Saturday, September 21, 2024

Fall Colors Riding with 'Rounder: Ken P.

 I've known Ken personally since 2009 back when I was an active member of the Yearrounder Riders or 'Rounders.

Ken and his lovely wife Julana moved to Colorado Springs nearly 4 years ago in the aftermath of a hurricane which devastated their home town of Beaumont, TX.  Ken is an Iron Butt Rider.  He's done several 1000 and 1500 mile events and is also known as the manufacturer of quality heated gear such as gloves and boot insoles* within that community.

Anyways, Martha had noticed on Facebook that Ken was camping in nearby Ridgway, CO and let me know.  A few texts and phone call later, we arranged to meet up in Silverton!

I met up with Ken shortly after 10:30 AM at the Silverton Whistle Stop gas station:

photo courtesy of Ken P.

After the initial meet and greet conversation, we set off towards the Molas Pass Summit:

After the summit, we cruised northward to the fiery trees near the entrance to the Molas Lake Campground:




Ken and I made our way north on US550 heading towards the town of Ouray, 24 miles from Silverton.  

Some pics along the way where it was safe for us to park along US550:


Red Mountain

The town wasn't too crowded for a Friday but there was steady streams of cagers going both ways along Main Street.  We found a cafe and drank coffee while chatting some more.

Around 3:30 PM, having solved most of the world's problems while chatting, it was time to leave for our separate campsites.


As I made my way back towards Silverton, I stopped for these pics of the "Million Dollar Highway" portion of US 550:




Near Ironton Park:





Another view of Red Mountain



Back on Miners Shrine Road in Silverton


View of the peaks from near the entrance to my campsite

Saturday, September 21

Though it started nicely sunny, the clouds soon gathered and by 11 AM there were rain sprinkles presaging forecasted thunderstorms.  It's going to be wet and cold the next couple of days I think.

Still, got my errands done before it started to rain and sometime lightly hail.  

Here's a view of the Fall Colors under overcast skies:



I liked the way the sun's rays were shining through on the peaks visible from near the entrance to my campsite:


Now to hunker down and wait out the rains.

* Here's a link to Ken's presence on FB where you can get more info if you're looking for heated gloves and insoles which had found favor among the IBR crowd!

12 comments:

CCjon said...

Some great photos here, the sun backlighting the aspen are great. The last photo has great contrast and drama in it.

redlegsrides said...

I agree CCJon, thanks

Coop a.k.a. Coopdway said...

There's nothing like those mountain Aspens. Thanks Dom!

redlegsrides said...

Your quite welcome Coop, thanks.

Oz said...

US 550 is so fun to ride and the views are spectacular. Great photo ls - again. Glad you got to meet up with a friend.

redlegsrides said...

Great fun, Oz, riding US 550....a few more CCs wouldn't be refused though....oh well. Thanks for the comments.

Philip and Sharon said...

Again, I wish to thank you for your continued blogging and posting of wonderful photos. I really enjoy it all. Question: Do you ever have any concerns for your solar panels when hail is predicted, and if so, do you do anything about it? Thanks again & best wishes

redlegsrides said...

Phil and Sharon: you're welcome! About your question about hail and solar panels, some concern of course but they are pretty tough. But no, no real active measures, I suppose with warning I would place them underneath the RV but I think it'll take at least golf ball size hail to damage them and at that point the whole RV is endanger anyway.

KEN PHENIX said...

What a great surprise Dom! It was so nice to see you again and share those fantastic views. We absolutely have to do this more often.

redlegsrides said...

Lucky for us both Ken, Martha spotted the opportunity! Great seeing you again!

SonjaM said...

Wow, Dom, the colours of mountains and falls are spectacular. Glad you could solve the problems of the world within this meet & greet. Thanks for that. Cheers from the other side of the pond, SonjaM

redlegsrides said...

Danke, SonjaM! Greetings back to you and Roland.