Moab Hot Footing - Chama Cold Footing

On the road in Utah by 6:30, we watch the sun rise in the east. Decided to see what all the excitement is with Moab country.

As we turn toward Moab, the earth erupts with shapes and colors not seen before on this ride. The rising sun dances across the hills and plateaus.

First highlighting them, then giving them color.

Depending on the angle of the sun, is how intense the colors are. At time I wish I had a wider angle lens on the camera. But then I would need a 360 degree lens to capture all of the natural beauty around us.

A canyon for travel - road, train and timeless rock walls reflecting the earth's development eons ago.

Not to be out done, the wind has taken its turn in shaping the landscape.

Wilson's Bridge

An old log cabin awaits for someone to take its picture. The stories it could tell of freezing nights and blistering days.

Da'mit wonders why I pose her next to old buildings and equipment. I ask if she wants to pose next to modern equipment too. "Yes" she replies.

Here is Da'mit posing with a "modern" aeroplane.

Little did she notice that both tires are flat, the weeds are uncut, in other words, this plane won't fly. Dirty trick to play on the mule that has carried me so far.

The temperatures soared into the 90's in Utah, then began cooling off in Colorado but by then we were racing through Cortez and Durango to stay ahead of developing thunder storms. We could see the dark clouds gathering on the highest peaks first, then enveloping the lower ones.

We never had a chance, it won. Finally caught us in New Mexico.

By Chama, New Mexico, the cold wind and heavy rain was all around us. There was no direction we could go and not get wet. Now is as good a time as any to try the rain gear. Once dressed. we rode on. The camera stayed safely packed away in a dry spot.

Climbing up over Brazos Bluff into the Carson National Forest, the temperatures dropped. Cold rain was pelting us as we climbed and climbed. As in the song, Maybelline, the rain was doing my engine good, Da'mit actually enjoyed the cool front, began running stronger. Urals don't like hot hot weather. Saps their energy.

By Tres Piedras we were out of the rain, but still cool. There were no gas stations so I dumped the auxilary two and half gallons of gas in Da'mit. Crossing the high plains of northern New Mexico, we reached Taos in time to refill our gas supply, and get a hot bowl of chili at Wendy's.

The last twenty-five miles takes us back into the high country. Expecting more rain, we re-suited. We finally arrive at our destination - Angel Fire. AF is a winter ski resort with a mountain biking center in the summers.

Here we will rest and perform maintenance/repairs on Da'mit over the next several days. At 8500' elevation, I will not be moving very fast up here.

Nite Da'mit,

Nite all.

p.s. awoke to 55 degree dry sunny day. Ain't life grand!

 

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Utah is HOT

After the long ride yesterday, we got a late start today. Not on the road until 7 am. We thpought the last of the loneliest road was behind us,. We were wrong.

Today the sun was out in full force. Temps went over 100 today. No rain though.

Spotted an orchard of turbines in the wind farm.....

none of them were turning. Too hot to work?

Crossing another high pass, we spotted an unusual ranch gate.

They specialize in antler art, lamps, etc. Must be a lot of elk in this area in order to find that many sheds.

We didn't see any animals today. Well one, but not sure what it is.....

What do you think it looks like?

 

Finally we cross into Utah, see our first salt lake...

Da'mit thinks Americans are silly. She doesn't understand why some one would throw a good pair of shoes up into a tree. I didn't have an answer for her. She said there must be a lot of Americans walking around barefooted.

The tree of shoes..... near Hinckley, Utah.

Crossing Utah we saw some spectacular scenery, full of color... HOT colors, not watercolors for sure.

Some trees have dried up waiting for rain.

Reaching Green River, UT, we were exhausted from the heat. Da'mit was suffering from the heat too, not running smoothly by the end of the day. In the mornings, she is fine, but by hot afternoon, she wilts. Might be gasoline vaporizing in the carbs from the heat.

Every so often, all day long, we stopped to re-wet scarfs, shirt and helmet liner. Even hot water will cool you when it evaporates on the skin. Plus we drank lots of water.

Tomorrow we turn south to Moab. Have never seen that part of our country. They tell us it is fantastic.

The forecast is for rain. If it is as hot tomorrow as it was today, rain might be a welcome respite.

Nite Da'mit, but she can't hear, is sound asleep.

Nite all.

 

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Riding the Loneliest Highway

Was worried about crossing Nevada when the temperatures are hitting 100 plus. So loaded Da'mit with extra water and gas. Up at 3:30, on the road by 4 am. Will try to get in as many miles as possible before the heat gets to us.

Finally out of California, past Reno and Fallon, we roll east on Rt 50. Off in the distance we see a large white mound. Da'mit thinks it is sugar. Wants to go check it out.

Half mile off the pavement we bog down in soft sand. The aggressive knobby tire on Da'mit just digs deeper. When you can't go any further forward in soft deep sand, you are usually in deep enough that you can't back up either. Unless you have two wheel drive and reverse. Double shift and we back out of a sinking situation. No one is around to help pull or push us today.

After we get out of the soft stuff, we leave the mini-sahara behind.

Back on pavement, Da'mit gets this pensive look on her.

I turn to look at what she sees..... the loneliest highway awaits us.....

Route 59 crossing Nevada claims to be the Loneliest Highway. Must be the tourist season as we saw traffic most of the day. The extra gas and water did come in handy though... several times. When crossing the desert at Ural speed.

Da'mit's good fortune would carry us through another day. The temperatures stayed in the eighties and lower all day. Was not the scorcher we anticipated.

By the time we reached Eureka, thunder clouds, rain storms and lighting were circling on the horizons.

After taking the opera house photo, a Deputy approached asking which way we were heading. Answered "East". He said the rain was really heavy that way. Be careful.

Pulled out all my serious rain gear. Now fully wrapped, on we rode.

Thunder and lighting in full force off to the left The GPS indicates the road goes that way.

Storm clouds dumping rain off to the right and moving in our direction. Dark ominous clouds blacken the mountains and pass directly in front of us.

Every time we thought, "Okay, this is it. We are going to get soaked." We would reach the edge of the storm, and the rain would move off. The roads were wet, with water running off. But we never got rained on. Not complaining mind you... just observing that Da'mit's good fortune was in full strength today. First escaping the sand trap, then no sweltering heat and now missing all the thunderstorms.... Too bad they won't let Da'mit into a casino. We could be millionaires with her luck.

So tonight I showed Da'mit my appreciation by replacing her burnt fog lamp, cleaned her air filter and repaired a stone chip in her headlight lens.

Was another interesting day... saw a part of the US that we had never been in before.

And the adventure continues... tomorrow Utah.

Nite Da'mit,

Nite all.

 

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Crater Lake south to California

Tuesday July 17, 2013: We are back in riding mode after recuperating from a stomach virus. Up at 4:30, on the road by 5 am. Was cooler than I expected, had to stop and add layers. Headed south out of Bend to see Crater Lake. Everyone up here has said what a fantastic sight it is, so 80 miles south it awaits.

Early morning ride.. Da'mit in the mist.

July 23rd, we still find snow on the ground.. at 7500 ft.

Coming in from the north was a more gentle sloping ride, little traffic. At the first chance we take a photo of Crater Lake.

As you can see, we are at the wrong angle to the sun for a decent photo. So we ride to the other side of the crater.

Ahhh, that's better. The lake is smooth as glass in the early morning.

Crater Lake was formed when a volcano blew its's top then collapsed, creating a lake in the void.

Earlier at breakfast, the waitress warned us about the many deer up here. This is the only one we saw. Look at the size of the trees in relation to the adult doe.

When leaving we discovered most people come in from the south. Am glad we didn't as is a steeper climb and too much traffic.

Da'mit poses with the elk in front of a casino. The light isn't on, that's the sun reflecting. I found if I leave the yellow lights uncovered, they attract the attention of other drivers. Making riding safer for me.

We cross into California. Seems strange we are going south to go east, but the number of roads to choose from is limited. One goes south, then east, then south. Eventually we will get to Texas.

By now all of the cold weather riding gear is shed. Sipping water out of the camelback every hour or sooner. Is important so as to not get dehydrated. A BMW friend from Houston dehydrated himself riding up to the Salem rally, ending up in the hospital in Nevada. I plan on avoiding that fate.

Escaping the hot dry high desert sun for a few minutes. After many miles of looking, the only shade we could find that we could drive up under.

Leaving Adin, CA. Da'mit saw some friendly folks and insisted that we stop. It started with just two and soon there were four. Kibitzing as only kin of her persuasion can do. They listened intently as Da'mit spun stories of Alaska, glaciers and Charlie Boorman.

Resting in Susanville, CA tonight. From a distance I thought it was raining, but they say it is smoke or a dust storm. Must be dust as I don't smell smoke.

Tomorrow on to Sparks NV and the Loneliest Highway???? Da'mit is up for the challenge.

Nite Da'mit,

Nite all.

 

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BMW Rally last day

Saturday was the last day of the rally in Salem, Oregon. The weather had been perfect for the rally. No rain, high temps in the eighties, 5000 plus BMW aficionados sharing ideas for riding, wrenching and traveling by motorcycle.

The grounds filled with vendors and riders. Several vendors I spoke with said the rally on Thursday and Friday was good for them. Many riders went out to explore the area Saturday. Oregon is a beautiful state for riding

and camping....

 

 

BMW riders are more about how far can they can ride and then camp.... as opposed to let's ride to the next bar and drink.

Sunday I packed and loaded Da'mit to start the trek to Texas. Have to keep an eye of the weather reports. Seems another heat wave is crossing the country.

Plan is to avoid the heat by staying in higher elevations or by riding more early mornings.

Made it down to Bend for the night. Sunday traffic was bad, but most cars were heading in the opposite direction.

Nite Da'mit

Nite all.

 

 

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BMW Rally-Interesting Rigs and Events

Today will be a photo display of some of the more interesting motorcycles seen at the Rally.

1954 R51/3

!968 R60/2

Next is a 1929 R 11 which came in third place in the 2012 Cannonball run. Which is a race of vintage motorcycles from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Interesting that a modern flashlight was needed to supplement the original headlight beam. The brass horn is classic.

The 1929 engine compartment, right side

the left side.

 

This is a 1925 model R22 BMW. What collectors refer to a "barn find". Notice it still has the pigeon dropping on the tank.

 

This bike's speedometer...

is driven by a pulley belt...

And the rear brake is the large rim ... fastened to the SPOKES of the rear wheel. Has a shaft drive as all BMW's design did originally.

One can easily see some of the Ural heritage in these old bikes.

Homemade racing sidecar...

 

 

 

 

 

Then there was the sidecar off-road school that I spectated....

 

 

 

Coach Ramey Stroud teaching what he knows best....

 

 

No Urals participated in the dirt fun this year.Wasn't about to put Da'mit in this show until her new engine is properly broken in.

Nite Da'mit

Nite all

 

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