We are all still 'decompressing' from the ride.
Catching up on TV, stretching our legs and giving our butts a break.
We've got to get the bikes unloaded, cleaned, maintained (oil changes) and preped for sale.
Dan and Chris have laundry to do and plan on seeing family and some of the sites in S.D. before we head back to Michigan on Friday.
But, this is not the end of the blog. Far from it.
When I get back to Grand Rapids, and have access to better technology, I plan to post more details regarding the route. Daily starts, fuel stops, places visited, things seen, eaten and stops.
We've got some videos taken from Ray's handlebar cam that I need to experiment with.
We've all got thoughts, suggestions and ideas for the next trip, and I'll use this blog to preserve those comments.
Prior to leaving on the trip, I prepared several lists of stuff to take, what to see, routes... Now that we can sit back and analyze the adventure, I'll post any changes to the equipment I'd bring, or not bring, next time.
Yes there will be a 'next time'! We'll be looking for more riders, supporters and followers. So, start planning a couple of weeks sometime next year. We'll probably try to go a couple of weeks later, to avoid the cold, and definitely take a different route, but we are already talking about what to do, where to go, what to ride, what to see, where and how to spend the nights... cool stuff.
See you back on this blog in a couple of days.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Day 10
Day 10 – Monday – Memorial Day.
The Zumo tells us that we’re less than 400 miles from San Diego, so we decide there’s no reason to spend another night on the road so our destination tonight is Ray’s house. Since Ray can move much faster than Dan and Chris, he takes the map and abandons us in the middle of the desert (kidding). The map only gives us the ‘big picture’ of the country, the Garmin is what I’ve been relying on for navigation. So, we dissolve the fellowship and Ray is off.
Dan and I stop for breakfast at the Mile High Grill in Jerome, AZ. Jerome is kind of an ‘artsy’ community ‘bolted’ to the side of a mountain. Lots of steep inclines and switchbacks getting to the town. We have to wait about 5 minutes for the restaurant to open, but Dan and I agree this is the best breakfast of the trip.
The ride west from Jerome through Prescott, AZ and on toward California is probably the best motorcycle route we’ve been on. AZ 89A is constant switchbacks, beautiful views and great roads. We pass a lot of bikes heading into the area, probably to enjoy this cool road.
10:00 am, Prescott, AZ. 3507 ODO. 2.7 gals.
12:55 pm, Quartzsite, AZ 2.97 gals. 3648 ODO
1:30 – California state line.
Drove through the Glammis/Imperial Valley rec. area – huge sand dune ORV area
Border Patrol check point just before the split of
Ocotillo Wells, CA 3.5 gals. 3800 ODO.
6:15 pm. Rays house. 3882 ODO. Our last 400 mile day.
The Zumo tells us that we’re less than 400 miles from San Diego, so we decide there’s no reason to spend another night on the road so our destination tonight is Ray’s house. Since Ray can move much faster than Dan and Chris, he takes the map and abandons us in the middle of the desert (kidding). The map only gives us the ‘big picture’ of the country, the Garmin is what I’ve been relying on for navigation. So, we dissolve the fellowship and Ray is off.
Dan and I stop for breakfast at the Mile High Grill in Jerome, AZ. Jerome is kind of an ‘artsy’ community ‘bolted’ to the side of a mountain. Lots of steep inclines and switchbacks getting to the town. We have to wait about 5 minutes for the restaurant to open, but Dan and I agree this is the best breakfast of the trip.
The ride west from Jerome through Prescott, AZ and on toward California is probably the best motorcycle route we’ve been on. AZ 89A is constant switchbacks, beautiful views and great roads. We pass a lot of bikes heading into the area, probably to enjoy this cool road.
10:00 am, Prescott, AZ. 3507 ODO. 2.7 gals.
12:55 pm, Quartzsite, AZ 2.97 gals. 3648 ODO
1:30 – California state line.
Drove through the Glammis/Imperial Valley rec. area – huge sand dune ORV area
Border Patrol check point just before the split of
Ocotillo Wells, CA 3.5 gals. 3800 ODO.
6:15 pm. Rays house. 3882 ODO. Our last 400 mile day.
Day 9 – Sunday
Day 9 – Sunday
Out of the Rodeway motel in Cortez, CO by 9:00 am. We all agree that staying in a motel makes the departing much faster: no sleeping bags to rollup, not tents to breakdown and pack, no strapping down gear. It’s kind of difficult finding a ‘reasonably’ priced room for three, but some negotiation skills help. We’ve been able to get a better price almost everywhere we’ve been.
Temp is still pretty cool this morning. Back to wearing leather jackets, fleece and gloves. But, it definitely beats the heat, humidity and wind.
Breakfast at the Ute coffee shop. Food is good and portions are plentiful.
9:30 4-corners. Lots of native American outdoor merchants selling jewelry, blankets, pottery, sandstone art and ‘archery’ items.
We ride the bikes around the circle so we can say we were in all four states – Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.
11:25 – Mexican Water Trading Post.
2.29 gals, 3142 ODO
1:50 Cameron, AZ. 3845 ODO. 3.09 gals.
Grand Canyon. Our original plan
was visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and then head toward Las Vegas. But with the cold weather in the area, we opt for the South Rim and then head toward Flagstaff, Phoenix and warmer nights. The temps during the day are in the 70’s to upper 80’s. I asked a park manager if there were available camp sites at the South Rim, he told me there were 50 sites and only ½ occupied. No reservations, first-come, first-served. He also told me the temp was expected to drop into the 30’s that night with the probability of snow. Phoenix is sounding better.
4:56 somewhere north of Flagstaff. 2.5 gals. 3393 on the ODO.
Ray has fallen a ways behind Dan and Chris. He told us that he was going to take some pictures with his handlebar mounted video camera, so don’t wait or turn back for him. It turns out that his tent came off the bike and he had to go back to get it and re-secure it to the bike.
Flagstaff is at an elevation of about 7,400 feet. We find out how much impact elevation has on temperature. 2,000 feet makes a difference of 10 to 15 degrees.
We change destinations and head toward Sedona, AZ. As we take the switchbacks and drop down into the canyon, the temp definitely rises. We get about 2 miles from the town and traffic comes to a standstill. Good thing is that we are heading downhill, so we can shut the bikes down and roll/coast into town. The only camping available
around Sedona is the State and National forest campgrounds. We decide to find dinner first and get our ‘ground crew’ to find us accommodations.
Dinner at the Cowboy Club restaurant. Probably the fanciest place we’ve been to on the trip. 20 minute wait, huge portions.
Karen makes us a reservation at the Little Daisy motel in Cottonwood, AZ, about 10 miles south of Sedona. Arrive at 9:30 pm. Room has one bed and a roll-away. Chris gets his air mattress out, Dan is on the roll-away and Ray gets the bed.
Out of the Rodeway motel in Cortez, CO by 9:00 am. We all agree that staying in a motel makes the departing much faster: no sleeping bags to rollup, not tents to breakdown and pack, no strapping down gear. It’s kind of difficult finding a ‘reasonably’ priced room for three, but some negotiation skills help. We’ve been able to get a better price almost everywhere we’ve been.
Temp is still pretty cool this morning. Back to wearing leather jackets, fleece and gloves. But, it definitely beats the heat, humidity and wind.
Breakfast at the Ute coffee shop. Food is good and portions are plentiful.
9:30 4-corners. Lots of native American outdoor merchants selling jewelry, blankets, pottery, sandstone art and ‘archery’ items.
We ride the bikes around the circle so we can say we were in all four states – Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.
11:25 – Mexican Water Trading Post.
2.29 gals, 3142 ODO
1:50 Cameron, AZ. 3845 ODO. 3.09 gals.
Grand Canyon. Our original plan
was visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and then head toward Las Vegas. But with the cold weather in the area, we opt for the South Rim and then head toward Flagstaff, Phoenix and warmer nights. The temps during the day are in the 70’s to upper 80’s. I asked a park manager if there were available camp sites at the South Rim, he told me there were 50 sites and only ½ occupied. No reservations, first-come, first-served. He also told me the temp was expected to drop into the 30’s that night with the probability of snow. Phoenix is sounding better.
4:56 somewhere north of Flagstaff. 2.5 gals. 3393 on the ODO.Ray has fallen a ways behind Dan and Chris. He told us that he was going to take some pictures with his handlebar mounted video camera, so don’t wait or turn back for him. It turns out that his tent came off the bike and he had to go back to get it and re-secure it to the bike.
Flagstaff is at an elevation of about 7,400 feet. We find out how much impact elevation has on temperature. 2,000 feet makes a difference of 10 to 15 degrees.
We change destinations and head toward Sedona, AZ. As we take the switchbacks and drop down into the canyon, the temp definitely rises. We get about 2 miles from the town and traffic comes to a standstill. Good thing is that we are heading downhill, so we can shut the bikes down and roll/coast into town. The only camping available
around Sedona is the State and National forest campgrounds. We decide to find dinner first and get our ‘ground crew’ to find us accommodations.Dinner at the Cowboy Club restaurant. Probably the fanciest place we’ve been to on the trip. 20 minute wait, huge portions.
Karen makes us a reservation at the Little Daisy motel in Cottonwood, AZ, about 10 miles south of Sedona. Arrive at 9:30 pm. Room has one bed and a roll-away. Chris gets his air mattress out, Dan is on the roll-away and Ray gets the bed.
Day 8 - Saturday
Day 8 – Saturday.
Weather pretty cold and windy last night. Chris actually adds additional guy ropes to keep his tent from blowing away. All in their tents early.
Up at 7:00 am (Mtn time) showers, pack up camp and head into Tucumcari for breakfast. Our planned restaurant, Mels (where we had dinner last night), is not open; so, we head further west on the main drag through town and end up at Rubees diner. Probably the slowest service of the trip.
12:18 Clines Corners, NM. 2743 ODO. 3.9 gals @ $4.29/gal.
Wind is not as bad this morning but the temperature is the coldest we’ve driven in. Dan is back in his leather jacket and chaps. Chris has his fleece on under his leather jacket.
3:11 pm – Cuba NM. 2885 ODO. 3.25 gals @3.79/gal.
Temp is definitely dropping. To the east we can see there is snow on the tops of the mountains. The road here is excellent so Ray goes ahead to clean the carbon out of the cylinders, rather than being bogged down by the Goldwings.
Weather pretty cold and windy last night. Chris actually adds additional guy ropes to keep his tent from blowing away. All in their tents early.
Up at 7:00 am (Mtn time) showers, pack up camp and head into Tucumcari for breakfast. Our planned restaurant, Mels (where we had dinner last night), is not open; so, we head further west on the main drag through town and end up at Rubees diner. Probably the slowest service of the trip.
12:18 Clines Corners, NM. 2743 ODO. 3.9 gals @ $4.29/gal.
Wind is not as bad this morning but the temperature is the coldest we’ve driven in. Dan is back in his leather jacket and chaps. Chris has his fleece on under his leather jacket.
3:11 pm – Cuba NM. 2885 ODO. 3.25 gals @3.79/gal.
Temp is definitely dropping. To the east we can see there is snow on the tops of the mountains. The road here is excellent so Ray goes ahead to clean the carbon out of the cylinders, rather than being bogged down by the Goldwings.
4:00 pm – crossed the continental divide.
6:00 pm – Hesperus, CO. 3029 ODO. 3.25 gals.
Our original destination for today was to stay at Mesa Verde National Park. But with the snow on the roofs of the houses and on the sides of the roads, we all decide this is a good opportunity for a motel. The clerk at the Hesperus gas station recommends we head west to Cortez, CO; better selection of motels, restaurants and less chance of snow tonight.
Check into the Rodeway motel. Huge suite room.
Dinner across the street at J.Fargo’s. Kind of a
micro-brewery/sports bar place.
Day 7
Day 7 – Friday.
Hard to believe that we’ve been on the road for a whole week. The only time we go indoors deals with food; either taking it in our letting it out. But we still haven’t seen any rain or bad weather of any kind so all of our nights are still in the tents.
Our objective today is Albuquerque.
Since we got in to the campground late last night, we don’t get a very early start this morning. Ray and Dan go up to the office to pay for last nights stay and are very taken with the park managers. It seems that they belong to a group called ‘Campers for Christ’. Very nice people. One of the park residents (Buc, I think) stops by our site to socialize about our adventure. We tell him where we’re going and, like everybody else, thinks it is great. He asks if we’re doing any ‘sightseeing’ on the trip. I explain that we’re now at a point in the trip where we can start to slow down. He recommends the Palo
Duro canyon just south of Amarillo and the Cadillac ranch just west of the campground.
Across the interstate is a Gander Mtn store; we’re still looking for a campground directory and may need some camp supplies. Ray is still securing his gear, so Dan and Chris head over to check out the store. No luck on a campground directory but Chris finds a new pair of sunglasses; they’re getting pretty bent trying to get them under the helmet. Ray meets us at the Gander Mtn and we’re off for breakfast at Ruby’s Tequila restaurant; no breakfast but we get an early lunch (11:30). Head off to the Canyon. The park manager tells us that this is the second largest
canyon in the U.S. Kind of hard to believe since I’ve seen the Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon and a couple other un-remembered canyons. Entrance is $4 per bike. The park office and visitor center is about ½ mile from the entrance and I’m thinking we’ll stop there, look over the rim of the canyon and get back on the road. From the visitor center we can see that the road goes all the way to the bottom of the canyon. We all agree that this looks like a pretty cool ride. Down through the canyon we encounter some pretty aggressive switchbacks, water crossings and bunches of Roadrunners. Chris manages to get some pictures while riding of Dan and Ray (good experiment at 20 mph, but I wouldn’t want to attempt it any faster).
Next stop is the local hardware store to get some spray paint ???
Heading west on I40 the wind is again very strong out of the south; hard on our beam.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot the Cadillac Ranch. Apparently some eccentric guy bought a Cadillac (used, new who knows) and buried it nose first in the dirt. Now there are about a dozen Cadillac’s buried nose first in the dirt in a nice straight row. People paint their names on the cars, take pictures… Disposal of the partially used spray paint cans is no problem: just give them to the next group of tourists.
3:30 pm. Gas, 2.9 gallons. 2509 on the ODO – West Amarillo. So far we’ve put about a hundred miles on the bikes but have only gone 5 productive miles into the trip. We can still see the campground from the gas station (but out here, you can see 3 days in every direction).
Wind extremely strong from the south. I feel I need to ‘hike out’ on the port side to counteract the healing.
5:00 pm, TX/NM border.
Very strange phenomenon; as soon as we cross the state line, the winds die down and change directions 180 degrees. Thank you to the people of New Mexico for such excellent weather control. The temperature is definitely decreasing.
4:30 (we’re now in Mountain Time). I decide to exit into Tucumcari, NM for fuel and to see if Dan wants to switch back into his warmer jacket; I’ve been pulling up my zippers, tightening my straps and buckling down.
ODO – 2610. 2.8 gals.
There is a guy in the gas station walking around with a 6 –
8 foot rattlesnake. That is one of the reasons I live in Michigan.
There are some pretty nasty looking clouds west of us and the weather predictions are not favorable. All agree that Tucumcari is a good place to spend the night. Our shortest day riding, but stopping is the smart thing to do – we’ve got lots of time.
Dan notes that there is a KOA campground about 1 mile east of the gas station, so that is our target. Very friendly camp staff and lots of tent sites.
Tent sites seem to be an anomaly in RV parks. Not sure why, but many of the parks prohibit tents.
Drive back into Tucumcari for dinner. Ray suggests that we cruise the main drag, scope out the restaurants and pick the best one on the way back. The town is full of motorcycles and lots of Valkyries (Chris’s personal bike back home). Seems there is a rally further north – Red River, and a lot of the bikers are coming an going.
Dinner at Del’s restaurant. Good salad bar, soup and generally good food. Our waitress is especially nice. Ray orders a lemonade and she tells him its not really that good, but will let him try it and if he doesn’t like it can order something else.
Talk to a Valkyrie rider that came from the west. Says the weather in Albuquerque is pouring rain and cold; staying in Tucumcari is looking like a better decision all the time.
Ray heads off to find a locksmith (still trying to get a spare key made) and Dan and Chris head back to the camp.
Wind is very strong ant the temp is dropping fast.
Ray arrives a little later – no key, but he’s got beer.
Couple of shots of Scotch and beer chasers to ward off the cold and then we’re all in our tents to get out of the wind. Still it’s pretty cold, but better with the wind off of us.
That’s about it for now. I’ve got to get to a better internet connection to post the pictures. Right now I’m on a picnic table plugged into an RV site power post.
Hard to believe that we’ve been on the road for a whole week. The only time we go indoors deals with food; either taking it in our letting it out. But we still haven’t seen any rain or bad weather of any kind so all of our nights are still in the tents.
Our objective today is Albuquerque.
Since we got in to the campground late last night, we don’t get a very early start this morning. Ray and Dan go up to the office to pay for last nights stay and are very taken with the park managers. It seems that they belong to a group called ‘Campers for Christ’. Very nice people. One of the park residents (Buc, I think) stops by our site to socialize about our adventure. We tell him where we’re going and, like everybody else, thinks it is great. He asks if we’re doing any ‘sightseeing’ on the trip. I explain that we’re now at a point in the trip where we can start to slow down. He recommends the Palo
Duro canyon just south of Amarillo and the Cadillac ranch just west of the campground.Across the interstate is a Gander Mtn store; we’re still looking for a campground directory and may need some camp supplies. Ray is still securing his gear, so Dan and Chris head over to check out the store. No luck on a campground directory but Chris finds a new pair of sunglasses; they’re getting pretty bent trying to get them under the helmet. Ray meets us at the Gander Mtn and we’re off for breakfast at Ruby’s Tequila restaurant; no breakfast but we get an early lunch (11:30). Head off to the Canyon. The park manager tells us that this is the second largest
canyon in the U.S. Kind of hard to believe since I’ve seen the Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon and a couple other un-remembered canyons. Entrance is $4 per bike. The park office and visitor center is about ½ mile from the entrance and I’m thinking we’ll stop there, look over the rim of the canyon and get back on the road. From the visitor center we can see that the road goes all the way to the bottom of the canyon. We all agree that this looks like a pretty cool ride. Down through the canyon we encounter some pretty aggressive switchbacks, water crossings and bunches of Roadrunners. Chris manages to get some pictures while riding of Dan and Ray (good experiment at 20 mph, but I wouldn’t want to attempt it any faster).Next stop is the local hardware store to get some spray paint ???
Heading west on I40 the wind is again very strong out of the south; hard on our beam.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot the Cadillac Ranch. Apparently some eccentric guy bought a Cadillac (used, new who knows) and buried it nose first in the dirt. Now there are about a dozen Cadillac’s buried nose first in the dirt in a nice straight row. People paint their names on the cars, take pictures… Disposal of the partially used spray paint cans is no problem: just give them to the next group of tourists.
3:30 pm. Gas, 2.9 gallons. 2509 on the ODO – West Amarillo. So far we’ve put about a hundred miles on the bikes but have only gone 5 productive miles into the trip. We can still see the campground from the gas station (but out here, you can see 3 days in every direction).Wind extremely strong from the south. I feel I need to ‘hike out’ on the port side to counteract the healing.
5:00 pm, TX/NM border.
Very strange phenomenon; as soon as we cross the state line, the winds die down and change directions 180 degrees. Thank you to the people of New Mexico for such excellent weather control. The temperature is definitely decreasing.
4:30 (we’re now in Mountain Time). I decide to exit into Tucumcari, NM for fuel and to see if Dan wants to switch back into his warmer jacket; I’ve been pulling up my zippers, tightening my straps and buckling down.
ODO – 2610. 2.8 gals.
There is a guy in the gas station walking around with a 6 –
8 foot rattlesnake. That is one of the reasons I live in Michigan.There are some pretty nasty looking clouds west of us and the weather predictions are not favorable. All agree that Tucumcari is a good place to spend the night. Our shortest day riding, but stopping is the smart thing to do – we’ve got lots of time.
Dan notes that there is a KOA campground about 1 mile east of the gas station, so that is our target. Very friendly camp staff and lots of tent sites.
Tent sites seem to be an anomaly in RV parks. Not sure why, but many of the parks prohibit tents.
Drive back into Tucumcari for dinner. Ray suggests that we cruise the main drag, scope out the restaurants and pick the best one on the way back. The town is full of motorcycles and lots of Valkyries (Chris’s personal bike back home). Seems there is a rally further north – Red River, and a lot of the bikers are coming an going.
Dinner at Del’s restaurant. Good salad bar, soup and generally good food. Our waitress is especially nice. Ray orders a lemonade and she tells him its not really that good, but will let him try it and if he doesn’t like it can order something else.
Talk to a Valkyrie rider that came from the west. Says the weather in Albuquerque is pouring rain and cold; staying in Tucumcari is looking like a better decision all the time.
Ray heads off to find a locksmith (still trying to get a spare key made) and Dan and Chris head back to the camp.
Wind is very strong ant the temp is dropping fast.
Ray arrives a little later – no key, but he’s got beer.
Couple of shots of Scotch and beer chasers to ward off the cold and then we’re all in our tents to get out of the wind. Still it’s pretty cold, but better with the wind off of us.
That’s about it for now. I’ve got to get to a better internet connection to post the pictures. Right now I’m on a picnic table plugged into an RV site power post.
Day 6 – Thursday
We all agree that it is much better to get to be able to set up camp in the daylight. Even though we again rode over 400 miles yesterday, a little better planning and support from Karen and Kathy got us to the Hi-Ho campground before 6:00 pm. Got the camp set up, and following the managers recommendations have dinner at the Acapulcos Tex-Mex Restaurant. The park manager describes the portions as not ‘all you can eat’, but ‘all you want to eat’ – definitely true. Dan and Chris head back to the camp and Ray heads over to WalMart to get a bigger tent, some laundry detergent and a lantern. He liked the tent so much, he ‘misplaces’ it somewhere between WalMart and the Campground and has to go back and get another one; since there so cheap, he could probably get two or three as spares. Chris comments that Ray is Sam Walton’s target customer: everybody claims to hate them, but if you step into one of their evil stores, you come out with $100 worth of stuff. Ray now has a new ‘outfit’.
Laundry is done. There are three washers and three dryers, perfect; there’s three of us. Each of us take a machine and dump our clothes in; no separating colors, whites, towels; dirty is dirty. To wash and dry it costs me $2.00.
I make a couple of recommendations on approving places to stay: Campground needs to be secure, allow tents and bikes, reasonably priced, mostly quiet and not in a ‘dry’ county. Chris walks to a gas station about 100 yards from the camp to find they only sell sodas – no beer. Dan and Ray comment that this is the first day Chris hasn’t had any beer. Oh well, at least we’ve still got the Scotch.
First stop this morning is back to the Acapulcos restaurant for breakfast. Again, huge portions, great food and very friendly service (actually the same waitress from last night).
Next stop is a Yamaha dealer. Ray finds his cruise control and Dan buys a summer-weight riding jacket; good price and will be much cooler for the Texas and desert riding.
Karen has found us a boot store, so I punch in the address and we’re off again. Short ride through Dallas (too much traffic and lane changing idiots), we find the store, but they are now a wholesaler. They recommend a store a few miles away and were off again to ‘Boot Town’. If we were looking for footwear to ‘Poke Cows’ and ‘Rope Goats’, this would be the place; very limited motorcycle boots. One of the clerks recommends another
Boot Town in the direction that we’re heading and off we go again. This store has a better selection of ‘work boots’ that will be good for riding. They also have ‘motorcycle’ boots, but they look like something Frankenstein’s monster would wear. Ray and Chris find acceptable boots and we’re off again. Across the freeway is a Home Depot; Ray has a spare key ‘blank’ for his bike that he needs to get cut. Their machine is not capable of doing his key. Chris finds a USB cable plus another card reader. So, I am now able to post pictures again.
1:38 pm Alvard, TX. 3.1 gals 2119 ODO. Strong winds from the south east; shouldn’t be a problem since our direction is northwest.
4:51 pm, Chillicothe, TX. 2251 ODO 2.7 gals.
Chris checks the weather in Amarillo with his cell phone and is alerted that there is a ‘Red Flag Wind Advisory’ for the area until 9:00 pm tonight. We are definitely feeling it. The riding is worse than coming down through Indiana; now we have semi-trucks going in the opposite direction, turbulence is ‘strong’. I’m squeezing the grips so hard I expect plastic puss to come shooting out of the handlebars. With the big fairings, the Goldwing’s are more affected by the wind than Ray’s FJR. Ray say’s he is actually drowsy riding and is going to stay at the gas station, take a nap and meet us at the Big Texan in Amarillo. So, Dan and I head north.
8:00 pm Claude, TX. 2384 ODO. 2.76 gals @ 3.93 per gallon. Gas prices are going up.
8:30 pm – Big Texan restaurant, Amarillo, TX – another milestone waypoint. 2400 miles on the ODO. Ray is already there, he must have overtaken us at a rest area. Our butts were sore. Nobody takes the challenge on the ‘free’ steak dinner.
The last time I was here, it was a 60 oz steak and you had to eat it in one sitting. Now it’s a 72 oz steak and you have 1 hour to finish the whole meal. There was one guy that attempted it while we were there, but he lost the challenge. If you loose the challenge the cost is $72.
Kathy has booked us a reservation at the Sundowner RV park about 12 miles from the Big Texan. We arrive about 10:30, the office is way closed. We find a piece of grass and set up camp. A couple of shots of medicinal Scotch to help us sleep. We’re now into our second fifth. Lauders and Grand McNish Scotch do the job of helping you sleep, but the taste is pretty strong. But we guess that Scotch in a plastic bottle is sketchy.
We plan to shorten our objective for today. Ray is putting on his cruise control, Dan is adjusting his gear, and I’m at the keyboard.
Love to all and ride easy.
Laundry is done. There are three washers and three dryers, perfect; there’s three of us. Each of us take a machine and dump our clothes in; no separating colors, whites, towels; dirty is dirty. To wash and dry it costs me $2.00.
I make a couple of recommendations on approving places to stay: Campground needs to be secure, allow tents and bikes, reasonably priced, mostly quiet and not in a ‘dry’ county. Chris walks to a gas station about 100 yards from the camp to find they only sell sodas – no beer. Dan and Ray comment that this is the first day Chris hasn’t had any beer. Oh well, at least we’ve still got the Scotch.
First stop this morning is back to the Acapulcos restaurant for breakfast. Again, huge portions, great food and very friendly service (actually the same waitress from last night).
Next stop is a Yamaha dealer. Ray finds his cruise control and Dan buys a summer-weight riding jacket; good price and will be much cooler for the Texas and desert riding.
Karen has found us a boot store, so I punch in the address and we’re off again. Short ride through Dallas (too much traffic and lane changing idiots), we find the store, but they are now a wholesaler. They recommend a store a few miles away and were off again to ‘Boot Town’. If we were looking for footwear to ‘Poke Cows’ and ‘Rope Goats’, this would be the place; very limited motorcycle boots. One of the clerks recommends another
Boot Town in the direction that we’re heading and off we go again. This store has a better selection of ‘work boots’ that will be good for riding. They also have ‘motorcycle’ boots, but they look like something Frankenstein’s monster would wear. Ray and Chris find acceptable boots and we’re off again. Across the freeway is a Home Depot; Ray has a spare key ‘blank’ for his bike that he needs to get cut. Their machine is not capable of doing his key. Chris finds a USB cable plus another card reader. So, I am now able to post pictures again.1:38 pm Alvard, TX. 3.1 gals 2119 ODO. Strong winds from the south east; shouldn’t be a problem since our direction is northwest.
4:51 pm, Chillicothe, TX. 2251 ODO 2.7 gals.
Chris checks the weather in Amarillo with his cell phone and is alerted that there is a ‘Red Flag Wind Advisory’ for the area until 9:00 pm tonight. We are definitely feeling it. The riding is worse than coming down through Indiana; now we have semi-trucks going in the opposite direction, turbulence is ‘strong’. I’m squeezing the grips so hard I expect plastic puss to come shooting out of the handlebars. With the big fairings, the Goldwing’s are more affected by the wind than Ray’s FJR. Ray say’s he is actually drowsy riding and is going to stay at the gas station, take a nap and meet us at the Big Texan in Amarillo. So, Dan and I head north.
8:00 pm Claude, TX. 2384 ODO. 2.76 gals @ 3.93 per gallon. Gas prices are going up.
8:30 pm – Big Texan restaurant, Amarillo, TX – another milestone waypoint. 2400 miles on the ODO. Ray is already there, he must have overtaken us at a rest area. Our butts were sore. Nobody takes the challenge on the ‘free’ steak dinner.
The last time I was here, it was a 60 oz steak and you had to eat it in one sitting. Now it’s a 72 oz steak and you have 1 hour to finish the whole meal. There was one guy that attempted it while we were there, but he lost the challenge. If you loose the challenge the cost is $72.
Kathy has booked us a reservation at the Sundowner RV park about 12 miles from the Big Texan. We arrive about 10:30, the office is way closed. We find a piece of grass and set up camp. A couple of shots of medicinal Scotch to help us sleep. We’re now into our second fifth. Lauders and Grand McNish Scotch do the job of helping you sleep, but the taste is pretty strong. But we guess that Scotch in a plastic bottle is sketchy.
We plan to shorten our objective for today. Ray is putting on his cruise control, Dan is adjusting his gear, and I’m at the keyboard.
Love to all and ride easy.
Day 5
Day 5 – Wednesday
Breakfast in Oberlin. My mom describes this kind of meal as ‘food’, it keeps your belly button from touching your backbone, but that is about it. Not bad, but just basic ‘food’.
10:00 DeRidder, LA. 1,710 miles on the ODO. 3.2 gals.
12:24 pm, Wells, TX. 2.8 gals. Stopped next door at the Dairy Queen to cool off and take a break. We all agree that we’re glad to be out of Louisiana; people there very unfriendly, almost grumpy. The roads aren’t great and the heat and humidity were very draining.
3:26 Crandall, TX 1,975 miles on the ODO. 2.74 gals
Ray calls Karen for direction to a boot store. Chris calls Kathy for directions to a campground. Again, thanks to our support crew at each end.
Hi-Ho Campground for the night. The manager tries to charge us each $12.00 per tent; for $36 we can almost justify a motel. We reason with the manager and she only charges us $24. Talking to her, I find out that she is originally from Flint, MI where my Dad’s family is from and she grew up about ½ a mile for my Grandparents house.
She recommends a restaurant and we get the camp set up prior to going to eat.
This is the earliest we’ve gotten camp set up. Every other night, we’re setting up in the dark. Tonight, we’ve got the bikes unloaded, tents set up and gear stowed before 5:00 pm.
Dinner at the Acapulco restaurant in Desoto, TX.
Chris and Dan go back to the campground and Ray is going over to WalMart to get a bigger tent, some laundry soap, a battery operated lantern…
Our plan tomorrow is to pack up, head over to a Cycle Shop (Dan still needs a tinted visor for his helmet, Ray wants a cruise control, and Chris is looking for a different pair of gloves – starting to develop a strange tan on the back of my hands)
We’re then heading for the Boot shop found by Karen and then heading toward Amarillo, TX and the Big Texan restaurant: that 60 oz. steak doesn’t stand a chance against us.
We’ve been very lucky with the weather; other than the heat and humidity it’s been completely dry the entire trip. As we approached Dallas this afternoon it looked like rain, but the clouds blew out by the time we set up camp. The humidity here in Dallas is way lower then Louisiana. Looks like a good sleeping night.
I can't seem to find my USB cable to transfer pictures. So, tomorrow I'll either find or buy one and post a blog mostly of the last couple of days of pictures.
Anybody that would like to add comments to the blog, send your e-mail address to cakanous@comcast.net. I'll grant access based on need and value.
Breakfast in Oberlin. My mom describes this kind of meal as ‘food’, it keeps your belly button from touching your backbone, but that is about it. Not bad, but just basic ‘food’.
10:00 DeRidder, LA. 1,710 miles on the ODO. 3.2 gals.
12:24 pm, Wells, TX. 2.8 gals. Stopped next door at the Dairy Queen to cool off and take a break. We all agree that we’re glad to be out of Louisiana; people there very unfriendly, almost grumpy. The roads aren’t great and the heat and humidity were very draining.
3:26 Crandall, TX 1,975 miles on the ODO. 2.74 gals
Ray calls Karen for direction to a boot store. Chris calls Kathy for directions to a campground. Again, thanks to our support crew at each end.
Hi-Ho Campground for the night. The manager tries to charge us each $12.00 per tent; for $36 we can almost justify a motel. We reason with the manager and she only charges us $24. Talking to her, I find out that she is originally from Flint, MI where my Dad’s family is from and she grew up about ½ a mile for my Grandparents house.
She recommends a restaurant and we get the camp set up prior to going to eat.
This is the earliest we’ve gotten camp set up. Every other night, we’re setting up in the dark. Tonight, we’ve got the bikes unloaded, tents set up and gear stowed before 5:00 pm.
Dinner at the Acapulco restaurant in Desoto, TX.
Chris and Dan go back to the campground and Ray is going over to WalMart to get a bigger tent, some laundry soap, a battery operated lantern…
Our plan tomorrow is to pack up, head over to a Cycle Shop (Dan still needs a tinted visor for his helmet, Ray wants a cruise control, and Chris is looking for a different pair of gloves – starting to develop a strange tan on the back of my hands)
We’re then heading for the Boot shop found by Karen and then heading toward Amarillo, TX and the Big Texan restaurant: that 60 oz. steak doesn’t stand a chance against us.
We’ve been very lucky with the weather; other than the heat and humidity it’s been completely dry the entire trip. As we approached Dallas this afternoon it looked like rain, but the clouds blew out by the time we set up camp. The humidity here in Dallas is way lower then Louisiana. Looks like a good sleeping night.
I can't seem to find my USB cable to transfer pictures. So, tomorrow I'll either find or buy one and post a blog mostly of the last couple of days of pictures.
Anybody that would like to add comments to the blog, send your e-mail address to cakanous@comcast.net. I'll grant access based on need and value.
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