Last Post

Well it's the last day and I have to hand back the Harley. We have covered 3120 miles, seen 5 states and just scratched the surface of what there is to see.

We have been from 32 deg C to 103 deg C in a couple of days. From 300ft below sea level to 10,000ft above. What is there not to enjoy?

Went looking for new boots prior to leaving, but the BMW dealer did not have my size. Cost would have been ok as what we pay in pounds is what you pay in dollars - so basically 40% off.

They may not have had my size, but they did have this bike milled out of solid aluminium.

Yours for a mere $75,000 - a snip.

This is the moment the Road King went back. Was I sorry to see  it go? No not really- it was ideal for this trip, but I wouldn't buy one. It never missed a beat and kept up with the rest with no trouble.

We did have our issues on this trip, but Gary dealt with them and I would tour with these guys again.

So that's your lot. Back to work on Tuesday.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog as much as I have enjoyed this holiday.

Bye Bye Jim

California Pacific Coast Highway

The last day.

 A trip along part of the California Pacific Highway.

The highway runs away from the shore for most of this route and only touches it occasionally, so we had to dip in and out to see the Pacific.

This is close to Santa Barbara - a lovely clean beach.

Just a stop close to the highway. The track is for a tourist train. The blue of the ocean is vivid.

The three remaining bikes. Steve's Honda and the Harley never missed a beat.

 Gary says the BMW vibrates too much.

The bridge to nowhere starts in the trees and finishes in the trees. Must have been used at sometime - a bit too elaborate for a folly.

Dipped my toes in the Pacific here. Steve and Gary are looking for dolphins and pelicans.

They may have seen them, but I'm not so sure. But then again,I can't see much detail.

This is it.

 Back where we started 3100 miles ago.

 5 states, 15 days, snow and sun.

Was it worth it?

You bet your life it was.

Would I change anything ?

Yes, hard lockable luggage on the bike and getting a daily itinerary giving mileage and stops.

Home tomorrow.

 Got an upgrade from Virgin so it's upper class for me on the flight home. They will have to put up with my snoring instead of Steve.

All joking aside, Steve has been very tolerant and has been a joy to tour with, along with John and Gary. They have made this trip even better than I had hoped.

Probably one more post left.

We take the bikes back tomorrow and then it's off to the airport.

Soon be back in the UK.

Morro Bay back to the Pacific

Breakfast was taken overlooking the pool and hot tub. We are on the edge of the Yosemite National Park. It's beautiful here.

All this is within feet of the hotel

Steve never far from his Gold Wing.

This is the largest doughnut I have seen so far. It's about a foot across and only $2.

 California wine region - just one of the many small houses for the owners.

Steve viewing the Pacific for the first time in 2 weeks.

Good ride today tinged with the thought that we have only 1 day to go.

This is Moro Rock, a volcanic rock a couple of hundred yards from the beach. The view is from our hotel.

Tomorrow we ride back to LA along the Pacific Coast highway.

Sunday we will hand back the bikes and fly home.

2849 miles - only about 250 to go.

Using the Force

Due to the passes over the mountains being blocked with snow, we started this morning contemplating a 340 mile detour.

After a long and thorough search of my luggage and room, I had to accept that I had lost my glasses. So 340 miles of scenic roads and freeways ably assisted by Obe Wan.

The mountains as seen from my room in the hotel. Never did find the Lone Pine or my glasses.

If this is the Lone Pine, it was a long way from home.

Don't know where this is - somewhere on a southern pass over the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

The sign in this picture had been used for target practice and was full of buckshot.

This is the pass coming out of the mountain before we turned north on the freeway. There are no pictures of the freeways as they makes the M25 look interesting.

Bike is going well, but have to stop every 70-90 miles to give the bum a rest.

This is the view from our overnight stop in Yosemite. The road coming in was quite good with lots of sweeping bends. But after 300 miles, I was not in the mood to really enjoy it.

2610 miles so far

Death Valley

Today we rode through Death Valley - 40 miles in 103 deg F heat on top of an air cooled 1700cc V twin.

Scenic it was.

Fun it was not.

You may be able to make out the words on the building, it is an Opera House in the middle of the desert

 (only in America).

Other than a cafe and a hotel, there is nothing here.

This sign is 19 miles from the start of the valley. Cost $10 to get in -  all done on trust - most people stop and pay.

Devoid of life just us tourists.

This is the other side of the valley, temp a modest 80 deg F.

We are now in a hotel - Lone Pine - can't see the pine yet.

The pass we were going to take is blocked with snow (been there, seen that) as are the other 3 passes through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. May have to do 350 miles tomorrow to get through to the Pacific coast.

2300 miles so far.

P.S  found a great T shirt in Las Vages HD shop - may have to grow into it.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas.

 What can you say?

 It's a theme park on steroids.

The city spreads over the whole valley but 'the Strip' is only a small part of it.

This is our hotel, The Monte Carlo.

More slot machines than you can shake a stick at, and cheap rooms too.

Gary eventually got his bike, a BMW R1200 Explorer, but only after picking up an Electra Glide that was a heap of poo.

Does he look happy or what?

This is the Harley Cafe on 'The Strip' - it was heaving.

Caesar's Palace

No clocks so you do not know if it's day or night outside. You do not need to move. They will bring anything to you food, booze etc.

The place comes alive at night, but there are beggars on the street, plus men and women handing out cards for ladies of the night.

It's all about getting the dollars out of your wallet.

When we enquired about the time for breakfast, the response was when ever you want it.

We shall see.

2020 miles in total so far.

Hoover Dam Tour

Took another trip to the Hoover Dam - this time to take a tour of the facility 500 ft down to the turbine hall. $30 for a 1 hour tour.

The bridge is a new addition to take all the through-traffic off the Dam road.

To take this picture I had one foot in Arizona and the other in Nevada - two different time zones!!

This is the Arizona turbine hall  - 2 500MW total output.

The dam is used as a water control rather than power generation.

The Colorado river never reaches the sea as there is no mouth to the river. All the water is used up prior to reaching the Pacific.

This picture is taken from a vent in the dam wall.

The memorial to those who built the Dam.

This is the first man made object I have seen on this trip that is not just a facade. It was designed with tourists in mind and with money no object.

It is a fantastic piece of civil engineeering and a real wonder.

3 States in 1 Day

Today we started in Utah, went into Arizona for a few miles and then ended up in Nevada.

This is a cafe that was supposed to be a big biker hangout. As you can see, we were the only ones there.

The sound on the previous video was from Gary's car. He should pick up a replacement bike tomorrow.

Steve and I at the entrance to Lake Mead. This lake was created when the Hoover Dam was built. It is also the location of the Valley of Fire.

This is the pay station for the park - it's a trust system. You put $10 in an envelope and post it, retaining the rip off strip.

Rang home from here. The temp. was about 80F.

Rock in the canyon are a vivid RED.

 Videoed the ride.

This is Lake Mead.

The marina is floating and rises and falls with the water level. It had to be moved as the water level has fallen about 50 metres in the last 10 years.

John on his Electra Glide. He is not all that keen on the crash lid. Spent most of his time with us in a bandana.

We also met a couple from the next village to where Steve lives.

We popped into Vegas to try and sort a bike out for Gary (he has been in a car for 4 days).

This is the Harley dealership in Las Vegas. Steve has been smitten by this 2005 Gold Wing - fully kitted out lights and all for £9145. Even I had to admit it was a cracking bike.

After booking into the hotel and having a nap, we visited the Hoover Dan at about 8pm.

This is the new bridge that crosses the gorge and  the Dam. This only opened this year.

We are going back in the morning to take a tour of the Dam and its workings.

Half of the Dam is in Nevada and the other half is in Arizona. One side of the bridge is an hour ahead of the other.

Total mileage so far 1991 miles.

John leaves us tomorrow, so we will be back to just the three of us. Hopefully, Gary will get his bike and he can enjoy the tour as much as we are.