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FALL 2016 ISSUE 02 / VOL. 01
BLUE HIGHWAYS
IN VOLCANO COUNTRY
State Route 117, south of Grants, hugs the Jurassic sandstone cliff edge to the basin of ancient lava flows.
EXPLORING SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO.
Not caring for Interstate highways, I choose to ride the“ blue highways” north and south of Interstate 40 from Grants, New Mexico, where I live. I made this ride in late May on my 2008 Triumph America. This 865cc twin has all of the power I need and is reminiscent of the Bonneville 650 I had in the’ 60s, although now my feet can enjoy“ pegs forward.”
Taking old Route 66 through town, I headed south on Highway 117 leading straight into the Zuni- Bandera volcanic field, where the immense aa( rugged) and pahoehoe( smooth) lavas look as if they spewed out yesterday. It’ s all fascinating to this retired geologist, and this is just the edge of El
STORY AND PHOTOS BY CLINT MILNE