Across the U S of A

[AKRefugee]

Last Thursday my Sweetie and I were talking about trips on the bike, places we have been and places we wanted to go. One of the trips I have always wanted to take was one across the good old U S of A. Well my Sweetie said that was a trip she had always wanted to do as well so lets quit talking about it and go do it. After thinking about it for oh about ummm 2 seconds I agreed. On Memorial Day we will be leaving the San Diego area and heading to Mocksville NC.

 

I must say that it is due to the advice, assistance and comraderie I have found on this forum that this trip will happen. I don't know many folks that would have let a relative stranger come over to thier home at 6AM to help get their bike ready for a trip like this (THANKS ROD), or other folks getting parts out the door so quickly so we could be safer (Thanks F4). I also feel good about doing this trip because I know if I should have any problems enroute there is a hugh group of folks ready to help out (THANKS FREEBIRD and all those members who are on the VR Assistance listing).

 

Needless to say I have been a busy beaver around here since I am the travel coordinator of this family. I have been compiling list, checking routes, making reservations and working on the bike. I am now to the point that all I have left to do (yeah right) is change the oil and pack the bike, oh yeah and put the new F4 windshield on that should arrive tomorrow, oh yeah and change the headlamp that the low beam burned out on yesterday. There that should do it . . . well except for finishing scrubbing in the new rear tire . . .

 

Anyway during the trip we will have the camera and the lap top with us so we will post as we go and when we can. We both look forward to sharing our trip with you. Maybe we can even meet up and ride with some of you. Our current itinerary is as follows.

 

Mon May 25 - San Diego CA to just west of Phoenix AZ. This will be mostly desert riding. We will take 79 to Blythe then I10 to our destination. We will be staying in Litchfield Park AZ at my mothers home. It will be noce to see her.

 

Tues May 26 - Litchfield Park AZ to Gallup NM. Desert day again. We will be stopping at the Petrified Forest National Park and depending on the time may even spend some time at the Painted Desert National Park. We will be staying at a Super 8 in Gallup.

 

Wed May 27 - Gallup NM to Mesa Verde National Park in CO. Start in the hig desert end in the mountains. Will be going to Window Rock to see the Navajo Nation Museum and then (shhh don't tell my Sweetie I'm going to surprise her) we will go to the Canyon De Chelly National Monument. From there it is off to the Four Corners and then on to Mesa Verde. We will be tent camping just inside the park entrance.

 

Thur May 28 - Visit Mesa Verde for the whole day and then tent camp again at the same spot.

 

Fri May 29 - Mesa Verde CO to Pueblo CO . Mountain time with twisties yeeehaaa. Not sure yet on routing but will probably go via Durango - Montrose - Gunnison. Alternate route will be via Durango - Del Norte - Walsenburg. Depends on weather and mood but really hoping first routing. We will spend the night at a Comfort Inn (ahhh a hot shower and a real bed) in Pueblo.

 

Sat May 30 - Pueblo CO to WaKeeney KS (just west of Hays). Rats on to the straight and flat. We will be going via Dodge City (wonder if Wyatt will be in town). We will be tent camping at the KOA in WaKeeney.

 

Sun May 31 - Wakeeney to Kansas City. Oh double rats on to the freeway. We will be stopping in Milford KS to have brunch with some very long time friends of mine then on to my daughters home. (hah now it's her turn to take care of us heheh).

 

Mon Jun 01 - Kansas City to Evansville IN. Here's that rats thing again freeway all the way. Spend night at my brothers house (I KNOW he will have some GOOD beer).

 

Tue Jun 02 - Evansville IN to Knoxville TN. Whew of the interstate finally. Haven't really decided routing yet but will avoid intersates as absoultely much as possible. Staying at a Motel 6 (king bed for $39.99 and tax) just west on Knoxville.

 

Wed Jun 03 - Knoxville TN to Mocksville NC. Okay I'm in the area so we MUST do it. Yep going to go do the Dragon. Hoping that it will be okay since it will be a weekday. If on the way down there it starts looking crazy will take an alternate routing. Will be staying at my Sweetie's best friends house while we are there. Her daughters graduate on Jun 05 so will will be there at least through that date after that who knows.

 

We have not decided on the return routing but once we do I will post it. I would really like to take my Sweetie to see Mt. Rushmore and my Mom will be in Jackson WY after Jun10 so we may end up going that way on the way home. We will see.

[usnmustang]

That is one heck of a trip. I must say I am jealous. Be safe and keep the shiny side up.

[tdoyle9760]

I purchased ANOTHER Venture a couple weeks ago. Flew into Yuma AZ and drove back to Glasgow KY. 3 days of smiling...feeling sorry for anyone that wasn't me. Hope you enjoy the trip as much as I did. Tim

[bongobobny]

If for your return trip you decide to see Niagara Falls, let me know and I will organize a M&E at the falls for you!!

[RandyR]

I'll point out that Freebird's Maintenance Day in Ohio is June 06, and it would be great to hear about your trip while gathered with many of your friends from this forum.

[Condor]

Sounds like your going to have a great trip. On the first day out I'd suggest taking the 85 cut-off I-10 down to I-8 at Gila Bend, and then head west and join up with I-10 again at Casa Grande. That by-passes all that Pheonix traffic.

 

There's also a Motel 6 where 8 and 10 join back up and the resturant out front serves the best fish'n'chips I've ever had.

 

BY-PASS

[cowpuc]

Makes me drool just reading your itinerary, I LOVE the desert - thats awesome!! Heres wishing you folks Godspeed!

Couple of quick suggestions..

1st - have fun

2nd - have more fun

 

If you find the Dragon a little more commercialized and a ticket trap, try riding the Cherohaula Skyway (short drive on the way to the Tail).... Take that back, just plan on riding the Cherohaula - you will be glad you did!

Also, coming that close to Michigan you might wanna make sure you have warm clothes with you, we did the Blessing of the Bikes last weekend here and it snowed and a short jaunt up to our U.P. was in the teens at night..

 

Oh yea, have fun!!!

'Puc