Salt Lake City(nixed)... onto MOAB

So after Grand Junction.... I stopped to take a picture. A young guy on a road trip asks me if I want him to take a picture of me on the bike. I say no I've got a tripod. He asks where I am headed. I tell him Salt Lake City. He then informs me that I should got to MOAB instead. Says maybe he'll see me. Well I did detour to MOAB and ended up following his car. First photo op we stopped at the same time. I asked if he was alone and camping. Maybe he could use some company. He said he was and kept admiring the bike. So I followed him someways to a camp site. We decided to put all my stuff in his car and take the bike to Arches National Park. He'd already been there... and every time I screamed WOW! He told me "Just wait until the next turn." And he was absolutely right. He also knew his geology and explained what we were seeing. I enjoyed his commentary. We watched the sun go down then headed back to camp. "He said he'd been waiting his whole life to come here... he said it was the best day of his life!" I was honored to have shared in what some one considered the best day of their life. On the way back we talked bikes. He was an avid cyclist and the conversation turned to motorcycles. He'd never ridden one. I told him I'd let him but it was a big bike... not for the beginner. Then we stopped for fuel. I noticed he was tall. He told me he was 6'6". Well this is just a kids bike for him. And although you'd think I'd have learned a lesson from a broken bike in Costa Rica at the hands of my dear friend Conrad. I can't help but share the joys I have in this world with those who don't. So I stayed up until sunrise listening to music as a vampire does. He woke up and asked what I was still doing up. I went to the tent and told him the sun was coming up and it was time for his ride because traffic was light. I made him squeeze into all my riding gear. 2 sizes too small... but it's armor. I gave him a few lessons and set him on his way. Told him I'd come looking in 2 hours if he did not return. Apparently he rode it through Arches National Park successfully as the sun rose. He woke me up and said he had to go. Thank me for the experience and said he needed to get going because he was inspired to see more. Or something to that effect. He packed up his shit. Exchange contact information. And off he went. It was really a nice experience. I hope my journey has inspired him. And I think I did.

Onto Aspen, Colorado

WOW! Spectacular ride across Independence Pass. The continental divide. Absolutely Amazing. I said WOW so many times... I was hoarse. I also kept looking around and nearly killed myself around some of the bends. It was the most amazing ride I ever had on a bike. Truly awe inspiring. Then to Aspen. What a beautiful little town. I stayed at a hostel and roomed with an aspiring pianist. He was cool... although I think I freaked him out when I came in drunk high on Tequila and talked like I was on blow. Tequila does that to me. It's like speed. But he was very genuine... and I'm always impressed with some one follow their muse. I was really amazed at the fact there is no music scene in Aspen. I ended up going to the only place with live music in Aspen. I saw Thievery Corporation in a 300 or so seat club. It was a great show. I got a fist shake from the guitar player for my enthusiasm for his playing. He was really awesome... I screamed "Make me hear colors" and he did. That's when he gave the fist of approval. After that I journeyed around town until late. Played in a sprinkler and had a shot of Patron from a closed bar. The next day I left town. On the way out of town I noticed the little airport was absolutely full of private jets. Like 40 or so. Too many to count as I drove by. I was thinking wow no music scene. All these influential people... WTF? Good place to be "discovered" by some famous person... I think. Anyhow onto Salt Lake City.

Onto... Denver, Colorado

I had a really great time in Denver. I was impressed mostly by the cleanliness of the city. I also noticed the city planning was superb, good transit system, and it seemed like all the buildings were coordinated. They all seemed to go together. It gave a very pleasant feel to the city. I was fortunate enough to meet a young fellow that had just ride-shared from Northern California. He was kind enough to remind me of how great the weed is in Denver. A joint really had me high for several hours. He shared his story with me and had apparently been in some trouble and lost his license for 5 YEARS! That's a long time! He said he had trouble finding work because of transportation issues... he was only 23. That is a big chunk at of life at 23. Everyone I met was pretty nice from Denver. Only thing is they all seemed sad. Maybe it's the fact that they are used to so much snow and on this day it was 97 degrees. Not sure... but everyone seemed sad that I met. Curious! Onto Aspen!