Utah

  Hanksville, Utah, United States
Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Danner and Nick said their goodbyes to Dick. He lives in Oregon and that was the end of the trip for him. They thought he looked kind of sad that they were going on without him. They headed onto scenic highway 101 to ride along the west coast for a while. I think they really enjoyed the great twisty roads and views.   All of the pictures came to me over my phone so I don't really know where the pictures were taken.

They spent the night Reno, Nevada and then headed over to the National Redwood Forest. They seem to be taking their time and basically enjoying themselves. They rode through Bryce Canyon, famous for its unique geology, consisting of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah, or so I read when I tried to check it out.

 I don't know what this is but it is pretty. 

They were planning to go up to Ogden, UT to visit the man who purchased one of Nick's airplanes but he was in St. Louis at an air show. I thing Nick misses his plane.  They talked about dipping down into New Mexico but the last I heard they were in Hanksville, UT at the Amoco station. They were getting tired and wanted to have a short day and find a Laundromat but no such luck in Hanksville. Danner said that there are no trees or anything, just the desert.

                     I don't see any malls.

I have no idea where they are going to stay tonight, and neither did they when I talked to them this afternoon. There are no cities anywhere near them and Dick's wife packed their camping gear and mailed everything back home for them. They were tired of dragging everything into the hotels at night. I guess they figured that their camping days were over since they were back in civilization. Maybe they headed to Colorado instead of going to New Mexico. Who knows??!!
Danner thinks that he might be home Thursday, Friday or Saturday or maybe Sunday. They are still staying flexible.  More later, Katheryn




 

Photos:

Day 25, Mon, 03 Sep, Anacortes to Centralia, WA
 
Our hotel had a complimentary breakfast then it was off to the ferry about 45 minutes away.  The 30 minute ferry ride would cost $4.85 and that included the bike.  It was pleasant and took us to western Washington.  Thru Port Angeles, around the north side of Mt. Olympus, near Neah Bay then on to Hwy 101, we would ride three hours in the rain.  A possibly gay, Jewish, Harley guy decided to ride with us.  He was nice and had brought his dog along for the ride (see pics).
 
   


 

Day 26, Tue, 04 Sep. Centralia to Dick and Bonnie's house (Nehalem, OR)
 
We took the tourist route and went to Mt St Helens.  The museum and movie were excellent.  We could not see the volcano because of low clouds.  The forest has mostly recovered and it's hard to see any damage from the eruption except for filled valleys.  Lots of nice riding in this area.  We stopped at Astoria to see the column, then back on to the coastal highway to Nehalem.



 
 
 
Day 27, Wed, 05 Sep, another day off with the Speer's
 
We did laundry, got my tire re-plugged, dumped our pictures off the cards to CD's, and shipped our camping gear home.  Thanks Bonnie, 43 pounds I didn't need any more.  Dick and Bonnie gave us a tour of the area and we ate at a lovely seafood place.  Nick slept at the house, and I stayed at the antique shop apartment, nice!
 
 
Day 28, Thur, 06 Sep, Nehalem, OR to Gold Coast, OR
 
Time to get home!  We got back on 101 and were greeted with strong cross winds and fog.  But the views are beautiful and we stopped many times for pictures.
 
 
Day 29, Fri, 07 Sep, Gold Coast to Reno, NV
 
Continuing down 101 to Arcata, CA, then on to Hwy 299 to the east.  This road was the best riding of our entire trip.  We toured the redwood forests and the museum.  Our next  stop was Shasta Lake to tour the Russell shop (m/c seats called day long riders).  Then on to Susanville to spend the night.  Oops, there is a large forest fire and every room is taken by the firefighters.  The next rooms are in Reno, 80 miles east.  We get there at 11:00, not a fun ride.
 
 
Day 30, Sat, 08 Sep, Reno to Ely, NV
 
We took Hwy 50, called the loneliest road in America out of Reno.  It is lonely, in great shape, with interesting scenery, especially if you like desolate.     
 
 
Day 31, Sunday, 09 Sep, Ely, NV to Tropic, UT
 
Hwy 50 to Hwy 89.  There was lots of cross wind on the Interstate.  It was so bad we had to get off and ride the back roads.  We rode thru Red Canyon Park then Bryce Canyon.  Bryce Canyon was beautiful; we got some nice pics.  Hotels near the park were all full.  We finally found a dump for $80.