Silcon Valley to Colorado and points in between.

[ian408]

Across the hall (that's ADVrider), several riders conspired to put on a rally of
sorts in Buena Vista, Colorado. Buena Vista (and it's pronounced "Boo-na"
according to the locals) is South West of Denver. Called the "West Fest",
it was held the last weekend in June.

I took the week before and the week afterward as vacation time. You know,
to give me some time to get there and back. For me, the trip was really two.
The first to introduce a couple of my co-workers who ride to motorcycle
touring.

Here we are at Tunnel View in Yosemite...

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78924572-M.jpg

And down in the valley.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78923953-M.jpg

Since this was a short over-nighter, we rode into the valley on Monday
and back up 120 to the Tioga Pass Road. This is where I left them and
started my trip to Colorado.

There's still snow in the high country. A respite from the heat of Oakhurst
and the valley though.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78925395-M.jpg

Ominous clouds would be the theme for the rest of the trip.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78925242-M-1.jpg

Here you can see why the Tioga Road closes. Most of this is avalanche
run out.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78925556-M.jpg

I rode the June Lake Loop. It's just off of Hwy 395 and offers spectacular
scenery.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78925952-M-1.jpg

I spent the night in Mammoth Lakes and then rode back up to meet my
riding partner (Sean) at the Mobil Station. There's a deli called Whoa Nellie Deli
which, should you have the chance, stop at. It's at the corner of 395 and
120 in the town of Lee Vining. Fish Tacos...

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78926230-M.jpg

At lunch, we talked about the days riding plans. Traveling East from Tioga
Pass on 120 to Benton an eventually to 375.

Better known as the Extraterrestrial Highway, 375 takes you to Rachel
Nevada where the Little A'le'inn displays a whole host of goodies. You
might also recognize this place by the name Area 51.

Good thing we didn't need the tow truck :D

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78926778-M.jpg

The day's ride ended in Mesquite, NV but not without some drama.
Storm fronts push lots of wind and if you ride a motorcycle, you know
dealing with gusts of 30+ can be difficult. Originally intending to be in
Utah, we stopped shy of there because of the storm we were riding into.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78927311-M-1.jpg

Doesn't look like much but I can assure you it dumped a lot of rain (filled
the hand grips up) and put on a great lightning show :eek1

The next day, sunny and bright, we headed for Zion. Our original plan of
going to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon was thwarted by fire.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78927566-M.jpg

We stopped along the road for a cup of coffee and some dessert...

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78928953-M.jpg

Through Zion, we headed for Bryce Canyon.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78929855-M-1.jpg

By now, you're probably getting the impression we didn't spend a lot of time
in places. That's true. Remember, we are aiming for Colorado :D

The last bit of riding for the day was across Utah 12. A scenic byway if
there ever was.

Sean takes in the view along UT 12.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78931803-M.jpg

We spent the evening at the Chuck Wagon in Torrey, UT. After a steak,
salad and corn dinner, we sampled some Polygamy Porter (hey, why have
just one?).

Dinner:

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78932332-M.jpg

Our simple accommodation:

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78932583-M.jpg

A quick shot from Capital Reef and it's on to Hwy 70 to make time.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78936469-M-1.jpg

From 70, we turned right on CO 82 and headed for Aspen. Once through
Aspen, we stopped along the road for a breather (which means we are
now climbing through 10,000'). Here's the mighty GS...

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78936782-M-1.jpg

And some old mining structures.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78936965-M-1.jpg

Across Indepenence Pass and down to Buena Vista made for a long day.

Camping for a couple of nights in BV, I awoke one morning to this...

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78937357-M-1.jpg

The view out back was spectacular.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78937514-M.jpg

I went back up to Independence Pass for a few photos and to stop at
Twin Lakes.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78938643-M-1.jpg

Twin Lakes dates from the late 1800's and served as a stop over on the way
to Leadville. Leadville is a mining town.

These structures are cabins and a store.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78939484-M.jpg

The town is still quite active with a small hotel and eatery.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78939375-M.jpg

After the West Fest, Sean and I decided to try again for the North Rim of
the Grand Canyon. So we left a bit early. Along the way, we stopped at
Newberrys General Store where we met this lady. The store is literally out
in the sticks...

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78940765-M-1.jpg

Our route took us across US 550 toward Durango. Wow! If you've not been
on this road, you need to go.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78941644-M.jpg

We stayed in Durango and enjoyed what was a great Mexican dinner
(with Margaritas!). Reading the paper, we learned the North Rim was
still closed. So off we rode to Four Corners. A four state tour in less than
a minute :D

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/79175671-M.jpg

The monument sits on the Navajo Reservation and there's all manner of
tourista swag to buy.

Monument Valley.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/79177098-M.jpg

Here I am riding down the road with the beautiful scenery.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/79177951-M.jpg

We stopped in Paige, AZ for a late lunch. Afterward, we hiked down these
stairs...

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/79179057-M.jpg

and looked at Glen Canyon Dam...

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/79179318-M.jpg

and we hiked back up those stairs. For those of you not familiar with the
weather, it's hot. About 100F worth of hot.


When in doubt, RedBull and Vienna Sausage!

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/79598473-M.jpg

Our destination for the evening was Cedar City, UT. Along the way, we stopped
to shelter from a thunder storm.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/79179971-M.jpg

We were here for an hour or so. This made our arrival at what should have
been a great scenic bypass, late. Progress over the pass was slow given the
dark and rain.

The next day was spent on a speed run through Nevada. Here, we are
just outside of Fallon at the Great Sand Dunes.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/79600155-M.jpg

Sean and I stopped for dinner in Fallon. This would be our last meal and
chance to talk before going our separate ways. Sean needed to be home
for the fourth and I still had time to sightsee (work(sucks) :uhoh).

Morning found me in Carson City. From there, I criss-crossed the Sierra
before making my way home. A few from the crossings.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/79603081-M.jpg

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/79605520-M.jpg

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/79607361-M.jpg

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/79610679-M.jpg

In all, just over 3000 miles on the bike. A great trip with lots of memories.

Ian

[wxwax]

:clap Nice!

I love this shot.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78925395-M.jpg

[pathfinder]

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/79179057-S.jpg

I love this one because I went up and down it dozens of times when Nightingale and I were in Page on the road home from the shootout in Zion.

If you turn around and look down the stairs, this is what you might see. Nightingale gives a good feeling for size of the canyon. Note the stairs at the bottom of the shot.

http://Pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/80365250-M.jpg

http://Pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/80361447-M.jpg

[Andy]

All good, wonderful Journey. Dig the food, but I'll pass on the :puke Vienna Sausages :lol3

I didn't know that David_S85 ran an Inn in Nevada? That's soooo cool :rofl :rofl :rofl

Beautiful photography, great to remember a wonderful trip by.

[ian408]

All good, wonderful Journey. Dig the food, but I'll pass on the :puke Vienna Sausages :lol3


The :puke sausages :puke were never opened during this ride. They went
straight to the bin... :puke

It was a play on a mistake I made at the 49'er rally--to eat "potted meat
product". Eeeeyouuuuu...:puke

[Dani]

sweet!

I love durango... and hwy 550 :)

where did you guys eat at?

[ian408]

sweet!

I love durango... and hwy 550 :)

where did you guys eat at?

About three or so blocks down the main drag at a small Mexican
place. I can't recall the name but I think Tequila's or something like
that. We were the only non-hispanics in the place...excellent food.

[David_S85]

Ian, that's quite a trip you had there. Just about the most complete photo travelogue I've seen here on Dgrin. True Journey material.

And... all the cool people stay at the Chuck Wagon :wink
http://davidwatts.smugmug.com/photos/81170288-L.jpg
(stayed there on the way to the May Shootout). And unless I miss my guess, the store at the Chuck Wagon sold both Red Bull and those sausages, though I doubt anyone else ever thought they might go together.

[ian408]

Ian, that's quite a trip you had there. Just about the most complete photo travelogue I've seen here on Dgrin. True Journey material.

And... all the cool people stay at the Chuck Wagon :wink

(stayed there on the way to the May Shootout). And unless I miss my guess, the store at the Chuck Wagon sold both Red Bull and those sausages, though I doubt anyone else ever thought they might go together.

Why thank you! I rather liked the folks there.

We were offered a great rate and promptly spent the savings on
steaks w/all the fixin's at the market (on the advice from the desk
clerk--and fine advice it was!). We did think about eating at
El Diablo though :thumb

I'm ashamed to admit it but here's the back story on those vienna sausages
(which incidentally are from a Shell station in Kanab):

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/72203533-M.jpg

which lead to this:

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/72216364-M.jpg

Every now and again, some form of PMP must make it into a shot :uhoh
Ian

[Awais Yaqub]

:clap Nice!

I love this shot.

http://ian408.smugmug.com/photos/78925395-M.jpg

:huh :huh
One of the best i have ever seen

[Baldy]

Great ride report! I can't get enough of reading motorcycle trip reports and this was delicious.

[ian408]

Great ride report! I can't get enough of reading motorcycle trip reports and this was delicious.

Thanks!

Ian

[allensphoto]

thanks for sharing... felt like i was there... keep'em comming...