Kawasaki Concours Forum
Riding => Rides and Stories => Topic started by: jamiemac on June 10, 2013, 09:04:19 PM
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It all started some time ago. About 2 years, I guess. I made some friends on the internet, and We had such a good connection and a lot of laughs, this I started thinking it would be good to meet them.
Hurdle #1...I'm not a rich guy.
Hurdle #2...My health is the worst. I get sick at the drop of a hat, because My immune system is screwed up. I'm missing a lung that was lost to a blood clot 12 years ago, and My circulation is fubar from it.
Advantage #1...I'm retired, and have plenty of time. That is what I focused on. Focusing on what I can't do would have been easy.
I decided that the only way to meet My friends would be to combine an epic motorcycle ride, and get out there on the cheap, and see the country while I was at it. I entered the planning stage. At the time, it was My 47th year, and I planned My ride as a gift to Myself, when I turned 48, which would have been April of this year. Luckily, An old Army buddy called and asked if I could come to His Kid's Graduation in Grand Junction, CO on May 14. That saved My ass, because April would have been a disaster in the mountains of CO.
I started prepping the Connie about a year ago. I had Seth Laam build Me a seat.
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IMG_3659 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055466236/#)
I got caught up on routine maintenance, and eventually bought My first set of PR3s.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3723/9053255269_3bab5b477a_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053255269/)
IMG_20130226_171456_510 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053255269/#)
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When it comes down to it, I really have no business going on a 5000+ mile motorcycle trip by myself, so of course, I did it anyways. Here in Clarksville, Indiana, it's about 2200 miles, give or take, to LA, California, depending on the route. My target date of 10 May was rapidly approaching. Last thing to buy was a new 30* capable sleeping bag, because I know there would be some camping.
May 10 arrived, and I'm up bright...well, not so bright, cause it was raining like a cow pissing on a flat rock. Bike was already loaded up the previous night, so, I decided I'm going. Head out at about 7AM on 10 May, headed west on I-64 toward St Louis, from Clarksville. Making good time, even in the rain, and the PR3s are very confidence inspiring. First day is not really a ride, but a dash to make a destination. Find My KOA Campground in Missouri, just about 20 miles east of KC. It stopped raining about an hour before, so I decided to pitch a tent. Just so happened there was a fella there in a truck selling KC BBQ, and it was good!!
Got a good nights sleep, but I'm not a pup anymore and My back was tweakin a little after the night in the tent. Also, it takes Me forever to pack up My tent, and get My campsite broken down, cause I have to rest pretty often. So I'm mulling over not camping as much as I originally planned.
My next destination is Goodland, KS. I chose it because I figured it would be a good halfway point between Kansas City, and Grand Junction, CO where My Army bud, Jeff lives. The graduation I needed to attend was on the 14th of May. I made Goodland by about 6pm, with plenty of time to wind down, and wash the huge Kansas bugs off the bike. I stayed at a Super 8 for less than a hundred bucks. Rooms were clean, and the staff was friendly.
My campsite on My first night in Missouri, at the Kansas City east, KOA.
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The tasty KC BBQ truck...or should I say, trailer.
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IMG_20130510_182244_463 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9050831077/#)
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Up at around 7:00 am on 12 May. Uh oh. Scratchy throat seems to be setting in. Not good. I feel good otherwise, though, so I set out to head over the mountains on 70, and make it to Grand Junction before dark. The ride through Kansas was windy as hell. Maybe the dust had something in it. Who knows.
Jump onto I 70 west, and spool the Connie up to around 82 or 3 MPH, and set the cruise. Gas mileage takes a hit at that speed, but She eats up the miles. Listening to a Tom Clancy audiobook helps to relieve the Kansas boredom. Before You know it, I've blasted through H̶i̶p̶p̶i̶e̶t̶o̶w̶n̶ Denver. Still feeling a little off, but the sore throat is not any worse. 3 hours from Grand Junction.
I arrive at My buddy, Jeff's house around 6:00 pm. Not really great time, but not bad either. Lots of construction on I 70. I stay through the next day, and hit the Kid's Graduation on the 14th of May, and attend the after party...then it hits Me. I'm sick. Real sick. I can tell because of experience that my lung is filling with fluid. I always freak out a little inside, cause...well...that stuff almost kilt my old keister once. Luckily, Grand Junction has a pretty good VA hospital, so I rode over there, and gave the Doc a rundown on My medical history, and a short story about this epic bike ride. He didn't freak out on My, but I could tell He wasn't happy about this trip, or My newness to the high altitude.
The Doc gave Me a scrip of a Z-Pak of antibiotics, which didn't touch it, so I went back a few days later, after postponing My departure for several days, and they prescribed steroids, and a rescue inhaler. That seems to have done the trick, because I started feeling better after a couple of days. By the 20th I was ready to be back on the road. Not at My usual 50%, but close.
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I left Jeff, His Wife, and the Kids standing in the driveway, smiling and waving. Those kids sure grew up fast. I'll miss them.
I was in route to Torrey Utah. Some really good roads there, and a buddy with a cabin I could crash in for a couple of days. I didn't take many pictures in Torrey, because I'd been there so many times. I did however, shoot some video with My ContourRoam camera. I still have to edit that down to a reasonable length though. I think I have about 8 hours of HD video.
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Break time. Mac needs a nap. Still recovering.
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:thumbs: :popcorn:
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Nice, Mac! :thumbs:
Can't wait to hear the rest of the story! :D
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I make it to Torrey Utah around 3:00 PM. It's only about 250 miles from Grand Junction. It's a decently fun ride, even though I-70 is really crappy in Utah. The fun part is State Road 24 coming off I-70. It gets very twisty as it meanders through the canyons of Capital Reef National Park. I highly recommend this ride to anyone in the area. Lot's of sightseers, so no blasting the corners, but a moderate pace is really more prudent in this area anyways. Some of the roads drop off to a several hundred foot canyon. There are also some super long straight stretches, where You can see for miles, if someone should feel the need for speed....but that's not legal. LOL
I crashed at My buddy Scott's for the night in Torrey, and got up early the next morning and had a kickass breakfast in town. Then I washed the bugs off Connie at the local car wash. My aim was to take a short day ride over Boulder Mountain. A 9600 foot summit, and a great view.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7438/9053590070_d1b67e32a6_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053590070/)
IMG_3881 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053590070/#)
Boulder mountain is a lot of fun. Way more fun than the last time I was on it in a Jeep, while pulling a camper. WAY more! There are a lot of tar snakes though, so be careful. Also, at alpine elevations, You need to beware of ice in the shadows.
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The next morning, I bail on My buddy Scott, and load up the bike. Next stop, Vegas, for an early dinner, then on to LA. I should mention here, that as the trip continued, I got better at loading My bike. I had My Nelson Rigg 72 liter drybag completely full. My tent, sleeping bag, and mat, all strapped to the outside of the drybag. Various microfiber towels, and My hiking shoes on the outside with bungees for convenience. At this point in the trip, it was taking about an hour to load up the bike. I never got in any hurry.
Here is a shot of the Connie loaded up, somewhere in Missouri.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5335/9053076022_ac85900025_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053076022/)
IMG_20130510_064252_831 - Copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053076022/#)
My route to LA took me through some awesome canyons to get to I-15, where the speed limit is 80MPH along a good portion, in Utah. It seemed like I was in Vegas in no time, as it really wasn't that far. Couple hundred miles, give or take.
I had Chow at The Hooters Restaurant in Hooters Casino, as there is a lady that works there, I talk to periodically. Alas, She had got off work about an hour before I arrived, and I had no plans to stay there, so I ate and hit the road to LA. I always enjoy Hooters though. The service is usually good, and who doesn't like pretty girls.
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Nice! :thumbs:
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:chugbeer: Nice trip
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Very nice trip. Wow I want to do that. ;)
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Excellent! I imagine it was pretty toasty in LV this time of year.
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Nice ride report..I really enjoy ride reports from 'over the pond' ..I suppose its the same for you guys... Europe is half a day away for me... half a world away for you 8)
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Yeah but we can ride from the Atlantic to the Pacific in about 3000 miles, spend the same coin, speak the same language, and not have to show anybody our 'papers'. Oh, and we drive on the right side of the road. ;)
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Yeah. Vegas was pretty warm, but not bad. It was about 90, and no humidity. Summer gear pretty much dealt with that. My Speed & Strength mesh Hi-Vis jacket was nice in the hot stuff. Also wore the walmart brand underarmor type compression pants under My armored riding pants, and a liberal use of Anti Monkeybutt Powder.
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Yeah but we can ride from the Atlantic to the Pacific in about 3000 miles, spend the same coin, speak the same language, and not have to show anybody our 'papers'. Oh, and we drive on the right side of the road. ;)
True.. How about an exchange. ;D
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So, where was I? Oh, on My way to LA on I-15. I didi mau from Vegas. Not overly impressed with the place, although I did enjoy the huge chicken sandwich at Hooterville. Run into a couple of dust storms around Barstow. One was pretty bad, and I didn't think about covering My face with a towel until I had already blasted through it. I could still see, but My breathing didn't like it. I arrive in LA otherwise uneventfully at around 9:00 pm. I was shooting for late in the day to avoid the notorious traffic, but I still encountered some. Not so bad, though. My buddy, Chandler's place was in My GPS and it took Me straight there. He's a younger fella than Me, and actually lives in an after hours nightclub, so is very much a night owl. No way in hell I could handle that, so I stayed at a fairly nice hotel across the street.
The folks at the front desk were fascinated by the Connie for some reason, and insisted I park it by the window at the front desk, so they could keep an eye on it for Me. Nice folks.
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Well, I'm in LA to hang out with friends I've never actually met. I'm pretty stoked about it at this point. My buddy Chandler is a super good dude, who is trying to make it in Hollywood as a producer. He was actually a child actor at one point, and His Dad is comedian Jeff Bolt. Very funny dude.
My other friend, Irina, is an amazing Lady, and pretty much the reason I'm in LA. I love My bud, Chandler, but Irina is....special. I started talking to Irina several years ago. I already knew of Her, because She's pretty well known to readers of Playboy magazine. After getting to know Her better, I find out She's a pretty successful actress, a very sought after fashion model, a business woman, speaks 4 languages, and is very sweet. If You google the name,"Irina Voronina" You will learn a LOT about Her. LOL. Just be prepared, cause the pictures that come back are def not work safe.
One of My goals was to ride the Pacific Coast Highway, which I did, but took zero pictures, because I was enjoying the ride too much to worry about it. I did Shoot some video, and haven't really got to messing with that as of yet.
I met with beautiful, Irina the following night, at My buddy Chandler's place, and We went to a local burrito stand at around midnight. It was awesome. We had a good time.
[(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/9050598257_f1ca017c5b_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9050598257/)
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Then on a Saturday, Irina and I went to the LA Museum of Art to see the Stanley Kubrick exhibit. It was fun hanging with Irina even though I'm not the biggest Kubrick fan. As an Actress, She had a good time seeing the behind the scenes, the scripts, schedules, and other Hollywood stuff, that I really know nothing about. She explained a lot of stuff to Me, though, and I learned a little. She always had a big smile on Her face. She even got a little crazy in the exhibit.
Here is Irina trying to pose with the "naked chick coffee table' from A Clockwork Orange. My phone camera couldn't catch it in time though. She's kinda spontaneous.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3746/9053030182_05c2eee1cc_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053030182/)
Irina and Me standing by the light pole exhibit outside the LA Museum of Art.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/9050792139_78d46e916c_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9050792139/)
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Just for good measure. Here is a shot of lovely, Irina from a recent pinup shoot. She's a spectacular looking Lady.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3721/9055703218_29bcebfe29_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055703218/)
And another cellphone pic she shot at work on the Belldini catalog shoot, a couple of days ago.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/9055676982_0b2d3431d3_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055676982/)
I had a great time in LA. Especially meeting Irina, and My buddy, Chandler, and a talented Lady named, Sonya Bender, who is an awesome singer with a fantastic voice. Riding the PCH was fun, and the LA traffic wasn't that bad on the bike. People there do seem to drive, and not dilly dally around.
I'll miss Irina. She's a great Lady, and it seemed like We had known each other all our lives, but it was time to move on....Next stop, The Grand Canyon!! Hooahh!
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I left LA a little sad, but I was super excited at the same time, to see The Grand Canyon. I've been all over the place, but never to the GC. I got there a little after 6:00 PM, which was too late to start setting up a campsite, so I got a nice little motel room in Williams, AZ. That is about 40 or so miles from the canyon. I left the motel at 10:00 am the next morning (took a while to get motivated), and arrived at the GC Visitors center around noon. It was already too late to secure a campsite at the improved campgrounds, so I rode out to Desert View Campground, and set up camp at the first come first serve campsites.
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I got camp set up, and I was pretty pooped out, but I decided to fill My Camelbak water container and take My SLR out to shoot some pictures. It was worth the ride.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/9051340019_2fbd7dcf0b_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9051340019/)
You can see The Colorado River down there.
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More canyon pix
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Here is the most epic shot I took during My entire trip. I caught a giant dust tornado on the other side of the canyon. It was a big one, and I'm glad it was on the other side. I was running a 55mm lens on My camera, so You will have to click the pic to enlarge it, then You will see it. It still gives Me chills to see it.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/9050996875_dbaeea762c_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9050996875/)
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Gotta give you a lot of credit for fulfilling your dream and not pussying out to your health issues.
Also, am enjoying your trip. Keep it coming :thumbs: :thumbs:
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Gotta give you a lot of credit for fulfilling your dream and not pussying out to your health issues.
Also, am enjoying your trip. Keep it coming :thumbs: :thumbs:
Thanks! I had a hell of a time! I figured if My health was going to kill Me, it would be while I was having fun!
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Well, I only camped out one night at the canyon. My spidy sense was telling Me weather was changing, so on day 2, I took a few more pictures, and broke down My camp, then headed to a cheap motel about 20 miles from the canyon. $49 a night. That's almost as cheap as camping. The place I stayed that night had a hell of a steak dinner too, but that wasn't cheap. LOL
Next morning, I was all set to move on. I got a late start, and by the time I had the Connie loaded, and ate breakfast, it was pushing 11:00 AM. I got a move on toward the Meteor Crater near Winslow, AZ. I'd been there before, but never with any decent camera gear. This time I had My trusty Canon SLR, although it's a very old 20D, it's rugged as hell, and takes punishment like I'm sure the newer generation SLRs could not. My Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD also takes some decent shots, as some I've posted on here were shot by that, and You'd have a tough time telling the difference.
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Irina is epic. :hail:
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Irina is epic. :hail:
Awesome Lady. I'm crazy about Her. I almost wish I lived in LA, but I'd probably murder a hippie within days of moving there, and wind up in prison. LOL
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They still make hippies?
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They still make hippies?
Yep. The factory is actually in Berkley.
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A good friend of mine created a video slideshow of My pictures. It's way better than anything I could have done.
https://vimeo.com/68262251
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St Pauli Girl 2008. I knew she looked familiar. :)
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St Pauli Girl 2008. I knew she looked familiar. :)
Yup! She sent Me a poster a while back! She is amazing!
I can't find another pic of this poster on My computer. :(
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/mcthnif/IrinaBikeSM.jpg~original) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/mcthnif/media/IrinaBikeSM.jpg.html)
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Arrived at Meteor Crater. The elevator to the museum was under construction, and I had to rest a few times walking up the hill to the ticket counter, but I got some great shots. I hope to stitch the pictures from the Canon SLR together for a panoramic type prints in the future. This shot was stitched together by My phone and is low resolution, but still pretty cool.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/9050587549_1f4db05c00_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9050587549/)
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From Meteor Crater, I rode to Holbrook, AZ. Home of the Wigwam Motel. Still just like it was in the 50s, and each wigwam has a classic car parked in front as part of the decor. Very cool place, and I stayed there for $55 bucks!
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/9050695537_12a055a0de_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9050695537/)
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If You click on this pic to bring it up in flickr, it rights itself.
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Those wigwams look fantastic... you'd never get a bargain like that over here 8)
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That's the original 'Notel Motel'
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I like the slideshow, that is a great way to put photos together. :thumbs:
I do I get me one of those framed St. Pauli Girl posters? :)
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I like the slideshow, that is a great way to put photos together. :thumbs:
I do I get me one of those framed St. Pauli Girl posters? :)
I'm not sure Irina has any more of the posters. She was cleaning out Her closet when She told Me to keep an eye on My mailbox. I bought the frame. LOL
You can, however, follow Irina on twitter at @IrinaVoronona. Send Her a tweet that You are a new follower, and You saw Jamie's St. Pauli Girl poster, and wonder if there are anymore. She May have some. She'd prob ask You to buy one. Hope that doesn't offend. She, contrary to what people think, is not rolling in dough. LOL. She's very nice, and even though She has a lot of fans, She usually responds to new followers, as long as they are polite. A lot of the time they are not.
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While I was in Holbrook, it was only a short hop to Petrified Forest, so I too a ride over there that evening, hoping to catch some magic hour light in some pictures. The Painted Desert was there also, but it was overcast, and the light sucked. I took a few pictures though. Used flash enhancement, and they turned out fair.
Haahaa! Wood!
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7423/9053144130_63451cdca0_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053144130/)
It also appears that actor Robert Duvall is now a Ranger at Petrified Forest.
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It also appears that actor Robert Duvall is now a Ranger at Petrified Forest.
Thought he retired to Lake Havasu.
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This just in. Short video of lovely Irina at the Belldini Fashions, catalog shoot today.
https://vine.co/v/blFKe6AxPiB
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We need to adopt her as the official forum mascot.
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Haha! She'd get a kick outta seeing that quote.
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When I got up the next morning, My destination was Albuquerque, NM, where I had another internet Pal that wanted to have chow somewhere, So when I arrived, My bud AJ was waiting on His frt porch. We jumped in his car and went to a killer BBQ place in ABQ. I have no recollection of the name. The food was good and I really enjoyed talking to another internet pal I had never met. As it started getting around 8:00 PM or so, I set out on the search for a good place to stay, but the temperature was so nice, I decided to do some night riding.
Next think You know, I had covered another 100 miles, and decided to stay in Santa Rosa, NM....and I'm glad I did!
I found a Mom & Pop motor court style motel, for 37 bucks a night, and the room was nice! Anyways, the reason Santa Rosa was a great place to stay, was because of the Route 66 Auto Museum. It was really cool!
Here are some shots of it, and what was inside!
Their cool sign on a pole out frt.
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The front of Their clean but nondescript building.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/9053168137_441d277b22_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053168137/)
A perfect 392 Hemi on an engine stand.
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A really nice example of a late flathead Ford, with Offy heads and intake.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5526/9053158305_0dd19fae66_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053158305/)
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A showroom new, Bultaco dirt bike with enclosed chain drive. Very cool!
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A kickass 50 Ford Woodie Wagon, with a late model Mustang drivetrain.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5503/9053149119_97e05103ef_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053149119/)
A nice old Deuce with a Buick Nailhead V 8.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5446/9053138183_c5f4a88dce_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053138183/)
Not super sure about this, I'm thinking early 30s Packard, but it has a funny grill. Anyways, it's cool!
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/9053135241_42accd4bf4_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053135241/)
A perfectly restored, 50 Chevy truck. Man, this is nice!
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/9053130897_5a310b7446_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053130897/)
A very nice La Salle, which was Cadillac's budget line of cars, back in the day. It's a nice one!
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/9053112269_82dfdd9a56_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053112269/)
And, My favorite car in the place. A mint, 63 Buick Riviera, with the clamshell lights, and a 445 CI engine. Holy crap, I'd sell My Mom for that.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/9055343642_5dda4c1d48_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055343642/)
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Anyone that has a mind to, go on twitter, and follow My Friend, Irina. She's a sweetheart. She is interactive with Her twitter followers. @IrinaVoronina on twitter . Tweet to her that Her freind Jamie suggested following Her. You'll make Me look good. LOL
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The next morning, I got up early, with the intent to head toward The Dragon, but I was quite a ways away from there. I rode pretty hard that day, and almost passed Cadillac Ranch right the hell up!
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3694/9053104869_81f9f6c987_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053104869/)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/9053095637_6917a62217_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053095637/)
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I spent enough time at Cadillac Ranch to shoot some pix (all on My phone, by the way) and then got the hell outta there, cause I heard about bad weather ahead on I-40.
By the time I had made it to El Reno, Oklahoma, the sky had changed dramatically. Evidently, a huge F5 tornado had just passed through minutes before, so I weaved through the Semi Trucks at the exit for El Reno, and rented the last cabin at the KOA just off the highway.
Here is a shot of the tiny cabin. The air worked, and the bed was comfy, for 35 bucks.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/9055318010_91726c840f_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055318010/)
Here is what the sky looked like, as it was getting dark.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5333/9053090141_e84496cdab_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053090141/)
Caught some lightning in this shot. I've always wanted to do that.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3706/9055311998_bf06d135e5_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055311998/)
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I holed up in El Reno for the night, and the next morning, I burn rubber for Memphis. Going to go to Graceland, and pay respects to the King. As I'm going up !-40, I see the devastation from the 2 1/2 mile wide tornado that ripped across the interstate, taking out semi tractors, and farms, and even ripped the cable safety barrier out of the median. Damn, it was a monster.
I make it to Memphis in time to see Graceland, and have a late lunch at Marlowe's BBQ, one of Elvis's favorite restaurants. The food was damn good.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/9053084453_2defd8f9ea_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053084453/)
Big ol mess of ribs and french fries, at Marlowe's.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/9053084045_d30659c558_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053084045/)
Pecan pie, with ice cream, and whip cream for dessert. Hell yeah. That sh*t was awesome.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5326/9055307372_4ec8ecf87e_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055307372/)
My lovely, and very sweet, tiny waitress, Destiny, at Marlowe's. Yep, that was Her real name. Parents wanted Her to be a stripper, I guess. I wanted to keep her.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2811/9053081573_2cfe9d9bec_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053081573/)
Next stop, The Dragon, US Route 129. Oh Yeah.
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Looks like My Photobucket account is out of bandwidth, and I still have a lot of pix to upload. I'll try to fix it, but not sure what to do yet.
Ahhh, it says My bandwidth limit will reset in 5 days. I can live with that.
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Reuploaded My pictures to Flickr, and getting them back up, then I will post (in the words of Paul Harvey) "the rest of the story."
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Well, My next stop was Deals Gap. So I left Memphis, and headed that way. I hit some bad weather after getting through Nashville, and it was after dark, so I didn't know it was even cloudy. I got drenched about 10 miles before I had planned to stop for the night. Luckily, on the Connie with a big ol Cee Bailey's shield, I didn't really get wet at all, and My boots and pant's were already waterproof. My Mesh jacket wasn't though, and the GOG Long Sleeve T Shirt I had on underneath wasn't even damp when I stopped. Nice save.
So I stopped for the night about 60 miles past Nashville, and got up early the next morning, and lit out for US 129. Hell Yeah.
Hell of a road. Here is a shot of Me riding in, by 129Slarer.com
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/9051371337_1a75d60e70_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9051371337/)
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I get to Deals Gap, and set up camp.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/9053017627_52e4efc64d_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053017627/)
Then I take a little walk around and shoot some pictures of the local flora and fauna.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/9055259746_1f1c82aebc_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055259746/)
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/9053037323_a75222993a_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053037323/)
Interesting little bike. A sharp eye will notice the turbo tucked up under the swing arm.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/9055251980_b4a67f9e93_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055251980/)
My campsite again, and You can see My laundry drying on the picnic table, before I put up My clothes line of 550 cord.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/9055257164_1bdfe0b4e7_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055257164/)
The sign at The Gap.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/9055293576_fe2b358bf4_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055293576/)
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Around 6 or so, I have the Connie all unloaded, including My electronic gadgets. Then I go for a spin on 129.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/9050665535_7437e787fb_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9050665535/)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5448/9050659989_d7e2a7ba75_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9050659989/)
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/9050654331_3f302085d9_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9050654331/)
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More shots from Deals Gap.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2840/9053070897_c79009bd04_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053070897/)
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/9055290614_e63ab220d0_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055290614/)
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/9055282940_d5a2278868_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055282940/)
And for the Harley Guys. ;D
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/9055280654_d830b483d3_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055280654/)
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Spent a day and night there, and loaded up the next morning. It was time to go home. It was the 4th of June, and I left home on 10 May, plus, I was running low on food money, so it was time to wrap it up.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7290/9053076105_a10799f966_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053076105/)
One more time to slay The Dragon though, and this time, fully loaded!
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5495/9051364861_e7fc592cac_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9051364861/)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5460/9053596244_ab356242dc_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9053596244/)
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3674/9052852990_0c82231f8a_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9052852990/)
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2887/9052842490_b040a34fce_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9052842490/)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/9050619001_3a6c28e710_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9050619001/)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/9050608017_4f27843e6c_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9050608017/)
The gentleman on the cruiser was kind enough to get the hell outta the way on the previous corner. Fine fella.
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One last pic of the Connie on 129, loaded for bear.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5495/9052873062_7d66c08ae3_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9052873062/)
The big girl ran like a Swiss watch for the whole 5400 miles. My Michelin Pilot Road 3s were incredibly smooth and sticky. She handled like she was on rails. My electronic gadgets gave Me some trouble. My Razr MAXX HD doesn't have a very robust USB port, for charging, and it was kind of a PIA. My GPS power cable crapped out on My and I had to buy a USB cable at a Walmart to keep it charged. That was the worst of it though, that and getting sick in Colorado.
I got home at around 3:00 PM on 4 June. I'm only 300 miles from Deals Gap, here in Clarksville. I slept for 2 days.
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Pretty cool video slideshow made from My pictures, by a buddy.
[https://vimeo.com/68262251
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It also appears that actor Robert Duvall is now a Ranger at Petrified Forest.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/9055408758_2fe87c2c0d_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20487336@N06/9055408758/)
:o ;D :rotflmao: :thumbs: