Well, I guess it's time to call it a trip! What a great frigging trip! I had to wait until Steve got home to send out the last blog entry. My only regret....it did not last longer for sure. Would I do it again? Tomorrow! I hope I win the lottery to take all my friends and family with me!
I don't even know where to start to recap the whole trip and finish the blog. That is why I have probably been dragging my feet on this. There are so many things I want to talk about, explain, people I want to talk about, sights and roads I want to write about. And I am sure, no matter what I do, I will miss something, some sight or someone.
Let's start with the easy stuff: Friends!
I guess what a lot of you don't know, Steve and I had never traveled together. Hell, we barely knew each other. He was actually a friend of a friend. We had, had a few beers together and been in Charleston at the same time one weekend about a year ago. That was it. LOL, my only conversation with Steve was...."I don't share rooms, are you OK with that?"
So, for two people who didn't know each other or each others little idiosyncrasies it was a big undertaking. Like Steve told his wife, we would come back friends or hating each other! That SOB! =-) Just kidding, he did get to ride a week longer than me, so I am pissed off about that. He spent a week in TX with his wife and friends.
Friends I got to see along the way:
There was Dan, a fellow pilot who introduced me to Orville who is a fellow Veteran and now a friend. They rode with us for three days. Great riders and fun to be around! Both are always welcomed at my house.
Then Steve the attorney in Michigan. What a tough life he leads. Showed up in his convertible Mercedes in the middle of the day to have beers with us from his lake front home! (Tommy, why have you never invited me down to your lake home for beers? In fact, why have you never even bought me a beer? You are an attorney! What's up with that? BTW Tommy...Little Big Horn was REALLY awesome!)
Then around the horn of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to see my good friends Kennie, Jeff, Brenda and Jud. (Cheese Head Motorcycle Club I met four years ago in Yellowstone while I was traveling alone) Made a new friend in the form of Brenda's sister Sandra, Shandra...something like that. Oh well, hell of a good cook. We invited her with us next year to be our executive chef on the trip. Just get like 25,000 miles under your belt by then!
I got to visit with my buddy Bob and his wife Cathy in Colorado. Lots of catching up and too many beers were had. On second thought...too many beers is like being too thin and too rich! No such thing! BTW Bob....still waiting on the recipe for the beef dish.
I would be remorse for not mentioning the sisters (no, not the ones from Idaho...(What a man!)....the ones from the Happy Hour Bar outside of West Yellowstone. Still one of my most favorite places to stop, hands down. They make me laugh until beer comes out my nose. Or maybe I just drank it too fast. Regardless....good people in their own right!
That covers the old friends.
The new friends:
Sturgis....Michelle! A warm smile every morning we had breakfast at her place! LOL...the only person I met in Sturgis when you mentioned riding would go: UGGGH! Not sure if we will ever see her again. For sure not on a long ride. Regardless....good person with a personality as wide as the ocean!
In Missoula, MT there is Kat. She is the GM of the La Quinta. Great girl. She introduced us to her boyfriend Andreas (by the way...I am still checking on his green card. I have a friend that works for ICE. I am just not sold on the Texan with a German accent, Navy Veteran thing. Something is verrrrrrrrrrrrrrry suspicious as Col Klink use to say on Hogan's Hero's) I expect to have these two for friends for a very long time I hope.
There were the three I call the "Viking Motorcycle Club." Again, I wish I had met people like that when I was living there for eleven years in MN. Maybe someday they will trek down to NC. Oh yea, I forgot, Midwesterners are not use to being invited down by "strangers." Just ask the Cheesehead MC! They were getting ready to ride down when their daughter asked; "do you really know this guy?" Their answer was the same as mine when someone ask me if I "really knew them that well." NOPE! But, four years later we are still friends. So, VMC...if you ever make it down to NC, you have a place to stay. Oh, we don't have "hot dishes" down here! Cold beer and BBQ is fine dining to us!
Then I guess my biggest faux pas was asking the four Baptist riders, (the preacher, the assistant preacher, the choir director and another church member) if they wanted a cold beer as I checked in to the hotel in KS. Now that I think about it...they didn't offer me any of their pizza! Ummmmm, Southern Baptist! Wait a minute....so am I! I am sure it had anchovies on it and they probably picked up right away I am not an anchovy kind of guy. I have their email and it would not surprise me to run into them again on the road. I would hope I do.
Best roads:
Wow, everyday Steve and I would say the same old thing. "Was that not the best road!" Over and over again. It became like a broken record. Several deserve honorable mention:
Hwy 119 (Street of Trees) in Michigan. Needles Hwy in South Dakota. Hwy 89 on the outside of Glacier Park going back to West Glacier. Hwy 12 in Idaho along the river. McNeil Canyon Rd, ID, Hwy 20in the Northern Cascades of Washington State. The first part of Hwy 1 (Pacific Coast Hwy), the shores of PCH down the coast. The Lost Coast in Northern CA. Around Lake Tahoe. Hwy 50 was spectacular from Virginia City, NV over to Utah. Down into Monument Valley, AZ. Up into Ouray, CO from Durango. All are "MUST RIDE" roads if you own a bike!
So which one do I pick................Old Post Rd, Mooresville, NC! I loved every mile, every friend, every sight, every twist, every turn, were all perfect on God's easel of this great country we live in. But, as much as I love to ride, 10,410 miles this trip....it was good to be home. I am so lucky to have such good neighbors, friends and family. I missed my neighbors, the kids calling me Uncle Buck, sparring with Walt over my total disregard for the EPA and other sundries disregards of authority that I love to do. My riding friend, fellow Veteran, CVMA member Ken "AWOL" and his kids and family. I missed my brother even though I talked to him every day of the trip a couple of times a day.
So, Old Post won "best road" hands down to me. I have a life long new friend in Steve. And I want to publicly thank his wife Lisa for being so kind to "allow" him to go. Especially with me! I would have thought for sure you had been in the women's bathrooms around town and know better! OK, so I am lying about that. It's my little world and I occupy it just fine! =-)
I have already started planning my next two wheel trip of sight seeing, beer drinking, pillage and debauchery around the country. So, for all those they may want to go......do like I do. Put a coffee can in the cupboard and throw $20 a week into it all year. You will be surprised at how fast it accumulates and makes vacation so much more fun! Or, buy a lottery ticket like I do as well!
I do feel like I need to answer one more thing.......Steve and I were sitting having a beer one day (I know, a beer...it surprised the crap out of me too....Poof! It just showed up in my hand) and I was talking about some of my close friends. Names like StrangeMan, AWOL, Iceman, Girley Beer man, and White Paul. He finally said...how do/did they get those names:
StrangeMan is a career Army Special Forces. He is a current Special Forces Instructor at Ft Bragg. For those of you that maybe didn't follow the Iraq War...we (USA) had guys crawling around in the sewer system long before the war ever started gathering intelligence. All Special Forces guys....They do some STRANGE shit! (get it....Strange (strangeman...strange shit...climbing around in the sewers....remember...this is a BFB (blonde friendly blog)
AWOL...he is not the best with directions. He is always getting lost. He had a close friend who was also a Vet and rider. Whenever AWOL was going over to visit if he would get lost...his friend would always call and say..."Are you AWOL (absent without leave for you non military) again?" Thus, he became known as AWOL!
Iceman. Iceman is on his 9th tour in Iraq. Master Sgt in the Marines. He is one rank away from the highest possible rank he can achieve in the Marines! He used to live in Louisiana. He was riding to a meeting for the CVMA (Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association) one day in LA. It was like 25 degrees. If I recall, most of the other "riders" drove to the meeting. He showed up with Ice on his face from condensation....Iceman!
White Paul....A great story. No, he is not a racist. Far from it. Paul is married to a gorgeous woman named Pam. She is Hispanic. Well, she has two other sisters. One married a Chinese fellow, one married another Hispanic fellow. They all three were named PAUL! So, at family gatherings...White Paul, Mexican Paul and Chinese Paul are how they are addressed.
Girley Beer Man.....My friend Joe from NYC. I could not ask for a better friend. (Marine Vet...NYC Cop) I met him in a local bar here at Lake Norman. (I know, I know...it really does surprise me too. Why are all my friends always in the bar?) I walked in to the bar, (MILF's...no really, that is the name of the bar) him and another buddy who is a cop also were standing there drinking. I am 6'3", and not skinny...Joe is eye to eye..maybe a tad more...Jerry his buddy looks like an offspring of Hoke Hogan's. As I stood there drinking my beer and minding my business and theirs as well....Joe orders a beer...Miller Lite! The bar maid put it down...I turned around, looked over my shoulder and said in a nice southern drawwwwwwwwwwww....."Nice Girley Beer!" Joe looks at me, looks at Jerry like (did he really just say that to me) and I think...ummm, Harley boots are not the best for running in. Joe pushes his girley beer to the side and looks at the bartender..."give me what he's having!" (and NO it was not a southern draw) We have been great friends ever sense and will be to the last breath either one of us takes!
So my friends....I will depart with these words from Dierks Bentley's song....Modern Day Drifter:
I'm gonna be a modern day drifter
And get out while I can
Gonna trade in this life i've been livin
For a pocket full of sand
And a modern day drifter don't have to tell no one his plans
I'm gonna find that long stretch of highway
No one knows my name
Where as long as the sky just goes on
And it's never the same
A modern day drifter don't ever complain
Bye bye high life
Feels like the right time
To say so long
Keep on goin strong
And i'll just keep on bein gone
Cause i'm gonna be a modern day drifter, Yes I am
Gonna slip this ring off my finger
Cause everybody understands
That a modern day drifter's got nothin but time on his hands
Until next time....Hug your family and friends...tell them everyday you love them...you will never know when you may not see them again!
Rick (MDD..............out!)
Sage Brush Bar
OK, OK, OK.....I know it time to update when even my brother says something about my blog!
5th, Wednesday:
Spent the night in Virginia City so I could go to the Bucket of Blood bar and buy a tee shirt. They closed at 7PM. =-(
6th, Thursday:
Got up and we headed out of town on Hwy 50 across Nevada. It's know as the Loneliest Road in America:
U.S. Route 50 (US 50) is a transcontinental highway in the United States, stretching from Sacramento, California in the west to Ocean City, Maryland on the east coast. The Nevada portion crosses the center of state and was named The Loneliest Road in America by Life magazine in July 1986. The name was intended as a pejorative, but instead, Nevada officials seized it as a marketing slogan. The name originates from large desolate areas traversed by the route, with few or no signs of civilization. The highway crosses several large desert valleys separated by numerous mountain ranges towering over the valley floors, in what is known as the Basin and Range province of the Great Basin.
US 50 has a diverse route through the state, traversing the resort communities of Lake Tahoe, the state capitol in Carson City, historical sites such as Fort Churchill State Historic Park, petroglyphs, alpine forests, desert valleys, ghost towns and Nevada's only national park, Great Basin National Park.
The route was constructed over a historic corridor, first used for the Pony Express and later for the Central Overland Route and Lincoln Highway.
I will have to admit I was very hesitant about adding this road to the trip. It was through the desert and the heat was a concern. But, according to Don Tilley it was a "must ride" road.
I will just say this......IT'S A MUST RIDE ROAD!
(CLICK ON ALL PICTURES TO ENLARGE)
I don't know how to really try and write about it and give it the full credit it deserves. There are stretches that literally go for 25+ miles just straight as an arrow. No billboards, no traffic, NOTHING! You ask yourself how can that be enjoyable? It is almost hypnotic as you ride.
The first part of the ride takes you by Fallon Naval Air Station. That is where a lot of Top Gun was filmed. Just as we passed a four ship of F-18's entered the overhead pattern and was breaking off the perch to do a landing. I felt like "Maverick" riding by the approach lights in the movies as the F-18's were landing in the movie. The reality hit me! I flew a heavy jet. =-( And chicks didn't dig us like fighter pilots! That kind of took the wind out of my sail pretty quick!
On down the road we rolled. 80-85 MPH. It was fun! Dust devils were everywhere. At one time there must have been twenty going on at one time. There were four in unison. They looked like puppets on strings. All moving to such synchronization. And then all of a sudden...POOF! and they were gone!
I have to add the wind....40+ knots of cross wind. My front faring was acting like a spinker on a sail boat. (Jeff you feeling some love...using the one sailing term I know) The wind would catch it and blow you the full width of your lane. (prepare to come about!...OK, I know two)
We stopped in the little town of Austin, NV. Big government could learn something. The Welcome Center, County Tax Collector, Deeds, Court, Public Rest Rooms and .....brochures were all in one building! I loved it!
On up the road we went. At one point I witness my first ever no poop mirage! I guess you had to be there to really enjoy it.
Later on down the road....We crested a high place in the road and off to the right was what we both thought were salt flats. It looked very white. The closer you rode, the ground turned almost "ashy" looking. More to come on that later!
We ended up in Richfield, UT that night.
Steve developed a case of "LISAITAS." His wife Lisa was due to fly into the San Antonio area on Saturday. Our original plan was to ride down to the Grand Canyon, spend the night. Then down to Flagstaff, Winslow, AZ back up through the Painted Desert, and Monument Valley. Then down through Ouray, Co, Durango, CO and Big Bend National Park, TX and into the SAT area. That would have put us in SAT around Tuesday. Steve wanted to get there earlier (and I don't blame him...hot wife) so we decided he would go on straight to SAT and I would just do my thing.
As Brenda, Jud, Kennie & Jeff know...when I break away...I just roll! Unless you are my brother, you are not getting a hug. I throttled down toward Ouray, CO and changed my POA (plan of attack) and Steve headed for SAT.
Stopped in Grand Junction HD for another oil change. $103 frigging dollars for an oil change! What a rip off! Avoid them if you are ever in the area. $3.95 for an O-ring!
Got the oil changed and wash and headed south toward Ouray. The "Little Switzerland" of CO. 45 mins into the ride down...my fresh wash job was history! Down pour! Rode on into Ouray and spent the night. Cool little town. Very romantic. In fact..I started hitting on myself! Very expensive rooms for what you get. I would avoid it if in the area next time.
The only good thing about Ouray...there were seven of us from NC in the same hotel. A couple from RDU and three other bikers from Asheville/Hickory area.
I got on the horn and called an old buddy from the airlines. Bob Sugg who has since retired and lives in Evergreen, CO. I use to fly co-pilot for him. He is responsible for getting me hooked on fly fishing. (get it..hooked/fishing?...remember, there are some blondes reading this...some things need to be explained)
He and his lovely wife Kathy invited me up on Friday night. I cut across on Hwy 50 at Gunnison, CO and headed up. Actually a pretty boring ride as far as the rest of the trip goes. But, the hospitality more than made up for it.
Bob was waiting in the driveway with an ice cold beer when I drove in! That was followed by another, and another and another.....you get the picture. Bob, now may be a good time to tell you I think we floated the keg!
Words do not do their house justice. Sits on 10 acres overlooking the mountains. When I first visited Bob & Kathy over 15 years ago...Bob said, "let's go to the game room." I was like, "cool," I can play pool. Well, the game room is a 1,500' addition just for Bob's mounts. Everything from a Rangatang to Buffalo. PETA would be proud of Bob!
Kathy fixed some beef dish that was outstanding for dinner. Two great kids. The oldest is applying for the Naval Academy. Very good kids!
Saturday:
Got up and had to make the decision on North, South, West or East. I had planned on seeing a friend in Amarillo, they were busy. Had another friend in Oklahoma City, they were out of town too. So, I just headed East. Rode from western Co to eastern MO today. Almost 800 miles.
Was checking into the hotel and met four guys from the Atlanta area. One is the preacher, one is the associate preacher, I think one was the choir director and the forth was a member of the church. (Note to self...get to know someone a little better before you offer them a beer!) =-( Great guys! Sat down with them while they had pizza and we talked riding for about an hour.
It was bumping 100+ today rolling across I-70 east bound. I stopped to get gas. Sweating like a pig, just downed a quart of gatoraid and this woman says to me: "I betcha it's hot riding today." I looked at her and said.."actually I am a little chilly, I was looking for a jacket and gloves." She gave me this puzzled look.....HERE'S YOUR SIGN!
Tomorrow I may roll down to the Ozarks or go over to Nashville. I was going to see a friend there but, they have to work too. LOL...I am seeing a pattern here. Steve cuts out early, my friends in Amarillo, Oklahoma City and now Nashville are all busy. Ummmmm?
Bumper Sticker of the Day: Again...as the editor of the blog...I am using my "editorial freedom" and inserting a YouTube video my friend sent me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD_YOlUBoIk
(copy and paste into your tool bar)
Sage Brush Bar:
More too follow.....Steve and I pulled off at what we thought were the "salt flats" on Hwy 50. The ground was white ashy looking. The wind was hollowing. Even with the wind....it was a different quite. We both looked at each other and said almost in unison....."this is my favorite road so far." You just wanted a chair, no talking, no traffic. You just gazed out and enjoyed what God had given us to enjoy.
I have to add that the wind had been blowing right to left at about an average of forty plus knots all day. We crabbed all the way over on Hwy 50 with about a 5 degree crab to keep the bike in our lane.
I just looked at Steve and said..."an ice cold beer would make this perfect, too bad there is not a bar." And wouldn't you know...that mirage I earlier had talked about...VABOOM! Out of no where came two ice cold beers. (actually four, two a piece) and hence..."The Sage Brush Bar" was born!
Until next time my friends...Ride Safe, Ride Hard and Ride to Enjoy!
Rick (MDD)
5th, Wednesday:
Spent the night in Virginia City so I could go to the Bucket of Blood bar and buy a tee shirt. They closed at 7PM. =-(
6th, Thursday:
Got up and we headed out of town on Hwy 50 across Nevada. It's know as the Loneliest Road in America:
U.S. Route 50 (US 50) is a transcontinental highway in the United States, stretching from Sacramento, California in the west to Ocean City, Maryland on the east coast. The Nevada portion crosses the center of state and was named The Loneliest Road in America by Life magazine in July 1986. The name was intended as a pejorative, but instead, Nevada officials seized it as a marketing slogan. The name originates from large desolate areas traversed by the route, with few or no signs of civilization. The highway crosses several large desert valleys separated by numerous mountain ranges towering over the valley floors, in what is known as the Basin and Range province of the Great Basin.
US 50 has a diverse route through the state, traversing the resort communities of Lake Tahoe, the state capitol in Carson City, historical sites such as Fort Churchill State Historic Park, petroglyphs, alpine forests, desert valleys, ghost towns and Nevada's only national park, Great Basin National Park.
The route was constructed over a historic corridor, first used for the Pony Express and later for the Central Overland Route and Lincoln Highway.
I will have to admit I was very hesitant about adding this road to the trip. It was through the desert and the heat was a concern. But, according to Don Tilley it was a "must ride" road.
I will just say this......IT'S A MUST RIDE ROAD!
(CLICK ON ALL PICTURES TO ENLARGE)
I don't know how to really try and write about it and give it the full credit it deserves. There are stretches that literally go for 25+ miles just straight as an arrow. No billboards, no traffic, NOTHING! You ask yourself how can that be enjoyable? It is almost hypnotic as you ride.
The first part of the ride takes you by Fallon Naval Air Station. That is where a lot of Top Gun was filmed. Just as we passed a four ship of F-18's entered the overhead pattern and was breaking off the perch to do a landing. I felt like "Maverick" riding by the approach lights in the movies as the F-18's were landing in the movie. The reality hit me! I flew a heavy jet. =-( And chicks didn't dig us like fighter pilots! That kind of took the wind out of my sail pretty quick!
On down the road we rolled. 80-85 MPH. It was fun! Dust devils were everywhere. At one time there must have been twenty going on at one time. There were four in unison. They looked like puppets on strings. All moving to such synchronization. And then all of a sudden...POOF! and they were gone!
I have to add the wind....40+ knots of cross wind. My front faring was acting like a spinker on a sail boat. (Jeff you feeling some love...using the one sailing term I know) The wind would catch it and blow you the full width of your lane. (prepare to come about!...OK, I know two)
We stopped in the little town of Austin, NV. Big government could learn something. The Welcome Center, County Tax Collector, Deeds, Court, Public Rest Rooms and .....brochures were all in one building! I loved it!
On up the road we went. At one point I witness my first ever no poop mirage! I guess you had to be there to really enjoy it.
Later on down the road....We crested a high place in the road and off to the right was what we both thought were salt flats. It looked very white. The closer you rode, the ground turned almost "ashy" looking. More to come on that later!
We ended up in Richfield, UT that night.
Steve developed a case of "LISAITAS." His wife Lisa was due to fly into the San Antonio area on Saturday. Our original plan was to ride down to the Grand Canyon, spend the night. Then down to Flagstaff, Winslow, AZ back up through the Painted Desert, and Monument Valley. Then down through Ouray, Co, Durango, CO and Big Bend National Park, TX and into the SAT area. That would have put us in SAT around Tuesday. Steve wanted to get there earlier (and I don't blame him...hot wife) so we decided he would go on straight to SAT and I would just do my thing.
As Brenda, Jud, Kennie & Jeff know...when I break away...I just roll! Unless you are my brother, you are not getting a hug. I throttled down toward Ouray, CO and changed my POA (plan of attack) and Steve headed for SAT.
Stopped in Grand Junction HD for another oil change. $103 frigging dollars for an oil change! What a rip off! Avoid them if you are ever in the area. $3.95 for an O-ring!
Got the oil changed and wash and headed south toward Ouray. The "Little Switzerland" of CO. 45 mins into the ride down...my fresh wash job was history! Down pour! Rode on into Ouray and spent the night. Cool little town. Very romantic. In fact..I started hitting on myself! Very expensive rooms for what you get. I would avoid it if in the area next time.
The only good thing about Ouray...there were seven of us from NC in the same hotel. A couple from RDU and three other bikers from Asheville/Hickory area.
I got on the horn and called an old buddy from the airlines. Bob Sugg who has since retired and lives in Evergreen, CO. I use to fly co-pilot for him. He is responsible for getting me hooked on fly fishing. (get it..hooked/fishing?...remember, there are some blondes reading this...some things need to be explained)
He and his lovely wife Kathy invited me up on Friday night. I cut across on Hwy 50 at Gunnison, CO and headed up. Actually a pretty boring ride as far as the rest of the trip goes. But, the hospitality more than made up for it.
Bob was waiting in the driveway with an ice cold beer when I drove in! That was followed by another, and another and another.....you get the picture. Bob, now may be a good time to tell you I think we floated the keg!
Words do not do their house justice. Sits on 10 acres overlooking the mountains. When I first visited Bob & Kathy over 15 years ago...Bob said, "let's go to the game room." I was like, "cool," I can play pool. Well, the game room is a 1,500' addition just for Bob's mounts. Everything from a Rangatang to Buffalo. PETA would be proud of Bob!
Kathy fixed some beef dish that was outstanding for dinner. Two great kids. The oldest is applying for the Naval Academy. Very good kids!
Saturday:
Got up and had to make the decision on North, South, West or East. I had planned on seeing a friend in Amarillo, they were busy. Had another friend in Oklahoma City, they were out of town too. So, I just headed East. Rode from western Co to eastern MO today. Almost 800 miles.
Was checking into the hotel and met four guys from the Atlanta area. One is the preacher, one is the associate preacher, I think one was the choir director and the forth was a member of the church. (Note to self...get to know someone a little better before you offer them a beer!) =-( Great guys! Sat down with them while they had pizza and we talked riding for about an hour.
It was bumping 100+ today rolling across I-70 east bound. I stopped to get gas. Sweating like a pig, just downed a quart of gatoraid and this woman says to me: "I betcha it's hot riding today." I looked at her and said.."actually I am a little chilly, I was looking for a jacket and gloves." She gave me this puzzled look.....HERE'S YOUR SIGN!
Tomorrow I may roll down to the Ozarks or go over to Nashville. I was going to see a friend there but, they have to work too. LOL...I am seeing a pattern here. Steve cuts out early, my friends in Amarillo, Oklahoma City and now Nashville are all busy. Ummmmm?
Bumper Sticker of the Day: Again...as the editor of the blog...I am using my "editorial freedom" and inserting a YouTube video my friend sent me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD_YOlUBoIk
(copy and paste into your tool bar)
Sage Brush Bar:
More too follow.....Steve and I pulled off at what we thought were the "salt flats" on Hwy 50. The ground was white ashy looking. The wind was hollowing. Even with the wind....it was a different quite. We both looked at each other and said almost in unison....."this is my favorite road so far." You just wanted a chair, no talking, no traffic. You just gazed out and enjoyed what God had given us to enjoy.
I have to add that the wind had been blowing right to left at about an average of forty plus knots all day. We crabbed all the way over on Hwy 50 with about a 5 degree crab to keep the bike in our lane.
I just looked at Steve and said..."an ice cold beer would make this perfect, too bad there is not a bar." And wouldn't you know...that mirage I earlier had talked about...VABOOM! Out of no where came two ice cold beers. (actually four, two a piece) and hence..."The Sage Brush Bar" was born!
Until next time my friends...Ride Safe, Ride Hard and Ride to Enjoy!
Rick (MDD)
A to Z.....
OK...keep up! This is going to be fast and furious.
Great.....................I guess I need to repeat it:
First, I want to pass on my sympathy and condolences to my longest running friend I have, Warren Gall. We have been friends (even though he won't admit it in public) since 1977! We were roommates in the Air Force when I was an E-2 just starting out and he was an E-3. He just got news his sister Pam passed away yesterday! Include his family in your prayers!
Sunday night was spent in Fortuna, CA. Sundays ride was chilly again but, no rain.
Monday we decided to take a loop around the "Lost Coast" of CA. You go through a city that has nothing but Victoriana houses. It was built by dairy farmers. The road as we say down south was "rough as a cob." But, worth every pot hole and dip. The beaches have black sand.
(CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE ALL PICTURES)
We started on the north end and came back out on Hwy 1 on the Avenue of Giants. It is just hard to imagine a tree that is over 2,000 years old.
No, this is not a path...it is the acutal ROAD!
CA has some awesome motorcycle roads. I have to assume that they were all built under the GREATEST GOVENOR AND PRESIDENT of all times: Ronald Reagan! Unfortunately the liberals have taken over CA and now the roads are crap!
Continued all the way up the Ave of Giants until running back into Hwy 1. We stopped in Bodega Bay, CA. I was unaware that the Alfred Hitchcock's movie, The Birds was filmed there. Tippi Hedren the actress who starred in the movie comes back every year to sign autographs on July 4th at the hotel. Very cool!
We got up early this morning and rode into San Francisco. I just wanted to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge on my bike. It was pretty uneventful but, I can check that off now.
We left SFO and headed for Lake Tahoe. I could live here. We got to Lake Tahoe earlier than expected and decided to continue west around the lake. It is just an amazing place. Adam & Candace....I wish I had done this trip before you asked for my input on a honeymoon! This place would suit you two to a T!
For those who are old enough to remember Bonanza (My Dads favorite TV program on Sunday night)...well! Bonanza was filmed here. The Ponderosa is now a ski resort. In honor of my Dad...I am spending the night in Virginia City tonight. Very cool little western town. I am hoping Hop Sing gets up and makes breakfast.
Tomorrow we ride more east..Riding what has been described the loneliest hwy in America...Hwy 50 across Nevada. Yes Walt...I will be playing country music to get the full effect!
There are a lot of cattle farms out this way. Do you ever wonder if cows stand around and "chew" the fat vs the cud! I mean...does the rich cow look at the poor cow and go: "yep, I will be filet migon someday." And the poor cow goes..."me, I will be lucky if I make the McDonald's list." It would be depressing to be a cow. You figure the guy feeding you is really not doing it to be nice. What if cows went on a hunger strike? Oh well, that is my deepest thought of the day!
A to Z.....
Well, yesterday I finally made it to the end of my Ipod playlist. I decided to start with the A's and go all the way through. It took three weeks but, yesterday around five it made it to the end. Yes Walt, I am going to play it backwards so I get my house back, my truck back and wife (if I had one) back!
Bumper Sticker of the day:
Until we meet again,
Rick (MDD)
Great.....................I guess I need to repeat it:
First, I want to pass on my sympathy and condolences to my longest running friend I have, Warren Gall. We have been friends (even though he won't admit it in public) since 1977! We were roommates in the Air Force when I was an E-2 just starting out and he was an E-3. He just got news his sister Pam passed away yesterday! Include his family in your prayers!
Sunday night was spent in Fortuna, CA. Sundays ride was chilly again but, no rain.
Monday we decided to take a loop around the "Lost Coast" of CA. You go through a city that has nothing but Victoriana houses. It was built by dairy farmers. The road as we say down south was "rough as a cob." But, worth every pot hole and dip. The beaches have black sand.
(CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE ALL PICTURES)
We started on the north end and came back out on Hwy 1 on the Avenue of Giants. It is just hard to imagine a tree that is over 2,000 years old.
No, this is not a path...it is the acutal ROAD!
CA has some awesome motorcycle roads. I have to assume that they were all built under the GREATEST GOVENOR AND PRESIDENT of all times: Ronald Reagan! Unfortunately the liberals have taken over CA and now the roads are crap!
Continued all the way up the Ave of Giants until running back into Hwy 1. We stopped in Bodega Bay, CA. I was unaware that the Alfred Hitchcock's movie, The Birds was filmed there. Tippi Hedren the actress who starred in the movie comes back every year to sign autographs on July 4th at the hotel. Very cool!
We got up early this morning and rode into San Francisco. I just wanted to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge on my bike. It was pretty uneventful but, I can check that off now.
We left SFO and headed for Lake Tahoe. I could live here. We got to Lake Tahoe earlier than expected and decided to continue west around the lake. It is just an amazing place. Adam & Candace....I wish I had done this trip before you asked for my input on a honeymoon! This place would suit you two to a T!
For those who are old enough to remember Bonanza (My Dads favorite TV program on Sunday night)...well! Bonanza was filmed here. The Ponderosa is now a ski resort. In honor of my Dad...I am spending the night in Virginia City tonight. Very cool little western town. I am hoping Hop Sing gets up and makes breakfast.
Tomorrow we ride more east..Riding what has been described the loneliest hwy in America...Hwy 50 across Nevada. Yes Walt...I will be playing country music to get the full effect!
There are a lot of cattle farms out this way. Do you ever wonder if cows stand around and "chew" the fat vs the cud! I mean...does the rich cow look at the poor cow and go: "yep, I will be filet migon someday." And the poor cow goes..."me, I will be lucky if I make the McDonald's list." It would be depressing to be a cow. You figure the guy feeding you is really not doing it to be nice. What if cows went on a hunger strike? Oh well, that is my deepest thought of the day!
A to Z.....
Well, yesterday I finally made it to the end of my Ipod playlist. I decided to start with the A's and go all the way through. It took three weeks but, yesterday around five it made it to the end. Yes Walt, I am going to play it backwards so I get my house back, my truck back and wife (if I had one) back!
Bumper Sticker of the day:
Until we meet again,
Rick (MDD)
5,687 MILES - - - 130 HOURS & 15 MINS!
OK....We are still chugging along!
Not sure where to start. If you are ever in Winthrop, WA...stay at the Gardner Mt Inn! Great little town. Just eat before 9 PM. The town closes up.
Got up early and headed out. The deer were standing by the apple tree in the yard next door. The bikes didn't even phase them. That is scary!
Headed across the Northern Cascade Mountains of WA on Hwy 20. I know I sound like a broken record but, just unbelievable how gorgeous, and the roads were perfect.
(REMEMBER...CLICK ON ALL PICTURES TO MAKE BIGGER)
I need to regress for a minute. I am only going to say it once. I SCREWED UP! For two days all we heard was "it is burning up in ID and WA. Records are being set every day. I was like...OK, I guess I can send my chaps and jacket liner home to lighten up my load. WRONG MOVE! The average temp has been middle 50's! I think the good ole' boys from the NE was having some fun with the good ole' boys from the south. The temp varies +/- 30 degrees in seconds. I am not exaggerating. You get into some of the fog banks and it is darn cold! OK, that's my one major screw up of the trip. Like my brother said..."better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it." I could have sent the beer cooler home..............................LOL...Right!
Back to the real matters at hand:
Hwy 20 was so much fun. The curves and scenery was unreal! I think if you own a bike it's a "must ride." A couple of glacial lakes as well.
Rode all day and met a fellow from Australia on the ferry ride north of Seattle. Told us of a place that had rooms. I called and from what little broken English I could understand I booked two rooms. Four of us showed up. What a goat rope as we use to say in the military. The woman keep saying she was "just the house keeper." Yet she lived at the hotel. I kind of think we were being taken.
It was a must do laundry day. When we asked about doing laundry that is when things went south. She said she didn't have a wash but, she could do it if we paid her. I asked "how much?" All I got was.."you tell me how much you pay!" I finally gave her a price. She said she would do it for $20! I about gagged. Then the icing was ...."you are rich you can afford it." I guess she thinks if you own an HD you can pay $20 bucks for one load of laundry. As we were negotiating the price..the Aussie came back in and the phone rang. That is when we found out the place had no A/C. Steve and I both have to have it at night.
We finally left and found another hotel.
The next day we made a new friend! The girl (Kat) who is the GM of the LaQuinta in Missoula sent an email telling us her boyfriend was not far from us. He is a rider too. Through a few emails and such, he showed up on Saturday morning to ride with us. Mind you, he got up at 440 AM to catch the ferry to make it to our hotel. Hell, I have friends that can't make it up by noon to ride on Sunday when I am home!
His name is Andreas. Great guy......EXCEPT:
He was in the Navy.....but, so was my Dad. So that is OK. He also talks with a strong German accent.....but, that is OK too. He was born in Texas. His Dad worked for Exxon. Moved the whole family over to Germany and he went to the local schools....so that is OK! BUT!!! He rides a BMW...............but, that is OK...He dates a hot chick! So, he is still a great guy! Unfortunately he had a blow out on the way home that afternoon after he dropped off from us. I am hoping he makes it to NC in the Fall. That is the plan. Both are great people and two new friends.
Finally made it to Florence, OR. I am not sure where this frigging recession is going on. It's not in any town we have stayed! I made a reservation and got the last two rooms. I thought! We show up and they only had the one room. Steve finally had to go to another hotel. I will just say between the "Bowling Tournament" and Crystal Gayle being at the local casino...rooms were at a premium. I am telling you..this NOT having reservations does NOT work for me!...BRENDA!
Got up this morning and heading south on Hwy 101. You know the song by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow put out..."Picture?"
Living my life in a slow hell
different girl every night at the hotel
I aint seen the sun shine in 3 damn days
been fuelin up on cocaine and whiskey
wish I had a good girl to miss me
but I wonder if I'll ever change my ways
I put your picture away
sat down and cried today
I cant look at you while I'm lying next to her
I put your picture away
sat down and cried today
I cant look at you while I'm lying next to her
OK, I am not doing a different girl, cocaine or whiskey. OK, maybe I did do some Jack the other night in ID.
But, I will just say this...whoever wrote that song...was on the coast of WA/OR. I AIN'T SEEN THE SUN SHINE FOR THEE DAMN DAYS! It finally popped out this afternoon.
We made south of Eureka, CA today. We should pull up just short of San Francisco tomorrow. We did see some incredible scenery!
Bumper Sticker of the day. I am using my "writer's freedom" on this one. Again, I have two and have to pick both:
The first was a tag of a car being towed by one of the big RV's. It was a little Subaru. The tag....TOWBARU!
Now this second thing....well, it made me laugh and scratch my head at the same time. We have all seen the guys who stand on the corners selling flags, velvet Elvis's and furry blankets with lions.
Well, we went past one of those guys in OR. One particular flag caught my eye. On one half had the picture of Obama that reminds me of Stalin and Chavez together. The one he used on most of his adds. On the second part of the flag was the Confederate Flag! I remind you..this was ONE flag!
I am not sure who the marketing guy is for that flag company...but, I have a feeling he did not do his research. I can safely say....I have not seen a lot of the Confederate Flags flying up on the northeast. It did make me chuckle.
5,687 MILES - - - 130 HOURS & 15 MINS!
That is how many miles we rode before we actually hit the Pacific Ocean. The time is how much actual riding time was spent in the saddle so far. My GPS tracks it.
Time to hit the sheets. This having fun is wearing me out!
I do have a serious subject to cover......
DOES THIS TREE MAKE MY BUTT LOOK BIG?
We took a detour today off of Hwy 101. If anyone has ever ridden on Hwy 119 in MI. Very similar....Only all the trees are on STEROIDS! Dan & Orville....you would have enjoyed it!
Happy Trails until we meet again!
Rick (MDD)
Not sure where to start. If you are ever in Winthrop, WA...stay at the Gardner Mt Inn! Great little town. Just eat before 9 PM. The town closes up.
Got up early and headed out. The deer were standing by the apple tree in the yard next door. The bikes didn't even phase them. That is scary!
Headed across the Northern Cascade Mountains of WA on Hwy 20. I know I sound like a broken record but, just unbelievable how gorgeous, and the roads were perfect.
(REMEMBER...CLICK ON ALL PICTURES TO MAKE BIGGER)
I need to regress for a minute. I am only going to say it once. I SCREWED UP! For two days all we heard was "it is burning up in ID and WA. Records are being set every day. I was like...OK, I guess I can send my chaps and jacket liner home to lighten up my load. WRONG MOVE! The average temp has been middle 50's! I think the good ole' boys from the NE was having some fun with the good ole' boys from the south. The temp varies +/- 30 degrees in seconds. I am not exaggerating. You get into some of the fog banks and it is darn cold! OK, that's my one major screw up of the trip. Like my brother said..."better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it." I could have sent the beer cooler home..............................LOL...Right!
Back to the real matters at hand:
Hwy 20 was so much fun. The curves and scenery was unreal! I think if you own a bike it's a "must ride." A couple of glacial lakes as well.
Rode all day and met a fellow from Australia on the ferry ride north of Seattle. Told us of a place that had rooms. I called and from what little broken English I could understand I booked two rooms. Four of us showed up. What a goat rope as we use to say in the military. The woman keep saying she was "just the house keeper." Yet she lived at the hotel. I kind of think we were being taken.
It was a must do laundry day. When we asked about doing laundry that is when things went south. She said she didn't have a wash but, she could do it if we paid her. I asked "how much?" All I got was.."you tell me how much you pay!" I finally gave her a price. She said she would do it for $20! I about gagged. Then the icing was ...."you are rich you can afford it." I guess she thinks if you own an HD you can pay $20 bucks for one load of laundry. As we were negotiating the price..the Aussie came back in and the phone rang. That is when we found out the place had no A/C. Steve and I both have to have it at night.
We finally left and found another hotel.
The next day we made a new friend! The girl (Kat) who is the GM of the LaQuinta in Missoula sent an email telling us her boyfriend was not far from us. He is a rider too. Through a few emails and such, he showed up on Saturday morning to ride with us. Mind you, he got up at 440 AM to catch the ferry to make it to our hotel. Hell, I have friends that can't make it up by noon to ride on Sunday when I am home!
His name is Andreas. Great guy......EXCEPT:
He was in the Navy.....but, so was my Dad. So that is OK. He also talks with a strong German accent.....but, that is OK too. He was born in Texas. His Dad worked for Exxon. Moved the whole family over to Germany and he went to the local schools....so that is OK! BUT!!! He rides a BMW...............but, that is OK...He dates a hot chick! So, he is still a great guy! Unfortunately he had a blow out on the way home that afternoon after he dropped off from us. I am hoping he makes it to NC in the Fall. That is the plan. Both are great people and two new friends.
Finally made it to Florence, OR. I am not sure where this frigging recession is going on. It's not in any town we have stayed! I made a reservation and got the last two rooms. I thought! We show up and they only had the one room. Steve finally had to go to another hotel. I will just say between the "Bowling Tournament" and Crystal Gayle being at the local casino...rooms were at a premium. I am telling you..this NOT having reservations does NOT work for me!...BRENDA!
Got up this morning and heading south on Hwy 101. You know the song by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow put out..."Picture?"
Living my life in a slow hell
different girl every night at the hotel
I aint seen the sun shine in 3 damn days
been fuelin up on cocaine and whiskey
wish I had a good girl to miss me
but I wonder if I'll ever change my ways
I put your picture away
sat down and cried today
I cant look at you while I'm lying next to her
I put your picture away
sat down and cried today
I cant look at you while I'm lying next to her
OK, I am not doing a different girl, cocaine or whiskey. OK, maybe I did do some Jack the other night in ID.
But, I will just say this...whoever wrote that song...was on the coast of WA/OR. I AIN'T SEEN THE SUN SHINE FOR THEE DAMN DAYS! It finally popped out this afternoon.
We made south of Eureka, CA today. We should pull up just short of San Francisco tomorrow. We did see some incredible scenery!
Bumper Sticker of the day. I am using my "writer's freedom" on this one. Again, I have two and have to pick both:
The first was a tag of a car being towed by one of the big RV's. It was a little Subaru. The tag....TOWBARU!
Now this second thing....well, it made me laugh and scratch my head at the same time. We have all seen the guys who stand on the corners selling flags, velvet Elvis's and furry blankets with lions.
Well, we went past one of those guys in OR. One particular flag caught my eye. On one half had the picture of Obama that reminds me of Stalin and Chavez together. The one he used on most of his adds. On the second part of the flag was the Confederate Flag! I remind you..this was ONE flag!
I am not sure who the marketing guy is for that flag company...but, I have a feeling he did not do his research. I can safely say....I have not seen a lot of the Confederate Flags flying up on the northeast. It did make me chuckle.
5,687 MILES - - - 130 HOURS & 15 MINS!
That is how many miles we rode before we actually hit the Pacific Ocean. The time is how much actual riding time was spent in the saddle so far. My GPS tracks it.
Time to hit the sheets. This having fun is wearing me out!
I do have a serious subject to cover......
DOES THIS TREE MAKE MY BUTT LOOK BIG?
We took a detour today off of Hwy 101. If anyone has ever ridden on Hwy 119 in MI. Very similar....Only all the trees are on STEROIDS! Dan & Orville....you would have enjoyed it!
Happy Trails until we meet again!
Rick (MDD)
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