Redfish Hunter Goes West!

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E X C E L L E N T..!!!
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Report & Wonderful Pictures!!!

Thanks for sharing with us!!!

 
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Great RR you have going here RfH!

Thanks for taking the time to put it together!

--G

 
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This ride report rocks...I have not been to Gooseneck Park, Antelope Canyon or the Four Corners Monument; although I have been on all those roads and tool pictures of that water system from the same place you did. Guess o should get off my ***...Those sights are an easy day ride from here.

Keep it up...

 
We got to our hotel (Quality Inn) and then rode back up the street to Big John's Texas BBQ. A really good supper, excellent service. The waitress was super nice, gave us some pointers about the North Rim of the Canyon, and in general made us feel like we were back home. While we were inside eating, it rained.

There was some confusion at the hotel desk over the time. Arizona does not honor Daylight Savings Time. The Navajo Nation does. Simple enough right? Page AZ is NOT part of the Navajo Reservation. The clock on the wall behind the desk was on Arizona time. But... The Quality Inn is run by the Navajo. Even though their clock said it was time for the lounge (bar) to be open, it was not open. "It opens at 6:00" the unfriendly girl behind the counter told me. "It's right there." and she pointed to the sign. "But it's 6:15." I protested. "No it isn't." she insisted. I pointed to the clock. "That's not Navajo time." she said. GRRR!

Friday 7/12/13
Breakfast at the hotel started off badly. An almost repeat of the unfriendly conversation at the counter over what time the Continental/Navajo breakfast would be served kicked things off. I really have full respect for the Indians. I understand that they went through a very bad time. I had no sympathy for the "Victims" that were working the counter at the Quality Inn in Page Arizona. I'll never stay there again.

Strike 2 came when I went to fuel up the bike. No debit card. Let me rephrase that. NO DEBIT CARD!!! Calm down, where did you leave it? Used the Credit Card to fuel Dances with Rain. Rode back to the hotel, no card. Found receipt for Big John's BBQ. A phone #! AH HA! Maybe someone is there cleaning up. Call #. Turns out it was the cell phone of the owner's wife. She was in Flagstaff. Nice lady, she told me that she would call the restaurant when the staff got in and ask. She would text or voicemail me since I was going to be on the bike. She warned me I would have no cell service at the canyon. Called the wife, she assured me no fraudulent charges were on the card.

Started south on hwy 89 and...DETOUR! Turns out Hwy 89 was washed out right where it ties into 89A which is the only practical way to the North Rim of the Canyon. Strike 3. I'm out. No Grand Canyon trip.

I U-turn, stop in at the 1st gas station I see and politely approach the Navajo woman at the counter. She looks me over, makes a decision and says, show me your map. She points out the longer Northern Route through Southern Utah. Go here and turn South at Kanab she told me. When I asked her how much farther it was, she gave me a smile, and asked me if it really mattered.

For those of you who don't know, the route through Utah ain't that bad. You either make things happen or you don't.

When I stopped for a water break in Kanab Utah there was a text and a voicemail from Big John's BBQ. They had my card. I texted back my thanks and that I was obligated to eat there again that evening.

Once 89A hits the Kaibab Plateau, the road turns Great and the Temperature drops. Once you make the turn south on Hwy 67 at Jacob Lake, the road turns to Perfect. One of the high points of my life is that I rode That Road to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I know there are other roads but I'll never forget that feeling of accomplishment and happiness I had while leading Pop and David into that place.



Soon after we entered the gate, we saw these cows to the right...



They seem awfully big for cows though. Let's zoom in shall we?



Kinda remind me of my wife...

So we park the bikes way out in the very full parking lot and walk up to the Lodge. Since I have been to the South Rim I have the advantage over David and Dad. They are both pretty excited but they are not letting me see it.

Do they look happy?



We walk into the lodge and it is 10:56 am. The dining room opens at 11:00.



We were the 4th group seated. Pop had his first Real Look at the Big Ditch from the window of the restaurant of The Grand Canyon Lodge. I felt like I had really accomplished something great. I felt I was giving back at least a little of the payment Pop deserved for all he has done for me.



One old donkey, one old Jack-***...



You are supposed to rub "Brighty" on the nose for good luck. The whole story is on the wall behind the statue.

Of course we wandered around, took pics, spent money in the Gift Shop... You have all seen pics of the Grand Canyon. It won't help you to see my pathetic attempt at good photos. Then we rode out to Cape Royal. I had badly under-estimated the distance. Oh, but it was worth it.

Angel's Window



A better pic of Angel's Window...



Oh what a surprise! I see rain in the background.



We hustled the bikes on back toward Page AZ. Both the GoldWing and the FJR had their "Low Fuel" indicators going before we made it back to Jacob Lake. I got very impatient with an SUV holding up a long line of traffic. He kept passing pull-offs when he could have let the traffic go. He would hit his brakes fitfully at the strangest times. After he passed the 2nd "Slower Traffic MUST pull off" sign and pull out, I lost my temper completely. I passed everybody, got in front of the SUV and slowed down. I held him up and waved the traffic around him. Illegal? Yes. Stupid? Yes. I cannot stand an inconsiderate "It's ALL ABOUT ME!" attitude. When I am the hold up, I pull over and let traffic go. I expect that same courtesy.

We could see rain in every direction and even got into a little of it South of Fredonia. Of course there was road construction between Fredonia and Kanab.

We drove straight to Big John's Texas BBQ where they treated us like visiting royalty. We ate outside so we could watch the rain roll in. Our waitress on this night was just as nice as the first one. When she returned my card after I paid she looked me right in the eye and said, "If it wasn't considered sexual assault I'd put this in your pocket myself." I took the card from her hand. I looked her right in the eye and said, "Tell me the truth, you really wanted to put that card in my pocket yourself didn't you?" A serious look, a sigh and she said, "I still do." and she went away. It was raining as we left the parking lot.

From my patio at the hotel. That rain is falling into Lake Powell just north of Glen Canyon Dam.



This rain is falling on me!



We are into the "Sunset" portion of the trip.



That ain't all folks! We still have to get home. Plus, I got one more item on MY list.

 
This ride report rocks...I have not been to Gooseneck Park, Antelope Canyon or the Four Corners Monument; although I have been on all those roads and tool pictures of that water system from the same place you did. Guess o should get off my ***...Those sights are an easy day ride from here.
Keep it up...
Glad you are enjoying it my wide-shouldered friend!

I hope you are not mad at me for posting your pic at the beginning of post # 30...

 
Really enjoying this Redfish. I've done some but not all these routes about 10 years back, time for a repeat.

 
Very wonderfully ironic the best RR author on the fjr forum rides an ST. Just shows to go the riding spirit knows no brand. Awesome RR, RFH.

 
Very wonderfully ironic the best RR author on the fjr forum rides an ST. Just shows to go the riding spirit knows no brand. Awesome RR, RFH.
We are all kinds of screwed up around here. I mean, heck, our best photographer rides a friggin trike!!!
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dcarver and gixxerjasen, my two friends you both make excellent points.

I will have you know that I picked out for Pop and rode home that '07 FJR over a year before I bought that ST. I was an FJR guy first. If there had been the right deal on a used FJR the outcome would have been completely different. At that time there was NO way I could afford a brand new FJR. The dealership sold a perfect '05 Gen1 a week before I bought the ST. I needed a bike I could ride next to my Pop. The ST works well.

Second, I did ride the FJR on this trip. We forced Pop into riding the GoldWing (Hondapotamous). He whined into my headset, he griped, he bitched, oh GAWD! He finally made me pull over so he could switch back. We forced him again later in the trip and he did admit the GoldWing was more comfortable. His assessment? By the time I am old enough to want to ride a GoldWing, I will be too old to ride a GoldWing. The legs will not be strong enough.

 
This got me thinking, perhaps a motorcycle evaluation is in order. Not the endless FJR vs. ST vs. Connie vs. BMW type of evaluation. A personality based evaluation. During the trip we forced Dad onto the Hondapotamous twice. David rode the FJR once and my ST once. He has ridden both before. All of you know that I have spent a good bit of time on/with Dad's FJR. Dad has ridden my ST several times.

Cousin David likes the GoldWing best because 1) Most comfortable seat and riding position right out of the box. 2) Great Stereo 3) Best wind protection.

Gave the ST 2nd place because of better wind protection, felt more like his GoldWing.

Put the FJR in 3rd because 1)That MOTOR. That bike wants to RUN! It will get away from you. 2) Not enough wind protection.

Dad likes the FJR best because 1) Feels Right. 2)That MOTOR. It wants to RUN! 3)Perfect and fully adjustable wind protection.

Gave the ST 2nd place because 1) Solid Chassis 2) Electric feeling motor 3) Very controllable wind protection 4) Smooooth, controllable throttle and brakes.

Gave the GoldWing 3rd because 1) Big. Way too Big. 2) Too much wind protection 3) Liked the comfort but compared it to riding a couch on top of a Chevy Van

Me? You don't think I am that stupid do you? I will honestly tell you this. I will ride any damn thing with two wheels. A Honda Rebel, a Moto Guzzi, a BMW, I don't care. I love motorcycles.

Oh let me address a couple other things now also:

1) dcarver My friend I sincerely thank you for your compliment about my RR writing. I am not worthy. I have tried VERY hard to take the best of what I learned from the other RRs on this and other forums and adopt those methods into my writing. Your RRs are among those from which I have copied a style and delivery method. I can also tell you that this forum has better RRs than either of the ST forums I frequent.

2)gixxerjasen Happy to have provided you a good quote. You cannot know the benefits I get from riding with Dad while we are connected via the Cardo. I hope I made it obvious through this RR and any others I have done how much Pop means to me and how close we are.

 
RFH, I think it's great you can experience this with your Pop. I really enjoy hearing his 'quotes"!

 
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HPTuner, I see you edited your post. Your post, your business, but I did read it before you changed it. I am sorry for your loss and fear that I will not be strong when that day comes for me. Pop and I are best friends and we each rely heavily, perhaps too heavily on the other.

Your original post just reinforces what this ride report is really trying to say. Make the most of the time you have because once it's gone, it's gone.

 
Just to let you guys know, I had to return to work and that has put a crimp in my Ride Report. I still have pics to share and I still have a story to tell. I will get it done...

 
HPTuner, I see you edited your post. Your post, your business, but I did read it before you changed it. I am sorry for your loss and fear that I will not be strong when that day comes for me. Pop and I are best friends and we each rely heavily, perhaps too heavily on the other.
Your original post just reinforces what this ride report is really trying to say. Make the most of the time you have because once it's gone, it's gone.
I appreciate that. I didn't want to put a damper on an awesome ride report, but then again, I know you "get it".

 
Well, thank God someone else besides me works around here...
You call that work? There were only like 8 donuts left over when I walked out the door, officer...

Fish:

On the subject, "Time with Pop," dad's been in Heaven for 3 1/2 years now. I'd donate my FJR to the Hell's Angels for target practice for a chance to spend 5 minutes with him again. Enjoy yer time while you can. Glad I can honestly say that I didn't take that "time" for granted while I had it. Ya only got one "Pop." Wish everybody could enjoy the kinda relationship you've got with him.

Concerning Page, AZ and SUV's holding up traffic: don't try this at home folks. This was done by professional rider on a closed course (well sorta).

Gary

darksider #44

 
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I thought this might be a good spot to post some of the pics I should have included in the body of the RR. They will mostly speak for themselves...

We played tag with this guy for several days and I never once saw him in person or even on the road. I would not want to do it this way but I have to respect him for it. Also note he has Quebec plates and I would bet it did not get down here on a trailer.



I was in such a big hurry to make up for lost time that I did not take many pics of the road around to the canyon through Southern Utah. I can say that I did enjoy that road. I took these two at a gas station in Kanab Utah. By this time I was so happy to be This Close to getting Pop to the Grand Canyon I was having trouble with the lump in my throat and could not stay focused. Regardless of what bike it is, when you make one of these "Epic Rides" the bike becomes very special in your heart.





Somehow all of my witty captions just failed me...



The road coming in to Cape Royal at the North Rim. We kept expecting and hoping an elk would show up. I cannot say enough about my enjoyment of the Kaibab Plateau leading into the North Rim.



The views of the Canyon from the North Rim are not as spectacular as from the South Side, but...



Back at the hotel in Page...



Maybe you guys will understand, maybe not but I was feeling sort of depressed by this point. I had accomplished (almost) everything I had set out to do. I had brought my Dad and my cousin to see some of the Wonders of the World. I had covered lots of wonderful things in a relatively efficient pattern and I had kept them SAFE. Pop was holding up fine, David and I were still friends (we are first cousins you see) and each of us was happy with our bike choices.

Now, all I had was one more Item on The List. Oh, and getting back home safely.

 
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