tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52336446354829186682024-02-19T01:09:58.860-08:00In The Desert Scootin'I am hoping to share my experiences as relatively new scooter rider, scooter club founder and ordinary working stiff. Thanks for dropping by, please leave a response to your favorite (or least favorite entry.)
Ciao!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-56466544550293188862013-09-06T21:42:00.001-07:002013-09-06T21:54:49.162-07:00Review: "One Life to Ride" (Kindle Edition)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAWMtcSiiB8L-AA968LUBkWBdgesxNloKNSnKeXLbBDJ8UtA4QRrNpHrxTLmK1bhtX8eB7T3o9iaHevFZ_yQ5XPrS4H0UWMp2UGxH_LfzJqw0rKsxLuSIUzJRwbRWA0oQXC7cGDGW3C0/s1600/IMG_20130726_154450_979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAWMtcSiiB8L-AA968LUBkWBdgesxNloKNSnKeXLbBDJ8UtA4QRrNpHrxTLmK1bhtX8eB7T3o9iaHevFZ_yQ5XPrS4H0UWMp2UGxH_LfzJqw0rKsxLuSIUzJRwbRWA0oQXC7cGDGW3C0/s320/IMG_20130726_154450_979.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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The following is my review of<b> <i><u>One Life to Ride</u></i> - A Motorcycle Journey to the High Himalayas</b> by Ajit Harisinghani. The is the second book for the Kindle that I have reviewed. A Google search indicates that the book is available in paperback, but I have a feeling it may be a bit difficult to find. As of this writing the book is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Life-Ride-Motorcycle-ebook/dp/B007QRCX14" target="_blank">$4.99 for the Kindle</a>.<br />
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The book is different from many motorcycle related travel stories. It is written by a middle aged, Indian speech therapist with little cross-country riding experience and no mechanical background. This story is about a man and his beloved <a href="http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/" target="_blank">Royal Enfield</a> motorcycle taking a beautiful trip through his own beautiful country. He rides 2500 miles and climbs to elevations over 15,000 feet. It is interesting to get descriptions and perspectives of riding through India written by a native rather than some wealthy American hipster.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajit Harisinghani on his Royal Enfield</td></tr>
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I took a near immediate liking to Dr Harisinghani. In the foreword he talks about choosing a motorcycle and compares a street bike (aka crotch-rocket) to a Royal Enfield: "...Lighter and easily excited into full flight with her (the crotch rocket's) '0 to 100 in <i>x</i> seconds' flat! To an Enfield, that's premature ejaculation. It was staying power she (the Enfield) valued." As you probably know, I ride scooters and I can identify with the "staying power" comment. I don't ride to get anywhere fast. This dry sense of humor is found throughout the book.<br />
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In addition to excellent descriptions of the countryside, villages and towns, the author also includes some of his personal philosophy about life. He deliberately stays in very questionable lodging from time to time because "I believe that we should periodically put ourselves through some physical discomfort, even disgust, to better appreciate the good things we take for granted in our everyday, privileged lives." This idea gets implemented on his trip to Goa, where he stays in a tiny, cobweb filled, room with a single window and non-working fan. This is followed by a very entertaining description of the "hotel's" privy. It is known, locally, as a "pig toilet" and it is basically a platform suspended over the farmer's pigs. This system saves the trouble of plumber the toilet, as well as the need to feed the pigs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINWtj3jZe1cfqqDx1uzcUe3V7RduNwAstYcUYsrq8iIb-14PkC8m9ZSf0_6-ake6uyUeS_SA4dLDCeFD6bPc5tcGWSfM-nJeHiKAg69HLqPkmiAb6q4Xc7q74rnI6XQFfN-yi04vkzp4/s1600/manali+hwy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINWtj3jZe1cfqqDx1uzcUe3V7RduNwAstYcUYsrq8iIb-14PkC8m9ZSf0_6-ake6uyUeS_SA4dLDCeFD6bPc5tcGWSfM-nJeHiKAg69HLqPkmiAb6q4Xc7q74rnI6XQFfN-yi04vkzp4/s400/manali+hwy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indian Highways are a bit less "developed" than American ones.</td></tr>
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While some stories of epic rides spend a lot of time discussing the minutia of preparing for a ride, One Life to Ride virtually skip that, since our hero is not a mechanic nor hard-core adventure rider. He is simply an ordinary guy wanting an adventurous ride. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy books where every detail of a major ride is covered, but this is also enjoyable.<br />
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Another thing included as Harisinghani rides is the camaraderie of motorcyclists. As he rides some of the highest roads on the planet, he meets people on various bikes and from multiple countries. However, the fact that they are all riding gives them something in common that overcomes their differences. I have experienced this myself and it is a good thing. He has no experiences with people in Winnebagoes, however.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are some great passages in this book about the author's encounters with soldiers and riding along a contested border. (from BCMTouring.com)</td></tr>
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The author has an easy to read, casual writing style that I didn't expect from a physician. He covers a lot of ground and he writes just about as much about the ride home, as he does the rest of the ride and it is all good. I will say that I am glad I read this on my Kindle. I used the feature where you can click on a word and get its definition. There are a lot of local words (mostly food dishes) that I otherwise would have skipped over were it not for my Kindle. This is a good read. There are better, but this is worth the time. Read it, you'll be glad you did. 4 stars.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-11010534443164482932013-09-03T16:58:00.000-07:002013-09-03T16:58:12.672-07:00Review: Zero to Sixty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The description of this book really caught my eye. "Nearing 60 and diagnosed with heart disease, what's a man to do? Road trip of course." It talked about Gary Paulsen, author of numerous children's books, and fellow New Mexican, who uses this book to "recount his life-affirming ride from New Mexico to Alaska." Well, I'm now over 50 and enjoy good health, but you never know. I bought it with eager anticipation.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Zero to Sixty</u> - The Motorcycle Journey of a Lifetime </i>by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Paulsen" target="_blank">Gary Paulsen</a>. A memoir by the author of WINTERDANCE. As mentioned, I was looking for ward to a good read about an epic motorcycle trip done by a guy not too many years older than myself. I am sure that the journey was, indeed, fantastic. Just after purchasing his first Harley-Davidson motorcycle, Gary decides to ride his blue Heritage Softail to Alaska. A friend hears about it and comes along with him.<br />
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This has all the makings of a great story. Recently diagnosed with heart disease, our hero buys the bike of his dreams and almost immediately decides to take off on a 10,000 mile trip with a buddy. Right? Wrong!<br />
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Each chapter starts with two or three paragraphs about where they are at in their rather spontaneous journey. Then, the author is reminded of some childhood, or Army or some other memory, then spends the rest of the chapter on it. Don't get me wrong, Mr Paulsen has had a rather interesting life, but I got this book to read about RIDING and motorcycles and overcoming (at least temporarily) the effects of aging.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He could have had a great photo like this, but didn't. (from<a href="http://www.womenridersnow.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=2718" target="_blank"> www.womenridersnow.com</a>)</td></tr>
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In later chapters, he does write a bit more about the journey, but by that time, I was disappointed by the lack of coverage about the rest of the trip, that I couldn't thoroughly enjoy it. I will say, that his opinion of RV'ers is consistent with Tiger Edmonds'. In Chapter 10, he writes: "I'm not going to say that every person driving a motor home is a road-ignorant old fart who couldn't pour piss from an old boot with the instructions written the heel..." and "They're like lemmings, except that most of them seem to have less cognitive ability..." Come to think of it, Chapter 10 probably makes the book worth buying and reading.<br />
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Like so many books and movies about grand journeys, the first half or so gets all the coverage. The end is an after thought. In <b><i>Zero to Sixty</i></b>, the ride from Fairbanks back to New Mexico is covered in just under three (yes, 3) pages. Really? There was nothing of note seen, no awesome section of road, no example of incredible stupidity by a guy in a Winnebago? Furthermore, he does not use the last chapter, or the last portion of the last chapter to describe what he learned about life, the universe or everything.<br />
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I've never read any other of Gary Paulsen's works. If you are a fan and want to learn some really interesting things about his childhood and time spent in the Army, you will probably love this book. If you're wanting a read about a great ride, skip it.<br />
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I have an idea for a rating symbol, but don't have it ready yet. In the meantime, I give<b><i> Zero to Sixty</i></b> 2 stars. It would have been one star except Chapter 10 earned its own star.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-29918207545572915002013-08-18T13:37:00.000-07:002013-08-18T13:39:26.062-07:00"The Ghost of Scootertrash Past"<span style="line-height: 18.1875px;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>The Ghost of Scootertrash Past – Memories & Rants of a Longrider</i></b> by Mark "Tiger" Edmonds</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkvrQQ513_v05XaTEp5aQhii2jlenPW8LBdRz-TQbCjqPjr40igePa_7FHFAmAxAl5Q4_Gpm7sT6sl_GCPKrddIx62S7aCqL6ZSomHwM_fiBteogRPvxyiOU36NQshI0A6R4cT4OVfEM/s1600/IMG_20130723_194449_367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkvrQQ513_v05XaTEp5aQhii2jlenPW8LBdRz-TQbCjqPjr40igePa_7FHFAmAxAl5Q4_Gpm7sT6sl_GCPKrddIx62S7aCqL6ZSomHwM_fiBteogRPvxyiOU36NQshI0A6R4cT4OVfEM/s320/IMG_20130723_194449_367.jpg" width="217" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="line-height: 18.1875px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.1875px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.1875px;"> “Tiger” Edmonds is at it again. True be told, this one is my favorite, so far. Tiger reminds me of a biker version of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkL9PoOABPE" target="_blank">Baxter Black</a>. His musings on riding and "the road" are obviously heart felt as well as thought and emotion provoking. </span><br style="line-height: 18.1875px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.1875px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.1875px;"><b><i>Scootertrash</i></b> is his second book and it is a random collection of Edmonds' stories from the road. He writes in a unique style. He is profane at times. He has no respect for political correctness, so if you're easily offended, this may not be the book for you. Parts of this book are poetic and deserve to be read aloud.</span><br style="line-height: 18.1875px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="line-height: 18.1875px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.1875px;">Here is one such poetic excerpt where Tiger is talking to a young lady. They have very different ideas about being on the road: </span><br style="line-height: 18.1875px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.1875px;">“She giggled and asked about the sunshine and unfrozen rivers and flowers and birds and butterflies in the air. She asked about alligators and the Southern Cross and the Spanish moss. And she wanted to know about manatees.</span><br style="line-height: 18.1875px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="line-height: 18.1875px;">But I told her about the heat and the cold, about just getting' old, and about thousand mile days. I tried to tell her about border towns and local citizens' frowns and about how the highway will wear you down out there between the Mohawk Valley and Tampa Bay.”</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This exchange goes on for several "stanzas" and sounds great when read aloud.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBRnTpGXuK1PckRKOgBMSNis2ften01QLs2_GUEzP4XNFADwsk5WIVFMiJxUZLYFKbjrIxe99kdjrBX3QrderfOaVD-T1JaWk57nQWzceK39XZdUBhUPmXit3ZoAvWgjgoSINshy2KiM/s1600/NM+Rally+305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBRnTpGXuK1PckRKOgBMSNis2ften01QLs2_GUEzP4XNFADwsk5WIVFMiJxUZLYFKbjrIxe99kdjrBX3QrderfOaVD-T1JaWk57nQWzceK39XZdUBhUPmXit3ZoAvWgjgoSINshy2KiM/s320/NM+Rally+305.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Here's to being on the road less travelled</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.1875px;">Other parts are humorous in the way he chooses to describe something. Here is Tiger talking about tunnels: “Way I figure it, you got to have a lot of gopher in you to be comfortable riding into a hole in the ground. The trouble is that riding a motorcycle is basically an outdoor activity, and tunnels are seriously indoors. It’s one of them things, like eating oysters,that makes you wonder who was the first guy tried it, and what the hell was he thinking?”</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYPc1_1kfJrjOHJ9t0sR8UAcLK6Zpjnw8-E_n7E_TnOkh19B5q5P1g5D7YPnSnmGYHnEG1kH41SlxddkHjhvEpEXAKdJf-fTq7Tr8OjDTsVjY4wS5HyZA4a278lCkBJhRGHrtAcMUK_U/s1600/NM+Rally+213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYPc1_1kfJrjOHJ9t0sR8UAcLK6Zpjnw8-E_n7E_TnOkh19B5q5P1g5D7YPnSnmGYHnEG1kH41SlxddkHjhvEpEXAKdJf-fTq7Tr8OjDTsVjY4wS5HyZA4a278lCkBJhRGHrtAcMUK_U/s320/NM+Rally+213.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Riding through an old rail tunnel at the Scoot NM rally</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of his thoughts on "super-slabs": "Interstate highways permit the inept to drive. Hell, they encourage the incompetent to travel cross country. .... It's a real mindless activity, and it can be done by the mentally deficient." (Remember what I said about those who are easily offended?)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this book and give it 5 stars. (I hate using "stars" as my rating symbol. Does anyone have an idea about a scooter-appropriate symbol? If so, please leave your suggestion in your comment.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On days the weather or something else keeps you from riding, find a great book like this. It helps.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Howard</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-65155401937367061152013-08-09T22:20:00.004-07:002013-08-09T22:22:18.693-07:00Review: Life is a Road, the Soul is a Motorcycle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKKSU10tNsJrPB-yDnz5wL1wuNHGYgAiRXAyn0NHqAMj74a59FxVehSTRcJOmK8Ttf5sxhDEviZjebQrXPt-G82sXFOHNm5TeAOf06RWVWfxk4EQs1PLYC8p_JO_x4248zfp1ggu18LU/s1600/IMG_20130726_154537_925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKKSU10tNsJrPB-yDnz5wL1wuNHGYgAiRXAyn0NHqAMj74a59FxVehSTRcJOmK8Ttf5sxhDEviZjebQrXPt-G82sXFOHNm5TeAOf06RWVWfxk4EQs1PLYC8p_JO_x4248zfp1ggu18LU/s320/IMG_20130726_154537_925.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-style: italic;">Life is a Road, the Soul is a Motorcycle </b>by Daniel Bryan Meyer is a free Kindle book which I highly recommend. The first thing that drew me to it is that it has the word "motorcycle" in the title. The second thing is that it said "free" next to the cost. I will say that it is worth paying for, though. It is a great read.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4psytKj1p-I4Kth5YCFgAPEuGMZH6p5dbtn7Ga9hp9WPNpHG3H6RWku7Mp-ytDBh_kJyfrvZnKeZU79-Wdx5XrOoU9FuO0BLraeLu1geLAG12VyVuPzgD4LFN8RXMMXKGRKCiRcyRIw/s1600/Honda+F6C+99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4psytKj1p-I4Kth5YCFgAPEuGMZH6p5dbtn7Ga9hp9WPNpHG3H6RWku7Mp-ytDBh_kJyfrvZnKeZU79-Wdx5XrOoU9FuO0BLraeLu1geLAG12VyVuPzgD4LFN8RXMMXKGRKCiRcyRIw/s320/Honda+F6C+99.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not my pic, but this is a Valkyrie. Beautiful bike!</td></tr>
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According to the bio at the end of this book, Daniel Meyer is a "six-foot, three-hundred pound, blue-eyed<br />
Texan, supremely confident and strong as an ox, though I don't usually smell like one." He rides a bike suitable for a big man; an Honda F6 Valkyrie.<br />
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I knew I was going to like this book by the end of the first paragraph of the introduction by Mr Meyer. He was just preparing to pull out of a gas station when a bike, it's rider and a passenger pull in. "Memories stirred as I watched a father and his young son dismounting their motorcycle in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant. As the boy removed his helmet, the grin I knew would surely be there shone brightly for the entire world to see." As a kid, I never got to ride with my dad or any other family member, but as an adult, I have gotten to see that "grin" under the helmet as I have given my grandchildren rides. It is, indeed, a treat for me and something, I hope, that they remember doing with me after I am gone. I knew I would like a book written by a rider who recognized that riding joy.<br />
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<b><i>Life is a Road</i></b>, according to the author, is the result of him recalling his many travels, the sights seen, people met and the magic experienced. Each chapter is a short story which describes a ride and/or incident in Mr meyer's motorcycling life. As it happens, he is a very good story teller.<br />
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My favorite chapter is called "Valkyrie Magic" and is Daniel giving a ride to a naked woman he find along a deserted stretch of highway. He describes the conversation that goes on between 4 parts of his brain when he first spots the woman. The Analytic Brain, the Motorcyclist, the Texan and the Male:<br />
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"<b>Analytical</b>: Whoa guys, get off the brake, get your hand back on the gas. Something is wrong here.<br />
<b>Motorcyclist</b>: Somebody is standing beside the road. She may be in trouble.<br />
<b>Texan</b>: She needs help. Let's stop.<br />
<b>Male</b>: There is a naked woman beside the road. We're stopping.<br />
<b>Analytica</b>l: All I'm saying is that something is up. We should go on. People just do not step out into the road. This could be a trap.<br />
<b>Motorcyclist</b>: There is no sign of an accident, and we have not passed any broken down cars. there are no houses anywhere near here. Maybe he's right. Something is up.<br />
<b>Texan</b>: She needs help. Let's stop.<br />
<b>Male</b>: Did you guys not hear me? There's a naked woman beside the road!"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmy7Rz9pcS6GFyUL0Xf55k3aD3aYQjKIzouHHqXm7tn4ub7VNKppKVwtpxPBGX9HkuDeUqozsZle_I8zodvf7KXzQNtET5MlKku2kyoR3RbETVwuwkHq-toc2ZDKPO8E7rLLrDOUMGHs/s1600/John+wayne+motorcycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmy7Rz9pcS6GFyUL0Xf55k3aD3aYQjKIzouHHqXm7tn4ub7VNKppKVwtpxPBGX9HkuDeUqozsZle_I8zodvf7KXzQNtET5MlKku2kyoR3RbETVwuwkHq-toc2ZDKPO8E7rLLrDOUMGHs/s320/John+wayne+motorcycle.jpg" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What would The Duke do?</td></tr>
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This continues in a predictable, but hilarious manner. As a male and a rider myself, I fully understand the conversation as well as its inevitable outcome.<br />
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If you read through the Kindle reviews of this book, you will see that a number or people doubt the veracity of Daniel's stories. I thought, too, that some of them may have stretched the truth a bit. However, when I got ready to do this review, I noticed two little words at the bottom of the cover page: "a novel." I believe that the basis for all these stories is authentic. I also believe that Mr Meyer added a few things to the stories, when needed, to make them a bit more fun. It's called artistic license.<br />
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This book is self published, and it shows. It could use some professional editing to clean up typos and errors in grammar, but the book is still well worth the read. Do yourself a favor and download this book.<br />
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Ride on my friends,<br />
<br />
HowardUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-39982572549029105962013-07-26T21:33:00.000-07:002013-07-26T21:33:47.102-07:00Review: The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-weight: bold;">The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing </i>- <i>Long Distance Motorcycle's Endless Road </i>by Melissa Holbrook Pierson</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyABEekH57apRkoO2BcupUx4cdi0w5KyTahYT1yZWFea4z8XjLPogVliEVT61iNEctuLR9lm8oOY67b94I9r4e_GQNT0PyirxDQUMi8h1Qcu0JTox5oYU7iIdNlGdzcvzbgjWgtx1sGM/s1600/IMG_20130723_195921_752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyABEekH57apRkoO2BcupUx4cdi0w5KyTahYT1yZWFea4z8XjLPogVliEVT61iNEctuLR9lm8oOY67b94I9r4e_GQNT0PyirxDQUMi8h1Qcu0JTox5oYU7iIdNlGdzcvzbgjWgtx1sGM/s320/IMG_20130723_195921_752.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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Ms Pierson is an excellent writer with a fluid, easy to read and understand style. I also read her first book, <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Perfect Vehicle: What is it about Motorcycles? </i>That book was good, but she has improved a lot and <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing </i>is really super.</div>
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The Iron Butt Association: who are they and what possess them to ride extreme distances? (like 1000+ miles a day for 10 or more days in a row) Who does someone who has ridden through all of the lower 48 states in 6.6 <u style="font-weight: bold;">days</u> (Mike Kneebone & Fran Crane) look up to? What does it take to make your own butt into Iron? What are the risks and benefits of this kind of riding?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgg9WIO65bP0qQ3euUQBGRA6k1QsHdZDRRxl2K92r9c_TSU8bkbWsg6MNN9u4GD3jaVZZeuOFbm1gkeMT6Tu8nkee8Uw7wA-HA5GiOFeC6Wu8R70sX-NyPUkD9X_ywUhu1Jk88VpBFkQ/s1600/IBA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgg9WIO65bP0qQ3euUQBGRA6k1QsHdZDRRxl2K92r9c_TSU8bkbWsg6MNN9u4GD3jaVZZeuOFbm1gkeMT6Tu8nkee8Uw7wA-HA5GiOFeC6Wu8R70sX-NyPUkD9X_ywUhu1Jk88VpBFkQ/s1600/IBA.jpg" /></a></div>
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Ms Pierson answers all of these questions and a lot more. She is a lifelong motorcycle rider and it shows in her writing. She spends most of the book talking about Iron Butt riders and events, but there is also a section where she describes her own attempts at endurance riding while preparing to write this book. There is a lot more to it than just hopping on the bike and twisting the throttle.</div>
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I really enjoy endurance riding, so reading this was easy and delightful for me. However, I think that anyone who rides, even if it is just for a couple of hours on the occasional weekend, will enjoy it too.</div>
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The man most of this book is about, John Ryan, is a true man who stops at nothing. His exploits are nothing short of legendary. Unfortunately, because he rides a motorcycle, rather than flies an airplane or drives a stock car, he will never be heard of by 99% of Americans. This fact is probably okay with Ryan, because he doesn't ride for fame or to win events, he rides for the love of it.</div>
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Book I of <i style="font-weight: bold;">The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing </i>is about the Iron Butt Association (IBA) in general and about John Ryan, specifically. There are wonderful comparisons between endurance riders and fighter pilots in one part and to cowboys of the old west in another. You learn about people in other disciplines who have done extreme things (like running 350 miles without sleep.)</div>
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In Book II, Ms Pierson gives her personal perspective of doing a Saddle Sore 1000 accompanied by none other than John Ryan.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5Is52mjv6E0CLRg1dUVS-uO42pjutKmQjkziVcT7UH3dU50qymg9M7neso_mlAtPHYwofseAtB76SHK2YLRKWa13kb9jkfYXNn7yIQp6ro9BRqCZHgwhh39TY3-FSF4Qmbina4mnS8s/s1600/Continent-Crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5Is52mjv6E0CLRg1dUVS-uO42pjutKmQjkziVcT7UH3dU50qymg9M7neso_mlAtPHYwofseAtB76SHK2YLRKWa13kb9jkfYXNn7yIQp6ro9BRqCZHgwhh39TY3-FSF4Qmbina4mnS8s/s1600/Continent-Crossing.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "hump" on top of the fuel tank, is actually the tank. Mr Ryan's bike has a fuel capacity of about 10 gallons.</td></tr>
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Book III is my favorite. It gives an account of what may be John Ryan's most amazing ride. One of the IBA's sanctioned rides in the 50CC. The "CC" stands for Coast to Coast and the "50" means that you must complete the ride in less than 50 hours. One variant of this is the UCC or Ultimate Coast to Coast. It means that you must ride more than 5600 miles between Key West, FL and Prudhoe Bay, AK. In June of 2005, Mr Ryan left from Prudhoe Bay in an attempt to break the record time of 96 hours. After a couple of delays, he finally sets out and shatters the mark by almost 10 hours. Amazing!</div>
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Incase you are new to my blog, I, too, rode a Saddle Sore 1000 in 2010 (Has it been that long already?) If you are interesting in reading my account, you can find it <a href="http://inthedesertscootin.blogspot.com/2010/05/epic-post-for-epic-ride.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
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<i><br /></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-84998944331312793822013-07-25T20:27:00.000-07:002013-07-25T20:27:50.046-07:00Another Review: Scooters - Red Eyes, White Walls & Blue Smoke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I first saw <i style="font-weight: bold;">Scooters - Red Eyes, White Walls and Blue Smoke</i> at my local scooter shop, Scoot Over. It sat on the table near the chairs for people to read as they were waiting for service to be done, sales person to be available, etc. It is filled with great pictures of great scooters and people doing great scooter stuff. When my wife asked me what she should put on my Christmas list, this was one of the first books that came to mind.</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Scooters</i> is written by Colin Shattuck. He has an easy going, easy to understand writing style and clearly, he knows about scooters and those who love them. This book covers the American scooter scene from its beginnings in 1915 to the present. I really enjoyed the first two sentences of the Foreword: "Let's get one thing straight from the get-go. If we have to explain the wonder and allure and coolness of motorscooters, you simply won't understand." by Michael and Eric Dregni</div>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Scooters</i> is only 136 pages long, with plenty of photos, but even so, it covers a lot of ground. The first chapter,<b> The Evolution of a Revolution</b> starts with the 1915 American Motoped through the Suzuki Burgman and even touches on fuel cell, electric and hybrid bikes. Naturally, most of the print talks about Piaggio/Vespa and Innocenti/Lambretta, however, British, German, Japanese and Chinese scooters get covered as well. Don't worry, the two biggest American scooter manufacturers (Cushman and Salisbury) get their share as well. If you want a succinct history of motor scooters, <i style="font-weight: bold;">Red Eyes.... </i>is THE place to get it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful Heinkel that I photographed at High Rollers in 2011</td></tr>
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Chapter 2 is called <b>Scooter Breeds</b>. This chapter not only talks about "modern" vs "vintage" scooters but some of the other ways out bikes are categorized. There are commuters, sport, mid-sized and maxi-scooters on the one hand. Vintage bikes are broken down into unrestored originals, restorations, customs, radical customs, racers, choppers, rat bikes and mods. There is also a nice section titled "Step by Step: A Restoration Guide which gives a simplified look at the stages of scooter restoration.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Radical Custom as seen at Friki Tiki 2010</td></tr>
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Chapter 3: <b>Can You See the Real Me</b> discusses the different kinds of people who ride scooters. He talks about the stereotypes as well. Some of the scooterists portrayed are the Mod, the Racer, Scooter Girls, Scooter Boys, the Old Man, and New School. The second half of chapter 3 is called "Join the Club." it gives a list an small description of a small sampling of scooter clubs around the US, divided by region. While I found this section interesting, I'll probably catch some flak for this, but I also found it a bit disturbing. I find it a bit bothersome that so many clubs find their identity in alcohol, mayhem, hooliganism and other immature behavior. I suppose I'm just getting old.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gratuitous promotion of my own club</td></tr>
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Chapter 4: <b>Runs, Rallies, Raids... Mayhem</b> is the final chapter. Since I have helped organize a number of rallies in the Tucson area, this was the first chapter I read. I wanted to see what other were doing and see what I could integrate into our rallies. The first part of this chapter talks about European rallies. (The 1984 Isle of Wight Rally had 12,000 people in attendance!) Then is returns to the states with a quick description of the elements of a rally then moves to cover (as with the scooter clubs) a variety of rallies broken down by region. I was thrilled to see that our own Tucson/Nogales Fall Classic is included.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp Scoot 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Rollers 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucson/Nogales Falls Classic 2009</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4bVzdqZScUOPZDQgmdp6MnYCp0yqWgsdqGMnsOVomdW4WQIzr3ea5XhA0Di_oLj316IXvRAmqDKui6xrWXcpeLuVGLPcqcFWrqFuG8Fc7qCgknWNVJxm1TXrKCuMzMTw02ZYTzWs2FE/s1600/FCCM+3+Day+3+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4bVzdqZScUOPZDQgmdp6MnYCp0yqWgsdqGMnsOVomdW4WQIzr3ea5XhA0Di_oLj316IXvRAmqDKui6xrWXcpeLuVGLPcqcFWrqFuG8Fc7qCgknWNVJxm1TXrKCuMzMTw02ZYTzWs2FE/s320/FCCM+3+Day+3+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For A Few CC's III 2013</td></tr>
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Scooters - Red Eyes, White Walls & Blue Smoke </i>is an excellent primer on scooters and scooter culture in America. If you are new to scooters and want to what you may have gotten yourself in to, I would start with this book. It is informative, quick, down and dirty. For those with ADD, it has lots and lots of great photos.</div>
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Ride On!</div>
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Howard</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-76078422372505213962013-07-23T22:10:00.001-07:002013-07-25T10:50:30.420-07:00Trying it Again . . . . with a reviewI have missed writing. (Although, with a year and 8 month absence, that is probably a little difficult to believe.) For what it's worth, I have written a very few entries on the <a href="http://www.skyislandriders.com/">Sky Island Riders</a> site. As we all know, "life happens" and priorities change, as does the amount of time one has to write on a blog.<br />
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One thing I have had a bit of time to do is read. I was watching a bit of television (usually NetFlix) most nights before I went to sleep. I realized that I had several books about scooter and motorcycle riding, that my loving bride had bought for me, laying around and that watching the tube was a poor way to show my appreciation for those gifts. I started spending some time reading most evenings. I have read some really good books, some average and some below average books over the past few months.<br />
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I have been feeling bad about not posting here and was trying to think of a good way to break back into the habit. Something quick and relatively easy to write sounded good. Then it occurred to me that I could start writing reviews of the books I have been reading. Some of the people I know may discover a good book or two, after all, the books I have been reading are not "high profile" and while some are very good, i don't think any have made the Billboard charts (with one exception, although I haven't decided for sure if I am going to review that one.)<br />
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Let's get one with it, shall we?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX43GjTBeKMqxgJatW3BjbxyJuRy12112_MTMDsYZ_0Yn5Gm-TUEKemkT0wyv02L5KYKgwjXZ2-mVqp6kqd_BB_RHDWugd0SoPkG4PyJehk6hY97zNcEcNkOwH-V8IWvtgJEYJY85KAX0/s1600/IMG_20130723_194546_520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX43GjTBeKMqxgJatW3BjbxyJuRy12112_MTMDsYZ_0Yn5Gm-TUEKemkT0wyv02L5KYKgwjXZ2-mVqp6kqd_BB_RHDWugd0SoPkG4PyJehk6hY97zNcEcNkOwH-V8IWvtgJEYJY85KAX0/s320/IMG_20130723_194546_520.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Long Rider - A tale of just passin' through</u> by <a href="http://drmarktigeredmonds.com/">Mark Tiger Edmonds</a></div>
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. From the back cover: "Take a BMW motorcycle, one million miles and Mark Edmonds. Distill for 35 years. Result?You get an insightful, compassionate (and passionate) view of America and what it means to all of us who, after all, are "just passin' through."...Mr Edmonds' assessment of this country and the changes it's undergone remains as unswerving as his assessment of himself as he rides his own pilgrimage, just passin' through."</div>
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Tiger Edmonds is a motorcycle riding, poetry writing professor at a college in Florida. He writes like he talks and he talks like a biker. If you are offended by profanity and use of the "f-word" books by Mr Edmonds are not for you. For those who can appreciate passion, even if you don't agree with its author, you may love reading Edmonds' work as much as I do.</div>
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<i><b>Longrider</b> </i>is Edmonds' first book. It is not his best, in my opinion, but it is still very good. As mentioned above, mark has more than a million miles on motorcycles. He has a poet's heart and a painter's eye and he writes and passionately about what he sees and experiences on his rides. I will review some of his other books soon, I hope.</div>
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I think, no, I KNOW, that my favorite chapter of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Longrider</i> is called Roadsongs. In this chapter Edmonds explains that "different roads have different songs." He describes different roads he has been on and that many roads have "songs" that they sing to you as you ride. A road in West Virginia along the Tug Fork "sounds more like "Amazing Grace" than anything I ever heard." Another road between Austin and Abilene, he says, sings "a slow polka with a pretty heavy oompah beat to it." Personally, I had noticed that different roads have given me different feelings (other than the differences in pavement/asphalt) but when I read this chapter I had an "Ahah!" moment. Now I am more attuned to the songs that various roads sing to me.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This road has a different song to sing.....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">than this one. Don't you think?</td></tr>
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Chapter Eleven is another favorite. In addition to amusing roadside repairs, there is a section about signs. I have a tendency to notice and take photos of interesting and/or humorous signs I see. I was glad to see someone else who has similar observations about such signs as I do.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7rmup2HCipy8hii8wxQHZcDrEkAHpMFgA8P6dqnIpFKCLj-0VRqxiRgWh7pWgI0JlXxEbgiTDZYENz_yaN7yIiLOF6pyo8ogqsE-NtjrfXtqdgCxNQi8vvwYHD_TrtAGwrDq535Qwc8/s1600/Bathroom+sing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7rmup2HCipy8hii8wxQHZcDrEkAHpMFgA8P6dqnIpFKCLj-0VRqxiRgWh7pWgI0JlXxEbgiTDZYENz_yaN7yIiLOF6pyo8ogqsE-NtjrfXtqdgCxNQi8vvwYHD_TrtAGwrDq535Qwc8/s320/Bathroom+sing.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry for the poor quality, but this was taken with my cell phone, through the drive thru window at a local burrito shop.</td></tr>
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Other things he muses about in <i style="font-weight: bold;">Longrider</i> include Dead Animals, Savior Waitresses, Ex-Wives, Winnebagos (he hates them)Zen, Truckers and the Girl with the Paisley Paint Job and many others.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-74982701111217493262011-11-22T14:34:00.000-08:002011-11-23T17:17:42.238-08:00There's Somethin' About a Sidecar<div style="text-align: left;">I've been riding riding scooter for 3 and a half years now. For most of that time I've been fascinated by sidecars, also known as "hacks" or "rigs." Who isn't? Right? Sure, I had people tell me that they're not all they're cracked up to be, but my interest continued.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseqnAiUIERgoP6d3nPTu8wPN3oZNK7QXRGtdcwCKtgJqJBuYptM-D-POnirH6ORo6LvS-hrazrf5Ilfn_rnrasX1ebbuYmh_wUDKnLJ2kfmFZnIaNyntam5t18w5mkQmcfh8ndizXw4M/s1600/May+Day+191.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseqnAiUIERgoP6d3nPTu8wPN3oZNK7QXRGtdcwCKtgJqJBuYptM-D-POnirH6ORo6LvS-hrazrf5Ilfn_rnrasX1ebbuYmh_wUDKnLJ2kfmFZnIaNyntam5t18w5mkQmcfh8ndizXw4M/s320/May+Day+191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678361807514563042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Here's the Stella after I had ridden her to the rally.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div>My interest hasn't always remained high, though. I had the opportunity to ride/drive one about 20 miles in May of 2010. We were having a scooter rally and my friend Meta, who has a 2005 Stella with a sidecar, and I traded scooters so she could ride unhindered in one of the rides. I had been jonesing to ride one, so I didn't hesitate to let her take my Stella on the ride, so I could take the sidecar across town to the next rally location.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was underwhelmed, to say the least. I had no idea it took so much work to control one of these things! Because there is no brake on the sidecar, every time I came to an intersection, the whole rig would swing violently to the left. Because the sidecar isn't powered, every time I would accelerate at any rate harder than a snail on quaaludes, the hack swung hard to the right. It was all I could do to stay between the lines. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEvSbeFFdDX2ZsXTSxKr-eRkmCH6m11uuMOE-L0VbK3XlVax-uQy-Q-2JkiH_wHMc0dHZoRk_7Chz__mInWjT2Wy8qONgqK39Y4xOsbqSVZ7_28aX_dCT5TUMay6YMfhjVREkTUT7i-w/s1600/uralcycle.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEvSbeFFdDX2ZsXTSxKr-eRkmCH6m11uuMOE-L0VbK3XlVax-uQy-Q-2JkiH_wHMc0dHZoRk_7Chz__mInWjT2Wy8qONgqK39Y4xOsbqSVZ7_28aX_dCT5TUMay6YMfhjVREkTUT7i-w/s320/uralcycle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678361019570909378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 185px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Argh! Beware of the corners!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div>Cornering? "Fuhget abowd it!" I made a left onto a street with three lanes for cars and one for bikes and still almost ran over the curb! Right hand turns were nightmarish as well. I don't think that the sidecar actually went into the air on any of turns, but I have seen enough YouTube videos that I felt like it was going to. I think I made every turn at 5mph or less. I never knew how much roads sloped in one direction or another, until I was on that rig. That was yet another disturbing sensation. By the time I arrived at my destination, my arms were limp with the exhaustion of fighting the scooter.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oc9S42XRYT0jqUhLinaOTu27-Q2H3nabLMM-RXyN44Ve36VtxP8CVAlBawUQ-eGVvuWVvyEeNBWQwTPGfFQYCDwS1_SvcTwrNxqF2-ASCNsXWDnDtkXxGErGZrnFpQP3788m9fIZGzk/s1600/2011-11-06_14-12-18_335.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oc9S42XRYT0jqUhLinaOTu27-Q2H3nabLMM-RXyN44Ve36VtxP8CVAlBawUQ-eGVvuWVvyEeNBWQwTPGfFQYCDwS1_SvcTwrNxqF2-ASCNsXWDnDtkXxGErGZrnFpQP3788m9fIZGzk/s320/2011-11-06_14-12-18_335.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678359449820607666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">My SIL, Raoul, my eldest grandson, Zak, and I on the hack.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Now that I had ridden a sidecar 20 miles or so and was, therefor, an "expert" I told some of my friends how I foolishly wanted one before I had piloted one, but now I knew better and would never get one. I knew those foolish sidecar fantasies would plague me no longer.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJMj3cz1UeDlSLed6sD611r2zwLxJoU6yFvDjkojDrEPJE3sr5C3WmUILbWmiW3V_ltru0RYmHxE92pMyXhyphenhyphenD2spVtvUcjEFBG__jNFhXN5zMjrQ_sKkcOJ_zVplKeBm-Ij9B97Qkmdg/s1600/2011-11-06_14-18-57_285.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJMj3cz1UeDlSLed6sD611r2zwLxJoU6yFvDjkojDrEPJE3sr5C3WmUILbWmiW3V_ltru0RYmHxE92pMyXhyphenhyphenD2spVtvUcjEFBG__jNFhXN5zMjrQ_sKkcOJ_zVplKeBm-Ij9B97Qkmdg/s320/2011-11-06_14-18-57_285.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678359451834393618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">My daughter, one of the grand twins and I on the rig.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Apparently, sidecar fantasies are not easily eliminated. Time went by and my thoughts about them ceased being as negative. I have a daughter, son-in-law and grandson who all live in Cape Town, South Africa. When we first learned, in May, that they were going to come and visit, my wife mentioned, in passing, that sidecars and grand kids would make a pretty good combination. I wasn't too sure about that idea but it fell into one of the many lesser used parts of my brain and began to germinate. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALMEDXNCVIKLIu-Nl7O28L5TMe388LXBpr4AlDjb-74hHDjAfsbRIilwHh3f0eiHEaOrttRejv0xwUzQC5CK3j9TBPhzuPIvysq4AJC8p_RG5Bw6FDMztyWfgQEhiKZ6nQcERWuRL7rs/s1600/2011-11-06_14-20-40_173.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALMEDXNCVIKLIu-Nl7O28L5TMe388LXBpr4AlDjb-74hHDjAfsbRIilwHh3f0eiHEaOrttRejv0xwUzQC5CK3j9TBPhzuPIvysq4AJC8p_RG5Bw6FDMztyWfgQEhiKZ6nQcERWuRL7rs/s320/2011-11-06_14-20-40_173.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678359455817618802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">My other daughter, mother of the grand twins, my other grand twin and I</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Before I knew it, I was thinking a lot about sidecars again. I was googling them. I was watching YouTube videos. I even started following a <a href="http://www.thetimelessride.com/US/Blog.html">blog about Hubert Kriegel</a>, who travels the world on a Ural Sidecar Rig. I began think "What better way to transfer my love for scooters and riding on 2-wheels is there than taking them for a ride in a sidecar?"</div><div><br /></div><div>As the time for the South African contingent's visit got closer, I asked Meta about borrowing her hack for the visit. She never hesitated a moment and said I could have Stella and "the Rocket" (her sidecar) for as long as I wanted them. In the end, we actually traded rides. Meta took my RV-250 and I took her Stella w/sidecar.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2D2xrjcPmuF-XfO_Ckw20wY_RN5QYHHRyhsB3ljF48okFs0FNIxbkD14IU_eLm6bK5kaBf1jJyznOcxlfksoqTun2vkFDiLuRX69OnKdB3R9Aeh5xQ6WgnxrWtTOHUK8lw8gO6IayZno/s1600/2011-11-07_14-32-01_410.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2D2xrjcPmuF-XfO_Ckw20wY_RN5QYHHRyhsB3ljF48okFs0FNIxbkD14IU_eLm6bK5kaBf1jJyznOcxlfksoqTun2vkFDiLuRX69OnKdB3R9Aeh5xQ6WgnxrWtTOHUK8lw8gO6IayZno/s320/2011-11-07_14-32-01_410.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678359469430970898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Zak loved all the scooters.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The kids were actually in town before we managed to make the trade. I met Meta at Scoot Over (Tucson's finest scooter source) and rode home. This was the same rig I had ridden 18 months earlier, but I didn't have quite as many problems with it riding to my house. Perhaps it was because there weren't as many turns. I also was real easy on the brake and accelerator.</div><div><br /></div><div>I got home fine, but knew I had to practice a bit lest I scare to bejeebers out of my 2 year grandson. As I was sitting there on the bike, up drives a car with California plates. My daughter and SIL were expecting some friends from CA who wanted to see them now that they were in the states. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here, dear friends, is the allure of the sidecar. I had never seen these folks before in my life. They stepped out of their car and I called over: </div><div>"You must be the Dunlaps. Want to take a ride in my sidecar?" </div><div>To which Kendra replied: "Are you kidding?"</div><div>"Nope." I said, and she jumped in.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaefCNHGRAylGcSL0NKrXKHyKN_dFgiMjSRE8Vy_KHQJl7LhwZEcnTHiMeVWevMN6aTAZxkURnMGmVzs9sDLrLKDU1Cju9_aw9TJeGKMRl2hguRdsKhWpsYS40YW7qjMi6gxfIqqo_5-A/s1600/2011-11-08_17-14-43_216.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaefCNHGRAylGcSL0NKrXKHyKN_dFgiMjSRE8Vy_KHQJl7LhwZEcnTHiMeVWevMN6aTAZxkURnMGmVzs9sDLrLKDU1Cju9_aw9TJeGKMRl2hguRdsKhWpsYS40YW7qjMi6gxfIqqo_5-A/s320/2011-11-08_17-14-43_216.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678359474654384098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">It's great for picking up pizza, too!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I did advise her, once we were out of sight of the house, that she was the first person i had ever ridden in the sidecar. We zipped around the block and when we pulled up to my driveway, it was clear that Justin was ready for his ride. I took him around the block and when we got back to the house, I took them in the house to introduce them to the family. People will take off with total strangers, if it means they get to ride in a sidecar.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the next ten days, I gave rides in that hack almost every day. I learned to anticipate what the scooter would do on take off and with braking. I learned to slide my butt off the side of the seat in the turns. I learned that even "cool" high school boys, smoking cigarettes, will point and shout "Look at that!" when I rode by. The more I rode, the more I enjoyed this scooter.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_c0CVlIQd_JC_tvrhT2TME2s_ihugUA1s3t1Mrk5S-U0XHuQgC3g2d7cfS6SqMuzX6nAdBMstv99CKHOweO8s_65uOU_HaUbr2buJRCI_fmrKNt-H1O26HieVwpud8Df1ZA8TItM1Wc/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_c0CVlIQd_JC_tvrhT2TME2s_ihugUA1s3t1Mrk5S-U0XHuQgC3g2d7cfS6SqMuzX6nAdBMstv99CKHOweO8s_65uOU_HaUbr2buJRCI_fmrKNt-H1O26HieVwpud8Df1ZA8TItM1Wc/s320/IMG_1025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678361017935865634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Smiles before & during each ride, tears afterward.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>If the fact that Zak, my grandson, cried every time he got out of the Rocket is any indication, I would say he really liked it. Additionally, everyone else in the family liked it too. I am pretty sure that I don't want a <i>Stella </i>with a sidecar, though. I think it's a little much to expect a 150cc bike to pull the extra mass associated with a sidecar much less a passenger.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAiFrCvSivolypn5pnOmPFmUR7woUh-jrhHHAJZVx8-qt5EOcqVTyNy-RxmSY6DSTkmSfjwY9MR_H9QWl9aBHloqLVcLh0JOPE9AmZhYyGGrvI5J_vHoCA1j_bwxSwlQtHAT45pwIIMY/s1600/ural.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAiFrCvSivolypn5pnOmPFmUR7woUh-jrhHHAJZVx8-qt5EOcqVTyNy-RxmSY6DSTkmSfjwY9MR_H9QWl9aBHloqLVcLh0JOPE9AmZhYyGGrvI5J_vHoCA1j_bwxSwlQtHAT45pwIIMY/s320/ural.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678361022852927170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">What is NOT to love about this?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I am finding myself attracted to the Ural. The fact that the Ural looks just like the hacks you see in the old movie about WWII kind of cements it in my head. I will be looking at scooter and various motorcycle w/sidecar combos over the coming months. I don't know how I'll ever afford one, but we'll wait and see how that goes. </div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-10211767897730280822011-10-10T07:22:00.000-07:002012-09-07T11:08:52.287-07:00I went for a ride a couple of days ago and took my Go-Pro along. I was on my RV-250. This ride was listed in Arizona Highways Magazine, so I decided to go out and try some dirt road again.<br />
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I think my starter failing during that other ride was a coincidence.<br />
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<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=33.927409,-110.541687&spn=1.592946,3.348083&t=m&z=9&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-70521845173578430972011-08-27T19:27:00.000-07:002011-08-30T14:29:32.361-07:00Deeds Done & Dues Paid<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7EOSyH21Ea559Un1K91UL7I_36OyxMgv_VUpbX_sLfEK7Bh0oklrP72hvUDrensB7dF49ZxEhlt02ilVGf912mDnEK0qUBlitCP0PB-dkViNZcvN1UA052KIFg8RiubhTdItWWzuSU0/s1600/Prescott+Loop+182.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div>I haven't really had the opportunity to blog about it lately, but I've been having a LOT of scooter mechanical difficulties. The Buddy broke a belt on my way home from work, then again when I brought it to Sedona. The <a href="http://skyislandriders.com/?p=1028">RV-250</a> lost its starter in the middle of the desert, leaving me stranded for a few hours. Then, earlier this week, Stella seized her crank on a ride to Sonoita with some friends, again leaving me stranded, but at least John K. stayed with me while we waited for my son to come pick me up.</div>
<br /><div>So, it was with some trepidation that I left on a very long ride a few days ago. At every major point along the way, I was thinking about who I could call and where I could keep the scoot until I could come back to pick it up. Thankfully, the scoot ran perfectly for the entire 550+ miles.</div>
<br /><div>Did I say 550 miles? Yes, I did. For details of how and why the route came to be that far and on those particular roads, please refer to my scooter club blog post: <a href="http://skyislandriders.com/?p=1100">Of Prescott Twisties to Jerome to AZ Rim Country and Home.</a> But why consider riding that far, knowing that it would take 14-16 hours in the saddle?</div>
<br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Here is a comment my mother made on my facebook status referring to the length of the ride: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 14px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(237,239,244)" >And why is it you are doing this? I know you love to ride that scooter, but sometime-----" She wasn't the only person who asked either.</span></span></div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUO-B1mO2dD2tf865gvV14wrTyKmZnH31sv9SLv5gQQUo_bwwSMM-b2xuSNZwGWeX02HZxJukK61dQXfeQc7b-exCNKM-cC9Z4u5MUGkWVhy36P_d-Mdtw7EB8clVebIwQsBcb4S8Qik/s1600/Prescott+Loop+133.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645729762262458850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUO-B1mO2dD2tf865gvV14wrTyKmZnH31sv9SLv5gQQUo_bwwSMM-b2xuSNZwGWeX02HZxJukK61dQXfeQc7b-exCNKM-cC9Z4u5MUGkWVhy36P_d-Mdtw7EB8clVebIwQsBcb4S8Qik/s320/Prescott+Loop+133.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" >It was a cloudless morning when I set out</span></div>
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">The fact is that there is more than one answer to that question.The first, and most obvious is that I wanted to ride the area. Yesterday seemed like as good a time as any. Actually I was going to do it 2 weeks ago, but it was raining the morning I planned and going.</span>
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1D4TDWKDGPJZsfwlAUAnHMiY29PZteP1-ltsO-SQIXRwNnY5MNrZ4Koj8n7wVAc-GhqDXSSVJIGCKowF6Fu0zi1axO2yClPTD2_s_bIBexjHFyrKNenpQ_g8dWrS1A5kYnhpZ-uN2zs/s1600/Prescott+Loop+136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645729761022868722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: left" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1D4TDWKDGPJZsfwlAUAnHMiY29PZteP1-ltsO-SQIXRwNnY5MNrZ4Koj8n7wVAc-GhqDXSSVJIGCKowF6Fu0zi1axO2yClPTD2_s_bIBexjHFyrKNenpQ_g8dWrS1A5kYnhpZ-uN2zs/s320/Prescott+Loop+136.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The Weaver Mountains outside of Congress, AZ</span></div></div>
<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Another reason is that I'm pretty sure I won't always live here in Tucson. I don't want to move away wishing that I had ridden a certain road(s) before moving. again, now was as good a time as any.</span></div>
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFC5ZdXW38G6uGadiPpiPIzSu38LajhOjbYbBVFHORNHhKXajPaYrZ3GCoLWGxIPrtxgXIVzbx6sUZXtcNg-Kh6tGRHXXKwd8oyWKEtO5CakOxVfWrY0a9kSunSA5HwNCzE3Y2erJywfk/s1600/Prescott+Loop+141.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645729426059831698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFC5ZdXW38G6uGadiPpiPIzSu38LajhOjbYbBVFHORNHhKXajPaYrZ3GCoLWGxIPrtxgXIVzbx6sUZXtcNg-Kh6tGRHXXKwd8oyWKEtO5CakOxVfWrY0a9kSunSA5HwNCzE3Y2erJywfk/s320/Prescott+Loop+141.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Frog Rock outside of Congress, AZ</span></div></div>
<br /><div>Third, I just love to ride, and I love to ride where I've never ridden before. I had several days off work and this was a good time.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>So, what is it like to ride long distance on a 250cc scooter?</div><div>
<br /><div>I felt great as I left Tucson. I had found some roads outside of Casa Grande on which I had never ridden, as well and a new route around the southwest part of Phoenix. I was looking forward to what lay ahead. Never the less, every bump in the road, made me wonder if the scooter was about to die on me.</div>
<br /><div>Being somewhat of a farm boy, originally from Roswell, NM, I enjoyed the ride between Casa Grande and Maricopa. There were lots a cattle and hay cutting and all the associate smells were there. I may be the only one, but the smell of manure brings on a certain nostalgia for me. The road itslef was straight and flat, but I still enjoyed it a lot.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyXln9kcRasYKxRoo5obfgTs2W-zwsrKIeBV0J8EKeQb3h36W2wRQAzLFW4pbYmKUDDEQcb8GkNK5KHqjLGljpbhiHoPtLyUst1Wb2z2bgjuAfuqmwUeQWHpM9vLdJqQII8Zvw3XqhYY/s1600/Prescott+Loop+147.JPG"></a></div>
<br />Elevation and cloud cover started increasing as I left the Phoenix area, riding toward Wickenburg. One of the many things I love about riding in AZ are the mountains. A 50 miles ride can take up, then down several thousand feet, depending on where you are. Temperatures can drop 30 degrees and you can go from desert to pine forest. It is amazing to experience. On this day, I experienced it over and over again. What a treat.
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<br /></u></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyXln9kcRasYKxRoo5obfgTs2W-zwsrKIeBV0J8EKeQb3h36W2wRQAzLFW4pbYmKUDDEQcb8GkNK5KHqjLGljpbhiHoPtLyUst1Wb2z2bgjuAfuqmwUeQWHpM9vLdJqQII8Zvw3XqhYY/s1600/Prescott+Loop+147.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645729421528726162" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyXln9kcRasYKxRoo5obfgTs2W-zwsrKIeBV0J8EKeQb3h36W2wRQAzLFW4pbYmKUDDEQcb8GkNK5KHqjLGljpbhiHoPtLyUst1Wb2z2bgjuAfuqmwUeQWHpM9vLdJqQII8Zvw3XqhYY/s320/Prescott+Loop+147.JPG" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 179px; text-align: center; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Roadside Memorial along the White Spar Highway (AZ-89)</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >
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<br />My excitement in creased as I left Congress, AZ. I knew that I would be climbing a big mountain (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6T8sUsE64Y&feature=related">the White Spar Highway</a>) and then, not far after that, I would reach the first of the roads I was out here for. The White Spar is an impressive climb. The I was limited to about 45mph top speed, because of the grade. I've read that this is a dangerous stretch of road, but there was little traffic when I was there. Riding down probably would have been a bit scarier.</div><div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPCRAilCFhKZwsVak_Z5Jq92-VgSyZFQAt7x1CSI9DR_r3OflQosOgKdnE4hNT_tfdvp-czzQLPXNeaCTySz3vMsdsRiscSXldoxrvgvPEPUG4406_nxNSpLslz81PE4EJsDzaJd6y_4/s1600/Prescott+Loop+163.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645729420577761426" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPCRAilCFhKZwsVak_Z5Jq92-VgSyZFQAt7x1CSI9DR_r3OflQosOgKdnE4hNT_tfdvp-czzQLPXNeaCTySz3vMsdsRiscSXldoxrvgvPEPUG4406_nxNSpLslz81PE4EJsDzaJd6y_4/s320/Prescott+Loop+163.JPG" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 179px; text-align: center; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Route 89 outside of Prescott.</span></div>I reached the top and wished there had been a scenic overlook for pics of the valley. As I am writing this, I discovered that there is one, but it is only available to vehicle goes DOWN. Another time, maybe. I pulled over in the little town of Yarnell to mount my Go-Pro camera. I really wanted to catch the twisties and share them with others.
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<br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0Fbai06wEW8sX-BlqSuCWwTNtRrx30VufoBJRUHdBIcfvb_Fc2Hnflg-UQBTyii2kNMfVo5aCMbg_4WBRVFUc29XAFzu-52qxHVWp1TwzH2XkoAYynWJrlmZ-o6_B4yPPD7pGWu2Hq4/s1600/Prescott+Loop+169.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645729416405390930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0Fbai06wEW8sX-BlqSuCWwTNtRrx30VufoBJRUHdBIcfvb_Fc2Hnflg-UQBTyii2kNMfVo5aCMbg_4WBRVFUc29XAFzu-52qxHVWp1TwzH2XkoAYynWJrlmZ-o6_B4yPPD7pGWu2Hq4/s320/Prescott+Loop+169.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Beautiful Blue Stella w/sidecar Combo at Prescott Scooter & Auto Source</span></div></div>
<br />My desire to share my rides is another reason I enjoy these rides as well. Since I have started blogging about my rides, I have had many people tell me that they enjoy each installment. I encourages me to know that I bring other people enjoyment by writing about my little scooter hobby.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyEWAHq07peJ_ImujPmLWK3ZMJDo6u0q99QTFL5F540LHcoKLJInvbuKEJIC_pP7a94w3q7NTq8hJT4fXNJI44fmLUwGhfHgW26tp_jYeK8DxRgE2DVZJ1Nyqimimdg-YazErKbpQ6PU/s1600/Prescott+Loop+173.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645729408414680418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyEWAHq07peJ_ImujPmLWK3ZMJDo6u0q99QTFL5F540LHcoKLJInvbuKEJIC_pP7a94w3q7NTq8hJT4fXNJI44fmLUwGhfHgW26tp_jYeK8DxRgE2DVZJ1Nyqimimdg-YazErKbpQ6PU/s320/Prescott+Loop+173.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Scooter & auto source also had this 150cc Tomahawk Replica</span></div></div>
<br />I learned from from my first video attempts in Sedona, so I changed up the way I was videoing. Rather than just letting the camera run, I only shot 1-2 minutes at a time. That way it would take forever to load and edit. The biggest problem I had with this technique was that it is hard to tell if the camera is on or off. There is no indicator light on the top or back of the camera, so I had to guess a bit. I did end up missing one to the better segments of the road. Here is my edited video of the segment of AZ-89 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmD_6E54liE">HERE</a>.<div>
<br /></div><div>I was thrilled to see a lot full of scooters as I rode through Prescott. I stopped for a bit and met Mark Tetreau, owner of Prescott Scooter and Auto Source. I love scooter people.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7EOSyH21Ea559Un1K91UL7I_36OyxMgv_VUpbX_sLfEK7Bh0oklrP72hvUDrensB7dF49ZxEhlt02ilVGf912mDnEK0qUBlitCP0PB-dkViNZcvN1UA052KIFg8RiubhTdItWWzuSU0/s320/Prescott+Loop+182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646751806243320178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Storm heading toward Jerome</span></div><div>
<br /></div><div>I cut my visit short because it had started sprinkling. It initially looked like the skies were clearer to the south, but once I got out of Prescott, I saw the storm clouds you can see in the pic above. I could see frequent lightening as well. I knew I was probably going to get wet.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptYFA9xN9ggYooPILS8XT2-HFeQu0FFeZbo21EwbZS0CuobaE-wBIjHZ95dS6cDKneKPl6krnyZlfJM0hdegxTQXA44GPACv-EG17KHSuVfE1i9vzktOa9HSaIxDnCDzXOgKTlC2Hai8/s1600/Prescott+Loop+183.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645728616070109682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptYFA9xN9ggYooPILS8XT2-HFeQu0FFeZbo21EwbZS0CuobaE-wBIjHZ95dS6cDKneKPl6krnyZlfJM0hdegxTQXA44GPACv-EG17KHSuVfE1i9vzktOa9HSaIxDnCDzXOgKTlC2Hai8/s320/Prescott+Loop+183.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Looking through rain squall toward Jerome, AZ</span></div></div>
<br />I found myself looking forward to the rain. It's probably just me, but I don't want to be a "fair weather" rider. So, I rode through the rain, up, then down, a steep, winding, mountain road. I kind of feel like I've "paid my dues." Another milestone passed. Also, I was pleased, because I had just ridden the other stretch of road that I wanted to ride.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I was a bit disappointed that it was pouring down as I hit Jerome. It's a very scenic little town. I might have gotten off the bike and walked around a bit had it been nicer.
<br /><div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DitjzxjLHWEeQhds-xgWh9vQyWVPETTWGeMzS73Exk7cPDyx8X7cK_qZ5FzVnl7DfWzjjb6MFkv77dQ0EwATn3IqZDouOZ0Q_qvlIOF3qi6f1tJDbgnH3-xHwu8ePLlplhu1CjpH_wg/s1600/Prescott+Loop+188.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645728606571590914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DitjzxjLHWEeQhds-xgWh9vQyWVPETTWGeMzS73Exk7cPDyx8X7cK_qZ5FzVnl7DfWzjjb6MFkv77dQ0EwATn3IqZDouOZ0Q_qvlIOF3qi6f1tJDbgnH3-xHwu8ePLlplhu1CjpH_wg/s320/Prescott+Loop+188.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Riding in the rain got my manual GPS a little damp</span></div></div>
<br />I had planned on stopping for a bit in Cottonwood, but I was right on the leading edge of the rain as I got there. I decided to keep going. It took until Camp Verde, another 25 miles, before I was into some partial sunshine. At this point I was just over 300 miles into my ride. I checked in with my wife to let her know that I expected the ride to take another 6-8 hours.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8DyzqF7va_9nwICnaXmx-ktN8h_IPvH1lv_G7DNxVITlyhrG0Hm8xyh63kklUgutqbeMcXKmGNt9AN-MXwQ5gb6HDxNI6q08JM-Tz1_GibUdw0vtEopdsJJ5LdtslP6Eixkwuf88-j0/s1600/Prescott+Loop+189.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645728603745316418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8DyzqF7va_9nwICnaXmx-ktN8h_IPvH1lv_G7DNxVITlyhrG0Hm8xyh63kklUgutqbeMcXKmGNt9AN-MXwQ5gb6HDxNI6q08JM-Tz1_GibUdw0vtEopdsJJ5LdtslP6Eixkwuf88-j0/s320/Prescott+Loop+189.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Rain squall near Roosevelt Lake</span></div></div>
<br />A lesson I learned while on this ride: Don't bet new glasses then take off on a 15 hour ride the next day. I wasn't having problems seeing, but they were too tight behind my ears. Over the course of the day, they were getting more and more painful. I'm sure the helmet didn't help, either.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>More anticipation: I was now headed toward <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/az/strawberrypine/">Pine, Strawberry</a> and <a href="http://www.paysonrimcountry.com/">Payson</a>. I had never been to any of these communities until my last trip to Sedona. This area is what is known as AZ Rim Country, because it is on the Mogollon Rim, and it is beautiful. It is also a bit under utilized because it is not really "on the way" to any place. The good thing about that is that there aren't big crowds. There are nice looking hotels and B&B's as well as a lot of campgrounds. The road quality all around this area is excellent, though. I definitely have plans to return to the Payson area with my wife. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I was getting tired at this point. One thing that keeps me alert is the excitement of a new road. I left Payson then turned onto AZ-166 which would take me by Roosevelt Lake. I had never been on that road now had I seen that lake before. I remained alert as I approached, rode along side, then passed this beautiful lake. There are many large camping and picnic areas along it shores and most were almost completely empty as I went by.<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioO5Uvr99DZDOoYhybcRjqlTxzywVjpyHu0vE8-ssnXTzGjpgNokdaYK-GV2TjSDdhXE1xxamHHQUjfa8njWl42U5qyYw6yb3gLD5rCutWsVphiF1Jnbo_MFVsn70kdmOcnpQwHWwvgZ0/s1600/Prescott+Loop+203.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645728598738786946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioO5Uvr99DZDOoYhybcRjqlTxzywVjpyHu0vE8-ssnXTzGjpgNokdaYK-GV2TjSDdhXE1xxamHHQUjfa8njWl42U5qyYw6yb3gLD5rCutWsVphiF1Jnbo_MFVsn70kdmOcnpQwHWwvgZ0/s320/Prescott+Loop+203.JPG" border="0" /></a><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I found this bridge next to the Roosevelt Dam to be quite beautiful</span></div></div></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I reached Globe, AZ for some food and my final fuel stop. It is just over 100 miles to Tucson from Globe, night was falling and I had been riding for more than 12 hours.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >More lessons learned: </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1. Even a good fitting helmet gets uncomfortable after this long. The top of my head was feeling like it was burning from the continuous pressure.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >2. Even a comfortable seat gets uncomfortable. My butt was also beginning to feel as if it were burning.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >If you think you'll be doing a long ride like this, then plan for the fact that you will likely have to stop more and more frequently the longer you ride. I had been stopping about every 100 miles or so until now. I had to stop twice more before I got back to Tucson</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The other thing I had trouble with, was driving at dusk. I found that I was pretty darn frightened. I kept imagining a deer leaping out from the side of the roadway. Once it was completely dark, I felt a lot better. I am glad the RV-250 has such great lighting.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Ride on,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Howard</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-448417808494530922011-07-28T11:23:00.000-07:002011-07-28T11:31:01.095-07:00Savoring the SwitchbacksIt took me a while, but I recently took a little vacation to Sedona with my wife. While there, I shot some video with my new Go-Pro camera. I learned a bit about shooting video and a bit more about editing it. Here is the first video I shot during the vacation:<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IO5AQQuoC78" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />I hope to be posting again soon. I also been posting recently at the <a href="http://skyislandriders.com">Sky Island Riders</a> site. I posted, already, about the trip from <a href="http://skyislandriders.com/?p=1066">Tucson to Sedona</a>.<div><br /></div><div>Ride on,</div><div><br /></div><div>Howard<br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-47409211970155682222011-07-21T12:06:00.000-07:002011-07-21T13:34:15.620-07:00From Scarab Ride to Sugar High<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzb3ebJIMSDLhkvAv-1_uRo1m2RlT080cP-kLGhVPkPdrO2tkEy6fZADjBKoHUOOqUEkYk7R0amO2Mtoh4yQXlKNuSC_Sqdt9YqyocwjdNaDV3sScj_EHy-gr0-MwOJwHQtTpxjcgseA/s1600/2011-05-21_13-57-41_660.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div>So, once again, I have been lax about blogging. It's not quite as bad as it seems though,because I have posted a couple of times on my club site since last posting here. Today, I thought I would write about a couple of the group rides I was a part of in May and June.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Rapture Ride</b></div><div>One of the scooter clubs in Phoenix is the <a href="http://www.phxscarabsc.com/forum/">Scarabs</a>. We were invited to ride in their monthly ride and a couple of us decided to attempt the trek to Phoenix for this ride. Craig organized this ride and called it the Rapture Ride. (Remember the guy who said the world would end on 5/21?)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6i1hNc_ZGxFY39m7wuvWkP0dIRw8wM5n3t3DsIys8jG-zpB4GXIQpzR0t45x-YcmE4yrwCU0ylbv5QtJQevfdMI9VzXUgHyFLN2uVR19m3Q9B-AxzM1KO51bn-ofsW4e4JysLfwuwkw/s320/2011-05-21_11-37-03_845.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631885350898209986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "> <span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Arizona Falls - There is a lot of water around the Phoenix area.</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Initially, we were going to ride up, but that meant getting up around 3am, riding 150 miles or so, doing the ride, then riding back home. We decided to truck the bikes up.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-rq-7oLDdGeJCYK6IrPMBQivHrkt6bdObDbfl8his5Tuhq4UWLdw_8b4CkJxDdlwroRwp_lwvB0QMEP2YvcEd-BXJIicSucvMRwIUX6xLBvDbOZg6yW2tsF8XEXOjYpaUzxUcwywO0M/s320/2011-05-21_11-43-59_688.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631885340419529074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The author at AZ Falls - This is a great park! </i></span></span></div><div>This ride was most excellent. I have been to Phoenix many times, but I've never had the opportunity or inclination to just drive around and site see. Craig picked out a bunch of quirky points of interest and connected them together in a fun way</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0LBXyHtIRK6lsYpHRWm1j7gFCduvl8m3YjmNyEdBFEARgIzeio-8nMiUIfPCYvXr65z0Josb0-SufLkzJm44DLeo1wEWbhZmDU5cNpz1MTV5jbjQ-BZOtMnI5qD6t1FEg9dGsuD8wBI/s320/2011-05-21_11-31-39_377.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631885344345606466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Here we are all parked at AZ Falls</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div>Some of the places we checked out: AZ Capitol Building, the <a href="http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/jackalope/2010/07/duppa_house.php">oldest house</a> and the oldest commercial building in Phoenix, the <a href="http://www.brazilbrazil.com/dead.html">Cross Cut / Williams Cemetery</a>, <a href="http://phoenix-attractions.10-best.info/papago.html">Papago Park</a>, <a href="http://www.srpnet.com/water/canals/azfalls.aspx">Arizona Falls</a> and a really nice, though difficult ride around <a href="http://phoenix.gov/recreation/rec/parks/preserves/locations/camelback/index.html">Camelback Mountain</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjcispnO_JF7k7tTtocx12k2bLufLPHqNbGQtLtPOFdsdlZhUfR66R1WjLhLYMdz8p3wLIZlFVN-Eurg5Q4X1sKCo5ruN-JTrBmuIWcCxjqKNN-KyTYtzMfZZdt-YBnX-UrK5PrqOPNY/s320/2011-05-21_12-14-59_485.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631885336821825586" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>The view from Camelback Mountain</i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKcU2ridb2ADt8IDe6tbIGE9Yg64WxpwlA86lLm0vzNYwYbHSXCY4x8JHb2m7gNvVPc4zv7myVdjeN20jmGNHqtp6KE7VUErGLkvIKBe173rHmA-a6jFMBNaGQprxXXkQaWC16A3G7i0/s1600/2011-05-21_12-18-27_582.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKcU2ridb2ADt8IDe6tbIGE9Yg64WxpwlA86lLm0vzNYwYbHSXCY4x8JHb2m7gNvVPc4zv7myVdjeN20jmGNHqtp6KE7VUErGLkvIKBe173rHmA-a6jFMBNaGQprxXXkQaWC16A3G7i0/s320/2011-05-21_12-18-27_582.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631885328564280178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>A Lizard next to the road.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >After taking a break at Arizona Falls, we headed for Camelback Mountain. I didn't get a pic, but we were there to get a look at <a href="http://www.dupontcastle.com/castles/copenhav.htm">Copenhaver Castle</a>. We had a couple of novice riders with us and, unfortunately, a couple of bikes were dropped on the extremely steep road. Sorry guys.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >We cruised by the <a href="http://www.arizonabiltmore.com/">Arizona Biltmore</a> and the <a href="http://www.wrigleymansionclub.com/">Wrigley Mansion</a>. </span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYNKR8qcZVRtv9rYTmSa4R7E1x4cTvTK43S_qk6tnPYiVtoRnzmT2uXViZ1Lwh4hE0rH0A9038EOkwL578EDIQMAHsAOi4sKcKqduYD3MKcgsgxUs1J4llWNPykwwxYgytSeUpymcHQ8/s1600/2011-05-21_13-52-58_84.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYNKR8qcZVRtv9rYTmSa4R7E1x4cTvTK43S_qk6tnPYiVtoRnzmT2uXViZ1Lwh4hE0rH0A9038EOkwL578EDIQMAHsAOi4sKcKqduYD3MKcgsgxUs1J4llWNPykwwxYgytSeUpymcHQ8/s320/2011-05-21_13-52-58_84.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631884791894249426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Scooter gangsters at Hula's</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzb3ebJIMSDLhkvAv-1_uRo1m2RlT080cP-kLGhVPkPdrO2tkEy6fZADjBKoHUOOqUEkYk7R0amO2Mtoh4yQXlKNuSC_Sqdt9YqyocwjdNaDV3sScj_EHy-gr0-MwOJwHQtTpxjcgseA/s320/2011-05-21_13-57-41_660.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631893680029050690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Hula's French Toast</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></span></div><div>We finished this ride with brunch at <a href="http://www.hulasmoderntiki.com/">Hula's Modern Tiki</a>. I had the French Toast which has a hint of Kona Coffee in it. Very tasty.<br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-VIGjHWRV2lhonRHxf7mbQjvabOT-FKho_KxjJgBplZ46aBCmOVB21CP1hYRpuBu9-fSY4ENyZrAj0q4ehiW8jDFWWwizocHTMUR942pSi0wQ6ddaduv5xFHcCVfsAlnAu-Gudz0pjI/s320/2011-05-21_15-13-42_427.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631885512325739090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >After the ride, John and I rode to where we had left the truck. We loaded the bikes and made the 2 hour return trip back to Tucson. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQcg_8UnXmBhsbabPGw8U5H0W81qihnAfakjlaXMdEOLLDyMOsc8LEXNBrHibyM9OQq4o0u6oKmsYeIxNgcO647zMfcB7ouQTMkH8jkakRSxU2xCy2SG8oNZp3BF9LvjGHFgiwCpZplI/s320/2011-05-21_15-27-05_992.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631885505940190610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >My Stella's crash bars made the fit in the truck a little snug.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div>We both had a lot of fun and look forward to attending another Scarabs ride.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >The Donut Ride</span></b></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2c6qMhlO9Hlx_Lan4O8vMxJM1SlPE2lNkszpzYo1X2rJ859ZD0WRhDJaG3CVMZP_pvnyBShX7vWSwbwLPe7p6s12UvutvANHbUIvJwWgg9mSLUK5mDY-A8ePenEqR47uI0EiZon0Tho/s1600/2011-06-04_09-02-43_628.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2c6qMhlO9Hlx_Lan4O8vMxJM1SlPE2lNkszpzYo1X2rJ859ZD0WRhDJaG3CVMZP_pvnyBShX7vWSwbwLPe7p6s12UvutvANHbUIvJwWgg9mSLUK5mDY-A8ePenEqR47uI0EiZon0Tho/s320/2011-06-04_09-02-43_628.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631884791154064450" /></a>This ride had been in the works for months. I have seen other scooter clubs do rides where they cruised around tasting one particular item or another. I decided to do a donut tasting ride, but change it a bit. I created a critique form to give to everyone where we could judge each bakery, then at the end of the ride have "Tucson's Best Donut / Donut Shop."<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteDf5kmgasYWzVV-qCHNfp8BTJArsNpfWDLalfqjY30c3avjZLgmOXDjgcLsG_PMvauMbJChUezNSttfENkH9ahW6i-TZNb55YCMCwZ7jPY17kp0PE0uVxcOkj8JtGw14rvYdR8pYO-Q/s1600/2011-06-04_09-53-32_827.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteDf5kmgasYWzVV-qCHNfp8BTJArsNpfWDLalfqjY30c3avjZLgmOXDjgcLsG_PMvauMbJChUezNSttfENkH9ahW6i-TZNb55YCMCwZ7jPY17kp0PE0uVxcOkj8JtGw14rvYdR8pYO-Q/s320/2011-06-04_09-53-32_827.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631884787051208514" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>Next to Le Caves</i></span></div></div><div>Since "Live to Ride / Ride to Eat" is our unofficial motto, we had a good turnout. I selected 5 local shops, then connected them with a somewhat interesting route. We met at the first shop. Critique forms and pencils were passed out and the tasting began.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOYowK5c62GAy7JcH-iV37OxJ2mXvoBqCguqeNyPAlVLvm2CAp3kRFT70PhIBGELECpQOMtscEwoQoRY3QCSgbCVsZLq3UvJrIdfBeRVtu2Gv_ta4AspR2WgND8-0ED5xj654CFFfcvU/s1600/2011-06-04_10-10-29_577.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOYowK5c62GAy7JcH-iV37OxJ2mXvoBqCguqeNyPAlVLvm2CAp3kRFT70PhIBGELECpQOMtscEwoQoRY3QCSgbCVsZLq3UvJrIdfBeRVtu2Gv_ta4AspR2WgND8-0ED5xj654CFFfcvU/s320/2011-06-04_10-10-29_577.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631884770467773314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>This shop even had a little shrine, complete with coffee and a donut.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The ride was a LOT of fun. A group of scooters flocking in to a small donut shop attracts a bit of attention and we had fun explaining to the management of each shop, what we were doing.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdN445WdcRuRUJo15G0JlZpCb-iad9Tp4C-hnzvfEYHvXafcn7-cs2QpDX-RwHCgveEv7rW2DilWmVXMfhAPan1EoRr9HNZTHM9S5Ix2mSybRvDlwoef2ffVLDFHaM2OgqTO_GM8Zaq5c/s1600/2011-06-04_10-30-57_727.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdN445WdcRuRUJo15G0JlZpCb-iad9Tp4C-hnzvfEYHvXafcn7-cs2QpDX-RwHCgveEv7rW2DilWmVXMfhAPan1EoRr9HNZTHM9S5Ix2mSybRvDlwoef2ffVLDFHaM2OgqTO_GM8Zaq5c/s320/2011-06-04_10-30-57_727.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631884774013754930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i>At the last shop, I asked if anyone was feeling sick</i></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >This was a popular ride, so I'm now working on another "tasting" kind of ride. What should it be? Tacos? Sonoran hot dogs? Ice cream? We'll see.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >My next post will probably be about a recent trip to Sedona, AZ. My wife and I went there for six days and had a grand time. I brought the scoot along and got some fine pictures as well as some video.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Ride on,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Howard</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-60752142510103148722011-05-22T10:39:00.000-07:002011-05-22T10:47:52.540-07:00I got a Go-Pro camera for my birthday this year and really hadn't used it yet. I do plan on using for some upcoming "You Are There" type videos on the Sky island Riders "Riding SoAZ" series. <div><br /></div><div>I took it along with me on a one of the rides we did one the rally and included that footage in a rally montage I edited using the video and pics taken during our rally. The video has been posted on the various club sites, but I am posting here because some of the people who read this blog, do not read the others.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you've seen it already, I apologize, if not, I hope you enjoy the video:</div><div><br /></div><div>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBjkN9ggmNE</div><div> <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QBjkN9ggmNE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div>Ride on,</div><div>Howard</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-31156876287661785432011-05-03T15:42:00.000-07:002011-05-03T19:53:41.728-07:00Of Fractures and Fun<div>"Fractures and Fun." There's a couple of words that you don't hear together all that often. but they describe my life of the past 6 weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div>First, the fracture part: On March 16, I was on the scooter, riding around behind Scoot Over, and. . . crashed. I don't know how or why. I presume that I hit a patch of grease of oil, but I just don't know. So, going 10-15mph, the scoot (Iron Buddy) went down on it's left side. I went over the front, broke my fall with my right hand/arm, rolled to my elbow, then over to my butt and up on my feet, grabbed the scooter and returned it to it's full upright position. All this happened in 5 seconds or less.</div><div><br /></div><div>I immediately felt as if my right wrist was sprained. I helped unload a scooter from the back of the Scoot Over truck, then took the cowl off the Buddy's engine, replaced the spark plug cap and put the cowl back on. My wrist was really beginning to stiffen up. I decided that I had better head home before I couldn't ride.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the time I got home, I was unable to take my gear off and had to have my wife help me. Naturally, I had to tell her what had happened. Being the good, caring wife that she is, she told me to go the Urgent Care as she was certain I had fractured my wrist. Being a nurse, I was rapidly coming to the same conclusion.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxT28ZtCurGqdxvZcLyVqaSuodIe6J9K-lnRR0kMD-L5_lgXrruw7xMdWBKTRe9OSTGGzTIuBm6_3J94vzWHViPeTZ7NQEXGtfEj1KtqO0A18TAP1S_Di0SWouBKl4e_LgAxaatR5XyZo/s1600/Droid+pix+March+354.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxT28ZtCurGqdxvZcLyVqaSuodIe6J9K-lnRR0kMD-L5_lgXrruw7xMdWBKTRe9OSTGGzTIuBm6_3J94vzWHViPeTZ7NQEXGtfEj1KtqO0A18TAP1S_Di0SWouBKl4e_LgAxaatR5XyZo/s320/Droid+pix+March+354.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602638234349488690" /></a><div>Long story short: I had fractured my right radius bone in two places. the first was at the wrist and the second was in the elbow. Additionally, judging by how much it hurt to move or breathe, I believe I fractured a rib on the right side as well. This put me in a sling and wrist immobilizer and out of work, for the better part of five weeks. The picture above is me, an hour or two after returning from Urgent Care. They splinted the arm, but the next day, the ortho doctor removed it.</div><div><br /></div><div>The worst part of this was that i was supposed to ride in the Salton Sea Endurance Rally the following week. I had to cancel. Initially, I could only type with my left hand and so, didn't feel like posting anything about my little mishap.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, where was the fun part? I don't know that I mentioned it, but we have been planning our second scooter rally, called "For A Few CC's more." The rally was this past weekend. My injury kept me off of work, but not out of rally planning. Thanks to my fracture, I was able to get out, find sponsors and plan rides in a lot more detail than last year.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had debated on writing a separate entry just for the planning aspect of the rally, but I'll pass, since the rally is over. Suffice it to say, that we (4 of my loyal club mates and I) spent about 4 months planning the rally. The last month was hectic and required a lot of time, but we got it done. So, what did the rally involve?</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirO5ENs-CjPPq2JQL7BFFUSfHptM5hV8gLZ_2KkHy0MvH937oPjJt0xYxqw5BACSWx4OW2qMjHRxw34Hga4Je-hhWL6F-1hZSSdAFVHN_E7JY-klz-w6JvvfBwDUs-1Jd14QiouyWiEuY/s1600/Few+CCs+More+016.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirO5ENs-CjPPq2JQL7BFFUSfHptM5hV8gLZ_2KkHy0MvH937oPjJt0xYxqw5BACSWx4OW2qMjHRxw34Hga4Je-hhWL6F-1hZSSdAFVHN_E7JY-klz-w6JvvfBwDUs-1Jd14QiouyWiEuY/s320/Few+CCs+More+016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602635455769950114" /></a><div>We kicked it off with a ride. 9 scooters and a beautiful Triumph motorcycle participated. It was a bit windy, but it was sunshiny and about 90 degrees.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqKwsSJoRDtObChcxDucZSAzs_9jJr9GX1WdTfVzShfOpfx6vrEIzufxkKtcuVOcr9fIUIcYwVMv9iaVBCIuSZ-D3ThREDFMFn9kPTyvfP7KMlo8FY7yUgYxswbHgIq6gEFJQRfcxPmc/s1600/P1050075.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqKwsSJoRDtObChcxDucZSAzs_9jJr9GX1WdTfVzShfOpfx6vrEIzufxkKtcuVOcr9fIUIcYwVMv9iaVBCIuSZ-D3ThREDFMFn9kPTyvfP7KMlo8FY7yUgYxswbHgIq6gEFJQRfcxPmc/s320/P1050075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602624970699608354" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>This ride crossed through some beautiful desert areas. We rode through Picture Rocks, then around behind the Tucson Mountains and returned to the Tucson area via Gates Pass.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7V4DlNTBKSAABbqmnSyLdDQcMjTEL6FyvqyGicx6LguJs2sjF1HRyEJmTf7ANBPytk2PWQV3WYD3-PleNz57kIW04FdtrwyjhlbRWp7NDlJZweCTnVOknlDt0aQTKp_hg7mBhyphenhypheneTWP24/s1600/P1050083.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7V4DlNTBKSAABbqmnSyLdDQcMjTEL6FyvqyGicx6LguJs2sjF1HRyEJmTf7ANBPytk2PWQV3WYD3-PleNz57kIW04FdtrwyjhlbRWp7NDlJZweCTnVOknlDt0aQTKp_hg7mBhyphenhypheneTWP24/s320/P1050083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602624964884782498" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div></div><div>This is the group stopped at a gas station for a couple minutes of rest and fuel for those who needed it. The ride was 52 miles and 2 hours long.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiB3EhsSOR21leEyUpVg-N7pRqsfRLgzXD3UqK28RSUv7iMwAfwXzyYisfEdGhnWdGIc_l743AfZkkxAYkGJPJlZUIjL2c6r-gw5eV3Cty8nV3r-GqU0qz5KIN4wZY5IvKKJeDlfHUvg/s1600/Few+CCs+More+041.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiB3EhsSOR21leEyUpVg-N7pRqsfRLgzXD3UqK28RSUv7iMwAfwXzyYisfEdGhnWdGIc_l743AfZkkxAYkGJPJlZUIjL2c6r-gw5eV3Cty8nV3r-GqU0qz5KIN4wZY5IvKKJeDlfHUvg/s320/Few+CCs+More+041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602635446286322594" /></a></div><div>We finished the kick-off ride at Scoot Over, where we were holding our Meet & greet. Rally bags and t-shirts were passed out.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCqLVupC_NCb4ofN1v46qdET6-CbP4-6vqgXAuInr354HiRQDCr2capvzxuJgaJiUx9WXV81SqPVoyzrFvuBnurqsFOZ5UoFAEnofb5SWr-Fj4E8h0gHDhDjJ8up7vEaVFQqh9fQ9kFw/s1600/2011-04-28_15-28-15_974.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCqLVupC_NCb4ofN1v46qdET6-CbP4-6vqgXAuInr354HiRQDCr2capvzxuJgaJiUx9WXV81SqPVoyzrFvuBnurqsFOZ5UoFAEnofb5SWr-Fj4E8h0gHDhDjJ8up7vEaVFQqh9fQ9kFw/s320/2011-04-28_15-28-15_974.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602662045197238242" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a></div><div>This is our shirt. Isn't it amazing. One of our local scooterists is a graphic artist. Everyone really liked the way the shirt came out.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Y237jZ1wA9flwzdfS_JS1YizGHNSMkD2IXbaZ5Mn-cKpouIeMdVkgjnpL-Xcym4kL_NjkOPjEMSgBrjmxz2o9PMypeEXa40HOmXxRnn1rpKDUQ2xLCMZ6fpWeWdaITEEAN6SXZc3ICk/s1600/P1050132.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Y237jZ1wA9flwzdfS_JS1YizGHNSMkD2IXbaZ5Mn-cKpouIeMdVkgjnpL-Xcym4kL_NjkOPjEMSgBrjmxz2o9PMypeEXa40HOmXxRnn1rpKDUQ2xLCMZ6fpWeWdaITEEAN6SXZc3ICk/s320/P1050132.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602637827997450562" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Saturday started with an early ride, breakfast, then the most planned ride I've ever been associated with and I didn't even ride in it: the Tucson Oddities Ride. We selected a number of unusual locations around town, provided a pamphlet to tell everyone about the locations and took a long, urban ride. One of the spots was <a href="http://www.tucsonvalleyofthemoon.com/index.cfm?p=complete_history.htm">Valley of the Moon</a>. I think I'm going to try and do a separate post with pics from all the locations.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRWRipxFT54Le6NppP_-h9X_6BzrLyX70dkYnURr9iEotMQsKEcL_racLuBiNGqVJBI5jByrHV0dyztLS-U8ciEPo2h8ldwCHTRe11_VYAyexGB1_PrRmjzuoTWoh-trCSqD1y5VBCzI/s1600/P1050166.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRWRipxFT54Le6NppP_-h9X_6BzrLyX70dkYnURr9iEotMQsKEcL_racLuBiNGqVJBI5jByrHV0dyztLS-U8ciEPo2h8ldwCHTRe11_VYAyexGB1_PrRmjzuoTWoh-trCSqD1y5VBCzI/s320/P1050166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602624954908999858" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Another part of the ride was Roller Coaster Road. I posted a video of it in an <a href="http://inthedesertscootin.blogspot.com/2010/09/camera-mount-mayhem.html">earlier post</a>.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_M4bEYWr2fVKi2g-xVNwaG-1FTFxYU983R8IkzCdBxBIxXfV8mwmwE89DjQYoxPj5wHrsJSBxCg_mLBjG5vdm4Ptf2nC0T0CdAExKNa6JykNhyphenhyphenLGGSNpSd7wr3oTddNurLNcdDJTVPRY/s1600/2011-04-30_15-07-21_203.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_M4bEYWr2fVKi2g-xVNwaG-1FTFxYU983R8IkzCdBxBIxXfV8mwmwE89DjQYoxPj5wHrsJSBxCg_mLBjG5vdm4Ptf2nC0T0CdAExKNa6JykNhyphenhyphenLGGSNpSd7wr3oTddNurLNcdDJTVPRY/s320/2011-04-30_15-07-21_203.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602635435215508482" /></a></div><div>Our main venue for Saturday was Grace Community Church. One of our riders is a member there and they welcomed us warmly and gave us the run of the place. It's not a great pic, but they made a nice welcome sign for us, using our t-shirt design. We used their parking lot for our scooter "rodeo" and the inside for our spaghetti western dinner.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKEtd9lKkJ594WAMbz9cp0TRdHI4J-R8HmF5rkFO3ES4UFS3jmyOPnPIx44Px4Ok8yEDrN1ex0lJro85sZhWWkL4UV7gvTxDnp8_iNhedmbY6CBIuzqsULl-OdQbAoXQf031vexNJktk/s1600/Few+CCs+More+417.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKEtd9lKkJ594WAMbz9cp0TRdHI4J-R8HmF5rkFO3ES4UFS3jmyOPnPIx44Px4Ok8yEDrN1ex0lJro85sZhWWkL4UV7gvTxDnp8_iNhedmbY6CBIuzqsULl-OdQbAoXQf031vexNJktk/s320/Few+CCs+More+417.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602625577587710578" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKEtd9lKkJ594WAMbz9cp0TRdHI4J-R8HmF5rkFO3ES4UFS3jmyOPnPIx44Px4Ok8yEDrN1ex0lJro85sZhWWkL4UV7gvTxDnp8_iNhedmbY6CBIuzqsULl-OdQbAoXQf031vexNJktk/s1600/Few+CCs+More+417.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Our teeter-totter from last year was modified a bit, for safety. Most of the participants rode the rodeo course. Six even did the teeter-totter.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRWRipxFT54Le6NppP_-h9X_6BzrLyX70dkYnURr9iEotMQsKEcL_racLuBiNGqVJBI5jByrHV0dyztLS-U8ciEPo2h8ldwCHTRe11_VYAyexGB1_PrRmjzuoTWoh-trCSqD1y5VBCzI/s1600/P1050166.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0ruSMynyZ-TIpSAsvLOrKIcJ71Lle26qBIdKEX5KeOk9UCS88xhXDVdvd4GhTUO1Pf6AY2AM1fNotQUrS4koMPF4emCOhaoOeFwE-UV6ErzILTk37nMotK8Gp3ep2-EqdY7U9Xo-RoM/s1600/P1050200.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0ruSMynyZ-TIpSAsvLOrKIcJ71Lle26qBIdKEX5KeOk9UCS88xhXDVdvd4GhTUO1Pf6AY2AM1fNotQUrS4koMPF4emCOhaoOeFwE-UV6ErzILTk37nMotK8Gp3ep2-EqdY7U9Xo-RoM/s320/P1050200.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602624952107010178" /></a><br /></div><div>We also had slow drags. Above, Brandon and Damn Dirt Dave are pretty close. Dave won the slow drags and the rodeo. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3jMH2aoW73oQoAeluyOyl-IJnxe5B54thlhw98fF9DgorTHKM884s-DGj-csYCqgkwBLTRdQ70UfReoWnoBSAMIP3pX7vv-sMfdu3DbFVPcJLVM3NQeNs7m4937u_7nQwzvfVOKSbjw/s1600/2011-05-01_10-15-12_742.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3jMH2aoW73oQoAeluyOyl-IJnxe5B54thlhw98fF9DgorTHKM884s-DGj-csYCqgkwBLTRdQ70UfReoWnoBSAMIP3pX7vv-sMfdu3DbFVPcJLVM3NQeNs7m4937u_7nQwzvfVOKSbjw/s320/2011-05-01_10-15-12_742.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602635444649764034" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></a></div></div><div>Sunday was our ride up the Sky Island Scenic By-Way, aka Mt Lemmon. It is a beautiful ride. It is 26 miles and about 7000 feet to the top. The road twists, turns and climbs its way out of the desert and eventually into pine forest. At the top in the little community of Summer Haven. 18 bikes participated in this ride. I always have us ride up as a group. The ride down is done as individuals. I do this so that everyone can ride in their own comfort zone and skill level. I don't know if other groups ride mountains this way, but it makes sense to me. We meet up again at a coffee shop at the bottom.</div><div><br /></div><div>The other neat part of this rally is that we gave the money from the raffle to a local charity. This year it was donated to <a href="http://bensbells.org/">Ben's Bells</a>. I was able to give them a check for $543.00. I had deliberately looked for a local organization that was small enough, that our gift would matter. I think it will.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kfJ1e-FXK7A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-75452993517641826822011-03-27T10:17:00.001-07:002011-03-27T12:08:18.060-07:00Viva Vegas<div>For four days, from 2/25 - 2/28, I went to Las Vegas for the High Rollers Scooter Rally. It's the biggest rally I've ever attended. Picking a handful of photos for the blog from all the ones I took is the hard part.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's more than 400 miles from Tucson to Vegas, so we decided to trailer some scooters up there. I got together with some friends from the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/GGR-Scooter-Club/334609747781?v=info">GGR Scooter Club</a> and we shared the trailer and a hotel room for the rally. The drive up was enjoyable as I got to spend some time getting to know some folks that I had never really talked to before.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDEcgBEsTCiHJ7ToknI7wPx-U9TbKYUraDQXWet8cyBMeULsIsMim2H41Kp6SexM4XVCo-cLUqRMfTbs-n5BKLwvaAL0qGdkPwF38CpzmZwSNcAb9VmaHItM5yD-RhyphenhyphenvIdICjYshZ1hk/s1600/Droid+pix+March+260.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDEcgBEsTCiHJ7ToknI7wPx-U9TbKYUraDQXWet8cyBMeULsIsMim2H41Kp6SexM4XVCo-cLUqRMfTbs-n5BKLwvaAL0qGdkPwF38CpzmZwSNcAb9VmaHItM5yD-RhyphenhyphenvIdICjYshZ1hk/s320/Droid+pix+March+260.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588817015854638386" /></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDEcgBEsTCiHJ7ToknI7wPx-U9TbKYUraDQXWet8cyBMeULsIsMim2H41Kp6SexM4XVCo-cLUqRMfTbs-n5BKLwvaAL0qGdkPwF38CpzmZwSNcAb9VmaHItM5yD-RhyphenhyphenvIdICjYshZ1hk/s1600/Droid+pix+March+260.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>In the trailer is Bald John, president of GGR. On the ramp is Smiley and that is his Rattler 110 being unloaded. John K. who rides with the Sky Island Riders and is a member of GGR was also along. At the base of the ramp is Grumpy. He's from GGR in California and mets us in Vegas.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk90Q17kBWk7lshngc3r849KubLMp3q7FSOlSStm7IdWy1Vhha55Pv6gIJk14RutE7yZZaDJs_ZxUvx5MjxhXMstX9M1M1xYD-2r4Xg9a10VEYwAAu3P7IhDQCNknu34DT8nRX5d4HNI/s1600/Droid+pix+March+262.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk90Q17kBWk7lshngc3r849KubLMp3q7FSOlSStm7IdWy1Vhha55Pv6gIJk14RutE7yZZaDJs_ZxUvx5MjxhXMstX9M1M1xYD-2r4Xg9a10VEYwAAu3P7IhDQCNknu34DT8nRX5d4HNI/s320/Droid+pix+March+262.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588817007766713138" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk90Q17kBWk7lshngc3r849KubLMp3q7FSOlSStm7IdWy1Vhha55Pv6gIJk14RutE7yZZaDJs_ZxUvx5MjxhXMstX9M1M1xYD-2r4Xg9a10VEYwAAu3P7IhDQCNknu34DT8nRX5d4HNI/s1600/Droid+pix+March+262.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>In this pic is the reflection of the scooter parking area as seen from our hotel room at the Golden Gate Hotel located at the end of the "<a href="http://www.vegasexperience.com/">Fremont Street Experience.</a>"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJSO_5TXzxWvFcC-iNsstuNCTUnQlXeblqFTAmVtvYd7j9aaFMft39jlTt9DyddvYDLjGsfg1sZq4NP5mgdtOjaiXh68cCesoLpnk6AfJOiFsJE8GsWUqnhrpPmY4lYlhqS6hczolsHU/s1600/Droid+pix+March+268.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJSO_5TXzxWvFcC-iNsstuNCTUnQlXeblqFTAmVtvYd7j9aaFMft39jlTt9DyddvYDLjGsfg1sZq4NP5mgdtOjaiXh68cCesoLpnk6AfJOiFsJE8GsWUqnhrpPmY4lYlhqS6hczolsHU/s320/Droid+pix+March+268.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588817005977630562" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJSO_5TXzxWvFcC-iNsstuNCTUnQlXeblqFTAmVtvYd7j9aaFMft39jlTt9DyddvYDLjGsfg1sZq4NP5mgdtOjaiXh68cCesoLpnk6AfJOiFsJE8GsWUqnhrpPmY4lYlhqS6hczolsHU/s1600/Droid+pix+March+268.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>This is the same parking lot from a different view point. This is taken Friday afternoon. There were a lot more scooters there on Saturday, but I was busy enjoying the festivities and didn't get back up into the parking garage.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wweKhqKDmBjBgyAGvIjJozT5tXE0_NjsA3UDOFuSo1njgrU7362gQCEKWhAG65GMrVHY2HaekyM5fkgug5iaas07eL2NQG9xyLsOV6jrmUcPyxDLJrSbcnEbroQIdb5VBuFRO04rYOE/s1600/High+Rollers+080.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wweKhqKDmBjBgyAGvIjJozT5tXE0_NjsA3UDOFuSo1njgrU7362gQCEKWhAG65GMrVHY2HaekyM5fkgug5iaas07eL2NQG9xyLsOV6jrmUcPyxDLJrSbcnEbroQIdb5VBuFRO04rYOE/s320/High+Rollers+080.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588816996422372002" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wweKhqKDmBjBgyAGvIjJozT5tXE0_NjsA3UDOFuSo1njgrU7362gQCEKWhAG65GMrVHY2HaekyM5fkgug5iaas07eL2NQG9xyLsOV6jrmUcPyxDLJrSbcnEbroQIdb5VBuFRO04rYOE/s1600/High+Rollers+080.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>There were a lot of scooters, but this was my favorite. It's a Heinkel Tourist and it's in beautiful shape. This is the scooter featured in the book "<a href="http://www.greenmanreview.com/book/book_beagle_iseemyoutfit.psb.html">I See by my Outfit</a>" by Peter S. Beagle. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWI7Ksw4IdXHRHd68K1DX2iIYCBosFM20EY47giWtYzlqcJjgsfdx-KnAalbhxpEWZXVkk0eX3hUn2yhPtSFyJ87a2QTeLTnKOp7ZPqVoYZtewr7uDGq9GeXLNJoF206R8T_LmeLvZPY8/s1600/High+Rollers+081.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWI7Ksw4IdXHRHd68K1DX2iIYCBosFM20EY47giWtYzlqcJjgsfdx-KnAalbhxpEWZXVkk0eX3hUn2yhPtSFyJ87a2QTeLTnKOp7ZPqVoYZtewr7uDGq9GeXLNJoF206R8T_LmeLvZPY8/s320/High+Rollers+081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588816468662422402" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Another view of the Heinkel.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWI7Ksw4IdXHRHd68K1DX2iIYCBosFM20EY47giWtYzlqcJjgsfdx-KnAalbhxpEWZXVkk0eX3hUn2yhPtSFyJ87a2QTeLTnKOp7ZPqVoYZtewr7uDGq9GeXLNJoF206R8T_LmeLvZPY8/s1600/High+Rollers+081.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcV2anJbpyQEIotdB2LYf9YFXKyrHqNnnrt34gFUDvRLp8rQv8bxM_QmoGNyfi6TPVqu1h0u-a8jXpRIcG4s_5U3jRIuOHwsIWsUHXItIgqgKKjs8ptnoluYEkQ6A0ISJqh_Ykdv9EY9w/s1600/High+Rollers+198.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcV2anJbpyQEIotdB2LYf9YFXKyrHqNnnrt34gFUDvRLp8rQv8bxM_QmoGNyfi6TPVqu1h0u-a8jXpRIcG4s_5U3jRIuOHwsIWsUHXItIgqgKKjs8ptnoluYEkQ6A0ISJqh_Ykdv9EY9w/s320/High+Rollers+198.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588816479790888834" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcV2anJbpyQEIotdB2LYf9YFXKyrHqNnnrt34gFUDvRLp8rQv8bxM_QmoGNyfi6TPVqu1h0u-a8jXpRIcG4s_5U3jRIuOHwsIWsUHXItIgqgKKjs8ptnoluYEkQ6A0ISJqh_Ykdv9EY9w/s1600/High+Rollers+198.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>There were scooters with weapons and gas masks. They are probably preparing for the zombie apocalypse, which a common concern amongst scooter folk, but I'm not sure why.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VoguHjfweCwt8KelbTy1WzErlT04WLxjRSqbj52pDh3-X8fOpmV5bDbJqForOfobqA4CGrF-Umfdh_N_S8xQLz3HmBbMo-9bwG1uYPkYywUbx8zgY42POOpkJfRRXhNNkcJBCH_R29o/s1600/High+Rollers+010.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VoguHjfweCwt8KelbTy1WzErlT04WLxjRSqbj52pDh3-X8fOpmV5bDbJqForOfobqA4CGrF-Umfdh_N_S8xQLz3HmBbMo-9bwG1uYPkYywUbx8zgY42POOpkJfRRXhNNkcJBCH_R29o/s320/High+Rollers+010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588816471231026914" /></a><br />Some beautiful Lambrettas brought down from Washington state. They were telling us in the hotel that their truck broke down en route, so they sold it to the tow truck driver, rental a u-haul and drove the rest of the way. Now THAT'S dedication to a rally.<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvJgpqwQidYA3Lm8vM8HokhHN-Jz78_jkXsvdyoiMt-DvbRB0Oh41Y8_x_LTmTPFJXp1Ro36CqUOtmx-1xav3b0FDCnWN6mCjDH0Cgwoy7ux-7xShNGKimBpe7prpFgolsI1xBipc5tk/s1600/High+Rollers+120.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvJgpqwQidYA3Lm8vM8HokhHN-Jz78_jkXsvdyoiMt-DvbRB0Oh41Y8_x_LTmTPFJXp1Ro36CqUOtmx-1xav3b0FDCnWN6mCjDH0Cgwoy7ux-7xShNGKimBpe7prpFgolsI1xBipc5tk/s320/High+Rollers+120.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588815465852650994" /></a></div><div>Friday night two of the attendee's got married! I can't remember their names, but they seemed like a nice couple. It was a great time.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvJgpqwQidYA3Lm8vM8HokhHN-Jz78_jkXsvdyoiMt-DvbRB0Oh41Y8_x_LTmTPFJXp1Ro36CqUOtmx-1xav3b0FDCnWN6mCjDH0Cgwoy7ux-7xShNGKimBpe7prpFgolsI1xBipc5tk/s1600/High+Rollers+120.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33z3E7DBzn0wqNDvqTmuJTvhFREqWWUNP5j8F2oItLHGW8MmLLTkwanvk73v-ZlMnf6AgMgpYBBrM1AcjuK24T8DeP831N7AWd8foDoR2c7Lx-8gPWWYWhhsYkrOFUMlb8DQUSswbXTY/s1600/High+Rollers+110.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33z3E7DBzn0wqNDvqTmuJTvhFREqWWUNP5j8F2oItLHGW8MmLLTkwanvk73v-ZlMnf6AgMgpYBBrM1AcjuK24T8DeP831N7AWd8foDoR2c7Lx-8gPWWYWhhsYkrOFUMlb8DQUSswbXTY/s320/High+Rollers+110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588815471251241266" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Here's a pic of their scooter "limo." </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33z3E7DBzn0wqNDvqTmuJTvhFREqWWUNP5j8F2oItLHGW8MmLLTkwanvk73v-ZlMnf6AgMgpYBBrM1AcjuK24T8DeP831N7AWd8foDoR2c7Lx-8gPWWYWhhsYkrOFUMlb8DQUSswbXTY/s1600/High+Rollers+110.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ40IHLQpARdjloiV2zna61qiJiKlR9hh9A3m7BklqhGzT-BH4CW2epHRar5L7W6BYA43CSgLQAiBEoPXPqSw8x0897t2pecDlLS966jexPU_S1cnE1J8XpMhtLlqvHoUr2m-K-u3-mcU/s1600/Droid+pix+March+286.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ40IHLQpARdjloiV2zna61qiJiKlR9hh9A3m7BklqhGzT-BH4CW2epHRar5L7W6BYA43CSgLQAiBEoPXPqSw8x0897t2pecDlLS966jexPU_S1cnE1J8XpMhtLlqvHoUr2m-K-u3-mcU/s320/Droid+pix+March+286.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588815457553426866" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ40IHLQpARdjloiV2zna61qiJiKlR9hh9A3m7BklqhGzT-BH4CW2epHRar5L7W6BYA43CSgLQAiBEoPXPqSw8x0897t2pecDlLS966jexPU_S1cnE1J8XpMhtLlqvHoUr2m-K-u3-mcU/s1600/Droid+pix+March+286.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Saturday morning was cold and blustery. John and I decided to find something indoors to do. We found the <a href="http://www.pinballmuseum.org/">Pinball Hall of Fame</a>! It really took me back to my childhood. If there was an arcade nearby, I would be there.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vnB9aasK50KsVO8weeA4SzLg012OkedU-m7l7u0XIg3iMICf_rsXvY9kJR8bT5Tag-CqzCrtIKe8cERStlFHVhyY7hogaQzcqmkWA5LhWfu2qQDpjxE_XBZlD9CGjl45FE-AwCy3N8U/s1600/High+Rollers+134.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vnB9aasK50KsVO8weeA4SzLg012OkedU-m7l7u0XIg3iMICf_rsXvY9kJR8bT5Tag-CqzCrtIKe8cERStlFHVhyY7hogaQzcqmkWA5LhWfu2qQDpjxE_XBZlD9CGjl45FE-AwCy3N8U/s320/High+Rollers+134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588815455171753602" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vnB9aasK50KsVO8weeA4SzLg012OkedU-m7l7u0XIg3iMICf_rsXvY9kJR8bT5Tag-CqzCrtIKe8cERStlFHVhyY7hogaQzcqmkWA5LhWfu2qQDpjxE_XBZlD9CGjl45FE-AwCy3N8U/s1600/High+Rollers+134.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Another row of machines. All of them are functioning and are playable.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGMi-gaJHThpu3Ql7DGQUFriKrUSS3ikwUTdchYElhCeBSUyNMHElFV0gM5R4D68zpsTncBjveGwT8SLytLnV4gW0G0mgjx4nQqDI048uFkHmW5_3LcdAty6ztHCA34dYoH10WprzbNo/s1600/High+Rollers+195.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGMi-gaJHThpu3Ql7DGQUFriKrUSS3ikwUTdchYElhCeBSUyNMHElFV0gM5R4D68zpsTncBjveGwT8SLytLnV4gW0G0mgjx4nQqDI048uFkHmW5_3LcdAty6ztHCA34dYoH10WprzbNo/s320/High+Rollers+195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588814793572105474" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGMi-gaJHThpu3Ql7DGQUFriKrUSS3ikwUTdchYElhCeBSUyNMHElFV0gM5R4D68zpsTncBjveGwT8SLytLnV4gW0G0mgjx4nQqDI048uFkHmW5_3LcdAty6ztHCA34dYoH10WprzbNo/s1600/High+Rollers+195.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Saturday afternoon at the Golden Gate parking lot.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_mECcSDmWmwOmrYIf3dZ4eJGc0NgtYHmchfRv5qHkkl5PT4PEde8_flIQH0zX3PToQSu2nLVqAMLtjH5saNDVYTVcH9rL2RRFQKpfVJrUCnDW9idMMZHTzzD1nGSQfJNwQFTOcBECDk/s1600/High+Rollers+217.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_mECcSDmWmwOmrYIf3dZ4eJGc0NgtYHmchfRv5qHkkl5PT4PEde8_flIQH0zX3PToQSu2nLVqAMLtjH5saNDVYTVcH9rL2RRFQKpfVJrUCnDW9idMMZHTzzD1nGSQfJNwQFTOcBECDk/s320/High+Rollers+217.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588814786122311714" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_mECcSDmWmwOmrYIf3dZ4eJGc0NgtYHmchfRv5qHkkl5PT4PEde8_flIQH0zX3PToQSu2nLVqAMLtjH5saNDVYTVcH9rL2RRFQKpfVJrUCnDW9idMMZHTzzD1nGSQfJNwQFTOcBECDk/s1600/High+Rollers+217.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Sunday morning was a group ride out to Red Rock Canyon. I was riding in the middle of the pack. This, obviously, is a pic looking forward......<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9D5XQl5cV1HcefG2wlEVtVBBSOC5YUI9kRse2TiU4jIFZnzuhpJQHZLRy-kZNjnAGKqte1WXsV3laWMkhx7wadxpnntDz1PQM8_s2BCTSbKr1Sts_QcXQL_Lnf9vcdyKf1-CKBYiSGcE/s1600/High+Rollers+218.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9D5XQl5cV1HcefG2wlEVtVBBSOC5YUI9kRse2TiU4jIFZnzuhpJQHZLRy-kZNjnAGKqte1WXsV3laWMkhx7wadxpnntDz1PQM8_s2BCTSbKr1Sts_QcXQL_Lnf9vcdyKf1-CKBYiSGcE/s320/High+Rollers+218.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588814775529616466" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9D5XQl5cV1HcefG2wlEVtVBBSOC5YUI9kRse2TiU4jIFZnzuhpJQHZLRy-kZNjnAGKqte1WXsV3laWMkhx7wadxpnntDz1PQM8_s2BCTSbKr1Sts_QcXQL_Lnf9vcdyKf1-CKBYiSGcE/s1600/High+Rollers+218.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>This is looking back. I think there were 30-40 scooters along on this ride. It was a blast.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCKrZWGf1xlq330sjh-MmAXXSGNXTZA5e7JwQtxqVyVnxrRryHfuIoED5C-NuByz2ox3p5xIUyrMFJhWwj-gLOI2L5tJRgSN7M7O2Udo7e0HnmRSIaN9vldT-QH1DL8mR9oi2686M21M/s1600/High+Rollers+228.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCKrZWGf1xlq330sjh-MmAXXSGNXTZA5e7JwQtxqVyVnxrRryHfuIoED5C-NuByz2ox3p5xIUyrMFJhWwj-gLOI2L5tJRgSN7M7O2Udo7e0HnmRSIaN9vldT-QH1DL8mR9oi2686M21M/s320/High+Rollers+228.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588814768828124178" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCKrZWGf1xlq330sjh-MmAXXSGNXTZA5e7JwQtxqVyVnxrRryHfuIoED5C-NuByz2ox3p5xIUyrMFJhWwj-gLOI2L5tJRgSN7M7O2Udo7e0HnmRSIaN9vldT-QH1DL8mR9oi2686M21M/s1600/High+Rollers+228.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>At a fuel stop, there was a group of crotch rocket riders. They really enjoyed coming over and looking at all the scoots. We had one sidecar rig with us, with the obligatory dog. The bikers loved that.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfnI4gMqSGxGF9L1plZ28p4gfYg05Om3qbIKg0nd10dcTwQHe3nU30zmFGQHRgqkIGKuYT2XDXy6iOIvOfW4iwU4osRTPtwywAQ57G3breR2zT-kfiJLogCnJHOdfl7ls9yqUPxUhZG8/s1600/High+Rollers+270.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfnI4gMqSGxGF9L1plZ28p4gfYg05Om3qbIKg0nd10dcTwQHe3nU30zmFGQHRgqkIGKuYT2XDXy6iOIvOfW4iwU4osRTPtwywAQ57G3breR2zT-kfiJLogCnJHOdfl7ls9yqUPxUhZG8/s320/High+Rollers+270.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588813678203706466" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfnI4gMqSGxGF9L1plZ28p4gfYg05Om3qbIKg0nd10dcTwQHe3nU30zmFGQHRgqkIGKuYT2XDXy6iOIvOfW4iwU4osRTPtwywAQ57G3breR2zT-kfiJLogCnJHOdfl7ls9yqUPxUhZG8/s1600/High+Rollers+270.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>red Rock Canyon is beautiful. It reminded me of Sedona, AZ or the mountains about Albuquerque, NM. Pictured is John K. accompanied by our two scooters: my black Stella and his red Stella Fireball.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gQAHRPb1aAJ34kS7oueGDRHDU6rR1cyIAm5-tPHHJkjsmvKa52RejLWzFwHf7ciJaubJO5Ycvk4XcQVdaFavrprvJXTcgyhony7YsGNdiXYNKc03QPjxVXz7m7QYr4VM8zzDwIbHfl4/s1600/High+Rollers+291.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gQAHRPb1aAJ34kS7oueGDRHDU6rR1cyIAm5-tPHHJkjsmvKa52RejLWzFwHf7ciJaubJO5Ycvk4XcQVdaFavrprvJXTcgyhony7YsGNdiXYNKc03QPjxVXz7m7QYr4VM8zzDwIbHfl4/s320/High+Rollers+291.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588813669315811730" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gQAHRPb1aAJ34kS7oueGDRHDU6rR1cyIAm5-tPHHJkjsmvKa52RejLWzFwHf7ciJaubJO5Ycvk4XcQVdaFavrprvJXTcgyhony7YsGNdiXYNKc03QPjxVXz7m7QYr4VM8zzDwIbHfl4/s1600/High+Rollers+291.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>For the most part, we road through the park in groups of 2 and 3. Quite a few of us did stop at this plateau for some pics.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGydZZcFI4MZ0NFI536jwTTykI05WCDiSkQceyYxaG-2bmRaYa6GEKKOIzJ89azvIse70HJmJbQcjYS_5yE-_o6JooxJfBZ3-i5k7b4VTihte2wYVSiKh6MsTjRkcb6hkK-FY412CGUfk/s1600/High+Rollers+334.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGydZZcFI4MZ0NFI536jwTTykI05WCDiSkQceyYxaG-2bmRaYa6GEKKOIzJ89azvIse70HJmJbQcjYS_5yE-_o6JooxJfBZ3-i5k7b4VTihte2wYVSiKh6MsTjRkcb6hkK-FY412CGUfk/s320/High+Rollers+334.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588813660807658674" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGydZZcFI4MZ0NFI536jwTTykI05WCDiSkQceyYxaG-2bmRaYa6GEKKOIzJ89azvIse70HJmJbQcjYS_5yE-_o6JooxJfBZ3-i5k7b4VTihte2wYVSiKh6MsTjRkcb6hkK-FY412CGUfk/s1600/High+Rollers+334.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Stella and I stopped for a couple of pics.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGBY8z-PWgkcaUFpWHflomPAQPT-J9ByJtv2ZNSGMhy_eWoyF62wNz_2aDRyNeW4GQq4TAeOq0ArzzPTAQuV8622P1wZfL4X_Hlqzky0CJWEy9hZ0L1Elot_XVedV3hVAL60r3WPoBWY/s1600/High+Rollers+320.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGBY8z-PWgkcaUFpWHflomPAQPT-J9ByJtv2ZNSGMhy_eWoyF62wNz_2aDRyNeW4GQq4TAeOq0ArzzPTAQuV8622P1wZfL4X_Hlqzky0CJWEy9hZ0L1Elot_XVedV3hVAL60r3WPoBWY/s320/High+Rollers+320.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588813653374104690" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGBY8z-PWgkcaUFpWHflomPAQPT-J9ByJtv2ZNSGMhy_eWoyF62wNz_2aDRyNeW4GQq4TAeOq0ArzzPTAQuV8622P1wZfL4X_Hlqzky0CJWEy9hZ0L1Elot_XVedV3hVAL60r3WPoBWY/s1600/High+Rollers+320.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>At one point, John and I saw these Bighorn Sheep. What a treat.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYro0p6n1U1YLMwAh72ZOEtCvn3iJQX1SiikJXBU6XmnHJdahCjE_BlDPEkSN7Yi2UV8CCjjt2CvnpZ3ZkuKYPD5E2PDggzgMKDElxq5V8HSFWc_VTj5xctwUtrNe2N2W9B7PwkreAYo/s1600/High+Rollers+346.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYro0p6n1U1YLMwAh72ZOEtCvn3iJQX1SiikJXBU6XmnHJdahCjE_BlDPEkSN7Yi2UV8CCjjt2CvnpZ3ZkuKYPD5E2PDggzgMKDElxq5V8HSFWc_VTj5xctwUtrNe2N2W9B7PwkreAYo/s320/High+Rollers+346.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588811331329950450" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYro0p6n1U1YLMwAh72ZOEtCvn3iJQX1SiikJXBU6XmnHJdahCjE_BlDPEkSN7Yi2UV8CCjjt2CvnpZ3ZkuKYPD5E2PDggzgMKDElxq5V8HSFWc_VTj5xctwUtrNe2N2W9B7PwkreAYo/s1600/High+Rollers+346.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>At the end of the ride through the park, we stopped to get the group back together. Naturally, there a little bit of screwing around while we waited.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrQMKH5byUu_29cFaDaEmdcuiRylN5YjjPXxcEvoQJM6l2jlLqpoD06OLHk2_7diId0KuXxyiOhEchUKdivDwM1uZ72Rnr23N8HV-kJtBpnaCYc182Wi3621QhPi4tg1O7aLm-lKYR3M/s1600/High+Rollers+355.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrQMKH5byUu_29cFaDaEmdcuiRylN5YjjPXxcEvoQJM6l2jlLqpoD06OLHk2_7diId0KuXxyiOhEchUKdivDwM1uZ72Rnr23N8HV-kJtBpnaCYc182Wi3621QhPi4tg1O7aLm-lKYR3M/s320/High+Rollers+355.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588811323852864434" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrQMKH5byUu_29cFaDaEmdcuiRylN5YjjPXxcEvoQJM6l2jlLqpoD06OLHk2_7diId0KuXxyiOhEchUKdivDwM1uZ72Rnr23N8HV-kJtBpnaCYc182Wi3621QhPi4tg1O7aLm-lKYR3M/s1600/High+Rollers+355.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Once the group was back together, we went screaming through town for the gymkhana and concourse. There were more scooters there, including this beautiful Honda Gyro.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48eRfHvnYFwkHc8QKSvpyJQ6tIyTA35-AT0rxnaJJe3_dPxabGUH_Fl-EzU9Bz6ie2ZATXfVggn3ye96c-7JnL0PEcwzDhsxIpNoT4it58q9GL6RGAWMccF6exN2qVVGVLQ1mAnEWlmg/s1600/High+Rollers+356.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48eRfHvnYFwkHc8QKSvpyJQ6tIyTA35-AT0rxnaJJe3_dPxabGUH_Fl-EzU9Bz6ie2ZATXfVggn3ye96c-7JnL0PEcwzDhsxIpNoT4it58q9GL6RGAWMccF6exN2qVVGVLQ1mAnEWlmg/s320/High+Rollers+356.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588811313253836162" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48eRfHvnYFwkHc8QKSvpyJQ6tIyTA35-AT0rxnaJJe3_dPxabGUH_Fl-EzU9Bz6ie2ZATXfVggn3ye96c-7JnL0PEcwzDhsxIpNoT4it58q9GL6RGAWMccF6exN2qVVGVLQ1mAnEWlmg/s1600/High+Rollers+356.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Some of the scooters gathered at Fred's Bar.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4y79ToeX1VY71WOdDLX-aYMeffmKtukv1oMn67LnT_illeZNRYcwpbW3ckj4Jv7CDw0MWk2fdL1Elo0ET0jGXKKOr6gdOu5-7DxWcyNgrO3vj9wCj9eHqbcMCU1TZPluemdG7AU6Mfjo/s1600/High+Rollers+401.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4y79ToeX1VY71WOdDLX-aYMeffmKtukv1oMn67LnT_illeZNRYcwpbW3ckj4Jv7CDw0MWk2fdL1Elo0ET0jGXKKOr6gdOu5-7DxWcyNgrO3vj9wCj9eHqbcMCU1TZPluemdG7AU6Mfjo/s320/High+Rollers+401.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588811307127797026" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4y79ToeX1VY71WOdDLX-aYMeffmKtukv1oMn67LnT_illeZNRYcwpbW3ckj4Jv7CDw0MWk2fdL1Elo0ET0jGXKKOr6gdOu5-7DxWcyNgrO3vj9wCj9eHqbcMCU1TZPluemdG7AU6Mfjo/s1600/High+Rollers+401.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>A pic of a scooter going over the jump on the gymkhana.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not really a fan of Las Vegas, but I love scooters and scooter people. That made the trip worthwhile. I'm not sure if I'll being going back again next year or not, but I did have a good time this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Below is a youtube video done by Scooter Space. It gives you a good idea of the flavor of the rally. You can see my Stella at 0:33 in the video.</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/U5p5EE_6Ujc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-83831157927051301072011-02-20T10:24:00.000-08:002011-02-20T11:52:05.361-08:00U-Haul to U-Ston (Houston)<div>My oldest son moved to Houston a couple of months ago, but only took a car full of stuff. So, he flew back to Tucson, we rented a u-haul truck, loaded up his household good and drove it to Houston, actually, Kingwood, TX on the north side of Houston. It's about 1100 miles door to door.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you've read my blog entry about the <a href="http://inthedesertscootin.blogspot.com/2010/05/epic-post-for-epic-ride.html">Iron Butt Ride</a>, you know that I hate driving through El Paso. You can't by-pass it to the south, because of Mexico being in the way. I knew I could go through Las Cruces and go around that way, but that is probably an extra 100 miles. After a bit of research, I found <a href="http://www.texasfreeway.com/elpaso/photos/lp375/375_transmountain.shtml">Transmountain Road,</a> aka Route 375. According to Google, it is 5 miles and 10 minutes further. Friends, I will NEVER, drive I-10 through El Paso again!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXEVb1wGHzfPKakZ0DgR3qqRiTyg16aCN67nXdzIzDhljYzcbtZRZ_BKbpSKiJQMFYM6W4S1YSHcm1KAh4QnKPkFWg5miIstrc5qgIplJEeghdVWiQyaWNL5iiEG8NXnRWUahvnEU-t0/s1600/Houston+Trip+184.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXEVb1wGHzfPKakZ0DgR3qqRiTyg16aCN67nXdzIzDhljYzcbtZRZ_BKbpSKiJQMFYM6W4S1YSHcm1KAh4QnKPkFWg5miIstrc5qgIplJEeghdVWiQyaWNL5iiEG8NXnRWUahvnEU-t0/s320/Houston+Trip+184.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575841341417079890" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXEVb1wGHzfPKakZ0DgR3qqRiTyg16aCN67nXdzIzDhljYzcbtZRZ_BKbpSKiJQMFYM6W4S1YSHcm1KAh4QnKPkFWg5miIstrc5qgIplJEeghdVWiQyaWNL5iiEG8NXnRWUahvnEU-t0/s1600/Houston+Trip+184.jpg"></a>This is a view looking east from a little rest area on Transmountain. Fort Bliss is out there. I have several scooter friends in the Las Cruces, El Paso areas and wish we would have had time to seen them. We re-entered I-10 at N Americas Ave and resumed our eastward trek.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JzNNekH-3Dawv_ULCEK18FMC5-1gwNVoZ-hX9xnlv3AYKSqtkjoszErIZCszJMYhUpQKeqLL2uFFfZLF_bIZ3PXMDDsllyLlMOqhHTMqOvlGjdviIpzzJlTUjRVt6WljO97Qj1XSaUQ/s1600/Houston+Trip+193.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JzNNekH-3Dawv_ULCEK18FMC5-1gwNVoZ-hX9xnlv3AYKSqtkjoszErIZCszJMYhUpQKeqLL2uFFfZLF_bIZ3PXMDDsllyLlMOqhHTMqOvlGjdviIpzzJlTUjRVt6WljO97Qj1XSaUQ/s320/Houston+Trip+193.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575841335822772514" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JzNNekH-3Dawv_ULCEK18FMC5-1gwNVoZ-hX9xnlv3AYKSqtkjoszErIZCszJMYhUpQKeqLL2uFFfZLF_bIZ3PXMDDsllyLlMOqhHTMqOvlGjdviIpzzJlTUjRVt6WljO97Qj1XSaUQ/s1600/Houston+Trip+193.jpg"></a>Stopped at an interesting Rest Area. This is a cool mural on the wall. Our plan was to drive as far as<a href="http://www.ozona.com/"> Ozona, TX</a> (about 600 miles) and drive the rest of the way the 2nd day. 25-30 miles east of Fort Stockton, we got a blowout. We called U-haul and they sent a tire guy from Ozona (75 miles away) to come help. After a 3 hour delay, setting along side I-10 in the dark, we arrived at our hotel around 1130pm.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC7xLdsrTBcgnqalts9ohCX7KiL1ag_u2N4vVirRJYP_Czzvr_ztQc56LVUHJnupsQy_bFvDdObNs3XT9owwwAjbxdd3jNFXq4oq_Okbzp8aneLFdTFbhhyphenhyphenyEoAsfGVt8-14QsuLsio8/s1600/Houston+Trip+205.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC7xLdsrTBcgnqalts9ohCX7KiL1ag_u2N4vVirRJYP_Czzvr_ztQc56LVUHJnupsQy_bFvDdObNs3XT9owwwAjbxdd3jNFXq4oq_Okbzp8aneLFdTFbhhyphenhyphenyEoAsfGVt8-14QsuLsio8/s320/Houston+Trip+205.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575841330985853154" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC7xLdsrTBcgnqalts9ohCX7KiL1ag_u2N4vVirRJYP_Czzvr_ztQc56LVUHJnupsQy_bFvDdObNs3XT9owwwAjbxdd3jNFXq4oq_Okbzp8aneLFdTFbhhyphenhyphenyEoAsfGVt8-14QsuLsio8/s1600/Houston+Trip+205.jpg"></a>Thanks to Yelp!, I located the Cafe' Next Door and we had a very tasty breakfast for exceptionally good prices. ($4 for my 3-eggs ham and cheese omelet with taters and toast.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdoiBRPTyrDXuYfySf9He6K3hZXF2zk2ZzhiqjfVJ1fLLhSdV0YRkYXutvJ1NFYoAoQ7ymle9c9i0HFKRyqtMp7GrLWmsOzpdO29PkoX4KLd663-Gw-dD6aDj0QPUuTpGLP2ZBQAB0FM/s1600/Houston+Trip+206.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdoiBRPTyrDXuYfySf9He6K3hZXF2zk2ZzhiqjfVJ1fLLhSdV0YRkYXutvJ1NFYoAoQ7ymle9c9i0HFKRyqtMp7GrLWmsOzpdO29PkoX4KLd663-Gw-dD6aDj0QPUuTpGLP2ZBQAB0FM/s320/Houston+Trip+206.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575841327355495202" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdoiBRPTyrDXuYfySf9He6K3hZXF2zk2ZzhiqjfVJ1fLLhSdV0YRkYXutvJ1NFYoAoQ7ymle9c9i0HFKRyqtMp7GrLWmsOzpdO29PkoX4KLd663-Gw-dD6aDj0QPUuTpGLP2ZBQAB0FM/s1600/Houston+Trip+206.jpg"></a>We stopped for fuel and more coffee in the town of <a href="http://www.junctiontexas.net/">Junction</a>. Fueled up next door to<a href="http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/698378"> Coopers</a>. I just had to take a picture of their sign. If I have to explain to you why it's funny, you shouldn't be hearing it, so please don't ask.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuFxoOqynCIHucvxSX_Ps52aLHY34axLME6hhLxaDBkhKfiknGKN2i5n-UjxrjsiSZIioqoqz3cFDMbc73kWFWndhMFICUo2-lgDxG-Q-6xU1oyXSQhe6RrdCUkvt0xPSbpKVNKX_dKc/s1600/Houston+Trip+213.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuFxoOqynCIHucvxSX_Ps52aLHY34axLME6hhLxaDBkhKfiknGKN2i5n-UjxrjsiSZIioqoqz3cFDMbc73kWFWndhMFICUo2-lgDxG-Q-6xU1oyXSQhe6RrdCUkvt0xPSbpKVNKX_dKc/s320/Houston+Trip+213.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575841324433342210" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuFxoOqynCIHucvxSX_Ps52aLHY34axLME6hhLxaDBkhKfiknGKN2i5n-UjxrjsiSZIioqoqz3cFDMbc73kWFWndhMFICUo2-lgDxG-Q-6xU1oyXSQhe6RrdCUkvt0xPSbpKVNKX_dKc/s1600/Houston+Trip+213.jpg"></a>My son was born in San Antonio, but hasn't been there since he was 2 or 3 years old, so we decided to take some extra time and sightsee a bit. Naturally, we stopped at the <a href="http://www.thealamo.org/main/index.php">Alamo.</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g4aXcdut1DH1yqvndjJnSEW8n8FaZMYbL6bCakp3fgP3kIg3sx8QHz_oDfNswfUUqObk6QxOatF1K-MbhaKzp_ZBKHnDCVOerJwPtRIncJwxzrG13nu4bnfjbYFJrWKrBHPTyc-SB1M/s1600/Houston+Trip+240.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g4aXcdut1DH1yqvndjJnSEW8n8FaZMYbL6bCakp3fgP3kIg3sx8QHz_oDfNswfUUqObk6QxOatF1K-MbhaKzp_ZBKHnDCVOerJwPtRIncJwxzrG13nu4bnfjbYFJrWKrBHPTyc-SB1M/s320/Houston+Trip+240.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575840731920845810" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g4aXcdut1DH1yqvndjJnSEW8n8FaZMYbL6bCakp3fgP3kIg3sx8QHz_oDfNswfUUqObk6QxOatF1K-MbhaKzp_ZBKHnDCVOerJwPtRIncJwxzrG13nu4bnfjbYFJrWKrBHPTyc-SB1M/s1600/Houston+Trip+240.jpg"></a>We took a boat along the<a href="http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/"> Riverwalk.</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeNTBjei0R1iTDmb4Fet7NEo_kumSA6AZKoQv_Ejt18P9pGvzHGPUdxSC3WueC4gDgYFrVYu-P-Ee1w1J2iG0ck_v0DNgY0VUJ9jtGBKiCPiG7h4A4fY4Q3q3T28v9U54IHF5gs-38xA/s1600/Houston+Trip+254.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeNTBjei0R1iTDmb4Fet7NEo_kumSA6AZKoQv_Ejt18P9pGvzHGPUdxSC3WueC4gDgYFrVYu-P-Ee1w1J2iG0ck_v0DNgY0VUJ9jtGBKiCPiG7h4A4fY4Q3q3T28v9U54IHF5gs-38xA/s320/Houston+Trip+254.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575840722976255138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eakXc-O9FuZQp0CvDm0UdqjhNLmLK6oeINVIUL8M8EUpQMlzS1Rq9NFn3vLYa3fQX7RsLKDW2SuM0UkNIuTgBeEtZiXnbCvPi6ms7zaoGuWHwsNmmXdALdp9MF552Xr78mwQ_002rmc/s1600/Houston+Trip+257.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eakXc-O9FuZQp0CvDm0UdqjhNLmLK6oeINVIUL8M8EUpQMlzS1Rq9NFn3vLYa3fQX7RsLKDW2SuM0UkNIuTgBeEtZiXnbCvPi6ms7zaoGuWHwsNmmXdALdp9MF552Xr78mwQ_002rmc/s320/Houston+Trip+257.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575840713984931826" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eakXc-O9FuZQp0CvDm0UdqjhNLmLK6oeINVIUL8M8EUpQMlzS1Rq9NFn3vLYa3fQX7RsLKDW2SuM0UkNIuTgBeEtZiXnbCvPi6ms7zaoGuWHwsNmmXdALdp9MF552Xr78mwQ_002rmc/s1600/Houston+Trip+257.jpg"></a>Stopped for lunch at <a href="http://www.casa-rio.com/history.htm">Casa Rio</a>, the oldest restaurant on the Riverwalk. Foursquare folks gave it mixed reviews, but we decided to try it as much for it's locale as for the food. We weren't disappointed. The food was super, prices were very good and so was the service.</div><div><br /></div><div>The worst part of San Antonio is driving the <a href="http://www.texashillcountry.com/">Texas Hill Country</a> and not having a scooter. I didn't ride when we lived there, but I can see how there are many great rides there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiky1f1yRiWt6pitdh2MDYwMIVzhU_9VxOTiE3yGxzj8AbQRXNvl0gSlTptF4AjqrzhQxCbMA5TCMtMbnuXoZO_vZu2-mRv3BK61Vm0kfW0hFLITnQMSuSDDV_TonuXdjGQPQgX2jReKvo/s1600/Houston+Trip+278.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiky1f1yRiWt6pitdh2MDYwMIVzhU_9VxOTiE3yGxzj8AbQRXNvl0gSlTptF4AjqrzhQxCbMA5TCMtMbnuXoZO_vZu2-mRv3BK61Vm0kfW0hFLITnQMSuSDDV_TonuXdjGQPQgX2jReKvo/s320/Houston+Trip+278.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575840716776885522" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiky1f1yRiWt6pitdh2MDYwMIVzhU_9VxOTiE3yGxzj8AbQRXNvl0gSlTptF4AjqrzhQxCbMA5TCMtMbnuXoZO_vZu2-mRv3BK61Vm0kfW0hFLITnQMSuSDDV_TonuXdjGQPQgX2jReKvo/s1600/Houston+Trip+278.jpg"></a>Here is the street where my son lives. After living in Arizona for a few years, seeing trees and water are quite the treat. I know it's humid, but it sure is pretty. We took a few back roads in the little bit of time I was there, but it sure looks like there are some good riding roads here as well. In town, not so much. The highways in Houston are a nightmare.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBQerBrnWrVEjkPLJHo2-QVNfLuorKGwcXHW7CGYgrqWNvp-_gNZ5uHwxpX6JUrdEL8TTapBkx4iqcb7KyuB54knKan3FJcVXu-gU0LWbxNKCE01-MY09Ma4Glp1DunnTlj70zKGnBZE/s1600/Houston+Trip+297.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBQerBrnWrVEjkPLJHo2-QVNfLuorKGwcXHW7CGYgrqWNvp-_gNZ5uHwxpX6JUrdEL8TTapBkx4iqcb7KyuB54knKan3FJcVXu-gU0LWbxNKCE01-MY09Ma4Glp1DunnTlj70zKGnBZE/s320/Houston+Trip+297.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575840706604632386" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBQerBrnWrVEjkPLJHo2-QVNfLuorKGwcXHW7CGYgrqWNvp-_gNZ5uHwxpX6JUrdEL8TTapBkx4iqcb7KyuB54knKan3FJcVXu-gU0LWbxNKCE01-MY09Ma4Glp1DunnTlj70zKGnBZE/s1600/Houston+Trip+297.jpg"></a>In the one full free day I was there, we decided to take a trip to La Porte, TX to see the <a href="http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/">San Jacinto Battleground</a>. On the way, we saw a sign for the <a href="http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/battleship_texas/">USS Texas</a> museum and stopped there as well. I had never seen a REAL battleship before and had a blast.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzMFXgvDcDKKVQK6F17VFJdm8XN7Y0uX1KbKaob0dxrJn0B1ylfcV8hkGT7VlJpLNDzggwHtNlAk5wFb4zOdKjv4Pi7KH3rtUJMmwopUUgGABAkmZ3Db1I5PVTiSvymQ8aAc1SE2Sj7w/s1600/Houston+Trip+318.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzMFXgvDcDKKVQK6F17VFJdm8XN7Y0uX1KbKaob0dxrJn0B1ylfcV8hkGT7VlJpLNDzggwHtNlAk5wFb4zOdKjv4Pi7KH3rtUJMmwopUUgGABAkmZ3Db1I5PVTiSvymQ8aAc1SE2Sj7w/s320/Houston+Trip+318.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575839842240756962" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzMFXgvDcDKKVQK6F17VFJdm8XN7Y0uX1KbKaob0dxrJn0B1ylfcV8hkGT7VlJpLNDzggwHtNlAk5wFb4zOdKjv4Pi7KH3rtUJMmwopUUgGABAkmZ3Db1I5PVTiSvymQ8aAc1SE2Sj7w/s1600/Houston+Trip+318.jpg"></a>Here's a view of the San Jacinto Memorial taken from the park area near the Texas. If you look carefully inside the globe, you can see the US and TX flag flying.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMPo_u5_Z-o8sJw316G9jNg82ktxJBXN17Pl_CmRUP3bH3LhOcOjF3uyxilONBrQFnhFIM6kmDYhjjKxQg1mLVEYauxD_ZHDB9yDtZCxRNpgdY3aLBlSIHZq7tVZFa7ccam9wKwuRvCs/s1600/Houston+Trip+323.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMPo_u5_Z-o8sJw316G9jNg82ktxJBXN17Pl_CmRUP3bH3LhOcOjF3uyxilONBrQFnhFIM6kmDYhjjKxQg1mLVEYauxD_ZHDB9yDtZCxRNpgdY3aLBlSIHZq7tVZFa7ccam9wKwuRvCs/s320/Houston+Trip+323.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575839837770973570" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMPo_u5_Z-o8sJw316G9jNg82ktxJBXN17Pl_CmRUP3bH3LhOcOjF3uyxilONBrQFnhFIM6kmDYhjjKxQg1mLVEYauxD_ZHDB9yDtZCxRNpgdY3aLBlSIHZq7tVZFa7ccam9wKwuRvCs/s1600/Houston+Trip+323.jpg"></a>This is looking from the memorial, right back where the previous photo was taken. That globe and flag pole are are the end of the reflecting pool. You can see the Texas in the upper right hand corner.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvkd6vD48D_3f_ukE43cd4T6nsueFvheif85aOT51fid2dxP2gdKSA_n_YsCaUcG2Qa-9QSwC8oJS_fWKJGpZuh205I7pwDNFWVv8bN-uqV2lAFIobpkZx2gYM_EuENYztuNQiFnrn3o/s1600/Houston+Trip+337.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvkd6vD48D_3f_ukE43cd4T6nsueFvheif85aOT51fid2dxP2gdKSA_n_YsCaUcG2Qa-9QSwC8oJS_fWKJGpZuh205I7pwDNFWVv8bN-uqV2lAFIobpkZx2gYM_EuENYztuNQiFnrn3o/s320/Houston+Trip+337.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575839835506258722" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvkd6vD48D_3f_ukE43cd4T6nsueFvheif85aOT51fid2dxP2gdKSA_n_YsCaUcG2Qa-9QSwC8oJS_fWKJGpZuh205I7pwDNFWVv8bN-uqV2lAFIobpkZx2gYM_EuENYztuNQiFnrn3o/s1600/Houston+Trip+337.jpg"></a>This is me, enjoying my tour of the Texas. These are the aft turrets, each housing 2X14 inch guns. Because we were the only people on the ship, at the time, we got a "behind the scenes" tour and got to go behind many locked doors.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQSAsQZgVynsz1ZLN_s2EMPw2redWyuJzJVHknP_C-cHBZ0a5iXQMkgcPXjLOShnL-Q-hhfUowxvAAxy_E3e1BdtkthyIMaOMROngndG5rDfqXeW8EnTcFLx8_dvJgvhjCZhZ40rHsRI/s1600/Houston+Trip+338.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQSAsQZgVynsz1ZLN_s2EMPw2redWyuJzJVHknP_C-cHBZ0a5iXQMkgcPXjLOShnL-Q-hhfUowxvAAxy_E3e1BdtkthyIMaOMROngndG5rDfqXeW8EnTcFLx8_dvJgvhjCZhZ40rHsRI/s320/Houston+Trip+338.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575839830645707682" /></a><br /></div><div>After our little excursion, we started home. We were feeling hungry and stopped at the "Crawfish Shack" for dinner. This is a fun place. All the table are outside with wood chip floors. I had a great time with Nathan and we both learned some fun stuff about Houston and Texas history.</div><div>I'm looking forward to my next trip to Houston</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-8423401484939136142011-02-01T09:28:00.001-08:002011-02-01T17:56:14.601-08:00Remiss Resolutions<div>Okay, I have been a bad blogger and have not posted in 2 months. I have absolutely now excuse for the first month, although, I suppose I could try the old "Hey, it was the holiday season" ploy.</div><div>Nah, I'll just take responsibility for my lack of action.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I do have a couple of good excuses for the second month. Here they are:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1voIs9EZS5ED7rru9wqkN6wW9CxcXSUVZm2gFLSojc4zsFLSt_rv92M8E0mMy7VlTBv2RsnJD-DBkrthbaKbXbPNHziVaGZDOBgwiG0u3yYFf2KFUd2jTI4bIAFsJm1b6cbN2veu_zsw/s1600/twins+etc+097.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1voIs9EZS5ED7rru9wqkN6wW9CxcXSUVZm2gFLSojc4zsFLSt_rv92M8E0mMy7VlTBv2RsnJD-DBkrthbaKbXbPNHziVaGZDOBgwiG0u3yYFf2KFUd2jTI4bIAFsJm1b6cbN2veu_zsw/s320/twins+etc+097.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568775601048796546" style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On the left is Lucius and on the right is Serenity. They are my grandtwins. My daughter and her husband moved in with my wife and I after finding out that they were having the twins. They were born on 1/12. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVOsgPyeFjEK1HVuKKvjFyqRLTaRcDnFBm_qAc7At74OpiMuFDzJrhoeqCctsxu2dO6Jy0fzOf9QX5pv4W8ToMLSAteKNiO-qW3-Dx0SQcloEG7PK-plOU8bgYsS_Dvcm2KJidJT3JCU/s320/twins+etc+078.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568775590229774866" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></span></div><div>I expect that the picture above will be re-enacted multiple times over the coming years. Lucius shaking his fist and Serenity yawning at him. What do you think?</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizA78kydnBDtTzKlNGTOAnX_R35YR7u9xcj594_-RumAzz0RLog9OIwXQ8OAdr3FSCZaCp7XycuOW6WEYAMJ1LjNNf5i150wUkfNI-YWhKTv8bYbinpm5Cj5RdCOwN_A4eCKJdFryNHxc/s1600/January+blog+pics+016.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizA78kydnBDtTzKlNGTOAnX_R35YR7u9xcj594_-RumAzz0RLog9OIwXQ8OAdr3FSCZaCp7XycuOW6WEYAMJ1LjNNf5i150wUkfNI-YWhKTv8bYbinpm5Cj5RdCOwN_A4eCKJdFryNHxc/s320/January+blog+pics+016.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568774897209028514" /></a></div><div>So, on to my 2011 scooter resolutions. Above is my current stable of scooters. The nearest is my newest bike, a SYM RV 250. I'm still getting used to it and have only put about 500 miles on it thus far. Behind that is the Genuine Stella. Just beyond that, partially covered is Iron Buddy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Having added a 3rd scooter at the very end of 2010, I do not resolve to add another scooter to the current herd. I do love to ride so most of my resolutions will involve putting more miles on the scoots. </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizA78kydnBDtTzKlNGTOAnX_R35YR7u9xcj594_-RumAzz0RLog9OIwXQ8OAdr3FSCZaCp7XycuOW6WEYAMJ1LjNNf5i150wUkfNI-YWhKTv8bYbinpm5Cj5RdCOwN_A4eCKJdFryNHxc/s1600/January+blog+pics+016.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoLww9wOUijrciQhz_Gr9DCwsuqFihiSaBleG7aoUCjkbZf6AYqoA8lH-8Kah1SWj7lrKypEgDE5MuZBWlWriOL5n7qvYpQZQJYefeLjJBXCTNm0SgNwSE2F3Fs2iW2W3tCwYQODAWdc/s1600/January+blog+pics+012.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoLww9wOUijrciQhz_Gr9DCwsuqFihiSaBleG7aoUCjkbZf6AYqoA8lH-8Kah1SWj7lrKypEgDE5MuZBWlWriOL5n7qvYpQZQJYefeLjJBXCTNm0SgNwSE2F3Fs2iW2W3tCwYQODAWdc/s320/January+blog+pics+012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568774881750839762" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMwuIOODgHoR7jooTjjIm7if0fBqoV_0jnuZS3obMB4gqZMTAt5WE0cwfVWu6frxHEPTonIwG7urH1izY2_PKl6EGgiD2heva0wLZAs9NPemJAu_-8qYEWOgjBajK0AxxRuJR58ZUjqw/s1600/January+blog+pics+011.jpg"><br /></a>Today, 2/1, I went out and photographed the odometers of each bike. Above, Iron Buddy has 20,855 miles. I resolve to have more than 24k miles on I.B. by the end of the year.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwypyaa6CX8ouqlYlR41uytx9kgeH_EIjPINvYfiopNr9en1MQUcABI-YsgPR5NmZaCu273UgU1hXFGdVDL0Z8GvZNnAZVWbotcq3uFDP_T_zHUOiTGq5Bm4cJIAwzrZgA3GUsd7V-TQI/s1600/January+blog+pics+011.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwypyaa6CX8ouqlYlR41uytx9kgeH_EIjPINvYfiopNr9en1MQUcABI-YsgPR5NmZaCu273UgU1hXFGdVDL0Z8GvZNnAZVWbotcq3uFDP_T_zHUOiTGq5Bm4cJIAwzrZgA3GUsd7V-TQI/s320/January+blog+pics+011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568900261479975138" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a></div><div>I turned over 10k miles on the Stella on 1/12 and have added another 71 miles on her. I resolve to have 14.5k miles miles on her by 2011's end.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUajvoxCA8Bym0tP_V-2Z5WgDIwcsh9NGW1hPJUdNDyM0Iqug4SU2eBv7IWCcdaantRT3pajwuspPur0U3uXUkh0Q9OMfo_nOXjB0V4F53-iBbm5zmZUsxTuwGj3C1XHJx4ZbdKh6pGmE/s1600/twins+etc+012.jpg"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHm39BvBQr2NPEXI4Lovapwqjujeh5HG0VAWLqAxGIpAkR_B380kVHzjxJpTPdv_x4xfHQnjwdrbTnypwob9Z_1sOyrNPMvl5Tv3cigub591sVsRN7Q1qRKZonolRTVMwpl6rxHGcBtbc/s1600/January+blog+pics+010.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHm39BvBQr2NPEXI4Lovapwqjujeh5HG0VAWLqAxGIpAkR_B380kVHzjxJpTPdv_x4xfHQnjwdrbTnypwob9Z_1sOyrNPMvl5Tv3cigub591sVsRN7Q1qRKZonolRTVMwpl6rxHGcBtbc/s320/January+blog+pics+010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568774876357068322" /></a><br /></div><div>The '08 RV250 have a whopping 2,383 miles as of this morning. (I bought it with 1900 miles on the odo.) I resolve to have in excess of 7000 miles showing by the end of the year. I am, therefor, resolving to ride a minimum of (hmm, let's see carry the one, cross multiply, add the square root of pie..... ) 12,191 miles. That seem like a good distance to attempt.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34MUozYww-Wn-BdKOYwuQZvIK-a9-QvNihVugzM_mDxXdM_bJT6gfeG-bJnL7PBH_RbUBj9UIlId0TsZ8ioNODLA7GZzguYHfdIOjcY07w_kEouWj2cBZp-jV4CSu7Vrz74sevruHbpg/s1600/January+blog+pics+014.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34MUozYww-Wn-BdKOYwuQZvIK-a9-QvNihVugzM_mDxXdM_bJT6gfeG-bJnL7PBH_RbUBj9UIlId0TsZ8ioNODLA7GZzguYHfdIOjcY07w_kEouWj2cBZp-jV4CSu7Vrz74sevruHbpg/s320/January+blog+pics+014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568774887698420722" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px; " /></a></div></div></div><div>Here's another pic of the RV250. They are pretty bikes. I'm getting 65mpg and have gotten it up to 80mph (indicated) with no difficulty at all. That gives me a 200 mile range and I can travel interstates without too much difficulty. All things considered, though, I still prefer my small wheeled scooters.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also resolve to do my part to help this year's Sky Island Riders' rally to be our best yet. (It's only our second, so I'm not setting the bar too high.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I further resolve to design and build a scooter theme rocking toy for the twins to ride when they are ready for it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ride on,</div><div><br /></div><div>Howard</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-48150332246678130902010-11-26T14:07:00.000-08:002010-11-26T18:40:46.273-08:00Arizona Adventures Part III<div>I left off last time at the Coronado National Monument just below Geronimo Pass. The Nice lady at the visitor center and I talked for a while. She asked what my plans were and I told her that I was just out exploring for the day. She asked how I felt about birds. I told her that I'm not a bird watcher per se, but that they're okay.</div><div><br /></div><div>She asked how I felt about Sandhill Cranes. I have fond memories of them when I was little, growing up in Roswell. The Sandhills would land in out fields every fall. I commented that I didn't think they would be here yet on their annual migration. She replied that there were several thousand in the area already and gave me directions.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had to go through Bisbee, then on to the north and east of there. I was already planning on going to Bisbee, so decided, "What the heck, might as well." So off I went.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHQVn3GOFMpUc608Nw2G-l3nQ7dB1GRvNeed6MygZ8m4DQjLCOMhpntXAOaI8me0oZ7Xqrzo2Vo_qC2FkSdMSG-R77fnSRGVEVpa2OucGKUmiLNUAfMLiNpQ_sowbItYZHdXjhjJ7AaM/s1600/Over+the+pass+188.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHQVn3GOFMpUc608Nw2G-l3nQ7dB1GRvNeed6MygZ8m4DQjLCOMhpntXAOaI8me0oZ7Xqrzo2Vo_qC2FkSdMSG-R77fnSRGVEVpa2OucGKUmiLNUAfMLiNpQ_sowbItYZHdXjhjJ7AaM/s320/Over+the+pass+188.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543986075575815826" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHQVn3GOFMpUc608Nw2G-l3nQ7dB1GRvNeed6MygZ8m4DQjLCOMhpntXAOaI8me0oZ7Xqrzo2Vo_qC2FkSdMSG-R77fnSRGVEVpa2OucGKUmiLNUAfMLiNpQ_sowbItYZHdXjhjJ7AaM/s1600/Over+the+pass+188.JPG"></a>I left the park, til I hit Route 92 and turned toward Bisbee. The first little town is Palominas, AZ. I don't know what this domed building was originally built for, but it is deserted now. The sign at the entrance has only the word "church" on it, and that probably wasn't what it was originally anyway.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAds47Df-mB-FhAil1oxw_GOaX7Zn0iQEvEfhwE8ME_BmJoj_IOg2qVIjazTMr3xIrEgC9kQFz873hmQgiNhEUDFDYL6jbYgzgjjyqAaR12GSrGSJ3dx2-Mk5R6EKAqdgxNKMrMTmY8OI/s1600/Over+the+pass+200.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAds47Df-mB-FhAil1oxw_GOaX7Zn0iQEvEfhwE8ME_BmJoj_IOg2qVIjazTMr3xIrEgC9kQFz873hmQgiNhEUDFDYL6jbYgzgjjyqAaR12GSrGSJ3dx2-Mk5R6EKAqdgxNKMrMTmY8OI/s320/Over+the+pass+200.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543986062486027746" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAds47Df-mB-FhAil1oxw_GOaX7Zn0iQEvEfhwE8ME_BmJoj_IOg2qVIjazTMr3xIrEgC9kQFz873hmQgiNhEUDFDYL6jbYgzgjjyqAaR12GSrGSJ3dx2-Mk5R6EKAqdgxNKMrMTmY8OI/s1600/Over+the+pass+200.JPG"></a>Several months ago, there was an article about Jimmy's Hotdog in <b>Arizona Highways. </b>I love hot dogs and when I drove past Jimmy's on my way into Bisbee, I made a u-turn and went back.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbDBsbcF10BABMG55DGY9LT8nuyjQncWPcFWVNtZEhz3-lISik3lYU8SUoGI-9D73s2yu_fTQPW16uo3_gFnsJHkwhSh-gsXbeeHUE3SogCrBPuz_mNHw8jTHeqoo9D-Ui-2-zaxCdBw/s1600/Over+the+pass+202.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbDBsbcF10BABMG55DGY9LT8nuyjQncWPcFWVNtZEhz3-lISik3lYU8SUoGI-9D73s2yu_fTQPW16uo3_gFnsJHkwhSh-gsXbeeHUE3SogCrBPuz_mNHw8jTHeqoo9D-Ui-2-zaxCdBw/s320/Over+the+pass+202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543986049218380226" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbDBsbcF10BABMG55DGY9LT8nuyjQncWPcFWVNtZEhz3-lISik3lYU8SUoGI-9D73s2yu_fTQPW16uo3_gFnsJHkwhSh-gsXbeeHUE3SogCrBPuz_mNHw8jTHeqoo9D-Ui-2-zaxCdBw/s1600/Over+the+pass+202.JPG"></a>(Click on any picture to enlarge it.) I ordered a Chicago Dog and a Frito Pie. Both were very good.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAY3Mqpw5N9yFBlC7Zzq-xiaYiBDTnY4-G94oljVZxtcl_zrvYaG-3TEOmMihDCk7qoVfxmiGcQpeEcxBCZjf1IOQ6Zse1DC_AB5st4ayOz518-C9kfvJKr6RvXnt0NRlAYg0BaarkkiA/s1600/Over+the+pass+204.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAY3Mqpw5N9yFBlC7Zzq-xiaYiBDTnY4-G94oljVZxtcl_zrvYaG-3TEOmMihDCk7qoVfxmiGcQpeEcxBCZjf1IOQ6Zse1DC_AB5st4ayOz518-C9kfvJKr6RvXnt0NRlAYg0BaarkkiA/s320/Over+the+pass+204.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543986037042421698" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAY3Mqpw5N9yFBlC7Zzq-xiaYiBDTnY4-G94oljVZxtcl_zrvYaG-3TEOmMihDCk7qoVfxmiGcQpeEcxBCZjf1IOQ6Zse1DC_AB5st4ayOz518-C9kfvJKr6RvXnt0NRlAYg0BaarkkiA/s1600/Over+the+pass+204.JPG"></a>That's Jimmy. He and his family are from Chicago and they "import" virtually everything they serve from the Chicago area to make sure it is as authentic as it can be. I love it. If you're now living here in Arizona and are pining for some real Chicago foods, go to Jimmy's.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EHuTnEhnuQbn9KAVHAaZuh9YYdGjYHeNHye5AxqVyeDeO_DuQLA1thWBH7sFR2lZiwJhfm8ZtPEo86hOLGjHBdzXpu9vGeWah-JvSByxE5zGKsHJ5v4wpsG_hFnD3Q4SERbub5kXSLQ/s1600/Over+the+pass+209.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EHuTnEhnuQbn9KAVHAaZuh9YYdGjYHeNHye5AxqVyeDeO_DuQLA1thWBH7sFR2lZiwJhfm8ZtPEo86hOLGjHBdzXpu9vGeWah-JvSByxE5zGKsHJ5v4wpsG_hFnD3Q4SERbub5kXSLQ/s320/Over+the+pass+209.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543986025877248546" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EHuTnEhnuQbn9KAVHAaZuh9YYdGjYHeNHye5AxqVyeDeO_DuQLA1thWBH7sFR2lZiwJhfm8ZtPEo86hOLGjHBdzXpu9vGeWah-JvSByxE5zGKsHJ5v4wpsG_hFnD3Q4SERbub5kXSLQ/s1600/Over+the+pass+209.JPG"></a>After my tasty meal at Jimmy's, I meandered over to Central Highway. Passing this little house with a gallows with noose outside, resulted in another u-turn and a couple of pics. Is it left over from Halloween, or is it some kind of warning?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQT7qJAGEd2BXl__7zAobwoG7hDes6NVzg11QvfW4xlXlybrJSota7FZ9Gr8gjrYTkz6heW-oNO9qq_BWUk48zf7u9XH4LDvXoZOewILRCox5VMSoAZ35YW-5msk7jkmfjk1BNdKVH9x8/s1600/Over+the+pass+224.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQT7qJAGEd2BXl__7zAobwoG7hDes6NVzg11QvfW4xlXlybrJSota7FZ9Gr8gjrYTkz6heW-oNO9qq_BWUk48zf7u9XH4LDvXoZOewILRCox5VMSoAZ35YW-5msk7jkmfjk1BNdKVH9x8/s320/Over+the+pass+224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543985467928833074" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQT7qJAGEd2BXl__7zAobwoG7hDes6NVzg11QvfW4xlXlybrJSota7FZ9Gr8gjrYTkz6heW-oNO9qq_BWUk48zf7u9XH4LDvXoZOewILRCox5VMSoAZ35YW-5msk7jkmfjk1BNdKVH9x8/s1600/Over+the+pass+224.JPG"></a>Are a couple more miles of dirt road, I found the sanctuary where the Sandhills reside for the winter. Most of them are out feeding for the day, but there were still several hundred here. They are impressive bird with wingspans up to 8 feet.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7e4LQqpJXYz3OiggOjnZ2-12qjklnZtNBBzyqaHSuoHNriaZR3m20LZ9Rwx8IDNgLmGg-mfYgLdkLPtPQwalj1xQLOzT0I_n1O6O00iv02jhGX60qos9WrQWv3ws9B9LUUx55dZsLRI/s1600/Over+the+pass+236.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7e4LQqpJXYz3OiggOjnZ2-12qjklnZtNBBzyqaHSuoHNriaZR3m20LZ9Rwx8IDNgLmGg-mfYgLdkLPtPQwalj1xQLOzT0I_n1O6O00iv02jhGX60qos9WrQWv3ws9B9LUUx55dZsLRI/s320/Over+the+pass+236.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543985453462459874" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7e4LQqpJXYz3OiggOjnZ2-12qjklnZtNBBzyqaHSuoHNriaZR3m20LZ9Rwx8IDNgLmGg-mfYgLdkLPtPQwalj1xQLOzT0I_n1O6O00iv02jhGX60qos9WrQWv3ws9B9LUUx55dZsLRI/s1600/Over+the+pass+236.JPG"></a>I had decided not to return to Bisbee. I checked out my map and saw to road that led back west to Tombstone. I had never been on either one and picked the one which appeared, on the map, to be a bit more windy. Gleeson Road was a few mile north of the bird area. I could return the way I came, but, instead, decided to follow another dirt road which went in a northerly direction. Not to bring politics into my blog, but I did come upon a couple of asses.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEdisjiLAPVvciLHE4XA0f5ZdNy2EqDsnRTOxEWD3VPM_oJXXkWq1bl3U7z3yX8bFa9AGde4U-bC7GX28ABba5RHRMWVKSO6onq2bco26q4dMuCrqVznrn6nNohrd8jBdpkrhsD0NkEI/s1600/Over+the+pass+253.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEdisjiLAPVvciLHE4XA0f5ZdNy2EqDsnRTOxEWD3VPM_oJXXkWq1bl3U7z3yX8bFa9AGde4U-bC7GX28ABba5RHRMWVKSO6onq2bco26q4dMuCrqVznrn6nNohrd8jBdpkrhsD0NkEI/s320/Over+the+pass+253.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543985437116322690" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEdisjiLAPVvciLHE4XA0f5ZdNy2EqDsnRTOxEWD3VPM_oJXXkWq1bl3U7z3yX8bFa9AGde4U-bC7GX28ABba5RHRMWVKSO6onq2bco26q4dMuCrqVznrn6nNohrd8jBdpkrhsD0NkEI/s1600/Over+the+pass+253.JPG"></a>I passed this cool looking church on my previous adventure to the southeast corner of the state.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhA8NU4gB92G-9HhynKA3u5tRAmbDToRQ1ihbCXXR9J8SS3jRjhtjmf5VZp0Rk_4AuR5k_jH_xvFiE27JOIMvFwNC6JBqCMczFRD0cQN0wxpZZMVZWgW2GjlANlzDCeCA0MF7UlKscxY/s1600/Over+the+pass+266.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhA8NU4gB92G-9HhynKA3u5tRAmbDToRQ1ihbCXXR9J8SS3jRjhtjmf5VZp0Rk_4AuR5k_jH_xvFiE27JOIMvFwNC6JBqCMczFRD0cQN0wxpZZMVZWgW2GjlANlzDCeCA0MF7UlKscxY/s320/Over+the+pass+266.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543985417266209154" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhA8NU4gB92G-9HhynKA3u5tRAmbDToRQ1ihbCXXR9J8SS3jRjhtjmf5VZp0Rk_4AuR5k_jH_xvFiE27JOIMvFwNC6JBqCMczFRD0cQN0wxpZZMVZWgW2GjlANlzDCeCA0MF7UlKscxY/s1600/Over+the+pass+266.JPG"></a>I turned on Gleeson Road and found this freshly dead rattle snake. It's just a foot or so long.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZULHrhH6Xbmqa1YUMwXsw5P5meXv56MQFvKF-lsAkIGkIQuxS_UcxjhByEUqd6tWSUAHWofRRccgq-oaIwYNssbr8xXps9NTGfvsQdRnuzgUDIQmiFOmQnbcG3HKgvBFZzpOph_1KuI/s1600/Over+the+pass+277.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZULHrhH6Xbmqa1YUMwXsw5P5meXv56MQFvKF-lsAkIGkIQuxS_UcxjhByEUqd6tWSUAHWofRRccgq-oaIwYNssbr8xXps9NTGfvsQdRnuzgUDIQmiFOmQnbcG3HKgvBFZzpOph_1KuI/s320/Over+the+pass+277.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543985404623336082" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZULHrhH6Xbmqa1YUMwXsw5P5meXv56MQFvKF-lsAkIGkIQuxS_UcxjhByEUqd6tWSUAHWofRRccgq-oaIwYNssbr8xXps9NTGfvsQdRnuzgUDIQmiFOmQnbcG3HKgvBFZzpOph_1KuI/s1600/Over+the+pass+277.JPG"></a>Gleeson is a ghost town. I don't know what this used to be, but it was pretty big. It had a nice pair of columns at its entrance.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B6UR2fqHep0Voyth0WSmYNdUk9Bh0Y8-hGPDjKhX0iO1hyphenhyphenfzMQKoYsicm2d_j22ptIJzxBS6CjiaSm13K_CK3481CE1FoUlZ-P3c-QN0ZdGCaRoNAF70zK40uONlpYSiO8TnSpRpreM/s1600/Over+the+pass+285.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B6UR2fqHep0Voyth0WSmYNdUk9Bh0Y8-hGPDjKhX0iO1hyphenhyphenfzMQKoYsicm2d_j22ptIJzxBS6CjiaSm13K_CK3481CE1FoUlZ-P3c-QN0ZdGCaRoNAF70zK40uONlpYSiO8TnSpRpreM/s320/Over+the+pass+285.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543984693793642498" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5B6UR2fqHep0Voyth0WSmYNdUk9Bh0Y8-hGPDjKhX0iO1hyphenhyphenfzMQKoYsicm2d_j22ptIJzxBS6CjiaSm13K_CK3481CE1FoUlZ-P3c-QN0ZdGCaRoNAF70zK40uONlpYSiO8TnSpRpreM/s1600/Over+the+pass+285.JPG"></a>The old dry goods store is still in pretty good shape.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzQFSWvDutS7wG0lqxmOLOoHXppGV-NOMYIg0WzsvHgWFOUkPJL0sVoeqpHEuYrl7eBIXbn2rpjxAzgKSJu4Tt6LD4OuOsb-eY7uZ9ns6YjgWxIE6cm4gKhWaDRri0lemDNYT0yd9aUU/s1600/Over+the+pass+286.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzQFSWvDutS7wG0lqxmOLOoHXppGV-NOMYIg0WzsvHgWFOUkPJL0sVoeqpHEuYrl7eBIXbn2rpjxAzgKSJu4Tt6LD4OuOsb-eY7uZ9ns6YjgWxIE6cm4gKhWaDRri0lemDNYT0yd9aUU/s320/Over+the+pass+286.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543984682266745586" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzQFSWvDutS7wG0lqxmOLOoHXppGV-NOMYIg0WzsvHgWFOUkPJL0sVoeqpHEuYrl7eBIXbn2rpjxAzgKSJu4Tt6LD4OuOsb-eY7uZ9ns6YjgWxIE6cm4gKhWaDRri0lemDNYT0yd9aUU/s1600/Over+the+pass+286.JPG"></a>Here is another one of the buildings. In the top right corner of it's front are the words "Joe Bono." I'm not sure what happened to Joe, but the building his business used to be in, is one of the few left in Gleeson.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBJc7nL_hemNbqZm7qGHN0WA1WLq2vUziAfc_DAMR9nLgFUedLC_AoJk9CWtjBhQhz0Rz-3irDXelu1LolAQ1ClYxnG9AYrgX-ekCuaUslyolHmtiAyoXi0i-S8TwtDDsMka6qHcyq7Q/s1600/Over+the+pass+297.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBJc7nL_hemNbqZm7qGHN0WA1WLq2vUziAfc_DAMR9nLgFUedLC_AoJk9CWtjBhQhz0Rz-3irDXelu1LolAQ1ClYxnG9AYrgX-ekCuaUslyolHmtiAyoXi0i-S8TwtDDsMka6qHcyq7Q/s320/Over+the+pass+297.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543984677713510466" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBJc7nL_hemNbqZm7qGHN0WA1WLq2vUziAfc_DAMR9nLgFUedLC_AoJk9CWtjBhQhz0Rz-3irDXelu1LolAQ1ClYxnG9AYrgX-ekCuaUslyolHmtiAyoXi0i-S8TwtDDsMka6qHcyq7Q/s1600/Over+the+pass+297.JPG"></a>The cemetery is very large. Surprisingly, there were headstones as new as 2002. I guess people who used to live here, wanted to buried here. Gleeson must have been a nice place where fond memories were formed.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3rbanbKM0AsO6pJ0G7e5FN8bq5Dt3OSmaS80cZXjb0U-tJx_ydC0uazaZDb8_epoV5W9CO-3NtvfGnJ95QgvFNrCLQYylkUbpAplYhxlhDTlfEa1NMfEcn955_tY7PesB_ChZvTQlzA/s1600/Over+the+pass+312.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3rbanbKM0AsO6pJ0G7e5FN8bq5Dt3OSmaS80cZXjb0U-tJx_ydC0uazaZDb8_epoV5W9CO-3NtvfGnJ95QgvFNrCLQYylkUbpAplYhxlhDTlfEa1NMfEcn955_tY7PesB_ChZvTQlzA/s320/Over+the+pass+312.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543984671741050114" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3rbanbKM0AsO6pJ0G7e5FN8bq5Dt3OSmaS80cZXjb0U-tJx_ydC0uazaZDb8_epoV5W9CO-3NtvfGnJ95QgvFNrCLQYylkUbpAplYhxlhDTlfEa1NMfEcn955_tY7PesB_ChZvTQlzA/s1600/Over+the+pass+312.JPG"></a>Here's another view of the cemetery. Shortly after leaving Gleeson, the road turned to dirt. I continued driving toward Tombstone. I got the feeling that the van was making sounds it didn't usually make.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWXho7mKXbk-UqwI_Fxoff1nH-SX5EInL-a0_VjG_-Smn4HZ__qMhmWP7TSJSAfTapj2bYOVcyPuRMVIILgIrygAEaU4O6foZBdvVCEyBWDtSwhACkbYJU55IRZ4iXHlkMIP22BWwRxk/s1600/Over+the+pass+323.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWXho7mKXbk-UqwI_Fxoff1nH-SX5EInL-a0_VjG_-Smn4HZ__qMhmWP7TSJSAfTapj2bYOVcyPuRMVIILgIrygAEaU4O6foZBdvVCEyBWDtSwhACkbYJU55IRZ4iXHlkMIP22BWwRxk/s320/Over+the+pass+323.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543984669287214162" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWXho7mKXbk-UqwI_Fxoff1nH-SX5EInL-a0_VjG_-Smn4HZ__qMhmWP7TSJSAfTapj2bYOVcyPuRMVIILgIrygAEaU4O6foZBdvVCEyBWDtSwhACkbYJU55IRZ4iXHlkMIP22BWwRxk/s1600/Over+the+pass+323.JPG"></a>I stopped to look around and found that I had a flat. Well, I knew I didn't have a jack, because the one that came with the van broke the last time I changed a tire. Secondly, I was in the middle of nowhere, and didn't feel that I could get a service truck to my location. I decided to drive on it until I was close to Tombstone. Long story short, I drove til I hit pavement, the 3rd car that came past stopped, went and got a jaw and I put my spare on and started driving toward home.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiUegVj9erVOJgZbMuSajvKoT_C1OeNNZZRTFBKbB0mgn35ya5XA6s3Aiw5Yhy8TX5o0tlwxnGH-saAC21sQgSKVPQjBN3go0Lx-RgAWMykSLPyf96-NUzQhA_h0WdoIntZJ5Esrx2r0/s1600/Over+the+pass+328.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiUegVj9erVOJgZbMuSajvKoT_C1OeNNZZRTFBKbB0mgn35ya5XA6s3Aiw5Yhy8TX5o0tlwxnGH-saAC21sQgSKVPQjBN3go0Lx-RgAWMykSLPyf96-NUzQhA_h0WdoIntZJ5Esrx2r0/s320/Over+the+pass+328.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543984130758611026" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiUegVj9erVOJgZbMuSajvKoT_C1OeNNZZRTFBKbB0mgn35ya5XA6s3Aiw5Yhy8TX5o0tlwxnGH-saAC21sQgSKVPQjBN3go0Lx-RgAWMykSLPyf96-NUzQhA_h0WdoIntZJ5Esrx2r0/s1600/Over+the+pass+328.JPG"></a>I took Route 82 back toward Sonoita, because I didn't want to take the spare on 75mph interstate. Shortly after turning onto 82, you pass the ghost town of Fairbank. Quite a few of the buildings are still here, including the original schoolhouse.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfcnNFlztdpgJqu74JdDrK2Os4oaxha4RnQtH3YY5z8j5-bWy9OAMFRZfKmaqLfqQ9O-w2qVBqy7HQmhNqU2-19XEUAU_8ENBTaYUQsXPVwy64YDF6JqSrUaXoegpQuMyGq8fvfbVHIs/s1600/Over+the+pass+331.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfcnNFlztdpgJqu74JdDrK2Os4oaxha4RnQtH3YY5z8j5-bWy9OAMFRZfKmaqLfqQ9O-w2qVBqy7HQmhNqU2-19XEUAU_8ENBTaYUQsXPVwy64YDF6JqSrUaXoegpQuMyGq8fvfbVHIs/s320/Over+the+pass+331.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543984123051120226" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfcnNFlztdpgJqu74JdDrK2Os4oaxha4RnQtH3YY5z8j5-bWy9OAMFRZfKmaqLfqQ9O-w2qVBqy7HQmhNqU2-19XEUAU_8ENBTaYUQsXPVwy64YDF6JqSrUaXoegpQuMyGq8fvfbVHIs/s1600/Over+the+pass+331.JPG"></a>I liked the late afternoon light. Look carefully and you can see the nearly full moon above this old building.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zqhzcLhOSwgm_GWE5Fo8w7qCcmVSHl5xmVVc2rLtorFALRSa53VKIqltcv3KFnkpxyvBlteASaUOxMpw2yYi3S_faR7m39BXd2_TCR1OcbtbktUoRAVIUtWqfRf_saAdc_nal10bGaw/s1600/Over+the+pass+349.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zqhzcLhOSwgm_GWE5Fo8w7qCcmVSHl5xmVVc2rLtorFALRSa53VKIqltcv3KFnkpxyvBlteASaUOxMpw2yYi3S_faR7m39BXd2_TCR1OcbtbktUoRAVIUtWqfRf_saAdc_nal10bGaw/s320/Over+the+pass+349.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543984115844922114" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zqhzcLhOSwgm_GWE5Fo8w7qCcmVSHl5xmVVc2rLtorFALRSa53VKIqltcv3KFnkpxyvBlteASaUOxMpw2yYi3S_faR7m39BXd2_TCR1OcbtbktUoRAVIUtWqfRf_saAdc_nal10bGaw/s1600/Over+the+pass+349.JPG"></a>Here's the moon again above the hills.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawcH_zHL30CteMmBanhog1pTsLOz95Fi7wMnDZhaQGt0d_msX873hxqFD_mZ8bOzL8lhAXxmvGkBdLNQ_b3e6znNw_H2u9sjrWwxXKgPWsa3bs40IgV3y-_4qjcJFfHHYt7Tm7aRq3VM/s1600/Over+the+pass+351.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawcH_zHL30CteMmBanhog1pTsLOz95Fi7wMnDZhaQGt0d_msX873hxqFD_mZ8bOzL8lhAXxmvGkBdLNQ_b3e6znNw_H2u9sjrWwxXKgPWsa3bs40IgV3y-_4qjcJFfHHYt7Tm7aRq3VM/s320/Over+the+pass+351.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543984113112064226" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawcH_zHL30CteMmBanhog1pTsLOz95Fi7wMnDZhaQGt0d_msX873hxqFD_mZ8bOzL8lhAXxmvGkBdLNQ_b3e6znNw_H2u9sjrWwxXKgPWsa3bs40IgV3y-_4qjcJFfHHYt7Tm7aRq3VM/s1600/Over+the+pass+351.JPG"></a>I liked the way the shadows were falling on the sides of the hills.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mikjG3ucaClV05B1DSE6iYKjDn3dtWjiRSKCxGilzIFujhfnF72JhGFxCsvnAzggf-tS8ei4vPGUjg3Uu6DhT_g_DCcNIyCxK4z41OuKEQYi-Yq4aPI8OTva_oeBfefQxp-xJSaKdYk/s1600/Over+the+pass+356.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mikjG3ucaClV05B1DSE6iYKjDn3dtWjiRSKCxGilzIFujhfnF72JhGFxCsvnAzggf-tS8ei4vPGUjg3Uu6DhT_g_DCcNIyCxK4z41OuKEQYi-Yq4aPI8OTva_oeBfefQxp-xJSaKdYk/s320/Over+the+pass+356.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543984109667036754" /></a><br /></div><div>Amber waves of grass with grazing cattle in the late afternoon.</div><div><br /></div><div>This completed my little adventure. I got new tires a few days later so I'm ready for the next drive. My wife wants to come along next time. That should be fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you enjoy the photos. If you want more specific directions to any of these places, drop me aline.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ride on,</div><div><br /></div><div>Howard</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-36265579996186552562010-11-23T20:55:00.000-08:002010-11-23T22:25:10.648-08:00Arizona Adventures Part IIThe week after driving out to the far southwest corner of Arizona to get pics for my travel blog and to scout some territory for possible upcoming scooter rides, I decided to do another ride, just a tad bit closer to home. this route would take me almost due south very near the Mexican border, then east, around the south side of the Huachuca Mountains, east to Bisbee, then north(ish) to Tombstone and then lazily returning home. Like the previous week's trip, I was taking my van.<div><br /></div><div>I had ridden to Parker Canyon Lake almost a year ago as an early training run for the Iron Butt ride. In looking at the map, I had noticed that there was a very minor road that went south of there and looped back to the east and came out near Sierra Vista. I didn't have the time, then, to ride it, but i logged that info for another day. That day had come.</div><div><br /></div><div>The ride down Scenic Route 83, aka Sonoita Highway, is always beautiful. Sonoita is Arizona wine country. There are rolling hills, which (this time of year) are covered with amber waves of tall brown grass. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8hmAkmZ0g5dBm3jgl8vO5wBhES6s5WmSxyFUyiF9PhoHHSXjZ9AeByOFQVNCTuLh7buBphlKPhKX45PeGSOBliczKJjQcafC9NAIExuJMDb2hYe5XZDMaHuCtIdCTVr8Cw278FvGzVM/s1600/Over+the+pass+039.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8hmAkmZ0g5dBm3jgl8vO5wBhES6s5WmSxyFUyiF9PhoHHSXjZ9AeByOFQVNCTuLh7buBphlKPhKX45PeGSOBliczKJjQcafC9NAIExuJMDb2hYe5XZDMaHuCtIdCTVr8Cw278FvGzVM/s320/Over+the+pass+039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542990989557267538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>How many vineyards have a large yucca in the middle of them?</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Once I got to Sonoita, I decided to check out a detour around to Elgin, AZ, which is the center of the wine growing area. I don't drink wine, but having spent some of my early years on a farm, I can appreciate agriculture. The drive around Upper Elgin Road did not disappoint me. I had been here before, but once I got to Elgin's only significant intersection, I turned due south. My Arizona map told me that turning either way would return me to Route 83, so I went the way I had never been before. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb5Y3yKT9bjHgzwWln0TGc7770JPl0kY3y7wLo78zWRwpnOqNHRbWzjIe69fNdcqbAKrSnz5jChr-oUS-7aLyk415EoDSm43O9d4UiF_cDAsra2r9NnrFzKs3prAydb7VBf5EpXDbZ6M/s1600/Over+the+pass+033.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb5Y3yKT9bjHgzwWln0TGc7770JPl0kY3y7wLo78zWRwpnOqNHRbWzjIe69fNdcqbAKrSnz5jChr-oUS-7aLyk415EoDSm43O9d4UiF_cDAsra2r9NnrFzKs3prAydb7VBf5EpXDbZ6M/s320/Over+the+pass+033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542990981380096866" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></a></div><div>I reached 83 and continued south, toward Parker Canyon Lake. Our scooter club in contemplating a camping ride there in the spring, so I wanted to check it out, with that in mind.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not far from returning to 83, I passed through the quasi-ghost town of Canelo. The road begins to climb along the west wall of Lyle Canyon. I snapped a couple pics looking down into the canyon and drove on.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguESeuws_ZSVetkFvPVU_1LJwF2K9bTLqHJMq-fSXxbbUgjb2MnxTpxhad6mj1zw9OlQLAYKKIrZeL3CLv_EiNQWKrwfwSkLWhFemguw7383fUnwxeKU_wxAOWbUp4LETYhqqxJYfFEhE/s1600/Over+the+pass+072.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguESeuws_ZSVetkFvPVU_1LJwF2K9bTLqHJMq-fSXxbbUgjb2MnxTpxhad6mj1zw9OlQLAYKKIrZeL3CLv_EiNQWKrwfwSkLWhFemguw7383fUnwxeKU_wxAOWbUp4LETYhqqxJYfFEhE/s320/Over+the+pass+072.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542990972830100562" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /> </a>I approached what is one of my favorite areas. There is a ranch house which these beautiful corrals, which look like they are 100 years old. There are some stone walls around there as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>The road narrows significantly here and the road begins to climb along a series of tight switchbacks. It would be treacherous here if there were ice on the road. Since it is around 5000 feet elevation, ice would be a real possibility in the winter.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqntKDKrqTPBMgLWqGymrspiUtitPnc9_ckbDcsgibqscckeDX4BwUGZZjIEbZWL69kOPWGnU_XCLhSXiix7yTPaP1xvN-H9IYP1yee1eXFPGK0xRIVq85XZgiK9HkY2MhlyOsDwiYQdk/s1600/Over+the+pass+107.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqntKDKrqTPBMgLWqGymrspiUtitPnc9_ckbDcsgibqscckeDX4BwUGZZjIEbZWL69kOPWGnU_XCLhSXiix7yTPaP1xvN-H9IYP1yee1eXFPGK0xRIVq85XZgiK9HkY2MhlyOsDwiYQdk/s320/Over+the+pass+107.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542990271747960306" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>A long straight stretch of dirt.</i></span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffZmNJNwu8uuknuok9LMC01c41NB13iRQw-NCks-GtZHgntG9Pr99gInIl0gyjZThwJCSlgqYS04l2IJFfDAJuWwTVG3DSDiRkK2tSnwwto2mII-wxbtZ3oN_-xjh8OJHk4m8JCNWvaM/s1600/Over+the+pass+098.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffZmNJNwu8uuknuok9LMC01c41NB13iRQw-NCks-GtZHgntG9Pr99gInIl0gyjZThwJCSlgqYS04l2IJFfDAJuWwTVG3DSDiRkK2tSnwwto2mII-wxbtZ3oN_-xjh8OJHk4m8JCNWvaM/s320/Over+the+pass+098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542990951253977442" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>I drove around the lake, took mental notes and took some pics.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFhtEaF7NqX-amGFvZWsgeEma6LQt2QU1oBErBNS9ITpLg06S7eXOFQKe7UhylLieYUi_E2bI9N3VF3jN-WOKS9CGLax83HxTef5pS7vbJXHV1qplls7F7kyRJOS2Yz7qxd1n2BCIhXo/s1600/Over+the+pass+087.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFhtEaF7NqX-amGFvZWsgeEma6LQt2QU1oBErBNS9ITpLg06S7eXOFQKe7UhylLieYUi_E2bI9N3VF3jN-WOKS9CGLax83HxTef5pS7vbJXHV1qplls7F7kyRJOS2Yz7qxd1n2BCIhXo/s320/Over+the+pass+087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542990959509301026" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></a> Looks like it will be a good place. Now it was back to the point I had seen on the map; the place where my adventure began.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykhycfWcwgoa3LFDdaPjhRr-ILH-CVxSnwwZ8a3iBZoTTPNUiDTw3PGBVfstjoN4wtXDfR8URdVtTB2JqGsqtmADSgahkKhVBQ1r9hObWgdxqctDJdmgE6ZsQHQrU-Kek7aNi2KYrYV4/s1600/Over+the+pass+081.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykhycfWcwgoa3LFDdaPjhRr-ILH-CVxSnwwZ8a3iBZoTTPNUiDTw3PGBVfstjoN4wtXDfR8URdVtTB2JqGsqtmADSgahkKhVBQ1r9hObWgdxqctDJdmgE6ZsQHQrU-Kek7aNi2KYrYV4/s320/Over+the+pass+081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542990276384801330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div> I knew from Google Maps that the bottom end of route 83 was dirt.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj2IHjmWBf6Ej-6_AAUX_Ye0n4EnWuszxX7Zy-LuWN0D6gKaAPbfYb4zVJa2ALW6Mk4Y7x3gg8XtieJBjcStDnipNaLfoeu-Z-PBd-ggHp4OkF0MI-kXT7zIIfVNjt-KUdjog7j12OVg/s1600/Over+the+pass+123.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCj2IHjmWBf6Ej-6_AAUX_Ye0n4EnWuszxX7Zy-LuWN0D6gKaAPbfYb4zVJa2ALW6Mk4Y7x3gg8XtieJBjcStDnipNaLfoeu-Z-PBd-ggHp4OkF0MI-kXT7zIIfVNjt-KUdjog7j12OVg/s320/Over+the+pass+123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542990252180881138" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>I came across a snake sunbathing in the road.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGq_ePbBhE34S4mm0bHoAC1Cy1o7rISwNvL2_oqx56Fm6uV6M1UxLV1SI8OWzwxtgcXXEILWUWCbieDYPVJyJjxGwGGvQmZz3jbGt9ZmB7aYLPkXtrlZlrkeEgaB8RBIZlJA5d9CNF3g/s1600/Over+the+pass+179.JPG"></a>There is a little community around the lake. After only a couple of miles, I had left most of the signs of civilization (except the road, of course) behind.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS33qhjH-UZ40MRmecy2FxHA43Ti24YqGPw5MFB0gQGcxLEJqsKiDpMj599HE_ZTXe4UrMfJchi9x86wMjlQqhPUTtIXjNoYOSzJu6AbT6Kjg4SziCPA21Jh6FPUzVdbmxXIscZAO0ek/s1600/Over+the+pass+117.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS33qhjH-UZ40MRmecy2FxHA43Ti24YqGPw5MFB0gQGcxLEJqsKiDpMj599HE_ZTXe4UrMfJchi9x86wMjlQqhPUTtIXjNoYOSzJu6AbT6Kjg4SziCPA21Jh6FPUzVdbmxXIscZAO0ek/s320/Over+the+pass+117.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542990257667085554" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>I don't know how old the bridge is, but it looked cool.</i></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKBxiEcBUMvD1CZB8DOgm7H329Wpo3RLccmAEbQSdw0t_h-u8Qkw8R4l7ATeKlEXkVBRxWZFg-hCW8h6zgoyUIOObXyn-EVJ2YM_dontnisyqoKtRn1tiV6djzeZZhkcFkO8X-YYVhhk/s1600/Over+the+pass+129.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKBxiEcBUMvD1CZB8DOgm7H329Wpo3RLccmAEbQSdw0t_h-u8Qkw8R4l7ATeKlEXkVBRxWZFg-hCW8h6zgoyUIOObXyn-EVJ2YM_dontnisyqoKtRn1tiV6djzeZZhkcFkO8X-YYVhhk/s320/Over+the+pass+129.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542990244538825122" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></a></div><div>As I reached the top of a hill, I could see a large expanse of grassland off to the southwest.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_k2Dh9E1igPlfEec5oCTqtzO23iWCSdfuJT-50dwlnQapt34xNcULQdMqNLf-iuXx75-P07UyX8OxFe1BuEbuQcMYKComngjgIU6u7tcCz2O_IXrkwNd8YHzjuhSQ3spWruWdYbarFxY/s1600/Over+the+pass+133.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_k2Dh9E1igPlfEec5oCTqtzO23iWCSdfuJT-50dwlnQapt34xNcULQdMqNLf-iuXx75-P07UyX8OxFe1BuEbuQcMYKComngjgIU6u7tcCz2O_IXrkwNd8YHzjuhSQ3spWruWdYbarFxY/s320/Over+the+pass+133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542989694369087410" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></a></div><div>As the road continued, the scenery became increasingly amazing.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGqFozO7LRt7oJXkuLwQYPWGGzAbOoUfbDr814EtuyT-ODLEHlae7WFTfG4QOx7ENdwzG1GtaPtPXwZ3rwN-MZ79KTu1meQMsw4Ld5ACjYZiCTKWSZeleohpK_Dd872F4TKbth9iUScM/s1600/Over+the+pass+143.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGqFozO7LRt7oJXkuLwQYPWGGzAbOoUfbDr814EtuyT-ODLEHlae7WFTfG4QOx7ENdwzG1GtaPtPXwZ3rwN-MZ79KTu1meQMsw4Ld5ACjYZiCTKWSZeleohpK_Dd872F4TKbth9iUScM/s320/Over+the+pass+143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542989685441759458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>You can see the road I came in on going down the side of the mountain.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div> Pics don't do it justice, but as I gained elevation and could see more and more of that grassland area, it was reminding me of Africa. I was imagining elephants, giraffe and lions roaming around down there. It was incredible. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ6OfU4p_Pe3lB0LYMMtpEMTToNtdjf2TlmwHkh_sLSAMEvf6gmlVbWPQEd-L4EOM8hMtEAaqGHoWqVgSAr6L_W3RCNpqpE2ZUWxZQcdnZZJLOvLt0JA7dUru2Go6RS_GsSwX-koCHAY/s1600/Over+the+pass+131.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ6OfU4p_Pe3lB0LYMMtpEMTToNtdjf2TlmwHkh_sLSAMEvf6gmlVbWPQEd-L4EOM8hMtEAaqGHoWqVgSAr6L_W3RCNpqpE2ZUWxZQcdnZZJLOvLt0JA7dUru2Go6RS_GsSwX-koCHAY/s320/Over+the+pass+131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542989702859046626" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>I passed the sign that told me I was gazing down into the San Rafael Valley.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfrXjypRH-XVyw_W0MgBTEc_1myADE76eBLM3nEC8aoz61e-yphcqOY1CXX9IAESplITFlOHA150VOzmNbd-brG1kKDoyEC8cDPYLBkYq4jXwmi5tiE3YgShPPZqy0_7GJ07LONAxhyphenhypheno/s1600/Over+the+pass+152.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfrXjypRH-XVyw_W0MgBTEc_1myADE76eBLM3nEC8aoz61e-yphcqOY1CXX9IAESplITFlOHA150VOzmNbd-brG1kKDoyEC8cDPYLBkYq4jXwmi5tiE3YgShPPZqy0_7GJ07LONAxhyphenhypheno/s320/Over+the+pass+152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542989672321065634" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /> </a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfrXjypRH-XVyw_W0MgBTEc_1myADE76eBLM3nEC8aoz61e-yphcqOY1CXX9IAESplITFlOHA150VOzmNbd-brG1kKDoyEC8cDPYLBkYq4jXwmi5tiE3YgShPPZqy0_7GJ07LONAxhyphenhypheno/s1600/Over+the+pass+152.JPG"></a>I finally reached the top of what I now know is called Montezuma Pass. The view from this point was astounding! </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_nH9s2Zc57fstdhSFdQWgJ7GM04JAjwsSmjF0RtUM2zqMZ9icJ6J8GrjRC6vrOt68gGjo_UNe2ZbKnFaWH7N88FburzBSZJb6dwrr0CPO8N0ySL-jBY391E1Wzo6nir6UIeafi2NOLk/s1600/Over+the+pass+145.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_nH9s2Zc57fstdhSFdQWgJ7GM04JAjwsSmjF0RtUM2zqMZ9icJ6J8GrjRC6vrOt68gGjo_UNe2ZbKnFaWH7N88FburzBSZJb6dwrr0CPO8N0ySL-jBY391E1Wzo6nir6UIeafi2NOLk/s320/Over+the+pass+145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542989681488657490" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGq_ePbBhE34S4mm0bHoAC1Cy1o7rISwNvL2_oqx56Fm6uV6M1UxLV1SI8OWzwxtgcXXEILWUWCbieDYPVJyJjxGwGGvQmZz3jbGt9ZmB7aYLPkXtrlZlrkeEgaB8RBIZlJA5d9CNF3g/s1600/Over+the+pass+179.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGq_ePbBhE34S4mm0bHoAC1Cy1o7rISwNvL2_oqx56Fm6uV6M1UxLV1SI8OWzwxtgcXXEILWUWCbieDYPVJyJjxGwGGvQmZz3jbGt9ZmB7aYLPkXtrlZlrkeEgaB8RBIZlJA5d9CNF3g/s320/Over+the+pass+179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542989057116223762" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /> </a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Scary signs like this are everywhere.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGq_ePbBhE34S4mm0bHoAC1Cy1o7rISwNvL2_oqx56Fm6uV6M1UxLV1SI8OWzwxtgcXXEILWUWCbieDYPVJyJjxGwGGvQmZz3jbGt9ZmB7aYLPkXtrlZlrkeEgaB8RBIZlJA5d9CNF3g/s1600/Over+the+pass+179.JPG"></a>I had a nice conversation with a young Army private who is assigned to an observation post (O.P. as we called them in the Army) at the top of the pass where they can look directly down in to Mexico and watch for illegal activity. I asked how much further it was to asphalt and was told it was less than 10 minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was more like 15 minutes and the went down a series of wicked switchbacks, but it sure was fun. There was stream trickling down the middle of this little canyon. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KBZlurWQuxR5-muxn29nRGKUdOg4IYEALqWOqI_bOthla2ft_kniqsX783Qivgr1pGrzwkWcrZ1VW1F5YDGwhxxWulm6Y3-YdX-xRdmIHsFsJaUkMDi2g5jmuwIn2uF9OpwDpVBlTnU/s1600/Over+the+pass+151.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KBZlurWQuxR5-muxn29nRGKUdOg4IYEALqWOqI_bOthla2ft_kniqsX783Qivgr1pGrzwkWcrZ1VW1F5YDGwhxxWulm6Y3-YdX-xRdmIHsFsJaUkMDi2g5jmuwIn2uF9OpwDpVBlTnU/s320/Over+the+pass+151.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542989070579467170" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Down at the bottom of this is the visitors' center.</i></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69x08ruu6Py3fmuJkl6Gl-aRN0AtVi5vZUOY6-lAYd-3ovlhbvvLbEXuNEAJgTn0AH4SagdJjr3N-STsjZaZCU9QOqDtLMqt_gBSXTiw4wjiktPQTks1fnHHhaDqDZVTglGSpti2jy58/s1600/Over+the+pass+171.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69x08ruu6Py3fmuJkl6Gl-aRN0AtVi5vZUOY6-lAYd-3ovlhbvvLbEXuNEAJgTn0AH4SagdJjr3N-STsjZaZCU9QOqDtLMqt_gBSXTiw4wjiktPQTks1fnHHhaDqDZVTglGSpti2jy58/s320/Over+the+pass+171.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542989044698112610" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /> </a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Border Patrol agents cruising on their ATV's.</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69x08ruu6Py3fmuJkl6Gl-aRN0AtVi5vZUOY6-lAYd-3ovlhbvvLbEXuNEAJgTn0AH4SagdJjr3N-STsjZaZCU9QOqDtLMqt_gBSXTiw4wjiktPQTks1fnHHhaDqDZVTglGSpti2jy58/s1600/Over+the+pass+171.JPG"></a>I passed a sign that said something about a trailhead that leads to Coronado Cave, then I arrived at the Coronado National Memorial visitors' center.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdTytEsQJnP4KIY_-xVvoo512uMLc2uY1ATKuSDjGyKzQppwa-XjFwOkmxshhkktb7Ck3B2dT76Qg0MRyPDJ1_AMDBF3DHInJCMn5UbNlzRbdT9vd_UMUlfBEsJnG0YLJd8PiJlZlzbg/s1600/Over+the+pass+170.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdTytEsQJnP4KIY_-xVvoo512uMLc2uY1ATKuSDjGyKzQppwa-XjFwOkmxshhkktb7Ck3B2dT76Qg0MRyPDJ1_AMDBF3DHInJCMn5UbNlzRbdT9vd_UMUlfBEsJnG0YLJd8PiJlZlzbg/s320/Over+the+pass+170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542989062694519586" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Top center of this pic is Geronimo Pass as seen from the east side.</i></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxADDY9LxJ3ZNxhLK0cngpXqyD8XSyiJgb3ggHRZ25umoa9uuP03AqfEkjgLQc_ap9T2_acsg4iYw49-IHypRVHILDbKsPIxnbWS3exuDv6UYIIGAxCfvFIsdDhMksiIeMljBzBqP7xXQ/s1600/Over+the+pass+178.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxADDY9LxJ3ZNxhLK0cngpXqyD8XSyiJgb3ggHRZ25umoa9uuP03AqfEkjgLQc_ap9T2_acsg4iYw49-IHypRVHILDbKsPIxnbWS3exuDv6UYIIGAxCfvFIsdDhMksiIeMljBzBqP7xXQ/s320/Over+the+pass+178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542989039358296290" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></a></div><div>The rangers there were exceedingly kind and helpful. I mentioned the fact that they were kind of off the beaten path and she replied with a smile, "No one EVER comes here by accident." she is very right. You have to make the decision and plot your route to come here, but it is SOOOO worth it. I don't know when I'll get back, but I am sure looking forward to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was only the first half of my adventure that day. Two more ghost towns, sandhill cranes, Chicago come to live in Bisbee and a blowout were in the next part of that day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ride on,</div><div><br /></div><div>Howard</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-44274420190772946252010-11-18T19:02:00.000-08:002010-11-23T20:54:52.399-08:00Arizona Adventures Part I<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9KaVQPckaKfue5zS5FwR_nI8eaGMDap-TJ2syM2c8VfPazOj2kwGe8g9-dKUu8-b8iO1c73X4W79pcpYDIZStCwXxCjyNmTGmZKLZej4xexiaTN5bVUOZQgQA62DYRYxb5BHnWgI46o/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+021.JPG"></a><div>As you may recall, I am in the process of writing a series of articles about riding/driving in Southern Arizona entitled "<a href="http://skyislandriders.com/?p=582">Riding SoAZ</a>." It can be found on our scooter club <a href="http://skyislandriders.com/">website</a>. I have been trying to use my own photos for all of it as well. (I haven't quite succeeded, but the vast majority are mine.) Well, I realized as was getting into the next few sections, that, not only do I not have any photos of much of the area, but I actually had never been to several of the locations as an adult. So, I decided to head out to far corner of southeastern AZ for pics and a feel for the territory.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, I could not ride my scooter. The first area I wanted to cover was to be about a 500 mile trip. I have gone that far on the scoot, but it would take too much time to do so in a single day. Add the fact that I needed to explore a bit AND take pictures and it is really out of the question for a 150cc scooter. So, in the mini-van I hopped.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68I4R1iKqF0wpYDxxQrLI1gI_pDVsI77mtbs6wnWD6dSEEpZ2FKDFaSWrnoHpKKm5xkNjlrAyhIX5l71d8S2L_lQPvEz3xX3Kw6EIqbMcWfXSWtfssV9zBd4Ikb4Yjak2vHM8LrtEKt8/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68I4R1iKqF0wpYDxxQrLI1gI_pDVsI77mtbs6wnWD6dSEEpZ2FKDFaSWrnoHpKKm5xkNjlrAyhIX5l71d8S2L_lQPvEz3xX3Kw6EIqbMcWfXSWtfssV9zBd4Ikb4Yjak2vHM8LrtEKt8/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541093807146770242" /></a>My travel pieces tend to ignore the interstates. Looking at the above pic taken between Benson and Willcox, can you blame me? However, I wanted to get to the area in question as quickly as possible, so I-10 it was. The plan was to go just into New Mexico and take Route 80 south. I wanted to go to the towns of Portal, Rodeo and Douglas first.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ved3oMaz0I29zPhE1zsBqAv4jDetd3Y4rjqsZ5-01_Uw2YQSUx0OWmXK8RDewExZMcr6Aq2J4g8Zer4IuPc-6bJk5ZA8xMVg6YV389yVu9QaQa8T9zXSwXE5-IXZ5IVsES33cVMGRwY/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ved3oMaz0I29zPhE1zsBqAv4jDetd3Y4rjqsZ5-01_Uw2YQSUx0OWmXK8RDewExZMcr6Aq2J4g8Zer4IuPc-6bJk5ZA8xMVg6YV389yVu9QaQa8T9zXSwXE5-IXZ5IVsES33cVMGRwY/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541093802874083890" /></a>When I got to San Simon, AZ, I saw a sign that said "Portal - 25 miles." Ever keen for an adventure, I exited the interstate and headed south on some black top, which as you can see above, quickly turned into dirt 4-5 miles later. No problem. At least you can see oncoming cars a long ways away by looking for dirt clouds.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyIiehoUnPr7yFaiEQMPEglNV4_f-SZS8UT2W1llY1wt72THKfHH80LX9GXxzKq33CAvFhRAKCAnZc8PDYTMj78dm-wNK6v-pg_ajDQXZqlWy4uz9khSicEdvTcoVHKfl5q7qsr4jJHU/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyIiehoUnPr7yFaiEQMPEglNV4_f-SZS8UT2W1llY1wt72THKfHH80LX9GXxzKq33CAvFhRAKCAnZc8PDYTMj78dm-wNK6v-pg_ajDQXZqlWy4uz9khSicEdvTcoVHKfl5q7qsr4jJHU/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541093371192155298" /></a>"Warning - Forest Road #42 Impassable to ALL vehicles over 28 feet long." At least the road would probably be fun to drive. Those are the Chiricahua Mountains in the background and Portal is located on the east side of them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaGh06tnOAGLHOUPpwJ49s4_gTAPQyka2lSY6Uv5Le_BIAqEYvrO3qW0ll3TYDOh0n3bcz1-ofdevKwWyT6Jo0AjpuGzSVJleBzRxJoSmdoFnn0RlWdLgE6n-vqoj5KnSV3CtAV0hyphenhyphenc4/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaGh06tnOAGLHOUPpwJ49s4_gTAPQyka2lSY6Uv5Le_BIAqEYvrO3qW0ll3TYDOh0n3bcz1-ofdevKwWyT6Jo0AjpuGzSVJleBzRxJoSmdoFnn0RlWdLgE6n-vqoj5KnSV3CtAV0hyphenhyphenc4/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541093363764327730" /></a>As Yogi Berra says, "When you come to a fork in the road..... take it." So I did. I went left where the sign says it's 9 more miles to Portal. The road was a tad rough in spots, but the scenery was great. <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aYMsByijkmm6BduIQemxbngEBeo7sEV2mqUPFVAvpvC9WwksZ-8TYuPQjNj0Fy6GhJqZproK31E6aTnokk9HDVQYOjusqzswYAkldsLxXbX3NuwXpwX7rYNZ7HgU4snT-lEw9splPRg/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+096.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541093342865576610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I arrived in Portal with no difficulty. The Portal Store, Cafe' and Lodge is the main hub of activity. The store in tiny and there is no fuel. If you're headed this way on a smaller bike, gas up in Willcox or San Simon. There is also fuel at "Road Forks" which is where Rte 80 meets I-10. (Remember the original plan?" </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbml86tI6rv_thawJ7avRDhnwudwhlbB_49maWpOK5fjCu7Rw5MKpW8S19IQ8Aox3bkei_XMZEWlRTyc2aTEWp-XLDuALFUiKI9Z7tmCLvSQct7XKxfXrgiHBICt5iQnjLjAD9EUJ0_LQ/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+095.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541092715367360498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div>I wonder how good the rock selling business is there? If you look very carefully, the sign also says "Free Local Delivery." That clinches it for me. I proceeded past Portal going west. I was also here to see Cave Creek and check it out as a possible scooter club destination.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlEG8BK_1akElBqPMJ5A3LXny8m_kI7QvupCd4neoKUtcXFpVnvgqajkKVS09C00HOfPqMVrki2I1yJyPmMwlAoC_HMAZqpWiNkLD-J4xnSanva_yiej0J47gzBSNOFgBHIdS52SN61k/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+072.JPG"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlEG8BK_1akElBqPMJ5A3LXny8m_kI7QvupCd4neoKUtcXFpVnvgqajkKVS09C00HOfPqMVrki2I1yJyPmMwlAoC_HMAZqpWiNkLD-J4xnSanva_yiej0J47gzBSNOFgBHIdS52SN61k/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+072.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlEG8BK_1akElBqPMJ5A3LXny8m_kI7QvupCd4neoKUtcXFpVnvgqajkKVS09C00HOfPqMVrki2I1yJyPmMwlAoC_HMAZqpWiNkLD-J4xnSanva_yiej0J47gzBSNOFgBHIdS52SN61k/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+072.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541093355304407522" /></a> Yup, there's a creek here.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfQmBQzkp2gVZiFgAyOn8Csbl0lnNnPj3NPynBAsOhGlmBsFw7_MSiJMnACJlqUhT0kENYmwi8DhjUcCkjx4cNj8DrbyeCElUoM-XY-GW4GXCKcf6OUvVk1TaotP40wNU7MnirRkDqQ0/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfQmBQzkp2gVZiFgAyOn8Csbl0lnNnPj3NPynBAsOhGlmBsFw7_MSiJMnACJlqUhT0kENYmwi8DhjUcCkjx4cNj8DrbyeCElUoM-XY-GW4GXCKcf6OUvVk1TaotP40wNU7MnirRkDqQ0/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+084.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541093351767549602" /></a>Critters, too. That's a pair of little bucks scappin'. There were several other head in this little herd of mule deer as well. It was fun to watch.. I enjoyed the amazing scenery in the canyon, then went back through Portal, back to Route 80 and actually into New Mexico briefly.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3tCZHehRVQjgPIfMFVSmbSCz0xmZ4a0Av3Hb18NJpHDB48vb2VRFHXJT5ohwbniLI4QUuTM9y-P412pJQ6BsyziM_a7uqmkHnsS1OtddtSuvJi_F2jYeOABeWFqn7nl2id_WNtRSz-0/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+118.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3tCZHehRVQjgPIfMFVSmbSCz0xmZ4a0Av3Hb18NJpHDB48vb2VRFHXJT5ohwbniLI4QUuTM9y-P412pJQ6BsyziM_a7uqmkHnsS1OtddtSuvJi_F2jYeOABeWFqn7nl2id_WNtRSz-0/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+118.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541092706736743650" /></a>I was surprised to see this large monument on the road side. I looked at it closer and it the "Geronimo Surrenders" monument. Cochise was also very active in these parts.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9KaVQPckaKfue5zS5FwR_nI8eaGMDap-TJ2syM2c8VfPazOj2kwGe8g9-dKUu8-b8iO1c73X4W79pcpYDIZStCwXxCjyNmTGmZKLZej4xexiaTN5bVUOZQgQA62DYRYxb5BHnWgI46o/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541101837087847650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">If you closely in the center of this pic, it is said that Cochise's spirit is so strong, that you can see his face in the mountains. Can you see it? </span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnJ-JYVMwSCMdb_4R-fCSfGNcuPIDQN0RW6Tua_DHGJyiehx9wlr04f1_jDejxHcxJ_MDxq4Ng1MvFuQMT1YO_czybj-gefVgB8f3a4A3-9Ru1rx4MhWU_uNPnnKXrJ2W8syMvbBvuxw/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+140.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnJ-JYVMwSCMdb_4R-fCSfGNcuPIDQN0RW6Tua_DHGJyiehx9wlr04f1_jDejxHcxJ_MDxq4Ng1MvFuQMT1YO_czybj-gefVgB8f3a4A3-9Ru1rx4MhWU_uNPnnKXrJ2W8syMvbBvuxw/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+140.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541092699151017346" /></a>I continued south on 80, noticing old railway bridges on the west side of the road. I tried to get a pic of the old rail bed. Can you make it out in the pic above? I think I need to get a bit higher. I was standing on the side of the van, but it's just not enough. On in to Douglas I went.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rDoqBsu_SLSjmwL6atzliApiEtc4-Yj3nMav06VZ_0xeLPPOCxA4zs7pWC0h1s0hPu9HK8_VuNMpPwBfzyygMu49CG_h4RSQOG1DUN4ieDSKfj_VlZpHyh6ZlgEVN2mj8hFVmLVKVhw/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+171.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rDoqBsu_SLSjmwL6atzliApiEtc4-Yj3nMav06VZ_0xeLPPOCxA4zs7pWC0h1s0hPu9HK8_VuNMpPwBfzyygMu49CG_h4RSQOG1DUN4ieDSKfj_VlZpHyh6ZlgEVN2mj8hFVmLVKVhw/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+171.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541092694434955202" /></a>The Douglas police station is actually the old train depot. Very cool in my opinion. Douglas is right on the Mexican border. I had gone as far south as I could. Now my plan was to loop back up the west side of the Chiricahuas, up the Sulphur Springs Valley then over to the Chiricahua National Monument.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhsnb9h1faRViZ2Ou7VKaLwTtgGy3XYG3cthjmW33LcSLtuPxJ6uBXGgFkmAY4kUNVJDzipQOQYUzN6-BwWnnuA3xkXRU-G8XFKAjXxz_avnZFyZ0z6eeHO9oWYkCb_MDH3lHV_hXuU0/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+199.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhsnb9h1faRViZ2Ou7VKaLwTtgGy3XYG3cthjmW33LcSLtuPxJ6uBXGgFkmAY4kUNVJDzipQOQYUzN6-BwWnnuA3xkXRU-G8XFKAjXxz_avnZFyZ0z6eeHO9oWYkCb_MDH3lHV_hXuU0/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+199.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541092688593211714" /></a>There is a lot of farming and ranching the Sulphur Springs Valley. Afterward, I looked up some additional information about the area. One article said that they had solar powered irrigation here in 1904! Amazing!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlx3ty5avADHLMBCl26OA9I5ord-3_XLmdnpZ9Wjq6TlgZpd3BfokkPvT0Rb5IjS4aoW5wEAF6sn_n4_FgmqsmJtRcm33yfExrWGCo4mUs4kzf9AThImrOglPq8yZs7rplI2ZWqMdgw8/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+215.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlx3ty5avADHLMBCl26OA9I5ord-3_XLmdnpZ9Wjq6TlgZpd3BfokkPvT0Rb5IjS4aoW5wEAF6sn_n4_FgmqsmJtRcm33yfExrWGCo4mUs4kzf9AThImrOglPq8yZs7rplI2ZWqMdgw8/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+215.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541091820852073698" /></a>Just as you enter the national monument, there is a tiny cemetery. I love old cemeteries. This wouldn't be the last one of this trip, either.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT12y2lDzUrL9KwAgiL7s4viQKYxpZrD69j_uvvegHxUF3FpdwNXx03bd0TeWycEMzUYhUdxVIIG8gjXObwoH9-7bTRBilSQW3cayi9wC3MJaje9llcuARCZffXZ3orpGbwYpdMSwBpw8/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+237.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT12y2lDzUrL9KwAgiL7s4viQKYxpZrD69j_uvvegHxUF3FpdwNXx03bd0TeWycEMzUYhUdxVIIG8gjXObwoH9-7bTRBilSQW3cayi9wC3MJaje9llcuARCZffXZ3orpGbwYpdMSwBpw8/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+237.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541091817280310482" /></a>I began climbing and came into pine trees. I always love driving from desert into trees. The rapid change never ceases to amaze me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QXb1TuX9jss7N3olZ62jZww6nmnsdliPaxIeZsPF7Y8zADQ2FhqutBZlFjIwht0TqIaVWmTTepYXQ4tkBjkNMGwQkgWQogL_blOmRmZLE7B6xWiVUXI5YJ5Os3eoQ0efIcBb4WDJisU/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+268.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QXb1TuX9jss7N3olZ62jZww6nmnsdliPaxIeZsPF7Y8zADQ2FhqutBZlFjIwht0TqIaVWmTTepYXQ4tkBjkNMGwQkgWQogL_blOmRmZLE7B6xWiVUXI5YJ5Os3eoQ0efIcBb4WDJisU/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+268.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541091812812964194" /></a>Chiricahua National Monument is known for it's amazing rock formations. They are everywhere.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfl0grozbCl5AY8D0JR1bxFfdr1Xsh3EJukgA5_K-zc7hGAX2ZeNLSCshtu_0RcwO6LXSiiwp42iIIpl5Opn2ZDcOKPXkCMpnQGNcpJhG4ZJRYsIjYCDApualJVc28n_mcTggsRiODVM/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+269.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfl0grozbCl5AY8D0JR1bxFfdr1Xsh3EJukgA5_K-zc7hGAX2ZeNLSCshtu_0RcwO6LXSiiwp42iIIpl5Opn2ZDcOKPXkCMpnQGNcpJhG4ZJRYsIjYCDApualJVc28n_mcTggsRiODVM/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+269.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541091807199073362" /></a>I managed to wave to myself.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGn8s2mTH2-ZCIbp9REldMmcbyL_SueSX9qZcOkcD4ayXjUK5JkqllWBgWBIpT_KvcLoV2XAOnGbeg2o-h0YSXA3xT3FYnxFOjHm0jCtfdNwn84gAU4tYWZO_3saBNAue_PN_qgRpuo8/s1600/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+294.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGn8s2mTH2-ZCIbp9REldMmcbyL_SueSX9qZcOkcD4ayXjUK5JkqllWBgWBIpT_KvcLoV2XAOnGbeg2o-h0YSXA3xT3FYnxFOjHm0jCtfdNwn84gAU4tYWZO_3saBNAue_PN_qgRpuo8/s320/Portal+Roadtrip+11-8-10+294.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541091803569794818" /></a>I snagged the pics I wanted, and headed back to Tucson. It was a lovely trip. It would have been better on a scooter, but I'm trying to remedy that as well. I am in the process of trying to sell one scooter, in order to buy a bigger, faster scoot. I'll let you know how that goes.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I actually took these pics on 11/8. today I took another, similar drive today, 11/8. I'll try to post those and the associate adventure, tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ride on,</div><div><br /></div><div>Howard</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-52628621139741270622010-11-09T07:49:00.000-08:002010-11-12T21:33:48.817-08:00Fall Classic Frenzy<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center">This past Friday and Saturday I attended my 5th scooter rally of 2010. For someone who has said he's not really into rallies, I sure went to a lot of them. Well, five seems like a lot to me. I went to one two years ago and two last year.</div><p align="center">This one was the Fall Classic, aka the Tucson-Nogales Rally. This it's 23rd year which, I'm told, makes it one of the nation's longest running rallies. It is a weekend "camping rally." For many years the rally started with a Meet & Greet at the historic Hotel Congress in downtown Tucson. Due, in part, to recent renovations, there is no longer as much room for scooters as in the past, so it was moved to "The Hut."</p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537591489638633122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOoa2SlH_Nq5Ba2jDSAAfyBWEqZh-F6PKSKuPnB6xzUaX8JIP0XLoyYXMjBAfdz-eriTbL8pzZsEeTRUa9fLXtvqH4Z5DDMDZ3437UgWmzwDzq8ovhadSdAOk-wYTTJTyAvzZTkdwNaw/s320/Fall+Classic+2010+081.JPG" border="0" /></span><div>The Hut, obviously, is a tiki-themed bar on 4th Ave. The giant tiki head was moved to here from a local miniature golf course that closed. I think it's an awesome addition. Additionally, it's quirky enough to make it a perfect venue for quirky scooterists, don't you think?</div><br /><div>The 2008 Fall Classic was the first rally I ever attended. I enjoyed looking at all the scoots, but didn't really feel like a part of it. After almost 3 years of riding, I finally know enough other scooterists to feel more like a part of things. I've never had any desire to camp with the rally, but after feeling welcomed into "the fold," I may be willing to give it a try next year.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238)"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537578401272677426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WEWPzAf0CZyj1JxFioXZgz5wrlp3F_3D1jJ-oFFI1LgQNza9ejDlaDKsUDbX7_swBEJMWK9oZ8bXhBn9j7EKcY6wTf17FjKsuZM8FwLXVG109DyyJi1MbJdGVRmwdZdJRRs7stUuer8/s320/Fall+Classic+2010+068.JPG" border="0" /></span>The meet and greet was great fun. We had some DJ's spinning classic northern soul music. Clubs from around the southwest were present. I got to meet some new people and see some scooter folk I hadn't seen in quite a while.<br /><br /><div>Saturday morning is when the "Nogales" part of the Tucson-Nogales Rally happens. Nogales, AZ is about 50 miles south of Tucson on I-19. Every year the rally makes that 50 miles into about 100 by riding east to Vail, then south, through Arizona wine country, to Sonoita, then back west to the campground. It is a beautiful ride and the weather was perfect. temps were in the upper 70's. But it was not to be a perfect ride for me. . . . . . . . (Insert suspenseful music here)</div><br /><div>Iron Buddy and I set up to shoot a short video of the ride out from the Hut. I pulled into the rear of the group after they all passed me, then got stuck at a light. There were a couple of other lights that I got stopped at, so when I finally hit Aviation Parkway, I hammered the throttle to catch up. I had gone a mile or so and was just catching the back of the pack when my drive belt exploded and Iron Buddy and I coasted to a stop.</div><br /><div>I figured my day and the rally were lost. The Scoot Over sag wagon pulled up and when they told me that they had no replacement belts on board, I knew I was done. As Jason pulled away, he told me the shop was open and to give Ron a call.</div><br /><div>As I began pushing my poor scooter to a main street so that I could be found more easily, my phone rang. It was Ron, at Scoot Over. He told me not to worry and that they were sending the truck over to help me get back on the road. Huzzah!</div><br /><div>Long story - short: I got picked up, got to the garage where we replaced the belt. We called and found out where the group was and I left trying to catch up. I didn't make it out of the parking lot and the rear wheel locked up. DRAT! Limped back to the garage where we found that my NCY performance clutch was jacked up. We replaced the clutch with a stock one and off I went again, almost an hour behind the pack.</div><br /><div>The ride stops in Vail for 20-30 minutes, then again in Sonoita for 20-30 minutes before riding into the Campground near Nogales. I figured if I ran really hard, I might could catch the group at Sonoita. I rode the shortest way I knew and I actually caught them in Sonoita. It was a glorious sight when I topped the hill and saw all those beautiful scooters!</div><br /><div>Unfortunately, they were pulling out just as I pulled in. I was hungry, thirsty and in need of fuel. I addressed all three areas and raced out of town. "I caught 'em once, I'll catch 'em again" i thought as I began to ride. And i did catch them about 10 miles outside of Nogales. I kept passing scooters until I caught up with John, who was riding my Stella (another story of broken scoots.) We rode together to the campground.</div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfFQfFwH4xnZhCAoypQncNhyQ2IpJ6_i3pSUFZgOipsOTUCa2lUxgSBzL9Pg_thU7V0CAeHEnRR_mZO-pvCoBBiRFmkHXSe5cLznhZw7cGU6usOgUg5cxF_7l0QVCcARRWFfNeKYs1gI/s1600/Fall+Classic+2010+201.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537578760974708930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: left" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfFQfFwH4xnZhCAoypQncNhyQ2IpJ6_i3pSUFZgOipsOTUCa2lUxgSBzL9Pg_thU7V0CAeHEnRR_mZO-pvCoBBiRFmkHXSe5cLznhZw7cGU6usOgUg5cxF_7l0QVCcARRWFfNeKYs1gI/s320/Fall+Classic+2010+201.JPG" border="0" /></a> I was having a great time. There was the human taco (a Pharoes prospect)</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJL84sWT6gf5Xv-5A4-FApdHnFdrhpyplqoWC-sbJ8Kv55pqboxX5N9_c-AXuVzCYtvVxfiAENn7KiNHVLicdQPph-M7eU__yaOPQNYC8P8P3Ku-aSPnzx7BWD2fjcGmDH4IVuWIHI-M/s1600/Fall+Classic+2010+176.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537578425997909330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJL84sWT6gf5Xv-5A4-FApdHnFdrhpyplqoWC-sbJ8Kv55pqboxX5N9_c-AXuVzCYtvVxfiAENn7KiNHVLicdQPph-M7eU__yaOPQNYC8P8P3Ku-aSPnzx7BWD2fjcGmDH4IVuWIHI-M/s320/Fall+Classic+2010+176.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here's one of the "Rally Dogs." He came up with Jason in the SAG wagon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1PQ6lauKu07tDmeiDOB0_Z9i17OeWEZdbILMzceJnDJYrMxyhyphenhyphenW8HIBqNyQhmSOLIPBM90PX-WaiXcitjo9fR4_E5ecdC_XoLYykO7tEjQbhBK5OuEEsKAWXgwNpY-aR5qoZBCLj63c/s1600/Fall+Classic+2010+148.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537578422063385394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1PQ6lauKu07tDmeiDOB0_Z9i17OeWEZdbILMzceJnDJYrMxyhyphenhyphenW8HIBqNyQhmSOLIPBM90PX-WaiXcitjo9fR4_E5ecdC_XoLYykO7tEjQbhBK5OuEEsKAWXgwNpY-aR5qoZBCLj63c/s320/Fall+Classic+2010+148.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here's much of the camp as seen from the hill to the south.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsikcO2IbwJWcbG8HSdcOXKY0_Tv1QZNW5RV1w1rVnTuoU8l7kVQkOQ8RY0utMC-FBsooFFkE3ASQ3SfmQiZs7qo8YbY-Pbb5LG3yV_JKirAlcIhdmHlx6YMDru9pXhJip69osmR6Jec/s1600/Fall+Classic+2010+113.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537578408604598098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsikcO2IbwJWcbG8HSdcOXKY0_Tv1QZNW5RV1w1rVnTuoU8l7kVQkOQ8RY0utMC-FBsooFFkE3ASQ3SfmQiZs7qo8YbY-Pbb5LG3yV_JKirAlcIhdmHlx6YMDru9pXhJip69osmR6Jec/s320/Fall+Classic+2010+113.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ahhh! the chuckwagon. This was the first year I hung out long enough to eat. It was pretty darned tasty.<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgGbptGpxde1V1swo9fJ87mkCqUmKGcyD-ZSoUfPRLXSDArEkvF-ap8ckolKT3VFvOyjANE3IOwHXC63uzDt9rxueh8txmKgpcqDvJiof7F_-0wHOUX8NqlGXuP4n1JCPZ84nEnqXOK4/s1600/Fall+Classic+2010+202.JPG"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537578731901134530" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgGbptGpxde1V1swo9fJ87mkCqUmKGcyD-ZSoUfPRLXSDArEkvF-ap8ckolKT3VFvOyjANE3IOwHXC63uzDt9rxueh8txmKgpcqDvJiof7F_-0wHOUX8NqlGXuP4n1JCPZ84nEnqXOK4/s320/Fall+Classic+2010+202.JPG" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 240px; text-align: center; " /></a></div><div> After running WOT up I-19 for 45 miles, Sean's Riva finally asked for a break.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVR9AZCRAlZdnFSSNnIdjxN8U-F4H3J1zCDMs8zhe4CHljU5P7lIcDKFxsq-iF9Q9ochSg9Q-xu7v3-_v0pHPQal_myRQjJ38afdTlpyL07AiUj9A3zwA2KS_Be8Oa-iqV9l0AxpcCMA/s1600/Fall+Classic+2010+210.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537578750890730562" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVR9AZCRAlZdnFSSNnIdjxN8U-F4H3J1zCDMs8zhe4CHljU5P7lIcDKFxsq-iF9Q9ochSg9Q-xu7v3-_v0pHPQal_myRQjJ38afdTlpyL07AiUj9A3zwA2KS_Be8Oa-iqV9l0AxpcCMA/s320/Fall+Classic+2010+210.JPG" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 320px; cursor: pointer; height: 240px; text-align: center; " /></a></div><div>There was a beautiful sunset that evening. Sean and I got a great view as we waited for his scoot to cool down.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would have preferred to have ridden WITH the rally all the way. It is nice, however, to know just what the Iron Buddy can do. I hope to make it to five more rallies in 2011, but I don't know if I will. I do know that I will attend the 20011 Fall Classic and I'll be looking forward to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the way, here is the unedited video of the ride out, that wound up putting me at the back of the pack.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Ride on,</div><div><br /></div><div>Howard</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-51440920720456188942010-10-25T14:41:00.000-07:002010-10-26T20:05:14.775-07:00Rally Road Trip<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"></span>The Great Southwest Scooter Fiesta was held this past weekend. This is the second time it was held and it is hosted by the Greater Phoenix Scooter Club. Our Tucson club has done a few things with the Phoenix club and so, a few of us decided to make the trip to support this rally. <div><br /></div><div>Although Arizona has great weather suitable for year-round riding, (at least for some of us) there are not that many rallies. Therefore, I try to get to as many of them as I can. I think it's important so that people are encouraged to continue planing rallies in the future. Tucson is home to one of the longest running rallies in the nation: the <a href="http://tucsonscooterrally.com/">Tucson-Nogales Fall Classic</a>, but that is another post.</div><div><br /></div><div>There were four of us who decided to make this road trip. Since we all (initially) had all of Friday off, we decided to make a bit of an adventure out of it and take the scenic (aka "long") way to the Phoenix area. Using the most direct route, it is about 121 miles from Tucson to Gilbert. The route we took was approximately 200 miles.</div><div><br /></div><div>John was having scooter problems and had asked to borrow my Stella. No problem, now I had both of my scooters going to the rally! John met me at my house to load up our scoots for the weekend. We then drove to Catalina, AZ, to meet up with Stan and his Honda Helix, then we headed north. At the last minute, Sean's final exam at school was changed, so he decided he would just meet us in Phoenix Friday evening. there would be three of us riding up together.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you've seen any of my "<a href="http://skyislandriders.com/?p=702">Riding SoAZ</a>" posts, I've mentioned taking Route 77 out of Tucson before. 77 is rural and if you take it all the way, it eventually ends in Holbrook, AZ, about 60 miles east of Flagstaff. Our journey only had us taking it as far as Globe, though.</div><div><br /></div><div>Taking the Stella (60mpg) and the Iron Buddy (70-80mpg) necessitated that we stop relatively often for fuel as well as for butt rests. Also, we had all day Friday to get there and so, weren't in a hurry. I had built some extra time into our schedule for site seeing, picture taking and the like as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Outside of Oracle there is a 12 mile stretch of 7% grade downhill. I've done this on the scoot before, but it was even more fun with a group. We stopped for our first fuel in Winkelman, a little mining town. There was a lot of climbing from here to Globe (from 2000' to over 5000') but all three scoots did fine. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532143251648473026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0anxZA5eN-dEn_7BtP5Vl_BaLZgpgQroyrZN6IsxGMUZPAl4msyGCP2C-mhDzm6dhpi6cBJflMZNqSKlrfMbEDx-Pjy67Fi49XMJbfKnQn-bivSgD9Mr7wzvZeWb82hCzeEQ-V2OMbrk/s320/Scooter+Fiesta+009.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Winkelman, AZ</span></span></div><div>Stan took over the lead in Globe because he had a a couple of places he wanted to show us in Miami, which is just west of Globe on US60. Stan lived there a few years back and he is an <b>excellent</b> tour guide. We stopped for bit in Miami and listened raptly to Stan's stories of Miami's past.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532143256332761618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0VfCihezymv217pG567Wjw0IofOqL0fXamzNFEX-JhcB2w95ZaR645bplPL9X2b1-mEg2_lqqfN_F6vJ-kY0QyRtPDUQsIZFsptbqQGezlk_fDwXlW8TnQafZPvnV30YW3R9k97DeKs/s320/Scooter+Fiesta+027.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Antique Store in Miami</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532143269683001570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fKSolEDc-4caaYNjyCi5uTyXQp4px4N7UFU0MP7emJvGjCF6wwZdcJ-uh3chZht2s4TFbMWJuBs7OBK1oKYciSKonctxyl6dLEsx5lOxAi1IIiMJKG5_GcDZhA4s2-hcYMQxhMQ4Txs/s320/Scooter+Fiesta+029.JPG" border="0" /></span> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Looking down Main St in Miami</span></div><div>We climbed again from Globe to Top of the World, AZ. You climb some pretty steep grade as you pass the mine outside of Miami. After Top of the World, it's all downhill to Superior. There are a lot of trucks around here so I was always looking behind me for fear that a truck would lose its brakes and come careening down toward us.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was additional excitement when we hit the tunnel nearing Superior. The warning signs advised us to turn our headlights on as the tunnel lights were out. They were right. The lights were out and our little headlights didn't light they way too much. It was seriously dark in there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Superior was a fuel and food stop, but first Stan took us on another short tour. Superior was where the movies "U-Turn" and "8-legged Freaks" were shot and Stan showed us some points of interest. We went to the Buckboard Cafe for lunch. The service was good but the food was not all the good. Our treat here was going to the World's Smallest Museum. It's pretty hokey, but in a fun, Route 66-Americana, kind of way. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532143280262711602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCt7no33O7EGfthfxks1Ga-7LUR6n5UT-u8l95DL4EP9DqPqzwLEODDNWlMwappylFvTTz3iwsnMqLrX_skb1qnF_hafUH1UhLbf0V3dDWs6ZZvvDeq20TBxSR0Kgi9tPkTye3g6bgn0/s320/Scooter+Fiesta+040.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">World's Smallest Museum in Superior</span></span></div><div>From Superior, we zoomed toward our hotel in Mesa. It started to sprinkle and bit and the skies had been very dark since before reaching Globe, but those few sprinkles were all we got. The weather for the rest of the weekend was amazing. </div><div><br /></div><div>From US60 we took Old West Highway to Apache Trail (which is old US60). What a treat, If you live in or visit Phoenix, you should take a drive down Apache Trail. It's like a time capsule from the 50's or 60's. There are lots of cool restaurants and old motor hotels. We passed by the <a href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/7360">Buckhorn Motel</a> and we all dearly wished it was still open so we could have stayed there.</div><div><br /></div><div>After checking in and resting a bit, we went over to the rally's first meet-up at Victory BMW and we then rode to dinner at <a href="http://www.joesrealbbq.com/">Joe's Real BBQ</a>. It was good seeing some scooter friends from the Phoenix group again. Waiting in line is never difficult when you're shooting the breeze with friends. The food wasn't as good as I remembered last year, but it wasn't bad.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532143281744396786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ISgD9T_-_sOWsa_cuBN2ONRAj38AG48scXYPqLfeOD66iZZ2__lEtpS7fexYi1F-cWkzVFrFSx4KaPl6vO1EeaEQ1LPA6LA0pIv0Mptdyr2NNilel2zCnuVfAOmbNVkyzuvpTAoxmbs/s320/Scooter+Fiesta+061.JPG" border="0" /></span> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Friday night at Joe's Real BBQ</span></div><div>Sean got out of school later than planned and texted at 6pm to say he had finally left Tucson and would meet us at Joe's, so we waited.... and waited ...... and waited. It takes some stones to ride a small scooter 120 miles in the dark, and that's what he did. Joe's was closed and the parking lot was empty, but Sean arrived around 9:30. We saddled up and rode safely to our hotel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stan had written a few places down where he wanted to try to eat while in Phoenix. As it turned out, <a href="http://www.mattsbigbreakfast.com/">Matt's Big Breakfast</a> (featured on the Food Network's <i><b>Diners Drive-Ins and Dives</b></i>) was on his list AND was a meet up location for the rally. Google informed us that it would take at least an hour to ride to Matt's, so we knew we had an early start coming. Sean and John wimped out as Stan and I set our alarm for 5:15am.</div><div><br /></div><div>I figured that at 5:30 on a Saturday morning it would be fairly easy to ride US60 on the scoots. I was wrong. There was traffic than I figured and it was a bit scary. An hour and 5 minutes later, Stan and I made it to Matt's. I was pretty pleased with my breakfast, but Stan wasn't impressed with his.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was "every scoot for itself" for the ride to <a href="http://joesfarmgrill.com/">Joe's Farm Grill</a> (the rally's main event) so Stan and I plotted out a different route than the one we came in on and headed for Gilbert. neither of us knows much about the streets in Phoenix, but it didn't matter. That's one thing I like about the guys I rode with, they are always ready for an adventure. </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532143896508265426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4VeMA-EH4a2iXePrGDn8jeF9Ti-25vihhGNPxFxL7mjqQuBZj7Q99XbzkLyyeKf9tBG5L767MjG8t_9oQGVDaTBfFdWdbEXA9ZJzJv6gPrAZlqEvrILFsY4oUzKgzModhmH7WcJrR9E/s320/Scooter+Fiesta+076.JPG" border="0" /></span> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Lawn at Joe's Farm Grill</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532143908805405282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNt5qO25rrZeIRa7jsyGnj0Up7aMXQ2QKo3oCBr-qoq_NrunVnWslvkU_rX00mpmXlt3t8j9974Sq3GxwNY6p6UGmQdSF4I3MnWa7qS1N3s9jXpHc5QqZNz-tvQt8CF7JXU4mB2veGQI/s320/Scooter+Fiesta+093.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Scooters Lined up in front of the coffee shop at Joe's</span></span></div><div>We made it to Joe's with no problem, parked the scoots and began to take in the rally activities. In my opinion, Saturday's highlight was the ride to Saguaro Lake. We left around 3:00pm and 20-30 scooters headed out for the lake. Once you get out of town, this ride is beautiful. There are amazing desert views, then cliffs, then you arrive at the lake. We did this ride last years and it is excellent. The road has some nice twists and turns in it as well.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532143913576743570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeoyfBTl3yO2gmPwVf4uXOrbPinVyP3PgqAryk5-m6wNw3zgB5VOBkJ1JAUq0g_IyRSb75MIdd7d5oF2iZ2zrId3hXPA2BxmcGgYQ-rd5pyKHqliV6BN9dTJ3KahjRmuCfLrYzmltuJ0/s320/Scooter+Fiesta+154.JPG" border="0" /></span> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Our bikes at Saguaro Lake</span></div><div>The four of us Sky Island Riders finished the ride and found our way to <a href="http://www.vitospizza.com/">Vito's Pizza Place</a> for dinner. we all agreed that the food here was very, very good and the prices were reasonable. The service was good, too. An additional bonus is that they have a scooter painted on the outside or the restaurant. How cool is that?</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532143927370078546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 179px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpF4_8wqZDCBLf-MB6J16HMbsptFvM0pw5LtC8fF6G13xICbEmM8UI7AON53CxRao0lyYtNG6Zy8g6Z01PvYabpokLwRVKGEbmH8XyWGn_Kfd1IAHn013QJQHWtZbvYtP-E3C4xkUk6_8/s320/Scooter+Fiesta+160.JPG" border="0" /></span> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Vito's - Check out the scooter on the wall</span></div><div>Sunday morning's rally ride was another ride to downtown Phoenix. We figured that since we had already ridden there to go to Matt's, we would load up and head toward home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have you ever noticed that saddle time, and its associated butt pain, is cumulative if you don't take at least 2-3 days off? I have. As we started riding toward Tucson, I needed to stop more and more frequently to stretch.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the way out of town we stopped for fuel, then again at the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">5 & Diner</span> </b>for breakfast. I think we were all very pleased with our food and Pebbles, our waitress, was a delight. We took Power Road south to Hunt Highway, then southeast toward Florence.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just outside of Florence is Poston Butte, aka "F" Mountain. We thought about trying to riding to the top, but the trail is too steep and rocky, so we hiked it. We had no idea it was called Poston Butte until I looked it up while writing this. I was raised in Arizona and didn't know that <a href="http://www.discoverseaz.com/History/Poston.html">Charles Poston</a> is known as the <a href="http://theorionzone.blogspot.com/2007/03/more-pyramids-in-arizona.html">Father of Arizona</a>. Did you know that? Apparently he wanted to build and Temple to the Sun at the top of this little mountain.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532143938314865330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7m4oAT67pPBpFuqvg6mg2TZMOF8N3xoB9hyphenhyphenDBU5ctxNjtWz0vD1oPkLyAi5J0WUc6z1MUBlaLx7TNiZIyXDcRycUiDpbpEfkD5SQa0CkjSD-NZWF7QBnyncvLhGE_bYSS94W_x3PMYB0/s320/Scooter+Fiesta+166.JPG" border="0" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline"><br /></span></div><div>From "F" Mountain, we rode the 2 miles in to Florence, got gas and stopped in the little park to rest a bit more. Since we were in Florence and none of the other guys had ever been there, we then stopped in at the Florence Prison gift shop. It's a fun little place and if you buy something that an inmate made, the proceeds help the inmate pay restitution to his victim(s).</div><div><br /></div><div>Hunt Highway dumps you out onto Route 79 which eventually dumps you out onto Route 77 which becomes Oracle Road. the more I ride on Oracle, the less I like it. We have had a couple of close calls on group rides. Traffic moves fast and there isn't that much to look at, so I decided to take the Park Link Rd cutoff and come in to Tucson via the I-10 frontage road. this adds a few mile to the trip, but I felt like it would be a bit more fun and possibly safer. Plus, I was the only one of the four of us who had been on it before.</div><div><br /></div><div>I got home about 7 hours after leaving the hotel. We had logged in over 500 miles during the three days and had had a great time. Both of my scooter ran great. None of us had any mechanical failures. We had some good food and shared some funny stories. To me, that equals a great weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ride on,</div><div><br /></div><div>Howard</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-83638379052450483602010-09-29T09:29:00.000-07:002010-09-29T11:53:40.833-07:00Pimping My Ride<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEghuetTJr8IQOrXbcjQnDG19Gxz7R6VZoQsJh7Bxjgyk1vAibJ9WRNDcpoEBh9HwGMaEInCg-r1gsTrYaXG3yWDDVQUuWxWWEPx47THbyf3r7eVkUzfDAkaH67K2dH6dXU52wmFVPag/s1600/Iron+Buddy+Day+035.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I have just finished the biggest part of my Buddy's customization. I hadn't posted anything about it because....... uh, I don't know. I was wanting it to be secret, but I'm really not sure why. I guess I just wanted to be able to make a production out of the unveiling.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CF1JYBFBz1FSmUb7BThm5s6mWS-tPXJPZZzGDnKTSqeCme9PVWrFeyJxOKqw6cHADUAhF1BT8N8Ot4Z4w8AzuXuznyTIvY7GlHrdRQBiZWd9ffaLwl10fyXkXqcsGSnaIOtQz_wN5nk/s320/Iron+Buddy+Day+008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522402371254816242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>So, here's how it happened: I badly injured my Buddy a couple of months ago. I was changing variator weights (something which I've done a number of times in the past) and somehow managed to put the variator plate on a little crooked, or catawampus as we say back home. I tightened all the nuts and took off for a test drive. The plate seems to have straightened out. Probably when I hit a bump just right. This caused the formerly tight nut and variator plate, to be just a tiny bit loose, resulting in some wobbling, vibration and gawdawful noises coming from of the aforementioned variator plate.</div><div><br /></div><div>I got the scooter shut down as soon as I could get off the road. Long story short, the variator plate welded itself (through the wonder of friction) to the crankshaft. I was unable to remove it, now were the fine folks at <a href="http://goscootover.com/">Scoot Over</a>. So, through every fault of my own, I needed a new crankshaft and variator.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1r_Gg4R7qdksHfkERkfO0u7dDkSdVsRTwni5_0Z-faqxd0ZOtxwx6mCxBvL_ay1aImoEXuZsyW0UE6DuRfr2HZIzhXSRE-_eHW34Ztbw4vBzRCrdiXmNhDOJv-mGt0y3ReqAc4axIfI/s320/Iron+Buddy+Day+018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522402356732004498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>The crankshaft is not an expensive part, in itself, however (Ever notice how that word "however" frequently means that your bank account is about to be assaulted?) it takes a LOT of labor to get to it. The engine case must be split open, hence you spend one amount on the crankshaft and much more than that on labor.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1r_Gg4R7qdksHfkERkfO0u7dDkSdVsRTwni5_0Z-faqxd0ZOtxwx6mCxBvL_ay1aImoEXuZsyW0UE6DuRfr2HZIzhXSRE-_eHW34Ztbw4vBzRCrdiXmNhDOJv-mGt0y3ReqAc4axIfI/s320/Iron+Buddy+Day+018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522402356732004498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Ron, the mechanic at Scoot Over, and I have discussed modifying my motor for more power and since the entire motor was about to have major vehicular surgery, we decided to do the modification and save me the cost of labor to open the engine case at another time.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaIJY8lqPs6mDpCNdMyfO0biXCcrcOWA5jPPUNfbSt0Hf5892U39QpBGJTUWO1CfhEfEj76f4A3UcQgVCJmHmeRrpBNxxcVLxEE3wefgVBaXxDqCtfMnrpA83jcD9hjSj3Jl0YTtfhfs/s320/Iron+Buddy+Day+023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522402347814862946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Ron did a little research and presented me with several options:</div><div><ol><li>Upgrade to the 161cc motor. This is common for the 125cc scooters, but since I have a 150cc Buddy, it doesn't really give much increase for the money spent.</li><li>Upgrade to the 171cc kit. This option is less common and for a bit more money for the kit, gives me a 21cc boost.</li><li>Upgrade to the <a href="http://www.scooterworks.com/NCY-Cylinder-Kit-Ceramic-62mm--VentoGY6-P5900.aspx">NCY 62mm cylinde</a>r kit. I had seen references made to this kit, but have never heard of anyone ever having installed it on their scooter. Hmmm, what might be a one-of-a-kind motor? I had to have it.</li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheviIzelkjy1UQr6-FKtEmxiBSnJjpQBN60XR4EL-flcqsonzMV3t9bHyWGsPkLJF0mDcaj0A5eaM8fiYjmezzZeorbW-3tKtFyPxve-69Mm7P15W_fz2HfO1dtgsftH5_mNeW5kb7ig0/s320/1100-1014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522405456276498178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>So began my journey. I had Ron order the kit. Additionally, I added the 61mm Big Valve Head and the new crank shaft.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDX41kcr6L4QL7_nXRbp9Io0E1EoOZy2_lNneuGFHl3daEog_mHcuGm3P_EJ2AX49_FrraLNDqt1fUJ_q6gdooSEPS38yzDiUdyERDq6PsczBCO-Xtrjj_P1No6YI1qInCZRfvyIOFBbE/s320/Iron+Buddy+Day+030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522402344191096066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>After completing the Saddle Sore 1000, Iron Butt ride, we decided to start calling my Scooter "Iron Buddy." So, while Ron was rebuilding my scooter's power plant, I started thinking of how to make my scoot look Iron - esque. I have never liked the blue color of the St Tropez and early on had gotten some quotes to repaint it. A simple, one color paint job was about $400, but a two-tone metallic, mildly customized paint job was quoted to me at $3000! I can't afford custom paint work.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_w_ikg_aXSIRR6J7y7ImdLszRFvlT9ojiH9CQ60H8hUpHhyphenhyphenbV6zHIRiiQGDIvqyGWzlHCz9IZ_N_OKDQd7NKjwBck-24Qv_4-JSO9LEUvjVhDnlX9MZPzBf5Td8a4npUkn_5pbIdJtAI/s320/Droid+pix+018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522401375252523426" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px; " /></span></div><div>Shelby, at Scoot Over, referred me to <a href="http://www.signsnowtucson.com/">Signs Now</a> to look at a vinyl wrap. After looking a lot of images, my wife and I picked out a rusty, rivetted, steel plate graphic image. I had kind of a "Mad Max" meets "steam punk" in mind. After getting a sample printed out, I went to Scoot Over and held it up against the part of the Buddy that couldn't be wrapped. It didn't match at all, but Ron suggested that it would look good with the "Sunset Orange" Buddy body panels. It did. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErbmRtn8w9ZdVeNyvfwdqBkHayGLYLLbtzrBn9c9qBjtH-9Qqw1TMXhIYYWjOeRbjWFDAdBD2K7OLNFmZRmQdwAkq2zunfMyhyPzBbJGmvFFKDpgfzW6R8aqJkX_biHMTf52ndCQ_dMI/s320/Iron+Buddy+Day+030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522401365074261650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 245px; " /></span></div><div>"In for a penny, in for a pound" as the old saying goes, so I had Scoot Over order the new panels. Now the Buddy would have a "new" motor, new look panels on the front and rear and brand new panels in the middle.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnvniOq4X5Twj4j-C2pJNLImGSSiA0bPQFvqFjbc9awQxfvhRpUEMTkJypNYxjvhldK4AZeMHQtSXOk7lJLVxqXQPZykqbeR4-ooCSU9rUSYCo9QbyeW1yfEgsbDU6m7t1PL18Nn6x5M/s1600/Iron+Buddy+Day+024.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnvniOq4X5Twj4j-C2pJNLImGSSiA0bPQFvqFjbc9awQxfvhRpUEMTkJypNYxjvhldK4AZeMHQtSXOk7lJLVxqXQPZykqbeR4-ooCSU9rUSYCo9QbyeW1yfEgsbDU6m7t1PL18Nn6x5M/s320/Iron+Buddy+Day+024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522401359636361762" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>There were some bumps in the road. The 183cc kit wouldn't just "bolt on." The cylinder had to be bored out to accommodate the new piston. That took a while. Sign Now had a printer go down and the other one run out of ink as well as a couple of high profile, high dollar jobs that put Iron Buddy on the back burner for a few days.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRqeJoLHX1vlTguDl3O96Ti4DKMKASJo_AC6kiUCgigump3uBNHkbxDKi7vAVfQEp8BPYl-_uKzSPMcDmJCxgecdNx7030dI4GBVekdtuSl2aejfZNfCVVCb2z8EOShLtyT-uYrf0F2A/s1600/Iron+Buddy+Day+022.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRqeJoLHX1vlTguDl3O96Ti4DKMKASJo_AC6kiUCgigump3uBNHkbxDKi7vAVfQEp8BPYl-_uKzSPMcDmJCxgecdNx7030dI4GBVekdtuSl2aejfZNfCVVCb2z8EOShLtyT-uYrf0F2A/s320/Iron+Buddy+Day+022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522401352320582242" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Finally, after a bit more than a month, all the parts were in place. Scoot Over was kind enough to let me keep Buddy in their garage and provided with the tools and expertise required to put Iron Buddy back together. Unlike Humpty Dumpty, this was going back together again!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEghuetTJr8IQOrXbcjQnDG19Gxz7R6VZoQsJh7Bxjgyk1vAibJ9WRNDcpoEBh9HwGMaEInCg-r1gsTrYaXG3yWDDVQUuWxWWEPx47THbyf3r7eVkUzfDAkaH67K2dH6dXU52wmFVPag/s320/Iron+Buddy+Day+035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522410530707321570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>It took about 10 hours, but I did it. Naturally, the first thing I did was to ride over the the GGR scooter club garage to show him off. Then I got the cameras and took some stills and some video. I didn't just want to post a couple of still pics on Modern Buddy and Facebook, so I made a little movie. It's only the second movie I've ever made, but I think it gets the point a cross:</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwzHgsdenv1fkBvxXTPJzmo7JWP0A0WIUhJjvT7ydtPy_imRIdsmQ7TNx6o46XlJe6fOX4yIEiin6p7VWBHEQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Am I done? Of course not. The wheels are still blue. I think I will just paint them for now, but I am going to look for custom wheels. Ron and I are also looking at a new carburetor.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ride on,</div><div><br /></div><div>Howard</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-88417484020444061702010-09-14T12:21:00.000-07:002010-09-14T14:00:00.194-07:00Camera Mount Mayhem<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dC2szgvmAvGDp9DvNPhhjznDgDTDeu5dH5-6LKqVI5p2Twej-5UuppFYd0QISUylVlL8DQhv2Eqq-VsQyzQoGZhpQmP9-vcbOhHf2aQQhsdUeV5lMoF48APEC10aIGKtIYg27TeUywg/s1600/Video+Project+006.JPG"></a><br />As mentioned in my previous post, I have been working a lot the Riding SoAZ series on the Sky Island Riders site. One of the things I had wanted to do, in order to make it different for most travel blog entries, was to put short videos of some of the roads the I talk about.<div><br /></div><div>For this, I purchased a cheap video camera from Big Lots. I didn't want to risk a expensive camera falling off the bike in the middle of a bumpy road. Found this inexpensive Polaroid. It was actually the second one I tried. The quality on the first was so appalling that I returned it and got this one.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm15BBo46X5rdHDXRQpmsSQIT5Ra1D2pZwcm9rvNI5KQXwyihNdinW_hGCxuOPmCUhhroBqvT8eVwt8STiXvT7Uk4E-_od1tn6_UqFyY-RSHoxQRgYROgy0V7elOoUWqCJX-4PlIfnaf4/s1600/Video+Back.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm15BBo46X5rdHDXRQpmsSQIT5Ra1D2pZwcm9rvNI5KQXwyihNdinW_hGCxuOPmCUhhroBqvT8eVwt8STiXvT7Uk4E-_od1tn6_UqFyY-RSHoxQRgYROgy0V7elOoUWqCJX-4PlIfnaf4/s320/Video+Back.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516857135923938850" style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px; " /></a> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXylsqdc5DhvuY2WVLkJD3Ae8_WbdKSBUiMrJVePVkhSCmXiu6-sdUgZFTm2HUfdm8oWfY9q7qMN3xp2qRP8WJwPsX-WTEoXSeotImpx3RCotuJgNG8caqEbe56miKy5qh2uJAZEgOec/s1600/Video+front.JPG"> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXylsqdc5DhvuY2WVLkJD3Ae8_WbdKSBUiMrJVePVkhSCmXiu6-sdUgZFTm2HUfdm8oWfY9q7qMN3xp2qRP8WJwPsX-WTEoXSeotImpx3RCotuJgNG8caqEbe56miKy5qh2uJAZEgOec/s320/Video+front.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516857249313690690" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now the problem was how to attack the camera to this scooter:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dC2szgvmAvGDp9DvNPhhjznDgDTDeu5dH5-6LKqVI5p2Twej-5UuppFYd0QISUylVlL8DQhv2Eqq-VsQyzQoGZhpQmP9-vcbOhHf2aQQhsdUeV5lMoF48APEC10aIGKtIYg27TeUywg/s320/Video+Project+006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516858364897207954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">In order to get the sensation of riding on the road, I wanted to attach to the front of the scooter. Stella has the front rack and it should be easy, right? Wrong!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">First obstacle: How to attach the camera to the rack. I could simply tape the camera on, but that gets sticky residue all over everything. Plus, every time I needed to review what I had just filmed, it would be a pain in the butt to take the camera off, review, then re-tape it. I needed something else. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I decided that I needed to create some kind of cradle in which to put the camera. Then I could attached the cradle to the bike and remove the camera whenever I needed. So, I did what anyone else would do: I grabbed an empty cereal box (Apple Cinnamon Cheerios for the record.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFGG1n-iQslst7Uxmgolz49kd6R9YUqbBEBmzZ1JBwiIFhuatWlYfMvJONL5JqBc4bdtdptc2_nwqpcb2VR6GBybem1Lsenmnz6PLjtkMNCWtHFomFv1tOJpLqkbApJSfdlyzewNFeUI/s320/Cereal+Box.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516863154668961106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 200px; " /></span></span></div><div>I cut out the front and folded it to the size of the camera then taped it together with packing tape. I wasn't thinking about it at the time, so I don't have pics of the phase of the build. I then cut out a hole for the lens and another hole, on the opposite side, for the controls. I didn't bother with a window in the box for the camera's screen, since I would be riding as I filmed and it wouldn't be safe to be trying to watch the screen.</div><div><br /></div><div>I made my first attempt to attach my new "cradle" to Stella's rack. I ran in to two problems. First, the bars on the rack are horizontal. I had cut holes on either side of the cradle and inserted zip ties, but in that configuration, I could only attack to something vertical.</div><div>Second, I realized that if I did attach to the rack, anything done tight enough to hold the camera securely, would crush the cardboard as soon as I pulled out the camera. So, I kept thinking. I gathered more supplies:</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVS4j6TaWXp9tbQlmMzRSbepGeo7kZoEYW6XZWkDC8G8_dPvH_rf-gZGqvomrrXc3XwN_1j8BK87OEtBz6fcoSTlCHNaKKTbM5Dc9FbsSUzBvHo11LY2miAptWM0q78izocVse_JDZrn0/s1600/Video+Project+004.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVS4j6TaWXp9tbQlmMzRSbepGeo7kZoEYW6XZWkDC8G8_dPvH_rf-gZGqvomrrXc3XwN_1j8BK87OEtBz6fcoSTlCHNaKKTbM5Dc9FbsSUzBvHo11LY2miAptWM0q78izocVse_JDZrn0/s200/Video+Project+004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516865739271323778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_JBpxZut0oin-xVIXPmFOiJeboxkYnM76zVpJn1H0PhLLqQXgwnGEXs70z_dd2sk8Y7J77WEqnVeJ9d5UKT0oSl7o5WJ-rnou5cmmq8xtVek_F-b9hmhLrofzTdRtcLoVxVqHHKUDxo/s1600/Video+Project+005.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_JBpxZut0oin-xVIXPmFOiJeboxkYnM76zVpJn1H0PhLLqQXgwnGEXs70z_dd2sk8Y7J77WEqnVeJ9d5UKT0oSl7o5WJ-rnou5cmmq8xtVek_F-b9hmhLrofzTdRtcLoVxVqHHKUDxo/s200/Video+Project+005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516865753065221986" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a> </div><div>Zip ties, duct tape (You didn't think I'd try any project without duct tape, did you?) bandage scissors, screwdriver and that corrugated plastic stuff. We had some left over from one of my wife's quilting projects.</div><div><br /></div><div>I decided that I needed a rigid "cradle" to protect the first cradle from be crushed. Additionally, I needed a way to secure this new cradle to a horizontal bar. (Horizontal Bar - Is that a place people who are ALREADY drunk to go and party?) At any rate, I folded a couple of corrugated plastic strips around the bottom of the cardboard box and secured it with duct tape. ( Insert appropriate work grunt here.) Now it looks like this:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1IGY3NBZqyXsyG7F6teVd7drsTG3TwrEi57tg1bkUSYK7JFdg2-sV8zgszs6-s7F6TpSLWeCObG3URRykg3_Opbg7XTq3ObvMDVDy8dBzq-ej6QY6C-e8YUiQCZS8GQ9fjW3MemqDJs/s1600/Video+Project+003.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1IGY3NBZqyXsyG7F6teVd7drsTG3TwrEi57tg1bkUSYK7JFdg2-sV8zgszs6-s7F6TpSLWeCObG3URRykg3_Opbg7XTq3ObvMDVDy8dBzq-ej6QY6C-e8YUiQCZS8GQ9fjW3MemqDJs/s200/Video+Project+003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516867837201828274" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL-6_p6zhr62u3opfXnyOSx8OcWczAbTxWWQMaxwA93FqAhI7C4a7ZkvQreVJ8m6jFFLbSkED-z7KP_3F_McsKrmEd7mTTW-n47-n3dnenuZpGclIoBQEgBYR_t7nFRanHLXhi1tStrE/s1600/Video+Project+002.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL-6_p6zhr62u3opfXnyOSx8OcWczAbTxWWQMaxwA93FqAhI7C4a7ZkvQreVJ8m6jFFLbSkED-z7KP_3F_McsKrmEd7mTTW-n47-n3dnenuZpGclIoBQEgBYR_t7nFRanHLXhi1tStrE/s200/Video+Project+002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516867824862764066" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgexBbjV3hxyfETVKPXedLFBKV6CUI_hVemr4HwCUcpbyPL1A0B7U878j57UXcGYQjX2fJo62rtA-eaEbzoQs8DKTrK-gPB0wDTAtyUJiAxz71KXrGxPEiWj9mwFtr0RIvFuBYcq5bwg/s1600/Video+Project+001.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgexBbjV3hxyfETVKPXedLFBKV6CUI_hVemr4HwCUcpbyPL1A0B7U878j57UXcGYQjX2fJo62rtA-eaEbzoQs8DKTrK-gPB0wDTAtyUJiAxz71KXrGxPEiWj9mwFtr0RIvFuBYcq5bwg/s200/Video+Project+001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516867814596169218" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div>The pic on the left shows the back of the box and camera with the controls visible. The middle pic shows a profile view and the last pic is of the front of the whole setup. Now to attach to assembly to the rack. Where are those zip ties?</div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGQJKwfDYlb-pABgvhHto78ao7N5lzPSrB5k8BE47OwIhiEkOtsDFMvYOXSJUASOlweoj2-qv9opPoU30K_LYfvqpLVCVYwE3vON__p2V1mUhyphenhyphenE245gK-oIbIdNThbbNo_atkYgFcM3E/s1600/Video+Project+009.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGQJKwfDYlb-pABgvhHto78ao7N5lzPSrB5k8BE47OwIhiEkOtsDFMvYOXSJUASOlweoj2-qv9opPoU30K_LYfvqpLVCVYwE3vON__p2V1mUhyphenhyphenE245gK-oIbIdNThbbNo_atkYgFcM3E/s320/Video+Project+009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516869510920056178" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>The pic above who two zip ties facing opposite directions. I wasn't sure how to place them until I got it on the bike. It mounted on pretty well, until I realized that, in my creative excitement, I had forgotten to think of a way to secure the <b><i>top </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">of the cradle as well as the bottom. Some more corrugated plastic, zip ties and duct tape later and voila':</span></b></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPghY68oBHeK0EwPUdK0ZLkdu4ikQkoKtVwlAlsSglWsEzGVAzagfTj1a10sjlenImYYcf1XQwtOL6m0_OnDfZdIE-Mv_NpgnSu6xm00xdsAItdyjJrNgWad1P62iPJs-Joo2J7cfIqYM/s1600/Video+Project+012.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPghY68oBHeK0EwPUdK0ZLkdu4ikQkoKtVwlAlsSglWsEzGVAzagfTj1a10sjlenImYYcf1XQwtOL6m0_OnDfZdIE-Mv_NpgnSu6xm00xdsAItdyjJrNgWad1P62iPJs-Joo2J7cfIqYM/s320/Video+Project+012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516871073256865938" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Yg-PPRUxqMqh5U6fDdjdPArOj9etqRtB0wT7TLYy4B85CW2qaqb5QpoVES4IvUeQyR3ly_n9F6dsY8NVJdS-w_0WaMUmBjXBPacGjX5A_EitPZj7pOE_HphCSk7p6cYkNUrv7rg0kbQ/s1600/Video+Project+011.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Yg-PPRUxqMqh5U6fDdjdPArOj9etqRtB0wT7TLYy4B85CW2qaqb5QpoVES4IvUeQyR3ly_n9F6dsY8NVJdS-w_0WaMUmBjXBPacGjX5A_EitPZj7pOE_HphCSk7p6cYkNUrv7rg0kbQ/s320/Video+Project+011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516871079840128834" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a> </div><div>I cut two short strips of plastic and taped them on either side of the back of the box, then fed the zip ties down through the <i>corrugs</i> (or whatever they call those tunnels in the cardboard.) Likewise I cut slits in the bottom pieces of plastic and fed another pair of zip ties through there. This allowed me to attach easily to the horizontal bars.</div><div><br /></div><div>The final hurdle was aiming the camera. Lateral placement was a given. The camera is looking the same direction as the scooter. Vertical aiming was a slight problem. If you look at the two pics above, you can see the springs. The part of the rack I have attached to, is spring loaded and you pull it down and the spring helps you secure things you may be carrying. It neutral position is slightly more than 90 degrees. Wait! Let me get some more zip ties:</div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19WjZtPpR6jJhGHE6Ki6Y08_QtTwiI2pBSykVcEKyETHjQXovfC8ynodMKQUIloIpA5C4X0F_WA8FqRYzuzw4oe7YF_zE1Xx2-Qyp9XgsKdgTO3XODS95CUcyMOPeAPTAYHukf5_PNOw/s1600/Video+Project+014.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19WjZtPpR6jJhGHE6Ki6Y08_QtTwiI2pBSykVcEKyETHjQXovfC8ynodMKQUIloIpA5C4X0F_WA8FqRYzuzw4oe7YF_zE1Xx2-Qyp9XgsKdgTO3XODS95CUcyMOPeAPTAYHukf5_PNOw/s320/Video+Project+014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516871093609001554" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>They we go! I used 3 zip ties to pull the rack forward a bit. I made several test runs down my street to check the aim and carefully adjusted the ties until the camera's view was what I wanted. The camera fits in the box pretty snugly (so it won't bounce out) so I put a hole in the bottom of the cradle and use the small screwdriver to push it up and out between shots.</div><div><br /></div><div>How does it work? Here is one of my first attempts:</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyHOd_9Yvmu57jYXOrT8iGMGfosD2Jo_1os5yGdv30QtF47jGZZpgItAQGh6yOMj2T8GgD5byVTnezBDrVQCg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Ride on,</div><div><br /></div><div>Howard</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5233644635482918668.post-73381688006319037782010-09-06T09:00:00.000-07:002010-09-06T09:38:49.216-07:00Busy, Busy<div>I am certain that the title for this entry "Busy, Busy" has been by many bloggers for a lame excuse on why they have written nothing in quite a while. I am no different. I do have an an excuse, so, please, allow me to tell you what it is. After all, if an excuse told in the woods, and there was no one there to here it, was there really an excuse at all?</div><div><br /></div><div>As you may know, I also write the blog for our local Tucson scooter club, the Sky Island Riders. Much of the stuff on the website is club specific: photos, video and our forum/bulletin board, for example.</div><div><br /></div><div> In my mind's eye however, I have also wanted the blog, and it's associated data, to become a resource for people who live in, or travel to, Southern Arizona. Not just for scooterists, either. Motorcyclists, bicyclists or even people who just want to enjoy our state. That is one reason I started the "Ride Maps" tab. It lists maps of various rides around Tucson, but also include routes to Phoenix which don't require the interstate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Three months or so ago, I thought of another idea. I thought of writing a series of posts about riding/driving in Southern AZ, which I have entitled "Riding SoAZ." I first defined Southern AZ, then subdivided that region into smaller areas to write about. I had decided to make each post about 1000 words long and add photos and hot links to the various points of interest that have websites. Most of the photos are my own. (Which means the quality isn't that great.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Part VII is posted now and part VIII is almost complete. If you haven't already checked it out, you can find Part I here:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://skyislandriders.com/?p=492">Riding SoAZ</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't quite finish writing about riding in Tucson, but felt like people who were reading to learn about outlying places might get bored, so I moved to the rural areas and I will return and finish Tucson later, probably after I finish the rural areas.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, that is my excuse for not writing here lately. Is it a good one? I've written well over 10k words for Sky Island Riders, not to mention the time on the scooter to go out and get photos.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In other news, the editor of "Iron Butt" magazine had contacted me shortly after I completed the Saddle Sore 1000 and asked if he could publish my story. I thought long and hard about it (about 1 second) and said "Yes!" I have never been in a magazine before, so this sounded quite exciting.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, the day before yesterday, my copy finally arrived. He actually used my blog entry from this blog. I don't know what it says about my writing or his editing, but the magazine article is virtually unchanged from my original entry. So, without further adieu, here's the cover:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO15n59PqsB5jA6S2lPPHvd6pXSahqX_bhyx4ay5HMvPQm6ihYbxyvOQ5fpJaRSqe7ARkXrDdCa5ltuyVeYShP4KQ_bodyQ8Td3gdB_P_nr4QTKuzVa_pEIpLTXD1o8RUAyWhrZvbEC7U/s1600/053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO15n59PqsB5jA6S2lPPHvd6pXSahqX_bhyx4ay5HMvPQm6ihYbxyvOQ5fpJaRSqe7ARkXrDdCa5ltuyVeYShP4KQ_bodyQ8Td3gdB_P_nr4QTKuzVa_pEIpLTXD1o8RUAyWhrZvbEC7U/s400/053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513831603826013282" /></a>Naturally, I quickly flipped to the table of contents to find my piece.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT5ucCkQ9BHvdumZmM8-tDZ-r5TGQVgwGhQ-6KB340kqBVLWZR53w5e0l6dTpreHhYTGu_L6I3mGEw0x30o6j8MrZzww0AcEvpfaxvtNK555_-KX5dGyGfVGnlUfqr-rdr-yi-n8bK_U/s1600/055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT5ucCkQ9BHvdumZmM8-tDZ-r5TGQVgwGhQ-6KB340kqBVLWZR53w5e0l6dTpreHhYTGu_L6I3mGEw0x30o6j8MrZzww0AcEvpfaxvtNK555_-KX5dGyGfVGnlUfqr-rdr-yi-n8bK_U/s400/055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513831595879593682" /></a>There it is! Page 46! No picture here, but I flipped to page 46:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKigmKXJePxJzpsYFezfFVX73Lp_oI19ICJVUrvKpqfe7uC03fC6AoQ0QYBdA9Cebxk71VAzSvoYrtqX1mE8FmoEciqHRCqlgPvz_Rg94TBuHYik8h34d8QABEAk4hOw6AnZKWlt5ExJs/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKigmKXJePxJzpsYFezfFVX73Lp_oI19ICJVUrvKpqfe7uC03fC6AoQ0QYBdA9Cebxk71VAzSvoYrtqX1mE8FmoEciqHRCqlgPvz_Rg94TBuHYik8h34d8QABEAk4hOw6AnZKWlt5ExJs/s400/057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513831587495411010" /></a>I am kind of flattered that it is called "Extreme Rides." <div><br /></div><div>I really enjoyed the entire magazine. I have always enjoyed long hours in the saddle of my scooter. I don't put in the miles that the motorcyclists do, but I have put in some major hours.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1