Is it Mountain time or Pacific??

Day 5 - Not sure of the time, nor the zone.  Well, I'm sure of the zona, as in Ari.....DST is not observed here, so half the year it is mountain time, and the other is left coast.  I'm thinking it is now Pacific time.  I'm in
Holbrook, about 100 miles West of the Nuevo Mexico border.  This will be my third night in 10 months in this town.  I'm becoming quite the frequent guest.  Phoenix is on the tube in the NBA Western Finals.  Go Suns!!  I like the Sun.  Except of course when riding into its path!! 

Yesterday was spent tooling around the "Q".  Drove up to the peak named Salinas.  Over 10,000 feet. A very pretty ride, but it was quite chilly at the top.  Of course, I forgot my long sleeve back at the enchanted trails, so I didn't spend a long time at the top.  Nice view of the valley, however the multitude of radio, microwave, cellular and other towers spoiled the otherwise beautiful view!!  Snow was still on the ground.  BRRRR.

An yet another Simpsons reference, I had to drive by the home of the Isotopes.  Very nice facility.  The "Topes" happened to be playing.  So did I attend a game?  Of course not.  I did quickly pop in the gift shop,
hoping to find a nice T Shirt with Homer, but none were to be found.  Rather odd, since the Simpsons are THE reason for the team's name.  And the first thing I see walking into the stadium??  A giant Homer.  Made it back to the Enchanted Trails, and retired for the night.

Extreme high winds today.  Unbelievable.  Stopped by to see Crazy Mary at the Route 66 Art Gallery in San Fidel.  I had a smoke and she had a cigar!!  Her Gallery is on 66, and the property contains a few very small remnants of an old hotel, that was made out of mud!!  Yes, mud!!  It was a very dirty place!!  What little remains, is pictured here....and a nice shot of her apricot tree!!

Also across the street is this vintage cafe, with a pretty cool sign.

Continued Westward towards Gallup.  Don't know if I've mentioned it, but I installed some rocking speakers for the trip.  Made by MHI Instruments, these are the Rumble Road Ultra's, and sound pretty fine.  Of course, running straight pipes as I'm doing, and driving into 40 mph hour winds while driving 60mph, it occasionally makes it a little difficult to hear.  But when the wind is low, and I'm cruising at 50, they are great!!  And they look pretty nice too!!

I'm typing this as I eat at Romo's, the best place in Holbrook.  Situated directly across the street from Joe and Aggies, it is packed. This is where the locals come!!

Going to visit Winslow on Friday morning, then heading to Phoenix/Scottsdale/Chandler.

Looking forward to a nice rest tonight!!

Third Verse, Same As The First

Just last night, I was reminded of, just how bad, it had gotten, and just how sick, I had become!!!  Apologies to Gordon Gano and crew, but the title seemed appropriate, as the following is now my third "self blogging portrait" from the Enchanted Hills RV Park on top of nine mile hill in "The Q".  For you novices, the "Q" is Albuquerque!!

So here I sit, day 4 of the trip has begun!!  But wait, I'm jumping ahead once again.  And I've yet to have any coffee!!  That ADD adult style is kickin' in big time!!  Big time... Did I jus type that??  Well, I am a sensitive 90's guy!!  Ok, back to the recap of yesterday.

Many changes took place yesterday.  I lightened my load considerably.  Bulk and stress.  I discovered quickly that the trailer, while handy and quite agile, was dragging me down.  MPG was down to about 20!!  Yes, a mere 20 mpg.  While might be fine with a car, not with a cycle.  Combine that with a 4.5 gal fuel tank, and not many gas stations in some parts, made for too many frequent stops.  So I left the trailer behind in Amarillo in Croc's Garage, packed up what I could on the green love machine, and headed towards the "Q".  Finally got on the road about 3:00pm, after a quick stop at the 6th Street Antique Mall and Route 66 Store in Amarillo.  (I have to remember about the art cards occasionally!!).....Saw Chip and delivered an all new assortment of Amarillo's stuff!!  Have you seen the Amarillo stuff?  This is where you can -   Handcolored66

Headed west, stopped in Montoya, Newkirk, and a few other places that I've seen many times before, but depending on the season, time of day, it's always different!!

The first shot on the left is a very old ad for a Texaco Station.  This is located on an old segment a few miles West of Tucumcari.

Continuing West, the following are located close to the Montoyas exit and Newkirk....

The sunset was beautiful, driving westward......However, it also sucked, driving directly into the sun.  66 is almost due west, and the sun was almost blinding.  Fans of the Simpsons, remember the "Great Chili Cookoff Episode"   When Homer was in the Desert??  Sunrise, Sunset, Sunrise, Sunset........DOH!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5CZ58CBGtg 

It was like that!!  Very hard to see, so I stayed on the cycle, and arrived in the "Q" about 8:30.  Had a great Green Chili Burrito, (actually to me it was an enchilada as it was covered in sauce)......Parked in front.  Hey, while probably not intended, it was for bikes!!!  Within 5 minutes of my parking on the sidewalk, two more compadres like my idea, and decided to join my new parking arrangement!!

So, after a quick nights sleep in the Winnebago at the Enchanted Trails RV Park, I awoke, where I am finishing the blog.  Took these pics this morning, and am going to photograph the interiors of some of these groovy travel trailers for my good friend Vicki!!  Sheriff and Proprietor of Enchanted Trails.

A Drive In, A Shak, A Storm, & Sirens

Tornado Alley is the name, and big ass Texas storms are the game.  And thank God I was not camping.  Palo Duro Canyon got slammed!!  Fortunately, was under roof at the home of the Croc.

Not a lot of activity yesterday, but did manage a few new pics.  Rhonda, at the Biker Shak in Arcadia, Oklahoma wanted a pic of the shak and the rack.

Look's great, doesn't it?? 

Stopped by Pop's again, still needing to get them to sell my cards.   They are still thinking about it.  I'm going to spec some cards, as they could be a great account.  Bypassed OKC, and picked up 66 around Yukon.

I soon found myself near bridgeport, which is home to the classic 38 Pony Truss Bridge over the Canadian River.  An odd name, since most river's are named at the terminus of the path, not the origin.   Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, etc.  Anywho, I'm guessing it is the longest bridge on the active route.

My new do in the rag.....

Riding is great.  The trailer is never a bother, until it's time for fuel.  Damn it sucks!!  Down to about 22 MPG!!! 

Heading west towards Amarillo, I finally stopped to get a few images of yet another Route 66 Drive In  Thee-ate-errrrrrr......

Yup, I was keeping an eye to the sky....Call me Doppler Dork.  But in these them parts, the storms can pop up quicker than a jackrabbit on a date!!!  I've seem some awesome cloud formations before, but never one like this........

Not sure of my plans today.  Heading to 6th street Amarillo, then perhaps Albuquerque.  Should be quite interesting!!

Why Did The Turtle Cross The Road? Because He Was Feeling Randy!!

388.9 miles in the hot sun.  A fine start to the trip.  Made it on the road around 8:30am. About 10:00am discovered the first of many items I left at home.  Flash Card for the camera!!  DOH!!!  Why did I leave it?  It's this damn blog's fault of course.  Immediately before leaving, I upload the picture of the "rig".  And proceeded to leave the card in the computer.  Thank goodness for Wal-mart. 

I stayed mostly on 66, but bypassed Springfield, MO as really nothing to gain, and time to lose.  Made it to Gary Turner's station about 3:00pm, and created these images. 

Needing to make it to Tulsa, we hit the road, enjoying the blazing sun, wind, and turtles.  Arrived in Tulsa aroudn 7:30 at Laurel K's, and quickly started consuming large quantities of beer!!  mmmm, beer.  While chatting she said watch out for the turtles, as it must be mating season.  Well, there were plenty of turtles crossing the route....I avoided most, but one unlucky turtle discovered the rath of the trailer.  So sorry turtle.....I think he survived.  But just like men, turtles will do stupid things when feeling randy!!

Sitting in Red Fork now at the Ollie Station Resturant, having a much too leisurely breakfast.....Food is not bad, service is way to slow....about the same speed as the model trains that circle the dining area.  Wishing I could post this now, but no WiFi at the station.  Come on Restaurants of the World, get with the 90's and get wireless!!!

Hoping to make it to Amarillo by evening.  Perhaps camping in Palo Duro Canyon. 

Almsot forgot.  The gremlins struck again.  Had a great picture in Kansas.  Probably the best picture ever.....and they disappeared again.  The picture?  The sign that says "Leaving Kansas"!!!

3rd trip in 10 months

Leaving in moments.  It's hot and humid.  But free air conditioning the entire trip!!  And thanks to my instance that J&W Motorcycles replace my fuel pump with the correct one, I"m back to 36 mpg.  (Of course, they insisted replacing the pump would not change my MPG......idiots!!!...I'll give you the full story on that place soon....)

Last trip was the Cruiser.  This trip, the Vulcan......Am I crazy riding almost 5000 miles with a trailer?  I report, you decide.

I do know my load is full and balanced!!!  TeeHee!!!

Pray for my safety, and pray that I don't encounter more than 500 idiots drivers!!  Should hit Tulsa by later today.  I"m off to see the Wizard.  And many more exciting wacky things!!  

2 Weeks

Yes, it has been a while.  Two weeks since my last entry.  (heheh, I said entry)!!

I've not had a very nice two weeks.  The situation with the Washington School District continues to degrade.  I discovered on Friday that last year, 7 teachers from SouthPoint Elementary wanted to be reassigned because of the "management"at the school.  Primarily, this is due to a woman named Cara Jones.  More on this very soon.  Southpoint Elementary,  the Administration, and the School Board President are arrogant, offensive, dishonest and something needs to be done!  And it will.  Time for the truth to come out!!  A little taste?  Cara Jones suspended my 6th grade son for 6 days for two "teasing" comments he made on a facebook page.  This was done out of school.  I don't condone what he did, but the way it was handled, the school has gone WAY overboard.  Cara Jones went as far as having a police officer come to the school  to see if criminal charges could be filed.    It is a joke.  All they care about is covering their own asses.  Not doing the right thing.  I'll report, you can decide.

As to J & W motorcycles in Washington?  Yet another miserable experience.  They put in a fuel pump for a car in my motorcycle, and still have refused to even admit a problem existed.(if you read closely, it says on the pump, for 4-6 cylinder vehicles!!)...

Just more shocking, arrogant behavior from businesses. And I personally know the owner.   Someone last week said I take things too personally.  Well who the $@^%^@ else is going to care?  Yes, I get really pissed off when I'm lied to, screwed over, ripped off!!  Once again, I've said it before, and I'll continue to say it....It's time for people to stand up, do what is right.  Complain, scream, yell....If you have been truly screwed.  Let people know of your experiences.  It will only help.

Oh, and  half of my golf clubs were stolen from my Golf Club in Washington, Missouri.  The culprit??? Wait till you here about this.   A relative of the Superintendent!!  Can it get any better?  Me thinks not!!

And to you naysayers that will say, "Oh, he's never satisfied", you can go and  @#$%^^ off!!  You don't know me, you have no idea of who I am.  I'm more than happy to extol the virtues of quality establishments, businesses.  It's just rare to find places where people care about doing the right thing.  Ask spike Lee.
Someone last week said this about me......"I'm sure you are a good person who just got thrown into a world he does not understand."   Whatever!!



So, check back.


I thought I was going to have a traveling companion.  But I've not heard from my "friend" in almost two weeks.  One would think that I might have received a call regarding this trip.  Probably will be solo.  Just fine with me.  Can't wait to see my "friends" in Tulsa, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Seligman, and hopefully the new ones I make on the road!!


I'm planning on hitting the road in one week.  Yes, good old route 66 once again.  Time to sell more cards, do some photography, and visit with the real people of America.   Real friends, real people.  Good times, Good Fun!!  Giddy UP!!!