Mileage update after Day 16

Todays mileage : 270 miles
Total mileage : 3280

Mileage update after Day 15

Todays mileage : 0 miles
Total mileage : 3010 miles

Mileage update after Day 14

Todays mileage : 420 miles
Total mileage : 3010 miles

Mileage update after Day 13

Todays mileage : 310 miles
Total mileage : 2590 miles

Mileage update after Day 12

Todays mileage : 380 miles
Total mileage : 2280 miles

Late arrival

Well that was an eventful drive, although we didn't actually get that wet there were some serious thunderstorms in the area and it was obvious that there had been some pretty heavy rain earlier. At a number of points along the road red Moab mud had been washed out. It was dark, we were on 48R's and it was extremely slippy. I have alwys wanted an orange car though

Big thanks to Flyin Miata

After lunch we along with Mike Biddle accompanied by Tom Jones and Mav took a trip to the workshops of Flyin Miata, me to replace the thermostat with the conventional one which had been sourced for me and Mike to get a hose fixing welded. The guys in the shop were extremely helpful and the job was done in no time, coolant refilled and bled and we were soon ready for the road again.

Lunch at the Sonic Drive In

We had arranged for the group to meet at the Sonic Drive In at Grand Junction where, I was lead to believe, we would be served in our cars by babes on roller skates. This was not the case, there were no babes and we had to queue in the main building.

Heading West

This morning we leave Vail and head west towards Moab descending from the Rockies into the distinctly red landscapes of Utah. We have an interesting convoy this morning including an original Lotus 7 and Mike Biddle in his Caterham 7 RST V8

Mileage update after Day 11

Todays mileage : 0
Total mileage : 1900 miles

Rest Day in Vail

Today is a rest day in Vail, and as we are staying at The Lodge it's all extremely pleasant. Jo is off with the girls for some pampering so I took a stroll around the town and came across some groovy sculpture

Mileage update after Day 10

Todays mileage : 395 miles
Total mileage : 1900 miles

Ice cream in Salida

On the final run to Vail, Tom persuaded us to take a detour to look at Salida, a quaint little town with some fantastic ice cream.

The Great Divide again

Here we are on the Great Divide again, this time at Monarch Crest (Elev 11,312ft)

More high passes

Since the lunch stop we have had some great, fast, sweeping roads, the last section up to this viewpoint was superb, no traffic, wide and twisting up the hillside. Just waiting for everyone else to catch up.

Lunch at the Poker Alice Restaurant

We found the Poker Alice Restaurant in the next town and stopped for lunch, it was pretty busy both with our own group and groups of Harley riders. They were closing for the season the following day and I don't think they were expecting to be quite so busy. Good food, well reccommended.

Rocky Mountain Scenery

Todays drive has been spectacular, fantastic scenery, fast flowing roads and great weather. We take a break to savour the view and whilst talking to some other tourists get a reccommendation for Poker Alice's Restaurant in the next town. Let's go eat

Crossing the Great Divide

Here we are crossing the Great Divide at Spring Creek Pass (Elev 10,898ft)

Fantastic Autumn Colour

The higher we climbed the more spectacular the autumn colour, when the tree plantations became almost solely Aspen the entire area was covered in a golden blaze set against the bright blue sky, really beautiful.

Tunnels......excellent

If there is one thing a se7en driver cannot avoid it is put his foot on the loud pedal while going through a tunnel. Today provided plenty of opportunity with a series of tunnels as we climbed in altitude.

On the road to Vail

Today we are aiming for Vail, Colorado. We should see a change in scenery today and by all acounts the Aspen colour should be spectacular, especially with the fine weather and blue skies.