Dave, something about those Taco Trucks man. I had the absolute most amazing food from one in Vegas about 3 months ago. Dude was parked in the parking lot of a 7-11 I was in and, seeing that everyone there waiting was Hispanic, I got one of the folks to order for me. AMAZING!
What a wonderful report, Dave. I like the way you travel-- we have similar taste in old style roadside motels! In fact, you've inspired me to take a trip this winter. I wasn't planning to go anywhere this year for various reasons, none of which should be stopping me! It won't be as epic as yours, but it will be. After coming to this decision, something struck me about the way people (even those who've never met) are interconnected. Your trip, and amazing report, beget my trip. And while I've never written a ride report, it makes me wonder if maybe someone has met or will meet me travelling on my bike and be inspired to do something similar in their own lives... and then someone will be inspired by them... and on and on and on. I think that's a really cool idea. Or maybe I'm just full of crap. Either way, great report... ride on!
Dude! that is one well used keyboard! I'm impressed, I always seem to kill my laptop before the keyboard and touchpad is that well used. I was going to withhold comment to the end of your report but I couldn't hold back. My initial reaction from reading the first few pages of this report is that iJulie has a smile that will stop traffic and you are one lucky guy to get to see that on a regular basis. You are at my favorite part of the report here. I used to fly fixed wing medevac in Northern, AZ and Southern, UT it is some amazing country to expierence,,,
iDave - I recently found this site and joined up. I have really enjoyed your ride report and I eagerly await the next posting. You have a great style that is very entertaining. I am really enjoying the great photos and the locations you are traveling through are wonderful. I now know that I must travel out west and see these sights for myself. Thanks Dave for the great report. Happy Thanksgiving!
Hey dave- Still hangin with ya on this.Checking in on your adventure has become a daily ritual for me. Iv'e been through Monticello twice in the last few years and neither one has been pleasant. You chose wisely at Nicks suggestion. We stopped at a Cafe a block or so east of the junctiononon the north side of the highway in Monticello last time through. I was pulling a 43 ft toyhauler at the time and this cafe had the only place I could bend my fifth wheel into. Not only was the food the worst ever but the server(a hottie by the way) had the worst attitude you could imagine. I ordered eggs over medium and got barely cooked. I told her these were not how I oredered them . She just shrugged her shoulders and said "don't eat them" I left her a dime for a tip. On a better note. Dave- I am an avid offroader at heart going through some serious no-bike withdrawals. Following your adventure has started me thinking in a different direction for my next ride. I've always wanted to do a trip like you just finished but with a little more dirt. You realy should consider writing a book. You have an amazing way of putting your thoughts to pen.Thank you for taking the time to write this report! Sorry for getting off-course. Robert
Hi Dave! This is not first of your reports i like to follow!! Its time to say thank you for taking me along your trips! Keep it coming and travel safe!
Well Mr. Dave, your ability to capture the moment has also caught me too. I have been reading your RR for a few days, not even closing out my browser, so I could come back to it later. I am a n00b on here, but not to the road. I spent 17 years and more than 3 million miles out there as a truck driver. Now I work on airplanes (off on injured reserve, due to a badly broken leg on the job, and a crappy doctor) but pretty much retired now. I have been off my bike for 1 1/2 years dealling with this broken leg saga. 2012 is gonna be my year to get the wind back in my face. So til then I will try to live a little of my dreams through yours and a few others RR. Keep the wind in your face brother. I hope maybe I can bump into a few fellow inmates once I get back to riding.
Beautiful Ride Dave! (not that you NEED any help...LOL!... Here's another nice road!) Next time you pass through...If you want to go West from Cortez but are tired of slabbing it...You go through town (west) and then turn right by the airport on County Road G... It meanders through a beautiful little canyon lined with small ranch properties... It turns into Indian Route 5069 when it crosses into Utah and meanders back to 162 at Aneth. 162 then ties into 191 at Bluff. Nice Bike Road! (twisty, no traffic, scenic!) Hi-Jack disengaged.
Hell yeah! I've thought the same thing a few times, but I'm horrible about initiating anything, much less planning Happy Thanksgiving!
First off, Dave, another awesome RR I'm really enjoying this one. As for the quote below; how very telling and revealing. Julie may as well be speaking to me... In a way that sums up my life and most of my encounters with others. Thanks for taking the time to allow us to enter into your ride and experiences.
iDave said: That's forever the nature of riding a bike Dave...You are the sacrificial lamb on that ribbon of asphalt, nearly naked on a bit of polished metal lighting-rod with two wheels. You have to admit... when you am the tallest thing for twenty miles and the sky is turning black, the wind is buffeting, and you can smell the humidity in the air... Weather is forever on your mind! Let's ride!!
Had our trips not been a month apart I'd swear we rode through the same storm. We left Monticello heading East trying to outrun a storm, no luck. On an 800+ lb Harley it threw me around, I can't even imagine what it would been like on a much light machine.
Those pictures of the storms had "sucker hole" written all over them. Non-pilots can Google that term.
Dave, I'm really enjoying your ride report and especially the photos of Durango and Duranglers. It holds alot of memories for me. About ten years ago or so, after a particluarly trying year, my father took me on his yearly fishing trip to Durango with his friend from work. He felt I "needed it". He was right. And so we started a Durango fishing trip tradition that continued for seven more years. My Dad and I no longer make it out there but we continue to fish and keep doing our trip only in other places now. Durango though, is where my Dad became my friend. Thanks for the photos. Please continue... Pete
Dave- You got lucky that time! Some of the most ferocious and intense storms Iv'e ever seen were in Colorado and New mexico. Coming home from Durango in mid Sept we got caught in a thunderstorm just west of Albuquerque that tossed my 26,000 LB rig all over the interstate for over 2 hours. It was 40mph and white knuckles the entire time. I thought my wife was going to SPAZ OUT ................They are awesome to look at from a distance though. Glad you made it throught that Storm. I certainly understand how you felt. Robert P.S. That Strater Hotel in Durango is absolutely Beautiful inside.
Dave, if you go on a long enough motorcycle trip, weather is always going to play a part in the story.....it is what it is and has to be included to tell the whole thing.