There was a lot of chat over breakfast this morning, because of the weather. We had to go to Plan B, because Wolf Pass was snowed and we would need snow chains. So Instead of going the quick route, we backtracked a bit and headed west on highway 64. It was only 59 miles (107 km) longer - but took an extra couple of hours. Plus!
Going into Taos we had to go over a range - the speed limit was 35mph going up and 25mph going down
. The last 90 miles were on our original route, as the snow had stopped. So we didn't have to go to Plan C!! In Taos, we passed Kit Carson's house.
The scenery was incredible, and just kept changing. We'd see snow beside the road, then go into a valley and motor along for miles. Then over another range with even more snow! And then another! And lots of valley or prairie in between the ranges.
Today we saw Prairie Dogs running across the road; a herd of bison; a couple of Mountain Bluebirds that flew in front of the windscreen (brilliant all over blue!). Lots of snow and lots of running water - snow melt and rain - so a lot of rock falls and hard shoulders broken away.
We stopped for lunch at The Three Ravens in Tierra Amarilla. I'd recommend it to anyone - but it's so popular with the locals, probably best to go outside "office" lunch time. We only had coffee and shared a panini (which was scrumptious) but we spent a lot of time talking to the owners who were about our age. So the lunch break was an hour plus! Tierra Amarillo is a shadow of its former self, with just a few hundred people these days. Check it out here http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/nm/tierraamarilla.htm
We got back onto the 160 highway at Pagosa Springs, and then followed that for the last 90 miles to Mancos. There were a few roadworks - some to do with the recent snow & rain, and some just regular resurfacing. We got here just after 5pm.
A long day, but enjoyable. Had dinner next door to the motel - at "Millwood Junction" restaurant.
Trinidad to Mancos - the scenic route
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, United States
Other Entries
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1Finally getting off the freeways
May 127 days priorBarstow, United Statesphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 2 -
2Across the Mohave Desert
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3"Take it Easy" okay?
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4And into New Mexico
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5Snow!!
May 163 days priorSanta Fe, United Statesphoto_camera9videocam 0comment 2 -
6"Is this the way to Amarillo?"
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7The four states day - Tex, NM, Okla and CO.
May 181 day priorTrinidad, United Statesphoto_camera16videocam 0comment 1 -
8Trinidad to Mancos - the scenic route
May 19Mesa Verde National Park, United Statesphoto_camera15videocam 0comment 1 -
9Mesa Verde to Page
May 201 day laterPage, United Statesphoto_camera15videocam 0comment 0 -
10Horseshoes and hoodoos
May 212 days laterTropic, United Statesphoto_camera15videocam 0comment 2 -
11Via the Extraterrestrial Highway to Tonopah
May 223 days laterTonopah, United Statesphoto_camera11videocam 0comment 2 -
12Tonopah to Carson City
May 234 days laterCarson City, United Statesphoto_camera11videocam 0comment 2 -
13Left the desert behind
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14San Francisco
May 256 days laterSan Francisco, United Statesphoto_camera9videocam 0comment 0 -
15City to surf in California
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16Back in LA and off to London tonight.
May 278 days laterLos Angeles, United Statesphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 1
Comments

2025-02-11
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greghills1@bigpond.com
2015-05-20
Lovely country. It is great to get in amongst it and experience the everyday people and places.that is what is so great about overseas road trips.