Tuesday April 28, 2020
Day Two
The previous day had been hot. I didn’t get the big sleep I had hoped for and I woke up feeling a bit off which in the age of Corona leads one to run though the catalog of symptoms which are broad enough to make confusion reign. Nothing breeds anxiety like confusion.
I had decided to take my time. I figured my malaise was the combination of stress, not enough food, hydration and sleep and an easy morning would be a good way to confirm this. I also had plans to visit a friend which if I felt anything less than 100% I was going to cancel.
Big John lives in Dolores, Colorado. He’s a Veteran who served with honor, expert marksman, has a vineyard that produces some nice wines, fosters dogs, hosts a great program on the local public radio station and makes a wicked good pie. I’m proud to know such a man and consider myself very lucky to have an open invitation.
Back in my room I checked in on the weather. The other day I had considered repeating my ride last fall which would take me into Big Bend and south Texas but a chat with Big John changed that. Looking at the weather lady’s graphic I was very happy with my choice of a “southern central route.” across the west.
Record heat. Normally when I go west it’s record rain.
I enjoyed a leisurely departure and set off for Dolores. This was not going to be the most exciting day of riding but I had a great destination and it was another day of no interstates.
I was feeling better. I had a morning snack and made sure I was drinking plenty of water and my temperature was fine.
Without planning it I wound up riding by the Four Corners Monument. I was pretty sure it was going to be closed but it was on my route so I was going to see for myself. I pulled in and there was one other vehicle there, a white car with Connecticut plates! Holy cow! I have Connecticut plates too!
He finished up his phone call and came out to chat. My first encounter with a talker and it seemed natural that our “personal space” was now about a 10′ radius. He was on his way from Connecticut to Long Beach, California to start a new career and I was on my way from LA to my home in Connecticut! By random chance we both decided to visit the same remote spot at the same time and were the only people there.
Freaky.
As I departed I was absolutely 100% delighted with the encounter. When out on a big ride seemingly random, freaky events can take place. Sometimes they’re great and other times not so much but events like this happen all the time when you go exploring.
This one was pretty wild, completely positive and gave me my first clue that this was going to be a fantastic ride and I haven’t even sat with Big John yet!
We had discussed plans for my visit in advance. My accommodations were to be their 24′ travel trailer, upon arrival I would go straight there. Big John and his wife Debbie came down in their gator to say hello and we made plans for dinner outdoors. John had a mp3 player going in the trailer; imagine having the DJ’s personal collection on shuffle. I kept on taking photos of the screen to capture the name of the band I was hearing for the first time. I love music and this was an unexpected treat; I’ve “discovered” more new to me bands in the last year of Big John’s radio show than any other time I can remember.
My visit was on too short notice for pie so Big John threw together some Bananas Foster.
After a wonderful evening with Big John, Debbie and the dogs I retired to the trailer and got a wonderful night’s sleep.
Flagstaff to Dolores. 326 miles in 6:34. A relaxed day.
Next: Cool Colorado