Sunday, August 22, 2010

Riding Naked Highlights and More

Steve is a good sport and took all my pranks with good humor (and a plan to pay me back) which he did. We called a truce for a while, but I have to admit I had one more up my sleeve for the ride home. You saved yourself by heading home early. Steve earned the nickname "Sundial" after riding without his helmet.
Leroy is a wild man. I never expected this from you, who earned two nic names: Stud and The Storyteller. I will share Tequilla Rose with you whenever you like. You decided at the last minute to join the ride, and brought so much warmth and laughter to the mix. My hero for saving my hat when it came flying off, and a dear friend. Even with the trailer on the bike, you gave me a run for my money on the long stretches. Our group elder, you never acted it. You led us through the cities using your knowledge from many years on the road. You rode the biggest coasters, knew the best places to eat, and provided hours of entertainment at the campgrounds and hotels in the evenings.
Jerry, what can I say. We've been friends for a few years , but now on a deeper level. We even discovered after a cold day in Yellowstone park, that we like our tomato soup the same way. You were my protector, my bunkmate at the hotels, and also my hero on several occassions. Helping me lift my bike off the kickstand when the lean angle and weight were too much for me. Keeping it upright in the gravel when I couldn't safely turn it around. Standing guard outside the bathrooms when sketchy characters where close at hand. You also acquired two nic names: Big Daddy, for always making me feel safe even when I didn't know I needed it and J. Bear because you do snore just a little!
It's a little hard to talk about myself here, but the guys did give me a couple of nic names, so in all fairness I will mention them here. Twistie, for my skill with the throttle and showing them that a stock Harley can do well over 100 mph (sorry Mom, but I had to prove them wrong), and because cremees are "twisted" w/ chocolate and vanilla, cremees are ice cream, and ice cream is made by good humor, something I had a lot of on this trip. I was also called "Sunshine" on several occassions.
Total miles were different for everyone, but Jerry held the record w/ 6665 for being a hero to more than one person along the way be it friend or stranger. A total of three close calls with animals or vehicles is not bad for the time and miles on the road. Bikes were dropped three times with hurt pride, mild scratches but no hurt people. Sunburns too multiple to count and one racing stripe across my forehead that took days to blend in. Pipe burns on one calf and one ankle for being silly and riding in shorts for maybe a total of 5 miles. Lessons learned! We rode only one day in the rain, and that was our second day out. Not bad for 20 days on the road, and while some days were over 500 miles there were only two days we didn't ride any significant distance and averaged 300+ miles per day.
I danced with a real cowboy in Belle Fourche. He had a handlebar mustache and a twinkle in his eye that made me laugh. A great dancer, and patient with my two left feet. We didn't sit down much. The guys made Lindsey from Colorado a happy girl and kept her on the dance floor as her boyfriend Pete didn't seem to care for dancing. As always, the band was better as the drinks and the night wore on. And yes we walked from the campgound.
And yes people, the title of this blog has real meaning in many ways. Riding naked as in riding free in spirit and without stress. Riding naked as in four people, in many ways strangers and yet friends sharing experiences good and bad, building trust and leaning on each others strengths and life experiences. Riding naked as in not having a real plan, only a destination and a desire to have the vacation of a lifetime. Riding naked as in faith that the best made motorcycle in America would get us there and back without incident or accident. Thank you Harley Davidson for the machine, and thank you Wilkins Harley Davidson for the best service, and being the best dealership in this country. And riding naked, as in riding wearing nothing but our boots in the badlands just before sunrise. Some of us did, and some of us didn't. No photos here just memories and maybe a custom patch or two. I can't say this enough....

WOW! WHAT A RIDE.

Ahhhh. Home.
















One last sunset on the road and then an early morning start. This was the only day we got up really early and got on the road. New York interstates are pretty rough, very different from everywhere we've been. Even VT roads aren't that rough. We rode for several hours before stopping for breakfast.

For the most part, there were few close calls. The drivers out past the east coast are courteous, polite and respectful of bikers, not like the east coast. Aggressive, rude and will run you over without blinking. We could see a deer cross the West-bound lane and head directly for us. Jerry was leading and I was behind him. We both hit the brakes hard as she came bounding our way. My ABS brakes work like a charm and I am so happy that I bought a bike with these, but I have to give credit to those bikes who don't have them in this case. I believe it was the squealing of Jerry's back tire as he locked the brakes that caused the doe to turn the other way. And she was maybe four feet from the front of Jerrys bike and ready to leap. Phew! I really didn't want to have to work on this vacation!

We made Bennington a little after noon and met with Jackielee, Mark and Peggy List, who rode out to meet us. They led us back along Rte 100 and we ended the ride where we began, Wilkins Harley Davidson parking lot. A tequilla toast, hugs and more talk of the next big trip while the rain held off.
We left with four, and came home with four. Jack and Carol, I know you will love my riding partner all the way home for Hershey. We won a Monkey, who rode many of the rides with us! One last blog after this one to come, I have to highlight some specials points of the trip. All I can say is WOW! WHAT A RIDE!

Hershey Park
















Leroy and Jerry headed out to the dealership early to get the brakes fixed, while I scooted over to the laundry mat to wash some of our clothes so we have enough to get home. Started talking with "Tony", a local who drives truck cross country, and I had to laugh when he offered me his phone number. I took it with no promise to ever call him, but it helped pass the time at the laundry mat. I called the guys twice, and they were waiting for parts. Took the laundry back to the hotel and checked out. Waited at one of the picnic tables for the guys.





They got back around noonish and we went for lunch. I love this photo. This little guy kept peeking in the window and finally Jerry peeked back through the blinds. Of course after that the game was on!





Hershey Park included more roller coasters, monorail, gondola, tilt-a-whirl, kissing tower (which is much higher up than it appeared from the bottom....oh my) and trying on funky hats. We saw a lady carry around a stuffed monkey that was bigger than her. When we came to the game where that was the prize, I decided to try my luck. Jerry joined in the fun and we bought a bucket full of rings for $5. Now to just get one on a bottle and that monkey is mine! We rode in antique cars, fed the ducks and geese, and managed to escape that evening at 6:30 pm without buying a ton of chocolate. As we were leaving the park the night before a little girl walking in front of us with her parents reached out and took Jerry's hand. They walked for a bit, Jerry looking rather surprised, when the little girl looked up and saw this really big, biker guy who she was holding onto and you could see the embarrassment and fear crawl into her face. She dropped his hand, and quickly scooted over to her parents. I told them what happened and they laughed and laughed.





After leaving the park we rode for several hours before finding a place to hang our hats for the night. We'll be home on Saturday, before the rain.

Saturday, August 21, 2010













This trip is quickly coming to a close. And while it has been so much fun that we really don’t want it to end, we do want to get back home and see our families and friends. We traveled through W. Virginia along Rte 60 and 219. Stunning roads with a lot of history along the way if you are a history buff. The twisties were plentiful, the drop off’s breathtaking, and the roads rated right up there with what we saw out West. I couldn’t believe how fast the tractor trailers drove these roads…many times taking up both lanes to make the corner. I tried to get a shot but wasn’t too successful. I can say this, W.V. knows how to bank their corners to make the roads extra fun.
We rode through the capital of W. V. and I think the capital looks similar to our own, but the dome is prettier (sorry VT but it’s twroo). This whole trip Jerry and I have looked for the best chocolate lava cake in this country. Guess what folks they don’t even know what chocolate lava cake is across most of this grand country. We finally found some here in W.V….and it doesn’t beat the best version we’ve found in Firehouse Restaurant in Barre, VT.
One site that took my breath away this morning was topping a long hill to see the top of a wind-turbine right in front of us. Man are those huge! I pulled off for a photo and our leader Jerry had to turn around, so I got a photo of him just in front of the beast.
We also stopped for our first ice cream cone of the trip. No it wasn’t from Perry’s ice cream, but I haven’t given up finding one through PA, which is the next state to cross.
We ended our day with screams and laughter, at Hershey Park. Jerry, Leroy and I rode the suspended roller coaster, upside-down X4 and a corkscrew or two. I didn’t know that guys could scream as well as us girls do! Leroy and Jerry also hopped on a few other rides. Our pass is good for another day, and we hope to go back in the morning for a couple more rides as we got to the park very late today.
First we have to get Leroy’s bike fixed, the back brakes are having some difficulties with the trailer and we are coming into mountain country. I’m sorry this won’t be posted until later since there is no WIFI here. But there is much more to the story to tell, so stayed tuned. Be home soon.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Louisville KY




It was a good day across the rest of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and now in Kentucky. Yesterday we mistakenly rode 200 miles without helmets when we shouldn't have...so today we rode about the same with helmets when we didn't need to. LOL. It was hot...hot...hot, but we didn't loose anyone today. We called the Lone Wolf who was just getting on Rte 6 in Pennsylvania around lunch time. He said the traveling is going well and he's making good time.


We rode through the center of St. Louis and got some good photos of the Arch. Illinois was long, hot, flat and BORING! Indiana was much better. One stretch in Illinois every telephone pole for miles was about to fall over, and there was a second pole nearby that had an anchor wire attached to the first pole. I was sure glad that the poles were leaning away from us.


Saw a very large eagle in a tree as we came into Ky. I pointed it out to the guys, but they said they didn't see it. It was just landing in the tree when it caught my eye. Wish I had a photo of him...what a grand site they are.


Looks like we might hit some rain tomorrow but we've been so blessed we can't complain.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Half Way Back











It's now a ride of hurry up and slow down. We are hoping to top off this great trip with a cruise up the Blue Ridge Parkway. Interstate riding across Nebraska was uneventful. Sorry Nebraska, but the only things we saw that merits bragging rights are the sunrise and sunsets. The sunset photo is blurry, but you can get the idea. In Sydney we stopped at Cabellas where Leroy bought himself a bigger tent so he could stand up and dress in the mornings. Here's a photo of the new jewel. It suites him well.




We broke camp early this morning and crossed the rest of Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri (most of it) and are right outside of St. Louis. Tomorrow we will drop down and hope to make Kentucky by day's end.




We did loose Leroy today for about an hour coming through Kansas City. We turned on 435 South while Leroy went on 435 East. Since his phone was inside the trailer, and the trailer lid was jammed we couldn't call him. Although we tried many times and left many messages. Jerry also backtracked to see if he could find him while I waited. So Jerry and I rode 435, to 70 as fast as we dared and we found him. He was waiting at a pulloff just outside the interchange. We won't lose him again I promise. No one was the worse for wear. Aside from losing Leroy, there was some flooding across the road in one spot, and I forgot how hot is gets here in Missouri.




Recap Cody




Oh how could I forget to mention our snacky treat in Cody. Leroy, Jerry and I went out for a bite to eat our last night in Cody. On the menu was "Rocky Mountain Oysters"....yes folks the real deal. Each of us dared the other to try them, so we shared an appetizer that could have been our meal for three people. Here's a few photos of us trying this dish for the first time. And yes, they were very tastey.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Pointing East via West

We packed up the base camp and have started the journey home. We crossed Wyoming in one day and have ended our stay a little West as I just had to visit Laramie, where Nathan went to school. The campus is really unimpressive...but here we are.
A couple of hats were lost along the way, one was found and one was not. Things have a tendency to fly off the bikes when your doing 80mph. Yes that's legal here.
Steve (the lone wolf) broke off early and headed due east to get home. We have six more days and plan to make the most of it. Interstate time for a day or two and then we are dropping down to ride the Blue Ridge if the weather is good. Otherwise we will alter our plans a little.
Sorry folks, no photos today...too tired after riding 500 miles. We'll catch up with you soon.
Becky if you are reading this, Leroy says "Hi and that he got you a shirt. My email isn't working and phone service is sporadic".

Yellowstone National Park
















Hang on Fred Flintstone....those buffalo are bigger than you think. As we headed towards the exit we had a little delay of about an hour due to a very large herd of buffalo. Two males were butting heads in the middle of the road one vehicle in front of us. The bigger of the two had shoulders higher than the car beside it. Jerry took a great photo of them. I really didn't want to ride past these two. Backing up, we saw elk, pelicans (no kidding), an eagle fishing (i got the photo in the air but not when it pulled the fish out of the river). The lone wolf saw a grizzly, but he wasn't riding with us so Leroy, Jerry and I were happy to miss that one.

Old Faithful didn't let us down, and Castle really put on a show for us. Castle only erupts every 14 hours and 20 minutes so we were told. Our lucky day. Well except for the fact that it was probably in the high 30s for temps. Brrrrrr! I thought it was warm in the West. Not in Wyoming. While waiting for Old Faithful, Leroy got to talking with a couple of bikers and before the conversation ended we found out they were from Morrisville, VT. Small world indeed. I can't forget to tell you that surprise of all surprises was this very large lake at top of the park. You can see how big the beach is as Jerry races across it (kidding, it was all loose stone and more of a challenge just keeping the bike upright).
And the reason I thought I was coming down with a cold...I forgot about all the sulpher here and I tend to be allergic to that stuff. Benadryl and a good nights sleep cured that.

The next day at Cody Leroy, Jerry and I stayed close to the base camp. Some of us napped, others went into town to shop before heading home.





Friday, August 13, 2010

Cody Wyoming and Bear Tooth Pass
















We have bunked down in Cody for the last several days at a little campground called the Ponderrosa. Our tents are right next to the main drag so the traffic keeps waking us up. That and it's cold here...especially at night.
Bear Tooth Pass was INTENSE to say the least. I chickened out on riding my own and hopped on the back of Jerry's bike. Come to find out he is afraid of heights as well. It didn't take long for the temperature to drop and the top of the pass still had snow. It was in the 30s there and not much warmer on the way up or down. The pinnacle was roughly 11,000 feet high! I don't think the photos really do it justice so come on down and take a ride.
After we got back safe, sound, with our nerves barely intact, we decided a Rodeo was the perfect place to regroup. We sat above the gates and could see them prepping the animals prior to the rides. While the bull riding was quite impressive, it was the 12 and under age class that really caught my attention. Some of those kids weren't waist high.
I woke up the next morning with what I thought was the beginning of a cold. Coughing, dry sore throat, stuffy nose. But I was so wrong, you'll have to read about Yellowstone to find the cause.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Sturgis













A rally is a raly, is a rally...only Sturgis is on a much larger scale. I have never seen so many bikes in one place. And hot! The temperatures are warm early in the day and grow to scorching by the end of the day.


We rode in and found a shady place to park on a side street. It wasn't so bad until the heat grew and it was time to go. Steve stayed late and pulled into the campground just before we went to bed, so he didn't wake us up! He got some great shots of custom bikes, and the bikes on the strip. And yes there were scantily clad girls....those photos will have to wait till we get home for those of you interested.

We returned to Sturgis the next morning for pins at the HOG booths. The 2011s were on display and they look fantastic. The speakers in the Street Glide will blow any music fan away! Jerry just had to sit on one....I'm surprised he isn't coming home with it. We had custom patches made up and went back to the campground to load up the gear. It didn't take long to reach Wyoming,


We saw one nasty accident on the way to Worland. We rode across 16 West through the Big Horn National Forest. Talk about mountains! I did fine until I looked down and saw just how far up we really were. We met a couple of folks here from Austrailia (love the accents). They have been touring for five weeks from the east coast to the west. We also rescued a biker who ran out of fuel. I won't say who rode this guy "bitch", but it wasn't me! He was very appreciative...guess I would be too if I was alone and in the middle of nowhere.

I know why they call this Big Sky country. Not only are the storms impressive, so are the sunsets. So here we are at the little campground and getting ready to call it a night. Finally a campground with electricity and WIFI! Night all. Tomorrow Cody and heading to Bear Tooth Pass and Yellowstone.




Mt Rushmore and Needles Highway













Base camp for a couple of days in Belle Fourche to visit the area. We camped by the river, kinda. The climb to Mt Rushmore took my breath away. It was quite high up, and at the time I didn't realize there was so much more of this to come.

We then entered Custer state park and Needles highway. Right after we paid to get into the park we stopped at a gift shop. There was this great lake that we hiked around. We walked through a very narrow tunnel, found a great waterfall, and climbed hills that sparkled like diamonds. I could just see in my imagination a tribe of Native's walking this same path...and you could almost hear them whisper in the wind.
On Needles the tunnels were very narrow. You'd come around a corner and everything just dropped away. Once at the top, were took the Wilderness loop and saw many different types of wildlife. The bison were up close and personal...and a little intimidating. I was impressed with the critters, not the hairpin turns. I can't wait for Bear tooth pass (sarcastic thought here). I'm getting the jitters just thinking about it. Ok, off to Sturgis.

Spearfish Canyon







We left the badlands and again pointed our front fenders West. We decided to take a little shortcut to get to the road we wanted. Mistake! Carol and Jack warned us about this...pavement to crushed gravel, to really soft, deep sandy gravel and all in the middle of nowhere. It was far from everything, yet we all fared well. Off to Rapid City for some fuel, and the canyon road.






After leaving Rapid City, it was on o spearfsh canyon. Although crowded this week, it is a beautiful motorcycle road. The canyon narrows down to little more than a road and brooks width, with many twists and curves. Looking up at the canyon walls can be a little distracting, but well worth the effort. Near the upper end, it opens up just before the city of Spearfish, at the western end of the city. A nice place for a DQ refreshment stop!

The Badlands
















Our first big stop was in the badlands. It's like the Grand Canyon, on a smaller version. It amazed me that you can just walk out into the badlands at all the pullouts, anywhere you wish. What appears to be rock from a distance, is just hard-packed, dry dirt. We arrived late in the day, and decided to stop for the night.

Setting up the tents was quite the challenge, as the winds were strong across the flat prarie. It never seems to stop blowing. Fires were not allowed, so we ate at the little restaurant just donw the road, then took a short ride. As you can see I am trying things I normally wouldn't do, like walking out on this very narrow ledge. It's higher up than it looks folks. I wasn't brave enough to go to the edge, but Steve made it out there. Later in the night, when Steve went to the bathrooms, we decided to move his tent. I knew that I would pay later, since it was my idea.

We watched a thunderstorm from a great distance that night. Early the next morning, Jerry and I got up and rode up to get some sunrise photos as we were told the colors pop at that time of day. We weren't dissapointed. After getting back to camp and starting to break down the tents, Jerry had a visitor on the outside of his tent. It's hard to tell from this photo, but this guy was as big as the palm of my hand....creeeepppyyyy!





So far it just keeps getting better and better!