My friend Dave and I both ride Honda Gold wing touring Motorcycles and we ore going to the rally.
Day one found us meeting at the Radio Shack parking lot in Crestview, Fl to begin our trip west, it is 4:45 am as we leave town. We are going up into Alabama a short distance and pick up Hwy 84 which will take us westward almost to Durango. Motorcycle riders don't like to travel on the big roads unless they are in a hurry. So we are taking the scenic route through all the small towns and farms. At the first gas stop we asked about a place for breakfast and was told of a good cafe, found it to be a good place to eat. Noon found us in Natchez, Ms. decided to visit the River Boat and have some lunch on the Mississippi River. Had a great Buffet, didn't see any boats go by while we were eating. But your imagination can run wild as to what has and what will be going up and down that mighty river. Visited the Casino on the way out and that was a mistake, I suppose that is why they are in business, to make it a little easier for my motorcycle to carry me down the road. Yes they got some of my money. Evening found us trying to find a motel, at the Louisiana Texas border they are hard to find, matter of fact there aren't any to be found. We finally located one just before dark and after having ridden 580 miles it was time to quit for the day. This motel, most of you would not have ventured into. It reminds you of something you would have seen on Hwy 66 in about 1940. I think it was worn out about that time. All I can print is it was a place to rest. The rest you can use your Imagination for.
Day two, up at 4:30 and on the road at 5am. Today will be a TEXAS day as there is no way for us to get out of the state toooooo much Texas to cover. We finally got to see some trees besides planted pines. Lots of farm and cattle country, You see a lot of fertile farms and then a lot of barren cattle ranches. Mid state in the hill country is beautiful. Saw a lot of goats that were keeping the brush and weeds eaten down. Made it to Lubbock for the day. Pulled in at 3pm as it was 103 degrees when we arrived. Had a little rain earlier and it made the road like a sauna. Found a Mexican Restaurant a short ways from the Motel, much nicer today. But the food wasn't very good. That is one we will pass on to everyone as not very good. Motorcycle people pass on the good and bad places to eat, it is like a hidden network among us.
Day three, out early again today to try and beat some of the heat. Stopped in Ft. Sumner, NM to visit the Billy The Kid Grave Site. It was not open when we got there so we visited the NM State Park which is nearby and gives a lot of the Indian History of the area. From there we went to Ft Union which is North of Las Vegas, NM. it is located on the santa Fe Trail. Parts of the old Hospital and other ,Adobe, buildings are still there. A lot of our history is located there, tells what we did to the Indians, which is not very good. From there it was across some mountains, which were just great , with motorcycle roads, nice and curvy. We are on our way to Taos, NM for the night. Arrived in Taos about 2:30pm went to the Sheepskin leather place North of town looking for a pair of Goatskin Gloves. No luck they don't make them anymore. They wear like Iron and will last a rider for a long time. Back to the downtown area with all the tourist, to go to Michaels for food. They have some of the BEST Mexican food you will find anywhere. And the Sopias are the best I have ever had , just fill them with Honey and enjoy. Spent some time playing tourist ourselves. Walked around and window shopped for a while. Saw a lot of good paintings, but I don't have any wall space left in my house. Too many trips and good old UPS. Checked into the motel and they didn't have our two bed no smoking room. It was reserved but someone goofed, so we got the suite for the same price. Saw a Prairie Dog checking out a empty Champagne bottle in the parking lot. His den was just outside the fence.
Day four, We went North of Taos up thru some more of those Great Mountains on our way to the Great sand Dunes National Park in Co. That is one BIGGGGGG pile of sand, we carry a National Park Passport book to put Park Stamps in. So this was my second visit to this park. Some of the parks I have been in 5 or 6 times, such as Yellowstone and Glacier. From there it was on to Alamos, CO for something to eat. TOBY'S was the place, great breakfast per Dave, it was late enough that I had a Chile Burger and was it ever good, had the Green Chile, the owner said the Red would be a little hottttttt. Next thing will be Wolf Creek Pass, it is one of Americas best Scenes as you travel over it you will see why. Off down the mountain, this being my third time over this road it is still great. A lot of M/C commercials are filmed here. Durango is in sight, 1858 miles from Crestview to here. Had a great trip and now to visit with everyone I have met across the miles and a few I haven't met as yet. Met a couple in the parking lot of the motel from Denver, he worked for the Southern pacific RR in Bakersfield , Ca the same time I did in the early 60's. I was a Locomotive Engineer working in Mojave and he went to work in Bakersfield. I never met him then but remembered his name on the seniority roster. As I have traveled these United Stated I have ran into people from my past and others that I worked with at USB all over the country. It is always a shock to see someone you know in the out of the way places.
(see part 2 for continuation)