Vacation Dilema - The Adventure begins

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Vacation Dilema - The Adventure begins - Sport-Touring.Net

Hey everyone. It's been a while since I've posted as I've been blah, blah, blah.

Enough of me and how busy I am. I am flying to Phoenix this week to pick up my new bike and begin my adventure.

I have about 21 days for my trip.

Here's a rough itinerary.

Note that I would like to average at least 400 miles a day. 1. Phoneix to Albuquereque (470 miles) 2. Alburqueraque to Denver (449 miles) 3. Dever - Teec Nos Pas (426 miles) 4. Teec Nos Pas - St George (491 miles) 5. St George - Las Vegas (120 miles) 6. Las Vegas - Mariposa (472 miles) 7. Mariposa - San Francisco (167 miles) 8. San Fransico - Portland (636 miles) 9. Portland - Sturgis (1400 miles) 10. Sturgis - home (1700 miles) 11. Total miles = 6331 @ 400 miles/day = 15 days Do you think I'm being too aggressive or optimistic?

Of course my plans are subject to change from the minute I get to the airport, but at least it's a high level plan. Oh yeah, I'm planning my accommodations totally by ear.

Might end up having to buy a tent and sleeping bag in case the motels get full.

I have 1 cousin near LA and another near Seattle and some family friends in San Fransisco, but that's about it for people I know.

We'll just have to see how it goes. I hope to get some nice pics and provide updates of my travels.

I hope you enjoy. Just think...

I'm doing this and you're not Ha, ha - I would expect the same back

#10 is going to be a doozy.

Other then that +/-400mls is OK. Looking forward to the report and pics.

MODS: Can you move this to Rocky Mtn Region? Quote: #10 is going to be a doozy.

Other then that +/-400mls is OK. Hey, he's doing it the day after #9, right?

(I'm guessing the OP means that he will cover those last 3100 miles in 5 days) Can't see how you will ride all those places except by interstate.

For example, Albequerque to Denver via I-25 is 450 miles.

You will be skipping a LOT of good roads if you stick to interstates. 400 miles a day is a good target.

Some folks on this board run 300 miles a day.

I don't like to go over 500 miles and it usually takes about 12 hours to do those 500 miles with sightseeing stops (hikes, national monuments, lunch and dinner, etc.) if I picked twisty enough roads. But I'm second guessing your route as mostly interstate, and I'd ask, what's the point? For example, 4 of the best roads in the country lay between Phoenix and Alb, sort of. http://preview.tinyurl.com/4tw97h 191 in east AZ, 35 and 15 in west NM and 152 in central NM.

There are folks on this site that can recommend better ways to connect the east end of 152 to Alb. Of course, that's 725 mile route between the two cities. You will briefly see a lot of nice sites but you won't see any of the good roads in between by your schedule.

I would recommend you take your 15 days, do good roads in AZ, NM, and CO then head north into Wyoming and east into SD.

Loop all the way around WY to hit Yellowstone, Beartooth Pass, etc.

Of course, you should crisscross the Rockies over a bunch of passes in CO along the way. At 400 miles/day, I'd think you'd do something like: PHX - ALB -- 2 days ALB - Denver -- 2 days Denver up into WY -- 1 day Around WY -- 2 days (at least) Western SD -- 1 day This is all riding and at best a few brief stops.

If you want to do some more touring, be prepared to ride 300 miles/day instead of 400. As an example (and I've PM'd you about this), I'll be spending 3 days in CO next week on the bike, and I already feel rushed.

You will be riding from central AZ to central NM to central CO to the CO/UT border in the same amount of time. Good luck.

Enjoy the trip. You will see fantastic sites, but if you head east/northeast without your loop, I think you will enjoy your trip a lot more. EDITED TO ADD: There are pleasant roads to ride in MN and WI.

Nothing like the Rockies, but very nice in their own right.

Don't just assume everything between SD and PA is "fly through" country. After WI, you could head southeast towards OH.

If you like airplanes, Dayton has the Wright Patt AF museum and the Wright Brothers Memorial.

Then there's the AMA Hall of Fame in central OH and supposedly good riding in southeastern OH. Rapid City, SD to Dayton, OH -- 3 days on i-state OH including Hall of Fame -- 1 day on i-state.

2 days if you have fun. PA -- 1 day if you have get-home-itis. That's 15 days and you miss some nice, but not great (compared to CO) roads in MN and WI.

Appreciate the feedback.

Granted those were rough numbers of point to point.

It may actually take me longer to do.

In any event, I'm in the 2nd day of my trip and I've made it to Los Alamos with about 60 Highway miles.

I'll continue to play it by ear and see how it goes.

If I can't get all done in one trip then I'll just have to leave it for next time Day 1: What a day.

Got up at 4 and left the house by 4:15.

The family took to me to the airport to see me off.

The trip from Scranton to Cleveland was uneventful other than for the Flight Attendant telling me how they had gotten out to the runway earlier in the week and had to turn back as one of the passengers was having a heart attack. So, then I get on the plane from Cleveland to Phoenix and everything is still on time.

Now, I had a couple things happen on the plane that just made me wonder what the heck.

Now, I booked my flight months ago and I picked out my seat.

I like to be on the aisle.

Anyhow, this woman boards the flight and puts her bag in the bin over me.

She goes to sit down and I hear a guy ask her if she would mind switching seats.

She asks if it's an aisle seat and he says no, so she says no.

Pretty soon the guy comes out and asks me the same question.

I tell him if it's on the aisle, I will.

He tells me it's a center seat and I say no thanks.

He hangs out for a bit and finally he's like well, I have the center seat next to you, I'll have to sit down.

No problem. I let him in and he litterally just plops in the seat and seems to be taking as much of my seat as possible.

Soon, his wife, or so I assume, comes out and asks if he wants something and she's got tears in her eyes.

OMG people, you are adults.

Grow up and sit by yourself.

Anyhow, the woman whom he originally asks sees all of this and it got to her before it got to me.

So, she switched seats.

No here's the kicker.

It seems to me as that he just wanted an aisle seat seeing as he never asked the people sitting next to the window to exchange seats.

I continue to sit there as the plane loads and watch at least 6 different couples ask to sit together.

Hey people, you're going somewhere together.

When you get there, be together as much as you want, but for now, sit down so we can get out of dodge.

*Rant Over* The plane is loaded and we head for the runway.

We are 3rd in line for takeoff when the Pilot comes on and tells us we have to go back to the terminal due to one of the passengers being sick.

Deja vu? We go back to the terminal and someone gets offloaded to the ambulance.

I have no idea what happened.

We end up being 40 mins late to Phoenix.

NOt bad, but I was worried my dealer might have been there waiting for me all that time.

Fortunately, these fellows were on top of things and knew my flight was late.

I catch up Ryan from Arizona Kawasaki and make the trip back to the dealership, where I get to meet 1) my salesman Rikki, 2) Bob "The Boss", 3) Randy the service manager and 4) my new ride!!!

She looks awesome.

Fortunately, Rikki had let me send all my gear out ahead of time and he left the bike inside in the air conditioning so I could load up.

This was very thoughtful of him especially considering that the temp was about 104 at the time.

I buy the guys some pizza, eat and then head out with best of wishes from the fine folks at Arizona Kawasaki.

These guys were great.

I would recommend them to anyone. I get about 5 miles down the road and my message center is telling me that my rear pressure sensor battery is low.

I haven't gone far, so I turn around and go back to the dealer.

Apparently, Kawasaki has an issue with this and it is covered under warranty.

Unfortunately, they don't have one in stock and I don't really have time to wait.

I talked it over with Bob and decided I'll just get this resolved when I get back home after my trip is over.

No big deal other than having the damn message flash at you all the time.

I've got to check my owners manual and figure out how to stop that or I might go nuts over this.

I head east toward Globe.

Once there, I decide to continue on to Sanford, where I finally decide to call it a night after 4 or 5 stops to get watered up.

I still haven't peed since I arrived in Arizona over 9 hours ago.

If the temperature is 104 degree's and you drive 70 mph, how hot is.

It's still 104 and it's @#%!@ HOT!!!

I get in my room at the hotel and bring my gear in and I smell this awful stench.

Yeah, it's me. I decide I better call home and let them know that I'm in for the night when I noticed I have like 10 missed calls.

I start to panic that something has gone wrong at home.

I pull up the list and realize all the calls were from the guys back at Arizona Kawaski.

I call back and get this - When I was loading my bike, my helmet and manual was on the salesman desk.

Apparently, I also picked up someone else's manual that was in a plastic bag with both keys to the bike.

OMG. I felt like an idiot.

I check my bags and sure enough, I have it.

I'm like oh no, I have to drive back, but Bob says he'll get someone out to pick it up.

He simply asks me to leave it at the front desk, which I promptly do.

I felt bad especially since they were trying to get ahold of me almost from the time I left the dealership and now they have to travel 100+ miles to come and get the keys and manual.

I already felt I owed these guys some beer, but now I definitely do.

I gotta figure out how to get some PA Lager sent back. I rode through some beautiful country but some ugly country as well.

I personally don't see why anyone would want to live in this extreme heat, but to each their own. So, how do I like the bike?

Pretty good. It's very smooth and the ergo's on it are quite good.

I'm not real happy that I have a brand new bike that has a problem with one of its sensors already, but I'll deal with that.

The bigger problem I have is that my head always seems to get wind buffetting no matter where I adjust the wind screen to.

I'm concerned that I might have to get the taller windshield, but we'll see.

The luggage on the bike is great.

It's big and roomy and you have more room than you think for because of the clam shell design.

One minor nit is that they provide elastic straps to hold your gear in place on 1 side of the saddlebag, but not on the other.

So, when you close the bag, some stuff stays in place and the other side moves around making it sometimes a little difficult to close.

Kawasaki even has holes set in the bag where you could put the straps, but alas, no straps.

The tail pack is nice as well.

It easily fits a laptop and extra gear.

Now, I haven't rode the bike without the bags, but I can tell you it rides very well with all my gear.

I didn't notice any negative handling.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, this bike has a tall seat.

I'm almost on my tip toes with this thing and I'm 5'11". Time to charge all my electronic devices and catch some Z's. Mileage: 140 Gas: $14 Hotel: $82

Day 2 I started my day in Safford and headed east on rt 70 and then took rt 191 north.

I have to say that with that ride, my quetioning of why anyone would live in Arizona was answered.

This was one of the top 5 roads I have ever ridden and that includes the over-rated Tail of the Dragon.

I went throught this mining town, I think it was called Clifton and it said last services for 90 miles.

Let me say the next 90 miles were awesome.

I had a Bighorn Sheep/Ram run out in front of me just 1 minute after I had stopped to take a pic of the sheep crossing warning sign.

I managed a couple shots of the fellar.

I saw cows, deer, turkeys, a dead skunk, a dead white fox and Vulcan Squirrels.

They were the damndest things.

They are the size of our PA red squirrels, but are gray in color as our gray squirrels are, but there ears were long and pointy.

I personally think these are kamikaze squirrels like you see in the commericals.

For the next 90 miles, I did not come upon any other vehicle, nor did anyone come behind me.

I did meet 2 trucks from the mine, or so I assume as they had 10 - 12 whip poles with flags on them, 1 big ass mining truck that they would never let on our roads up home, 2 Arizona DOT trucks and 1 van and a pickup.

Oh, I almost forgot, I did meet a group of 4 motorcycles also going the opposite direction, but that was it.

I stopped and took some pics and tried to call home to tell everyone about this great ride, but there was no cell service.

This actually made it even better.

I stopped in the small town of alpine to get gas at an old country store.

You got love plank decks where you could lose a leg if you aren't careful. Now, it was time to head for NM and towards Albuquerque in particular, but how.

Well, I continued up 191/180 to Springerville and then headed east on route 60.

OMG, what a boring stretch of road.

Some nice views and all, but a boring road.

I got off than on to rt 36 and then 117 through the lava beds and the Mesa (?) mountain range.

As I was heading for Albuquerque and needed to make up some miles, I hopped on rt 40 east.

I got off and got gas and then started zigzagging across some roads and end up through Rio Rancho and eventually to Coronado state park where the ranger there recommended I go back into town for lunch/dinner at the Range, which I promptly did.

I think the enchilada's with blue corn or something like that.

It was a whole lot better than any mexican style food I've ever had back home, but then again, we're mostly limited to taco bell.

I then jumped on 550 until it ran into route 4 and I picked that up.

My hopes were to try to get back somewhere near Santa Fe, but I ran into some rain coming over the mountain range there and I couldn't make any time with all the congestion and people only driving about 20 mph.

I just wanted a warm place to curl up with a cold beer, so I stopped in Los Alamos.

Boy, that is one big facility.

I thought for sure I had gone the wrong way when I came to a security checkpoint right on the main road.

I almost turned around, but I came up to and asked about a hotel and the guard sent me right on through with directions and a good luck.

So, here I am. I arrived a little after 8:00 PM edt, which is 6:00 here in Los Alamos.

I rode for about 12 hours today, minus and hour for lunch and picture stops to stretch the legs.

I did somewhere over 450 miles, but I'm too lazy to go outside and check the actual mileage. Overall, I'm very pleased with bike, with the exception of the head buffetting.

That part needs some work. I'm hoping to catch parts of route 84 and 64 before heading in to Colorado.

I would like to get to Denver, but that's probably pushing it as I really don't want this to be a "ride the slab" trip. I have to say I'm really impressed with the colors of the New Mexico landscape and the earth tones used everyone.

Things just seem to blend in and fit together.

But, on the other hand, I was somewhat disappointed with some things like the Rio Grande for one.

Must of our creeks are bigger than this, but after seeing all the dry riverbeds, I can understand why the Rio Grande stands out.

The other thing that amazes me is how you can transition from desert type area to the alpines of the moutains.

I've seen sign for elk numerous times today, but so far, I haven't spotted one up close and personal.

There's always tomorrow. I called home and spoke with the wife for a while, but I wasn't real talkative as I'm quite tired.

Nothing major exciting on the homefront although it is cherry picking season and the girls are all going for some this weekend.

I think I'll go hit the hot tub now and drink one of the beers I bought next door at the mini-mart.

Later. Mileage: 450 Gas: $31 Hotel: $92 Lunch: $20

191 is a great road and the only place I've ever been chased by coyotes.

Quote: from: sagerat on July 05, 2008, 02:37:04 pm 191 is a great road and the only place I've ever been chased by coyotes. Tell me more.

I was freaked enough when I had this bighorn sheep across the road and I'm trying to balance the machine and get a pic and watch for traffic, all the while wondering, what the @#!

Will happen if he comes towards me.

I can't imagine if I had coyotes on my tail.

Day 3 Damn, but this is tiring.

I apoligize if my writing isn't the most innovating, but coming up with more than just the facts about the trip after 10+ hours in the saddle is tough.

I guess I'm behind "schedule", not that matters as I have no real schedule.

I just may have to cut back on other parts of my trip later. I started to leave Los Alamos at 9:00 EDT or 7:00 local.

I stopped for gas, but they didn't open til 8 or 9 on Saturdays.

What??? That's unheard of in our neck of the woods, but good for them I say.

This shouldn't have been a problem as I was paying by credit card, but the damn pump only dispensed about .1 gallon per minute.

I would have left, but I had no idea where the next gas station was, if they were open, and whether there pumps might do the same.

It took me about 10 mins to get 2 gallons and I quit.

I headed out of town and hit route 84 north to the town of Tierra Amarilla.

The ride had been uneventful to that point.

As I approached town, I turned on to rout 64 east and went about 1/2 mile before looking at my gas gage.

I didn't know how far it was to the next town, so I went back for gas.

From there, I could see my first mountain, still with snow on it.

After being raped for $4.80 or so for premium, I returned to route 64.

Just as I'm coming intot he first set of corners that look promising, a turck pulling an excavater comes into view going 3 mph.

Ok, perhaps it was a little faster, but very little.

Fortunately, as soon as the driver could see it was clear, he motioned me on and I started my way into yet another great motorcycling road.

I was reminded of the gentle sweepers of the "Cherry Hole" (Cherhola) in NC or route 30 in Downsville, NY, but better.

I met next to know one all the way to Tres Pedras, other than 4 guys on cruisers and 2 guys on sport bikes.

I decided to stay on 64 and then proceeded to be bored out of mind for awhile til coming to Taos.

Now, just before getting to Taos, I crossed this bridge across the Rio Grande, which was more like a gorge of 100 feet or so deep.

That was quite strange to be going across this flat wide open expense and poof - a gorge.

Good thing someone thought to put a bridge in for me:-) Taos appears to be a cool town.

It reminded me of Woodstock, NY or New Hope, NJ, but better.

I was trying to make time, so continued on through, other than for a brief attempt at stopping at the local Radio Shack, but it was closed for 4th of July celebrations.

Damn, still no power for my GPS.

I don't think I mentioned, but the mount is supposed to supply power, but it no worky.

So, no GPS until I can get a charger or DC adapter and therefore, no tunes.

That part really sux after spending so much time putting songs together. At this point, I should have headed north, but N , I decide to stay on 64.

Why not just stick hot needles in my eye.

Yes, it was beautiful scenary, but everyone west of the Mississippi, or at least half of them, where driving the same road.

Finally, I get to Eaglenest and it seems to die off.

Now, I have to decide whether to continue east or loop back around on 38 and points north.

Well, I'm not real patient at this point, so I continue on 64 as the guy ahead of me didn't.

Now, I'm going across the open plains again at about 70-75 mph and its droning on and on.

I blow by a coyote, who I don't think I would have even seen if he didn't jump away from the road.

Get out of my way dog, I have places to go.

Further down, I pass a couple of prong horn Antelope on the side.

I slow down to see if I can get a pic, but they're not having anything to do with me and take off.

I counting on tdown the road and follow 64 til I com to 25 and the town of Raton. I stop for lunch as the Mexican American place and have a burger.

They bring up some chips and sals.

This stuff is so much better than back home and it's not even hot.

Now, to the fun part of my story.

I come out and clean my shield and decide to do the same for my windscreen.

I then notice by lights are on.

I figure this is strange, but I thought maybe the bike sensed I was near with my KIPASS and turned on.

I was wrong. I had left the key in the on position.

I try to start it and it goes grrr-NOPE.

I can't believe it.

Now, for those that are asking why did you leave your key in the bike, I will tell you simply that Kawasaki recommends it.

They also don't put a hole in the key for you to attach it to a key ring.

I guess the idea is the bike won't start unless you are within 5 feet with the electronic keypass, so to keep dirt/water from getting in or to keep someone from sticking a screwdriver in your ignition, Kawi tells you to leave it there.

After all, it locks the key in place when you walk away.

There is a problem to this, especially if you turn off your bike by leaving it in gear and puttting down the kickstand as I always do.

Since I didn't take the key with me, I never turned it off.

I called home to tell my wife of the dilema.

I was hoping battery wasn't totally dead and my get some of its strength back if I left it alone.

I also looked for a place to coast/bump start, but it was all flat.

20-30 mins later I give it a try and it starts.

Woohoh. The sacrifice of pointed ear squirrel to the motorcycle gods must have appeased them as I was surely in their favor.

I filled up with some gas and headed to Colorado. I thien picked up route 12 somewhere near Trinidad as it was supposed to be a nice route, and it ended up to be one.

It's just that it took 15-20 miles to get away from the normal crap and into the mountains and some nice scenic stuff.

I followed route 12 out through the mountains and back to Walsenberg.

I got caught in another rain shower.

What is it with 4 wheelers that have to slow down to a snails pace as rain is coming.

I need to get out of it fast dude or I'll start melting.

I end up doing a rain dance just to get my jacket on and head on down the road thinking it won't be that bad.

Shortly thereafter, water starts running down the inside of my boot.

This is good, I'm not sure I washed my feet good enoug this morning in the shower.

This should do just ducky.

I'm cold, wet and tired once again.

I need a hotel. Where should I find.

I decide to head toward the city.

In this case, that meant Pueblo to me.

I didn't make it.

I got as far as Colorado City and decided to call it a night.

Fortunately, they had a place for me.

So, hear I am. I have started to hear a rattle/buzz when in 2nd or 3rd gear and I'm starting to wind it up some.

I think something is vibrating, but who knows what or where. OH, I almost forgot to mention my first encounter with Prairie Dogs.

What a strange creature.

I had one that tried to come out and trip, but he scurried away before getting close.

A while later, I pulled off the side of the road in some shade, which by the way for the folks back east, is often times very hard to find out here.

Anyhow, I pull over and notice these light brown spots scurrying along and moving up and down just like the wack-a-mole game.

Now, I know why. I just started to scan around and I bet there was easily 30-40 that I could see, let alone how many I couldn't.

They just reminded me so much of rats.

I can only imagine the damage they do to the fields and what could happen if an animal steps in their hole.

Down witht he mangy rodents I say. Have a good night.

I'm wiped. Mileage: 420 Gas: $42 Hotel: $68 Lunch: $10 Dinner: $15

Quote: from: baddogonabmw on July 05, 2008, 06:34:23 pm Tell me more.

Early morning as I came around a blind right hander after Springerville and before Hannigan Meadows and four Wile E.

Coyotes were sitting in the road.

I max'ed braked to a stop and one coyote rocketed into the woods bound for New Mexico.

One hit the trees and stopped.

Third just went to the shoulder and waited and fourth didn't move.

I stare at him, he stares back. I figure getting to the camera in the tank bag would scare him off, so I put GS in first gear and puttered by.

I look in my lh mirror and he's loping along behind me.

Soon the others join.

10 mph...15 mph...20 mph, as I hit 25 and second gear they lost interest and dropped the chase. Glad the Kawi started for you after the requisite animal sacrifices.

That gorge on the Rio Grande is amazing;

We came across it on our way to the BMW rally in Sipapu, NM, a few years back.

Stopped the bikes and walked out to the middle of the span.

Pretty impressive.

Taos and Santa Fe weren't much fun in rush hour, though.

That's an awesome story.

Maybe they just thought you were the lead dog.

Nah, probably thought you were dinner

Day 4 Oh dear. It's the end of the day and to try and think of everything that has happened to me in the last 11 hours is tough to do.

I can barely remember finding my way into my hotel room. Well, the biggest disappointment of the day is that I chickened out of completing Pikes Peak.

More on that later. I don't think I bothered to mention that on the beginning of Day 3, I went out to load my bike and came back to my room, but didn't have my key card.

I had to go to office and get another one.

Not a big deal, except for the fact that I did it again today.

Can you say dumb a$$?

I know you can. As I come out at 5:30 local time, I'm surprised to see a guy loading his bike (V-Star) right next to mine.

We talk for a bit and find out this fella and his wife are on their way to Alaska to visit their son.

Two saddle bags and a T-bag (back pack type thing over sissy bar).

I'm like dang that's good cuz I got that much gear just for me.

His bike is also brand new (like 2 weeks).

He was telling me he had to get hauled from Vegas (I think) to a dealer somewhere because his forks were locked in position and they couldn't get them undone.

The tow job was $320 or so.

Hope that's covered under his warranty.

I am so glad my bike started.

Of course, I had to bore the guy with my story.

We both agreed that electronics are great, but sometimes not worth the bother.

I grab a quick bike to eat at the diner across the street.

No complimentary breakfast this morning:-( I gas up and go back to hotel to get rest of my gear and head out on route 165 and take that to 96 west and on to 69 north.

In the first half hour, I have already had 8 mule deer along the road and the first one was standing there broadside with a big orange spot on the middle of his belly.

Fortunately, I'm not that good of an aim.

LOL. I guess 7:00 in the morning in the mountains is breakfast time for them too.

I think I ran into some wild goats (is there such a thing around these parts) at the intersection of 69 and 96.

I got some pics. Oh yeah, before that, I went through the town of Coke, which I believe was named after the coke (coal-like) production they did there.

I took some pics, but wouldn't you know it, something happened and now I can't find them.

Perhaps I didn't even take the pic.

I had passed on some shots as it was raining and I had the camera in my tank bank under cover.

So, it's possible that when I pulled it out to take that I didn't have it set right.

I know I had problems with that later.

I went through Silver City and another town, that were right together.

I thought it odd to have 2 different "towns" so close. By the way, is Colorado known as the "Rainy Mountain" state?

I got rained out last night and a total of 6 different times today.

The last time was for over an hour and one of the times had about 10 minutes of hail.

I can tell you at even slow speed, those things hurt! I got rougt 50 west into Salida and then 286 north to Buena Vista.

Up till now, things had been going good.

Nice roads and minimal traffic disturbances.

Oh yeah, I also got to see 3 female Elk, right after I saw the sign for deer crossing.

Where the hell was the deer crossing signs earlier.

Well, it was approaching 9:00 and all of that was about to change as I turned on to route 24 east. If you look at this road on a map, you'll say why the hell did he take that road.

Well, I wanted to go to Pikes Peak and that was the way.

It's open prairie type country and absolutely loaded with weekend campers going back to Colorado springs or wherever after their long weekend.

I get some gas in Hartzel and go to use the rest room facilities there, but there's a line of about 8 kids and some adults.

Great. Now, I have to pee like an african mongoose (have you ever seen them go?) and I can't stand in line.

I figure I'll jump on the bike, go down the road and find a tree.

HA - what literally had to be at least 20 miles, there was nothing.

I finally found a pulloff with a tree so I could have a little privacy.

Boy, it was like setting a fire hose free.

Water was flying every where, but boy did I feel relieved.

I go down the road and head through Lake George (Colorado, not NY) and just before the town of Divide, I decide to take this road towards Cripple Creek and from there, it looks like it comes back to Pikes Peak.

Well, cripple Creek was a cool little town.

I should have stopped and stayed a while, but that's not my way.

They have parts of main street blocked off and route you around.

Well, there are no signs say what road is what.

I take the one that looks appropriate.

Do you get the feeling that something is about to go wrong?

Long story short, I ride around all these back roads, some quite nice a might add.

I finally get to this junction of this 7 horse town that has redneck written all over it with all the doo-dads out in the yard and all.

I'm stopped there when this fella in jeep pulls up and asks if I know where I am.

I say "nope". He says where you going.

I say, "That direction (while pointing).

He says "Where you trying to get to?" I say "nowhere in particular".

Well "Where are you from?" I say "Pennsylvannia".

It was kind of hysterical to listen to us banter back and forth.

He tells me I'm headed for Salida.

I'm like oh no that's not good, I was there this morning.

So, he sends me towards Hartsel.

Little did I know I had already been there.

When I saw the town come into view, I was %#^!$#^.

Time to fill up on some more of that $5.00 premium gas (I think it was $4.89).

As I get ready to pull out, down the road comes this parade of 12-15 cruiser types and they have about 10 cars behind them.

I'll pull out behind this parade back down 24 towards Divide cuz I want to go up Pikes Peak.

Well, the parade just annoys the heck out of me.

At one point, I know I had 10 cars behind me and I could see the front of the line at times and it was the "paraders".

Come on boys, you have miata's pulling popup campers coming up your butt, not to mention that team of mules pulling the covered wagon.

Let's giddy-up. It was a slow go into Divide.

I passed the place where I turned earlier in the day.

Oh good, fresh road.

I see a dark sky in front and figure I'm going to get wet for the 4th or 5th time.

Then I see lightening.

I keep going. It's really dark, but road doesn't seem to be going towards storm.

It lightening's again and then a 3rd time.

I pull off into this Vet clinic and check the sky.

I decide time to turn tail and run.

I go back to this little town/intersection and stop for lunch.

A Harley dude came over and asked if I got caught in the hail as he just rode through that storm I was headed towards.

I wait it out. On down the road I go.

I get wet again, but nothing major.

I get through Divide and finally come to entrance of Pikes Peak.

Right before the entrance is the town of Bust, Colorado.

I should have seen it as an omen.

I pull up and as I'm paying the $taker says it's awfully wet up on top.

I'm like, yeah, been that kind of day.

I head on up. Now, for those that don't know.

It's 20 miles from the ticket booth to the Summit and only 1/2 of that is paved.

I did not realize this, but should have based on watching the ralley races.

No rain at mile marker 10 when it turns to dirt.

I keep going. By milemarker 11, it is a torrential downfall.

I crawl along to about mile 12 and pull over.

This road looks slippery.

I take about a 5 foot start towards the road and jump on it in a sliding motion.

Yup, it's slippery alright.

About that time, a "Porch" club goes by and of course there drifting the corners and slinging shit everywhere.

It's coming down hard and doesn't look like it's letting up and the temp is only supposed to be 42 degrees at the summit.

Well folks, I hate to do it, but I turn around.

It's a dead end road anyhow.

You have to turn around on those things.

No shame in that, is there?

Oh well, put it behind me. I head back to Divide and take route 67 north as it continues to rain.

I then flick on the toggle switch for my heated grips and I notice my GPS turns on.

What the heck? A light bulb goes off.

They must have hooked the toggle to the GPS and the Variable switch to the heated grips.

Well, my GPS works nows, so that's great!

Now, I got to get it working with my bluetooth headset. I should mention that I have a NOLAN modular helmet with the integrated bluetooth.

Well, the helmet is noisy.

I'm sure some of it is due to the buffeting issue I mentioned previously, but I think some may also be due to the modular design.

It just doesn't seal out noise like my Shoei.

I guess I'll have to drown it out with more noise now.

Like my hearing isn't shot already. Slowly it starts to dry out and I enjoy my ride up 67, until I come to Decker and then I take 128.

The roads are now dry and I head through this area that must have been hit by forest fire.

For folks back home.

Imagine driving from Susquehanna to Nicholson and seeing everything burnt.

The devasatation was incredible, but people are resiliant and things are being built back and the forest even seems to be coming back some.

Suddenly, I'm happy again.

I pop out onto 285 and take that into Southwest Denver where I am now. I know I need to post some pics, but that takes a lot of extra time at the end of an already full day.

Maybe soon. G'nite. Mileage: 450 Gas: $45 Hotel: $86 Breakfast $5 Lunch: $12

Last night, I found where Sun Enterprises was in Denver and plugged the address into my GPS so I could find it come morning.

Of course, I'm still operating on East Coast time and I'm up by 7:00 EDT, which is 5:00 local.

Even though I know Sun doesn't open til 9:00 local, I leave the hotel at 7:30 local.

I get to drive through Denver morning rush hour.

It wasn't terrible.

I went by the Bronco's stadium and never realized how the thing looked like it went through an earthquake before.

Kind of neat. Didn't seem to be no where near enough parking for everyone.

I get to Sun and hang out for the next hour or so as employees start coming in and move equipment around and get set up for the day.

I stay out of their hair.

Hey, I want them to do work for me with aboslutely no notice.

About 8:40 (they open at 9), one on the service reps comes out and asks what he can do for me.

I explain my situation and ask if it would be possible to get a service, or at the minimum, an oil change.

He agrees to an oil change.

Less than an hour later, I'm out of there.

It cost me $70, which I think is a tad expensive, but no complaints overall.

I was really impressed that while waiting for them to open, almost every employee I saw come in, came in on bike.

It's good to know these guys are enthusiasts (read NUTS) like us. I'm getting a late start to the day and figure there's no way to get my 400+ in, but that's ok.

I follow the GPS instunctions to Nederland, go north on route 72 to Boulder.

OMG - Boulder is an amazing city.

It was gorgeous. Now, I can't speak for the winters, but for the summer, I would live there.

The park facilities were phenomenal.

I take route 7 north to Estes Park, where I have one of the best meatball subs I've ever had.

Kind of funny though.

The lady's at the Deli had a hard time understanding me.

I think I spoke more quickly than they were used to.

I asked what's smelled so good back there and they thought I said something like where's the soda?

LOL. I head out of Estes Park on route 34, which apparently splits off and you can take 1 of 2 routes.

1 is via national park and the other is something else.

I didn't realize this til I got to the national park, but since I don't like to turn around and I figure the day was going to be a short mileage day anyhow, I paid the $10.

It was well worth it as the scenary was spectacular.

Somewhere near the top, there was a bunch of elk cows and 3 young bulls, who were in full velvet.

It was cool to see.

The odd thing was once I got down to normal level, I saw 2 much larger bulls and they didn't seem to have that much velvet.

Shortly after, I saw a monster buck where there were like 10-12 cars off road taking pics of this guy.

I was tired and sore and didn't stop to get a pic, but he had a drop tine on him.

When I stopped for gas just down the road, the attendant asked if I had been through the park and when I explained the Elk to him, he's like "I think I've seen him, he's huge." At that same station, I talked to 2 guys from Ohio who had done a trip to Alaska last year and where touring the southwest and then some this year.

Nice to run into a couple of like spirits.

Forgot to mention I got wet for about the 3rd time today going over this mountain and in 40 some degree temp, it's not too fun.

Fortunately, none of the rains were soaking. I come into Gramby and take route 40 to Empire.

For a 3 lane highway, I have to say that was pretty fun, at least on the uphill side where I had 2 lanes and could pass.

Down hill where they put us to 1 lane, not so fun.

I hope I 70 and go west to Fisco (?) and pick up route 91, which I take to Leadville.

I go down 24 for a stretch and then turn on 82 to go to Aspen.

Why is it that when you have to pee, there are no trees to hide behind and the traffic is non-stop?

Is this another of Murphy's law.

I'm giong up 82 and my GPS is telling me to get ready to turn on route 82D.

Well, had I followed the GPS, I would have went over the bank and into a stream.

It recalculates since I missed my turn (ha, ha you sob - didn't get me yet) and sends me on my way.

I go over yet another snow capped mountain peak.

The initial joy is over and this is getting downright bothersome.

I have now been rained on about 6 times for the day.

Again, nothing serious, but bothersome enough to suit up and cover everything.

I then come down into Aspen.

Boy, do I feel out of place.

No easily observable hotels and the ones I do happen buy look quite fancy.

I decide to mosey on down the road since I don't feel like paying $300 + a night.

Anyhow, I end up Basalt and pay over $100 for a room, which is OK, but still doesn't match any room I've stayed in so far.

Oh well. It's late and I'm tired and I went much farther than I had expected.

I'm thinking I can make the 4 corners tomorrow. Now, I'm about to gripe and I'll probably tick some people off, but I'm very disappointed with Colorado roads.

The views have been spectacular, but the roads, when they are twisty are covered like flys on a manure wagon with 4 wheelers everywhere.

Then, when you hit the ones going over the mountain passes, you have to focus so much on staying alive and not hitting something, or more likely, someone, that the ride isn't all that enjoyable.

Colorado has so much wilderness to enjoy and everyone seems to be out there doing it.

I know I had been given some warnings about doing this trip during tourist season, but I can't seem to catch a break.

Maybe I'm on the wrong roads.

I know I won't go down a road without a painted center line.

Maybe this is a good road in Colorado, but back home, it's not.

So far, route 191 in AZ has been the highlight of my trip. Sorry, but I got into the motel late tonight.

Not much in left in the old noggin to be creative.

I'm also on my 4th Modelo beer from Mexico and it's making me very sleepy. Mileage: 350 Gas: $49 Hotel: $132 Lunch: $10

Day 6 Let's start Day 6 with some things I've forgotten to mention. 1 - First day in CO driving along the Sugarbush and Arkansas (maybe Alabama - they both begin with A) Rivers.

Great rafting oppportunities, which can be witnessed by the number of rafting opporunities available on the river(s).

I think this would be an awesome place to Kayak.

I think I would want a helmet as the water moves quite fast and there is a bit of whitewhater, but boy does it look like fun. 2 - Bigfoot does exist and I have proof.

Starting up to Pikes Peak, there is a big foot crossing sign.

Why would they put up a sign, it it's not true.

Besides, I'm relatively confident that Bigfoot is cross breeding with the locals as I say a number of half breeds nearby in Granby.

I mean there were 3 or 4 women there sporting mustaches way thicker than anything I could ever sport.

Coincedence? I think not. 3 - You know the signs that warn you about this, that and the other thing.

Well, they are not true.

Whenever, you see one of those signs, you will never see what they portend.

However, absence a sign, that thing will magically manifest itself in front of your immediate path and cause you to near abouts crap yourself.

In some cases, forget the near abouts. 4 - You know the signs that show a picture of a bicycle and then says something to the effect of share the road.

Well, I think they're met for the bicyclist, not for us motorist, because we share the road.

We don't take th road completely as our own and fill with as many parts as it takes to take a whole lane traveling at a whooping 10 MPH if you're lucky.

I see signs for free range cattle.

Why not free range bicyclists? 5 - 50% of the time I see a bicyclist in the opposite lane of travel, I will have a near death experience because drivers traveling same way as said bicyclist will come completely in my lane, thereby nearly causing a head on collision, just so they can miss some Darwin project that hasn't figured out they can put a motor on 2 wheels.

Dumb a$$'s, all of them. 6 - The minute I say something bad about a state, I will invariably have to eat more words.

So, let me say that the roads in Utah suck and there is no reason anyone will want to ride them.

I ate my words in AZ.

Read today's report to see me in them again in CO.

Yummmm, yum. Delicious. 7 - I'm an idiot.

Most people probably already have a clue of this affirmation, but in case there is any doubt, let me state emphatically - I am a @#$@!!@#$ MORON. 8 - If you ever stay at the Green Drake/Goose/some large bird of a Motel, beware the owner (female).

I think she's in search of a man. 9 - If you're a normal "Joe", stay away from Aspen.

Beautiful country, but "our types" just don't belong there.

Or, say the hell with it and teach the arrogant snobs to deal with us ignorant slobs.

The choice is yours. 10 - I'm on my 4th bottle Durango Amber Ale.

This is good shit.

My writing has improved tremendously.

Please let me belive my facilies.

Without them, I'm lost. 11 - I love my family and I miss this tremendously. 12 - This isn't the 12 damn days of xmas.

Get over it. So why is it every water saver shower head I have ever used seems to be meant for the sole purpose of skinning a cat?

Well, let me just say after an absolutely great night of sleeping at the color enhanced male duck, I'm lucky I didn't bleed all over the place.

Those thigns should be outlawed.

Anyhow, I headed out of Basalt, or at least that's where I think I was and I headed for Carbondale (sound familiar folks at home?).

I pick up 133 south to Hotchkiss and have the time of my life.

Forgive me Colorado (part 1).

Yes, it's cold enough to make a witches tit stand at attention and flash the high beams, but hey, you might just like that sort of thing you pervert.

I even got a pic of the coke ovens in Red Ledge or Red Lodge or perhaps it was Hollywood.

How am I supposed to know?

I've drank 8 of these Durango things.

I come into Hotchkiss and of course I have to pee and of course, there's no place to stop.

I manage to make it to the local mini-mart without wetting myself.

I need to get me some depends and I won't to worry about this crap (HA - no pun intended).

I take use of the facilities and purchase some water for the days travel (now here's an idea - why don't I keep the bottles, fill with water and freeze).

Did I mention I'm a dumb a$$?

I speak to the clerk there and ask for a recommendation for breakfast.

She sends me to Zach's bar-b-q house as long as today isn't Monday, cuz they're closed on Monday.

I head to Zach's and make myself to home and order breakfast.

As I'm sitting there, I see a guy (we'll call him "Zach" instead of fella or guy) come in on a KLR.

He comes in the place, which is quite large, and manages to seat himself at a table next to me.

I'm guessing he's a regular as he and the waitress have a little tet-a-tete, whatever that means.

She leaves. I continue to eat breakfast, minding my business, when he says to me: "Is that your Kawasaki out there?".

I look up and consider my surroundings.

I'm the only one in the place night wearing a cowboy hat or boots, I have a helmet sittting in my chair, a tank pack on the table and a map sitting in front of.

I say "Yes, I am.

How did you know?" No, I didn't.

I simply said "Yup." What do you think I am, I smart ass or something?

Sorry, but that's not normally in my blood.

Only when I've had 4 Durango's in an hour does that happen.

Anyhow, Zach and I end up having a good conversation as I eat my breakfast and he awaits his.

He gives some input on the local roads I planned to take (he agrees) and even gave some input on roads in Montanna and Idaho as he used to live there.

Zach was probably in his late 50's, greying with a head of hair like I had when I was 15 and a big bushy mustache.

He reminded me of Gary (Jerry) Garcia (ha, ha).

We discuss bikes and the road and I find myself having to leave.

I could have easily spent a day with this guy drinking beers and trading stories.

Instead, we swap spit and I head out.

I go 92 west and tehn 65 north through Grand Mesa and Mesa.

At that point, I pull out my map and look at route 141.

A STN friend recommended it, Zach confirmed it, and I'm going.

So, I pick out a town reference to put in the GPS so I can get directions and not have to stop to double check the map.

I input the town of Montrose and away I go.

I go up to route 70 and into Clifton, Grand Junction area.

I get some gas and head on down route 50 as Jill tells me to.

Jill is the voice of my GPS.

Well, Jill is right, but Montrose is not on route 141.

Did I mention I'm an idiot?

Additionally, I apparently can't read a map, or I ahve an infactuation with towns that are named the same as our County seat from back home, or both?

So, I head down route 50 expecting this 2 lane super freeway to the moon to combine into 1 lane and to start twisting like 20 mating snakes, but now.

I get all the way to Delta, before I realize I was looking at one road too far east, not 141.

I tell Jill to take us to Gateway and Jill says I have to turn around and go back the 35 miles + that I just came down.

I tell Jill she can lose the attitude and we had back north.

Now, I now we have to get on 141, so when I see the signs for 141 directly ahead and Jill tells me I have 9 more miles to go, well, I know Jill is a woman and doesn't know her directions.

So, I ignore her and head down 141 and right I am to have down so.

"Go .3 miles and make a u-turn." "Go 1 mile and make a u-turn." "Go .8 mile and make a u-turn." Sorry Jill, but u-turn is not in my vocabulary, especially not when I having this much fun.

I don't care if this road is a dead end.

This one is worth it (finally).

This is my 2nd aplogy to Colorado.

Now, I've already seen a doe mule and a doe elk this morning.

I had down 141 and I have a car in front of me going the same way and a truck coming the opposite, while I'm looking for a passing zone.

Well, dumb a$$, you should have been looking for the 3 elephants standing alongside the road.

Well, they were goats, bighorn goats at that.

3 of them. The one closest to me was about 3 feet away, had a red ear tag with number 47 on it and had eaten milkweed for breakfast.

I was too damn close.

Did I mention I'm an idiot?

Well, now that I've had 6 Durango's in an hour, what more can you expect.

I'm surprised this is even coherant.

Damn, the beer makes the creative juices flow.

At least, I think this does.

I'll probably get up in the morning hoping I didn't post this.

LOL. Anyhow, the only other wildlife I see besides me, is a fox. I go on 141 for a while and stop and get gas and head out again.

All the once, I'm not paying attention, 141 goes off to the right and 145 goes straight ahead.

Now I ask you... I road is going along, wouldn't it make sense to keep the route number the same and then have the "off-shoot" be a different number.

Well, the folks that number the roads in Colorado are smarter than me.

So, I make the turn and countinue down 141, after all, that's where I know I need to be and I know I can't trust Jill.

The first few miles are ok, but then it ends up turning into straight stretch with a 1 degree corner one way or the other and then another straight stretch.

I'm heading southwest.

OK. I'm heading west.

OK. I'm heading North-west.

I think something is wrong.

Of course I'm out a ways and I don't want to stop to check my map.

I know I'm right.

Keep going. Then, I start noticing the mile markers and the numbers are going down.

27, 26, 25. OK, there is no way in H, E double hockey sticks that I'm going to Cortez, like I want to be.

I stop. I check map.

I am a %@#%!$#! dumb a$$.

All the good roads are behind me.

Yes, I can still get to the Cortez by driving like a crow flies, but what fun is that.

I pull the U-turn that Jill wanted me to do earlier and head back to the split.

Since I had already been through there and knew what to expect, I made it in record time.

I pick up 145 south now and make my way to Cortez.

Holy cow... Let me tell you...

You had better watch out at around 4:30 and all the forest service employees are headed for home.

It was white truck after white van, after white truck and so on, comign out of that park.

Fortunately, I seemed to be going the other direction.

I am having the best day of my entire trip.

Yet another apology to Colorado.

I'm sorry I dissed you.

Can you ever forgive me?

Will you still love me in the morning? I go by Dove Tail or some town something like that on my way here.

Can you believe I can stil type after a 12 pack of miller lite?

Oh wait, I only bought a 6 of Durango.

Didn't I? Hey - look back at the top and see what I got for beer.

It looks like a nice place, but I'm set on Cortez.

I get here and set up camp at a Budget Host.

I've never stayed at one before.

It's OK. There was a Super 6 advertised for

Day 7 Some left over musings: 1 - On day I was leaving the Green Drake.

I'm at a stop sign and this 50 something guy pulls up next to me in his porch with the top down, but windows up.

He's bundled up as much as I am and the gal in the seat next to him appears to be wrapped in a blanket.

I just look at him and laugh.

He could of just got a bike and saved a few hundred g's. 2 - Tar Snakes - these things should be outlawed, particularly with the amount they use on some of Utah's roads.

I had the bejeebers scared out of me a couple times.

It's not fun to have your front end slip out 3 inches when you have her leaned over. 3 - Why don't they put mileage on road signs out here?

Sometimes they do, but often they don't.

Then, you're not sure how far it is or whether they will have gas. 4 - Do NOT mark a "town" on the map if there is only 1 building in a 10 mile proximity.

Reference Fry Canyon - 1 building and they appeared to have been vacated.

If I see a "town" on a map, I assume it has gas. 5 - I have seen the "free range" cattle signs every day of my trip, many times a day, but today was the first time I actually had a cow in the road in front of me.

I was starting to think this was just a farce to slow us down. I left Cortez, Co this morning with nothing major of interest to note.

I stopped at the 4 corners monument.

What a disapointment that was.

I took route 160 into Arizona down to where it intersects with route 163 and Monument valley.

I get gas and head up through the valley, enjoying the sights.

I stop at the Utah border and get my picture taken in front of the "Welcome to Utah" sign.

Somewhere in here, there was a dilapidated hand painted sign pointing to monument valley up on Navajo lands.

I figure it's some marketing gimick as I didn't see any official looking sign.

Couple this with my experience at the 4 corners and I just went on by.

Well, apparently that was it.

Oh well, maybe next time.

I still saw a lot of beautiful sights going up 163. I head up to Blanding and catch route 95 west, stopping at the Natural Stone Bridges park on the way.

Now they had an official looking sign.

That was a nice slittle side trip and slowed my pace down so I felt a little more relaxed.

I notice my gas is down below 1/2 now, but I'll get some in Fry Canyon.

Imagine my suprise when I got to Fry Canyon and one deserted building was all that was there.

Well, Hanksville is 90 miles in front of me and Blanding is something like 50 miles behind me.

What to do? Well, I don't like turning around, so continue forward I say.

Of course at around mile marker 18 (meaning 18 miles to Hanskville), the E light starts flashing.

Oh crap. I'm out in the middle of nowhere, where I might see 1 car every 20 mins in 100 degree plus heat in a rock canyon in Utah.

It would have been a beautiful resting place assuming the carion didn't make a meal of me.

I'm guessing that it's too hot even for them.

So, I'm in a tucked position and I'm throttle back to a steady 55, even though the speed limit is 60.

I let out a sigh of relief as a see a trooper truck with a vehicle pulled over.

I figure at least he might find the body.

I continue my tuck and the miles just don't seem to dissapate fast enough.

Finally, I'm coming down this big hill with about 2 miles left and I see my salvation.

Woo hoo. I'm not going to die today.

Well, at least not from dehydation. A guy pulls in a crusier next to me at the pumps and we start talking.

He had left St. George, Utah last week and rode to his brother's in Colorado springs and was on his way back.

He camped most of the way.

He's definitely a better man than me cuz I can say now, I don't want to camp.

At the end of 400+ miles, I want the hotel.

I thought I might camp at first, but that's fast fading from the picture.

I've become soft in more places than my belly. I take 24 west to Torrey and almost put up there for the night, but it was still early.

I jump on to route 12 south and come down through Boulder and into Escalante.

On the way, I went through the Dixie National forest.

What a relief. It was so much cooler and it was green too.

Green is a beautiful color, unlike brown.

I mean brown has its charms, but green is where it's at.

As I drop out of Bolder (Utah), I hit canyons and heat again.

I'm up and down over the peaks and at one point, for about 1/2 mile or perhaps a little more, I'm traveling a road wide enough for 2 skinny billy goats to pass, that's also about 100-200 feet straight down on both sides of it.

So, I meet RV#1 and wonder how are we going to fit.

The lines on the road indicate that we should, but I think that's an optical illusion.

Well, guess I might die yet.

Lo and behold though, I make it through.

Thank goodness for that teleportation spell I was practicing. I come into Esclante and pick up digs at the Padre Motel.

I meet a fellow motorcyclist on his Wing by the name of Ray (or Roy) Hall from Houston Texas.

He's been out for a week now and still wants to get farther west before having to return home for work on Monday.

I know the feeling.

A few people mentioned they think I may have bit off more than I can ride, but I don't like to be told that I can't do something, so I ride on.

Anyhow, I think I have to be realistic and see that I might not get everything in that I wanted to do and starting planning alternate endings.

I still want to get to the Pacific and ride the PCH.

However, if I do, I know that I'll have to ride it north with the mountains on my right as having empty space on my right really freaks me out.

Now, line the edge of the road with trees and I have no problem zipping along, but make it empty space and I just get all tense and spooked.

Doesn't really make sense, but that's the deal. Apparently, most people were very entertained by the Day 6 report.

I'm sorry to report that there will be no major imbibing, quaffing, drinking or otherwise partaking of alchohol in large quantities this evening.

Maybe tomorrow:-) I decided to treat myself to a "good" dinner tonight.

Well, it wasn't so good and I was disappointed.

Should have just went to ice cream joint across the way and had a burger.

It would have saved me $ and probably would have been better.

Oh well. Tomorrow is on to Bryce and Zion and probably on through Vegas and possibly into CA.

I guess we'll see what the day brings. Mileage: 470 Gas: $38 Hotel: $72 Dinner: $25 and it was not very good.

Should have stuck with the cheap dinner.

Glad to hear you are sticking to back roads. I'm not sure if you are having a good time or not.

How about some damn pictures!!!! For all we know you're just sitting in your mothers basement!!

I am having a ball.

I haven't been seriously stressed at all until today when I thought my debit card was revoked and when ordering tires.

But even that wasn't terrible. As for pics, I have plent, but they're just too much to get loaded to a site for posting on top of everything.

I do need to get them out though. If I am doing this from my basement, I must have a damn good imagination, which I'll be the first to admit, I don't.

Day 8 Some things I forgot to mention. 1 - I'm in Colorado, I think, and I come to this T intersection.

My lane is a single lane in and to left and right is a 2 lane highway.

I'm come to the light and stop.

It turns green, People in frotn of me and I start to go.

All of the sudden, I notice this car off to my right isn't stopping.

I spike my brakes and the car behind me almost runs into me.

Anyhow, here's the weird thing - The far right lane was like a "passthru" lane.

The lane(s) we were turning into was just the one - the far left.

I've never seen an intersection like that and boy did it surprise me. 2 - I'm sure there's something, but I also forget. I left Escalante this morning pretty early and went down route 12 to go to Bryce Canyon.

I decide to stop for gas as I don't want a repeat of yesterday.

Well, I stop at this hotel/gas place and attempt to pump.

It says something about credit card customers have to go inside.

They're not open yet!!!

It's 7:00 AM local time.

WTH? So, I mosey on down the road to the next town (out here, that can take a while).

I pull in and attempt to fill up at the one pump.

It doesn't want to pump.

I figure I did something wrong, so I try again.

It still doesnt' work.

OK, I figure, pump has issues.

I back the bike up to a different pump and try that.

Now, I get message to go inside.

So, I go inside and tell clerk I would love to buy some gas, but the pumps are not cooperating.

She's like that's ok, just put it as pay inside and I'll run your card in here.

So, I do as she says and go in to pay.

I swipe the card, enter pin, is amount correct, yup, enter pin.

I figure it's a 2 step confirmation.

No biggie. It then comes back and asks for pin again, which I enter.

I then get message that I've tried 3 time and still haven't gotten it right dummy.

WTH? So, I pay with a different card.

Well, being the Mensa candidate that I am, I later realized I was using the PIN to my GPS and not my Debit pin.

Oh crap, now I have to call the bank and home and get this straightened out.

Only problem is there ain't no damn cell service.

So, I go down into Bryce and get to the rangers station where you're supposed to pay.

Well, the station was closed.

Guess I got there to early.

Didn't stop me from going in and enjoying the park though:-) I wasn't in the park a minute and I ran into a bunch of pronghorn antelope.

Shortly after, I saw turkeys and some mule deer and a fawn.

The weird thing about Bryce is that it's a dead end.

You get about 20 miles in and you have to turn around and come back.

It was still a nice relaxing morning through the park though.

I leave the park and take 12 west to 89 where I go north to Pangutch.

I try the bank, but the person I want to speak with is busy.

I say I'll call back in 10 mins.

Well, the ride over 143 west to Parowan is 45 miles with, you guessed it, no service.

So, I arrive in Parowan and call my favorite banker - Lois.

Fortunately, she's able to help me out and assures me it will be fine as long as I definitely know my pin.

I feel better. I hope on 15 south to Cedar City and stop for gas and then take 14 east back to route 89.

Yup, I'm just going back and forth across those mountains and having a good time.

I passed by a Volcanic Cone, which was pretty cool to see.

Utah saved it's best motorcyling roads for last, but that seems to be par for the course. I take 89 south now to Orderville and shortly thereafter pick up route 9 into Zion.

The girl at the park says "You look hot.

You should consider taking a swim in the river in the park." I didn't know that such a river doesnt' exist.

Well, maybe sometimes it does, but not now.

In fact, as I exited the park, I saw a sign for "Virgin" river, which most be so named as it's never seen a drop of water.

Zion was really cool, but how many pictures can one take of rocks?

Additionally, it's really @#$%!

HOT!!! I book down 9 to Hurricane, where I stop at the local subway to eat, cool down, and make some arrangements for tires. Now, this is the weak planning part of my trip.

I don't have tires ordered and I don't know how many miles I can get off a set, nor am I sure where I might end up the next night.

I call home and get some assistance from the wife.

We decide that I'm not going to coastal CA because of the wildfires, so where should I go.

We decide to keep Death Valley and Yosemite in the mix.

So, the plan is to try to get up near Reno, Lake Tahoe and such for a tire change.

She looks up a number for me and call the folks.

I speak to the Service Manager.

I tell him, I'm riding cross country and I need a set of tires put on my pick.

He asks if I have the tires with me.

Yes, of course, they're strapped to my back.

WTH? So he says well you need to get a pair of tires and then we can put them on for you.

Let me transfer you to parts.

OK. GRIPE= Aren't they called the service departmet?

Shouldn't that take care of this for me?

I mean, I tell him what tires I need and I want them on bike.

He should schedule appt and get the tires.

Am I wrong??? So, I get the parts genius.

I tell him I have a Concours and I need tires.

Mind you that I am calling a Kawasaki dealer...

He asks what size.

I tell him it's a concours and I don't know the size off hand, but I want the same size as stock.

Isn't that something a dealer should know?

I tell him I need both front and rear.

He puts me on hold.

A few minutes later he returns.

He asks me what size rim I have.

I'm like I don't know for sure.

I didn't know the tire size, so why would I know this.

Also, isn't this in the Concours manual?

I tell him I'll go out and look.

I read the entire tire size off to him for front and rear, including the rim size (17" for both).

He asks me how many CC's the bike is?

WTH? I say it's a Concours, it's 1400.

He's like, oh yeah.

He puts me on hold and comes back maybe 5 mins later.

Sorry about that, we were trying to determine if your bike was a street bike or trail.

#1 - why does it matter?

I told you the tire size.

#2 Who has ever heard of a 1400 CC trail bike?

#3 - You are a Kawaski Dealer and you don't know what a Concours is.

I'm screwed. He tells me he has Michelin Pilot Roads in my size in stock.

I ask him if he can hold or if he needs me to pay for them now.

What does he know?

I tell him, let me pay for them now and that will be done and I'll be there on Saturday to have them put on.

Puts me on hold again.

Comes back 3 hours later and tells me the prices is $538.60 or something like that.

Holy #%@#$. That's a lot of dough for 2 tires.

Whatever, I want the tires, I'll pay the price.

He takes the credit card info.

Of course, this gets screwed up and he doesn't realize the pattern of 4 that exists and he misses some numbers.

We get that straight and he says I'm all set.

So, I ask, now will someone put these on the bike for me when I come in on Saturday.

Oh, he says, you need to talk to service about that.

WTH? I'm getting PO'd.

I get transferred back to service and hopefully have an appt for Sat morning.

Now, what do you think the odds are that they'll have the right tires?

Also, want to place bets on whether that's installed price or not?

I'm guessing not.

We might have to have words. I tell the wife that I'm going to try to make Beatty, NV and head out on my way.

Oh, what torture.

As I headed down 15 south towards Vegas, it just got hotter and hotter.

I had to stop and get more water and I soaked my cotton T-shirt for evaporation cooling effect.

I did this many times.

I'm about 4 miles from where I need to turn off when traffic starts to stop.

Now, I was worried about rush hour traffic, but I didn't think it should be going into Vegas.

Anyhow, it looks like some dude in a dodge pickup going north bound jumped the median and flipped the truck upside down.

Fortunately, we were able to go single file and get through relatively quickly.

I was seriously worried about the heat.

As I took 215 around the north part of Vegas, I was amazed at the work being done.

They have roads going to no where with lights (green right arrows into nothing in fact).

They also have apparently moved roads seeing at least one filled over with dirt for a half mile stretch and the new one of to the right.

They also have a neat idea where they put up a flashing light before the "red" light.

It says, if flashing, be prepared to stop.

I think it's good in that it gets you prepared to stop.

Well, you had better be prepared cuz it blinked just as I went under the warning light and the real light turned red just as I went under it.

Yikes. I hope they don't have those damn cameras.

Not that it really matters, cuz I don't see me coming back to Nevada any time soon.

I jump on 95 west/north and head to Beatty, making a few water breaks along the way.

It does seem as though it's cooler as I go north.

I worry that I might be getting heat exhaustion.

After all, I up shifted from 1st to neutral 3 times today, down shifted once when I should have gone up and hit the turn signal button on two different occassions and wondered why the bike didn't start.

I think the heat's getting to me.

I pass this truck stop that is the last one before area 51.

I guess you should stop there before going to visit with the aliens.

Finally, I arrive in Beatty and stop at Super 6 motel based on a fellow cyclist recommendation, who also rode a new connie.

Well, there full and they send me to the Casion next door, which was also recommeded.

I go over and they have a room.

I get my stuff off bike and in room.

By time it's settled, it's been about 15 hours since I got up and headed out this morning. I call the wife and head for a beer in the casino.

Well, beer is free if you play there games, so I play some joke poker and black jack long enough to wind down and relax and get a few beers.

That's when I come back to you folks and type up the report for your enjoyment.

I do hope you enjoy it as this is a lot of work.

Until tomorrow... Mileage: 550 Gas: $56 Hotel: $67 Breakfast: $6 Lunch:$8 Rocky Mtn National Park Pass: $10 Natural Bridge Pass: $3 Bryce Pass: $Fee if you're early Zion Pass: $12

PS. I've made some modifications to my trip to help me move from place to place much quicker by using the interstate some.

For example, going from Hurricane Utah to Beatty, NV just wouldn't have been fun on the back roads.

It wasn't fun on the interstate either, but it got me there a lot quicker. Now, I'm making another modification by not heading all the way to the coast. Everything is a little give and take.

Hope you all understand.

Hello, I am Bad Dog's friend and I hope I can upload a pic or two of his trip here. 1.

Bad Dog picking up bike 2.

Zion National Park and Connie. 3.

Bad Dog himself..

Thanks Foo's for posting the pics.

I always have such trouble. Day 9 report As I start to load my bike this morning, I look over at the Motel 6 next door and notice there are hardly any vehicles there.

So, after I'm packed, I do a drive around the parking area and count like 34 cars.

They told me last night that they didn't have any openings.

Well why not. I almost wonder if I was a victim of motorcycle discrimination.

However, there were 2 bikes in the parking lot (1 cruiser, 1 sport).

Maybe that went inside in civilian clothes where I stil had my gear on.

I found it strange. I head up through to Death Valley at 5:30 AM as I don't want to get caught in the heat.

I later find out it was still 95.

As I approach, I keep seeing signs for this being a fee area and be prepared to pay ahead.

Well, I'm expecting a toll both operation and figure I'll be able to roll right through.

Well, it's a machine, so it's an honor system type thing.

Damn. Ticket was $10 for motorcycle.

I had out 95 west as I want out in the shortest distance, plus I want to go to Yosemite.

I take a few pics including the sign for Scotty's castle, sorry, but no run up there for me.

By the way, the run down into the canyon was fun.

I head on out across the desert and go thru Steamboat Hat or something like that, which is a little "town" or station there.

I see a couple people movng about as I start to head up out of the valley.

I hit some fun corners and then go back down into another valley.

It looks like an old lake bed.

Meanwhile, I've been seeing a pair of single lights in the background.

Looks like a couple of bikes gaining on me.

The lead rider passes me on her yellow BMW, yellow jacket and helmet and luggage with flowers on it.

Plus, I see a pony tail.

I'm assuming girl.

As I pull over to take a pic, the guy passes me and it looks like maybe he's a fly fisherman.

They go on out ahead.

Eventually as we're going up and out of the valley through the 11-14 miles of corners (can you say weeee?), I catch up.

Just as I do, the 2nd bike pulls into a viewing area, but the first one keeps going.

I continue to follow the first bike.

She's a good rider setting a nice pace, so I continue to follow.

We turn on 136 and head up toward Lone Pine, when I finally stop to take another picture of the salt flats there.

I think it's at that point that the lead rider realizes that I'm not her partner and she pulls a U-e.

I continue up into Lone Pine and stop for gas and a breakfast burito.

Pretty soon, those 2 riders plus another guy on a Hyabusa pull in for gas.

We say hey, but that's about it.

I was wondering if the guys got left behind.

I talked to a local guy there at the station that was originally from Iowa.

He suggest I try route 198 around lake June plus tells me some things about Yosemite. I then take the long boring ride up 395, which is mostly a 2 lane highway.

I noticed a strange smell in that valley and never could put my finger on it.

As I go north, it gets more hazy.

Eventually, I'm smelling smoke very strongly.

It gets quite bad at times, stinging my eyes and sometimes making it hard to breathe.

I do the Lake June loop, which would have been much better if you could see the mountains that were only like 100 feet away.

I continue on up to the turn into Yosemite.

I figure I'll run the 11 miles up to the entrance and see if it gets any better.

It really doesn't and there's a line and I'm getting tired (exhausting day yesterday).

I decide to put a move on.

I come back down the mountain and stop at the Mobil station for gas.

I hear they have good food here.

I run into the guys and girl from earlier.

I talk to the one guy and he said they camped in the vally overnight.

They came in as it was getting dark, when it was 120 and it never got below 95 all night.

Then, the guy tells me he was running low on gas and switched over to reserve.

He said as he pulled into the gas station where we first said "hey", that he had 1 mile showing left on his gas range indicator.

That was close. I pull out to leave and see this guy is moving his bike away from the pumps and then I see disaster unfolding.

His helmet is on the back and as he sits the bike up and starts to pull away, the helmet falls.

I see it bounce off the ground.

Damn man, I feel for you.

That had to hurt. I push myself on up to Carson City hoping that if I get here early enough, I might get the guys at the cycle shop to get me done.

Fortunately, there's a hotel right across the street and they say they'll try, but no promises.

It sounded to me like I won't get it til morning, but I can hope.

I really don't like being in the city and would like to get back out in the woods, so to speak.

I talk to the one service guy and it's 2.3 hours of labor for changing the tires at $70/hour, I'm looking at $170 to install (530 for tires + 170 to install = Are you crazy?

$700). He asks what I paid for tires and he's like "oh, let me look into that".

He comes back and says they charged you full retail.

I'll see if I can help you on it, but there might not be anything I can do.

Ok, fine, whatever.

Just get me on the road.

It was my short sightedness that lead to this situation, so I'll have to deal with it and pay accordingly.

Fortunately, the service guys seemed to know more about the bike than the parts guy did yesterday.

Here's hoping it gets done. I was disappointed about the smoke and not doing Yosemite, or being able to get to the coast to do the PCH, but I guess that will just have to be a trip for another time.

Maybe the wife and I can fly out and ride a harley up the coast just for shits and giggles. If I haven't made it clear, I am having an awesome time.

I love riding my bike and I'm enjoying a lot of the scenery and not getting in as many "bike" roads as I originally anticipated, but that's ok.

I am missing everyone at home. Now, I have to decide what to do and where to go since the fires have altered my plans.

I'm not sure what to do. Mileage: 400 Gas: $42 Hotel: $69 Breakfast: $8 Dinner: $? Death Valley: $10 Honor System.

Thought I might get by being early, but to. Yosemite: $don't know - Drove up to where line began and with all the smoke/haze in the air, still couldn't see anything, so decided not to go.

Planning on getting to NorCal?

Some AWESOME stuff up there.

We have NOTHING here in Eastern PA to compare. Rts.

190 (between Springville and Sequoia National Park, especially as far as Ponderosa) & 36 (Red Bluff to Fortuna) are must-rides. Here's 190: Here's 36:

Thanks Chornbe, but the wildfires scared me off.

I stayed in Western CA and headed in to Oregon.

I'm now quite torn between finding nice windy roads, or just sitting back and enjoying the scenary.

I try to do both when I can. Day 10 The good news is that my tires got done last night just before closing time.

So, I got my back such that I could head out early this morning.

The service guy knocked $20 off the bill and had my bike washed for me (normally 1/2 hour labor charge min).

I think he felt bad for the parts area dicking me over. So, let me vent this.

I get to the cycle place early on Friday to see if they could possible get me in.

They agree to try.

Then they tell me I had better check with the parts department to make sure they have my tires.

The parts department is in the same @#% building on the other side of the wall.

Why do I have to do this?

If my local dealer did this to me, I would be done.

Anyhow, I think the service guy did try to help me and appreciate them getting me out early. I leave Carson City somewhere between 5:00 and 5:30 am headed out of town on 395 north.

I go right through Reno with barely a spot of traffic at 6:00 AM on a Saturday.

Imagine that. As the 4 lane goes back into a simple divided highway, I come upon an accident.

Looks like a PU hauling a 5th camper had an incident.

Less than 1/2 mile after I go by, I see a sign that trucks may be impacted by severe cross winds next 56 miles.

Yikes. I wonder if that's what happened.

I'm starting to get a little chilled.

I continue up 395 towards Susanville and then take A3 shortcut over to Lichfield and jump back on 395 to continue to Alturas.

Damn, that's a ways out there in the middle of nowhere.

It's the high plains and I saw nothing but hay and haying equipment all the way to Alturas.

I stopped at a local coffee and donut shop there.

No, Jeff is not moving the donut shop.

He was thinking of starting a luncheon business, but that fell through.

Please stop spreading rumors.

LOL. Gotta love life in a small town.

I continue up 395 past Goose Lake which is quite dry and come into Oregon.

I continue on until I get to Lake Albert and then I pick up route 31 as I remember someone on the STN board pointing this out as a good route.

Well, the scenary all morning has been gorgeous, even if the roads aren't real challenging.

It's probably the most relaxing day driving that I've had.

Somewhere before La Pine, I pull off and take a nap.

I get back on road and come into La Pine on route 97.

Now, my day gets a little more stressful.

First, I pull in for gas at this GNC (?) station.

I put in my card and it tells me card not recognized.

I then see a sign like only for GNC customers.

I'm like, oh, I get it.

I move on to the next station.

I pull in, hop off bike, put my card in and star to pick up the filler hose when all of the sudden I have this guy in my face asking if he can help me.

I'm like "No, I'm just getting gas".

Then he tells me he's supposed to do that.

I'm like really? Are you supposed to swipe my card too.

"Yup, I'm supposed to do that too." I'm like OK, still somewhat confused.

He says it's not my law, it's Oregon's.

Apparently, in Oregon the state legislature either thinks that 1) people are too stupid to pumb their own gas or 2) they want to keep a certain level of minimum wage jobs.

At least that's all I could come up with.

I can say that there are many things I don't mind having people do for me, but pumping gas is not one of them.

Get out of my way and I'll do it.

NOw, get this, they are supposed to swipe the card, select your gas and take the hose/nozzel off the pump and then they can hand it to you.

I'm like "Oh, I can do the filling part." He's like "Yeah, don't want to get it on the paint." OK, so probably the most important step and that is to fill properly and not spill gas over everything is left to me.

WTH? Am I the only one who thinks this is silly? It's still early afternoon and rather than put up in Bend, I decide I definitely have to get to the pacific ocean.

So, I decided to find this loop of routes 46 and 42 that someone recommended around Mt Bachelor (not Mt Bishop).

Funny thing is that in Oregon, they don't seem to number their lessor route numbers or at least I couldn't find them. At one point, I decide to find a main road and just head towards the moutain.

I have to run into sooner or later.

I go down Cottonwood road and end up in this development and then find that Oregon is very fond of round-abouts (circles).

After going through 1 or 2, I decide to head back out of there.

By the way, I went by Cascade Brewing Company.

Do they make good beer?

I get more lost and finally see a police officer.

I pull over and ask for directions.

Go back to circle 4, look for sign for circle 11, go through circle 11 and look for signs for circle 10 and then look for sign to get back on 97.

Umm, OK. So much for normal instersection and directions.

I make it back to 97 ok.

I still haven't found 42, 45 or 46.

I come into Bend and get off at Downtown exit and Mt Bachelor.

I head downtown and see 1 (count them - 1) sign for Mt Bachelor.

I then go through one of these marvelous circles and nothing.

I figure I must be all goofed up.

Back to 97 I go. I go south looking for my routes.

Don't find them and so head north.

When 20 and 97 split, I know I've gone to far.

I finally figure out how to get Jill (my GPS) to help.

So, we head back down town.

After going through 3 circles, we are actually on route 46, accorind to Jill, but not according to any signage I could find anywhere.

Even the circle signs showed nothing.

I wasted at least an hour on these 2 excursions.

I also went over a river with a ton of people Kayaking.

Bend seems to be a place for that.

Remember it. The day seems to be set straight again and then I start to see those damn bicyclists, but they're spread out on the other side of the road going in a different direction than me.

I figure I can deal with it.

Well, then I come to the the ski area and the joining of like 3 mountain peaks and I'm presented with a choice of going left or right.

I see some people who are apparently involved in the bike event, so I decide I will ask.

I come down and the guy stops me and then says it's ok to go through, but please watch the bicyclists cause I can see there in your lane and they really aren't supposed to be there.

Well, no kidding.

I roll through and then I really start to get aggrevated.

I have this care with orange flags on it and apparently affiliated with the bike thing coming up stradling the center line with his/her 4-ways on and motioning for me to 1) slow down and 2) move over.

Ok, I'm already slowed and like 20 mph and I'm moving over as far as I'm going.

You're in my f@#%@%# lane idiot.

For the next 4-5 miles, the bikes are backed up and so is traffic behind them.

I have people trying to get by the bikes, giving them 8 feet of room, coming into my lane giving me like 2 feet of room.

I call BS and starting riding in my lane where I normally would, about 3 foot from center and start motioning everyone back into their own lane.

Finally, I'm out of that and I get to enjoy the rest of my ride through some absolutely gorgeous scenary.

I decide to head towards Oak Ridge and Eugene.

It's been a long day and I'm approaching over 550 miles.

Finally, I come to Oak Ridge and I decide to fill, or rather, have someone else fill up my bike in case they're not awake in the morning when I want to leave and I pick up a six of beer - Henry Weinhard's Private Reserve, which once I get to try it, is quite good.

I recommend it. I go through town and stop and 3 different hotels.

Each one is booked.

So, I guess I have to head to Eugene.

Finally, I find a motel 6 and head in.

Now, it's only 5:00 PM local time here.

Why are hotels already full?

The guy has like 3 rooms left and I take it. While checking in, I see a flier for local businesses and I ask if the pizza is good at this one place.

Yup, he says. I'm like great, I know where dinner is coming from.

I call and order.

She figures out where I am and then tells me they have a $15 min order.

I'm 1 guy, I want a pizza, I don't want to have to drive.

I tell her to just forget it.

She apoligizes and I say fine, have a nice night, but not in so nice a tone.

I kind of feel bad about that now as it's probably not the girls fault, but I wasn't in the mood for bs.

So, then I see Domino's has their ad all over the door cards.

I call. Do you deliver to this hotel?

"Yes", Do you have a min order amount?

"No." Good, then I want a small pizza.

"We have a $2 delivery charge." Fine.

"It will be there in 40 mins." Well, it was here in 20 and I gave the guy I $3 tip on top of it.

Still ended up costing me $15 for dinner.

Guess I'm tired and grumpy.

I had probably 10-15 things that I wanted to mention in today's notes, but I forgot them.

In fact, if I didn't have a map to help me, I probably would have forgot where I was. Despite any negative things I may have said, I am still having an awesome trip.; last nights dinner: $10 Tires:$530 Install: $150 Mileage: 600 Gas: $58 Hotel: $77 Breakfast: $4 Dinner: $15

Fyi... I had 36 on my to do list, but as I said, I cashed out due to the fires.

I just got concerned after going by Yosemite and seeing how the smoke impacted everything there.

I'll just have to come back another time.

Day 11 Let's see, where did my day begin.

Oh yeah, back in Eugene.

The motel I stayed at must have been near railroad tracks because about 4:00 AM the train whistle blew in the room next to me.

I just about had a heart attack thinking I must have fell asleep on the railroad tracks.

Took me a while to fall back asleep after that.

Got up and got out about 6:30 local time, which is a little later than I have been recently, but I was whooped.

I get on to rt 126 west and head for the ocean.

I even go buy the Oregon Country (or county?) fair on the way.

I'm amazed at the "farming" type communities through here, especially being so close to the ocean.

I come across this river and stop to take a picture.

Ugh-oh. My battery has gone dead.

Oh crap, dumb a$$ strikes again.

I remember forgetting to shut the camera off last night after uploading pics onto my pc.

I need to get my battery charged.

So, I head into Florence and stop at the first coffee shop I come to.

The waitress indulges me and allows me to charge my battery, litterally speaking.

Armed with a charged battery, I head up highway 101 to Waldport.

Oh my, this is absolutley gorgeous.

Not like our beaches on the east coast.

It has ocean coming right up to mountain and tree's.

Awesome. I hang a ralf in Waldport and head down rt 34 figuring to go back to Eugene and out 126 to the east.

Well, this road is an absolute hoot up to Alsea, where I stay straight on 34, but should have turned on to 99.

Oops. Of course, I get to Corvalis before I figure that out.

So, I decide I'll head out route 20.

I stop and phone the wife and ask her to make reservations for me as close to Wood Village as she can as I don't want to run into No Vacancy situation again tonight.

I look at the map when I stop in Sweet Home (Alabama - not) to get some gas.

Looks like rt 11 is a cool rt.

I ask the gas attendant and she says it's a gorgeous ride and she was up through there last weekend on the bike with her husband.

I'm like cool. So, I head out that way and cross the resovoir on to the other side.

I have a lot of traffic to start, but it thins out.

Then, I see a preminition of what awaits.

There's this yellow/orange sign with a squiggly mark on it.

Under it, it says: "Next 80 miles".

Holy crap batman.

I'm so tickled that I forget to stop and get a pick.

Well, I cruise up along Foster Lake and Green Peter lake, which is similar to riding the back side of Pepacton for the folks back home.

Then the road just starts following the river when the resovoir runs out.

This is awesome. Ugh-oh.

The road narrows ahead.

It becomes essentially a 1 lane road.

I pull over next to a car (one of few) that is coming from the opposite direction and I ask if the road is open and paved from the other direction and she replies that she believes so.

Apparently, she didn't come all the way across.

What the hell, I say to myself.

Let's go for it. Well, I do and I have one of the best rides of my life over this 1 to 1 and 1/2 lane road for the remaining 30-40 miles or whatever it was across this National Forest Route 11.

I don't think I ever broke 30 miles and hour, but the sights were marvelous and the corners were cool too.

Yet, I never had to go fast.

I got to the bottom where the road intersects with route 22 and am thinking to myself that probably no other biker goes over that road and what a shame, when this guy pulls up behind me on his CBR.

The guy gets off too.

He's 65 years old and is about 6'5" tall.

On a CBR 600 mind you.

My back hurts just thinking of it.

Well, Dennis is a local heavy equipment operator from Eugene who also does track does and such.

We shoot the crap and he offers to take me down to the town of Detroit and send me on my way up Brientenbush path. This is route 46 on my map.

Again, another good road.

I end up going through Mt Hood national park.

Part way up, I see a bike standing up on it's stand out in the jing weed.

I stop and take a quick look around.

The bike had definitely been down.

I don't see anyone around and since the bike is upright on it's side stand, I assume that the rider had went for attention or help.

I head on down the road.

And pick up rt 224 in to Escada.

From there, I jump up to Troutdale, where the wife has reservations for me. I didn't do a lot of mileage today, but I had one of the best rides of my life.

The scenary here is spectacular and if the summer months are any indication, I could definitely live here. Once again, I forget about all the little things I was hoping to mention.

I'm going to have to start writing these down.

Well, I hope to head into Washington state tomorrow, at least for a bit and then it's time to turn tail for home.

I hope to make it to the Atlantic Ocean on the way home so I will have gone from coast to coast. Even considering the crisis at home with water in the basement tonight do to so much rain, I still can't get the smile off my face.

This trip was so worth it! Oh, and for my beer sewer friends, I had a Widmer Brothers Drop Top Amber Ale tonight.

Good stuff. Mileage: 400 Gas: $42 Hotel: $55 Breakfast: $5 Dinner: $10

Discussion Title: Vacation Dilema - The Adventure begins
Title Keywords: Vacation Dilema Adventure begins Sport-Touring.Net

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