Las Vegas, Nv. to Bishop, Ca.

We're all rested up and off to an early morning start (7am), we're planning on a brunch in Pahrump before we head into Death Valley, its a bit cool this morning (GO FIGURE) we are in a desert aren't we!!!!!

Any way we're on Hwy 160 on our way to Pahrump and about 18 miles from Pahrump, Sharron tells me on our two way radio that the bottom of her right foot is very itchy.  This itch quickly spreads to her entire foot then appears in her left foot followed by her wrists.  We figure something is going on so we pull over to the side of the Hwy. were Sharron quickly gets off here bike and removes her gloves and boots and starts scratching herself so badly I thought she would tear the skin right off.  Mean while Don and I are quickly applying Pollysporin and other ointments to try and ease the itching to no avail.  Sharron then complains that her tongue seems to be swelling.  At this point we are starting to get very concerned as it appears to be more than a simple itch.  Some one and I don't know who suggests Sharron take antihistamines.  Luckily just the day before I had bought some in Vegas when my sinus's were stuffed.  Sharron quickly took two of these pills.  At this time I felt we had to get her to a Hospital ASAP so I flagged down a car for help and luckily enough the first two vehicles stopped.  The first car agreed to take Sharron to the hospital in Pahrump but was not sure were it was.  I followed this car on my bike and got them straight to the hospital using my GPS. (this turns out to one of the best investments I have ever made).

Once at the hospital Sharrons throat and tongue swelling appeared to have stopped.  I thanked the lady who drove her in.  When we went into the emergency Sharron was immediately taken in and given some type of steroid to stop any further swelling and they monitored her for two hours to make sure she was OK.  The Doctor said that it was a good thing we had given Sharron the antihistamines as this is what stopped her from going onto Analeptic shock and she might not have made it to the hospital other wise.  (Alls well that ends well)

Mean while Don and Sue are still out on the Hwy were we left them.   In the panic to get Sharron help we had failed to give Don and Sue the keys to her bike.  Sharron's feeling great so we rescue Don and Sue from the side of the Hwy and return to Pahrump for much needed Brunch and much discussion on the happenings of the morning.

After gassing up the motorbikes and filling the prescription the Dr. had given Sharron we continued on our way through Death Valley, the Panamint Valley, Lone Pine then North to Bishop Cal. were we spend the night.  Luckily we had no further excitement along the way, well other than the views and the ride.

Laughlin, Nv. to Las Vegas, Nv.

Not much to say today other than we got away at a reasonable time after saying goodbye to Rick and Shirley who are taking a scenic ride back to the Goodyear area.  We head north on Hwy 163 then 95 to Las Vegas were we stay for four nights at the Tropicana Hotel. while Sharron attends three days of business meetings.
While in Vegas Sue gets some much needed rest as the poor girl came down with a bad cold starting in Yellowstone and was just beginning to recover when we hit the Grand Canyon.  Mean while I get my bike serviced one day and the next Don and I go on a bike ride to the "Valley of Fire" just east of Vegas.  This State park is a must see as the colours and the rock formations are fantastic.

Wiiliams, Az. to Laughlin, Nv.

Got up this morning to a sunny day and after a good breakfast we got off to a late start.....The ladies had to walk the main strip of Williams and do some shopping.  Mean while the guys took the bike to the opposite end of the main street to await any surprises.  Got away around 11am and headed west on the I40 a few miles were we got off the interstate onto legendary "Route 66".  Stopped at the town of Seligman for a break.  This town appears to be a main stop for tourists on this road as it mainly consists of shops selling Route 66 memorabilia.

Didn't stay to long as this was another shopping mecca.  Continued weston Route 66 which can be long straight and flat for the most part, but better than freeway driving.  Stopped in Kingman for a break, gas and a bite to eat, then on to Laughlin via Hwy 68 were after cruising the main casino row we spent the night at the Pioneer Hotel.

Mexican Hat, Ut. to Williams, Az.

Once again we got off to a good start with a good breakfast in the only restaurant in town.  The days is a little cool but promises to warm nicely.  Traveling south on Hwy 163 through Monument Valley into the Navajo Nation.  We stopped a a few roadside stands were there was plenty of very nice native art work for sale.  Sharron picked up a nice vase while Sue bought some jewelry.  Traveled through Kayenta and Tuba City (rather bleak looking towns).  South on Hwy 89 for a short way then right on Hwy 64 to see the Grand Canyon.  What a large hole in the ground but worth seeing.  This was certainly worth seeing.

Monument Valley.

Grand Canyon

 Sue inside the tower at on of the lookouts at the Grand Canyon

 One of the results of the wet weather that had been going on is that there are a lot of flowers and other greenery that would not normally be in this area at this time of year.

After we left the Grand Canyon we traveled south on Hwy 64 to Williams, Az. were we met up with Don's sister and brother in-law, Rick and Shirley at the Long Horn Saloon, were we stayed in style in themed rooms.

Moab, Ut. to Mexican Hat, Ut.

Got on the road in good time and the weather is clear and sunny if a bit cool but nothing we can't handle.  Heading south on Hwy 191 our aim is to make it to Mexican Hat today.  Got as far as Blanding and turned west on Hwy 95 to have a look at Natural Bridges Nat'l. Monument.  This was well worth the side trip as the canyon was spectacular and we were able to see (at a distance) some ancient Indian habitat in the bottom of a canyon.

After seeing this area we had two options to finish our days trip.  One was to return to Blanding and then turn right on Hwy 191 and then on to Mexican Hat a trip of about 70 miles or take a short cut down Hwy 261 scenic trip along a river through a canyon a trip about 35miles long.  But and this was a fairly big but.  Hwy 261 started out going down a very steep narrow gravel road with lots of hairpin turns.  In the interest of all I opted for the longer safer route.

When we got to Mexican Hat and were in our hotel and nice and relaxed here was the view we were presented with, it was worth it.

Vernal, Ut. to Green River, Ut. (Moab, Ut.)

This morning started out more promising the the last two days but it is still cool.  From the news last night about the heavy rain in eastern Colorado I think we're lucky.  No Flooding.  We go east on Hwy. 40 from Vernal and turn south on Hwy. 191 again and all is well, we're driving along a coulee which (unknown to us) had been closed the day before because of flooding.  The road in places was a little slippery because of the wet mud, but we persevered and made it through.  Other than the few slippery spots the road was nice and twisty making a good ride.  The scenery was OK but not great.  Made it to Green River about 3pm and were going to shut down early but there were no rooms at the Inn(s).  So we went on to Moab which was only another 55 miles down the road.  On the way into Moab there were two large thunder storms one on either side of the Hwy. both with lots of lightening and heavy rain and we were not dressed for rain.  So being the bit of a coward that I can be we pulled over to prepare.  Well it only rained for the last few minutes on the way into town and we hardly got wet.  So we got a hotel (the same one as last year) and went for a coffee.    No Photos taken today.

Jackson, Wy. to Vernal, Ut.

Got up at early this morning and the sky is once again overcast and is threatening rain.  After breakfast we're on the road again.  Its a little cool but we're dressed for it I hope.  Heading south on Hwy. 191 and take a break to warm up in Pinedale at a gas stop.  The girls are cold.

The drive is uneventful and the sun finally shows its face as we're coming into Rock Springs.  It only stays out a short while while we're having lunch :-(  Onto Vernal and trying to avoid the thunder storms on Hwy. 191 through "Flaming Gorge Nat'l Rec. Area".   Great ride but we hit a rain storm that was so hard we had to pull over and stop because we could not see, and Sharron was complaining that she didn't like the ice facial she was getting from the hail.

 Stopped at a lookout for a drink of water and a warm up .

The Sun comes out and we take another stop to enjoy the view.  Boy did the Best Western Look good in Vernal.

West Yellowstone to Jackson Wy.

Got up this morning to an over cast sky got our bikes all packed up for the ride to Jackson, Wy. and went for a great breakfast.  Came out from breakfast and the rain started and it rained and it rained all the way through Yellowstone Park.  I guess the good news though was that we didn't have to put our rain gear on when ever we stopped like the poor people in the cars, trucks and motorhomes.

 Its hard to see old Faithful, with the heavy overcast and the less than spectacular blow but it was there and the rain stopped just long enough so we didn't get too wet.  But then it started again and didn't stop till we left the park.

 From Yellowstone Park on Hwy. 89 right into Grand Teton Park, were the sky turned bright blue (with Clouds) then onto the Teton Parkway drive as this was a slower road and took us closer to the mountains (they were quite spectacular).

Columbus, Mt. to West Yellowstone, Wy.

Up early today and Sharron's a little nervous because........ we're going over the "Bear's Tooth Pass".  The sky is clear and the day starts a little cool but promises to warm up.  The road from Columbus to Red Lodge is twisty and is a good practice run for the Pass.  When we stop for gas in Red Lodge at the foot of the Bears Tooth Pass Sharron talks to some other bikers and gets the S___ scared out of her, but they tell her they're just kidding.  So off we go.  What a great ride even Sharron enyoys it.  The bikers she was talking to at the bottom are waiting for us and a large look out 3/4 of the way up, just to see how she liked it.

 Hwy. 212 At the bottom of the valley is the entrance to the Bears Tooth.














The continuation of Hwy. 212 coming up to the first view point.

 The Hwy. has a few twists and turns.

Finally we made it to the top.

 Looking west from near the top of the Pass.

Sue wanted to stay here for the Night but she got out voted.

Sharron at the top of the Bears Tooth Pass (piece of cake!!)

On to West Yellowstone via the North East Gate.  Not much to say other than we went through Cooke City and it is very much a tourist trap, but all in all a cute place with good food and too many souvenirs. The traffic through Yellowstone was heavy and part of the road was under construction, but the sun was shining and it was warm.  Got into West Yellowstone around 530 and it took about an hour till we found the very, very last room in town.