Watch for Falling Rock - Trip Report (Pic Heavy) [Archive]

Trip

06-10-2011, 11:11 AM

Day 1:

This was a 850 mile ride from Lenoir City, TN out to Shawnee, OK. This was a good test day. I got some light rain going over the hills on I-40 just outside Lenoir City. Tried my rain gear out and it worked as expected. Temps ranged from about 60-90 this day. So I didn't get anything to test my Rev'It mesh suit beyond what I had ridden in with it. I did find out the neck closure rubbed my neck pretty harshly and leaving it open was best. This was the longest ride I have ever done in one day. It was pretty easy and the russell day long saddle lived up to it's price. No saddlesore at all. I didn't really take pics this day. Not really much to see on I-40. I did take these of the Mississippi. Flooding was bad around it. Didn't get a shot of the Arkansas border, it was on the stupid bridge and I couldn't get to my camera in time. Did get Oklahoma. So two new states.

I did experience what I am left to believe was an attempted theft of my stuff this day. I was stopping at gas stations without a lot of people to get in and out quick, but in a little gas station outside of Little Rock, AR; I caught a guy walking towards my bike that looked suspicious. I walked outside the store and toward my bike. He stopped and looked around for a bit and then walked back to the Wendy's across the street to his beater car and his whorish looking girlfriend. She was giving him waves to come back too. I think if I wouldn't of come out, he would of been trying to rip my wolfman bag off the back of my bike. I take all my electronics/tank bag/helmet in with me at every stop, but I still have a big wolfman bag and a extra gas can exposed with a wire lock to the bike though. The big panniers look appealing too, I suppose.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%201/DSC01200.jpg

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Trip

06-10-2011, 11:58 AM

Day 2:

This was a 600 mile ride from Shawnee, OK to Colorado Springs, CO. The trip started getting good here. I met up with G-rex just outside Oklahoma City. It was good to get someone to ride with. We hit some fog just outside of Oklahoma City. It was pretty weird looking. Looked like a sandstorm when we were riding at it. Also saw some Tornado damage to some trees along the interstate. Pics below.

We continued on I-40 to Amarillo. Texas scenery through here was surprising. It was a good taste of what would be the west side of the Mississippi. They had little creek canyons and desert scenery all over the place. It was flat, but it was different than anything I had seen before. It was a pleasant ride. We saw a leaning water tower and big cross too. Texas entrances and exits on the interstate were weird to say the least. You kind just ride into a border road and hope traffic yields/stops for you. First time experiencing that.

Once in Amarillo, we went to this place called the Cadillac Ranch. Some dude buried these Caddies in the ground. It was really neat and you could spray paint on them.

We saw my Harley dealership in Amarillo too, see pic below.

We went eat lunch at the tourist attraction Big Texan 72oz steak place. We didn't attempt it and no one else did while we were there. The steak here was amazing. It was worth the stop.

We took a little road out of Amarillo. We were suppose to fill up in Amarillo, but we didn't run across a station. Trace tried to run me out of gas and we pulled into a gas station in Dumas, TX with me running on fumes. Trace's beemer has a bigger tank than mine, plus my loaded down GS was getting horrible gas mileage with that much weight and running 80-85.

From there we headed into New Mexico and the scenery started getting great. They had little buttes everywhere and the desert scenery was starting to get awesome. Here we picked up a cross wind of 50-60mph gusts that did not leave me for the entire trip. Temps for this day were 60-100. The 100 degree temps in New Mexico felt more like 80 with the cross wind. It was good riding weather besides riding sideways from the wind. It was very manageable though.

From New Mexico, we caught site of Colorado's mountains. We were finally getting to the good stuff. The ride from Pueblo into Colorado Springs was interesting. We were riding on the border of the plains and mountains. You could look to your right and see snow capped peaks and look to the left and see flat plains forever and ever.

It was a great day of riding.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%202/DSC01205.jpg

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Trip

06-10-2011, 11:58 AM

Day 2 continued:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%202/IMAG0353-750742.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%202/DSC01319.jpg

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http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%202/DSC01323.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 12:47 PM

Day 3:

This was an epic 400 mile ride from Colorado Springs, CO to Mesa Verde National Park, CO. This was the day of days. My favorite ride of the trip. This involved Pikes Peak, US Highway 50, US Highway 550 (Million Dollar Highway), and Mesa Verde National Park. It was simply AMAZING!!!

Me and Trace left out of Colorado Springs pretty early and went to Pikes Peak. We saw a little bit of Garden with the Gods from a distance, but did not go in. We intended to go in, but after looking at the weather for the million dollar highway I decided to speed up the timetable so I could do it that day instead of staying in Ouray, CO and doing it the next day as planned. It was forecasted for 70 degrees and sunny that day and high 30s with snow the next. The choice was easy. This speeding up the timetable would become a reoccurring theme throughout most of the trip unfortunately.

So we made to Pikes Peak and as we found out from the net, only the first 13 miles of the summit were open (to the top of the treeline.) Above 13 was above the treeline and the winds were really bad. They said all 19 would be open after lunch, but as stated before, time was not my friend. So we paid for our summit ticket and did the 13 miles up the mountain. It was rather enjoyable, but I wish we could of did the whole thing. It was a spectacular road and I left with wanting more.

So after I left Pikes Peak and Trace, I headed towards what I thought would be a stay in Durango or Cortez for the night. I did not realize Mesa Verde would be on the way. I saw some interesting sites. 50 was pretty amazing from about Maysville to Sapinero. This included Monarch Pass and Blue Mesa Reservoir.

I finally ended up in Montrose, CO (which was pretty flat and nothing grand) and made the left turn onto 550. As I worked my way into Ouray, snow topped mountains started appearing on both sides of me. It was pretty spectacular to be in this little valley with giants on both sides. Then I got into Ouray which seemed to end the valley straight into the mountain. Ouray was an amazing little town, wish I could of stayed the night. I will be back there for a night or more in the future.

At the end of Ouray, the road just went up and into the mountains. The million dollar highway was a spectacular ride. It lived up to it's name. Silverton was another little town on this road, right in the middle of the highway. It was a neat little mining town I wish I could of spent more time in as well. The road regrettably ends in Durango, I didn't really have as much interest in staying here, so I continued my travels for the day toward Cortez, CO.

On the way to Cortez, I saw signs for Mesa Verde and decided to check it out. I didn't really know much about this park, but it would be an additional stamp for my park passport. I presented my annual park pass to the gate ranger and he advised me I should stay at the lodge in the park because it was a 15 mile drive to the visitor center (it was about 5pm at this point) and check out the cliff dwellings in the morning. He called up and made sure I had a room waiting for me when I got there and I decided to stay there for the night.

I ended up eating at the fancy restaurant instead of the bar at the lodge and had a great meal of beef medallions with potatoes. It was pricey, but I was on vacation and the food was good. I was sat next to the window and got to watch the wild horses of the park wander around right outside the lodge. It was a good end to an awesome day of riding.

Colorado is fantastic, must go back.

Heading towards Pikes Peak:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01325.jpg

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Base of Pikes Peak:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/IMAG0355-760304.jpg

Pikes Peak:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01331.jpg

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http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/IMAG0358-795460.jpg

Towards Poncha Springs:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01341.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01343.jpg

Highway 50:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01346.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01348.jpg

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http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/IMAG0360-790990.jpg

Heading into Ouray, CO:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01353.jpg

Ouray:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01354.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01359.jpg

Million Dollar Highway:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01360.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01362.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 12:48 PM

Day 3 continued:

Million Dollar Highway and Silverton, CO:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01365.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01366.jpg

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Entering Mesa Verde:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01401.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/DSC01402.jpg

Mesa Verde Lodge/Dining Window/Horses:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/IMAG0366-747905.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%203/IMAG0367-765933.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 02:28 PM

Day 4:

This was a surprisingly fun 350 mile run through some beautiful desert from Mesa Verde National Park, CO to Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim, AZ. I found I rather enjoyed the desert. Of course it wasn't ungodly hot when I went through and I enjoyed the scenery a lot. There was also this interesting smell that was a sweet flowery smell that I liked in some parts of the desert. This seemed to correlate with the "red" sand/dirt desert.

So the day started off with a nice little early morning jaunts in Mesa Verde. I am so glad I paid the money to stay at this place. Being able to wake up and explore the park before anyone else was worth the extra cost I spent on getting the room in the park. I beat all the traffic, got to see all the cliff dwellings I wanted without ANY traffic. I was literally the only person on the road til at least 8am mountain time. I was still operating on EST, so I was up and out by 6:30 mountain or so. This park was amazing, I will be back again.

So I left Mesa Verde with a twinge of regret because the park was beautiful and headed on to my next stop in the tour which unfortunately was 4 corners. With the beauty of Mesa Verde still on my mind, 4 corners was simply a dump. Terrible waste of $3. The monument was surrounded by crappy Indian shops. Oh well, I wanted to do it....and this was not be the last or most money I spent on a shitty place...

I continued my trek through the desert and saw all sorts of neat scenery/rock formations. This was beautiful country. I loved the desert. It would be on my mind the whole trip. If I had seen the northern route before the trip, I would of just doubled back over the same area because I enjoyed the lower that much more than the upper part. I think I just had a crappy route for the northern part though, that was mostly to do with what I wanted to see up north.

I did the 40 miles through the forest to the Grand Canyon Lodge. I had a little cabin for the night. It was nice, but having the Grand Canyon as you backyard will make any room seem nice. I crossed off a top 5 item on my bucket list this night. I watched the sunset on the rim of the canyon. It was amazing. I had a big canyon cookie, drinks, cell phone with 3g, and a laptop tethered to the cell phone. LOL! This place exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed the hell out of the night and morning I spent on the canyon. This is a must do item for anyone. I highly highly recommend it and spend the money to stay at the lodge, well worth the cost. Plan ahead and make sure you get a reservation.

Mesa Verde:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01404.jpg

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Square Tower at Mesa Verde:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01420.jpg

Pit House at Mesa Verde:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01426.jpg

Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01439.jpg

Ride between Mesa Verde and Grand Canyon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01450.jpg

Entering AZ, actually taken on Day 5, but I didn't see it on Day 4:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/IMAG0381-728115.jpg

More Ride between Mesa Verde and Grand Canyon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01459.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 02:35 PM

Day 4 continued:

More Ride between Mesa Verde and Grand Canyon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01465.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01471.jpg

4 Corners:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01472.jpg

More Ride between Mesa Verde and Grand Canyon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01474.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01477.jpg

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Awesome dude in a recliner:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01500.jpg

More Ride between Mesa Verde and Grand Canyon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01502.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01505.jpg

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http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01514.jpg

Entering Grand Canyon National Park:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01517.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 02:39 PM

Day 4 continued:

Forest in Grand Canyon National Park:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01519.jpg

Lodge at the Grand Canyon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01537.jpg

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http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01542.jpg

My Cabin at the Grand Canyon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/IMAG0372-748000.jpg

Me and the Grand Canyon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/IMAG0377-719562.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01551.jpg

Grand Canyon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01520.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%204/DSC01521.jpg

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Trip

06-11-2011, 03:42 PM

Day 5 and 6:

Day 5 was a 290 miles easy ride from Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim, AZ to Las Vegas, NV. While Day 6 was a regrettable off day in Las Vegas, NV. The ride from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas was an awesome ride until I-15. I-15 did have a few nice pieces of scenery though.

The first half took me through Zion National Park. I considered going up to Bryce Canyon National Park, since I only had a short ride that day, but I wanted to get into Vegas to spend some time with my wife who was out there with her family.

Zion was awesome, but did not live up to what I had seen previously. I liked Mesa Verde and Grand Canyon better. Zion was still a great stop on the trip. It had some fun twisties and a mile long tunnel through the mountains that was interesting.

The ride into Vegas on I-15 was boring except for a little canyon pass.

My day off in Vegas was only good because my wife was there. I stayed in the Luxor and got a suite with a hot tub. That was good too. It was on $84 a night and was probably one of my cheapest stays of the trip. I despise Vegas. The pure desperation that infests the city and the constant sales pitches that are coming at you from all sides the entire time you are on the strip and in the hotels gets annoying fast. Plus, I am not a gambler, so playing the slots/cards/dice is not for me. I doubt I will come back to this city. Being with my wife and spending time with her was great though. Made the day off worth it.

Grand Canyon in the Morning:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01567copy.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/IMAG0379-751037.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01572.jpg

Deer at the Canyon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01573.jpg

Little DS Fun at the Canyon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01575.jpg

Forest got burnt up at the Canyon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01577.jpg

On the way to Zion:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01579.jpg

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http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/IMAG0382-774968.jpg

Zion:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01591.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01592.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01594.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01599.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01600.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01601.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01603.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01606.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01607.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01612.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 03:46 PM

Day 5 and 6 continued:

More Zion:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01617.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01621.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01623.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01637.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01643.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01644.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01645.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01646.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01647.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01648.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01651.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01654.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01658.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01662.jpg

Headed to Vegas:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01671.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01673.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01678.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01680.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01683.jpg

Vegas:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01686.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 03:47 PM

Day 5 and 6 continued:

Da Strip:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/IMAG0393-723434.jpg

View outside of my Suite in the Luxor:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/IMAG0392-776301.jpg

Me and the Wife at the Bellagio:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/DSC01689.jpg

Pawn Stars rip off store (10% of store is pawn store, 90% is Pawn Stars gift shop LAME):

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/IMAG0395-764438.jpg

In N Out Burger NOM NOM:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%205%20and%206/IMAG0396-729546.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 04:22 PM

Day 7:

This day was a 500 mile day from Las Vegas, NV to Oakhurst, CA. This day can best be described as remote. Google maps didn't even want to map the route my Garmin took me on. I went through Pahrump, NV and up into Death Valley and took Wildrose/Trona/Trona Wildrose Road through Searles Valley and then 178 to 14 through Red Rock Canyon State Park to Mojave. From there I took 58 to Bakersfield and the normal route from there to Oakhurst. It was an interest ride through the desert and then a boring ride from Bakersfield.

This was not the initial choice for the route. I REALLY REALLY wanted to do Tioga Pass into Yosemite this day, but it was not open so I had to chose between this route and taking 395 up to Tahoe and SR88 or Highway 50 through the Sierras, these routes were 600+ miles to Yosemite and the weather across was looking iffy, which led to me taking the southern route. I am still pissed I didn't get to do Tioga....

The ride from Vegas to Pahrump was uneventful. I felt like I was starting to get a sinus infection and was feeling really bad and stopped in Pahrump and got some Dayquil and Nyquil. These saved me. The Dayquil pepped me up for the day and I used the Nyquil at night and got myself back to 100% near the Redwood Forest later in the trip.

Pahrump through Death Valley was great. The desert was awesome. It was only 80 degrees for my trip through. Perfect temperatures and awesome scenery. All the people that told me not to go through can kiss my ass, I loved every minute in Death Valley. The dips in the road were fun.

This was also my first taste of annoying gas fill ups. California's stupid heavy vapor things on the gas pumps annoy the shit out of me.

After the Valley, I felt like I was in a horror movie and was waiting for some strange desert locals to come out and get me. LOL! Trona/Wildrose route was interesting to say the least. After I got into Bakersfield and from there, I did not have a good time. I was in the part of California I did not like, it was boring and I wish freakin Tioga Pass was open or I had taken the northern route.... I pulled into Oakhurst for the night and I have to say the little town, although touristy, was nice. I ate at a decent BBQ place and that made things better. Took some Nyquil and dreamed of hitting Yosemite in the morning.

Ride into Death Valley:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/IMAG0397-799632.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01690.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01691.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01692.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01694.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01695.jpg

Death Valley:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01697.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01698.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01700.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01702.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01703.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01704.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01706.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01707.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01708.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01709.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01712.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01713.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01715.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01717.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 04:22 PM

Day 7 continued:

More of Death Valley:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01722.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01724.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01725.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01728.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01729.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01731.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01735.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01739.jpg

Ride towards Oakhurst:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01742.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01744.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%207/DSC01747.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 05:24 PM

Day 8:

The cluster that was the 390 mile ride from Oakhurst, CA to San Rafael, CA. The day started off freakin beautiful turned into shit and then became nice again.

I started off in Oakhurst and had a short trip into Yosemite. I didn't really see anything all that grand at first. It was kinda cold this morning. Storms were moving in, but was still sunny. I took some advice from an ADVrider in my thread and hit up Glacier Point Road first. It was a nice ride, but when I hit the end it became a HOLY SHIT moment. Overlooking Yosemite Valley became my first view of El Capitan and the waterfalls. THIS PLACE WAS JUST DAMN!!! I did not expect anything to beat the Grand Canyon, but Yosemite just about did it. I will have to give them a tie. Yosemite is one of my new favorite places on earth.

After Glacier Point, I went into the valley and the views just got better. This place is amazing, this should be on everyone's bucket list. Yosemite Valley, just wow....

After Yosemite, I took a wrong turn out and went 140 instead of 120 into Merced, then 99 up into a bunch of interstates down into Cupertino and made a stop at geek heaven at 1 Infinity Loop and got the obligatory Apple store t-shirt. From there I took a interstate to a very fun motard friendly Black Road up onto Skyline Blvd. There I went to Alice's Restaurant and had one of the best burgers I have ever had. It was quite tasty. Talked with a few friendly restaurant workers (maybe the owner, not quite sure.) They were really nice, highly recommend a stop here. I was quite disappointed there was not another moto rider in the parking lot the entire time I was there.

After Alice's, I follow Skyline right onto 101 and made a stop at the Golden Gate before going to San Rafael for the night. I got a little rain on this last bit and found out there was a big storm brewing off the coast. I weighed my options after looking at the report, the storm ended up getting really bad and I decided to not do 1 (very sad I didn't, but I stayed a day ahead of the bad weather everywhere else thanks to this decision) and sit in beach traffic in the storm and take 101 to the Redwoods the next day.

Coming into Yosemite:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01748.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01749.jpg

Glacier Point Road:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01752.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01755.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01756.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/IMAG0406-736289.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01757.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01758.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01759.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01762.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01763.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01765.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01768.jpg

Going into Yosemite Valley:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01771.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01773.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01776.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01777.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01779.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01782.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01784.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 05:28 PM

Day 8 continued:

Yosemite Valley:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01785.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01786.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01787.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01788.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01790.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01793.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01796.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01802.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01805.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01809.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01810.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01819.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01823.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01825.jpg

Leaving the Valley:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01826.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01829.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01830.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01834.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01835.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 05:28 PM

Day 8 continued:

Apple:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/IMAG0409-754263.jpg

Skyline Blvd:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01836.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01838.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01841.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01842.jpg

Alice's:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/IMAG0410-740076.jpg

San Fran:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01849.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01852.jpg

Golden Gate:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01853.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01862.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01865.jpg

The Rock in the distance, wish I could got a tour...:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%208/DSC01864.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 05:58 PM

Day 9:

This was a 450 mile jaunt from San Rafael, CA to Central Point, OR. This trip was pretty good. The day started out pretty rainy, but it quickly turned nice when I got into wine country. This was my only day of hard rain.

I took 101 up to the coast and had some fun in the Redwood Parks and then 199 to I-5 into Central Point for the night...

Wine country was alright. Central Cali is not really my bag though. When I started going into Redwood country, it got a lot better. Those trees are pretty amazing. I finally made it to the coast and the Pacific Ocean around Humboldt State Park. I finally felt like I accomplished my mission when I stuck my hand into that icy water. The beach I ended up stopping at had a very Oregon coast/Goonies feel to it. It was nice. Ironically, Goonies just came on Family Channel as I am writing this, awesome... It's good enough for me... OH I I I I I Ayeeeeeee wo wo wo ahhhhhhhh.

The Redwood parks were very confusing and most of my photos turned out like shit. I am so mad about that. They all look blurry. I stopped at one of the drive through trees in Klamath and did the tourist tree photo.

I totally missed doing Avenue of the Giants and was pissed about that.... I didn't see the signs when I entered the national park....

199 to I-5 turned out to be an awesome little ride at first. The Jedidah Smith Redwood State Park was really nice.

When I got to Oregon, I got a lesson in how to fill up my bike, every gas stop... Oregon and their safety nazi fill up the gas tank for you program was highly annoying. More so than the California heavy vapor thing...

Overall, it was a good ride and a good day.

Riding on 101:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01867.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01868.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01869.jpg

Can't see the damn Pacific:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01870.jpg

Finally:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01871.jpg

Made it to the beach:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/IMAG0417-724787.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01874.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01876.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01878.jpg

Riding through the Redwood Parks:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01886.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/IMAG0419-763295.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01891.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01893.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01897.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01899.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01914.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01916.jpg

Headed to Oregon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01919.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/IMAG0426-748412.jpg

Cool Mountain in Oregon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%209/DSC01923.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 06:27 PM

Day 10:

This was a 540 mile sprint from Central Point, OR to Boise, ID. I took 62 up to Crater Lake west entrance. I got lucky they just opened because they had a ton of snow like everywhere else on my original route. The north entrance was still not open so I had to come back out the west entrance and take 230 to 138 and finally 97 up to Bend, OR. Then finished it off with 20 to Ontario and I-84 into Boise.

The forest ride up to Crater Lake was really pretty. Crater Lake still had a ton of snow, more than Glacier Point in Yosemite. Most of the building entrances were blocked with snow. To get to view the Crater itself you had to climb a snow bank to the see the lake. It was really awesome with all the snow around it.

After coming down of the the crater and into Bend, I went across the High Desert in Oregon. It was ok, but really boring in a lot of spots. I know one thing in about Burns, OR when I stopped for gas, I made a jackass out of myself. I got this bite, which I thought was a bee bite on my back and started stripping off all my gear to get the damn thing out of my shirt. All the locals were looking at me like I was crazy. Finally one dude came up to me and said, yeah that's just a mosquito. The mosquitoes are freakin vicious in the hi desert...

The rest of the journey was uneventful and pretty boring. I did get to see the Oreida factory in Ontario...

Bored headed out of Central Point:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01926.jpg

Run up to Crater Lake:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01929.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01929.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01930.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01931.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01934.jpg

Crater Lake:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01935.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01936.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01937.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/IMAG0427-793510.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/IMAG0428-728066.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01938.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01939.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01940.jpg

Headed back out of the Lake Area:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01942.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01943.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01945.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01947.jpg

High Desert:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01952.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01953.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 06:30 PM

Day 10 continued:

High Desert continued:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01955.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01956.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01957.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01958.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01959.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01961.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01962.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01964.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01968.jpg

Ore Ida!:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/DSC01971.jpg

Potato?:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2010/IMAG0431-799520.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 09:33 PM

Day 11:

This was the suppose to be easy ride into West Yellowstone, MT; that turned into the 510 mile trek (590 miles actually) from Boise, ID to Cody, WY. With a lot of cursing and awe of the scenery in the process. I would go through 40 miles on I-84 to Mountain Home, back up I-84 to Boise, back to Mountain Home on I-84 before I finally started to enjoy US 20 all the way to Cody.

Let's start off with Boise. I left the first time and got to Mountain Home when I realized I never put my camera around my neck. I laid it on the tank, but never secured it to anything. I called the hotel and some person found it in the parking lot and turned it in. All my pics of the previous days were on that memory card, whoever turned it in is a SAINT, A F'IN SAINT!!! I love that person. I rode the 40 miles back cussing up a storm at myself and then back to Mountain Home still cussing at my stupidity.

Finally I got on US 20 which turned out to be a nice ride. I got to see a lot of nice scenery and eventually got to see the very well named Craters of the Moon National Monument.

I rode 20 all the way into West Yellowstone. I made it with surprisingly good time and it was only about 2:00pm local time. It was a nice sunny day in the 70s. I looked at the weather for the next day and it said snow/showers/thunderstorms with a high of 44... So I said screw staying in West Yellowstone and decided to hit Yellowstone National Park in the nice 70 degree sunny weather.

I was planning on doing the Beartooth Highway to exit Yellowstone, from everything I read prior to my trip, the expected opening date was June 3rd this year and I was there almost a week after that. Unfortunately, when I got to the Yellowstone gate, they had signs up saying it was closed. I was pissed, first no Tioga Pass, now no Beartooth.... ARGH!!!!

It was a nice afternoon though and got to see the southern part of the grand loop. Yellowstone without the Beartooth was nice, but it was no Grand Canyon or Yosemite to me. I liked it, but I would of been just as happy in fly fishing in my Great Smoky Mountains. I really wished I had brought my fly fishing gear thoroughly on this day though. I saw a lot of bad casting and poor approaches to get some fish, probably a lot of tourists with rented gear... Having never fished these waters, I am told the fish out west are a lot less spooky than the fish in the GSM. You have to be a ninja to catch wild trout in the GSM.

I did make a stop at Old Faithful and watched an eruption. Even that didn't live up to the expectations. The geysers and thermal stuff just wasn't a huge thing for me for some reason...

The ride around Yellowstone Lake was pretty neat though. I stopped for a couple photos and some guy yelled at me to get away from a hill because had been spotted there a few hours before. There was a large group of people stopped at another point looking at a bear that was a long ways away. You could barely see anything more than a blob, see below.

After Yellowstone, I kept on 20 and went through cool little canyons and into Bill Cody State Park/Reservoir. It was pretty neat through hear and had a bunch of awesome rock formations.

I ended up in Cody for the night and ate at the Wyoming Rib and Chop House. The owner was from my home state of Louisiana and had a nice little restaurant. It was quite tasty. Cody was a pretty cool little town and I watched a cowboy show just down the street from my hotel before retiring for the night.

All in all another great day to be on the GS.

US 20 in Idaho:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC01972.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC01974.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC01975.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC01976.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC01978.jpg

Craters of the Moon:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/IMAG0432-771797.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC01980.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC01981.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC01982.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC01984.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC01985.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC01987.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC01993.jpg

Arco, ID Seniors marking their graduation:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC01997.jpg

More of US 20:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC01999.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02000.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02002.jpg

The guy in the red truck was a douche, he pulled in front of me and then got out of his truck and proceeded to stand in front of me when I was trying to take a pic of the sign. So I started the bike up and went right for him, he jumped out of the way. I took my pic, gave him some choice words and a fun hand signal and took off:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/IMAG0433-762875.jpg

Jellystone:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02003.jpg

I guess the park didn't want the big welcome sign:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/IMAG0434-756516.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 09:37 PM

Day 11 continued:

More Yellowstone:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02004.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02006.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02008.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02009.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02011.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02012.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02013.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02014.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02019.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02021.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02022.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02023.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02025.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02026.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02030.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02031.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02033.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02035.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02036.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02038.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 09:40 PM

Day 11 continued:

More Yellowstone:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02039.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02042.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02046.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02050.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02053.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02055.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02056.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02057.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02058.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02061.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02064.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02066.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02067.jpg

Bear is in the middle right of this photo (you can't really see him...)

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02071.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02074.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02076.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02080.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02081.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02083.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02084.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 09:43 PM

Day 11 continued:

Ride into Cody:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02086.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02088.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02089.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02090.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02091.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02092.jpg

Cool weird house thing on top of a hill:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02097.jpg

More ride into Cody:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02098.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02099.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02101.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2011/DSC02102.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 10:15 PM

Day 12:

After the long ride the day before, I had a nice little 410 mile ride from Cody, WY to Rapid City, SD via 20 and 14 to I-90 to Moorcroft where I followed 16 to Mt Rushmore back up to I-90 in Rapid City.

This was a surprisingly good day for the most part. I did not expect Bighorn National Forest to be as awesome as it was. This made my day. I even got a little snow up on Sheridan Pass. Bighorn is pretty awesome I must say. I really enjoyed the signs that let you know how old the rocks were that you were passing.

I visited Jewel Cave, but did not take a tour. Wished I did instead of going to the Crazy Horse Ripoff Monument.... Mt Rushmore wasn't as grand as I thought it would be as well. Wish I had gone to Wind Cave or Devils Tower instead of these two stops. Ah well, you live and learn...

It was a still a great day of riding and visited some touristy spots I always wanted to...

Airplane graveyard, wished I stopped now...

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02104.jpg

Ride towards Bighorn:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02105.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02107.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02110.jpg

Bighorn:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02111.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02112.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02113.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02114.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02115.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02116.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02117.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02118.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02119.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02120.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02121.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02123.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02125.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02126.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02129.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02130.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 10:17 PM

Day 12 continued:

Jewel Cave Area:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02132.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02133.jpg

Cool rock formations next to a Pizza Hut:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02134.jpg

Flintstones Theme Park:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02136.jpg

Crazy Horse:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02140.jpg

Mt Rushmore:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02145.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02146.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02149.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02156.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02158.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02159.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02162.jpg

What Rushmore should of look like:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02164.jpg

Epic Ice Cream:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2012/DSC02169.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 10:34 PM

Day 13:

Entering the homestretch of the trip, this was a 570 mile interstate march from Rapid City, SD to Bellevue, NE. Besides a lot of boring interstate, I took a scenery detour in the badlands.

The morning started off pretty cold as the low pressure that had been chasing me all trip passed me and made it pretty cloudy in SD. I avoided all the stupid Wall Drugstore signs and didn't go.

The scenery detour for the Badlands was well worth it. The Badlands were pretty cool.

After the Badlands, it was just an interstate death march. I kept going on I-90 and crossed the border to get Minnesota as a state I rode in. It was only an extra 20 miles or so. I got Nebraska by going to Bellevue. In Bellevue, I met up with Ebbs. We got some Red Robin. Yummm!

Watched the weather channel when I got back to the hotel. Thunderstorms with tornadoes were suppose to roll in and a window from about 4-6am would be the best time to roll out. Looked like a possibility for storms everywhere I went the next day rolling for a few days after that. I made the decision to go home from Bellevue in one day. I wished I had planned it better because I could of had an easy documented Iron Butt, but I do not have the documentation to support the ride.

Badlands:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2013/DSC02174.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2013/DSC02192.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2013/DSC02194.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2013/DSC02197.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2013/DSC02200.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2013/DSC02201.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2013/DSC02203.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2013/DSC02191.jpg

Hole in the Clouds:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2013/DSC02204.jpg

Riding towards Bellevue:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2013/IMAG0457-784425.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2013/IMAG0458-717568.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2013/IMAG0459-747525.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 10:46 PM

Day 14:

The final 1000 mile craziness from Bellevue, NE to Lenoir City, TN via little detours to make the 900 mile interstate trip into a 1000 mile journey. Due to poor planning, I do not have enough documentation to support getting the IBA certificate... Oh well, I know I did it. I don't need a piece of paper. I can do it again if I get the itch.

This was a haul. I didn't realize how much it took out of me til I sat down an hour or two after I got home and was down unloading the bike.

I finally made it home after two weeks on the road. It was an awesome trip and a dream I have had since I started riding. I saw things I wanted to see since I was little. I am glad I did all the planning and saved the money to realize this dream. It was well worth it and would do it again in a heartbeat, I would change a lot of the northern route though, LOL. Thanks for all the well wishes and tips. It truly was a great trip.

Didn't want to stop for Missouri, LOL:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2014/IMAG0462-783382.jpg

Made a quick detour off the interstate to get Kansas:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2014/IMAG0463-728876.jpg

St Louis:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2014/DSC02209.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2014/DSC02216.jpg

Couldn't believe there was more to this state than just Chicago, LOL:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2014/IMAG0464-703490.jpg

Kentucky...been here before:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2014/IMAG0466-755136.jpg

YEY, BACK IN TENNESSEE:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2014/IMAG0467-735827.jpg

The exit home:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2014/IMAG0468-738974.jpg

My stickered up helmet map:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/reactortrip/Day%2014/IMAG0469-777343.jpg

Trip

06-11-2011, 10:47 PM

Thread is open!

G-Rex

06-11-2011, 10:52 PM

Great photos!

I should have warned you about Crazy Horse. I went there and paid the $10 to see it probably 10 years ago, and it was nowhere as far along as it is now. I'm even more pissed after seeing no more progress than there is. LOL

Glad you had a great trip. I will admit I enjoyed the scenery including snow, but there's a reason I take my trips in July. I don't like the cold that much.

I'm pretty much in agreement with your comments for all of the places you went, especially 4 Corners. I tried to warn you, but I know you gotta see it for yourself.

Trip

06-11-2011, 11:17 PM

Glad you had a great trip. I will admit I enjoyed the scenery including snow, but there's a reason I take my trips in July. I don't like the cold that much.

I'm pretty much in agreement with your comments for all of the places you went, especially 4 Corners. I tried to warn you, but I know you gotta see it for yourself.

Yeah, the southern route would of sucked in 100 degrees though. The cold wasn't that bad for me. But I chose to outrun the storms instead of sticking to my schedule and seeing more of the area.

Yeah, that's the problem with crap places, you need to see it for yourself and then regret your decision. LOL. I knew Wall was going to be crap though, so I just didn't go. LOL

derf

06-11-2011, 11:50 PM

Trip

06-12-2011, 12:04 AM

What was wrong with your gear? You mentioned something about it 2 weeks ago.

I've done a few saddle sore 1ks and have yet to document one, mostly for the same reason that you just did it without docmenting it, it happened without you realizing it. Most of them for me have been because I got lost and had to back track a few miles. One of the last ones finished up at your house (actually I was 50 miles short, but I had 8 hours left to do that 50 miles).

And yes, I find that things I have seen my whole life seem less grand in real life than in my mind.

anyways, epic post, looks like a rad trip

Rev'It suit had some issues. I have the Tornado summer 2 piece suit. It doesn't zip fully around the waist, which is really irritating in the cold. The neck closure system is not very good. The material is too abrasive around the neck and it completely rubbed my neck raw and I had to leave it undo after Day 2. The liner is way too warm for summer, but it works great in cold. I had to get an outer liner (2 piece coleman rain suit at walmart) for the rain when it was warm. This also served well with the liner when it was really f'iin cold as a windbreak.

My soft earbuds were not soft enough. I need to go back to speakers with my Sena. My ears were bleeding by Day 3 and I didn't use my Sena at all after Day 3.

This also hurt my ears enough I couldn't wear ear plugs for most of the trip. Wind noise killed me.

My first gear summer gloves and winter gloves performed awesome. Between the two, I was more than happy.

That's all I can think of right now. I also had some video shooting issues. I stopped shooting video after Vegas because it was too much of a pain to keep it working. The trip became much more enjoyable when I put the camera away, but I am sure I will regret that later.

derf

06-12-2011, 12:25 AM

Rev'It suit had some issues. I have the Tornado summer 2 piece suit. It doesn't zip fully around the waist, which is really irritating in the cold.

I know the feeling, my fieldsheer set is the same way, I get a breeze across my stomache and around my mid section in the cold, not cool. I just got a 2nd hand roadcrafter that should fix it.

My soft earbuds were not soft enough. I need to go back to speakers with my Sena. My ears were bleeding by Day 3 and I didn't use my Sena at all after Day 3.

This also hurt my ears enough I couldn't wear ear plugs for most of the trip. Wind noise killed me.

Yup I can do a few hundred miles before my ears start to hurt

Captain Morgan

06-12-2011, 01:13 AM

Great pics and great write up. I've often found there are many "I wish I had done this or that" moments when looking back on long trips. However, there simply isn't enough time to hit up everything. Someday when I'm retired, I'd love to just set out on the open road and ride until I've seen everything I want to see...take my time and stop wherever and whenever I want. But that's a LONG way from now. As for Crazy Horse, I think it's been 10 or 15 years since I was there and it really doesn't look like they've done much to it. Was there any story behind it?

Glad you had a great trip and still very sorry I had to bail on you.

dReWpY

06-12-2011, 02:40 AM

I'm suppossed to go on this trip, and instead I start a family..... life has a funny way of changing paths

Gas Man

06-12-2011, 03:37 AM

AMAZING trip, Trip!! I hate you cause I'm green with envy.

Awesome pics. Awesome that the preson turned in your camera. I would want to mail them a dinner gift card. For realz!

What was the total miles?

OH and let me know when you want to do michigan. I would love to take you through it. Up the western side of the coast along lake michigan, and into the U.P. Do some water falls, and maybe rent the kyacks to go under the rock castle in lake superior. There is great camping throughout michigan, or we can do motels. Heck up north just south of Mackinaw we could stay at my father in laws.

Trip

06-12-2011, 10:16 AM

G-Rex

06-12-2011, 10:22 AM

I want to do an UP trip eventually, I will let you know when that comes together.

I want to do a UP trip myself. I'm itching to see the Mackinac Bridge and ride over it!

Trip

06-12-2011, 10:38 AM

I want to do a UP trip myself. I'm itching to see the Mackinac Bridge and ride over it!

We should try to do that for a rally one year. Get a big group of TWFixers to do the UP.

Mr Lefty

06-12-2011, 10:57 AM

I want to do a UP trip myself. I'm itching to see the Mackinac Bridge and ride over it!

I did it on the DRZ and fuck was it scary... they blocked off all but the grated portion... and had big box trucks in the paved portion... which held the wind back...then when you passed them, you'd get a blast that would send me literally sliding sideways on the grate... and of course I had to be in front of some ass that kept riding my ass across the bridge, had I gone down, he would have probably been over me before he realized it.

We should try to do that for a rally one year. Get a big group of TWFixers to do the UP.

but the area up there is GORGEOUS! like Trip said, a rally up there would ROCK.. but I think it should be a traveling rally... like a rally to circle the great lakes... like a week long...

derf

06-12-2011, 11:04 AM

I did it on the DRZ and fuck was it scary... they blocked off all but the grated portion... and had big box trucks in the paved portion... which held the wind back...then when you passed them, you'd get a blast that would send me literally sliding sideways on the grate... and of course I had to be in front of some ass that kept riding my ass across the bridge, had I gone down, he would have probably been over me before he realized it.

but the area up there is GORGEOUS! like Trip said, a rally up there would ROCK.. but I think it should be a traveling rally... like a rally to circle the great lakes... like a week long...

I could go for something like that

Trip

06-12-2011, 11:13 AM

but I think it should be a traveling rally... like a rally to circle the great lakes... like a week long...

It would have to be, we couldn't spend that much time in one spot and then have to book it home. It would have to start further south and just go in shorter jumps north and then south again. Traveling in a big group is not fast. LOL

Particle Man

06-12-2011, 11:20 AM

Mr Lefty

06-12-2011, 11:22 AM

It would have to be, we couldn't spend that much time in one spot and then have to book it home. It would have to start further south and just go in shorter jumps north and then south again. Traveling in a big group is not fast. LOL

no, but I seriously doubt all that many people would be down for it. shit, I don't even have a running bike at the moment. but maybe if not a circle of the lakes, maybe a run from the dragon to the bridge and back... but I think that'd be boring as I've done it... and the best part of MI is in the UP

Rangerscott

06-12-2011, 11:23 AM

I could have meet up with yall.

Trip

06-12-2011, 11:56 AM

Awesome writeup! Pics were awesome and all the better since someone turned your camera in.

Thanks for taking the time to write it up! US-20 keeps on going and going and going - all the way to my house :lol:

Any issues with the GS at all? After 7k mikes how are the tires looking?

No real issues with the GS. Kept a close eye on the rear shock (with all the weight on the back) and final drive. No signs of failure. My headlight went out on Day 14. I ran high beams all the way from Bellevue to my house. Tires actually look pretty good. The sides aren't chewed up at all and the middle isn't bad. I will be able to run em for awhile.

Captain Morgan

06-12-2011, 02:06 PM

Trip

06-12-2011, 02:29 PM

Was also curious about the tires. I've got 9k on my stock death wings and need to replace them. Well, at least the rear, but would really want to replace both as I wouldn't want a death wing on the front and a good tire on the rear.

I love the Anakee 2's, they flat perform almost everywhere. Sand and mud are an issue, but that's more of a GS fault. Too big. LOL

dReWpY

06-12-2011, 02:35 PM

no, but I seriously doubt all that many people would be down for it. shit, I don't even have a running bike at the moment. but maybe if not a circle of the lakes, maybe a run from the dragon to the bridge and back... but I think that'd be boring as I've done it... and the best part of MI is in the UP

best thing out of Michigan is 75 south...

Trip

06-12-2011, 06:01 PM

This is what the final path looked like:

dReWpY

06-12-2011, 06:27 PM

what was your total expense?

Gas Man

06-13-2011, 12:43 AM

I want to do a UP trip myself. I'm itching to see the Mackinac Bridge and ride over it!

We should try to do that for a rally one year. Get a big group of TWFixers to do the UP.

We should do it. We could end up at Copper Harbor which is the tip top of the UP more on the west side.

There is tons of stuff up there to do, but the roads are all super straight. That might bore you all.

I did it on the DRZ and fuck was it scary... they blocked off all but the grated portion... and had big box trucks in the paved portion... which held the wind back...then when you passed them, you'd get a blast that would send me literally sliding sideways on the grate... and of course I had to be in front of some ass that kept riding my ass across the bridge, had I gone down, he would have probably been over me before he realized it.

but the area up there is GORGEOUS! like Trip said, a rally up there would ROCK.. but I think it should be a traveling rally... like a rally to circle the great lakes... like a week long...

The bridge isn't that bad. I rode over it three times last summer alone. But I'm sure lots of that depends on the bike. I like the traveling idea, it's really the only way to do it. We can make it from my house to the UP in a day. If we go to the west side and travel up the lake michigan, through the tunnel of trees and on ward... that is a long ass day to make mackinaw. Then it's the debate on going to the island or not. That alone can be a day. Then there is the falls, light houses, and miners castle. I've never done but always wanted to do miners castle in a canoe or kyack. Then we could hit up copper harbor. The UP is really Michigan's gem. After copper harbor, loop back around and head back south down the east side of the state. That would get everybody to see each of the Great Lakes.

no, but I seriously doubt all that many people would be down for it. shit, I don't even have a running bike at the moment. but maybe if not a circle of the lakes, maybe a run from the dragon to the bridge and back... but I think that'd be boring as I've done it... and the best part of MI is in the UP

But that is all highway you're talking. You didn't run down lake michigan. I just did last year and it was awesome!

marko138

06-13-2011, 04:54 PM

Wow. I really wasn't going to read through this whole thread. But I'm glad I did. Amazing. There are really some amazing sights in this country. Good work.

Mr Lefty

06-13-2011, 07:47 PM

We should do it. We could end up at Copper Harbor which is the tip top of the UP more on the west side.

There is tons of stuff up there to do, but the roads are all super straight. That might bore you all.

The bridge isn't that bad. I rode over it three times last summer alone. But I'm sure lots of that depends on the bike. I like the traveling idea, it's really the only way to do it. We can make it from my house to the UP in a day. If we go to the west side and travel up the lake michigan, through the tunnel of trees and on ward... that is a long ass day to make mackinaw. Then it's the debate on going to the island or not. That alone can be a day. Then there is the falls, light houses, and miners castle. I've never done but always wanted to do miners castle in a canoe or kyack. Then we could hit up copper harbor. The UP is really Michigan's gem. After copper harbor, loop back around and head back south down the east side of the state. That would get everybody to see each of the Great Lakes.

But that is all highway you're talking. You didn't run down lake michigan. I just did last year and it was awesome!

yeah, I did slab from the Mac to Trips... so I can't honestly say the UP is better, and my intended route was down the coast, but time caught me up.