#DCtoCA in 24 Days, Pic's
#1
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So my wife and I just completed our 2nd Cross-Country trip in 2 years. On our first trip we made a run to the coast and visited some friends and family, which was fun, but made for long days, and it felt rushed. We still had a great time but felt we could do better this year.
This time we set no schedule and decided to camp every night rain or shine. The end destination would be Death Valley, CA. We wanted to set up camp before sundown, and grill as much as possible. We both agreed it would be nice to spend about a week in Utah checking out the National Parks, and hopefully doing a couple activities in Moab (Atving, rafting, bike rentals).
Here's how it went...if you want to skip ahead and see the rest of the pics they are on our site http://softailscenery.weebly.com/dc-to-ca.html
Here we are at 6am ready to head west from Arlington, VA Day 1
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/5755422_orig.jpg)
Riding threw foggy MD
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/8376521_orig.jpg)
While riding in Ohio this little funnel cloud started coming down, but turned out to be nothing
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/4689325_orig.jpg)
Made it to the Indiana border
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/1322411_orig.jpg)
Indy!, our stop for the night, but first we ate at the Weber Grill, I think there are only 3, 2 in Indy and one in Chicago
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/9531449_orig.jpg)
Day 1 total: 613 miles
Day 2: Indianapolis, IN to Wichita, KS
1st night was at a KOA near Indy
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/5111759_orig.jpg)
Another state down
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/9290978_orig.jpg)
Honey watch out for those big junebugs
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/6502252_orig.jpg)
So we wanted to go to the St. Louis Arch, but had a hard time finding parking. There was a baseball game going on and most lots said they didn't take motorcycles, so after getting into an argument with a parking lot attendant lady, I said screw this and got out of St. Louis quickly, but did get a close up pic
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/1880544_orig.jpg)
Another state bites the dust
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/6096517_orig.jpg)
Our camping spot for the night, a stormy KOA, our tent almost blew away in the middle of the night and we ended up packing up around 4 a.m. and waited a couple hours till the rain died down before leaving.
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/9519495_orig.jpg)
Day 2: 598 miles
This time we set no schedule and decided to camp every night rain or shine. The end destination would be Death Valley, CA. We wanted to set up camp before sundown, and grill as much as possible. We both agreed it would be nice to spend about a week in Utah checking out the National Parks, and hopefully doing a couple activities in Moab (Atving, rafting, bike rentals).
Here's how it went...if you want to skip ahead and see the rest of the pics they are on our site http://softailscenery.weebly.com/dc-to-ca.html
Here we are at 6am ready to head west from Arlington, VA Day 1
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/5755422_orig.jpg)
Riding threw foggy MD
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/8376521_orig.jpg)
While riding in Ohio this little funnel cloud started coming down, but turned out to be nothing
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/4689325_orig.jpg)
Made it to the Indiana border
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/1322411_orig.jpg)
Indy!, our stop for the night, but first we ate at the Weber Grill, I think there are only 3, 2 in Indy and one in Chicago
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/9531449_orig.jpg)
Day 1 total: 613 miles
Day 2: Indianapolis, IN to Wichita, KS
1st night was at a KOA near Indy
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/5111759_orig.jpg)
Another state down
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/9290978_orig.jpg)
Honey watch out for those big junebugs
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/6502252_orig.jpg)
So we wanted to go to the St. Louis Arch, but had a hard time finding parking. There was a baseball game going on and most lots said they didn't take motorcycles, so after getting into an argument with a parking lot attendant lady, I said screw this and got out of St. Louis quickly, but did get a close up pic
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/1880544_orig.jpg)
Another state bites the dust
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/6096517_orig.jpg)
Our camping spot for the night, a stormy KOA, our tent almost blew away in the middle of the night and we ended up packing up around 4 a.m. and waited a couple hours till the rain died down before leaving.
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/9519495_orig.jpg)
Day 2: 598 miles
#2
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Day 3: Wichita, KS to Pueblo West, CO
Riding threw the tail end of the storm in KS
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/96812_orig.jpg)
We don't like the sight of these guys, cause then you know you might get thrown off the bike from wind
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/359680_orig.jpg)
Used car lot
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/1227642_orig.jpg)
Trains are cool, we cut down from I70 to Rt. 50 and stayed on that for most the day
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/7105663_orig.jpg)
We made it to CO, hoping to see some mountains soon
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/6104018_orig.jpg)
What I see at the end of the day
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/8348874_orig.jpg)
Our camping spot at Pueblo West Campground, only 3 bucks if you are on a motorcycle!
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/360754_orig.jpg)
Day 3 total: 573 miles
Riding threw the tail end of the storm in KS
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/96812_orig.jpg)
We don't like the sight of these guys, cause then you know you might get thrown off the bike from wind
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/359680_orig.jpg)
Used car lot
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/1227642_orig.jpg)
Trains are cool, we cut down from I70 to Rt. 50 and stayed on that for most the day
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/7105663_orig.jpg)
We made it to CO, hoping to see some mountains soon
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/6104018_orig.jpg)
What I see at the end of the day
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/8348874_orig.jpg)
Our camping spot at Pueblo West Campground, only 3 bucks if you are on a motorcycle!
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/360754_orig.jpg)
Day 3 total: 573 miles
#3
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Day 4: Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods and Cripple Creak
We rode ours!
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/4630050_orig.jpg)
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/5846991_orig.jpg)
Yes, we had snow, hail and rain and it was cold
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/5754439_orig.jpg)
GoPro action
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/7221798_orig.jpg)
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/7157442_orig.jpg)
Garden of the Gods
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/8099305_orig.jpg)
It started rain really hard so we ducked into the gift shop for a while but we ended up having to ride in the rain some, and I left the rain gear back at the tent site....oh well
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/7428107_orig.jpg)
We then headed to Cripple Creek, but most the touristy stuff was closing when we got there, and we aren't really gamblers so we didn't stay long
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/8376779_orig.jpg)
So we went to a Wal-Mart to grab some food to grill and when we came out someone had hit and run our bike....they didn't leave a message or anything. We ended up calling 911 to have a police report on file and would have to deal with it later. We got lucky, the bike could have been knocked over or un-rideable, but I was able to bend the fender off the tire enough to ride it. Having an adventure already!
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/2525941_orig.jpg)
Day 4 total: 253 miles
We rode ours!
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/4630050_orig.jpg)
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/5846991_orig.jpg)
Yes, we had snow, hail and rain and it was cold
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/5754439_orig.jpg)
GoPro action
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/7221798_orig.jpg)
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/7157442_orig.jpg)
Garden of the Gods
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/8099305_orig.jpg)
It started rain really hard so we ducked into the gift shop for a while but we ended up having to ride in the rain some, and I left the rain gear back at the tent site....oh well
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/7428107_orig.jpg)
We then headed to Cripple Creek, but most the touristy stuff was closing when we got there, and we aren't really gamblers so we didn't stay long
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/8376779_orig.jpg)
So we went to a Wal-Mart to grab some food to grill and when we came out someone had hit and run our bike....they didn't leave a message or anything. We ended up calling 911 to have a police report on file and would have to deal with it later. We got lucky, the bike could have been knocked over or un-rideable, but I was able to bend the fender off the tire enough to ride it. Having an adventure already!
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/2525941_orig.jpg)
Day 4 total: 253 miles
#4
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Day 5: Rt. 50 to Black Canyon NP to Ouray, CO
Happy to be back on the road
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/1482437_orig.jpg)
I forget the name of this bridge, but the whole area was like a ghost town due to a bunch of fires that had come threw the area. Even the bridge was closed, so this is as close as we could get.
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/235872_orig.jpg)
Rt. 50 had great views
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/9362756_orig.jpg)
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/1848459_orig.jpg)
Cool area, the water looked tropical
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/9569445_orig.jpg)
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/891096_orig.jpg)
I saw a sign for this a decided to check it out
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/9132690_orig.jpg)
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/1250485_orig.jpg)
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/1067095_orig.jpg)
Our camping site in Ouray, Co KOA, the whole area was pretty busy, we tried to stay at a state run campground but they where full
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/2790491_orig.jpg)
Day 5 total:316 miles
Happy to be back on the road
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/1482437_orig.jpg)
I forget the name of this bridge, but the whole area was like a ghost town due to a bunch of fires that had come threw the area. Even the bridge was closed, so this is as close as we could get.
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/235872_orig.jpg)
Rt. 50 had great views
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/9362756_orig.jpg)
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/1848459_orig.jpg)
Cool area, the water looked tropical
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/9569445_orig.jpg)
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/891096_orig.jpg)
I saw a sign for this a decided to check it out
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/9132690_orig.jpg)
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/1250485_orig.jpg)
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/1067095_orig.jpg)
Our camping site in Ouray, Co KOA, the whole area was pretty busy, we tried to stay at a state run campground but they where full
![](http://softailscenery.weebly.com/uploads/9/5/9/5/9595445/2790491_orig.jpg)
Day 5 total:316 miles
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