taking the long way home from Sturgis 5051 miles so far and about 1400 more to go

[Dragonslayer]

I had planned on making my trip to Sturgis an adventure to remember, and I weren't lying. I've been on the road since 7/29 and since leaving home I've covered 5051 miles which lands me in Las Vegas, New Mexico at this time. Trying to get reliable internet access on the road has been near impossible so I have not been able to describe what has happened on this trip so far.

 

There is so much to tell I don't know where to start and I'm sure it all can't be covered in one post so I'll have to tell ya'll this story in installments. Trying to summerize will be fruitless. Each day has been a minute to minute amazing , wonderfull, overwhelming, adventurouse journey. I have seen so much that I'm am sure that a book will be the end result of this trip.

 

When posting before leaving on this trip many of you asked for pictures, so there are hundreds of those. In addition there is about thirty hours of video. A notebook full of hand written notes. Dozens of interesting people with stories of thier own. Places full of magic, beauty indescribable, history of our country's past.

 

I only hope that I can be articulate enough to describe the range of emotions I have experienced in such a way to stir your emotions the way mine have been.

 

I suppose the best way to cover the whole trip will probably best be segmented by each day or by each state that I've covered. So far on this trip I have visited 14 states, (in order visited):

Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinoise, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Colorada, New Mexico.... To date

 

Before I get back home to Atlanta I will add Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama to the above list.

 

Although starting with yesterdays travels (New Mexico) Is kinda starting in the middle of the trip, yesterday was a prime example of what an adventure each day has been. So I'm gonna cover yesterday as a teaser to peak ya'lls interest.

 

8/20/08 New Mexico Part 1

I started the day in Trinidad, Colorado with housekeeping banging on my motel room door telling me that I have worn out my welcome by still being there after check out time.A condition that has been repeated each time I opted for a room rather than sleeping out under the stars. When I do finally drag up my gear and reload the bike, do my morning safety check, grab a cup of coffee, gas up and hit the road I start todays ride on I-25 heading south into New Mexico.

 

By this time I had told myself and others waiting on my return in Atlanta that I was definetly on the way home by the shortest and most direct route possible. But as soon as I crossed the state line it became obviouse that I had lied once again. You see I had said the same thing in SD, WY, ID, UT and CO. The problem has been that the road atlas I have been using have these green dots along side certain roadways that indicate a scenic route and these green dotted roads almost never seem to be heading in the general direction of Atlanta.

 

I had planned to cross into NM for a short distance and pick up 64/87 heading in a southeasternly direction toward Amarillo, TX. But when I got to that point I noticed on the map that there was a longer green dotted road going in a south westernly direction headed toward Sante Fe marked the Santa Fe Trail. So off I go following the Sante Fe Trail. Mostly because I had heard of the Sante Fe Trail before and had never seen it, but, I had never heard of 64/87. After all this route will only detour me by a few hundred miles from what I could tell looking on the map.

 

The first part of that route was wide flat priarie on both sides of the road with high Rocky mountains on the horizon on both sides. Even though the road was long, straight and flat the monotany was broken up by sitings of herds of Antelope, deer and an occasional Elk. Until I come across this large mission style building sitting off the in distance off the road with this huge front entrance sign which read NRA Whittington Center. So I turn in and proceed down the long driveway lined with flags to see what this is all about. It turned out the structure was the new National Rifle Association facilty that included a firearms museam, gift shop and museam of the NRA. So I spent some time looking around. Turns out that this new facility was located out in the middle of 36,000 acreas owned by the NRA devoted to the shooting sports where they offered guided hunts and all manner of shooting ranges and competition settings for every type of caliber and shooting skills and sports. See pictures below.

 

From there, I soon found myself entering the mountains into an area called the Cimarron Canyon where the Cimarron river follows the twisties, switchbacks and clover leafs that snake through the rock cliffs and hugh rock formations. It was quite a beautifull ride even though there seemed to be thunder and lightning storms all aroiund me except for the sunny patch that followed me all the way through the canyon.

 

Evidently I'm limited on how many photos I can include in one post and I need to get some sleep before housekeeping kicks me out again so I'm gonna post the rest of NM later. But, to keep your interest I will tell you that NM part 2 will include the National Vietnam War Memorial in Angel Fire, NM Being detained by the NM State Police as part of a murder investigation and Madrais, NM where the movie Wild Hogs was filmed.

[Pilot]

You had better stop looking at that road atlas....I heard that there is a scenic route to Belize!

 

Have a great trip it sounds like your making it into a novel.

[cecdoo]

You are a lucky guy, sounds like an awesome adventure, keep us posted, Craig:thumbsup:

[Guest ezornes]

Sounds like a great trip, looking forward to video.. be careful GodS Speed.

[Dooder1]

Wow did that bring back memories. I saw on the points of interest sign Philmont Scout Ranch. I spent 3 weeks in the summer of 71 there. One of the best times of my youth. Being born in NM but raised in CA I always loved going back. Some of the prettiest scenerie in the states.\

 

Thanks \

John

[Silver Bullet]

hey a-dragonslayer. if you get to amarillo and have the time , maby we could ride to the canyon. its called palo duro canyon. I think you would have a good time. lots of history.. give me a call 806 674-0800....

jack:12101:

[Dano]

Great stories and pics, Bob. Careful out there and enjoy it, you can always ask forgiveness when you get home!! Just think, no internet, no cell phone = no B*****ING!!!!

 

Dan

[Dragonslayer]

 

hey a-dragonslayer. if you get to amarillo and have the time , maby we could ride to the canyon. its called palo duro canyon. I think you would have a good time. lots of history.. give me a call 806 674-0800....

jack:12101:

You got a date. Housekeeping is running me out again and I'm about to get on the road heading for Armadillo or is that Amarillo. My Cell is 404 694-1469 I call when I get closer. Look forward to meeting and riding with you Jack. Is there a decent campsite without housekeeping I could land at near the canyon?

[Dragonslayer]

Great stories and pics, Bob. Careful out there and enjoy it, you can always ask forgiveness when you get home!! Just think, no internet, no cell phone = no B*****ING!!!!

 

Dan

The only thing B****ing at me is those housekeeping wh***s and the scoot when shes's required to drag that trailer and my fat a** up 10 to 16% inclines 20 or 30 miles or so. and my piece of s**t camera that only works when it wants to. And this smoke detector that I just ripped out of the wall that goes off and won't stop set off by shower steam or mayby the front desk can operate it from there to blast me out evidently they are tired of banging on the door..... Gotta go

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Sounds like we need to have a Meet-n-Eat in Amarillo!

 

Im guessing that you wont see this till you get into a room tonite...

 

 

[Silver Bullet]

just sent you a pm ..i think???

[cmiles3]

Makes my trip look short. I went to Sturgis from Oklahoma, then home via Montana- Missoula, at the western border. Toured the back side of the mountains coming back through Colorado. My trip was only 3800 miles or so, interrupted by a 2 week business trip. Longest day was 900+ miles, from Butte to Denver (had to catch a flight). 10 riding days, spread over 23 days. Here's a link to a video of one of the roads- well, almost. I took Phantom Canyon Road from Victor to Canon City, but the video shows it in winter, with snow. Since I was watching the road, I didn't see as much of the landscape this video shows. Awesome road, vertical cliffs, vertical drops, lots of twisties, tunnels, one lane part of the way- I'm glad I rode it, but it will take a while before I try it again.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxEXpaGW_Nk]YouTube - Phantom Canyon- Colorado[/ame][ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS1Krc8YbpA][/ame]

Edited September 11, 2008 by cmiles3

[Dragonslayer]

Makes my trip look short. I went to Sturgis from Oklahoma, then home via Montana- Missoula, at the western border. Toured the back side of the mountains coming back through Colorado. My trip was only 3800 miles or so, interrupted by a 2 week business trip. Longest day was 900+ miles, from Butte to Denver (had to catch a flight). 10 riding days, spread over 23 days. Here's a link to a video of one of the roads- well, almost. I took Phantom Canyon Road from Victor to Canon City, but the video shows it in winter, with snow. Since I was watching the road, I didn't see as much of the landscape this video shows. Awesome road, vertical cliffs, vertical drops, lots of twisties, tunnels, one lane part of the way- I'm glad I rode it, but it will take a while before I try it again.

 

Great video, thanks for sharing. I must be computer iliterate or something cause I can't figure out how to load videos and larger pictures in my messages. I've got over thirty hours of video on this trip that I wish I could share but I don't know how. You may want to check out some of the other post from this trip Dragonslayer in Texas, Detained by the New Mexico State Police , New Mexico Part 1.