She was maybe 20 yards away with not a care in the world. Didn't see any fawn with her so she must not have had one or she lost it. Loaded up the bike and Krystal was finally stirring around. Went downstairs to breakfast. The place we stayed at was Inn by the Lake. Didn't realize it when I booked but it was more of a ministerial retreat. During breakfast they gave a nice talk about things in life that can hit you but you just have to move on. We have always thought we've been thru a bunch but David and Rosie take the prize. A child with cancer who beat the odds and then passed away in a car accident, another daughter who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident and another son who was seriously injured in a bicycle accident.
Well we had a later than expected start to the day and we had to meet up with Joe and Yvette yet this afternoon. I sent them a text that it would be closer to 1 p.m. till we made it to Paonia. We headed back out thru Lake City and did a reverse route on 149. A great ride both directions and a definite must do again. Only next time we either come up from the south or make our way to South Fork from the north. There had been a major fire in that area but it never got closer than 12 miles to Lake City. Nice area but dry as a tinder box this year.
We were making good time back to Highway 50 where we would turn west and hit Highway 92 and catch the edge of the Black Canyon. Once we hit 50 we were behind an exceptionally slow slowpoke. Why isn't it that people can't learn to drive. We had 3 cars between us and them and it took a while to get everyone passed them. Well, we hit 92 and right from the beginning it was a fabulous ride. The dam for Blue Mesa reservoir was right at the start of the canyon. The lake is really down this year because of the pathetic snowpack they had this year. Of we go and it is a great motorcycle road. One of the better ones around. Only problem was there weren't very many turnoffs so we could stop and take pictures but here are a few of the canyon.
Once we made it out of the canyon drive the pace picked up as we had a destination to make by 1:00. We pulled into Paonia to fill up with gas. The Nomad averaged just shy of 45 mpg and the Burgman was over 77 mpg. What a fuel sipper it is. Well, we had no cell service to see if Joe and Yvette were here yet or even close. We made it a little early so we waited for a little bit. After 15 minutes of waiting the clerk at the gas station said that in certain parts of town we might be able to pick up service. Off we go into town. It is funny looking at a person riding a motorcycle looking at his phone to see if he has service. Finally found service and it was nicely located under some shade. Waited a while longer and then I handed my phone to Krystal and said I'm heading back to the gas station to wait there. I'll be back in around 15 minutes. Sat around and waited but still no Joe or Yvette. Headed back to Krystal. About 5 minutes later a text from Joe. Yvette had a blowout on her drifter. At first thought it wasn't good but then realized, if she had an accident he probably wouldn't have texted me.
Off we head out to see what we could do. They said it was above Paonia Reservoir so that would be a roughly 25 mile drive. We didn't even make it 5 miles and here was Yvette along side the road on Joe's Victory. Turn around and talk with her to find out more information. She was trying to find a tow service but wasn't having much luck. I handed her my AMA card as I couldn't find my ROK card and said call them. Found out where Joe was and headed off to help him. Krystal stayed with Yvette to help if needed or how she could.
Well, traveling down 133 I made it to mile marker 32 and Yvette said he was between 32 and 33 but closer to 33. Slowed down and was watching for the red Drifter. Yvette said it would be on the left side. Traveling along I came upon a nice turnout and here Joe was sitting but no drifter. It was just down the road but there was no shade there but there was here.
Pulled in and heard the story on the blowout. Yvette did a great job holding it up and keeping it on the road. You could definitely see that Joe was worried about the whole thing. Well, we sat and talked, talked and sat waiting for Yvette and Krystal. One hour passed, two hours passed. When it hit three hours I turned around and headed out to find them just incase there was another accident. Well, 5 miles down the road there they go buzzing past. I turned around at the next pullout and they were sitting at a pullout waiting for me. Off we go to find Joe again. We start to hear the horror story about getting someone there to haul the bike back. Wreckers wanted more than $500!!! Her dad was on his way with their trailer. Meanwhile, Krystal and Yvette were nice enough to stop and get some sandwiches so we had a little picnic while we waited.
.
Hey Joe, your mouth isn't full!!
Yvette's dad and mom showed up and we finally got her bike on the trailer. It was a chore with the flat. The rear end didn't want to go straight. After some pushing and pulling we finally got it on and strapped down. Yvette's new ride is extremely economical for the drifter.
Just had to do it.
At least there were smiles and laughter at the end because it could have been a whole lot worse that what it was. We took off following the trailer and every time we looked ahead it looked like we were going to get drenched. Never hit any hard rain but the roads were really wet. Finally stopped and put my rain pants on because my pants were getting soaked. Off to Glenwood Springs again. GPS didn't have our motel in the database so Joe delivered us to the front door. We decided to check in and unpack first and then meet up later. Well, Joe and Yvette came and picked us up for dinner and a great discussion. Joe took us to their favorite eatery in Castle Rock. Definitely was a great place with good food.
Well the evening came to a conclusion as everyone was tired from an eventful day. Sleep came pretty easy but this was the last night on the road.
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