Video short for the first day and a half BHA 2015

This is just a short clip of a couple of destinations along the way out to Sedona Arizona.
More to come.

Big Harley Adventure 2015 Day 1

---

Two weeks vacation.
This is how we do it.

Trying to experience as much as we can in the two weeks is best experienced from the seat of a Harley Davidson motorcycle traveling across the United States.  This year would start out in Indianapolis, Indiana and take us to Moab, Utah and back

---

This year we would ride with a constant reminder of our 10 year old friend Cooper, who is battling Leukemia.
And Sue, my mother in-law who has fought cancer for years now and is getting tired of fighting and the cancer is starting to claim victory over her body. But not her soul or her spirit. She is a true champion and inspiration.

---

Early Bird Gets The Worm- or the McDonalds breakfast burrito..

Just a sample of whats to come..

Enjoy.

BHA 2015 Big Harley Adventure 2015

You plan for months and then at that moment when you arrive at one of your destinations you think to yourself that pictures just don’t do it justice!!!

East Portal Road is worth the 16% grade and hairpin turns to get to the bottom.

---

Moab Utah 

 

Arches National Park

That is a 2014 Ultra Limited with close to 27,000 miles and plenty of bug remains on it.

This is just a taste of the trip, I have many more photos and stories to tell.

Sandusky, Ohio. June 2015

Frank, Robin, Carla and I set out to Sandusky from Indianapolis on Friday June the 5th.

The plan was to take back roads or avoid the interstate.

All was well until less than 100 mile from Sandusky we got rained on a little, but the rain did not last long and we never really got wet.

We pulled into Sandusky around 4:30 pm and checked into the hotel and freshened up a bit then went exploring. Stopped by Mad River Harley to check out the venders and the bikes. Off to downtown to see what music and activities could be experienced.

After wandering around for a while and stumbling across a band with a female lead singer that was “more than a handful” and was trying to hit the high notes with the help from an inhaler. It didn’t help.

Then we found a couple of empty bar stools at an outdoor bar behind the stage and surrounded by venders and crowds of people doing what people do at biker rallies.

Then some people came up beside us at the bar trying to get drinks and we said we would get the bartenders attention for them, they said not to worry the bartender was her niece and the other girl with them was the sister and their husbands. Turns out they are locals and we talked and drank and talked long enough to close the bar and go with them to a local spot or two and closed that one down too.

Turns out they publish a motorcycle magazine called RidinOn. Check them out.

So day two rolls in before you know it and off we go to Marblehead Lighthouse.

It was windy that day and cool. Did I mention it was cool? Along the way we stumbled across a winery and stopped for a snack and a taste of the local flavor.

Very good stop!

Next stop Margaritaville

 Do I need to say we had a good time? or should I just let you assume.. Thanks to Robin and Frank for going along and this blog wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Jasmine Cain and her Kick Ass Sound.

Going To The Sun Road 2014 BHA

I had to reduce the size and finally was able to post this to You Tube

Enjoy.

I use a GoPro mounted on the tour pack of my bike and iMovie or Adobe Premiere Elements.

Big Harley Adventure (BHA) 2014 2 years Remission Part 2

And On The Seventh Day

We left Jackson, Wyoming to continue the journey to Glacier National Park.

It was a cool morning and we awoke to a thick soup of a fog in Jackson and hoped that as we climbed the mountain we would either rise above the fog or the sun would burn it off.

 

We rode out of Wyoming into Idaho and  Montana through valleys and rock filled canyons, the views, the air, the sunshine on our faces was “priceless”.

In Missoula, Montana grub and a hotel.

416 miles for the day

---

Day 8

Another cool start for the day, but what do you expect this far north and altitude.
Flathead Lake is one of the most beautiful in the world.

Sorry for the quality. Quick snapshots from the bike.

Made It !
This is where it gets really good.

The bears are not your friends..
I repeat. The bears are not your friends…

Glacier National Park
Going To The Sun Road

This was one of those days you dream of when traveling on a bike
Blue sky as far as the eye can see, warm sun on your face and beautiful clean air and breath taking landscape
and the company of loved ones.

The Flying Biker Chicks

Looking back at Diana

Ronnie and Kirk bring up the rear

---

Day 9
Started in Great Falls Montana

Diana’s bike had some minor electrical issues so we stop in the Harley dealer to have it checked out. Turns out a wire harness that is down to bare wires. Lucky for us there was a customer appreciation event going on with sales and free food.

Headed towards Wyoming and the Beartooth Pass.
day 9 ended in Billings Montana

---

Day 10

Cr0ssed the Beartooth Pass and Chief Joseph Scenic Byway
Down into Cody for the next two nights.

Next up Cody Wyoming and 

Yellowstone National Park.

Big Harley Adventure (BHA) 2014. Remission 2 years, Glacier National Park.

August 1, 2014

We would have a bigger group this year for a portion of the trip.
Kirk,Diana,Ronnie,Carla and I would be going to Glacier National Park.
Greg,Brenda,Mike and Charlie would be turning back at Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

As you can see the weather cooperated with us for day 1 leaving Indianapolis.
Started off a little later than normal because of work commitments. Dam jobs!

---

The route plan was to take 74W to 80W for a long way before we would drop down into Colorado on day 3.

First big stop Iowa 80 Truck Stop (World Largest)

We would make it to Iowa City, Iowa and stop for the end of day one ride.
about 400 miles logged.

---

Day 2

Iowa City – Kearney, Nebraska 

Corn, Corn and More corn with a couple nice Harley Dealers thrown in to break up the ride.

Big Barn Harley

Frontier Harley Lincoln, Nebraska

By this time the temperature was slightly uncomfortably warm.
440 miles logged on day 2

---

Day 3

Kearney, Nebraska – Loveland Colorado

Nice morning for a ride out of Kearney, Nebraska

Up early and checking things out.
All the bikes are still here and ready to go.
Corn and more corn. But we made it to the Colorado state line and off with the helmets.

Taking in some water and fuel

We decided to take back roads to enjoy the country that Colorado offers

We would make it to Loveland, Colorado

375 miles logged day 3, Total 1221

---

Day 4 Started with a Lovely sunrise in Loveland, Colorado

Loveland – Steamboat Springs

 

Plan for the day- Estes Park and Trail Ridge Road and continue west on back roads

Estes park stop to put more clothes on due to the elevation

Kremmling, Colorado Rocky Mountain Bar and Grill for some grub

Bring on the Grub we are hungry!

Lets get high as in 11,000 feet

Diana was loving the thin air

https://www.youtube.com/embed/pMd65zQ0BNc” target=”_blank”>

 

Trail Ridge Road is wild

Day 4, 187 miles logged today 1408 total

---

Day 5 Steamboat Springs – Green River, Wyoming

We took 40W through Craig, Colorado to Dinosaur National Monument and went out to Harpers Corner.

Over to Flaming Gorge and north to Green River, Wyoming for the night.

Harpers Corner

Flaming Gorge

Vernal, Utah then turn north on 191

Greg, Brenda, Mike and Charlie split off from us to go have some service work done on a bike in Green River, Wyoming

The weather can and will change and fast!

We tried to out run the rain to meet the others in Green River
no such luck

This would do it for the rest of the ride to Green River, Wyoming

wet and tired we went to eat at the Krazy Moose and I would recommend anyone within 100 miles go there and eat.

---

Day 6 Green River – Jackson Hole, Wyoming

The morning started of riding into a ground cloud or fog

Names Hill James Bridger 1844 was here.

again safe and sound in Jackson the weather changed

A quick downpour and it was gone then we continued to explore

2013 Remission Road Trip — Part 2

Day 5 Started of a little cool in Flagstaff

---

If you would rather watch than read.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/L4LFmEFZCws” target=”_blank”>

---

But we are on our way to Sedona, Arizona. I had always saw pictures and read about Sedona. From Flagstaff you have a couple of options as far as route goes to get to Sedona. Scenic is always my first choice so it’s 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona.

We could have taken Interstate 17 down to Sedona, but we would have missed the canyon and the winding road.

We stopped at a information center and talked to a Park Ranger. He provided us with some good ideas for our stay in Sedona.

We had only traveled about 30 miles to Sedona.

The view coming into town was wonderful!

The weather started to change for the worse.

So we decided to find a good hotel and park the bikes and just enjoy some of Sedona’s culture

The Orchard Inn was our choice we booked 2 nights

 We checked in at the Orchard Inn and surprisingly was a lot cheaper than I expected. About $160. per night. Pink Jeeps down the road from the hotel on the main street offers guided tours out into the Red Rock Country. We decided to go for it and we are glad we did.

Our driver was outstanding, safe and knowledgeable. Lance, I think was his name. Retired from his job and moved out here to enjoy his retirement, Can’t blame him for that. I would like to have stayed.

 

I would recommend the Pink Jeeps to any body visiting Sedona

After the pink Jeeps it was off to explore some more of Sedona.

We discovered a Starbucks with a view.

After some exploring and a good dinner at the Oak Creek Brewery and Pub. If my memory serves me I was not feeling very hungry which is unusual for me. All was good, after spending some time in the pool and a good nights rest we are heading out in the morning to explore around Sedona. 38 miles total for Day 5.

---

Day 6
Jerome, Yarnell and Prescott.

 

Jerome is or was a ghost town, an old mining town. In the 1970’s some people, some might say Hippies started to come back and buy property and restore Jerome to a lively tourist spot. Jerome is home to the Sliding Jail and home to copper and gold mining operations.

We also went through Yarnell, AZ. On June 28th, 2013 lightning started a wild fire that was fueled by high winds and blowing embers, that overcame 19 brave Firefighters. This was a strange place, geographically it didn’t look like there had been anything to fuel the fire. Yarnell reminds you of a scene from the Flintstone’s. Large boulders all around the place.

We also went through Prescott, AZ and stopped in Wickenburg for some jerky and water, more for the water because it was extremely hot just north of Phoenix, AZ.

The temperature today was 101.F I guess that was cool since the average for this time of year in Wickenburg is 107.F and the record high is a sweltering 114.F so even though it was extremely hot to us northern folk I am just glad it wasn’t 107. The ride back to Sedona was a long one since we shot back up the Interstate part of the way.  Interstate riding is boring for me. But the hotel pool awaits.

---

 Day 7

This day would be the day we go to the Grand Canyon! I have never been. We were excited about maybe renting a helicopter and taking some scenic tours. The ride north to the Grand Canyon was a nice ride.

If you have never been to the Grand Canyon, It is a must do. And keep track of your kids, there was a small child running wild around the edge of the canyon and the fence does not stretch the entire length, so it was a little nerve racking seeing this kid running wild so close to the edge. We got there to late for a helicopter tour. They book up early. After the Grand Canyon it was off towards Mexican Hat, Utah and the Moki Dugway.

We made it to a town named Kayenta only to find out there hotels where all booked for the night. We had passed a hotel that didn’t look all that inviting back on the reservation called the Anasazi Inn. We had no choice but to stop for the night the sun was beginning to set on us and we had covered some ground today. 284 miles with a lot of stops for sight seeing. Locked and loaded Anasazi Inn here we are.  we parked the bikes as close as we could get them to the room. All in all it was not so bad.

---

Day 8 

Back into Kayenta for breakfast at the McDonalds with the stray dogs wondering the parking lot and the surge of tourist with campers and RVs. But inside the McDonalds is a very cool display about the Navajo Code Talkers from WWII. After breakfast down the road to Monument Valley.

Notice the road in the photo and a small white speck on the road just right of center, thats a 12 passenger van. Just for scale.

Next up the road featured on the Discovery Channel as a Hell Road- the Moki Dugway.

After surviving the Moki, we headed towards Four Corners Monument. This place is remote and out there!

Carla standing in Utah and Colorado at the same time.

We ride on into Cortez, Colorado for the evening.

207 mile for the day

---

Day 9

Traveled the San Juan Skyway and into Dolers, Rico, Telluride and Ridgeway. Up in elevation about 10,000 feet above sea level the air gets thin. Took the Million Dollar highway through Ouray and Silverton, Colorado. In Silverton we stopped to eat at the famous Handlebars Saloon. It was while we waited to eat that the thunder started and the rains came, cold, cold rain. After eating we suited up! For the rain and the cold, what we didn’t bring was snow shoes. At the gas station before leaving town cars came in with snow covered windshields and told us “you can’t go down the mountain there is 4 inches of snow on the road. Oh we are running out of daylight and there are no rooms to be had in Silverton. We waited at the gas station with some others on bikes all the while debating on what to do, when up the road, from the direction we need to go comes a guy on a Softtail with Colorado plates and he says he lives just down the road and we could make it down the mountain if we where careful and stayed in the tire tracks from the cars. I have no pictures or video of this because I was afraid to get out of the tire tracks to pull over for pictures and Carla was holding on to tight to take any. This would be the longest 50 miles of my biker life. We made it to Durango and checked in to the Iron Horse Inn Durango. Did some laundry and ordered pizza. While doing laundry we met a couple guys from Australia, that rented Harleys and had been traveling the USA. 201 mile for the day with the last 50 taking a few hours.

   

This is a must do route if your in Colorado 

---

Day 10

Durango to Gunnison.

Started the morning in Durango, Colorado. The temperature was a brisk mid 40s F.

Out to Pagosa Springs and over Wolf Creek Pass.

Needed some warm coffee after the cool start to the day.

Colorado has some of the best motorcycle roads in the U.S. Surrounded by mountains and valleys.

We would log over 250 miles this day and never once asked “are we there yet?”

thats how good the riding is you never get tired.

The ride was never ending amazing!

---

Gunnison to Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak.

As you can see the weather was changing as we rode to the top of Pikes Peak over 14,000 feet above sea level

Coming down is another story. Freezing rain and cold and gravity = white knuckle ride.

Yes thats how steep it is!!!!!

Happy to be down out of the clouds!!!

From here it was a long ride back to Indiana but it was well worth it and was the beginning of the

Big Harley Adventure as Kirk named it.

For years in the future we will travel and explore this vast wonderful land.

2013 Remission Road Trip – Bucket List Begins – Big Harley Adventure (BHA 2013)

2013 brought with it good news!

a second chance

REMISSION 

---

 Planning started early in the year during the cold winter months. I was feeling stronger after the months of Chemo. I knew this was my rebirth, my second chance. Not only for me but for Carla too, she would have to put up with me for a while longer.

This would be the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. I had sold a Sportster to Kirk, Carla’s brother, in the early spring. Within a month or so Kirk upgraded to a 2013 Street Glide. As I was researching and planning our trip Kirk started to get excited about going with Carla and I. The plan was to leave from Indianapolis, Indiana after work on August 2nd. Since we would be getting a late start, about 1:00 in the afternoon, I wanted to make it just west of St. Louis, MO.  We stopped in Fenton, MO for the night. 280 miles down with a little light rain thrown in for good measure.

 Picking up a fuse before leaving Indy

---

Day 2

Started off a little damp. We stopped at a Historic Route 66 visitors center. The visitors center is full of memorabilia, souvenirs and information.

Carla’s feet got soaking wet because the soles of her old comfy boots had seen better days. When we saw the sign for Ozark Harley Davidson, Carla knew they might have a nice pair of boots in her size. Nice and dry and just the right size. Score! She put the old wet boots in the box that the new boots came in and the nice people at Ozark Harley Davidson mailed them home for us.

 Those boots became her favorite pair.

We stayed on the interstate most of the time but there are parts of Route 66 that you have to take in. Cuba, Missouri is one of those places.

There are several murals in town along Rote 66. This one depicts the time Bette Davis visited Cuba, MO.

We took plenty of pictures and were even asked to pose for some pictures with a group of European visitors that were on thier way to Los Angeles from Chicago, riding with  Eaglerider guides and rental bikes. They enjoyed seeing how we traveled and admired our bikes. If you ever think of traveling the USA on a Harley this is one way you can do it.

Route 66 provides a glimpse into the past 

Still a light drizzle, kind of like riding through a cloud all morning. But the day would brighten and the wheels would keep rolling.

After 400 miles for the day we would end our day in Tulsa, Oklahoma. But not before a good steak and baked potato at Cattleman’s Steak House.

---

Day 3

 Started in Tulsa and we accidentally Discovered the Golden Driller, a giant oil field worker at the state fairgrounds.

As you can see the day started of a bit cloudy and cool.

Next stop, East Meets West Symbolic Midway Point of Route 66. Surprisingly this stop was a great place for pictures. The sculptures are larger than I imagined when I was looking at pictures online.

As we neared Oklahoma City the weather improved and actually started to get pretty darn hot. Oklahoma City National Memorial is a memorial at the actual site of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

168 chairs represent the lives lost at the site

some of the chairs are smaller than the rest to represent the children

The construction fencing became a memorial immediately. People would bring things and leave them as a tribute. After the memorial was finished no one could remove the fence because of the touching tributes. Visiting a memorial like this makes you realize that your daily problems are not so bad.

Lets go we have some ground to cover.  Next stop Big Texan Steak Ranch for some sight-seeing and cool liquids.

Then on down the road to the Cadillac Ranch of Amarillo, Texas.

Bring your own spray paint or you can find some cans with some paint left in them that’s what we did and we left our marks.

After some exploring its time to go. Destination Tucumcari, New Mexico for the night.

 This place was busy back in the day of glory along Route 66

502 miles for the day. Spent the night in Tucumcari, New Mexico around the corner from this old historic route 66 hot spot.

---

Day 4 starts in Tucumcari, New Mexico going to Flagstaff, Arizona

Lots of ground to cover across New Mexico into Arizona.

Along the road to Arizona

Finally made it to Arizona
but there is plenty more to see before we stop in Flagstaff

Quick stop in Winslow, Arizona made famous by the song.

Take it Easy By Jackson Browne

528 miles for day 4 spent the night in Flagstaff, Arizona

---

Day 5 on the way to Sedona, Arizona

I will sum the first 5 days up in a video

BHA 2013 Part 2 Coming Soon

Moki Dugway Utah

http://youtu.be/XPZUsgW-3xA

Just a tease… Next post