Bob's Red Rocks Extravaganza

[BobFV1]

So everything is subject to change, but so far this plan meets with the approval of my boss (wife) and business partners, so I think it's a go!

On Wednesday morning, Aug 27, I plan to leave home here in DC and head pretty much due west, sticking with I-50 at least across Southern Ohio, and then maybe moving over to the slab when I get to the great plains. I plan to run about 600 miles a day (if I can - that's hardly anything for me) and arrive in the Denver area on the evening of Friday the 29th. I will remain in Denver for concerts at Red Rocks (http://www.redrocksonline.com/index.asp) on Saturday and Sunday nights:

http://www.redrocksonline.com/images/gallery/large/crowd.jpg

I have general admission tickets for Saturday night, which will be the Allman Brothers and Ratdog, and Sunday night, featuring Government Mule and Umphrey's McGee.

On Monday morning the 1st I plan to head towards the Four Corners via one or more of the high passes and to get down to the MC B&B either late on Monday the 1st or more likely on the afternoon of Tuesday 9/2. I plan to stay at the B&B 2 nights before heading back east and would be honored to see any of you rapscallions who also have plans to visit the B&B during this time frame.

So, I go at my own pace but anyone who is interested is more than welcome to join me for all or some of the trip, and to attend the concerts in Colorado - just let me know and we can tie up along the way.

I'll of course take and post lots of photos in this thread. See you on down the road!

[fganger]

Bob lad,

I will try my damnedest to be at the B&B at that time. IF I can get done with my stinking doctors, I'll be off in a flash. I'm sorry I'll be missing the concert - "someone" made such a fuss when I even mentioned Sturgis, I think I'll stay closer to home. At least her parents live in Arizona - that is sort of like staying close to home. :pot:

Stinkin' Frank

[jamming]

Bob, I'll see you on the 2nd. I have to run the truck and Terrie my Wife back to Phoenix on Monday. I'll hop on the bike and run back up Tuesday.

[Biff's R]

Bob, that looks like a great trip.

red Rocks looks great.

US 50 is weird crossing the Ohio River, they are building a new bridge, and I usually screw up somehow(just a FYI). OH 32 is 4 lane and moves pretty good, or OH 56 from Athens west is good. US 50 had a bunch of towns and is kinda slow going.

Love to buy you lunch, but you are going to be about 75 miles too far south for me on a Wednesday.

[BobFV1]

Bob, that looks like a great trip.

red Rocks looks great.

US 50 is weird crossing the Ohio River, they are building a new bridge, and I usually screw up somehow(just a FYI). OH 32 is 4 lane and moves pretty good, or OH 56 from Athens west is good. US 50 had a bunch of towns and is kinda slow going.

Love to buy you lunch, but you are going to be about 75 miles too far south for me on a Wednesday.

Jeff - thanks for the heads-up. I have not crossed the Ohio river on Route 50 for two years, so I will keep my eyes open. I will check out OH 32 and 56, because, while beautiful, 50 is slow going, you are right.

[BobFV1]

Bumpity bump. Still on track - just got the bike back from the 12K, new PR2's, and FD change. I may even leave earlier than planned! Now thinking of US 36 across the river at Hannibal, Missouri.

[Ed K]

Bob, You'll like the PRs... interested to hear how they do on the RT.

Too bad about what happened to Duane Allman in '71... motorcycle and all. I believe he was riding a Harley.

Dickie Betts tried his best to subsititue for him doing slide guitar in a concert I attended a few weeks after Duane's death. And although the band was still great, from my perspective, they were never quite as good without Duane's special lead guitar.

Do you think they'll play, "Sweet Melissa"?

Have fun... looking forward to hearing more about it!

[BobFV1]

Bob, You'll like the PRs... interested to hear how they do on the RT.

Too bad about what happened to Duane Allman in '71... motorcycle and all. I believe he was riding a Harley.

Dickie Betts tried his best to subsititue for him doing slide guitar in a concert I attended a few weeks after Duane's death. And although the band was still great, from my perspective, they were never quite as good without Duane's special lead guitar.

Do you think they'll play, "Sweet Melissa"?

Have fun... looking forward to hearing more about it!

Hey Ed - I believe Duane was riding a chopper and the apehanger came around and hit him in the chest or belly - not sure, but I think that was the story.

Dickie was through this area last year - trying to play some solo concerts, but apparently he is completely ravaged by alcohol - poor Dickie. I think "Blue Sky" is his big "locus classicus".

The Allmans have greatly benefited from the guitar of Warren Haynes in recent years. Haynes is doing his own thing with Government Mule lately, but since Mule will be ar Redrocks the same weekend, I expect that he will jam in with the Allmans - should be an epic show! I imagine they will in fact sing "Sweet Melissa".

Beautiful song - here's a LINK (<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pwbowi-8Yoo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pwbowi-8Yoo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>)

[Ed K]

Too bad about Dickie, Bob... I have not kept up, and am sorry to hear about the alcohol.

The chopper certainly would be appropriate for Duane!

After days of trying to convince me to go with her to see Donna Summer (!), my wife finally got me to agree by gently reminding that she went to the Laguna Seca MotoGP.

I thought to myself, "Hmmm, SF area, Donna summer... I think I know the audience that's going to be there!" And, my intuition was correct.

There were as many male couples as female and mixed... some very, ummm interesting dancing going on in the audience.

Although I dont believe our creator intended this and I dont understand it.. to each their own... live and let live! After all, this is San Fransico! And, I did not see any minors. Everyone had a great time.

Anyway, I must admit, although Donna was now plus size... she can still belt them out and retains a fantastic voice, command of the audience, and talent.

She did put on a great show and had the place hopping, dancing, and, umm... some spooning, especially when they played Bad Girls, Last Dance and other great hits.

What ever happened to Johnnie Winter? Rock and Roll Hoochie Goo! Now that's a concert I'd like to attend!

[beemerchef]

Wow...
For me it was Jimmy... Otis... James... Brian Auger... Janis...
3 years of schooling in Montreux and somehow managing to be a member of a Private after hour Club where they came to mingle after each night's Jazz Festival's shows... OK... so that was about 40 years ago!!! Dah!!!:nod:
I do remember some parts...
Be well...
Ara & Spirit

[BobFV1]

chef -

I was just in Montreux this past Spring - do these look familiar?

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/298665145_jmWqA-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/298662374_b28oq-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/298654541_YtJHX-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/298655694_5KqKs-L.jpg

[beemerchef]

#4 of course looks familiar... lets face it... has been 39 years! I cannot even recognize myself...
Hoping to go back myself soon. My mother lives in Munich and will take her there... or vice versa... maybe April 09.
Thanks for posting those... oh! the Hotel looks familiar...
Be well...
Ara & Spirit

[BobFV1]

Bike - check.
Tent - check.
Air Mattress - check.
Sleeping Bag - check.
Bike Cover - check.
Kermit Chair - check.
Tools - check.
Clothes - check.

Etc, etc, etc - check.

Guess I am out of here in the morning. Heading West - don't know more than that now, but will try to send updates from the road.

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/359082217_3aNe6-L.jpg


http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/359082258_jtW5K-L.jpg

[isiahstites]

Bob,

Enjoy yourself out there and be careful!

Scott

[Deans BMW]

D-Dave here on Dean's 'puter in suburban Show Low...

Bob, have a great & safe trip!
And yes, I did go to some of the places you recommended on the Colorado leg of my trip...they were great. I'll post that up when I can. Colorado was beautiiful but watch for wierd, rapidly changing weather patterns.
If you want take a manly ride across Colorado, you can borrow my KLR anytime!
Hope we meet up here before Betty & I have to head back to Tay-Has...
Dave

[BobFV1]

Thanks Dave :039:

Hope to meet up with you. Glad you had fun in Colorado. I have enough cross country experience in late summer to know that Wx is mucho importante.

See you all down the road!

[Capt. Blackadder]

Happy trails Bob, and have fun! :thumb:

[Deans BMW]

Ride safe, Bob, keep the rubber side down.

See you soon.

[BobFV1]

Left at 0800 - decided to chuck the camping gear and get out the plastic - I am writing from the Knight's Inn offf I-70 in Richmond, Indiana.

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/359722240_nwqxb-L.jpg

First stop was at the pass on top of I 68, the Sideling Hill Cut in Maryland - beautiful spot:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/359722199_vWRUg-L.jpg

And those are all the photos for today. I am destroyed - cross country riding does not get easier with age!

The PR2's are working great - they totally transformed the bike when compared with the Bridgestone's :041:

The Zumo has its good and bad points - jury is still out on it.

Got to get some rest now.

[isiahstites]

Bob - How many miles today?

Scott

[BobFV1]

Bob - How many miles today?

Scott

527 miles in 9 hours - zi'm getting old . . .

[isiahstites]

527 miles in 9 hours - zi'm getting old . . .

Thats a pretty good pace Bob! Keep us up to date of your where abouts.

Scott

[Griffon]

Hey Bob!

One of these cross country jaunts, I'll be happy to head south and meet you to report for wing man duties! For now, I'll have to live vicariously through you!

Safe travels!

[supermotoC]

Bob - make Dean meet you @ the Bear Wallow and bring you in from there - but save up some juice so you can keep him in sight.

[BobFV1]

http://www.1tail.com/cartimages/l/48915.JPG

[BobFV1]

No progress today - in fact, I have turned the beast around and headed back for DC. I have been called to Rome for a meeting at the end of next week, and there is just no way for me to continue to Colorado, see the concert, and turn around and make it home in time for the trip. So - that means no Red Rocks and no B&B :(

I am going to see if I can get a last minute flight to PHX or DEN and salvage something.

Oh yeah - and it is very soggy here on the East Coast :baldy:

[Griffon]

I haven't the words to describe how that makes me feel.

Have a safe ride home, and visualize a wonderful time in Rome!

[isiahstites]

Bob - I am sorry to hear that you are not going to be able to attend the events you had planned. On the bright side at least you got some miles logged on the bike.

Scott

[BobFV1]

Just got home - 535 miles through the remnants of Hurricane Fay -about 5 hours of heavy rain on the Interstate, the rest in wind and cloudy conditions and two near creamings.

Just picked up a plane ticket - will fly commercial to Denver Saturday, see the two concerts and then fly home Monday - turn around for Europe on Weds or Thursday - not a total loss but I will miss the B&B.

[Deans BMW]

Bob, that breaks Mz Pam's and my heart, remember we did miss you at the get together in Phoenix, it seemed that you had an interlude with a serious grape.

Be safe.

Things must be heating up.

[BobFV1]

Thread title changed to reflect new destination - via the silver bird.

[BobFV1]

So I got on the Silver Bird, a UAL 757 yesterday morning at about 1100 DC time for a relaxing, 3+ hour flight direct into Denver. I have a very fortunate situation which allows me to pretty much travel free in first class on UA on any domestic flight I choose - it is a benefit of a lifetime of flying with UA, ever since they took over the old Pan Am routes across the Pacific in the mid-80's and I was living in Japan.

Anyway - got in to a lovely early afternoon in Denver, drove my rented car past Ivesco field, through downtown Denver and the site of the recently-completed Democratic National Convention, and out to my hotel in the lovely and quiet little town of Littleton, on the western fringe of the city.

After a few hours of rest, I was ready for the 10 mile drive over to Red Rocks. Didn't really know what to expect. I have general admission tickets for the two shows Saturday and Sunday night. I drove out to Morrison, where Red Rocks is - found a lower parking lot. I was struck by the steep and varied terrain, and by the huge red rocks!

The parking lot was like the parking lot at any concert that attracts Grateful Dead fans or "Dead Heads" - full of dirty, smelly hippies, drugs, dogs - it was dusty and stinky from the porta-johns. Nothing quite like it:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362440630_kAQFw-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362440698_RiXaQ-L.jpg

Even the little ones were dressed up:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362440807_6rbhE-L.jpg

Walking up from the parking lot the sun was still bright, so it washed the red color out of the rocks, but in person they are definitely red!

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362440862_FRMsT-L.jpg

Ah ha! I found stairs!

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362440921_G9g7U-L.jpg

Whoops - so did several thousand others. The way the venue works is that there is open seating in the first 10 rows, then row 10 through 50 is reserved seating, then GA (if you do not get in the first 10 rows) is the rest of the rows, the nosebleeds above row 50. It is a narrow and steep venue, wedged in between the rocks:

So, as I get up the stairs a bit, there are still about 20 minutes until the gates open, and I end up in a line with a few other fans:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362440983_nhfda-L.jpg

Success - I survive the stampede into the venue, don't get into the first 10 rows, but get in to the center in the low part of GA - the yellow rope in front of me is the back of reserved seating. It is a beautiful warm and breezy evening:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362441108_x3DZb-L.jpg

Would you buy a beer from this man, after all, he does have peanuts for earrings! I bought one, because he kept coming by my seat!

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362441605_78uBg-L.jpg

Yum yum, Bob happy!

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362441255_YT4yi-L.jpg

Did you know or remember I have two different colored eyes???

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362441389_s4ekN-L.jpg

From my seat in the amphitheater, this is my view on either side - just beautiful:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362441433_md527-L.jpg

Downtown Denver is off in the distance:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362441504_w67QX-L.jpg

At 1900 Bob Weir and Ratdog come out to play to a full house:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362441689_muEBL-L.jpg

Here is the setlist that Ratdog played - almost all Grateful Dead songs:

Jam > Help on the Way > Slipknot! > Loser* > Bird Song+ > Loose Lucy+ > Bertha+, Looks Like Rain@, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall@#, West L.A. Fadeaway > Ashes and Glass > Stuff > Morning Dew E: Not Fade Away *-with Derek Trucks (Guitar); +-with Warren Haynes (Guitar/Vocals); #-with Susan Tedeschi (Vocals)

The set was great - over 2 hours long. I only got one more photo before the light of day waned:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362441741_moUap-L.jpg

The Allman Brothers took the stage about 1030 - they played great - I beat the crowds and left abter about 90 minutes of their set - it had been a long day!

Well, still in Colorado and will be back tonight for another great show at Redrocks. Enjoy your weekend too!

[isiahstites]

Bob - I am glad you made it out to concert! I have a friend who lives in Littleton and the area is beautiful.

Scott

[BobFV1]

Hi All - Back in the DC area, but had a great day in Colorado yesterday. In the evening, I saw a great set by Umphrey's McGee and Government Mule at Red rocks. During the day, I drove south out of Littleton to the Colorado Springs area and visited the "Garden of the Gods" GG is a unique area with beautiful red rock formations thrusting vertically out of the ground. It was discovered by Zebulon Pike on his explorations for the US Army and sits literally in the shadow of "Pike's Peak" - also named after Captain (later General) Pike. As an explorer and Army officer, Pike was directed by the Army to explore the trerritory obtained by the USA in the Louisiana Purchase.

Shortly after the discovery of DD, Pike ran in to a group of Spanish soldiers and was taken prisoner and taken to Santa Fe where he was imprisoned for about 6 months before the Army won his release. This area in South Colorado/Northern NM was the frontier between American and Spanish claims on North America at the time.

So, as the story goes, two surveyors were sent in to GG in the mid 1800's and one commented, on a hot day, that it would be a wonderful place for a beer garden. The other, a religious man, said that it should not be so defiled and was a Garden fit "for the Gods".

Here are some snapshots around the Garden. It is a city park, having been donated to the city of Colorafdo Springs on the early 1900's with the caveat that it would be forever free of: cost (for visiting), alcohol, and structures. A visitor center was built about a quarter mile away on land donated by the Texas oil family, the Hunts.

Sorry about the window glare - I took a tram ride before I hinked around. The peak with no trees on top in the background is Pike's Peak, elevation 14,110 feet above sea level.

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362767182_R2xaT-L.jpg

Other photos of rock formations in the GG:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362767797_sdqvM-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362767861_6D4V7-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362768099_ynE8D-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362768619_mamGG-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362768690_cy9H5-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362769399_ub4fN-L.jpg

Climbing is permitted, with a permit:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362769609_GewCT-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362769964_UqGKH-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362770061_hHubU-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362770206_EYhgt-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362770315_MdbF6-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362770624_V78vw-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362770700_pEnG8-L.jpg

More photos below.

[BobFV1]

Garden of the Gods, Part 2

Pedestrian paths take you through the innder garden - no cars allowed:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362770911_UPrRw-L.jpg

Mother nature is particularly photogenic here:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362771009_xHCx9-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362771089_V7a2R-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362771167_TRWFA-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362771267_p8tv7-L.jpg


http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362771433_mZzFJ-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362771665_hHgdJ-L.jpg

The visitors center is the low building on the low ground:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362772144_9vWWG-L.jpg

Look what I found parked in the parking lot - a very rare motorcycle indeed:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362768836_7JwK2-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362768761_pjyNw-L.jpg

And it has been around:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362768938_oH2rn-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362769232_mquaa-L.jpg

Riding partner is on a Honda:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362769040_Paidm-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362769125_wURya-L.jpg

And a few spaces over, in the parking space next to my rental car, was this adventure bike, with innovative luggage system:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362772333_tjEF2-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362772442_u6GEK-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362772512_g9d7G-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362772585_SjDt5-L.jpg

Oh - and one last thing, my favorite rock formation at GG, the "Kissing Camels"

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362767428_ie2gr-L.jpg

Easier to see in a close-up:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362770380_hStec-L.jpg

[Griffon]

Thanks for posting these PIctures! This is definitely on the list for places I want to paint!

It's pretty incredible someone would tour on a Vincent! Did you get a chance to meet the proud parents?

It's good to see a Ural loaded up for a long haul! Were it not for my misgivings about my ability to manage a hack, that would be my ride of choice for the cross country landscape jaunt. It would certainly make stowing my gear easy!

[BobFV1]

Hey Grif - when I was on a quick bus tour orientation to the park, I saw the two black bikes go by - I thought the Vincent was an airhead from a diistance - later I caught up with the bike but not the rider - looks like he has taken that bike all over the world! So cool to see a museum piece in such good and operational condition!

[Griffon]

If it's still in service, is it really a museum piece?

It amazes me how the line changes so quickly. I transported the current show at Reading Public museum from the lenders to the museum. Many of the pieces were FURNITURE to the owners. Once at the museum, we had to handle everything with white gloves, place it on pedestals, and place stancheons because they were ART OBJECTS.

Perspective is everything.

[bmwdave52]

We have a Ural dealer here in Sacramento.

[BobFV1]

We have a Ural dealer here in Sacramento.

But you don't have a Vincent dealer :eusa_clap:

[SV Andy]

Thanks Bob, that venue is amazing, love the GB 500, i ran the European version for a number of years it's called XBR 500 over here,taught me a lot that liitle bike.

[BobFV1]

Andy - the morning after the first of two concerts at Red Rocks last weekend, I went back and took some pictures around the venue which I didn't post earlier. The main thing I was interested in, early Sunday morning, is what the place looks like "the day after" - does it completely clear out or are there drunk, stoned hippies passed out all over the place. I am pleased to say that the venue was as beautiful, clean, and natural as ever the morning after a large concert:

First a few shots of the parking lot which was packed with drunk and stoned kids 12 hours earlier:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362765651_wjkRF-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362765283_QZ48Z-L.jpg

There is a "ttrading post" with a beautiful little lawn behind it sitting right below the ampitheater. When I passed it the evening before, it was roped off for "VIP Parking" - today it is jut another family tourist attraction:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362765583_GPxEw-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362766650_ayNdH-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362766497_Bp9Dv-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362766237_pqEw6-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362766579_nuSdN-L.jpg

And finally, a coul of shots up the hill of the ampitheater from the outside. The fact that you have to strain to see it is a testament to how well integrated into the natural environment it is, using geographic features to define the venue:

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362765787_LPjGo-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362765711_FgbP4-L.jpg

http://bobfv1.smugmug.com/photos/362765844_hqrTB-L.jpg