Trippin' Connies 4: Blown Away (mass pictures)

[klb1122]

Day 7 – Friday, June 8, 2012

Cedar City, UT to Holbrook, AZ – 410 miles

http://binged.it/MkdMWV

We woke and I Skyped with my daughter and wife first thing.  She was playing once again, but I was able to snag a picture of her.



We had a great hot breakfast at the hotel’s “Breakfast House.”  Back at the room we packed everything up for another day.



We got on the road at about 7:45.  We hopped on I-15 and headed northeast to get to UT 143.  Heading back south now we immediately began climbing in elevation.  We were going along pretty good until we were briefly stopped.



We rode through Brian Head, which I never realized was a ski resort area.  Continuing on we reached Cedar Breaks National Monument.  We were now at over 10k feet, so it was pretty chilly since it was still early.  From what I could tell by looking at maps, there were 3 main overlooks.  I decided we would stop and the first and second before moving on.  Here are some views from the first overlook.















Cedar Breaks has a strong resemblance to Bryce Canyon National Park, just on a much smaller scale.    While we were here a Harley couple that stayed at our hotel last night pulled up and we talked for a bit.  They used to live in Fort Worth but now call California home.  Below are some views from the second overlook, which I felt was much better than the first.



















We joined with UT 14 and headed east to US 89.  The ride down US 89 was scenic but there was quite a bit of traffic.  When we came into the town of Kanab, we weren’t in need of gas, but I pointed out a camera store to Brett and heard him say “awe, man!” as we passed.  So through the light I saw a Shell station and we pulled in there.  We filled up and told Dad we were going to walk to the camera store.  He said he’d meet us there.



But it was closed, and Brett’s day was ruined!  He could only drool from the outside.  It looked like a really cool place.  It was probably for the best it was closed, we would have most likely spent quite a bit of time there.













The place across from the Shell station reminded me of home.



Continuing on US 89 we skirted the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.  Soon thereafter we could start to see Lake Powell.  We ended up crossing Glen Canyon dam.  I didn’t stop at the dam itself for pictures because I knew there was a spot just a little down the road where we could get some pictures with a different perspective.  We stopped at the scenic overlook.  Just as we were pulling up people were walking back up and loading a tour bus.  It was perfect timing because we had the place all to ourselves.  It was a short hike down to the view point.









As I walked back up I got some pictures of the surrounding landscape.  I found all the lines and textures to be very interesting.  











I had also read that right down the road was a famous horseshoe bend in the Colorado River.  It was about 3 miles down from the dam view point.  We pulled into the parking lot and there were quite a few cars there.  We parked and read the sign there.  It was a .75 mile trail to the bend, going over a hill.  We took off, the walk didn’t look like much but the uphill in straight sand was tough.  The reward was completely worth it.  I knew I was going to be frustrated because with the equipment I had, it wasn’t going to be wide enough to capture it all.  It was still worth it.













Right before we headed back, Brett asked me if he could use my kit lens on his F100.  With that setup, he was able to capture most of the scene.  Here’s his shot:



I must go back one day when I have the right gear.

A trudge back over the sandy hill and we were on our way.  There were some people in the parking lot putting sunscreen all over each other when we pulled up and I thought they were wussies.  By the time we left there, I felt like I was fried.  The sun was blistering down on us there.  It seemed like as soon as we pulled out of there the wind got crazy.  Crazy enough to where I didn’t take a picture for the rest of the day until we reached the hotel.  As we were once again getting blown around by the wind, I knew I would have to make the title of the ride report related to wind.  There was some interesting scenery along the way, but we were just focused on getting to the hotel.  We did have to make one last gas stop of the day in Tuba City, AZ.  The gas station was an interesting place.  They had coon skin hats for sale, and Brett couldn’t leave there without buying one.  We decided we all needed at least one picture wearing the coon before we returned home.  

The original route for today has us going through the Petrified Forest National Park before getting to the hotel in Holbrook.  I told the guys we could either do it today, or save it for first thing the next morning.  We were sick and tired of the wind, so we decided to save it for tomorrow morning, hoping it would be less windy.  So we headed straight for the Globetrotter Inn in Holbrook.  

The Globetrotter Inn was a great little place.  It is now owned by an Austrian family.  It looks like they have recently completely renovated the place.  They kept the old Route 66 charm and have put their Austrian touch on it.  They kept everything immaculate.  





We searched through the GPS to find a restaurant and settled on one.  While riding into town a place stuck out to me and I asked the guys if they wanted to just eat there.  It was a shorter trip than the other place, so we pulled in.





The food was excellent.  I had flat enchiladas with a fried egg on top.  All entrees come with a huge sopapilla and the hot sauce was HOT.  



When we got back to the hotel, Brett and I wanted to soak in the pool.  For getting as hot as it does there during the day, the pool was ice cold.  It takes a lot of work to get a tan this nice….



Dad’s sick of wind.



After the sun went down, Brett and I walked around to get a few pictures.





This place was across the street and down a bit.  One of their signs said, “Have you slept in a wigwam lately?”  We thought it was pretty funny.



That’s all for Day 7, tomorrow we start off with the Petrified Forest National Park.

[klb1122]

Day 8 – Saturday, June 9, 2012

Holbrook, AZ to Carlsbad, NM – 555 miles

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=W+Hopi+Dr&daddr=34.96342,-109.7934+to:33.74635,-108.94689+to:33.3701,-105.22655+to:S+Canal+St&hl=en&ll=33.751748,-107.127686&spn=4.676202,10.217285&sll=35.034494,-109.686127&sspn=0.575722,1.277161&geocode=FdqTFAIdCPBu-Q%3BFdx_FQIdiK90-SmnEroCbp0vhzEPG0RGdpJKvw%3BFa7tAgIdNpqB-SlNA-WpIVMmhzFofo3a021Iyw%3BFfQv_QEdyl66-SlfvT345O_hhjEbQpHSzVbkhg%3BFWVt7gEd3azJ-Q&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=10&via=1,2,3&t=m&z=7


We woke up at 6 and it was already bright outside.  Oh yeah, Arizona doesn’t celebrate Daylight Savings Time.  So we were getting a late start on the day, and it was going to be a long one with adding in the Petrified Forest National Park.  When we walked up to the front of the hotel the owner had us sign their board.





He then took us inside and showed us where our personally set table was for breakfast.  Each room had their own place setting.  We enjoyed our breakfast and were the only ones in there at the time.  This place was really neat.



When we finally got going we got back to I-40 and continued east.  We exited for the Petrified Forest National Park.  When we pulled up to the entrance booth, I was given the usual map and then told it was a free fee day, to enjoy, and not take any souvenirs from the park.  Sweet!  The northern side of the park just has a few overlooks of the painted desert.  I stopped at Lacey Point to get a picture of my wife’s name on a sign.



And here is the view from Lacey Point.









We rode on, and I forgot to mention that it was just as windy, if not windier, than the day before.  It was blowing us everywhere just riding 45 mph through the park.  I rode by the next stop, a tribute to Route 66 running through the park, and thought it was too cool to not stop at so I turned around and we got some pictures there.









The park road crossed over I-40 and we continued south and stopped at the Puerco Pueblo ruins.  This area supposedly once contained 100 rooms and housed as many as 1200 people.  There was also a lot of writing on the surrounding rocks.







Here I am, sporting some coon at the ruins.  (Photo taken by Brett)



The final place we stopped in the park was at the Giant Logs Trail behind the visitor center.  The trail passes by numerous petrified logs, including the park’s largest, Old Faithful.  Here are some views from the area.

















The wind was something fierce.



As we left the park we had to tell a ranger that we did not take anything from the park.  They take that seriously there.  Back on US 180 we headed south.  I was hoping when we got into the mountains it would block some of the wind.  It didn’t help much though.  The first stop for gas on the day was in Springerville.  Continuing south, when US 191 and US 180 split, we stayed east on US 180, taking us into New Mexico.  Somewhere along there we stopped at a scenic overlook for a quick break.







When we turned onto NM 12 we finally got the wind behind us.  I was getting 50 plus mpg most of the way to Socorro.  Along NM 12 there were several areas that were base camps for those fighting fires in the Gila National Forest.  US 60 took us to Socorro where we filled up for gas again.  As soon as we finished filling up and I started to walk inside the store the Open sign went out.  The station and surrounding areas had lost power and the pumps no longer worked.  We filled up just in time.



We took I-25 south for nine miles and exited on US 380.  Several miles down there was a sign warning us of dust storms the next two miles.  They need to update the sign; it was more like 10-15 miles.  When we reached Carrizozo we could start to see smoke from a wild fire in the direction we were headed.  It turned out to be the Little Bear Fire.







Riding into Captain, NM dad pointed out that we were on Smokey Bear Blvd, ironic as we were looking at the smoke from a wildfire.  East of Captain I was really thinking we were going to have to turn around soon, but would have hoped they would have warned us by now if that was the case.  The smoke was getting thick.





Further on, as we looked into our mirrors, we could see the sun trying to shine through the smoke.  We had just stopped, but I had to pull over for a picture or two or three.  I told the guys to keep going and I would catch up.







I caught the guys and there we started churning out the miles for the rest of the day.  We could see the smoke from the fire for the next 150-200 miles.  The wind was blowing it along our path.  It was slow going through Roswell and I stopped to fill up for the final time right before leaving town.

The sun set as we rode south on US 285 and into Carlsbad.  It was a long day of riding, lots of wind, smoke, and miles.  I checked us into the Best Western, which was huge.  It was late and we didn’t feel like going anywhere for dinner, but I had seen a Pizza Hut a couple miles back so I called to order us a pizza.  The call center gave me a delivery time of 10 pm, which was over an hour and a half from when I called.  We decided to wait it out and during that time I got a picture of my daughter.  My wife and daughter returned from Virginia today, so my request was for my wife to get a picture of her on the plane.



After 10 pm came and went I decided to call Pizza Hut back.  This time the call center informed me that the Carlsbad location was take out only, after they had taken my order for delivery.  Needless to say, we went to bed hungry.

[klb1122]

Day 9 – Sunday, June 10, 2012

Carlsbad, NM to Houston, TX – 644 miles

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=S+Canal+St&daddr=29.44595,-98.35763+to:I-610+E&hl=en&ll=31.090574,-99.777832&spn=12.103326,23.225098&sll=29.779278,-95.439262&sspn=0.191902,0.362892&geocode=FWVt7gEd3azJ-Q%3BFT5PwQEdgi4j-imJ-jonzvNchjHky14as1aJGA%3BFZjqxgEdgqtQ-g&mra=dme&mrsp=2&sz=12&via=1&t=m&z=6


I set the alarm for 5 am Mountain time.  We always like to get an early start on the last day.  There’s nothing to see and at that point you just want to get home.  It was too early for breakfast at the hotel, so we just took off.  Dad was prepping for the day.





The temperature felt great in the morning as we headed down US 285.  We filled up at a truck stop in Pecos, TX and ate some food there.

We stretched the next gas stop out to Sonora.  After we filled up, we pulled the bikes over to the side of the store and parked them sideways in a spot because no one was there.  Then some lady pulls into the station and parks right next to our bikes, blocking us in.  This was Brett’s reaction when he came out of the store.  Really!?!



It was getting hot and dad was fueling up.



We were able to get through San Antonio on the next tank of gas and filled up in Seguin.  My butt was officially hurting, legs starting to get uncomfortable, and it was hot!  I planned it to where we didn’t have to stop for gas again on the trip.  Knowing this, I went into gas station street photographer mode, my results are below.  LOL!





These guys look like they’re ready to be home, and so was I!  For the past 8 days we had most of the roads to ourselves, so it was tough getting used to all the traffic again.  I was averaging 10 mph over the speed limit between San Antonio and Houston and we were getting passed like we were standing still.  That was until we ran into a standstill between Columbus and Sealy.  There was a wreck and the freeway was backed up for miles.  We dualsported our way to the feeder road and then came to a stop on there too.  By the time we waited there for a while it looked like the freeway started to move so we made our way back on it and got going again.  Being 50 miles from home, stopped, and having a furnace between your legs while wearing full gear sucks.  The whole thing took 15 minutes, but it felt like an eternity.  After that, it was just surviving the onslaught of cars getting back home.  We all made it with no further problems.  

This little amazing angel was waiting for me when I got home.  She ran up to me and I swooped her up.  She stared at me for a while and I swear she grew and changed so much in 9 days.  





Unfortunately my trip meter reset when I swapped my battery out in Ely, NV.  Also, I forgot to reset my GPS mileage when I left the house.  But, I still had my odometer, so when subtracting from my starting mileage I get 4,403 total miles.  We didn’t encounter a single drop of rain while we were on the bikes.  



Below are a few parting shots after another successful trip seeing the country with Connie.    







Thanks for following along.

[BIWOZ]

Wow! Great ride; even better report!   Thanks for taking me along.

Oh ... and your little girl's a sweetie!   Believe me, they grow up so quickly ...

[klb1122]

Wow! Great ride; even better report!   Thanks for taking me along.

Oh ... and your little girl's a sweetie!   Believe me, they grow up so quickly ...

Thanks!

She's a daddy's girl and I am completely whipped by her.  I'm enjoying every second while she is young, I know it'll all be different when she gets older.  

[2RR2NV]

Thanks!

She's a daddy's girl and I am completely whipped by her.  I'm enjoying every second while she is young, I know it'll all be different when she gets older.  

no lie!  

and thanks for the report. soooo makes me itch for a chance to do a ride like that!!!

[Sarchi]

Connies From The Apocalypse

[stew71]

Excellent report and outstanding photography.  Thanks for posting it up.  

[klb1122]

 

Glad you enjoyed it.  

[Orson]

Great photography  

Looks like it wuz a great ride  

[HutchPhoto]

Just Awesome photography and ride report!!
Loved the composition's Thank You, Brett & Your Dad for this adventure you took us all on. Make me feel better for buying my 2012 C14 & now all I want to do is this trip or one like it!

Best Regards to you & your family!

Tim

[Mastros2]

Excellent report and photos! I really enjoyed it.  

Don't forget to submit some photos for the yearly calendar.

[klb1122]

Thanks!

Congrats on your '12, Hutch.  

Will do, Mastros.  

[DkKnight]

 
Awesome trip report and excellent photography by you and your brother !!
I envy you being able to take a motorcycle trip with your dad and brother - just awesome !!
I will be looking forward to next years trip report !!

DK

[Vfourfan]

Man, I don't want to sound just like everybody else, but great photos and terrific report!  Cool bikes and wonderful scenery.

[klb1122]

Thank you, thank you.  I already can't wait until the trip next year.  

[sammyseaman]

Wow! Great ride; even better report!   Thanks for taking me along.

Oh ... and your little girl's a sweetie!   Believe me, they grow up so quickly ...

 

[Jay S.]

Thanks so much for sharing! Great report and amazing pics!!!

 

[919]

Thanks you for this, I should probably get some work done now.....  but after reading that I'm going to go for a ride instead.

[scottzilla]

Awesome, awesome report with super fantastic pics.