DAY 21 END OF THE ROAD

Wanted to get to Flagstaff by 2 PM to see my daughter get her Masters Degree. Headed to Kingman for our final gas stop together and discuss routes home from there. It wasn't my turn to lead but Bruce turned over the lead. As has become our custom I lead out first leg and last leg coming home.

We left Kingman together for the last time, Al and CE turned south on 93 a few miles down the road. Bruce, Jan, and Ken turned south at Ashfork with Jan heading home while Ken and Bruce went to Chino Valley. I was then riding alone for the last 60 miles to Flagstaff. It was a little odd to be alone after three weeks together. I was still pointing out objects to avoid in the road and making sure there was time for us all to pass.

Krys rode back to Phoenix with me after the graduation and I arrived home with mixed emotions. The joy of seeing the family, especially the grandkids, with the sadness that tomorrow I won't be swinging a leg over the bike and aiming it down a new road.

Riding home today I had the time to reflect on just a few of the things that left an impression.

Roads

Roads where they decided to follow the land, no cuts through the hills just up and over while winding back and forth following the contour lines on the map. These usually were accompanied by twenty mile per hour corners and beautiful vistas. Great rides, not on any web site or map but unforgettable.

Breaks and Meals

Breaks, everywhere from a quick nap in the grass of a rest area to sitting on the sidewalk of a convenience store. Where ever we were it seems that six bikes with Arizona plates would spark a conversation.
Some of the places we ate were a real experience. Lamberts, a Cracker Barrel on steroids, where they throw rolls at you and serve appetizers from a pail. All the Subways we had lunch at often temporarily overwhelming the staff, answering questions, watching them awe over Al's grandsons picture on his Subway card. Quincys with no menu one choice for dinner, one dressing on the salad, one potato choice. Then there was my favorite, Melanie's, in the hills of West Virginia, getting laughed at for not knowing what a "ramp" was. I also have to include BB's a small joint in Kansas City that has just what KC is famous for, good barbecue and a juke box with nothin but blues.

People

We meet so many interesting people on a ride like this. I'm not sure what it is but they walk up and ask where your going and where your from, then tell you about trips they have or want to take. Jan met a guy who told him all about a trip he had researched to the upper peninsula of Michigan but had never been anywhere except Houston. I had a guy walk up while we were eating and tell me about the Harley his wife had to sell while he was in prison, apparently he switched his farms cash crop to marijuana.

Cobwebs

I think everyone who has followed along knows I love my music on the bike and believe that the music often makes the moment. First thing in the morning when I make that turn out of the driveway to the road I usually leave the music off for a few minutes. This is the time when you get those morning cobwebs out of your head by just listening and thinking. The Harley also talks to you in the morning. Some bikes don't make any noise but the Harley is full of noises in the morning. I listen to the tick of the valves, the rumble of the exhaust, the clicking of the metal heating up as the engine warms, and the slight whine from the cold oil in the transmission. After a few minutes I know that both of us have cleared out the nights cobwebs and are ready to head on down the road.

Thanks

Once again I have to thank the people who ride with me, the people who actually take the time to follow our trip, and finally the great family that allows and encourages these trips.

Tell next time,

Chuck

DAY 20 NEEDLES CA

Breakfast was a little quiet this morning as we all realized that we were turning for home. I had mixed feelings about the day, anxious to see family, sorry the trip was coming to an end. Left about the usual time heading southeast on 58. Scenery today started in the vineyards and farms finishing with I-40 and wide open high desert.

A beautiful day of clear blue skies and pleasant temperatures almost all day on divided highway, not my favorite roads. In for the night in Needles quickly hit the hot tub then walked to a nearby restaurant for a last dinner and a few beers. At dinner the conversation turned to favorite road on this trip and everyone had several choices. There were so many great roads and places it was impossible to choose just one. From the surreal deserts to the blue grass of Kentucky to the mountains of West Virginia and the stark emptiness of the boardwalk in Ocean City it just couldn't be nailed down to one.

Soon the conversation turned as it always has to next years trip, discussing mileages and possibilities. We won't know exactly where we're going until we actually leave but we have some ideas.

One last post tomorrow.

DAY 19 THE WEST END OF 50

After breakfast said goodbye to Jim Bob and Vicki, our new friends of the road.

I hope today will be
a lighter highway,
cause friends are found on every road.
Can you ever think of any better way
for a lost and weary traveler to go.
Bernie Taupin

Headed out to more of the valleys broken by mountain passes. The sky was full of different shaped clouds casting giant shadows. Cresting a pass you could look over the valley ahead full of shadows cast by the clouds. Stopped in an old mining town , Austin, like a small version of Jerome without the people in the middle of nowhere. Lady at the store said population was almost 300. Five churches all built in the 1800's three bars, one store, originally a gold and silver mining area.

After leaving the high desert behind began the climb into the forests finally breaking out of the trees to look down on Lake Tahoe to our west. Wound down the road into the town of South Lake Tahoe before heading around the south end of the lake on US 50. Leaving Tahoe on 50 west is one of the most beautiful drives you can take. A twisty two lane road following a fast moving river in tall pines for mile after mile. Eventually we came out of the trees into Placerville, a town we drove through from the south last year.

We soon made our way to Sacramento and after questioning a local resident found the object of our quest. A CalTrans highway sign that reads Ocean City Maryland 3073. Parked on the side of a busy four lane highway for the photo we had to have. Having found the end of 50 we headed south, it's time to start thinking about home and, of course, planning next years ride.

I continually try and fail to adequately describe this wonderful country as we pass through. Al takes great pictures that are interesting with many taken on the move. Our descriptions and photos serve as a means of recall but fail to adequately convey the beauty and wonder of the land. I'm reminded of a line from a Springsteen song, taken out of context of the song but still fitting the thought.

The poets down here don't write nothin at all;
They just stand back and let it all be.

DAY 18 GREEN RIVER UT TO EUREKA NV

Left Green River headed west on 50 which quickly became the interstate. This is also a scenic road and with good reason. Beautiful red rock formations backed by snow capped peaks in the distance.

Eventually 50 separated from the interstate and turned into a straight as an arrow road across western Utah, this isn't called the loneliest road but should be. After lunch headed into Nevada and the real loneliest road. This was a beautiful road we would climb over a pass up to six or seven thousand feet then winding down into a valley. You could see the entire road as a straight line across the valley climbing to another twisty road through another pass. Looking down on the valleys you can see forever, no houses, no billboards, no cattle, nothing but snow covered mountains in the distance.

Continued to drive west eventually ended up in Eureka an old mining town on route 50 where we are stopped for the night.

Mentioned a couple from Kentucky that we ran into yesterday, Jim Bob and his wife Vicki, Very nice couple on a Harley headed for the coast. Played tag with them off and on all day and after we stopped for the day in pulled our new friends. The only thing left to do was invite them to dinner with us. We had a great mexican food dinner complete with margaritas, beer and great conversation of motorcycle trips taken and those we want to.

DAY 17 OVER MONARCH PASS

Waited in Salido until almost 11:00 AM before starting out for the pass. This gave us an opportunity to catch up on laundry at the local laundromat.

Checked out and headed into the mountains, immediately began a steady climb as the air began to turn cool. We had stopped yesterday to avoid a snow storm on the pass but today called for clear weather. As we climbed the snow on the sides of the road started getting deeper and the temperature began to rapidly fall.

We soon reached the crest and stopped for the necessary pictures and a trip to the store at the top. Since the temperature had now warmed to a nice 28 degrees we soon started west. I was lucky since we take turns leading and I was in front for this part of the ride. This is some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. Devoid of traffic covered in a fresh blanket of snow and well above the tree line with the wind blowing occasional drifts across the road.

Four other bikes pulled into the summit just before we left exchanging a quick hello with us as we departed. A little while later and several miles down the road we stopped for lunch and were soon joined by the four from the summit. They were vacationing Quebec firefighters and we sat and visited all of us entranced by the beauty of the ride we had just made.

The road continued two lane to Grand Junction where 50 follows I-70 into Utah. This is also picturesque for an interstate and we stayed on it until we stopped in Green River. Met dirt bikers and a couple on a bike from Kentucky at dinner.

What a great day.

LAMAR CO TO SALIDA CO

Woke up to a very cold morning, 31 degrees. It quickly warmed into the 50's and we headed down the road. Stopped shortly for gas and meet a guy who winters in Phoenix and had just come back to Lamar.

Soon riding through fields and farms over rolling hills starting to climb just a little from the prairies of western Kansas. The farms soon gave way to large cattle ranches with miles of range land as we followed the Arkansas River. We continued to follow the river off and on all day as we went from the upper Arkansas river valley to the Arkansas River Upper Watershed area.

After climbing to a little higher altitude the range land gave way to higher farmland that isn't yet planted for the summer crops. Stopped in Canon City to put on some additional clothes as the clouds continued to build while the temperature dropped.

Left Canon City and the road began to climb towards Salida some fifty miles away on the eastern side of the continental divide. We could see strong rains to the north and south but we kept riding into the middle and little holes in the clouds. The road wound back and forth along the Arkansas River. We rode along for miles watching fly fishing along the river.

In Salida made the decision to stop early for the day after checking with the
Colorado Department of Transportation. They advised that Monarch Pass was 32 degrees with snow falling and icy roads. Forecast for tomorrow is clear and the road is supposed to be fine for travel.

Dinner tonight at a restaurant that only serves one steak choice each day and it is only open from 5 to 9. Your only choice is the size of steak you want, interesting.

Snowed on us riding to dinner, big fat flakes falling softly as we drove down an almost empty street on a Sunday night. Very surreal experience as we cruised to a great dinner.

Wish us luck tomorrow with that 11,321 foot pass.

DAY 15 EMPORIA, KS, TO LAMAR CO

Beautiful day of good weather and good roads as we crossed the state of Kansas. It was a day like many others in so many ways. Nothing but two lanes a steady succession of farms with newly planted fields. The smells of the fresh cut lawns mixed with the smell of wood smoke as the farmers burned the piles of brush from winter storms. The miles measured by the next silo and water tower on the horizon.

I know this sounds like any of several other posts this year but to me it isn't. I'm reminded of a Jimmy Web (I think) song, Slides, where a professor is showing his vacation slides to his class:

Sunset,
another sunset,
I know it looks
indistinguishable from the last.
But I remember the difference.

Made a stop for lunch and souvenirs in Dodge City then on down the road. A little over 400 miles today but only a short way into Colorado. Passed the National Prairie Park today with mile after mile of rolling hills that look like a golf course due to the spring rains.

Over two weeks on the road and now the days are counting down. Hope the weather holds for the mountains tomorrow snow on the mountains is pretty, snow on the road is not.

Until tomorrow.