3 Harleys, 13 days, 9 states, 3700 miles

[julie j]

June 4th - My husband, a close friend and I started our 2 week vacation. We had planned to head to the Badlands but the closer the trip got, the worse the weather was looking. I live in Seattle so I don’t mind riding in a little rain but that does not mean I am signing up for 2 weeks of thunderstorms and flooding. At the last minute we changed to the backup plan and headed south. Hello sunshine!
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners001-2.jpg

We started our journey early Saturday morning, taking I-90 out of Seattle, WA. We stuck to the freeways the first two days of our trip. We wanted to get to our first destination of Bryce Canyon, UT as fast as possible. We would start taking the road less traveled after that.
First day was Seattle to Boise, ID. Second day we made it to Provo, UT. The next day, Monday June 6th, we headed toward Bryce Canyon and rode right into the worst wind I have every ridden in my life. Sustained winds of 30-40 with gusts of 50-60. We stopped for gas at one point and I was thankful to have my helmet on. The people trying to gas up their cars were getting sandblasted. My gas light normally comes on at about 100 miles. During this wind I made it 70 before my light came on.
We made it to our hotel just outside Bryce National park around 3:00. By this time I have a sinus cold from hell kicking in. Not what I wanted for vacation. We decided that we would stay the next night at the lodge inside the national park and I am so glad we did. Bryce Canyon is known for stargazing. At the first hotel there were too many city lights to see anything. At the lodge inside the park it was completely dark at night and the stars were incredible.
Bryce Canyon was absolutely spectacular. Since we were staying the night I left my bike at the lodge and two uped with my husband. That way I could take cold medicine to try and beat the bug I had caught. It also allowed me to get some great shots of our buddy.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners004.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners014.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners006.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners020.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners022.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners033.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners015.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners037.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners055.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners058.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners068.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners076.jpg

We arrived at the Grand Canyon on Wednesday, June 8. We rode through part of the park on our way to the hotel in Tusayan. Pictures just do not do the Grand Canyon justice. On Thursday we headed back into the park for more sightseeing.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners128.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners084.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners085.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners094.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners090.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners124.jpg

[OneSickPsycho]

Nice pics!

Man, I long for another bike trip....

[julie j]

Friday we headed out towards Four Corners. We were a little nervous about this leg of the tour since my tank is really small and we had heard gas was scarce. My husband was carrying an extra gallon for me in case of emergency but we did not need it. There is some long hot sections of road out here and we did get stuck sitting in some construction. Here is a picture of my husband, Brandon, standing in Colorado & Utah while I am in Arizona & New Mexico. After that we pushed on though to Cortez, CO.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners139.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners130.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners136.jpg

Saturday morning we are were feeling lazy and got a late start. We did make it to Mesa Vera but did not have as much time to explore as I had hoped. The road in the park is really twisting and fun so not all was lost but I could tell me husband was antsy.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners144.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners148.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners154.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners151.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners160.jpg

Little did I know he had us headed for the Million Dollar Hwy later that afternoon. This was a bucket list item for him. Not so much for me. I am afraid of highs and having a guardrail makes all the difference in the world to me. At one point I remember thinking “Does Colorado not believe in guardrails?” then it dawned on me what highway I am on. It was one lane traffic at one point on the highway. I pulled up next to him and asked, “You have me on that highway don’t you?” He did not have to answer. I could tell by the grin on his face which could be see even with a full face on.
Brandon knows me better then myself. He did not tell me where we were headed because he knew I would worry about it. I was thankful I did it and actually want to go do it again. He did buy me this shirt to make up for it.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/Ouray.jpg

We stayed the night in Ouray, Co and had an excellent dinner at the Outlaw Steakhouse. Ouray is this awesome little town that I could have easily spent another day at. The whole town is nestled in the valley of the mountains and views were incredible.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners163.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners165.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners166.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners170.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners168.jpg

[Fleck750]

Great pics, glad you had fun.

[julie j]

Next stop on our list was Jackson Hole, WY. The weather was not looking so good for Monday but was looking great for Tuesday so we took our time getting there. This whole time I am still fighting a cold. It kept changing so I kept thinking I was kicking it. On Monday morning I finally gave up and admitted I needed a doctor. Brandon asked the hotel about walk-in clinics nearby and was informed there was one 15 minutes up the rode in the direction we were headed. We stopped there, got a prescription for antibiotic, hit the Walgreens around the corner and still made it on the road by 11:00.
I was so thankful we stopped because Monday night was the first night we hit rain and there might have even been a little snow in it. It was freezing! By the time we got into Jackson we all were frozen solid and a little wet. Our friend, Scooter, told me, “I don’t want to play motorcycle anymore!” I could not agree more at that point. It was kind of silly. We all had put on rain gear but we had warmer gear we could have been wearing under it. When we started out we did not need it. By the time we did our outer layer was soaked and we are only another 40 miles away from Jackson. I did not want to stand on the side of the road in the pouring rain to try and layer up. If I had not got antibiotic that morning I probably would have got pneumonia.
After finding a hotel and warming up we went and had a really good meal at a restaurant named the Gunslinger if my memory serves me. I had an excellent buffalo steak while the boys both had elk. After that we all crashed hard with tired bodies and full bellies. I woke up the next morning feeling like myself again.
Tuesday, June 14 would be a very light day of riding. We walked around Jackson for a while then it was off to the Tetons and Yellowstone. The plan for today was to play in the park and stay the night in West Yellowstone. This was my second trip to Yellowstone it has to be one of my favorite places to be. I just love it there.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners178.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners187.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners191.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners184.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners194.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners196.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners199.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners201.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners206.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners217.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners219.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners226.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners229.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i70/jinneman/2011%20Motorcycle%20Tour/BryceGrandFourCorners232.jpg

Wednesday we started to head back home. We spent the night in Coeur d’Alene, ID and easily made it home on Thursday. It was an excellent trip with no major problems. No bikes broke down, no flats, we were not at each other’s throats by the end. I could not have asked for a better trip. We have already started planning next year!

[julie j]

Nice pics!

Man, I long for another bike trip....

Me too! That is the thing about touring. It does not really scratch that itch. It just makes it worse. :lol:

[tached1000rr]

love the pics

[marko138]

Cool pictures.

[Particle Man]

Really dig the pics.

Nice!

[Trip]

A lot of that looks famaliar. I bet we bypassed each other during our trips. LOL

[KSGregman]

DAMN!!!

Now THAT is some quality work all the way around!!

Good on you guys for getting out there and making it happen....To say I'm jealous as I sit here in the office typing this would be an understatement of truly MASSIVE proportions. :lmao:

[shmike]

Awesome Pics, Julie!

I know not many here will agree but I honestly don't think that there is a better way to tour the American west than on a Harley.

[julie j]

A lot of that looks famaliar. I bet we bypassed each other during our trips. LOL
Right? I could not even believe when I got home and saw your thread. But we both did hit some destinations that are high on the motorcycle riders list. :rockwoot:
Awesome Pics, Julie! I know not many here will agree but I honestly don't think that there is a better way to tour the American west than on a Harley.
My husband would agree with you. I was fine taking my BMW but he was adamant that I do this trip on a Harley. I am not an idiot. I told him if you insist I want that military green Nightster. :wink:

[Trip]

My husband would agree with you. I was fine taking my BMW but he was adamant that I do this trip on a Harley. I am not an idiot. I told him if you insist I want that military green Nightster. :wink:

I am with you. I wish I had much more time than 2 weeks. There is so many dirt/gravel roads out west that a Harley just wouldn't be as fun.

[julie j]

I here you. We just got the Butler's backcountry discovery map for WA that I need to find time to do and I heard they were working on one for Utah.

http://www.butlermaps.com/Motorcycle-Road-Maps/12/Washington-Backcountry-Discovery-Route

[Gas Man]

Awesome Pics, Julie!

I know not many here will agree but I honestly don't think that there is a better way to tour the American west than on a Harley.
Never been out west but I hope to prove you right some day.

[racedoll]

Loved the write up and pictures.

[tommymac]

I am with you. I wish I had much more time than 2 weeks. There is so many dirt/gravel roads out west that a Harley just wouldn't be as fun.

Is there ANY dirt/gravel road thats fun to ride a harley on?

[harley_cruiser]

Is there ANY dirt/gravel road thats fun to ride a harley on?

This is a great thread, love the ride.
You can enjoy dirt roads with a Harley once you get past the fear of scratching the paint and chrome and be able to pick up your bike. You just have to relax, enjoy the ride.
I ride the rock/ sand roads down here in Florida all the time would estimate about a thousand miles a year. They run from lime rock to packed sand, in the wet season they are grooved mud bogs, in the dry season they are sand pits. Yea once in a while you are going down, you laugh about it, spit on the scratches and move on.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/autonews2/Shired%20Island/ride012.jpg

[Particle Man]

This is a great thread, love the ride.
You can enjoy dirt roads with a Harley once you get past the fear of scratching the paint and chrome and be able to pick up your bike. You just have to relax, enjoy the ride.
I ride the rock/ sand roads down here in Florida all the time would estimate about a thousand miles a year. They run from lime rock to packed sand, in the wet season they are grooved mud bogs, in the dry season they are sand pits. Yea once in a while you are going down, you laugh about it, spit on the scratches and move on.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll49/autonews2/Shired%20Island/ride012.jpg
I like this guy already

[Gas Man]

Hey harley cruiser... WELCOME!

Great pics!

[julie j]

Welcome. That is a really cool shot :dthumb: My driveway is gravel so if I want to ride any of my bikes I have to start and finish in the dirt :lol:

[shmike]

I like this guy already

Me too.

Guys like him are exactly why I laugh at all the "ADV riders" that feel they need a special, specifically designed, $15,000 bike just to get outside the painted white lines.

[Trip]

Me too.

Guys like him are exactly why I laugh at all the "ADV riders" that feel they need a special, specifically designed, $15,000 bike just to get outside the painted white lines.

You would rather the guys with $30,000 bikes that can barely make corners and try to put em in the dirt? LOLz

You can take any bike off the road (SV in the motard race), I just like the bike I chose for all the things I do. Same probably goes for the harley riders.

[shmike]

You would rather the guys with $30,000 bikes that can barely make corners and try to put em in the dirt? LOLz

You can take any bike off the road (SV in the motard race), I just like the bike I chose for all the things I do. Same probably goes for the harley riders.

I like to see people of all type ride.

I personally give an "Atta Boy" to those that take their bike beyond its manufactured use.

Sorry Trip, your GS is the moto equivalent of an H2. Just because someone else uses an 18-wheeler to get their groceries doesn't mean you aren't just as bad as the other 26 identically outfitted soccer-moms in the parking lot.

[Trip]

I like to see people of all type ride.

I personally give an "Atta Boy" to those that take their bike beyond its manufactured use.

Sorry Trip, your GS is the moto equivalent of an H2. Just because someone else uses an 18-wheeler to get their groceries doesn't mean you aren't just as bad as the other 26 identically outfitted soccer-moms in the parking lot.

You could really say that about any bike though. Like the posers on sportbikes that can't even use their bike to it's manufacturer use without killing themselves. You can't kneedrag, pssht, sell your bike pansies.

I am sure my GS is meant to be out with me kneedraggin the shit out of corners.....

[shmike]

You could really say that about any bike though. Like the posers on sportbikes that can't even use their bike to it's manufacturer use without killing themselves. You can't kneedrag, pssht, sell your bike pansies.

I am sure my GS is meant to be out with me kneedraggin the shit out of corners.....

I just noticed your earlier edit about the SV.

It doesn't make a very good argument when both people basically are saying the same thing. :lol:

You don't need a CBR to drag a knee. You don't need a dirtbike to go off-road.

I would rarely, if ever tell someone to sell their bike. Definitely not because they can't use it to its potential.

On the other hand, I wouldn't encourage someone to buy a bike to do the exact same job that their current bike can do, if given the opportunity.

[Trip]

On the other hand, I wouldn't encourage someone to buy a bike to do the exact same job that their current bike can do, if given the opportunity.

I would if it fit their riding better. I could get a harley and do all the same things I am doing now, but the bike would lose a considerable amount of ability to do some of the things I do normally. It's not just small adjustments I would have to make, it's pretty damn large adjustments. It's at this point where I would be very much for someone selling a bike to something much better suited to their riding style.

[shmike]

I would if it fit their riding better. I could get a harley and do all the same things I am doing now, but the bike would lose a considerable amount of ability to do some of the things I do normally. It's not just small adjustments I would have to make, it's pretty damn large adjustments. It's at this point where I would be very much for someone selling a bike to something much better suited to their riding style.


That's understandable.

What if you had an SV?

What if you had an SV already set up to tour?

[Sixxxxer]

I've done it once or twice...

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/230535_10150185284367897_674207896_6970650_7610951 _n.jpg

Awesome trip!! I'm dying to get on another trip on 2 wheels!

[Trip]

That's understandable.

What if you had an SV?

What if you had an SV already set up to tour?

Depends SVS or naked SV?

SVS, had it, the increase in comfort in a true touring rig like a GS or other true touring bike is a huge increase.

Naked SV would be a better choice. It would require a lot into it to make it a competent tourer though.