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We stopped for gas when we came into town. It was still early in the day and I began to think how wonderful it would be to continue on toward Colorado, and camp next to the Arkansas river near Cotopaxi.. While gassing up my bike I notided there was a strange gap between the front of my seat where it fits up near the fuel tank. closer inspection revealed that the rear frame was no longer attached to the main frame. Apparently the fall that occured in the windstorm snapped off one of the aluminum tabs from the main frame... I became sick to my stomoch. We decided to ride over to the KOA campground which was our original plan anyhow.
After setting up camp Dan and I tied the frame together with some nylon strap, but I still was not sure I could continue on like that... part of me wanted to call it quits and figure out how I was going to get home with a broken bike. We talked with the manager of the campground and he said he knew a welder.... I called the number he gave me and reached the welders wife... She told me that she wasn’t sure if he could weld aluminum but I could bring it to their home and he would look at it. My emotions were in overdrive... I rode the bike, tied together with nylon strap and zip ties 2 miles to the welders place.... He looked at it, and said to be there at 8:30 in the morning and he would see what he could do... I asked if he had a TIG welder and he said no, but he had a MIG with a spool gun for Aluminum... I have always had better luck welding with a TIG . I rode back to camp, hopeful but still anxious. Dan was a great companion throughout my ordeal... I can be quite an ass, especially when I am up tight. Dan on the otherhand is the picture of tranquility.. Nothing seems to phase the guy. He was a real blessing to have around the camp that night. I made a few phone calls to home and to some friends. Checked my email and tried to remember that I was on vacation for a few days.
I didn’t sleep too well untill around 3:00 am when a loud electrical storm passed over us... I sleep like a baby when I am in a tent during rain... Ahhhh
When I woke up I signed online in my tent, and went to a devotional site “Our Daily Bread” . The inspirational message for today was a story about Buzz Aldrin taking part in communion on the moon.... and how God is everywhere... you are never alone.... Somehow the message sank deep into my soul and I no longer felt “Marooned” with my broken bike in nowhereville NewMexico... I took a shower, and headed for the welding shop.... 20 minutes later my bike was fixed by the welder (Ermery Welding Clayton New Mexico if you ever need any welding he is TOP NOTCH) and I was excited to be back on my way to Colorado for some fun riding!!!
We headed out of Clayton around 10:30, I had to put my bike back together and pack my tent and stuff. Dan knew another road that was much curvier than the main highway. We took it to Raton New Mexico. Dan pulled into a gas station that looked familiar... Ah yes... My wife and I gassed up here 2 years ago when we were on a 3 day ride around Gunnison.....
VIDEO OF CURVY ROAD The familiar surroundings began to make me feel like I was home away from home. As we headed through Trinidad, and then over toward Westcliffe, the scenery began looking like Colorado.... The Sangre DeChristo mountains make huge shadows across the landscape. The dry air makes visibilty almost endless... By now it was well past noon.... and Dan never asked about lunch... I could sense we would be in Gunnison soon... It became very hard to keep th speed down as we traveled. The passing lane going up Monarch pass was put to good use... :)
VIDEO OF MONARCH PASS

We stopped in Gunnison for gas.... It was so good to be there. As I mentioed earlier my wife and I spent a few days in the area a couple years ago and it is such a beatiful place.... I called on my cell and told her how much I wished she was with me today.. After gassing up we headed across the Blue Mesa, and got rained on some. Since it was hot out the rain was quite welcome... it soaked through my riding gear and cooled me off nicely. After passing through the rain my riding gear dried out imediately. We stopped and took some pictures before turning off Highway 50 on to hwy 92. I had never been on highway 92 before... Man oh man what a great road. Tight twisty curves, spectacular scenery, oh and very few guard rails, and huge cliffs next to the road.... No room for errors. We stopped for more pictures and then made our way to Paonia Colorado. The reason for our trip was to attend a BMW rally there, and see some friends, as well as make some new ones.

After setting up out tents on the nice soft grass under the goal at the football field I made my way to the beer garden.... My friend Craig Carr was walking up just as I did... It was so good to see him again.. especially when he started buying my beers :) We strolled around some and I introduced hin to my riding companion for this trip Dan Morris. After looking at bikes and vendor exibits we staked out some ground near the stage and listened to the band (The Strolling Scones) play music. I left around 10:30 to get some sleep.... I was hoping for a big day of riding Saturday.

Saturday morning I awoke to the typical elevation/dehydration feel like crap syndrome. I hit the breakfast bar and loaded up on orange juice and water. We met Craig and another internet acquaintance Dave Long. 4 BMW “S” bikes... We made our way out and started the day off on hwy 92 again.... VIDEO OF 92 a little slower this morning, and stopped for some pics where we met 2 more BMW “S” bikes Bill Knuetson, and Glenn Sharp. We continued on our journey with a convoy of 6 BMW sport bikes. I rarely see another bike like mine when I am out riding, Now I know how Harley riders feel in a group of their own... ;)