Sport-Touring.Net

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-wZzDM7N/0/451deeb8/L/DSCF4871-L.jpg)
Let's get to it!




This will be another Grnarrowe/Ears lengthy ride report.

We will cover 13 states, 10 Tour of Honor sites, 9 National parks, 4 National Monuments, 1 National Historic Site, 1 State park and a giant Chicken.
(These numbers may change as I write this and remember that we stopped elsewhere.)


So, you may be asking how this trip came about.

Well, I'm glad you asked.

2016 was a bust, quite literally, and we would need to get away from all of the negativity of 2016, so a quick review.

Blue had succumbed to the Buick bounce:
https://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,116033.0.html#.Wb8ljNGX2Hs

The, and I use this term loosely, lawyers I hired were in my opinion a bunch of Uncaring, INCOMPETENT, Ambulance Chasing sacks of Monkey Shit! (No offense to any lawyers here)
And I used those exact words on their questionnaire. One of the other questions was how can we help future clients? I told them to go out of business.
But enough about that otherwise this wont be a ride report, it would be a RANT report.

Now without a bike I was in the Impala and in October, two con-rod bearings failed at 77K. (3600 series GM).
Covered under warranty, right?

WRONG!

It was a demo, last 2011 they had and the warranty starts on the "In service" date. The salesman never explained the warranty.
They wanted $7200 for a new engine. I pitched a bitch, they, GM, covered half of it
The money I got for Blue went for a re-furbished engine, $3600 to be exact.
This left me $400 for the property damage portion of the accident.
Five weeks later the transmission went out. I WAS REAL MAD NOW!

I got madder when one of the service writers said "It just happens sometimes"   :twofinger: was my response.

Then on October 25, 2016 after cashing out something I was able to buy Number 5:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Petes-new-FJR/i-BQvGZ82/0/b906eeb9/L/DSCF3629-L.jpg)

It had all of 6 miles on it:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Petes-new-FJR/i-R7V2JTb/0/59045400/L/DSCF3634-L.jpg)

Several weeks later a new Sonic was in the driveway and it also had 6 miles on it. NEVER will I buy a demo model again.

I was able to put 1433 miles on Number 5 in 2 weeks then the cold weather set in and it was time to go stir crazy, or start planning 2017 vacation.

Since I would then get 3 weeks vacation lets do something EPIC!!!!

I saw a commercial for the National Park service and the 5 parks in Utah, BINGO!

This also would allow me to finish the Border to Border run we tried in 2015:
https://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,111425.0.html#.Wb8sOtGX2Hs

So a plan was hatched, a committee formed to study the possibilities and feasibility of such an undertaking.
Actually, I looked at a calendar and our savings account, put in for the appropriate days, which was granted, and all was deemed good. YEA!!

I then made all the reservations at the hotels online but I actually called the Wyoming Inn in Jackson, WY to see if I could get a better rate.
They said they were full up for the day I wanted. I then went back to the Interwebs, to their site and I did get a room.

The Wyoming Inn has become my favorite hotel. It is expensive, as is Jackson in general, but this place is by far a first class operation.
I'll review all the hotels at the end of this.

Now the route planning needs to happen. As with our last vacation I also incorporated some of Vicki's Tour of Honor stops.
None were really out of the way and she enjoys doing the ToH so why not?


And thus the planning is done.

The hotels are booked.

And the waiting begins!

That and hoping I don't get tagged again.


Number 5 came with Bridgestone Battlax BT023 Tires and let me tell you, these gave the Continental Road Attack tires I had on Blue a run for the WORST tires EVER!!
On two separate occasions I almost lost the front end going thru a round-a-bout.
The right to left transition almost did me in both times.

So first order of business, Michelin Pilot Road 3 tires for both bikes.

Vicki's 2006 FJR was first to get new shoes as hers needed them more. Her old PR3's were shot!
Then my 2016 FJR got new shoes and I brought it home, in the rain, and I could tell these were a big improvement.


The Bikes:

Vicki's 2006 Yamaha FJR1300:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-s5LSnLp/0/a1cafe9a/L/DSCF3239-L.jpg)

Starting mileage:136070

My 2016 Yamaha FJR1300A
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Petes-new-FJR/i-mW6cwT5/0/b90e8013/L/DSCF3853-L.jpg)

Starting Mileage: 9418
That's not a typo. Nine thousand Four hundred and eighteen miles.

Both bikes got fresh oil and new filters, the lawn was mowed  the dog sitter booked and instructions were given and it was time for:




Naturally Day one for us is usually just a day to get out of Northeast Illinois.

So off we went and within an hour we were crossing into the land of Cheese, Wisconsin!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Nfx59MV/0/416eb416/L/IL%20to%20WI-L.jpg)
US-12 crossing into Wisconsin from the Land of Lincoln, Illinois.

Normally we don't take many pictures on the first day but this time we made a exception.

We followed US-12 to I-90 and started heading West. At one point I thought I had missed an exit as we had not got to the I-94 split but that was up the road a piece.

We stopped at a rest area near Black River Falls and found this:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-gGC9zWd/0/ad1c84c1/L/20170819_124028-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-Rdc4hw9/0/0f4fb27a/L/20170819_124011-L.jpg)

After a short rest we were back on the road.

We picked up I-94 near Tomah, WI and continued on crossing the Mississippi River:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-HB8LkLD/0/e5d09fe8/L/WI%20to%20MN-L.jpg)

Into Minnesota:
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Zd7kwzt/0/c47289b4/L/MN-L.jpg)

Tonight's stopping point would be Alexandria, MN.

We found our exit and headed to a Culver's for dinner.

While there I saw an elderly couple sitting a few tables away. The gentleman needed a walker to get around.
His wife, I believe, helped him to his feet and held onto his belt as they walked out.

Culver's has 2 sets of double doors, the first set someone did hold the door for them but when they did not come out the second set, we were sitting by a window, I started to worry that they may have fell. And all the while people were coming in, yet no one was helping them! WTF?!

This made me angry that no one was helping. I got up to go and help when I saw that a man and women who had been coming in were now helping.
These two people helped them get to the curb and they waited while the gentleman's wife went for their car.

When she arrived they also helped get him to and into the car.

In my opinion, they were heroes at that moment!  :thumbsup:

After this and after our food was consumed we went to the hotel to check in for the night.
And the declined my credit card, really?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?11???  :shrug:

I used my other card then called my triple A card and they said because I was out of my "zone" they thought it was fraud.
Well I told them we were traveling and listed the places we would be staying so there would be no more problems, until we got home anyway.

We then parked the bikes and unloaded them and turned in for the night.

Total miles for today was 501.7 with 3 gas stops.

Tomorrow would also be a long day but we would be off the slab before noon.

to be continued..........

And now....



Today would be another day of riding to get to where we needed to be.

About half the day on the slab and the rest on U.S. highways.

We got up and started our hotel routine, shower up, eat up, load up, mount up and GO!

The day started out a bit over cast.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-hdZc4XN/0/5f604f9c/L/DSCF3902-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-PbDSpnk/0/d31a05a9/L/DSCF3903-L.jpg)
From the parking lot of the Best Western

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-86d5JVn/0/4105bb53/L/DSCF3904-L.jpg)
The bikes are loaded and ready to go.

So we head out, gas up the bikes and head out to the highway for Rothsay, MN.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-dG7RnX6/0/04014126/L/DSCF3905-L.jpg)
Why are we stopping in Rothsay?

Well there is this:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-m74SZPF/0/407f0270/L/DSCF3906-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-CN7ZhJm/0/eded3edd/L/DSCF3907-L.jpg)
The worlds largest "Booming Prairie Chicken"

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-KJjk5vk/0/b277bccc/L/20170820_094142-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-SVjsL3N/0/4afaf01b/L/DSCF3910-L.jpg)
I found a camera here and this was the last photo taken.........

Hey, it was a touristy thing to do so we....

Um, what are you doing???  :headscratch:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-XPphw8K/0/6e3a8297/L/DSCF3912-L.jpg)
Chicken Proctologist ?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-MZwdQDc/0/eb0f0955/L/20170820_093957-L.jpg)
Ya know, I'm not going to ask what your bear was doing there.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-TzCkLwS/0/603bd75f/L/20170820_094027-L.jpg)
I'm outta here. This is getting to weird for me.

After getting our fill of chicken, ba-da-bum, we were back on the slab.

I also noticed that the mileage on my 16 was about to change from:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ZxMpnJp/0/dbd49e67/L/Mileage%20zoom-3-L.jpg)
9999 (zoomed in to see this better)

to
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vq2wnNb/0/5ccb69e8/L/Mileage%20zoom-2-L.jpg)
10,000

Yea! a milestone was reached.

We continued on, without fanfare, into North Dakota.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-DZ3R2cP/0/c997b476/L/MN%20to%20ND-L.jpg)
Across the Red River

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vhnCN5Q/0/4ea1d7e5/L/ND-L.jpg)
and into North Dakota.

Going across I-94 in ND is as exciting as watching grass grow. So we motored on stopping only for fuel and bathroom breaks.
 
We exit the slab at the US-281 bypass near Jamestown, ND and head north towards US-2.
We stop in Carrington for fuel and a restroom break then back to the road.

In Harvey, ND we stop for some lunch at a Subway.

Hmmmm, what should we have?

OH! I know!!

Let's have a sweet onion chicken teriyaki sub!! Yum! That's something to cluck about right there!

After lunch we head back to the road, our stopping point is Williston, ND and we're burning daylight roosting here.

Enough with the chicken jokes, already.

Once we get to Minot I look for a gas stop, finding one we first hit the bathrooms and get more ice and water for our hydration systems.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-VvZFVr5/0/3684584c/L/DSCF3915-L.jpg)
From the Flying J in Minot, ND.

That done we gas the bikes then head west on US-2 for 120 miles about another 2 hours or so.

Everything is going good, the miles are ticking away, slowly it seems, but going.

But then I notice 2 pickup trucks up ahead. The lead P/U is no problem but the 2nd one is weaving all over the right hand lane.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vPKgPGS/0/e56d7f5f/L/US-2%20ND-L.jpg)
What?? This guy cannot keep it straight and it looked like he almost ran into the truck in front of him.

When I finally caught up to this guy, I went to pass him but he almost ran off the right shoulder so I backed off for a bit.
I turned on the GoPro and started to film this guy.

Not sure if he was tired or drunk. It was Sunday afternoon, did he work a double shift and then have a few doubles or what?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LnnNpwL/0/931d2949/L/US-2%20ND-2-L.jpg)
I see an opportunity and pass Mr Weaver.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MRVVzpj/0/a719bedb/L/US-2%20ND-3-L.jpg)
This may have been a bad idea as Mr Weaver now is awake and follows us around.
You can see him in my mirror.
At least there would be evidence in case he did anything stupid.

I kept the throttle open a bit longer to put some distance between us, then backed down just a hair and Vicki was then able to get in front of me:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-z2mTBCq/0/16fb271d/L/US-2%20ND-4-L.jpg)
I kept this position for a bit to keep Mr Weaver away from Vicki.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WZsQxL4/0/a32c41fa/L/US-2%20ND-5-L.jpg)
I moved up and he's still back there and its looking like he is gaining.
And he still cant keep it straight.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-n246JZp/0/6d3b5bcf/L/US-2%20ND-6-L.jpg)
I  moved to the left but he stayed put.
Still too close for comfort.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VVRGKm5/0/b054d6e3/L/US-2%20ND-7-L.jpg)
Weaver turned off at this cross road.

The rest of the run to Williston was uneventful.

We pulled into the hotel, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Williston, ND about 7:00 PM.

Got our room, no problem with the credit card and it's a first floor room around the back so the bikes are parked by the window.

We unload the bikes then head over to Doc Holliday's Roadhouse for dinner.

The food was good but there was only one waitress and she was being run ragged. So we left her a larger than normal tip.

Then it was back to the hotel so we could get ready for tomorrow and get a good nights sleep for tomorrow would eclipse today.

Tomorrow would start phase two of the trip, going to the north end of US-191 to finish off the Border to Border run then heading south to start this years vacation.

Total mileage for day 2 was 512.0 miles with 4 gas stops.


Until next time.

 :popcorn: :beerchug:

Day 3 started the usual way, we woke up. Then we showered and went for some noms.

The only thing different today was that I was not listening to my Ipod as my ear buds were begining to hurt my ears.
I bought some new music for this trip and I had my foam ear plugs in now.
There's 40 bucks spent well.

After breakfast we packed up our belongings stowed and or strapped them to the bikes, checked out and took off.

Mileage wise today would be almost as long as the first 2 days but there was purpose to the miles today.

First, we would need to get to Morgan, MT to the north end of US-191 so we could finish 2015's Border to Border run.
Then we would head south, on US-191, to begin this years vacation plans in earnest.

First up after leaving the hotel was to gas up the bikes.
Then we would head west on US-2 for a bit then south to Buford, ND to check out a National Historic Site, Fort Union.

But we needed to navigate the detours of US-2 as there was road construction. So follow the detours and traffic off US-2 onto a side road,
then to the frontage road then back onto US-2 then over to ND-1804.

We follow 1804 into the vastness of the country side until we see it off in the distance.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-cbvbkLC/0/8e4ffca2/L/DSCF3917-L.jpg)
Fort Union.

Now if you look at this site on the map you'll see this is located in North Dakota, but their overflow parking is in Montana.

Here --> https://www.nps.gov/fous/index.htm

It is a cool place to visit and if you are near Wiliston, check it out.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-f2ZpNZf/0/4ba4d4c9/L/DSCF3919-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-ZQP9MgJ/0/4a8c8ec0/L/DSCF3920-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-vQ3KQbB/0/7e16b6c1/L/DSCF3922-L.jpg)
This is the front gate as it faces the Missouri river.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-4g7JGSb/0/6d62e279/L/DSCF3924-L.jpg)
The Missouri river is over there somewhere, it used to be much closer to the gate from what we were told.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-mbRXDnF/0/1e5b7c2c/L/DSCF3925-L.jpg)
Pelt press to compact the various skins for shipping.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-crnxVgw/0/156b0e28/L/DSCF3931-L.jpg)
The Main building.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-JPSN5Pw/0/b4fd4078/L/20170821_084219-L.jpg)
From the Porch of the Main building.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-vJJNksk/0/95ded4ba/L/20170821_084431-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-fHmkP8x/0/ea8f700b/L/DSCF3078-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-fQhmfLQ/0/18902406/L/DSCF3932-L.jpg)
I found another camera and this was the last picture....

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-HRcTXWQ/0/fc4e761d/L/DSCF3939-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Bwrwgzh/0/80ff2d22/L/DSCF3944-L.jpg)
Model of a river barge of the time (Between 1828 and 1867)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-jT92gW5/0/3ef735df/L/DSCF3950-L.jpg)
There were a few of these running around the grounds.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-FBddkR6/2/d3251f08/L/DSCF3083-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-SbZsnmV/0/86a76539/L/DSCF3952-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-ftctC8Z/0/40321b64/L/DSCF3964-L.jpg)
Out back of the fort.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Kc8qLkX/0/9d1a807d/L/DSCF3995-L.jpg)
Up top over looking the fort.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Z4ZB9XQ/0/82ae7999/L/DSCF3996-L.jpg)
You can see the river off in the distance to the right. It used to be where the trees are right at the edge of the grass.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-qLHDhnb/0/9ee9b208/L/DSCF3999-L.jpg)
In the tower, the guns are not real.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-stjTXq8/0/74eae385/L/DSCF4004-L.jpg)
Empty, I checked.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-m34KRCP/0/490352d6/L/DSCF4019-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-MVCk8zq/0/0505ed56/L/DSCF4023-L.jpg)
The entrance road and the sign are in Montana while the fort is in North Dakota.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-hsXqMt9/0/c922a6e5/L/DSCF4028-L.jpg)
Taken from the MT side.

We spent about an hour here, I figured we would as there is a lot to see.

Like I said, if you're near here stop in, history is all around us.

after getting our last pics it was time to hit the road. We took 1804 back to County Road 5 which led us back to US-2.

Now I would have taken MT-327 but it was 15 miles of dirt and gravel. No thanks, not on an FJR.
Not yet anyway.

So back to US-2 we go and back into Montana.

Now US-2 through this part of MT is desolate and about as exciting as watching paint dry.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WXMVHfm/0/bf1e72cf/L/US-2%20MT-L.jpg)
US-2 in Montana.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ZxMXWL4/0/4a97b7c1/L/US-2%20MT-4-L.jpg)
Hey, there are some trees here.

It also was getting darker. The cloud cover did have something to do with it but it was mainly the eclipse.

We pulled into Glasgow, MT about the same time as the eclipse was peaking.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-mHDV8JN/0/2d40717d/L/DSCF4032-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-4cTJt49/0/53f311a0/L/DSCF3096-L.jpg)

We stopped for gas and took the above shots without looking directly at the sun, we know better.

Then a guy pulls in and as he gets out of his truck he hands us his welding mask so we can look at it. The clouds obscured it but we did get to see some of it.

We gassed the bikes, got some more ice and water and we headed off again.

When we got to a place called Sleeping Buffalo I realized I wanted to stop here, US-2 and MT-243, but I flew right past.
I motioned to Vicki that I wanted to turn around but we were on a rise and we could not see oncoming traffic, if there was any.
So we move up the road a bit and find a safe place to turn around to go see the Sleeping Buffalo Rock.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-TJwBNgc/0/f86dce53/L/DSCF4037-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-Vq6zCwn/0/28f45f60/L/20170821_124538-L.jpg)
Looks like a rock to me.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-t5HB4R2/0/835b4539/L/20170821_124627-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-LtnNR3B/0/49823b2a/L/DSCF4042-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-G6n5fgD/0/9da215f4/L/DSCF4043-L.jpg)

We then head into Malta, MT where we gas up for the run to the border.
And then off we go to the north, eh., for 54 miles until:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KQW4MDj/0/751dcc0a/L/US-191%20MT-L.jpg)
Port of entry, Morgan Montana.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-7sXfcMG/0/0c656d4c/L/DSCF4044-L.jpg)
Looking back into Montana.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-CQfWcg5/0/ea9634ad/L/DSCF4045-L.jpg)
Looking up into Canada.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-6QS7vK7/0/93f8a505/L/20170821_140101-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-gvn6q6P/0/f29e8645/L/DSCF4047-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-ZK3bHPd/0/2b1e1b81/L/DSCF4050-L.jpg)
Mind the traffic!

After getting the above pictures it was now time to head to our stopping point for the night in Lewistown, Mt, a mere 188 miles south of us.

Now US-191 had a few curves in it:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-GpjnH9M/0/040ff902/L/US-191%20MT-5-L.jpg)
Here's one.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gSDGhNg/0/c1de3c48/L/US-191%20MT-4-L.jpg)
Here's another.

Then it was back to the Conoco station to top off and grab a snack.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6HdKjqc/0/307e0616/L/US-191%20MT-6-L.jpg)
We were here longer than 10 minutes, we're such rebels.

Then it was time to get along.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-fVsPZXP/0/18d82a2c/L/US-191%20MT-9-L.jpg)
Big sky and big open lands.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-sCjsC2g/0/19395492/L/US-191%20MT-7-L.jpg)

We got to MT-19 where US-191 turns west, we continued on 191 and a ways down the road in a bend to the right this deer head pops up!
Holy venison batman there are 4 of them on the side of the road!

This spooks me and I move to the left into oncoming traffic to avoid any forest rats running into the road.
Luckily there was none right there but there was a semi just a couple of hundred feet away and going in the opposite direction we were.
I dove back to the right to avoid becoming a hood ornament.
Dammed forest rats!

We made it into Lewistown without any more drama about 6 PM.

I find the hotel and we go to check in but they do not have a reservation in my name.
we give the guy at the front desk the confirmation number and he says "This isn't one of our confirmation numbers. It should be 4 charters long"

Well I got it from your website sparky.

He asks for our ID and then says its under Vicki's name.

Oh Really? And how did that happen?

I made the reservation and it came to my email address?

My guess is they didn't have the room I booked and made up an excuse about the room.

What ever, we got a room got checked in. Parked and unloaded the bikes and headed down the street to a Mexican restaurant.

After we got back we got set for tomorrow, Day 4.

We will try to leave early tomorrow as there was no free breakfast, plus we were going to stop for one of Vicki's ToH stops.

Total miles for today was 491.4 with 4 gas stops.

Time to turn in and rest for tomorrow, less miles but more to see and do.

Until next time boys and girls.....

 :popcorn: :beerchug:

I loved my visit to that fort.  I spent a wee bit longer wandering about and taking pictures.  Can you imagine living back there and then?  And they're *still* working on 2??  I went thru in 2010 and they had a big chunk ripped out at the ND/MT border.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/West-Coast-Loop/i-vpvQPFX/0/c172fcc2/L/Region%204%20Boscobel%20046-L.jpg)

US-2 was not that torn up this time. Looked like they were in Williston from where 2 curves back west. Not sure how far as we bypassed most of it.

The day started in the usual way except there was no free breakfast.

We Loaded up the bikes, got ice from the ice machine, as we still had some bottled water from our last stop yesterday, then we were off.

I figured we would stop along the way for some food.

Before we left town we gassed up the bikes, then we went to use the air hose but it was out of order.
Vicki went in to talk to the attendant and they said the tire store could help.

The tire store was just across the street from the hotel so we doubled back a block.
They were busy and we had to wait 5 minutes or so but we got the tire pressures set and we took off, finally.

We followed US-191 out of town a to Eddies Corner where 191 turns south.
We stopped here for some gas station breakfast cuisine, bottle of O.J and a pastry for me and a bottle of Starbucks and pastry for Vicki.

We also did some merchandising here. Vicki found a Moose and a few other things to take up space.

We then went outside to nom our noms and to enjoy the scenery of Montana.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Nz9bb6W/0/b16da1aa/L/DSCF4052-L.jpg)
Curb your dog.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-2G3sDpj/0/0e8827cf/L/DSCF4053-L.jpg)
From Eddies Corner gas station & restaurant.

Then it was time to head south to pick up I-90/US-191 to US-89. But first I wanted to make one more stop to top off.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-GxgjjL7/0/7be9e528/L/DSCF4054-L.jpg)
More ice and water was purchased, restrooms were used and gas was also purchased.

We merge onto I-90 and the speed limit is posted at 80 MPH, 86 will do nicely.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vWdsQCH/0/a1f384ce/L/I-90%20MT-L.jpg)
This would be the last bit of Slab we abused until we left Colorado in 11 days.

We motored on at an elevated pace until we found ourselves in a road construction zone, 45 MPH not 80 MPH.
Well this is puttin a damper on the day. But we get to our exit as the road construction zone ends.

We turn south onto US-89 for 3.4 miles.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7266hVX/0/686eedba/L/US-89%20MT-L.jpg)
US-89 south of Livingston, MT.

We then pickup MT-540:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-R7Q4H3w/0/bf7d54de/L/MT-540-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gktPZcG/0/f54eaa6c/L/MT-540-3-L.jpg)

We then get to Vicki's turn off for a tour of honor stop, down a dirt/gravel road. Chico Cemetery road in Pray, MT. Fitting if you ask me.

Now we need to go 2.2 miles down what the ToH site calls a "Maintained gravel road". I call Bulls#!t!

I let Vicki lead down the road to hell, I hate gravel roads.

I can see the flag for the cemetery but I do not see a way to get there, we drive past the entrance road which has a gate.

Vicki stops and motions me up to her and asks if I'm OK. I say "NO!! I don't want to be here!".
She says OK and keeps going, to the end of the road. We need to turn around, oh goodie.

I do a 47 point turn and get pointed back the other way and wait. Vicki is checking her phone for a map, I think, if she has a signal.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-K7vj69d/0/a39a9bab/L/DSCF4056-L.jpg)
Back that way we go.

She comes back by me and says we missed it, insert snarky comment here.

back we go from whence we came. I really hate gravel roads. It's at this point I wish I had gotten the KTM 1190. It would have handled this hellish track much better.

Then we see it. The Gate!!! I stop and go to open the gate and I tell Vicki I'll wait here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-6xrmN7B/0/7f536dc4/L/DSCF4059-L.jpg)
Here! Right here is where I'll wait for ya.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-rD5Ft8d/0/d5a8fb94/L/DSCF4060-L.jpg)
Just 2.2 miles to get back to MT-540. So close yet SO FAR AWAY!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-6LhRGpm/0/996e7f48/L/DSCF4061-L.jpg)
That's where the ToH site is.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-Tcv7959/0/0f9de14a/L/20170822_123000-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-j7HRFKh/0/11843942/L/20170822_123009-L.jpg)
The Chico, MT Tour of Honor stop.

More info here --> https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Yb3jdIg7puL9e3IBd9MM9GbyczU&ll=45.32807100000001%2C-110.72572200000002&z=8

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-PkZv94d/0/0a40c7fe/L/DSCF4064-L.jpg)
We need to go that way for 2.2 miles. I am not looking forward to it.

I let Vicki take the lead back to 540. as she exits I close the gate and get ready to go but she stops to take a minute.

as we leave I keep saying to my self relax, easy grip on the bars and not much speed or throttle and NO front brakes!
I keep the speed to about 18 to 21 MPH until a slight bend in this rock filled hell hole of a trail.
It's here that Vicki has slowed down to about 3 MPH, or so it seemed.
I was looking for a less jarring line and almost ran into her.

We go through some not so solid areas and I CAN SEE IT!! THE ROAD!! THE REAL ROAD!!!
And Vicki has stopped in the middle of this gravel goat path waiting for me, how sweet.

I get around without falling or spinning up the rear tire which then could lead to a high side which would be bad.

Back onto MT-540 we speed towards US-89 and Yellowstone's north entrance.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KLQpqmX/0/3960ccae/L/MT-540-4-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-cbTRgBm/0/81c46fbd/L/MT-540-5-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QFCFnzK/0/da46b511/L/MT-540-L.jpg)
Back on real pavement on MT-540.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9R8gQXm/0/11806c2c/L/US-89%20MT-2-L.jpg)
Then we are back on US-89 heading south to Yellowstone.

I also want to pull over to get a pick of:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-5mHxRSB/0/d2eb473a/L/DSCF4067-L.jpg)
All for one's.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-4xL7c85/0/f711bc5d/L/DSCF4069-L.jpg)

We continue on south towards Gardner, MT where I want to top off before we get into the park.

I believe the speed limit here was 60MPH and the car that I had just caught up to was doing 60-65 when this happens:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-V54wMps/0/fca6c546/L/US-89%20MT-4-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-x7xN7FK/0/e67c824a/L/US-89%20MT-5-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CB2LzbT/0/36b07d2d/L/US-89%20MT-6-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-qXQX9gT/0/f8cbe5f8/L/US-89%20MT-7-L.jpg)

The SUV almost pulled out in front of the car in front of us. I saw it start to unfold and I get off the gas and moved to my left thinking there would be broken auto parts in the right lane.

The SUV did stop and back up but come on. Pay attention.  :crazy:

We make it to Gardner and stop to top-off the tanks and empty the bladders. Then it is onto the Roosevelt Arch and the North entrance of Yellowstone.

That is if we don't have someone pull out of a parking lot in front of us while looking RIGHT AT US! Dumb cagers.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-t6rqPLm/0/6a89fae4/L/DSCF4070-L.jpg)
We have now gone thru every entrance to Yellowstone.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-63H9C3d/0/a45d5ab3/L/DSCF4072-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Jm23sKT/1/1f8d1af1/L/DSCF4073-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-4PnbLpB/0/ad535445/L/DSCF4075-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-n9h7kV2/0/a709ed56/L/20170822_134416-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-6nvmfQH/0/545bf660/L/20170822_134440-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-23WtRfK/0/7de7d8ad/L/20170822_134457-L.jpg)

(Edit to add)
While we were getting ready to leave the arch a bus load of Asian tourists pulls up.
One of the lady's from the bus was walking towards the arch when she stopped to get a picture with Vicki.
Not sure why but she did.
My guess would be that she has not seen many women on bikes.

Then it was on into the park.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-8pV4rj8/0/b37a13f2/L/Yellowstone%20NP-2-L.jpg)
One of the old buses at the entrance.

To be continued................

And on with.....





As I stated earlier with us coming in the North entrance we have now entered or exited every entrance in Yellowstone.
The plan is to head south to the Grand Tetons National Park then into Jackson, WY.
We stuck with the plan but there were a few things that slowed us down and I'll get to those.

The last time we were at the north end of the park there did not seem to be many people.
I was hoping that this would be the case this time.

I had purposely planned to be here in late summer thinking that the crowds would be less and traffic light.

Nope.

On the way to Mammoth Hot Springs the road is nice and a bit twisty but not bad.

There were rented RV's that were over the DY. I came around several curves to find these rolling chicanes partially in my lane.
I had to adjust my line through a corner at least twice.

An there were the slowpokes. The ones that couldn't get out of their own way.

But the scenery was worth it.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-qjrGBBX/0/69c0ff16/L/DSCF4081-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-kV3XHxq/0/e1010d8a/L/DSCF4082-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-KPgLLVG/0/ee024f89/L/DSCF3104-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-ksckvrm/0/7225db74/L/DSCF3114-L.jpg)
On the way to Mammoth.

We got to Mammoth Hot springs and we stopped at the visitors center here to get a few things and to cool off as it was starting to heat up.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-V26kP6K/0/ac5cf383/L/DSCF4083-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-QxxScCk/0/63dbf8b5/L/DSCF4086-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-DwZjNVb/1/7eb96279/L/DSCF3123-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-npJDv3B/0/1f8bafde/L/DSCF4091-L.jpg)
Who?

Once inside the store I asked Vicki if she was going to get her park passport stamped.

She forgot it. It was still at home. So I bought her a new one so she could get the stamps.
The one she picked out did not have places for the National Monuments, just the National Parks.
We would find this out later.

We also got the park tokens and some other things. When I went to pay for all of this they asked if I would like to become a "Friends of the Park".
We asked what it was and the cashier said it's a donation you make to the park and they give you a card that takes 10 to 15% off of the things you buy at any of the national parks and monuments.
Well OK I say, this would end up paying for itself by the time we left Utah.

We then made our way back to the bikes to find someone had parked partial in the spot we were in and partially in a spot occupied by a van that had parked on an angle.
The guy from the car was still there and as we were storing our purchases he asks if we would like him to move.

My first thought was a rather snarky comment but I held my comments and said yes.

This guy said he was a local just waiting on his wife.
Vicki said, after he got in his car, that if he was a local he should know better and park better.

As we waited for him to move I told Vicki we would need to bypass Old Faithful as it would take us at least 4 hours to get through the park and another 2 to get to Jackson.
She was fine with that.

Anyway, with that little annoyance behind us we were back on the Grand Loop Road.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-B7LSqNp/0/e9d2122a/L/DSCF3138-L.jpg)


I then found a place to stop for some pics that wasn't to crowded.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-StSs4Q3/0/930004e3/L/DSCF4096-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-TDRQhXW/0/abc69c78/L/DSCF4098-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-mHB9GXm/0/993b576d/L/DSCF3141-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-Mwq5ks7/0/97da43f0/L/DSCF3143-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-9HSTN6D/0/27ecf510/L/DSCF4100-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-TzfzkvP/0/ad452d6e/L/DSCF4101-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-MqpPKch/0/05ba7b9a/L/DSCF4106-L.jpg)

After taking the above pictures we mounted up and headed off

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-pPwxfKb/0/f59e9ecc/L/DSCF3163-L.jpg)

only to come to halt for road construction.

Had I known what was in store for us I would have detoured to the east side of the park and run that route.

But there were places I wanted to stop at on this side so we waited to be released.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-8brQxpm/0/dad24560/L/DSCF4108-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-p8dSBtW/0/c81fcb81/L/DSCF4110-L.jpg)
Traffic was filling in behind us.

As we waited I kept looking around for any wildlife that may just wander up to us.
I did see a buffalo using a tree as a scratching post after I put my camera away, but Vicki still had hers out.
I just had to get her attention, I had left a bit of room between us and the car ahead of us in case we needed to make a quick getaway.

The tree he was using as a back scratcher had to be about 8 to 10 inches in diameter and it was shaking as if it were a small branch in a breeze.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-P2kxnDX/0/802293d7/L/DSCF3175-L.jpg)
You may be able to see him to the left.

He stayed down there as we got moving and as we passed the flagger I told her to watch out for the buffalo.

Now we head into the road construction and it does not seem to be to bad.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TT9kDJr/0/83d45abd/L/Yellowstone%20NP-3-L.jpg)
Just a bit dusty.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-43kxF3q/0/6a880a2e/L/Yellowstone%20NP-4-L.jpg)
Ok, how rough?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VCxHFkH/0/47149539/L/Yellowstone%20NP-5-L.jpg)
This looks muddy.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TGDVPqd/0/bd21173e/L/Yellowstone%20NP-6-L.jpg)
OK, that looks rough!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7WwTwqG/0/17d98209/L/Yellowstone%20NP-7-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gqMHs4B/0/b8af44df/L/Yellowstone%20NP-8-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FKVjFMB/0/fbb37fdc/L/Yellowstone%20NP-9-L.jpg)
More mud, the bikes were filthy after this.

There were spots were I had to slow down and the cars in front of me gaped us pretty good.

I would catch up only to slow down again.

At first the dirt portion seemed like it was just a short portion, we were back on pavement but not for long.
The video I shot of this is 11 minutes long. About 9 to 10 minutes of it is in the dirt.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FKVjFMB/0/fbb37fdc/L/Yellowstone%20NP-9-L.jpg)


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-pk456qx/0/4a4f9e4b/L/Yellowstone%20NP-11-L.jpg)
Wait, what!?!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mMVxBfJ/0/0a45e12d/L/Yellowstone%20NP-13-L.jpg)
Pavement ended.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-44rgW8j/0/068db2f9/L/Yellowstone%20NP-17-L.jpg)
Pavement really ended!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-S4NSvDk/0/d147f342/L/Yellowstone%20NP-18-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-bmLRF3z/0/e9d9dfbc/L/Yellowstone%20NP-20-L.jpg)
The guy sitting down might be the boss.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-PrHXkP5/0/fe91dba9/L/Yellowstone%20NP-22-L.jpg)
Could it be?  YES! The pavement has returned!

Now we can go a bit faster that 21 MPH!
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-sD4W3KD/1/0a911ae7/L/DSCF3207-L.jpg)

Not so fast there sparky!

Before we get to the Norris Geyser Basin and Norris Canyon Road we STOP!

Traffic is not moving so we shut down and when we can move its only for a few feet then we shut down again.
This seems to go on for an hour maybe less. But by the time we got to Norris Canyon road we could see 3 park ranger police SUV's but no reason why the back-up.

It could have been an accident and if it was why weren't they directing traffic?
We finally get thru the traffic jam and head to Firehole Canyon Road where we turn off for a more scenic view.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jdRNQW6/0/4f9cb91b/L/Firehole%20Canyon%20Rd-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ngncxPp/0/d1ee7e01/L/Firehole%20Canyon%20Rd-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RHgNq6g/0/16d3b2d7/L/Firehole%20Canyon%20Rd-3-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MjPhVq8/0/2ecdaf91/L/Firehole%20Canyon%20Rd-4-L.jpg)

We then pulled up to the Firehole falls for some more pictures.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-X8tStqv/0/18263344/L/DSCF4114-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-RtL9gRz/0/d7671491/L/DSCF4117-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-x7pxjkZ/1/dd45de5d/L/DSCF4120-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-NpHDcWS/1/ec7ed76b/L/DSCF4124-L.jpg)

And once again it's time to go, we're burning daylight. And we ain't got much left.
So we mount up to continue down Firehole Canyon Road, and as we pull out of our parking space this car come along and stops in the road:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2sWrVpM/0/b7024f47/L/Firehole%20Canyon%20Rd-5-L.jpg)
Really?

So I stay to the left to go around him and he waves us through:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CBWkDSP/0/104daf74/L/Firehole%20Canyon%20Rd-6-L.jpg)
I was going to anyway, dumb-ass.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6WGfgcn/0/e4f668e2/L/Firehole%20Canyon%20Rd-7-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KdfHqtm/0/40710ea4/L/Firehole%20Canyon%20Rd-8-L.jpg)

And its pretty smooth sailing until we get to the swimming hole where we have to slow down.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jnVvC2s/0/d510be0b/L/Firehole%20Canyon%20Rd-10-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MmpLPmJ/0/4a7605e1/L/Firehole%20Canyon%20Rd-11-L.jpg)

Then it opens up and we're off again.

We get back on the Grand Loop Road and we start making time.
After a bit I find a spot to pull off and use a rest room.
It's here that Vicki tells me she may be having a problem with her bike, uh-oh.

She said the meter she has that shows the charging is not showing she is getting a charge.
She does not want to stop for any unnecessary stops.
This means no stopping at the divides or the south entrance to recreate a photo I took with my 2005 FJR.

So we decide to make a beeline to Jackson.

Vicki wants to keep the bike in a lower gear to keep the revs up so she takes the lead.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-x7zzdQW/0/6565cc11/L/Yellowstone%20NP-25-L.jpg)

We FLY past Old Faithful and keep the speed up when and where we can.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-GVR4jbH/0/7dfeb800/L/Yellowstone%20NP-26-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-fwsFvdL/0/3280f589/L/Yellowstone%20NP-28-L.jpg)
Past the Divide we go.

We then exit Yellowstone and traffic seemed to clear a bit so Vicki waves me to the lead.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LNKLqxX/0/5795e67c/L/Yellowstone%20NP-29-L.jpg)

I keep the speed up as much as I dare. This leads me to miss the road for the Grand Tetons but it's OK as I know how to get to Jackson as we've been here before.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-88M5k99/0/ee6cef68/L/Yellowstone%20NP-31-L.jpg)
Jackson Lake on the right.

We continue on until we pick up US-26 and we head to Jackson, WY.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wGvFDrg/0/b355fa50/L/Grand%20Tetons%20Sunset-L.jpg)
Sunset over the Tetons.

As we close in on Jackson Vicki motions me to pull into a gas station.
We pull up to the pumps and after shutting down she tells me that the meter for the charging system is bad.
The bike seems to be charging fine. Her meter went blank a while back but it kept running never missing a beat.
So nothing to worry about, but we will need to come back to get the pictures we missed.

After filling the tanks we head into Jackson and traffic.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-s2vzNr7/0/a06076cc/L/Jackson%20WY-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TTqZNz5/0/5017f248/L/Jackson%20WY-2-L.jpg)
What's with all the traffic??

We had planned on going to the hotel, dropping our stuff off and going back downtown for some photos and dinner.
But this traffic was a bitch!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5ctm6BX/0/702da11e/L/Jackson%20WY-3-L.jpg)

So at one of the stop lights I motioned Vicki to make a right turn. I had been looking at a map of Jackson since I planned this I figured we would go around this.
After going 4 blocks over I turned left and ended up at US-191 where I made a right and headed to the hotel.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-KPqwPwD/0/888ade05/L/DSCF4125-L.jpg)

 We got checked in and unloaded the bikes.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-mBjS6t3/0/4ed35031/L/DSCF4127-L.jpg)
Moose hams it up for the camera.

After getting our gear into our room we went across the street to Sidewinders for dinner.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-58Tf6t8/0/2822382e/L/20170822_211143-L.jpg)
The French Onion soup is delicious!!

We then went over to Albertsons and got some water and some coffee for home, Jackson Hole Coffee Roasters.
They have some of the best dark roast coffee!

http://www.jacksonholeroasters.com/

Buy it, brew it, drink it and enjoy!

Then it's back to the hotel where we get everything ready for tomorrow.

And it's time to turn in, it has been a long day.

We only did 361.5 miles with 4 gas stops today but we spent 11 hours on the road.

Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.

Thanks for taking us along!  Enjoying your report.

Ah yes! Day 5.
I remember it as if it were yesterday.

There we were, adrift in a life raft with a slow leak and surrounded by sharks.
All was bleak until.............


OH! Wait.

Sorry, wrong ride.

Let's see........um.......day 5, WYOMING!!!

Yea, that's it.


Day 5 started as most days do, we woke up.

Then after showering we packed up the rest of our gear and headed down to the bikes to strap things in place.
We also got ice for our thermoses. Topped them off with water, checked the room for any stray belongings then checked out.

Today's stopping point would be Salt Lake City, UT.

Bu first we would need to make 2 Tour of Honor stops.

One in Alpine, WY and one in Paris, ID.

Our departure was quick as the Wyoming Inn does not have a continental breakfast but the ToH stop in Alpine had a doughnut shop next to it.

As we left I looked at the thermometer reading on my bike and it said it was 48 degrees, chilly.

We follow US-89/191 to the split where we continue on US-89.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Jdc843H/0/8cb8e7e7/L/US-89%20WY-L.jpg)

Never being down this road before was a first for us.
I saw a sign that said US-89/26 closed, Uh oh.

Then I see another sign but I catch the whole sign:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-w8dw7w7/0/a5e66bbe/L/US-89%20WY-3-L.jpg)
Closed if flashing, it was not.

So onward we went.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-V3PgngJ/0/b537eb29/L/US-89%20WY-4-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-qP62qMP/0/737bb087/L/US-89%20WY-5-L.jpg)
Sunrise in the mountains. What's not to love?

We pull into Alpine and I can see our first stop of the day.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-s5xBzsD/0/1173729b/L/DSCF4128-L.jpg)
Vicki's Tour of Honor stop.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-hCGwth6/0/bf74d21c/L/20170823_090732-L.jpg)

And the doughnut shop.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-TbcMMQh/0/b9d3dc9b/L/20170823_093247-L.jpg)
Well, we got a picture of the sign.

But if you find yourself in Alpine, WY in the morning stop here and enjoy the doughnuts and the coffee, we did and it lived up to the name.

Then it was time to hit the road again.

Back onto US-89/26 we go and a bug has hit the GoPro and decided to stick around.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-tFpBSrz/0/663fdb1c/L/US-89%20WY-6-L.jpg)
Bug on the housing and rain clouds off in the distance.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-sRJN4gp/0/ebeffa43/L/US-89%20WY-7-L.jpg)
Steep grade coming up, or down.

There were quite a few trucks on this road, but they were going the other way.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-V3ZQdvK/0/d90d2c88/L/US-89%20WY-9-L.jpg)
Still threatening rain, but it was dry here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-rwnLHVc/0/57f24f47/L/US-89%20WY%20-10-L.jpg)
But not dry here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gLfXgkM/0/f9f3c419/L/US-89%20WY-ID-L.jpg)
Crossing into Idaho and it still looks like it could rain at any second.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-JDWVm8d/0/9eda2661/L/US-89%20ID-L.jpg)
And it does. At least the bug got washed away.

It rained until we got to Montpelier, ID. Here it had quit and the streets were dry.

We got thru Montpelier following US-89 as it turned south to Paris, ID.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-JpfNsVC/0/62578fdb/L/US-89%20ID-2-L.jpg)
Rain to our left and clearing sky to the right. Guess which way we would need to go.

We got into Paris without any more rain falling on us and got to the second ToH stop.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-rz3KfQm/0/977e8a9e/L/20170823_112201-L.jpg)
This looks like it was placed here when the building went up.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-XzZ2DdW/0/20460c52/L/20170823_112520-L.jpg)
Not sure what the bell is for.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-SzXHcv7/0/0e7aa33d/L/DSCF3228-L.jpg)

And it's time to hit the road again, south on US-89 once more.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WppFwHK/0/f347d2cb/L/US-89%20UT-L.jpg)
Bear Lake on the left.

As we skirt Bear Lake we cross into Utah for the first time today.

We stop for gas and a bathroom break.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-C8RfT8j/0/2f28dfda/L/DSCF3234-L.jpg)
Clouds are still over there.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-NvDDMcf/0/eaeecc3c/L/DSCF3232-L.jpg)
Looking nice over that-a-way. Yea, we're not going that way.

Where US-89 turns west, right there in the picture above we continue south on UT-30.
Now, I could have followed US-89 all the way to Salt Lake City but where's the fun in that.

We head south on UT-30 past Bear Lake where it turns to the east.

There wasn't much to see until we got through Laketown, UT.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KQnj6sh/0/87d78423/L/UT-30-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-fGGnTV5/0/1ec72e8b/L/UT-30-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FMDTkmx/0/64eeeb1b/L/UT-30-3-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-93GBB6z/0/e203a73e/L/UT-30-4-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-pRX8SVq/0/9d2688a5/L/UT-30-5-L.jpg)

Looks nice and inviting, don't it?

Well it wasn't. It might as well have been a washboard!

I happen to glance at my GoPro when I went over a rough patch of pavement and I see it taking video of this:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nLW6rzx/0/7c99cbe6/L/UT-30-7-L.jpg)

WHO WANTS TO SEE THAT!!!??!?!?!?!?!?111???

So I reach up and point it in the right direction so I can video the road, not my hands.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WMXfWtQ/0/22e9a1e7/L/UT-30-8-L.jpg)
Yeah, that's better. UT-30.

As we continue east on UT-30 we can see storm clouds in front of us on both side of us.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3kDkZLS/0/498392c3/L/UT-30-9-L.jpg)
Threading the needle.

We then get to UT-16 where we need to turn south. There is also a pull out to the left, which I didn't see.

I pulled to the side of the road for some photos. I see Vicki motion to the left and will you look at that!
A pull out, lets go there and take some photos.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-8mGFQqb/0/e2bdf230/L/DSCF4130-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-N5vDXTn/0/37baf6c0/L/DSCF4131-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-6tJ8NVP/0/c7e5b9f1/L/DSCF3237-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-9CXPgkz/0/07300fef/L/DSCF3238-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-MfbMnD2/0/5f71b3de/L/DSCF4132-L.jpg)
More storm clouds, and we have to go that way.

We get going again, south on UT-16:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-S6VTZbv/0/0e5198ba/L/UT-16-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-W9Tfx4t/0/c8f97b41/L/UT-16-2-L.jpg)

Which is a bit smoother than UT-30 was, ever, and it turns into WY-89.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hJFQ5Tm/0/13d59125/L/UT-16-3-L.jpg)
UT-16 becomes WY-89.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Ww6Ks2H/0/8b303ad6/L/WY-89-L.jpg)
And they warn you about critters.

We follow WY-89 to Evanston, WY where we stop for a bathroom break and some more ice and water.
We also grab a snack and take a break.

While it has been hot its not blast furnace hot so far it wasn't cold either. It was warm where I thought it would be an hot where you would expect it.
To this point the weather was co-operating.

We left our pit stop area and got back on WY-89 which then turned into WY-150.

Originally this corner of Wyoming was not part of my planned route. I was going to turn off of UT-16 at Woodruff and follow UT-39 to UT-167 and follow that to Morgan, UT.
Then I would head south on UT-66 to UT-65 then to Emigration Canyon Rd and take that into Salt Lake City.

But Vicki works with someone who is in SLC and mentioned WY-150 which turns into UT-150 so I changed the route.
And from the looks of the clouds to our west when we passed through Woodruff that was the right call.

So, after we got south of I-80 in Evanston, WY the clouds begin to build and we catch a glimpse of some lightening way off to our right.

Now as long as it stays that far away we're good. But it doesn't. The next lightening bolt is MUCH closer and it scares the bejebus outta me.
We can't stop to wait it out there is no place to hide!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-8D5BwX9/0/98259981/L/WY-150-L.jpg)
Where you gonna hide? WY-150

As we get further along into this storm we can see a line across the road. On this side just a bit of drizzle.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-V4ZSRPK/0/9fd8e1dd/L/WY-150-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Q7rhrp2/0/d764055a/XL/WY-150-3-XL.jpg)
See that line of rain? I dare ya to cross it.

And we did.

But is wasn't just rain, oh no.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gPDbPP9/0/5fd48efa/L/WY-150-4-L.jpg)
Hail Hail the gangs all here!  OUCH!!! That hurts!!!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-M4prP2Q/0/4bbf24f4/L/WY-150-5-L.jpg)
Oh, good it stopped.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2jq5xhz/0/bafe290b/L/WY-150-6-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TpK7kfc/0/623b5ea3/L/WY-150-7-L.jpg)
AW!!! CRAP!!!  Just snow on us why don't ya!!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FkLXz84/0/5290646d/L/WY-150-8-L.jpg)
Maybe I will.......

Probably should keep my mouth shut. But it did not snow on us.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-sdJMPWm/0/c9c6edde/L/WY-150-9-L.jpg)

It actually cleared up as we got back into Utah.

The sun was out and the roads dried up nicely.

And it looked as if we would be able to open it up a bit. But then......

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6CL3mVz/0/13d8eff8/L/WY-150-10-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wKgT2sC/0/bf3d5e0a/L/WY-150-11-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-f6n6cjp/0/60159587/L/WY-150-12-L.jpg)
Aw, sheep!

Lots of 'em. This seemed to go on for a few miles.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KRR74gR/0/ee8e2138/L/WY-150-13-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-B8W92gt/0/e5e951c5/L/WY-150-14-L.jpg)

We even caught up to this car, not sure where he came from but he was in front of us. For now.

We then cleared the sheep dip and a short time later the SUV was dispatched, clear twisty road ahead.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KCQqkdd/0/97d0701f/L/wy-150-15-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WsMDBmS/0/98532b27/L/WY-150-16-L.jpg)
Pass Lake, from what the map says.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Bd3FKpx/0/8b2434b7/L/WY-150-17-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hPwWBzZ/0/01056af2/L/WY-150-19-L.jpg)
A little further down the road from the first 180.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3g9JQNv/0/fa018c3d/L/WY-150-20-L.jpg)
Bald Mountain Pass

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-F8vd389/0/558081c7/L/WY-150-21-L.jpg)
That's 10,759 feet above sea level. We got high!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CJwgskt/0/d93f35dc/L/WY-150-22-L.jpg)
It's all down hill from here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-T6HGPFD/0/d63ab33f/L/wy-150-23-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TVfZtZ4/0/fed24134/L/WY-150-24-L.jpg)

Oh yes, UT-150 was a fun road to be on. No traffic in front of us, for the most part. And a fairly smooth road.

We did run up on 2 pick-ups later on but they both moved over for us, thanks!

A short while later we pulled into Kamas, UT where UT-150 ended and we picked up UT-32 to UT-248.

I found a gas station and we stopped for a bathroom break and some more ice and water.
At this point it's getting late so we head on into Park City where we will stop for food.

We stop at Sammy's Bistro, another Triple D find. This one lives up to the hype.

The food we got was very good, we had the Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps and Texas BBQ Shrimp, OH MY GOD!!
They were both so good, but the shrimp was, more, gimme more!!

While we were sitting outside I was watching the clouds off in the distance. They just happen to be in our intended path,
we were going to take UT-224 to Guardsman Pass Rd to UT-190 to I-215 then to our hotel.

And I just realized I need to make a disclaimer here. We did use the slab here in Utah before we got to Colorado. My bad.

Anyway, as Guardsman Pass Rd is not completely paved, it's partially dirt, I decided to go north on UT-224 to I-80 and on into SLC.

Traffic was heavy but not bad on 224. We got onto I-80 and I believe the speed limit at first was 75 MPH. We were getting passed, not a big deal but as we got closer to SLC
it got crazier!  :crazy:

Those people scared me!! The speed limit was dropped to 65, with 4 lanes of traffic, trucks to the right in a lower gear because of the grade and everyone
was doing their Mario Andretti impersonation!

HOLY SPINOUTS people slow the frak down!!

And you had people in the far left lane decide "Oh this is where I exit" and its 8 feet to the exit!

at one point Vicki took the lead as she had her phone set up to give directions.

We found our exit, safely, got thru traffic to our hotel and got checked in.

A couple of the people that work with Vicki on the help desk are located close by the hotel. They came by and we chatted fo a bit.
One of the guys, Dave, owns a cabin off of UT-150, he recommended we take UT-150. And Gary, wanted to take a photo of Vicki's bike and send it to his wife saying he was thinking of buying it.
Gary's wife does not want him to have a bike. It would have been a funny joke but......

Anyway after they left we went to a small sports bar & grill down the block for a quick bite and brew.

After returning to the hotel we got things ready fro tomorrow, re-packed the bags and turned in.

Total miles for today was a short 341.2 on 2 gas stops.

Tomorrow would be less miles but a longer day.

Until the next time..........

Glad you could make it.  :bigok:

Welcome back boys and girls to Day 6 of our odyssey.


Today would be a short day mileage wise but hour wise it would be long.

As always the first thing we did was to wake up then shower up. We then headed downstairs for some noms.

After the noms were nomed we got our stuff and loaded up the bikes.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-rtGtZgd/0/59dd55b7/L/DSCF4134-L.jpg)
Loaded up and ready to go.

Our first stop was a ToH VFW flag.

We doubled back to the slab and jumped on the same place we exited the day before.
It seemed a little milder this morning.

We exit the slab and wind our way through the streets of Slat Lake City to Vicki's first ToH stop

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-s5LSnLp/0/a1cafe9a/L/DSCF3239-L.jpg)
VFW post and Tour of Honor flag site.

Then it was over to a small place I wanted to see.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-swMpSb6/0/f9872fb5/L/DSCF4135-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-GJj3SWL/0/7d9ef3f6/L/DSCF4136-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-8xJQL3f/0/39fb2460/L/DSCF4137-L.jpg)
If you see this on a future episode of Bitchin Rides, remember, you saw it here first.

They looked pretty busy so we did not go in. I did see Kev-dog. He was directing one of the guys in something.
There were no cameras here today but mine.

After this it was on to ToH site #2.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-5LgBSpL/0/813540d6/L/DSCF4138-L.jpg)
9/11 Memorial, Hope Rising in Sandy, Utah.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-zxnsHHQ/0/019b878c/L/20170824_094945-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-4hzqjCM/0/63472bec/L/20170824_095456-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-wJsMCFp/1/d66fc55a/L/DSCF4144-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-kG73Fcq/1/de001662/L/DSCF4149-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-54vXmhd/0/e49e56dd/L/DSCF4152-L.jpg)

From here it was onto the 3rd ToH site.

We made our way back to I-15 and headed south. Traffic was heavy in spots but civilized, for now.
I found our exit and departed the slab in an orderly fashion at Ut-154.
We headed west until we got to UT-68 and we turned South.
After a few miles we turned into ToH site in Bluffdale, UT.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-zFBhdJX/0/088f56a0/L/20170824_102427-L.jpg)
U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret Memorial

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-GmpCrLw/0/56c2078c/L/20170824_102502-L.jpg)
The flag by the headstone to the right had fallen over because the stick it was on was cracked. I put it back in a little deeper so it would stay upright.
It did not seem right to me to just leave it on the ground.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-wSDDbxN/0/fdb92eee/L/20170824_102939-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-NmXQJfS/0/9b26c3d3/L/DSCF3245-L.jpg)

As Vicki was taking her pictures I was going over my directions and found that a big part of them were missing.
It seems I made a mistake in the route, what I had did not match what I wanted to do.

When I did this route my intention was not to use the slab again but my directions said "Use the slab".
But since I had been, shall we say obsessing over this trip, I knew where I wanted to go and how to get there.

So we got back onto UT-68 and headed south to UT-85 and headed east. This then ended at I-15 and turned north which took us to UT-92.

That is where I wanted to be and we headed east on UT-92, but first I found a gas station where we took a bathroom break and got some more ice and water as it was warming up.
I also topped off the bikes with fuel and we were on our way again.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3bBhQTv/0/2e85316c/L/UT-92-L.jpg)
Eastbound on UT-92.

Looks like a nice wide road, right? Well it is, here. other places, not so much.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5hnZGTw/0/0aa4f990/L/UT-92-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-sn8scVG/0/bd5cf8fd/L/UT-92-3-L.jpg)
Mountains on either side, yea!

This is also the entrance to Timpanogos Cave National Monument, I have a National Park pass and we used it well this trip.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dk7nQVB/0/6dd0064b/L/UT-92-4-L.jpg)
What!? I gotta worry about this too???

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-N5qM3Mq/0/b7541d7d/L/UT-92-5-L.jpg)
Did the road just get narrower?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MQ5xktm/0/605ce932/L/UT-92-6-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xSmX2sr/0/3f189866/L/UT-92-7-L.jpg)
I wonder if this is one of the snowplows you have to watch for?

We came up to the visitors center and we stopped for a bit of merchandising and to take some pictures.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-xVdxDp2/0/36a5da45/L/DSCF4157-L.jpg)
Across the street from the visitors center was a short trail with a bridge going over Cattle Creek.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-gJTbmSw/0/94739bc1/L/DSCF4158-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-P6JD6jC/0/ce1cbd89/L/DSCF4160-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-5hBbGXs/0/67a9896f/L/DSCF4163-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-S855Zsf/0/49f19103/L/DSCF4167-L.jpg)
Over there, thru the trees (They say the oaks are just too lofty. And they grab up all the light) sorry, got off track there.
That's UT-92 over there.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-g7GTcWg/1/40937bfb/L/DSCF4175-L.jpg)
Vicki taking a picture of...

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-QvpL6x6/0/0c9c23ee/L/20170824_114330-L.jpg)
This, I think.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-9JFnZSP/0/56e96c39/L/20170824_114354-L.jpg)
Or this.

But it was cool here, temp wise and you could barely hear the traffic go by, peaceful.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-sP5wq8V/0/2be5ad29/L/20170824_114444-L.jpg)

After taking a few minutes to enjoy the peacefulness we returned to our bikes and mounted up and returned to UT-92.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-7d9d8Fj/0/7c38604b/L/DSCF4178-L.jpg)
Our bikes await us.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7PJhwCj/0/1201f5d6/L/UT-92-8-L.jpg)
Narrow UT-92

Until...

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-h8HBRT7/0/e514a92b/L/UT-92-10-L.jpg)
Here too? I hope there's pavement up there otherwise I'm turning around and going back to the slab.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-qQN7Jmg/0/7d1e84bb/L/UT-92-11-L.jpg)
Time to stop and wait.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-pgtMMB5/0/7f7bd4fe/L/DSCF3254-L.jpg)
Beautiful sights even while stopped.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-FzKhFNt/0/acec2e7b/L/DSCF4179-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-t635HcH/0/b4775c58/L/DSCF4181-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-3NFnZdQ/1/6a059d8d/L/DSCF4182-L.jpg)

Then it was our turn to go.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-tXJ34rz/0/2cc82577/L/UT-92-12-L.jpg)
FRESH PAVEMENT!!!! YEA!! Never pass up the opportunity to ride on fresh pavement.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-tdgbT8W/0/2323e41e/L/UT-92-13-L.jpg)
Then its back to the old pavement.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-XpcMJgb/0/f72a8ec0/L/UT-92-14-L.jpg)
Follow the signs.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2tPmHRz/0/ff7319a8/L/UT-92-15-L.jpg)
We will be staying on UT-92 the rest of you can go the other way.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-NdwDW42/0/752d108c/L/UT-92-17-L.jpg)
And they do, but what does that sign say?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FgV5h3c/0/7865ba38/L/UT-92-16-L.jpg)
Narrow switchback rd next 20 miles. Not recommended for vehicles over 30 ft.

Well they don't mean us so lets go!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Tkjmkrs/0/0095a391/L/UT-92%20Bambi-L.jpg)
What do see in this still and what don't you see?

Right! There is no center line and did the road get narrower?

Oh, and the deer. I didn't see that either until I watched the video. YIKES!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Ndvjcmb/0/9bbf2391/L/UT-92%20Bambi-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wb33PNb/0/76f59c0b/L/UT-92%20Bambi-3-L.jpg)
The nice little forest rat stayed there and we all went about our day.

So we have 20 miles of narrow switchbacks to navigate, no problem.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3CrWNQR/0/01c045ae/L/UT-92-19-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vmfmwxK/0/a538ba8b/L/UT-92-20-L.jpg)
This road goes from forest to open meadows quite quickly.
Sun, shade, sun,shade, sun, shade.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-fwP93bP/0/2b243548/L/UT-92-21-L.jpg)
Oh, and no winter maintenance past this point.
Good thing it's summer yet.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-w2dQfg9/0/98995457/L/UT-92-22-L.jpg)
Did this get narrower again?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-HDsfw4S/0/788c6f96/L/UT-92-23-L.jpg)
It opened up here and we also found the elusive Lancearmstrongestpedalist.
Almost as bad as forest rats, but not this specimen.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9bKSsKd/0/36f92a04/L/UT-92-24-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-cXZsnvn/0/2942f835/L/UT-92-25-L.jpg)
Did I mention this is a narrow 2 way road?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-BXkQ8fC/0/d2549fe7/L/UT-92-26-L.jpg)
Does this truck make the road look narrow?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-kT5bm7x/0/1e41b252/L/UT-92-28-L.jpg)
How about this Spark?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hLXxLDG/0/4b498afa/L/UT-92-29-L.jpg)
Openness, let's see if we can do 40 MPH.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-NvNwJgw/0/0414f89d/L/UT-92-30-L.jpg)
Switchback time, no problem.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3MMBnPB/0/7633ecc6/L/UT-92-32-L.jpg)
Problem.

He was where I wanted to go so I had to slow down more and tighten up my line which caused Vicki to slow almost to a stop.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wmC9RLz/0/52f274fd/L/UT-92-33-L.jpg)
You can see in the mirror she had to put her feet down to keep her balance.
Expect the unexpected.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zNHCCnS/0/da9d8b32/L/UT-92-34-L.jpg)
More Lancearmstrongestpedalist, these two stop in the right lane forcing us into the other lane.
Thanks guys.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zJLKkLb/0/0beb4ecc/L/UT-92-35-L.jpg)
Don't mind us, we'll just go into the other lane around a blind corner.
Wouldn't want you to expend any more energy by MOVING 3 FEET TO THE RIGHT!!!!
Worthless...........


Continued.....

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-rFLV2MC/0/6232a65e/L/UT-92-36-L.jpg)
Anyway, this seems to be a nice wide open spot.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-X9cKFnG/0/19a3dd38/L/UT-92-37-L.jpg)
But not for long. At least it's only 9 more miles to go.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4QjNpGJ/0/3f75d911/L/UT-92-38-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4XrmdVb/0/a6eb0d8b/L/UT-92-39-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-DNqtQHS/0/b1dbc6f3/L/UT-92-40-L.jpg)
Two way road, remember.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-cDXBK6z/0/92be1c3d/L/UT-92-42-L.jpg)
Left then right.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-p9GW9TD/0/2b116a38/L/UT-92-41-L.jpg)
The paper clip.
Probably not called that but it looks like one to me.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-p64XpcB/0/75c96ad8/L/UT-92-43-L.jpg)
From here we start going down hill.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QzmCgNS/0/8e2a2a55/L/UT-92-44-L.jpg)
Hard right.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-h4Q2jFZ/0/b2eae2b4/L/UT-92-45-L.jpg)
Another blind corner.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-8pZfPTz/0/8189a0df/L/UT-92-46-L.jpg)
More downhill.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Jrp2NS9/0/2a7d1271/L/UT-92-47-L.jpg)
Narrow?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7PXnjCQ/0/950a92fb/L/UT-92-49-L.jpg)
Sundance Mountain Resort, I believe.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-BWTqpTw/0/d42db5f3/L/UT-92-48-L.jpg)
Expansive road! What happened to the narrows?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ZFQLhbQ/0/05194d6b/L/UT-92-50-L.jpg)
Oh yeah, here they are and a hairpin to the right, nice touch.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ctzWx4w/0/ed3b06d1/L/UT-92-51-L.jpg)
Hey, here's one more for ya!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Qj4khG9/0/9dfae040/L/UT-92-52-L.jpg)
But the road starts to widen out.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-tmDHJr5/0/fd2eec55/L/UT-92-53-L.jpg)
180 to the left, thank you.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-JnNwDzp/0/2b266f30/L/UT-92-54-L.jpg)
Downhill then to the right if you would.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RRbqcc6/0/36344925/L/UT-92-55-L.jpg)
Oh for the love of........
This Lancearmstrongestpedalist though they could make a left turn in front of me.
HEY! I had a Buick try this last year and it didn't workout to well for me.
It WON'T workout well for you.

I was on the brakes as I knew they would try this.
They may not have seen me but come on!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-sqCCftZ/0/6d510d30/L/UT-92-56-L.jpg)
Back to your right.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-z8jDSfs/0/ea31626b/L/UT-92-57-L.jpg)
Dumb ass.

And we still have 3 miles to go, watching for snowplows.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5mZQBLB/0/287d26a2/L/UT-92-58-L.jpg)
Oh, and look! The center line is back.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ds2tcT9/0/4dfaff79/L/UT-92-59-L.jpg)
The end.

Of UT-92 that is. That only took us 90 minutes or so.

Now its time to turn south onto US-189 and follow that to US-89 and US-6.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RvH9Fn9/0/01fd8840/L/US-189%20UT-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-z2R9gLT/0/e11fec55/L/US-189%20UT-2-L.jpg)
Through a tunnel and we are on our way.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hqvkmtm/0/47ae07fd/L/US-189%20UT-3-L.jpg)

We pass by Brigham Young University then pick up US-89 and follow that south through Provo, UT.
I see a 7-11 on the left and I turn in for a bathroom break and to get some more ice and water.
It's getting hot now.

And it's getting late. By late I believe it was about 2 PM and we needed to get to Moab, UT, so I decided to change the route on the fly.
We would follow US-89 to US-6 and stay on that until it met up with US-191.
We would then make one more ToH stop in Price, UT.

My original plan was to follow US-89 to US-6 then turn off at UT-96 and follow that to UT-264 then to UT-31.
We would then follow this to Huntington, UT to pick up UT-10 and take that into Price to Vicki's ToH stop.

Time was not our friend here so we bee-lined it to Price.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6n3BZhm/0/2bd5052e/L/US-6%20UT-L.jpg)
US-6

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-N8ZjnQR/0/432826bc/L/US-6%20UT-3-L.jpg)
How sharp?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RXNNKHV/0/5377fc8c/L/US-6%20UT-4-L.jpg)
Oh, not to sharp.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RwF36nG/0/d2546ca1/L/US-6%20UT-6-L.jpg)
You're in the way.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hpbMv7M/0/8981eabf/L/US-6%20UT-7-L.jpg)
TEN-HUT!!!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-p2TxJ7p/0/b1deb3d3/L/US-6%20UT-9-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-rVCd3F6/0/3da69aff/L/US-6%20UT-10-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-c8G3FCJ/0/da9a1448/L/US-6%20UT-11-L.jpg)
And we're gone

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-tjHBcG4/0/7a092902/L/US-6%20UT-13-L.jpg)
Still on US-6

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-fcp8bzF/0/31ca3f7d/L/US-6%20UT-14-L.jpg)
I couldn't pallet this.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-rHwn8PZ/0/14c6e09b/L/US-6%20UT-15-L.jpg)
We now pick up US-191. This is where we turned off in 2015 for the Border to Border run.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VMjRjxT/0/1a8f325e/L/US-6%20UT-16-L.jpg)
Some more downhill running.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-snn8V9j/0/3a437c66/L/US-6%20UT-17-L.jpg)
This I can pallet. He has to turn off to be inspected.

We run a little faster and head to Price, UT.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KBB7n4h/0/ed4cfe06/L/US-6%20UT-18-L.jpg)
An open road ahead of us.

And I miss the exit I need. No big deal. We hit the next exit and double back.
I then turned the wrong way on Main street and we have to turn around.
We turn right down a side street and make 2 more to make a left and we get to the ToH stop in Price UT.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-PHbqfvt/0/88d965fc/L/20170824_145300-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-dsw4MJp/1/78218249/L/DSCF3257-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-LZ6FSLQ/0/852c4640/L/DSCF3258-L.jpg)
Now I did not notice this at the time Vicki took this but the word Congressional should not be there.
It is the Medal of Honor and it is "awarded" by congress. <-- Vicki hates it when I get on this rant so we'll let it go for now.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-8nPBbGd/0/18deba6b/L/20170824_150132-L.jpg)
There was this as well. It was not here the last time we were thru here in 2015.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-6P6fWGL/0/c0dcafa8/L/20170824_150216-L.jpg)

While Vicki was taking pictures I got talking to a woman about Utah.
I told her we had been here once before in 2015 and I was really liking what we had seen so far.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-hhJxmRR/1/b5c2ace1/L/DSCF4183-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-xKxwjsW/1/d95c02c9/L/DSCF3259-L.jpg)

After the above pictures were taken we head back to US-6/191 but first I top off the bikes, take a bathroom break and top off the ice & water.

From the gas station it's a mere 116 miles to our hotel and it's about 4 PM now, no problem.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-sVsTL8z/0/0cb8f62a/L/US-191%20UT-L.jpg)
Heading south on US-6/191.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-dsBwdVw/0/078e308c/L/DSCF4184-L.jpg)
Problem.

Ran into some more road construction and had to wait again.
Come on, we're burning daylight.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-mDhdF7m/0/a5c3b96a/L/DSCF3262-L.jpg)
Still waiting.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-gV4fGwS/0/21d9e730/L/DSCF3263-L.jpg)
At least the scenery is nice.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-pqGJnXk/0/e1d364ea/L/DSCF4185-L.jpg)
Looks like we may get some rain.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-c5CgvnF/0/52af6ddf/L/DSCF4186-L.jpg)
We need to be over that way.

Then it's our turn to go and OFF we go. As soon as we cleared the construction zone I open it up to a speed somewhat north of the limit.

We then merge onto I-70 for a 23 mile run to the east to get to US-191 south and Moab.
Before we exit we make a stop at a rest area for a bathroom break.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Rwq2FwT/0/0c1ef570/L/DSCF4187-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-V9CsCVj/0/6c9712d6/L/DSCF4188-L.jpg)
The rain never did reach us.

After taking care of business we got back on I-70 and exited almost as quickly.
We were heading south on US-191 and in 31 miles we would be at our hotel.

I believe we pulled in about 6 PM, got checked in and unloaded the bikes.
We had talked to the lady at the front desk about dinner and she recommended a Thai place on main street, Bangkok House Too.
The food there was very good.

Before we went to Bangkok House Too we stopped by the Desert Bistro to make reservations for tomorrow night as the lady at the front desk also recommended we do.

While we were eating the rain showed up. It was a quick rain that got everything wet.
Including the one car with its windows open.

After dinner we walked down main street for a bit. We went into one shop, Hogan Trading Company, and saw some cool stuff.

Dining room table and chairs made from old barn doors from the looks of it and pricey.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-DgG8WFt/0/72dc5433/L/20170824_201113-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-Xfz7rDQ/0/92311d0c/L/20170824_201124-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-bj7sdTj/0/5dd6b83d/L/20170824_201133-L.jpg)
They had quite a few of these ranging in size from small to way up there.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-57zqFZ4/0/ecea1462/L/20170824_201624-L.jpg)
Moon over Moab.

Guess this means it's time to turn in for the night.

Today we only did 283 miles on 2 gas stops.

Until the next time when it will be Day 7.

Looking forward to day 7. Those back country State Hwy that are not wide enough for a center line are always fun.

Sorry about the delay, we were chasing Dragons this past weekend.


And Day 7 was a short day, over to Arches then to Canyonlands.

But first, after waking and showering we go for breakfast. Your standard fair, then it's off for our only gas stop for the day.
Ice & water are purchased and we head off to Arches for the morning.

We arrived and at the gate we are told that they are celebrating the National Park Services 101st birthday, admission to all National Parks is free today, yea!! :wings:

We stop at the visitors center but they are closed, don't open until 9 AM.

So we head to the back of the park as planned, we wil then work our way out.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6RrTHt4/0/be4891b1/L/Arches-1-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-scFdKpz/0/bbdb9ee5/L/Arches-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-T2NfsXW/0/4bb54cd0/L/Arches-3-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-T67gxCd/0/a345387c/L/Arches-4-L.jpg)
This is just in the first few turns in the road above the visitors center.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wqdWqDb/0/39b5db46/L/Arches-8-L.jpg)

Traffic was a pain as they were also repaving the roads in Arches. The road to the Windows arches was closed completely.

The cars in front of us had pulled off and we had an open road ahead of us.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CbGF8ML/0/bd6da3b2/L/Arches-19-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3KZH55x/0/30422ef6/L/Arches-18-L.jpg)
The open road awaits.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5gjt6MF/0/572e8f1e/L/Arches-21-L.jpg)
Well this was bound to happen.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ksKfsMg/0/ff8bd20a/L/Arches-22-L.jpg)
We caught up to these two and had to slow down.

But the views were still great.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-sCQtjwC/0/70fc6d71/L/Arches-23-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-N3vWbKz/0/de9e6e01/L/Arches-24-L.jpg)
We made it to the end of the road to Devils Garden.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-bfKsQ4W/0/deb8282a/L/20170825_094127-L.jpg)
We pulled around the parking area and found a spot close to the trail-head.

Since we had nothing in the bags we stowed our gear and what did not fit was secured with a cable lock. With that done we took a hike.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-MScKL2K/0/8166bd31/L/DSCF4189-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-sT2jk3J/0/11b3a3a7/L/DSCF4191-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-bF5SHx6/0/f3655a39/L/20170825_094159-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-5TDK6k4/1/b2e647d4/L/DSCF4194-L.jpg)
Up the trail we go with the masses.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-LbBzFKK/0/2011b31c/L/20170825_094458-L.jpg)
Narrow passage.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-dpdPFNg/0/6aa3f588/L/DSCF4197-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-KCs3h8G/0/f370bafd/L/DSCF4205-L.jpg)
We took the time....

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-dLNMsrn/0/86e3ce14/L/20170825_094757-L.jpg)

We took water with us as it was starting to heat up and as we are not avid hikers we took our time.

If you are in Moab and have the time I would recommend exploring Arches.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-PxKnM3n/0/72962d22/L/20170825_094938-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-M2bRQ8R/0/af19b5cc/L/20170825_095038-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-WRJ5LTh/0/9c0bb4fb/L/20170825_095054-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-sDpfLLr/1/3f5e13b9/L/DSCF4206-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-GVDVBpk/0/f62b792d/L/FB_IMG_1503676690892-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-qvmBTKW/0/e3495e60/L/DSCF4212-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-KTmbT78/0/6710dcb5/L/DSCF4217-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-hfVZQ3W/0/1375be5e/L/20170825_100615-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-SNk47gR/0/550762ee/L/20170825_101320-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-PqcBg6V/0/584bb47d/L/DSCF4219-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-GKpf3f9/0/629e8da3/L/DSCF4254-L.jpg)
The trail back to the parking lot for Devils Garden.

I think we went as far as the Tunnel Arch then we started back.

If we were both in better shape, round is a shape just not the shape we want to be in, we would have gone further.
We may need to return and spend at least 3 days in Moab. One day for Arches, one for Canyonlands and one for rest.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-Wvc6pHz/0/8e1919cc/XL/20170825_101711-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-7KFpCmC/0/225fe137/XL/20170825_101806-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-ZCsXg2w/0/bbda0f51/L/20170825_103056-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-hdtnzBn/0/8ebe6052/L/20170825_103323-L.jpg)
Dead end.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-6gXskPn/0/2176e688/L/DSCF4256-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-nk6RwGJ/1/b4de83ad/L/DSCF4261-L.jpg)
ALIEN!!!! Oh wait, it's a tree of some sorts.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-PcRFwxj/0/a225cde2/L/DSCF4267-L.jpg)
Fossil?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-qBkHsNJ/0/b9d29ec5/L/20170825_103638-L.jpg)
Animal or plant?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-ds7Ld79/0/f451a34e/L/DSCF4272-L.jpg)
After returning to the bikes it seems as all of the spots have filled up.

We then geared up and started for the exit. We would make a few more stops for pictures and to take in the majesty of our country.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KhwSTLm/0/a88dd418/L/Arches-26-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3WFXPJx/0/8b30ab71/L/Arches-27-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-cfH2Nz3/0/14e56e1d/L/Arches-29-L.jpg)

We went down the road to Sand Dunes Arch for a few pictures.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-xF35H5G/0/a8fc243d/L/DSCF4276-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-nML4vLS/0/e71ae281/L/DSCF4278-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-jJxh9xs/0/895c6944/L/DSCF4280-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-g5wc279/0/861a5c8f/L/DSCF4281-L.jpg)

Then it was on to the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-SrGxTqB/1/066543cf/L/DSCF3277-L.jpg)


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-tfTBCpg/0/217889ea/L/Arches-30-L.jpg)
Pulling into the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint I waited for the white car to back out.

The blue van had no clue I was there because they didn't look. Don't turn around or anything wouldn't want to inconvenience you.
I honked the horn and both cars stopped. It looks as if the van has no backup lights.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-87GGPkh/0/3cee5195/L/DSCF4283-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Z2zQxHF/0/a310ab6a/L/DSCF4284-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-ZGvvH29/0/9692dbc3/L/DSCF4286-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-wWVLsSL/0/dd042d36/L/DSCF4291-L.jpg)

It was time to move along again. We continued to Panorama Point, I believe, for a few more pics.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-4fstMTs/0/38b56637/L/DSCF4292-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-cdTH83x/0/aa8024c1/L/DSCF4295-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Scn8xm2/0/85d1d412/L/DSCF4296-L.jpg)

It was time to go again. We would wind our way down to the visitors center seeing more sights on the way out.
It's amazing how the same road can take on a different character in the opposite direction.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-XMsVfB4/1/d535470a/L/DSCF3284-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nCjqMMQ/0/3f5bc5dd/L/Arches-32-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KvB4nVf/0/cdf4e868/L/Arches-33-L.jpg)
Windows were closed.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-NV76V7P/0/fcef33ac/L/DSCF3302-L.jpg)

The two photos above were not planned. I had my GoPro running and Vicki had here camera out. We both got almost the same shot.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-87KXzd9/1/9417a979/L/DSCF3291-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-8fkWHt4/0/070daac0/L/DSCF3306-L.jpg)



(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2ZkH6hF/0/9037cdb5/L/Arches-38-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-DmkNkPD/0/8c11cc28/L/DSCF3324-L.jpg)
Another 2 unplanned shots. There may be others.


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Cn28csN/0/ed85df53/L/Arches-9-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-PggGDSz/0/9f1f1255/L/DSCF3328-L.jpg)
There are.


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-MgTTkZm/0/abf2b732/L/DSCF3331-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5dnQM4t/0/3ab097f1/L/Arches-11-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-KXDVrbV/0/4b82580e/L/DSCF3333-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jsBBWV8/0/b3247fd2/L/Arches-12-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jbm9jrQ/0/c4e64407/L/Arches-13-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QRQct9P/0/872525c8/L/Arches-15-L.jpg)
We snake our way back to the visitors center for some merchandising.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-z4kxqSj/0/389a5f68/L/Arches-16-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MkgbtgP/0/b758697b/L/Arches-17-L.jpg)
The Arches visitor center.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-BTztSfZ/0/58c64449/L/DSCF4300-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-82KbcHT/0/aaf3a979/L/DSCF4302-L.jpg)
From the parking lot to the visitors center.

We head in to cool off in the A/C and to get a few things. Vicki gets her passport stamped and we find some t-shirts and the Arches token.

We look around the center and find information on the park and it's beginnings.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-3mMJQTH/0/68916944/L/DSCF4306-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-WHKhr8r/0/5e0d8a3a/L/DSCF4307-L.jpg)

It is now time to leave, we're burning daylight.
Back to the bikes, gear up and one final picture on the way out.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-XjN2Vhc/0/ca98fb93/L/DSCF4310-L.jpg)

And it's on to Canyonlands.................

next time, to be continued..........

Leaving Arches we head north on US-191 to UT-313. The last time we were here the road was covered in tar snakes.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2015/Pics-from-GP-video/i-jBqZJjc/0/a62998d3/L/UT%20313-4-L.jpg)
UT-313 in 2015, Tar snakes galore.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mtTQpWW/0/d862bc5a/L/UT-313-4-L.jpg)
UT-313 2017, no tar snakes. Just looked as if it was chip sealed.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-DjV8GvW/0/d5ac53a6/L/UT-313-5-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FFR33mg/0/4fa0fbc6/L/UT-313-6-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-HrsFVSj/0/31e583d9/L/UT-313-7-L.jpg)
Weeeeeeeeee!!!!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2015/Pics-from-GP-video/i-GkJfGTb/0/a4c0c3fc/L/UT%20313-5-L.jpg)
Same corner in 2015. Different bike.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-X5TmqcZ/0/6e5614e8/L/UT-313-9-L.jpg)
On the way to Canyonlands still on UT-313.

UT-313 turns off to the left to Dead Horse Point State Park, we're not going there. We continue straight to......

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-5Z788CJ/0/6c8444e9/L/DSCF4313-L.jpg)
Canyonlands National Park, free entrance today only.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-J288GZx/0/12e31495/L/DSCF4314-L.jpg)

When we got to the entrance station the ranger told us that it was free today as they were celebrating their 101st birthday of the national park service.
Which was cool but we also had a national park pass.

We then stopped at the Island in the Sky Visitor Center to do some merchandising and to get out of the heat.
The weather was hot but not oppressive. With our hydration systems and the cooling vests we were good.

The last time we were here we did not go very far into the park.
This time we would go all the way in and workour way out as we had done in Arches.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-V386RJ3/0/6433326f/L/Canyonlands%20NP-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6cGj8KH/0/bd1ed581/L/Canyonlands%20NP-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-56FVjG8/0/0c0a4979/L/Canyonlands%20NP-4-L.jpg)

The speed limit in the park was 45MPH. and that was about the perfect speed to take the road all the way to the back of the park.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KnNLwR6/0/5d4ab7d6/L/Canyonlands%20NP-5-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LF8gcr9/0/c9fba20d/L/Canyonlands%20NP-6-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zrB5dvR/0/a1923e8b/L/Canyonlands%20NP-10-L.jpg)

For a while I had the cruise control set at 46 and it was a blast! Almost no traffic here and the surrounding countryside was stunning.


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ZqXFKTP/0/d423623c/L/Canyonlands%20NP-12-L.jpg)
One mile to the end of the road.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6d6Xjrc/0/0fb8b1ae/L/Canyonlands%20NP-14-L.jpg)
Still some twistyness to be had.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-HFXKXWQ/0/6ea30ac0/L/Canyonlands%20NP-16-L.jpg)
And we have arrived.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ZCp32Ns/0/1342792f/L/Canyonlands%20NP-17-L.jpg)
See the black SUV? Tourist.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-m97zdJT/0/299081f1/L/Canyonlands%20NP-18-L.jpg)
He waited until I was about here and then took off without looking. Must be to difficult for him to turn his head.

Anyway, we parked the bikes, removed helmets and jackets then walked around a bit.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-3v9D3BM/0/d1bba7c5/XL/20170825_141529-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Pjb9Q5X/0/a8e4ba59/L/DSCF4319-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-4ZT44Wp/0/348671ef/L/20170825_141711-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-CksKsBV/0/5336e2fc/L/DSCF4321-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-fntgDKm/0/a7d39997/L/DSCF4324-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-fqbLHM7/0/ae8348c6/L/DSCF4328-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-26mVMc5/0/c1949af6/L/20170825_141835-L.jpg)
Taking pictures of each other taking pictures of each other.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-jgbLXkQ/0/dfcb0e28/L/20170825_142011-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-kF5B9gf/0/28288c15/L/DSCF4337-L.jpg)
A local came to see what the commotion was all about.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-wJVzcn8/0/23cd40f6/L/DSCF4338-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-PLjt4GD/0/f8d11d2a/L/DSCF4342-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-CsmJWn7/0/f14f77d8/XL/20170825_142053-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-qWKTWwQ/0/17efa81b/L/20170825_142211-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-rLCdwPx/0/336a54ed/L/20170825_142616-L.jpg)

It was time to hit the road again. This time we wanted to go to Upheaval Dome on Upheaval Dome Road.
We had passed it on the way in so we would take a left once we got there.

It was starting to get later in the afternoon, maybe about 3ish, so off we went.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xQj49fL/0/6f8323c4/L/Canyonlands%20NP-20-L.jpg)
And we would need to deal with this almost all the way back, YES!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xt89s23/0/74253b72/L/Canyonlands%20NP-21-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-PqHP5km/0/d3f15f33/L/Canyonlands%20NP-22-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-8kwrKkr/0/03048550/L/Canyonlands%20NP-23-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gNzbkNC/0/825c3aeb/L/Canyonlands%20NP-24-L.jpg)
OH MY GOD!! This was brutal. I almost turned around and did it again, that's how brutal it was.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-z5kkNNq/0/aa49ba2d/L/DSCF3346-L.jpg)

But we soldiered on.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-bKzz3Gh/0/d4465368/L/Canyonlands%20NP-25-L.jpg)
Yes, to the left please.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LFZ3L2S/0/e0b8a8cb/L/Canyonlands%20NP-27-L.jpg)
Not as brutal as the other road.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vLpG6t4/0/ee1b8be9/L/Canyonlands%20NP-28-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-cdfQcMT/0/9a3453b4/L/Canyonlands%20NP-29-L.jpg)
Hang on, I may have spoke to soon.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Jcqdvv9/0/70a7679d/L/Canyonlands%20NP-30-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-m3RcWTG/0/801b8a50/L/Canyonlands%20NP-32-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TnDWKS3/0/31316984/L/Canyonlands%20NP-33-L.jpg)
Whale Rock.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-NChWCwN/0/0b88590a/L/Canyonlands%20NP-34-L.jpg)
And the end of Upheaval Dome Road.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-TvmXVVW/0/a3358374/L/DSCF4343-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-WppNFqP/0/46e97d45/L/DSCF4346-L.jpg)
Beautiful sky here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-nVNQ35S/0/e295f759/L/DSCF4347-L.jpg)

And it's time to head on out again.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-XfQvgfS/0/2c8470a9/L/Canyonlands%20NP-36-L.jpg)
Well, someone's gotta do it.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-J4tnnV5/0/ba2028cd/L/Canyonlands%20NP-37-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zWGdgbv/0/cda91b46/L/Canyonlands%20NP-38-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-k8BjQWD/0/ed5ab666/L/Canyonlands%20NP-40-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4ddqgPG/0/a0a9f32c/L/Canyonlands%20NP-41-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dTbBbM7/0/15a90376/L/Canyonlands%20NP-42-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QDWrjG4/0/27dde65e/L/Canyonlands%20NP-44-L.jpg)
Roads this fun must be illegal in some parts of the world, just not here!

It's then back to Grand View Point Road to exit Canyonlands.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TJH98n8/0/e0913f0a/L/Canyonlands%20NP-46-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zzKMcWp/0/c423c676/L/Canyonlands%20NP-47-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5MjhVLD/0/513f5309/L/Canyonlands%20NP-48-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mpXcMns/0/ebb4183b/L/Canyonlands%20NP-49-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MdtSvBv/0/d19c7ba7/L/Canyonlands%20NP-50-L.jpg)
Is this a wonderful country or what?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FZNHn7s/0/a1eed553/L/Canyonlands%20NP-57-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-w3w96vP/0/58f61149/L/Canyonlands%20NP-58-L.jpg)
From my GoPro.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-HPWs5q8/0/1218e09f/L/DSCF3359-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-FjgbhgF/0/5500d5bc/L/DSCF3360-L.jpg)
From Vicki's camera, symmetry, kinda.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-4qqVnmN/0/e9a39bd5/L/DSCF3361-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-RPJsZb7/0/ec34088a/L/DSCF3370-L.jpg)

As we make our way back to the Island in the Sky visitors center we need to slow down, speed bumps ahead.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5cghrw5/0/0086f2bb/L/Canyonlands%20NP-60-L.jpg)
We choose to go between them to avoid the bumps.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hF8PjQP/0/7d3ab7c9/L/UT-313-Outbound-L.jpg)
Back on UT-313 we head back to US-191.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-8tD8xjT/0/9a93d1b1/L/DSCF3377-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-JZN8zcz/0/9fe7ffd7/L/UT-313-Outbound-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-j5Nd6HF/0/26fba65d/L/UT-313-Outbound-3-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-JHNNSqM/0/6a87687a/L/UT-313-Outbound-6-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-Km5FHKr/0/90c13c56/L/DSCF3379-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3JgHrmf/0/615b26ab/L/UT-313-Outbound-7-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-spH3CZV/0/76e7def5/L/UT-313-Outbound-10-L.jpg)
Wow! Just wow!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QPKqfqh/0/7001d761/L/UT-313-Outbound-14-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Nn8cHSV/0/0189d334/L/UT-313-Outbound-16-L.jpg)
We then turn onto US-191 and head towards Moab but first a side trip on UT-279.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-XJh8s6z/0/237f9411/L/UT-279-L.jpg)
UT-279 along the Colorado river.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MdQd6Hv/0/efc7c162/L/UT-279-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FRRGCj4/0/7087e2e5/L/UT-279-3-L.jpg)
There's the river, to the left.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-92Mtc2r/0/bd63f904/L/UT-279-5-L.jpg)
In the sun the temp was 89 degrees.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FLp6zcn/0/a7abbdc4/L/UT-279-6-L.jpg)
87 in the shade.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zrJNLSM/0/6fa2677c/L/UT-279-8-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WBd7Cb4/0/ca08e1fe/L/UT-279-9-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wLqsWNP/0/49d583b3/L/UT-279-12-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gh8L3FW/0/454b0579/L/UT-279-18-L.jpg)
Ran all the way here to Intrepid Potash.

I was going to go to a boat landing a little further up but decided to turn around here, the road wasn't looking good or feeling good.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-JWSdk27/0/ca789f59/L/UT-279-19-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-RjcjxN8/0/e00cdc63/L/DSCF4348-L.jpg)
Yea, let's go back that-away.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-RjcjxN8/0/e00cdc63/L/DSCF4348-L.jpg)
Looks like I still had the GoPro running.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hHfGwTs/0/e2cd22f4/L/UT-279-21-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jfxmqjn/0/e5a5213a/L/UT-279-23-L.jpg)

On the way down to Potash I saw something I wanted to take a closer look at, some petroglyphs.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-84qRskL/0/fe9fcc1b/L/UT-279-28-L.jpg)
Up there on the right is where we'll park for a few.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-424Qv8S/0/05ae5be9/L/DSCF3388-L.jpg)

And there were a lot of them.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-Twq4sWg/0/4df372be/L/20170825_163236-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-KHVwLds/0/828b369f/L/DSCF4353-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-ZjQ6srD/0/87d084f4/L/DSCF4355-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-fkPNzsp/0/3d2de3af/L/DSCF4357-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-DzKj5Hv/0/5f5e85e3/L/20170825_163259-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-KzcRvxs/0/d834c047/L/20170825_163439-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-k4M9szx/0/42ce6a89/L/20170825_163539-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-QLp4wdB/0/7c32f959/L/DSCF4358-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-ghvmXRd/0/7c1cfe4d/L/DSCF4361-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-QBXFwmZ/1/0f912532/L/DSCF4363-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-s44xBzN/0/15547cdf/L/20170825_163706-L.jpg)

We must have spent 45 minutes here taking pictures and talking to a couple from Ashville, North Carolina about this and riding.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-pMq326g/0/aef899ae/L/DSCF4367-L.jpg)
New friends from N.C.

This was a neat side trip, I almost bailed on it as it was getting late and we had dinner reservations at the Desert Bistro.

So once again we were burning daylight and it was time to leave.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-pHPk6Gx/0/48528618/L/UT-279-29-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-DkGQ8Hd/0/fa300b1a/L/UT-279-31-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hFxVZk2/0/8f8e3c7d/L/UT-279-32-L.jpg)
We made our way back to US-191 and headed back to Moab.


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VBHxKCs/0/c47f83ae/L/US-191%20Moab-4-L.jpg)

When we got back to the hotel we got cleaned up and then we meandered over to the Desert Bistro.

Normally I try to go to one nice restaurant during vacation, this would be it.

http://desertbistro.com/

This was also expensive, $120.00 for the two of us. It was a bit more than I was hoping to pay but the food, the service and the back patio where we sat was the best I have had in a long time.
Pricey but well worth it.

A short stroll back to the hotel and the day was done.
We only did 172.5 miles on the one gas stop.

We had an excellent dinner and we started packing for tomorrow as we would be on our way to Capitol Reef National Park.

Tune in again next time for more......

Day 8 would be a short mileage wise day but a long day in the saddle.

Day 8 would also be the halfway point in this years vacation. After today we would be getting closer to home.
Maybe not mileage wise, at least not yet but closer none the less. So on with the day

After our morning routine we get the bikes loaded, make a final check of the room then we get ice for our thermoses, check out and we hit the road.

Today's end point will be the Capitol Reef Resort on UT-24 just west of Capitol Reef National Park.

Mileage wise it's 237 miles from our hotel to the visitors center, about 4 hours maybe 5.

First stop will be for gas before we leave Moab. We also want to check the air pressure but no one has the right air chuck on their hoses.
So we head south on US-191 to.....


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-qJQxbf5/0/ceb2394d/L/DSCF4379-L.jpg)

I had seen this on our 2015 run but did not stop. Today I did, hey it's a touristy thing to do.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-qtcn2Mt/0/396efeab/L/20170826_093141-L.jpg)
Remember to sto and sniff the flowers.
Just don't get to close to this one.

There was a lot of interesting junk around here. And some funny stuff.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-kzwkWMf/0/decd82ce/L/DSCF4381-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-QzXGKrD/0/e6853fc8/L/20170826_093749-L.jpg)
A bull made out of tools.

I looked for any Snap-on tools but did not find any.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-jN3hGdP/0/e432bf80/L/20170826_093631-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-48XdKbs/0/c5b1cca6/L/DSCF4383-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-TcCRdxD/1/b5915a51/L/DSCF4390-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-2gjw22q/0/f22dbb97/L/20170826_094100-L.jpg)
Bad puns were here too.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-JFLSSpk/0/3629ce06/L/DSCF4395-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-cMTvwwP/0/08da51a7/L/DSCF4397-L.jpg)
Now this would be a cool Hot Rod project.
Leave the body alone and stuff an LS9 in there.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-nKR3TLT/0/acd2e7b6/L/DSCF4396-L.jpg)
There was a zoo there as well.
But we didn't have the time to go in so we looked around a bit more.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-DNvXHWQ/1/f3d671fe/L/DSCF4391-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-G6FGWVR/1/232f0030/L/DSCF4393-L.jpg)
Think I'd rather be management here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-5HNgX9K/0/adf191e9/L/DSCF4389-L.jpg)

Interesting stuff but we gotta go. S o we continue south on US-191 and at one point we get stuck behind an RV with it's blinker on.
For quite a while, I keep my lights in his rear view mirror hoping he sees the dash while looking back and realize his turn signal HAS BEEN ON FOR THE LAST 5 MILES!

But NOOOO. we finally find a place to pass this blinking idiot and we set sail to Blanding, UT.

Vicki pulls up alongside and points to her gas tank, we will be stopping for a break.

I find a Shell station and pull in. I park in front but the angle is wrong so we move to the side of the building.
As we get our helmets and jackets off this guy comes up and starts talking about bikes and he just wont shut up.
His wife & son come over and they won't shut up either.

Now this is starting to get creepy, I don't want to leave the bikes here unattended with these 3 here and neither does Vicki.
This goes on for about 20 minutes. I'm trying to end this and he keeps yapping.

Finally the wife & son walk away and Vicki goes inside, I stay out until they leave.

I don't mind talking to people while were on the road but this just had a weird vibe to it.

I then went in for a pit stop grabbed some more water and we took off, there went half an hour I'll never get back.

We turn off US-191 at UT-95 and start heading west....

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3cwFPgs/0/1248aba7/L/UT-95-L.jpg)
...on fresh pavement!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Ft2v6Xf/0/7afa6c7e/L/UT-95-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2qRvvdR/0/a9444a48/L/UT-95-3-L.jpg)

Twisty sections AND fresh pavement?! What more can you ask for?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-DnQs8Wj/0/aa461f6c/L/UT-95-4-L.jpg)
Kinda had a feeling there would be road construction.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-j28Tf4T/0/472ce5c1/L/UT-95-5-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-js6Fxd7/0/6a62716a/L/UT-95-6-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TRnTscN/0/3b4d1c18/L/UT-95-7-L.jpg)
They finished the east bound lane but not the westbound lane.

But still, no traffic in front of us.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-W95SbxN/0/f8026e19/L/UT-95-8-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-g84HxvM/0/4bd2be6c/L/UT-95-9-L.jpg)
Just don't cross the double yellow and all will be fine.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-qmZ2hXJ/0/395dd32e/L/UT-95-10-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FWBBdXK/0/1672cb79/L/UT-95-11-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-t7CGFc6/0/a910fc2c/L/UT-95-12-L.jpg)
And here's the traffic.

There was a light up ahead, one lane road.
After we got the light and went thru, the RV pulled over and let us through, yea!

We continued west on UT-95 without any traffic in front of us. Just open spaces.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zzRwmGt/0/501e0a4a/L/UT-95-13-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6wkdFQ8/0/dce4f6d2/L/UT-95-14-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-m6jHR5S/0/bd1128cb/L/UT-95-15-L.jpg)

Ahem, open spaces....

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-z5SPR64/0/a887cc2d/L/UT-95-17-L.jpg)
Here we go.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mcHGrSw/0/18abdcfd/L/UT-95-18-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-DBCQ8xH/0/e084a69e/L/UT-95-20-L.jpg)

Utah is fast becoming a favorite place to ride. We continue to UT-275 to Natural Bridges National Monument.

This was a planned stop so the first order of business, a restroom. Then some merchandising.
Then a ride through and some picture taking.


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-N5W3xHf/0/b1bb1bc9/L/Natural%20Bridges%20NP-L.jpg)
The road is a one way which is cool, you don't have to worry about oncoming traffic.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5pr4hnx/0/b20b801d/L/Natural%20Bridges%20NP-3-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Wg5KbsC/0/0a69f17b/L/Natural%20Bridges%20NP-4-L.jpg)
Nice curvy road but a ridiculously low speed limit of 25MPH.

I did keep the speed down as there was a large hole on one side of the road.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QdMPhKX/0/8149c927/L/Natural%20Bridges%20NP-7-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-PmZk6fz/0/776d7208/XL/20170826_125705-XL.jpg)

We did find a place to park and walked over to the viewing area for some other photos.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-WkBvjLJ/0/7d549abe/L/DSCF4403-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-qwGSgkh/0/2241d45f/L/DSCF4407-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-4KqGk5d/0/73b72cbe/L/20170826_125723-L.jpg)
I believe this is Sipapu Bridge. This is the first parking area we came to.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-x3pqXQ4/0/8f6cd7f4/L/Natural%20Bridges%20NP-8-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zQKwMgK/0/0637e5a6/L/Natural%20Bridges%20NP-9-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-SczHgps/0/4cdacea9/L/DSCF3396-L.jpg)
Then it was on to the next stop at Kachina Bridge Overlook.

We met a couple from Baraboo, WI here. They told us of one of their favorite coffee places in Baraboo.
So I called a coffee meet afetr we got back for Coffee Bean Connection, 701 Oak St, Baraboo, WI 53913 and it was good.

We also took photos here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-kNszKG9/0/11fb8ae1/L/DSCF4413-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-jzF2LR9/0/37ff0e37/L/DSCF4415-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-LdV4Zrb/0/aa2a5670/L/DSCF4422-L.jpg)
On the walk back to the bikes.

There were also markers to tell you where you were.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-q8j7zMq/0/bdf1c4d2/L/Natural%20Bridges%20NP-11-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-NPJVfW2/0/b736f2c9/L/Natural%20Bridges%20NP-13-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-tNQXXLx/0/49ba9c9c/L/Natural%20Bridges%20NP-25-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-tng6wKb/0/16761793/L/Natural%20Bridges%20NP-19-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6Hqj3fV/0/70d390df/L/Natural%20Bridges%20NP-21-L.jpg)
Stopped at the last turn out and instead of pulling in I was able to do a u-turn to face out for a quick getaway.

We then said safe travels to our new friends from Baraboo and headed to the exit.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WjMdq86/0/5ef2ebea/L/Natural%20Bridges%20NP-28-L.jpg)
This is the only turn onto another road in the park, miss it and you have to go around again, one way.
We stopped at the visitors center for a quick stop and to wet down our cooling vests and we were off once more.

But first.....

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-7ZRQTFq/0/a9b4bd5b/L/DSCF4423-L.jpg)


Then it was back to UT-95 for the run to Capitol Reef and what a run.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7pb6TzF/0/2ba1e721/L/UT-95-21-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-m7qvfP3/0/61e72cd5/L/UT-95-23-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-BpwQ56C/0/fe227788/L/UT-95-24-L.jpg)
Where's his ladder?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7GggdZ6/0/648bdf5f/L/UT-95-25-L.jpg)
Twisty road and a high speed limit??? :drool:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xQjBpWg/0/c10ae41a/L/UT-95-28-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-j9d3wk7/0/8c4ed5f4/L/UT-95-31-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-JsxK4fg/0/d4f78d0d/L/UT-95-33-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nMhPDmT/0/26d1e225/L/UT-95-34-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-36KxLPN/0/24d03082/L/UT-95-36-L.jpg)
We did not stop here but we did stop up the road a ways.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nzQjTHd/0/251d172f/L/UT-95-37-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Cpghd48/0/d9c0089d/L/UT-95-38-L.jpg)
A bridge? Out here in the desert?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xDQBdDQ/0/2a095fc2/L/UT-95-39-L.jpg)
Yup, not a mirage.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mWbLFgT/0/f96b4ab7/L/UT-95-40-L.jpg)
Well. that "splains" it.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LzBvBgD/0/f82d78d9/L/UT-95-41-L.jpg)
There are times bridges like this bother me.

I always think that one of those beams is going to fall and hit me in the teeth.
This time, not so much.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ztCLtcT/0/d347936b/L/UT-95-42-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-R5P85j7/0/a1b2ac31/L/UT-95-43-L.jpg)
Maybe because this is on the other side.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TgH3t73/0/1d67c24c/L/UT-95-45-L.jpg)
Take a bath!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mXQxK8x/0/76bdc2ed/L/UT-95-46-L.jpg)
Dude, you have a Camaro, move it!
Unless its a 6 cylinder then I'll go around you.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KMHgsJf/0/cfa4ef4e/L/UT-95-47-L.jpg)
And we did.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WGZMnzK/0/12f201ee/L/UT-95-50-L.jpg)
Sensory overload, but what fun!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Lvhnt9t/0/9fa17a37/L/UT-95-51-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ZrmwFf9/0/c0f544e3/L/UT-95-52-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ShrnCmh/0/7f78815f/L/UT-95-53-L.jpg)
Who ever laid out this road should be given a medal!!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-PWf7sHw/0/35742f63/L/UT-95-54-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gx2vR7J/0/84f91dc7/L/UT-95-56-L.jpg)
This is where we turn off for a bit.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Spvpprh/0/56a04308/L/Hite%20Overlook-L.jpg)
I hope there's a road over that rise.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2bn5MfW/0/61dea387/L/Hite%20Overlook-2-L.jpg)
And a parking area to boot. The Hite Overlook off of UT-95 looking over the Colorado river.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-VVHqTZT/0/59c2bbd7/L/20170826_150550-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-WtQ2dtj/0/53a26a64/XL/20170826_150627-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-8zb29Th/0/96ec7dca/L/20170826_150804-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-z2Drcs4/0/a49f3a1c/L/DSCF4426-L.jpg)
The bridge we rode over earlier.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-7qDQfLr/0/be04d82a/L/DSCF4429-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-ZLpvNB3/0/7a033a2e/L/20170826_150938-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-gJRRJgz/0/2b02fb57/L/DSCF4430-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-fntrPpj/0/78a987df/L/20170826_151057-L.jpg)
Selfie time!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-rZkhNcZ/0/ce6ff61d/L/20170826_151139-L.jpg)

And it's time to go, we're burning daylight and it's getting late. Where does the time go?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9vZX6zv/0/f8746821/L/UT-95-57-L.jpg)

Back on UT-95 we go, I want to get to Hanksville, UT for gas, water and ice.
While at the overlook it was 104  :crazy:

The water in our thermoses was cool, barely.
Time to push.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jZBcLnD/0/49f6aecc/L/UT-95-58-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FwSRRZT/0/f5bea729/L/UT-95-59-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-S4fnPfB/0/c204cc98/L/UT-95-61-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-J5WMvKq/0/a15feaa8/L/UT-95-63-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ZCtdxBQ/0/a41cfef9/L/UT-95-64-L.jpg)
I don't remember what the speed limit was through here but I do know I wasn't doing it.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-cQLFVpd/0/c4e02ce1/L/UT-95-68-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2sX5dnQ/0/4c5305ef/L/UT-95-72-L.jpg)

We get into Hanksville and I stop at the last gas station in town. We park by the pumps and go in first to let the bikes cool down a bit.
The temp did drop form the 104 at Hite to 91 here.

We ended up buying a bag of ice. By this time we were out. We ended up giving the left over ice to a couple that had pulled in after us.

Now from here to the Visitors center is 37 miles. I don't know when they close and it's after 4 PM local time.
Time to go and push hard.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gsb5k9P/0/663ff863/L/UT-24-L.jpg)
UT-24

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-N87g7Xm/0/de059518/L/UT-24-2-L.jpg)
Its about here I realized I had F@#!ed up.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xvDzGGt/0/24ac8699/L/UT-24-3-L.jpg)
Big time!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-PwvWzXf/0/7c339225/L/UT-24-4-L.jpg)
Let's gather it back up..

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-8BdCr7Z/0/649896cb/L/UT-24-5-L.jpg)
..and get back where I belong.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-NS4RgVb/0/61ccbcec/L/UT-24-6-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-34F5ZNj/0/3488f1e8/L/UT-24-9-L.jpg)

We continue west on UT-24 after my gaffe. I watch the clock thinking we wont make it and we'll have to go back in the morning.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5cnqNF2/0/7eac63a4/L/UT-24-10-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dp5sWRz/0/f9260e4a/L/UT-24-12-L.jpg)
Still I pushed on and we seem to be making good time.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QQxBMwP/0/8ba97dcc/L/UT-24-16-L.jpg)
Crap!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-T64GfrX/0/6a6a6fc2/L/UT-24-17-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4LJx4kS/0/78fcbdaa/L/UT-24-18-L.jpg)
Bye-bye!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-HH96fd9/0/302ce020/L/UT-24-20-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-DFS2F4G/0/a7bd3b6f/L/UT-24-22-L.jpg)
Wow!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-GPc2Vp3/0/9c39b67c/L/UT-24-25-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-rvC45j2/0/3301e63b/L/UT-24-26-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-PkD3nQq/0/0518b421/L/UT-24-27-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-kzBCwfG/0/5d8f957c/L/UT-24-28-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-XVBWdZr/0/0237ab2b/L/UT-24-29-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6gzrfP2/0/151d594a/L/UT-24-30-L.jpg)
8 miles shouldn't be a problem but it is close to 5 PM now.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-96TKsq9/0/f784372e/L/UT-24-32-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7bS3GVM/0/f2505ae1/L/UT-24-35-L.jpg)
Awww, come on!!

Up to this point I thought we had a chance to get to the visitors center before 5, but now????

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6P5RBTD/0/3bcaabd4/L/UT-24-37-L.jpg)

Well I found a spot to pass and I did.

We pulled into the visitors center at Capitol Reef at 5:10 PM local time. They close at 6:00 PM. Made it.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-K32S7Kk/0/26b8702f/L/20170826_175137-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-SksCNM8/1/75677841/L/DSCF4438-L.jpg)

We remove our helmets & jackets and head in for some merchandising and A/C.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-mbRjBRx/1/c67db51e/L/DSCF4439-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-HZ4vc8p/0/eb76adbe/L/DSCF4440-L.jpg)
Outside of the Visitors center.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-hVt8xt4/0/aeba01ea/L/DSCF4441-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-xDbGHrw/0/4b5e7086/L/DSCF4442-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-fk2dQGQ/0/63c893c4/L/DSCF3409-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-HkdwP9r/0/7be27c01/L/DSCF4445-L.jpg)
When we got here the parking lot was fairly full. As soon as the center closed "POOF!" everyone disappeared.
We did not go into the park like I had wanted to, where did the day go?

So it was a quick 7 miles to the hotel.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jQV6XKr/0/01db3a35/L/UT-24-38-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-X9QMX9R/0/6240bfaa/L/DSCF3426-L.jpg)
Vicki took some pics on the way to the hotel.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-RSV6Qtb/0/e8a1e2af/L/DSCF3429-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-hQ4gQLc/0/78db0e12/L/DSCF3434-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vTcXhnv/0/f490db7a/L/UT-24-40-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gRC7MRw/0/5c613876/L/UT-24-42-L.jpg)
And here we are, Capitol Reef Resort. And yes they do have Tee-Pee's as rooms.
I did not get one of them.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QqCDgMZ/0/b2054f5d/L/UT-24-43-L.jpg)
Check in to the right.

We pull in, shut down and in we go. Me to check in, Vicki to the restroom.

They have a restaurant on site so I guess we'll go there for some grub.
Our room is around back and it does have views.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-gk4Rv6X/0/5e76dbae/L/DSCF4447-L.jpg)
Some of the cabins and sunset.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-NG2ZdMq/0/192f901c/L/DSCF4449-L.jpg)
Sunset and an ominous looking cloud.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-rTKLBqj/0/8c2e95c0/L/DSCF4450-L.jpg)
Da moon.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-phrjKQ3/0/bfb71e91/L/20170826_200835-L.jpg)
Behind the resort are the Red Rock Cliffs.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-5m6r4PV/0/125d7928/L/DSCF4451-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-bB7sJ9W/0/b8e657b1/L/DSCF4453-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-WmKP2xt/0/ff478101/L/DSCF4456-L.jpg)
Our room is the 2nd on the left. The trike under the tarp was next to us.
They were from Alabama working on week 6 of there little jaunt.
We would meet up with them again.

We then went for dinner then we got our things ready for tomorrow and turned in for the night.

For today we did 270.8 miles on 2 gas stops.


Tune in again next time for Day 9........

 :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:
we're all envious...
 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Glad you're enjoying it.  :bigok:

Today we would be heading to Bryce Canyon National Park.
If you look at a map it's only 116 miles from the resort to the visitors center.
Because of this today would be an easy day.
We would also stop at Kodachrome Basin State Park, go in to the end of the road then work our way out.

Then over to Bryce and do the same thing, but we would work our way out to dinner and the hotel.

After getting cleaned up we got packed up and got the bikes loaded.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-bbc4DZm/0/473d4a9f/L/DSCF3437-L.jpg)
Morning at the Capitol Reef Resort

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-BwvW2Kx/0/6bd972bf/L/DSCF3435-L.jpg)

After making a final check of the room I go and check out then I come back around and get Vicki.
Since the resort has a restaurant there is no free breakfast so we head west on UT-24 to Torey, UT

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-rWhPNqw/0/7c9ab1cd/L/FB_IMG_1503844985617-L.jpg)
Castlerock Coffee & Candy, is where we stop for breakfast.

We had the breakfast burrito and it was delicious but it was the size of a football. I couldn't finish mine.
The coffee was also great.

Vicki had posted up a coffee meet for this place and MxVet57, Ed, replied that he and Lurker were on their way.
I somehow doubt they would have been there in a timely fashion, so we left.

This coffee shop was conveniently located at Utah route 12 and 24. From here we would be traveling on UT-12.
But first we top off the gas and then head down UT-12.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vJKhx9P/0/0a2a238d/L/UT-12-L.jpg)
Traffic????

Well not for long. The SUV in the pic above was moving along at a good pace. But this section of 12 was like a washboard.
After a bit the SUV did turn off..

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-GWzNTcD/0/f27da521/L/UT-12-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-8TmFkVC/0/738b1d77/L/UT-12-3-L.jpg)
I had to stop completely.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-qMDqQLr/0/0d091d54/L/UT-12-4-L.jpg)
But after that we only had to worry about cattle.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VRSPwR7/0/07d25ed2/L/UT-12-5-L.jpg)
And this guy.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-J44QBjB/0/d15f7269/L/UT-12-6-L.jpg)
He did pull over to let us by.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-t8qPB6V/0/f1c8f151/L/UT-12-7-L.jpg)
And it was clear sailing again.

It was also warming up. We both had sweat shirts on under our jackets and they were starting to live up to their name.
So it was time to find a spot to pull over to lose a layer.

I found a turn out and turned in.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-nD2PRzk/0/35ca8570/L/DSCF4457-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-2kgxGfF/0/56b5d43c/L/DSCF4458-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-kqtwLjN/0/e2d06c44/L/DSCF3438-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-D4Zpx7R/0/0f019c8e/L/DSCF3440-L.jpg)
Some information was obtained.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Mg2D2GH/0/5c6d9831/L/DSCF4462-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-hBhg4SK/0/21be1316/L/DSCF4464-L.jpg)
But the bikes.....

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-NqsVMhw/0/2df2f5dc/L/DSCF4466-L.jpg)
....and the road beckoned.

So we stored the sweat shirts geared up and headed off.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-W66CfM2/0/dd02fbb6/L/UT-12-8-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-pDXTxL5/0/681c8567/L/UT-12-10-L.jpg)
Going down.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2CqcGBC/0/9b78df7f/L/UT-12-11-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-P69HN35/0/bffcbda3/L/UT-12-12-L.jpg)
And around.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-szgDqWG/0/0df12842/L/UT-12-13-L.jpg)
The road trails off into the distance which makes for a great picture.
But it still is as bumpy as a stream bed.

Until.................




(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-kVWndnd/0/04ba53a5/XL/UT-12-14-XL.jpg)
Insert angles singing here.

And lets take a closer look at that sign, shall we?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7RhdGqL/0/68e34525/XL/UT-12-15-XL.jpg)
 :drool:

Did we just find motorcycling heaven? Is this 2 wheeled nirvana????
Fresh pavement and twisties???

As I told some of my co-workers who saw the video this is from, "It's like they found the narrowest ridge they could find and dropped a road on it".

Who ever put this road here should be given a lifetime supply of fuel and tires and a really big freaking medal for this section of road.

Take a look.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KQG9J2k/0/3cb809ef/XL/UT-12-16-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VShKvSf/0/92816d6c/XL/UT-12-17-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-X4tSKXM/0/be730a78/XL/UT-12-19-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Hdxf7Sr/0/3c7369f0/XL/UT-12-20-XL.jpg)
14% grade!!??? Holy downshift Batman!!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-tMfx4Hg/0/49a5b66f/XL/UT-12-21-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3BXtM5L/0/275e33da/XL/UT-12-23-XL.jpg)
It just stretches out as far as one can see. Or at least as far as a GoPro can.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WDCpCvv/0/f543d0c4/XL/UT-12-24-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wtSbK6g/0/2694f8c2/XL/UT-12-25-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KkmKq2Z/0/a5a66c65/XL/UT-12-29-XL.jpg)
Only 4 miles more of this? More please!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QhMpZ7c/0/4b4331d4/XL/UT-12-30-XL.jpg)
Twisty and steep? Oh yea!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3RtTQBQ/0/36370d4c/XL/UT-12-32-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4DQtCFk/0/242b08b0/XL/UT-12-33-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hTT9N3G/0/b8c19527/XL/UT-12-34-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vL7PVpw/0/bb231410/XL/UT-12-35-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-t3p7tjt/0/b9721996/XL/UT-12-36-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6VBg5mJ/0/f84c1b4f/XL/UT-12-37-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vwkHtsL/0/2ca84e33/L/UT-12-39-L.jpg)
Eventually the road flattens out but it does have some curves in it.
But the views are almost impossible to describe.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-DzCXDFh/0/eab7b490/L/UT-12-40-L.jpg) 

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mhGrRqN/0/963b49a2/L/UT-12-41-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VrJFrx6/0/2c91a762/L/UT-12-43-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-th9TWx5/0/d5b731d8/L/UT-12-44-L.jpg)
We start to climb again and the curves return.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xxQ67Sr/0/886bb797/L/UT-12-45-L.jpg)
Kiva Koffeehouse in Escalante, UT. We may need to call coffee here sometime.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7Z9z5Nx/0/d2b6b92b/XL/UT-12-46-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dZz7r8b/0/1efa8113/L/UT-12-47-L.jpg)
The road opens up and we can increase our speeds to the next bit-o-twisties.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-BjDzNjW/0/f9dab79f/L/UT-12-48-L.jpg)
Yup, here they are!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7V6BFDZ/0/df8e89ef/XL/UT-12-50-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-x9pGfNB/0/bbe754fa/XL/UT-12-51-XL.jpg)
Great goobs of horsepower this is fun!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9DFqBNd/0/4564aac1/XL/UT-12-52-XL.jpg)
Even this was fun.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gg47QdD/0/15a46a1d/XL/UT-12-53-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-X3fR4HQ/0/4dbcef36/XL/UT-12-54-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-8qfQn3V/0/ce5cd7e9/XL/UT-12-55-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-SfdqN7n/0/28939da0/L/UT-12-56-L.jpg)
Back to the old pavement which was like a washboard again.
Now if the repave the bits leading up to this and away from here, that would be great!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FpKjBTd/0/ee6068d7/L/UT-12-57-L.jpg)
We may need to stop here for a break and some pictures.

I look back to see if Vicki wants to stop and it looks like she does.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RBBRL4M/0/33c07580/L/UT-12-58-L.jpg)

Problem is. I've past the entrance.
No worries though.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VZ8HD8P/0/ca0e055f/L/UT-12-59-L.jpg)
I come in the other way.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-N9Lc9gx/0/e3c2fff6/L/UT-12-60-L.jpg)
And park it for a few.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-2m8HKTK/0/346bb313/L/DSCF4467-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-tPQ5RCL/0/a19647ad/L/DSCF4468-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-ZCMKTQX/0/5cdc7db3/L/DSCF4469-L.jpg)
We were just down there.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-PfKXXpg/0/a190ad8b/L/DSCF4470-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-fPK53BX/0/4cbe5483/L/DSCF4471-L.jpg)
That's the way we'll be going in a few.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-mFFQt3B/0/3d51f9c8/L/DSCF4472-L.jpg)
The bikes await.

We top off our thermoses with water and head back to UT-12.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6hgP7Cn/0/8cb7b0c8/L/UT-12-61-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nxTkL8t/0/76fda1d1/L/UT-12-63-L.jpg)
Flat but fairly smooth.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nfL38Dd/0/8934615a/L/UT-12-64-L.jpg)
More repaving work.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TTN5J5J/0/833f9184/L/UT-12-65-L.jpg)
More downhill curves, yea!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gnHfWDr/0/889b480a/L/UT-12-66-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3qgrVSq/0/570319a3/L/UT-12-67-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-SWBXpjS/0/350d7c78/L/UT-12-68-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Z9rzRhM/0/ca95496e/L/UT-12-69-L.jpg)
Hey! What's that?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TdzRN8T/0/d25eba1d/XL/UT-12-70-XL.jpg)
Looks like a 50's Merc and a Cutlass?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-rRBKVxx/0/8e270746/XL/UT-12-71-XL.jpg)
That can't be good. Looks like a 68 Camaro.

It looked like they had everything under control so we continued on. Then we got to this...

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4K8Xbmf/0/8b476651/L/UT-12-72-L.jpg)
Rumble strips, we went around them.
We did have to stop a little further up and I noticed that the Camaro was behind us.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xxvSz3P/0/d65b518f/L/UT-12-73-L.jpg)
Road construction ahead.

We stopped and waited for a few minutes then we had to follow a chase car through the construction zone.
After we cleared the construction we were able to run at a good clip all the way to Cannonville, UT.
This is where we turned off of 12 and onto Kodachrome Rd to go to Kodachrome Basin State park.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5gT752h/0/cc0480a0/L/Kodachrome%20Rd-L.jpg)
Kodachrome road.

This was a fairly smooth road but as I watched the miles click away I started to wonder if I had the mileage correct.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9nf96QH/0/163a9ebd/L/Kodachrome%20Rd-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9Q9gCw4/0/f0078a36/L/Kodachrome%20Rd-3-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nvnpWJ4/0/51914aad/L/Kodachrome%20Rd-5-L.jpg)
Maybe the park entrance is over this rise.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-q4h7SpR/0/6738bbb7/L/Kodachrome%20Rd-6-L.jpg)
Nope. Not here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-NQ5KB69/0/38f7c9c1/L/Kodachrome%20Rd-7-L.jpg)
Nope, not here either.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-DDw9Gbc/0/a6713bce/L/Kodachrome%20Rd-8-L.jpg)
There it is on the left where the pavement ends.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-rhmj9dh/0/5e488fb0/L/Kodachrome%20Basin%20St%20Pk-L.jpg)
Yup, this is it.
As with all the parks we would go to the end then work our way out.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CZ8cJf8/0/e9bf7b41/L/Kodachrome%20Basin%20St%20Pk-2-L.jpg)
UT-308 also the entrance road for Kodachrome Basin State Park.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5x4jV9S/0/850e5a14/L/Kodachrome%20Basin%20St%20Pk-3-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CfBqjxF/0/ed28bab2/L/Kodachrome%20Basin%20St%20Pk-4-L.jpg)
Visitors center and entrance point.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mrxhF24/0/db7cda2f/L/Kodachrome%20Basin%20St%20Pk-5-L.jpg)
Well, hello!
It was $8.00 dollars for both bikes, I gave her a ten and she gave me a 2 dollar bill back. I still have it.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7z77sXX/0/0089b2a1/L/Kodachrome%20Basin%20St%20Pk-6-L.jpg)
Then it's off to the back of the park.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mcBtqg8/0/0b005a4d/L/Kodachrome%20Basin%20St%20Pk-8-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QhWtPWD/0/ff08fab5/L/Kodachrome%20Basin%20St%20Pk-9-L.jpg)
The end of the road.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gqJNXW5/0/c996c2ea/L/Kodachrome%20Basin%20St%20Pk-10-L.jpg)
And mother nature has a sense of humor.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-3M789Qd/1/0dc8a09e/L/DSCF4475-L.jpg)
Humor, it pops up every where.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-G3MLzrH/0/8d3d02e6/L/DSCF4477-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-T3Kt2VZ/0/773ee950/L/20170827_133810-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-XFhDqKw/1/e2dbd712/L/20170827_133902-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-RD48c49/0/46ba2523/L/DSCF3442-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-FNJ3rGG/0/a1107d1a/L/DSCF3444-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-2rt8n4w/0/85c486e1/L/DSCF3445-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-89jZwrF/1/c0229ef4/L/DSCF3447-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-t4M2BvX/0/42e38228/L/DSCF4478-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-5xRrrwx/0/6e108958/L/DSCF4481-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-7W5gKxX/0/7e16ffac/L/DSCF4490-L.jpg)

It looked as if it might rain. Most of the afternoon we kept dodging from cloud to cloud.
This helped keep things cool but it was a bit of a pain.

It would cool off a little under the clouds but then in the sunlight it would heat up.
I kinda would prefer one or the other, not both.
Either bake me or drown me.

Before we mount up to leave Vicki stated she wanted to stop at the Cannonville Visitor Center.
It would be on our left before we got to UT-12. I told her I would stop.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hGvsMRR/0/dcfa880d/L/Kodachrome%20Basin%20St%20Pk-11-L.jpg)
Out we go.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-K87VZz2/0/96bd0c18/L/DSCF3462-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-XcQbCB4/0/2f198936/L/DSCF4499-L.jpg)
One more before we exit, humor.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vHZ7SHS/0/ad594ace/L/Kodachrome%20Rd-10-L.jpg)
Kodachrome road, some sort of camp to the right.

Then we are in Cannonville and I see the visitors center to the left and we turn in.
They have displays of life in the pioneer days and information on the area.
There was a couple from New Zealand asking about camping sites when we got there.
My response would be to look for a hotel but that's me.

We got a few things here and as they were part of the National Park Service we got a discount on the things we bought.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-8zjghjD/0/834acf0a/L/DSCF4502-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-VPfWBgs/0/6aca6a30/L/DSCF4504-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-bRSwGBf/0/74cfa79f/L/DSCF4506-L.jpg)
Outside the visitors center.

Then it,s back to UT-12 to head west 16 miles to Bryce

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5DBkMZZ/0/a6a5309e/L/UT-12-74-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2GpT73t/0/123d0ecf/L/UT-12-75-L.jpg)
We pass some of the slower movers.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-tQsJQFW/0/6a9a3ff4/L/UT-12-76-L.jpg)
Half a mile to go, just a little faster to get around this one.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-s2BdVJG/0/ff12fffd/L/UT-12-78-L.jpg)
And we are on UT-63 heading to Bryce Canyon.

Continued............

We follow UT-63 towards the entrance station for Bryce but first...

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-kRjCLzL/0/b4afeca9/L/DSCF4507-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-wNsrRzZ/0/7577fd54/L/DSCF4509-L.jpg)

Then it's on to the entrance station.
Right after the station is the Visitors center where we turn in.
It is busy but I find a spot and pull in.
As we are getting our gear off 2 cars back out of their spots and into each other.

This has the road blocked and traffic is backing up big time.
A car next to us tried to back out but we were able to get their attention and stop before they backed into the car stopped behind them.

Well they finally moved the cars out of the way and looked like they were exchanging info so we started in.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-bTnCJqv/0/f2d87305/L/DSCF4511-L.jpg)
Solar power for Bryce.

After getting our souvenirs we head back to the bikes after a pit stop and the 2 cars that had the minor run in are still there.
Maybe waiting on a park ranger to do a report?

anyway we leave and I almost hang a left out of the visitors center. Vicki catches this and we are able to turn right with only some slight embarrassment to me.
No one else was around so all is good.

Same plan as before, go all the way to the end then work our way out.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-BXCgpjR/0/17c5a61f/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-L.jpg)  
Heading into Bryce.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MQkgzHq/0/9e8f4381/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dmSb95J/0/aaa1cf14/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-4-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CmgKQpb/0/a25d7993/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-5-L.jpg)

At one point I had the camera off and we were behind a Jeep.
The Jeep moves into a left turn lane to turn left into an over look.

At the same time there is an SUV coming out of the over look, he has a stop sign, which he runs.
He cuts off the Jeep and almost runs out in front of me, but I have my thumb firmly planted on the horn. (I really need to replace the stock horn)
This causes the putz to sharpen up his turn so he is in the painted median.
We go by at an elevated pace to get around him.

He pulled off at a different view point, had he followed us to the end and tried to pawn off his stupidity on us I would have pulled him from
his SUV and thrown him off the cliff. Consider me the chlorine in the gene pool on this one.

But since he was not behind us a peace and calmness returned to me and we continued to enjoy the ride.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-PRZLRjj/0/9c76c1f9/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-7-L.jpg)
Until this one pulled out in front of me.

He was okay until he tried to turn off at one of the turn outs, it was full. Then when a second one came up he slowed down to look then sped away.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-sqrJQt6/0/ca389fc8/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-8-L.jpg)
All the way to the end, which was closer than I believed it to be, yea!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-rTFXVX8/0/9e170552/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-9-L.jpg)
Some other bikes are here too.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zT6RwSp/0/c4989132/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-10-L.jpg)
Parked close to the trail head and the restrooms.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-bWzsw3Z/0/99907896/X2/20170827_154546-X2.jpg)
Rainbow Point

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-q5PsRhG/0/e33199d3/L/20170827_154639-L.jpg)
Nevermore.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-hc8v9sQ/0/53be055c/L/DSCF4512-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-wssRvTT/0/83ec2970/L/DSCF4513-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-3kHqFjH/0/e138b2f5/L/DSCF4516-L.jpg)
Walking paths at Rainbow Point.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-C6Dpz8B/0/2b657b25/L/DSCF4518-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Gjk9WRn/1/5e11f906/L/DSCF4519-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-KV63Jqb/0/795190cf/L/20170827_155411-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-gF2PwFf/0/fdb26378/L/DSCF4524-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-sfDSXhf/0/ae2dd326/L/DSCF4526-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-3fKrGqk/1/d53873ab/L/20170827_155512-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-5Fcr4Zw/0/19e60b6c/L/DSCF4530-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-sb5Bwwc/0/077a54d9/L/DSCF4532-L.jpg)
No falling please.

After talking to several people here it was time to get along, we're burning daylight.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-kCKSRNz/0/4b480c1f/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-11-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2ZDbM9V/0/6f15bbaa/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-12-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RHkqVmM/0/f107d63e/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-13-L.jpg)

We continued up the road to Ponderosa Canyon for some more pictures.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-NLsj7Zm/0/aced6a85/L/DSCF4533-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-G2xn2DD/0/b0f1b91a/L/DSCF4534-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-HSm3RXq/0/907d085d/XL/20170827_163656-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-7bzNhSS/0/7511931e/L/DSCF4537-L.jpg)

Then up to Agua Canyon.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-KkKhQk5/0/ad5556a1/L/DSCF4538-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-zDr83Cw/0/67f5e205/L/DSCF4540-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Pnnfzr6/0/ac2cc65f/L/DSCF4542-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-vGv9jDJ/0/603cf632/L/DSCF4543-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Mq78KcL/0/924916d6/L/DSCF4544-L.jpg)

Then over to Bryce Natural Bridge

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-kMm38HX/0/9085f4c4/L/DSCF4545-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-fbChBTq/0/e13c8f8a/L/20170827_163720-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-vWh8fhW/0/f0abd76f/L/20170827_163823-L.jpg)
Selfie time. Why does it look like I'm snarling?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-CwMKbKN/0/f297fd48/L/20170827_163842-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-hV3R6Jn/0/be6a61cc/L/20170827_163749-L.jpg)

It's starting to get late, about 4 in the afternoon and we're both getting hungry. We look at the map we got when we entered and decided to go to the lodge for food.

So it's back to the bikes and we start for the entrance.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-m8ZMf7p/0/5dcb3c35/L/DSCF3503-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RHkqVmM/0/f107d63e/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-13-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6QP9Hw9/0/85308c1c/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-15-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-rmxhJGR/0/0ba0e701/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-17-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-TWBWjjD/0/48685d2b/L/DSCF3506-L.jpg)

We find the side road for The Lodge at Bryce Canyon and before we turn in we need to slow as there are several Pronghorns at the side of the road.
As we get closer they scamper off into the woods.

We turn in for the Lodge and go up the road to the parking area and find a spot to park.
We have no idea whats here but we go in to look and they have a restaurant which opens at 5:00 PM, it's 4:55, there is a line, they start seating everyone.

We have chosen The Lodge at Bryce Canyon Restaurant and holy hole in the wallet Batman, this place s expensive!!!
I decide to have the Canyon Classic Caesar salad, with chicken, as an entree and Vicki had the Utah Mixed Greens salad as an entree.
We split the Grand Staircase Quesadillas and they were good.
I think they put half a chicken on my salad, it was good but almost to much.
I believe the bill was in the 40 dollar range.

We then made our way back to the bikes and set off for the hotel.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-SzH3s4t/0/416a8c28/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-18-L.jpg)
Back over to UT-63

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gLk94fK/0/227f360a/L/UT-63%20Bryce%20NP-20-L.jpg)
Past the entrance station and visitors center.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-THNbpcp/0/11685da7/L/UT-63-2-L.jpg)
Past the gas station which we will visit in the morning

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5J8rKHP/0/9e8c1cd7/L/UT-63-3-L.jpg)
To the hotel.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-X8vPzgN/0/8279c3da/L/UT-63-4-L.jpg)
Where we check in and we meet up with the couple from Arkansas we meet yesterday at Capitol Reef.

After we get checked in we find our room around back on the first floor and we park by the back door.
We unload the bikes and bring in all our stuff. I get my laptop out and start moving the files off of the GoPro to a thumb drive.
This is my evening routine, this also charges the batteries on the GoPro.
I have two external batteries and 3 internal. I have a charger for the internal batteries that I plug in to an outlet.

We then walk around the hotel to see what is here and this place is real nice.

After we return to our room we get ready for tomorrow.

we find a weather and news channel then turn in around 10:00 PM local time.

Total miles for today was 176.7 on one gas stop.

Next time Day 10.

Today would also be a short mileage wise day and we actually got to our destination at a reasonable time.

The day started out the same way, except the hotel we were at had a free breakfast.

We went to get some grub and it was crowded, the breakfast area was full! There was seating outside and I believe they opened up a meeting room for overflow traffic.

The food was really good and the staff was top notch. They kept the place clean and items were replaced before they ran out. I'd stay here again.

After our noms were nommed we went back to our room and packed up the remainder of our stuff that did not get packed last night.

The bikes were then loaded, ice was procured from the ice machine a final check of the room was done and we checked out.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dBgX4vG/0/91e4c47b/L/UT-12-79-L.jpg)
Heading west on UT-12 towards Red Canyon.

While walking the halls of the hotel last night we looked at some of the paintings they had. One was of UT-12 going through a ridge. And there was a caption stating it was
in Red Canyon. Vicki asked if we had missed this, I told her we had not. We still had a few more miles to do on 12.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LH97vVN/0/67cd9c2c/XL/UT-12-81-XL.jpg)
We found the painting.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4dfMV4D/0/d03be119/XL/UT-12-82-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hK3WNB3/0/d8be63ff/XL/UT-12-83-XL.jpg)
Cool!

OH! But wait....

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-w2t3LsS/0/bd1e6e2b/XL/UT-12-84-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-p4C2rdz/0/8b4b788b/XL/UT-12-85-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FDMjGmF/0/dbb7e1ea/XL/UT-12-86-XL.jpg)
Bonus! A second one!

And the Red Canyon was not done offering beautiful sites.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jz7Rc5G/0/9e1f5641/L/UT-12-87-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-rM4kxRF/0/94dac616/L/UT-12-88-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LrBdR7g/0/8202b2e3/L/UT-12-89-L.jpg)

It did eventually open up.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zFprZ35/0/cd24777f/L/UT-12-90-L.jpg)

But still a great place to ride.

As we neared US-89 we came upon some more road construction. We did have to stop for a bit, and as we got going again it looked as if I may not be able to head north from here.

Then I can see 2 others turn north on US-89 and I know I can go the route I had planned.

We make our way to Panguitch, UT where we turn south onto UT-143. At the edge of town there is a sign that says Snow plowing daylight hours only.
They're not expecting snow this early are they? There are other signs also but the one that catches your attention is the one stating "This is not US-89" You don't say.

As we get further from civilization the land opens up to scrub brush and not many trees. Then it all seems to change, a little more tress and less desert and the road starts to twist and turn
and you find yourself in ski country.

We also saw another Pronghorn on the side of the road but he took off before I got the GoPro running.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-PHqqXLv/0/89ab7528/L/UT-143-L.jpg)
UT-143.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Lc85KTj/0/0519e7cf/L/UT-143-3-L.jpg)

I also started to see where the ground looked like it had been turned as if it had been plowed.
Turns out they were fire breaks. We found this out a little later.

We also saw the damage that the fires earlier in the year had caused.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-tLSzjgD/0/ebff28a4/L/UT-143-4-L.jpg)
Wide open and no fire damage here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-BqdcBrS/0/3fd22062/L/UT-143-5-L.jpg)
Into the Dixie National forest we go.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Qbt5KB2/0/984f20e3/L/UT-143-6-L.jpg)
The fire threat this day was moderate.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9z3HdBh/0/022443d0/L/UT-143-8-L.jpg)


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7DpmhZT/0/140cc4df/L/UT-143-9-L.jpg)
The road was a bit bumpy but it was enjoyable.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-W9XWwcg/0/33c2acb2/L/UT-143-10-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-JG4CgB4/0/104e12fb/L/UT-143-11-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-bQzKztq/0/1e1a83c1/L/UT-143-12-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RkR79hd/0/315a06a8/L/UT-143-14-L.jpg)
Panguitch Lake

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jXfwfwf/0/9c2d6ae6/L/UT-143-15-L.jpg)
See the streak in the middle of the road and how it goes to the right?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dsVFBJh/0/b4ec0e73/L/UT-143-16-L.jpg)
This is where it ended. Not good.

It did not look as if anyone was in it, but it still sucks this happened.

We continued on and we started to see more signs of fire breaks.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zWz2Kg5/0/ebc593e6/L/UT-143-17-L.jpg)
I don't think this is normal.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7Xd3rMd/0/dcd84495/L/UT-143-18-L.jpg)
Looks like a fire break and fire damage here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-rtvBkLh/0/035cf476/L/UT-143-19-L.jpg)
Fire damage on the right.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-L3Vns2j/0/5323c34a/L/UT-143-20-L.jpg)
Not today I think.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-X4QGb3J/0/69e7b97b/L/UT-143-21-L.jpg)
Yes, we know.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nc5hWmn/0/cc7e3996/L/UT-143-22-L.jpg)
Fire damage to the right and a curvy road in front of us.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9NDRhx5/0/40966059/L/UT-143-23-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-x5sHGgs/0/df61b156/L/UT-143-24-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vSrbqfb/0/42b2e285/L/UT-143-26-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-S5Tq67Q/0/d118961a/L/UT-143-29-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TbVGd5m/0/a258bf46/L/UT-143-30-L.jpg)
This is why we are on UT-143.


From here we picked up UT-148  but first we stopped at the North View viewing area for a photo op.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-WmbFKGh/0/999040cd/XL/20170828_102148-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-4XFkP3p/0/b0f02e27/L/DSCF4569-L.jpg)
One of the locals out for a stroll.

Then it was over to the Chessman Ridge Overlook.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-VKXVRBt/0/1b548593/L/DSCF4571-L.jpg[/img[img]https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-xFRX5Gw/0/1a2227ab/L/DSCF4572-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-ZR9WJ5p/0/9adb4ec2/L/DSCF4574-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-ntCpkrN/0/8b5af257/L/DSCF4581-L.jpg)
We be up there a bit.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-MMrdhD8/0/85385d1a/L/20170828_110832-L.jpg)

Then it was onto the visitors center, this is where we found out about the fire breaks.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LfdjGGf/0/25cd78c7/L/UT-148-L.jpg)
UT-148 heading to the Cedar Breaks National Monument Visitor Center.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-SRB4bsc/0/73cce642/L/UT-148-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Cx5m98C/0/3b55bb7f/L/DSCF4595-L.jpg)
The visitors center where we purchased a few items.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-NxTKWM5/0/9388c04b/L/DSCF4597-L.jpg)
Well....????

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-7TH4MsV/0/f44dac82/L/DSCF4598-L.jpg)
Lets go take a look over there first.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-c2dg9Bd/0/f1d979d5/L/DSCF4601-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-jkF4JfT/0/20158b5c/L/DSCF4596-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-MhTsdQd/0/923b510f/L/DSCF4604-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-5CTPcC3/0/ee2a7e5a/L/20170828_110945-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-Rqp8wnJ/0/f4a7ac30/XL/20170828_111305-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-PsKd5cZ/0/b711c13b/L/DSCF4609-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-BBPqghk/1/4c6fd5f0/L/DSCF4622-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-HXKzgK6/0/39e9ba58/L/DSCF4629-L.jpg)

And it's time to get a move on.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vkQKpJH/0/5b0bf097/L/UT-148-3-L.jpg)
Back on UT-148.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-cqJD9gF/0/90a7a872/L/UT-14-L.jpg)
To UT-14 east.

Sections of UT-14 were bumpy and some were just OK.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wW7sjfd/0/a3fb492f/L/UT-14-2-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vtwwgs7/0/6e23c5e7/L/UT-14-5-L.jpg)
Hey.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jwTCVBc/0/037b76d7/L/UT-14-6-L.jpg)
Howdy.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-bXvSV5w/0/3e403334/L/UT-14-7-L.jpg)
Twisty.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3dFz7S7/0/596a0e31/L/UT-14-9-L.jpg)
Looks like the fires got to here as well.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VnsNxFs/0/758554e8/L/UT-14-10-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9mVzK8n/0/5154f10b/L/UT-14-11-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5SN88Qt/0/1b3f5c4d/L/UT-14-15-L.jpg)
We came up on this guy and he was moving OK until we got to the curvy bits where he slowed then speed up again.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4Hm7s85/0/5f8df47a/L/UT-14-16-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-63657Td/0/926d48d1/L/UT-14-17-L.jpg)
Looked like he went over the DY a few times.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-PzCwx6L/0/c2a49d2b/L/UT-14-18-L.jpg)

With any luck he'll go the opposite way from us when we get to US-89.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KppNGqf/0/621af91e/L/US-89-UT-L.jpg)
Nope. At least he's moving along at a good clip.

Then it's time to turn west onto UT-9.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gN6TXd8/0/ac209e38/L/UT-9-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jPHh9CS/0/94757b9a/L/UT-9-3-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jxhnTLZ/0/79c8fd69/L/UT-9-4-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CmJJNzN/0/82bca414/XL/Zion%20NP-2-XL.jpg)
Then we got to this place.

After getting into the park we stop for a quick break and I take some photos while waiting.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-bj7m86T/0/096508d0/L/DSCF4631-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-mVvKNvh/0/89fa0ec7/L/DSCF4633-L.jpg)

Then its on into Zion and it is absolutely stunning. Take a look.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KXkKg7q/0/1b531e5f/XL/Zion%20NP-3-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TbJ9f2X/0/c36c9a72/XL/Zion%20NP-4-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zCkQBnx/0/144bf514/XL/Zion%20NP-5-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2dtffBm/0/1f7a2b66/XL/Zion%20NP-7-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KTMtrj7/0/f6916404/XL/Zion%20NP-8-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nWrsgsj/0/aad952fa/XL/Zion%20NP-9-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-JLRJC87/0/2e5f4701/XL/Zion%20NP-11-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-JLRJC87/0/2e5f4701/XL/Zion%20NP-11-XL.jpg)

I find a place to pull over so we can take it in.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-vXxZZWX/0/012fabb1/L/DSCF4635-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-dwmngXB/0/8b965d7e/L/DSCF4636-L.jpg)
The road ahead.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-sVt44nj/0/551887ed/L/DSCF4638-L.jpg)
The road behind.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-QW2L3mZ/0/f1665e60/L/DSCF4639-L.jpg)

I've heard others talk about Zion but to be there and experience it in person is quite different.

I could post all the pictures we took and the videos I shot but you would only get a small portion of what we saw and experienced.
You really need to go there and see it all.

Should we go back I would drive through like we did but spend an extra day to go back in and do a little hiking to really see more of it.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-sQQVNGk/0/aec379b9/XL/Zion%20NP-13-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ghjDBj8/0/ed95a19c/XL/Zion%20NP-15-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-PmgwxBv/0/e538dc1f/XL/Zion%20NP-18-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-qcjZ3qQ/0/a598adad/XL/Zion%20NP-19-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QVzzXzD/0/6863e132/XL/Zion%20NP-34-XL.jpg)
One of two.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mRTDzj2/0/85e7e456/XL/Zion%20NP-35-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-PRCRqvK/0/23994cf5/XL/Zion%20NP-36-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-S3RjLdD/0/3805c5ff/XL/Zion%20NP-37-XL.jpg)
Daylight ahead.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-rSh8Lmg/0/17cb9f36/XL/Zion%20NP-40-XL.jpg)
Tunnel without a top?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zC8WsHM/0/79b9bdb1/XL/Zion%20NP-41-XL.jpg)
The second tunnel awaits.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Bh4mW4n/0/451a627b/XL/Zion%20NP-43-XL.jpg)
Hurry up and wait.

While waiting to go thru we took a few more pictures.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-h9trkNB/0/c60f6fe9/L/DSCF4641-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-CmHCgVM/0/bbde3da9/L/DSCF4643-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-xcPsCZ2/0/7d1a067b/L/20170828_131151-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-FBLTHZb/0/a2ecf113/L/20170828_131224-L.jpg)
No one behind us, yet.

After a while we start to move, this tunel is 1.1 miles long and has some windows cut into for light and ventilation.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nTNXbLk/0/281885e7/XL/Zion%20NP-44-XL.jpg)
Yea! We're moving!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Sj6dWvd/0/3adc4ffd/XL/Zion%20NP-45-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wRjPMm9/0/c50ddd02/XL/Zion%20NP-46-XL.jpg)
Dark and cool in here. I think it was 5 degrees cooler in here.

Every time we came up on one of the windows everyone in front of us would slow down.
I think they were trying to get pictures.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hDbWdMh/0/6c7ced4a/XL/Zion%20NP-47-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nxrfgQg/0/7680cf08/XL/Zion%20NP-48-XL.jpg)
Big window.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FkjtWDZ/0/4286a6a9/XL/Zion%20NP-49-XL.jpg)
Brake lights, must be an opening.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ZNMwdNZ/0/cfd1280c/XL/Zion%20NP-50-XL.jpg)
Yup.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-82ZGLJ4/0/c6648b3b/XL/Zion%20NP-52-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-HSWxfkL/0/4fee88fc/XL/Zion%20NP-53-XL.jpg)
Is that the end of the tunnel or a freight train coming our way?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-G95xKX7/0/381c501a/XL/Zion%20NP-54-XL.jpg)
Nope, just another window.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-bHksMTb/0/6c06848d/XL/Zion%20NP-55-XL.jpg)
That's bright!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Rt7zFbH/0/4be234c7/XL/Zion%20NP-56-XL.jpg)
Train, window or the end????

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nkZWwwZ/0/aa5f649c/XL/Zion%20NP-57-XL.jpg)
The end, of the tunnel.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4pLpgXM/0/e9bcd4be/XL/Zion%20NP-59-XL.jpg)
The line waiting to go east.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-frVvKt9/0/eacdb014/XL/Zion%20NP-61-XL.jpg)
There were quite a few switchbacks here, maybe 6 and every time we had to slow to a crawl to go around.
It's 20 MPH not 2 people!

Not sure who was holding up this parade but I wish they would pull over and let us go by.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3sDjftq/0/8d53f21a/XL/Zion%20NP-62-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mBDM8h3/0/2e926767/XL/Zion%20NP-63-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jkm6gLB/0/c218c485/XL/Zion%20NP-64-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-65hLd74/0/f19369be/XL/Zion%20NP-65-XL.jpg)
Might be the white car holding things up, not sure.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-w5rQwcn/0/1ffb0023/XL/Zion%20NP-66-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-qrsKBRr/0/7e81708e/XL/Zion%20NP-67-XL.jpg)
The SUV that was in front of us has pulled off. One down, many to go.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-T2qBhQ3/0/d2738d3c/XL/Zion%20NP-68-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-d8gpHjH/0/39fe3d9a/XL/Zion%20NP-69-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6Lv9b2s/0/d3c6ee4a/XL/Zion%20NP-70-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WsHdWMw/0/9ee216a6/XL/Zion%20NP-71-XL.jpg)
Cool rock formations.

At one point I have the clutch in and I'm coasting as this is downhill.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9rbVRfc/0/63327f55/XL/Zion%20NP-73-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mzcxZrd/0/63ffd3fa/XL/Zion%20NP-74-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-L3XnQcJ/0/c7c25154/XL/Zion%20NP-78-XL.jpg)
Look to the right. Another switchback coming up, at 2 MPH.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-8TxdkbB/0/4265306d/XL/Zion%20NP-79-XL.jpg)
THE WHITE CAR HAS PULLED OVER!! Maybe we can move now!!!?!?!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-bVm4rmm/0/a7fa1d24/XL/Zion%20NP-81-XL.jpg)
Nope.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-92HLD3J/0/42fe3757/XL/Zion%20NP-82-XL.jpg)
I think it's that first SUV holding things up.
I don't like them.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WmzZWWW/0/b83ff679/XL/Zion%20NP-85-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-R6DCd2d/0/38a67a6e/XL/Zion%20NP-86-XL.jpg)

It looks as if everyone is starting to move, about time!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dD4Htmg/0/5981019e/XL/Zion%20NP-88-XL.jpg)
I wanted to go to the lodge but it looks like you need a special pass.
Not sure if my park pass would have got us in so we kept going.

We were going to Hurricane, UT for a ToH stop for Vicki.
I also wanted to stop at a Walgreens for a thumb drive, the two I brought with me were full or close to it.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-JVcN2W6/0/aa28898e/XL/Zion%20NP-89-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QgWz4xd/0/c2298cd7/XL/Zion%20NP-91-XL.jpg)
Now this guy is in the way.
So I adopt my nuisance position, right in his side mirror.
This is my passive aggressive way of saying Move it Skippy!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-72VwWTS/0/f30cbc2f/XL/Zion%20NP-92-XL.jpg)
Can I get around him?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9BPsJcD/0/7969d747/XL/Zion%20NP-93-XL.jpg)
No, not yet.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-8bd3THM/0/48c347be/XL/Zion%20NP-96-XL.jpg)
At least the SUV is pulling off.

We go through Springdale, UT. This is where we'll be staying but we need to get to Hurricane first.
As we pass through I see our hotel but it's to early for check in, about 2 PM or so.

After going through town we are able to open it up and run at an elevated pace.
It is also hot out here. We get to La Verkin where UT-9 turns south and takes us to Hurricane.

We follow UT-9 to Main Street and turn left and make a quick right into the Hurricane Valley Heritage Park Museum.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-CCTvSjS/0/097d4359/L/20170828_140224-L.jpg)
Vicki's Tour of Honor stop.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-LG6tN6n/0/2ae77f5b/L/20170828_140452-L.jpg)

It was quite hot here so we got geared up and headed over to Walgreens. I got 2 32gig thumb drives and some water and Advil.
Then it was back to the bikes to top off the water, take a few minutes in the shade then head back to Springdale, UT.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-PWfkcjQ/0/59a24bab/XL/UT-9-5-XL.jpg)
Heading east on UT-9 from La Verkin.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-BVKfvs2/0/4863505b/L/UT-9-6-L.jpg)
Yea, I'm not putting up with this.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5SL4n4j/0/ddaa5c6f/XL/UT-9-7-XL.jpg)
Bye, bye.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Mfh6zJP/0/637f1269/XL/UT-9-11-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LT2vDCq/0/ca58f0e0/XL/UT-9-12-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-PcMpTkh/0/7ac594ab/XL/UT-9-15-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-8v4FH9R/0/8a63f215/XL/UT-9-17-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ptSWkHD/0/1c8dda77/XL/UT-9-19-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-fSJbzd9/0/ae653d1e/XL/UT-9-20-XL.jpg)
Springdale, UT.

I find the hotel again and we pull in.

While we are checking in, one of the guys at the front desk tells us there is a free shuttle that runs from the visitors center to the western edge of town.

There is also a shuttle in the park so you do not have to drive, cool.
We get checked in and then find our room, around the side.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-mSddTRk/0/747c87b4/L/20170828_191506-L.jpg)
From the hotels parking lot

We unload the bikes then decide to go to the Visitors center as it's only about 4:00 PM local time.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-rx7KQ8p/0/1c72ee9a/L/20170828_191430-L.jpg)
This was the view from the door of our room.

We walk to the shuttle stop and board the bus for the trip to the visitors center.
This takes all of 8 minutes or so.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-QGS73Ms/0/5c829fb0/L/20170828_171021-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-L8TnNd2/0/6991dd2a/L/20170828_172943-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-g5xGFNz/0/8ae5d30f/L/20170828_173036-L.jpg)

We go in and do some merchandising then head back to the bus stop.

We decide to go 2 stops past the stop we got on at to see if we can find some place for dinner.

We find Zion Pizza & Noodle Co. We go on in and look over the menu and order.

The food is good and the portions are large.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-cKk27Vz/0/c01b6685/L/20170828_181507-L.jpg)
Vicki was thirsty and this is what quenched her thirst.

We then walked back to our hotel, the Desert Pearl Inn, and start getting ready for tomorrow.

Today's trip was all of 183.9 miles with just the one gas stop.

We turned in about 10 PM for a good nights sleep as tomorrow would be just a bit longer than today.

Until next time.................

Today we would be hitting a tourist trap, an animal shelter, a ToH stop a national monument all before we got to our ending point.
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

this is what the route looked like.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-G69b4Rf/0/84c3f3a2/L/Day%2011%20map-L.jpg)
I don't know why I didn't think of posting this before on all the other days.

After waking and our morning routine we took a few pics around the hotel.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Lhgdrfq/0/1d0c6796/L/DSCF4646-L.jpg)
From the parking lot.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-PtM7RDw/0/835ec585/L/DSCF4649-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-kTLgVCt/0/8ac60232/L/20170829_081418-L.jpg)
Sunrise over the pool area which was mere steps from our room.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-dzMTMJq/0/4138efe3/L/DSCF4651-L.jpg)
Packed and ready to go.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-zF67dJs/0/3083578c/L/DSCF4656-L.jpg)
Patio outside of our room.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-g76ktxd/0/ef6f1d02/XL/20170829_082720-XL.jpg)
One last shot before we depart.

When we left I turned left out of the hotel as there was a gas station less than a half mile from the hotel.
We gassed up the bikes and got a quick snack for breakfast as the hotel, a resort really, did not have the free breakfast.
Vicki had asked if we were going to stop in Zion for anything and I had told her we didn't need to but if she saw something she wanted to stop for pull over.

After our snacks were snacked we headed east into the rising sun back to Zion National Park.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7g4FLxz/0/ab4eb017/XL/Zion%20NP-97-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jVzp47x/0/c55fe51d/XL/Zion%20NP-99-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3gSMmCb/0/7b7c8ac7/XL/Zion%20NP-100-XL.jpg)
Yes! A clear road ahead. None of that slow pokieness we encountered yesterday.

Just have to deal with the sun in our eyes.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CQNq2Wd/0/1cb04a0a/XL/Zion%20NP-101-XL.jpg)
The first switchback and it's clear! Yea!!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RwzXQmf/0/4973689c/XL/Zion%20NP-103-XL.jpg)
Oh for the love of......................

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3d9Vfxw/0/b68829d2/XL/Zion%20NP-104-XL.jpg)
The second switchback, and it's clogged.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CsfkRBd/0/f2ad8bab/XL/Zion%20NP-105-XL.jpg)
Still a beautiful view.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-H3XhHLX/0/2b332061/XL/Zion%20NP-106-XL.jpg)
HEY!  Einstein!  To the RIGHT of the double yellow!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VLgk3V9/0/edefff13/XL/Zion%20NP-108-XL.jpg)
The third switchback and it's still clogged.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-qcXtSZN/0/3dd8c434/XL/Zion%20NP-109-XL.jpg)
Holy passing opportunity Batman! He's pulling over, quick, gas it before he changes his mind!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-R6JbRgc/0/f3614a65/XL/Zion%20NP-110-XL.jpg)
YEA!!!  Clear again!!!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dwZkNF6/0/a9f28377/XL/Zion%20NP-111-XL.jpg)
Number 4, clear!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-STCC2FC/0/ca2653e4/XL/Zion%20NP-112-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FTk2hNL/0/f6a09ca5/XL/Zion%20NP-113-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-kMdVZzH/0/ecde05f8/XL/Zion%20NP-114-XL.jpg)
Number 5, but what's that in the distance?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LN38xRF/0/a02329e0/XL/Zion%20NP-116-XL.jpg)
Cloudy with a chance of SUV. Crap!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RXJxBxM/0/53e5a7e7/XL/Zion%20NP-117-XL.jpg)
HEY!!!

Looks like they're having fun and she had a camcorder. Bet it turned out better than my GoPro.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4dRgCcZ/0/31687e33/XL/Zion%20NP-119-XL.jpg)
Oh well. Could be worse.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-pWGqvjx/0/c3f522c9/XL/Zion%20NP-121-XL.jpg)
Completed in 1930.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-rm9tgPB/0/d4ca8a4b/L/DSCF4661-L.jpg)
Now we wait.

While we were waiting I asked the park ranger why the one way traffic.
She said it was to let the larger vehicles run down the middle of the tunnel as the clearance on the side was lower than the center.

Makes sense, vehicles are taller and wider than they were in 1930.

While we're waiting we might as well take a few pictures.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-VRWpTHV/0/50de21ce/L/DSCF4663-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-W6Z4WRW/0/373ca293/L/DSCF4664-L.jpg)
Several more have joined the party.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-37JGRQd/0/da8ac6b1/L/DSCF4667-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Tjknhst/0/364f3ba5/L/DSCF4669-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-hv52cnB/0/129d3734/L/DSCF4670-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-jdD8zwj/0/da72d610/L/DSCF3525-L.jpg)

And it's time to go, they've opened the tunnel to east bound traffic.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-JmVfMXq/0/3a1804c6/XL/Zion%20NP-122-XL.jpg)
Off we go.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-H87gBQC/0/040041cf/XL/Zion%20NP-123-XL.jpg)
Note the height difference of the side compared to the middle. Watch your top of the RV.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CPTXfW2/0/17f2d5ce/XL/Zion%20NP-124-XL.jpg)
Just a few car lengths in it gets reel dark reel quick. (Just as an aside, should it be REEL or REAL? Just trying to head off the grammar Nazi's)

Back to the tunnel..

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vzQjN6K/0/3e3e8406/XL/Zion%20NP-125-XL.jpg)
The first of five openings.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Rd7dNMR/0/6311a1ce/XL/Zion%20NP-126-XL.jpg)
Two.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-H3Bn8x5/0/143386b7/XL/Zion%20NP-127-XL.jpg)
Three (I know there are two windows there but I'm counting them as one)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-53hJDkJ/0/dd495818/XL/Zion%20NP-128-XL.jpg)
Four.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VgtPWhS/0/02a23b0e/XL/Zion%20NP-129-XL.jpg)
Five.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nwsk27k/0/53df7575/XL/Zion%20NP-131-XL.jpg)
And we are out.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LCbT59X/0/03e3b072/XL/Zion%20NP-132-XL.jpg)
There were only a few cars waiting to go west this morning.

They did let the smaller vehicles through so there was two way traffic as we headed east.
I had thought about trying to go around the SUV that was in front of us while in the tunnel but the oncoming traffic dissuaded me of that thought.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-p2357rX/0/eb31076b/XL/Zion%20NP-133-XL.jpg)
At least he's moving at a clip.

Every time we came up to a pull out I checked to see if Vicki wanted to stop, she did not so we continued on.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-csQwfht/0/4c409f9e/XL/Zion%20NP-135-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Gc6jD3k/0/1b2d77b3/XL/Zion%20NP-137-XL.jpg)
Why are you slowing down?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dhpcHnG/0/4e0b27c1/XL/Zion%20NP-138-XL.jpg)
The second tunnel or the first. Depending on what direction you're travling in.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-8ddhFDm/0/fd0b04b5/XL/Zion%20NP-139-XL.jpg)
What does that sign say?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-qBLGdG4/0/33020635/XL/Zion%20NP-140-XL.jpg)
Lights required. Caution, bicycling may be present.

If there are any bicycling present can I run them over??
Vicki said no :bluduh:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-R6NWhH8/0/aa31e7f5/XL/Zion%20NP-141-XL.jpg)
In we go.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ZSMRmDB/0/2cca5718/XL/Zion%20NP-142-XL.jpg)
Go to the light!

I hope it's not a semi.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nQgWf8G/0/fa000adc/XL/Zion%20NP-143-XL.jpg)
Nope, just the exit.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nxxhN3k/0/866cdab5/XL/Zion%20NP-148-XL.jpg)
I'm trying to keep a constant speed going thru here and he's playing yo-yo.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wDWH7KS/0/ef964c45/XL/Zion%20NP-150-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RpSDVfs/0/e83b63d9/XL/Zion%20NP-151-XL.jpg)
Dude, you need to move.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hX82B3x/0/30951ada/XL/Zion%20NP-152-XL.jpg)
YES!! Quick down a gear and open the throttle before he changes his mind!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FLwFT7j/0/967e62bd/XL/Zion%20NP-153-XL.jpg)
Much better!

We continued this way all the way thru Zion and all the way to US-89.

I just do not like being behind others.There's a few people I will follow and not bitch about it as they are either better riders and/or ride the pace I do.
Everyone else is a rolling chicane.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7qZwfr6/0/a8b6fcb2/XL/Zion%20NP-154-XL.jpg)
Just the sun is in front of us now.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dsRmtxc/0/e036164e/XL/Zion%20NP-156-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CrpbpMZ/0/1ccf5a1d/XL/Zion%20NP-158-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ZnmDx8g/0/9ddf4c6e/XL/Zion%20NP-159-XL.jpg)
We exit Zion National Park.

Riding through Zion was the shortest ride of the 5 in Utah but I believe it was the best ride.

As I said before I would like to return and do some more exploring of this park.
Maybe an STN get together? Hmmmm, this has possibilities.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4Kx5VQL/0/88a4f6f2/XL/UT-9-22-XL.jpg)
Heading east on UT-9, still no traffic in front of us.

We get to US-89 and turn south towards Arizona. But first I stop at Moqui Cave, this would be the tourist trap I was referring to.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-HQWwfwn/0/c9d6127c/L/DSCF4671-L.jpg)
Moqui Cave

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-8QJNkBW/0/d9e93787/L/DSCF4672-L.jpg)
US-89 south from Moqui Cave.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-6GxjtTR/0/11d133fb/L/20170829_095755-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-mWSgxN8/0/29c73a69/L/DSCF4673-L.jpg)
The entrance.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-zBjqzCF/0/94593188/L/20170829_095821-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-JwLkZgb/0/987617da/L/DSCF4675-L.jpg)

There is quite a bit to see here and like I said it's a tourist trap but it's worth the 5 dollar entry fee.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-MdgG3dk/0/f9f06300/L/DSCF4683-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-zCvbbWN/0/cd9775f9/L/20170829_095935-L.jpg)
Quite a few movies were filmed in the area back in the 50's.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-P8MRpXw/0/88878e1e/L/DSCF4691-L.jpg)
Artifacts found in the area.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-NfVXzFX/0/dc0cf04b/L/DSCF4695-L.jpg)
The guide that was there told us they used to have dances here as there was no other place close by people could go to.
And of course they needed a bar to serve drinks.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Z85Pr8n/0/d1261482/L/DSCF4704-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-N4vDR4k/0/05697196/L/DSCF4705-L.jpg)
Some luminescent minerals.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-8rFkh3s/0/4de2a543/L/DSCF4706-L.jpg)
Fossil foot prints from a few years back.

It was quite a bit cooler inside the cave but we do need to get moving, so back out to the road we go.

But it is a quick trip to...

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-xM7Spn5/0/1a60df2e/L/DSCF4708-L.jpg)
Vicki donates money to these guys and since we are out here we stop by for a look.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Bubbler-Pics/i-tbxkDS2/0/15ff6855/M/1504024965068-M.jpg)
They have their own license plates!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-q9CdwbR/0/63c469c3/L/DSCF4709-L.jpg)
The main building.

They do have tours but it takes 2 hours to do it. They have a lot of land here so I can understand why it takes so long.
So unfortunately we have to leave, but first Vicki buys a few things here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-8h8Xhgr/0/406fe38b/L/20170829_111040-L.jpg)
Just another visitor to Best Friends.

Then it's back to the bikes and into Kanab we go.
As we get into the town we follow US-89 where it turns east for 33 miles to Vicki's ToH stop.
Of course they are doing road construction on US-89 before we get to the ToH stop so we wait a bit before we continue on.

So now I have traffic behind us and I'm looking for the turn, which is on our left.

I see it, to late, and point it out to Vicki and everyone behind me.
I slow and get to the right shoulder, everyone behind me slows and moves over a bit to pass us.
Just by giving that advanced warning I believe was enough to avoid some nasty language directed towards me.
I hope.

We get turned around and get to the monument without further drama.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-FKGpsf5/0/99c21dd3/L/20170829_121526-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-XWxqWR7/0/90b4be71/L/20170829_121757-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Gd2mCFg/0/1e34e7c8/L/DSCF4712-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-f7hB7Zs/0/779a765b/L/DSCF4713-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-z7gPBFB/0/c3c4d3a2/L/DSCF4716-L.jpg)
That might cause issues later on.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-h7cg5kN/1/5fb347ef/L/DSCF4717-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-jbVrJwz/0/b9b9de4b/L/DSCF4722-L.jpg)

While we were taking pictures here a guy on a V-Strom pulled in. At first we thought he was also doing the ToH but he was out for a ride.
He did not know of the Tour Of Honor.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-qPDpqmt/0/aeff599b/L/20170829_121808-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-ZTRG2fg/0/868340ae/L/20170829_121825-L.jpg)
This was 5 miles up a dirt road from where we were taking the ToH photos.
A couple in a car had just come from there just after we pulled in and he said it was passable for motorcycles.
We declined as we had had our fill of dirt/gravel roads for this trip. Well, I did anyway.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-GvqQLMq/0/51fe6371/XL/20170829_122115-XL.jpg)

And with the pictures taken we double back US-89 to Kanab for lunch, Subway.
Then I top off the bikes and it's off to Pipe Spring National Monument we go.

We leave Subway heading west on US-89 until we pick up US-89A and turn south for Arizona.

We cross into Arizona without fanfare and no GoPro running.
When we get to Fredonia, AZ we turn west onto AZ-389 for 14 miles to Pipe Springs.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-ngwBMwb/0/d2d86d66/L/DSCF4725-L.jpg)
The walkway to Winsor Castle. One of the curators of this place made it into a castle. It was a fort but it ended up not being needed as a fort.
The wife of the second couple that lived there is the one who made changes to the building and made it look less like a fort.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-VcfQDmt/0/d81786b3/L/DSCF4726-L.jpg)
People waiting on the tour, which we did take.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-N7QvVMG/0/8d139f51/L/DSCF4727-L.jpg)
The stable and pen for livestock.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-nJpT278/0/96b0cbfd/L/DSCF4729-L.jpg)
One of the gates.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Vs66tsN/0/7c0838df/L/DSCF4730-L.jpg)
The other gate.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-2WLXNSJ/0/0e31468f/L/DSCF4731-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-nnzHpJS/0/5b8cb9bb/L/DSCF4734-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-F3bv758/0/e0b79470/L/20170829_144422-L.jpg)
The stove was made in Chicago, shipped to Salt Lake City then sent here by wagon. No free shipping.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-7xFJ5CC/0/4756be5c/L/DSCF4740-L.jpg)
This was also a telegraph station. The glass what-ya-call it is original, I think.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Pb5v6Q3/0/92211644/L/DSCF4741-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-JNnHsSX/0/5552396d/L/DSCF4746-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-JgjnZj8/0/64f5261d/L/DSCF4750-L.jpg)
Water flows from the mountains to here.

The guide said that the water will stop flowing about 2030. It has slowed considerably in the past 20 years I believe is what she said.
 
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-TLVNgc4/0/1b3d98a7/L/20170829_150653-L.jpg)
After the place was abandoned cowboys used to use the place for shelter. They left their names & initials on the mantel.

The NPS took it over in the early 1900's.
You can find more info here:
https://www.nps.gov/pisp/learn/historyculture/index.htm

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-sthJSn8/0/213fa98e/L/DSCF4756-L.jpg)
The water flows out of the castle here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-dbwQvz6/0/d1c37a99/L/DSCF4759-L.jpg)
Then into this pond.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-nLHnSQ2/0/92b21ca8/L/20170829_151007-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-NJ74BKt/0/7b3d624c/L/DSCF4761-L.jpg)

If you are out this way take a side trip here and take the tour. It is worth the visit, there is so much to see and learn about.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-PRj6pq4/0/a6c86707/L/DSCF4757-L.jpg)
Early family wagon.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-Dh3SnLJ/0/26ecbc16/L/20170829_151511-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-PZj9Z43/0/f56959a3/L/20170829_151900-L.jpg)
Looks like we got some rain heading our way.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-RxrM6JQ/0/45761ece/L/DSCF4762-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-SXwtfwS/0/418f6c34/L/DSCF4763-L.jpg)

With the clouds building up we decided to make a pit stop here and start heading to the North Rim, a mere 88 miles from here.

We start heading back east on AZ-389 and shortly after leaving it starts to spit rain at us.
I close up my jacket and the vent on my helmet but we get very little rain from this.

As we got back to Fredonia I see a Sheriff's police SUV has someone pulled over.
This entire trip I have not seen anyone pulled over until now.
Then as we turned onto US-89A there is another Sheriff's SUV heading in the opposite direction.
I also saw one on the way into Fredonia, 3 cops in one small town is 3 more than I've seen since we started this journey.

At some point along 89A the terrain changed from desert to this.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2ddtH85/0/3d64b408/XL/US-89A-XL.jpg)
We did get some more light rain along the way.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3TSbPkG/0/ac363115/XL/US-89A-4-XL.jpg)

We got to Jacob Lake, AZ and stopped for a pit stop.
It had rained here earlier and the road was still wet.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-jqFGWxz/0/7c3dc9d4/L/DSCF3536-L.jpg)

We start heading south on AZ-67 towards the North Rim Lodge where we will be staying for the next 2 night.
From the Chevron station to the lodge is only 43 miles and the road is fairly smooth and the limit is 55MPH until you get into the park itself.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vjmcC2k/0/cf32a569/XL/AZ-67-XL.jpg)
It also has some curves in it.

The closer to the lodge you get the more curves there are.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MTjhWHn/0/69095949/XL/AZ-67-2-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nzkpg4H/0/98646575/XL/AZ-67-4-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-HTP8HqB/0/d6dfaf44/XL/AZ-67-5-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-qrj3WX3/0/5e2c5796/XL/AZ-67-8-XL.jpg)
Now the trees start to thicken up.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Wmpn4Bz/0/a93e1254/XL/AZ-67-9-XL.jpg)

At one point we need to slow down as there are wild turkeys by the road. Not the ones in a glass bottle but real ones!
After these guys the only other tings we need to worry about are  deer, elk, bison and cattle as it is an open range, no worries.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MhScwbD/0/d1239a8a/XL/AZ-67-10-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vbDzWBf/0/3778473b/XL/AZ-67-17-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Km6sJTZ/0/b20c0ec5/XL/AZ-67-18-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zDb4sDZ/0/0a0444d4/XL/AZ-67-20-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-bFKPKCr/0/097d25b2/XL/AZ-67-21-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nNjF8fg/0/4765a293/XL/AZ-67-22-XL.jpg)

We get to the lodge but we cannot park out in front so its parking around the side of the lodge in a parking lot.
As we walk to the lodge we come to the visitors center, we stop here first to stamp Vicki's passport then head over to the lodge to check in.

Now I had thought the rooms would be in the lodge on the north rim, they were not.
There were 2 buildings on the right as we came into the lodge complex that were the hotel rooms.
So we have to go back to the other end of the parking lot find a spot, unload the bikes, walk down a few steps to the road, cross the road then walk down several more steps
go around to the back of the building to our room. Yea, no problem.

After getting to our room we find no A/C, a small bathroom, no tv which is a good thing, a table and one chair.
But the one thing that bugged me was the electrical outlets.
I plugged in my battery charger for the GoPro batteries and it fell out.
I did get it to stay but the plugs needed to be replaced and the entire hotel could use a re-model.
It was OK but next time we are out this way I may stay at the south rim.

After getting settled we went back to the lodge to see if we could get some grub.
The restaurant was over priced for what they had. There was The Coffee Shop & Roughrider Saloon and the Deli in the Pines.
We went to the deli and even that was expensive but we got some food, I had a BBQ pork sammich and it was OK, Vicki had a salad which wasn't OK.

After the food was consumed we went to the terrace to watch the sunset over the Grand Canyon.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-dCp8SnJ/0/430a6376/L/DSCF4774-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-q5Vx88C/0/74a06969/L/DSCF4775-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-2HF3ffh/0/ca00930f/L/DSCF4777-L.jpg)
There is a point you can walk to, left side of the pic, for a different view of the Canyon.

We went out there or down to it. Problem is, ya gotta walk back UP.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-hXPXzrx/0/f68a4ec2/L/DSCF4778-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-w37VZKx/0/7ab08954/L/DSCF4780-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-B4vWfRC/0/d3bf331c/L/DSCF4781-L.jpg)
Looking back UP at the lodge.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-wxTzVwf/0/42f4ac49/L/DSCF4783-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-JgZZHNs/0/068b6b25/L/DSCF4784-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-gkGhGbC/0/2a527940/L/DSCF4785-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-cjWFvVq/0/9e2b7044/L/DSCF4788-L.jpg)
Sunset is a few minutes away.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-pTM66cK/0/a09cf770/L/DSCF4792-L.jpg)

Up by the lodge it was nice, out here on this point the wind was blowing pretty good. Make sure your hat is on tight or you will lose it.

At some point I decided to go back up. The railings in some spots were sketchy at best but Vicki did not bring her camera so I left her mine.
My camera is like a 35mm camera, Vicki's is a typical digital camera. You power it up and the lens pops out.
Mine has a regular lens with a lens cap, which I put on.

I go back UP the path to the lodge, I need to stop half way up as I'm out of breath, old and fat dontchaknow.

I get the rest of the way up and find a spot I can sit and die if needed.
Several minutes later Vicki comes wheezing up the path.

She said there's something wrong with the camera, it wont power up. The screen and view finder do not show anything.

See where I'm going with this?


I take the camera from her and remove the lens cap.

The camera works fine, the user not so much.

Embarrassed? Just a bit.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-8gdDBQB/0/6f40157a/L/DSCF4818-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-v84djBd/0/741ede91/L/DSCF4819-L.jpg)

We walk over to the saloon and get a drink, we find a place to sit and have our drinks and talk about the day.
We then walk about the grounds for a little bit then its back to our room.

I get things ready for tomorrows trip to the south rim, I transfer the files from my GoPro to the thumb drive, take a look at some of them and then get ready to turn in.

Today's mileage was 226.3 and only 2 gas stops.


Until next time..........

Today would be just a quick(?) run to the south rim.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-529zV3R/0/19104a1e/L/Day%2012%20map-L.jpg)
Today's route.

Easy, right?

We take off a bit early and head over to the Jacob Lake Inn for breakfast.
We figured for what we would spend at the lodge for coffee and pastry we could get a full breakfast for 2 at the Inn.

As we walk to the bikes I'm thinking I don't need my sweat shirt, it's fairly warm here. When I turned on the bike it showed it was 66 degrees, nice.

I put my sweat shirt in my side bag, finish gearing up and off we go.

And after we've gone maybe 5 miles the temps start to drop. It went from 66 to 50 degrees, I thought about stopping and putting on my sweat shirt but
that would take time and I wanted to keep going. It did warm back up as we got closer to Jacob Lake.

And as we got closer to US-89A we saw this.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-cbnxwPx/0/4375673c/XL/AZ-67-23-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-43GMzJM/0/3d91e11e/XL/AZ-67-24-XL.jpg)
Flight for life was landing at the Inn

As we pulled in the helo was shutting down, there were paramedics there already and they were looking after someone in a truck that was towing a trailer.

The nearest city was Flagstaff and that's 165 miles from here to the medical center in Flagstaff.
Almost 3 hours by ground.
By air, maybe an hour 15?

We did not stand around and gawk, others were coming out with their phones to get video of the helicopter landing and/or taking off.

Anyway, we went in got seated, ordered breakfast and about this time I heard the helicopter spooling up.
I believe they did take the person they were working on, he was up and conscious sitting in the truck when we pulled up, to the hospital.
I also heard someone say Flagstaff was the closest hospital.

When we left the Truck & trailer and the paramedics were gone.

We headed south on US-89A to US-89, 89A was quite bumpy but scenic.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3c4jSH6/0/59d9ced0/XL/US-89A-6-XL.jpg)
US-89A.

I did not run the GoPro much along here as we would be going back this way tomorrow.

The lower we got, elevation wise, the warmer it got.

We turned south on US-89 and headed to the south rim. There was traffic in spots, at one point  we were stuck in a long line of traffic because one person would not pass an RV
that was holding everyone up. When we got to a passing lane the RV sped up and the guy behind did not go around him.
AND they both stayed in the left lane.
A few did pass them on the right but the passing lane ended so we were stuck again.
And the original non-passer was at it again. A long opening and he wont pass.
We're 4 or 5 cars behind this and I'm fed up with this. I start looking around the guy in front of me, this causes him to speed up a little.
There are time I REALLY enjoy being a nuisance, but not this time.

I just want to get around these rolling road blocks.
Passing lane ahead, RV and NP stick to the left. We and the guy in front of me go to the right and gun it.
We pass the RV and Mr NoPass but the schmuck in front of me now slows down.

OH HELL NO!!! Down to 4th and to the left and BYE-BYE!!
The passing lane ends but I keep the speed up. Need to put as much distance between them and me.

We get into Cameron and find AZ-64 and head west towards the South Rim.
At one point I see what looks like an ambulance behind us.
It's pretty far back so I don't slow down, for now.

I keep getting a reflection in the mirrors from this van so I slow a bit and as it gets closer I see it is not an ambulance.
Just the paint job on it was reflecting the sunlight in such a way and the distance made it look like they had lights going.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WgKmN38/0/35e33e61/XL/AZ-64-XL.jpg)
AZ-64

We get to the entrance station and the ranger tells us the first stop ahead, the Desert View Watchtower, is a good place to start.
So this is where we start, after a quick pit stop.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-84jcQSd/0/e16d1f43/L/DSCF4820-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-qNVxtZL/0/3fd7afe1/L/20170830_130634-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-4MJnnJr/0/c6426406/L/DSCF4822-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-dHKQxQB/0/4c9af6b4/L/20170830_130713-L.jpg)
Raven.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-RsdB3DF/0/08336aeb/L/20170830_131418-L.jpg)
Vicki took this. I didn't even see this till now as I'm writing this.
I saw an episode of "Air Disasters" that featured this, yet I never saw this.


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-kZsLvM6/0/c7f68e0a/L/20170830_131438-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-6K3pKR3/0/8cd2b327/XL/20170830_131759-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-7gV2jBh/0/4c050406/L/DSCF4827-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-vGCHd6V/0/410455d2/L/DSCF4831-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-qsvPd66/0/2791ca26/L/20170830_131834-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-4ZQHWhz/0/8a4e1b88/L/DSCF4838-L.jpg)
Looks like its raining on the other side of the canyon.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-7RVjpdZ/0/8e193fe4/L/20170830_132948-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-SwFDc2H/1/0d8c11b6/XL/20170830_132937-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-s7wqgRr/0/f7e14881/L/20170830_142738-L.jpg)
Hiking info. Looks like it's not for the faint of heart or fat old guys. I'm out.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-4DVSFdJ/0/6dcd7519/L/20170830_142752-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-58dgMqZ/0/d8882372/L/DSCF4842-L.jpg)
From the top of the castle, not from the tower, they did not let anyone up that far.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-hhhg5Qq/0/c0f45b53/L/DSCF4843-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-7Pk9g6P/0/ce9ddea2/L/DSCF4839-L.jpg)
Inside the castle. There were some people of the Navajo tribe selling the jewelry and other things they made.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-vwnFX9w/0/4db366d9/L/DSCF3539-L.jpg)

Back to the bikes we go and we head off for the visitors center at the grand canyon village.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4c9FN7C/0/bcacd6e2/XL/AZ-64-3-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ZqbHhsg/0/ea1d6ee8/XL/AZ-64-4-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-r8h9rtN/0/7ad3653f/XL/AZ-64-7-XL.jpg)

We get to Grand Canyon Village and we find a parking lot, I pull in to find a spot. I head up one of the first aslies I come to and head to the start of it.
I get lucky and find a spot close to the buildings.
the bikes get parked and our helmets and jackets get locked up in the side bags.

It's time to merchandise!

But first.....



(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-NDnBZKr/0/22e59cba/L/DSCF4849-L.jpg)


lets go sight seeing!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-bvLS3x2/0/42ac1e0a/L/DSCF4850-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-5HN7mLq/0/fe9cdb34/L/20170830_150035-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-hbCZqnC/0/65e3c6e2/L/DSCF4851-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-SNczX97/0/a0e9bf39/L/DSCF4854-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-3cVS4Z7/1/3915115a/L/DSCF4859-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-VtNsfbW/0/0aba88f2/L/20170830_150801-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-pmrTFrG/0/3077209b/L/20170830_151013-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-JnNLxmn/0/69453582/L/DSCF4860-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-KQ2PfBs/0/49c185b2/L/DSCF4861-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-ZtVWC3f/0/2c9194eb/L/DSCF4864-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-3bKkLDj/0/dbe0fa8a/L/DSCF4863-L.jpg)
Hole in the wall.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-x94ZvwT/0/3dfeb1f1/L/DSCF4869-L.jpg)
Not his best side.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-wZzDM7N/0/451deeb8/L/DSCF4871-L.jpg)
Hey, buddy. Can ya spare a dollar?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-v8xmz5m/0/bfd83727/L/DSCF4872-L.jpg)
To many people here, maybe we should start heading back.

We head back to the visitors center and get a few things. Then it's time to head back to the North Rim.
As we gear up Vicki says she wants to stop at a store in the village so we can get some things.
So we head over to the store and get what we need, I don't remember what she got.

Then, back at the bikes she says there was a museum she wanted to stop at on the way out. OK.

Off we go, doubling back the way we came in.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FF6pzzh/0/37385570/XL/AZ-64-8-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Nc6zFrQ/0/c78b7253/XL/AZ-64-9-XL.jpg)
Nice road thru the park, some curves and fairly smooth.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MxmQpbV/0/ebb03b18/XL/AZ-64-10-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TKSCMM8/0/02e0b3b9/XL/AZ-64-11-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jxPGZ5J/0/0aa87ca1/XL/AZ-64-12-XL.jpg)

I find the meuseum and turn in.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-XbV2K3t/0/e879a268/L/DSCF4873-L.jpg)
The Tusayan Museum.

As we dismount someone from the car that pulled in behind us comes up and asks if we rode all the way out here from Ilinois?

We said we did, he could not believe we had rode all the way out here.
We talked a little bit more then went on in to the meusum to look around and learn things.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-wbHNwRg/0/85d89a5d/L/DSCF4874-L.jpg)

Then it was back on the bikes for the ride back.

As we got to the entrance of the park there were 4 Harley's in front of us.
At every corner I saw brake lights come on.

These guys were fitting the sterotype perfectly yet they were unaware.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-bPkqpcH/0/191064e5/XL/AZ-64-13-XL.jpg)
Just turned on the GoPro as they exit a corner.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Q836vQX/0/db234344/XL/AZ-64-14-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-GWLfZPt/0/05c5d443/XL/AZ-64-15-XL.jpg)
3 of 4 on the brakes.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-pvfvvTC/0/ec5e169d/XL/AZ-64-16-XL.jpg)
JACKPOT!!!! All 4 on the binders.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gMWxBVJ/0/ba9ccc36/XL/AZ-64-17-XL.jpg)
Now they want to get picturs at the sign so they need to turn around.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-BCvw4P2/0/8031e07f/XL/AZ-64-18-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KMfBcXQ/0/66408848/XL/AZ-64-19-XL.jpg)
He's gotta wait for traffic to clear.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jKpr6qr/0/477b0712/XL/AZ-64-20-XL.jpg)
Not me.
I go by slowly as not to startle him and cause a stampede.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RZtXN37/0/3bd5c433/XL/AZ-64-21-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ZrXm3NQ/0/aa87cb05/XL/AZ-64-22-XL.jpg)
And it's clear sailing all the way back to Cameron, AZ.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9R7nGzN/0/224d1023/XL/AZ-64-23-XL.jpg)

We get to US-89 and head over to the Conoco station to top off the gas tanks and a pit stop.

We also got more ice and water here and a snack to tide us over. We plan on stopping at the Jacob Lake Inn for dinner.

As we are sitting on the side walk looking at the bikes Vicki remarks that myine looks angry.
With the different lines of my bike compared to hers it just looks mean.

The she states "Mine on the other hand looks like....I don't know"

And I chime in with the song from Beaky Buzzard from Bugs Bunny fame.

(https://res.cloudinary.com/teepublic/image/private/s--Nwbr5vvl--/t_Preview/b_rgb:ffffff,c_limit,f_jpg,h_630,q_90,w_630/v1463591113/production/designs/515852_1.jpg)

This..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mKIuZ4tIzk

Yup, that's her 06 compared to my 16. We break up laughing for a bit because that was EXACTLY what she was thinking.
Go killer! Go get a little bunny.

We compose ourselves for the ride back to Jacob Lake and then the hotel.
It's getting late and we're still 114 miles from Jacob Lake and then we have to go another 44 miles after that.
Get along, we're burning daylight.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mRPS7Xt/0/82b72016/XL/US-89-XL.jpg)
US-89

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FTwRpxj/0/8f439ee6/XL/US-89-2-XL.jpg)
US-89, still.

Traffic going back isn't bad, I'm running about 75 trying to make time.

As we get to US-89A there's an RV in fron of us and he's turnning onto 89A.
There is no oncomming traffic once we are on 89A so around him we go.
And I pick up the pace considerably.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-V6KmrHG/0/c16036ec/XL/US-89A-8-XL.jpg)
US-89A heading north to Jacob Lake.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CVg9HJD/0/73aac138/XL/US-89A-9-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WjrStmS/0/fa31285d/XL/US-89A-10-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-L7vPG47/0/cbb8270c/XL/US-89A-11-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xLZtbMR/0/54c4970e/XL/US-89A-12-XL.jpg)

Across the Colorado we go and its another 44 miles to get to Jacob Lake.
We pull into the Inn at about 6 PM and we go in for dinner knowing it will be dark when we leave.

Dinner here is just as good as breakfast and we leave here about 7:15 or so.
First thing I get my sweat shirt then we gear up and we are off for the last 43 miles of the day.

When the sun sets here, it sets. It is pitch black now I told Vicki not to use her brights as they bother me.

The speed limit varies from 35 to 55 then down to 45, 35 and 25 in the park. I'm running at 40 to 45 with my brights on
turning them off only when oncoming traffic is near us.

At one point I see 2 or 3 deer on my right and they are just a few feet from the road, I slow down some more.
There are also 6 to 8 more on the left but they are further off the road but I do see them.

I see a vehicle approaching and I go back to the low beams. There is another vehicle behind the first so I leave the low beams on.
This van then flashes his brights, I do not.

He turns on his brights.

Vicki and I turn on our brights at the same time.

He turns his off.

This goes on almost all the way back to the hotel. I have my low beams on and I get flashed.
As cars were heading towards us I would have the low beams on but I kept my thumb on the switch.
Sure enough someone would flash their highs at me and I would flash mine. I was getting to the point where the next person who did this
I would turn my high beams on and flip them off! But this did not happen.

We finally pull in after an hour maybe more and we both say that was the most nerve racking 44 miles we've ever done.

After finding a parking spot for the bikes we grab our tank bags and head to our room.

We did 432.4 miles and 2 gas stops today. We then get everything ready for tomorrow, batteries charging, files moved from the GoPro to a thumb drive,
clothes packed up and then we turn in for the night.

Tomorrow starts the long journey home.

Tune in next time for more.........

Today would start our long journey home. We still had a few places to see and 3 more Tour of Honor stops to get to.
They were spaced out far apart and it would break up the ride home and give us a break from the droning along the slab.

Today's route...

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-SskjqQR/0/acb1b026/L/Day%2013%20map-L.jpg)
A 3 state run, Arizona, Utah and Colorado.

Mileage wise it would be a long-ish day.

We started the day as usual, we woke up and after showering we packed up what was left out from last night.
We took the heavy stuff first and as we had to park further away from the rooms we had to lug this stuff farther.

But there was a spot open close to the walkway. Drop the luggage here go get the bikes, we did bring our keys and we loaded the bikes up.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-XsX734G/0/32a3f90e/L/DSCF4875-L.jpg)
From the parking lot across the hotel rooms.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-kpsghtK/0/01a1addd/L/DSCF4882-L.jpg)
Walk down this way to the road, then cross the road....

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-d2hJhmF/0/0076a06b/L/DSCF4883-L.jpg)
...and walk down here.

We get our thermoses and fill them with ice. The ice machine is in the other building, get our gear and tank bags and make one last check of the room.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-C9ChFLB/0/a8a07f64/L/DSCF4886-L.jpg)
Nothing left behind in the room.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-qrrzb5v/0/559f1a27/L/DSCF4885-L.jpg)
The walkway to the room.

Then it's to the bikes.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-JZFd3r7/0/42c728a8/L/DSCF4884-L.jpg)
Up there is the road out and the parking lot.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-swQwHn4/0/d17ae12a/L/DSCF4890-L.jpg)
Bikes are loaded and ready to go.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-cN6vRCg/0/8b127152/L/DSCF4880-L.jpg)
This was the view from the back of the parking lot.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-STmkDMR/0/a51726d9/L/20170831_083715-L.jpg)

Then it's up to the lodge to check out.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-ckfzRLT/0/ca735bc3/L/DSCF4891-L.jpg)

And it's time to hit the road. But first Vicki says she wants to stop at the store to see if she can find any North Rim tokens.

Now I thought she meant the store on the way out of the park. Not the one in the park around the corner from where we were staying.
We got as far as the entrance station when we pulled over and she said it was the other store. I should have had her lead, so we double back and get to the store
which does not have the tokens she is looking for. She did get some stickers and we got some water for later.

And NOW the journey home begins.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6Wxgr2r/0/fb9526a0/XL/AZ-67-26-XL.jpg)
AZ-67 heading out of the North Rim, again.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-H47WdRq/0/f5125040/L/AZ-67-30-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-SpnmrF5/0/816cbe16/L/AZ-67-31-L.jpg)

Sweatshirts were donned for the trip out. Lesson learned from yesterday morning.

We get to the entrance station and exit this time, and turn around for some pictures.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-LZT3fH2/0/43c53f4a/L/DSCF4895-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-ZrWBXj5/0/202f8aa5/L/20170831_102655-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-LFHxxf9/0/befa1033/L/20170831_102700-L.jpg)
That's the way we'll be going, as soon as we turn around, again.

As we are motoring along AZ-67 we need to slow, wild turkeys are crossing the road.
These may be the same ones we saw on the way in 2 days ago.

They cross and the road is clear to US-89A.

We pull into the Chevron station and fuel the bikes and remove our sweat shirts, it is warm enough now.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LHnf4Kz/0/0e1d7abd/XL/US-89A-13-XL.jpg)
US-89A

Now 89A is like a washboard in more places than not. But it is scenic and twisty with elevation changes.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MqMMbmP/0/c83871f1/XL/US-89A-15-XL.jpg)

And for now it's clear of traffic.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-C4CxnTH/0/a48dee25/XL/US-89A-18-XL.jpg)
It does have a tar snake problem though.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gg2C7Sk/0/75677d7d/XL/US-89A-20-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hrsFdkS/0/94f215b3/XL/US-89A-23-XL.jpg)
And it has this going for it.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Pj7hHFw/0/07f530c1/XL/US-89A-27-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MNGrSjT/0/6d32a56c/XL/US-89A-28-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3d4fGMg/0/000db1ad/XL/US-89A-29-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QLQzpLf/0/9873e12c/XL/US-89A-31-XL.jpg)
The curve ahead opens up to a great view.

When we came thru here yesterday on the way to the South Rim I thought "WOW!" what a change.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mGWLKDL/0/d68982ad/XL/US-89A-32-XL.jpg)
First you go through here then it opens to desert views from mountains.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-th5dC5W/0/f1634f93/XL/US-89A-33-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xQGrSgg/0/92073cb6/XL/US-89A-35-XL.jpg)

You're still heading down but the temps are heading up. Not much but you can tell it's getting warmer.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jpWcpJ9/0/c2d157ee/XL/US-89A-36-XL.jpg)
Traffic jam ahead.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9xQ7vTz/0/c9c2a98c/XL/US-89A-37-XL.jpg)
We slowed to about 20 MPH here.

The trailer leading this parade did pull off just ahead at a pull off area, the one in front of us was passed at the next passing zone.
The cars had already gone to plaid.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-P8CS4mr/0/97dfcd9d/XL/US-89A-38-XL.jpg)
The last bit of 89A before we turned onto.....

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9hkjPgQ/0/7a5a0bee/XL/US-89-4-XL.jpg)
US-89 North towards Page, AZ.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-qGdR5S2/0/14916c1a/XL/US-89-5-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dCdBfRT/0/71c6522f/XL/US-89-6-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-BKZKwFq/0/fd5956ba/XL/US-89-8-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-bT2kpHx/0/0bd8a971/XL/US-89-9-XL.jpg)

This part of US-89 is MUCH smoother than US-89A. Th only thing that concerns me are the reflectors in the road.
They seem to be recessed a little deeper than most. I've clipped a few but just got a rough ride from that.

Now, if say you were to fully hit one....

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-fxTZztJ/0/0818e3c1/XL/US-89-13-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Z3TTgxw/0/fe390c3d/XL/US-89-14-XL.jpg)
..like I'm about to do.



(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LnCJJnC/0/fc22dbff/XL/US-89-15-XL.jpg)
You end up over here, quite quickly.

I know the Grand Canyon is in Arizona, but do the trenches for the reflectors need to be as deep???  :headscratch:

Anyways, I stay over to the left for a bit as it seems safer.

For me at least.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-bm9FgQj/0/46d79fbe/XL/US-89-16-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gkQg5x3/0/e0159f29/XL/US-89-17-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-HxWb2bw/0/11ad96a4/XL/US-89-18-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zftsSrF/0/033e795d/XL/US-89-19-XL.jpg)
I move back to the right so as not to be a left lane camper, even though there is no traffic behind us.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-DH9p447/0/b087004d/XL/US-89-20-XL.jpg)
Only to find the right lane ends.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-tNMx97v/0/292f8209/XL/US-89-21-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9fRXVTL/0/636719ba/XL/US-89-24-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-bZv9ww5/0/62dd176c/XL/US-89-26-XL.jpg)
Mile 535? How long is this state?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gGKhJvs/0/f7819a18/XL/US-89-27-XL.jpg)
We continue north on US-89.
There is a scenic pull out I want to stop at. The Horseshoe Bend of the Colorado River..

One of my co-workers said it was about a quarter mile walk from the parking area to the overlook.

I find the parking lot and we turn left into it, it's gravel, oh goodie.

We find a place to park and we do not fall down, yea us.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-87gg5Qh/0/7389ccf1/L/DSCF4896-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-sP4NX52/0/f4f1f75e/L/DSCF4897-L.jpg)

We go up to the trail leading to the bend, it is not paved. It is a dirt/sand rock path. Not to bad but we do take our time as it is steep.
After a quarter of a mile we have arrived here.


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-T2Q9Ltm/0/41a3b44e/L/DSCF4898-L.jpg)
This is what is a quarter mile up that stupid path we just walked up in motorcycle boots & pants.

I tell Vicki I'm gonna punch my co-worker in the throat when we get back.
It's another half mile to the overlook. Getting there would not be a problem.
Coming back up would be the killer event.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-6dKHmht/0/9f0f1674/L/FB_IMG_1504205064897-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-hgVJJVj/0/dbf00ce1/L/DSCF4900-L.jpg)
The path on the right leads to the over look.

We stayed put, took a few pics then slowly walked back down to the bikes.
We were not alone in doing this. Others had the same reaction and thoughts.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-KSNL4wZ/0/77219402/XL/20170831_124632-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-bM59PP7/0/0452a686/L/20170831_124910-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-464Lc6p/0/cfc79f39/L/DSCF4903-L.jpg)
See the bend in the river?  Ya, me neither.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-PWgZHjZ/1/a6286cf6/L/DSCF4912-L.jpg)
Ya, we didn't.

So we mount up and head on into Page, AZ to see the Glenn Canyon dam.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-548PjX8/0/0827e44e/L/DSCF4913-L.jpg)
From the parking lot of the dam.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-hDB2DLt/0/450a14b7/L/DSCF4916-L.jpg)
Bridge over the Colorado River. How many times have we crossed this river?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-GDzn469/0/deeaa563/L/DSCF4924-L.jpg)
DAM!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-8ZTjmk3/0/57d32570/L/DSCF4927-L.jpg)
Lake Powell.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-gdMWhM3/0/f0b148e7/L/20170831_131830-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-JLRzDvR/0/f03f4ab8/L/DSCF4929-L.jpg)

We go into the visitors center and spend about 45 minutes here looking at the information they have on the dam and the area.
And we get a few things here as well.

Then it's back to the bikes and back over the Colorado River back into Page where I stop to fill up the bikes.
After we fill up we head back down US-89 to AZ-98 for the trip to US-160.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LG4LSwV/0/d12988a7/XL/AZ-98-XL.jpg)
AZ-98.

As there's not much out here I set the cruise control at 72 MPH. I believe the speed limit was 65 through here.

No one in front of us or behind us so it should be an easy ride to US-160.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CWCV595/0/ccb70bc8/XL/AZ-98-3-XL.jpg)
Elevation change.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-kSR22Vf/0/6706227c/XL/AZ-98-4-XL.jpg)
Vastness.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-HSMJVwL/0/45c8cd01/XL/AZ-98-5-XL.jpg)
Less that an hour to US-160 from here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CCnfHvH/0/4ef3c821/XL/AZ-98-9-XL.jpg)
Nothing here, nobody here but us............



(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-G8hWJ6S/0/986ea5c9/XL/AZ-98-10-XL.jpg)
WTF!?!?!?!?  Where did he come from????

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4DtZ63z/0/bd43c636/XL/AZ-98-12-XL.jpg)
Holy crap he's gone to plaid!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-cqXqF2q/0/0b09cc34/XL/AZ-98-13-XL.jpg)

Glad that over with.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-C2XSdhX/0/17cbeacd/XL/AZ-98-14-XL.jpg)
That's all we've done? 10 miles?


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RcNVzFw/0/5e823729/XL/AZ-98-15-XL.jpg)
AHHHHH!!!! WTF!!!!??!?!?! Again?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QSq6J2N/0/7f137c31/XL/AZ-98-16-XL.jpg)
Did I stop?

Another one went to plaid, they must have hyper drive systems.

Well what do I have? A Quisinart? I re-set to 78 oh screw it, 80. Lets make some time!

We finally arrive at US-160 and turn east towards Kayenta, AZ. We had been here in 2015 so I figured this would be a good place to stop for lunch and fuel.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2PSBvG8/0/a94890c1/XL/US-160-XL.jpg)
US-160.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MLn6fvJ/0/796d6f15/XL/US-160-3-XL.jpg)
Looks like rain to our left.

As we near Kayenta I can see that there are clouds in front of us and to our left along US-163.
And I want to go across US-163. But first we pull into the NAVAJO CODE TALKERS EXHIBITION which is by a Burger King.

The NAVAJO CODE TALKERS EXHIBITION was closed the last time we were out here but they are open this time, but no picture taking allowed inside.
We walk around and learn more about the Code talkers and the area around Kayenta.

Then it's over to the king for lunch and come up with a plan. Do we go east 0n US-160 and run into the rain in front of us.
Or do we stick with the original plan and go across US-163 and possible hit rain?

Right, US-163 it is, gas the bikes first though.

Then we are off to cross Oljato-Monument Valley on US-163.
We have not been this way so let's go this way.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zRpxtnz/0/ccb9c3e1/XL/US-163-XL.jpg)
Traffic ahead.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-NkXw9rL/0/5229b3b1/XL/US-163-2-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Lxv7dFg/0/194df2fd/XL/US-163-3-XL.jpg)
But not for long.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-HR6dQk7/0/60d11cf8/XL/US-163-4-XL.jpg)
One more.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-GBgVk8b/0/a0cbe8cc/XL/US-163-5-XL.jpg)
That's better.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7Bz2F4j/0/c30c8439/XL/US-163-7-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-fb4KVLh/0/cec02fc9/XL/US-163-9-XL.jpg)
Looks like rain off in the distance.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-cTgRJgd/0/9b0ccaf5/XL/US-163-11-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-j6HWhFH/0/827fdea6/XL/US-163-12-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-p6m3gXr/0/98fc2cc5/XL/US-163-14-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Ch7Pf64/0/ebfd67cf/XL/US-163-15-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-kz6WfKG/0/5af36f7f/XL/US-163-16-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FcLZP5H/0/d34c426f/XL/US-163-19-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xHGQg45/0/6f5063b8/XL/US-163-22-XL.jpg)
And as we get closer to Mexican Hat we find more traffic. Which we did have to slow down for.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-r4NjxCS/0/e696a65e/XL/US-163-23-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2x5CNCW/0/c6a161fa/XL/US-163-24-XL.jpg)
Not the Colorado River.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mgpLVvw/0/d2b4759e/XL/US-163-25-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4WHJLwm/0/5a8188fa/XL/US-163-27-XL.jpg)
Mexican Hat, Utah.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ng2PJ6M/0/fc3ac932/XL/US-163-28-XL.jpg)
Up until now being behind these 4 wasn't bad, they were moving but now they've slowed down a bit.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zJh88Hz/0/1550a5ad/XL/US-163-29-XL.jpg)
Yea, that's kinda slow for out here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9LVMcpk/0/56a98e9b/XL/US-163-30-XL.jpg)
Only because it's getting late and we need to be in Durango, Colorado tonight. So we move it!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-N5VB8pr/0/c8ce900e/XL/US-163-31-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-L4dnwxC/0/c5a73710/XL/US-163-32-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vdHhwtj/0/fc7d257b/XL/US-163-33-XL.jpg)
And just like that all 4 are dispatched and we have a clear road ahead.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zHswL6k/0/a8acc088/XL/US-163-34-XL.jpg)

Now the next dilemma is upon us. It's late and we want to go up UT-261 for 9 miles but do we have the time and will the weather cooperate?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xjGJ3Gw/0/bfeedf96/XL/US-163-35-XL.jpg)
UT-261 up ahead.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-t4Tp57v/0/259a4d83/XL/US-163-36-XL.jpg)
We've been to Lake Powell and Natural Bridges.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-652KnFp/0/e1902861/XL/US-163-38-XL.jpg)
Moki Dugway to the left.

We had discussed this at lunch, and the weather and the time were not in our favor, so....

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zjGVDkB/0/dbb70e76/XL/US-163-39-XL.jpg)
We continued on, but not at that speed, to slow.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-v6FMTs7/0/1fff8ccd/XL/US-163-40-XL.jpg)
Bluff, UT is where we need to turn off.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-87rkGDW/0/7491dd6f/XL/US-163-41-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-C8jgVjR/0/cc02bf69/XL/US-163-47-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4RgSFN2/0/9c4e590c/XL/US-163-48-XL.jpg)
Okie dokie.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-qC2NWrG/0/596db045/XL/US-163-49-XL.jpg)
No rocks here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-SbxmJnh/0/2ed563ba/XL/US-163-50-XL.jpg)
Or here.

We FINALLY get to Bluff, UT and I find our turn off for UT-162.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CQgB3Vw/0/df8727da/XL/UT-162-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-X6qVBHV/0/f7e52bb3/XL/UT-162-3-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-w48swNs/0/6ab2ee7c/XL/UT-162-4-XL.jpg)
And this is where the batteries in my GoPro died. I forgot to change them out at lunch.

Well, we continue down UT-162 until it turns into CO-41. Did not stop to take pictures, should have.

We then reach the end of CO-41 and I need to flip my directions over even though I know where we are going.
I also take a coupe of pictures since we are stopped and there is no one here but us.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-4v9qnZW/0/d41d4793/L/DSCF4934-L.jpg)
Left onto US-160 here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-qvTtGsh/0/4b5c9f1a/L/DSCF4935-L.jpg)
Looks like rain over there.

We tun onto US-160 and follow that to where it picks up US-491. But before we get to 491 I see a car on the side of the road.

A cop.

In the same place we saw one in 2015. Have you been there this whole time?????

I make sure my Quisinart is not engaged as we pass him and turn up US-491 towards Cortez, Co.

At this point we continue to follow US-160 east towards Durango, CO. We pass Mesa Verde national park and Durango should be just ahead.
And it's a good thing it is as the sun has almost set and the temps are going down as fast as the sun is.
But I don't want to stop as Durango is right around the next bend.

OK, maybe the next? No? the next one? AWW COME ON!! Why is it taking so long???!!

Hey what's this? Could it be?

IT IS!! It's Durango!! And there's our hotel, which I've passed.  :bluduh:

I find a different hotel on the left, pull into their parking lot and turn around and go back to our hotel.

We pull up under the overhang and head in, me to check in, Vicki for a pit stop.

I grab a cart and start unloading my bike. Vicki comes out and starts unloading hers.
I get all my stuff on the cart and move it over to Vicki's bike then I park my bike in a nearby spot.

As we finish unloading her bike I see something near my bike, a cat? Nope, it's a racoon. I go towards him but he runs off.
Vicki parks her bike by mine and we take our things up to the room.

There is a restaurant here so we take the cart back down and grab some dinner.
We then head back up to our room and Vicki grabs some of our laundry and goes off on a cleaning mission.
While she is doing that I start moving files from my GoPro to a thumb drive and realize I do not have enough space.
The 2 I bought in Hurricane were now full.

I get on to google and find there is a Walgreen on the way out of town, so I'll stop there and get 2 more tomorrow.  

Vicki is then done with the laundry by 10:30 and we repack everything and get ready for tomorrow.

Today was a long 450.2 miles on 3 gas stops.

Tomorrow would be shorter mileage wise but we would hit another canyon and we would do the Million Dollar Highway South to North this time.

Until the next time................

Today starts our trip home in earnest.

Not Ernest T Bass...

(https://pansiesforplato.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/ernestt.jpg)

And todays route would be from Durango to Manitou Springs, CO

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-sLNP2wP/0/58aaa80c/L/Day%2014%20map-L.jpg)

The day started as usual but because this hotel had a restaurant on site there would be no free breakfast. We would grab something at Walgreen's.

After showering up we packed up what was not packed last night.
I go downstairs for a cart so we can take everything down in one shot.
While I do this Vicki gets ice for the thermoses, we still have water from yesterday but we will need to pick up some more.

We then head down to the bikes after one last look around the room.

Now, last night I had a bandit lurking around the bike and this morning I came out to this.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-F9RjDvd/0/25b37b22/L/DSCF4936-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-3wPZx9Z/0/ed1e4620/L/DSCF4938-L.jpg)
The little thief took a joy ride!

There were no paw prints on Vicki's, just on mine. Seems like he likes the newer models.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-mn95sBN/0/d87e2559/L/DSCF4939-L.jpg)
Loading up.

After we get the bikes loaded I returned the cart and told Vicki I would be stopping for a couple of thumb drives.

We depart the hotel and head east to US-550 where we turn north.
After several miles I see the Walgreen's on the left and we turn in and find a spot to park both bikes.

After we remove our jackets and helmets we go in, I find the thumb drives and we also pick up some orange juice and cliff bars for breakfast.
We spend several minutes here consuming our gourmet breakfast after which we double back on 550 to a Conoco station for fuel.

I wasn't sure if there was a gas station north of Walgreen's or not so I went to a sure thing.
As we were heading to the Conoco I saw an old Chevy pickup. Might have been an Apache.
It was not re-done and looked like it spent its life in the mountains.

Now you would think that being in the mountains I'd learn that the temps can be deceiving.

Did we don our sweat shirts??? No, we did not as it was about 70 degrees.

After gassing up we start north on US-550 and in no time Durango is behind us and we are heading up 550 ALONE!.

There were no cars in front of us, yet.
And no one behind us.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-bvLQwmz/0/03336ca3/XL/US-550-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3QSkTCj/0/c48a844d/XL/US-550-3-XL.jpg)

We did see a cop up here, that's a first in 3 trips here, but he already had someone pulled over.

And now the temps start to drop.
I watch the temp go from 70 to 58 in just a few miles. When it hit 50 I pulled over.
Trying to ride this road and shivering are not a good combination.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-xmcpWrk/0/3fb6b324/L/DSCF4940-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-fgRZNcD/0/9cc51c12/L/DSCF4941-L.jpg)
A few cars and that truck passed us while we were getting warmer gear but they would not be a problem.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-mCHFPZN/0/d7ac9b41/L/DSCF4942-L.jpg)
I think this may be around Hermosa or Animas Village, not sure though.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-mcw22kN/0/d425ba94/L/DSCF4943-L.jpg)
Durango back that way.

Now that we are warm we can head off into the mountains on US-550, I love this road.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wQXLP3n/0/813b520a/XL/US-550-4-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-g93Z3P6/0/5fc308ab/XL/US-550-6-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WS9XMWN/0/69618c0e/XL/US-550-7-XL.jpg)
Southbound traffic, not a problem for us.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WRMZFHc/0/5e787e14/XL/US-550-8-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ttHRczs/0/9eef9373/XL/US-550-10-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-h2sgNf7/0/449c7a3e/XL/US-550-12-XL.jpg)
 :drool:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Dts7dSH/0/cad76774/XL/US-550-13-XL.jpg)
This really is a blast to ride.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wHPg7mF/0/d173b72f/XL/US-550-14-XL.jpg)
Ya gotta love signs like that!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KbMDLT7/0/bb2597d1/XL/US-550-15-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-K7RgJRG/0/10835b50/XL/US-550-18-XL.jpg)
When they start dropping the speed limit you know its about to get fun!!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5QxqGmW/0/d1102752/XL/US-550-22-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-DjfFpjz/0/cb476d81/XL/US-550-24-XL.jpg)
We got high this morning.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KVX4776/0/e884feee/XL/US-550-25-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LVptnkN/0/535f79d9/XL/US-550-26-XL.jpg)
Hmmm, what's that? Looks familiar.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Tc34DVb/0/8a9f62c8/XL/US-550-27-XL.jpg)
IT IS!! It's the old Chevy Apache we saw in Durango. We caught up to him.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6K5ZZkZ/0/7755eedc/XL/US-550-28-XL.jpg)
Just gotta pass em.

Now why is this a passing zone around a corner? I didn't understand it at first but I think I know why.
You can see around the corner as it is open to north and southbound traffic.
If it went to the left it would be a no-passing zone.
At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it, like speed limit signs with a black border are optional.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-QxqfGfs/0/ec9bffec/XL/US-550-29-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hDKNhWb/0/466754d1/XL/US-550-30-XL.jpg)
Cool truck, and that left hander up ahead is a no-passing zone.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vKZHb7V/0/4d04e5c2/XL/US-550-31-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Fj7665j/0/528c492b/XL/US-550-32-XL.jpg)
See, no passing.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dfjrNH3/0/09e61e89/XL/US-550-34-XL.jpg)
After passing the Apache we caught up to these three.

The trike was running way rich. I could smell it and it started to get to me.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vTVbzRQ/0/5918a0da/XL/US-550-35-XL.jpg)
We did get around the trike and the one in front of him, but the 3rd one actually could ride.

I hung back for a bit but I did speed up and kinda caught him, but this guy could ride.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3KgxLnG/0/73d05bdd/XL/US-550-36-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4FZCnnD/0/f1b66c34/XL/US-550-37-XL.jpg)
There he is. And road construction, that's probably why I caught him.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-9VJTgmK/0/40362c25/XL/US-550-38-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-JDrhd3H/0/124a2504/XL/US-550-41-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mCJ3mDJ/0/26557d9b/XL/US-550-42-XL.jpg)
Waiting on a traffic light.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Gpd55h2/0/66d235a9/XL/US-550-43-XL.jpg)
That's Silverton, CO off in the distance. This is where 550 gets good.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-XJxrrCm/0/c05ab656/XL/US-550-44-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4GWpSsn/0/9136266a/XL/US-550-45-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-cH9k7qX/0/11b601cf/XL/US-550-46-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-pB5M2CH/0/3017d3be/XL/US-550-47-XL.jpg)

Then on into Silverton we went. As you get into Silverton, 550 does a 180. I almost missed this and went straight on into town.
But I caught it at the last second and stayed left.

Now this is just my opinion but I believe US-550 takes on a different character going north than it does going south.
In 2015 we went south on US-550 from CO-62, much different.

The first time we rode US-550 was in 2012 and that was south to north but it was more of a sight seeing pace.

The second time we were here was in 2015 and like I said it was north to south. And that seemed to be a tame ride.

This time it would be different. I have a different bike and a different attitude.
Even though I'm still getting used to the 2016 vs the 2005, I want to go faster thru here.
And since traffic is at a minimum I try to go faster.
There were a few spots where I slowed to much and jammed up Vicki to the point where she had to use the shoulder of the road.
Both of those were on a right hand 180.

With the 2005 if I would look at a corner it would be there right now!

With the 2016 I need to lean in more but there is a point where it might be too much lean angle.
Found that out in Wisconsin on WI-67 one time. Leaned a little too much to the right and I was on the shoulder.

The 05 was a battle axe, it did have a Wilburs suspension on it which I think is the biggest difference.
It would go where you wanted it to go and usually it would be there before you and you didn't have to muscle it into a corner.

The 16 is a scalpel and it has the stock suspension. Wonder how it would be with a different suspension under it?
The 16 is also heavier than the 05 and you have to be a bit more precise with it.

Both had or have Michelin Pilot Road 3's.

So now we're at the good part and like I say when I'm fast forwarding thru the fist 30 minutes of F1, "To much blah blah, not enough vroom vroom!"
I'll shut up now.

Come ride US-550 with us.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jbB3d7G/0/6e988cf6/XL/US-550-49-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-THLswrW/0/2f552d62/XL/US-550-51-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-JRffdnQ/0/808477b8/XL/US-550-52-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RGMjsG5/0/f097ba03/XL/US-550-53-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wccjhnq/0/2c886d87/XL/US-550-55-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dCxCCxt/0/2401aab0/XL/US-550-56-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-WBcHnGG/0/845e3114/XL/US-550-57-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-XS9L83R/0/244b53ba/XL/US-550-58-XL.jpg)
Let me interrupt here and talk about the difference of northbound in this still...

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2015/Pics-from-GP-video/i-9PKTfcX/0/2cb73a6b/XL/US%20550-34-XL.jpg)
To the southbound still from 2015 in about the same place.

Same road same place, within a few hundred feet.
Going north you seem to be more aggressive going uphil.

Going south you seem to be more sedate, maybe.

To me it seems like we attack the corners more going north as opposed to going south.

Enough blah blah, back to the vroom vroom.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-t83bhfZ/0/82997180/XL/US-550-59-XL.jpg)


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wr7xHrn/0/0fde4ea5/XL/US-550-60-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-qRDJbKk/0/38c4eb73/XL/US-550-61-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-2p43pGt/0/8735970b/XL/US-550-64-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2015/Pics-from-GP-video/i-hz9qPc6/0/77fe3e38/XL/US%20550-31-XL.jpg)
From 2015, traffic played a big part in the south bound run.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-x5QxSgG/0/fb07c616/XL/US-550-65-XL.jpg)
Not so much in 2017. Clear road, YEA!!!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7967T3Q/0/49657314/XL/US-550-66-XL.jpg)
Spoke too soon.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6vxNgn2/0/23d8c175/XL/US-550-67-XL.jpg)
Or did I???

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-j4DSqsk/0/4b1993df/XL/US-550-68-XL.jpg)
Needed to wait for a clearing then we took off.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-44KJn4R/0/95f5c728/XL/US-550-69-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7Q3fNFr/0/809b077a/XL/US-550-70-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dCL5RtD/0/a84d5a14/XL/US-550-71-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nzh5W6R/0/f42d6aca/XL/US-550-72-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TCLCcRp/0/a0e6e49a/XL/US-550-73-XL.jpg)
I stayed off the gas to long thru here. Vicki needed to use the shoulder. Need to be on the gas quicker.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-cLvwSB6/0/3995093c/XL/US-550-74-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-NFPrQV2/0/5dd9faae/XL/US-550-76-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zMT486S/0/1db6ce35/XL/US-550-77-XL.jpg)
This is better, off the gas into the corner, hit the apex and roll on the throttle.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nJ63pqV/0/c58e2583/XL/US-550-78-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TdnDcRr/0/6a8654b1/XL/US-550-79-XL.jpg)
I like those road signs!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KQsH6Bz/0/a91578a0/XL/US-550-80-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Zvbf3nN/0/aff61b33/XL/US-550-81-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-XgLLrTD/0/30c704bb/XL/US-550-84-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FVJL8wd/0/1f8a8b10/XL/US-550-85-XL.jpg)
Oh yeah!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FzkRb5P/0/13d81067/XL/US-550-86-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-DtCgCQZ/0/c9303b34/XL/US-550-88-XL.jpg)
Oh NO!!!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-vMjSWwq/0/1dda7245/XL/US-550-89-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VX5Zgx5/0/a886672f/XL/US-550-91-XL.jpg)
Crap, crap, crap crap!!!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zLtswRk/0/8e3bd78c/XL/US-550-93-XL.jpg)
NOW???

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-3zhxzhz/0/b1f5f6b6/XL/US-550-95-XL.jpg)
No, not now.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-pvz96mQ/0/9afabb36/XL/US-550-96-XL.jpg)
Definitely not now!!


(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-8Z2hbZs/0/bc7dcba9/XL/US-550-102-XL.jpg)
NOW!!!

We were stuck behind the tanker for 3 miles or so. I saw a speed limit sign that said it was 55 MPH so I figured the fun was over.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-fGfK49M/0/3580e1f1/XL/US-550-103-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xJZ2mDz/0/a7100867/XL/US-550-104-XL.jpg)
Howdy.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-swckhq9/0/48654203/XL/US-550-107-XL.jpg)
Oh but wait.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Qx4kL4m/0/40810e27/XL/US-550-108-XL.jpg)
There's more!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-k4mD7V2/0/b14cbe97/XL/US-550-109-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-thgdbjd/0/7ef1fcd1/XL/US-550-110-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VvTbBgS/0/172001d1/XL/US-550-111-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4fdgMVB/0/65445f90/XL/US-550-112-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-6jpVQNG/0/0a10460c/XL/US-550-113-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-T5p3PCN/0/3581db27/XL/US-550-114-XL.jpg)
Snow shed, what's it like in the winter here? Not sure if I want to know the answer.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-D5Nm3mh/0/ea9d61a5/XL/US-550-116-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hhwnRsK/0/0316bad2/XL/US-550-118-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-wVqbWb5/0/c43d44b2/XL/US-550-119-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Mgx4HWT/0/28914fd7/XL/US-550-120-XL.jpg)
Traffic up ahead.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-sHsDcN3/0/c3933a6a/XL/US-550-121-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-rZLF9mL/0/7284f106/XL/US-550-123-XL.jpg)
The speed limit signs thru here said 25 MPH. And can you BELIEVE he was doing just that??

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nqXhxMN/0/8eb53d19/XL/US-550-127-XL.jpg)
Dude, you're killing me!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-J3GVhdn/0/ab19c6e3/XL/US-550-128-XL.jpg)
Look at that! And I'm stuck doing 25. Plus that black SUV we passed a while back is catching up.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-7XdzFcz/0/7829864c/XL/US-550-129-XL.jpg)
What's this???

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-x4QLfT9/0/e2cfd70f/XL/US-550-130-XL.jpg)
Quisinart engaged!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-LLrDxF2/0/b1d77ef6/XL/US-550-131-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-GRrX5x2/0/54219a7b/XL/US-550-132-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-PgkMxTp/0/6ef3f4c8/XL/US-550-133-XL.jpg)
And they are behind us now.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5tZDtQL/0/3056e9cd/XL/US-550-134-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-mq4T9GQ/0/ad49c99c/XL/US-550-135-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hLXNPs7/0/84d62b33/XL/US-550-136-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-d2wm5BN/0/32581de2/XL/US-550-137-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-s8ZNscP/0/895976a6/XL/US-550-140-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jLkn7j6/0/3fc55fea/XL/US-550-141-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-pBTsvGv/0/8e9d295e/XL/US-550-142-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VPh8h5f/0/ce2b0b63/XL/US-550-143-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Zn5Xfxv/0/a50d1f22/XL/US-550-147-XL.jpg)
At this point US-550 calms down as we enter Ouray, CO.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-rmT5rxR/0/74b513d6/XL/US-550-149-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-XGbmPRK/0/c3926e33/XL/US-550-150-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-BV8PD9G/0/d68b6d93/XL/US-550-151-XL.jpg)
Once out of Ouray US-550 is like this all the way up to Montrose where it picks up US-50.

As we get closer to Ridgway, CO Vicki moves up and points to here tank, we need to stop.

At CO-62 and US-550 we make a pit stop where we meet up with a guy on a 2013 FJR.
He got as a left over model and likes it so far.
We talk for about 10 minutes and he needs to get going and so do we.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-FKzj6GS/0/e2f16225/L/DSCF4945-L.jpg)
This pulled into the gas station after us. The Driving Dead.

Then it was back to the road and up to Montrose.
When we got to Montrose I took a few side streets to get to US-50.
We head east on US-50 for 6 miles to CO-347 where we tun left to go to Black Canyon of the Gunnison national park.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-SdbxgT2/0/8baf37a5/XL/CO-347-XL.jpg)
CO-347, looks like I need to clean the case of the GoPro.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-8BK8nzw/0/3b622f27/XL/CO-347-3-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4BFLmFz/0/2842964c/XL/CO-347-4-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-pS3P3Pr/0/43e15543/XL/CO-347-5-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-g2D34pN/0/793049ba/XL/CO-347-6-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-kQbzMMR/0/0f484396/XL/CO-347-8-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-fzHxJ7J/0/59c1315d/XL/CO-347-10-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Q9bSTgr/0/36839e3a/XL/CO-347-11-XL.jpg)

We made our way to the visitors center where we found some park volunteers with a telescope set up.
They were looking at the sun and the solar flares, or trying to. We both looked but I didn't see much.
We then went in to look around and then out to the trail for pictures.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-9zwMnz3/0/2c500468/L/DSCF4946-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-SFCFTBk/0/800576cd/L/DSCF4947-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Zjg9rhb/0/0fca11ac/L/DSCF4949-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-FSsHsDc/0/fb973354/L/20170901_130734-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-VBw6vvN/0/0059d91a/L/20170901_130739-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Wvs7rdN/0/81f126d7/L/DSCF4950-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Kx7SMG9/0/221e2053/L/DSCF4954-L.jpg)
Looking back up at the visitors center.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-sgzBWTW/0/377e73ea/L/DSCF4956-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-rCvH7rC/0/04eba6d1/XL/20170901_130959-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-h8FpSvF/0/d2032e0e/L/DSCF4958-L.jpg)
We could hear the river up here. There had to be some force behind it if we could hear it all the way up here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-P9hX7wg/0/c0b6355c/L/DSCF4959-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-cHF7Q8J/0/aa09e67e/L/DSCF4960-L.jpg)
Now we need to go back up.

It wasn't as bad as the Grand Canyon, it was much easier.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-rRnb6Bp/0/8a021d99/L/DSCF4961-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-PsK8XTH/0/9e7420c5/L/DSCF4967-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-gkzDDsF/1/df41cf2e/L/DSCF4971-L.jpg)
Look! I'm a ranger! Yogi!! Put that picnic basket down!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-MRVTZR8/0/44daf5a0/L/DSCF4973-L.jpg)
Bird!

We then went in search of merchandise to purchase, t-shirts, stickers, tokens and the like.
When we brought everything up to the cashier and she rang it up it came to 11,300.00 dollars or so.
I turned to Vicki and asked "What did you buy?"

I know the park service needs money by this is ridiculous.

She voids it out, I don't have that much to begin with, and rings it up a second time and with the discount it comes to a much more reasonable $48.00.
This I got. We then make our way back to the bikes and put away our purchases.

We make a quick pit stop then we head back to the road and further into the park.

I find a spot to pull over to take some photos then we'll head out.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-mjKxGsT/0/bf9ffbc7/L/DSCF4974-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-dz4qTRW/0/21dbf3cd/L/DSCF3547-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-F2w6grX/0/d33274e1/L/DSCF4977-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-fTZPXWZ/0/6a401c07/L/DSCF4978-L.jpg)

We mount up and start making our way back to US-50

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RRXNf4w/0/f6bdeed4/XL/CO-347-16-XL.jpg)
Heading out of the park.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4Q6p2Fp/0/e0b4befc/XL/CO-347-17-XL.jpg)

We are heading east on US-50 when we start seeing road construction signs.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-NbtrdXG/0/32e6096c/XL/US-50-XL.jpg)

There are several bridges that cross the Gunnison river and as we approach one there is a sign saying motorcycles use extreme caution.
They are resurfacing the road and they have it ground down.

Sometimes that is smoother than the road. but it does end after a bit and we are able to run at a good clip.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-HTbn26F/0/96e46b32/XL/US-50-2-XL.jpg)
I followed this truck for quit sometime, he was moving and clearing a path so I just followed.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KfxkpKR/0/c18ad64d/XL/US-50-3-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Gf5zcF2/0/8de1fedf/XL/US-50-6-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-SkxNzmH/0/d8f29d03/XL/US-50-7-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4dMdnJS/0/b10a641d/XL/US-50-8-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dhck6sj/0/72c74540/XL/US-50-12-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-MQQCK9s/0/9fec85a2/XL/US-50-15-XL.jpg)

There were 3 motorcycles in front of the truck and they seemed to holding things up and it looked like they had Illinois plates.  :facepalm:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-SHC3Ct6/0/49f2c9a5/XL/US-50-16-XL.jpg)
But a passing lane was nearby.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-GGp8KL5/0/a6528528/XL/US-50-17-XL.jpg)
Then it's our turn. One down.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-ZnLNSV5/0/004dd7f7/XL/US-50-18-XL.jpg)
Two down.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KmGx7Vq/0/86adb8ba/XL/US-50-19-XL.jpg)
The third one was not with the other 2, I think.

And I don't remember if we passed him or if he upped his pace.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-V3w24R7/0/aada2790/XL/US-50-21-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-SNFSRdt/0/55530b2e/XL/US-50-23-XL.jpg)

We pull into Gunnison, CO and we need a break and a pit stop. I find a gas station and pull in and fill the tanks then we go in for a pit stop.
We also got some more ice and water and something to snack on.

After our break we gear up, mount up and take off. We're 171 miles from our destination.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RKSngwc/0/60dfcb77/XL/US-50-24-XL.jpg)
From here we start up Monarch Pass. It also starts to cool off as we go up.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Ht9SkQC/0/7f7ca2fc/XL/US-50-25-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-w8zShp5/0/828eea51/XL/US-50-27-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-fWVnZ3B/0/5647f82f/XL/US-50-31-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-nG9tWTn/0/c8197fb4/XL/US-50-33-XL.jpg)

In the sun the temps are OK, in the shade it gets quite cool.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-hBHgzS8/0/a6d1cca4/XL/US-50-34-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-94hdFst/0/728041b8/XL/US-50-35-XL.jpg)
Monarch Pass, and it is cold but I do not stop to put on a sweat shirt.

It's all down hill from here.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xQzxJBT/0/14c4e97c/XL/US-50-36-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-TJZS2Dg/0/ede53b2f/XL/US-50-38-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4sJB62v/0/66c14c77/XL/US-50-39-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-xnQ67Dn/0/25ae5358/XL/US-50-41-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-g73GkH6/0/1dffe221/XL/US-50-43-XL.jpg)
Not needed today, thank you.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jrf6T22/0/2c8f6320/XL/US-50-46-XL.jpg)
This one couldn't make up their mind about how fast or slow they wanted to go.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-BB8xXQr/0/294304ba/XL/US-50-47-XL.jpg)
So I made a decision for them.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-pGwF7ss/0/922f0ef8/XL/US-50-48-XL.jpg)
Then there was a traffic jam we had to slow for as we got closer to Poncha Springs.

After we got thru Salida, CO US-50 became a 2 lane road running along the Arkansas River.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-zhKsVqF/0/1564fde4/XL/US-50-51-XL.jpg)

A few miles down the road we made a pit stop at Cotopaxi, CO.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-jnTJhvn/0/2bcd64c1/L/20170901_173248-L.jpg)
The Arkansas River.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-nDqWvVM/0/86d87403/L/20170901_173313-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-Pk3jqRv/0/f807a4a3/L/20170901_173318-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-c8D6TWD/0/2b522fa6/L/DSCF4979-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-njgb4cp/0/a8e9c610/L/DSCF4982-L.jpg)

We also met a couple riding west from here. They also needed a break and stopped here.
I believe they were from Georgia and had been away for 6 months!

We said our goodbyes and headed off in opposite directions.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-5nV9ThH/0/50500b06/XL/US-50-52-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-jLBhgTv/0/b8447691/XL/US-50-53-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-PTfGGPw/0/45f6b65a/XL/US-50-55-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-B2wG66g/0/183c6169/XL/US-50-56-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-Zs3STT3/0/ed74585e/XL/US-50-57-XL.jpg)

The further east we got US-50 started to open up. As we got to Cannon City I made a turn onto CO-115 but it was a bit early.
I caught this right away and turned around and got back onto US-50.
I found the correct turnoff and got onto CO-115 and headed towards Colorado Springs.

At this point the sun was setting and it was beginning to cool off again.

As we got closer to Colorado Springs I thought I had missed a turn again.
I'm tired, it's getting dark and I'm getting cold, a bad combination.
Vicki takes over leading for a bit. We get to I-25 and hop onto that to US-24 where we make one more pit stop.

Vicki then has me take the lead as I know where we are now.

We head up US-24 and find our exit for Manitou Springs.

The hotel is just ahead on the left, we pull in and check in. Our room is right across from the office.
We unload the bikes and then walk next door to Savelli's Pizza, where we have a pizza.

And it was good but they closed early, like 9:00 PM? Seemed odd to me but the one waitress we talked to said it was what they have been doing for some time.

After dinner we went back to our room and got ready for tomorrow.

We did 372.1 miles on 3 gas stops.

The next 2 days would be a long drone across various slabs with only a few pictures taken.

So until next time...............

One little thing about day 14 I forgot to put in.

At one point on US-50, before we got to Gunnison we came upon some road construction signs.
While going downhill.

The next sign then said "Pavement ends". And it did, quite suddenly.

When I saw the sign and no pavement I had to downshift and get on the brakes harder than normal.

I did get slowed down a bit by the time we got to the missing pavement but a little extra warning would have been helpful.

The construction was less than a half mile, it looked like there may have been a slide in the area but I'm not sure.


Anyways let's continue on with Day 15.

As most of today we would be slabbing it not many pictures were taken, as a matter of fact I took no pictures today.
I just had the GoPro running at certain times.

The day started as usual but the hotel did have a free breakfast so after showering we went for breakfast.
We also discussed Pikes Peak. Should we go or not? The temps were in the 40's up at the top but it was clear and sunny.

Both of us were not keen on the idea of the cold so we decided that we would bypass it this time.
The next time we are out this way we'll make arraignments to go to the top of Pikes Peak.

After breakfast we packed up our things, loaded the bikes, checked the room one last time and we were off.

Today's route:

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-RJSxX8x/0/962ab28f/L/Day%2015%20%20map-L.jpg)

The ending point today would be Lincoln, Nebraska. There would also be one Tour of Honor stop in Kansas.

After leaving the hotel, the first thing we need is gas.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-46KBbGT/0/8b0d2f48/L/20170902_083336-L.jpg)
From the first gas stop in Manitou Springs, CO.

From here we followed US-24 all the way to Limon, CO and I-70.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-drBWv75/0/4e986b7d/XL/US-24-2-XL.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-4mxfXWv/0/e70ed87e/XL/US-24-XL.jpg)
US-24 in Colorado.

It looks as if US-24 had been repaved recently and it was a welcome change. Most of the roads we had been on had been fair to bad to downright missing.

Once we had cleared the Colorado Springs area ond we got out into open country I had passed several cars on the 2-lane and set the cruise to 75-ish?

By late morning, 10:30 - 11:00 we were in Limon. I made a stop to top off the tanks and empty the bladders.
We also got some more water and snacks. We also discussed our plan of attack.
We were going to push hard on the slab and try to get to our exit in Kansas as quick as we could.
We were to exit at Colby, KS.

So we snacked our snacks then geared up and mounted up, our time in Colorado was coming to an end.

We merged onto I-70 east, the speed limit is 65? Really? Seems kinda slow to me so I set the cruise to a optimistic 72 MPH.

The miles just seem to take forever to pass then we are leaving Colorado.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-dkv38tT/0/83f0d2cc/XL/I-70-CO-XL.jpg)
Leaving Colorado behind....

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-FVgH2kb/0/3a256acd/XL/I-70-KS-XL.jpg)
... we enter Kansas for the first time. Ever. Yea team!

Shortly after the border crossing we come up to a rest area so we pull in for a pit stop and a break.
As we go back to the bikes there is another bike parked next to us. The couple on it had also stopped for a break.
Now I figured we would talk for a few minutes and then be on our way.

Nope.

This guy wanted to talk and talk and talk. I had to take my jacket off as this seemed like it would go on forever!

FINALLY his wife gets him to shut up and they take off. We get geared up and leave a minute later.

A few miles down the road I see them and I wick it up a bit and pass them. I did wave as we went by.

I was watching the mile markers count up to our exit. And there it is, we exit the slab and head over to the Pilot Travel Center for fuel and a pit stop.
We also got some more ice and water as it was hot.

After leaving the Pilot we head north to US-24 and turn east for 9 miles where we pick up US-83 north.
Here's a interesting side note. We now have ridden US-83 in Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.
At different times of course. Now all we have to do is get to Oklahoma and Texas on US-83 and we're set.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-8pJqvzf/0/efd9d762/XL/US-83-KS-XL.jpg)  

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-m9XwBLK/0/051365f4/XL/US-83-KS-2-XL.jpg)
There are curves in Kansas!

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-CJmgcQm/0/c473d0f9/XL/US-83-KS-3-XL.jpg)
But it's still pretty straight.

We get into Oberlin, KS about 2 in the afternoon and it is hot out here.

We find US-36 and turn east to go to Vicki's ToH stop.
As we turn Vicki takes the lead, as I turn I find some gravel and the rear end steps out then catches right away.
At the same time I put my right foot down, hard. It was like stomping my foot, only at about 5 MPH and catching all the weight of the bike on my right leg and foot.
Ow!
Nothing broken, just a bruised ego. This same thing happened earlier in this trip but I don't remember where and when.

We follow US-36 for a mile and turn off to the cemetery where the monument is located.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-fM83sQG/0/b406b4e1/L/20170902_140741-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-RfSZnfK/0/6e155c8b/L/20170902_140834-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-s7n9ZKC/0/3ce86426/L/20170902_140910-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-DnjqqvT/1/938d94a9/L/DSCF3548-L.jpg)

While Vicki takes the pictures I top off my water and finish what will not fit in the thermos and wet down my neck cooler.

After the  pictures are done we gear up and head east on US-36.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-S2KL9hH/0/1529f0db/XL/US-36-KS-XL.jpg)
US-36 east of Oberlin, KS.

We follow US-36 for 40 miles where we pick up NE-383. This runs Northeast for 25 miles and we pick up US-183 and head north.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-cFHfrjX/0/8262b2f1/XL/US-83-KS-4-XL.jpg)
Leaving Kansas.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-KTmpsrT/0/7c231638/XL/US-83-NE-XL.jpg)
Entering Nebraska.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-gF2Kts3/0/ef4f5ef0/XL/US-83-NE-2-XL.jpg)
US-183 in Nebraska.

We stop in Alma, NE for a pit stop and to fuel the bikes. We also got some more ice and water.

It's late in the afternoon but it still hot and we have 180 miles to go. So from here on if we stop it will be a quick pit stop then back on the road.

We leave Alma and continue north on US-183 to Holdrege, NE where we find US-34/6 and turn east for 15 miles.

We then turn north on NE-44 for 12 miles to I-80 where we head east again.
The speed limit here is 75 so I set the cruise for 80-ish?
We have 125 miles of slab to put behind us.

From NE-44 we run all the way to the Grand Island rest stop. I already have decided to stop here when I look in the rear view mirror and see Vicki has her turn signal on.

From the rest stop to the hotel is 85 miles, it's about 4:30 - 5:00 time to set the cruise at 85 and see if we can get there quick.

Once back on I-80 doing 85 would not be possible, traffic was a slight issue.
It would be clear then we hit pockets of traffic all the way to Lincoln.

Once we got close to Lincoln I started to see state troopers along the road.
I kept it close to the limit until we exited I-80.
As we exit the highway there is a Perkins right off the highway and I decided to stop here for dinner.

While talking to some of the waitresses there it turns out there was a college football game in town, Nebraska vs Georgia, so they were staying open later that night.

After dinner we went to the hotel. While I checked in Vick got a cart and started unloading her bike.
I came out a few minutes later and got mine unloaded while Vicki parked hers.

After unloading my bile I parked it and we head up to our room where we unload the cart and I return it downstairs.

We then got everything ready for tomorrow and watched the news and weather then turned in.

Total miles for today was 543.5 on 4 gas stops.

Tomorrow, the last day, would also be a long day.  

The final day of vacation starts as usual and after showering we go downstairs for breakfast.
After breakfast we go get a cart and head up to our room.
We just need to gather everything up and then make one final check and we are gone.
We do stop for ice for the thermoses and we have water from yesterday so we are good to go.

Vicki then goes to get her bike while I have the cart by the front entrance. After she pulls up I go get my bike.
We load up the bikes then I go in and check out. It's time to leave but first we stop for gas then we hit the highway.

Today's route home.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/GoPro-Stills/i-VBFPF5r/0/9c6f6f11/XL/Day%2016%20map-XL.jpg)

We have 2 Tour of Honor stops today, one here in Nebraska and one in Iowa.

We head east on I-80 for 6 miles then exit at US-77 and head north to Wahoo, NE.

After 22 miles we turn onto 1st Street and head to Chestnut Street where we turn left for about a mile and we are at the Eternal Patrol Memorial.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-3cLCmWR/0/a415fb2d/L/20170903_093220-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-KkwZbWZ/0/d454b930/L/DSCF4983-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-rMCfXj2/0/921c3881/L/20170903_093300-L.jpg)
We learned things.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-7sXs2jc/0/f6b5922c/L/20170903_093334-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-Mp2sdzt/0/b0906c87/L/20170903_093347-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-BrM4pdK/0/9eee2c78/L/20170903_093354-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-3SjwW32/0/e0b2d550/L/20170903_093401-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-rb27SCW/0/d5e12f9c/L/20170903_093549-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-sZ8CzDb/0/4f776461/L/20170903_093754-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-ftwnBP8/0/03e31795/L/20170903_093803-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-Hkmfn2J/0/da536426/L/20170903_093910-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-XtpcGB9/0/35c5d012/L/20170903_093953-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-8ZQTDmc/0/c68d44c6/L/DSCF4987-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-XNdkcLs/0/7a1cdc96/L/DSCF4993-L.jpg)

After taking the pictures above we head out of town towards old Highway 77 for a couple of miles until we pick up US-77 again.

We follow US-77 for 5 miles and it turns into NE-92 at one point it turns north and hooks up with US-275.
It's at this point I slow down and motion to Vicki to turn around, I am unsure if we are going in the right direction.
NE-92 turned off to the right as we picked up US-275.

We find a place to pull over and Vicki gets her phone out and pulls up a map.

It looks as if we were going in the right direction. I look at the map she has pulled up and my directions and I get my bearings.
We then return to the road and as we get a little further from the spot where I turned around I see some activity at a farm house on our right.

As we pass I see several sheriffs police cars, two state troopers an ambulance and a news crew. Well this can't be good.

It wasn't. I found this after searching quite a bit.

http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/state/teen-who-shot-douglas-county-deputy-had-outburst-after-partying/article_564f52ca-9249-11e7-a8b2-1bf1e4eb8974.html

I have not looked for an update on this so I'm not sure what has happened since.

After this we found our way back to US-6 for 7 miles until we pick up I-680.
From there we follow 680 for 2 miles then we merge with I-80 east bound again.

After all of this it would have been easier to double back to I-80.

After 14 miles on I-80 we are in Iowa, we just have another 135 miles to Vicki's last ToH stop.

I'm also looking for a rest area so we can make a pit stop. But not finding one I exited at Underwood, Iowa where I found the Underwood I80 truck stop.
We went in for a pit stop and got some more water.

As we went back to the bikes I decided to top off the tanks.
We had only gone 93 miles but this way we would not need to stop for gas for a while.

After topping off we returned to I-80 east and after a few miles we found the rest area, which we passed as there was no need to stop.

From Underwood we droned on towards Des Moines. I had the cruise set around 75 as the speed limit was 70.
Then this SUV with California plates passed us at a MUCH higher rate of speed.
No big deal.
That is until we got to the outskirts of Des Moines where we caught up to him.
I then passed him as he had slowed way down.
The speed limit had dropped to 60 and I believe I was doing 60 to 65.

We then got to I-35 and I-80 merge as we got to where I-35/80 turns back east I slowed to the speed limit as I saw a squad car.
Then the west coaster passes us again and is running way over the limit.
Unfortunately the squad car had exited by this time so he did not get an award.

Vicki then pulls along side and points to her tank, time for a break.

We exit the slab at IA-28 and I see a gas station on the left so we pull in there and find a parking place and head in.
After the pit stop is finished and the bikes don't need gas we decide to have lunch at Wendy's just next door.

As we were having lunch Vicki tells me Mr. California slowed because he was on his phone, there's a surprise.

After lunch we head back to I-80 and the last ToH stop.

We exit the highway at US-6 and follow that into Newton, Iowa.

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-RNVnQbm/0/7a5206b3/L/DSCF3555-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-JZPgV4D/0/195ed3b2/L/20170903_140504-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-F66dshF/0/af047791/L/20170903_140557-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-z7RkMcQ/0/2867924f/L/20170903_140624-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-Xtd4wH3/0/4cbd5e65/L/DSCF4994-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/Petes-Pictures/i-JcrjzhM/0/f9c7c4f1/L/DSCF4997-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-BggXgR4/0/86ccd7a0/L/20170903_140714-L.jpg)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/Vacation/2017/VickisPictures/i-ksZF5Z9/0/d7655d1e/L/20170903_140726-L.jpg)

And now with all the pictures taken we can start the last 300 miles home.
On our way back to I-80 we make a gas stop before we get to I-80.

Once back on I-80 I set the cruise and watch the miles go by until we get to Davenport, IA.
At this point we cross back into Illinois and follow I-80 to I-88.

There is construction along I-88 and we have to slow for the construction zones even though its Sunday and they're not working.
They are down to one lane in the construction zones.
And the occasional state trooper helps with the decision to slow.

As we get to IL-40 we exit for gas before we hit the tollway.
We get the bikes fueled then go in for a pit stop and to get some more water for the final few hours.

After topping off our thermoses we gear up and go back to I-88 for the final 120 mile run home.

We follow I-88 to I-39 and head north to IL-72.
The speed limit on I-39 is 70, I'm doing somewhere in the neighborhood of 80.
Yea I'm itching to get home.

There is not much traffic on I-39 so I push it. The sun is starting to set and I'd like to be home at a reasonable time.

As we near IL-72 I pass a van and he moves slightly to the left but does not cross the dividing line.
I then pass a semi and move to the right lane and slow down.

There is an Impala ahead so I slow not knowing if this is a trooper.

From behind the Impala, I'm trying to make out the plates but I can't.
As we get close to our exit I slow a little more and wait for them to pass the exit.

I signal and get off of I-39, the Impala does not as they have passed the exit and yes I did do that intentionally.
Last thing I would have wanted was an award on the last day of vacation and this close to home.

We head east on IL-72 and as we get into Kingston we pull into a Casey's for a pit stop.
We also got some water then we dug out our sweat shirts as it was cooling off.

At this point I decided to change the route home and told Vicki the updated plan.
She was good with it so we took off.

At IL-23 we turned north for 12 miles where we turned east on IL-176 for 17 miles.
And as the sun had set I had people flashing their brights at me again.

By the time we got close to Crystal Lake I was tired of this.
Once again we had someone flash their brights at us and both of us lit him up like a Christmas tree.

We got to IL-31 whew we turned north and from here we followed some back roads home.

I kept expecting a deer to jump out in front of me but none ever did.

We pulled into our driveway about 8:30 PM. We went in and said hello to the dog and I got my car key to move the car out onto the drive.
Then I pulled both bikes into the garage and vacation 2017 is officially over.

Today's mileage was 564 miles on 4 gas stops.

Total mileage for this trip was 5883!

This is the most miles we've covered and the longest we've been away.

It was also the most expensive trip taken.



Here is a list of the hotels we stayed at and my comments on them:

8/19
Alexandria Inn
508 Twin Boulevard
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308

Good place for an overnight stay. Friendly staff and a good location.

8/20
Holiday Inn
415 38th Street West
Williston , North Dakota 58801

Newer hotel with a Very good staff and location. Would stay here again!


8/21
Yogo Inn
211 East Main Street
Lewistown, MT 59457

Nope. This place lost my reservation the person at the front desk was clueless and the hotel needs to be remodeled. I chose this one as it is in town and within walking distance
to several restaurants. If I'm out this way again I would try the Super 8 on the west side of town.

8/22
Wyoming Inn
of Jackson Hole 930 W Broadway
Jackson Hole, WY, 83001

Oh hell yes! Jackson can be a VERY expensive place to stay but the Wyoming Inn is my hotel of choice. It is within walking distance to several restaurants and an Albertsons.
The only downside is they do not have the free breakfast.
I WILL stay here the next time we go to Jackson.

8/23
Salt Lake City-Airport East
200 North 2100 West,
Salt Lake City, UT 84116

This place worked out well for us. There are 2 places within walking distance and a free breakfast.
I would stay here again.

8/24-25
The Gonzo Inn
100 West 200 South Street
Moab, Utah 84532

This is a cool place and being in downtown Moab you can walk most anywhere. It was 200.00 less than the Holiday Inn for the 2 days we were there. The staff was friendly and helpful
and I would stay here again.

8/26
Capitol Reef Resort
2600 E Highway 24
Torrey, UT 84775 |

This was an OK place to stay for the night. There is the one restaurant onsite and there is another across the street. It is out in the middle of nowhere and no free breakfast
kinda let it down.


8/27
Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand
30 North 100
East Bryce Canyon City, Utah 84764

Defiantly would stay here again. Liked the room and the breakfast was great. The only downside is there is not much within walking distance.


8/28
Desert Pearl Inn
707 Zion – Mount Carmel Hwy,
Springdale, UT 84767

This is a nice place to stay. The price for one night was just under 200.00 the room was spacious and there is a shuttle stop close by so you can take
the bus to Zion National Park or anywhere in town for free. No free breakfast though but I would stay here again.


8/29-30
Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ-67
North Rim, AZ 86023

Should we go back to the Grand Canyon I think we'll go to the south rim. The hotel here at the North rim is dated and really does need to be updated.
There are cabins here also, they might be better but I'm not sure. There is no TV in the rooms which is a nice change of pace but we do like to watch the news and weather.

8/31
Holiday Inn
Durango Central
21636 Highway 160 West
Durango , Colorado 81301

Even though they have a bandit problem, the racoon, I would stay here again. The room we had was large, plenty of space to store your gear and plenty of outlets
to charge things up and the restaurant on site. The downside is no free breakfast and almost nothing within walking distance.

9/1
Magnuson Hotel Manitou Springs
311 Manitou Ave,
Manitou Springs, CO 80829

This place was OK. The room we had was larger and there was plenty of desk space so I could charge my GoPro and the laptop. The restaurant next door was excellent. The one thing that I noticed
is there seems to be a lot of transient people going thru here. If we should be back in this area I would look for something else but fall back on this place if I could not find anything.

9/2
Holiday Inn Express
1101 West Commerce Way
Lincoln , Nebraska
United States   68521

Yes, I would stay here again. The staff was helpful and friendly, the hotel seems to be newer but the room we had was a bit on the small side.
The downside to this is there is nothing within walking distance.


If I was going to do this trip again I would go directly to Yellowstone Then head south but I would also spend an extra day at Zion National Park.

I took 1097 pictures with my camera.

I shot 225 videos, I deleted 3 of them so I have 222.

I haven't worked out the amount of gas we used or the average MPG but I never got more than 4.5 gallons of gas.
Like the Lurker says "See gas, get gas"

My 16 with six gears seemed to get better mileage than Vicki's 06 with five.

I do miss the quick steering of my 05 and its brutish power was more SPORT-touring.

But the 16 in its current configuration is more balanced, sport-touring.
I do want to update the suspension but I'll do that when the rear shock is worn out.
Maybe go back to Wilbers or try Penske. Ohlins may be to expensive.



A month after we got home we went to the Dragon for a Ride for Kids event. It was just a 4 day weekend but I got to ride the Dragon with the new FJR and it was good!


Thanks to all for your comments and thanks for reading my ramblings.

Safe journeys to all.   :bigok:

Good decisions make for good stories too....  Thanks for sharing...  :thumbsup:
and good on you for avoiding the performance awards --  Maryland put a damper on my earning them out west since it has reciprocity with every state.