Next 2015 Pants WITH REDFISH Adventure - Go West (not so) Young Man!

[RJAMT]

The National Park campsites are pretty much all booked unless you get lucky but my research has turned up plenty of Forestry Service and BLM campsites within easy reach of most of the places I want to visit and they are nearly all "first come first served".

The BLM sites tend to be (very) sparse but I have no concerns about hauling in enough water to get me through the night and they are almost always free.

Your revised schedule nearly matches mine and since Antelope, Zion & Arches are my must sees this trip we'll probably cross paths a few times. Let me know if you want to swap lies around the camp fire. I gather RFH and his pop will be perfecting their "hotel mattress back-aches"? They should have the advantage of hot showers though.

 

[hppants]

I've not made a campsite reservation and will likely not before I leave. I've found the BLM campgrounds near the N/Ps - the ones on the north side of Zion and near Arches are just off paved roads, but others are pretty deep into the national forest and I can't do 5 miles of gravel on a loaded FJR in the mountains. If it comes to that, I'll have to be careful.

There are also a bunch of privately owned campgrounds that should have space. Many of these campgrounds have cabins or a small lodge so that works great for the redfishes - we can stay at the same location and cook together, share the fire, etc.

Another option is to get to the N/P mid-morning - most tell me that something usually comes up. We will be in Zion/Bryce during the weekend, and that won't help though.

The revised schedule is still current. Should be a great time!

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Ah, but things have changed!

I was unable to resist the urge to PLAN. We have reservations just East of Zion for the 20th and 21st. Pop and I have a cabin, you have a tent site. All paid for ahead of time.

That gives us The Blue Swallow in Tucumcari and Zion Ponderosa. I do not intend to make any more reservations. Maybe.

 

[hppants]

Well, I guess technically I haven't lied. I still haven't made a reservation - you made it for me!! Thanks Bud!!!!

 

[HotRodZilla]

Dayum, with friends like RFH, **** gets done! Haha...You're gonna have fun!!

 

[hppants]

Well folks - we are T-minus 12 days and you can bet your sweet bippy - we are counting. I'm more excited than a fat person on "All you can eat" night. I ordered a set of PR2's for my bike. I decided I don't want to be worried about tires on this (or any) trip. I might have made it home on the back tire, but from what I'm reading, it would have been close. I'll keep the factory Battle-ax's and throw them back on later to finish them off. For the $40.00 it cost me to mount the new Michelin's, it's worth the peace of mind.

From what I understand, the Redfishes are also getting their game on. We've made enough preliminary plans and now we are just waiting for the eastern red ball of fire to rise on September 15th so we can start the adventure.

Without a doubt, the waiting is absolutely the hardest part...

 

[RJAMT]

I'm leaving on the 17th so maybe we can meet up at either Antelope Canyon or Zion. I'd love to meet you guys. I'll send you and RFH a PM with my info.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

'Pants is so excited he is wanting to leave a day early. I cannot leave until the 16th.

 

[hppants]

Lol - I've got my days crossed

 

[RJAMT]

I can relate! It's hard to pay attention to work when the heart is already packed and ready.

 

[Morecowbell]

It sure sounds like a great adventure. I wish I could meet up with you guys and ride for a bit. I finish work late on the 24th, and then I have six days (possibly ten+) off. I'm hitting the road on the 25th. I could make it to Durango that day, but you guys might already be out of that area heading east. I'll keep an eye on your trip, and if you get delayed somewhere along the way, maybe I can catch up. Other than that, I plan on heading north to Idaho, Montana, and then maybe Washington and Oregon before heading for home. I might have the wife fly up and meet me somewhere along the way to ride for a few days. Not sure about that yet. I've got new PR2s on the shelf to be mounted, and then I'll be ready to go. I can't wait to get out and ride.

 

[hppants]

Well folks, this thing has all of a sudden snuck up on us. We leave on WEDNESDAY!!!

We are about as excited as a college freshman on nickel beer night!

Ironically, I torqued my back on Labor Day, but I got shot up with the good stuff and it's going to take more than that to keep Pants down!!

 

[PJ4863]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="hppants" data-cid="1258200" data-time="1441976438"><p>

Well folks, this thing has all of a sudden snuck up on us. We leave on WEDNESDAY!!!<br />

<br />

We are about as excited as a college freshman on nickel beer night!<br />

<br />

Ironically, I torqued my back on Labor Day, but I got shot up with the good stuff and it's going to take more than that to keep Pants down!!<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

</p></blockquote>

Showing your age! When I was a freshman it was 50 cents. Enjoy the ride!!

 

[Top_Speed1]

Well folks, this thing has all of a sudden snuck up on us. We leave on WEDNESDAY!!!
We are about as excited as a college freshman on nickel beer night!

Ironically, I torqued my back on Labor Day, but I got shot up with the good stuff and it's going to take more than that to keep Pants down!!

Subscribed! awaiting yur updates; with popcorn and beerz in-hand.

 

[Niehart]

Hey Pants, I started my old Indian good weather dance for the three of ya!

"Subscribed! awaiting yur updates; with popcorn and beerz in-hand."

+1

 

[bigjohnsd]

Have fun guy's!

 

[Uncle Hud]

WoooHooo! Have fun, boys, and call me if you need bail money!

 

[hppants]

For those of you that use a Givi 357 rack and pack a duff, I'm curious:

Do you put your rearward rok straps this way:

...or this way:

 

[RossKean]

I put the short strap on the forward part of the rail and the longer strap on the rear of the rail. Do not cross the straps; the load will end out shifting to one side or the other. Buckle with the straps loose and stretch the elastic (short strap) with one hand while pulling the strap tight with the other. If you don't, the duffle will rotate as you ride. The arrangement that works best will depend on the size of the pack - I have a huge dry bag that holds everything.

Hope you guys have a fantastic trip!

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Yes, we leave Wednesday. Pop and I are not that excited, it is just another boring motorcycle trip, through boring scenery, with a boring friend. Blah, blah, blah.

Just kidding. When I was at Dad's house today I saw his duffle bag already fully packed at the foot of his bed. It has been packed, unpacked, repacked, repacked, unpacked, repacked, over and over. Dad does this every time. I say he packs too much and he fusses about it EVERY night when we unpack the bikes.

I told hppants that I prefer to wait until the morning of the trip to pack. It adds a whole new level of excitement and gets the entire house involved. Good family bonding time.

I will be picking Scar up from the dealer tomorrow, new PR4GTs and right angle valve stems should be installed. The last minute engine and final drive oil change should finish the preparation. Of course I already took care of Dad's '07.