
Adjacent to the Colorado National Monument is the Tabeguache Trailhead for hikers and bikers
Inside the National Monument are rock formations, twisty roads and grand valleys
Intersection with a view of the valley and a peek of Grand Junction; Glade Park is a small community with numerous ranches
A different view of the valley with the Book Cliffs and higher Mesas in the background
Rock formations and mesa views from within the Colorado National Monument
About as near to a bluff as a MINI can get
Beauty in the foreground, 20,553 sq acres of beauty in the background
Nearing the top elevation in the Colorado National Monument
Beautiful rock formation view from the middle of a twisty switchback curve
View from the top elevation across the valley and a twisty road ready to take you down again
Striking colors and long shadows make a beautiful sundown view
In early 1900s, John Otto, shown here with telescope pointed toward the National Monument explored the mesas
He personally built entrance trails and successfully championed the area to become a National Monument
Main Street Grand Junction in glorious color, mountains in the far background
Grand Junction is known for a spectacular collection of downtown street art
The prior image, this one and several more wil continue to illustrate the art and colors of downtown Grand Junction CO
See next image for description of this famous sculpture. Also note man in cannon across the street
Now you know who wrote those famous films!
A pioneer woman sculpture points out to her child the direction in which they will continue: west
A rock formation fountain, no water on this day, harboring unusual creatures
Could not resist a photo of the dragon recognized by all MINI motorers
Not a sculpture but still art, the Avalon Theatre built by publishing giant Walter Walker in 1923, still is one of Western Colorado's largest performing arts halls
An artistic, colorful butterfly poses by local shrubs also bursting with color
A local bar and tavern features a female sculpture helping to support the building
Hard to tell about this work of art but the background colors are amazing
A sidewalk eagle with, once again, incredible background colors
Not all the artwork is colorless and serious, for example, this apple core and bug
First and last stops in Grand Junction? Enstrom world headquarters, of course
Wall art also can be found in Grand Junction as this sample shows
Dash cam: Heading south out of Grand Junction on US 50 the skies get cloudy…
… and obscure the taller mountains starting to come into view (dash cam)
Delta, whose motto is City of Murals, has great street art - this is just one sample
Dash cam: US 50 toward Red Mountain Pass offers some fun motoring opportunities
Dash Cam: Where is thar Red Roadster convertible when you need it?
Could not resist this unexpected find on US 50 in Montrose CO: a Ute Museum
Some history is posted outside, some inside about the huge Ute tribes and their chiefs
Their most historically important chief, Ouray, and wife are described here
Both are buried in tombs just beyond the tepees
Yellow Nose, the Ute-Cheyenne was present at the Custer battle
From US 50 onto 550, near Ridgway CO, another unexpected find that could not be passed by
Even though it is a drizzily day, the eagle sculpture in the background is visible
The memorial was designed by Dennis Weaver's son who included this boulder…
and a poem written by Dennis Weaver that ties together all the elements of the memorial
Initial view as you approach the memorial, the sign mimics the mountains in the background
Visitors honor Dennis by finding a small stone and dropping it into the iron sculpture
This river separates US 550 from the Weaver properties including homesites
A rustic little inn on US 550 near Ouray CO, elevation has been steadily climbing to 8,000'
The Riverside Inn in Ouray (America's Switzerland) also offers big bears
Looks inviting but coffee is the only choice for the road ahead to Red Mtn Pass
Behind a Victorian the mountains offer a clue to what higher elevations will be like
Parks, forests, rivers, mountains and twisties are all happening on US 550
I could sit for hours beside the Uncompahgre River through Ouray and along side of US 550
5 signs that tell the story of why MINIs should drive this highway. Can you spot the 5th? A sign missing is: Winter Storm Ahead!
US 550 passes through mining towns like Ironton and Silverton as well as ghost towns
Dash cam: The twisties get severe from here to beyond the Red Mountain Pass
Dash cam: Approaching a narrow mountain tunnel
Not only narrow but not much heoght clearance either
Tunnel looks even smaller when you're inside it
Dash cam: Red Mountain is a set of three peaks in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado 5 miles s. of Ouray
Dash cam: They are named by the reddish iron ore rocks that cover the surface
Dash cam: Hello, snow at 11,000' both in the air and on the ground
Dash cam: Snow and twisties but the roads are in great shape and motoring fun is here!
12,000' elevation and a little more to go before leaving the pass
13,000 at the top and in a few miles the elevation will begin decreasing
Before starting down, snow continues to fall and there are still interesting sights
One last look at an incredible view before heading down the s. side of the pass
Dash cam: On the San Juan Million Dollar Skyway, the sun pokes out and more twisties!
Dash cam: Speed picks up on the down slope and brake warning signs appear
Another tunnel? Not exactly, it's an avalanche protection device for cars
Dash cam: We're not lowlanders yet, here are more twisties on the down slope
Dash cam: A few more switchbacks and down grades are coming up
Dash cam: US 550 begins to level out and show some color as we approach Durango
Dash cam: Rare beauty like this doesn't prevent withdrawls as I realize the twisties are done
Some artistic finds in Durango bring my spirits back
Life is good: what can be better than a route with art and dramatic skies?
How about nature's art? No paint required! End of photos, well, for this Trek, anyway!