On the on the Road Again Sept 13th.

Gassed up at 7:45am and headed west on Hwy 21 it started to rain just as we left the gas station but we had seen the future and had our rain gear on. The lite rain continued for about 1 hour then dried up and that was the end of the rain for today.  Turned west on "Lowman Banks Rd. The north on Hwy  55 to New Meadow then 95 to Grangeville.were we turned east. On Hwy 13 to Orifino.  The first 25 miles of this Road was very twisty with speeds hardly going over 35 to 40 mph (very enjoyable) after this the Road continue to be twisty but with a higher rate of speed.  All and all this was a very good day of riding.  Traveled about another 300 miles today.

On on the Road Again Sept 12th.

On the Road by 7:45 am gassed up and headed north on Hwy 95 to Caters of the Moon Id.  Were we stopped at the interpretation centre and were going to drive through Craters of the Moon but it was closed for Road work.

Continued on 95 north, stopped for lunch at the Big Sexy in Arco, Id.  Instead.  of their "Big Sexy burger" we both down sized to a BLT.  After lunch we continued north on 95 to Challis Id,  which by and large as a long lonely Hwy other than a short stretch through a very narrow gorge.

At Challis we turned west on 75 to Stanley, Id. were we spent the night at a nice little motel.  This Hwy was much nicer ride than 95.  Travelled about 300 miles today.

On the Road Again Sept 11

Got away again in good time 8:10am.  Gassed up amd headed north on Hwy 95 to Hwy 92 were we turned off to Windover, Nv. Which is the town by the Bonneville Salt Flats.  Windover is a lot larger than I expected, but there are numerous casinos.  Probably to draw the Mormons from Salt Lake City.  Any way we had a coffee and cinnamon bun at one of the casino's, gassed up and on the Road west to Wells Nv. then north again on 95..  Stopped for the night at Jackpot to do laundry and make a small donation at the casino.  Short ride today only 131 miles.

On the Road Again Sept 10th

Got on the road today at 8:15am and headed west on Hwy 24. The temp. this morning is a hot 51 degrees.  Bundled up warm.  Got to Loa Utah were we noticed a police car monitoring traffic at 9am on a Sunday morning in "Utah". Which seems strange to both Sharron and I.

We continued on Hwy 24 to Hwy 62 were we turned south (for something different) this was a fairly average road until the last 15 miles were it went through a canyon and became fun.   Then south on Hwy 89 onto Hwy 20 and finally onto 21 which was another 90 miles of good road that varied from exciting to down right boring.  Probably 65 miles of boring.  But the sky was a bright blue (no smoke). We then turned west on Hwy 50 to Ely Nv. Were we are spending the night. Traveled around 500 km today. So far this trip we have travelled 4062 miles.

On the Road Again Sept. 9

Got off to an early start today at 7:45am gassed up and went south from Durango on Hwy 550 to Aztec NM then west on Hwy 516 to Farmington then Hwy64 to Teec Nos Pos Arizona.  Then north to 4 corners Utah/Arizona/Colorado/New Mexico.  There is a rather large native art and trinket market here.  Then onto Utah were we traveled up Hwy 95 from Blanding Ut. to Hanksville Ut.  This Hwy is a very scenic drive through gorges with red canyon walls, rivers and very twisty roads.  Makes the ride from Kaslo to New Denver seem very tame.  Spending the night in Torrey Ut.  A little longer ride today about 380 miles.

This the marker for Four Corners Monument.

Stopped for lunch at a great restaurant.  Stew and Flat Bread.  Never had flat bread before it was mouth watering.

On the Road Again Sept. 8

Got away today at 8:40am and headed on Hwy 50 and traveled up the Monarch Pass that was not only recommended by three old bikers from the area but at State Tropped we meet at a Road block for Hwy repair.  This was a great ride up and down the pass.  We then turned south on Hwy 114 which was another great twisty ride through narrow canyons.  At the end of Hwy 114 we stopped for peach pie and ice cream at a local coffe shop in Saguache.  Good pie.  Traveled about 120 miles to Saguache when it is only 36 miles from Saida.  Oh well.  We then traveled south on Hwy 285, west on 112 then Hwy 60 to Durango.  Arrived in Durango around 3:30 for a distance of around 300 km.  Not a long day but I wanted to stop at the Durango Harley Davidson because I had checked my front tire and I was down to the wear bars.  I really didn't want to try my Road side assistance again.   Got to the dealership at 3:30 and was out with a new tire and an oil change by 5pm.  Spent the night in Durango.

On the Road Again Sept. 7

Got up this morning and after breakfast walked across the street were Sharron and I got a free shuttle bus ride to the Pikes Peak Cog train at 920am.  Road the Cog Train to the top of Pikes Peek the 1 1/2 hr ride was a very scenic trip.

The only problem is there are so many forest fires that the views were obscured by the smoke.  Couldn't even see Colorado Springs.

Arived back at the hotel at 1:30pm.  Got loaded onto the bikes and took off to Salida were we spent the night.  Short day of riding only 173 km.

On the Road Again Sept 6th.

Got up this morning it was 4 degrees centigrade outside and the bikes were covered in dew and ash.  Cleaned off the ash loaded and gassed the bikes and were on the road at 8:40am.  Traveled east on Hwy 40 to Kremmling Co. then south on Hwy 9.  Stopped for lunch and a look see at Breckenridge then continued south to Hertsel (the smoke cleared) wear we turned east on Hwy 24 and continued to Manitou Springs were we stopped for the night at 3:30pm.  This place is like Nelson on steroids.  Only 330 km today but maybe we'll get to see Pikes Peak tomorrow.

On the Road Again Sept 5th

Got up this morning went out to get the bikes clean for the days ride and something was amiss!  There was no smoke in the air and I could breathe again.
Got off to a later start today at 9am.  Headed south from Kremmerer on Hwy 189 to Sate Hwy 414 which took us to the south west corner of Flaming Gorge Nat'l Rec Area in Utah.

This Hwy near the gorge was a very twisty Road similar to Bears Tooth pass. from here we turned south on Hwy 44 then 191 into Vernal.  Clean blue skies.  Stopped in Vernal Ut. for lunch and spoke with a couple of bikers from New York who had come through Steamboat Springs and they informed us that one of the mountains near Steamboat was on fire.  They woke up to ash on their bikes.  Guess wear Sharron wanted to go, so back we go into the smoke.  Spent the night in Steamboat Springs, good news is I had a great steak dinner.  Traveled 512 km today.  Took both bikes to a car wash tonight, it's fun trying to clean the bikes in the dark.  Oh well anoather good day

On The Road Again Sept 4th

Got up this morning to watch the sunrise at 6:45am what a sunrise it was a dark red colour.  Oh did I mention the amount of smoke in the air here in Three Forks, so much so our bikes were covered in a layer of ash.
Any way we got off to an early start at 8am the temp. was about 52 degrees but not too bad.  Headed south on Hwy 287 made a few jigs and jags through Rexburg and Driggs to Jackson Wy.  No photos were taken as we have all seen smoke.  Couldn't even see the Tetons at Driggs due to the smoke.  Had lunch in Jackson and Sharron did some shopping without buying anything.
Continued south on Hwy 189 to Kremmerer Wy were we are spending the night.  Still some smoke in the air but I think we'll be out off it tomorrow as it's only visible on the horizon now.  Maybe we'll be able to take some photos.
Traveled about 613 km to day all and all it was a good ride today not overly hot.

One the Road again Sunday - Sept 3

Got on the road today at 8am. It was a little cool in Kalispell about 50 degrees.  Headed south on Hwy 93 made a few jogs and ended up on Hwy 83 south were we went through Seely.  Bob, Don and Randy should remember this place from our Pikes Peak trip.  On our last post did I say there was smoke.....well it continued all day.  Sharron and I stopped for breakfast at Seely Lake to learn that half the town has been evacuated due to fire.  Luckily our restaurant was not.  There were four fires converging at the time and no one was sure what would happen.  We continued on south on 83 turned west on 200 then south on 141 and east on Hwy12 to Helena and on to Townsend and finally Three Forks Mt.  were we are staying at the Lewis and Clark Motel (nice little place).  475 km today.
Below are some photos we took trying to show the smoke.

On the Road Again Sept 2017

Sharron and I are on another Bike trip to Points south.  Where are we going we will see.
We got off to a good start today (Sept 2nd) at 7am. The weather was good and there was no smoke in the air.......well at least until we reached Moyie Lake were the fire that has been burning for a while flailed up over night and an evacuation order was given.  The smoke started.  We continued on to Cranbrook were Sharron had to have her bike serviced.  Got out in record time and on the road again.  Did I say there was smoke well it continued to the Roseville border crossing were there are two fires burning on either side of the Hwy. And continued on to Kelispel, Mt. were we spent the night at the Motel 6.  not a fancy place but it was clean and new.  That's around 460 Km. Today.

Spring 2016 June 3rd

Got up this morning and looked out the window of our hotel room to a bright blue sky.  Little did I know it was only 56 degrees.  The good news is that it was 6 am by 8 when we left it was 65 and the day only got warmer.  I was just about ready to take off on another trip but I think I would have had a revolt in my hands.  They ride home was good but uneventful.    Arrived home at 2:30pm.  A good end to a great trip.  We travelled a total of 6440km (that's 4002 miles) I think that's a pretty good distance at just under 500 km per day. Looking forward to the next trip with the gang in June.

Spring 2016 June 2nd

Once again we were on the road by 8am 35 miles of freeway to Boise.  Then north on Hwy 55 to New Meadow some twisty toads along the way.  The Hwy 95 to Lewiston along the way just north of Grangeville we saw a sight that needed a photo.  It's the type of house I need sometimes.

Continued north of Lewiston to Worley where we are spending the night.  Another 300+ mile day.  Will be home Friday.

Spring 2016 June 1st

Once again we got off to a good start.  We where able to leave Provo without too much heavy traffic.  

We where on the edge or close to the edge of town.  Went east for a short way then north past Park City ski resort.  Looked pretty class'y but they sure make a poor coffee.  

Any from there we got on interstate 84 which took us west then north then west again at speeds up to 80 mph if you were to choose.  I didn't I mostly kept to 70 mph. 

Not much for photos today as we were speeding along pretty good.  We thought we were doing good at about 350 miles a day until we spoke to a guy from Kansas he was travelling 850 miles a day.  Iron butt.  So far we've travelled 3,363 miles this trip with one day of no bike riding that works to 336 miles a day.  

Should be home Friday night.

Spring 2016 May 31

Got on the road at 8am today the weather is a warm 84 degrees with promises of 104 but we're heading for Zion National Park which is a little higher altitude.  Travelled the I15 to St George Ut.  Then on to Zion what a great park the colours and patterns of the mountains is just beautiful.  Here a few photos:

After we left Zion we turned north on Hwy 89.  The temp lowered to 76 degrees so while cool it was a comfortable ride all the way to Provo Ut. where we are spending the night.  All and all another great ride.  One thing we noticed is that every thing is quite a bit greener that the last few times we've been in the area but the its earlier in the spring this time.

2016 May 26th to 30th.

Boy have we had a busy 5 days.  First we went from Bakersfield to Herst Castle which we toured.

Then we went further up the coast to Ragged Point were we stayed in an inn on a cliff right above the beach.

With a great view and sunset.

The next day we returned to Bakersfield alone the coast where the elephant seals we resting.

Then a tasty clam chowder at Avila bay

Then along some twisty back roads to Bakersfield.

Saturday we left Bakersfield through an oil field.

Traveled 70 miles on some of the most twisty roads I've been on.

Arrived back in Ridgecrest and spent the night at our friends place.

Sunday we went for a hike into the hills above their place over looking Ridgecrest

After the hike we went to the Trona Pinnicals.

Monday morning we said goodbye to Jim and Karen thanking them for a great time and ride. We then traveled south from Ridgecrest to Hwy 58 then to Barstow and the I15 through Henderson Nv and finally Mesquite for the night.

Spring 2016 May 25

Got of to a later start today around 11am.  But that's Ok because Jim & Caren O'Conor are joining us on Jim's Goldwing and are leading us via back roads to Bakersfield.

Boy what a trip the back roads had more twists and turns than I care to count.  Our average speed for about 40  miles was 30mph I was was hardly ever in more that 3rd gear. Here's a photo of the road.

The views were breath taking.  Got to Bakersfield at 5 o'clock.  So 5 hrs to go 105 miles.

Spring 2016 May 24

Got on the road at 8 am today temp is a warm 46 degrees.  But the sky is clear and we're heading south to Death Valley. Road south on Hwy 95 through Beatty to Amargosa Valley were we encountered an interesting place.

They also advertise them selves as Area 51.  After a short stop we continue on Hwy 373 and 190 to Furnace Creek temp 88 degrees.  Love it!  Then 190 again to the Panamint Valley were we turn south on Hwy 178.  They have had some flooding on this Rd and we had a mile of extremely washboardy Rd to travel on at about 5 mph.  Got through just fine other than some filings that must have come loose in my mouth.  Oh yes all parts stayed on my bike.

Staying the then with friends in Ridgecrest.

2016 May 23

Got on the road today a little later. About 8:45 it was just a little cool 46 degrees but the sun was shining with barey a cloud in the sky.  Headed south on Hwy 93 through Wells to Ely Nv.  The only thing of interest other then it warming up was that Sharron needed a break at a rest stop just before Ely.  Sharron was just a little disturbed by a sign on the washroom door.

Needless to say she wanted me to check out the out house hole (not a flush toilet) for snakes.  I don't know if she was successful.

After Ely we turned west on Hwy 6 to Tonopah Nv.  167 miles of high desert Hwy with no gas stations or stores of any type.  We made it to Tonopah with Sharrons low gas light on and I'm sure I was very close.  Approx 620 km today and that enough.