For those just finding this, jump to the beginning, or any other day: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7, 8, 9 & 10, 11 & 12, 13, 14, 15, 22.

Home sweet home Nikon D70, ISO 800, ƒ/3.5, 1.6sec, 18mm focal L.

It was a chill week in Weiser/Boise staying at my folks and my sisters. Mostly bumming around, playing with the kids and relaxing. But, all good things must come to an end as I’ve yet to find a motorcycle adventuring gig that’d [...]]]> Day 22: Boise, ID to San Jose, CA — 701 miles

It was a chill week in Weiser/Boise staying at my folks and my sisters. Mostly bumming around, playing with the kids and relaxing. But, all good things must come to an end as I’ve yet to find a motorcycle adventuring gig that’d pay well enough to feed a family of five, or, even just myself, for that matter.

[click to go to an interactive map]

The plan was to loosely caravan with the family in the car. What this really means is that I’ll see them when they arrive at our next stop. What can I say, my wife knows how it goes…

Crossing the Snake River into Marsing

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/3.5, 1/1600sec, 18mm focal L. @31 MPH, map

These anti-meth murals are all over Montana and Idaho.

Don’t Meth up your life — and so concludes this PSA

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/1250sec, 50mm focal L. @36 MPH, ~1mi from prev photo, map

It was Friday morning leaving out of Boise. There’s a short stretch to get to the Oregon border where the authoritarians keep you “safe” by restricting your speed to 55 and pumping your gas for you. It’s not like California is any bastion of personal freedoms (much worse actually), but, I’m digressing. Needless to say, the stretch of US 95 through Oregon to get to Nevada is one of my least favorite stretches of road.

My normal routine is to open it up on the clear stretches of road and then casually roll it back when there’s less visibility, or when nearing towns. Call me a skeerdy pants if you wish, but, the prudence has served me well thus far.

So, there I was puttering along after leaving Jordan Valley (never speed near Jordan — the local LEO patrols it often!), and luck would have that a Ducati and an F800GS sailed past with no such reservations about the Man. And it occurs to me that I must have been a greyhound in a past life, as I apparently can’t resist chasing a rabbit. Don’t fail me now, Mr. Radar Detector, cuz it’s Game On!

A rabbit to chase

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/1000sec, 70mm focal L. @72 MPH, ~60mi from prev photo, map

Owyhee River — Almost to “downtown” Rome.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/1000sec, 70mm focal L. @52 MPH, ~3.3mi from prev photo, map

If you’ve never been through these parts, “downtown” is, ummm, being very generous.

REO — Also known as Rome VOR.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/1000sec, 70mm focal L. @74 MPH, ~21mi from prev photo, map

I’ve spent many an hour tracking to/from the Rome VOR. Standard VFR flight using the VOR system from San Jose to Weiser would be: LIN (Linden), FMG (Mustang, near Reno), SDO (Sod House, north of Winnemucca), REO (Rome). Of course, with the advent of this new fangled GPS technology, you just punch in your destination and go direct, thus, cutting 14% off the trip by not following the “air highways”. With all the budget crisis we are in, I imagine that ’50s era technology is going to be decommissioned in the near’ish future.

Make’n time — My rabbits had no fear.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.2, 1/1000sec, 38mm focal L. @72 MPH, ~9.1mi from prev photo, map

My rabbits maintained a good 75-85 pace for most of the run from Jordan to the Nevada state line. Nary a once did we see any Leo types to give us a judgement on our interpretation of 55 MPH. Rolling into McDermitt at the Nevada state line, we all pulled into the gas station to fill up on the dead dinosaurs. We got to chatting and compared notes about the F800GS versus the F800ST. Nice guys that were wrapping up a week’s ride, and it turns out we were all headed back to San Jose. But, alas, they were stopping in Reno for the night.

I thanked them for the fast attack through Oregon and bid them farewell after sending a text to my wife letting her know how far ahead I was.

Sawtooth Mountain — Not too big at 7200 ft

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/1600sec, 31mm focal L. @75 MPH, ~61mi from prev photo, map

The stretch of highway from McDermitt to Winny is just as lonely as that of Oregon, but, they have the good sense to post it at 70. At Orovada, I spotted two state troopers taking a break at the convenience store and figured it was a safe bet that there’d be no other patrols along that stretch. 20 minutes later, I was zoning off as an oncoming, white SUV crested the hill 1/4 mile ahead. A few seconds laster, the radar detector goes into full tilt, snapping me out of the daydream. As I stabbed the brakes I looked down to see the speedo descending between 85 and 90.

The sheriff’s overhead lights start spinning red and blue.

B U S T E D!

We passed at the oncoming merge I had already started slowing down to stop and take my lumps. Checking the rear-view, I expect to see the U-turn, but, much to my surprise, the sheriff didn’t seam to be slowing down. Check again; nope, no U-turn. After 5 more checks, I finally believed what I was seeing and gingerly speed up to continue on my way.

Thank you for the warning, Mr. Sheriff. I’ll just keep it around 70, OK?

Entering Winnemucca

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/1000sec, 25mm focal L. @40 MPH, ~41mi from prev photo, map

Our last stop at the Griddle

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/1000sec, 25mm focal L. @19 MPH, ~1.4mi from prev photo, map

After ~5 hours on the road, the kids were all too happy to get out of the car and I was more than happy to help distract them. Our formerly customary stop at the Griddle was overdue for the wrestles not-quite 2 year olds. And, I say “formerly” because we now stop at Sid’s just down the road. Sid’s offers unpretentious diner food, served with a smile — which is more than I can say after years of frequenting the Griddle. As an added bonus, you can get blueberry pancakes to appease the wee travelers, for which is is too much to ask of the Griddle.

The kids were happy to get out of the car

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/30sec, 22mm focal L.

Train museum in Fernley — Have to take the kids someday.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/7.1, 1/640sec, 25mm focal L. @33 MPH, map

Round about Fernely, I took off on my own and parted with the interstate whilst the family motored on to hasten the trip and get the wee ones home before they drove their mother completely mad prior to arrival. It’s a full car with the three car seats packed together on the rear bench and Valerie has hidden stashes of toys strategically placed to be pulled out at times when attentions need to be diverted toward more peaceful activities. No movies playing in that car!

Old F-111 at Silver Springs Airport — Wonder if they are starting a museum?

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/7.1, 1/500sec, 70mm focal L. @57 MPH, ~14mi from prev photo, map

The time was 4:06PM when this photo was taken. Must have been a “long lunch”?

Heal-to-toe, heal-to-toe — got it? Ohh, and smile for the video camera.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/7.1, 1/320sec, 62mm focal L., ~30mi from prev photo, map

Wouldn’t see this in CA — I wonder who they voted for?

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/800sec, 70mm focal L. @40 MPH, ~3.2mi from prev photo, map

I made my way toward Lake Tahoe. I’d never been through these parts and was rather surprised by the sheer quantities of strip malls and suburban sprawl around the greater Carson City area.

US-50 — Down to Lake Tahoe

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/1000sec, 27mm focal L. @59 MPH, ~9.3mi from prev photo, map

While Lake Tahoe is just a gorgeous area to have a cabin, it’s rather a pain to get around in. I’m sure there’s plenty of back roads to skirt around town, but I wasn’t feeling so ambitious and just puttered along and eventually made it out of town on CA-89, and then to CA-88.

Caples Lake on CA-88

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/1600sec, 31mm focal L. @40 MPH, ~27mi from prev photo, map

Across the dam of Caples Lake

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/250sec, 40mm focal L., ~1.0mi from prev photo, map

CA-88

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.6, 1/400sec, 29mm focal L., ~2.7mi from prev photo, map

I left CA-88 in order to head toward the little town of Volcano. Seeing it on the map all these years, I’d never had occasion to check it out. I mean, it must have history getting a name like “Volcano”! Turns out some miners thought that the bowl shaped valley must have been caused by a volcano and the name stuck even though there’s nothing volcanic about the area.

back-road love

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.0, 1/80sec, 24mm focal L. @57 MPH, ~27mi from prev photo, map

There is a rather amazing network of small back roads in the area. One could explore for days and not ride the same road twice.

Nice Turrets — quirky castle-house on Ridge Rd.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.0, 1/160sec, 62mm focal L. @43 MPH, ~12mi from prev photo, map

Must be historic — Can’t imagine any other need for barbed wire…

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.6, 1/250sec, 18mm focal L. @57 MPH, ~5.4mi from prev photo, map

Just missed it — Was trying to capture my shadow on the barn.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/250sec, 18mm focal L. @52 MPH, ~3.7mi from prev photo, map

After meandering my way around the Sierra foothills, I was running out of daylight. It was time to suck it up make the fast dash across the central valley and into the Bay Area.

CA-26 — Catching the last rays of the sunlight

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/100sec, 18mm focal L. @69 MPH, ~2.4mi from prev photo, map

The road over Altamont Pass is littered with nearly 5000 windmills of all shapes and sizes and the evening hours are prime generation time as the cool coastal air rushes over the hills to replace the heat laden air rising over the Central Valley. This all makes for a miserable headwind and bitter “welcome back” to the Bay Area. And yet, it’s always comforting to be home.

We’d left ourselves two days to settle back into “normal” life before the grind of work started where a thousand emails awaited my attention. Life on the road had been good.

Continue to the parting thoughts.

After two weeks on the road, it was finally time to rejoin with the family and see the kiddos whom I was missing so dearly. Valerie had driven from San Jose to my parents the day before in order to meet us when we [...]]]> Day 15: Helena, MT to Weiser, ID — ~445 miles

After two weeks on the road, it was finally time to rejoin with the family and see the kiddos whom I was missing so dearly. Valerie had driven from San Jose to my parents the day before in order to meet us when we arrived today.

[click to go to an interactive map]

Heading west on US-12, the forests had been ravaged by beetle kill. One “good” fire will clean up the mess and enable new growth to start the forest cycle over again.

Beetle Kill — One little bug does so much damage.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/8.0, 1/125sec, 25mm focal L. @68 MPH, ~25mi from prev photo, map

I-90/US-12 — Heading toward Missoula.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/8.0, 1/320sec, 18mm focal L. @75 MPH, ~50mi from prev photo, map

This guy cracks me up. I wish I knew how far he’s going, but, there wasn’t much in those parts, which leads me to think he’s going the distance. What a thoroughly challenging way to travel as the only rest you get is by stopping and getting off — no coasting, even on the downhill.

Minimalist — Why do you need all those extra wheels?

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/8.0, 1/200sec, 18mm focal L. @61 MPH, ~37mi from prev photo, map

My home state — of my youth, anyway.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/500sec, 46mm focal L. @33 MPH, ~25mi from prev photo, map

Lolo Pass often ends up in the best motorcycle roads lists and such, so, I had high hopes. Trouble with high hopes: it’s usually a recipe for a let down.

The famed Lolo Pass — The highlight of the return trip home.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/400sec, 24mm focal L., ~771ft from prev photo, map

Heading down

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/640sec, 18mm focal L. @55 MPH, ~4.1mi from prev photo, map

Now, don’t get me wrong, I most certainly enjoyed riding this stretch of US-12. But, the road is too easy to go really fast on; it’s not so twisty to really slow you down, yet, it’s far to busy (and patrolled) to cut loose. Add to the fact that much of the ride follows a river, and thus, has a high likelihood of encountering a forest rat of the hoofed kind. It sorta begs to ridden at a prudent pace.

Ohhh, yes please!

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/800sec, 27mm focal L., ~6.9mi from prev photo, map

US-12 — Following the Lochsa River

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/400sec, 29mm focal L. @63 MPH, ~15mi from prev photo, map

The scenery, however, was just fantastic: from mountains, to lazy rivers, to sheer canyon walls, to forests — it had it all. Definitely worth going out of our way for, but, it’d prolly barely make the bottom of my “best motorcycle road” list for the trip. Certainly not on my “all time” list.

US-12 — Tastly little slaloms

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.6, 1/320sec, 70mm focal L. @66 MPH, ~25mi from prev photo, map

Nice driveway to the Paradise Ranch — Over the Clearwater River (middle fork)

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.6, 1/160sec, 27mm focal L. @49 MPH, ~15mi from prev photo, map

ID-13 — Heading south toward Grangeville

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.6, 1/320sec, 27mm focal L. @64 MPH, ~15mi from prev photo, map

On a per-mile-basis, I thought ID-13 was better than Lolo. Harpster grade is a nice technical section of solid twisties to play on. The pavement was very solid and reassuring.

ID-13 — Harpster Grade was very fun

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.6, 1/500sec, 24mm focal L. @57 MPH, ~3.2mi from prev photo, map

ID-13 — Harpster Grade

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.6, 1/500sec, 22mm focal L. @42 MPH, ~0.5mi from prev photo, map

ID-13

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.6, 1/640sec, 18mm focal L. @62 MPH, ~2.9mi from prev photo, map

US-95 White Bird Grade

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/7.1, 1/250sec, 44mm focal L. @73 MPH, ~14mi from prev photo, map

Connecting with US-95 at Grangeville, we joined up with a route that I spent 5 years of my youth driving to and from college during most of the major holidays. Back then, it was in my bitch’n Camaro and this was the first time doing so on a motorcycle. It’s probably a good thing I didn’t have a bike back then — I’ve definitely mellowed with age.

This one particular corner has always been a favorite: a constant radius, 180˚ sweeper that just begs to be played with. I couldn’t *NOT* take a picture, but, then, Dad wasn’t exactly dragging his cylinder head around it either.

US-95 — Round the big corner

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/7.1, 1/200sec, 56mm focal L. @72 MPH, ~14mi from prev photo, map

US-95 — The newly finished bridge

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/10.0, 1/200sec, 18mm focal L. @62 MPH, ~13mi from prev photo, map

Nearing the home of my youth, the grain harvest was in full swing and the rest of the crops were approaching maturity. It’s an incredibly busy time of year for the farmers, but, I sorta miss those long days driving combine, carefully steering to keep the header loaded to capacity without leaving any errant strays behind. Countless hours watching the reel gently bat the grain stalks across the sickle and onto the auger to be pushed into the thresher, and thus, started a long journey from our field and ultimately ended as nourishment in peoples’ bellies. I always wondered how far those grain kernels would go, and if they’d become bread, or cereal, or livestock feed.

Time for harvest — The sights and smells of my youth

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/2000sec, 70mm focal L. @50 MPH, ~88mi from prev photo, map

In any case, those last few miles out of town are so comfortingly familiar after a long journey. Only a couple of new houses have been built outside of town since we first moved in the mid-eighties. The annual rotation of crops from one field to another subtly toy with my recollection of what has otherwise been left unchanged by time.

Seeing the smiles of my three daughters and lovely bride upon arrival filled a void that the previous weeks of adventure would never compare to. It cemented that guilty feeling that’d festered for a week’s time telling me I’d been gone too long for this trip.

Stella can’t help but be captivating — She takes after her mother, after all.

Nikon D200, ISO 640, ƒ/2.8, 1/125sec, 40mm focal L.

Nephew Henry was having his first birthday party the next day. He was born while my dad and I were on the road home from the same trip the prior year.

Henry’s anxious to get this party started!

Nikon D200, ISO 400, ƒ/2.8, 1/80sec, 24mm focal L.

Maia practices being a brakeman

Nikon D200, ISO 100, ƒ/2.8, 1/500sec, 24mm focal L.

We tried to get photo’s of the cousins. Kid wrangling is always a laugh. It’s nigh impossible to get all of them to be there smiling, cute selves at the same instance in time. Below is my favorite because it’s actually a fairly true representation of character. Left to right, Maia mischievously giggling, Henry being cute and charming as ever, Elise finding something inappropriate to put in her mouth, and Stella, copying whatever naughty behavior someone else doing by finding a rock of her own.

One out of four

Nikon D200, ISO 100, ƒ/2.8, 1/320sec, 24mm focal L.

After 2 weeks on the road, spending a week with family was very much needed by all. My long suffering wife was finally relieved of being a single mom, only after driving alone for 700 miles with three squirrelly girls cramped up in their car seats, each one of them vying for her attention. She’s an amazing woman and I have to count my lucky stars that she puts up with a dolt like me.

Continue to the final ride home.

The second day of heading home was going to be another day of making miles, but, we’d finally break away from the interstate for many of those miles, making for a much happier day for me.

[click to go to an [...]]]> Day 14: Murdo, SD to Helena, MT — 689 miles

The second day of heading home was going to be another day of making miles, but, we’d finally break away from the interstate for many of those miles, making for a much happier day for me.

[click to go to an interactive map]

Welcome to a rainy morning

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.6, 1/160sec, 31mm focal L. @79 MPH, ~63mi from prev photo, map

By and large, the weather for the previous 2 weeks had been phenomenally great. So, it was about time to pay the dues. The weather was threatening to start spitting any moment as we were leaving Murdo, making an easy decision to don the rain suit in the comfy environs of the motel room. After an hour or 2, it was all behind us with nothing but blues skies and 80˚ air ahead. Perfect!

And to add to the perfection, the Midwest was behind us and we were making sufficient time to depart the super slab and make our way toward Lolo.

Finally, the end of the interstate!

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.6, 1/800sec, 18mm focal L. @70 MPH, ~98mi from prev photo, map

Rather odd old building — Maybe an old house?

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/500sec, 56mm focal L. @71 MPH, ~2.7mi from prev photo, map

Black hills of Wyoming

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/1250sec, 46mm focal L. @75 MPH, ~40mi from prev photo, map

After a brief ride through the north-eastern corner of Wyoming, we’d made it to Montana. Settling into the grove of some nice two-lane roads, I heard the unmistakable sound of turbojet engines at low altitude and then caught sight of a B-1 Lancer in planform doing a low’ish run over the terrain. They are equipped with terrain following radar enabling a low altitude, high-speed approach to their target.

B-1 Lancer — Certainly woke me up!

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/2000sec, 70mm focal L. @65 MPH, ~48mi from prev photo, map

Enjoying the scenery

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/1600sec, 70mm focal L. @77 MPH, ~36mi from prev photo, map

When I see industrial sites, I often snap a picture of them to record the location and try to figure out what it is (I’ve spared you most such photo’s!). But, this one confused me since the satellite view shows a site that is clearly missing much of the supporting equipment. Turns out it’s an old sugar factory built to process the local sugar beet crops. Since this photo was taken, the place has been demolished, or, “recycled”, as the case may be.

Hardin’s old surgar factory

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/2000sec, 70mm focal L. @71 MPH, ~89mi from prev photo, map

BIL VORTAC — The bowling pin shape is the antenna for the navigation radio transmitter.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/7.1, 1/1600sec, 70mm focal L. @65 MPH, ~49mi from prev photo, map

Oreo Cows — maybe Belted Galloways?

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/8.0, 1/1250sec, 62mm focal L. @72 MPH, ~28mi from prev photo, map

This old building caught my eye. Apparently, it used to be quite the icon.

Formerly the Adam’s Hotel — Built in 1908.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/8.0, 1/800sec, 22mm focal L. @32 MPH, ~9.2mi from prev photo, map

Think of the potential! — Great location for a meth lab.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/8.0, 1/1600sec, 22mm focal L. @42 MPH, ~0.3mi from prev photo, map

Helena Heights? — Some posh homes on the hillside.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/8.0, 1/500sec, 27mm focal L. @78 MPH, ~134mi from prev photo, map

Making our way into Helena, it’d been a bit over 12 hours since leaving Murdo. We moved up scale from the standard Motel 8 and sprung for a Holiday Inn — big timers, I know.

Continue to the next day that would take us over the “famed” Lolo Pass!

Our 2 days at the big air show were over and the time had come to point the wheel toward the west so as to make our way back home. There be kids to play with, wives to kiss, and birthdays to attend [...]]]> Day 13: Beaver Dam, WI to Murdo, SD — 664 miles

Our 2 days at the big air show were over and the time had come to point the wheel toward the west so as to make our way back home. There be kids to play with, wives to kiss, and birthdays to attend to upon our arrival back at my folks’ in Idaho, so it was to be a fast burn on the super slab across the Midwest; not exactly the highlight of the trip, but, the Midwest never is.

[click to go to an interactive map]

The dawn start heading out of Beaver Dam.

Nikon D70, ISO 400, ƒ/4.5, 1/400sec, 18mm focal L. @51 MPH, map

I think of of different type of “clink” for some reason…

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/800sec, 62mm focal L., ~21mi from prev photo, map

Mirror polish — Makes my elbows hurt just look’n at it.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.0, 1/800sec, 18mm focal L. @74 MPH, ~74mi from prev photo, map

Lake Onalaska (which is nothing more than a reservoir) is the widest point in the Mississippi at ~4 miles. Even though she’s not even close to bisecting the lower 48, it sure feels like crossing between the east and west on the bridge over the mighty Miss.

Lake Onalaska — aka, the Mississippi River.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.0, 1/1250sec, 18mm focal L. @51 MPH, ~32mi from prev photo, map

We did take a minor detour near Rochestor as my company has a satellite office located there. What could have been more fun than a random drop-in playing the part of Lumbergh and by asking everyone to come in on Saturday? But, such is the way of it, we arrived at lunch time to a nearly vacant office, which completely took the wind out of that sail.

But, on a brighter note, just down the road is the birth place of all modern Spam! I happen to like Spam, beens, and rice when camping.

If you aren’t a Monty Python fan, then the below picture and caption probably has no interest what-so-ever to you.

Spam, Spam, Spam! — (sing along with me) Spam’a'dee Spaaaaam, spam’a'dee Spam! Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam…

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/1000sec, 70mm focal L. @67 MPH, ~84mi from prev photo, map

“Hi Dad!” — Breaking up the monotany.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/3.8, 1/2500sec, 22mm focal L. @75 MPH, ~32mi from prev photo, map

It amazes me how many “cruiser” bikes there are on trailers or in the back of pickups in the greater Sturgis region around that time of the year. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the Sturgis rally started in a few days. Such scenes only serve to kill any waining vestige of interest I might have had in attending. I suppose I should try to make it just once — I may very well be wrong about the whole deal…

Goi’n to Sturgis? — Please tell me they aren’t trailering their priceless Shadow all the way…

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/3.8, 1/1250sec, 24mm focal L. @69 MPH, ~181mi from prev photo, map

Evening rays

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000sec, 24mm focal L. @71 MPH, ~157mi from prev photo, map

Just shy of 14 hours after get’n going for the morning, we called it a day and holed up for the night in the town of Murdo. The sleepy little town offered hope of a good steak dinner, but, I think we chose unwisely eating at the Buffalo Restaurant (if memory serves) as it was fairly meh. It’s one of those things that keeps traveling interesting — you just never know what to expect in the way of food and service.

Call’n it a day.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.6, 1/1600sec, 18mm focal L. @13 MPH, ~17mi from prev photo, map

Continue on to Day 14.

If you are just finding this, go here to start at the beginning.

For those that have never been to Airventure, held in Oshkosh, WI, it’s truly a spectacle that warrants a visit even for non-aviation enthusiasts. Anything and everything about general aviation and aircraft [...]]]> Day 11-12: EAA Airventure, or, the trip’s official “destination”.

If you are just finding this, go here to start at the beginning.

For those that have never been to Airventure, held in Oshkosh, WI, it’s truly a spectacle that warrants a visit even for non-aviation enthusiasts. Anything and everything about general aviation and aircraft construction is there, with a non-stop air show going on in the background. It’s too much to see everything in 2 days, but, that’s the time we had. The following is a brief taste of what I found interesting over the course of 2 days.

B-17G — The Flying Fortress

Nikon D70, ISO 200, ƒ/6.3, 1/160sec, 35mm focal L.

and, another B-17

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.2, 1/640sec, 35mm focal L.

This being my third year attending Airventure, I had never taken the ride out to the seaplane base. It was fairly quiet out there, and I was a bit disappointed that there wasn’t any “big iron” floating around.

Gorgeous Piper Cub on floats

Nikon D70, ISO 200, ƒ/4.5, 1/250sec, 24mm focal L.

The people having the most fun were the ferry boat drivers. On the deadhead trip without passengers, they barely had but a few feet of hull touching the water as they zipped around the lagoon.

Ground transportation at the sea plane base.

Nikon D70, ISO 200, ƒ/7.1, 1/200sec, 40mm focal L.

The week prior, Oshkosh received an incredible amount of rain, to the point that most of the airplane camping area was largely empty due to the soggy conditions. The RV campgrounds were more occupied, but, at the detriment to the grounds.

What a mess

Nikon D70, ISO 200, ƒ/7.1, 1/160sec, 70mm focal L.

The beast — Note the backwards rotating prop.

Nikon D70, ISO 200, ƒ/7.1, 1/125sec, 30mm focal L.

Below is the throttle quadrant to the “Beast”. Pilot humor.

For those not familiar: the prop lever indirectly controls the pitch of the prop, or, how much “bite” the blades take. The flatter the pitch, the higher the engine RPM will be, which results in the highest thrust, but, also the most noise, err, “roar”.

Unleash the full roar!

Nikon D70, ISO 200, ƒ/7.1, 1/160sec, 55mm focal L.

DC-3/C-47

Nikon D70, ISO 200, ƒ/22.0, 1/13sec, 28mm focal L.

I didn’t get any pictures of it, but, 2010 brought more DC-3′s flying in a loose trailing formation than has probably ever happened since war times. They had a mass arrival of some 30′ish planes that was quite the sight, and sound, to behold.

Duggy, the happy DC-3

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/800sec, 170mm focal L.

A crazy new winglet design that can save even more fuel than the “traditional” designs.

Crazy winglet design

Nikon D70, ISO 200, ƒ/4.0, 1/800sec, 28mm focal L.

SNJ / T-6′s — One of my favorites to see racing in Reno.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/800sec, 300mm focal L.

Gaggle of T-28 Trojans

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/8.0, 1/200sec, 70mm focal L.

Aeroshell T-6 Show

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/8.0, 1/400sec, 300mm focal L.

Even though I’ve seen this T6 routine a number of times, it never ceases to capture my attention. You can actually hear the subtle throttle changes called upon each of the Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engines as the pilots adjust their position against the lead.

Aeroshell T-6 Show

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/8.0, 1/400sec, 300mm focal L.

Aeroshell T-6 Show

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/8.0, 1/320sec, 300mm focal L.

Aeroshell T-6 Show

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/8.0, 1/400sec, 300mm focal L.

Look Ma, no hands!

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/8.0, 1/640sec, 300mm focal L.

It’s quite easy to remove your hands from the controls of a well trimmed airplane. The elevator has a trim adjustment that is used to reduce/eliminate any input required from the pilot to hold “straight and level” flight. The above photo is interesting in that he’s trimmed for inverted, which is a markedly different setting than trimming for normal flight. Maybe he’s holding the stick between his knees?

However, the picture below is interesting in that by standing up, he’s actually changing the center of gravity (moving it aft), which upsets the trim.

That’s what you call a “well trimmed” airplane

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/800sec, 300mm focal L.

There’s a saying that the best you can ever do is tie the record for lowest flight altitude. This guy was doing his best to match that record during his routine in the Stearman.

Low altitude routine

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/640sec, 300mm focal L.

P-51 did a full acro routine

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/800sec, 300mm focal L.

Douglas DC-7B

Nikon D70, ISO 200, ƒ/4.0, 1/1000sec, 35mm focal L.

I can just imagine that travel in the era of pressurized pistons must have made for quite a journey. It’s ~5000 mi range will easily take you non-stop coast to coast, but, it’d be a 7-8 hour journey from New York to LA. Which, really, is cruising right along for a piston plane.

Douglas DC-7B

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/8.0, 1/400sec, 28mm focal L.

DC-7 Cockpit — I’m surprised there was no flight engineer’s station.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/30sec, 18mm focal L.

DC-7 Cabin — Look at all that legroom!

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/6.3, 1/30sec, 25mm focal L.

Royal Aircraft S.E.5a — Or, as replicated from original drawings.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/800sec, 18mm focal L.

The gun and sights are from the Royal above. Clever way to handle the reloading problem.

In flight reloading — Note the track to slide the gun down for changing the magazine.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/2000sec, 29mm focal L.

F-16 — Love that paint job. Fresh out of the paint shop.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/1000sec, 24mm focal L.

UAV — The future of military aviation.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/400sec, 18mm focal L.

Not going to be launching any Maverick Missiles from this tiny platform, but, it certainly makes a nice eye-in-the-sky.

UAV launcher — No runway required. Would make for a sporting recovery, though.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/250sec, 18mm focal L.

Take a ride with Martin-Baker — They’ll certainly give you a kick in the butt.

Nikon D70, ISO 200, ƒ/4.8, 1/100sec, 60mm focal L.

Flying circles around the other

Nikon D70, ISO 320, ƒ/6.3, 1/1000sec, 300mm focal L.

Curtis P-40 Warhawk

Nikon D70, ISO 320, ƒ/6.3, 1/1000sec, 300mm focal L., map

Parked for the night.

iPhone

Continue on to the day 13: the start of the burn home.

If you are just finding this, go here to start at the beginning.

The date was July 24th, a Saturday. The big air show (remember, this trip has a real destination!) started in 2 days on [...]]]> Day 9-10: Bumming around Memphis, TN, and then off to Beaver Dam, WI — 722 Miles

If you are just finding this, go here to start at the beginning.

The date was July 24th, a Saturday. The big air show (remember, this trip has a real destination!) started in 2 days on the following Monday. With 700+ miles to cover, we figured it’d be doable in 1 day, even though it’d be a little bit of a stretch. That gave us a free day to bum around Memphis and see the sights.

[click to go to an interactive map]

The Peabody Hotel — the duck ramp is in place, and the crowd is gathering.

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/3.5, 1/8sec, 18mm focal L., map

The Peabody Hotel is famous because some hunters played a drunken prank and dumped some ducks (used as live decoys) into the lobby’s fountain. It drew so much attention that the hotel owners decided that they should always have ducks in the fountain and a bellman volunteered to tend to them, thus, giving rise to the first Duckmaster.

Every day, the Duckmaster escorts them from the roof to the fountain and back again, much to the delight of the kids. They are certainly quite the happy ducks, but, you know, they are just ducks.

The Peabody Hotel — the full mob in force.

Nikon D70, ISO 800, ƒ/3.5, 1/4sec, 18mm focal L., map

Beale street is a requisite tourist trap for chotchkies and, apparently, beers to go. It’s closed off to traffic allowing the street performers to use it as a veritable stage for with to display their talents to those with generous pockets.

That’s one bored bartender — not quite noon yet. The day is young.

Nikon D70, ISO 800, ƒ/13.0, 1/50sec, 70mm focal L., ~803ft from prev photo, map

Frank’s Bar-B-Q Shop

Nikon D70, ISO 800, ƒ/13.0, 1/125sec, 31mm focal L., ~2.9mi from prev photo, map

I have vague memories from my youth of eating at Frank’s Bar-B-Q shop (home of the Dancing Pigs sauce). I’m not sure how long my dad has known Frank, but he and Jim were warmly welcomed upon arrival. Memphis bar-b-q, with its tangy vinegar base that is minimally sweet, is the quintessential bar-b-q for me.

Testing out the new glazed ribs

Nikon D70, ISO 800, ƒ/13.0, 1/30sec, 18mm focal L., map

Frank gives us the personal tour — the modern smoker

Nikon D70, ISO 800, ƒ/13.0, 1/30sec, 27mm focal L., map

The original smoker

Nikon D70, ISO 800, ƒ/3.5, 1/15sec, 18mm focal L., map

Jim’s the big guy in the picture below. He and my dad are childhood friends and they’ve pretty much always been thick as thieves. He made a great host and carted us all over. Thanks Jim!

Friends and family — Jim’s daughter and her husband joined us for lunch

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/3.5, 1/500sec, 18mm focal L., map

Jim takes us to the zoo

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/3.5, 1/1600sec, 18mm focal L., ~0.9mi from prev photo, map

The three of us ventured to the Zoo, oddly enough. Since having kids, I’ve been to more zoos than I ever recall ever going as a kid — I probably just have a bad memory.

It was hot and brutally humid. We were all wiped after seeing, maybe, half of the zoo.

Calling it a valiant effort, considering the heat.

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/9.0, 1/400sec, 22mm focal L., map

The next day, we were rolling down the road at 0615 local. I’d done quite a bit of studying to find a route that would get us off the slab and into some fun roads the first part of the day. Little did I know that Dad was still not entirely comfortable on his newish R12. While I was having fun at a fairly relaxed pace, I ended up causing undo stress on him as he was still finding the groove of the new ride.

Getting some back road love to break up the slabbing

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/9.0, 1/250sec, 18mm focal L. @53 MPH, ~118mi from prev photo, map

That’s a lot of mowing to keep up with — but, just idyllic countryside

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/3.5, 1/2000sec, 18mm focal L. @56 MPH, ~42mi from prev photo, map

Fort Davidson

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/3.5, 1/3200sec, 18mm focal L. @34 MPH, ~17mi from prev photo, map

I’m a sucker for broken down old buildings.

I always wonder what former glory such buildings used to be — and, what they were used for.

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/3.5, 1/800sec, 18mm focal L. @27 MPH, ~73mi from prev photo, map

As we skirted around St. Louis, I was struck with surprise when the Gateway Arch came to view. The family visited it when I was a kid, but, it seams more impressive now. It’d be more fun to take the stairs through it.

Gratuitous landmark shot

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/4.5, 1/1250sec, 18mm focal L. @52 MPH, ~0.4mi from prev photo, map

So light, you might as well drink water! — Is there even any alcohol in it?

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/5.0, 1/1000sec, 60mm focal L. @62 MPH, ~1.2mi from prev photo, map

Beautiful day for a ride. — And the perfect temp in the low 80′s

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/4.5, 1/1600sec, 22mm focal L. @73 MPH, ~194mi from prev photo, map

It truly was a gorgeous day for riding and was quite enjoyable, even though so many miles were spent on the super slab.

Self portrait

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/4.5, 1/4000sec, 18mm focal L. @75 MPH, ~57mi from prev photo, map

Dad on his new steed

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/4.5, 1/1250sec, 18mm focal L. @71 MPH, ~21mi from prev photo, map

Photo op

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/4.5, 1/800sec, 70mm focal L. @30 MPH, ~4.8mi from prev photo, map

The sun was setting as we made the last few miles toward Beaver Dam, washing the Wisconsin countryside in that warm light of the Golden Hour. We got off the slab and nabbed some side roads, capping off the day perfectly.

Gorgeous Wisconsin farm land.

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/4.5, 1/160sec, 46mm focal L. @62 MPH, ~55mi from prev photo, map

Tomorrow, we hit the big airshow!

If you are just finding this, go here to start at the beginning.

While I had been touring around Colorado and visiting in Texas, my father was making his way from Idaho to Tennessee on his new to him R12RT. After the fact, [...]]]> Day 8: Plano, TX to Memphis, TN — 552 Miles

If you are just finding this, go here to start at the beginning.

While I had been touring around Colorado and visiting in Texas, my father was making his way from Idaho to Tennessee on his new to him R12RT. After the fact, we discovered that we’d missed each other in Grand Junction, CO, by just a couple of hours.

He’d arrived in Memphis the day prior and it was time for me to make my way to catch up with him there. I bid a silent farewell to Clint and his wife and tiptoed out to the garage at O’dark thirty.

[click to go to an interactive map]

This bug was just motoring along at maybe 45 MPH. He made no effort to be in the lane, even when there was no other traffic. Bizarre.

Shoulder driving — Is that legal in TX?

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/3.5, 1/250sec, 18mm focal L. @60 MPH, map

The plan was to hightail it out of the greater Dallas area and then hit the two-laners to get a small taste of what the Ozarks have to offer. Trouble was, there were too many roads that were too far out of the way to make it to Memphis at a respectable hour.

This came recommended at the beemer shop in Dallas

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/125sec, 48mm focal L., ~134mi from prev photo, map

After talking with several folks familiar with the area, they all agreed that the Talimena road was worth going out of the way for. I’d have to agree.

OK 1 — aka Talimena Scenic Drive. I’ll just call it, “Tasty!”

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/800sec, 56mm focal L. @67 MPH, ~10mi from prev photo, map

The timber empire that the Dierks built included the largest family-owned landholding in the country. That is, until they sold all assets to Weyerhaeuser in the late ’60s.

Remnant from the timber empire.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/800sec, 18mm focal L. @33 MPH, ~24mi from prev photo, map

Queen Wilhelmina St Park

Nikon D70, ISO 250, ƒ/4.0, 1/640sec, 18mm focal L., map

I stopped at Queen Wilhelmina St. Park to get some breakfast. Sadly, I had just missed breakfast service and had fresh pick’ns from lunch buffet. I should have kept on motoring, as the food was unremarkable. However, there was a lovely view overlooking the valley while watching the many hummingbirds get their fill from the feeder in the foreground.

The “Castle in the Sky” dates back to the late 1800s as a railroad destination retreat for the wealthy. The most interesting part of the history is that of the constant rebuilding on the site: the hostelry promptly failed, decayed, and was rebuilt, and then burned to the ground, and then built a third time into what is now a state park.

My view while eating lunch.

Nikon D70, ISO 250, ƒ/4.5, 1/500sec, 70mm focal L., ~0.3mi from prev photo, map

AR 88 — Skyline Drive

Nikon D70, ISO 250, ƒ/4.5, 1/160sec, 52mm focal L. @61 MPH, ~1.7mi from prev photo, map

In case you aren’t getting it from the pictures, the Talemina Drive was just the sort of road I was hoping to find. The best part was that it was posted as 55 MPH for much of it, giving plenty of margin for fun.

AR 88 — Skyline Drive

Nikon D70, ISO 250, ƒ/4.2, 1/500sec, 38mm focal L. @56 MPH, ~6.0mi from prev photo, map

I sure did — and, if that’s all the selection they offer, I’d pass it up again and again.

Nikon D70, ISO 250, ƒ/4.0, 1/800sec, 18mm focal L. @67 MPH, ~56mi from prev photo, map

The area around Hot Springs, Arkansas, was a glut of stop-lights and traffic that left me wonting of the legal lane-sharing in CA. Instead, I looked at the map that Mr. Garmin was showing and opted for dead-reckoning along roads with no clear destination. It was a gamble to get off the main road and I gave it an 80% chance of going dual-sporting in order to get back on the main highway.

My cure for traffic

Nikon D70, ISO 250, ƒ/4.0, 1/500sec, 18mm focal L. @22 MPH, ~19mi from prev photo, map

And, without fail, the pavement ended. The nice gravel road turned into a narrow gravel road, which turned into a narrow trail that was only a marginal improvement from the dual-track that it doubtlessly was not so long ago. It’s not an adventure if everything goes as planned!

In for a penny … — I was afraid of that.

Nikon D70, ISO 250, ƒ/4.0, 1/250sec, 18mm focal L. @31 MPH, ~2.1mi from prev photo, map

Got Twins? — Yes, yes I do, thank you very much.

Nikon D70, ISO 250, ƒ/4.5, 1/500sec, 56mm focal L. @77 MPH, ~24mi from prev photo, map

Pardon the pun, but, I did a total double take on the billboard above. As the proud daddy of twin girls (plus the big sister!), I was very confused as to what exactly was being advertised. Fertility treatments? Child Photographer? Insurance?

I had to Google “Lamar” before catching the clue at the bottom of the billboard that they, in fact, actually own the billboard and are advertising their advertising. Totally obvious, right?

Count the misspellings

Nikon D70, ISO 250, ƒ/4.5, 1/640sec, 70mm focal L. @69 MPH, ~31mi from prev photo, map

Crossing the mighty Miss

Nikon D70, ISO 250, ƒ/4.0, 1/800sec, 18mm focal L. @67 MPH, ~113mi from prev photo, map

I couldn’t really come up with a better way to get into Memphis other than rolling the slab. Even with the early start, I didn’t want to delay getting into town any later than I already was.

Memphis, here I come!

Nikon D70, ISO 250, ƒ/4.0, 1/500sec, 18mm focal L. @41 MPH, ~0.9mi from prev photo, map

Dad was waiting at the hotel for my arrival. It was good to see him and compare notes on our trips thus far. I was especially anxious to see the sights around the old stomping grounds where he grew up.

Continue reading as we head up to Wisconsin.

After 5 days in the saddle to get to my buddy’s in Texas, what’s the first thing that we do? Take off and do some riding, of course!

[click to go to an interactive map]

Clint’s [...]]]> Day 6 & 7: Bumming around Plano, TX — 281 Miles

After 5 days in the saddle to get to my buddy’s in Texas, what’s the first thing that we do? Take off and do some riding, of course!

[click to go to an interactive map]

Clint’s V-Max needed some TLC, so, he decided to rent a Harely for the day. Many jokes ensued about him becoming a stereotypical hog rider (from both of us), and he assured me it wasn’t a sign of the direction his motorcycling was going.

Really, I have to hand it to Clint’s expecting wife for being agreeable to Clint’s moto riding, seeing’s how a close family member of hers was killed on one. It was a sobering story and a reminder about the choices we all make when we throw a leg over and go for a ride.

Heading out of town to see the local sights

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/3.5, 1/3200sec, 18mm focal L. @73 MPH, map

One of the many random cool roads

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/3.5, 1/200sec, 18mm focal L. @40 MPH, ~46mi from prev photo, map

We really didn’t have any major destination for the day and generally were just heading north. Clint wanted to check out the camping situation at lake Texoma on the Texas Oklahoma border. While we were up there, there’s a Cajun restaurant that made for a nice lunch spot.

I was pleasantly surprised by most of the random roads that we meandered our way on. There’s very little reason for any of the roads to have curves, but, it turns out that many of the small roads are anything but straight as they cut their way around the various parcels of private property.

Days gone by

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/3.5, 1/1250sec, 18mm focal L. @36 MPH, ~11mi from prev photo, map

Woof, I can’t imagine that gauge registering, even toward the bottom of the scale

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/3.5, 1/1250sec, 18mm focal L. @30 MPH, ~1.4mi from prev photo, map

Checking out a potential camping place on Lake Texoma

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/500sec, 31mm focal L., ~16mi from prev photo, map

Riding over the spill way of Denison Dam — Must be quite a sight when it’s so full to be running over.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/500sec, 70mm focal L. @34 MPH, ~2.8mi from prev photo, map

The Denison Dam creates lake Texoma and was built in 1943. At the time, it was the largest earthen dam of its type. The spillway that we rode through (above) is 25′ above the level of the “conservation pool” where reservoir is typically maintained at and flood waters have only spilled over 3 times since the dam was built. The volume of the reservoir more than doubles when the upper 25′ are filled, but, it “only” takes 1.5 inches of rain over the drainage basin to fill it to the spillway.

Surge tanks to smooth pressure in the penstocks leading to the powerhouse.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/3.8, 1/800sec, 27mm focal L. @42 MPH, ~0.4mi from prev photo, map

Penstock inlet gates

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/1250sec, 40mm focal L. @54 MPH, ~0.3mi from prev photo, map

Interesting word choice — almost makes them seem like a good thing…

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/5.0, 1/250sec, 70mm focal L. @15 MPH, ~54mi from prev photo, map

The next day, Clint had a court date scheduled to deal with an issue with one of his tenants. Truth be told, I was all to happy to tag along and witness the proceedings. I’ll refrain from airing all the details, even though it is part of public record. But, the highlights were:

• Clint gave payment history, rental agreement and a list of property damages.
• Defendants gave a lengthy sob story, effectively calling Clint a liar in the process. The judge sat stoned faced; completely motionless with his chin propped up on the bench and waited patiently until they had nothing further to say.
• Judge: “Well, it’s obvious there’s hard feelings between you, but, I’m not in the feelings business.” The judge looks over to the defendants, “I’ve just got one question for you. Are you behind on paying the rent?”
• Defendants: “yes, we are.”
• And before they could say another word, the judge picks up the gavel and says, “the court sides with the plaintiff. Defendants are to pay $xxxx …” followed by a modest, yet firm strike of the gavel to drive the point home.

Here’s a tip: if you don’t pay your rent, the court doesn’t really care about all the rest.

Court date — artist’s conception

With a free afternoon, I took the opportunity to do some maintenance on the bike. It was due for an oil change, which I was able to take care of in Clint’s garage. My rear tire had 7600 miles on it and it certainly wasn’t going to make it through the rest of the trip. If I was riding around home, I’d have waited a little longer, but, the timing was good to get it out of the way. I got all lazy and took it to Dallas BMW for the change. They were kind enough to price match the best local price (Cycle Gear) and were able get it into the shop on-the-spot.

Re’tire’ment time — not so many miles left on it…

iPhone, map

While it wasn’t cheep, I used the time at the dealership to gather pointers on good roads to take on the next day’s trip to Memphis.

Thank you, Clint, for being such a great host!

Today was all about miles. If I’d planned it smarter, it wouldn’t have been too much more to have made a Saddlesore 1000 out of the day.

[click to go to an interactive map]

Small fortune [...]]]> Day 5: Pagosa Springs, CO to Plano, TX — 824 Miles

Today was all about miles. If I’d planned it smarter, it wouldn’t have been too much more to have made a Saddlesore 1000 out of the day.

[click to go to an interactive map]

Small fortune on fencing — the long vanity fence baffles me.

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/5.0, 1/1000sec, 34mm focal L. @67 MPH, map

Heading south on US 64 out of Pagosa Springs, it wasn’t long to get to New Mexico. I’m sure I’ve been to the state before but, I don’t have any memorable recollection of doing so. For some reason, I half expected it to quickly transition into barren desert, which of course, is all rather silly since I’d chosen to follow the mountains as far south as I could before turning east toward Dallas.

US 64

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/5.0, 1/1250sec, 70mm focal L. @74 MPH, ~15mi from prev photo, map

US 64

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/5.0, 1/500sec, 60mm focal L. @75 MPH, ~6.4mi from prev photo, map

And, it didn’t take long to arrive at the desert.

Taos was unbelievably hippy. The stench of patchouli oil assaulted the nose just rolling through town. There are more artists studios/shops than a town of such size could possibly support. I wasn’t shopping today, so, I just kept on moving as fast as traffic would let me.

Bizarro house nearing Taos — Note the usage of old tires.

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/5.0, 1/800sec, 60mm focal L. @62 MPH, ~30mi from prev photo, map

Crossing the Rio Grande — one last time on this trip

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/5.0, 1/800sec, 29mm focal L. @42 MPH, ~1.6mi from prev photo, map

I stopped for breakfast at a cafe in Angel Fire. Geek that I am, the thing that comes to mind when I think of “Angle Fire” are all those (lousy) first generation web pages/sites hosted for free on anglefire.com. Ohh, how times have changed….

US 64 — almost into Angel Fire. Just couldn’t pull the trigger on getting around this one.

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/5.0, 1/800sec, 18mm focal L. @25 MPH, ~23mi from prev photo, map

Looking at Google maps, NM 120 takes a nice direct line in the direction I needed to go. But, the first sign of trouble was that Mr. Garmin refused to take me that way. 3 miles into it, the “Pavement Ends” sign explained why Mr. Garmin was so insistent upon making a U-turn, “when possible”. As you’ve seen, I’m not adverse to riding off pavement, but, I was potentially looking at 70 miles of dirt road to follow my intended route. It likely would have been less (depending on when pavement stared on the other side), but, I didn’t figure it was worth the risk. With only 3 miles invested, I decided that a longer route on tarmac would certainly be faster.

NM 120 — Looked like a very promising road.

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/5.0, 1/1000sec, 34mm focal L. @55 MPH, ~10mi from prev photo, map

Back on NM 434

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/5.0, 1/1000sec, 38mm focal L. @64 MPH, ~1.0mi from prev photo, map

And, it turns out that NM 434 proved to be a very interesting road to have been “stuck” on. It meandered through the hills and offered plenty of distraction to take my mind off not following the planned route. The most striking feature of the road was the sheer variation from narrow goat trail to a manicured 2-laner.

NM 434 — A bit longer route, but, turned out to be fun all the same.

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/5.0, 1/400sec, 18mm focal L. @47 MPH, ~4.0mi from prev photo, map

NM 434

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/5.0, 1/1000sec, 18mm focal L. @57 MPH, ~4.6mi from prev photo, map

In my head, I was hearing dueling banjos from one of the porches in the sparse community at the junction of NM 518 and NM 434.

I wonder what sort of building used to be

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/5.0, 1/320sec, 18mm focal L. @35 MPH, ~14mi from prev photo, map

NM 518 — back to making time…

Nikon D70, ISO 640, ƒ/4.5, 1/2000sec, 18mm focal L. @61 MPH, ~1.8mi from prev photo, map

Rolling into Las Vegas, NM, (didn’t even know there was another), I said goodbye to fun roads and gassed up in preparation for the start of a long burn through the mostly flat lands.

NM 104 — Leaving Las Vegas — not that one, the one in New Mexico.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/1250sec, 48mm focal L. @72 MPH, ~27mi from prev photo, map

Little house on a prairie

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/1250sec, 46mm focal L. @71 MPH, ~1.9mi from prev photo, map

NM 104 heading east of Las Vegas was interminably straight and devoid of any other cars. There was the very occasional ranch house, but, mostly it was nothing but prairie on either side as far as the eye could see. I wondered how old the abandoned house and windmill pictured above were.

I had settled into a grove of about 80′sh with the throttle lock on and generally kept half an eye out for any errant 4-legged creatures. I really wasn’t overly worried about any LEO’s, but, I wasn’t in such a hurry as to go stupid fast. After a half an hour of this, I was at the point where boredom sneaks up and attaches tiny lead weights to the eyelids at every blink.

Suddenly, I was very literally startled when a lady in dark blue POS blew by me going well over 100 MPH. Awww, what the heck, might as well make this a little more interesting and poured the juice to it. She kept up that speed for a while and then slowed it down some after drifting precariously from one edge of the road to the other. I was far enough behind her not be in danger if she went for an extracurricular adventure, but, she managed to keep it mostly centered between the two lanes after that.

My rabbit — a little of your lane, a little of my lane.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/640sec, 62mm focal L. @96 MPH, ~18mi from prev photo, map

Down it goes…

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1sec, 18mm focal L. @59 MPH, ~6.7mi from prev photo, map

Just prior to stepping down off the plateau, my rabbit blazed through the “reduced speed zone” for the small community and tore into the parking lot of a convenience store. Shucks, fun’s over…

A brief respite from straight and boring

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/1000sec, 18mm focal L. @57 MPH, ~1.8mi from prev photo, map

And, back to straight and boring

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/1250sec, 70mm focal L. @91 MPH, ~18mi from prev photo, map

After dropping down from the plateau, the shoulders of the road had been very freshly mowed and, little did I know, the mower had kicked up gravel and dirt all over the road. It sure got my attention when the bike got all squirrelly on me in the middle of a corner. One can never be too relaxed…

As I was approaching the mower tractor, the radar detector started chirping with a weak signal that faded, coincidently enough, shortly after passing by the mower. Now, there are some agriculture applications that utilize radar for precise speed control (think: pesticide application), but, a mowing tractor really has no such need. Hhhmmmmmmmmm.

As I pondered this, the radar detector started chirping yet again, and just then, my friendly rabbit blew past me a second time with a renewed fire in her britches to get someplace.

Uhhhh Ohhh, this is not good. I slowed it down and watched the train wreck happen in front of me. I wished I could have warned her somehow that it wasn’t the best of times to be drunkenly speeding.

And, not 30 seconds later, a dark SUV emerged over a distant crest causing the radar detector to go berserk. The LEO hit his lights just before passing the rabbit and she just jammed on the brakes and pulled it off the road such that the LEO only had to make a U-turn to pull in behind her. BUSTED!

I just casually rolled by at a legal, yet, abysmally slow pace. Show’s over, nothing to see here…

Welcome to Texas — Mmmmmm, beef

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.0, 1/1250sec, 18mm focal L. @74 MPH, ~128mi from prev photo, map

I eventually made my way to the superslab that is I40 and then US287. It didn’t really seem like I was missing all that much through these parts.

Although, I’m fairly certain they didn’t have these massive rest stops along the 2-lane roads.

Everything’s bigger in TX — The rest stop was a complex of 4 buildings on each side of the freeway.

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/1000sec, 70mm focal L. @76 MPH, ~93mi from prev photo, map

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.2, 1/1000sec, 34mm focal L. @79 MPH, ~16mi from prev photo, map

Terrible picture, but, I was completely surprised to see camels roaming through the fields. Apparently, they have a long history in Texas.

Camels, in Texas?!? — Who’d have thunk?

Nikon D70, ISO 500, ƒ/4.5, 1/160sec, 70mm focal L. @73 MPH, ~108mi from prev photo, map

Almost 14:45 hours after departing Pagosa Springs, I pulled up to my buddies house — by far the longest day I’ve ever done in both miles and hours. Considering I had a relaxing breakfast, stopped to enjoy a root beer float with lunch, and tooling through some cool back roads — an average of ~56 MPH from start to finish wasn’t too shabby at all. I can certainly see how a Saddlesore 1000 is readily doable.

Even though it was after 11 PM, my buddy was all to happy to share a beer and shoot the breeze to catch up on lost time. But, we had plans for the next day, so, it wasn’t too long before we called it a night so we could be rested for, more adventures.