Day Seven - Gunnison to Colorado Springs

We decided to change up the planned route today in order to make it a bit shorter. 

It started out with the planned hop westward to Salida where Andy and Julian had stopped for a coffee just a week ago. Here  are the two pictures for comparison. 
 
 

Then a welcome change in leader. Don took over to lead us over to Colorado Springs while Julian enjoyed loafing on the back.

A break on the road overlooking a terrific ranching plateau with a snow capped mountain background. 

 


These guys apparently thought the desert vegetation needed some help!

 

Another stop followed in Florissant at an unexpectedly good restaurant. 

 
 Brad relaxing while waiting for the food!

 

Andy took over the lead and we had been making such great progress we decided to do Pike's Peak this afternoon instead of tomorrow- but the traffic gods just didn't cooperate!

The turn wasn't signed and right after the road was torn up for miles!! We gave up and headed for the hotel.

What do you know? Free beer coupons again! So off we went to the Twisted Kilt. We were having a great discussion about morals in present day society when Scott and Jack were subjected to a completely unexpected and unwarranted photobombing!

 

We'll try Pike's Peak again tomorrow and then up to Denver to return the bikes. (Sob!)

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