Road Trip 2005

2005-05-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

Back home, the trip meter reads 3,341 miles. It's been an incredible journey and I'm glad to have made it back safe. It's only 2,900 miles from San Francisco to New York City...perhaps I'll try that next time I'm on a sabbatical!

2005-05-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

Finally home, I snap this shot on a side street. Oakland doesn't do tourism very well - I didnt see a sign on the freeway as I approached. It's raining, but it still good to home!

2005-05-18T11:19:00.000-07:00

I stop for a late lunch in Gilroy and when I was just about done, I look down and see this green moth sitting on the table in front of me. I have no idea what it fell off or out of, but it was pretty beat up. To ride is to be one with bugs...

2005-05-18T11:13:00.000-07:00

Route 101 follows El Camino Real, which the Spanish followed to establish missions along the California coast. There are 21 missions from San Diego to San Francisco. Every mile or two, these bells mark the route.

2005-05-18T11:08:00.000-07:00

There are miles of vineyards along 101 around San Luis Obispo. These are the the ones made a little more famous in the recent movie "Sideways".

2005-05-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

About halfway back I pull off and stretch out for a bit. It's going to take me a long time to scrappe all these bugs off my bike!

2005-05-18T11:01:00.000-07:00

Santa Barbara is as pretty as I have heard. Perhaps another time I'll stay a little longer. I have a quick coffee and head on my way.

2005-05-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

After about 40 miles, I hit the coast and start heading north on Route 101 toward Santa Barbara.

2005-05-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

Lots of farms between LA and the coast on SR 126. Here is an orange grove next to the road.

2005-05-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

Day 11 (425 miles): Last day! I get on the road early and head for the coast. When I came south on the first day, I took route 5 through the central valley. I want to see some of the coast on my way back.

2005-05-17T23:44:00.000-07:00

I ended up about 40 miles short of Santa Barbara, but it was still a huge day of riding. I call it a night just outside Los Angeles. One more day to go!

2005-05-17T23:40:00.000-07:00

I still havent tired of photographing trains!

2005-05-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

I came upon this poor tumbleweed trapped in some brush. Naturally, I freed it and sent it on its way.

2005-05-17T23:30:00.000-07:00

Today's weather called for high winds across the southwest which made for a lot of white knuckle riding. Winds were 20 - 30 mph with higher gusts and at times I thought I was going to get blown over. In this shot, you can see whitecaps on the irrigation pond and a dust storm in the distance.

2005-05-17T22:57:00.000-07:00

I've never been a big fan of the desert, but I have to say it's grown on me. Maybe it's just the spring blooms, but I seen some really beautiful landscapes.

2005-05-17T22:45:00.000-07:00

It's was bought from the British government in the 1960's by the founder of McColloch chains saw for $2.5M, and moved to the desert block by block. People laughed at him but the tourists flocked and over time the town boomed. I took a quick look and got the heck out of there - it was 106 degrees.

2005-05-17T22:12:00.000-07:00

Since it's only 20 miles off Route 40, I decide to take a detour and check out Lake Havasu. I know nothing is happening on a monday morning, but I want to check out London Bridge, which is Arizona's # 2 most visited tourist attraction after the Grand Canyon.

2005-05-17T22:06:00.000-07:00

My first stop is in Kingman, AZ, at a place called Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner. It's heavy on the 50's them and Elvis is blaring even though I am the only customer. As the waitress comes over to the table, a half-dead lady bug falls off my head and onto the table. After and awkward pause, I sweep it onto the floor and order breakfast.

2005-05-17T21:54:00.000-07:00

Day 10 (550 miles): I left Flagstaff before 8 am to get a jump on what promises to be the longest stretch of riding in the trip. My goal is to get as far as possible to set myself up for a last day ride home on Route 101 in California. I'm hoping for Santa Barbara, which I hear is very nice.

2005-05-16T06:55:00.000-07:00

Since I missed the Grand Canyon, I'll definitely make Flagstaff my base when I return. Next stop - Santa Barbara and then home a day later.

2005-05-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

Five bucks??!! I should have stayed here!

2005-05-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

The freight trains go right through the middle of town every few minutes. What could be better?

2005-05-16T06:50:00.000-07:00

Flagstaff is a great town! Lots of cool stores, restaurants and bars here. There's a university in town so things and hopping with young folks - even on a sunday night. The whole place has a nice feel to it.

2005-05-16T06:47:00.000-07:00

Always time to stop and watch a train go by!

2005-05-16T06:46:00.000-07:00

As I approach Flagstaff the terrain changes to a forest of sweet smelling Poderosa Pines.

2005-05-16T06:44:00.000-07:00

After about 90 minutes, I was back on the road and caught this kitchy hotel on Route 66.

2005-05-16T06:42:00.000-07:00

I took this shot once everybody was in the ambulances. A witness said a guy cut the woman off and actually looked back and left when he saw the crash. Seatbelts saved these folks. Aside from some cuts and broken bones, I think they will all be ok. Definitely a sobering experience.

2005-05-16T06:39:00.000-07:00

A few others had stopped and I initially helped by searching through the "debris field" for baby supplies and a woman's asthma inhaler. Every single item in the car that wasn't held by a seatbelt was thrown from the car over a 100 foot path. Rescue personnel and vehicles were scarce in this region, so I had to help remove and carry the victims to the ambulances once they pried the car open with the jaws of life.

2005-05-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

About 120 miles out of Flagstaff, I came upon the scene of an accident that had just occured! Three women and a baby had swerved off the interstate and rolled several times into the desert by the side of the road. No emergency vehicles had arrived yet so I stopped to see if I could help. The women were all injured but the baby seemed fine. They were trapped in the car.

2005-05-16T06:26:00.000-07:00

Crossing over into Arizona...the indian trading posts are preceded by lots of hand painted billboards urging travelers to stop and purchash souveniers.

2005-05-16T06:24:00.000-07:00

On a Route 66 sidetrip, I come upon a huge pile of old wrecked freight cars next to the track. I'm guessing the train derailed here and they just left the cars when they cleared the track.

2005-05-16T06:21:00.000-07:00

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe mainline runs parallel to Route 40 the entire way, and I see dozens of trains as I ride west.

2005-05-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

From Albuquerque, it's 320 miles west to Flagstaff, my next destination. If I make good time, I might have time to race up to the south rim of the Grand Canyon before dark. The route is a very straight and flat US-40 interstate, however old Route 66 runs parallel. I hop off from time to time and see a lot of run down businesses from the 66 heyday.

2005-05-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

Day 9 (400 miles): This morning I headed south and took a right turn (west) at Albuquerque. I've hit my easternmost point and I'm heading home.

2005-05-14T20:03:00.000-07:00

When the storm subsides, I'm able to make it back to the hotel. All's well that ends well, I guess...

2005-05-14T20:00:00.000-07:00

I bet you can guess how this turns out...yep, I get caught in a torrential downpour with lightning and hailstones the size of lima beans. Ok, maybe peas... but man, they hurt! I ride about a half mile and then duck into a carport outside a motel.

2005-05-14T19:53:00.000-07:00

As I leave said saloon, I quickly notice that the sky has turned black. Now I remember the forecast - possible thunderstorms late in the day! I scramble to the bike and rush back to the motel.

2005-05-14T19:50:00.000-07:00

I had dinner in a place called the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. I've never had firey hot guacamole before - normally that's part of the fire extinguishing equipment, along with the sour cream! It's just ok.

2005-05-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

I arrived in Santa Fe late in the afternoon, changed and headed to the old downtown. It's full of expensive clothing boutiques, galleries, and jewelry shops. Normally in a place like this, I would be outside each store waiting for somebody to finish browsing inside. So why am I here by myself? Good question! Time to get a beer and some dinner.

2005-05-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

I stopped at the naturally resonant Echo Amphitheature in Carson National Forest. There's a raised platform near the alcove where you can yell and hear a tremendous echo. What did I yell? Why, "helloooo!!!!!", of course! I'm sure the ranger at the gate rolls his eyes every time...

2005-05-14T19:38:00.000-07:00

Mmmmmrrr. That's the sound of cattle, not the thought of juicy ribeye steaks!

2005-05-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

Shortly after I entered New Mexico, I crossed the continental divide.

2005-05-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

Beauty along the roadside was in abundance as I traveled through southern Colorado toward New Mexico.

2005-05-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

Day 8 (220 miles): Durango is a really nice town. I got a coffee and strolled around before I got back on the road to Santa Fe.

2005-05-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

As if I hadn't had enough trains for one day, I spent some time in the museum afterwords! All in all, it was a great day.

2005-05-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

Got some good views down into the gorge on the way back.

2005-05-14T07:38:00.000-07:00

This little vehicle is called a "speeder". It's used by track maintenance folks to inspect and repair the track.

2005-05-14T07:36:00.000-07:00

There are lots of old train relics here as well.

2005-05-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

Mining ceased completely here in the 1980's. Most of the 20th century was post-rush uranium and base metal mining. The town is like a time capsule, never wiped out by fire or reconstruction like most of the other mining towns.

2005-05-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

The trip to takes about three and a half hours each way. Travel tip - take the train one way and the bus back. Even this train nut got a little tired of it by the end of the day.

2005-05-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

The train gains over 2,000 feet of elevation in 45 miles, traveling sometimes 400 feet above the Animas River on rocky ledges.

2005-05-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

The Durango and Silverton Narrow Guage RR was built to haul miners and supplies up to the mining town of Silverton. Trains would return with carts of ore which would be smelted in Durango to extract the silver and gold. Living at 9,300 feet and working like slaves, the frontiersmen were a lean and hardy folk. Most of today's visitors, however, can barely get three cheeks on a seat.

2005-05-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

Day 7 (bike: 5 miles, train 90 miles): This day was all train. I arrived at the depot at 7 am to pick up my ticket for the ride.

2005-05-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

As I approach Durango, I get a welcome break from days of desert landscapes. I also get a cold ride over the 8000 ft pass before decending into town. I'm excited about tomorrow's all day ride on the Durango/Silverton narrow guage steam train!

2005-05-12T21:32:00.000-07:00

I took a tour of the largest dwelling here - the Cliff Palace. 250 people lived in this dwelling around the 12th century.

2005-05-12T21:27:00.000-07:00

Nearly to Durango, I stop at Mesa Verde National Park. This park features cliff dwellings of the ancient Pueblos. Since it's 30 miles from the park entrance to the dwellings, I stop for a few vista shots as I climb the mesa.

2005-05-12T21:20:00.000-07:00

This stop is kind of silly, but it was only 5 miles out of my way. It's the Four Corners site, where the states of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico meet. Honestly, I expected a bigger monument

2005-05-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

More dreamlike riding across the Navajo Nation...

2005-05-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

Having met the rock photo quota again, its time for another self portrait. Plus I need to get a shot of the bike before it gets dirty again!

2005-05-12T21:10:00.000-07:00

After packing up for my day's journey, I stopped over at the Monument Valley visitors center. These two formations are called the "mittens".

2005-05-12T21:06:00.000-07:00

And another day of photographing rocks begins. Actually, I spent the early morning doing laundry and cleaning my bike, but that doesn't make a very good picture...

2005-05-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

Day 6 (220 miles): The sun rises across the valley.

2005-05-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

After a long day of riding, I arrive at Monument Valley. It's the image of the west - or at least of the western. Dozens of cowboy movies were shot here. Still, it's quite amazing to see first hand. This shot is from the lodge where I stayed.

2005-05-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

Another great rock.

2005-05-12T20:49:00.000-07:00

Into the vast Navajo reservation, 27,000 square miles, which makes it about 27 times the size of Rhode Island. Modern day Navajo live in mobile homes spread across ranch land.

2005-05-12T20:41:00.000-07:00

A bridge over Glen Canyon. I like the way it's just attached to the rock wall.

2005-05-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

This is a shot of lower Lake Powell, just above the Glen Canyon Dam. In the distance is a coal powered generating station for the Navajo Nation.

2005-05-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

Everywhere, the desert is in bloom.

2005-05-12T20:24:00.000-07:00

A preview of things to come...the ultimate riding conditions - beautiful scenery, giant blue sky, long stretches of empty two-lane roads, sweeping curves and comfortable temperatures!

2005-05-12T20:08:00.000-07:00

Day 5 (330 miles): After a frigid morning ride to Zion, and through the park for the 3rd time, I made my way south toward Arizona. Today's destination is Monument Valley.

2005-05-10T22:56:00.000-07:00

That's a coating of ice on my forks after turning around and retreating the forest in the face of the blizzard. I had come within ten miles of Cedar City but I had no choice but to turn back, return to Zion and come back the way I came. Total backtrack - 160 miles. I'll sleep good tonight!

2005-05-10T22:48:00.000-07:00

As I ascended route 14 into Dixie National Forest, it got colder and colder...until it was below freezing. There was lots of snow on the ground. And then I hit...the blizzard. Unfortunately, I was shivering too hard to take good pictures of it, but it was total whiteout conditions - not the best for motorcycling!

2005-05-10T22:43:00.000-07:00

I decided to take some smaller roads back to Cedar City. Along the way I was able to find, among other things, a gas station that still takes Master Charge! The map said I could head north on 89 and head west on 14 to Cedar City. What the map didn't say is that route 14 climbs to 10,000 feet before decending rapidly into town...

2005-05-10T22:36:00.000-07:00

Ok! Ok! A much needed break from pictures of rocks, unless you count the ones in my head...

2005-05-10T22:33:00.000-07:00

A much photographed waterfall in Zion Canyon...

2005-05-10T22:32:00.000-07:00

Day 4 (270 miles): Today's objective was to vist Zion National Park - 50 miles away from Cedar City. Why then, did I ride 270 miles? Stay tuned! Zion has a series of breathtaking canyons, mesas and other rock formations, also cut by the Virgin River. That's been one hard working river over the that billion or so years!

2005-05-10T22:25:00.000-07:00

Following a pit stop in St. George, I arrived at my destination for the day - Cedar City. Hmm - pretty cold here. And look at that snow up there...wish I had thought about that the next day!

2005-05-10T22:19:00.000-07:00

Once I checked out I hit the road for Utah. It was incrediby windy and I actually hit quite a few tumbleweeds as they tumbled across the freeway. Luckily they shatter pretty easily! As you enter Utah, you pass through a spectacular gorge cut by the Virgin River.

2005-05-10T22:13:00.000-07:00

Day 3 (255 miles): I started the day with a side trip to Red Rock Canyon, just 20 miles west of Las Vegas. Very nice rocks.

2005-05-09T10:34:00.000-07:00

Since this was the first time I didnt arrive in Vegas by plane/cab, I decided to drive up Las Vegas Blvd (the strip) from south of town like the old days before the freeway. Here's New York, NY - I taught my grandfather to play craps here.

2005-05-09T10:31:00.000-07:00

Before heading into Las Vegas, I took a side trip to Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. They say there is enough concrete in this dam to pave a road from LA to New York City. It's big.

2005-05-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

Stopped for a rest in Baker, CA. If you are ever in Baker, you have to go to the Mad Greek! It's an oasis of delicious greek food and pastries.

2005-05-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

DAY 2 (255 miles): I got out of Barstow early and headed for Vegas. The ride through the Mohave desert in the morning hours was really beautiful. Being able to drive to Vegas this way almost makes me want to live in LA.

2005-05-09T10:23:00.000-07:00

I'll follow Route 66 on the way back, but I doubt I'll go through Barstow again. ;-)

2005-05-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

Barstow is not a really a destination, but it does have a LOT of cool rail traffic (which is of course important to everyone). The Sante Fe railroad mainline was right next to the hotel and a train went by every couple of minutes. Theres also a big classification yard there, where they sort the freight cars. The town's claim to fame is that they are on Route 66.

2005-05-09T10:06:00.000-07:00

DAY 1 (406 miles): Riding down Route 5 in the central valley was much as I expected - very flat with lots of farms and smelly stockyards. It is also monarch butterfly season and my head, legs and windshield were covered with yellow bug guts. I arrived in Barstow, CA around 4:30.

2005-05-06T19:27:00.000-07:00

Here is the anticipated route - close to 3,000 miles. I'd say the average is about 6 hours a day of riding. Definitely planning on a sore butt!

2005-05-02T21:30:00.000-07:00

The ride: a 2001 Harley Davidson FXDL Dyna Low Rider. Just back from service and nearly ready to go...

Welcome to the 2005 Road Trip blog

2005-05-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

Here, I hope to chronical the images and impressions of my road trip through the southwest. My plan is to take off from Oakland in early May, pointing my bike toward the four corners area and hoping for the best.