What I did on my summer vacation...now with trip photos.

[Redfish Hunter]

I am sorry to see this one winding down. I have had a great time. I cannot imagine spending that much time with my wife without having our son in the mix somewhere. Of course, Mrs. Redfish does not like me very much anyway, but with that kind of setting, who knows?

 

[wheatonFJR]

Day 16 - The long way home...

Kinda sad to pack up the bike and go to the airport, but there was too much to do to dwell on that. I had to get Louanne to the Airport, and I was heading back to my cousin's place in Lincoln for an overnight stop. For some reason I slept horribly that last night and didn't get but a couple hours of sleep...not good for 600+ miles on the Interstate.

No pictures from that morning, but let me tell you, it was beautiful going up and over Vail Pass. However, it was colder for Louanne than she or I thought it would be, so the quilted liner was not enough. We stopped in Dillon and plugged her electric liners in...she was now a happy camper.

Once we got through the Eisenhower Tunnel we dropped quickly in elevation, and the warmer temps came with it. But Louanne must have been a little bit chilled, as the voltmeter indicated that she was still lovin' the electrics.

Electric warmth good for wifey and FJR trips!

We got to the Airport, and after about 5-10 minutes, we had her gear packed up in one of the sidebags, her helmet strapped on the passenger seat. She entered the Terminal about 10:15am for the magic ride home...and I turned the FJR north and east for the long way home...retracing my steps from the first two days of this odyssey...



My cousin Todd and his wife Mikki took good care of me on both the outbound and inbound legs of this trip, feeding me, kicking their teenage son out of his room so I could have a bed, and just providing a great time of conversation and catching up. (When I have a picture of them, I will fill it in here in this post.)

In the meantime, I have had plenty of miles to ride, staying away from car fenders and blown up truck tires, keeping off of the State Trooper's radar, etc.

In the meantime, I had all the pictures in my mind of this trip to mull over while heading back home...this one is the one I thought of most...



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...and THAT is what I did on my summer vacation.

 

[Niehart]

Like this one best. Thanks for taking us along.

Posing...

Twas a good day...

 

[wheatonFJR]

Now ... That's one excellent RR .... thanks for sharing mark

Thanks Roger! (Or is it Deb?)

The pictures......simply amazing.
What an awesome trip. One you'll be able to relive with "wifey" for many years to come.

Thanks. Yes, thanks to the pictures, we will be able to look back on this trip and the amazing beauty we saw.

awesome trip!

Gunny. Nice pix and write-up, Wheaton. Makes me feel like I was tagging right along.

Thanks guys!

Very nice report Mark! Everyone should ride southern Utah, it is awesome.
Sooo next year you will have to ride farther west so we can meet your better half.

I wish Bug...I wish.

Excellent route choice! I was hoping you'd pass through Monument Valley and Mexican Hat.

Yeah, Monument Valley was a lot more inspiring to see in person than what you see in the photos. It really is a magic place.

Kick *** photos of a kick *** ride! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Gunny!

Kick *** photos of a kick *** ride! Thanks for sharing.

+1. Gunny!

+1

Wow, almost a triple gunny! Thanks guys.

It's a long way down, isn't it Bungie?

Mommy.

I knew you'd like it Steve. BTW, I did not take that photo.

Great looking trip Mark. Thanks for sharing it with us!
--G

Thanks George ol Ramble buddy ol pal.

Fantastic journey, Mark... you did much of the trip I took in October 2012, my first "big" trip since the accident... unfortunately we missed out on Colorado due to snow but I will live vicariously through your pics until I can get out there myself! Looks like the trip of a lifetime for you two... glad the missus was there to share it with you.

Thanks for looking Tyler...and yes, it was a great trip to share with Louanne. I doubt I would have taken the same trip with my FJR buddies...the pace is a little different.

Thanks for such a great RR and photos. I've been forwarding some of the pics to my bride/CFO in hopes that she'll get the bug. ..

I hope she gets the bug for both of your sakes. It was awesome!

Fricken awesome! Color me jealous.

Awesome indeed. Your turn is next.

E X C E L L E N T..!!!

Thanks for sharing with us!!!

Thank you my Greek FJR friend...

Great report and pics Mark...wish I could get my wife to go on a trip like that.

Thanks Buddy...have her fly out to Vegas, and you pick her up there...very close to SW Utah from there. That's what all the Germans and French do...

 

[0Face]

Totally freaking awesome!

 

[Top_Speed1]

Totally freaking awesome!

AGREE! and very nice pics

Marty- get your butt home quickly and saddle up, we got our own RR to make!

 

[PhilJet09]

Wow man, I'm really jealous! I haven't had my bike west of the Mississippi and have been wanting to go for years.

Awesome pictures and RR!

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I thank you for this one. I should have my little feelings hurt that your RR was better than mine, but I enjoyed it so much I no longer care. You taught me a few things I may one day be able to use IF I ever get back out there. Also, I am jealous that you were able to take your wife along with you. If I may offer some friendly advice, she is a lovely woman, she adds a tremendous level of beauty to your trip photos. Keep including her in your RR photos, please.

I wish Mrs. Redfish would ride with me.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I thank you for this one. I should have my little feelings hurt that your RR was better than mine, but I enjoyed it so much I no longer care. You taught me a few things I may one day be able to use IF I ever get back out there. Also, I am jealous that you were able to take your wife along with you. If I may offer some friendly advice, she is a lovely woman, she adds a tremendous level of beauty to your trip photos. Keep including her in your RR photos, please.
I wish Mrs. Redfish would ride with me.

Well, number one...I don't think my RR is better or worse than anybody else's around here. There is no grading of RRs...the only grade you get is incomplete if you don't do one.

I used to not do RRs because there was a guy named Andrew/O'vale that had the most awesome RRs ever...then I wanted to document a ride and got started. The only bad RR is the one you don't do. We are all just different and express ourselves in different ways.

That's what makes this Forum so good...diversity.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Totally freaking awesome!

Thanks Man!

Totally freaking awesome!

AGREE! and very nice pics

Marty- get your butt home quickly and saddle up, we got our own RR to make!

Okay....

Wow man, I'm really jealous! I haven't had my bike west of the Mississippi and have been wanting to go for years.
Awesome pictures and RR!

Actually I believe you had A bike west of the big river this year...doesn't AUSTRALIA COUNT?!

Thanks...I look forward to riding Australia and New Zealand someday...

 

[wheatonFJR]

Some "also ran" photos...

All on CO 14





CO 14, approaching Walden...



Following the Beemers...



In Steamboat Springs...the Magpie



More hot springs photos from Strawberry Park Hot Springs...

 

[garyahouse]

Wheatie

You are a photographer extraordinaire. Rarely, and I mean this, have I seen more amazing pictures. Reminds me so much of some of the scenery I took in this summer in my trip out west; scenery that I didn't take much time to photograph. But you did, and we thank you for doing so.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[wheatonFJR]

Thanks Gary...but the beauty is so intense out there, it is hard to take a bad picture.

I do believe my wife did a good job with her point and shoot...I really do, but people like Andrew/Orangevale, Tyler, my older brother Gary, some people really have a gift.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I am sitting at work, it's 11 pm and a ferocious cold front is blowing through. I am avoiding going out into the plant and have been re-reading some of my favorite RRs. This one has to be my favorite from last summer. I first read my own "Out West" RR to relive some happy memories, then followed up with this one. My heart feels like it is being crushed inside my chest with the need to get back on my bike and Head West. I am more determined than ever to see those glorious parks in Utah with my wife. If I cannot get her on the bike, (I can't) I will take her in the truck. My course for this year's Family Vacation is being set right now. Thanks Wheatie.

Oh, I also thought that a RR this wonderful needed a bump.

 

[airboss]

Thanks for the bump RH.

Great to reread this on a cold winters morning.

Once upon a time wife and I overnighted at the motel in Tuba City.

Next morning I filled the car at the gas station across the street from the motel, noticed the pump prices were a lot higher than gas outside the reservation.

Went inside to pay, asked the old Indian at the cash register, why so high since they didn't pay state taxes.

Without batting an eye he replied...................................We're still scalping you white guys.

 

[petey]

Thanks for the bump RH.
Great to reread this on a cold winters morning.

Once upon a time wife and I overnighted at the motel in Tuba City.

Next morning I filled the car at the gas station across the street from the motel, noticed the pump prices were a lot higher than gas outside the reservation.

Went inside to pay, asked the old Indian at the cash register, why so high since they didn't pay state taxes.

Without batting an eye he replied...................................We're still scalping you white guys.

Ha, in your case there wasn't much left to scalp, now was there?...

 

[beemerdons]

Thanks for the bump RH.
Great to reread this on a cold winters morning.

Once upon a time wife and I overnighted at the motel in Tuba City.

Next morning I filled the car at the gas station across the street from the motel, noticed the pump prices were a lot higher than gas outside the reservation.

Went inside to pay, asked the old Indian at the cash register, why so high since they didn't pay state taxes.

Without batting an eye he replied...................................We're still scalping you white guys.

Ha, in your case there wasn't much left to scalp, now was there?...

Wowser Karl, Herr Petey is pitching 98mph fastballs today! jes' sayin' and nuff said!

 

[wheatonFJR]

High and INSIDE!

EDIT- BTW, thanks RH for reminding me...sometimes I have to pinch myself to remember that I've been to the Northeast, BC, Kali...and all the places I've been. Thanks for saving me the pinch.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Uh, Wheatie? Somehow I am uncomfortable with the thought of pinching you. Could we just refer to it as a Reminder? Pinching a man is not something I normally do.

You and I made our Out West journey at almost the same exact time, we both covered some wonderful places. I think that your pics benefitted from the presence of your lovely wife. I just had Dad and my cousin David uglying up the scenery.

I used to wonder if I would ever be able to see any more of this wonderful world outside of my hometown. Now, it is a matter of when I will see it and how much of it I will see. Thanks to RRs like this one, I get a better idea of what I need to see.

 

[airboss]

Thanks for the bump RH.
Great to reread this on a cold winters morning.

Once upon a time wife and I overnighted at the motel in Tuba City.

Next morning I filled the car at the gas station across the street from the motel, noticed the pump prices were a lot higher than gas outside the reservation.

Went inside to pay, asked the old Indian at the cash register, why so high since they didn't pay state taxes.

Without batting an eye he replied...................................We're still scalping you white guys.

Ha, in your case there wasn't much left to scalp, now was there?...

Wowser Karl, Herr Petey is pitching 98mph fastballs today! jes' sayin' and nuff said!

Reverse Mohawk

Mark thanks again for taking the time to put that RR together.