LAMAR CO TO SALIDA CO

Woke up to a very cold morning, 31 degrees. It quickly warmed into the 50's and we headed down the road. Stopped shortly for gas and meet a guy who winters in Phoenix and had just come back to Lamar.

Soon riding through fields and farms over rolling hills starting to climb just a little from the prairies of western Kansas. The farms soon gave way to large cattle ranches with miles of range land as we followed the Arkansas River. We continued to follow the river off and on all day as we went from the upper Arkansas river valley to the Arkansas River Upper Watershed area.

After climbing to a little higher altitude the range land gave way to higher farmland that isn't yet planted for the summer crops. Stopped in Canon City to put on some additional clothes as the clouds continued to build while the temperature dropped.

Left Canon City and the road began to climb towards Salida some fifty miles away on the eastern side of the continental divide. We could see strong rains to the north and south but we kept riding into the middle and little holes in the clouds. The road wound back and forth along the Arkansas River. We rode along for miles watching fly fishing along the river.

In Salida made the decision to stop early for the day after checking with the
Colorado Department of Transportation. They advised that Monarch Pass was 32 degrees with snow falling and icy roads. Forecast for tomorrow is clear and the road is supposed to be fine for travel.

Dinner tonight at a restaurant that only serves one steak choice each day and it is only open from 5 to 9. Your only choice is the size of steak you want, interesting.

Snowed on us riding to dinner, big fat flakes falling softly as we drove down an almost empty street on a Sunday night. Very surreal experience as we cruised to a great dinner.

Wish us luck tomorrow with that 11,321 foot pass.