18 Sept On the Road Again

I was unable to publish on the 17th do to a very poor internet connection.  I am adding to the blogg today from home.  On the 17th we Left Jerome Ut. at 630 am.  and continued west on I 84 past Boise and north on Hwy 95 up through New Meadows, Riggins and Grangeville to Lewiston were we spent the night at the Sweetgrass Casino and Resort.  It was warm but comfortable riding.  Left the following morning and the weather was warm until we got to the top of the hill on the north side of Lewiston then it got cold.  Had to put on leather coats and later rain gear.  It was cold all the way home but luckily no rain until about 10 minutes after we arrived home.  All in all we had a great trip.  It the 2 weeks of travel we spent 66 hrs riding our bikes a total of 3534 miles (5688Km)  One day only of no bike riding.  

Sept 16 On the Road Again

Sharron and I thought that we'd be smart and miss some hot weather and make up some time by leaving Richfield at 6 am this morning.  Well we got away on time but damn it was a cold 36 degrees F.   We traveled on Hwy 89 to 24 then onto the I15  to Tremonton, Ut.   These Hwy's were straight, fast and well straight.  At Tremonton we turned west on I84 then drove to Jerome, Ut.  Straight and fast.  Were we stopped for the night having traveled 660km, we were tired and had wanted to get to Boise but felt it would be not a good idea.
We didn't take any pictures today but thought we would put some of the one's we took in Bryce Canyon as it was pretty incredible.  Tomorrow we hope to get at least to Lewiston.

Sept 15 On the Road Again

Sharron and were lucky enough to find someone to take this photo of us at Bryce canyon.



We left Mesquite at 6:30 am and it was just a little cool by the time we got to Cedar City it was down right cold.  Had to put our leathers on.  Turned east on hwy 14 and had a great ride on a twisty road through a narrow canyon that even Sharron liked.  Great views.  We made it to Bryce Canyon, the ride was not through a canyon but along a ridge that followed the canyon which gave spectacular views of the vistas showing the red rocks of the canyon.  Shut down at 6 pm Mt time as we were a little tired.  Drove 512 km today, hope to get another early start tomorrow.

Sept 14 - Mesquite Nevada

Well today we spent the entire morning in Vegas.  Sharron's bike was ready for an oil change so we shopped and rode around Vegas until 12:30 when the bike was done. (Won +300 at the tables last night so of course we had to go shopping - did not want to get caught leaving Nevada with $300 of won $$$)  It was quite warm in Vegas +100 by 11am and continued to warm.  We stopped in Mesquite for a cool off drink and decided to stop for the day and get a 6am start tomorrow morning.

Heading to Bryce Canyon tomorrow and then heading up to somewhere around Salt Lake City for the night. No pics today since it was such a short day of riding.  Sure hoping the awesome HOT weather continues  ;-)

Sept 13 On The Road Again

Sharron looking over the Pandament Valley on Hwy 178 north of Ridgecrest.

One of two f18 fighter jets that were giving us a show in the Pandament Valley.......I think they were using us for "Target Practice"

Sharron at the Sand Dunes near Stove Pipe Springs in Death Valley.  Only around 110 Degrees
Trying out a different photo of Sharron and I in the Hub Cap of her bike.

Left Ridgecrest at 8 am this morning and traveled north on Hwy 178 and were entertained for about 20 minutes while two F18 Fighter Jets used us for target practice.  They flew right over us, so close that Sharron's Helmet rattled at least Thats the reason she gave.  Tried to take pictures but missed most.  We then went on to Furnace Creek, Death Valley and the Las Vegas for a total of 356 km to day.  The total so far this trip is 3313km.

Sept 12 On The Road Again

Sharron riding her bike on Hwy 58 today on our way back to Ridgecrest, Ca.







Dan following Sharron






Our friends from Ridgecrest and of course the taker of the two above photos



Arrived in Ridgecrest at about 3:30 pm on Thursday, Spent the night drinking My friend Jims beer.  The next morning we drove to Palm Springs were we stayed at the Desert Springs Marriot Resort.  A long hot ride.  Saturday the girls went to the spa and Jim and I golfed.  Left Palm Springs this morning at 9:30am and went east on Hwy 10 to Joshua National Park.  Had a great ride through the park temp was only around 95 degrees.  Came out at Yucca Valley then on to Barstow on Hwy 247.  Then took Hwy 58 to 395 and back to Ridgecrest.  Apparently we will not be taking the scenic coastal road Hwy 1 on the California on the return trip as Sharron has been convinced the it will be too cold.  So we're going through Death Valley very early tomorrow morning.  Then onto other hot places.  This time we will be doing Brice Canyon.....   Anyway we have travelled 900 Kms since thursday with one day off the bikes.  Will blog again tomorrow.

Sept 8th. On the Road Again

First stop of the day to rest from the strong head winds and to warm up its another chilly day.






Stopped at a lookout over Mono Lake Cal.





Only having a short ride today so got away at 8:45 am, its another cold day with strong head winds.  Were planing on going up to Lake Tahoe today but the temp forecast for there is the low 40's.  Straight south on Hwy 395 we go.   First stop just outside Coleville for coffee and a warm up.  Then on ward into the cold head wind to Lee Vinning for lunch.  Arrived In Bishop Cal. our stop for tonight at 2:30pm.  The gusting head & cross winds and cold temperatures continued all day, that is until the last 15 miles when we dropped from 7000 ft to about 3000 ft and the temp warmed up to to mid 70's.  Only traveled 300 km today.  Tomorrow we're only going to Ridgecrest to visit friends which is around 300 km.  Will not be posting to the blog till Sunday night. 

Sept 7th. On the Road Again

The above photos were taken in Standish, Cal.  Don and Sue may remember this place as we stopped there last Summer on our trip.

Today we got up and there was frost on the ground in Lakeview.  Is this Summer or winter.  Any way it warmed up as the day progressed.  Sharron loved the ride from Lakeview, Or. to Standish, Cal. as the roads were straight and the curves .... well it was too straight.  The ride from Standish to Carson City was also straight for the most part but a strong cross wind came up to make a little more of a challenge.  We found out later the the wind was gusting to 80 mph.  Whether we hit that or not I don't know.  Arrived in Carson City around 1:30pm and booked into the Bestwestern.  Then spent the afternoon with Sharron on the back of the bike riding around the City.  Went to the Harley Dealership and Sharron only spent $10.  I guess I got away lucky.  Any we traveled about 470 km to day.

Sept 6th. On The Road Again

Rode 670km today!!
Got away from Kennewick this morning at 8 am and boy oh boy it was just a little bit cool.  But we persevered.  Went on hwy 395 then Interstate 84 to Pendleton, Or.  Freeway no fun.  From Pendleton we turned south on Hwy 395 and in was twisty for the next 120 miles to John Day.  It straightened out for a while then got twisty again :) ..   Got to Burns, Or. at around 2:30 pm which was to be our stop for the night but it was to early we both thought why not continue to Lakeview, Or. ( a long and straight road with no traffic or any towns for that matter).   Arrived here at 5:30 and had to stay in a Best Western as Sharron couldn't find a "Shady Rest" that suited her.  (They wouldn't let us bring our bikes inside.)  All and all it was a good day of riding but a little cold for the most of the time.  Oh yah we had to stop and take a picture of our bikes at the turn off for Christmas Valley in the middle of nowhere as we thought that was rather unique.  Add more tomorrow.  :)

Sept5th on the Road again.

Well here we are on the road again.  We got away in good time this morning (no rain) at about 0745 hrs.  Crossed the boarder at Wanita near Trail, the boarder guard was a bit of a dip shi??. but no matter he let us through.  Traveled south to Kettle Falls and went straight down Hwy 21 from there.  Very little traffic, good road and great scenery, until Davenport were the roads straightened out and became a little boring, much to Sharron's delight.   Stopped for lunch in Odessa and were invited to return on the 18th for a fall fair.  The people were very friendly.  From here it was on to Hwy 395 and a quick ride to Kennewick, which is home for the night at the Super 8.  Traveled 513 Km today.  Not as much as Randy and I did in August but far enough.  Will try to take more photos tomorrow.

Moab > Colorado River > Brigham Utah

Today we had a wonderul ride on the twisty road along the Colorado River -- MORE amazing scenery... check the pics!  Our  morning started out with SUN (yes the great fireball in the sky appeared for a couple of hrs this morning.  Then... we were 'Rain Runners' trying to out run the rain storms.  At times we were lucky and missed them and other times well... NOT so lucky.

GOOD NEWS - no SNOW today and the temps only dropped to 40F during he coolest parts so that is much better than the 20F & snow we had yesterday.

Tomorrow we will continue to head north and west towards BC.  We plan to be back in Nelson by Tuesday afternoon/evening.

You guessed it Colorado River

Colorado River Pics

Colorado River Pics

Colorado River Pics

Pics along the Colorado River

Hogback Pass... on our way to Moab

Ok the locals warned us about the absolutely scenic route to take to Moab...but it comes with a price!  You must go over Hogback Pass (Google it to see & learn more) is what can I say OMG.  Here is some info about it:

• road rides along a narrow crest of a ridge
• approx 1 mile long
• at times the ridge is NO wider that the road itself
• 2foot should and then drop off on BOTH sides of the road of approx 500 vertical feet
• twisty.... windy road
• NO stopping signs were posted for this area - LIKE we would want to STOP???

We grabbed some pics from the Internet since we DID NOT stop... oh should I mention I don't know what I was more scared of... the drop off on both sides or the fact it was raining like crazy and I could not see very well????

Hogback Pass Shot from a Plane

Hogback Pass pic

MORE snow.... adventures of the SWANs

fdad

Temp dropped to 20F - yup it was freezing!

It was raining when we left in the morning but as we worked our way up it dropped from 55 down to 20F and it SNOWED!!!  There was 2inches of snow on shoulders and 'SLUSH' in the traveling lanes... darn but I was scared.  Got pics after we came out of the worst of the snow..

Photos Escalante to Moab Utah

Nevada... Arizona... Utah...

Oh man - what State are we in???  We left Vegas this morning and I am so pleased as the ride out of the city and on the Freeway went well ;-) See the BIG SMILE!!

We stopped in Mesquet for Starbucks Coffee .... now do you know why the trip out of Vegas went well?  Dan bribed me with Starbucks in Mesquet!!  We then headed into Arizona and on to Zion Canyon and Bryce Canyon.  It was toasty warm in the morning and through Zion Canyon and then the temp began to drop -- when we stopped for gas just outside of Bryce Canyon the gas attendant told us the temp was going down to 32 (in English for us that is 0) and there is a risk of snow for tonight.  You guessed it  - we decided to get going and make our way through Bryce Canyon before sun down and down to a lower elevation to avoid the SNOW.

We are in Escalante Utah for the night and tomorrow we are off to Moab and Arches National Park.  Check out the photos for our travel today!

More pics

Zion Canyon and Bryce Canyon Photos

In Alamo Nevada ... and it is HOT & DRY!

Ah...... gotta love it! It was 100+ today and the riding was really SWEET! We are only about 2 hrs from Vegas and staying in a very quaint little cabin style motel in 'little' Alamo. Today it was even dry enought to take pics so I am posting them after this posting.
Oh yes.... the riding was MY kind of RIDING - HEAT and STRAIGHT ROADS!!! Poor Dan was bored but I sure loved it.

NOTE... Please NOTE!..... this will be the last posting as we arrive in Vegas for 5 days. We will begin posting again next Friday, which is the day we leave Vegas! Oh....but if Dan wins big in Vegas then I will just have to take time to post ;-) .... I know not much chance but hey u can always hope!

Ah.... the heat... +100

Snow in Wells Nevada

 It was just barely 50 degrees when we left Wells Nevada - look how low down the snow is on the mountains.  The leaves are just slightly out on the trees - we had to bundle up in the morning.

By afternoon the temp was +100 so needless to say we had to lighten up!

Live from Wells Nevada!

Hello All!

BAD NEWS... (hmmm same news) It was pouring like mad in Twin Falls this morning!
GOOD NEWS... we were in the Harley Shop all morning getting my first Harley medical and by the time the Harley docs were done - so was the rain!

GOOD NEWS for Dan - I did not buy anything in the Harley Store so he is really smilin'  Hmm... look out Vegas!

So I think the 'Rain Angel' was feeling kinda bad about how wet 'he' got us over the past few days and decided to try and make things RIGHT.  He hit us with 3hrs of WIND and we are not talking mild breeze but instead winds in the range of 50 miles per hr (that is what the locals told us) and we sure believe them after what we went through!

MORE GOOD NEWS -- we are now DRY!  I must say the 200 extra pounds of weight with my new bike helped to kinda keep me in my lane on the highway.  I think the trucker behind me for part of the trip stayed behind because he found it entertaining to watch me try and keep my bike on the road OR ... was he afraid to pass me??

Tomorrow we are headed to Ely Nevada and ya know it actually looks like we JUST we might get SUN and NO rain ;-)

p.s.  After dinner this evening Dan decided to play the slot machines and won $75!!

Cheers Dan and Sharron

In Twin Falls Idaho

Hello All - ok not even sure if this will post as the connection here is only 'one bar' on the 'rictor scale' and it is painful.  I guess the riding angel did not think I had enough experience riding in the rain yesterday so 'he' blessed me with a morning filled with more riding in the rain and added wind to the mix.  Hmmm.... I made it through the morning so 'he'  (that would be the riding angel) gave us some SUN and YES... even a bit of HEAT  ;-)

We arrived in Twin Falls at 8 this evening and both of us are just a weeeeeeee bit tired.  Wow... it is amazingly GREEN here!

OH..... we did have a SCARE this morning!  While riding in the wind and RAIN and going up in altitude (not sure where we were at that point) we really were concerned because.... YES we saw a snow plow!  At that point, I starting shifting down and was headed for a pull over where I was going to plant my self until at least July 1st...  Darn - Dan made me keep going!!

Well connection is slipping more here will write more tomorrow!

Signed the 'rainy riders'

In Lewiston!

Well we finally left at 8:30 this morning even though I voted to wait for the rain to STOP. 
GOOD NEWS - got some great experience riding in the rain!!!

BAD NEWS - it rained the ENTIRE trip to Lewiston!!!!!!!  

We are soooooooooo praying for sun and even just a little bit of heat tomorrow!  We really enjoyed the scenery along the way here... everything is so green and lush -- go figure... could it be ALL the rain they have been getting down here?  Dan tried cheering me up today by saying 'I bet there will be flowers in the desert this trip... hmmm due to all of the rain everyone is getting down here ;-)

All and all trip went very well and I SOOOOOOOO love riding my Harley... she has some REAL power!  Sorry no pics today as it was just way tooooooooooooo wet.

Signed 'Soggy Riding Boots'