I invite you to explore this site and I will try to keep it updated with events, pics and info. I am not a web expert, so things may be slow in coming, so please be patient. Please feel free to check on my progress and daily blog, updates, and photos of this trip. Rick
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Two Photos from Virginia City...
Dan just sent these to me. His camera is much better as are his skills!
On the deck of the Bonanza Cafe
Looking back at Virginia City from the Cemetery
Vegas, Baby!
Actually, Henderson, Nevada, just minutes south of the Strip.
Today's ride was windy again, but no dust. Took 95S to Las Vegas for a total of 225 miles. Stopped just north of Beatty, Nv. to snap a picture of "Angel's Ladies" Brothel (see previous post below). I was tempted to go inside for a t-shirt, but thought better of it. Got the pictures and then headed into Beatty for gas and lunch. With both "tanks" full, returned to 95S and more fighting with the wind (gusts up to 55+). The temp climbed into the low 90s and little clouds to break the beating both the wind and sun were taking on me. Along the way a couple of helicopters started following me! No kidding. First they started, one behind the other, on my left. Then the lead chopper sped ahead and circled back to come to my right. So now I had one on each side of me. I could see the pilots' faces!!! They were smiling so I wasn't to worried and waved to each. I think they may have been on a training run. However, we did come up on a prison not to far off the highway to the west. Shortly after passing the prison turn off both choppers did a sweep to the left in front of me and then headed back north not to be seen again. Like me, they were flying directly into 40 mph headwinds. I was glad they were capable of flying in those conditions. Wish I could have shot a picture or video of the encounter.
The last 20 miles before hitting the populated area of Las Vegas the wind decided to get even stronger just to kick my butt a little more. I managed to push my way through the heavy traffic on I-515 to the exit into Henderson and the hotel. I was really grateful that the hotel was willing to let me check in at 2:30, a little earlier than policy. A couple from Quebec, Ca, were also pulling in on their Honda Goldwing as happy as I to be off the road and the brutal wind.
Hoping to hook up with Ed and Marie Stites tonight and then off to Hoover dam in the morning and then continue southward to Kingman and the start of the Mother Road (Rt. 66) as I ride to Flagstaff, AZ for tomorrow night. Weather forecast calls for continued wind!!! I guess it's better than snow.
Miles today = 225
Total Trip = 1037
Weather = Continued strong S SW winds. Clear and low 90s
Tomorrow = Flagstaff, AZ
Today's ride was windy again, but no dust. Took 95S to Las Vegas for a total of 225 miles. Stopped just north of Beatty, Nv. to snap a picture of "Angel's Ladies" Brothel (see previous post below). I was tempted to go inside for a t-shirt, but thought better of it. Got the pictures and then headed into Beatty for gas and lunch. With both "tanks" full, returned to 95S and more fighting with the wind (gusts up to 55+). The temp climbed into the low 90s and little clouds to break the beating both the wind and sun were taking on me. Along the way a couple of helicopters started following me! No kidding. First they started, one behind the other, on my left. Then the lead chopper sped ahead and circled back to come to my right. So now I had one on each side of me. I could see the pilots' faces!!! They were smiling so I wasn't to worried and waved to each. I think they may have been on a training run. However, we did come up on a prison not to far off the highway to the west. Shortly after passing the prison turn off both choppers did a sweep to the left in front of me and then headed back north not to be seen again. Like me, they were flying directly into 40 mph headwinds. I was glad they were capable of flying in those conditions. Wish I could have shot a picture or video of the encounter.
The last 20 miles before hitting the populated area of Las Vegas the wind decided to get even stronger just to kick my butt a little more. I managed to push my way through the heavy traffic on I-515 to the exit into Henderson and the hotel. I was really grateful that the hotel was willing to let me check in at 2:30, a little earlier than policy. A couple from Quebec, Ca, were also pulling in on their Honda Goldwing as happy as I to be off the road and the brutal wind.
Hoping to hook up with Ed and Marie Stites tonight and then off to Hoover dam in the morning and then continue southward to Kingman and the start of the Mother Road (Rt. 66) as I ride to Flagstaff, AZ for tomorrow night. Weather forecast calls for continued wind!!! I guess it's better than snow.
Miles today = 225
Total Trip = 1037
Weather = Continued strong S SW winds. Clear and low 90s
Tomorrow = Flagstaff, AZ
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Today's Operative Word...
WINDY!!!!
The morning started out with breakfast at the Palace Saloon in Virginia City. After that I headed down the road to HWY 50, nicknamed by LIFE Magazine as the loneliest highway in the US. I wasn't on it long before I turned south on Alt 395 South to Hawthorne, Nev. This stretch of almost 100 miles was excellent riding although the wind started picking up just before reaching Hawthorne.
Hawthorne is home to an Army Base/Ammunitions Depot and is also known as the most patriotic town in the US as evidenced by the number of flags and R,W& B festooning all of the shops and homes. I filled the tank here and was informed by several bikers coming from Tonopah to expect high winds and dust storms. They were not joking. 10 miles out of Hawthorne I had to trade my sunglasses for googles and put the neckerchief over my mouth and nose to keep the dirt and sand out them. The online weather report said the wind was steady at 40 with gusts up to 55+. The sky was completely brown with blowing dust and at times covering the highway ahead from view. I have never worked so hard to keep the bike centered in my lane and upright. I was happy that there was very little debris blowing across the road. Silver lining...80 degrees!
I arrived in Tonopah about 3:30 and checked in to the Best Western High Desert Inn and, with my "preferred customer" card was upgraded to a 2-rooom/2-bath suite ( this would hold about four of the rooms I stayed in last night, but without all of the character and charm)....it's a little more than I need, but i welcomed the added comfort!
After cleaning up I walked up to the mining museum only to discover it closed at 5:00 and it was 6:00 so I walked down to the Mexican Restaurant I saw on my way in to town and it was well worth the walk!
Talked to good friend Ed Stites and found that he and his wife, Marie, will be in Vegas starting tomorrow night. I'm riding to Henderson and the hotel I'm staying at has a free shuttle to the Strip so we're going to try to hook up. Could be "Hangover III" in the making...just kidding, Pat.
Miles today = 245
Total miles = 812
Weather = Windy, dusty 70-80 degrees
Tomorrow = Henderson, Nv
Saturday night in Tonopah
Enjoying a Margarita @ San Marques while watching the Stanley. Cup Playoffs.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Today was a good ride!
Settling in to the Sugarloaf Inn here in Virginia City after spending the afternoon and evening with good friend Dan Udseth and his wife, Shirley. These two are fabulous tour guides. We had a bite to eat at the Bonanza Cafe and a Sioux City Sasparella at the Red Dawg Saloon. Next we headed over to the cemetery and walked among the ghosts of another time. Dan then drove us to Carson City, the capitol of Nevada. Very interesting town. Drove back to V. City and said our good-byes. I hope I can return the hospitality when they find their way to Portland one day soon.
The ride here started at 10 AM back in Klamath Falls. When I woke up it was 28 degrees! Had a fantastic hot breakfast at the hotel waiting for the temp to rise. By the time the bike was loaded up and ready to go it had gotten to 50!
The 160 mile stretch of CA HWY 139 to Susansville was a terrific ride. Very little to no traffic the entire stretch. The wind was a bit annoying but the scenery helped make it much more tolerable. Now the stretch of 395 from Susanville to Reno was not as pleasant. Heavy traffic, cloudy and threatening skies made for a ride where miles did not click by in spite of averaging 70 mph.
Got through the Reno rush hour and found the turnoff to the 15 mile ride up to Virginia City. And it was up, up, up and wind, curvy, twisty. Made it into the hotel at about 3:30 just as Dan Shirley were driving into town. Talk about good timing!
Miles traveled today = 275
Total trip = 567
Temp in the mid-50s, very windy, mostly sunny until early afternoon.
Tomorrow...the thriving metropolis of Tonapah, NV
The ride here started at 10 AM back in Klamath Falls. When I woke up it was 28 degrees! Had a fantastic hot breakfast at the hotel waiting for the temp to rise. By the time the bike was loaded up and ready to go it had gotten to 50!
The 160 mile stretch of CA HWY 139 to Susansville was a terrific ride. Very little to no traffic the entire stretch. The wind was a bit annoying but the scenery helped make it much more tolerable. Now the stretch of 395 from Susanville to Reno was not as pleasant. Heavy traffic, cloudy and threatening skies made for a ride where miles did not click by in spite of averaging 70 mph.
Got through the Reno rush hour and found the turnoff to the 15 mile ride up to Virginia City. And it was up, up, up and wind, curvy, twisty. Made it into the hotel at about 3:30 just as Dan Shirley were driving into town. Talk about good timing!
Miles traveled today = 275
Total trip = 567
Temp in the mid-50s, very windy, mostly sunny until early afternoon.
Tomorrow...the thriving metropolis of Tonapah, NV
Cold in KFalls...
Woke up to clear, cold skies. 28 degrees at 6:30 this morning. Went downstairs for a great hot breakfast of eggs, sausage and hashbrowns. It has now warmed up to 40. Will be loading up the bike and heading to Virginia city around 9:00 AM. Looks like the weather is pretty much the same there as here. Should be rain-free with highs in the mid to high 50s.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Street Vibrations in Reno/Sparks...
I just found out this is happening this weekend. There's an event in Virginia City as well. Should be running into more bikers than I expected.
http://www.road-shows.com/street_vibrations_spring.php
http://www.road-shows.com/street_vibrations_spring.php
Here are two of Croc's prints...
We are the proud owners of Bob "Crocodile" Lile's Rt 66 prints hanging in our living room. Looking forward to meeting up with this biker, artist, singer and general raconteur in Amarillo.
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Warm and Dry in Klamath Falls...
I got to the Best Western Olympic Inn in Klamath Falls, Oregon, at 4:00 PM and this is how the first day went:
I loaded the bike up at 9:00 AM. Started it at about 9:30 and climbed on. Before heading out I looked to the east and saw some pretty dark clouds so I got off the bike put on my rain chaps and headed east. I'm glad I put the chaps on so they could act as a windbreaker as it was just above 40 degrees when I left. 45 minutes later in Sandy, Or., I pulled over and put the rain jacket on as well as switched to my warmest "snowmobile" level gloves. This proved to be a good decision. First the jacket allowed me to put on the hood and cover my freezing ears, since I couldn't find my wool cap. It also added more wind protection to my upper body as the temperature was starting to dip closer to 40 than 50. As I got about 10 minutes out of Sandy the additional clothing proved even better as it started to drizzle. Nothing real heavy, but glad to be dry.
As I approached the pass at Government Camp (right below Mt. Hood), the rain turned into pellets and it felt like I was being pelted with little bbs. Not fun. However, it wasn't snow and it wasn't sticking. A couple hours earlier there was a light dusting of snow on the road at Govt. Camp. Lucky for me this was melted and warn away and the only problem was being hit in the face with the sleet. Since it was cold and raining and Mt. Hood was completely hidden by the clouds and fog, I chose not to stop for a picture but to forge south to the high desert and hopefully sun.
Upon reaching Warm Springs, Or., the sun did come out. It was mostly cloudy, but no more rain and this would prove to be true for the rest of the day. It was still cold and it still looked like precipitation a possibility so the rain gear stayed on. Again, a good choice for protection from the cold, biting wind. Speaking of wind, as I headed south on 26 towards Madras the wind came out of the west in a steady gale feeling as though it was going to lift my helmet right off of my head in spite of the strap under my chin. Every once in a while the wind would gust and I felt as though it would push me over into the north bound lane and into oncoming traffic. Didn't happen and shoulders got a little cramped up holding the bike upright and centered.
Around 1:00 and166 miles from starting out this morning I pulled off the road to fill up with gas and some nourishment at a Subway/Shell station midway between Bend and Sunriver and half way to today's stop in K Falls.
Back on the road I ran into a little road construction around La Pine. Not bad, but did come to a complete stop a couple of times. From then on highway 97 was a delight to ride. Very little traffic and pretty good road surface made for some good riding for the last 130 miles to K.Falls. On this stretch I had a coyote run across the rode in front of me and a deer feeding on the side of the road. Neither animal sighting a close call with the bike, but a reminder of their presence and to be on the look out and at the ready for any surprises.
This was my first experience riding this stretch of 97. Mostly through woods with snow covered ridges to the west until arriving at Klamath Lake. It's huge!!! Looked to me like a great place to launch a sail boat and spend the day on the water, in August that is. Too cold for that today.
I found the hotel without any problem. When I checked in, the desk clerk told me I could park my bike under the "check in" awning/roof. What a bonus; if it rains tonight, I'll have a dry bike in the morning!
Also, he informed me that hot beef barley soup would be served starting at 4:30. I unpacked the bike, delivered my bags to my room, quickly washed up and then headed down to the lobby for a bowl of hot soup and sourdough bread. That really hit the spot. BW Olympic Inn will be getting top ratings from me.
Two couples from Tacoma rolled in while I was eating my soup. They heading for Reno where apparently there is a rally this weekend. I'll have to stop for a bit on my way through to Virginia City. And in Virginia City, I look forward to meeting up with "Grad School Teaching Assistant Buddy" Dan and his wife Shirley. Two years ago the three of us met up in Carmel, CA. on my way down the coast to Santa Monica to start my Route 66 ride. We had a great evening together and expect the same tomorrow night.
That's it for now.
Miles traveled today = 292
Total trip = 292
Temp range from 38-53 with rain, sleet, sun and wind.
I loaded the bike up at 9:00 AM. Started it at about 9:30 and climbed on. Before heading out I looked to the east and saw some pretty dark clouds so I got off the bike put on my rain chaps and headed east. I'm glad I put the chaps on so they could act as a windbreaker as it was just above 40 degrees when I left. 45 minutes later in Sandy, Or., I pulled over and put the rain jacket on as well as switched to my warmest "snowmobile" level gloves. This proved to be a good decision. First the jacket allowed me to put on the hood and cover my freezing ears, since I couldn't find my wool cap. It also added more wind protection to my upper body as the temperature was starting to dip closer to 40 than 50. As I got about 10 minutes out of Sandy the additional clothing proved even better as it started to drizzle. Nothing real heavy, but glad to be dry.
As I approached the pass at Government Camp (right below Mt. Hood), the rain turned into pellets and it felt like I was being pelted with little bbs. Not fun. However, it wasn't snow and it wasn't sticking. A couple hours earlier there was a light dusting of snow on the road at Govt. Camp. Lucky for me this was melted and warn away and the only problem was being hit in the face with the sleet. Since it was cold and raining and Mt. Hood was completely hidden by the clouds and fog, I chose not to stop for a picture but to forge south to the high desert and hopefully sun.
Upon reaching Warm Springs, Or., the sun did come out. It was mostly cloudy, but no more rain and this would prove to be true for the rest of the day. It was still cold and it still looked like precipitation a possibility so the rain gear stayed on. Again, a good choice for protection from the cold, biting wind. Speaking of wind, as I headed south on 26 towards Madras the wind came out of the west in a steady gale feeling as though it was going to lift my helmet right off of my head in spite of the strap under my chin. Every once in a while the wind would gust and I felt as though it would push me over into the north bound lane and into oncoming traffic. Didn't happen and shoulders got a little cramped up holding the bike upright and centered.
Around 1:00 and166 miles from starting out this morning I pulled off the road to fill up with gas and some nourishment at a Subway/Shell station midway between Bend and Sunriver and half way to today's stop in K Falls.
Back on the road I ran into a little road construction around La Pine. Not bad, but did come to a complete stop a couple of times. From then on highway 97 was a delight to ride. Very little traffic and pretty good road surface made for some good riding for the last 130 miles to K.Falls. On this stretch I had a coyote run across the rode in front of me and a deer feeding on the side of the road. Neither animal sighting a close call with the bike, but a reminder of their presence and to be on the look out and at the ready for any surprises.
This was my first experience riding this stretch of 97. Mostly through woods with snow covered ridges to the west until arriving at Klamath Lake. It's huge!!! Looked to me like a great place to launch a sail boat and spend the day on the water, in August that is. Too cold for that today.
I found the hotel without any problem. When I checked in, the desk clerk told me I could park my bike under the "check in" awning/roof. What a bonus; if it rains tonight, I'll have a dry bike in the morning!
Also, he informed me that hot beef barley soup would be served starting at 4:30. I unpacked the bike, delivered my bags to my room, quickly washed up and then headed down to the lobby for a bowl of hot soup and sourdough bread. That really hit the spot. BW Olympic Inn will be getting top ratings from me.
Two couples from Tacoma rolled in while I was eating my soup. They heading for Reno where apparently there is a rally this weekend. I'll have to stop for a bit on my way through to Virginia City. And in Virginia City, I look forward to meeting up with "Grad School Teaching Assistant Buddy" Dan and his wife Shirley. Two years ago the three of us met up in Carmel, CA. on my way down the coast to Santa Monica to start my Route 66 ride. We had a great evening together and expect the same tomorrow night.
That's it for now.
Miles traveled today = 292
Total trip = 292
Temp range from 38-53 with rain, sleet, sun and wind.
Leaving in an hour...
Here's the pass in Government Camp where I'll be in two hours or so. Hopefully the snow will be gone by then. I'll keep you updated!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
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