As reported by Verle Nelson
On September 19, 2009, Mike Colby, Richard (Jeff) Smith and I met at the Gunnison River bridge near Whitewater, Colorado for the 6th annual camp out at Muley Point, Utah. This was a repeat for Jeff and Mike who were along on the 4th annual Muley Point camp out. Before we left Whitewater, we were joined by Mikes brother Jerry who had also been at the 4th annual camp out. He was unable to attend this time but came to ride with us the first 80 miles or so. The four of us headed to Gateway for coffee on a beautiful end-of-summer morning.

The 6th annual Muley Point camp out was a winner. The forecast suggested rain would be likely but it never happened at Muley point while we were there. More surprising was a complete absence of wind all evening, all night. Any one familiar with camping on the west end of any high mesa will understand that high winds are to be expected. We had no wind, no rain and it never got cold after dark as one might expect in mid September. You can be certain we appreciated these unusual conditions as we sat around and talked until after 11:00 p.m. We made no fire as we wanted to retain maximum night vision for viewing the desert below and around us. There was no moon but the stars and Milky Way were bright enough to compensate.

This was to be a simple trip. The route was uninspired in that it was all familiar roads, nothing new. Nevertheless, the 50 miles of canyon south on CO141 from Gateway is my favorite western Colorado road and I never tire of the route as it continues through such places as Disappointment Valley, Monticello UT, and Blanding. We stopped for a big midafternoon meal at the Twin Rocks Cafe in Bluff as we had no plans for food preparation while camped. We arrived at Muley point late afternoon, deciding to camp at a isolated spot where I had camped alone on the 3rd annual camp out. High wind had made that camp difficult to set up but our conditions were perfect this time.

We enjoyed our view of a distant Monument Valley in changing evening light, then spent hours marveling at the brightness of stars and unusual luminosity of the Milky Way, looking like strings of wispy cloud lighted from below. A stunning, simultaneous view of nighttime Monument Valley and the edge of our galaxy from one vantage point; odd we were the only ones there.

Motorcyclists are often portrayed as loners and many are. I have been myself. Truth is, one can meet unusually interesting people on motorcycles and in recent years I've come to appreciate camaraderie. Mike and Jeff are great comrades: intelligent, curious, knowledgeable on a wide range of subjects and lively in conversation. No surprise we talked for hours. I learn from people like this. Too bad Jerry wasn't able to come along. Too bad Ken Hill, a regular member of this group, and Vern Nelson, a more recent member weren't free to join us. And of course my good riding buddy Billy Aller would have fit in well. (The trouble with naming people who might have been there is where to stop. I like more people than I thought.)

Early risers at Muley Point may be greeted by an unforgettable sunrise on distant sandstone bluffs and the pinnacles of Monument Valley. We were all up and attentive of course. We were not disappointed.

Back to Bluff for breakfast. A Navajo rodeo in Bluff resulted in a huge crowd of hungry people but the Twin Rocks Cafe staff seemed remarkably calm and unflustered. We ate outside. Service was only a little slow and just as friendly and efficient as ever. The food was good too.

On our return ride we had a refreshing rain as we descended to Disappointment Valley, scattered showers after that. I like riding in rain when conditions are right and these were. A final coffee at Gateway and home by 4:00 p.m.