Cruising Around Sedona

Day 4 - Sedona, Cottonwood, Jerome, Clarkdale, Old Cottonwood, Sedona - 58 miles



Arizona lives up to its name. Arid. But people have taken advantage of the mineral wealth, digging it literally out of the side of the mountain in Jerome, shipping it to Clarkdale (and I presume Cottonwood.) This area apparently was all about copper.

Now people come here to retire. The biggest (lifestyle) issues revolve around water. No big surprise there I guess.

Saw the entrance to McCain's abode along the way. Also saw an amusing Clinton sign “Support Hillary” made up of red, white and blue bras.

Returning to Sedona was once again remarkable. Truly awe inspiring countryside and colors.




Total miles: 1047 miles

Sedona Arizona

Day 3 - 384 miles

The low desert was warm, some might say hot... but I've felt hot. It's not hot yet. It's also somewhat windy. The wind takes more out of you over a long day. It also takes a lot out of your gas tank.

But the scenery goes on forever and the mountains are striking in their starkness.

Okay, so how many of you have been told Sedona Arizona is beautiful? Well, if you haven't seen it for yourself, no matter what you think you can imagine, driving in to Sedona from the south is amazing. You just have to utter an OMG. 'Nuff said because words pale. You have to come see for yourself.






















I'm spending a week exploring, riding, and visiting friends.

Total miles: 989 miles

Near Palm Desert

Day 2. - 150 Miles

The bike is running fine and no other problems with the charging system.

I rode a leisurely 150 miles today. A bit windy, monstrous wind farms. If you stare too long the horizon goes wonky on you and you have to tunnel-vision the road. The wind blows here constantly.




One valley is high desert cold... and the next low desert hot. Not scorching like I know it will be in mid-summer... but when you bundle up for the cold and then descend into the heat, you tend to suffer a bit before you concede to the fact that it might not get cold again. And the moment you stop, the added engine heat just burns you up.



Amazing vistas in the desert though. I'll be spending the week here with an old high school buddy.


Total Miles: 605

More:
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So I'm staying at a gated community alongside a golf course, (amazed that my anti-yuppie buddy landed here... but then what we do for our spouses... eh?)

Anyway, I waited until a decent hour to go out and start the bike (yes, I run loud V&H pipes...) just to turn it over during the week I'm staying... believe it or not the guy across the street, running his 12-cylinder leaf blower, got irritated.

I think, when I leave, it'll be before the sun rises. LOL

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It was a great week and passed all too fast.

Motorsports

Motorsports included the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

I got to see it up close as a trackside worker. It was the last Champ Car race, next year it will be the IRL.

No, not motorcycle racing but excellent none-the-less. They also run an American Lemans series race, Atlantic division race, and the Speed World Challenge. The track is hardly ever empty. (Oh... and drifters too.)

An awesome weekend.

Getting Started, California

Day 1. - Oroville to Lancaster California- 455 Miles

And of course, something always seems to go wrong on day one.

I had done some warm-up rides and didn't like how the starter was cranking. Today, of course, it came to a head and I decided to replace the battery. Good thing too. It was near shot. 8 years old so I guess that's not totally unexpected. Still I managed to put in 455 miles. They were hard miles too... my ironbutt seems to have gotten a bit rusty.

I intend to hold it to 300 miles, plus-or-minus, per day, but this first leg puts me at the nephew's house and we're gonna do a weekend of motorsports.

Total Miles: 455

Riding the Corners

Every motorcycle rider dreams of making an epic journey.

Well maybe not every rider, but I do...
and this one is going to be Riding to the Four Corners of the United States.

This is not an official Iron Butt ride, we intend to take far longer than the 21 days they allow. On the other hand, they just ride whatever 3 legs it takes to hit the four corners.

We're "officially" doing the full circumnavigation of the lower forty-eight, and will try to hit more "corners".

Our destinations are:

#1. Key West Florida
#2. Lebec and Madawaska Maine
#3. Blaine, Neah Bay, and Ozette Washington
#4. San Ysidro (and Border Field State Park) California

I'm meeting my friend Kip in Pensacola Florida for "our" official start.

I leave tomorrow.