Just a hop, skip, and jump to Pasadena from San Bernardino, so we took our time getting on the road.  Less than an hour later, we were at Debbie’s door.  After chatting a while and getting reacquainted, we decided to head over and tour the Gamble House.  That would be the Gamble of Proctor and Gamble.  It was built in 1907 and is still in great shape.  The woodwork inside is phenomenal!   The grounds are very well kept, and the architecture by Greene and Greene is very unique and attractive.  Then we headed down the arroyo and saw the Rose Bowl (Frank’s request). 

Lunch was at Island’s, a restaurant with a Hawaiian theme.  Very good burgers and very cold beer.  Picked up some groceries and dinner is at Debbie’s.  We thought about going out to hear some live music, but Sunday night didn’t have much to offer, so we’ll just chill out and visit.  Tomorrow we head down the coast to Solana Beach.[gallery]

Rolled into San Bernardino just before 8:00 local time.  What a day!  Woke up in Vegas (without hangovers!), checked out and loaded the bike, said good bye for now to Susan (sis) and Roy, then met up with Ted (brother) and Cheryl for breakfast at IHOP.  I guess we lingered there a little too long; didn’t hit the road for Laughlin till 10:50 AM.  It was worth it to spend the time with them. 

Traffic was light heading to Laughlin, but oh, that wind!   It’s been such a constant out west that I think I’m actually getting used to it (he’s not on the back of the bike!).  We started wearing ear plugs after Forrest City, AR and that has helped us deal with the wind and traffic noise.

Laughlin was very cool.  This was our first bike rally, and we didn’t know what to expect.  Riders were coming and going all day, so we saw lots of bikes on the road before and after we left.  While there, we enjoyed the constant thunder of bikes rolling up and down the street.  We cruised the vendor tents, of course while enjoying adult beverages!  The Indian Company had a semi wth lots of nice bikes, and there were several custom builders displaying their machines.  We also chatted for several minutes with Sherry from Hog Holder Co (http://www.thehogholder.com/ ).  I loved their product and will probably get one when I am back home.  See picture below.  Of course we had to get event shirts, and a nice nutritious vendor tent lunch (no chains here!).  We finally rolled out around 2:30 or so.  Did I mention it’s windy out here? 

We figured with the late start we wouldn’t make it to Pasadena, and we were right.  But we’re close!  It was just getting dark when we rolled into San Bernardino.  Coming down the mountains there is a wonderful long and winding 6% grade that felt almost like the downslope of a roller coaster.  It was exhilarating to travel that stretch going 80 mph on the bike!  Tomorrow we meet up with Debbie Hockersmith Fukuhara in Pasadena.  Can’t wait!

By the numbers: here are today’s stats: drove 340 miles; fill ups were 41 mpg and 44 mpg.  Later gators![gallery]

What a weird feeling after 6 days to not even ride the bike anywhere today.  We spent today with Susan and Roy looking around and snapping a few pics.  We visited old LV down by Fremont St. and had lunch at Hennesey’s Tavern (a giant pint glass facade).  The beer and food and company were all great.  We didn’t lose any money since we are not gamblers, just watched a few hands of black jack and a couple rolls at the craps table.  Pretty much just a laid back, relaxing day.  Yes, the wind is still howling big time. Glad we aren’t riding in it again today.  Soon we head out for the wedding and some celebrating.  Tomorrow it’s back on the road, first down to Laughlin, then out to Pasedena.[gallery]

Everyone knows it’s windy…..

Wow.  We had no idea it would be this extreme.  Every flag we pass is blowing straight out from the pole.  We constantly have to lean into the wind to stay straight on the road.  Multiple bikes have to stagger…there’s no question about riding side by side…you’d end up in each other’s laps.  The gusts are unpredictible and strong….Frank lost his skull cap to a gust on 93 North before Hoover Dam.  But the skies were sunny and the temps got HOT!  A bad day riding beats a good day at work…and this was not a bad day, just a challenging one.  It was a bit chilly when we left Flagstaff at 9:10 this morning, and stayed cool till we hit the valley.  We packed up our warm gear after lunch in Kingman, AZ, and never even thought about being cold after that.

Old route 66…what can I say…It is said that with the advent of the interstate you could cross the country without seeing anything.  All I can say after this stretch of the mother  road is you could have crossed the country before without seeing anything, just not as fast!  The wind from Seligman to the Indian reservation is wicked.  It is open range with mountain vistas in the distance and nothing of note to mention.  After that, you get into the mountains and canyons and the wind is somewhat blocked and the scenery much more interesting.  Is the mother road over romanticized?  Maybe.

93 North through the Golden Valley…now there’s a wind tunnel!  Yowza!  Get past that and the police checkpoint before the dam, and marvel at the sight that is Hoover Dam.  Wow.  Absolutely worth the trouble, thank you Stephanie at La Quinta in Elizabethtown, KY.  Best advice we’ve had so far.  The new bridge they’re building over the dam…words fall short of the engineering and construction feat happening there.  Absolutely amazing.

We saw more bikes on the road today than the entire trip so far…obviously due to the River Run at Laughlin.  We plan to get down there for a look see Friday or Saturday.

We hit Vegas around 3:30 Thursday afternoon.  What insanity!  Traffic from hell, and more people than I care to deal with.  We met up with my sis Susan and Roy and got checked in, then joined everyone for my nephew’s rehearsal dinner.  It was at the Brio Tuscan Grill in Town Square south of town.  What a mall and what a meal!  Top notch all the way!

By the numbers:  265 miles traveled,  32 mpg, and 45 mpg.  What a difference mph makes!  Total miles between Belleville and Las Vegas=2500 give or take a few.  A few extra miles on side trips, but that is our distance over 6 days.[gallery]

Here’s the rundown on day 5, folks -

We left Santa Rosa early;  moderate temps and sunny skies with just a hint of wind.  Made good time enjoying the ride, and had to run a special errand for Frank’s stepmother Donna just outside of Albuquerque.  She wanted us to run up to Rio Rancho to check out the 4 lots she has for sale.  Easier said than done…with no real estate contacts and only the lot and block numbers to go by.  We got close, but didn’t find the exact location even after calling some local realtors.  Took some pictures of the general area, then got on the road again, heading for Flagstaff, AZ.  This excursion took 2 hours out of our day, and added 80 miles to our itinerary.  Mission only half accomplished; such is life!

Saw a lot of antelope on the way from Santa Rosa, NM, and did we mention the 2 prairie dogs we saw yesterday in Amarillo, TX?  Traveling through the rest of New Mexico was  uneventful, although the scenery was pretty cool.  Once we crossed into Arizona, the wind picked up and we almost lost Sharon to the wind shear!  We thought it was windy a couple days ago, but HAH!  This was quite intense - in fact, it was so windy we had to lean the bike to go straight.  Along with the challenge of the wind, it also brought two sandstorms for us to contend with.  Ok, Mother Nature, enough already!!

Our day 5 destination was Holbrook, AZ, but we decided to push on toward Flagstaff instead.  The time changes we have been through make us think we are making really great time to each destination, but we’re just going along as we feel able.  As we neared Flagstaff, the elevation went from 5,000 ft to 6,000 ft, and kept climbing.  As such, the weather changed as well, and not for the better.  We thought we were heading toward the heat, not the cold!  We left that behind in MI!!

For the numbers-minded folks, here are today’s stats:  total miles: 505.  Fuel economy: 37.4, 43.7 and 38.1 mpg.

Only 273 miles to Vegas, our week 1 destination.  Should be around a 4 hour trip.  Tomorrow we will be riding old Route 66 on the far west side of AZ - should be a special ride![gallery link="file"]

Welcome to day 4 of our cross-country journey!  Today found us leaving Shawnee, OK with clear skies and a nice tail wind.  Temps in the 50’s when we left, and got up to mid 80’s by the time we were in Texas.

Our first break found us at the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, OK.  We took the nickle tour and when leaving, met a couple of riders on big ol’ Triumphs.  They were traveling to Flagstaff, AZ on their way to perform with their bluegrass gospel group, The Hinkle Family Gospel Singers.  Seems like every time we stopped after that, we ran into them!

We had an early dinner in Amarillo, TX at the Country Barn BBQ and Steaks Restaurant.  They are known for their Bonsmara beef, which comes from a breed of cattle from South Africa.  It is even lower in fat, cholesterol and saturated fats than chicken breast without the skin!  Boy, was it tasty.  Frank had filet mignon and Sharon had a sirloin steak.  We saw the funniest dang thing in the restrooms at this restaurant - something you’d only see in Texas - and that was sinks shaped like the state of TX!

After we ate, we headed back on the road again and crossed the border from Texas to New Mexico.  For those of you with lead feet, you’ll appreciate that in NM, the speed limit is 75 mph!   We were going to stop at Tucumcari for the night; however, when we arrived, we still had plenty of daylight and stamina to continue on.  We ended up in Santa Rosa, NM for the night.

By the numbers:  478 miles traveled; 42 mpg w/ tailwind; 38mpg when the wind shifted; 34 mpg running 85 - 90 mph!  Who, me?  Love that 75 mph limit![gallery link="file"]

After yesterday’s rain and the gorgeous sunshine this morning, we looked forward to a great day of riding, and it pretty much delivered.  The wind, however, kept the chill on until after lunch, and made for two very weary riders by day’s end.  Our route plan was very simple; follow I 40 West to Shawnee, OK.  Of course, we couldn’t just stay on the interstate all day!  We veered off onto Arkansas highway 64 at Clarksville, still heading west.  This put us in Altus, AR at lunch time, so we went in to Kelt’s Pub  http://www.keltspubinfo.com/ for some excellent Irish ambiance and food.  I had the grilled tilapia sandwich and Sharon had the corned beef.  Both came with a side salad and we selected their homemade ranch dressing.  Outstanding, all of it, and chased with a pint of Newcastle brown ale.  Thank you, Dan McMillen!  We went up the hill and dropped in on Bud and Joan Burns and Cathy for a brief visit before getting back on the road.

We finally got into Shawnee at 6:30 local time.  We are both beat up by the crosswind on the road, so hit the pool and hot tub to relax after we checked into the motel.  Dinner was ordered in and nothing worth writing about.

Today by the numbers: 405 miles traveled. Three fill ups, last one here in Shawnee, 35 mpg, 37 mpg, and 36 mpg.  I guess it was a crossing headwind, because I wasn’t heavy on the throttle, but the bike was thirsty, and the wind was smacking us upside our heads all day!

One note missed yesterday, we saw two deer in Mammoth Cave National Park, and Sharon saw a coyote in the median, and I saw some turkey vultures feeding on the shoulder (yum).   We also forgot to mention the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile.  It was exiting the freeway as we were getting back on after a fill up.  What a hoot!

All in all, it was a good day of riding and we hope the clear skies hold.

[gallery link="file"]

Wow, what a difference a day makes!  The sun is shining bright here in Ar-kan-sas, and the temps are moderate.  It’s supposed to get into the 80’s today.  Whoo-hooo!  Lots of sunblock needed.  It’s windy, so that will be the challenge of today’s ride from the look of things.  Slept good last night, so feeling strong.

On another note from yesterday, bought gas twice, got 40 mpg on the first tank, 37 on the second.  If I keep the rpm below 3000, and the speed under 73 mph, Ican squeeze out a few more mpg’s.  This may help crossing the long stretches in NM, AZ, and TX.

We stayed in a cheapo place last night, had to ask at  the desk for cups, no spare roll of tp, and the continental breakfast is cereal (didn’t see milk, probably have to ask), donut bites, and coffee.  There wasn’t any juice out, either.  I guess you get what you pay for.  At least there were clean sheets and hot water!

Till tonight!

PS:  Happy birthday to Teddy H!  Celebrate in style, girlfriend! ;o}

Two Harley rainsuits, one new and one used -$160.00   

A full tank of premium - $9.00                                                                                

Staying warm and dry on the road - priceless

Oh, man, did the rain come our way!  We left Elizabethtown around 10:30 eastern time, with only a light drizzle still falling.  We got the word from Stephanie at LaQuinta Inn that the Blue Grass Parkway wouldn’t be friendly in the rain, with poor pavement and stops few and far between.  So we decided to stay with the interstates, taking I 65 South to I 40 West.  Stephanie also said we shouldn’t miss Hoover Dam while in Vegas, as she used to live there and assures us it’s worth seeing.  As soon as we headed out on the highway, the rain picked up and christened us nicely.  After a short while, it stopped, and we thought we had a clear run ahead, so we did a little side trip to Mammoth Cave.  A word of advice - don’t do that on the spur of the moment - the shortest tour is 1 1/4 hours, and it helps to buy tickets ahead online.  We used up some valuable dry time on that little venture.  We would have stopped at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, but we used up too much valuable drive time at Mammoth Cave.

We hit a local restaurant called the Ole Sawmill Cafe for a buffet dinner.  It was mighty tasty and had a good selection of food.  It was reminiscent of the Cracker Barrel with rocking chairs on the front porch and a gift shop. 

On day two for all you  eggheads, we rode 430 miles today and a cumulative total of 837 miles since yesterday.  Whew!  Our butts should be really sore by now, but thanks to the new bike, we’re sitting pretty.

Well, we knew there would be days like this…..wet, wet, wet.  It is currently raining quite steadily here in Etown, KY.  Radar looks like it well ease up or give us a short reprieve in an hour or so.  I think we’ll make a break for it then.  It will definitely be an adventure. 

We both got quite sun and wind burned yesterday, despite using 30 spf sunblock and reapplying once midday.  I am all red, Sharon has that lovely raccoon eyed look!  We’ll post again tonight to let you know how we fare!