Good thing we didn't go for a ride today....we all slept in!
I discovered a plastic bag of very smelly dirty clothes so we all decided to do laundry. It took us a hour to get to the laundromat (a short distance away) because of the traffic.
It only took a hour to wash, dry, fold and ride back to the motel.
Gary & Marj met us at the motel to guide us to the restaurant. A good lunch at Mr. G's. Then up to Dino's Cakes for dessert.
Gary then led us over to RFD TV. They departed to take care of their laundry.
A big thanks to Gary for being so hospitable! (We have relatives who wouldn't take a day off to show us around.)
This evening we are lazing around the pool because our 400 mile ride tomorrow.
Again - no photos because the freaking internet connection sucks at the motel. (Everything else is fine!)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Albuquerque, NM to Branson, MO
It has been a few days....
We departed Albuquerque headed for Roswell via Alamogordo. Our first ride to Ruidoso. Except for the rain, a nice ride.
Got into Roswell early enough to check out the UFO Museum. Stayed at the Day's Inn and had a good Mexican food dinner at the Amigos.
We left fairly early the next morning because it was HOT.
We stopped in Amarillo, Texas for lunch at the Big Texan...as good as we recall!
As soon as we rode across the Oklahoma border we were slammed by the wind. The combination of hot temperatures and wind just sapped our energy.
We spent the night in Clinton, Oklahoma - at the Super 8. There was a festival going on so there weren't many rooms, otherwise we would have stayed somewhere with a pool.
Restaurant warning - stay away from the Branding Iron Restaurant at the Day's Inn. Lousy service, lousy food. Biggest part of the lousy - they just did not give a damn.
The following day we again departed early to try and beat the heat....as John said, we would have had to leave at 5 a.m. to beat the heat. We intended the most direct route to Branson, but ended up on a 20 mile scenic route at the end of a very hot, long ride.
We arrived at the Yellow Rose motel early enough to get the rides covered before the big storm hit....which took down a tree across the street from where our rooms are. Cooled it off nicely though!
Today we had the pleasure of the company of Marj and Gary Covert. Gary had planned a ride for us tomorrow but we are so beat up by the heat and long day from yesterday we had to bow out. Rather, we will be meeting them for lunch at Mr. G's.
No photos because the freaking internet wifi at the motel SUCKS! I'll up load photos when we get to Des Moines.
We departed Albuquerque headed for Roswell via Alamogordo. Our first ride to Ruidoso. Except for the rain, a nice ride.
Got into Roswell early enough to check out the UFO Museum. Stayed at the Day's Inn and had a good Mexican food dinner at the Amigos.
We left fairly early the next morning because it was HOT.
We stopped in Amarillo, Texas for lunch at the Big Texan...as good as we recall!
As soon as we rode across the Oklahoma border we were slammed by the wind. The combination of hot temperatures and wind just sapped our energy.
We spent the night in Clinton, Oklahoma - at the Super 8. There was a festival going on so there weren't many rooms, otherwise we would have stayed somewhere with a pool.
Restaurant warning - stay away from the Branding Iron Restaurant at the Day's Inn. Lousy service, lousy food. Biggest part of the lousy - they just did not give a damn.
The following day we again departed early to try and beat the heat....as John said, we would have had to leave at 5 a.m. to beat the heat. We intended the most direct route to Branson, but ended up on a 20 mile scenic route at the end of a very hot, long ride.
We arrived at the Yellow Rose motel early enough to get the rides covered before the big storm hit....which took down a tree across the street from where our rooms are. Cooled it off nicely though!
Today we had the pleasure of the company of Marj and Gary Covert. Gary had planned a ride for us tomorrow but we are so beat up by the heat and long day from yesterday we had to bow out. Rather, we will be meeting them for lunch at Mr. G's.
No photos because the freaking internet wifi at the motel SUCKS! I'll up load photos when we get to Des Moines.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Cal-Tex Albuquerque, NM
Yesterday we participated in the Cal-Tex Poker Run. We began the ride at the Hilton and rode to Sandia Crest - 10,876 feet above sea level. Only 16 miles up the mountain! A truly awesome view.
On leaving the Sandia National Forest we headed to Madrid, NM - home of the town where the movie Wild Hogs was filmed. Poor little town was overwhelmed by all the Cal-Tex riders. Some shop owners were gracious, others acted like doing business with us was an imposition.
I'm positive the residents of Madrid aren't always pleased with the notoriety after the movie came out, but I do believe that a business owner should at least be pleasant to people who are willing to spend money in their establishments. If not, they should put out the "Closed" sign!
The weather had been cool at Sandia Crest, but warmed up quickly as we rode to Madrid. After leaving Madrid we experienced some partly cloudy skies that worsened as we rode toward Interstate 25. After merging on I-25 we watched the clouds darken and started to hear thunder. The rains came, as did the lightening so we continued to an overpass to wait out the electrical storm. Within 30 minutes we were back on the road - with a little rain for a short time and then sunny, hot weather. The temperature was 55 as we sat out the storm under the overpass and got up to 99 as we headed back into Albuquerque.
For dinner we went to the Monte Carlo Steak House - another restaurant mentioned in the Guy Fieri book. Food was good!
On leaving the restaurant we were pelted with wind driven sand for the entire ride back to the La Quinta. Blowing sand HURTS!
Today we are taking it easy and getting caught up on computer, GPS, and camera business. This evening is the Cal-Tex banquet.
Tomorrow we are riding to Roswell, NM via Alamogordo and Ruidoso.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Farmington to Albuquerque
We ate breakfast at the motel. Not only did the America's Best Value Inn have Belgian waffles, they had eggs, sausage, yogurt and the usual stuff.
The road from Farmington to Albuquerque is four lanes and mostly down hill. There isn't a lot of traffic but you have to be really careful because the people who drive off the reservations don't stop before entering the highway. I shudder to think of the number of people who have been killed or injured!
About 100 miles from our destination we stopped to put on our cooling vests...ahh! What a difference the vest makes to our comfort.
Before leaving home John had made a list of restaurants recommended in Guy Fieri's books. One of the recommendations was in the Garmin GPS so we headed to Sophia's for lunch. I believe everyone enjoyed their food. For some reason the chef didn't believe John when he said we had ridden all the way from Lake County, CA to check out the restaurant Guy Fieri had recommended!
We arrived safely at the La Quinta in Albuquerque. It will be nice to rest for a couple of days!
The road from Farmington to Albuquerque is four lanes and mostly down hill. There isn't a lot of traffic but you have to be really careful because the people who drive off the reservations don't stop before entering the highway. I shudder to think of the number of people who have been killed or injured!
About 100 miles from our destination we stopped to put on our cooling vests...ahh! What a difference the vest makes to our comfort.
Before leaving home John had made a list of restaurants recommended in Guy Fieri's books. One of the recommendations was in the Garmin GPS so we headed to Sophia's for lunch. I believe everyone enjoyed their food. For some reason the chef didn't believe John when he said we had ridden all the way from Lake County, CA to check out the restaurant Guy Fieri had recommended!
We arrived safely at the La Quinta in Albuquerque. It will be nice to rest for a couple of days!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Two days....
Yesterday we rode from Beaver, Utah to Page Arizona via Bryce Canyon...we opted not to go to Zion because of time. Turned out to be a good decision because there is a huge fire in Flagstaff that would have impacted us.
We all now have National Park Passports....and are hoping to get many stamps this ride.
Advice - when going to Bryce Canyon National Park take advantage of the free shuttle service. It just isn't work the hassle of finding a parking spot when the shuttle takes you everywhere, drops you off and there is another shuttle within 10 minutes.
Nice Super 8 in Page. Ken's Old restaurant was recommended by staff at the Super 8and it was an excellent meal.
Today we headed to Four Corners National Monument. Should have checked first - it is closed for construction. At least we weren't the only people who did not know it was closed as there were other people on motorcycles and motorhomes turning around too! It just seems odd to have a national monument closed during tourist season.
We continued on Hwy 160 to Durango for a beverage at McDonald's before riding to Farmington.
We stayed at American's Best Value Inn. This facility has just changed hands and the new owners are making headway to making this into a nice place. The pool was being repaired so that was a bummer.
We've had a great ride....
Chipmunks at Bryce Canyon
Robert and Carol at Bryce Canyon
Larry at Bryce Canyon Visitor Center
John at Dixie National Forest - on the way to Bryce Canyon
Rock formation in Dixie National Forest
Larry at Bryce Canyon
More Bryce Canyon
Gas stop in Durango, Colorado
We all now have National Park Passports....and are hoping to get many stamps this ride.
Advice - when going to Bryce Canyon National Park take advantage of the free shuttle service. It just isn't work the hassle of finding a parking spot when the shuttle takes you everywhere, drops you off and there is another shuttle within 10 minutes.
Nice Super 8 in Page. Ken's Old restaurant was recommended by staff at the Super 8and it was an excellent meal.
Today we headed to Four Corners National Monument. Should have checked first - it is closed for construction. At least we weren't the only people who did not know it was closed as there were other people on motorcycles and motorhomes turning around too! It just seems odd to have a national monument closed during tourist season.
We continued on Hwy 160 to Durango for a beverage at McDonald's before riding to Farmington.
We stayed at American's Best Value Inn. This facility has just changed hands and the new owners are making headway to making this into a nice place. The pool was being repaired so that was a bummer.
We've had a great ride....
Chipmunks at Bryce Canyon
Robert and Carol at Bryce Canyon
Larry at Bryce Canyon Visitor Center
John at Dixie National Forest - on the way to Bryce Canyon
Rock formation in Dixie National Forest
Larry at Bryce Canyon
More Bryce Canyon
Gas stop in Durango, Colorado
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Austin, NV to Beaver UT
Great Basin National Park Visitor Center
Suzanne at Great Basin National Park Visitor Center
Larry at Great Basin National Park Visitor Center
We rode out of Austin, NV around 8 a.m. headed for Eureka, NV for breakfast at the Owl Cafe. A nice morning for a ride.
After leaving Eureka we continued on Hwy 50 to Hwy 487 and the Great Basin National Park. We only made it to the Vistor Center (where we purchased pins) because to actually go into the park would have added another 2 hours to an already long ride.
For most of the day we were bombarded with wind. At one point we had to navigate between dust clouds. Larry and Robert managed to ride through one set. John and I waited out the next couple of dust clouds before continuing.
We were very beat up by the wind and stopped in Mildford, UT for a break. Larry and I had been to Milford for Chinese food in the 1980s. This trip the Chinese restaurant was closed.
Today's wind reminded all of us of our ride on I-80 in 2000. Carol was using both hands to hold her head steady and her helmet on. Only difference today is the road was nicer and very little traffic.
This evening we are at the Best Western Paradise Inn in Beaver, UT - nice accomodations and reasonable price. The restaurant is actually one we would put on a list to return to in the future.
Tomorrow we will see Bryce Canyon.
Suzanne at Great Basin National Park Visitor Center
Larry at Great Basin National Park Visitor Center
We rode out of Austin, NV around 8 a.m. headed for Eureka, NV for breakfast at the Owl Cafe. A nice morning for a ride.
After leaving Eureka we continued on Hwy 50 to Hwy 487 and the Great Basin National Park. We only made it to the Vistor Center (where we purchased pins) because to actually go into the park would have added another 2 hours to an already long ride.
For most of the day we were bombarded with wind. At one point we had to navigate between dust clouds. Larry and Robert managed to ride through one set. John and I waited out the next couple of dust clouds before continuing.
We were very beat up by the wind and stopped in Mildford, UT for a break. Larry and I had been to Milford for Chinese food in the 1980s. This trip the Chinese restaurant was closed.
Today's wind reminded all of us of our ride on I-80 in 2000. Carol was using both hands to hold her head steady and her helmet on. Only difference today is the road was nicer and very little traffic.
This evening we are at the Best Western Paradise Inn in Beaver, UT - nice accomodations and reasonable price. The restaurant is actually one we would put on a list to return to in the future.
Tomorrow we will see Bryce Canyon.
Friday, June 18, 2010
We are off!
Met up with Robert, Carol and John at Kit's Corner this morning.
Stopped for breakfast in Williams.
Uneventful cool ride to Fallon, NV for lunch.
Hwy 50 was also uneventful...and we are staying at the Pony Canyon Motel in Austin, NV
Quaint is the word for the motel. Clean, with comfy beds. What more does one REALLY need?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Okay - Ready, Set.....
I packed last week. Larry has been working hard on the motorcycles. You'd think today would be a snap, right? No way.
We unloaded everything from the trailers and the bikes. Then we organized everything. Then we decided on what was going this trip and what needed to be stored.
Then anything that is going on the trip needed to be put back in the bike/trailer.
Nine hours later we are done....I hope!
Shadow is all set to go over to the Middendorf's home for 'dog day care'. Today she has been somewhat put out because we were out more than we were in. However, I'm positive she will enjoy her time with Judy, Dayne, Mini, Hally, Fred and Bernie. She won't even miss me!
Stay tuned...tomorrow night we will be in Austin, Nevada.
We unloaded everything from the trailers and the bikes. Then we organized everything. Then we decided on what was going this trip and what needed to be stored.
Then anything that is going on the trip needed to be put back in the bike/trailer.
Nine hours later we are done....I hope!
Shadow is all set to go over to the Middendorf's home for 'dog day care'. Today she has been somewhat put out because we were out more than we were in. However, I'm positive she will enjoy her time with Judy, Dayne, Mini, Hally, Fred and Bernie. She won't even miss me!
Stay tuned...tomorrow night we will be in Austin, Nevada.
I Detest Turkeys
Let me begin by saying I hate turkeys. I don't particularly like eating turkey. I REALLY don't like living, breathing, eating everything, walking around crapping turkeys, and standing in the middle of the road refusing to move turkeys!
Given my feelings about freaking turkeys you can imagine my response to this:
The deck railing is over 20 feet off the ground....I didn't see the turkey get near the feeder. It wasn't until the dog growled that I knew something new was going on.
There is no turkey season in California and the damn turkeys are a major nuisance. They are especially dangerous to people who ride motorcycles...not only do the turkeys NOT get out of the way, they also have the habit of simply walking out in front of the vehicle.....not good on two wheels.
I HATE TURKEYS! Good thing Benjamin Franklin did not get his way and make the turkey the bird of the USA!
Given my feelings about freaking turkeys you can imagine my response to this:
The deck railing is over 20 feet off the ground....I didn't see the turkey get near the feeder. It wasn't until the dog growled that I knew something new was going on.
There is no turkey season in California and the damn turkeys are a major nuisance. They are especially dangerous to people who ride motorcycles...not only do the turkeys NOT get out of the way, they also have the habit of simply walking out in front of the vehicle.....not good on two wheels.
I HATE TURKEYS! Good thing Benjamin Franklin did not get his way and make the turkey the bird of the USA!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Motorcycle Tour
On June 18 we depart on our rides for a few weeks of riding.
Our destination is the GWRRA Wing Ding in Des Moines, Iowa.
As I create this blog there are five of us who will be traveling together, John, Carol, Robert, Larry and Suzanne.
Our route will take us through Bryce Canyon, Zion, Four Corners, Albuquerque, Roswell, and Branson to our destination.
The scheduled stopping places are as follows:
Austin, NV
Beaver, UT
Page, AZ
Farmington, NM
Albuqerque, NM
Roswell, NM
Clinton, OK
Branson, MO
Des Moines, IA
Looking forward to the ride and the chance to get away from it all!
Our destination is the GWRRA Wing Ding in Des Moines, Iowa.
As I create this blog there are five of us who will be traveling together, John, Carol, Robert, Larry and Suzanne.
Our route will take us through Bryce Canyon, Zion, Four Corners, Albuquerque, Roswell, and Branson to our destination.
The scheduled stopping places are as follows:
Austin, NV
Beaver, UT
Page, AZ
Farmington, NM
Albuqerque, NM
Roswell, NM
Clinton, OK
Branson, MO
Des Moines, IA
Looking forward to the ride and the chance to get away from it all!
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