August 6th, 2005
We get to a great observation point and take some group photos...
L-R Swarm, Crumbs, Scott, Dave (Gonzbro), Mike, Gonz, and Ken
The view is spectacular and makes you feel really small!
Here we got another shot of us in the hills...
And another...my beautiful bride never complained about the seat or stops all the way out. Only that she was tired and trying to stay awake! Thank God I have the armrests on!!
Now for the prized West Coast Group Shot!! I am going to need help remembering all the names and screen names...it all seems blurred together now, the whole weekend happened so fast.
L-R Guardian, Andrea (ShadowMom), Ken, Dave (Gonzbro), Gary (SCSIdude), Dave (mensa143), Scott (ChopperScott), Albert (Swarm), Adrian (TJMac), Mike (Ruhk), Pat (Crumbs), ??Couple, and me.
Time to go and Scott grabs a shot of Erin and I on the bike...something we haven't had yet! Too bad it is covered in crap from the rain storms and bugs!!
Erin tried to grab a shot of this lake, but the trees around here are REALLY FAST!!
Nice place on a hill!!
We are behind Swarm at this point....more trees and mountains ahead!
Now this is a room with a view!!
Here we pull into the National Park entrance.
Rangers really do dress like that!!? Cool! Grab a shot!
I bet this lady knows Smokey the Bear!!
Here Erin captures a ghost on the mountain!! What is that white stuff anyway?
Come right out of the mountains and into a valley!! These twisty roads are fun!
This was a dark and ominous shot!!
Here Dave chats up a local ranger at Bear Lake. The ranger I met was Jack Daily...hmmm
Here is a gathering of some of the older forum members...meaning from the older forum,...not that we are old or anything...lol
Beautiful area and we took the path around the lake. At first I found myself struggling to breath properly as the air is thinner than I am used to. That wasn't as bad as when I had to push start Kens bike when we got back! Took 2 minutes of panting to catch my breath! I am gl;ad it started easily, I was going to have to tag team someone else in for me for a second attempt!
and a portrait worth framing!!
On the way back we went through some spectacular canyons with walls creeping in on us from both sides, twisty windy roads, about 10 big horn sheep down by the road eating food from tourists, and Kenneth took a small spill when he came into a turn a bit hot and set the bike down on a soft shoulder. He was fine after a cigarette and the bike only incurred small scratches on the highway bar. Got to give him kudos for getting back on and riding well after this shake up. We got in about 150 miles that day, wound up at a quaint pub for a beer and pin presentation! Got mine ! Whoohoo! Time to start a collection for each year now. Next we all went to Outback for dinner and a few drinks. Back at the hotel Erin and I were too pooped to go out that night so left the others to their devices. What a great day. I slept like a petrified log!!
Sunday morning came and we had to do the hardest part, say our goodbyes to Pat and Scott and Adrian. In all, I would have to say the friendships changed me more than being up there in those mountains, not something I expected.
Apparently the Valk was a little put out being parked OUTSIDE
ALL NIGHT!!! in cold mountain air temperatures....and in a mix of all those
CLEAN bikes!!! So it wouldn't start for me in the morning....but it could be the
fact that it and I are so in tune....that it knew I didn't really want to leave
that beautiful place and awesome friends we had the pleasure of sharing their
time and space with.... so it gave me the opportunity to cop out and stay
longer....but alas we had a long road ahead of us and need to get going.
I think it was Ken that got the cables from the hotel van and we pushed the bike
over to get a jump.....fired right up and no issues since...
Scott snuck that shot in as we were pulling the cables off....I almost left no
evidence but he got it!! LOL
Thanks Scott!! HA HA HA!!
As they split off the highway on our way out, I felt a deep sadness yet a joy that this would not be the last time our paths would cross. Farewell my friends!!
Here are a few MPEGS that Erin took...just click on the GIFs...
We hustled through Colorado back to
Texas, going through the Oklahoma panhandle when I saw storms forming. We dodged
a couple coming into Texas. The first one formed, down poured, and moved off to
the west as we came in behind it. The streets were still running off as we came
through. It was a refreshing few sprinkles we got and road spray as well.
Then we hunkered down and did 85 to get into Amarillo as another one was forming
to the east of us, and knowing that the last one was heading west we wanted to
get into town before it did. It was blowing hard and cold from our left. We got
fueled up and headed out of Amarillo and voila!! That storm just disintegrated.
I guess it gave up trying to catch us! No rain all the way into home...I never
put on my jacket it was so nice out....
One thing I noticed from every ride I go on, we start out with a great group, and the closer I get to home, and the more that drop off to their own paths, I say "and then there were five" or "and then there were four" etc. until it is just Erin and I. Something you know is going to happen, because it has to end somewhere. But there are always new adventures to be had.
Thanks to all who helped put this together, Dave (mensa143) especially for putting the roads together, they were awesome!!
There is so much more to tell but you
really had to experience it. I keep thinking of things to add but could be here
all day...just know that this was a full weekend.
We hope you enjoyed this trip as much as we did.
Gonzo
02' Shadow Spirit "Vicious Cycle", 98 Valkyrie "Eragon"