Not really. But I am interested in the locomotive behind it. It’s the Nights in White Satin, an electric diesel from 1942 that originally served on the D&RGW line. Beautiful!

I once toured this area, riding south along highway 15 and went through the Monte Verde Wildlife refuge. There were indeed large groups of sandhill cranes resident there. Neat sounding and acting birds, they!

spoon

Amish! I know that there are quite a few living in the San Luis Valley.

That's my idea of a great elevation profile!

Up until 10:30 - I was all in on your love of the area. Then the wind picked up like someone flipped a switch. Happily, it was a side wind for us most of the day.

As the storm blew in this afternoon, it was really blowing. There's too much wind in this valley for me.

I do like looking at all of the mountains, while riding right up the center.

Snce you were riding dirt/gravel, its a shame the Sanches reservoir wasn't on your route. Roads leading there and particularly around San Luis, are all very interesting and truly beautiful. The reservoir can be passes on the east side and the road is partially paved straight on nto New Mexico. This area is/was full of small Spanish land grant plats, complete with their irrigation streams. There are also tiny villages, each with large Catholic churches, many of them with miniature replicas of themselves. San Luis itself is interesting and with its mountain of martyrs (forgot the real name) a tourist spot.

spoon

A more interesting subject.

Yes, Debbie is a rare bird. She is 70 years old and still works 14 hour days.

If only the wind in this area were friendlier, it would be easier to recommend.

It takes a hardy type to live here.

We just rode past the college. We are at Lucky Bamboo Chinese food. I don’t suppose it was there when you went to school?

It would be easy to loop down to Taos.

A key factor would be ordering up the wind in your favor.

I think it depends on the engine!

I didn’t realize that your K was 26 x 26! Shouldn’t it be faster than the Bella? 🥸
Spoon

We love riding in the San Luis Valley and both went to college in Alamosa. I'd like to do a shorter tour through there sometime - go to Taos and circle around somehow.

I like the name Chili Line Depot. And the offer from the owner to pick you up at the end of the day and drive you back in the morning was one of the best examples of customer service I've ever heard of--and I used to be a customer service expert.

I really like that area you're in--high-elevation sagebrush country with higher mountains in the distance. Very nice. I like green dinosaurs too.

Great photos!

No water??!!! Wow, it's a good thing you were warned ahead of time and at a spot you could reroute, otherwise you'd be stuck. That part of NM and CO is fairly remote with few towns or services, let alone lodging.