Good sleep (thanks Jake) and a pot of fresh coffee to star the day. My internal clock is a little messed up with staying up so late and the 2 hrs time difference, but the coffe signals my body it's ok. Jake and I walk to the Waffle-torium, which is crowded as always, but we always seem to find a table. I am stunned to find chicken and waffle on the menu, (not Thelmas mind you, so I order it, take a picture and send it off to my brother Dave (who is starting his trip west to meet me with my other brother Dick on their bikes.). Dave and I discovered Thelmas chicken and waffles somewhere in the south and assumed it was a one time thing, but now to find it in AQB?
His friend Keri met us so I subjected here to the usual grilling, background check and subsequent John tiride. She is a big Bernie fan so we got along fine.
The three of us did a walk around the neighbor hood and discovered some artist homes that were more something you would find in Santa Fe than ABQ. Then back to Jakes place to pack and load the Beemer. Tire were a little low from sitting since last spring. It always amazes me how little stuff I have after I load the saddlebags with my warms stuff and wet stuff. I got this down really well.

 It was heading to 3pm so I probably out to get going. Last good byes to Jakes roomies. Its always odd to say goodbyt to folks you have gotten to know n=and realize you may never see them again. This is Jakes last few months before he defends his dissertation and the he is leaving ABQ.
Thanks Will (nice Yawaha Versys by the way), Mohamed (come to VT any time and practice your story telling), Peter (good luck in Philly) for putting me up and for storing the Beemer this last year!!
Given it is so late, I decide to head up RT550 which gets me to the south-west corner of Colorado, where I can figure out where to go from there. Some light traffic in ABQ and then fresh gas. It was actually pretty hot and the sun was very intense, but as I turned onto 550 and started gaining altitude it cooled off. I go the obligatory couple liters of fluids, extra just in case, and slowly climbed past some gorgeous buttes and rock formations. Lots of campers out for the holiday, but light traffic over all. Through the reservations and casinos and finally over the Continental Divide. Lots of gas and oil work up here but I noticed the oil rigs were all running really slow. I wonder if they pump slower when the oil prices are low. By slow I mean you can hardly tell they are pumping, but they are.

I pulled into Farmington around 5:30, enough time to go a little further, but I have to decide if I am going deeper into Utah (Capital Reef) or up to Moab and Canyonlands, so I decide to stop here (nice cheap motels aplenty). I found the #1 Trip Advisor restaurant in town with out of this work soft shell tacos, and a long beer list. Lots of locals, families and friendly folks. Back to the motel and sleeping by 8pm. Not missing work yet!!