- Joined
- Oct 16, 2008
- Messages
- 3,790
- Reaction score
- 4,883
- Location
- Bryan, TX
- First Name
- Dennie
- Last Name
- Spears
I wanted to go north and Randypower wanted to go to Idaho Falls. I’m not sure Randy’s son Trevor wanted to go anywhere, but he did agree to drive the tow vehicle back to Texas. Randy and I agreed that a ride down into a canyon near Moab would help pay him for his time. Randy wanted to ride part of the Continental Divide Trail and some BDR trails in Idaho, Utah and Colorado. I wanted to visit 26 national parks in Wyoming, Montana, Canada, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. Covid19 knocked me out of Canada and 4 Canadian national parks as well as Mexico and Big Bend. Fires, and especially smoke, knocked me out of one park in Oregon and seven in California. My long ride turned into 14,000 miles instead of 20,000+ miles and half my expected national parks will have to wait until another day.
If you check my odometer, it will show that I didn't quite make it 14,000 miles, but I'm going to include about 200 miles that I hiked. That puts me over +. DRZ400-starting mileage 17,632. In the 65 days of riding after being dropped off in Logan, I averaged 215 miles per day, with the highest being 568 miles and the lowest being 0 miles. Hiking sometimes takes priority over riding.
Two on the inside
One on the outside and we’re headed to Moab and then on to Idaho where we split
We left San Antonio around noon on Friday and made it to Moab and gassed up the truck and bikes before the White Diner opened at 6:00 AM. They let us in a little early.
Father and son contemplate the first of many switchbacks before getting to the bottom.
The rest of the way down
Colorado River at the bottom.
We also visited Canyonlands NP where we saw Mesa Arch
And we saw Grand View.
At this time, Trevor had been paid his meager wage and we continued to Logan, Utah where I unloaded my bike and gear. At that point, I realized that I left my tail bag in Texas. Well, I really didn't need a rain suit, an electric jacket liner, winter gloves, a computer or a hoodie. Walmart did provide a rain suit and, as I will explain later, the rest of my gear also showed up. Randy and the vastly underpaid Trevor continued to Idaho and their own adventures while I quickly found a campground and about 12 hours of sleep.
The next morning, I headed toward Jackson, Wyoming, Grand Teton NP and Yellowstone NP.
I saw this lady beside the highway waiting on her husband to get back from town with a tire that had air in it. A home made house/kayak carrier.
This is Bear Lake. It has been geographically isolated for over 100,000 years and combined with it's unique chemistry, has resulted in the evolution of 4 fish species found nowhere else.
Afton, Wyoming has the worlds longest elk antler arch. They also had a great kung pao chicken plate which is now empty and my tummy is now full.
I just happened to to see this raft coming down the river and back tracked to this rapid where I waited.
My first glimpse of the Tetons. My visit to The Tetons and Yellowstone will be brief since I just spent three weeks there last year with my wife and a Burgman 650.
I went down a dirt road that a ranger suggested. I had asked about a campground and he laughed and said most in the park filled up before 10:00 AM. There was rustic camping along a creek at the end of the dirt road he suggested. This family of 4 was Covid19 camping and home schooling across America. They even brought their washing machine and dryer. The twins were loving their lifestyle. I'm not so sure about mommy and daddy.
Looking up river to my camp which I am sure is prettier than any in the main park.
End of day 1 of riding, not counting the short ride down Shafer trail in Canyonlands. 64 days to come.
If you check my odometer, it will show that I didn't quite make it 14,000 miles, but I'm going to include about 200 miles that I hiked. That puts me over +. DRZ400-starting mileage 17,632. In the 65 days of riding after being dropped off in Logan, I averaged 215 miles per day, with the highest being 568 miles and the lowest being 0 miles. Hiking sometimes takes priority over riding.
Two on the inside
One on the outside and we’re headed to Moab and then on to Idaho where we split
We left San Antonio around noon on Friday and made it to Moab and gassed up the truck and bikes before the White Diner opened at 6:00 AM. They let us in a little early.
Father and son contemplate the first of many switchbacks before getting to the bottom.
The rest of the way down
Colorado River at the bottom.
We also visited Canyonlands NP where we saw Mesa Arch
And we saw Grand View.
At this time, Trevor had been paid his meager wage and we continued to Logan, Utah where I unloaded my bike and gear. At that point, I realized that I left my tail bag in Texas. Well, I really didn't need a rain suit, an electric jacket liner, winter gloves, a computer or a hoodie. Walmart did provide a rain suit and, as I will explain later, the rest of my gear also showed up. Randy and the vastly underpaid Trevor continued to Idaho and their own adventures while I quickly found a campground and about 12 hours of sleep.
The next morning, I headed toward Jackson, Wyoming, Grand Teton NP and Yellowstone NP.
I saw this lady beside the highway waiting on her husband to get back from town with a tire that had air in it. A home made house/kayak carrier.
This is Bear Lake. It has been geographically isolated for over 100,000 years and combined with it's unique chemistry, has resulted in the evolution of 4 fish species found nowhere else.
Afton, Wyoming has the worlds longest elk antler arch. They also had a great kung pao chicken plate which is now empty and my tummy is now full.
I just happened to to see this raft coming down the river and back tracked to this rapid where I waited.
My first glimpse of the Tetons. My visit to The Tetons and Yellowstone will be brief since I just spent three weeks there last year with my wife and a Burgman 650.
I went down a dirt road that a ranger suggested. I had asked about a campground and he laughed and said most in the park filled up before 10:00 AM. There was rustic camping along a creek at the end of the dirt road he suggested. This family of 4 was Covid19 camping and home schooling across America. They even brought their washing machine and dryer. The twins were loving their lifestyle. I'm not so sure about mommy and daddy.
Looking up river to my camp which I am sure is prettier than any in the main park.
End of day 1 of riding, not counting the short ride down Shafer trail in Canyonlands. 64 days to come.