5/21/2018 - One Week Later

5/21/2018 - One week Later

This is just a little recap of all things interesting and fun on our Grand Canyon Loop.

We traveled about 2700 total miles in 13 days.  Gary and I averaged about 40 mpg per bike.

We toured 4 National Parks.  Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce.  Gary and I both have our Senior National Park Passes.  Pay once and get in free for the rest of your life.  Not a bad deal.  You must be 62 years of age to get your Senior National Park pass.  Something to look forward to in your 60's.

We traveled through 4 states, California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah.

We glamped* (stayed) mainly at Best Western who now offer In House Breakfast (usually a passable breakfast) and oftentimes daily ice water, coffee and fresh cookies.  If you are not a member of Best Western Rewards and travel frequently, please consider becoming a member.

We stayed two nights at El Tovar Hotel at Grand Canyon.  It was about $300 a night.  We shared the double queen room with Ron and Laura.  Each paying for a night but that was OK.  We discovered that the South Rim Complex at Grand Canyon has the Restaurant in El Tovar (very expensive) and a little further on the Harvey House Cafe (much more affordable and the food was very good).

We also discovered that much of the daytime foot traffic dissipates as the buses and trains leave Grand Canyon, leaving you with the place to yourselves and fellow over-nighters.

We only did laundry once on the trip.  In Flagstaff (about half way through the trip). Gals did it!

We discovered the best time to put on the rain gear or the evaporation cooling vest is NOT when you are wet or hot, but before.  106 F in Death Valley was sudden, then lasting.  The cold rain in Tonopah was unexpected (usually you dry out before you get cold).

Gary and I took about 450 photos.  Ron took about 800 photos.  We will have dinner with photos at some point.

Our bikes are still sitting where we unpacked them.

*glamped = glamour camping!

5/1/2018 - Planning, Staging, Executing - 4, 3...

There are so many things to remember to do.  Making doggie reservations.  Gathering that camera up for Laura.  Packing the toothbrush.  Trying to fit everything in the spaces on my bike.

The leathers I bought from Jerry Lowray are perfect, I only had to cut them down.  I oiled my coat and chaps and Gary oiled my boots.  The old boots. The ones I have been riding in since the beginning.

Gary had a Stage 1 kit put in my bike.  More poop but less MPG he says.  Also a new, louder muffler.  We went for a short ride to Hoy Lane the other day just to dust off and wake up the gluteus bike-simous.  Hoy Lane was beautiful.

Shae will be staying at our place.  Happy about that. Someday maybe he can ride along on one of these adventures

4, 3...

5/3/2018 - 2, 1....Go!

Gary and I ran out of steam at about 10:30 last night but all of the "thises and thats" are done.  The bikes are nearly packed and Molly's stuff is ready to be loaded up so we can take her to her vacation spa at "Fur Persons".

Shae came by and got the key on his new/used Harley Davidson Sportster last night.  We know the fellow that owned it.  It was a much loved bike that will now be much loved.

I hope you will follow along.

5/3/18 341 miles, Butt Break In - Mt. Shasta to Bridgeport

Mt. Shasta to Bridgeport

Gary drops Molly at Furpersons in a timely manner.

After everyone is collected at Pine Grove we take some pics and head to Bartle for breakfast. As always Linda feeds us well.

The day is clear and bright. The weather is cool and leathers feel good. Randy heads back toward Shasta. Ron and Laura, Gary and I beat feet east toward Nevada. We do not stop in Reno but head straight for Genoa and my first trip to Genoa Saloon where we meet John and Carolyn.

Gary had a stage 1 upgrade done to my bike and I must say it runs super. Very responsive.

After a lovely pause John lead us us east to Bridgeport where we all have rooms. We have a wonderful family style dinner at Bridgeport Inn.

The king bed was comfy if a bit too big for the room. Gary is well out of arms reach as I tuck in.

A fitful night in too hot a room, but after dinner I hit a 341 mile wall and was passed visiting.

Things to remember

Between 5000 and 6000 feet elevation.
Topaz Lake
Snowy Sierras
Opening of fishing season

5/4/2018 334 miles, The Word For The Day, CRISP! Bridgeport, ca to Pahrump, NV

Up about 6:30 after a fitful night. Some coffee and hotel breakfast.

We leave John and Carolyn finishing their foo-foo coffee and pastry.

The ride is crisp. The blinking sign says "Caution, Deer Migration".

We stopped at Mono Lake over look and some riding gear gets changed out. The elevation will get higher before the day is through ... and lower.

We roll into Mammoth Ski Area where they are still skiing.  I tell Gary if we were going on the gondola ride we mght as well rent gear and ski.  Ron and Laura crash the hotel gate to find a potty. Gary and I get a good laugh out of that. Adrian, the gate at Attendant is actually quite nice and let's us park for free.

Laura said "We crashed the gate like it was a party."

Dropping down from Mammoth into Lone Pine we pass Manzanar where Gary and I stop but decide not to go in because a can't spend enough time. There are Schats every where in Lone Pine.

From Lone Pine we exit on 190 to enter Death Valley. Up high death Valley is in the 90s but in Furnace Creek it was 106. Laura and I are getting red with heat. We try to stay cool with evaporative coolers stuff. Pretty hot.  Gas in Furnace Creek is $5.02 a gallon.

Some traveling youngsters want to sit on my bike at the death valley sign. Then I worry they are terrorists trying to steal my phone and credit card data. My locks are all in place and hope all ends well.

Along the drive we we make reservations at the BW in Pahrump, an all in one stay, eat, gamble all in walking distance. Yea.

Mono Lake, Topaz Lake, cool old trees, snow capped sierras, 9000 feet to -140 feet elevation.

That's how you do Death Valley!
In an air conditioned bus.
Not us!
We are hot, wind-dried.
Parched, heat-fried.
That was our ride,
Through Death Valley.

5/5/2018 340 miles, Long and Bleak to Boulder, Pahrump, NV to Flagstaff, AZ

Cinco De Mayo!

The mid-night pee was with a visit from a cock roach.  He went for a spa swim in the toilet but...ew!

We have breakfast at Best Western and decide to call ahead for a reservation in Flagstaff.

Then we hit the road to Las Vegas. Bear traffic and a prayer for Wanda who is almost run off the 215 East because a driver doesn't see her.

The drive is dessert, long and flat. There are SOME wildflowers. But not much scenery. Ron called the ride 'long and bleak'. A good title for this blog entry.

Boulder is full of celebration.  A park fair,  old cars.  Lots of Saturday traffic. We find out that the dam is not open on Sunday so we are fortunate to be here with all these other tourists to see the wonder.  We take the dam tour. I must take off my boots to go through security. I wore my photographer vest and find it to be servicable. I called Aloha to uncle Charman.

After Hoover dam we pick up Route 66. We stop for a butt rest and a drink of water. We meet a German couple who Gary mistakes as American. They are here on Vacation trying to relocate because the immigration into Germany has created a violent atmosphere, especially for women, in their home country. A real eye opener for me.

It took a long time to get from Boulder to Flagstaff. All damn day. It is also hot again. So much road repair. Traffic was often slowed to 45 miles p h.  The road is rough. The ride is brightened by Burma Shave signs.

Lots of trains. Gary races one for a while. I am so glad when we start to climb in elevation. We get to ride in the cool evening to get to Flagstaff.

My blue bike is running great. What ever Gary had done , it is no longer burning my right leg. 

Laura has scored us a place for Mexican food, Kachina Mexican Restaurant so we get our De Mayo celebration, even though it was late.

Looking on Facebook I discover both John and Ron have stolen their rubber ducky toys from the motel in Bridgeport. LMAO!

5/6/2018 Girls Get A Down Day - Flagstaff, AZ

Laura and I had a down day. Visiting, showering, watching TV, napping. No mileage for us.

Gary and Ron toured Meteor Crater.  After that they drove to Winslow AZ to stand on the corner with a statue of Glen Frey.

After the brief tour they stopped for beers at Relic Road Brewery on route 66.  Watching the guy cook made them hungry. Ron said he had one of the best Ruben sands ever and Gary had his first Philly cheese steak sand. He loved it he said.  The food was worth the trip to the hole that is Winslow.

When the guys got back we went to lumber yard brewery for salad and desert. Somehow we found the Dryers ice cream store.

Our whiney puppy air conditioner a has turned into a moaning woman and sleep is fitful again.

5/7/2018 Redo - 88 miles Flagstaff, Walnut Creek Canyon, Sedona (Arizona)

I did this once under sketchy Wi Fi so I must do it again.

The day is overcast and cool.  Walnut Creek Canyon is not hot and a good climb for Ron,  Gary and me. The site is a nice monument to those who lived here before.  There are many types of birds catching the thermals.  There are some nice wild flowers. A lady walking near us shows us some photos of a great horned owl they rescued from a barbed wire fence. Cool.

On the way to Sedona Gary misses the turn off and we must wait for him to catch up.  The road to Sedona is a beautiful curvy road through Oak Creek canyon.  We miss Garlands the first time through. All we get at the Native American jewelry and crafts stands is an orange Julius.

Sedona is busy but we buy our parking time and wander down to the Harley store to look for shirts and trinkets.

Ellen is the clerk. I show her how I fold the shirts, twice. A nice conversation ensues. Ron and Gary get some good discounts and we get a coupon for delicious lunch. Thanks for lunch Laura.

On the way back we stop at Garlands and I get to jewelry shop. They show us some new Fred Harvey style mirrors.  One for $1800 and one for $7000. Wow.  It was nice to see them though.

We miss the brewery we are looking for and wind up at Lumber Yard Brewery again. Laura and I get our applique (appetiser) dinner. As we finish, Laura discovers I have lost one of my huggie earrings, BUMMED.

5/8/2018 124 miles, Flagstaff to Grand Canyon (Arizona)

Up late in Flagstaff. The little moaner A/C did not keep us awake. Sleep was good.

As we eat breakfast it is decIded that the girls will do laundry and the boys will tour Arizona Snow
Bowl  ski area and look for my earring.  They find the snow bowl but not my earring. We are done about the same time. During breakfast Gary is talking about watering golf courses and Laura thinks he says water clock roaches. I got a good laugh out of that.

Gary and Ron say:

Arizona snow bowl is unexpected in the dessert. It is in good shape with runs planted in grass. They have summer chairlift rides and mountain biking. Gary says he would go there to ski.

We ride on 180 to 64 toward Grand Canyon. Initially the ride is exceptionally beautiful with very little traffic. Blue sky, stately pines, tall Aspen trees...but very dry.  We pass a ranch named No Water Ranch.

We had McDonald's lunch just outside of the park and tour until it was closer to our reservation time.  There are so many people at Grand Canyon... SO MANY!

We get our shared room. It is a lovely old room with 2 queen beds and a nice bath. We are on the first floor, a plus.

It is beer 30 and since we ate an early dinner we have appetizers for desert.

The large crowd diminishes as visitors leave the park. Grand Canyon sunset is quite spectacular.

5/9/2018 0 miles-El Tovar and Surrounding (Arizona)

Up at the crack of dawn to catch a pink sunrise at Grand Canyon. Deer and elk are on the grounds.

We breakfast early at El Tovar $$.

Ron and Gary decide to hike down into the canyon. they are not sure how far. Laura and I make the best of girl time. I bathe then shower while she catches up on corresondence. Then we tour and shop on the south rim complex.

Just as we are getting ready to lunch, the boys text they are back from their three hour tour. I hour 15 minutes down a mile and half and 1 hour 45 minutes back. They say the aspect from lower in the canyon is very interesting.

We have lunch at Harvey House Cafe. It is much more affordable than El Tovar and just as good.  A young couple sitting near us has left their camera and backpack. They left in a hurry.
We take a short hike to the train depot and watch the daily tourist train depart.

At Harvey lodge there is an interpretation center about Fred Harvey. I am so happy to know about this man who thought the way to wealth in the west was through food service.  There is a brightly painted bench with a worn leather seat. As I sit, I just keep going down, down...it is so worn out. When Laura finds me I say...sit on that side.  She keeps going down, down. We both laugh.

When we are all back in the room we rest or nap. Dinner is not until 7:45.

To use some time Gary challenges me to a fun game of cribbage in the mezzanine at the hotel. After, we dress and go get drinks. We sit in rockers on the front porch and watch a young foolish man get aggressive with one of the elk. The elk tries to bite him. He shies away and trips and falls over a short chain fence. Foolish.

Late dinner was very good. The guys had meals, us gals had salad. We split a bottle of California wine. It was hard to sleep on all that food.

Allan gave us a discount on fancy chocolate for dessert.

5/10/2018 212 miles, Windy and Hot To Kanab UT

Up to reasonable $ breakfast at Harvey House Cafe. We find out that the young man came back for his camera and back pack.

Laura gets a fruit sampler that is huge. Laura and I get Grand Canyon t-shirts before we leave.

We drive along grand canyon rim to the watch tower and take the walking tour through the stone kiva.

Then we leave Grand Canyon on Highway 64 to Us 89, then to 89A.

It is hot and windy. The road is narrow 2 lane.  The wind pushes Gary and I around but really pushes Ron And Laura's trike a lot.  It is a long drive to Lee's Ferry. We have an ice tea and want to pee but the bathrooms...smell aweful.  We don't linger.

More wind  and heat until we pull into the B W at Kanab.  The have just made chocolate chip cookies. Gary eyes light up.

They tell us where to park. There are already 6 or more bikes in the lot. We drag our bags to the elevator. I think Gary should already be in our room. We are both surprised when he is still in the elevator. I close the elevator door and press the button, we end up where we started. What kind of joke is this? One more time, I am watching for Gary's reaction and see the elevator door behind him open.  We get a good laugh.

After all of our stuff is in the room I collapse from the hot exertions of the day.  Gary makes sure I am covered and turns out the light so I can get a nap.

Ron and Laura decide for date night dinner.  After I nap Gary and I go across the street to Rocking V restaurant. The food is great. We opt for sea food options. There is great art work and a gallery up stairs.  Some original Serena Suplee art.  I love her art.

We ordered a lava cake and ice cream for dessert and get it to go so we can have it in our room.

Kanab Utah is a clean town with a beautiful big LDS church right on main street.  The people there were all very helpful and friendly.

Photo by Ron