Trip to Grand Canyon
Day 1: (Pages 1 - 5)
We left at 5:45 a.m. heading for our first night in Harrison, Arkansas. It was going to be a 600+ mile day. Our first day on previous trips had always been 700+ miles, so I thought this would be a piece of cake. We took 72W to Memphis instead of the interstate. We found it to be only about a half hour longer and a lot less boring than the interstate. The heat was oppressive from before noon till we arrived. I had undergone a medical procedure for a kidney stone two weeks before leaving and I visited my doctor the day before we left due to some minor complications. He advised me that it wouldn't be wise for me to take such a long trip in such high temperatures, but stubborn me ignored his advice. After all I felt fine and I had done this so many times before.
This year we were taking my grandson in a chase car. The girls planned on sharing the driving, which would give Pebbles some riding time and Chad could ride on different bikes on the trip. All was going well until about an hour before we stopped for the night. I finally understood what the doctor with all his years of medical training was trying to tell me. He had told me that although i felt fine, that my body had not recovered enough to take too much stress. Guess what? Extreme heat = STRESS. About an hour out, I started getting all the symptoms of heat stroke. This is not a good thing at anytime, but when you are riding a motorcycle it can result in a crash and death. I had enough sense to pull over and leave my bike and ride the last 38 miles in the car. I went back later in the evening and rode my bike on to the motel.
I have never aborted a journey before, however, I decided to finally take my doctor's advice and abort, based on the more extreme temperatures that were to follow in the coming days. Sometimes common sense must prevail over one's machismo. Seeing the big hole just ain't worth ending up in the emergency room or dying. Moleman, Lori, Sandman, and Amelia would continue on and Pebbles, Chad, and I would limp home. I decided to divide the 600+ miles home into a couple of easy days, drinking a lot of water and riding early in the day. We arrived home on Saturday about noon. I'm feeling fine except for being a little weak. In a few weeks the doc said I would be back to normal. This year was not to be, I've accepted it and I will continue on. - Rock
Day 2: (Pages 6-12)
Left Harrison, Arkansas about 7 a.m. without Rock, just didn't seem right pulling out of the parking lot with just 2 bikes...but we headed out. We took 412W the rest of the way across Arkansas and into Oklahoma, bound and determined to make it through Enid this time, the place where Moleman had his wreck back in '05....thankfully he didn't remember exactly where it happened, but we made it, without incident and celebrated by having a great lunch in the town of Enid. We stayed on 412W all the way to Clayton, New Mexico. If nothing else, we have learned a whole new definition for the word HOT!!!!! Some banks we went past read over 100 degrees...ugh!!! All in all it was about 615 miles from Harrison, Arkansas to Clayton, New Mexico, but a beautiful ride. - RiRi
Day 3: (Pages 12-19)
Started the day off in New Mexico, on I25 headed toward Colorado, picked up 149W in South Fork, CO. ROCK, what an awesome, awesome highway...very seldom am i left speechless, but the scenery on this stretch of road was absolutely amazing, words can not describe what we saw, and I'm sure the pictures won't do it justice either. All you have is our word that the weather was incredible, and the scenery was fantastic. Thankfully the temp stayed in the high 80's and even dipped down into the 70's at 13,000 feet elevation, now thats high!!! Still wishing Rock, Pebbles and Chad were here with us, just seems weird without them. We do hope he is feeling better. Today we did about 378 miles...watch out Arizona, here we come!!!!! Till tomorrow - .RiRi
Day 4 (Pages 20-33)
Today we started out in Gunnison, CO What a shock to walk outside this morning and find that it was just 50 degrees...were we really complaining about the heat just a day ago? So after digging out jackets and gloves we headed out of town on 50W to 550S in Montrose, CO If yesterdays scenery was awesome, then this ride was "out of this world". Rock, what a great job on finding incredible roads to travel. They call this stretch the Million Dollar Highway...and it earned it's name. Elevation was about 11,000 feet with no guardrails, and no shoulder to speak of, being a little scared of heights I tended to lean to the inside of the road, and doing a little shoulder smacking when i thought Moleman was getting to close to the edge...."photo op" or not!! All in all it was absolutely the most beautiful highway any of us have ever been on. We continued on 550W to Durango, CO talk about a temperature change. Not only did we shed jackets, gloves, etc...it was blistering hot..temps right at 110 degrees...and no rain or clouds in sight. We took 160W to Cortez, and then picked up 191S toward Chinle, AZ. The desert is very pretty and the rock formations are incredible...but HOT, HOT, HOT!!! We stopped for gas and were talking to the locals, they don't think this weather is hot, they say it is comfortable, and that it is going to get hotter. Glad we will be gone before that happens!! So, to sum it up, today went off without a problem, ok get this, while I'm typing this Sandman and his wife call us and say there are wild horses in the parking lot, so, we run out the door, and sure enough a herd of Mustangs are wandering around eating grass, and crossing the highway like they own it!! Only in the desert. So, tomorrow we head for the Grand Canyon160W to 89N...then we end up in Kanab, UT. Till tomorrow...RiRi
Day 5: ( Pages 33-44)
We started the day out in Chinle, AZ, and couldn't have asked for a better morning to ride. The temps were in the 70's and there was very little traffic. We headed out on 264 to 160W, riding through the Navajo Nation and Hopi Villages. We stopped to eat, and had one of the best breakfasts ever. The people here are real polite and friendly, most of them want to know where we are from, and where we are headed. Guess they can tell from our accents and sunburn that we are not from here. By 10:30 a.m., the temps started climbing up toward 100 degrees.
We picked up 89 to 67 and headed toward the North Rim. This ride took us up out of the desert and back into the mountains. Most of the ride was in State Parks and National Forests. The smells amazed me, riding down the road the smell of pine and wildflowers is so strong and pretty, I've never experienced anything like it. We entered the Grand Canyon National Forest, a fire had torn through here, and it was a little depressing to see the miles and miles of charred and burnt pines, but it was a pretty ride just the same. Finally, The Grand Canyon. SPEECHLESS...words can't come close to describing the beauty of the Canyon, no way, no how. I'm sure it's safe to say that me, Moleman, Sandman and Amy were all in awe, and maybe just a little proud that we had made it the 2200+ miles to the Grand Canyon. I am sure this is a beautiful ride, whether on bus, car, RV, whatever, but to us it is meant for a motorcycle. I would have missed so much if I hadn't been on the back, and every once in a while, I had to remind Moleman that the road was in front of us, not on the side or behind us. Guess he wants to see the scenery to. As we were headed out of the National Forest, we were lucky enough to see a few herds of buffalo and a few mule deer, and, of course, a few free range cattle. Temps in the park had got down to the 70's and 80's...again, great riding weather.
We headed out of the park, and picked up 67 to 89 again. Once again, as we got out of the mountains, and back into the desert, the temp climbed right back up to 100+. The ride from the Canyon to Kanab is a real pretty ride, and the town is real cute, sitting right between to huge rock sand cliffs. What a satisfying day!!
Today was our last day with Sandman and Amy, we are headed home, and they are headed out to explore for the next 3 weeks. Traveling with them has been a pleasure that we have enjoyed. We will miss them and their easy going ways, hope they will be safe and have fun. As for us, we are headed home the long way....yippy!! Till tomorrow...RiRi
Day 6 (Pages 45-58)
Well, I made the comment that I wanted to see the sunrise out here, and Moleman was more than happy to oblige. Since we are now traveling by ourselves, Moleman was more than happy to get us on the road before dawn. A perfect morning, maybe a little chilly, (right around 60 degrees), but no traffic and clear skies. We started out on 89E through the Vermillion Cliffs down to Page, AZ. I got my sunrise and it was beautiful. We jumped on 98 to 160N and headed to Monument Valley. What an amazing place to see, we even walked around and read a little about the history. Monument Valley is in the Navajo Nation, and the story behind it is awesome. This trip continues to get better and better. Thankfully, we got here early enough that the temperature was still tolerable.
We left the Valley, and took 191N to Moab, UT, to Arches National Park. Needless to say, the heat caught up with us on the way there, the thermometer on the bike was well over 115 degrees. But it was well worth it, because Arches Park is absolutely incredible. We definately looked like tourists going through there, amazed at the rock formations, and the road through the park was great.
From there we headed to I70E to Fruita, CO, making today about a 430 mile day, in blistering hot heat. But a well worth it day, regardless. Fruita, CO is right on the Colorado River, and has an awesome war memorial right next door. I even got to catch a sunset tonight...bet I don't ask for another sunrise!! Tomorrow we head to eastern Colorado, still making our way back home........Till tomorrow.....RiRi
Day 7 ( Pages 58-64)
We left Fruita, CO before dawn, headed for Lamar, Co (about 430 miles) taking 50E. This was a real nice road to travel, going right through the Rockies. When he left the motel, the weather was in the 70's, but the higher we went into the Rockies, the colder it got. We finally had to pull off and put on warmer clothes. The temps dipped down into the 40's for a couple hours, but we hated to complain, because we know how intense the heat how here can be, and we figured it was waiting for us at the foot of the mountains. We were right, as we got out of the mountains, the temp started rising fast, right up around 100. We stayed on 50E all the way into Lamar, Co. Till tomorrow....RiRi
Day 8 (58-64)
Another day, and we were headed out before the sun came up. Guess Moleman wants me to see as many sunrises as possible. I stayed awake to see it, but fell asleep shortly after it was up. Temps this morning were around 70, and there wasn't much traffic. We took 50E to 400 through Dodge City, KS. The wind was horrible, 20-30 mph, with 40 mph gusts, and it never let up. The actual ride was beautiful, but the wind just beat us both to death, and today, i decided to let Moleman drive without a backseat driver. (I'm sure he was thankful for this) We picked up 700 to 54E outside of Wichita, KS and took it all the way to Ft. Scott, KS. Today was about a 450 mile day, with temps at 100 degrees. Needless to say, we were both happy to get to Ft. Scott tonight. Once again I have to say how impressed we are with how friendly and polite people are out here. Guess that's all for now, till tomorrow....RiRi
Day 9 (Pages 54-64)
Started the day in Ft. Scott, KS, around 6:00 a.m., and you guessed it, Moleman was nice enough to let me catch another sunrise. It was a beautiful morning, around 75 degrees, and NO wind!! We started out on 54E, we stopped for breakfast about 40 miles into Missouri, and a real nice fella came up to us and was talking about his bike, and it's "medical problems", as we were leaving he told us it was a helmet state, and noticed we came in without any. So, we put 'em on and headed out toward Osage Beach, which is on The Lake of the Ozarks. What a nice tourist town, and again, real friendly people. Our whole trip across Missouri, and most of the states was on secondary and backroads, which were by far more scenic than any interstate. The landscape coming across Missouri was absolutely beautiful, and the weather was great, it stayed right around 100 degrees all day. We came across the Mississippi, and hit I-24E, and stopped in Paducah, KY for the night. Tomorrow we will do the last 250 miles home, and this trip will be over, so I have to say that ROCK did an outstanding job on finding "roads less traveled", that offered us beautiful, breathtaking scenery, and MOLEMAN was a fantastic chauffeur and tour guide. This was definately a trip of a lifetime for me and I enjoyed every single minute of it. Thanks so much...and one more thing, WHERE ARE WE GOING NEXT YEAR???....RiRi
Read MoreWe left at 5:45 a.m. heading for our first night in Harrison, Arkansas. It was going to be a 600+ mile day. Our first day on previous trips had always been 700+ miles, so I thought this would be a piece of cake. We took 72W to Memphis instead of the interstate. We found it to be only about a half hour longer and a lot less boring than the interstate. The heat was oppressive from before noon till we arrived. I had undergone a medical procedure for a kidney stone two weeks before leaving and I visited my doctor the day before we left due to some minor complications. He advised me that it wouldn't be wise for me to take such a long trip in such high temperatures, but stubborn me ignored his advice. After all I felt fine and I had done this so many times before.
This year we were taking my grandson in a chase car. The girls planned on sharing the driving, which would give Pebbles some riding time and Chad could ride on different bikes on the trip. All was going well until about an hour before we stopped for the night. I finally understood what the doctor with all his years of medical training was trying to tell me. He had told me that although i felt fine, that my body had not recovered enough to take too much stress. Guess what? Extreme heat = STRESS. About an hour out, I started getting all the symptoms of heat stroke. This is not a good thing at anytime, but when you are riding a motorcycle it can result in a crash and death. I had enough sense to pull over and leave my bike and ride the last 38 miles in the car. I went back later in the evening and rode my bike on to the motel.
I have never aborted a journey before, however, I decided to finally take my doctor's advice and abort, based on the more extreme temperatures that were to follow in the coming days. Sometimes common sense must prevail over one's machismo. Seeing the big hole just ain't worth ending up in the emergency room or dying. Moleman, Lori, Sandman, and Amelia would continue on and Pebbles, Chad, and I would limp home. I decided to divide the 600+ miles home into a couple of easy days, drinking a lot of water and riding early in the day. We arrived home on Saturday about noon. I'm feeling fine except for being a little weak. In a few weeks the doc said I would be back to normal. This year was not to be, I've accepted it and I will continue on. - Rock
Day 2: (Pages 6-12)
Left Harrison, Arkansas about 7 a.m. without Rock, just didn't seem right pulling out of the parking lot with just 2 bikes...but we headed out. We took 412W the rest of the way across Arkansas and into Oklahoma, bound and determined to make it through Enid this time, the place where Moleman had his wreck back in '05....thankfully he didn't remember exactly where it happened, but we made it, without incident and celebrated by having a great lunch in the town of Enid. We stayed on 412W all the way to Clayton, New Mexico. If nothing else, we have learned a whole new definition for the word HOT!!!!! Some banks we went past read over 100 degrees...ugh!!! All in all it was about 615 miles from Harrison, Arkansas to Clayton, New Mexico, but a beautiful ride. - RiRi
Day 3: (Pages 12-19)
Started the day off in New Mexico, on I25 headed toward Colorado, picked up 149W in South Fork, CO. ROCK, what an awesome, awesome highway...very seldom am i left speechless, but the scenery on this stretch of road was absolutely amazing, words can not describe what we saw, and I'm sure the pictures won't do it justice either. All you have is our word that the weather was incredible, and the scenery was fantastic. Thankfully the temp stayed in the high 80's and even dipped down into the 70's at 13,000 feet elevation, now thats high!!! Still wishing Rock, Pebbles and Chad were here with us, just seems weird without them. We do hope he is feeling better. Today we did about 378 miles...watch out Arizona, here we come!!!!! Till tomorrow - .RiRi
Day 4 (Pages 20-33)
Today we started out in Gunnison, CO What a shock to walk outside this morning and find that it was just 50 degrees...were we really complaining about the heat just a day ago? So after digging out jackets and gloves we headed out of town on 50W to 550S in Montrose, CO If yesterdays scenery was awesome, then this ride was "out of this world". Rock, what a great job on finding incredible roads to travel. They call this stretch the Million Dollar Highway...and it earned it's name. Elevation was about 11,000 feet with no guardrails, and no shoulder to speak of, being a little scared of heights I tended to lean to the inside of the road, and doing a little shoulder smacking when i thought Moleman was getting to close to the edge...."photo op" or not!! All in all it was absolutely the most beautiful highway any of us have ever been on. We continued on 550W to Durango, CO talk about a temperature change. Not only did we shed jackets, gloves, etc...it was blistering hot..temps right at 110 degrees...and no rain or clouds in sight. We took 160W to Cortez, and then picked up 191S toward Chinle, AZ. The desert is very pretty and the rock formations are incredible...but HOT, HOT, HOT!!! We stopped for gas and were talking to the locals, they don't think this weather is hot, they say it is comfortable, and that it is going to get hotter. Glad we will be gone before that happens!! So, to sum it up, today went off without a problem, ok get this, while I'm typing this Sandman and his wife call us and say there are wild horses in the parking lot, so, we run out the door, and sure enough a herd of Mustangs are wandering around eating grass, and crossing the highway like they own it!! Only in the desert. So, tomorrow we head for the Grand Canyon160W to 89N...then we end up in Kanab, UT. Till tomorrow...RiRi
Day 5: ( Pages 33-44)
We started the day out in Chinle, AZ, and couldn't have asked for a better morning to ride. The temps were in the 70's and there was very little traffic. We headed out on 264 to 160W, riding through the Navajo Nation and Hopi Villages. We stopped to eat, and had one of the best breakfasts ever. The people here are real polite and friendly, most of them want to know where we are from, and where we are headed. Guess they can tell from our accents and sunburn that we are not from here. By 10:30 a.m., the temps started climbing up toward 100 degrees.
We picked up 89 to 67 and headed toward the North Rim. This ride took us up out of the desert and back into the mountains. Most of the ride was in State Parks and National Forests. The smells amazed me, riding down the road the smell of pine and wildflowers is so strong and pretty, I've never experienced anything like it. We entered the Grand Canyon National Forest, a fire had torn through here, and it was a little depressing to see the miles and miles of charred and burnt pines, but it was a pretty ride just the same. Finally, The Grand Canyon. SPEECHLESS...words can't come close to describing the beauty of the Canyon, no way, no how. I'm sure it's safe to say that me, Moleman, Sandman and Amy were all in awe, and maybe just a little proud that we had made it the 2200+ miles to the Grand Canyon. I am sure this is a beautiful ride, whether on bus, car, RV, whatever, but to us it is meant for a motorcycle. I would have missed so much if I hadn't been on the back, and every once in a while, I had to remind Moleman that the road was in front of us, not on the side or behind us. Guess he wants to see the scenery to. As we were headed out of the National Forest, we were lucky enough to see a few herds of buffalo and a few mule deer, and, of course, a few free range cattle. Temps in the park had got down to the 70's and 80's...again, great riding weather.
We headed out of the park, and picked up 67 to 89 again. Once again, as we got out of the mountains, and back into the desert, the temp climbed right back up to 100+. The ride from the Canyon to Kanab is a real pretty ride, and the town is real cute, sitting right between to huge rock sand cliffs. What a satisfying day!!
Today was our last day with Sandman and Amy, we are headed home, and they are headed out to explore for the next 3 weeks. Traveling with them has been a pleasure that we have enjoyed. We will miss them and their easy going ways, hope they will be safe and have fun. As for us, we are headed home the long way....yippy!! Till tomorrow...RiRi
Day 6 (Pages 45-58)
Well, I made the comment that I wanted to see the sunrise out here, and Moleman was more than happy to oblige. Since we are now traveling by ourselves, Moleman was more than happy to get us on the road before dawn. A perfect morning, maybe a little chilly, (right around 60 degrees), but no traffic and clear skies. We started out on 89E through the Vermillion Cliffs down to Page, AZ. I got my sunrise and it was beautiful. We jumped on 98 to 160N and headed to Monument Valley. What an amazing place to see, we even walked around and read a little about the history. Monument Valley is in the Navajo Nation, and the story behind it is awesome. This trip continues to get better and better. Thankfully, we got here early enough that the temperature was still tolerable.
We left the Valley, and took 191N to Moab, UT, to Arches National Park. Needless to say, the heat caught up with us on the way there, the thermometer on the bike was well over 115 degrees. But it was well worth it, because Arches Park is absolutely incredible. We definately looked like tourists going through there, amazed at the rock formations, and the road through the park was great.
From there we headed to I70E to Fruita, CO, making today about a 430 mile day, in blistering hot heat. But a well worth it day, regardless. Fruita, CO is right on the Colorado River, and has an awesome war memorial right next door. I even got to catch a sunset tonight...bet I don't ask for another sunrise!! Tomorrow we head to eastern Colorado, still making our way back home........Till tomorrow.....RiRi
Day 7 ( Pages 58-64)
We left Fruita, CO before dawn, headed for Lamar, Co (about 430 miles) taking 50E. This was a real nice road to travel, going right through the Rockies. When he left the motel, the weather was in the 70's, but the higher we went into the Rockies, the colder it got. We finally had to pull off and put on warmer clothes. The temps dipped down into the 40's for a couple hours, but we hated to complain, because we know how intense the heat how here can be, and we figured it was waiting for us at the foot of the mountains. We were right, as we got out of the mountains, the temp started rising fast, right up around 100. We stayed on 50E all the way into Lamar, Co. Till tomorrow....RiRi
Day 8 (58-64)
Another day, and we were headed out before the sun came up. Guess Moleman wants me to see as many sunrises as possible. I stayed awake to see it, but fell asleep shortly after it was up. Temps this morning were around 70, and there wasn't much traffic. We took 50E to 400 through Dodge City, KS. The wind was horrible, 20-30 mph, with 40 mph gusts, and it never let up. The actual ride was beautiful, but the wind just beat us both to death, and today, i decided to let Moleman drive without a backseat driver. (I'm sure he was thankful for this) We picked up 700 to 54E outside of Wichita, KS and took it all the way to Ft. Scott, KS. Today was about a 450 mile day, with temps at 100 degrees. Needless to say, we were both happy to get to Ft. Scott tonight. Once again I have to say how impressed we are with how friendly and polite people are out here. Guess that's all for now, till tomorrow....RiRi
Day 9 (Pages 54-64)
Started the day in Ft. Scott, KS, around 6:00 a.m., and you guessed it, Moleman was nice enough to let me catch another sunrise. It was a beautiful morning, around 75 degrees, and NO wind!! We started out on 54E, we stopped for breakfast about 40 miles into Missouri, and a real nice fella came up to us and was talking about his bike, and it's "medical problems", as we were leaving he told us it was a helmet state, and noticed we came in without any. So, we put 'em on and headed out toward Osage Beach, which is on The Lake of the Ozarks. What a nice tourist town, and again, real friendly people. Our whole trip across Missouri, and most of the states was on secondary and backroads, which were by far more scenic than any interstate. The landscape coming across Missouri was absolutely beautiful, and the weather was great, it stayed right around 100 degrees all day. We came across the Mississippi, and hit I-24E, and stopped in Paducah, KY for the night. Tomorrow we will do the last 250 miles home, and this trip will be over, so I have to say that ROCK did an outstanding job on finding "roads less traveled", that offered us beautiful, breathtaking scenery, and MOLEMAN was a fantastic chauffeur and tour guide. This was definately a trip of a lifetime for me and I enjoyed every single minute of it. Thanks so much...and one more thing, WHERE ARE WE GOING NEXT YEAR???....RiRi
