Embarked: September 13, 2014
Returned: September 28, 2014
States visited: 9; in order - TX, NM, AZ, UT, NV, CO, KS, MO, OK
Favorite state/part: Either UT or CO. The parks and the land in these states is amazing.
Least favorite: The boring plains of KS. I get their significance for our country and for making food for all of us to eat, it just isnt pretty to look at for me.
Miles traveled: ~ 4100 ass pummeling miles
Longest traveling day: 530 miles (1st day from Houston to Lubbock) followed closely with 507 miles from Las Vegas to Grand Junction
Shortest traveling day (not including layover days): St. George to Las Vegas (120 miles)
Things I enjoyed:
1. The countryside in the west is beautiful. Not as much desert as I was expecting, which was also nice.
2. The national parks that I got to see (Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Mt. Zion) were absolutely stunning for various reasons and I am glad I got to see them. Granted, I did not get to explore them as much as I would like due to time constraints. I spent part of days in these parks, and one could easily spend multiple days in a single park.
3. Traveling alone (will hit on the negatives later) was nice. Got to make my own schedule, see and do the things I wanted to do, and could stop where and when I wanted or needed to without having to worry about pissing someone else off.
4. Couchsurfing. The fact that there is this network of friendly, hospitable people opening their homes and lives to complete strangers is amazing. Add to that the fact that it gave me awesome individuals to talk to and spend some time with on this long, lonely trip was that much better. Being a social creature, I would much rather be around people than not, and this provided me that ability.
Things I wish I had done differently:
1. Tested out my seat. I feel like when the one complaint I have is my seat kicking my ass, that is a great trip (and it was). But if I had to do it again, I would do some test rides of significant distance like I wanted to, but didn't.
2. Traveled with someone/people. As I alluded to earlier, and as many of yall know, I love being around good people. I have no problem going somewhere or doing something by myself (this trip being a prime example) if I need to, but it would have been nice to have another person around to travel with not only for safety reasons but also for increasing the enjoyment of the trip.
3. Stayed West. As much as I loved seeing my friends and the city of Kansas City, there is so much more to see and do in the Utah/W.Colorado/N.Arizona area that part of me wishes I would have stayed in that general area and spent some more time in the parks and what not. That being said, I definitely do not regret the trip as is even a little bit.
Lessons learned:
1. Do a trial run or 2 before the big expedition. I knew this from Philmont days, but I didnt have/make time to do it this time and I paid the price.
2. There are great people, in all shapes and sizes, all over this planet. I have seen it time and time again in my travels and this trip just reiterated it even more.
Motivations going forward:
1. Next big trip I want to be Ozarks or Pacific Hwy. Hopefully, it will be with someone so I can learn group riding.
2. For short term trips, I want to explore Texas State Parks and what not. So I might be looking to gather my camping supplies and just take little trips to parks I havent visited before.
3. On previous trips, I took handwritten notes about the adventures. I think I will try and find those and even though they are not on a motorcycle, I will try and document them as best to my ability as it would be good to have a digital account of some of these amazing trips I have been extremely fortunate to go on, and it will open people's eyes to the greatness that is Nicaragua, South Africa and Europe.
Next to come: A photographic account of this Motorbike trip
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Hoooomeward Bound
Day 16 - September 28, 2014
OKC - Houston
I got up at the crack of dawn to get home in time go see a friend I have known since I was 2 and hadn't seen in a few years, who has been in town the past week but I obviously wasn't. So no fooling around, today. I head out and head south towards Dallas. The southern part of Oklahoma is also pretty with trees, lakes, etc. and the greatest thing was, they didnt make me pay to use 35. Good job Okies! Once I get into Texas, I stop for food at a Braum's (why do we not have these in Houston?). They are still serving breakfast, the food was decent for fast food, but the kicker - they are also an ice cream shop with like 20 different flavors. These flavors are always available. So naturally I had a peanut chocolate fudge shake (whatever the flavor was called) with my breakfast and it was delicious on all levels. Now that I think about it, the last thing I need in Houston is another path to acquire milkshakes from (did anyone else take advantage of sonic's summer of shakes these past few months? Cause I sure did :) ).
I then get back on the road and my old nemesis, the seat, decides it wants one last go at my keester. I suffer through the last hour or so battling the lovely 45 in Houston before pulling up ti the place where I started this all a little over 2 weeks ago. A wonderful, amazing trip that I couldn't be happier to have taken.
I will soon write a summary post and a post or 2 with pictures summarizing the trip. Thsnk you all for following me on this journey. I hope it inspired at least one person to get out there and either challenge their comfort zone, or just explore a piece of this great country that we have at our disposal; just make sure to treat it kindly. :) Cheers!
OKC - Houston
I got up at the crack of dawn to get home in time go see a friend I have known since I was 2 and hadn't seen in a few years, who has been in town the past week but I obviously wasn't. So no fooling around, today. I head out and head south towards Dallas. The southern part of Oklahoma is also pretty with trees, lakes, etc. and the greatest thing was, they didnt make me pay to use 35. Good job Okies! Once I get into Texas, I stop for food at a Braum's (why do we not have these in Houston?). They are still serving breakfast, the food was decent for fast food, but the kicker - they are also an ice cream shop with like 20 different flavors. These flavors are always available. So naturally I had a peanut chocolate fudge shake (whatever the flavor was called) with my breakfast and it was delicious on all levels. Now that I think about it, the last thing I need in Houston is another path to acquire milkshakes from (did anyone else take advantage of sonic's summer of shakes these past few months? Cause I sure did :) ).
I then get back on the road and my old nemesis, the seat, decides it wants one last go at my keester. I suffer through the last hour or so battling the lovely 45 in Houston before pulling up ti the place where I started this all a little over 2 weeks ago. A wonderful, amazing trip that I couldn't be happier to have taken.
I will soon write a summary post and a post or 2 with pictures summarizing the trip. Thsnk you all for following me on this journey. I hope it inspired at least one person to get out there and either challenge their comfort zone, or just explore a piece of this great country that we have at our disposal; just make sure to treat it kindly. :) Cheers!
All good things must come to an end
Day 15 - September 27, 2014
KC - OKC
After some breakfast, I got my bike set up for the day and headed out. I chose to head south through Missouri instead of what google said was the ~30 mile shorter route back through Wichita for 2 reasons: 1) hadn't seen Missouri countryside, and (this one is the important one) 2) it avoids going through Kansas (if you are curious, check out my earlier post :) ).
Missouri was nice. Just trees and farms and small towns the whole way down 49. At Joplin, I change to 44 and head west and into Oklahoma. This is where I found out that maybe I had just been spoiled with all my traveling on interstates previously, cause the road from Joplin to OKC was 2 4$ toll roads (Joplin - Tulsa, Tulsa - OKC). Just kidding, add Oklahoma to the list. The parts I saw were indeed prettier than Kansas, but I feel as though main thoroughfares that are most likely paid for with tax dollars from the federal government should not be toll roads. The beltway here in Houston I understand cause you have options for the most part. I digress.
I finally get into OKC and meet my host for the night, a medical resident with family and one in the oven. They are a few years older, and pretty cool. He seems to do it all; father, husband, doctor, motorcyclist, home brewer, etc. They are a very friendly, warm family that after we meet and I drop my stuff off, invite me to their neighborhood pot luck. I accept cause hey, free food, and I can talk to them some more. After we eat (we told a lil white lie about our friendship as they thought it best living in a more conservative neighborhood), we come back and drink some beers. The first one I had looks like an IPA, but upon tasting the malty, chocolaty, flavors I am utterly confused. Turns out the beer is called Casper and it is a white stout from Wisconsin. Pretty interesting. We proceed to shoot the sh*t and have some other beers, one of which I was bringing home for some friends, until it decided to spill into my saddlebag and I decided it wouldnt keep (an apricot au pouive belgium beer aged in chardonnay barrels - those who know me know I have been on the lookout for wine barrel aged beers). It was a very tasty beer with the flavors going from apricot semi-sweet to pepper savory (black pepper not spicy peppers) to chardonnay dryness. It was a fun drink, which made me upset it didnt make the trip as the guy I was bringing it for, loves au pouive steaks. We continued to talk bikes, life, beer, etc. until it was my bed time.
This is the second exceptional person/experience I have had with couch surfing. Both experiences different as can be, but I have really appreciated meeting these people. Tomorrow, home sweet home :)
KC - OKC
After some breakfast, I got my bike set up for the day and headed out. I chose to head south through Missouri instead of what google said was the ~30 mile shorter route back through Wichita for 2 reasons: 1) hadn't seen Missouri countryside, and (this one is the important one) 2) it avoids going through Kansas (if you are curious, check out my earlier post :) ).
Missouri was nice. Just trees and farms and small towns the whole way down 49. At Joplin, I change to 44 and head west and into Oklahoma. This is where I found out that maybe I had just been spoiled with all my traveling on interstates previously, cause the road from Joplin to OKC was 2 4$ toll roads (Joplin - Tulsa, Tulsa - OKC). Just kidding, add Oklahoma to the list. The parts I saw were indeed prettier than Kansas, but I feel as though main thoroughfares that are most likely paid for with tax dollars from the federal government should not be toll roads. The beltway here in Houston I understand cause you have options for the most part. I digress.
I finally get into OKC and meet my host for the night, a medical resident with family and one in the oven. They are a few years older, and pretty cool. He seems to do it all; father, husband, doctor, motorcyclist, home brewer, etc. They are a very friendly, warm family that after we meet and I drop my stuff off, invite me to their neighborhood pot luck. I accept cause hey, free food, and I can talk to them some more. After we eat (we told a lil white lie about our friendship as they thought it best living in a more conservative neighborhood), we come back and drink some beers. The first one I had looks like an IPA, but upon tasting the malty, chocolaty, flavors I am utterly confused. Turns out the beer is called Casper and it is a white stout from Wisconsin. Pretty interesting. We proceed to shoot the sh*t and have some other beers, one of which I was bringing home for some friends, until it decided to spill into my saddlebag and I decided it wouldnt keep (an apricot au pouive belgium beer aged in chardonnay barrels - those who know me know I have been on the lookout for wine barrel aged beers). It was a very tasty beer with the flavors going from apricot semi-sweet to pepper savory (black pepper not spicy peppers) to chardonnay dryness. It was a fun drink, which made me upset it didnt make the trip as the guy I was bringing it for, loves au pouive steaks. We continued to talk bikes, life, beer, etc. until it was my bed time.
This is the second exceptional person/experience I have had with couch surfing. Both experiences different as can be, but I have really appreciated meeting these people. Tomorrow, home sweet home :)
Kansas City - gateway to the West?
Day 12-14 - September 24-26, 2014
Kansas City, MO
I spent the last couple of days catching up with my friends, checking out what Kansas City has to offer (my friend is trying to recruit me up there for after I graduate). The first night was just about getting settled in, having a nice homemade steak dinner (the meat i later found out came from a butcher they went in with some friends and split a whole cow mwahahahaha AWESOME!), then hitting up his local haunts for some good local beers. We started at a nearby brewpub where I sampled their beers, which I enjoyed, before we tryed other beers from their extensive list. After a few rounds, some of his friends met up, and we went across the street to another bar with a great beer selection. In Kansas City, some places can sell bottles to go (bottle shops) and I was wishing this was one of them, but it wasn't. It had 2 beers (barrel aged old rasputin and a Cantion Iris) that I really wanted to bring home for some friends to try, but alas this place was on premise only :( . So we closed that place down, as they closed early (midnight), and went to our final stop, a restaurant with a little bit of everything for what everyone was wanting. After a drink, we headed home as I was spent from the long drive and then a night out.
The next day we got up and stumbled around the house until it was time to start the day. Went to see my friend's work and it was pretty sweet. If I could do science like that, I would enjoy it thoroughly me thinks (he absolutely loves it - I now understand). Then ran some errands with them, checked out the city's WW1 memorial which was a pretty area/building. After that, we went home so the misses could run some more errands and we went to Cinder Block Brewery for a couple drinks. It was their one year anniversary so they were having demonstrations, special tappings, etc. so we talked to a few of their employees and after having some beers, went to a german brewpub to have a drink (had to get the dunkel of course - live me the Dunkels) then decided to head home, watch Beerfest and drink home brew. Solid end to a great day.
The next day was my last day so I had to take it easy. We started by going to a local butcher to get some shopping done (they were taking apart a pig, but had all kinds of meat available) before heading to the nearby farmers market, which smelt great. Spice shops, italian meat shops, etc alternated this giant square of shops where they did some more shopping before we headed out to get some lunch at a nearby sandwich shop where I had a philly cheesesteak that was pretty good. After this we went to a bottle shop to get some souvenirs. After we had all our goodies from the day, we dropped them off at the house, then got their brewing supplies and headed to a brew shop where we proceeded to brew 2 batches of beer (I mainly watched them and tasted some different beers) and hung out with a group of men who were in town for the UTexas game that weekend and were a hoot. They were all latin american descent, the ring leader being Puerto Rican. The took over the place playing all kinds of hispanic music, dancing all over the place while the shop owner tried to teach them about brewing. It didnt help that every 5-10 mins they seemed to be opening a new bottle of beer. Either way, they were the life of the party and a great addition to the day's activities. After we were done, we headed home and I packed up and got everything ready for my departure tomorrow.
KC is a cool little town. It has new and old architecture seemingly blended into each other. Lots of beautiful churches/buildings/views from all the hills. Seems to have parks everywhere with even more fountains placed throughout the city. The highways dont make much sense sometimes, the weather was perfect the whole time, and I enjoyed the craft beer scene. Was definitely worth the trip not only to see a good set of friends, but also to experience a new city I probably wouldn't have come to otherwise.
Tomorrow the journey home begins...
Kansas City, MO
I spent the last couple of days catching up with my friends, checking out what Kansas City has to offer (my friend is trying to recruit me up there for after I graduate). The first night was just about getting settled in, having a nice homemade steak dinner (the meat i later found out came from a butcher they went in with some friends and split a whole cow mwahahahaha AWESOME!), then hitting up his local haunts for some good local beers. We started at a nearby brewpub where I sampled their beers, which I enjoyed, before we tryed other beers from their extensive list. After a few rounds, some of his friends met up, and we went across the street to another bar with a great beer selection. In Kansas City, some places can sell bottles to go (bottle shops) and I was wishing this was one of them, but it wasn't. It had 2 beers (barrel aged old rasputin and a Cantion Iris) that I really wanted to bring home for some friends to try, but alas this place was on premise only :( . So we closed that place down, as they closed early (midnight), and went to our final stop, a restaurant with a little bit of everything for what everyone was wanting. After a drink, we headed home as I was spent from the long drive and then a night out.
The next day we got up and stumbled around the house until it was time to start the day. Went to see my friend's work and it was pretty sweet. If I could do science like that, I would enjoy it thoroughly me thinks (he absolutely loves it - I now understand). Then ran some errands with them, checked out the city's WW1 memorial which was a pretty area/building. After that, we went home so the misses could run some more errands and we went to Cinder Block Brewery for a couple drinks. It was their one year anniversary so they were having demonstrations, special tappings, etc. so we talked to a few of their employees and after having some beers, went to a german brewpub to have a drink (had to get the dunkel of course - live me the Dunkels) then decided to head home, watch Beerfest and drink home brew. Solid end to a great day.
The next day was my last day so I had to take it easy. We started by going to a local butcher to get some shopping done (they were taking apart a pig, but had all kinds of meat available) before heading to the nearby farmers market, which smelt great. Spice shops, italian meat shops, etc alternated this giant square of shops where they did some more shopping before we headed out to get some lunch at a nearby sandwich shop where I had a philly cheesesteak that was pretty good. After this we went to a bottle shop to get some souvenirs. After we had all our goodies from the day, we dropped them off at the house, then got their brewing supplies and headed to a brew shop where we proceeded to brew 2 batches of beer (I mainly watched them and tasted some different beers) and hung out with a group of men who were in town for the UTexas game that weekend and were a hoot. They were all latin american descent, the ring leader being Puerto Rican. The took over the place playing all kinds of hispanic music, dancing all over the place while the shop owner tried to teach them about brewing. It didnt help that every 5-10 mins they seemed to be opening a new bottle of beer. Either way, they were the life of the party and a great addition to the day's activities. After we were done, we headed home and I packed up and got everything ready for my departure tomorrow.
KC is a cool little town. It has new and old architecture seemingly blended into each other. Lots of beautiful churches/buildings/views from all the hills. Seems to have parks everywhere with even more fountains placed throughout the city. The highways dont make much sense sometimes, the weather was perfect the whole time, and I enjoyed the craft beer scene. Was definitely worth the trip not only to see a good set of friends, but also to experience a new city I probably wouldn't have come to otherwise.
Tomorrow the journey home begins...
Thursday, September 25, 2014
We're not in Kansas anymore... thank goodness
Day 12 - September 24, 2014
Goodland - Kansas City, MO
Today I was to drive clear across Kansas, to get to my last layover stop in Kansas City to see some friends from Grad school. I woke up, got the bike packed, and after filling up the gas tank, I was heading East. Within a few hours on 70, I saw more cops and more people pulled over than the previous 10 days. Not a good omen. I was fortunate not to get pulled over but those coppers were everywhere. Kansas is flat. Quite the opposite from the rest of the trip thus far, which made for a very boring drive but it had to be done. Once you get into eastern Kansas, starting about at Salina, the hills start and it becomes a little better with trees and things to look at. On the way to Topeka, I passed an army base which reminded me of the base I passed on the first day in Texas.
These bases are awesome as a pedestrian looking in; I wonder if the people in the military find it just as amazing to look upon the behemoths of war. The Texas base had land vehicles: hummers, massive tanks, etc. The Kansas base was more loaded with supply vehicles and air vehicles: Chinooks, Apaches, etc. Both bases were pretty cool sights to behold.
So I get into Topeka, fill up for my final leg, and head out. As I leave Topeka, I realize that the interstate between Topeka and Kansas City has been turned into a 60 mile toll road. WHO TURNS AN INTERSTATE INTO A TOLLROAD?!?!? Freaking Kansas thats who. I decide to stick it to the greedy bastards and take the residential highway, big mistake. I wind up hitting every light, coming across some of the worst drivers ever (who moves into the left lane to turn their hazards on and slow down?), and taking 2 hours to go 60-70 miles. In hindsight, my frugality got the best of me.
I eventually get to my friends place after getting lost to poorly marked street signs a could times. I take my stuff in and shower before going out with them and some of their friends to try some local beers. Should be a good couple of days till the 2 day ride home starting on Saturday. Cheers!
Goodland - Kansas City, MO
Today I was to drive clear across Kansas, to get to my last layover stop in Kansas City to see some friends from Grad school. I woke up, got the bike packed, and after filling up the gas tank, I was heading East. Within a few hours on 70, I saw more cops and more people pulled over than the previous 10 days. Not a good omen. I was fortunate not to get pulled over but those coppers were everywhere. Kansas is flat. Quite the opposite from the rest of the trip thus far, which made for a very boring drive but it had to be done. Once you get into eastern Kansas, starting about at Salina, the hills start and it becomes a little better with trees and things to look at. On the way to Topeka, I passed an army base which reminded me of the base I passed on the first day in Texas.
These bases are awesome as a pedestrian looking in; I wonder if the people in the military find it just as amazing to look upon the behemoths of war. The Texas base had land vehicles: hummers, massive tanks, etc. The Kansas base was more loaded with supply vehicles and air vehicles: Chinooks, Apaches, etc. Both bases were pretty cool sights to behold.
So I get into Topeka, fill up for my final leg, and head out. As I leave Topeka, I realize that the interstate between Topeka and Kansas City has been turned into a 60 mile toll road. WHO TURNS AN INTERSTATE INTO A TOLLROAD?!?!? Freaking Kansas thats who. I decide to stick it to the greedy bastards and take the residential highway, big mistake. I wind up hitting every light, coming across some of the worst drivers ever (who moves into the left lane to turn their hazards on and slow down?), and taking 2 hours to go 60-70 miles. In hindsight, my frugality got the best of me.
I eventually get to my friends place after getting lost to poorly marked street signs a could times. I take my stuff in and shower before going out with them and some of their friends to try some local beers. Should be a good couple of days till the 2 day ride home starting on Saturday. Cheers!
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
When the lights go down in the country
Day 11 - September 23, 2014
Grand Junction - Goodland, KS
Today was to be a short day. Little 4 hour jaunt down I70 with an optional hour detour for a scenic route north of 70 also through the Rockies. I got up, not with any certain hustle in my step, and had breakfast before getting on the road.
Immediately, I start to realize that my enjoyment of 70 from my travels through Utah was only the beginning. As I leave Junction, 70 gets into the mountains and you careen around them as you follow the Colorado River. Shortly after, I find myself among a wine making town with vineyards, green, rolling hills, and mountains all around. I keep on my path and as I get higher into the mountains, I start to wonder; with 70 being so beautiful, and still with Vail and Breckenridge to come, should I take the detour, or just stay on 70? After realizing I have never been to either of the 2 previously mentioned towns, I optioned to skip my planned detour and stay on 70. After some more riding, I stop in Avon for lunch at the Northside Kitchen and they are still serving breakfast, so I get eggs benedict with bacon instead of Canadian bacon and wheat toast (made in house) instead of the usual Engligh Muffin. I am usually disappointed when I get eggs benedict as it never tastes as good as I have had it at a handful of places; I can add this place to the list. I do no normally take pictures of my food, but today I did. I really enjoyed the food, the bacon provided a great crunchy yin to the sauce/yolky runiness' (lets assume that is a word if it is not) yang. Ok enough of food, making me hungry talking about it.
As I'm leaving, some gentlemen stop and talk as they are riders as well (this whole trip I have really loved the general friendliness of bikers both on and off the road). They recommend some rides for the rest of my trip, and wish me a safe ride. I pull out and before long I am upon Vail and it is beautiful. The trees are all kinds of colors due to the time of year, the town sits at the foot of the ski slopes (which right now are lush grassy fields) which I imagine is why it is such a great ski resort, and there are golf courses and bike paths running next to the highway. Just amazing. I continue down the road and come upon Breckenridge. As you escape the pass, your view opens up into an expanse of nature and small town with a giant lake and more luxurious mountains all around.
As I make my way down into Denver, I start to realize my fears will soon be realized; the amazing highway that is I70 will soon open up into plains and plenty of flat boring farmlands. Bye, bye mountains. I get close to where my host lives and make an executive decision. In order to cut down on my now minimum 10 hour drive the next day (thanks time zone, you sneaky little bastard) I opted to go forth and put more road behind me today as I felt good from a good night's sleep and it wouldn't hurt to be closer to Kansas City for the next day. So I zip out of Denver, eventually stop and grab dinner at a truck stop diner (oh chicken fried steak, you always know how to make me happy :) ) and make my way East.
I stop to get gas in the smallest of towns (Arriba, CO) to have a gas station and as I come out from the store, an old fellow is looking at my bike (is Wayne Brady going to have to choke a B*tch?). Turns out, he also rides, and he wanted to chat so we shared stories of our recent trips and shot the shit for a bit before getting back on the ride. Shortly thereafter, I realized there is a benefit to being in the middle of nowhere and riding in the dark; no city lights to rob us city folk of one of THE most impressive sights we humans who never leave this earth's atmosphere will ever see - the Milky Way. For those who never get out of the city to camp, if you dont like connecting with nature, or being without your plush amenities, the one reason you should get away from the city is to look upon an unadulterated night sky full of the stars and the cloudiness among the stars that is the Milky Way (if I remember right, the cloudiness is actually due to the millions of stars there causing an inability to distinguish between individual light sources). I remember going to AZ years ago with my father and I believe Aunt? And we pulled over an hour outside of El Paso and he pointed out to me the milky way that I don't think I ever realized was visible. It was, and still is amazing to be able to lay you eyes upon it. I can understand how people like NdGT make a passionate career out of astrophysics. After pulling over on the highway to take it in, I continue down the road and eventually pull into Goodland where I found a place and went to get some rest.
Grand Junction - Goodland, KS
Today was to be a short day. Little 4 hour jaunt down I70 with an optional hour detour for a scenic route north of 70 also through the Rockies. I got up, not with any certain hustle in my step, and had breakfast before getting on the road.
Immediately, I start to realize that my enjoyment of 70 from my travels through Utah was only the beginning. As I leave Junction, 70 gets into the mountains and you careen around them as you follow the Colorado River. Shortly after, I find myself among a wine making town with vineyards, green, rolling hills, and mountains all around. I keep on my path and as I get higher into the mountains, I start to wonder; with 70 being so beautiful, and still with Vail and Breckenridge to come, should I take the detour, or just stay on 70? After realizing I have never been to either of the 2 previously mentioned towns, I optioned to skip my planned detour and stay on 70. After some more riding, I stop in Avon for lunch at the Northside Kitchen and they are still serving breakfast, so I get eggs benedict with bacon instead of Canadian bacon and wheat toast (made in house) instead of the usual Engligh Muffin. I am usually disappointed when I get eggs benedict as it never tastes as good as I have had it at a handful of places; I can add this place to the list. I do no normally take pictures of my food, but today I did. I really enjoyed the food, the bacon provided a great crunchy yin to the sauce/yolky runiness' (lets assume that is a word if it is not) yang. Ok enough of food, making me hungry talking about it.
As I'm leaving, some gentlemen stop and talk as they are riders as well (this whole trip I have really loved the general friendliness of bikers both on and off the road). They recommend some rides for the rest of my trip, and wish me a safe ride. I pull out and before long I am upon Vail and it is beautiful. The trees are all kinds of colors due to the time of year, the town sits at the foot of the ski slopes (which right now are lush grassy fields) which I imagine is why it is such a great ski resort, and there are golf courses and bike paths running next to the highway. Just amazing. I continue down the road and come upon Breckenridge. As you escape the pass, your view opens up into an expanse of nature and small town with a giant lake and more luxurious mountains all around.
As I make my way down into Denver, I start to realize my fears will soon be realized; the amazing highway that is I70 will soon open up into plains and plenty of flat boring farmlands. Bye, bye mountains. I get close to where my host lives and make an executive decision. In order to cut down on my now minimum 10 hour drive the next day (thanks time zone, you sneaky little bastard) I opted to go forth and put more road behind me today as I felt good from a good night's sleep and it wouldn't hurt to be closer to Kansas City for the next day. So I zip out of Denver, eventually stop and grab dinner at a truck stop diner (oh chicken fried steak, you always know how to make me happy :) ) and make my way East.
I stop to get gas in the smallest of towns (Arriba, CO) to have a gas station and as I come out from the store, an old fellow is looking at my bike (is Wayne Brady going to have to choke a B*tch?). Turns out, he also rides, and he wanted to chat so we shared stories of our recent trips and shot the shit for a bit before getting back on the ride. Shortly thereafter, I realized there is a benefit to being in the middle of nowhere and riding in the dark; no city lights to rob us city folk of one of THE most impressive sights we humans who never leave this earth's atmosphere will ever see - the Milky Way. For those who never get out of the city to camp, if you dont like connecting with nature, or being without your plush amenities, the one reason you should get away from the city is to look upon an unadulterated night sky full of the stars and the cloudiness among the stars that is the Milky Way (if I remember right, the cloudiness is actually due to the millions of stars there causing an inability to distinguish between individual light sources). I remember going to AZ years ago with my father and I believe Aunt? And we pulled over an hour outside of El Paso and he pointed out to me the milky way that I don't think I ever realized was visible. It was, and still is amazing to be able to lay you eyes upon it. I can understand how people like NdGT make a passionate career out of astrophysics. After pulling over on the highway to take it in, I continue down the road and eventually pull into Goodland where I found a place and went to get some rest.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Proper prior planning prevents poor performance
Day 10 - September 22, 2014
Las Vegas - Grand Junction
Today I was in 4 different states. Twas a driving day indeed. I woke up early, so early my roommate was baffled and also upset at the alarm, got my stuff together and got to the bike. I pulled out and got on the road when it was still cool, which was my plan as I felt the heat and in that gear, it is no fun, especially if there is traffic. So I went back up 15 to 70, which I will be on until I get to Kansas City in 2 days. I really enjoy the vast landscape varieties in Utah. On today's drive I think I saw every possible environment except for beaches or tundra.
My plan for the day was to get to Moab so I could see the Arches national park but with the long day and me needing to stop more as my body was exhausted thanks to the last 3 nights of horrible sleep, I wasnt able to get near that park til 7 and figured it would be closed/closing. So I screwed the pooch on planning today, but the silver lining - gives me a reason to come back to Utah and this area, maybe another bike trip :)
The other silver lining was I70. Once you get on it from 15, its just a beautiful vista after beautiful vista, and at one point you are among canyons, rock formations, and tons of just amazingly beautiful views. I wish someone else was driving so I could just look out the windows and take it all in. But I got some looks in when I could :). So I decided to just keep on 70 and get some rest as in 2 days I have a trek from Denver to Kansas City. Pulled into Grand Junction, found a place to sleep and did some writing for everyone's enjoyment.
Tomorrow is a easy day to Denver. Thats always good, especially since it gives me my 2nd of 3 couch surfing experiences with strangers. Excited! :)
Las Vegas - Grand Junction
Today I was in 4 different states. Twas a driving day indeed. I woke up early, so early my roommate was baffled and also upset at the alarm, got my stuff together and got to the bike. I pulled out and got on the road when it was still cool, which was my plan as I felt the heat and in that gear, it is no fun, especially if there is traffic. So I went back up 15 to 70, which I will be on until I get to Kansas City in 2 days. I really enjoy the vast landscape varieties in Utah. On today's drive I think I saw every possible environment except for beaches or tundra.
My plan for the day was to get to Moab so I could see the Arches national park but with the long day and me needing to stop more as my body was exhausted thanks to the last 3 nights of horrible sleep, I wasnt able to get near that park til 7 and figured it would be closed/closing. So I screwed the pooch on planning today, but the silver lining - gives me a reason to come back to Utah and this area, maybe another bike trip :)
The other silver lining was I70. Once you get on it from 15, its just a beautiful vista after beautiful vista, and at one point you are among canyons, rock formations, and tons of just amazingly beautiful views. I wish someone else was driving so I could just look out the windows and take it all in. But I got some looks in when I could :). So I decided to just keep on 70 and get some rest as in 2 days I have a trek from Denver to Kansas City. Pulled into Grand Junction, found a place to sleep and did some writing for everyone's enjoyment.
Tomorrow is a easy day to Denver. Thats always good, especially since it gives me my 2nd of 3 couch surfing experiences with strangers. Excited! :)
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