Really enjoying your post,what a fantastic trip in stunning scenery. The photos bring it all alive for all us armchair adventure riders. Looking forward to your next post..
Way to go Mike O
Way to go Mike O
Who takes leave in October?
- Thread starter MikeO
- Start date
11th October 2014 cont…
Opposite the hotel I see this old gentleman…
…which I know has been here at least eight years, when he had a For Sale sign in the window – any guesses?
1947 DeSoto Suburban, I do believe....
roadrider
Registered user
Stunning photo's 
fantastic Mike,thanks for taking time out to post them
I bet these small rural motels love you sucking up all their bandwidth at night with all your superb photos 
Keep em comin.
Keep em comin. 
The Moki Dugway descends about 1100ft through a series of gravel switchbacks…
With the hairpin bends conveniently tarmac'd.
Great stuff Mike, you're evoking some great memories here.
1947 DeSoto Suburban, I do believe....
Right manufacturer - a little later, though...
I believe it was produced pretty much unchanged from post war to 1954 so yes, it could well be. How did I do with the previous ones, earlier on in the thread, Mike?
Nice one Mike.
I love Moab and surrounding area, it's been a while since I went down the Moki Dugway, the approach doesn't prepare you for the stunning landscape.
The scale of that area takes a bit of getting your head around, well it did for me.
Great report (as usual!!)
I love Moab and surrounding area, it's been a while since I went down the Moki Dugway, the approach doesn't prepare you for the stunning landscape.
The scale of that area takes a bit of getting your head around, well it did for me.
Great report (as usual!!)
12th October 2014
A good night’s sleep – I wake around 08:00 and get out of bed. Ouch – clearly yesterday’s jarring on the Valley of the Gods Road has not done my back or knees any good…
I decide to have an easy day and start by extending my stay for another night allowing me to ride lightweight again later.
The National Parks (Arches & Canyonlands are both within easy reach) will be crowded with tourists today, so I’m going consider visiting them tomorrow. Today will be a relatively short loop.
The battery charger has done its stuff and all my batteries are now at 100%
I load the tank bag onto the Adv and get kitted up. It's not warm and there is a strong gusty breeze from the north.
I fuel up and then set off south, but not before noticing that the De Soto across the road has a flamboyantly painted neighbour...
I have been in this area in high winds once before and it really spoiled the views. I'm concerned that I can see a layer of dust on the horizon...
I descend into Bluff...
...and stop at the Twin Rocks Cafe...
...where this old lady has been sunbathing across the road for at east ten years to my knowledge...
The store's window is full of old typewriters.
Time for lunch!
This is a Navajo Taco. Effectively a portion of beef chilli on top of a piece of Navajo fry-bread. Which makes it a pizza made with a deep fried base...
Followed by cinnamon ice-cream
I speak to Steve, the owner - he says that with the wind from the north, things shouldn't be too bad.
I set off and am soon approaching Mexican Hat, and passing the rock formation from which it gets its name...
Haven't had a bridge for a while...
...this one crosses the San Juan River.
Continuing south, the dust cloud on the horizon is getting more distinct...
...but the unmistakable shapes of the buttes and mesas of Monument Valley are coming into view...
I pay my $10 entrance fee and set off around the 17-mile loop...
It's a rough old track and you've got to keep an eye on the surface - not easy when there's sand blowing all over it...
Like Valley of the Gods, you can navigate this with care in a standard car - or at speed in a rented car...
Of all the places I have visited in the USA, this is far and away my favourite. Even today, when it's quite crowded...
...it's got a feeling of calmness to it that I struggle to describe adequately.
I'm riding with my visor closed and my scarf over my nose and mouth, but I can still feel grit between my teeth...
This is John Ford Point - he used this area in a lot of his westerns - most notably The Searchers...
Monument Valley is a Navajo owned park - there are stalls selling Navajo jewellery all around the drive.
Onward!
Lots of the Navajo live within the park and there are lots of signs asking people to stick to the loop track and not to drive down the private roads to their buildings...
The wind is still strong...
...and I'm not sorry to be starting the last part of the loop...
I should think it will get pretty chilly once the sun goes down.
OK - time to head back north...
I retrace my steps...
...until just north of Mexican Hat, where I turn left...
The Moki Dugway is on the way back - it would be rude not to pay it a visit, wouldn't it?
On the way up, I meet two motorcyclists travelling down - one on an ST1100 and one on a Norton Commando...
The view from the top is not quite as clear as it was last night, but it's still spectacular...
OK - let's get back...
I shuffle along at a fairly illegal rate to cover the 40ish miles to Shirttail Junction...
...with the low sun casting a long shadow on the road...
As I enter Blanding, I can see that Moab, further north, seems to be getting a soaking...
I refuel just before reaching the hotel - 180 miles. What a great day...
A good night’s sleep – I wake around 08:00 and get out of bed. Ouch – clearly yesterday’s jarring on the Valley of the Gods Road has not done my back or knees any good…
I decide to have an easy day and start by extending my stay for another night allowing me to ride lightweight again later.
The National Parks (Arches & Canyonlands are both within easy reach) will be crowded with tourists today, so I’m going consider visiting them tomorrow. Today will be a relatively short loop.
The battery charger has done its stuff and all my batteries are now at 100%
I load the tank bag onto the Adv and get kitted up. It's not warm and there is a strong gusty breeze from the north.
I fuel up and then set off south, but not before noticing that the De Soto across the road has a flamboyantly painted neighbour...
I have been in this area in high winds once before and it really spoiled the views. I'm concerned that I can see a layer of dust on the horizon...
I descend into Bluff...
...and stop at the Twin Rocks Cafe...
...where this old lady has been sunbathing across the road for at east ten years to my knowledge...
The store's window is full of old typewriters.
Time for lunch!
This is a Navajo Taco. Effectively a portion of beef chilli on top of a piece of Navajo fry-bread. Which makes it a pizza made with a deep fried base...
Followed by cinnamon ice-cream
I speak to Steve, the owner - he says that with the wind from the north, things shouldn't be too bad.
I set off and am soon approaching Mexican Hat, and passing the rock formation from which it gets its name...
Haven't had a bridge for a while...
...this one crosses the San Juan River.
Continuing south, the dust cloud on the horizon is getting more distinct...
...but the unmistakable shapes of the buttes and mesas of Monument Valley are coming into view...
I pay my $10 entrance fee and set off around the 17-mile loop...
It's a rough old track and you've got to keep an eye on the surface - not easy when there's sand blowing all over it...
Like Valley of the Gods, you can navigate this with care in a standard car - or at speed in a rented car...
Of all the places I have visited in the USA, this is far and away my favourite. Even today, when it's quite crowded...
...it's got a feeling of calmness to it that I struggle to describe adequately.
I'm riding with my visor closed and my scarf over my nose and mouth, but I can still feel grit between my teeth...
This is John Ford Point - he used this area in a lot of his westerns - most notably The Searchers...
Monument Valley is a Navajo owned park - there are stalls selling Navajo jewellery all around the drive.
Onward!
Lots of the Navajo live within the park and there are lots of signs asking people to stick to the loop track and not to drive down the private roads to their buildings...
The wind is still strong...
...and I'm not sorry to be starting the last part of the loop...
I should think it will get pretty chilly once the sun goes down.
OK - time to head back north...
I retrace my steps...
...until just north of Mexican Hat, where I turn left...
The Moki Dugway is on the way back - it would be rude not to pay it a visit, wouldn't it?
On the way up, I meet two motorcyclists travelling down - one on an ST1100 and one on a Norton Commando...
The view from the top is not quite as clear as it was last night, but it's still spectacular...
OK - let's get back...
I shuffle along at a fairly illegal rate to cover the 40ish miles to Shirttail Junction...
...with the low sun casting a long shadow on the road...
As I enter Blanding, I can see that Moab, further north, seems to be getting a soaking...
I refuel just before reaching the hotel - 180 miles. What a great day...
I descend into Bluff...
...and stop at the Twin Rocks Cafe...
...where this old lady has been sunbathing across the road for at east ten years to my knowledge...
The store's window is full of old typewriters.
Last time I was there in 2007, it was called the Cow Canyon Trading Post and a couple of Navajo ladies ran a wee restaurant with a very interesting menu, in there.
sven
Registered user
It's making me pine for another US holiday and I was only there in July 
I didn't risk driving round Monument Valley in our rental car, even with zero excess, and had a tour with a nice Navajo lady instead. As it was early evening we had her to ourselves too and visited the areas you can't go in a private car.
Can't wait to return in 2016 to visit Northern California, Oregon and Washington
I didn't risk driving round Monument Valley in our rental car, even with zero excess, and had a tour with a nice Navajo lady instead. As it was early evening we had her to ourselves too and visited the areas you can't go in a private car.
Can't wait to return in 2016 to visit Northern California, Oregon and Washington
Attachments
13th October 2014
A fair night’s sleep – lots of guests were clearly leaving early, so I was awake from about 05:00.
I ablute, dress and pack the bike – there’s a distinct chill in the air and, although the temperature is forecast to be about 64° F this afternoon, it was closer to 40° overnight.
After drinking a coffee from the breakfast bar and putting a fleece under my jacket for the first time this trip, I set off heading north at about 09:30…
It's a gin clear morning and I feel the cold immediately. I switch the heated grips to high and set my speed at about 70mph...
The Adv is singing along - I ride past Church Rock and on towards Moab...
...past Wilson Arch...
...and once again avoid stopping at the Hole in the Rock...
I stop briefly in Moab to draw some cash from a drive-thru ATM...
...take a quick snap of Poison Spider Cycles mural...
...and to pop into Denny's for a cardiac on a plate...
I have decided to give Arches and Canyonlands a miss. It's bloody cold at the moment and I need to start making some headway north...
I join the Interstate heading towards Salt Lake City. I set a cruise at about 75mph and the miles disappear.
I've got to say, bearing in mind the kind of roads I have been riding the last couple of days, the Adv makes an excellent tourer. Good job BMW
Eventually Doris puts me back on the 191 heading north. I refuel at Wellington and get straight back on the road.
New mammogram centre opening shortly on the edge of town...
Joining US6, after riding through Helper, I start the long climb over the Soldier Summit...
Beautiful autumn colours...
As I descend the cities of Provo and Salt Lake City come into view...
As a motorcyclist, I am entitled to ride in the Express Lane - reserved for vehicles with two or more occupants, buses and toll-payers. There's not much advantage to it at the moment because, although busy, the traffic is moving fast.
I remember these weird little cement-mixer trucks from last time I was here...
...not noticed them anywhere else.
Whilst I was here I thought I'd drop in and see the chaps at BMW Salt Lake. They've been a fairly regular port of call for me over the last ten-odd years. They've moved premises it seems...
D'Oh!
It's Monday. US bike dealerships are invariably closed on Mondays...
Never mind - it's a good time to stop for the day - I find a Super 8 Motel just down the road and get a room for a very reasonable $89...
I paid extra for the bedspread...
I unpack and get the pics uploading (very fast connection - hurrah!) and then take the bike down the road to the local Wal-Mart to buy some bits and pieces. Tempted as I was, I didn’t splash out on...
...a camouflaged recliner (what if you couldn't find it?) or...
...a Halloween costume for my dog.
I get back to the hotel and turn the TV on - why not? It’s better than looking at the bedspread…
A fair night’s sleep – lots of guests were clearly leaving early, so I was awake from about 05:00.
I ablute, dress and pack the bike – there’s a distinct chill in the air and, although the temperature is forecast to be about 64° F this afternoon, it was closer to 40° overnight.
After drinking a coffee from the breakfast bar and putting a fleece under my jacket for the first time this trip, I set off heading north at about 09:30…
It's a gin clear morning and I feel the cold immediately. I switch the heated grips to high and set my speed at about 70mph...
The Adv is singing along - I ride past Church Rock and on towards Moab...
...past Wilson Arch...
...and once again avoid stopping at the Hole in the Rock...
I stop briefly in Moab to draw some cash from a drive-thru ATM...
...take a quick snap of Poison Spider Cycles mural...
...and to pop into Denny's for a cardiac on a plate...
I have decided to give Arches and Canyonlands a miss. It's bloody cold at the moment and I need to start making some headway north...
I join the Interstate heading towards Salt Lake City. I set a cruise at about 75mph and the miles disappear.
I've got to say, bearing in mind the kind of roads I have been riding the last couple of days, the Adv makes an excellent tourer. Good job BMW
Eventually Doris puts me back on the 191 heading north. I refuel at Wellington and get straight back on the road.
New mammogram centre opening shortly on the edge of town...
Joining US6, after riding through Helper, I start the long climb over the Soldier Summit...
Beautiful autumn colours...
As I descend the cities of Provo and Salt Lake City come into view...
As a motorcyclist, I am entitled to ride in the Express Lane - reserved for vehicles with two or more occupants, buses and toll-payers. There's not much advantage to it at the moment because, although busy, the traffic is moving fast.
I remember these weird little cement-mixer trucks from last time I was here...
...not noticed them anywhere else.
Whilst I was here I thought I'd drop in and see the chaps at BMW Salt Lake. They've been a fairly regular port of call for me over the last ten-odd years. They've moved premises it seems...
D'Oh!
It's Monday. US bike dealerships are invariably closed on Mondays...
Never mind - it's a good time to stop for the day - I find a Super 8 Motel just down the road and get a room for a very reasonable $89...
I paid extra for the bedspread...
I unpack and get the pics uploading (very fast connection - hurrah!) and then take the bike down the road to the local Wal-Mart to buy some bits and pieces. Tempted as I was, I didn’t splash out on...
...a camouflaged recliner (what if you couldn't find it?) or...
...a Halloween costume for my dog.
I get back to the hotel and turn the TV on - why not? It’s better than looking at the bedspread…
Quite possibly - the advert in the window in 2006 said it was a 1951.
So - here we go:
1936 2 door Ford V8 sedan
1962 Buick Electra
Chrysler 350 - can't find a picture of it, but an early 1970s one
1940s Dodge Sedan - can't narrow it down as they all look so similar. This one has no sign of ever having chrome strips on the front wings - which all pics of all years seem to show...
1967 Olds Cutlass
1959 Chevy Impala
1957 Buick Special 4-door Sedan
1949 Buick Roadmaster (definitely an excellent car, almost time for Wapner)
Great stuff Mike. Have always enjoyed your RR's and this ones as good as ever. Cheers... it also has me inspired to travel in the US of A. My internal compass has always headed East but perhaps its time to do 180 degrees...
Rich
Rich
I am lap dancing in l haveu lkiyyu m
Made.
Made.
Excellent, quality stuff
Interesting !!! Didn't post that !!!
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