3K Trek Through Desert and Mountains

Part 1: Desert (Scroll down for Malibu and Mountains and Favs)

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Trip logos for 3K Trek, Spider Road, MINI, MINI club Metroplex, MINI club So Cal

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  Trip logos for 3K Trek, Spider Road, MINI, MINI club Metroplex, MINI club So Cal
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  Trip map with route and destination highlights, Trek ended up as a 4K trip
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  John Wesley Hardin Grave in El Paso Cemetary, initials at top of locked gate
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  Closeup of plaque inside John Wesley Hardin grave site
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  Dash cam: driving in the Sauguaro National Park near Tucson
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  Dash cam: in the Sauguaro National Park near Tucson
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  It is deathly quiet, there are almost no sounds in the desert
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  Dash cam: in the Sauguaro National Park near Tucson
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  Greasewood Flats watering hole in the Scottsdale desert
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  Chuck and Jer in Scottsdale
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  Sculpture in Old Scottsdale Town
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  Horse sculptures were an objective for the Arizona part of the 3K Trek
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  This sculpture in Fountain Hills AZ is made up of old and various metal items
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  A copper rearing horse sculpture in Old Scottsdale Town
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  An indian and horse sculpture in Old Scottsdale Town
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  Not a horse, but an irresistable sculpture in Old Scottsdale Town
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  Unexpectedly saw this museum near Indio CA, note dog, Wm the Conqueror
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  Gen Patton Museum featured tanks and other WWII desert armored vehicles
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  Outdoor plaque describes Patton opening this desert camp for training troops
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  Plaque close-up, over 1,000,000 troops trained here for desert deployment
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  William the Conqueror pet is more visible in this view
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  Dash cam: New Mexico desert is quite different from Arizona and California
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  Unexpectedly ventured into Charles Goodnight Center south of Amarillo
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  Goodnight is famous for indian battles about his ranch and saving buffaloes
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  In 1896 he and wife, Mary Ann, began collecting the last of the buffalo to breed
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  The Goodnight ranch house has been restored to what it was in the early 1900s
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  The interior and separated kitchen - fires were a danger - is restored also
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  An outdoor sculpture of Mary Ann bringing a buffalo calf home to the ranch
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  Quanah Parker, Comanche chief, son of the kidnapped Cynthia Ann Parker
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  The 30' tall arrow sculpture referred to in the plaque in the previous photo

Part 2: Malibu (Scroll down for Mountains and Favs, or up for Desert)

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Dash cam: Puerco Canyon Rd from Hwy 101 to Malibu and Pacific Coast Hwy 1

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  Dash cam: Puerco Canyon Rd from Hwy 101 to Malibu and Pacific Coast Hwy 1
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  Dash cam: Puerco Canyon Rd from Hwy 101 to Malibu and Pacific Coast Hwy 1
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  NAV system shows Malibu Beach is on an east-west portion of the Pacific Coast
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  Dash cam: Beautiful Pepperdine Univ in Malibu at Pacific Coast Hwy 1
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  Porpoises in Malibu Pacific Ocean swimming 100 yards offshore
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  Coogies Beach Cafe, site of the Malibu breakfast meeting of the SCMM club
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  The MINIs start arriving and parking under the watchful eye of the Fire Dept
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  More MINIs and…
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  More MINIs up to about 40 arrive
  
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  Fun checkered flag stripes on this hard top model
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  Scissor doors modified MINI by the owner, hinged at top front of doors, swings up
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  Medallion model MINI, special JCW, with black leather bra
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  Eyelashed MINI hardtop
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  Convertible MINI motorer Kurt fitted out in his drive attire
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  Coogies Signature corn potato cake in corn tortillas, topped with two eggs, jack cheese, oven dried tomatoes and avocado with black beans and a spicy house ranchero sauce
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  Hollywood type street art on Ventura Blvd
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  Dash cam: Southern California is home to many MINIs
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  Many favorite little restaurants in the valley, like Mucho Mas in Burbank…
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  and Rive Gauche on Ventura Blvd
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  Happy Birthday brunch pie for Jer
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  Dash cam: Street level view of Ventura Blvd shops and restaurants
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  Hollywood gazebo structure with unusual pillars

Part 3: Mountains (Scroll up for Malibu or for Desert or down for Favs)

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On US 189 from Provo UT and into more of the same weather as earlier in the day

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  On US 189 from Provo UT and into more of the same weather as earlier in the day
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  Even with rain and clouds the mountains and colors were awesome
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  In fact, some of the views seemed all the more more dramatic
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  It was impossible to drive a mile before stopping for another photo
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  Gray skies didn't lessen this photo even as I stood in the rain to snap it
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  Also in the rain, the green cedars provide a beautiful backgrounf for fall color
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  Using a fisherman trail, it was possible to get right next to Deer Creek at a bridge
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  Same spot, higher view; note two wade fishermen level with headlights
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  Other fisherman and campers are down the river, in spite of the rain
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  Continuing into WY the weather worsens and cools with increasing elevation
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  In Casper WY the weather makes it difficult to see 5 encircling mtn ranges
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  With mountains looming in the background, I'm approaching a site that is a trek goal
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  This stone marks the spot where thousands of settlers launched their wagon trains west
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  A 2nd stone tells more of the Oregon Trail story, see next photo
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  Many settlers lost their lives crossing the first obstacle, the Platte River
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  Intersection of Oregon Trail and Poison Spider Rd that criss-crosses the trails (unpaved)
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  Two days of rain and unpaved Poison Spider Rd leaves me impressed with Izzie as an off-roader
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  The 1902 Victorian Ferris Mansion B&B in Rawlins WY on US 179 toward CO
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  Outdoor sculpture in Parachute CO
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  A steel motorcyclist outdoor sculpture in Parachute CO
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  Grand Junction CO: Entrance to The National Monument, with no-budget agreement, federal parks were closed but this road must remain open for residents living up on the mesa
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  Adjacent to the Colorado National Monument is the Tabeguache Trailhead for hikers and bikers
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  Inside the National Monument are rock formations, twisty roads and grand valleys
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  Intersection with a view of the valley and a peek of Grand Junction; Glade Park is a small community with numerous ranches
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  A different view of the valley with the Book Cliffs and higher Mesas in the background
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  Rock formations and mesa views from within the Colorado National Monument
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  About as near to a bluff as a MINI can get
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  Beauty in the foreground, 20,553 sq acres of beauty in the background
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  Nearing the top elevation in the Colorado National Monument
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  Beautiful rock formation view from the middle of a twisty switchback curve
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  View from the top elevation across the valley and a twisty road ready to take you down again
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  Striking colors and long shadows make a beautiful sundown view
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  In early 1900s, John Otto, shown here with telescope pointed toward the National Monument explored the mesas
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  He personally built entrance trails and successfully championed the area to become a National Monument
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  Main Street Grand Junction in glorious color, mountains in the far background
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  Grand Junction is known for a spectacular collection of downtown street art
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  The prior image, this one and several more wil continue to illustrate the art and colors of downtown Grand Junction CO
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  See next image for description of this famous sculpture. Also note man in cannon across the street
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  Now you know who wrote those famous films!
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  A pioneer woman sculpture points out to her child the direction in which they will continue: west
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  A rock formation fountain, no water on this day, harboring unusual creatures
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  Could not resist a photo of the dragon recognized by all MINI motorers
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  Not a sculpture but still art, the Avalon Theatre built by publishing giant Walter Walker in 1923, still is one of Western Colorado's largest performing arts halls
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  An artistic, colorful butterfly poses by local shrubs also bursting with color
  
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  A local bar and tavern features a female sculpture helping to support the building
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  Hard to tell about this work of art but the background colors are amazing
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  A sidewalk eagle with, once again, incredible background colors
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  Not all the artwork is colorless and serious, for example, this apple core and bug
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  First and last stops in Grand Junction? Enstrom world headquarters, of course
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  Wall art also can be found in Grand Junction as this sample shows
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  Dash cam: Heading south out of Grand Junction on US 50 the skies get cloudy…
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  … and obscure the taller mountains starting to come into view (dash cam)
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  Delta, whose motto is City of Murals, has great street art - this is just one sample
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  Dash cam: US 50 toward Red Mountain Pass offers some fun motoring opportunities
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  Dash Cam: Where is thar Red Roadster convertible when you need it?
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  Could not resist this unexpected find on US 50 in Montrose CO: a Ute Museum
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  Some history is posted outside, some inside about the huge Ute tribes and their chiefs
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  Their most historically important chief, Ouray, and wife are described here
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  Both are buried in tombs just beyond the tepees
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  Yellow Nose, the Ute-Cheyenne was present at the Custer battle
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  From US 50 onto 550, near Ridgway CO, another unexpected find that could not be passed by
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  Even though it is a drizzily day, the eagle sculpture in the background is visible
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  The memorial was designed by Dennis Weaver's son who included this boulder…
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  and a poem written by Dennis Weaver that ties together all the elements of the memorial
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  Initial view as you approach the memorial, the sign mimics the mountains in the background
  
  
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  Visitors honor Dennis by finding a small stone and dropping it into the iron sculpture
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  This river separates US 550 from the Weaver properties including homesites
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  A rustic little inn on US 550 near Ouray CO, elevation has been steadily climbing to 8,000'
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  The Riverside Inn in Ouray (America's Switzerland) also offers big bears
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  Looks inviting but coffee is the only choice for the road ahead to Red Mtn Pass
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  Behind a Victorian the mountains offer a clue to what higher elevations will be like
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  Parks, forests, rivers, mountains and twisties are all happening on US 550
  
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  I could sit for hours beside the Uncompahgre River through Ouray and along side of US 550
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  5 signs that tell the story of why MINIs should drive this highway. Can you spot the 5th? A sign missing is: Winter Storm Ahead!
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  US 550 passes through mining towns like Ironton and Silverton as well as ghost towns
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  Dash cam: The twisties get severe from here to beyond the Red Mountain Pass
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  Dash cam: Approaching a narrow mountain tunnel
  
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  Not only narrow but not much heoght clearance either
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  Tunnel looks even smaller when you're inside it
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  Dash cam: Red Mountain is a set of three peaks in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado 5 miles s. of Ouray
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  Dash cam: They are named by the reddish iron ore rocks that cover the surface
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  Dash cam: Hello, snow at 11,000' both in the air and on the ground
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  Dash cam: Snow and twisties but the roads are in great shape and motoring fun is here!
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  12,000' elevation and a little more to go before leaving the pass
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  13,000 at the top and in a few miles the elevation will begin decreasing
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  Before starting down, snow continues to fall and there are still interesting sights
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  One last look at an incredible view before heading down the s. side of the pass
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  Dash cam: On the San Juan Million Dollar Skyway, the sun pokes out and more twisties!
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  Dash cam: Speed picks up on the down slope and brake warning signs appear
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  Another tunnel? Not exactly, it's an avalanche protection device for cars
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  Dash cam: We're not lowlanders yet, here are more twisties on the down slope
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  Dash cam: A few more switchbacks and down grades are coming up
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  Dash cam: US 550 begins to level out and show some color as we approach Durango
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  Dash cam: Rare beauty like this doesn't prevent withdrawls as I realize the twisties are done
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  Some artistic finds in Durango bring my spirits back
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  Life is good: what can be better than a route with art and dramatic skies?
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  How about nature's art? No paint required! End of photos, well, for this Trek, anyway!

Part 4: Jer's Top 10 Trek Faves (Selected maybe because of beauty, a memory, or circumstance)

1. Grand Junction CO Main St in awesome color, mountains in far background

2. Time froze for this hour, no sound, no movement, no senses, as if you were in a dream. So eerie!

3. It felt like you were lost in the desert for days, then happened upon an oasis filled with friends!

4. Want to feel inadequate and beholden for a moment? Step on this spot where so many risked their lives.

5. Want to feel inadequate and beholden for a moment? Step on this spot where so many were peparing to risk their lives.

6. This beautiful evening view is a combined effort of man and nature!

7. This image needs no caption.

8. When asked, "Why own a MINI? Show this photo.

9. Even rainy days can provide some really special photo moments.

10. Brothers