My first ride is over!

It has been nine days on the motorcycle--and five of those I was driving my own! I'm still not sure how I got out of town. Duane tells me NOW he expected me to back out at the beginning, especially since I had not been on my bike in almost a week (I had lots of excuses not to practice!). Now I'm very excited to pick my bike up and try to ride everyday. I have to admit, I'm a bit scareeeeed to go with three other couples (the one gal drives her own, and she's my role model)--I'm most worried about driving into parking lots, gas stations, etc., where manuevering in tight places is still pretty difficult for me. Anyway, we drove from Durango, CO to home in a little under nine hours. Not too bad for about 450 miles. Stopped to eat lunch in Moab, UT. Took off our leathers there, put sunscreen on, but I forgot my legs. I was wearing shorts and burned my knees!! The kitty was sure happy to see us--he won't let us out of his sight now! Tommy watered my flowers and Duane's veggies faithfully, and we have a bunch of green tomatoes and one pepper! Continue our motorcycle antics next weekend, when we go to St.George to pick up mine. We got tickets at Tuacahn for Saturday night (performing CATS), will return on Monday. More later!

Let's do it again!

We got up early today, so we could enjoy the B & B breakfast and so we could mail home some shirt purchases and dirty clothes (bike space may be limited, but we like to buy shirts from areas we travel). Then we rode up to the mining town of Silverton, and on to the Million Dollar Highway with all the narrow and risky switchbacks. Gorgeous scenery! It began to rain and even hail on the Million Dollar Highway, so we stopped to put on our rain gear, and Duane kept everything under control. I'm not sure I could do all those tight curves--especially those without guard rails and sheer drop offs, and I know the rain would've scared me to death. We had intended to do the entire San Juan Loop, but once at the top, we ate lunch and determined that it would be faster to just do the Million Dollar Highway and all the sharp switchbacks one more time, rather than go down the mountain the long way. So we did it again, sans rain this time!! This country is very beautiful, and we've enjoyed the rides! Tomorrow we head for home via Moab. And so next weekend, over the fourth, we'll go back to St. George to pick up my bike. Have invited some friends, so I'll get experience riding with a few other bikers.

It's a Beautiful Day!

Wow! What a gorgeous day for riding! The weather was perfect! It was warm, but not hot, due to the overcast sky. The clouds threatened rain, but only succeeded in keeping us cooler than yesterday! Had poker cards to get punched at several stops along the way, and really enjoyed the beautiful scenery across northern Arizona. Also enjoyed the Navajo code-talkers exhibit in Kayenta, Az. Stopped at the sign for Four Corners, but it was closed for construction. Guess it's a lie, anyway, since the surveyers put the actual spot at some 20 miles away! Ha! Checked into a bed and breakfast in Durango (the Leland House--really great!) rather than stay at the rally location, a casino some 20 miles out. Spent some time on Main street Durango tonight doing the "pub crawl." Plan to get up early tomorrow in order to drive the 250 mile San Juan loop, also called the Million Dollar Highway. Supposed to be very incredible switchbacks up the mountain to the mining town of Silverton. Duane promises to abide by the speed limits on the curves. Enjoy!

Be careful what you wish for.

You know the old adage, Be careful what you wish for...? Yeah, well after an uncommonly cool and rainy, snowy spring, I was ready for hot, summer weather. So today, leaving St. George and riding to Page, Arizona, we encountered it. I bet it was 110 degrees in that southern area today. Talk about a group of hot and sweaty HOGS! You could almost see the steam rise off the engine and the pavement! It was beautiful, though. I had never been to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon--gorgeous views! Groups of riders left this morning at various times and took various routes. We rode with about a dozen other bikes, mostly from our chapter group. Gas stations were almost comical, with all the maneuvering of those machines as we met up with other groups. I know I couldn't have done it, but I'm observing--especially the women drivers--very closely. We're here at Wahweap tonight, and will travel to Durango, CO tomorrow. I can't believe that I'm at Lake Powell without getting on a boat or going waterskiing. And the temps are perfect for that!! It was a lovely day, and my stress level has gone down considerably! And I took bunches of pictures today. We're looking forward to a great ride tomorrow.

I CAN do this!

Besides my inability to sleep well and my upset stomach, today I got what better be the final straw in my stressed out body: an ugly cold sore on my lip! UGHHHHH! But we hit the roads of Las Vegas early, stopped at the "historic" sign on the strip (I had to manuever that median parking, then U-turn out of it----so maybe I winced at my wide turn, but I made it! Ha!). And then we got on I-15 and drove all the way to St. George. We stopped in Mesquite to rest my tired hands (why do my fingers get numb? Duane says it's my death grip!!), but I kept my speed up (well, maybe I slowed on the curves in that canyon...!). We had the kids at the Rally wash our bikes and then put mine in the show--got beat by a fancy, schmanzy new soft tail--was fun, anyway! The rally planners have done a good job putting together events and scenic routes (complete with choices through various national parks and the Grand Canyon). Tomorrow we go through Zion and the Grand Canyon on the way to Page, Arizona, where we'll stay at the base of Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam. I'll be able to take great pictures from the back of Duane's bike and certainly not have to worry about going over any cliffs!! (My bike is safe in a garage in St.George, and we'll pick it up on July 3.)

I think I can...

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. Carmen reminded me of The Little Engine That Could when I was having serious doubts about even going on this trip. After yesterday, though, I think I got this down! Yes, we hit more wind riding from Pioche to Las Vegas, but I was a little less stressed in it. And I wanted to avoid that whole interstate thing in Vegas, since we have to go all the way through Vegas with tourists exiting and entering the interstate all along the way, so we circled around to Overton to come in closer to Tiffany and Chris' house. Yeah, that was a mistake! Hit 20 miles of construction outside of Overton in the very hilly roads which included several miles of loose gravel and dirt! Are you kidding me?? I think Duane was afraid I'd stop and tell him to walk back and drive my bike, too! Ha! Well, it did stress me out--so much so, we forgot to stop and take any pictures along the way! So we'll take some in Vegas today and include them tomorrow. The kicker is we got on the interstate in Vegas anyway, and I didn't freak out. Although I told Duane later if he had stopped just before getting on (to coach me or whatever), I wouldn't have gone. As it was, our radios had quit (we need to get some back up batteries for these long days!) so I had no choice but to follow! So 600 miles later, I'm proud to say I made it to Las Vegas without an accident or tipping the bike over. Have to admit, I was crazy-nervous for the most part, but I arrived here feeling more in control--enough so to finally get a good night's sleep! We're spending today with Tiffany and Chris, then tomorrow we'll get on the interstate (yes, and go through Vegas!!) to go to St. George where the Utah-Colorado Rally starts. We're helping with registration (me) and parking (Duane) so have to be there by noon. I'll be parking my bike at a friend's vacation home (actually, she's my boss!) while we go to Colorado, and while I'm excited to be able to take pictures from the back of Duane's bike, I'm not nearly as anxious now to park my bike (yesterday morning, I was ready to leave it in Pioche, NV!!).

Out of the parking lot

They say things happen in threes. So after driving over 330 miles my first day out of the parking lot (literally!!), I am a believer. Duane's patience was probably tested, but he resigned himself to my (lack of) speed. However, my excuse is not just that I am a real beginner at this driving stuff, but as we drove down The Loneliest Highway from Delta, UT almost straight west to the Nevada border, we encountered extremely strong winds. Now remember, I'm new to the whole clutch, down shift, up shift, hand brake, foot brake, balance--you name it--thing. So I struggled to maintain my balance in the gusts of wind that were so strong that at one point the dirt and dust blowing across the road created a virtual fog that we couldn't see through. Yep, that was the first "happening," and unfortunately, it lasted all day!! Ok, so I survived. I didn't lay the bike down, but I was scareeeed to death!. My shoulders became sore from holding my arms stiffly. I was certainly physically exhausted, but I think my mental state was even more worn out by the end of the day! And the second happening? Well, a stupid bee ran into my neck and left his stinger in me! And as I was holding on for dear life in the winds, I couldn't even swat him away! All right, so all riders put up with a few bee stings. By this time you're wondering about number three. Those of you who know Duane well, know that he likes to push the limit on the gas capacity of his vehicles. I can't even count the number of times he's run out of gas! So of course it's his fault that I ran out of gas just 6 miles from our destination! Well, maybe we should've believed the signs that there were no services for over 100 miles...hmmm. So that's really why it's called The Loneliest Highway! I will pay more attention, especially considering I don't have a gas gauge! Luckily, Duane has a friend in Pioche, NV, where we stayed, and he rescued me with gas. So after a very long day, I survived my first ride. I guess the scenery was beautiful, but I could only keep my eyes on the road and traffic ahead!! We're staying here two nights, and then plan to go to Las Vegas to visit Tiffany and Chris. I'm real stressed about driving in that city, so I may convince Duane to let me park my bike, but we'll see. Have a couple of pictures for you to look at.

Getting ready...

Welcome to our summer 2010 blog! Duane and I are going to document our Harley rides and our African Hunting Safari, so join us for pictures and fun! Duane's Harley is a 2006 Road Glide, and mine is a 1989 Heritage Softtail. I'm a beginner so will not be taking my bike on all the rides, but I will ride on some. In fact, next week before we meet the group in St.George for the UTAH-COLORADO STATE HOG RALLY, we will ride both bikes to Pioche, Nevada, and on to Las Vegas. Then I plan to leave my bike in St.George, rather than ride with the large group, which is traveling to Page, Arizona and on to Durango, Colorado for the completion of the RALLY.