Started to finish this before I forget too many details. I am going to try to finish the text, and then add photos as I go through them and select the ones that best relay my perceptions. When complete, I'll add a photo index at the end of the story as well.
Hope you all enjoy!
Took a shower, and then went to the Motels resturant for dinner. After that, took a few cold ones back to the room. Spoke a little to the guys in the next two rooms. They were on BMW's, coming back from some kind of BMW rally. Then turned in to a little TV and then sleep.
Figured I had 3 or 4 hours, so I took the time to write some postcards, do laundry, and then tried to get a hold of someone who I only knew from the internet. I beeped him a few times, and then left messages at his house. Also went to eat breakfast. Packed my stuff on the bike and checked out of the motel. But they let me hang out and wait for the tow truck. The tow truck arrived a little after 12 and we were on our way by 12:30pm.
Arrived at Chick's HD around 3:30pm and dropped the bike off. Then got a room at a nearby HoJo Inn. Made a few phone calls and went out and picked up a six pack. Then I received a call back from Donnie Frank from the Harley-Digest mailing list. He was picking his bike up from Chick's and said he'd stop by the room. A little while later I received a call from Dennis Hargrave from the Brit-Iron mailing list. While on the phone with Donnie showed up. It was a blast meeting someone who I had only known from the 'net in person! Donnie had band rehearsal that evening but called one of his roommates, 99 and asked if he could come and get me out of the room for a spell, since I was stranded with my bike in the shop.
So, a few hours later, 99 came by on his FLH and picked me up. We went to a club where he works and they hang out regularly, Duffy's. It was pretty cool. 99 introduced me to a bunch of folks and I had a few beers, played pool, and had something to eat. It was definitely better than sitting alone in a motel room.
Donnie and his girlfriend showed up a while later and we continued to hang. After a bit, Donnie dropped me back off at my hotel room and we made plans to hang out the next day after my bike is done.
Buzzed and content, I had a decent nights sleep.
Donny called me and I told him that my bike would be ready at lunch. He said he'd meet me at Chick's and then I can drop my gear off at his house and we can go riding. I had to check out of my room at 10:00, so I took my gear and walked down to Chick's HD to wait for them to finish up.
Donny showed up around noon, just before my bike was done and paid for. I then followed him back to the "House of Harley"® to drop off my gear and meet up with "99" one of his housemates.
After hooking up with 99 the bunch of us took a pretty cool ride. We went riding around the Alb. area and stopped for lunch. After this we rode up to the Sandia Crest. What a view after quite a few miles of twisties and cutbacks! Elevation 10,678 feet above sea level.
After returning back to the House of Harley, Donnie went off to the Gym leaving me to relax for a while. However, a friend of Donnie's and 99's showed up and 99 suggested that we all go to Duffy's to hang out for a bit. So, off we went. Hung out for a few beers and a game of pool or two, and then went back to the house. It was about 6:30pm or so and Donny was back from the gym. The dude actually cooked dinner! Had some pretty good chicken dish. And after dinner it was back out to Duffy's.
Hung out at Duffy's for a bit, and then Donny decided to hit a few of the other local watering holes around town. In one place it was open mike night and I got to see Donny play the drums. I must say, he is quite good!
By this time it was getting late into the wee hours of the morning and I
was deciding whether to crash at Donny's or continue on to Flagstaff. You
see, my sister was also travelling on vacation and we were to hook up in
Flagstaff and see the Grand Canyon together. So, we cruised back to Donny's
house and I decided to hit the road after a cup or two of coffee.
We said our goodbye's and Donny gave me an official 'House of Harley' T-shirt!
So off I rumbled into the night a little after 3:00am.
It was quite cold at 3am riding across the desert on I-40! Since it was kind of a long day by this time, I stopped for coffee about every 50 or 60 miles. Man what strange looking bugs in the desert at night! Beetle looking things, but they were like all over everything at the gas stations. You could barely find the door handle to get into the office! Finally pulled into the hotel parking lot where my sister had our suite at about 8:30am! Yow was I tired!
We all went back up to the suite where we decided that since my sister and niece were leaving Friday morning, that we would take one of the helicopter rides at the Grand Canyon. We looked over the various brochures and decided on Papillon Helicopters and made reservations.
It was about an hour or so drive to get to the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff. Nothing real spectacular during the drive there. Once there we stopped for a quick lunch at McDonald's before going to Papillon Tours. I must say though, because of where the canyon is, even fast food was a bit pricey.
We lucked out and my sister, my niece and I were the only passengers on a Bell Long Ranger helicopter for a 1 hour flight. My sister lucked out and got the seat next to the pilot in the cockpit. My niece and I sat in the back. Still a pretty good view! I had never been on a helicopter before this and I must say, it was quite a ride! So here are some various pictures taken from the helicopter.
After the tour was over, we headed back into Flagstaff. Stopped along the way for some gifts and trinkets. We had dinner at a local Brew Pub/Resturant and came back to the motel. I was bushed, after being up since Wednesday morning so I hit the sack and went right out!
After breakfast I headed out to explore the local area. I found the Lowell Observatory on the outskirts of town and spent some time playing tourist. It was here that the planet Pluto was first discovered! And according to legend, it really was named after the disney character. As a matter of fact, another Disnay related tale was told to the tour regarding Bambi. It was said that the idea of Bambi was created by some Disney employees who were visiting the Observatory and saw a young deer on the property.
It sure was _hot_ there this time of year. Record breaking temps were being recorded throughout the region. After leaving the Observatory, I was stopped by a local news crew for a quickie interview about the weather. They were sure surprised to find out where I was from! I have always meant to try to see if I can get a copy of the tape they took. I think it was Channel 10. If anybody out that way can help in this matter, please drop me an email. I would love to stick an MPEG or AVI of the interview here!
After my fifteen minutes of fame, I headed for the Arizona Snowbowl which I noticed while going to and from the Grand Canyon the day before. It is just north of Flagstaff as you head to the Grand Canyon on Route 180.
Although it wasn't ski season, you could still take the chairlift to the top of the mountain. Some spectacular views from the chairlift and the top! And the snack bar was open for food and beverage.
Didn't do much after this. Headed back to the hotel restaurant for dinner and a few beers. The staff at the lounge provided some interesting conversation and company. Nothing like a pretty waitress to flirt with while on a long trip by yourself! After this, I headed back to my room for the night.
So we headed out on Route 93 towards that city in the desert. And boy was it getting real hot! Ended up making alot of stops as the heat was almost unbearable. I could imagine how hot it would have been if I left later in the day. We stopped at just about every filling station (they were few) to quench our thirsts.
When we got to the Hoover Dam, we took a little bit more of a rest stop. I found the surroundings to look almost alien. Like something from a sci-fi movie.
And finally we got to Vegas, where we split up to go our separate ways. I found my hotel, checked in, and had a nice cold beer. The rooms were quite cool! Almost like a mini-suite. Plus a small fridge, microwave and toaster oven. And you even had your own voice mail! I thought that was cool.
Believe it or not, I think I went and got 'Jack In The Box' for dinner that evening. Then went down stairs to waste a few dollars in the slots and have a few drinks.
Back in my room I made a few phone calls. Of them, one was to a lady friend of mine back in Jersey and another to a friend of mine who moved out Henderson, NV a few years back. My old friend Rob was quite surprised to hear from me, and even more surprised to hear I was in town. We made plans to hang out the next day. While speaking to my lady friend, she said I was having too much fun out here. I told her that if she really thought so, she should come out and find out for herself! I was only half serious, but she said she'd love to! So being where I was, I told her that we could meet in one of three places. Lake Tahoe, Salt Lake City, or Denver. She said she'd get back to me.
With that, I went back down to the casino to waste a few more dollars.
About 12:30 I got a cab and went to the casino where I was meet my buddy and his wife. Wasn't long before they also got there. Had a few drinks in the casino then headed off to her parents house where we would BBQ and generally hang out in the pool.
Definitely was a good day and got back to my room about 10pm or so. There was a message waiting for me on my voice mail! It was my lady friend Beth leaving a message that she would meet me in Denver Friday evening! She also left flight info so I can pick her up at the airport. Called her back to confirm things and then since it was a long day, hit the hay early.
Headed north out of Vegas on I-15. Somewhere while going through the northwest corner of Arizona as you pass into the southeast corner of Utah you go through the Virgin River Gorge. Pretty cool twisties and finally some hills. And even better, it seemed that at one particular curve the temperature dropped about 20 degrees!
Stopped in St. George, Utah for one great breakfast. Stopped to get gas and asked the attendant where I might find a good place to eat. Not a Perkins or Shoneys, but someplace where the locals go. He turned me on to a place off the interstate a bit. The place was next to a cattle auction spot. Besides pickups and semi's parked out front, there were a few John Deer Tractors and other farm vehicles. I sat at the counter and ordered. The food was definitely plentiful and very affordable.
After a full belly, headed off the interstate a little further up onto Rt. 9. This road had some absolutely beautiful scenery as it passed through the southern part of Zion National Park. Headed up Rt. 89, then to Rt. 12 towards the park entrance. Stayed at the Best Western right at the park entrance.
However I had arrived about 11am or so, too early for checkin. But the good folks at the counter were nice enough to keep my things at the desk so I can at least unpack my bike. While waiting, I availed myself to some horseback riding. It was a decent 2 hour ride into the park. Way cool.
Not much else happened after checkin. Actually spent some time doing a load of laundry before heading to the hotel's restaurant for dinner. After that I was really kind of bushed, so I crashed in the room. Made a few phone calls, wrote a few postcards, that's about it. I did notice though while giving the scoot a quick wash that the rear tire was definitely looking a little thread-bare. Hmm... should do something about that.
Headed to I-70 by taking Rt. 89. Again some pretty decent riding through the Fishlake National Forest. Hooked up I-70 and figured I'd get some fuel and eats. Then for the first time in about two weeks, head directly east!
Now I've seen some pretty desolate looking areas, but the stretch of I-70 that cuts through Utah is up there with the worst of them. Pass alot of gorges and other erie looking terrain. And of course the signs that inform you that there is no services for 100 miles is quite forboding! So, stop to make sure I have a full tank (I was getting easily 150 miles per fill up) and get myself a cool drink or two. Somewhere along this route is a town with a biblical name. Moab. When you think of Moab in the biblical sense, your mind conjures up desolate areas. And this fits the bill!
As you near the Colorado border, things do start to look more friendly for human habitation. Finally get to Grand Junction and find a hotel to stay. After a hot day across the desert terrain a shower was definitely in order. It was at this time a bit late in the afternoon so I also just went to see where the HD dealer was and then grab dinner. Found myself a cold sixpack and went back to my room.
While waiting, I met up with a few other travellers. Some going to Sturgis, some from the area. One guy was even from Alaska! One of the local guys invited me over to his house after my bike was done and gave me directions. He was hanging out with another guy who was on his way to Sturgis, but stopped at his house for a visit. After getting my bike back, I decided to take him up on the offer.
Pretty cool dudes. Hung out at his place for a bit and had a few cold ones. Then off into a nearby town to a local hangout. Here I got to meet some of the local 1%'ers and play some pool. Hung out here for a while then back to the dudes house where his wife cooked up some wings and chili I believe. Then back to hotel for the night's siesta.
Having some time to kill, I took I-70 to I-25 north, then got off I-25 onto I-36 and followed that up to Estes Park. I made reservations at a Best Western from Vegas, but I was a day early. Stopped at the hotel I had reservations for, but no vacancy for this evening. Found a closeby hotel and got a room. After checking in, I basically rode around the area to get familiar with it. Then found a laundry that I was able to drop my laundry off at. Got dinner at a McDonald's that evening and not a whole lot more to say.
After that, I started heading to check out Fort Collins, but what looked like stormy weather turned me back. Besides, it was getting late in the day and I had to pick up Beth at the airport in Denver at 8pm. So back to town to get some eats and then head to the airport.
Beth's flight was due to arrive at 8pm. So I left Estes Park around 5pm knowing that it is roughly 2 hours to the airport, give or take a few. Now Beth's flight had a connecting flight in Dallas I think. Well, whatever it was for some odd reason there were two flights with the same number according to the flight info screens. Needless to say, there was a bit of confusion and we ended up crossing each other's path in the airport until just before nine! At that point, was I ever glad to see her!
We then left the airport and headed for the mountains (no this isn't a beer commercial!).
Now I told Beth to pack light and she did. Problem was that it was mighty cold at night as you started to get into the higher elevations. We pulled over at one point and she wore my leather and I wore my denim with a sweatjacket underneath. We finally made it back to the room somewhere around 11:30ish and got some shuteye for the day ahead.
Now at the mid point of the road from Estes Park to Grand Lake is a visitor centor with a snack bar, rest rooms, and gift shop. A humorous thing happened here when we were talking to some fellow bikers. He has asked how long I was on the road for, and I told him two weeks. He then looked at Beth and said she looked pretty fresh for someone who was on the road for two weeks! We laughed and then told him how Beth had flown out to meet me for the weekend.
Instead of going all the way to Grand Lake, we decided to start heading back to Estes Park.
Once in Estes, we found a tramway that went up one of the closer mountains. At the top was also a snack bar. But the cool thing was the area outside the snack bar. Chipmunks all over the place! And friendly too. We were able to feed them from our hands, and some even got real bold. Even some of the birds were brave enough to get close.
And there was even quite a view from here too! But alas, we were getting hungry.
So we decided on the "Estes Park Brewery" for food. Or so we thought. We did however have fun sampling a few of the brews. But the menu left something to be desired so we decided to look elsewhere for eats.
We decided on a local bar/saloon. The steak I had was fabulous. After a good meal we went back to the hotel and decided to use the hotel's hottub for a bit. Nothing like relaxing in a hottub after a long day.
After that, we actually decided to go for another ride. Not up into the mountains, but just along Rt 34 heading back towards the interstate. And boy, did it get cold! Rode for about an hour and a half or so and returned to the hotel to end the day.
Figuring we had to up to get Beth to the airport, I called the front desk and inquired about a wake up call. Instead they gave me the loudest little electric alarm clock (not the alarm, just the damn clock working) you ever heard. With that we watched a little of the old TV and went off to sleep.
About 2 hours later we were at the airport and said our goodbye's. I really didn't want her to leave and it must have been a poignant seen for others. But alas, she stepped inside the terminal and there I was, alone again (almost feel like breaking into a Bob Seger song here...) and having to hit the road home.
I had planned to take I-76 out of Denver up into Nebraska and take I-80 east to go home. But, I kind of screwed up and decided to stay on I-70. As I stopped for lunch, I met a couple on two bikes who were also heading east. They asked it I wanted to ride along, and I was happy to have the company. We boogied along, and took a break now and then along the way, since it was pretty hot.
We were splitting up in Salena, KS., where they were going to start heading south. So just before Salena we pulled off the interstate and had a quick meal at a Burger King. Afterwards, back on the interstate they turned off on I-135 south and I went a few exits more then got off to get a hotel for evening.
Didn't do anything much that night, just got a room and ate at the hotel bar. Spent some time playing pool and chatting with some fellow travellers and then went to my room to hit the hay. I was really wanting to get home.
And I sure did cover alot of ground. Flew across I-70 into PA and enjoyed the scenery along the PA Turnpike as I hurtled eastward. Made only quick gas stops, and only a lunch stop. But the bike was beginning to run a little badly. Would sound like it was missing alot as it got warmer. As I neared Reading at about 7:30pm, I almost decided to chance it and try to make it all the way home. Mostly because if I did, that would have meant about 1000 miles for one day of riding! But intelligence prevailed. I figured I'd let the bike get a nice nights rest, and being only about 3 hours from home I can take my time the next day and not push it. Besides, I think I'd rather break down in daylight. So I got off the turnpike and found me a hotel for the night. Got my room, went out to a local restaurant to have dinner and back to the room for sleep. Tomorrw I would be home.
Unpacked my crap, did a whole bunch of laundry and take a nice long nap in my own bed!
Hoped you enjoyed it, and look for another as I once again traverse the country in the summer of 1997.
