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Week #6
I'm
heading east. Homeward. A stop at Treasure Island to take
pictures of one of the most beautiful panoramic views of
the world. On I880, I580 and I205 to Manteca. On State Hw
120 to Jamestown catching the Gold Digger State Highway
49. This is the Golden State at it's best. Turned south
and finished this leg in Mariposa.
On scenic State
Hw 140 along the rough Merced River into Yosemity N.P.
Free climbers challenging El Capitan. Water Falls, Lakes
and glacier carved rocks are great scenes for a pick-nick.
The Indian Village and the Yosemity Museum catch my
attention. Late afternoon an exciting ride on Wawona road
to South Entrance and via Fish Camp to Mariposa.
Rode again to Yosemity, but took a left turn up to Tioga
Pass. A nice ride through a tremendous landscape up to
almost 10'000 ft. A coffee break at Lee Vining and a
visit at the 
Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve.
Benton,Ca had no gas at all. Three stations but no gas.
California, I put some question marks behind your name.
So, I took a 20 miles extra ride south. The last leg this
day was one of those never ending rides. I could see
Tonopah,Nv on top of the hill, but it didn't come closer.
A big and tender steak, music and gambling at the Station
House closed this day.
The ‚Extraterrestrial Highway'. On my
way to Rachel,Nv I had a difficult
rendezvous with cattle at an open range. They crowded the
highway, didn't move and finally they were chasing me. My
horn blew them off the road. I reached the Little
A'Le'Inn. A couple sat at the bar. They would ride their
Harleys to Las Vegas to find a wedding chapel. I wished
them good luck and headed via Caliente to Cedar City,Ut.
Cedar City was fully booked and overcrowded for the Utah
Summer Games. At sunset I took the State Route 14,
climbed up to Cedar Breaks National Monument, had some
dangerous moments when deer crossed the road and it was
incredibly cold. 3 ft snow still out in the forest. In
the dark I crossed the pass and rode down to Hatch.
I travelled several times through the Grand
Circle, but never was in Kodachrome Bassin. A late
morning ride brought me there through the Red Canyon,
still one of the prettiest I know. Hiked some trails and
returned to the Bryce Canyon for hiking the Apache Trail.
A relaxed ride down to US89 ended in Kanab. I cannot
recommend the Wild West town even when it laid beside my
motel and they exhibit cabins which have been used in a
movie (forgot the title) with Clint Eastwood as Josie
Wells.
My intention was to hike the Grand Canyon in two
days. One going down, stay overnight at Phantom Ranch and
next day return. It's not possible without making
reservations one or two years in advance. So I stayed
another day in this area. A small ride brought me to Zion
N.P. I parked my bike beside a parking spot and got a
ticket. Somewhere you can occupy a police spot and all
you get is a nice talk, here you get a ticket. It's
incredibly warm, about 105F. Despite the temperatures I
hiked some trails. Just short ones and took a bath in the
Virgin River.
Week #7
It's my 51st birthday.
Before I left Kanab for the Grand Canyon, I checked my e-mails.
Family and friends didn't forget my birthday. As
I arrived at Jacob Lake the information I got said
everything is fully booked. Even the campground. Here in
Jacob Lake everything is fully booked either. I rode down
to the north Rim. By 6 p.m. I asked again at the
campground and was lucky. I got one with a size for a
trailer. So, I could take pictures at sunset and sunrise.
A great birthday.
A hot and great ride on US89 along the Vermillion Cliffs
in northern Arizona. Crossed the Colorado River on Navajo
Bridge at Marble Canyon and climbed up to the Echo Cliffs.
I cooled my feet down in the motel's pool and booked a
visit to the Antelope Canyon for the next day's 11a.m.
tour. The 11 and 12am tours are recommended because of
the best light conditions.
When you catch a glimpse of a slot canyon in a
feature film or television commercial, it's almost always
Upper Antelope, which is also known as The Corkscrew.
Upper Antelope isn’t as long nor as deep as many
slot canyons, but it is amazingly beautiful! Its walls
twisting and winding, glowing in fabulous shades of red,
orange, and yellow as the sun stayes overhead. Upper
Antelope is easy to visit.The ground is sandy and fairly
level throughout. It does get very, very dark toward the
end, where the walls are tightest.
The ride into the Monument Valley is always
breath-taking. It starts at Kayenta's city limit. It's an
awesome view after the last right turn a couple of miles
before the entry when the buttes raise over the horizon.
I was not sure which campground I should take this
evening. The one at Goulding's Trading Post (very
comfortable) or the one in the Navajo Tribal Park.
The
guide at the visitor's center
offered me spot 26. There's no better one. Exactly at the
Rim. A boy's dream came true. I was about 12 when my
father took me to a cinema on a Monday night. We saw 'The
Searchers'. One of those famous John Ford movies with
John Wayne, Natalie Wood and others. I had been here now
the fifth time, but never stayed for a sunset or sunrise.
This time it will happen. So, I set-up my tent and rode
into the valley. Ride carefully on an unpaved road, I
told myself. I was too careful, too slow. I rode into a
sand-hole and the motorcycle tipped over. I seriously
hurt myself when I tried to catch it.
It's
about 600 pounds. A pulling of my knee was the result of
this small accident. But still I had to go to John Ford's
Point to take this Marlboro picture. The Navajos there
were friendly and took the picture.
My alarm clock woke me up at 5am. I certainly woke up my
neighbors in the next tent and we observed an outstanding
sunrise. I can't show all these incredible pictures just
a few.
After breakfast I headed north to Moab,Ut on US163 and US191.
A coffee at Mexican Hat and a stop at the Goosenecks of
the San Juan River.
I checked my e-mail at Public Library
Monticello. Up- or download of files is usually not
permitted here, but for me and the extraordinary pictures
I took they made an exception.
At Moab I took a room in the Prospector Lodge and checked
all offers for a Colorado River rafting or canoeing. At
Canyon Voyages I booked a two days tour through Westwater
Canyon.
The injury in my right knee made some walking and riding
very difficult. So, I'm resting in my motel room for all
of Saturday. Just in the evening I spent time to make the
bars.
Early morning. At the meeting point Todd and
Sara our guides pack-up the bus. Food, personal stuff,
water and a chemical toilet. The Grindon family, Fran and
her daughter Rachel, Mike and Christine a couple from
Maryland and I are the passengers. The ride goes north to
Crescent Junction at I70 then east to Westwater close to
the Colorado state line. A relaxed Sunday afternoon on
the calm Colorado River is on schedule. Who wants can get
into the Kayak or can swim. Talking about God and the
rest of the world. Todd, an environmental student, knows
and tells a lot about wildlife and the rock painting and
formation in this area. A short stop for lunch. The spot
is cleaner when we left, great. In late afternoon we stop
at our campground, unload the boats , set-up the tents
and Todd and Sara prepare dinner. Not bad in the middle
of nowhere. The evening ends early, the night so does. I
guessed by 1 or 2am one of these mile long trains runs
through the valley being blowing the horns. Who should be
warned??
Breakfast
with burritos and sausages, juice and more like in a
coffee shop. The more narrow the canyon gets the more the
current increased (about 2-3m/s). Small rapids, called
riffles, challenge us to swim. And the water is 2 inches
cold. After lunch break Todd gives us last instructions
for the upcoming rapids. They are called 'Last Chance' or
'Sock it to me' etc. All stuff is towed, let's go. Mike
and I are sitting in the bow, the girls behind us and
Todd controls the boat. Close at the canyon walls,
dropping half way out and down and out of the 6ft waves.
Todd did a great job, but Sara controlled her boat
through the rapids without support!
This excitement lasts about one hour. It was great fun.
At Cisco Boat Launch we pulled them out, loaded the bus
and returned to Moab.
Week #8
In the morning I rode into Canyonlands
NP. Had a look at the Green River Overview, Grand View
Point, Buck Canyon Overlook and others. 
At sunset I rode out to Arches NP. The Delicate
Arch was supposed to be my goal. This 2 miles hike is
easily done by this time, together with a lot more people.
I headed north out of Moab. At the Colorado River Bridge
I took a right turn onto State Route 128. After breaks in
Castle Valley and at the Fisher Towers I continued to
Cisco. The road crosses the Colorado River and left it's
canyon. I70 brought me into Colorado. I came to Mack,Co
the spot Country Jam USA at Grand Junction took place. 
A lot festival goers had set-up their trailers
already. So, I set-up my Tent as well. It looks great, a
7 by 7 foot Tent on a 20' by 30' site. I went down to
Grand Junction airport. I wanted to rent a pick-up truck
for the upcoming week to bring myself and my motorcycle
to Pittsburgh,Pa. I didn't want to do this 1700 miles
ride on the bike. So, I checked all rent-a-car agencies.
No way. Just U-Haul offered one for 500$. Facing this,
the decision was taken immediately - I will ride. A walk
through nice downtown Grand Junction and a beer in the
brewery closed this afternoon. On my way back to the
campground I stopped at the End Zone at Fruita for dinner.
What a great intention. I was at the right time at the
right place.
A couple sat in the patio and we talked about my quiet,
European Harley. More and more guys went out into the
patio, screaming and shouting. 
I paid and went to my bike. While I was
preparing myself Pat came to the fence and invited me for
a beer. I can't say no, no matter what kind of beer.
These guys were excited about me, my trip and the fact I
wanted to see Faith Hill live at their festival. When I
left, Pat told me to ask for him next day at the gate. I
found friends, but didn't trust what had happened.
The foot-high hay I had put under my Tent paid off. I had
a couple of pretty comfortable nights. The higher the sun
raised in the sky the higher the temperatures got. I
looked for some shade and found it at Lane’s and
Syndi’s Trailer.
When the gate opened I was there. Presented my general
admission ticket and got, you won’t believe, a seat.
Pat had arranged not only this, he also presented me with
an invitation to meet and greet Faith Hill. My hands
became wet and my knees were weak.
By 7 p.m. Rock history came on stage. Creedence
Clearwater Revisited. They performed 2 hours of just #1
hits. I closed my eyes and listened to a sound like in
the ‘70s.
Then I met her. 20 minutes before the show we
shook hands and had a small small-talk. Her show was
exactly what I expected. Highly professional, powerful
and full of passion. She's fabulous. What an evening.
In the following days Reba McIntire, Toby Keith, The
Warren Brothers, Diamond Rio, Huey Lewis and the News (great
a'capella part), Clay Walker and a lot others performed.
A funny show was presented by Paul Revere and the Raiders
at the Shake, Rattle & Roll stage. Country Jam USA is
an outstanding festival. This only fixed date on my trip
was a paramount event. I will get back one day. Pat and
Joy, Jeanette and Shelly and Lane and Syndi made the
weekend unforgettable.
go back to Creamy Dark
Week #9
Country Jam USA was over. I packed-up
my stuff, washed the motorcycle and met Pat and Joy. We
rode together on I70 through the beautiful Colorado River
Valley via Vail to Denver. Pat (riding a Road King)and
Joy went off north back home to Wisconsin.
I headed east. I put my first 160 miles high plains on
the bike. Together with those 260 miles from Grand
Junction a 420 miles ride, had no problem nor pain.
But I faced three more days with 450 miles per day.
Tuesday I crossed Kansas into Kansas City,Mo. Less
traffic makes this ride comfortable.
Wednesday morning to St.Louis,Mo. Stopped at the Arch
and enjoyed a great view from the top onto the
Mississippi and the Capitol. I’m always amazed about
stadiums of about 70'000 people built in the city center.
St.Louis seems to be exceptional. They built two of this
kind, more or less side by side.
I crossed the river into Illinois. Each mile brings more
traffic. Trucks line-up in groups of ten or more. Passing
them is a hard work. Keeping distance is difficult,
especially when you get to the front. The cross-wind
sometimes is that strong, that I needed the entire left
lane to keep the bike on the road. I finished my day in
Cloverdale, about 50 miles after the Indiana state line.
Thursday morning, I’m shocked. It’s raining.
The roads are under water. The weather channel forecasts
all day heavy rain. I’m checking different roads to
east either more south or north of I70. By 10 a.m. the
rain stopped but low hanging clouds look dangerous. I
give’m a try. Pack-up my stuff and ride on the
Interstate. No rain all day long!! Late afternoon I got
to Pittsburgh,Pa and met my friends Dan and John. 1700
miles in four days and a lot of beer made me sleep before
midnight.
A great Independence Day weekend awaits me. Parties with
Dan's and Carla's families. Fireworks, a formation flight
in Dan’s aircraft. About 110 degrees F and 100%
humidity. You sweat while thinking.
The motorcycle had a three days rest.
Week #10
On Monday morning I rode the last leg
of my trip. Pittsburgh to Lancaster,Pa. Rick Jones of
Lancaster HD who took care of me for all the recent weeks
awaited me. I had a lot of things to tell this night. I
had made 10'000 miles without the smallest problem. 9 ½
weeks through a big, beautiful country, making friends
and riding the best bike money can buy. Thanks to all HD
engineers, you did a great job.
Finally one request to Harley-Davidson Motor Company.
Keep the 'Ride Away Program‘ alive. There are a lot
more guys dreaming my dream.