DAY 1 PHOENIX-DURANGO

Started with breakfast at Denny's, kind of a tradition, joined by family and friends. Headed out to the bikes shortly after eight and on down the road. Didn't really feel like the start of another trip,felt more like a weekend run to Flagstaff or Prescott. Picked up Jan in Camp Verde and headed north slowly starting to realize this was it, the start of another adventure.

I was soon off the interstate headed up 89 with sunny skies, 70 degrees, great music on the satellite radio, big v-twin rumbling and followed by friends. At that point thoughts of three weeks of doing this very thing start dancing in my head.

Now I been out in the desert, just doin' my time
Searchin' through the dust, lookin' for a sign
If there's a light up ahead well brother I don't know
But I got this fever burnin' in my soul
So let's take the good times as they go
And I'll meet you further on up the road
Springsteen

Driving across 160 around Kayenta skirting the south side of Monument Valley I'm amazed at the red rock formations that look like ocean waves that were frozen in time. They undulate back and forth imitating a storm at sea with spires reaching to the sky in the distance, so beautiful and varied, impossible to take it all in. This part of Arizona is so different and desolate but with its own incredible beauty.

We are stopped for the night in Durango, about 450 miles today, a good ride. This year we have two new people riding with us, Tim and Greg giving us seven tonight. Tomorrow we will meet up with JB probably around Pueblo.