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Simmons1
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Buying the Goldwing in July of 2012 reinvigorated Linda's desire for longer motorcycle trips. After getting the Wing properly set up, we took a great trip to the Smoky’s in 2013, in 2015 to Nova Scotia, in 2017 to take a ride on the Durango Silverton RR, and in 2018 to the Black Hills.
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1151243&postcount=1
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1377689&postcount=1
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1530442&postcount=1[RS1]
https://www.twtex.com/forums/threads/road-trip-2018-the-black-hills-and-more.119037/#post-1583278
When the Leon The Pie Man posted the Pie Run Schedule listing the Bonus Pie Run it didn’t take long for Linda and to decide to Moab for Pie and beyond. The weather at this time of year can be iffy. Hot in Moab and rainy and cold in at higher elevations. For this trip we packed a little lighter on clothes and a little heavier on gear for the weather. We are also still Darksiding on the Wing.
Day 1 Fort Worth to Tucumcari, New Mexico 450 Miles
Day one was supposed to be 5/10. The weather was supposed to be nice for a couple days with rain forecast for the weekend. At the last minute I opted to leave work after a half day on Thursday and hit the road. We got on the just before noon it was 70 and breezy. The forecast for Amarillo was for 50 and a chance of rain.
And we are off.
Quick stop in Vernon for gas and off to Amarillo we go.
We it was cool windy and cloudy but not raining. The sky looked brighter to the West so made the decision to put some more clothes on and head West. We pulled the plug in Tucumcari and found an old Route 66 Hotel next to a restaurant for the night.
Day 2 Tucumcari to Bloomfield, New Mexico 353 miles.
Today’s forecast was for a high of 50 and chance of light showers. The first leg for today was I-40 to Albuquerque. Because of the threat of ran we had the phones and camera’s put away to stay dry.
Well, it was raining when we pulled out of the parking lot. Before we cleared greater Tucumcari the had some sleet in it. No big deal so far. Things got crappy pretty quickly and it was now all sleet and snow. We figured it would last long and motored on. I proceeded to get worse but the road was bare so we kept going. About 20 miles before Clines Corner the road was covered snow and it was almost a white out. We stayed in the slushy tracks from the trucks, and the kept moving. By Clines Corner it had let up a little and stopped for gas and to warm up a little.
Clines Corner
As we descended into Albuquerque the snow turned to sleet and then back to rain. We had quick lunch in a McDonalds and the headed North. We stopped in Cuba and decided since we were all bundled up to continue North. In Bloomfield we decided we had enough cold crappy weather for the day.
Day 3 Bloomfield to Monticello, Utah 150 Miles.
Having a short mileage day and a better weather forecast we looking for something to see in the way. We found a place called Aztec Ruins National Monument.
The Aztec Ruins National Monument preserves Ancestral Puebloan structures in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of New Mexico. This national monument is close to both the town of Aztec and the Animas River, and it is about 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Farmington, New Mexico. The Salmon Ruins and Heritage Park, which also has Puebloan structures, is about 9.5 miles (15.3 km) south of the monument. The Aztec ruins date from the 11th to the 13th centuries. American settlers in the 19th century named them the "Aztec ruins" based on their erroneous belief that the Aztec civilization built them.
The site was declared "Aztec Ruin National Monument" on January 24, 1923. After a boundary change, "Ruin" was changed to "Ruins" on July 2, 1928.
As a historical property of the National Park Service, the monument was administratively listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization listed the Chaco Culture as a World Heritage Site on December 8, 1987. That listing specifically included the Aztec ruins.
The Ruins were free to get in, there was an interesting movie on the history and a walk way through the Ruins. We were there an hour or so and it was very interesting.
After the Aztec Ruins we decided check this place out in Aztec.
The Aztec Museum was founded in 1974 and is located in the historic Aztec City Hall and fire station buildings and allows visitors to experience pioneer life in the American West. The museum houses many artifacts from the pioneer days of the 1880's to present day and many Native American artifacts. The museum also houses an extensive collection of oil and gas well drilling equipment in the Atwood Annex.
After all this fun site seeing it was time for lunch. Had ridden by several of these in our travels in New Mexico. Today would be day to eat in one.
The green chile burger I had was really good but not the best part of lunch. Blueberry milkshakes were on special and Linda and I split one. Linda and I both agreed it was one of the best shakes we have ever had.
It was now time to make some miles. Soon enough we would be heading into another state.
And then another.
The weather had been really nice all day. Soon enough we would be at our Hotel. We elected to stay in Monticello instead of Moab because the price of the Hotel for Two Nights in Monticello was than one night in Moab.
After checking on and getting settled we walked down to the Convenience store to get some provisions. On the way back we heard a horn blow and it was Crew Chief and Dragon Lady arriving in Monticello. We walked up to Doug’s Steak and BBQ for a nice dinner.
Day 4 Monticello to Monticello. 175 Miles
Today would be site seeing day. We were headed to Moab to visit Arches National Park. We woke up at temps in the high 30’s. We were hoping for a beautiful day.
On the way to Moab.
Absolutely perfect weather day.
Linda’s life time National Park Pass came in handy saving us the normal $25 entrance fee.
On the way back to Monticello from Arches we stopped to check out this long-time tourist emporium.
Albert Christensen began construction of his rock home in the 1940s, digging, carving, and blasting for 12 years before moving his family in and opening a unique diner for desert passersby. Though Albert died in the late 50s, his wife Gladys continued to live in the rock and run the diner for many years. She died in the 70s, and both she and her husband are buried on the grounds of the rock they called home.
Inside, 14 rooms are arranged around huge pillars, with shelving carved right out of the walls. Among the attractions are a fireplace with a 65-foot chimney drilled through solid sandstone, a deep french fryer, and a bathtub built into the rock.
They wouldn’t let us take pictures inside but there was a lot of other neat things out side to look at. Linda had huckleberry ice cream that was delicious.
After getting back to Monticello we met up with the Brewster’s for dinner again at Doug’s Steak and BBQ.
Shortly after getting back we heard some motorcycles pull into the hotel. Some more Pie Runners had arrived.
The weather was perfect today and the scenery and tourist stops were awesome.
Day 5 Monticello to Green River 223 miles
Today is Pie Run Day. One more trip up 191 for this trip. We changed the meeting time to 11am from noon and with it only being 54 miles to Moab we had some time to kill.
First stop was an in and out to Newspaper Rock.
You can see all the news you can’t actually read at one of the West’s most famous rock art sites. Native American Indians have been engraving and drawing on Newspaper Rock in Utah for more than 2,000 years. Their markings in these ruins tell the stories, hunting patterns, crop cycles, and mythologies of their lives. But what exactly these Utah petroglyphs are communicating, we’ll never know for there is no actual translation available at this remarkable Utah attraction.
Peoples from the Fremont, Ute, and Anasazi Native American tribes etched their markings here. It’s surmised that the perennial natural spring attracted ancients to this distinct area. There are over 650 rock art designs and include animals, human figures, and various symbols, some thought to be religious in nature. These petroglyphs were produced by pecking through the black desert varnish found on the rock to the lighter rock beneath.
Next it was time to ride the La Sal Loop.
This beautiful scenic drive that climbs in elevation, has incredible views over the Moab Valley and Canyonlands National Park. Touring up through the alpine evergreens and aspens, various trailheads can be accessed. While driving, visitors will find routes to La Sal Mountain Pass, Geyser Pass, Oowah Lake, Warner Lake and down to Castle Valley. Moab and the surrounding area can get unbearably hot during the peak of summer; so many locals and visitors like to head up to the mountains to cool off.
Dropping back off the mountain in to Castle Valley, then turning left to ride along the river back to Moab.
Pie time.
We had 6 for Pie. Not too shabby for being 1000 miles from home.
After Pie as quickly as we arrived, we headed out in our own directions. Linda and I didn’t leave Moab until she did a little jamming on the main drag.
With it still early in the day and 60ish miles to go to Green River we had some time check out where Thelma and Louise checked out.
The Grand Canyon is pretty awesome but I think I like the view from Dead Horse Point better.
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1151243&postcount=1
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1377689&postcount=1
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1530442&postcount=1[RS1]
https://www.twtex.com/forums/threads/road-trip-2018-the-black-hills-and-more.119037/#post-1583278
When the Leon The Pie Man posted the Pie Run Schedule listing the Bonus Pie Run it didn’t take long for Linda and to decide to Moab for Pie and beyond. The weather at this time of year can be iffy. Hot in Moab and rainy and cold in at higher elevations. For this trip we packed a little lighter on clothes and a little heavier on gear for the weather. We are also still Darksiding on the Wing.
Day 1 Fort Worth to Tucumcari, New Mexico 450 Miles
Day one was supposed to be 5/10. The weather was supposed to be nice for a couple days with rain forecast for the weekend. At the last minute I opted to leave work after a half day on Thursday and hit the road. We got on the just before noon it was 70 and breezy. The forecast for Amarillo was for 50 and a chance of rain.
And we are off.
Quick stop in Vernon for gas and off to Amarillo we go.
We it was cool windy and cloudy but not raining. The sky looked brighter to the West so made the decision to put some more clothes on and head West. We pulled the plug in Tucumcari and found an old Route 66 Hotel next to a restaurant for the night.
Day 2 Tucumcari to Bloomfield, New Mexico 353 miles.
Today’s forecast was for a high of 50 and chance of light showers. The first leg for today was I-40 to Albuquerque. Because of the threat of ran we had the phones and camera’s put away to stay dry.
Well, it was raining when we pulled out of the parking lot. Before we cleared greater Tucumcari the had some sleet in it. No big deal so far. Things got crappy pretty quickly and it was now all sleet and snow. We figured it would last long and motored on. I proceeded to get worse but the road was bare so we kept going. About 20 miles before Clines Corner the road was covered snow and it was almost a white out. We stayed in the slushy tracks from the trucks, and the kept moving. By Clines Corner it had let up a little and stopped for gas and to warm up a little.
Clines Corner
As we descended into Albuquerque the snow turned to sleet and then back to rain. We had quick lunch in a McDonalds and the headed North. We stopped in Cuba and decided since we were all bundled up to continue North. In Bloomfield we decided we had enough cold crappy weather for the day.
Day 3 Bloomfield to Monticello, Utah 150 Miles.
Having a short mileage day and a better weather forecast we looking for something to see in the way. We found a place called Aztec Ruins National Monument.
The Aztec Ruins National Monument preserves Ancestral Puebloan structures in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of New Mexico. This national monument is close to both the town of Aztec and the Animas River, and it is about 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Farmington, New Mexico. The Salmon Ruins and Heritage Park, which also has Puebloan structures, is about 9.5 miles (15.3 km) south of the monument. The Aztec ruins date from the 11th to the 13th centuries. American settlers in the 19th century named them the "Aztec ruins" based on their erroneous belief that the Aztec civilization built them.
The site was declared "Aztec Ruin National Monument" on January 24, 1923. After a boundary change, "Ruin" was changed to "Ruins" on July 2, 1928.
As a historical property of the National Park Service, the monument was administratively listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization listed the Chaco Culture as a World Heritage Site on December 8, 1987. That listing specifically included the Aztec ruins.
The Ruins were free to get in, there was an interesting movie on the history and a walk way through the Ruins. We were there an hour or so and it was very interesting.
After the Aztec Ruins we decided check this place out in Aztec.
The Aztec Museum was founded in 1974 and is located in the historic Aztec City Hall and fire station buildings and allows visitors to experience pioneer life in the American West. The museum houses many artifacts from the pioneer days of the 1880's to present day and many Native American artifacts. The museum also houses an extensive collection of oil and gas well drilling equipment in the Atwood Annex.
After all this fun site seeing it was time for lunch. Had ridden by several of these in our travels in New Mexico. Today would be day to eat in one.
The green chile burger I had was really good but not the best part of lunch. Blueberry milkshakes were on special and Linda and I split one. Linda and I both agreed it was one of the best shakes we have ever had.
It was now time to make some miles. Soon enough we would be heading into another state.
And then another.
The weather had been really nice all day. Soon enough we would be at our Hotel. We elected to stay in Monticello instead of Moab because the price of the Hotel for Two Nights in Monticello was than one night in Moab.
After checking on and getting settled we walked down to the Convenience store to get some provisions. On the way back we heard a horn blow and it was Crew Chief and Dragon Lady arriving in Monticello. We walked up to Doug’s Steak and BBQ for a nice dinner.
Day 4 Monticello to Monticello. 175 Miles
Today would be site seeing day. We were headed to Moab to visit Arches National Park. We woke up at temps in the high 30’s. We were hoping for a beautiful day.
On the way to Moab.
Absolutely perfect weather day.
Linda’s life time National Park Pass came in handy saving us the normal $25 entrance fee.
On the way back to Monticello from Arches we stopped to check out this long-time tourist emporium.
Albert Christensen began construction of his rock home in the 1940s, digging, carving, and blasting for 12 years before moving his family in and opening a unique diner for desert passersby. Though Albert died in the late 50s, his wife Gladys continued to live in the rock and run the diner for many years. She died in the 70s, and both she and her husband are buried on the grounds of the rock they called home.
Inside, 14 rooms are arranged around huge pillars, with shelving carved right out of the walls. Among the attractions are a fireplace with a 65-foot chimney drilled through solid sandstone, a deep french fryer, and a bathtub built into the rock.
They wouldn’t let us take pictures inside but there was a lot of other neat things out side to look at. Linda had huckleberry ice cream that was delicious.
After getting back to Monticello we met up with the Brewster’s for dinner again at Doug’s Steak and BBQ.
Shortly after getting back we heard some motorcycles pull into the hotel. Some more Pie Runners had arrived.
The weather was perfect today and the scenery and tourist stops were awesome.
Day 5 Monticello to Green River 223 miles
Today is Pie Run Day. One more trip up 191 for this trip. We changed the meeting time to 11am from noon and with it only being 54 miles to Moab we had some time to kill.
First stop was an in and out to Newspaper Rock.
You can see all the news you can’t actually read at one of the West’s most famous rock art sites. Native American Indians have been engraving and drawing on Newspaper Rock in Utah for more than 2,000 years. Their markings in these ruins tell the stories, hunting patterns, crop cycles, and mythologies of their lives. But what exactly these Utah petroglyphs are communicating, we’ll never know for there is no actual translation available at this remarkable Utah attraction.
Peoples from the Fremont, Ute, and Anasazi Native American tribes etched their markings here. It’s surmised that the perennial natural spring attracted ancients to this distinct area. There are over 650 rock art designs and include animals, human figures, and various symbols, some thought to be religious in nature. These petroglyphs were produced by pecking through the black desert varnish found on the rock to the lighter rock beneath.
Next it was time to ride the La Sal Loop.
This beautiful scenic drive that climbs in elevation, has incredible views over the Moab Valley and Canyonlands National Park. Touring up through the alpine evergreens and aspens, various trailheads can be accessed. While driving, visitors will find routes to La Sal Mountain Pass, Geyser Pass, Oowah Lake, Warner Lake and down to Castle Valley. Moab and the surrounding area can get unbearably hot during the peak of summer; so many locals and visitors like to head up to the mountains to cool off.
Dropping back off the mountain in to Castle Valley, then turning left to ride along the river back to Moab.
Pie time.
We had 6 for Pie. Not too shabby for being 1000 miles from home.
After Pie as quickly as we arrived, we headed out in our own directions. Linda and I didn’t leave Moab until she did a little jamming on the main drag.
With it still early in the day and 60ish miles to go to Green River we had some time check out where Thelma and Louise checked out.
The Grand Canyon is pretty awesome but I think I like the view from Dead Horse Point better.
[RS1]
