Day 7 Grand Canyon to Hoover dam and Vegas

Day 7 Grand Canyon to Hoover dam and Vegas

Wednesday Morning found us at the Best western in Grand Canyon City?, AZ.   

I’d seen the grand canyon 10 years before and although its still impressive I knew this trip once again won’t afford me the opportunity to see the canyon from the bottom nor hike the walls or see the waterfall.  Still we couldn’t help feel excited at the thoughts that Rachel hadn’t seen the canyon before and her excitement helped excite me.  Free breakfast in our bellies we loaded up the bike.  Snapped a few photos of the hotel statue in the front awning. 

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Pictures were taken with a kind couple traveling such as we were and Rachel and made our way north.  Sadly we didn’t have passes so we had to wait in a forever line to get into the canyon. (26 dollars later for a 7 day pass (wish I had seven days to see this place) we drove on. 

Parked at the first parking lot by the lower lip and made our way to the canyon’s edge.  Walking around at the canyon with riding boots and riding pants again wasn’t too out of the ordinary.  A few harley’s and bmw touring bikes and goldwings we felt in good company.

We visited the canyon and were lucky enough to meet up a squirrel that was rather domiscated.   He literally captured Rachel’s attention and the canyon in the background was all but a blurr to her animal encounter.  (Funny how she could have stayed home and played with local squirrels but again this seemed to make her sore legs and tired body all but forget we still had hours left to travel and miles to go).

I spotted a good spot to take photos of the bike in the foreground with the canyon behind and we started off again.  Canyon was pretty, but must take on a whole new feel once you’ve ventured into from the lip to the valley below.  Pictures of the bike seemed to come out well enough.  We ran into the couple whom took our picture at the hotel and were lucky enough to have another photo of both of us at the canyon.

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We settled on lunch at the local cafeteria.  It was tolerable, a bit pricey and dull but did its job to keep us going.  A long visit to the souvenir stand and we took back to the road.  Driving out of the grand canyon was sad but required to keep on schedule.  Highlight of lunch was the ranger whom stopped to examine the bike. I sent Rachel out to see what the problem might be.    Again part of the reason I bought this bike was for the color scheme of the 25^th anniversary Red White and Blue colors.  They apparently caught the rangers eye too because he dad had owned an 83 and it remembered the colors well and wanted to take a few cell phone pictures to share.  Funny how the bike that started it all for me was a family friends interceptor and now 25  years later I own one. (I was 4 in 83)

About 40 miles south of grand canyon a few minutes before catching up the I-40 we noticed a sign for “Bearizona”- a drive though wildlife park. And off course bears.  (Rachel had wanted to see a bear since the trip began).  Almost missing the second sing we ventured past the highway and found the entrance.  I was half expecting them to laugh us off arriving on the bike but was awestruck when they offered us their car to use for the driving.  (It Felt a little outta place in a car after the last 6 days traveling on bike).  However the car proved rather important since the exhibit displayed bears, wolves, donkeys and bison and goats.  And yes you literally have to drive around the donkeys on the road, are warned to move along if the bears come at the car and are face to face with bisons.    We stopped at the walk through area and caught a few more pictures of the bears.  (bearizona was actually amazing and I’d recommend this detour to anybody visiting the canyon with kids or girlfriends whom adore animals)

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Sad to be rushed again to leave bearizona and all but frightened of the sear awesomeness of the hawks during the raptor show we saddled back onto the bike getting a late start to our day with only 50 miles covered.  We had a quick problem with the gps knowing that I-40 held highway speeds and wind noise thought we had found a go around.  Sadly it turned to dirt and we shuttled back to the highway.

Thankfully at this point of the trip we had been traveling west for days on end and staring at the setting sun was nice but the hours of riding into it had taken its toll and I was happy to be moving north up 93 to vegas.  The hoover dam and honestly some of the prettiest landscape views with the setting sun, mountain peaks and full moon surrounding us.  Again traffic wasn’t thick and the drive was easy at 75mph. 

Ensuring Rachel hadn’t fallen asleep she buzzed in the “slow down there are turns ahead”.  (motorcycles and turns means fun to all but Rachel whom doesn’t really care for turns on the bike).  You have to give her credit though since we  had toured 3000 miles by this point and she really wasn’t difficult at all to ride with and the company was definitely appreciated.

Back to the 93 and the ride to the hoover dam.  I had seen the dam 10 years prior but was curious to how it looked at night.  Rachel agreed to let me go see the lights and we toured off the highway.  Again blessed with warm weather, clean roads a nice winding vista we moved forward.  Road that beg you to drag a knee or at least lay the bike slightly over were corrected to Rachel reminding me to slow down the speed limit at 40 was about 35 mph  over her taste.  We settled into a slow 35mph pace and ventured forward with caution.  (Jackalup signs in the area convince you to keep a sharp eye and mild pace.)  Jackalups signs are actually elk signs but jackalup was too much fun to say then elk so we stuck with it.

Hoover dam pictures.  Again my photography skills ruined some rather spectacular views but seeing it person was worth the detour.  Rachel doesn’t like heights either so riding across the hoover dam was not on her bucket list.  Again she agreed and we found ourselves at one massive dam.  Seeing it at day is okay but at night is really how it’s meant to be seen.

At this time we ran into a  few east coasters again.  (really it was just us and  them there that night)  A group of  friends or family whom had Harleys (actually women slightly over my age that talked of wanting to ride to strugous and never making the details work out. .  I can’t help but feel how lucky we are to have the opportunity for our trip seeing how most spend time thinking of these wonderful adventures and never get the chance to take the journey or to tell the tale

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From the dam we headed north west to the city.  Which from rachel’s quiet responses on the chatterbox intercom was as picturesque as a city at night can be.   You drive in from higher elevation so you really get to see the lights and most of the limits of the city on the way in.  Traffic again with night road work but tolerable.  Weather was comfortable at 73 degrees so we pushed forward.  Me wanting photos of the bike in the foreground of the strip and Rachel rather clueless to why anybody would want to go to vegas in the first place.

We found the exit the gps has laid out and found ourselves in old vegas.  Heading to new vegas and hoping to find a place to spend the night.  Surronded by traffic and getting that we’re not from here feel familiar to me when presented in a big city with lots of traffic.

Struggling with directions and settling on the Treasure Island casinio we found our accommodations for the night.  I pulled the bike under the awning and was scared for my life.  People, cabs and valey’s flying about giving you the why that bike is wide look and that small feeling that you really don’t get on the car but can feel on the bike.  Rachel waited to book the room and I clinched my teeth and prayed nobody hit the bike as I tried to locate just out of harm’s way. 

Rachel emerged from the revolving door frowning and a touch frustrated about a credit card/transfer of money mix-up and we had a room.  We tried to get parked but found ourselves lost again in the city.  Finally after a few minutes of hectic frustration we found the Self Park and put the bike in for the night.  Rather exposed, a parking garage with a few other bikes uncovered nearby I didn’t like leaving the bike there but really had no other choice.  Fitted the cover and we started to lug our gear to the room.

At this point its important to remember that bike luggage in hard bags is not light.  From a parking area to hotel is easy enough.  But around a casino is not as easy as I would have liked.  I got frustrated and asked a bell hop for a rolling cart.  The response.  Those aren’t for the guests they are for the bell hops only.  So we pushed on me in a rather cold loud bitter tone.

Finally we had our gear in our room freed ourselves of our riding attire and headed down to see this place called las vegas.  Our intent was to get dinner at the faux efille tower which is about as far from our hotel as we cared to walk.  Of course the tower was closed and we settled on a dinner place at the base.  Themed food places and casinos and such are their so French food it was.  I settled the cheapest steak on the menu at 19.99 but was happy with the fresh crisp French bread and to be sitting in vegas.  The steak was fantastic and I wonder what the rest of the food might have offered but we needed to get some walking in.  We could just a minute of the TI show and I was hoping to get back to see the Sirens in action again.  Unfortunately we didn’t make the time cut off and the TI show was finished for the night, the mirage volcano was finished and luckily the belligo foundations were still going.  We walked there ceasers  palace and found ourselves lost in the hallway of closed shopping places.  We continued on and discovered the Mirage still had the tigers and the dolphins so we decided we’d try back the next time to get some dolphin viewing in.  (they open at 11am)

I was completely cashed but Rachel wanted to try out this crazy gambling thing.  So I gave her 20 dollars and said good luck. 

I’m proud to say we bet the house and took home not only my 20 dollars but one whole dollar and fifteen cents from the TI slot machines.  Pretty good seeing how normally you leave penniless or spend any winnings you have happened upon.

Exhausted we returned to the hotel and Rachel was finally starting to realize why Vegas is always running joke between my good friend Nick and I.  Rachel and I decided next time we’d be bringing nick and Ashley along.  Sadly we didn’t get a see any shows and only got a 12 taste of Sin City but enough to know that returning is bound to happen.   A little nervous about bike but too tired to really stay awake I feel asleep.

Day 8 (Las Vegas to San Diego)

Thrusday October  14^th.  Waking up in Vegas. 

Thrusday October  14^th.  Waking up in Vegas.

When the trip began Vegas wasn’t even a thought.  I was figuring we’d be so sore and just plain tired out we’d have ditched the grand canyon and headed straight from Austin, Tx to San Diego.  Waking up on Thrusday the 15^th at Treasure Island Casino was probably the last place I thought this trip would have taken me.  Thankfully  Rachel wasn’t opposed to the idea after leaving the grand canyon (mostly at that time thinking two 300 mile days (grand canyon to vegas and vegas to san diego) was far better than the 550 miles day that would have been grand canyon to San Diego.

So we awoke to clear skies and an excitement only the possibilities of vegas can draw out of exhausted travelers.   Wondering how today could best yesterday’s amazement seen in Rachel’s eyes would prove to be a feat in itself.   However Vegas and the thought of the pawn Shop (Seen on History Channel’s Pawn stars) was enough to draw up around 8 am.  (funny just days before we’d be getting up around 6am).  Tired and sore we showered and seeked out the closest starbucks we could find.  The night before after wearily dragging ourselves to dinner we had spotted a few near the hotel.  Coffee ingested we started our day.  Where to being in vegas is never an easy task.  For those who have been you can relate for those whom can’t it’s a touch overwhelming.  If you can dream it its possible in that city.

So back to the trip.  Checkout settled at noon we packed up and dropped our luggage with the bell service (the folks I was less than pleased with the night before).  They will hold it for you however long you need them too. (makes you wonder how many people get caught up and forget about their stuff).

Unfortunately they won’t allow you keep your bike under their awning you must park what feels like a lifetime from the hotel.  So the bike was  left near two overpriced uncovered harley’s the bike  seemed to be safe.  (And thankfully remained that way when I revisited it in the morning to doublecheck),  (parking is in the garage behind the hotel)

Rachel’s heart was set on the dolphins at the Mirage and I wasn’t opposed so we grabbed the tram and off to the mirage we went.  Walking vegas strip in riding boots and riding pants (dainese so the European cut that can only look good on the bike) was a hoot.  Funny looks from some but being in vegas I’m sure we actually blended in more than sticking out in our getups.

Upon finishing up at the mirage (and baking in the Nevada desert sun) we drove to the pawn shop. 

 Driving in vegas during the day is cake compared to the night.  (not as bright, no where near the traffic and people are moving kinda slow).  The pawn shop is right on the strip between old vegas and new so finding the shop was easy.  We parked and ventured inside a few quick photos first.   

As you can see the pawn shop that looks so empty during filming is busy with traffic during the day.  People parading through so you can’t really see what’s for sale (however items like that international mini-bike and world championship rings stand out).  Half the shop is pawn stuff and the other half is pawn shop swag for sale.  And no, the gang was no where to be found.  Can’t blame them with the parade of people they won’t have a chance to do any real work.

So after around 15 minutes baking in the riding gear trying to find the highway we finally escaped the city.  Leaving the pawn shop I overheard someone say those folks must be dying of heat in riding gear full pants and coats.  (and they were right).  Highway travel being drab and boring I won’t go into much detail however we made it about 40 miles and stopped for gas.   I knew that the trip out of vegas would be upwards of 90 degrees from a weather report the day before but I didn’t realize how accustomed to the cooler temps we had become.  90 felt like we were boiling and the bike was fixed at 231 degrees.  Hot in the sun and hotter on top of the bike.  All vents open and the promise of San Diego we pushed on.  

Death Valley,  (Aptly named for the dry desert heat and lack of pretty much anything).  Pretty landscape in the distance but really nothing in the foreground worth mentioning.  At this point in the trip although the chatterbox wiring had emerged from my helmet I finally figured out how to keep the volume up high enough to hear over the earplugs and wind noise.  (mostly I’d heard just a light noise from the music, with cycling the cell phone volume back to highest on each song the music was actually too loud and with the chatterbox on lowest setting music filled my head.  Scary to pull a hand off while riding to fiddle with the cell phone in the clear covered tank bag but nice to be out of the whistle of the wind.  Rachel however seemed to be immune to these problems with her shoei helmet.  She could hear her music fine and even caught a few books on tape when we rode off highway.  (When I’d intercom her in I’d hear some serious whistling from the wind but imagine that was just the mouthpiece since she seemed content on riding without ear plugs.  Lisa, a friend whom recently borrowed Rachel’s helmet rides with ear plugs like me so I’m not sure how the wind noise doesn’t bother Rachel. 

Anyway the first water stop in Death Valley proved to add a little excitement when the sand on the road caused the front end to skid slightly (expected with sand on the road).  Just proceeded with caution and pulled off the exit.  And although with only 60 miles on the odometer figured a fill up would be good measure. (gas was 4.99 but I’ve gotta admit I’d have paid more if needed in this dry desert heat,  overpriced water too but then again price isn’t an object when you’re hot, dry mouthed and thirsty).

Proceeding into San Diego was rather un-eventful but we did manage to squeak out 210 miles on that one tank of gas.  From Death Valley to San Diego is like 8000 feet of elevation lost so coasting at 75 mph was easy.  Traffic was building and I did miss the open roads and light traffic most of the trip had provided.   Also the cloud of smog dampened the crystal clear night skies we had seen almost every previous night on the trip.

Finding ourselves at Pacific Beach at 9pm was a nice addition.  I’ll add a picture but again the concept is lost over my camera skills and really lack of good location for the photo. 

We made our way to a friends for storage of the bike and he was kind enough to give up his bed for us for the night.  The bike was  parked in his gated underground garage with designated bike parking and for the first night in the trip I felt like the bike was perfectly safe and snug for the night and the impeding weekend Rachel and I would be traveling back home.

Tired and sore, glad to be out west and rushed to be flying out in the morning the trip was a complete success.  Yes, of course there are things I’d do differently but hopefully the ride Back east will realize those ideas in action. 

3970 miles and 8 crazy days

I haven’t blogged about the trip so far and figured with travel back and forth (plane flights) the weekend after the trip I’d have plenty of opportunity to re-live the adventure in words.
I’ll start at the end and work my way backwards through the trip

Trip Stats to be edited
Dates:  October 6th to October 14th  (8 days traveling)

starting location:  Kittery, ME 
Ending Location:  San Diego, ME
Mileage on Tach: 
Mileage on GPS:  3950
Time riding on GPS: 
Moving Average speed:  61.5 mph
Overall speed average:  52.3 mph
Max speed:  91.9 mph
total time:  76.40  (gps on time)
Moving time:  64.17
Stopped time:  11.23 (gps on bike not moving)
Hotel Money Spent:

The sweet smell of smog...

Well, we made it to San Diego! Sorry for not blogging, things have been rather rushed. I'll write more this weekend.

Riding into the sunset (literally)

Jake and I madde it to New Mexico. After a long day of riding through the gorgeous plains of northern Texas, we crossed into New Mexico as the sun was starting to set. It was definitely a sight to be seen!

We are staying the night in a small town where neither of us get cellar service, so until tomorrow morning, we will be unreachable. Tomorrow we are headed to the Grand Canyon, then Vegas, and finally San Diego. It's sad to think that our journey is coming to an end.

The good news is that we found a Starbucks in Amarillo. It was delicious! Glad you got home safely Justin :)

Mission complete for one of the three

2800 miles and 50 plus hours of saddle time the bike and i are safely back in Maine. The adventure was worth every second, The days of riding beside Jake and Rachel was some of the best motorcycle rides i've ever been on and I'll be talking about them a lot so hopefully everyone's prepared to deal with that. On my return I got to visit with some great friends in Kentucky and Pennsylvania. If I was to do something like this again I would definitely change some things but i'll worry about that stuff later. Right now I'm going to bed.

~Justin

Road Fatigue

Sorry to all of you who have tried to check the blog and found no recent posts! We parted ways with Justin after doing the tail of the dragon, which by the way was one of the coolest experiences ever! Although I'm not the hugest fan of turning on a motorcycle since my accident, I foun the road to be a thrill like a new dollar coaster. I found myself wishing we had done it at least twice yesterday.

After we parted with Justin, Jake and I continued on our path to Arkansas. By eight pm I was practically begging him to call it a night early and get a hotel with a hot tub because I was so tired and sore. I have never been a motorcycle this long so saddle soreness and road fatigue (despite numerous doses of caffiene) was taking it's toll. Jake agreed to settle in for the night. This of course pushed us farther behind schedule, but the soak in the hot tub was worth it.

We woke up this morning only to realize that we were about seven hours behind schedule and that a huge rain storm was settling above Texas. We made the responsible decision to shave off the visit to my cousins in Austin where the storm was at it's worst to avoid the storm, a late night, and to catch back up on time. We just stopped for the night in Paris Texas. This time the stop was Jake's idea. It started to rain just as we pulled in to the hotel. Its good to know we won't be out there in the rain :). Sorry for not blogging sooner, I've just been so tired and sore! It's still so much fun though! Tommorrow we are pressing on to New Mexico.

Sadly, after the tail of the dragon, there is not much to report in terms of exciting things to see. Im pretty sure I saw a bald eagle somewhere in TN and the coolest thing I've seen all day is a llama caged in with a buffalo. I-40W is a pretty boring road. Hopefully tomorrow will be more eventful, but for now we are settling into Paris, TX for the night...