Rocks and rain ride

[gregory]

Decided that I was neglecting the "touring" part of my sport touring bike and planned a trip north out of the heat with visions of green in my head. I decided to start with a trip to Canyon DE Shelly since I had never been to that part of the state. I started my vacation with a quick routine checkup at the dentist, who promptly informed me that he was behind on his boat payments and would need 1500 or so of my hard earned dollars. Armed with this wonderful news, I was determined to still have a great trip. I figured that once I got north of the city, all this drizzle would go away and I would soon be on my way to a great Memorial weekend ride. Well, I got north and the drizzle turned into rain!

Salt River Canyon, on of my favorite places, wet, slippery and cold!

I got to Chinle and did the all day tour of Canyon De Chelly (pronouced shay). I highly reccomend it if you ever get there. We got rained on in the morning and poured on with hail in the afternoon! The canyon is awesome and the graffiti (uh hygroliphics) is great. Is is amazing that people lived in the cliffs like they did. I guess that you only forget to bring something up to the house once!

Here is the weather the night before I left for Arches National Park

Next day, first off was 4 corners, which come to find out is off just a wee bit off

I did have a great ride to Arches. On the way, I stoped off at this one, just off the highway and climbed to the top (not easy to do in MC boots and rain gear!

If you ever get a chance to ride through Arches, I highly recommend Pink Floyd's Darkside of the moon cd for the ride back from the last arch to the entrance. Trust me.

I tell ya, there are some strange but beautiful formations at Arches!!!

A quick rest stop in Grand Junction and off to see my friend in Cheyenne where I ran into these places:

Really? KUM AND GO?

What I want to know is, who is brave enough to pump the gas?

A nice night in Cheyenne, and it is off to do the tourist thing, first, Crazyhorse Memorial Where I just pulled up in time to see a blast.

 

[gregory]

A nice night in Cheyenne, and it is off to do the tourist thing, first, Crazyhorse Memorial Where I just pulled up in time to see a blast.

They are raffeling off a custom Harley, which I will win in Sept

Right up the road from Crazyhorse is a place that gives helicopter rides (for a nominal fee of course)

Feejer from the air

Since I was in the neighborhood, I though I ought to stop in and see the guys

Which US Presidents are NOT buried in US soil? see end for answer!

Then it was off to Wall, SD. I want to talk to the guy who put up all the damn signs!!!

After Wall, it was to Badlands National Park

Crazy place, great riding though.

That was my run north, time to head back to the desert. A quick run through some green and snow on the way home.

Some of my friends on the trip

I wonder if these guys get up early like I do...........

So, I covered about 3k miles, most of it in the rain with about 3 heavy downpours in 7 days. Had a cold of 30 in Northern Colorado to a high of 94 when I got back to Tucson. 1 ****** in my lane on a blind curve and left 1 dead squirrel in my wake. Averaged 60mph with a high of 128.

Can't wait to do it again!

Greg

Oh yea, all of the living ex presidents are not currently buried in US soil.

 

[iCruze]

Thx for sharing looks like you had a good time despite the weather.

 

[fjrboomer]

In spite of the rain it sounds like you had a great trip. You were riding in beautiful country but I do not have to tell you that. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Solo]

Greg,

I enjoyed your vacation! I need to take one of those things. Glad you did and shared with us.

Solo

 

[Joe]

Greg, Nice.

Wish I could have gone.

Joe

 

[Hamie]

Great pictures....thanks for sharing..

 

[Old Michael]

gregory, EXCELLENT stuff.

Great photos, and ride notes.

Hoping to get that way again later this year, and you've got me more enthused now.

Thanks for taking the time and showing us what you experienced.

Much appreciated.

 

[Tyler]

Wonderful pics, Gregory... and you had some real unique ones in their too! These photo threads make me yearn for that winning lottery ticket so I could just ride and see everything... B)

 

[gregory]

Thanks guys,

It was a great trip. In the 1500 miles home from Rapid City, I figured I only covered about 200 miles of super slab. I never knew just how much work a Ride report really is! All I can say is my hats off to BikerGeek99 for his really excellent report on his long way home.

Looking forward to SW FOG,

Greg

 

[beemerdons]

Very, very nice Greg! Thanks for sharing your trip with us. I usually only see this route on my way to Sturgis Mad House!!