Boulder, Colorado/ Rocky Mountains

Our first stop in Colorado was Durango. We arrived early enough to relax and consume a fatty meal to keep as warm through the mountains. The five pullovers plus Motorcycle jacket and three pants weren't enough to keep us snugly. But the biggest challenge was to get on the bike
and reach the handle bar as a Michelin women also the reach to the foot pedals created some difficulties. Talking about handle bars, I decided to worship the heated handle grip gods. I kind of switched the last couple of days from the flip flop gods.

The ride from Durango to Montrose went through narrow paths, steep inclines and declines high up over 11000 feet with snow and wind. I am definitely G- force experienced, in fact I am pretty cool with 3 to 4 Gs now. I might apply for a job at NASA after my trip.

The hot springs in Ouray were just perfect to thaw on our way to Montrose. Montrose was interesting because we met the owner of the motel we stayed in. His first approach towards us was offering a much better map of the region, which sounded good but it was an old map he gave us where non existing or damaged bridges over the black Canyon were still marked on the map. I am glad we solved that one right away. But he was quite a character. He displayed us his passion for hunting by showing us his living room. Let me tell you there was plenty of proof. He showed us frozen fish he caught and self preserved dried elk meat. A true hunter and gatherer - a true Caveman. His stories were funny and amusing. My favorite one is about his jail experience. He got caught by the border patrols in Canada while trying to bring his Cousin in to the country who had the ID of his Cousin's Cousin's Cousin....

My favorite ride was from Montrose to Glennwood Springs and to Boulder. Great views, perfect weather conditions and the satellite radio was working.
We spend two days in Glennwood Springs, great little town. After getting inspired by the outdoor sports opportunities we chose mountain biking and hiking which sounds cool but it literally kicked our butts. And the wind was also not working with us while we were trying to return the bikes back in our 4 hour rental time window. But we made it on time and sign language at the rental return shop was just fine.

With our new build muscles we crossed the continental divide to Boulder. What a fantastic city. I could finish my trip right here. Wondering around in the sweet down town area with a creek running through we were impressed by all the healthy and sportive looking people around us. We were pretty sure it had something to do with the altitude around 6000 feet and the healthy mineral filled air. Until we found out that on the next day, May 28 was the biggest 10 K road race in the world.
Still in pain from our spontaneous bike/hike trip we signed up for the one and only chance to win the 29 th. bolder Boulder run. The night before we met our new friends in a fantastic bar with live music. After building up plenty of liquid carb reserves for the big run we fell in our beds way after midnight. Couple hours later, we and about 50 000 other participants prepared for the big run.
It was spectacular and I am still hyped up about our experience. The best part was running with the crowed along live music and lots of cheering people on the side way. But the biggest reward was, here it comes, running in to a stadium with 30 000 cheering people right before the finish line. I truly felt like a star and that made me lift up my arms and run like a pro through the finish line. Also passing Till on the way was very much rewarding.

Tomorrow early in the morning we are heading further north to Fort Collins to get our first 12 K bike check at a BMW dealer and after that we will be on our way to Utah.

Now my dear friends it is again time for my beauty sleep.

Zenni

Santa Fe to Taos

Our time in Santa Fe was very enjoyable, nice town center, great food,unique art and architecture. After meeting two new companions Michiel from Holland and Michelle from Chicago, we decided to travel to Taos together. The drive was just breathtakingly beautiful.
In Taos we decided to go to some noncommercial hot springs which means there are out in the wilderness. With our self drawn map in our hand we followed narrow paths, climbed rocks and passed also huge caves. Because of the remoteness we felt like the caves were just discovered by us. Anyway after our hike which ran next to the Rio Grande we rewarded our self by jumping in hot mineral water. It was so pleasant. In fact it was so relaxing that we didn't realize that we where comfortably hugged by darkness. Also the bats flying in and out of the caves which were located right above the hot spring seemed to be bigger at night.
With this nicely created ambiance we tried to find our way back to the car. Of course we couldn't find our little path so we were forced to hike through bushes and even bigger rocks and rain. We made it save to the car. What an adventure all packed in one visit to the hot springs.

Tomorrow more adventure stories.
Now my dear friends it is time for my beauty sleep

Zenni

Santa Fe

Arrived safe in Santa Fe. Weather wise nothing really changed just colder. 50 Fahrenheit about
(8 C) and heavy rain. After couple hours driving through rain I created a relationship with the rain and the noise hitting the helmet. So I became musical and I have to tell you I definitely like my helmet singing voice more than the vacuum cleaning and shower singing voice.
And of course there is plenty of time to let your mind take over and bring you somewhere else.
So I thought how to make the world a better place and I had the idea to make my own goat cheese
with herbs and nuts....
Now I have to soak up some of Santa Fe's well known art scene.

Zenni

Van Horn to Roswell

today it is me again Till. the trip today was form nowhere to nowhere but we made it through another state and are now in New Mexico. We came through Carlsbad and went to see the Carlsbad caverns which are just huge. I went down quite a bit and Zenni managed to talk her self into going into it to the point where she still could see the entrance. The later was tacked down rapidly again. The ride today was a very nice one but a wet and cold one. It went to almost 6000 feet but with plenty of rain and fog. This pretty much continued all day. Gear kept us dry but after a while the cold got to us so we called it quits after 230 miles today. Roswell is by the way the UFO sighting city of the US. I only found out about it after checking into the hotel.
The bad weather is also the reason why we don't have any photos today to post it was to bad to get the stuff out.

tomorrow we are off to Santa Fe.

Greetings Till

San Antonio / Big Bend National Park

Let me tell you Texas has many faces. San Antonio almost felt like Venice with the little artificial river running through the city. Plenty opportunities to dine right next to the water. Hmm.... soooo romantic. After our River walk we needed some excitement, so we decided to get a conair haircut kit to cut Till's hair. We had a blast trying to create a haircut. The 2mm left looks mgreat and he is much faster in the curves. In the morning ( well it was more noon) we left for the big bend and the drive to the park was already spectacular. The panoramic views of the horizon which can stretch for over 100miles kicked me out of my boots. Right when I was a part of the remoteness and the vastness which surrounded us ,we were brought back to reality rapidly by slamming our brakes for a huge rattle snake which tried to cross the road. Of course I was way to exited to take any pix.

The other incident with wild animals was when Till riding in front of me scared a huge vulgar eating something flew right in front of him. Both are fine and nothing happened. After our stay in a remote lodge high in the Chisos mountains we decided to drive next to Rio Grande which runs North of the Mexican border towards Persido.

Driving through the desert today showed us the power of nature by weather changes so unexpected and fast that it was impossible to prepare for the next.

First we drove through brutal heat of over 100 Fahrenheit than in matter of minutes the scale dropped to 70 Fahrenheit and rain. After driving trough rain for a while which was very refreshing we drove through a closed section by the police with masses of hail on the road. Then all of a sudden the wind picked up from the North which made us ride at an angle for a long time until we arrived in Van Horn. But I saw the most beautiful rainbows way out in the mountains so it was worth it.

And tomorrow I will try to hunt some Van Horns.

Our trip to Mexico ended at the border control to Mexico in Persido. Unfortunately I didn't bring my green card to get back to the US. Remember I am an ALIEN !!

Well my dear friends, now it's time for my beauty sleep.

Zenni

Lonely rider - Sam

We met Sam, a cool dude from Washington on his way back from Guatemala to Washington.

Man, he had story's to tell. We feel like virgins compare to his tales or biker snobs with our BMW's. and all the safety gear. He survived four crashes and hospital stays in Mexico.

He rides a 1974 Kawasaki KZ 400 with 25000 miles on it......

Zenni

We signed up for line dancing classes!!

We traded in our helmets for some cowboy hats. There was a test made couple of years ago in Texas. A helmet was dropt down from 200 feet - the helmet was severaly damaged .
The cowby hat was dropt at the same hight - the hat was not even scratched .
Zenni

New Orleans part two

this is not to be used as evidence agaisnt us!

New Oorleans

Hi guys,

I let the pictures speak for them self and all I can say is we had a lot of fun in New Orleans. The first night was so good that we decided to stay another day and do it again all over. slept like a rock with all the miles in our bones and the alcohol we drank that night so we did not get up first thing in the morning. Went to the French Quarter walked the entire afternoon. What a pretty section of the town. Then beer and more live music but we were not as energy loaded that time around so the night ended a little sooner which was good considering we had to ride again the next day. Went toward Austin Texas and had to stay again at a bad Motel this time with bugs in the bed. even I had reached my limit then. Now we are in Austin in a beautiful Youth Hostel and we are about to enjoy the live music scene again (biggest per spare mile in the US). I and Zenni are both very hungry and some good old BBQ is of the order now.

Tomorrow is of to San Antonio then Big Bend National Park then Santa Fe.

See you in the comments section

TZ

More images May 7th

just more images as I am only allowed to upload 5 at the tiem

Day 4 May 7th in New Orleans

Ok, we are back again on the computer and in a city with wifi and all the other nice things spoiled civilization brats like we two are need to survive. The last few days were extremely nice but also exhausting due to the heat in Florida and us wearing the full bike gear all the time with or without the silk underwear it does not matter it is a sweat shop through and through. We left late the first day and thought we have to make up some time to compensate for it and drove into the night the first day. We passed some wonderful areas around Lake Okeechobee and we continued using back roads all the way to Ocala National forest where we at around 9pm came to a stop. Total trip that day was 250 miles and when you use non highway roads it just take s long time to do that. After we ate we found a nice Motel on the side of the road named "Candlelight Motel". This place got its name from a simple fact - you could only bare the place in dim light condition. Once you went all out and used the full light ensemble available to the room it went down hill bad. We did not know what was worse having a shower or not having one. Now we are worshipping the Flip Flop god!! This has triggered the decision to sleep in a camp ground for the first time. The second day was again a long day of riding with about 250 miles and 6 hours in the saddle but the drive through the Florida pan handle on back roads was very nice. It brought us through some lush forests and endless miles along the coast. We ended up on a little Peninsula and lush had it there was a crab festival going with food etc. Set the tent up took a long and relaxing dive in the pool (yes this is still the campground) and then went out to the festival. Lame it was so we were off to the next local bar with steaks and beer and I had a pitcher of the local wheat micro brew compensating for the lack of water that our bodies needed. The night in the tent was rough to say the least and I am not sure I am into camping anymore. It was hot and humid the air filled with bugs and mosquito's and we were up all night fighting them and drunk party people coming home late and keeping us up with cars running etc. well we had about 3 hours of sleep and were eaten up by bugs. In the morning when we started to pack up we ran into another German couple on motorcycles travelling the world on guess what two BMW's. We shared a cup of coffee and then decided to travel together for a while. With Angie and Holger we started riding on our third day and on the 4th day. The 3rd day brought us to Pensacola Florida along some of the most fantastic beaches I have ever seen. They are so white and the water is blue and green and route 98 flows right alongside it. It was again hot but a beautiful day. I would say the the golf coast of Florida is hard to beat if you want to see white beaches in the US. stayed in Pensacola that night in a normal Motel and after we got some food and did I mention beer went to bed and slept right away until 10am today.

We decided to take the Freeway for the first time and jumped on 10 all the way to New Orleans. the temperatures came down and it was the fastest 200 miles so far on the trip. Now we are here sharing a nice and very sweat little loft with our two riding partners and while everybody is waiting for the shower I have opted to write this update. Zenni and I are going to stay here for a full day to check the city out and this will mark the end of the journey together with our two new friends. Tonight is again the same procedure as every other night so far with food and beer this time. The two will departure to Houston tomorrow and our next big stop will be Austin and then San Antonio. Total miles driven so far - 900. Body condition happy but sore. Bikes are running great and we are developing a routine as we go. People that we meet on the road are all super nice and everybody is asking how we are and where we are from. Sitting on the side of the road reading cards people stop and ask if everything is ok or if we need help. I am deeply impressed by the kindness so far. the drive into New Orleans was a very sad reminder of what a hurricane can do!! The outside of the city is still in a huge mess and houses and apartments are very much still damaged. This is now 2 years after and the region is still far away from recovering. Driving by the stadium when we entered the city was a reality check on its own. tonight we spend some money in the city. that is it for now - until the next wifi point. TZ

Departure Day May 4th 2007

Now it is finally the time to get on the read and see if all the preparations were made or not. What am I worried about we are in the US and not in some remote country where we can't buy soap or toothpaste etc. If we forgot something we are going to buy it so with that said we are off and running. As so often with plans we have not left at 11am and we are pushing 2pm right now. Last phone calls, anxiety visits to the toilet and all the rest of the stuff has put a dent into that departure time. See attached the pictures of our bikes and the dudes that will be riding them. Fully loaded and ready to go. We have 90 degrees here right now and I have trouble getting into my riding gear with all that heat. For some of you that might be too much detail but I have high hopes in my silk bike underwear to keep be cool. Temperature that is the look is really bad. I guess I have to win the sexy awards with my cloth on. It will be a bloody sweat shop. We are off to go north a little bit towards Ocala National Forest. See you out there on the blog I am loving the response.

Till and Zenni

Till before and after haircut - trip cut

Here I am again changing stuff around which after leaving my job also includes changing the outer appearance a little bit. The so called trip makeover. Will have to adjust that again to play in the corporate world but who cares right now.
Today we are packing all the stuff and it already looks like we have to make a lot of stuff decision. Camping gear or second pair of underwear will be the pressing question for the day. as for me I already know what the answer is..... My solution is called French shower and you can buy it at Walgreen's in cans.

so all the best Till and Zenni

My last day at work

well, today was my last day at work and this is now the beginning of our trip. Last night we met up with a few good friends and had lost to eat and to drink which made this morning one to forget.
I received a very warm farewell form all of my colleagues and it was sad to leave a bunch of good people but I would be a liar if I did not look forward to this day. We decided to leave Friday and not tomorrow as I still have a headache form last night so I want to sleep in and get rested before we go. Now I am off to buy a few more things and get the haircut that will suit this kind a trip. So more on that front later with updated images of before and after.

Till