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.