The command

[Nails]

A couple weekends ago, she-who-must-be-obeyed commanded, “Come hither!” So, on Monday last week, thither went I. This was a fast blast –- no time for photos. See, I was under express command.

I left at 6:30 from near Santa Fe, heading south, then over the Rio Grande to the Four Corners. Along the way, I rode right by Coronado NM, a few Indian rez’s (including the Zia, who provided our state sun symbol), Canyon de Chelly (“deh shay”) NP, Angel Peak Rec Area, and a couple “Anasazi” ruins. A little after noon I passed a volcanic neck that looks kinda like a tall ship.

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And then headed across northern Arizona, past the Four Corners (a silly landmark that isn’t even at the right place), Monument Valley, and Navajo NM. I did stop for more volcanics … and a cold beer from the cooler. (It was in the 90’s, and I was getting baked.)

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The Navajos live on some of the most scenic country anywhere, but even they think Hwy 98 is especially beautiful. Sadly, I must continue to slither thither. No photos.

I went past a big damn dam.

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And thence into Utah.

[Nails]

I drove right past the Vermilion Cliffs, truly regretting not taking a photo. Then through Kanab, bedding down for the night at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

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The next morning, I encountered some hideously ugly beasts that I happen to know are quite dangerous.

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[Nails]

I found myself at another National Park.

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It’s totally criminal to just zoom through without taking a hike or even driving into the canyon. But I was under express command.

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There were some twisty roads. But no “flow” whatsoever due to the non-trivial risk of just one errant viewgasm causing a crash.

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By 10:30, I was droning on the freeway. But the short stretch of I-15 in Arizona is quite scenic, as freeways go.

Then Nevada, where I got convection baked. This was a long slog, and I wish I’d taken a photo of the sign that said “Next gas 150 miles” (Ash Springs to Tonopah). Instead, I backtracked 5 miles to really expensive gas.

I wasn’t paying much attention to what I was riding past, except that it was triple-digit hot. Occasional clouds offered fleeting shade.

[Nails]

About 4:30, I got into California. Hwy 120 offered wonderful curves. These did have a "flow", much like The Dragon, but with better long views.

You might think this is a dumbass maneuver, but I was really practicing motocrossing on the XII. Sure, that’s what I was doing.

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I ran into some weather and put on rain gear, but I got wetter dealing with that than after I put it on.

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A little before dark, I found a campsite. The gusty winds made pitching the tent difficult, but it didn’t rain after all.

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And then tucked into some cold margarita (ice in Tonopah) and red chile potato chips ("chee-lay", even if the package says "chili" -- which is a vile substance made from hamburger and sold in Texas )!

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And the next morning, a fine sunrise.

[Nails]

Hwy 120 continues west over a big granite rock that some people find interesting. I finally had a little extra time and so broke out the camera.

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The road is similar to the BRP, with nice curves and mucho scenery, and a 45 MPH limit.

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[cranky]

.. there's another sign headed out of Tonopah to Ely on rt 6, next gas 180 miles, it will
make a lot of scoot riders blink... Passing thru Kanab, the best hotel around, Parry Lodge right on
the curve headed in/out of town on 89.... Zion was made for a scoot!!!!! Most sights are
down, big hole... not Zion!!!! I'd hate to go thru there in a cage!!!!

Headed out myself doing a roundabout to Deadwood, SD want to
catch the Million Dollar Hiway 550 outta Druango goin' up and
212 thru Jellystone..... Yellowstone on the way back and hope
to see some'a them dangerous critters.... and I gotta tell ya,
them damn things are huge sitting in the security of your
scoot seat!!!! Saw some one time in Custer State Park
south of Deadwood....

Glad ya got the call!!! I'm out for @2weeks.... thankfully and the
weather looks gorgeous!!!!! Little warm in AZ, but 80s up North...

... onward....

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/681+Dun ... 98!1m0!3e0


https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Deadwoo ... 625146!3e0

[Nails]

I arrived as commanded to a family cabin in the Sierra Nevadas above Fresno. We took a walk nearby, to look at gorgeous bodies.

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That’s bodies OF WATER, you shameless geezers!

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The next day, the four of us (she-who-must-be-obeyed, our daughter, and our daughter’s biological father) went back to Yosemite. Getting a lot of use out of my Senior Pass.

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My bike’s front fender was nearly rattled off again, so I needed the next day for ABS surgery. I left the following morning at 2:30 AM. This was a marathon ride back, 1034 miles according to Google, basically droning 80 MPH on freeways the whole way. I don’t really want to get into everything I drove right by, getting home just before midnight (including a couple quick naps). I only had the heinous heat for about an hour near Needles. Could’ve been worse.

A nice, quick trip in the middle of this pandemic. We were careful, but I’ve quarantined myself anyway.

[Nails]

Headed out myself doing a roundabout to Deadwood, SD

Not clear -- are you riding now?

want to catch the Million Dollar Hiway 550 outta Druango

Old stomping grounds -- I used to live in Durango, and got married in Silverton. Beautiful country.

Lots of camping, if you're into that. Motels give me the creeps right now.

I gotta tell ya, them damn things are huge sitting in the security of your scoot seat!!!! Saw some one time in Custer State Park south of Deadwood....

Well honestly, they aren't all that big -- Maybe 1500 lbs? But they are fuken insane, especially when they run along in front of your vehicle, swinging their huge heads back and forth. (At some places in New Mexico, they get on the road.) I bet they kill a tourist or two every year.

[cranky]

.. sorry, leaving Friday.... rally is Wed - Friday and head out thru Jellystone
Sunday after an overnnite at Red Lodge, take a day to wander thru the park and
stop at Jackson on the south end, then wander back thru the desert.....

[GrandpaDenny]

That’s bodies OF WATER, you shameless geezers!

Aithnionn cuirag cuirag eile! That's Irish for "it takes one to know one"

I've been trying to get my videos uploaded with no success, too slow. Motel's wi-fi is crap. Took some pics today, will post momentarily. Unfortunately I haven't any ready of the trip down here (Henderson, NC).

Love the pics, Nails. Thanks for posting them! Shoulda had wifey take pics instead of snoozing back there.

[HMB Don]

Cranky
Looking at your route in Colorado. Your going to have to ride CO 550 to do the million dollar highway. Silverton to Ouray it's just breathtaking ride.

[Barry]

Make time to see Lehman Cave in Great Basin NP. Well worth it. Also Nevada Northern RR in Ely.

[cranky]

.. just gat back last nite.... 13 days on the road... @ 3750 miles.. I say approximately,
I lost speedo/cruise leaving Jackson, going up Teton pass and coming down into Id.... sigh...

[Barry]

I guess I should have paid attention to the date of your post! Glad you made it back. It's no fun riding without cruise on a trip. I bought a vista cruise throttle lock when I lost my cruise. I also have always carried a spare speedo cable inside the fairing behind the headlight bezel. Haven't needed it in 20 years. Did you loose the cable or the silly gear box at the wheel?

[cranky]

..from the sounds coming from my front, I'm assuming it was the gear in the
wheel, I'll put a drill on the cable when I get time... didn't have time to check it
out on the road, only 3 days with a throttle rocker, tho, my right hand has
been spoiled with the cruise control..... onward....

[Nails]

Make time to see Lehman Cave in Great Basin NP.

Decades ago, I was traveling across US 50 in a '69 Datsun pickup with a nice homemade camper. I found someplace to sleep between Utah and GBNP, and then showed up at the Park for a 9AM tour. But it was really 8 -- time zones. And by 9, I was still the only tourist in sight. The Ranger, a handsome young woman in her uniform, agreed to take me on an exclusive tour of the cave. Once inside, she said that they were trying to limit the time the lights were on. I suggested that we blow off the overhead lights and just use our issued headlamps. And before long, she was showing me all the "inside" secrets -- like a grotto that she pointed out looked much better if you put your head between your knees and looked at it upside down. I seriously doubt I'll ever have a better NPS tour.


My CC died exactly the day before I left for the above CA trip. Also a big fan of VistaCruise, installed on all my bikes. Using it wasn't as bad as expected, but looking forward to diagnosing whatever is wrong with the cruise. Last time it was the clutch switch. This time I suspect the switch on the carbs. Regardless, I plan to move that carb switch to a push-button "cancel" switch -- don't think it offers any safety benefit whatsoever, just makes a difficult linkage that much difficulter. And I don't like using the brake lever as "cancel".

So Cranky, where's the RR?

[cranky]

.. plan on a blog, movin' kinda slow.. took a pic in Ely, Nv and the sound of the
kickstand going down was the sound of it going up... sigh... loaded ol' gal was
real heavy and kinda wrenched my back on first attempt, saw a guy across
the street and asked him for a hand... he clapped.... sigh + GBG then
ran across the road and grabbed my right grip and leaned back, all I
needed to get the ol' gal up!!!! Back still tender... I will get to it... just
a tad slow....

in 2 weeks, lost 4 pounds, wife was P!$)#^*!*$^$d as usual, said I don't
want to hear it... the restaurants have been decimated, left on 4th weekend
and went thru lock down Indian territory and all was closed, gas no problem, but
the stations were closed. Yeah, missed a few meals!!! GBG

[Nails]

I gained 4 pounds ... at least. I carried almost all my food -- only ate out once (Denny's breakfast, 4 AM). But the Fresno State Univ tritip and corn-on-the-cob took a toll. Staying at the "cabin" at Shaver Lake isn't exactly roughing it.

[GrandpaDenny]

I ate mostly fast food on my trip (normally I do NOT touch fast food), and a couple of restaurants. Came home weighing about the same, within the normal fluxuation range. I figured, what the hell, I'm on vacation.

[cranky]

.. well, after a day of "rest", and re-hyhdrating, I only lost 2, after some
"absorption" it wasn't so bad... GBG I did put up with a little heat.....