UTAHHHHH National Park Ride.

It was time for our annual group trip that Staci and I take with some people that have turned out to be great friends. This trip we got to ride with a larger group and made some new friends and built some new memories. Last year we rode through Colorado (see blog) and this year it was southern Utah. We are going through some of the most impressive national parks and monuments in the country. We will drive through Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zions and Fishlake National Forrest.

Now those of you that have followed my blog know how I feel about group riding and my wife accused me of being a loner. While I do enjoy the rides I take solo, and dread large groups of riders, this group is different. The first trip with these people I did it for her as she is the social person and likes crowds. After the first year, I was convinced I could do it. The second year I thought we couldn’t do better. This year, I was a little worried about 11 bikes (15 people) and got claustrophobic thinking about it. But after the first day, it was all gone. Great Riders, Great people and Great fun! This group I would ride with, anytime, anyplace….

The ride from Salt Lake to Moab is usually pretty boring for me. Done it to death and the road past Price Utah is the ASS! We ran hard until we stopped for lunch at Ray’s in Green River Utah. (When I was 17 I had the privilege of going into this bar every night and enjoyed beers with the guys) I worked there when we were replaiced the entire water system in the town and I stayed 3 months.

Ray's Tavern. A Green River Landmark

ARCHES NATONAL PARK.

Rick Christensen and his wife Linda organized the whole trip, and at lunch, he told us he was going to make a “slight” detour and go into Moab the back way.

We rode 40 miles past the turnoff to Moab until we got to the Cisco exit to I-70. I did think that Rick had lost his mind. As we approached the turnoff we could see some serious thunderstorms on the horizon with some heavy lightning. Now I’m from Utah and I know how in this part of the state, storms hit fast and dump a lot of water in a short time. Flash floods are a regular occurrence this time of year. When Rick pulled over and wanted to put on rain gear I scoffed and said that it was to hot and we should get closer to the storm before we suit up. I usually look for the first raindrop before I suit up.

Rainsuits? Naaa not yet?

Bad Idea.

5 miles up the road, without warning we turned a corner and the skies Opened and we dumped on. By the time we pulled over we were SOAKED.

However, we did see things I have never seen. The water came rushing down the red sandstone cliffs and formed brown waterfalls. The desert at the end of summer was green and the smells were alive. All the washes that we usually dry this time of year were raging torrents.

Water

WATER

WATER

We were soaked before we got the gear on!

The Washes were Full and Raging

The rain again had made everything green and the water was running through the washes. Made for a cautious but exciting ride.

Unexpected surprised surprises are the best.

We all met for dinner and hooked up with the Colorado riders in Moab for a great dinner and some good conversation.

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The Next morning we shoved off for CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK and Torrey Utah.

We made a brief detour to Newspaper Rock located some 25 miles north and west of Monticello. The Monument features a flat rock with one of the largest known collections of petro glyphs.

The first carvings were made around 2,000 years ago, and were carved by Native Americans during both the prehistoric and historic periods. The Carvings have a mixture of human, animal, material and abstract forms, and to date no-one has been able to fully interpret their meaning.

The reason for the large concentration of the petro glyphs is unclear, making the rock somewhat of a mystery.

My Riding Buddy!

The Group (minus 4) at Newspaper Rock

Tough to translate

Zoom in to look at what they were so excited about....

I had never driven this route and the ride around Lake Powell brought new vistas and scenes that I have never seen.

Vistas close to Moab

Approaching Lake Powell (Hite)

The drive through Capitol Reef was as spectacular as it was last year.

We stopped for a drink and a break in Escalante, we were approached by the “Desert Doc” who was out drumming up business and handing out business cards. The guy was way to hyper and his bike was a patchwork of everything to keep it running. Now I  believe in Capitolism and applaud his hustle, but he may want to rethink the T shirt!

THANK GOD FOR THE EURO

On the way in and out of Torrey we met saw all kinds of riders. Outside Hite crossing we ran across riders from Holland. In Torrey we had a group that we met from France. I saw riders with flags from Norway, the England, Romania and Germany. The hotels needed the business and the Europeans provided the money at a 1.27 conversion we must be a good bargain.

Interesting thing the French are not known to be the most outwardly friendly. This group was different. Invited us for aperitif (cocktails before dinner) and we bought them some Utah wine. We did meet them on the road and in my broken French I asked them how they enjoyed the trip. One of the more quiet of the group, grabbed me by the hand and looked me square in the eye and said “touché mon cœur” (touched my heart)

I guess we do take things for granted. From that point on I rode with their eyes and realized what he meant.

This place is special.

Our Hotel in Torrey Utah

Our Complete group at Dinner

Tracy is "a little nuts" and this makes his wife crazy! Sheer dropoff!

The Dropoff

Looking down on Hite Marina at Lake Powell

We pushed off from Torrey the next day after a short night (because Tracy Evans made me drink of too much wine at dinner,Damn you Tracy!). I was not 100% but the beauty of the ride snapped me back into the reality of how beautiful this place is.

The ride to BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK it just gets better. The view from the top was, as always, worth the trip.

The Group

The view behind us

The Ranger gave us the details "but does not take tips"

Saddle up!

I did have a problem with my bike, (throttle lock was broken) and I decided to leave the group and run in to Zion’s Harley Davidson and see id I could make it before they closed to get it fixed. However, the road into ZIONS NATIONAL PARK was under construction. They are redoing the roadway and the road all the way through was under construction and one way.

Waiting our turn to go through Zions tunnel

The waits were long and hot. The longer I waited the hotter I got. When I finally did get out of the park, I dropped down the canyon into the 108 degree heat of southern Utah. I did make it and just in time to see the service department had closed 30 minutes before.

Now I know that Harley Dealers sometimes get a bad rap for bad service and poor attitudes of the staff. Most are deserved. However, I am going to put in a plug for Zion’s Harley Davidson. The guys in the parts department helped me pull the thing apart and readjust the cables before I left. I had done some work there on my bike before and it the service was stellar, but they have my business now. Great job guys.

By the time I got back to where we were staying I was Hot, Hungary, tired, Hot, and grumpy. The hotel we stayed at (Best Western Zion’s Park) was OUTSTANDING.

They made a parking area for our bikes, the rooms were great, clean and the views were to die for. If you are going to make this run, stay here.

The route to Price has some good scenery and is a nice run. But again, I have done it 9 or 10 times and not much I haven’t seen. It is fun to look at it through others eyes that haven’t seen it before.

Two things stood out on this run.

One thing that was memorable was the ride over highway 14 through cedar breaks over the top from Cedar City, past Brian Head Ski resort and catching the views of the backside of Zions. The ride was ever changing and the scenery was inspiring.

Zions in the background

The second thing was the most surprising.

I was two hours past hungry. We were in town on the County fair day and all the places we were going to eat were closed for the festivities. We ended up going almost back to Torrey to eat when Rick pulled into this little place called the Sunglow Motel and Family Restaurant. It was founded in the late 1960′s by Cula Ekker and was a homey little slice of southern Utah culture.

It is nestled in the small and quiet town of Bicknell, Utah Pop. 340. The small town girl was overwhelmed when 15 bikers came in and sat down.

While I was waiting for the food I caught a little of Bicknell History

Bicknell was settled in 1879, and the town was first named Thurber Town, after a local church leader, explorer and Indian interpreter.

The Town’s name was changed to Bicknell when the citizens agreed to change its name in exchange for a gift of books for its public library from Thomas W. Bicknell from Rhode Island.

Isn’t that fascinating? See how bored and hungry I was?

However Staci and Christa decided that we were going to try the “house specialty”

PICKLE PIE!

I have to admit I was leery. I have eaten all kinds of foods from all over the world to sample what life has to offer. In most cases I never say no to not miss out on life’s little adventures.

However, this one made me pause.

BUT, after a small taste, it was DELICIOUS! Guess that if you put enough Sugar and Nutmeg in something it’s bound to taste good.

You bikers gotta stop and give this a try!

We said goodbye to the Colorado Riders and pushed off to Price for the night.

The rest of the ride was fun. Slept in the next day and took our time getting home. I enjoy these peoples company and the way they ride. I have to admit that by the end of the trip we rode like veteran motorcycle club. Working the traffic. Working as one. It made the time enjoyable and the trip less stressful.

Rick and Linda, Great Job. A solid home run.

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Pacing and doing yardwork….

My career choices have for the most part been pretty good. I have traveled the world, gone Scuba Diving in most of the oceans on the planet, jumped out of airplanes and raced down mountains on Skis. HOWEVER that means bupkis since all I want to do now is throw my leg over the bike and put in some miles.

I am attaching a photo of my bike packed and ready to go to remind me of what it was like to be free enough to go at will…..

Saddled up and ready to ride!

Now I find myself in a place where I don’t have the TIME or the MONEY to ride like I want. I found myself last weekend taking a short 2 hour ride over the Alpine Loop. Starting in Provo canyon and crossing over to American Fork canyon it has to be one of the Premier rides in UTAH  in my own back yard. I have made the ride 3 times this year as that is all the time I can get away. The rest of the weekend was working in the yard and spending time with the wife and the kids.

Seems like my business and family commitments are putting riding on the back burner for the first time in a long while. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and they are worth the sacrifice but I feel for MY SANITY its time for some “Me Time”.

Little rides around town are not cutting it. My sleeping bag and tent are screaming at me from the closet “set us free take us out!”.

I find myself wanting to ride over to the Harley Store to hang out like all the other “booger eaters” that don’t ride but feel that if they hang out around bikers and touch a new t-shirt dreaming and wishing they could or will ride. After I slap myself silly for even thinking such a thing, I find myself cleaning my bike in such detail that I know every square inch and it doesn’t help. I am a biker and want to ride.

Its getting bad.

We do have a great ride with some friends planned for mid August but I get the feeling that  it wont be enough.

I need some miles and 4 days to myself. The season in Utah is too short.

Stay tuned for an ill-fated poorly planned escape adventure documented on the road…………I’m fixin to blow out of here soon…..

The MS 150 Ride

It is a ride that we have missed every year but were committed to go this year and I am glad we did.

Our Friends Rick and Linda Christensen sponsor the a support team that rides the bike route to offer assistance for distressed or lost bikers. We went Kickstands up on Friday afternoon to meet Rick and Linda and some of  his Co workers at Qwest Steve Isaac and his wife  in downtown Salt Lake City to ride up to Logan. It was fun as Staci got to ride her bike to work so she was “all that” with her friends.

It was a hot ride up and most of it was freeway but still good to get out on the bike with the first good weather in weeks.

We took a new route through Brigham city that I have never done  and it was a blast. Small town Utah all the way.

We arrived in the late afternoon and had time to pick up some supplies and grab a bite before we gathered for the night to chat.

We were joined by Ricks brother Mike and his wife and Greg and Laura Norfelt who were also Harley riding buddies but had chosen to ride their road bikes in the rally.

The night before chilling.

Sometimes its the quiet evening gatherings that are the best part of the day. Have a few drinks and catch up stories with old friends. this one was no different and we stayed up late having great conversations.

The next morning the bikers were off at 7 AM and we left a few hours later.

Z Team (Zions Bank 8th year in riding the MS 150)

Joined by a few more of Ricks friends.

The ride is Cache Valley this time of year is breathtakingly beautiful and today was the perfect day to ride. Sun was out and the weather clear. With all the rains the valleys were green and lush. The smells of fresh-cut hay and springtime were our constant companions.

It’s always great to ride with Staci. She is a great Rider and my best friend.

Taking a photo break

We decided to take the top end of the course to get in the most miles. It took us up into Idaho and was not disappointing. One thing that we did learn is that the people who decide to do the 100 mile leg are not in need of much assistance. They are pretty determined and self-sufficient. Those that did have problems, brought what they needed to take care of it. Not much to do but enjoy the ride.

We did notice that a team from Wells Fargo Band was stopped by this semi and we took their picture and sent it to them. (sorry Greg we still like ZIONS BANK Better!)

We rode until late afternoon and then had to shove off.

I WILL do this again. It feels good to serve and be able to support a worthy cause. Great friends , great country, great ride.

Thanks Rick and Linda!

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Arizona to Utah 2010

Every year we have been riding the bikes back from Arizona in time for the warmer weather in Utah. Well there has been NO warm weather in Utah as the winters keep dragging on. This year it seemed like Memorial Day weekend was the only time to do it but lucky for us the weather was perfect.

The ride was slow and easy as we had 3 days to get home.

We drove up to Prescott and the ride was hot up from Phoenix and we did get away late. It was nice and Staci wanted to stop at an Arts Festival and lucky for me it was across from Whiskey Row and I had a good selection of Bars to sit and wait for her.

Just outside of Wickenburg Az is a small town called Congress. We were flying by when this place caught my eye. The guy was an artist and he had built this compound of building and his home. He had a sawmill out back and he made everything from raw timber. We stopped to get some pics and he came out to show us around.

The guys name is Mike Yacos and he is an artist with wood. Check out his website. http://mikeyacos.com He was very friendly and more than willing to show us around.  He even offered us a beer when he was showing us through his home. It’s stuff like this that makes the road interesting.

Check out his hand made sink!

It was a nice ride to Flagstaff and after we checked in the hotel I took Staci to the Route 66 Bar that I went to on my last ride. She wasn’t as impressed as I was but we stayed to watch the Lakers beat the Suns in the finals. Great day.

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DAY 2
We shoved off early to make it to lunch with family in Page. I hate the ride along the reservation but the weather was perfect.

Staci couldn’t resist the stop at the roadside stands to buy treasures for the kids. I think she just wanted to do it for her mom who loved that kind of thing. Since it was memorial day, what the hell.

Roadside pit stop

The View is amazing

Staci is in her element..

It was nice to see Staci’s Dad, Brother Todd, Wife Gail and Daughter Jade in Page. They are great people and Todd cracks me up. Short visit but nice.

Todd, Gail and Jade

Staci and her Dad

I was anxious to get on the road as I wanted to see the road over Cedar Breaks before it got dark. It was hot so we stopped in Kanab for a beer and ice cream and pushed on.

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I have got to do this run again as this was the most beautiful 50 mile run I have ever done in Utah. it was getting late so we didn’t stop for pictures but I WILL make this run again.

Day 3

Left early to get on the road. The back road to Salt Lake through Milford and Delta is desolated with little traffic. Perfect for riding.

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I did find a snake in the road but by the time I got back around it seems someone had run over it. After saying a few words and using the 9mm to put him out of his misery we pushed off.

Snake in the road minding his own business

Weatherbeaten but happy

As we were getting hungry we stopped in Delta for lunch. We got a few stares at the local watering hole but after the novelty wore off the locals ignored us. The small town diner was nice and the food was great. Both Staci and I love to hear the old timers talk and to soak in the small town charm.

Make this stop for good home cookin'

Great ride. It will be good to have the bikes home.

Ready to ride this summer.

If you wonder where I stand….

I’m a guy who believes in passion. If I can’t get excited about something I would rather not bother.

There are a number of things I’m passionate about: My best friend (and wife) Staci, my Family, Life, a good single malt Scotch, a fine Cuban Cigar, my grandkids, traveling to exotic locations good friends and my Harley’s to name just a few..

I guess that I am also a bit of a geek.  I love technology, including anything Steve Jobs can dream up at Apple. I utilize the mix of my iPod to keep my mind occupied on long bike trips. I don’t read much anymore if it’s not a book on tape or I can’t download to my iPhone. I use my GPS to not necessarily tell me where to go but to give me options to ignore if I choose. I have A DVR’s, plasma TV’s, multiple computers, wi-fi at home and smart phones for me and my family.

I am passionate about spending quality time with a select few good friends to pass the time and enjoy each others company,  share a good meal conversations and great wine. Large groups of people annoy me and I have little patience for the rude or non observant people who are not considerate of others in confined spaces. Sometimes, I enjoy my own company best of all. Alone time is OK with me.

I love philosophical conversations with people who think outside of the box and have some logic to prove it. I shun people who are closed-minded and bigoted. People that abuse women, children and animals, will invoke my wrath and condemnation and I feel that they should be put away until they can learn to respect themselves and others.

I believe in America. I think that (less) government should be there to serve people not lobbyists and think that sometimes, a little revolution is a good thing and needed. I believe that we should quit complaining about lost jobs and work to participate in  a global economy based on a level playing field, quality, and a system regulated by truth and consumerism. I think that America should endeavor to have a place in the global community but do not think we should be the police of the world. I do believe that we should stand up for those that cannot standup for themselves. Starting with our citizens first. Not with handouts, but assistance and an opportunity to better themselves based on THEIR participation and contribution.

I believe in think that we should study our history and learn from those that are older than us but borrow from the passions of those that are you and looking to the possibilities of the future.

I am Passionate about Harley Davidson’s and the open road. I respect anyone that will pack up the bike and put in some miles especially if they venture off the beaten path no matter what they ride.

That is why I write in this blog.

Come join me!

Route 66 Arizona Day 2

DAY 2

I woke up to a sunny but cold morning. I guess that the front had not passed over yet and the higher altitudes were affecting the temperature. I grabbed breakfast and coffee packed the bike and installed the heated gear and shoved off.

Let me say this about heated gear.
If you are a purest, a “hardcore” biker and feel that it is not true to the spirit of the road and riding to wear heated gear, all I have to say to you is……Kiss my ass!
As I passed some of you on the road and could see frozen ice stalactites on you dripping noses, it occurred to me that as I was blazing by at 30 degrees going 75 miles per hour climbing the mountain passes all day long and RIDING, that perhaps my warm heated gear made the difference in my enjoying the day or just surviving it. No matter. I was in bliss and fully enjoying the scenery.

Nuff said.
As was traveling along passing through Flagstaff I was struggling on getting that Route 66 feeling back. Not much to remind me of the old mother road as Flagstaff was converted into a tourist town and the trappings never appealed to me. Just as I was leaving town the following sign caught my eye.

My brother Alan got me turned onto Route 66 by taking me to Oatman, he started this whole thing. His blog name is Mr. Zip and the sign on Route 66 in Kingman Arizona is a tribute to his great wife who puts up with all his crap and allows him to make these trips.
Thanks Miz. Zip!  Check out his blog. http://www.mrzip66.com/category/route-66/

Wonder if Mr. Zip gets a "piece of the pie"?

Not far down the road and almost at the edge of town was a building that caught my eye. I would have never come by this way were it not for this trek.

The Real Deal

It was still early in the morning but I had to stop and get a beer and talk to the bartended of the history of this place. The Museum club was built in 1931 and a building in the true spirit of this road. Classic architecture and style of one of the most famous Route 66 Landmarks. It got its start as a very odd tourist attraction. Built in 1931 by Dean Eldredge as a museum to house his extensive taxidermied animals and curiosities. Early Route 66 tourists would stop at his museum and for a mere 25 cents would be shown some of the strangest oddities of nature. In 1936 after Dean passed away his museum was turned into a night club ~ that’s polite for “roadhouse”

Sign on the Outside

The Vintage bar says "Belly up boys"

Looking up in the rafters

Can you feel it now?

You SHOULD support this piece of history and drop in and spend some money. I am going to make sure that I come back this way on a Friday or Saturday night and see what the band and nightlife look like.

As I passed on down the road I wanted to see some of the landmarks that Alan had talked about in his blog. His detail gives a lot of the history and flavor so I won’t go into the detail of every point but if you want more on Route 66 check out his site.

Twin arrows always looked interesting to me and I was surprised at the state of disarray and the amount of vandalism that was there. I am sure that it’s about the same as when Alan blogged it but I was impressed with the small Diner close by. I love that roadside feel to a bar and a few stools to grab a bite or some coffee and be on you way.

The Diner

Two Guns is a place to come back and explore. There are two parts. Just off Highway 40 are the tourist trap ruins of a gas station and campground. I looked this over but had no feel for it and was about to leave. Just off in the distance and down the old Route 66 roadway (it looks like the frontage road) are some stone buildings. Not with the adventure yesterday and my bike getting stuck fresh on my mind I really was nervous about going “off road” again, but decided what the hell. As I worked my way down the road closer to the old stone buildings the place started to take shape. These buildings are fascinating and the concrete bridge across the gorge lends to the feel of the old highway. You can really visualize the stop there and what it had to offer. I would love to see this place restored, and wonder what the function of each building was.

I had to get a photo of the bike and the “Mountain Lions” façade. Sure enough if you walk down the stairs you see the animal pens. I can see the throngs of fascinated kids staring in as they stopped by on the long trip and checked out the local oddities. My kids would never give this a second look as they would be to busy to look up from the DVD they were watching or the Text message they were creating to their friends telling them how bored they were or how stupid there parents are.

The Bridge and other out buildings along the old Route 66

Great Place. And Yes, Alan, lets come back and explore this place more.

Moving down the road I decided to turn off and check out the meteor crater. I have see this many times on travel information on Arizona but never got this way to check it out. I saw it on the Movie “Star Man” with Jeff Bridges and thought that is merited a look see.

As I approached I could see the impact crater take shape like some extinct prehistoric volcano cone. Pretty cool to think that the impact took place over 50,000 years ago.

Approaching the crater you see the impressive size

The giant meteor impacted the earth with the equivalent force of 20 million tons of dynamite, changing the landscape around the point of impact and leaving a vast crater 2.4 miles in circumference and 550 feet deep. The crater floor could actually hold 20 football fields. The high desert climate kept erosion at a minimum and now Meteor Crater stands not only as the first proven meteorite impact crater on earth, but also is marveled at how well preserved it is.
A company has done a great job with building a visitor center and campground so it is a good stop if you like this kind of thing.

As I walked up to the entrance I debated going in as the admission fee is $15.00. Funny thing how that caused me pause but the $10.00 Omelet this morning seemed worth it. After deliberating for a few minutes I figured what the hell and went in. Now it is done nicely and if you are a rock or space fan you could spend hours there. I watched the movie, walked through the displays and snapped some pictures and blew through the gift shop on my way out.

Walkways and telescopes give a great view

Pretty steep and rugged

As I drove out and approached Highway 40, I noticed a stone structure down the old Route 66 roadway. The road was in pretty bad shape but after seeing the buildings at Two Guns I had to get a look. As I got closer the building started to take place. Massive sandstone walls with little mortar. I wondered if it was a jail or tribal building.

The old Route 66 road looking East. Stone Building on Horizon

Jerks with Grafitti maring a great artifact

a good sized building

This is Art!

My curiosity got the best of me so I stopped at the campground down the road and asked what the building was. She informed me that it was the old visitor’s center for the crater.

UPDATE

My Brother (Mr. Zip) found this picture and information on the Old Visitors Center. Turns out it was call an “Observatory”

Crater Observatory circa 1942

Observatory now

The photo was listed in Jack Rittenhouse’s Route 66 Guidebook published in 1946.

“Built by D.M. Barringer during the hey-day of Route 66, the view from the observation tower was disappointing. I’m sure the Observatory was located this far from the impact crater because it was right on  Route 66 and could lure travelers in. “Easy Off – Easy On” even back then. For 25 cents one could view the crater through a telescope, and if the weather was clear – actually see it!”

Now THIS cool structure should be restored!

As I approached Winslow Arizona I had to change the tunes to the Eagles oldies for nostalgia’s sake.

Well, I’m running down the road
tryin’ to loosen my load
I’ve got seven women on my mind,
Four that wanna own me,
Two that wanna stone me,
One says she’s a friend of mine,
Take it easy, take it easy
Don’t let the sound of your own wheels
Drive you crazy
Lighten up while you still can
Don’t even try to understand
Just find a place to make your stand
and take it easy

Well, I’m a standing on a corner
in Winslow Arizona
I’m such a fine sight to see
It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed
Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me
Come on, baby, don’t say maybe
I gotta know if your sweet love is
gonna save me
We may lose and we may win though
we will never be here again
so open up, I’m climbin’ in,
take it easy…”Alright”

Well I’m running down the road trying to loosen
my load, got a world of trouble on my mind
lookin’ for a lover who won’t blow my
cover, she’s so hard to find
Take it easy, take it easy
don’t let the sound of your own wheels make you crazy,
come on baby, don’t say maybe
I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me,ooh

Oh well you know we got it easy
We oughta take it easy, yeah

Turning off the road and driving through town I was fascinated at the designs and style of the buildings and wondered their purpose.

an old "motor court" Motel

A mansion in it's day i'm sure

This is the La Posada Hotel, calle the “last great railroad hotel.”  Built in 1929 for the Santa Fe Railway, this is definatly an “oasis” on Route 66.

I stopped and walked through the gardens and took in the spirit of the grounds and building

La Posada Hotel

La Posada’s story weaves together two extraordinary visions. It begins with Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter and Fred Harvey, who hired Colter to design the hotel. It embodied her vision, from its architecture down to its finely crafted details. But La Posada closed in 1957; for the next 40 years, its future remained tenuous. Enter Allan Affeldt and his wife Tina Mion. Affeldt heard about the hotel and purchased it in 1997 after much negotiation, bringing with him a strong vision and commitment for returning La Posada to Colter’s original concept. Restoration started immediately and continues today, thanks to Affeldt’s efforts and the support of local preservationists, hotel guests, and a talented team of artisans and craftsmen.

I am going to make this a stop on my next time through to live the bygone days.

In the center of town the city had obviously build a tourist trap memorializing the Glen Frey sand Jackson Brown song.

The tourist "trap"

The mural close up (see the girl in the flatbed Ford?)

Well, I’m a standing on a corner
in Winslow Arizona
I’m such a fine sight to see
It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed
Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me

About this time I am thinking that this whole tourist trap is getting old. I want to see History and feel the road not look at worthless trinkets and cheep memorabilia. I started to walk off and saw the crowds gathering and took a change of heart.
This IS what Route 66 was all about. Stopping and browsing the oddities and trinkets of the road. In our fast paced society were have forgotten that in the simple times gone by  that is what life was all about. Stopping and enjoying what each little city had to offer and buying a simple souvenir to remember the trip.
I guess I am just spoiled and needed to remember that.

I did pause to check out the Jackrabbit Trading Post but there were so many bikers there I ran through the place took a few pictures and bolted. Remember me and large groups of touristy bikers with their leathers and Rolex watches.

lots of bikers on a Saturday outing.

Lined up to get their picture on the Jackrabbit...

Next stop on the Route was through Joseph City Arizona outside of Holbrook. As I drove through this little town I was impressed how it looks like hundreds of little Mormon pioneer towns in Utah. Same feel same architecture. At the end of town I saw a marker which I am a sucker for anyway and took a picture. Mystery ended.

Joseph City Marker

I as I approached Holbrook Arizona it was getting late afternoon. The weather was warming and I wanted to check out a few sights and then get settled in for the night. I decided to camp out tonight as I had packed all the camping equipment this far and figured that I might as well put it to use.
As I came through town I approached the Wigwam Motel.
I had seen that this was on the route and was tempted to spend the night in one. However I just took the pictures for the kids as they didn’t know that the animated movie “Cars” has this in it. They have some vintage autos parked around the place to give it flavor.

if the back seat of that wagon could talk...

Holbrook, Arizona was a western town and in the 1880′s, the frontiersmen were cowboys, cattle ranchers and railroaders who made Holbrook the center of ranch country.
The 1898 courthouse, now on the National Register of Historic Places, is the centerpiece of town.
In the 1930s through the 1950s, the “frontiersmen” were travelers of Route 66, known as The Mother Road and The Main Street of America. This narrow strip of asphalt was a symbol of hope for farmers fleeing the dust bowl and soldiers starting a new life after World War II.
Today Holbrook in my opinion the place is pretty much nowhere. Not classy enough or historic enough to get my attention but there are some great old adobe buildings that could be used for something if someone with vision saw fit. I was just not impressed.

I found the KOA and got settled in. I didn’t realize this till after when I looked al Alan’s blog, but he had spent time in the exact spot. Funny huh?
As I settled in and looked at the map I saw that there wasn’t much left of old Route 66 Towns and road left in Arizona. I have ridden this route from Albuquerque when I did my Iron But Ride last year so decided that I would go towards the border of AZ and NM and turn off and head back to Phoenix tomorrow.

I was pretty comfortable in my tent as it only got down to 40 degrees.

Settled in with all the comforts of home

The next morning I pushed off and just enjoyed the ride back down to Phoenix. The ride took me through the tops of the mountain ranges through the Tonto National Forrest and back down to the valley of the sun.
This ride was a ride of contrasts, vistas, history and some beautiful scenery. I will come back.
Next Route 66 blog…..New Mexico!

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Route 66 Through Arizona Day 1 of 2

I have to admit, I have been loosing sleep over getting back to ride Route 66 through Arizona.  I started this journey with the goal of riding the entire route back in November of last year. The weather is getting warm and soon I will be bringing the bikes back to Utah and wanted to get this ride in before that.
The opportunity presented itself so with my kitchen pass in hand from my understanding wife, I jumped.

I arrived Phoenix early and left about 9 AM to Blitz to Kingman AZ, where I left off from my last Route 66 run through California. I have done the road to death and wanted to get started so I settled in with some tunes and the 3 hours was a blur however a wrong turn in Wickenburg took me 30 miles out of the way. Guess I should look and the GPS once in a while and turn of the Bachman Turner Overdrive.

As I approached Kingman I kept passing large flocks of bikers. Kingman was infested with them and it dawned on me that it was the weekend of the Laughlin Bike Rally. I have to admit large groups of weekend bikers make me claustrophobic and I couldn’t wait to get some distance from them. As I left Kingman on the Route I have to say I got tired of waving at every biker.
I digress from the blog but I want to make a couple of points.
1) I did pass a Group of Hells Angels, and have to admit I was impressed. They ride in a tight formation and don’t travel in packs of 30 or more. They don’t wave and they move with purpose. They know how to ride.
2) I have to say about this waving thing. I kind of like it when you are on a deserted road, miles from nowhere and see another biker. I like to acknowledge a fellow explorer and give a wave. A sort of salute, between passing Knights on crusade. But when the retired accountants with their Barbie fashion accessories in the rear seat, riding in packs of 20 or more,  ride on by, it gets old.  My wife says I am a jerk and to get into the spirit of the event….Yes I guess I am a jerk. I think I can live with that!

The adventure begins!

Just outside of Kingman on Route 66, is a little fogotton town called Hackberry.
Hackberry’s origin dates back to 1874 when prospectors set up a mining camp near a spring on the east side of the Peacock Mountains.  The Hackberry Silver Mine was named for a large hackberry tree growing near the spring.
Along came the railroad.  The railroad reached Hackberry in 1882, and shipments of cattle began.  Hackberry became a very important debarkation point.  At its peak it shipped the third largest number of cattle from Arizona.
Hackberry was home to plenty of “shooting, fighting, and faro”, as it was somewhat of a transient town. As route 66 was built, Hackberry became somewhat of a tourist town, but today, as route 66 has been bypassed, so has the town of Hackberry.
Standing like a rhinestone beacon in the desert is the Hackberry General store.

Hackberry General Store Circa 1971

The “Feel” from the front Inside and out, the Hackberry General Store is a museum of old Route 66.  Though no gas is sold, vintage pumps punctuate the storefront.  Mobil Gas Logo, Pegasus leaps from the roof, and the Greyhound dog welcomes bus travelers. Inside, visitors can try on Route 66 clothing, pick up Route 66 trinkets, walk through a vintage diner, and even have a bottle of Route 66 Beer (root beer, not beer beer).  Virtually every trinket bearing the Route 66 theme, from neon to key chains, can be found in the store. I couldn’t resist supporting the old guy working the store and bought a coffee mug as a memento. I would have preferred a beer and some conversation, but the mug would have to do. Out back of the store, an old garage services a Model T flatbed truck, and cars of more recent vintage line up with still more antique memorabilia.  There was a band playing out back as an obvious attraction to the Flocks of bikers on their way to Laughlin but seems that the hot dogs and burgers were a bust. Again, BEER is good with country music.I have to admit, I am impressed in the huevos of this guy to restore this place. If you pass buy, spend some time and support the place. Visionaries need to survive.  A reproduction of an old garage is tucked away on the east side of the Hackberry General Store.  Inside an old Ford flatbed tuck sits as if it were awaiting service for journey along the newly designated Route 66 highway.

The Store 2010

Flocks of bikers tourists

How cool is this!

The Band with no fans....Need to serve beer.

Just outside of Hackberry I ran across an old abandoned Motel. I couldn’t even find a sign to mark it but I had to stop. I quickly turned off the pavement up the dirt road to start this off-road adventure when the next think this intrepid explorer noticed is that theroadway was soft sand and I bottomed out and buried in up to the frame . DUHHH.  After getting some great pictures of a property that I decided that I would need to convice my wife that this is where we are going to retire and spend the next 10 years fixing the place up. Yeah, thats not going to happen. But I can dream.  I spent the next 45 minutes digging out and getting the bike back on the road.

View from the "stuck" bike...

Hot tub is ready for water

A little trimming and the landscaping is ready

The Garage / Shop has potential

The next stop I was impressed was Truxton. The buildings that were there was what I thought I would see on Route 66. Each one unique and I know could tell a story of travelers passing through and the welcome site of food, gas or a friendly garage mechanic to service that broken fan belt.
A little trivia I found out was the community of Truxton originally developed around a gas station and cafe along Route 66 in 1951. The name of the town comes from the famous Beale Camel Expedition. Lieutenant “Ned” Beale stopped at the spring here in 1857 and named it Truxton in honor of either his brother Truxton or his mother, Emily Truxton Beale. Once bypassed by the Interstate, Truxton became a mere shell of the town it once was. This old Truxton cafe was closed, and judging by the growth of weeds in front it hasn’t served the traveler in quite awhile.

Can you see the cafe and garage in their prime?

The old bike caught my eye, but the old cars and trucks just add to travelers gone by.

As I traveled down Route 66 I was surprised and pleased to see restored Burma-Shave signs along the road. Now I am old enough to remember Burma-Shave signs when we were forced to endure long road trips with the family. Mom used to read them to us and explain some of the more obscure meanings. I do recall that it was welcome break to the monotony of the road. THIS is the Spirit of Route 66!

Burma-Shave was introduced in 1925 by the Burma-Vita company. The company’s original product was a liniment made of ingredients described as coming “from the Malay Peninsula and Burma.” Demand was sparse, and the company sought to expand sales by introducing a product with wider appeal.
The result was the famous Burma-Shave advertising sign program, and sales took off. At its peak, Burma-Shave was the second-highest selling brushless shaving cream in the United States. Sales declined in the 1950s, and in 1963 the company was sold to Phillip Morris. The signs were removed at that time. The brand decreased in visibility and eventually became the property of the American Safety Razor Company.
In 1997, the American Safety Razor Company reintroduced the Burma-Shave brand, including a nostalgic shaving soap and brush kit. In fact, the original Burma-Shave was a brushless shaving cream, and Burma-Shave’s own roadside signs frequently ridiculed “Grandpa’s old-fashioned shaving brush.”
Burma-Shave sign series appeared from 1925 to 1963 in most of the contiguous United States. Typically, six consecutive small signs would be posted along the edge of highways, spaced for sequential reading by passing motorists. The last sign was almost always the name of the product. The signs were originally produced in two color combinations: red-and-white and orange-and-black, though the latter was eliminated after a few years. This successful advertising gimmick during the early years of the automobile, drawing attention and passers-by those were curious to discover the punch line. As the Interstate system expanded in the late 1950s and vehicle speeds increased, it became more difficult to attract motorists’ attention with small signs.
Some of the signs, instead of directly advertising the shaving cream, featured public safety messages (usually about speeding).

These signs recreate the era when their terse verse amused passing motorists.  Some I remember.
□  Proper / Distance / To him was bunk / They pulled him out / Of some guy’s trunk / Burma-Shave
□  Around / The curve / Lickety-split / Lovely car / Wasn’t it? / Burma Shave
□  Henry the Eighth / Sure had / Trouble / Short term wives / Long term stubble / Burma-Shave
□  Ben / Met Anna / Made a hit / Neglected beard / Ben-Anna split / Burma-Shave
□  Dim your lights / Behind a car / Let folks see / How bright / You are / Burma-Shave
□  Angels / Who guard you / When you drive / Usually / Retire at 65 / Burma-Shave

Thanks Mom. And thanks to whomever put up those signs to highlight the Mother Road.

The Weather was turning bad and I wanted to make it to Seligman. I had my camping gear and fully intended to use it on this trip as part of my “homage” to the Mother road, however I was freezing my Ass off as the weather was turning cold due to a front moving through and the climb in altitude plus it was getting late.

As I pulled through Seligman I wanted to soak up some of the feel of the time gone by and the Supai Motel caught my eye. The nice lady at the counter told me the rooms were restored and clean so I decided to unload the horse, drain the radiator and grab a bite to eat. I was not disappointed. $45 for a clean WARM room was a great bargain.

Dark Clouds, cold wind, clean room and good heater. Ahhhhhh!

Seligman was established in 1886 as the connecting point of Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, with a long abandoned rail line extending south to Prescott. As the railroad barreled through Arizona to align the rich resources of the west with the businesses of the east, it gave birth to many such towns along the way.
The town owes its name to the Seligman brothers, two New York bankers who helped finance the rail line south. Jesse Seligman, who with his seven brothers came to America from Baiersdorf, Bavaria, soon earned worldwide recognition as a leader in international banking and railroad financing. For his efforts in raising money for the project, railroad officials chose to honor the New York financier by naming an emerging western town in the Arizona territory after him.
The town, however, was not founded on the present day location. In fact, the town was situated more than a mile to the southeast. Jack Beale Smith, curator of the Museum of the Beale Wagon Road, describes Seligman as the “most moved town in the West.” Nearly all of the houses, including Santa Fe’s Harvey House, were moved to their current location piece by piece.
In the early 1900′s the town had its share of rough characters complete with shootouts on the main street. At one time, the number of bars and bordellos outnumbered churches three to one.
 
The cattle industry continues to survive in and around town. Some of the state’s largest ranches call Seligman headquarters.
In the early Route 66 years, Seligman accommodated many travelers with motor courts galore. Seligman is the beginning of the remaining 158 mile stretch of Old Route 66 to Topock and is rich in scenic and historic value.
Today a visit to this small town is a step back in time and tourism is still an important part of the economy.

Because it was late when I got into town my choices were few. I wanted to stop and check out some of the more established landmarks but all were closed by the time I got there. So I made my way to the “Roadkill Café” and ordered up dinner. I started off with a scotch (which turned to 4 or 6) and finished with a Steak. The food was great and the ambiance better. I tried to take some pictures of the inside of the bar but they didnt turn out. Take my word for it and stop by and check it out.

After stuffing myself I made my way back to the hotel for a coffee and nice cigar. Great first day of exploration and I couldn’t help but feel the spirits of those travelers before me that sat on that porch watching the sun set after a long day of travel and ponder what the road ahead would bring. There is more to do here so I WILL come back.
That night I slept like a baby!

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Going towards Sanity

The world is in turmoil the economy is reeling, and there is a crisis of confidence in everyone, everywhere. We are fighting to stay alive and pay the rent while looking towards recovery and trying to be optimistic. Every day is a battle. Blah, blah blah…

I think I have been suffering from analysis paralysis. I think way to much about what I should do or not do. I am best when I am BUILDING and moving forward. So after sitting on the couch for the last few weekends looking out at the snow and gaining weight I decided to DO SOMETHING!

RIDE! Off to Arizona!

I left with a plan and route in mind but as I got on the road and just felt the freedom and openness of the road, it all changed.

I just started to ride.

The weather was great, and all was at peace in the world. before I knew it I was in Blythe. I hate freeways but can’t believe that i just spent 2.5 hours on one and didn’t even care!

Now what?

I decided to head for a place that I wanted to see but never got around to it. I wanted to stay in Yuma AZ for the night but had plenty still in me so decided to take the long way around and go past the Salton Sea. I have heard about this place and decided that it would be worth exploring but never made the time.

Now is the time!

After I left the 10 just past Chiriaco Summit (was there with Alan when we went to the Patton Museum last year) I cut down the towards the town of Mecca Ca. and was surprised at the ride. The  cut down through the canyons that took me towards the Salton Sea was breathtaking. Lots of washed out roads the rains have done their best, but the horizons were beautiful and unique.

As I broke through and the valley opened up to me I was surprised how green and lush it was. Mecca Ca. which borders the Salton Sea is a lush farmland. Beautiful contrasts.

As I made a decision which road to take I noticed that I was running low on gas and sunlight.

Left it was.

The Salton Sea is one of the world’s largest inland seas and lowest spots on earth at -227 below sea level.  It was re-created in 1905 when high spring flooding on the Colorado River crashed the canal gates leading into the developing Imperial Valley.  For the next 18 months the entire volume of the Colorado River rushed downward into the Salton Trough.  By the time engineers were finally able to stop the breaching water in 1907, the Salton Sea had been born at 45 miles long and 20 miles wide – equaling about 130 miles of shoreline.  As the water was trapped I have seen landscapes of salt encrusted ruins that I wanted to see.

The 1950s and early 1960s were the boom years for the area. Some years it boasted more than half a million visitors. Salton City was laid out and motels resorts and yacht clubs were built. A young Sonny Bono learned to water-ski here, as did a million other kids. The real estate market was so hot that salesmen were taking people up in small planes and selling lots from the air. 

Dreams die fast and hard in the desert, and the Salton Riviera was no exception. The sea itself, with its fluctuating shoreline and creeping salinity, had by 1964 turned into a cruel mirage. Things only got worse in the 1970s. It’s hard to sell waterfront lots when dead fish carpet the shore and rotting algal blooms raise a stench vile enough to keep people indoors miles away. The final blow came in 1986 when 60 Minutes declared the New River—which brings in a third of the sea’s inflows along with remnants of sewage from nearly a million residents of Mexicali—the most polluted river in the world.

Unfortunately the route I took didn’t give me those vistas.

It was desolate to be sure but I was surprised to see State parks along the shoreline. Thousands of birds habitating and some ruins but not what I expected.

After I got home found out that I should have turned the other way and gone down the other shore. Oh well, another trip.

It was dark when I got into Yuma and I was ready to answer some phone messages and relax.

The next day I took some time to explore old Yuma and decided that this trip warranted another look.

I decided that the way home was too short so I took some back roads and did some backtracking.

The ride was a recharger for me and wet my appetite for another trip back to spend more time.

Bars to visit. Exploring to do. Memories to create and Miles to make…

JOIN ME!

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The Route 66 Pilgramage begins…

Time to ride again.
I see the first snow in the mountains, look at my checkbook and commitments that I have for business and realize that with all that I got one more weekend to ride until after the first of the year. Depressing thought but reality.

My first thought was my wife. I feel guilty leaving with money tight and kids still at home. I knew she had plans with the kids and couldn’t go but she gave me her blessing to get out-of-town. She is the best, I keep saying how lucky I am and how she understands me better than anyone else I know. This time was no exception. Thanks Staci.

Where to go?
I looked at all routes around Southern Utah and Nevada and didn’t see anything that scratched my itch. Either did it before or too cold for this time of year. Frustration set in.
Then I looked to California and it hit me…. Start to retrace Route 66 and finish it in segments.

I abandoned the idea of starting the ride in Santa Monica as riding through East LA alone didn’t seem like a fun thing to do. But I also knew that I could con Alan into that segment later this winter.
My plan was to blitz to San Bernardino and start there and go east till I ran out of time. See what I want to see, stop where I want to stop. Some of this route I had ridden with Alan but my goal was to start west and go all the way east to finish the ride.

Don’t think, just ride! 

I pushed off and left early in the morning to pick up my bike in St George. Thank God for Alan. I broke out a headlight after the last ride and he drove over to Zion Harley Davidson, got a light and installed it for me. I had time to meet him for a cup of coffee and see his operation. He’s kicking it and making a go of a tough business and doesn’t know the meaning of the word quit. Guess it runs in the DUNN family but I am still proud of him.
He politely declined my offer to ride with him as he had a planned outing with the BACA boys in his chapter. I am cool with that as I know he’s totally dedicated to that and I was glad to see him rally them for an outing.

I pushed off and blitzed down I-15 to Victorville California where I stopped for the night. I had planned to camp as I wanted that whole “back to basics” experience but the wind started to blow about Baker CA. and after eating 50 lbs of dust, I got a room and crashed for the night out of the wind. So much for the “tough biker” spiel.

After sleeping in a little longer than I had planned I pushed off.

Victorville for those of you that are old enough to remember is the home of Roy Rodgers. Now as a little shaver I remember old Roy and the happy trails so I wanted to see his museum that I remember seeing years back riding through on the way to California.

Come to find out they moved it to Branson Mo. OOPS. So first stop on my route was to see his famous Double R Bar ranch. Not much there and the trip was hardly worth it but it was on Route 66 and again this trip is about seeing it ALL.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Riding along this segment you can feel the big city fading as you move east. Lots of derelict diners and gas stations. You can feel the history.

   

As I pushed through Barstow the alignment is easy to follow as the road is painted with the Route 66 Logo on it. Hard to miss. However the alignments are cut off in places and outside of town the Marine Corps Logistics Base blocked the road. I had to retrace the route to find the alignment but the detour was fun.

Just outside of Newberry Springs sits the Bagdad Café. Now the actual Bagdad Cafe was in the town of Bagdad California that existed in the ’60s when Route 66 ran through the town; it (and the town) have since vanished. The site is marked by a railroad siding and a single tree.

The Bagdad Cafe

The film was shot at what was then the Sidewinder Cafe and renamed Bagdad Café and has since stuck. Since the movie, the café has become something of a tourist destination. A small notice board on the café wall features snapshots of the film’s cast and crew.

Alan dared me to go in but I wasn’t hungry and to cold for a beer so I just peeked in the door and left.
Guess that I will just have to rent the movie.

I pushed on down the roughest paved road that I have ever ridden on. There was asphalt there but the condition was bad. Felt like a wash board and the vibrations were shaking my bike to pieces. I took it for about 20 miles and when the first on ramp to the I-40 presented itself I got off. Didn’t miss much as the road ran parallel to the freeway but my kidneys thanked me for it. 

Just past after you exit I-40 to Amboy I saw the Large Volcanic mount off the side of the road.

When Alan and I passed through last year on the way to Palm Springs, I noticed what looked like volcanoes in the distance. On this route I discovered that it was the Amboy crater. The volcano erupted approximately 10,000 years ago. The inside of the 250′ high crater contains two lava dams behind which have formed small lava lakes.
Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973, Amboy Crater was recognized for its visual and geological significance.

Historic Roy’s.

Alan has a great blog on Roy’s so check out Mr Zip to get more info.

The motel lobby at Roy’s is like looking back in time to the 60s. The furniture and design is a flashback to the 60s movies and decor. I hope that the old boy that is working on the gas station would restore it to the old-time and I would stay there.

Just outside of Amboy is a Shoe tree. I dont know if its art or vandalism but it does break up the scenery.

As I got closer to Needles I actually felt anxious as I was getting excite to get to Oatman. Passing through Needles you enter the Arizona section of Route 66.

The road to Oatman is fun. It changes with the time of day and never looks the same. Winding around old mines and ruins that beckon one to stop and explore. I was getting hungry and had to stop at the historic Oatman hotel. Again we have made this run before almost a year ago but I found an old picture and wanted to do a comparison to now.

Oatman 1900

Oatman now

Rip roaring time back then I am sure.

After passing over the mountain range going into Oatman I noticed that there was some excavations going on the side of the road.

   Makes me wonder if they are finding anything…

As I was on the winding road from Oatman, my mind was wandering back to old memories and new ones. I was soaking in everything to make this memory last. My Ipod was on shuffle and up comes a John Denver song. Now I might take some ridicule for this, but I liked his music. I can’t listen to it for a long time but do enjoy songs that take me back to the 70s. This one really summed up how I felt on this ride and at this time in my life.

Poems Prayers and Promises.

I’ve been lately thinking
About my life’s time
All the things I’ve done
And how it’s been
And I can’t help believing
In my own mind
I know I’m gonna hate to see it end

I’ve seen a lot of sunshine
Slept out in the rain
Spent a night or two all on my own
I’ve known my lady’s pleasures
Had myself some friends
And spent a night or two in my own home

The days they pass so quickly now
Nights are seldom long
And time around me whispers when it’s cold
The changes somehow frighten me
Still I have to smile
It turns me on to think of growing old
For though my life’s been good to me
There’s still so much to do
So many things my mind has never known

And talk of poems and prayers and promises
And things that we believe in
How sweet it is to love someone
How right it is to care
How long it’s been since yesterday
What about tomorrow
What about our dreams
And all the memories we share

It fit how I felt in this space and time.

It was getting dark as I pulled into Kingman so I couldnt see much. I do know however that this will be the next leg of the adventure that awaits me on my next ride along Historic Route 66.

Grab you bike and join me!

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The Bagdad Cafe

Ghost Towns and Fall Vistas

All the stars were in alignment this weekend for a great 3 day ride. 1) The bike was in Utah and needed to go south for the winter. 2) Staci and the girls were going to Vegas to get their hair done by Brooke at the Mandalay Bay. Ride to Vegas and fly home with the family…. 3) Work has been intense and I needed the ride and SOLO was just what the Dr. ordered. 4) The weather was going to be in the 70s and how do you beat that? Winter riding is different and if you have the right equipment and don’t push long days it can be fun. So, it was off to the races on a slow trip south. You know me, back roads are best!

Day one Decided to drive up Spanish Fork Canyon and go visit the old ghost town of Thistle.

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I remember the town from my high school days of deer hunting and looking for places to party. The town of Thistle was established in 1883 and later became a stop on the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad; the town’s fortunes tended to rise and fall with the successes and failures of the railroad. On April 14, 1983, a massive landslide moved part of the mountain and blocked two creeks, forming an earthen dam. The citizens were evacuated. I remember that the state had called in all the local backhoes and Cats to try to keep up with the slide and keep the channel open. We would drive up there to see the progress and it was a good effort but nature won out and they had to abandon the efforts. The creeks backed up, flooding and destroying the town. Thistle was unable to recover from this natural disaster; to this day it remains a ghost town. Very little of the town is left; only a few structures with the upper portions of some buildings remain visible.

Thistle landslide. You can see how the whole mountain slid. View to the west from pullout on U.S. Route 6/89. Note railroad tunnel at bottom center (constructed after the landslide buried the original railroad grade).

Looking at the back of the slide from the site of the town. You can see the high watermark of the lake

 

 

 

 

Found an old picture of the "Thistle Lake"

 

 

 

 

 

Thistles Red Schoolhouse about 1989

 

Schoolhouse now. Not much left

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the rise of “Thistle Lake,” roofs became rafts, now randomly strewn along the former shoreline. This house is located on the east side of U.S. Route 89, just south of Thistle’s old red schoolhouse ruins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I first approached this house I thought that it was one of the floating roofs, but after a closer look it was apparent that this house was buried to the eaves while inundated by “Thistle Lake” and recently re-flooded by Thistle Creek.

 

Over 15 feet of sediment was locally deposited during the brief five months that the lake existed. Located on the west side of U.S. Route 89, just south of Thistle’s old red schoolhouse ruins..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The run over the top towards Huntington was slow. This was the opening weekend of the Utah Deer Hunt so there were lots of campers and trailers with orange clad hunters packing no bullets and lots of beer clogging up the road. I have to admit that I got lots of stares like it was their turf and I was an intruder.

Just outside of Emery on Highway 10, I stopped to see this roadside marker.

Marker for the "Tunnel Builders"

Quite a feat for anyone. I was curious to see this as I had never heard of this in my Utah history. I drove up a dusty road and found an old farmer burning his ditches. I asked him where the tunnel was and he said that it caved in the 1940s. Sad. what a piece of history. I am glad that the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers put up the marker or that feat might have been forgotten.

It was getting late and as the sun went down it got colder. I beat feet to Richfield where I stayed for the night.  Great DAY!

DAY TWO I decided to be a lazy and take my time hitting the road. It was still cold out so I decided to stay in the “mosey” mode and not get in a hurry. First stop Monroe Utah.

 

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I remember my Dad talking about a job that he did in Monroe Utah when he first started his contracting business. I had to be about 4 or 5 when he did the job. Tough job as he was new in the contracting business and he had to leave his family to make the payroll. I called my mom and she told me stories of how he had to fight the winter and flash floods that we had to drive through on the way home. My old man wouldnt stop and kept pushing and actually made money on the job. Funny thing that Mom remembered that the big event of the time was while we were visiting Dad that the Berlin Wall went up and how everyone was worried how the “commies” were on the way. The start of the Cold War.

Not Much left of the town now. But it was nice to see it and try to remember the time my Dad was there and made is mark.

 

  

Must have been a booming place in the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reminded me of my old my Pa.

 

As I drove through the bottom land and could not get past how beautiful the land is in Utah. You go from barren ugly land that looks like a moonscape to bottom land along the rivers that burst with vibrant fall colors.

From the Moon...

 

..to breathtaking hues. WOW!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall riding gives you view and scenery like no other time.

Fight the cold, and plan a ride.

 

It was a peaceful ride to St George and then off to see my Daughter, granddaughter and Staci and the Kids.

 

Ahhh,  I am all better and ready to hit it again.