The wind is no joke in Kansas, we try to avoid when possible

 

Day 15: Death Valley then back to Utah

Time to feel the heat, we pack up and start hydrating for the day ahead. Death Valley here we come ready or not.


Before we entered we bought 2 10lb bags of ice to add to the 10lb bag we had bought earlier. Ann was pouring ice water on me as we rode, it felt good at first but it would dry in a minute or two. Even with all that we still felt dehydrated, here was the high for the day, the record is 134 I think


No kidding


Pretty in it's own way


We started to take the road that leads to the lowest point in the U.S., but it was another 18 miles away, so I turned around snapped this picture and we both agreed to get out before we melted


So we made it as far west as we planned, so we started back east.


So we made it back to AZ and to UT again and found a nice little state campground called Quail Lake


Day 15 Total: 399 mi

 

Day 16: Grand Canyon North Rim

Woke up to this nice state park in Utah, Quail Lake


We pack up and start the drive to the North Rim looks pretty cloudy...might rain


And it does rain...and gets kinda cold


So we almost decided not to camp...but we didn't want to break our streak and throw the tent up in the rain, the ground had so many rocks we bent most of our tent stakes, a little frustrating as we are getting soaked, thus the cooler and water jug holding the tent down


We hung out at the lodge in the bar for most the night. We met two of the lodge staff at the bar, a older guy from New York and a 21 year old chick that had an off day. After several rounds they invited us to hang out with them back at the employee bar. It didn't open till 9 p.m. So we took the employee shuttle over to their bar and had a couple more beers before making our way back to our soaked tent. We didn't care at that point and slept fine


Day 16 Total: 143 mi.

 

Day 17: North Rim and Monument Valley

So it was pretty foggy in the morning but eventually cleared up enough to get a couple pictures






Then the fog comes back, just drink in that view!


Leaving the park


and then rain again...still a great ride


clears up again


Navajo Bridge, very cool


Monument Valley




We stop in Mexican Hat and grab a Swingin Steak


After that we drive into the night and find a free camping spot at the Goosenecks, lightening was all around but not raining, right after we get the tent set up, it starts raining pretty hard....just made it


Day 17 Total: 279 mi

 

What an adventure! I agree those GoPro shots are amazing! I think you have it down as far as the touring goes.
We tried that trip on two bikes last year and it proved too difficult. I think I'm going to give a long sojourn another crack but this time two up. Thanks for the motivation!

 

Keep them coming, sharing them with the wife. We love it!

 

It is a lot of riding in short period of time, not every minute is a high point, but overall they are great experiences for us. For us every trip gets a little easier so your next one will be better for sure!

 

Day 18: Goosenecks, Mexican Hat, Hovenweep National Monument, and 4 Corners

So last night we couldn't really see much, and our tent was kinda toward the edge of the overlook, this is what it looked like at the Goosenecks




Monument Valley in the background


We then make the ride over to Mexican viewing area, and it had rained so much the road was covered in red dirt


The Mexican Hat, like upside down I guess. We also met a group of German riders that rented Harley's. There was probably 20 of them and they took pictures and video of us leaving a gas station in Mexican Hat. They must have been saying look Americans!!


Wild horses on the side of the road on our way to Hovenweep


We visit Hovenweep a village that existed 700-800 years ago, and these little building is all that remains


4 Corners, last time we came here it was closed...so good to actually see it


Back on the road toward SE New Mexico



Day 18 Total: 356 mi.

 

Thanks so much for sharing! Looks like quite an adventure. Look forward to more.

 

Day 19: Riding toward Carlsbad Caverns and Roswell, NM

KOA near Albuquerque, NM


We get our kicks for 20-30 miles or so, then it makes you get on 40E


So we make a last minute decision to go to Carlsbad Caverns and head pretty much straight south, the weather was good and I had heard it was worth the extra miles


First we hit Roswell, and the whole town was decorated in alien stuff








We can't help it, we love to grill while camping, this is a KOA near Carlsbad


Day 19 Total: 280 mi.