We are back in America and heading for the soutwestern corner of the motorcyclists official Four Corners destination of San Ysidro, California. Only those of you whom have had the opportunity to ride with Art know his, "Ride it like you stole it," style! It is a work-out just staying on the bike, especially around the long, sweeping curves of the Pacific Mountain Range. We are proud to have riden 10,000 miles on the rear tire without incident. Particularly scince we were forced many times to ride non-paved roads across America and British Columbia.
July 2, 2009- Thursday
ReplyDelete137 miles
Today we got up and had breakfast at Denny’s. We got online and looked at the bank account, the Blog, and the credit union website. We located one close-by and called a taxi to take us into the town of Eugene. We did our banking and called another cab to take us back to our motel where we waited for Doyle to call us and let us know when the bike is finished.
Doyle himself is the dealer owner and he gave us our round-trip transportation to the motel for our overnight stay in Eugene. Doyle engineered the stabilizing system for the sidecar to the frame of the bike so that it would not bend the front fender. We were blessed to have the creator of the sidecar stabilizing system for Harley-Davidson work on our bike! Who knew we would have such good luck on the servicing of our rig? Art is grateful and is making a list of the super people who have taken care of our needs from each state and will submit his report to H-D headquarters at the conclusion of the trip. The outstanding service we have received along the way is one of the characteristics of a wonderfully transformed company which H-D bought back and away from AMF years ago.
When the bike was ready, we settled the tab, packed up and rode south on Route 5 towards Coos Bay, OR. Happily, the weather was very warm. In fact the temperature rose to a piping hot 104 degrees! As we approached the coast the temperature dropped down to around 70 degrees. We found a nice motel in Bandon, OR. Bandon, Oregon is a popular port between San Fransisco and Portland. It also became famous for the sweetest cranberry grown in America. They grow wild at the roadsides and in farms for industry. Then had Thai dinner and some homemade ice cream at the ice cream shop a few doors down from the restaurant. We walked around the boardwalk and came back to the room to post on the Blog. Art’s watching Sprint cup final practice at Daytona and is oblivious to the world.
You guys must be having the time of your lives! Sounds like everything is going well on the trip. SO you did make it to Ketchikan? Thats great! See any of the deadliest catch boats up there? We did a tour on one and they took us out into the bay etc when we were on the cruise there. Well its a retired boat now, it was one that rolled in like season 2 or something.
ReplyDeleteSo right now its about 147 degrees and 634% humidity in Phoenix. I literally almost had a stroke after 45 minutes outside cleaning up the yard and what not on Tuesday afternoon. You guys coming in on schedule or what? You know my number, we do not have a spare room anymore but we have an office and an air mattress that you are always welcome too!
Take care and have a fun ride! Remember to take lots of great pictures!
Make sure you take Route 1 down to Cali for Oregon. Its a hell of a ride. You also have to stop at a 'In and Out' Burger while your in Cali.
ReplyDeleteJuly 3, 2009- Friday
ReplyDelete354 miles
Today we started our day with Art walking over to the Bandon, OR Coffee Shoppe and getting some coffee and two pieces of homemade breakfast cakes. One was fresh cranberry bread and the other was fresh cinnamon bread. Boy, were they delicious. We had talked to Rick and Renee to check-in and told them to open the box and take out their t-shirts we sent them from Ketchikan, Alaska. We packed up the bike and the temperature was 48 degrees and the Oregon coast was foggy. The route we took was straight down Route 101, the Oregon Pacific Highway. It was along the coast at times and at other times it wound around the rocky ridge along the coast. We got great photos and some video. The shoulder of the road was an abrupt drop into the ocean. There was no guardrail either! Be careful if you ever go riding along this roadway and obey the speed limit!
Soon, we crossed the state boarder into California. We entered the Redwood State Forest and videoed part of the journey. The trees are truly enormous! We stopped at the Paul Bunyan roadside tourist attraction and found the most splendid sun ornament. I had Art look it over and we decided to have it shipped home. Then we went across the street to the café and had a nice lunch.
The journey turned warm after we stopped into the Eureka H-D for a dealer dot and we even placed a stick pin into their giant map which represented the area we came from, Southeastern PA. We headed inland for Redding, CA. The temperature quickly rose from 60 degrees to well over 100 degrees. Art could see the thermometer in the faring better than I and he says it looked to be about 108 degrees! It was like riding in a pizza oven and Art felt like he was sitting on a stove. In spite of the oppressive heat the old Street Glide kept chugging up one side of the mountains and down the other.
We rode 154 miles in the heat through the mountain range of northern CA, through Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity N.R.A. All national forest and state park areas. We made it to the Redding H-D dealer 30 minutes after they closed so we took a photo and will order a dot from them later. We got a room and then we went to Fat Boy’s for dinner. When we returned to our room, we showered and settled in to check out the Blog.
July 4, 2009- Saturday
ReplyDelete313 miles
Today we got up and departed from Redding, CA. I drove us to the gas station and filled the tank. Art was relaxing in the sidecar. We headed south on Route 5 for Chico, then Yuba City. I drove about 150 miles. Both of those dealers were closed. We had our own July 4th celebration at the Yuba City dealer with 5 other riders who also needed to visit a Harley dealer. We were all a bit disappointed but we went on our separate ways.
We crossed the mountains of Northern CA, and continued on to Donner Pass riding into Reno, NV. It was another hot day of about 95 degrees in the mountains. The cement roads of Nevada are getting resurfaced but right now they are beat-up from the winter weather. In Reno, we checked into a cheap motel then went across the street to do our laundry as we did not have any more clean clothes! We enjoyed a wonderful dinner of a California Salad and Coconut Shrimp and treated ourselves to desserts as well. We are stuffed like little piggy’s! We got NO dots today! Art is bent out of shape but it is, after all, a national holiday! (no shit Michele, Art)
July 5, 2009- Sunday
ReplyDelete234 miles
Today I got up at 6 AM and went next door to the restaurant for coffee and breakfast Danish. We packed up in the cool morning air of Reno, NV and rode over to the Reno H-D dealer. We found it was closed. Probably due to the early hour as there was no sign on the door that the dealership would be closed today. We got gas and headed for San Francisco. The air was cool and the road was rough. The traffic was as heavy as the east coast when the vacationers from the Jersey Shore make their way back to Pennsylvania.
We enjoyed the trip west and after crossing the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge we quickly found the Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel. It is located one block from the wharf. Art parked on the street and enjoyed the Peace Rally at the Fisherman’s Maritime Union Headquarters across Macon Street from the hotel! I got us all checked-in; we parked in the secured parking lot under the hotel and we took our stuff up to our room.
The room was light-years above the room we had last night in Reno, NV. Art decided to take a nap and I went out for a two hour walk at Fisherman’s Wharf. I found a wilderness art gallery which I liked and decided to ask Art if he would go there after his nap. I got back to the room and he was awake and we decided to go for a walk together and we watched the sea lions in the harbor. The sea lions were putting on quite a show for all the human onlookers. Signs were posted warning people not to feed the wildlife.
We walked to the art gallery and we purchased a set of four prints by Rodney Lough, Jr. His work is of many of the places we traveled through on our journey so far. I will redecorate at home so we can enjoy the prints and remember the journey every day, from now on. The gallery art consultant, Scott Kosloski gave us some eatery coupons for dinner. We went upstairs to Neptune’s Restaurant for seafood dinner and to watch the sunset. I took great photos of the sunset and we took photos of each other with Alcatraz Island in the background. We treated ourselves at dinner; I had the salmon and Art had the tuna. He had the triple chocolate mousse dessert and I had Red Velvet Cake for the first time in my life. They were all fabulous!!!
Back at the room we showered and updated the journal and downloaded the pictures. We updated the Blog too.
Hey You Guys,
ReplyDeleteDon't know whats wrong with my computer...It just keeps messing up on me.
I did write on the 4th but it seems to have not posted.
I wish we were out there now so we could have seen you. You had to come real close to where we'll be...Vacaville. It's half way between Sacramento and San Francisco.
Sandy and I have been to Fishermans wharf and seen the sea lions...Really is cool. I don't know if you are going to alcatraz but it gets some kinda cold on the trip out there so take a jacket.
The pictures still amaze us.
Well gtg...be safe.
Love,
Ted and Sandy
Hey Ted and Sandy,
ReplyDeleteWe did go to Vacaville and it was the only store open the other day. Art has been frustrated that the dealers took a couple days off for the fourth of July holiday. Today we roda completely around San Francisco and came up the Pacific Coast side of the city. The area is a protected seaside. It was cool but clear and sunny. As we rode back into the city, we worked our way over towards Lombard Street and the crowd of cars trying to drive down that crooked street was out of control. I took pictures looking up the street and we were satisfied riding up and down all the other steep hillside streets! We came back to the Sheraton for a nap after that ride!!! YIKES!!!
We are so blessed with good weather these days. We have had our share of all kinds of weather. We are bracing ourselves for the heat of the south. We plan to travel at night when it's cooler and then rest in the A/C during the day.
TTFN, Michele
P.S Art it still napping!
Hey Guys,
ReplyDeleteI took puctures in the same spot at alcatraz as you. Did you go out to the island? You really should! Make it count.
Bryan and Tiffanie
July 7, 2009- Tuesday
ReplyDelete310 miles
Today we left San Francisco and it was cool and a bit cloudy. We knew right where we were going because the Oakland H-D dealer was opening in the morning today. We had a nutritious breakfast at Carrows then rode over to the dealer. Art scored a dot and we were on our way. I wore my new white with blue pinstripes Levi’s long sleeve shirt today. I bought it at a store named, After the Quake on Embarcadaro Street, on Fisherman’s Wharf.
The temperature started rising as we traveled south by the inland route. The hottest it got today was about 100 degrees. I am glad I had the long sleeve shirt or I would have gotten burnt by the sun. California is hot and the countryside is tan/brown rolling hills. I much prefer the mountains of the east coast. But I am glad to have taken this trip to see all the various topographies and geographies. Many people have asked us to stop so they could take our picture with the bike and side car. Lots of friendly conversations have entertained us as well as others. The Canadians liked us very much.
Tonight we are in Bakersfield, CA. We took a hot-tub dip and a swim in the pool. Off to a Denny’s dinner then we’ll take care of Blogging.
hello again guys,
ReplyDeleteSorry I didn't think of this yesterday but you should have tried for a dot from Dudley Perkins...(I believe that's the right name). I was told by an old friend that it is the second oldest dealership in the U.S. next to Wisconsin.
Glad the weather is better for you.
Well...We'll talk to you tomorrow.
Ted and Sandy
Hey Ted, We did go to Dudley Perkins and Art got a T-shirt from there. Art is not usually a T-shirt kinda guy but for some reason he bought a T-shirt from Dudley's. he got pins from there and the South San Francisco dealer as well. Hot as hades again today but I guess that is the way Mother Nature is. I'm going to check the weather on weather.com to see what we are in for.
ReplyDeleteWe managed to keep clear of all the Michael Jackson hubbity-bub today. We traveled inland on purpose. Have fun in Vacaville, CA and we will meet-up for our annual get-together this coming fall! Safe travels, my friends!
Grim reper tat is new ?
ReplyDeleteJuly 8, 2009- Wednesday
ReplyDelete286 miles
Today we got up and had a nice little breakfast at the hotel. We hit the road around 7:30 AM and did a nice, cool tour of Bakersfield then found our way to I-5 south and headed toward our goal of the southwestern most corner of the United States! We visited the Glendale H-D and the San Diego dealer for dots and kept on riding.
Lunch was at an eclectic little café called ZPizza in San Juan Capistrano and I had a Greek salad and Art had pizza. The weather today was clear and cool all day. We took in a vista of a lake and mountains and another of the Pacific Ocean. The water looks deep blue from afar. At the ocean view there were squirrels at the dune taking food right from human’s hands! I had never seen that before so I videoed it on my camera. They were so cute.
We got directions to The Border Field State Park from the San Diego H-D and proceeded right to the park. The US Border patrol was very busy doing operations and had helicopters buzzing all overhead. We took our pictures at the park sign and we are pleased that we have made the corner. Technically speaking, we now have been to all four corners. We hit the Key West Corner in 2004. But we may be able to hit it again to complete this trip of the Four Corners Journey. It all depends on timing. So we shall see.
We drove out of the park and found a very reasonable inn for the night. Art took a nap and I rested by the pool for a couple hours. Then we rallied for a great dinner at the Baja Oyster and Sushi Bar here in southern San Diego. We are literally only a couple miles from the border and there is a Mexican Bull Fighting Ring right across the border from here! How cool is that!
The evening was relaxing and we looked at maps and figured out the route for tomorrow. It looks like we can leisurely make our way to Phoenix, AZ as we are a couple of days ahead of schedule thanks to Art’s superior driving/riding! Anyone whom has ever rode with him knows what I mean! The bike is fabulous and we are both alive.
Ray, No, I have had that tattoo since 1992 but nice try! The question is still open. What is the tattoo on my right arm?
ReplyDeleteHi Guys,
ReplyDeleteJust a quick note to say hello and that it is a wizard shooting a fire ball at a dragon on your back.
love,
Ted and Sandy
Hey Ted, You are so right! Many people have looked at Art's tatto's but few have really deciphered what on earth is going on there! You are correct my friend!
ReplyDeleteWe are relaxing in Yuma, AZ tonight and the heat beat the life right out of me. It was 110 degrees in the shade! There were rocks to the right and left of us making it feel like we were riding through a blast heater furnace. We drank fluids all along the route but by 2 PM I had enough and cried like a baby to stop!!! If there is a hell, this is it. It sure whopped my butt! Have fun in Vacaville, CA.
Ted you are the man! hey art did ted put that tat on you? stay cool! that bike needs AC!!
ReplyDeleteDon't laugh i seen it on a Honda gold wing
Hey Friends! We arrived in Maricopa, AZ yesterday around 12:30 PM. Our friends were busy installing a new axle on his desert running Jeep. Yes he was doing it in his garage with a couple friends in the sweltering over 110 degree heat. But they had Gatorade, man!
ReplyDeleteWe settled in for a bit then we ran over to Tempe and picked up a rental car, a Mercedes M500. After driving back to our friends house, the Jeep was all done and later we went our for a nice steak dinner.
The ride across the desert was unforgiving, heat oppressed and hotter that a pizza oven blasting out on you. The worst part was the heat coming off of the engine of the bike. We made sure to wear our chaps all the time or suffer the consequences of burning our legs right through our jeans.
Trust me when I say you must hydrate beyond belief. The border patrol is serious about shooting illegal aliens. They shoot first and ask questions later! YIKES!!!
This place is hot beyond belief.
Hi Guys,
ReplyDeleteBet you wish you had a few drops of that rain from earlier in the trip now...lol.
Hell...I not only think we should shoot them...But let them lay there as a deterrent to others. Sorry, thats my opinion...take it or leave it.
Hey, did you hear the latest news. Obama and George W. were talking and Barack told him that we just got 100 Barzillian troops to help end the war in Iraq. George said "wow...that fantastic". "Just one thing...how many troops is in a brazillion". LMAO.
gtg love,
Ted and Sandy
Hey Gang! I cannot post any photos right now because of a Blogger thing but Art went Jeep riding in the desert with Bryan yesterday. Well, they nearly got stuck in the river up to their waistlines. Bryan had just finished putting a new axle on the Jeep Friday, so he shifted into Nos propelled jet engin mode and slammed it into reverse, then gunned-it out of the hole and they went zooming across the desert floor---backwards. they made it sound like no big thing but they admitted that they were getting ready to dig and winch---big time!!! They saw a coyote, road-runners and a golden eagle. If you ever come out here and see the signs saying do not drive through flooded areas heed them. The washes fill quickly after rains and have the force to uproot fair sized trees and everything else in the way. Will post more later!
ReplyDeleteThat was fun out in the desert..... Art was almost a mud hole dog! HAHA! I would have had him climbing out too. It was only about 4 feet deep... Art didnt tell you abotu the wall that we climbed to get out of the wash did he? We should have had a video camera.
ReplyDeleteHad a great time with you all here, thanks for coming and keeping us entertained!
July 13, 2009
ReplyDeleteMonday
Hi folks! Art went out in the Little Red Toy today with his brother to make the rounds to a few Harley dealers. He collected three more dots. I went to the fitness center and had a work-out then went swimming from 10 AM-12 PM. Then the Pool Boy drove me back to the condo in the little double seater golf cart. Art got home around 3:30 PM and that pretty much whooped our lily white asses for the day!
Best thing to do with anything that requires effort is to do it at night. That is why we went grocery shopping last night after dinner at Teresa and Jim's. Those guys have a putting green for a back yard, very nice. All Jim ever has to do is go vaccum the yard once in a while, no grass cutting there!
We arranged for some relaxing massages and to have the Mobile Detailing Service come to the condo and detail the bike on Wednesday. It will be ready to go and when we leave on the 19th. At least it will shine until we hit the onslaught of bugs that come out at night!!! It needs a good coat of wax before we embark on the next stage of the journey.
Thanks for all of your emails. You all have kept us well informed and wish you could see the country for yourselves someday. Make a point to do it before we get bought by some other country!!!! NOT!
For those of you whom have made yourselves a free Google account but have not posted, be sure to go to the top right hand corner of this page to the words "Sign In" and click there to sign in with your username and password then you can write in the Blog window below, click on the drop-down menu and select 'Comment as Google Account' then click onto 'Post Comment.'
July 14, 2009- Tuesday
ReplyDeleteToday was another hot day in Arizona. People we know are arriving and doing activities in the area. We went to Tempe and had a couples massage which beat us up pretty good! We have relaxed all day and had a quiet dinner at the resort restaurant.
Art photograghed his dot collection and we sent some things homeward bound at the US Post Office, I read the newpaper on the balcony for over an hour around 4 Pm and came inside dripping wet as if I was just in aa sauna. the wildlife running around in the bush at the edge of the golf greens just stretch-out and relax in the shade. We humans are taking a lesson from them!
Traded in the red toy for a Hummer as we have the gang to pick-up at the airport. caught some rays at the pool and having dinner with some classmates at 7 PM. Mainly, we had a day of relaxation. No riding adventure today. Took a photo of Art at the pool but it is too scary!
ReplyDeleteHi Guys,
ReplyDeleteBeen keeping up but haven't had much to say lately.
Well it's our turn to be in California. We leave at 5:45 AM tomorrow and we get back in at 11 next friday night.
Keep having a good time and will write when We get back.
Love ya both,
Ted and Sandy
Art and Michele......hello my friends. You both look great....the flag looks to be holding up well too. I've been keeping tabs here and there on your blog page AKA trip AKA journey AKA vacation. Love it all......hey....there the question for the day open to all takers. Speaking of questions......about Art's tattoo.....is it a widgit? Love Yall!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi there, enjoying the pics. You two look like you're having a great time! Love ya, Candy
ReplyDeleteGRADUATION DAY!!!
ReplyDeleteWe have gone all over the Phoenix area seeing the deserts all around and the lakes with stunning vistas.
Today we will be leaving for the stadium soon and anyone who wants to view the ceremony can log onto:
www.phoenix.edu/graduation
The time we graduate is 10:30 AM this morning.
Thanks for calling this morning it was great to hear your voice. I did watch some of the ceremony but ran out of time. I think it stays up for a few days so i will look at it again in the AM. Love all the pics.......talk soon....peace be with you!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!!!
ReplyDeleteTHANKS TO ART AND ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
MICHELE
July 19, 2009
ReplyDeleteSunday
We returned the Hummer2 and rode the bike to the summit of South Mountain Park. The view was better than the photos. From where we stood we could see the University of Phoenix Stadium where graduation was yesterday. We could also see the stadium which is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The temperature on the mountain was 120 degrees or more. The ride was about one hour long and the sun was not as hot as the engine!
We packed our box to send home tomorrow via UPS, relaxed all day, did laundry, and went to dinner and the pool at the resort.
Tomorrow we start on our way east. Truly, it will be a very, very hot part of the journey. Stay with us! Hope we do not melt!
July 20, 2009
ReplyDelete271 miles
Hello Everyone! We got up this maorning and checked out of the resort and rode over to the UPS Store to send home our dress clothes and all the graduation regalia. The temperature at 8 AM in Phoenix was 102 degrees and we headed down I-10 East.
We kept ourselves well hydrated and spritzed with water. Every 10-15 minutes we drank fluids and poured water onto our shirts. On the journey for today we stopped at the Tucson, AZ H-D store and Art picked up a dot for today. We sat down and drank a Gatorade and relaxed in the shade. The temperature was around 100 degrees in Tucsan and that was a big relief from the murderous temperatures in Phoenix!
We traveled to Lordsburg, New Mexico and found a real nice place for the night. So, our plan is to start out early in the morning, keep seriously hydrated and damp. If we ride between 200-300 miles and feel good physically, mentally, and emotionally then we will continue with this plan.
Everything is open for revision especially in this heat. So at this point we are beginning the Fourth Stage of the Journey, heading east!
Sounds like an amazing journey!!!! Thanks for sharing with all of us!
ReplyDeleteSounds like your journey has been amazing so far! What an experience! Arn't you glad i talked you into buying that Harley a few years back? How is the old back holding up Art? So glad you got to see Kevin and his wife! Looks like you are meeting some great people on your journey! It's not the destination, but the journey that counts and you guys sure are making it count!!!! Be Safe..and dry.. Love Mary
ReplyDeleteHello, Well i guess your close to the final leg of your journey. Hope all is well. Congratulations Michele you are now a Phoenix. Well Art.......how is your back holding up? How many oil changes,tires...etc. Ride safe....you've done what a lot uf us just dream about. Talk soon.
ReplyDelete