Another View of SW-FOG

[101stpathfinder]

Thanks Tyler- You have used up my quota for the day.

Nice to see some friends having a good time. Next year my fun starts!!!

Makes me think I should have by-passed Alaska.

 

[Tyler]

Stopped for gas in Panguitch and then headed toward Bryce Canyon...

And a stop for a little lunch in Bryce where horsepower met horsepower...

We had decided to forego actually going into the park as it was a Saturday and lots of traffic... but someone had mentioned a viewpoint that we could get to without entering the park, Fairyland Point Rd., which is a short jaunt out with a mini-Bryce hoo doo view which sufficed quite nicely for us...

Then Hwy 12 for a bit... we weren't planning on the entire run as we wanted to make it a short-ish day plus it was starting to heat up a bit... so we enjoyed the scenery into Escalante...

Found this guy wedged between the seat and my thigh... hope he died happy...

And then we turned around and retraced our steps back to Cedar City...

A river runs through it... Hwy 14

 

[Tyler]

Thanks Tyler- You have used up my quota for the day.Nice to see some friends having a good time. Next year my fun starts!!!

Makes me think I should have by-passed Alaska.

Tony, when you get to the fun place, let me know... would love to show you around.

 

[Tyler]

And then back to the parking lot for more hijinx...

That's trouble right there, I tell ya...

Buncha clowns...

Big John was having a very good time from the looks of it...

Marty gets the photobomb award for the event...

Next up... the ET Highway and Benton Hot Springs...

 

[Mudslide Miller]

Now that's a cool shot! The colors are spectacular along 12!!

 

[Bugnatr]

Good stuff Ms T.

A river runs through it... Hwy 14

Notice no leaves yet on the Aspen in the end of May, life above 9,000 feet. Summer is real short in these parts.

 

[bigjohnsd]

Great post Tyler

 

[beemerdons]

Great post Tyler

Love this Ride Report, gracias Señorita Bonita!

 

[stealth1]

Great pictures and ride report, Tyler.

 

[Tyler]

One by one, we drifted off to our respective rooms to rest up for the journeys back home the next day... these events are so much fun but the time just seems to go by so quickly and then it's time to say adieu at least for the time being... the next morning, Doug & Gayle, Brian, and the other John (not the Big one), turned our trusty steeds west and headed for the day's destination, Benton Hot Springs... we left early to catch the cool morning air...

Big house on the prairie...

Racing a mile-long train...

A few twists and turns sprinkled in the middle of a whole lotta straight...

And then the long, straight, and very hot ride through the deserts of Nevada... this stretch put my gas tank to the test between the above average speeds and strong head winds... we backtracked about 5 miles into Alamo and I was on fumes...

My first time here...

Doug guided us to our lunch stop for the day... I didn't realize this was on my bucket list but I checked it off!

The only real alien we found...

A few of his friends...

This guy was keeping watch at the front door...

If you've never been, it's worth a visit imo... food was decent and it was definitely interesting!

 

[Tyler]

We continued on with the temp just going over 100 degrees... and then add a few of these into the mix for a little excitement to keep things interesting... I was glad it was daylight so we could see them easily... wouldn't want to come up on one of those in the dark at speed!

We stopped in beautiful Tonopah for gas and to pick up supplies for our dinner that evening which Brian had agreed to cook for us (he used to be a professional chef, ya know!)...

Doug spied this in the restroom but was too chicken to get any...

Passing Boundary Peak coming into Benton...

I had to gas up in Benton and I had a bit of a surprise when I did... I started to unscrew the gas cap and heard a hissing sound like air was being pushed out of it... in retrospect, I should have just stopped right there but I didn't and continued to remove the gas cap... and whatever pressure was making the air-hissing sound resulted in Sybil doing an exorcist impression and spewing gas all over the front of me!!

I don't know whether it was the combination of heat and elevation changes or what but holy hell I stunk to high heaven! Luckily, I had the sun visor in my helmet down so that protected my eyes... I stumbled to the bathroom and washed my face off but my gear stunk to high heaven... as I left the bathroom, there was a lady smoking a cigarette and I veered very clear of her!

 

[Tyler]

Disaster narrowly averted, we finally arrived at The Old House at Benton Hot Springs... if you're ever out this way, definitely consider an overnight here... you will need to bring your own supplies for dinner but they have a fantastic home-cooked breakfast (none of that continental b'fast stuff!) and it is one of the most peaceful and relaxing places I've ever been... that and the hot springs tubs to soak your weary body in!

Brian doing his best "Howdy neighbor!"

All he needs is a corn cob pipe... you shoulda heard his "all ya'll" country twang impression mixed with his own accent... :lol:

There's lots to take a gander at around the property... glimpses of simpler times...

The Aussie set to cooking us a mighty fine dinner of stir-fry chicken, veggies, and rice... he was assisted by the lovely Gayle... they made a good team...

Dinner is served!

And yes, real men do dishes...

 

[Tyler]

After dinner, we wandered about as the sun started to set and the sky put on a show... every time I've been to this place, there is always an awesome sunset and those are some of my very favorite moments in a day... like someone somewhere is making a work of art that will never be repeated so each one should be savored...

Back at the ranch, we ended the day with a soak in our private hot springs tub in the backyard, talked about the day's adventures, and just relaxed... it was heaven...

Next up... Yosemite with the virgins...

 

[Tyler]

A blissful sleep, a hearty breakfast, and we were ready to rock & roll toward Yosemite... Doug & Gayle left early to get back home to responsibility-land but Brian, John, and I had a bit more leniency with our day... off along 120 we ventured, heading for Tioga Pass as Brian had never been through Yosemite and, surprisingly, neither had John even though he'd been a California native for quite some time... so I was gentle with the virgins as we headed west...

If you've ridden this section of 120 before, you know what's coming up next... the delightful "whoops" section that, if you ride it just right, you can get your bike and yourself a wee bit airborne... it is a hoot!!

Headed for the Sierras...

Through the woods to grandmother's house we go...

Glimpses of Mono Lake...

I couldn't shake these guys...

A quick stop at the Whoa Nellie Deli to pick up sammiches for a picnic lunch and then we were heading into the park...

 

[Tyler]

If you've never been to Yosemite, you should definitely put it on your list... Sam/puppychow has a recent thread with some spectacular photos from his visit... you can use all kinds of descriptive words like grandeur and spectacle and such but the words still don't come close to describing the beauty of this place... go see it for yourself and you'll see what I mean!

And it's a helluva place for some nice riding too...

Half Dome in the distance...

And a wee bit of roadwork going on as we neared Crane Flat...

We found a suitable picnic venue and enjoyed our food and easy conversation between friends... and then it was time to part ways - John would head into the park a bit more before heading back to Yuba City - Brian was off to explore Kings Canyon and Sequoia Natl Park - and I, well, I had to head back to reality... but I took my time and found a few little diversions to get home and delay responsibility for just a little while longer.

A fantastic trip on so many levels made possible by all the great people who showed up except for one - Don/beemerdons, you started it all and I really wish you could've been there to see what you created for everyone... but I know there will be more so you just keep on keepin' on and heal up proper so you can join in the fun the next time!

FIN

 

[puppychow]

Never a dull moment or picture touring with Tyler.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Thank you Tyler. Very Well Done.

 

[MEM]

Great RR, Ty

Yosemite is definitely on My List

 

[CraigRegs]

Another great RR, Tyler! SW-FOG goes on my list for '16.

 

[Bugnatr]

Mighty fine report Tyler, I feel like I was there.

All kidding aside this was Gayle's first LD ride and she really had a great time. Thanks to all the mighty fine FJR peeps we had the pleasure to ride and visit with before, during and after SWFog.

Not sure about that Alien southern accent from down under, but it's a good thing for America we have the FJR forumites to keep an eye on him.

Said it before and I'll say it again...there is no doubt we have met some of the best folks on this planet through this Forum.