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Harley Davidson Travel Blog . . . and thoughts along the journey

travel rating service for serious riders. Restaurants, Hotels, Bike Gear, etc.

Back home in Ohio

Monday, October 17, 2005
Well, I finally made it home after 4,415 miles on the road. I got home yesterday after staying one night in Casey, IL. I was unable to put anything on the Blog, since Casey, IL did not provide a local access number for my internet provider.

So . . . here I am back home. But I will for always remember the people I met and the places I saw. I met the people who escaped hurricane Katrina, I met the Japanese who rode his bicycle from Las Vegas, NV to the Grand Canyon, I met the people who sat in the local cafe, I met the couple who met each other in the street . . . and the list goes on forever.

I learned that we all want the same thing: . . . we want peace, talk about our town, city or State, and come home to our families.

Life is not as sterile as it is proclaimed to us by our changing "cyberworld". The difference of opinions is not as drastic as the talks shows seem to tell us and our country provides a tapestry of cultures that blooms in every corner. Although some of us need the help of others, we are a generous people, we are helpful and we are kind.

Life is more then checking the current mortgage rates, health and the future. Life is about living . . . life is to be lived with others. Life is to be shown and to show off. Life is to be thankful for its' core . . . to our God. Life is not to feel sorry, but to be able to change the sails and go to waters where the wind is stronger and where those winds will carry you to the shores where you can set your anchor.

Take a trip see and feel for yourself. . .

Boonville - Missourie

Friday, October 14, 2005
Well, I made it to Boonville, MO today. (small town) The weather was perfect . . . around 86 degrees. I could finally shed my leather jacket and just drive in a leather vest. Most of the day I drove through Kansas on St. Rt. 54 and on a toll-road I-435 until I hit I-70 in Kansas City, KS. I stopped at a rest stop on the toll-road and I met a truck driver who is a HD driver. He puts on an average of 25,000 miles per year (That A Boy . . . !! ) He told me about some of his rides and then he told me that the toll-road at some point belonged to a single family. I have to check that out later . . . if you have any info, let me know in the comment section. Kansas is a very pretty state and the landscape changes about every 100 miles or so. (and, if you did not guess it, Kansas takes a while to cross . . . :-0

Anyway, I wanted to share two stories with you THAT fall into the “Odd Category”:

1. The day I was in Bellemont, NM, and I stopped at the Harley dealer to have an oil change done, a group of bikers drove into the HD dealership parking lot. All of them had beautiful bikes and they were driving at a group. As they got off their bikes, I started a conversation and I noticed that all of them had some physical handicap. One was limping, another had his leg wrapped, etc. As they were getting ready to enter the store I glanced at the back of their jackets, which usually holds an emblem of a HOG chapter or any other membership. And I could not believe what I read: “Crippled Bastards”

2. As Mary and I were in Las Vegas, NV and we were waiting at a bus station, we overheard a couple beside us mentioning that they were going to get married in one of the “Las Vegas Marriage Chapels” (All of that belongs into the category of “must see” . . . very odd). Anyway, they had made reservation for the chapel service, but did not get a license from the courthouse. The problem was that it was Sunday and the courthouse was closed! The following day was Columbus Day and on that day as well the local courthouse was closed. We started a conversation and Mary and I calmed them down. We noticed that the woman was not an American and had very little to say about the wedding. (That was NOT because she couldn’t speak any English). I finally told them that I am an ordained minister and if push comes to shove I could marry them. It was at that point that the woman gave me and Mary a very (how do I want to call this. . . .) misgiving look aa if she was saying: “Don’t you understand I do not want to get married” Needless to say I did not say anymore and luckily the bus came.

. . . and that is it for today!


__________
Thought of the day:
Don't judge others . . . talk to people and they will tell you what they think of themselves!
_________

Total Miles: 3,915 miles
Miles today: 330 miles
Temperature: 86 degrees
Gas: $24.86

Wichita - Kansas

Thursday, October 13, 2005
As I wrote yesterday, I went this morning to visit the XIT Ranch museum in Dalhart, NM and it was great. (one fact: The barbed wire which once stretched for 6000 miles around the ranch was $1,755.00 . . at that time) If you are interested check out the link to the museum.

At about 10 A.M. I left on State Route 54 East, where I will eventually hit I-70. I don't know if I will drive I-70 home later on . . . or select another route.

State Route 54 takes you from I-40 all the way to I-70 and is a beautiful Road. As I was traveling on I-40 the previous two days, I constantly saw signs for Route 66, but when I checked the maps . . . there is NO Rt. 66 . . . very weird!

I am about 15 miles before Wichita, KS. Today was the first day where I actually saw trees and front lawns that were mowed and corn/wheat fields . . . the only difference between here and home is that open country. I drove again for miles and miles without any traffic and villages. It also appears the farther East I go the cheaper the gas is. The price dropped from an average of $3.20 to about $2.46 for super unleaded (91 octane)

Along State Route 54 run the tracks of the Union Pacific Railroad and while you drive for miles and miles the tracks become your friends:-) I can't imagine how much labor it must have taken to build these tracks, which often go over terrain that is not inviting to build tracks.

_________
Thought of the Day:
Focus on an objective and you can overcome difficult terrain
_________



Total Miles: 3585 miles
Miles today: 319 miles
Gas: $ 25.67
Temperature: 75 degrees

Dalhart - Texas

Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Once again the day started out to be a cold day. But it was a beautiful day to be alive. I hit Albuquerque, NM driving I-40 about an hour into my day and the city is a beautiful city with her architecture and her location in the valley surrounded by stunning mountains. As I was driving through the city a gravel dump truck was driving in front of me and a gravel piece flew into my face. I have a cut in my face, but the bleeding did not last too long. It was more the shock when the piece hit me, then the wound itself. Not too worry, everything is fine! (and I found the gravel piece on my seat . . . nice memory)

As I was stopping for a cup of coffee close to Tucumcari, NM (the weather was now warmer), I met a very nice couple on a bike (Yamaha . . . OK!) Both joined me for a cup of coffee and told me their story of riding. Bernie Evans (the guy- around 43 years old; from Chillicothe, OH) told me that he had to have a pace maker in March. He mentioned that it changed his life forever and he left with his bike to go “West” and to do some ‘soul searching’. As he made one of his stops in Durango, CO, he literally met Rebecca Loeb on the street as he was taking a walk and they stayed together ever since. Rebecca is from Monterey, CA and was visiting her uncle and seeking a position as a cardiac technician in Durango, CO. Anyway, they both decided to drive to his home in Ohio and then . . . go from there. We talked about God, destinies and life until we split. She also told me that her Dad is a writer, who wrote the book: “Anthem”


I decided to take State Route 54 North toward Dalhart, TX. I made it to Dalhart, TX and I will stay here one night. On my way here I saw cattle feed ots that are bigger then our county. And as I was eating my dinner I met “Boog Wallace”, who used to own the restaurant for 35 years and he gave me the ‘run down’ on this part of the country: There are three cattle feedlots, and the biggest of them hold 185,000 cattle. Yes, that is 185,000 cattle!!! Close by is the small town of Etter,TX where IBP slaughters up to 3,000 cattle an hour. And as if that is not enough, within a hundred-mile radius there are over 1 Million heads of cattle. I knew Texas was big in everything . . . but nothing can top this. But as if that is not enough, he told me what the area is really known for . . . and that is the largest ranch in the USA. This area was part of the XIT-Ranch. In 1880 the ranch was 3 Million acres large and all fenced in. Imagine 6000 miles of fencing.

Well, I will take the time to visit the local XIT-Ranch museum tomorrow morning and then I will be on my way again. I am not sure what route I will take . . . but I will check on that after I log off tonight.

By the way . . . NO Nextel connection here in Dalhart, TX


____________
Thought of the day:
Go soul-searching and the answer will come to you
____________


Total miles: 3,266 miles
Miles today: 354 miles
Temperature: 32 degrees to 70 degrees
Gas: $ 24.58

Grants - New Mexico

Tuesday, October 11, 2005
When I got up today I was surprised by 28 degrees cold weather. My HD was covered with ice and the top of the San Francisco Peaks (at Flagstaff, AZ) had snow on them. I changed into warm clothes and full leather. As the day progressed the day got “warmer” to about 65 degrees or so and it was a very enjoyable ride. The landscape changed on I-40 to ‘mountain country’ and the cooler weather gave the landscape a different dimension. Everything seemed to be more in focus, sharper and visible with more clarity. The ride was great.


For lunch I stopped at a Jerry’s in Holbrook, AZ and as I parked my bike, another HD rider parked his. We exchanged a few words outside and then we went inside and sat together and had lunch. Bob (the guys name . . . he looked rugged) mentioned that he was not sure where he was going, he just knew that he would go East. (OK, I thought here I am with some flunked out guy . . . ) He told me that he was from Santa Paula, CA and he just retired. Come to find out, Robert Gonzales retired as the Chief of Police from the Santa Paula Police department. We had quite an extensive conversation and we literally struck up a friendship. He told me that one of the things he was going to do on his trip was seeking the lineage of his Dad in some town in NM , since he knew very little about him. At the end of our lunch Bob gave me a patch and a pin from his police department and we went our way . . . but not without telling him that if he ever comes to Ohio to stop by my house.

My hope was to reach Albuquerque, NM today, but I was too tired to make it (because of the cool weather) So I stopped in Grants, NM. When you enter Grants, NM you see a giant lava field and it looks very destructive. The lava supposedly came from Mount Taylor, a big mountain behind Grants, NM.

As I made my hotel reservation in the lobby of the hotel, I asked the receptionist, what Grants, NM is famous for and the answer was plain and simple: “NOTHING” But then an assistant (her name was Sophia, a young Navaho Indian) spoke up in a quite, but authoritative voice: “That is not true! My grandmother told me a story when I was little, and she told me that the Taylor brothers came here a long time ago and killed a large giant who lived in the mountains. He was so huge that when he fell the blood streamed from the mountain and what you believe is a lava field is the hardened blood of the giant. Believe me it is true!”


______________
Thought of Today:
Reality finds truth in what we know
______________


Total miles: 2912 miles
Miles today: 276 miles
Gas: $23.56
28 degrees to 65 degrees

Return Trip has begun

Monday, October 10, 2005
Well, I did not write anything yesterday, because we had a very busy day. I visited several attractions in Las Vegas, NV and it would take weeks to see them all. The city is really unreal in all it has to offer and it is very hard to describe. It seems as if Las Vegas is the city were everyone can forget reality . . . One of the places I visited yesterday was the Liberace Museum. Not everyone may remember the ‘very odd’ piano player, who dressed in fancy costumes and had a taste for the unusual. (. . . excessive . . . I call it . . . Rolls Royce with mirror pieces on them, costumes made out of feathers and the list goes on). Most of his career he played at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas and he earned in 1951 as much as $1,500 per week. - which was at that time the highest paid performance in Las Vegas)

Anyway, Liberace died in 1987 of HIV in Palm Springs, FL. as a very faithful Catholic Christian. He had asked to sell all of his belongings, except the pieces that are in this museum. All proceeds from the sale and the museum went/go to a foundation with the objective to award scholarships for arts and music students around the country.

The museum is located way off the main strip in Las Vegas, Nevada and Liberaci had asked in his last will NOT to locate the museum on the Ls Vegas Strip. Now, the admission is $12.50 for adults and the exhibit is separated by two buildings located in a strip mall. (Very odd!!) Is it worth going? Not really, and my assessment is that the museum will die a slow death because of the location of the museum and because the younger generation has no clue who Liberaci was.

I also went to the original Las Vegas (Freemont) where everything got started . . . and to tell you the truth, most of that place is a run down part of Las Vegas. This part of the city looks like Havana/Cuba under Batista . . . And where malls took over the shopping habit in any other town in America, here the Las Vegas Strip took over the gambling and revenue from the downtown.
Is it worth going? I think so, just to see the history of the town. (I read up a lot of the history of Las Vegas and it truly comes alive if you visit) And by the way . . . food is very cheap in any of the casinos there.

When I left Las Vegas today (I decided to take St. Rd. 93 and then I-40) it started out as a warm day, but then changed soon into a fairly cold day in the mountains. I had originally planned to go I-70 through the Rocky Mountains, but . . . I heard that snow fell in Denver so I decided to go the Southern Route.


On my way though the mountains I met a German (Mr and Mrs Klaus Kueffer) couple that visited the USA and Klaus is a BMW rider. Last year he went to Turkey from Germany and he invited me to come over to Germany, because he had a motorcycle trip planned to go to Russia next year. . . something to think about!






I am right now in Bellemont, AZ . . . had an oil change done at the local HD dealer and I am doing some laundry, since I could do only limit laundry in Vegas (EXPENSIVE!!)




_______________
Thought of the Day:
When you leave one place to go to the next . . . don’t look back . . . just keep the memories
_______________




Total miles: 2,646 miles
Miles today: 306 miles
85 degrees to 58 degrees
Gas: $18.79

Cirque du Soleil

Saturday, October 08, 2005
Yesterday I sat in the sold out 2,000 seat auditorium of the Hotel Bellagio . . . I do not think that we have ever seen a more spectatular artistic show in our lives.

“Travel far enough my friend, and you’ll discover something of great beauty: your self.”

This is the opening statement in the souvenir program for “O”, a spectacular performance by artists from over 20 different countries, combining strength, agility, daring, whimsy, humor, drama, tragedy, and surprise.

“O” takes place within the audience, in the balconies, from the rafters, from all areas of the stage, and in the sometimes-there swimming pool that appears within portions or all of the surface of the stage. The action includes fantastic acrobatic stunts that some of us might recall from an early visit to the circus, along with synchronized water acrobatics, representing the journey of a primary character. With front-row seats, we experienced the entire show intimately, including mist escaping from the “stage” in some scenes. What story does “O” tell? The Director describes “O” as, “An homage to Theater, to every story ever born on its stage; … of life, love, and death.” It does seem to depict the journey of life, and what we experience along the way.

My recommendation is, see “O”, by Cirque du Soleil!
Rating: Five stars!

____________
Thought of the day:
“Travel far enough my friend, and you’ll discover something of great beauty: your self.”
____________

If you take a 5000 mile trip - Things you must have

Thursday, October 06, 2005
On Monday I will begin my journey back home. I will let you know of my route on Sunday.


For those who visit the Blog and would like to know what to take along on a 5,000 mile round trip, here is a list of things that have done well for me. Tomorrow I will share with you some tips of the journey that will make it easy for you to live economically

Things to take along on a 5,000 mile trip:

1. helmet
2. 4 T-shirts (3 long sleeve for driving)
3. leather jacket
4. leather chaps
5. 3 pair of jeans
6. 4 pair of underwear
7. 4 pair of socks
8. leather gloves
9. bandanna
10. ear plugs
11. ear cover for cold weather
12. leather driving boots
13. sunglasses & goggles
14. tennis shoes
15. sandals
16. digital camera and batteries/charger
17. first aid kit
18. soap, toothpaste, etc.
19. palm pilot for addresses and notes
20. cell phone (make sure of your service area and the charges across country)
21. pen and small notebook
22. some tools: screwdriver, adjustable wrench, pliers, pocket knife, small scissors, plastic tie strips, air pressure gauge
23. large plastic water bottle
24. laptop/charger
25. aspirin
26. billfold attached with chain to your pants: (AAA card, HOG card, VISA/ATM card, Medical Insurance Card, Motorcycle Insurance Card, registration, drivers license, no more then $100.00 cash)
27. map and planned route layout
28. change and detergent for laundry
29. Road King Classic :-)


_____________
Thought of the day:

Good planning will give you peace & comfort
_____________

Impressions of Las Vegas - Nevada (take two)

Wednesday, October 05, 2005
As you probably guessed, the weather is still great . . . and I am meeting lots of people. Today I talked to a couple from China, Mr. & Mrs Li Tianhua, who now live in Japan. Believe it or not, but they did not speak any English and of course I was not able to talk to them Chinese or Japan. But we were able to talk for quite some time with hand motions and ‘sounds’ that are understandable in any language. I 'told' them about my trip to China in 1998 and they 'told' me about their first impressions of the USA.

I thought I let you know some highlights of my trip from Eaton to Las Vegas:

1. Best road to travel on a Harley Davidson: State Rd. 60 from Socorro, NM to Springerfield, AZ & St. Rd. 98 in NV
2. Best interstate to travel on (if you have to) : I-40 from Flagstaff, AZ to Kingman, AZ
3. Friendliest people I met: Memphis, TN
4. Best hamburgers to eat: At “Manny’s” in San Antonio, NM
5. Most expensive gas: $3.56 for super unleaded . . . somewhere in NM
6. Best Hotel with nicest staff: Ride Inn in Springerfield, AZ
7. Sharpest car to watch on the road: Dodge Magnum
8. Things I miss the most: Family, Friends & my pillow to sleep on
9. City with the most potential to show off history and be a showplace: Hot Springs, AK
10. Best motorcycle to drive: Road King Classic – Harley Davidson
11. Most unique restaurant: Harley Davidson Bar and Grill in Bellemont, AK
12. Worse coverage of cell phone service: Nextel
13. Most unexpected & unique site: The Great Array on St. Rd. 60 in NM
14. The greatest Museum: Museum of Arts in Roswell, NM (Forget the UFO museum)
15. Most unique restaurant: The Cattle Barn in Roswell, NM
16. Cheapest city to live in: Roswell, NM
17. Highest speed I traveled (and people still passed): 90 mph – Highway 38 from Gladiola, NM to Caprock, NM
18. Most unique Café: Harley Davidson Café in Las Vegas, NV
19. State with most ranchers on the road: Texas
20. Biggest ranch people told me about: Walker Ranch – five counties large!

. . . . and there you got it.

One more thing: I left this morning around 9:30 A.M. to go to the Las Vegas Strip and saw a guy at the slot machine . . . .when I cam back at 5:00 P.M. the guy was still sitting there . . . OK!

____________
Thought of the day:
When you think you saw it all, there will be more!
____________

Impressions of Las Vegas - Nevada

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

This is vacation weather! Still blue sky and around 88 degrees . . .. Today I walked the other side of the Las Vegas Strip toward the new hotel “Wynn”. All the architecture here is absolutely breath taking. I do not think that they saved on anything. Each building that I start to admire is being taken over by more glorious features then the previous one.

On Thursday ‘My Mary’ will be flying out here and we will be visiting the ‘O’ show in the Bellagio, Cirque du Soleil. Everyone in Vegas is talking about this show. We bought tickets for the 8th, and I will let you know about the show later.

The best part of this visit is the watching of the masses of people. Some wear fashion they would not wear in their home town; some eat their self-made sandwiches while playing the slots . . . and you can’t imagine the great conversations I had with people from all around the world. Everyone here is in great mood: . . . no matter if it is the older lady (who had one whiskey too many) that just lost $4,000.00 on the roulette table (her comment: “I am just here to have fun!” . . . or the guy who just won $3,000.00 on the blackjack table (his comment: “I had better days . . ., but its OK’).

The reality is, that this city is built upon offering entertainment for the whole family. I believe the days of pure ‘gambling entertainment’ are gone forever. The streets are filled with families and the hotels offer childcare everywhere. The food is reasonable inexpensive. I only eat two meals (breakfast and one meal later in the afternoon), because the portions are very large and I truly cannot eat any more . . . even when I walk around all day.

The entertainment value reaches from a museum exhibit of the Kremlin, to a wax museum . . . to Magic Shows or big star shows of today’s entertainment world . . . or to tours of the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, etc. Truly something for everyone!

I have spoken to some people here, who suggested NOT to go via Colorado back home, because of the possible snowfall in some of the mountain passes. So, I will once again reconsider my route. . . and I will let you know later. If you have any suggestion leave me a comment.

My thoughts are with all of you!


__________
Thought of the Day:
Seek the good in all things and your mind will find goodness
__________

From Las Vegas, Nevada

Monday, October 03, 2005
This morning I ate breakfast at the hotel I am staying (The Orleans) and I took a shuttle to the Las Vegas Strip where all big hotels and casinos are. When you look around you see the mountains in the distance and you do notice that you are in the desert. The air is dry, the sky does not have single cloud and the temperature is around 88 degrees.

No matter where you go when you leave your hotel room, you are surrounded by either the sound of slot machines with there distinct pinging noise, music or the releasing of coins into the slot box. Even when you stop at a gas station you will not be able to escape gambling as you will find video poker in there.

When I left the hotel early in the morning I was astounded to see that there were a multitude of people still sitting at the gaming tables and slot machines to gamble. Some looked like they had been there all night (which they probably had. . . ) I don’t believe that there is any other city in the world where people seek more fun and/or entertainment then in Las Vegas.

Mind you, I have not seen the ‘big winner’ yet, but it is a great entertainment to watch the paradox people live in, who believe that they will be a winner . . . fully (maybe) knowing that they have a very slim chance. In all other life situations the very same people probably would shy away from chances and risk . . . but here they seek by thrill and risk the hope of a great ending. Many of the gamblers here are from South America or Japan.

On the strip I visited the
Harley Cafe . . a must see!! It has much memorabilia and great Harley Davidson motorcycles in the café. The Las Vegas Strip is filled with great architecture like Caesar’s Palace or the Bellagio with a spectacular lake in front of the Hotel. Inside are shops filled with items that have a price tag that surpasses at least my budged . . . but I did by a couple T-shirts at the Harley Café.


____________________
Thought of the Day:
Hope is found in dreams we can give to others

____________________

Las Vegas - Nevada

Sunday, October 02, 2005
Well, I finally arrived at my destination 2,240 miles later. Last night I was woken up by a terrible smell of fire and I thought the hotel was on fire. I got up and found out at the front desk that there was a controlled burning going on . . . I thought I get a second heart attack.I left early this morning and it was a chilling 38 degrees. I dressed warm. As soon as I left Bellemont, AZ the terrain became very rugged with lots of mountain. There was hardly any grass visible, only rocks and more rocks. It is hard to describe, but the sky here seems so much different then the one I am used to. I believe that the landscape here has not seen any rain for a long time, as most of the rivers and creeks are empty. By the way I like the names of the creeks: "Coyote Wash" or "Rattlesnake Wash", etc.

The landscape here reminds me very much of "The Valley of the Shadow of Death" in Israel. Highway 40 is pretty much the only route to Las Vegas and the whole road seems to be a big sight seeing tour . . . just beautiful. Along the tour today I encountered a tremendous amount of cross-winds, especially in the mountains. At times I really had to slow down, because you get pushed to the other side of the road . . . by the strong winds.


I stopped at a very isolated gas station in the middle of nowhere, and I met a 25-year-old Japanese "Tom Shimojo" with his bicycle there. He had come to Las Vegas from Tokyo and bought a bike in Las Vegas to visit the Grand Canyon . . . He is sleeping outside and he told me that he has a great time . . . OK !! Fear, I guess is not in his vocabulary!

When I arrived in Kingsman, AZ (Just before I took 93 to Las Vegas, NV) I noticed that this is one of the busiest town I have ever seen in my life: filled with an incredible amount of traffic, people, signs, etc. As soon as I passed Kingsman and I entered the desert to Las Vegas the temperature skyrocketed to 98 degrees and it was time for me to slip out to the leather. When you drive in the leather you do not feel that it is that hot outside, but you noticed how your head slowly gets warmer and warmer and you think you have fever!


At around 1 P.M. I had the chance to visit Hoover Dam . . . which is a great site. It reminds us how we as human kind can follow our dreams and fulfill them with hard work and determination.
The monumental dam is very hard to describe, because it is so very large.






In the parking lot an older couple started to talk to me and they told me that they had adopted a cat in the shelter of Phoenix and she had a Harley Davison collar around her neck. Every time she hear a Harley she is running toward the sound of the Harley . . . . that’s' what a great bike does for you . . . :-)




___________
Thought of the day:
Great things can be accomplished by dreaming a dream and believing in it
___________


Total miles 2,340 miles
Miles today 197 miles
38 degrees to 98 degrees
Gas 15.69

Bellemont -Arizona

Saturday, October 01, 2005
Today I left Springerville, AZ and ended my day in Bellemont, AZ. (About 10 miles past Flagstaff, AZ). As soon as I left Springerville, AZ a new world opened. The ride was filled with mountains in the distance and very open country with green bushes and red ground and a ‘dead’ grass cover. I stopped during my ride and noticed that the cover with grass is very thin, and the ground underneath is filled with rocks. The air in the morning was so clear that I must have been able to see for tens of miles in the distance.

The view all day was spectacular, because of the endless openness of the area. The mountains that you see appear close, but in reality you drive and drive and it seems as if you do not get any closer.
I took St. Rt. 60 to Show Low, AZ and from there I took St. Rt. 77 to Holbrook, AZ. From there I took an Interstate for the first time on my journey (Speed limit 75 . . . and I let you guess how fast everyone really drove). I drove I-40 to Bellmont, AZ.

When you drive in this part of the country you know that the road is endless when you cannot see its end in the distance and all county roads are dirt roads. Interestingly enough I sometimes noticed pick-up trucks with livestock trailers that suddenly turned on their turn signal to turn into a path in the desert. I have no clue how they knew where to turn. Most ranches are miles away from the ‘main road’. Traffic out here is very sparse.

I enjoy ATV riding and so far I believe there is no better State in the Union where one could ride for miles and miles.

Around Noon I reached my 2,000 mile mark. In the distance I noticed a beautiful mountain that was filled with indescribable colors. The colors ranged from bright read to lush green to an unusual gray. As I later found out these were the ‘San Francisco Peaks’. These mountains are sacred to the Navaho Indians.

My day was cool and I again had to wear leather as I slowly climbed to 7,500 feet elevation. Around this area are numerous Indian reservations that advertise cheap cigarettes and . . . or course gambling. Somehow I think the world is upside down. And . . my Nextel connection is back.


By the end of my day today, after I settled into my hotel I visited the local Harley store in Bellemont. The store is located on a little side road fairly close to I-40. But the most interesting part about this dealer is that he also owns a bar and restaurant on the property. In there you fix your own hot-dog, chop or steak on a grill. (I guess if you don’t like the way it turned out, there is none to blame but you.) I met some guys from Phoenix, who drove up here to have a good time. We talked for about two hours and we had a great time. One was a band director in Phoenix and the other was a truck driver (brothers) Both moved here from NY-City several years ago.

Tomorrow will be the day (God willing) for me to arrive in Las Vegas and I will let you know tomorrow. Until then . . . you all have a great weekend and as always let me hear from you.

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Thought of the day:
Thank God every day for your friends and promise to make new ones
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Total miles 2143 miles
Miles today: 203 miles
67 degrees to 90 degrees
Gas: 12.35