To Phoenix in Feb. on a Feej

[Old Michael]

Gosh, some of these ride report titles are dorky, huh?

Moving along.

I recently (two days ago) took a ride from here (Sacramento) to Arizona.

Our brother, Beemerdons, had posted his plans for a ride in his local area, and I thought,

hell, I wanna get out of town for a bit, and that sounds like fun.

It's 800-odd miles to there from here, so I figured I'd just zoom

straight there one day, ride with Don and Nate (Blue Bullet) the next day,

and spend a third day rolling home.

So I did that.

I just took mostly the interstates there and back, but I actually enjoyed it.

Lots of time to think, and listen to good music, and gain a little perspective.

I'm surrounded by fantastic roads here in Northern Cal, and I ride them VERY often

and year round. So, it's not like I'm not getting my share of cornering and leaning

and all that apex stuff.

Highways 5 and 10 were built to get you where you're going, quickly. And they did.

So, I hope this report isn't too tedious. It honestly wasn't for me.

I'll try make it somewhat entertaining. :blink:

Onward.

Left before dawn on Thursday morning. Here are some pics of how it all looked.

Somewhere in the central valley, early in the morning.

'56 Caddy, rolling south at 80. Traded peace signs with the driver.

I'd hate to be buying his fuel.

Gas stop at Santa Nella,...I think. Not much out here. Nice though.

Just north of L.A. Still signs of the heavy weather that went through here recently.

Turned east and away from the coast. Passed this not too friendly FJR rider. Good posture.

Not sure of the gender. (What do y'all think?) I got no look or wave as I passed.

I just figgered it was a gal. I mean, who else would ride an '07?

...and on out, into the great southwest.

I wasn't far from Phoenix by sunset. A last shot before nightfall, and the end of day one.

Be right back with all the neat pictures of riding with the boys on day two.

 

[FJRBluesman]

As always a great report. I'm sure you have more pix then this.... :dribble:

You never called. :clapping:

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

I never would have thought a ride on I-5 could be entertaining.

:clapping:

 

[Old Michael]

Stayed at the BW in Tempe (right near Arizona State University) and sprung from the bed

at sunrise the next morning, eager for the ride to Payson with these Arizona *******s.

Went out to load my bike, and was presented with this horror! This knob was crowding my space.

The nerve.

After carving an expletive in his fender, I turned the other cheek.

Life is too short to let things like this bother me.

20 minutes to Beemerdons' house, and a warm greeting.

...Don?

He was resplendent in blue denim, his silver locks glistening in the Sonoran sun. Or something.

Don has lots of motorcycles.

A real man's man, he is. Witness the *****-shaped tree in his yard.

And of course, completing the "package".

(Hey. This stuff just writes itself. I only observe and report.)

Nate (Blue Bullet) arrived right on time, borrowed a really cool jacket from Don, and we were

ready to head to the meeting place for our ride.

Rolling.

We hadn't discussed hand signals, so I'm wasn't sure about this one.

20 minutes of light freeway stuff, and we were at the "Shell on Shea".

Don introduced us to Phil, Greg, and Ken. I'll introduce them and their bikes in a bit here.

That's Phil on the right there. Later, he was going to Sears,... to buy himself an ***.

Aaaand, off we went!

Beautiful country out here. The pics never do it justice.

Arriving in Payson.

"Don, you guys go on ahead. I'll catch up later."

Our brunch stop. At an airport on a hill.

The view from our table.

I was reminded that it was probably raining in the PNW.

After eating, we hit the road to Show Low. And snow.

Greg, on his beautiful K1200LT. Heated EVERYTHING. Large motorcycle.

Blue Bullet on Don's Lucy Lu.

I'm sure that fomation out there has a name. What's it called, Don?

Gaining elevation, I was reminded that it was still February. (Musta been 70-something down lower!)

Into Show Low for gas, and relief, and then back toward civilization and warmer air.

Lots of sweepers and fun.

We stopped on a pull-out overlooking the Salt River Canyon (right Don?) and took some pictures.

Fantastic scenery, cool air, brilliant sunlight, motorcycles, and good riders. What else ya want?

Greg and his big Beemer.

Phil (who, by the way, is 71 this year!) and his Buell.

And Ken and his pretty red GS. Good lookin' bike, I think.

...and the bunch of us. February, 2010.

And down and through the canyon. Great road surface.

Almost done. Need just a few minutes here.

 

[user 6393]

well, hurry up, will ya!

 

[dcarver]

I'm looking forward to the conclusion, and my oh my what another great ride report, Old Michael. Sir, a tip o'l the hat to you, me lad!

...and I this is my favorite pix..

 

[Niehart]

Good report, not great but good... :lol:

OM, was a good day in the Pacific Northwet. 56 and sunny. Great day for miles and pie!

Still waiting on the rest of the report.

 

[Old Michael]

Okay. Where the hell was I?

Heading back. More pictures.

Tons of LEO's everywhere, but with Ken leading, his knowledge of hot spots, and his radar detector, we had no "incidents".

See, in this shot, I was gonna Photoshop something vulgar into the rock formations up there,... but I didn't.

I'm past that phase now. (Maybe later.)

We're all brothers in this world.

...But some brothers make good pylons.

Got back to Don's by late afternoon. Don's son Seth was home from school, and Nate and I got to meet him.

The four of us then said goodnight to Bear (Don's lovemuffin Lab) -

and Don took us over to Murphy's Law, a friggin' GREAT Irish Pub/Restaurant.

It was loud, packed, had great food, a great beer list, and I loved it!

A ******* PERFECT choice, Beemerdee!

Blue Bullet had to go check on some work issues, and Don, Seth and I headed back to his place, where

I jumped on my Feej and cruised back to my motel.

Here, I'd like to say that Don told me repeatedly that I was welcome to stay at his place. I'd already settled

at the motel, so I declined, but thank you Don. You are one hell of a host, a great Dad, and one of the better

humans I've met in a good while.

Don had never met Blue Bullet, but when he heard he'd be in the area,

he didn't hesitate to invite him over, give him the use of his beloved FJR, loan him gear for the ride, and

offer him a bed for the night. To know this *******, is to love him.

Thanks again, Don.

I was up on the road again at 5 the next morning, heading back home. Got just a few cool shots of that, and

this mess'll be finished.

 

[johnny80s]

Great report but no pictures of the food or naked women.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Yep, that ******* Don is the best.

Great shots Old Michael. I'm thirsty after seeing that tall pint...and it's past my bed time. Thanks for sharing the photos.

 

[CAJW]

OM, Nice work with the digital again (never get tired of checking out your travels) with the first few frames reminding me of what a picturesque state we live in (at least from Jan thru May). Your shots of the Beeline Hwy heading to Payson bring back memories as does the Shell on Shea where many a meet up has been had. I've spent many an hour waiting for my crew on the ramp there at the Payson airport (did you see the campground next to the taxiway?) and I believe the formation you are wondering about is part of the Mogollon (pronounced muggyon) Rim. Don is a stand up guy, (you can tell by his landscaping) and I'd appreciate it if he could confirm my guess or name that mountain. Great ride report!

 

[escapefjrtist]

Great pics OM...and as usual, super report!

--G

 

[Old Michael]

Time to go home. Left too early to enjoy my free continental breakfast. That ALWAYS happens, damnit!

Rode west away from town, out into the desert. When I saw the gorgeous sunrise behind me, I

stopped to get a few more photos with my point-and-shoot.

Sunrises out west are something special.

Did I mention that it was bloody COLD?

Midmorning, and as always, it was good to see this sign.

And this message was on all the informational signs in the state this week.

(CA uses these for Amber Alerts, road condition warnings, and different safety messages du jour.)

Westward HO!

...and then north, back up through the central valley.

Running ahead of schedule, (Kidding. I didn't have a schedule. ), I left the interstate for a bit,

... seeking America.

Near Coalinga.

Yes, there's black gold in California.

...and of course, happy cows.

Okie Dokie, artichokie. Thassit.

The last miles were in the dark, through Saturday night traffic.

Always a little sketchy, but I survived.

At my last gas stop, in Stockton, Mr. GPS went sorta goofy.

Said some technical magic words to it, and it went back to normal. Whew, that was close!

Thanks for patiently wading through this thing. I appreciate your patience and comments.

Good night, friends.

 

[puppychow]

Awesome! Love that pic, love all the pics, excellent ride report, thank you for sharing!

 

[tcfjr]

This is one freakin' great photo.

 

[Old Michael]

You never called. :clapping:

Now, Simon, is that you applauding the fact that I didn't call?

I'd have loved to visit some of you SoCal weenies, but I had an appointment with Papa Chuy, and

hadda be at his house the next morning.

well, hurry up, will ya!

Um, Barb. This ride report stuff is man's work, and it requires thought and effort - unlike that child-rearing,

or ironing and cooking or whatever else it is that you gals occupy yourselves with.

Great report but no pictures of the food or naked women.

I have failed you, Johnny.

 

[Bearly Flying]

Nice ride report OM,

altho I don't understand this statement????

SIGN'S OF Heavy Weather??????????

Dude, Barb wouldn't even think twice about riding in that,,,,,, Naked......... Ya *****.....

 

[Old Michael]

Yep, that ******* Don is the best.

Please, Wheatie. Let's not go overboard here.

... I believe the formation you are wondering about is part of the Mogollon (pronounced muggyon) Rim. Don is a stand up guy, (you can tell by his landscaping) and I'd appreciate it if he could confirm my guess or name that mountain....

Thanks CA, for the comments. Didn't know you were familiar with the area. When Don awakes tomorrow, I'm sure he'll clue us in with more details about all the stuff I screwed up in this report, including the name of that flat-topped mountain thing. I hope it's not just another Mesa Verde or something, though that would be fitting.

And thanks, all, for the good comments. Much appreciated.

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

Really enjoyed the report OM, the wording and pics were very well done.

It's always nice to see the Yammie's and Beemer's playing nicely together.

Some thread was looking for some desktop photo's, he'll do good to see a couple of those FJR-Sunrise shots. Truly epic.

Thanks.