Shortly before noon we motivated ourselves, geared up and rode out toward the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The way out of Cedaredge took us down into the valley again. Houses perched on hills and small mesas that looked like sand dunes. Add the heat and I felt like I was in the Sahara.
Winding route 92 was our access to another classic motorcycle challenge. Teasing us with views of the shadowed abyss, we followed the canyon along the rim. Aspen lined the road and we were glad to see trees again.
Into the park, we chose to take the East Portal road to the bottom. One of the steepest descents we have ever experienced, the road folds back on itself again and again. No guardrails and poor surface challenged the bike at every turn.
Once down at the bottom, we were rewarded for our efforts with a bear sighting. Across the river, he was unaware of the attention he was attracting. A picnic by the Gunnison was enhanced by the view of jagged crags closing us in.
Climbing the cliff walls to the top, we saw the depth and beauty of Black Canyon in reverse . Once out, we headed for home in the opposite direction, making a complete 200 mile loop. Home by our happy little creek, we watched in silence as the sun presented yet another extravaganza - and we felt like it was a private showing.
All day storms threatened around us. We saw angry dark clouds, bolting lightening and dropping sheets of water on mountains and valleys miles away. In the next turn there was brilliant sun. We can see so far here that changing direction to avoid a storm might be a possibility. But, because of the mountains, there aren't many escape routes. Motorcycles and rain, especially the violent types of storms that pop up in the Rockies, aren't good companions, so we as the riders become cloud watchers and amateur meteorologists. Sometimes we're good at it. Today we were lucky.
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