Rodeo in Gunnison

Had a great time at the Horizons Unlimited Convention. The talk went well.
Hello to all who attended. We were located at the Gunnison Heritage Centre
where there was a rodeo event on. Great horsemanship and entertainment and
a good photo opportunity too. Thanks to Zigy, a pro photographer and HU
member, for advice on the photos and to David, Drew, Peter, Smelly Loui
and all at the convention. A special thanks for the gift of a new camping
pillow which has made tent night a lot more comfortable. See you at the UK
convention. Now in Fowler Colorado towards Kansas. In the Bushy Motel
which is owned by the mayor and has tempory guests from the local police
department, one being the chief. I was wondering why there was a police
car outside all night. No chance that the bike will get stolen tonight!

Horizons Unlimited Meeting - Colorado

Horizons Unlimited is an organisation run to give travellers a place on the internet for all the information needed to successfully plan an expedition such as TGM. It is of great value to me on this journey and has provided information on contacts, shipping, routes and general advice. I was looking at the website and noticed a convention in Gunnison, Colorado so I contacted Grant Johnston who runs the organisation with his wife Susan. I arranged to attend and have now been roped into a presentation on TGM. Great bunch of people  with stories to tell and skills to pass on. Will be here until Sunday then who knows where?

Had to stay in Santa Fe

Santa Fe is the capital of the state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state. Santa Fe (literally 'holy faith' in Spanish) had a population of 62,203 . The noticeable thing is the lack of tall buildings and the very Mexican feel to the city. Full of art shops, western cowboy and Indian articles and street music it feels a bit like San Francisco in miniature. Certainly worth a visit. Tomorrow…Colorado.

 

New State - New Mexico

Great scenery on the way out of White Mountains. Passed through Apache Forrest in the Apache Country. Onward to New Mexico  and stopped for lunch at the Top of The World which is a store and café in the middle of nowhere. Lovely place to stop and a great welcome. Through Pie Town, a place of pilgrimage for many Americans by the look of it. Unfortunately, there was no pies. Who ate them all is the question?? Thanks to Pam’s superb guide book I have been to some unusual attractions which are not on the usual run of the mill tourist trail. Today I visited the Very Large Array National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NROA). It is right off the beaten track but has a visitor centre. As I was the only visitor I got the VIP treatment. Great and a  must see if you are interested in the stars. Onward to my hotel tonight, another find in Pam’s guide. The Shaffer Hotel in Mountainair. It is in the National Register of Historic Hotels and is the 1920s frozen in time. Wait for the good bit…the owner gave me a room for $40 and then told me that Rene Zellweger slept in this room whilst making the film ‘On My Own’. (Google it). Some pics to follow. Then a great night with the cowboys and the Irish (William Murphy) in Mountainair. Don’t want to leave here….worth a visit! 1. Top of the World 2. Pie Town 3. Radio Astronomy 4 Historic Hotel 5. William Murphy – Bar owner Mountainair.

 

                                                                                                 

The Best of All Worlds

Only in America. On yer hols with the massive RV, yer gas guzzling 4wd and yer motorbike! Wouldn’t like to reverse it though!

A big hole in my life and Walton's Mountain

After a cosy night without rain (it flew over) in Flagstaff I moved towards the White Mountains of eastern Arizona. Going through Navaho Country you can see the Native American influence with less commercialisation and more ‘Trading Posts’ selling locally crafted goods. Pulled off the highway to Barrenger’s Crater. This is an amazing site and the best preserved crater landing site in the world. To give an idea of the size of it, the floor could accommodate 20 football games at once with 2 million spectators on it sloping edges. Quite a site but I don’t think the Subway sandwich shop was there when it was created! Onward to Pinetops and Lakewood where I am in a wee lodge house on Walton’s Mountain…well it is like that. It is over 6000ft above sea level and I have a nice log fire going to add to the ambience. Heading east tomorrow and the owners are working on a good route for me. 1. Leaving the Canyon 2. Barrenger’s Crater. 3. My wee But’n’Ben in the White Mountains.

Get your Kicks in .....Seligman on Route 66

Seligman lies on the old Route 66 and is proud of it with 1950/60s shops, cars and buildings along with some historic western stuff. Lots of bikers and most from Scandinavia. Onward in a sunny 27 deg to the Grand Canyon. Grand indeed and more impressive than I expected. The east exit to the Grand Canyon Park has fantastic roads lined with trees and opening up every now and then to stunning views of the Canyon. It was nice because there was no other tourists  there and you had the view all to yourself. Camping in Flagstaff today then onward to the White Mountains on the New Mexico Border. Several recommendations for this area so I will sus it out. Could be thunder here later so going through the wet weather procedure now……after my pizza and Budweiser….maybe? his place is 5000 feet up  so it is nice and cool. Hello to Art from Hawaii who rode through the Canyon Park with me today. PHOTOS: Seligman 2: Seligman 3: Grand Canyon

Soaked Arizona

Woke up to the first rain that they have had here for months. Everyone here has a boat and I was invited out on the lake today by Rick and Bonnie (but judging how much they had to drink I was a bit sceptical!). Well the rain stopped play anyway. Can’t get away from the recruitment job with the local barman, Toby, telling me he was going to San Diego for his initial police tests. I was able to put him in contact with an officer from there that we had met in Long Beach…small world. Explored the city and beaches today and the sun came back out and it is scorchio again. Some photos of the Lake and mountains surrounding here. Do you not think the bay looks like Amity Island Bay from Jaws? All that is missing is the shark?

A bridge too far!

Staying in Lake Havasu City founded in 1964 by a chap called McCulloch. He was a nice chap and thought that London Bridge would look good here so, in true American style, he bought it. The bridge in 1962, was not structurally sound enough to support the increased load created by the level of modern London traffic crossing it, and it was sold by the City of London to McCulloch. The Parker Dam spans the Colorado River between Arizona and California, 155 miles downstream from Hoover Dam. Built between 1934 and 1938 by the Bureau of Reclamation, Parker Dam is operated with Hoover and Davis Dams to bring water and power benefits to residents of the lower Colorado River Basin. It is 45 miles long and can store nearly 211 billion gallons of water. Lake Havasu itself is 45 miles long and is actually a Colorado River reservoir that was created when the Parker Dam was completed in 1938. It is a desert lake surrounded by cliff walls and offers plenty of room for boating Lake Havasu City is also home to the famed London Bridge and under the bridge there is an English Village of shops and restaurants. Did I tell you that a dog did a poo outside my tent door last night? I asked the campsite bloke what all the holes were around the site. He told me they were desert python snakes about a foot thick that can suffocate you to death in your tent. I told him about the Loch Ness monster and he seemed to believe me? 1. Parker Dam 2&3 London Bridge Lake Havasu City Arizona

 

 

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Dryazabone in Arizona

Travelled through California (Joshua Tree Park) and into Arizona. It was hot today but the dry heat makes it okay. Lots of water as I was in some lonely places on Highway 62. Amazing scenery and had to stop a few times for photos.  Heading for the parker Dam and Lake Havasu area. Havasu City is where the old London Bridge is so I will let y’all have a look at it later. By the way the Laminar Lip extension to the screen is brill for us big lads and the new waterproof bag from Long Beach BMW is tops. Will review them all later.

 

1. High Desert Joshua Tree national Park California

2. I  don’t care if the road is straight or bendy….look at the scenery!

3. An old carriage in Vidal Junction. Had to stop to pick up some hair products.

Joshua Tree

You have heard the album now read the blog! I arrived in 35 deg but the temp soon calmed and I checked in for a desert camp. There is a wee wooden shop here and I asked the guy if he sold beer. By the look on his face he understood my need but alas no. However within half an hour he turned up at my site with 5 cans of ice cold Bud. Kept it and headed to the village where I had spotted an Indian restaurant. Headed back and sunk the beers in very pleasant temperatures. Fired up the comp and alas in the American way there is desert wifi!!! Still having probs with the fuel gauge so now using the satnav for fuel reading. Will get it sorted somewhere along the line. They boast of the clear sky here and I am looking up at the most amazing starlight show. Shooting stars, satellites and the Milky Way. There a a load of wee holes around here with bits of vegetation at the entrance. Will find out what they are…snakes?  There are coyote all around here too. Quite a find.

 

 

Gone Home

Pam...that is. Back on the road tomorrow after our break in Cafifornia and
Nevada. Got all my washing done so I reckon the trip was worth it! Pam
took some of the equipment and presents home with her to lighten the load
on the bike which was needed....the only problem was the $100 excess
luggage bill she got at the airport. Well I did tell her not to bring so
much stuff!!!! Had a great night tonight starting with an invitation to a
very trendy cafe called Portfolio where there was an open mic night. Some
good live music and some wacky acts?? Later I met up with the Guarda from
Ireland and some of the US cops who are attending the conference here.
Got some good contacts, some invitations and a load of badges and beers!
Anyway must dash. Will update you from Joshua National Park where I am
booked to camp in a fascinationg looking campsite. I asked if they had any
air-conditioning. I was amazed when he said...'yeh'.........nothing is
impossible in America I thought.....then he completed the sentence....
'stick your head out of the tent'.

Thanks Pam...... we had a blast!!

Life's a Beach

Arrived in Long Beach and visited the Queen Mary once the flagship of
Cunard-White Star. The ship was launched 75 years ago in Clydebank and is
now a museum and hotel. Went for a drink in the bar and bumped into one of
4000 police officers here for the FOP (Fraternal Order Of Police- Like a
trade Union)) annual convention. Kevin McQuillan, an officer from San
Diego quickly swore me in as a member of FOP Lodge 10 California which
allowed us to get very preferential rates at the hotel, free drinks and
cheap food. Erik Estrada, who some may remember as Frank Poncherello in the
TV CHiPs is at the conference and staying at my hotel so another blog
entry may be forthcoming if he catches me for a photo..! Had a great night
out with some locals and now dropped Pam off at LAX for her return home.
Ordered a part from Long Beach BMW so staying here for another day. All GS
users check the screen adjustment bolts as they work loose on a regular
basis. I lost one in Russia and now the other has gone. Got some new
side bags for the bike and a Laminar Lip which fits to the top of the
screen causing less wind noise and buffeting on long journeys. Will update
you on this part later. Planning the route east and heading toward Joshua
Tree National Park in the next day or so.

Back to LA

Went to the Bridge then Sausalito and south on the Highway 1. Now stopped
at San Luis Obispo. This is described as an 'under-appreciated gem' and
that is a very accurate description. It is great wee town with good
hotels and restaurants. Karaoke struck again and thankfully there is a
genetic problem as far as singing is concerned in the town. We were
invited to do a 2 month gig but we are too busy. Some pics of today's
journey including the Elephant seals that bask on the beach near here.
Tomorrow onward to LA and prep for Pam's return home.

Free Beer!

Well that headline got you reading this entry.

 

San Francisco is a great place with contrasting old and new themes……Chianti 1989 and Ernest and Julio Gallo 2007. Had a great day out in the town on a streetcar named Desire (photo) and tour of the downtown by our friend Danielle Gordon. Got some gear from Abercombie & Fitch for my daughters (and myself).  Went up the Coit Tower which has a cracking view of the city and bay. The tower was built in 1929 as a memorial to Lillie Hitchcock Coit who left $125,000 to  SF for the purpose of adding beauty to the city she loved.  We had a meal in the “Stinking Rose” restaurant which specialises in garlic in abundance. Needless to say we are still fighting off the smell. Finished off in O’Reiley’s Bar for a few local beers, some live music and will be heading to Santa Barbara tomorrow.

 

Photos:  The Stinking Rose Garlic Restaurant, The Bridge from Coit Tower, Streetcar called Desire ($5) and the GG the Transamerica Pyramid Building in the financial District.

Feels Like Home

Came across a place that shows that they can make you feel at home in the USA. Tom’s Place has a pub called “Grumpy’s” and a restaurant called “The Good Life”. Seems like a perfect place to be.

Photos; Tom’s Place and one of Pam in Death Valley.

 

Tales from The Streets of San Francisco to follow.

Just Desert!

After a great time in Las Vegas (where we ended up in a show) we travelled through the searing heat (114Deg F) of the desert towards Death Valley to spend Pam’s winnings….20 Cents. This place is well named as the heat is similar to having a hair dryer on the top setting blowing in your face. I may add that this description was Pam’s as it has been some years since I needed a hairdryer. Amazing scenery however, and worth a look if you are in this area. I saw a few hardy bikers risking this run.  In the “Valley” there is a unique hotel which we stopped at. It is the Armagosa Opera House and Hotel. It has a great history and is situated in the most unlikely of places. The present manager is one third of the town’s population and describes himself as the Mayor, Sheriff and Judge (and Jury). Worth a visit!  (www.amargosa-opera-house.com). Onward through Yosemite Park. Amazing scenery and wildlife. Now in San Francisco and meeting a friend tomorrow for a tour.

 

I was looking through my photos and noticed a place where I think Graeme Bruce may have visited during his flying days.

 

Photos: Hotel and Opera House, Death Valley, Yosemite Park and Graeme’s landing strip???

This sat-nav ain't workin'

We set off from San Diego ( after doing the SeaWorld thingy) towards Las Vegas. The Garmin was working well until it got heat stroke. Anyway, does anyone recognise this place? Pam said ‘Turn right’ and I thought it was the Garmin speaking…I turned right and there are no sign posts around here! A wee bit hot too.

 

Travelled part of the old route 66 which has now, for the main part, disappeared. Bill Clinton brought out a law to re-instate some of the old Route 66 signage but souvenir hunters put paid to that. Thus the old “Mother Road” as it was known is now a fractured piece of history. Pulled in to get some petrol and asked this bloke how the credit card pumps worked. Turned out he is with the Sheriff’s Dept at their training facility in  California. He is going to arrange a visit to the facility. Look forward to that. The temperature  hit 106 F today, similar to temperatures back home in Scotland???

 

When we got out of the desert we made our way to the Venetian on the strip in Las Vegas.  I told the woman at reception about TGM and she immediately upgraded us to the poshest suite in the place. Slumming it here tonight!

 

Photos: Lost in the Nevada Desert, Route 66 and  Dolphin bit at SeaWorld (I have my good camera now thanks to Pam)