Superlatives

Well ... it was an epic trip! Great roads, great scenery, great friends ... Thanks Joe and Paul.

Here's some of my memories ...

Longest day: 1026 miles, Winston-Salem, NC to Henryetta, OK

Most unique road: Moki Dugway, Utah

Best high speed run: Joe leading into Thermopolis, WY and Dick and Paul on I-40 through the mountains (passing the BMW riders ...)

Best roads: The Beartooth, Hell's Canyon Road, Rattlesnake Pass, Gunnison Canyon, Million Dollar Highway, Pike's Peak

Best Trooper Lights: Somewhere outside Walden, CO

Best Crash: Muley Point Road, Utah

Best motorcycle dealer: Suzuki of Winston-Salem ... thanks guys!!!

Best dealer on the road: Apex Powersports, Colorado Springs

Best repair: Paul's tire in Thermopolis and Dick's turn signal in Montrose, CO

Best refuge in a storm: Melbourne, AR

Best cookies: Anne's !!!

Best Pass: Joe passing the sportbike in Idaho

Most wind: tie ... on top of the Beartooth and Rawlins, WY (wow, that was some wind!!!)

Best pass in road construction: Million Dollar Highway

Best "Zen ... City" Red Lodge, MT

Best overnight accomodations: Leadville, CO with Ken and Pat

Best Mojito: Cortez, CO

Best Band: Delta Highway, Beale Street

Best friends: "I'm passin ... Joe" and "Memphis Paul"

Doesn't get any better that that ... "let's do it again!"

Home Alone

The last day from Memphis to Winston-Salem was a long day on the superslab ... much like the trip began 3 weeks ago. Woke up early, packed and left Memphis around 7am. We made great time with endless gas stops and breaks at McDonald's (my new favorite place). McDonald's is great because we can fill up our water bottles with ice from their drink machines.

Highlights of the trip home included the high speed run through the TN/NC mountains on I-40. We were bookin' ... those BMW riders just couldn't keep up (although they tried ...)

We encountered road work on I-40 around Morganton. That's never a good thing on a motorcycle. The left lane was closed, but we stayed in it as long as possible and passed an endless stream of cars and trucks. My sincere apologies to the cars, but it's really tough trying to go that slow on a motorcycle with all that gear ... I noticed that the motorcycle was surging at the low speeds and I suspected the chain was going bad. Suspicions were confirmed at the next exit ... wow was it loose!!! Paul and I tightened the chain as much as possible in a convenience store parking lot ... Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance triumphs once again!!! A great way to end the trip. Thankfully we were able to get home safely.

Well, I'm finally home after 7,756 wonderful miles on a motorcyle trip for three weeks with 2 great friends. It's wierd waking up and having to get your own breakfast and make your own bed after 3 weeks of motels. Hope to post a postscript after I've had a chance to make sense of it all. Right now, I just know that it was a wonderful trip!!!

Thanks everyone for following along with us!!!

WWED

Thunder and major rain woke me up to start the day (never a good sign ...). However I was encouraged when it looked like it was clearing. We packed the bikes to leave Mountain View and head for the last world class motorcycle road on our list--Push Mountain Road.

The 25 mile road was a series of high speed sweepers that would have been much more fun without the thunder, lightening, rain, and fog. The White River was very unusual with the fog hanging above the river. Paul led through the high speed stuff and all in all it was a great road.

When we headed for home, the rain increased in intensity and my GPS stopped working. In addition I was getting increasingly soaked, since I neglected to put on all my rain gear. And my glasses and visor were so fogged up that I couldn't read the map ... not a good way to start the trip home! Since I could not see, I stopped to look at the map ... we should have figured out that that was not a good idea, because the rain quickly turned the map into pulp. What to do ... ?

Than it came to me!!! WWED ... (What would Elvis Do?) Let's go to Memphis!!! What a great idea. We went to the next town Melbourne and found a Community Center. It was unlocked with a sign that they had gone to lunch. I gave us the opportunity to change into dry clothes and and when they returnned they gave us an official Arkansas map and directions to Memphis! Talk about devine intervention ... wow, they saved the day!!!

So now we're on Beale Street (what a great place!!!). Went to a Blues Bar, heard a great band (Delta Highway) and had a great dinner. What a wonderful day it was ... doesn't get any better than that!

So how far is it from Memphis to Winston-Salem? Guess we better go to bed ... tomorrow could be a long day!

Delta Highway

Mountain View

We left Joplin, MO in the rain. The night was filled with thunder, lightning, and heavy rain. We left unsure of the weather for the day. Went to the George Washington Carver National Monument. Saw the movie and bought stamps for Ben, Evie, Alex, and Katie.

We stopped for lunch in Eureka Springs, AR. Wow, what a tourist town!!!

After lunch we hit some great backroads in the Ozarks. Excellent curves with little traffic. Spent the night in Mountain View.

Tomorrow we will do the Push Mountain Road and head towards home. Hope to make it to Nashville.

Staight Roads and Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

Here we are in Dodge City, KS. Paul and I were ready for a gunfight but Paul didn't bring the six shooters! We shot some pictures instead ...

Mostly just put in the miles across Kansas in record heat. McDonald's and the Sonic Drive In saved us. It was interesting to go though the back roads and small towns of southern Kansas. Saw the terrain change from the grasslands and feed lots of the west to the rolling hills and trees of the east.

Finally got to Joplin, MO!

Straight Roads and Hot, Hot, Hot, and Hotter

Started the day in Colorado Springs. At the dealer by 8:30 to make sure we were first in line to get tires. Great dealer--Apex Motorsports.

Left the dealer around 10:30 and headed east. Gets pretty desolate the farther you go, just us and the cows!







This is a feed lot ... a lot of cows just sitting around and feeding. 150,000 head!!!

Stopped in Garden City, KS. Tomorrow it's on to the George Washington Carver National Histotic site in Diamond, MO.

Leadville and Pike's Peak

Had a great time in Leadville--a great town with a lot of personality! It was wonderful to stay with Ken an Pat ... they are doing a great job planning the outdoor adventure program for the new development planned by Steve Smith.

After a wonderful breakfast we toured the town. I had to call several dealers to locate the tires I needed. The bad news is that there were no tires in Pueblo so we changed our plans and went to Colorado Springs. The good news is that we had to go by Pike's Peak. What an awesome experience!!! Paul is becoming quite the dirt bike rider.

Joe has left us to return home ... so it was a sad day. But many good memories!!! Joe is on his way to Salina, KS. Ride safe Joe!

Spending the night in Colorado Springs around the corner from the mortorcycle shop that is changing my tires. No Wi-Fi ... unfortunately.

Paul discovers a nail in his tire ... never a good way to start the day. Fortunately I have an air pump and tire plug! So just a short time later, the tire is repaired!

Thermopolis is a cowboy town.














Cowboy philosophy ...

Wind River Canyon

Dinner with friends--Ken and Pat in Leadville, CO. Doesn't get any better than that!

It was a long day, complicated by the tire repair and my wrong turn that added 60 miles to the trip. Major wind again ... blow you off the road kind of wind near Rawlins, WY. Obviously we survived (but just barely!) Arriving in Leadville and seeing Pat and Ken was a reason for celebration!!!

Thunder, Hail, Rain, Wind, and Cold

I woke up around 6am to thunder and the sound of hail on the roof (never a good way to start the day ...) When I looked outside the parking lot was covered with hail. Most of the morning was cold and rainy. Fortunately we had prepared ... for me that included rain pants, rain jacket, long sleeve capilene, electric vest, rain gloves, rain boots, rain scarf, etc. In addition to my Aerostich riding suit. Wow, how can you ride with all that stuff? I wore basically everything I had! All sealed up an electrified, I turned on my heated grips, fired up the engine, and Joe lead us out into the elements. Once you get going it's not too bad, and even though it was cold and rainy, I was quit comfortable (all sealed up). Sort of reminded me of our trip to Alaska several years ago ... a lot of good memories!

We eventually outran the rain enroute to Red Lodge (a Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance destination). Good Karma just to be there!

Beartooth Highway was the main objective of the day. It's an absolutely incredible road--a definite Top 10 World Class Motorcycle Road. The scenery is spectacular and the multiple 180 + degree switchbacks are a challenge. I was having a great time until we got close to the 12,000 foot summit. The wind was ferocious--very unsetling on a motorcycle as you enter a 180 degree switchback the wind comes from all different directions, just keeping the bike on the road and not being blown off a cliff is a challenge! Definitely a religious experience! An answer to prayer ... thank you Lord for getting me down safely!

We're spending the night in Thermopolis, WY--home of the world's largest mineral hot springs! Not sure how they calculate the largest, but it's pretty cool to be here!

Hope to be in Leadville tomorrow!

PS Sorry ... no photos, internet is too slow and it's past my bedtime. Hope to post photos when we get a better connection.

Lolo Pass AKA Joe's Pass

Most of the morning was spent riding along the river with the mountains all around. Joe was walking on water and riding quickly and competently in the lead up Lolo Pass. I'm not sure who Lolo was but he couldn't have passed more cars than Joe. Joe passed trucks, cars, and even chased down and passed a sport bike! In recognition of his passing skills we are changing the name of Lolo Pass to Joe's Pass.

The only thing Joe couldn't pass was this moose!

After Lolo we headed south over some fantastic roads. Route 43 to Wisdom (great name for a town) went over high alpine meadows ... wow!

Then we were in the "Big Hole Valley." Mountains all around this broad, deep, and green expanse. Very unique ... cattle country. If I was a cow, I would want to live here!

It was a very cool day (60's) with many dark clouds and rain ... fortunately we dodged the rain all day. Spending the night in Dillon, MT ... with a hot tub!

We're having a great time wandering around the backroads of Montana ... hope to make it to Wyoming tomorrow via the Beartooth (one of our most favorite roads from past adventures!)

And then there was one ... !!!

Wow, one to go. When I started motorcycling I never dreamed I would motorcycle in every state, now there's just one to go. Thanks, Joe and Paul ... most have been with you. A lot of miles and many great memories!

Is that a motorcycle road or what? One of the best ever. Down shift for the corner and roll on the throttle ... through endless corners and magnificent scenery. Doesn't get any better than this!!!

Orofino, Idaho ... let's stay here!

Tomorrow, it's Lolo Pass into Montana!!!

Taking the Day-Off in Baker City

Anne took everyone to breakfast at the restored historic Geiser Hotel. It's a great environment and we had a wonderful last breakfast together. After Anne left for home and we spent the day writing postcards, getting needed provisions, resting, and planning for the ride towards home.

It's sad to see the sun set on our visit to Baker City, but we have had many wonderful memories and are looking forward to heading north to Washington and then east through Idaho and on to Montana.

Happy 4th everyone!!!

We passed this truck in Idaho. Apparently they save the biggest and the best potatoes for the locals.











Paul, Anne, Joe, and I motorcycled to Hell's canyon. An awesome road, it's what we traveled 3800 miles to see. Definitely worth it!!!









Lunch ...













With a view!













And how about the wildflowers?

Happy Birthday Brandye !!!

July 4

Happy Birthday from Oregon. It's the fourth. everyone is celebrating with you ...

Baker City!!!

Started the day with clear skies and 57 degrees. Had a great run up to Bear Lake.











The clouds ... magnificent big clouds!!! And the roads!!!













Made our final destination for the day, Baker City, Oregon. A long day on the superslab.

Cool (brrrrr cold) and rain

After all that heat in Oklahoma ... can it get too cold? (Yes, when it includes rain.) Yes, final answer ... cold. Good thing I packed that heated vest and thank goodness for heated grips!

Today we got a late start. Speed Racer Paul needed new tires. Wow, must have been going really fast in the corners to wear those tires out so quickly! How fast were you going Paul?

Paul got to the dealer as soon as they opened--it only took them 2 hours to put on the tires :^( and they were proud of it.

Joe left early to meet Grant for breakfast near Meeker. Cell phone calls kept us in touch and we were all able to meet in Rangely.

Good thing Joe mentioned the law that was ticketing outside of Meeker. We were extra careful and successfully avoided any tickets ... but it wasn't much fun.

The Flaming Gorge area is spectacular ... I'm putting in my list to come back with Clem.

It was downright cold on the top of the mountain and black clouds were all around. Down in the valley we encountered more cows in the road!!! Just like yesterday but different cows. The cows looked the same but I'm pretty sure they were different cows. They were all talking very loudly (in moo talk). Real cowbots kept the cows under control. We are in the west!!!

Rain finally caught up with us and we altered our plans and checked into a Holiday Inn Express with a hot tub. It made us happy! And don't forget the cinnamon buns in the morning!

Tomorrow, Idaho or bust!!! Thanks for following along!

Holy cow!!!

Today was another great day (don't you get tired of hearing that?) Had a great breakfast at the Victorian Inn ... I hated to do it but they had these wonderful fresh-baked cinnimon rolls (I only ate 1/2 so it could have been worse.) Took some photots of the beautiful flowers and we were off to conquer new roads.

The best road so far may be 92 around the edge of Gunnison Canyon. The roads were close to perfect, set up for the endless 20 mph hairpins and roll the throttle on ... doesn't get any better than that. And did I mention the scenery? Nice of them to put these great roads in the middle of all this incredible scenery. And did I mention the weather? Extraordinary temps with low humidity ... perfect.

Coming down for the mountains we entered a broad green valley--cattle country! Holy cow ... we were up close and personal!!! A nice group all in all, most of them said hello (moo ...) some trotted, some meandered, but all of them seemed to be friendly and seemed to know where they were going. It was pretty cool ...

We're spending the night in Glenwood Springs in the same hotel we stayed in on our California 2002 trip. Pretty cool huh ... ? As soon a Joe gets here were walking down the street to the Mexican restaurant--eat on the patio on the roof and relive memories of times past. Doesn't get any better than that!

Tomorrow ... Idaho or bust!

Living the dream!

Today it was all about the Moki Dugway! We rode some great roads to get there in comfortable temps. The first road we took was a last minute decision ... it was a great road with some challenging curves and a surprising amount of elevation changes. Much of the morning was spent gearing down, setting up for the curves and accellerating out. It just doesn't get any better than this. No traffic on this road--it was wonderful and we were lost in the moment! The scenery was different today but no less beautiful--red rock and mesas.

The Moki Dugway was unlike any road I have ever been on. When you are appoaching it, you have to wonder, how in the world it's possible to get over that vertical wall of rock? But eventually you are in it and one curve leads to another ... absolutely incredible.

We met a family traveling from Slovenia ... small world. Guess they were there for the same reason we were ... because it's there.

We did it!!! Only a minor crash on the dirt road to Mulkey Point. Score--Road 1, Peterson 0. It was a simple get-off in the gravel. No harm, no foul--but Paul said it was spectacular! We be real adventure bikers now (and have the battle scars to prove it!)

Our final destination for today was Telluride. Eric spent a couple of months there (being a ski bum) in his younger (and more irresponsible) days. Great karma just being there!

Ate at Baked in Telluride and it was wonderful!!! Tomorrow it's on to Glenwood Spring were we meet up with Joe again.

If you can't get enough of this blog thing or are just looking for an unbiased second opinion ... Joe's blog is http://02aceshadow2washington09.blogspot.com/