The horse is headed for the barn

Published July 5, 2009, at 9:26 pm. Currently, there are 0 Comments.

Anyone who has owned horses knows that when out riding, the horse knows when it’s headed for the barn. It’s in their head and there’s no stopping them.

I’m kind of like that. I’m headed for the barn, and I want to get there. Unfortunately, it’s going to take me four days of riding of at least 450 miles per day.

I left Mesa at 7 a.m. local time, and turned east on US 60. What a wonderful ride. It’s a scenic highway through gorgeous countryside. I’ve never taken US 60 to New Mexico before, and after riding the highway, I’m wondering why? The Salt River Canyon reminded me of the Grand Canyon, which I did not see on this trip.

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John Verduin suggested I stop some place for a piece of pie, to which I replied when I get to Pie Town. Pie Town, New Mexico, is where you will find the famous Pie-O-Neer, where they serve pie. I rolled into the parking lot and found it full. Not bad for a little town in the middle of nowhere.

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It’s Sunday afternoon, and there is a pair of musicians serenading the customers with a guitar and bass fiddle. My apple pie and coffee hit just the spot for a well needed break from the saddle.

Down the road, rain showers started to show themselves, but I was able to miss the rain … until I got on I-25 headed north to Albuquerque. It looked ominous. I pulled over to put on my rain gear. I didn’t want to wait until that rain was upon me.

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As I rolled north, the wind got violent. I realized it was more than rain, it was a thunderstorm and it was pushing the wind out in front of it. Twice, I was nearly blown off the highway. I pulled over twice to wait out its passing—just sitting there on the bike with my rain gear on, holding it up in the wind. When it was nearly past me, the winds subsided, and I was able to continue safely. That was another one of those puckering moments!

Rolling into Albuquerque, I made my way to Diane and Steve’s house—my sister-in-law and her husband. After a fine meal, I settled into a little writing and checking e-mail. The day was a gorgeous and “exhilarating” one!

Tomorrow: Headed towards Wichita on the two laners.

Brent

Today’s Mileage: 449, 9.5 hours.

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Prepping for the ride home

Published July 4, 2009, at 8:42 pm. Currently, there are 2 Comments.

An extra day in Mesa, AZ, is a good thing. Although I am anxious to get home, the rest is needed. I took the time to get the bike and myself ready to travel.

I don’t mind dirt on the bike. It’s like a badge of honor. But, at the very least, I will clean the bugs off the front of the bike. I don’t care for a buggy windshield. Mine is too short to look through, but I still see all that brown and yellow guts on the windscreen while riding.

So, I gave the V-Strom a quick bath.

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Afterwards, I headed over to Kokobelli Cafe for a coffee and free wifi. Called Cycle Gear on Country Club Drive to see if they carried HJC helmets and if they had a replacement visor. They did, so I scooted over there to brighten my view. If you think a buggy windshield is bad, try looking through a scratched visor. It’s worse than having an auto windshield with cracks and rock strikes right in front of the driver.

Filled the bike with gas. I am ready to go.

Tomorrow: Mesa, AZ, to Albuquerque, NM, via US 60 and I-25.

Brent

Categories: From the Road. There are 2 Comments.

Resting before the push home

Published July 3, 2009, at 5:41 pm. Currently, there are 2 Comments.

The last leg of my adventure lies before me—the ride home from Mesa, AZ, where my mom lives. The day of departure is uncertain.

Originally, I wanted to stay in Mesa two nights before leaving, but I am rethinking that. An extra day of rest would be good, AND more importantly, I would be leaving on Sunday rather than Saturday, July 4th. I am not sure I want be riding on one of the biggest party days of the year.

My route will be determined by the weather. Currently, the Plains are full of storms, which will be moving eastward. Texas is dry, but very hot. The Interstate highways will not be my prime roads. Interstates are boring and very tiring. At least on the two laners, you can stop and see the sights as you ride through the small towns that make up the nation’s heartland. These roads are not tiring, and you can ride longer. However, the miles do not add up as fast. It’s a trade off.

This morning, I had breakfast at the Hangar Cafe at the Chandler Airport. Great food. Great atmosphere. I rarely buy t-shirts, but I bought one for the cafe. The place is just that unique. It’s like a mom and pop restaurant that is a hidden jewel at the end of a hangar. There is also a motel. Yes, pilots need motels too!

My Internet connection is also a little sporadic. Mom does not own a computer. So, I have to drive to the free wifi wherever that may be. Staples has free wifi for business people traveling, but my connection was not very good earlier today. I headed over to my other wifi location, the Kokopelli Cafe—a great coffee shop about a mile away. I took care of business, answered e-mail, published a story and paid a bill online.

Isn’t the Internet great? Why does anyone even need an office!

Stay tuned.

Brent

Mileage Today: 0

PS Did you know that Staples Office Supply stores offer free wifi? I am sitting in their office furniture display, posting this story!

Categories: From the Road. There are 2 Comments.

Around the big hole to Mesa, AZ

Published July 2, 2009, at 6:58 pm. Currently, there are 1 Comment.

It has been a long time since I have seen the Grand Canyon. And as I write this, I can say it will be a while longer. In the past three years, I have driven by the big hole three times without seeing it.

Yeah, yeah. I know. You’re thinking, “You drove by the Grand Canyon and didn’t stop to look!” That’s right. I didn’t take the several hours it would take to go out of my way to look at the big hole. My trip plan was set, and I was sticking with it.

I started out with my riding jacket. Then, I had to add my rain liner. and after that my fleece jacket underneath. Somewhere along the way, I added my rain pants. It was cold and raining in the north, temps maybe in the 60s.

I rode around the north side of the Grand Canyon on Alt US 89, and I found a highway just as wonderful to ride as US 50 in California and Nevada.

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The route had a great mix of high plains desert and mountain forests. Traffic was relatively light, and unfortunately, there was just a little rain. The cloud cover really subdued the colors of the area.

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I stopped at Glen Canyon for a couple of photos.

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It was about at Glen Canyon that I realized my butt was not going to make it all the way in comfort. And, it did not.

I stopped in Flagstaff for lunch, and then made my way down I-17 to Phoenix—my butt hurting all the way. It’s not the seat, it’s just the butt burn from sitting for so long. Riding down off the rim and into the valley, the temps were changing dramatically. I pulled into a rest area to remove all the layers. It was turning hot. It was 100 degrees in Phoenix as I rode the even hotter freeways around the town to Mesa.

Finally, I turned into my mom’s neighborhood, pulled into the drive and rang the door bell—a place to rest for a couple of days.

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Brent

Today’s Mileage: 458.4. Total Trip Mileage: 4,210.

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Nevada scenic byway to St. George

Published July 1, 2009, at 9:59 pm. Currently, there are 4 Comments.

I’m not sure what to think about Ely, Nevada. I checked into a $30 motel and got a $20 night’s sleep. I awoke early, and walked to a little diner I spotted. The sign said open at 6 a.m. It was 6:20 and the waitress was shrugging her shoulders and mouthing “we’re closed.”

I went back to the motel, packed everything onto the motorcycle and left. On the edge of town, I gassed up and had breakfast at McDonald’s before leaving town on US 93, one of Nevada’s Scenic Byways on the eastern side of the state.

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My ride today is about 200 miles, quite a bit less than what I’ve been doing. I also wanted to slow down a little. You know, ride at a slower speed. There was one stretch on this road when I did not encounter another vehicle for about an hour.

The solemn moments in the desert are not lonely. To be alone, riding the highway to where it meets the horizon, allows thoughts to flow freely. The smell of a recent rain magnifies the scent of the sagebrush, filling the nose with the sweetest smell.

The mountains in the distance seem to pass by slowly for they are much farther away than they look, and much taller. The straightness of the highway is only possible with the surveyors instruments to lay the lines.

It seems like forever, and yet it goes by so quickly. How can that be?

I finally cross the Nevada state line into Utah, and I study the fuel gauge. No problem. I should make it to St. George without refueling, and I do.

Upon my arrival, I call my son. He’s just about ready to have lunch. I ride to the cafe and join him. We had breakfast burritos.

Afterwards, I help him move boxes. I don’t know why I always show up when he’s moving. I’m going to have to call first. from now on.

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I spotted a little motel—the old style motor court—on St. George Blvd., the Dixie Palm Motel. There are plenty of motels to choose from, but this one just looked nice and neat. Later, I inquired about a room: $29.95 + tax for a single. The sign said recently remodeled and free wifi. It was a great find, and not like last night’s stay, which was a little rough around the edges.

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After a nice visit with Stuart and two of his friends, Julie and Trina—fellow wilderness counselors, and supper at the local Thai restaurant, Benjas, I settled in to write.

Tomorrow: 430 miles to Mesa, AZ

Brent

Today’s Mileage: 229. Total Trip Mileage: 3,752.

Categories: From the Road. There are 4 Comments.