So leaving Rapid City we had a look at Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, they were amazing.

We headed through Newcastle - not in New South Wales! - and stopped for lunch in Donnas Kitchen.... where... yet again... Julie announces her birthday was only a few days away and was spoilt with the most delicous 4 Berry Shortcake on the house.

Thanks Gals!

Hot and uneventful ride to Cheyenne and then on throught the Deer Pass at 12,500 foot pass in the Rocky Mountan National Park ($20 per vehicle just to transit - see how handy the National Park Pass is!). It is very beautiful.

We then headed to Kremlings where we enjoyed yet another fine example of a very loud thunderstorm.

We also were treated to some home made Beef Jerky from Harlan at the Middle Park Meat Company. They have very delicous meat there and the Jerky (our first every) was fantastic!

On to Rangely through Steam Boat - a very trendy Ski Village - where Julie had her Birthday Breakfast.

Rangely is a very neat place. It is in the middle of the high desert of Colorado on the Utah boarder.

There are lots of things to do there including a ride out to Dinosaur National Monument, take a ride through Canyon Pintadas, eat at the fantastic Mexican Restaurant and drink with Harley Riders at the Main Street Pub.

Mike, Mitch and Dave entertained us with there wit and banter.

The morning we left Rangely we met up with 5 buddies that were travelling a loop of Colarado. We rode with them for a couple of hours until we left them at Grand Junction. Only to meet up with them again in Silverton.

Through Ouray, Durango and into New Mexico to Farmington where Mark & Lisa who we met in Alaska/Canada opened there home to us.

We stayed for a week where we were able to use their workshop and tools to make a new aluminium carry box and do some work on the bike such as cleaning and servicing the chain, checking the sprockets.

We also ordered a new front tyre as it was getting very worn, ordered sprockets, fork seals and a new chain so that we would be prepared for when they needed replacing.

Whilst at Mark and Lisas we were introduced to thier many toys including thier Scooters and we were fortunate enought to be able to go for a ride "Scooter Trash" style out for breakfast and to the Aztec Ruins National Monument.

We took Yellow, Lisa rode Crumpet - the Vespa and Mark rode The Rat Bike. Scooters bring a whole new meaning to riding. They are great fun though.

We also were treated to a barbeque at Tori and Sarahs place. Sarah is a feminist artist (check out her web page www.goddesses-art.com) and we were able to go through her studio and see lots of her work.

Mark took us out for a day ride to Mesa Verde, a Pueblo/Anasazi ruin up on top of a mesa.

We had a two week wait till our parts came in - so we took a ride....