Experiencing all seasons - weather that is

After a great breakfast, while rabbits hopped around outside, and the sun was rising over the escarpement, we headed off. As it was quite nippy some of us were a little wiser & put on our wet weather jackets, good idea. We pulled into a number of viewing areas to check out new canyons. Again - simply superb. It is fascinating to see how the scenery changes from one area to the next. Canyons to spires, cliffs to rolling hills. By this stage it was quite hot.

We then had our first sighting of the Colorado River (Powell's Colorado). Magnificant. Clint & Charleen found a viewing area that presented fabulous vistas of the Colorado River. We could see a number of people in their boats, and spent some considerable time looking wayyyyyy wayyyy down. Then off again, eventually crossed over the river, and continued through Glen Canyon National Park.

We were getting hungry & thirsty but there was no where to stop off on the way. We went into the Natural Bridges National Monument, a park that has 3 major bridges -Sipapu, Kachina & Owachomo. To see these we rode the one way nine mile loop drive, stopping off at each one. Beautiful and awe-inspiring.

We continued on, keeping an cautious eye on the weather, as very heavy rain clouds were in view. Just after we got back onto the main road the cloud cover came over, made it most pleasant, we even experienced a few drops of rain.

Some time later we made it to the town of Blanding, where we found a small diner for a late lunch & much needed drink (coffee 4 me). Once finished we headed back to get petrol - & while we were filling up the heavens opened up. My goodness - it poured, and there were great gusts of wind causing metal statues out in front of the petrol station to fall over, bins to move etc. Quite a storm. We decided to put on our wet weather gear, and headed off. By then the rain had pretty much stopped.

Feeling very warm due to all the extra gear, we were happy to make another stop at Wilson Arch where we removed the gear and checked out the arch.

Once done we headed off to Moab where we are for the night. We have just had dinner and returned to our rooms. Looking forward to seeing some more wonderful country tomorrow.

Canyons Extraordinaire

Headed off this morning in reasonably cool weather - after an hour or so it was freezing & I was bitterly regretting not having put on long sleeves. Luckily Charlene (pillion on the lead bike) was cold too, so we pulled up to add a layer on.

At Panguitch, a small town we passed thru there was a Hot Air Balloon festival - we counted at least 12 balloons landing in the paddocks. Quite an interesting spectacle.

Our first destination was Bryce Canyon, a beautiful mass of arches, pinnacles, columns & spires. We pulled into Sunrise Point and then Inspiration Point. Believe us - it is an inspiration. Absoltely breathtaking! Elevation of 10350ft meant the guys were finding it pretty hard to breathe again. On our way out of the canyon we called into Ruby's Inn for a drink - the most incredible shop, conference centre etc etc we have seen for many a day. Could easily have spent days there.

Back on the road again we continued thru the Dixie National Forest, Capitol Reef National Park and then the Grand Staircase - Escalante. Truly amazing country. From one corner to the next the vista changes, acres of sandstone canyons, plateaus & cliffs which go on & on & on - cannot explain the absolute beauty of it all.

Arrived at Torrey at about 3.30pm and were all given rooms with an escarpment / valley view. Again - superb. Had tea at a little diner over the road, it was great, sat outside in a beautiful breeze with tiny humming birds feeding. While waiting for our meal the 3 guys played Horseshoe (quoits). Oh dear - the antics!

Cedar Breaks & Zion Canyon

Today was awe inspiring. We headed off to visit a number of Canyons in the area. The first was Cedar Breaks, elevation 10200 feet (all 3 men found it difficult to breathe). This is an incredible spectacle of pinks, reds, yellows and purples, etc, shaped like an Amphitheater, and is more than 3 miles in diameter and over 2000 feet deep.

After helping out a couple whose campervan was damaged (Ken got his bike tools to assist) we were on our way through green meadows and forrests. And it was cold. We stopped at several other lookouts-Point Supreme 10,350feet (3155metres), Sunset View 10,354feet. We saw numerous wildflowers, and wildlife. Absolutely beautiful. We turned off to Brian Head Town & saw the Mountain Bike park and Activity Centre. There are chair lifts operating at the moment for those with mountain bikes, & people can have ATV rides, horseback rides, fish etc. We continued on, finally stopping for lunchh around 11.30am at Aunt Cheryls Chalet, in a small village. Yumm!

We stopped to look at Navajo Lake, lovely. Very peaceful & tranquil.

On leaving there we headed to Zion National Park - and visited Zion Canyon. Again - undescribable. After walking one of the trails, took approx hour and a half, and was simply superb, we were back on the bikes. There is a man-made tunnel (probably more than a mile long) thru the middle of the escarpment and out the other side, then the road goes round and round, down & down. Clint & Charlene headed off for a quick jaunt on their own (they have done this before) while Bob & Kerry, Ken & I stopped at the visitor centre for a drink (coffee 4 me) and a break. By then it was reasonably warm - just perfect I reckon.

Arrived back at the motel all within minutes of each other, showered, chatted and then headed over the road for tea and as always, lots of laughs. This is a fabulous group to be with.

3 States in day

A quick breakfast had by all & we were away. Still snow on the mountains, & quite cool. The roads are fantastic, and the first section of road was like one large roller coaster - brillant. Up and down, undulating on and on.

The landscape changed as we rode to the California / Nevada border. Continuous mountain ranges with snow and temperature down to 48 degrees Farenheit.

Stopped at Tenopah (old mining town) for brunch - the Ramada Casino with lots & lots of old artifacts and pictures, really great. Breaky was pretty good too! Took a picture as Clint & Charleen & John & Kaz sat at the exact same table when they travelled in 07.

Of course we stopped at the boarder for photos then headed towards the Extraterrestrial Highway and on towards Rachel, this is the highway store with ET artifacts. Called in for drink and had an Aussie flag stuck on the fridge. (We didn't have any kangaroo stickers). Incredibly long long roads (reminds us of the Territory) on thru Area 51.

Scenery constantly changed, mountains, then desert, all the while on these fabulous long stright roads but with mountains and ranges all around. Heavy storm clouds were in sight most of the afternoon, but other than riding on wet roads at one stage just out of Cedar City we managed to avoid the rain.

Found the hotel with no problems and ended up going to Sizzler for tea. Very nice. We moved ahead 1 hr with the time change in Utah.

Lee Vining via Yosemite National Park

We were all ready well before 7am this morning & headed off. From Selma, along the freeway, thru Fresno & on till Yosemite National Park.

Saw some wonderful examples of natures work in the giant Sequoia trees, the tiny chipmunks & squirrels-fantastic. Walked approx 1.8miles to a big tree called The Giant Grizzly.

Then on the bikes again, & off we went - up & up & up. The most awe inspiring scenery, mountains, ridges, buttes, waterfalls. It is simply beautiful. We continued on to see the half dome. Elevation 7200 feet. Again the trip was inspirational, if a little slow at times due to a large amount of road work being done, & average wait times to get through certain areas was around 30 mins. While we were waiting on our way up we chatted to a young guy in an open top Mustang - of course he's an Aussie from Sydney and also touring USA. Once we turned off we went to the Yosemite Village at the base of the valley to grab a quick bite to eat.

The weather was beautiful to start with, cool (cold for me) at the top, and lovely in the sun. Once we left the village it became overcast, cool, with few drops of rain, heavy clouds. A considerable part of the roads we were riding 'on the edge' - no guard rails or pullout area but a mighty long drop to the bottom. Elevation just over 9000 feet, 58degF.

The change in scenery was constant. From snow on the mountains, sparkling and fast running streams and lakes, to smooth barren granite mountains - all is there to see.

Arrived at Lee Vining along with the thunder and lightening - and the odd drops of rain. Had yummy pizza's for tea, it is now close to 10pm so we will heading off to bed shortly. An early rise and big day tomorrow.

Yesterday-Collection Day, today we're away

The four of us were ready and waiting 8.30am for our courtesy bus down to Eaglerider to collect our Wings. Perfect fit. We have a 2009 Silver (matches our silver helmets) Kerry & Bob have black - matching their black hellmets. Clint & Charleen are right with red.

Feels soooo good to be on the bike, and very easy when following a seasoned traveller. Saw some incredible areas, the roads are exactly as we see in pictures & the movies - phenomenal systems, spans, bridges & highways everywhere.

Everyone came back to our room for nightcaps and again - lots of laughs. A super group to be with.

Today - Wednesday - headed off bright and early, right into the traffic which involved an accident or two - blimey, we thought we had it tough!! A few - er - wrong turns (or rather scenic tours) and city became freeways / mountains / scenery. Incredible windy roads, looking up they can be seen for miles, look down and they are winding around and away - fantastic. Really marvelous to experience. Clint lead us down a back road (no lines marked) again the road twisting and turning on itself.

Once out of that area into the flats - and the freeway. Pretty full-on with long long straight stretches of 3-4 lanes of traffic screaming along, they merge to the Right almost instantly after passing - we (Aussies) should take some lessons.

Got to Selma round 3pm, have just finished dinner and will be shortly be heading off to bed. We have to sit out in the lobby as the Internet won't connect in our room. Oh well - luck of the draw I guess.

Safe Cracker LA Style!!!

Our saga at Ramada Plaza continues. After the change of rooms x 3 03:30 Sat morning due to regurgertating bath water, then non working taps etc - today on our return from Eaglerider (to touch base & check out the bikes we will be getting), WalMart and Redondo Beach, we found our safe would not open. No paperwork, computers, GPS, cash etc etc accessable.

When at Eaglerider we heard the bikes are in Dallas and Chicago but will be here for us in the morning.

Safe eventually fixed (see photo's), new safe & bedside cabinet replaced.

Sunday 21 jun 09

Have had two days walking Hollywood Blvd, Manhattan Mall.

We met with Clint and Charleen and Bob and Kerry and went to dinner. Walked to Eaglerider to check the bike hire shop. Clint said 200 mtrs, turned out to be 'are we there yet."