Never Ending Urge for Speed and Twisties!

     

      On Labor Day 2011 I joined a group of riders for a short half day ride from Highlands Ranch, Colorado to Colorado Springs. This quick ride was sure to be a fun but new experience for me since I'm not that accustomed to riding with large numbers of bikes.

Trip planning is such sweet sorrow, or shear agony!

  The tedious and exhausting task of planning a trip is often the ugliest part of any adventure. It's now becoming painfully clear that I have so many details to work out before my trip to Canada next year. Yes, I know, it is an entire year away but a trip of this length for me requires an intense focus on the smallest of details. Besides, there is a slight matter of the funds, cash, greenbacks, bread etc to be made before the trip or all of this planning will be for naught.

Here is but a brief rundown of the details that still need to be worked out:

1. Do I explore only Washington, Vancouver, Seattle and surround areas or do I venture out farther?
2. Do I arrange for logging at multiple points throughout Canada or do I have a home base and simply explore from there?
3. Will the shipping company offer discounts for a round trip form Denver to Bellingham Wa?
4. What do I do if I need vehicle maintenance?
5. Is there a remote possibility of Couchsurfing? A prospect that makes me a bit unnerved since I have never ever done anything like that before.
6. Just how early do I need to buy airline tickets?
7. How many cities, points of interest, Lakes, Islands and Mountains can I visit in two short weeks?
8. How do get all the correct equipment for the ever changing weather, and just what kinds of equipment do I need?

These are but a few of the many questions plaguing my mind about this trip. It's shaping up to be an epic journey for sure. I know that a whole year seems so far out but,without a doubt, I'm quite sure it will creep up fast. With any luck, I truly hope all of these details will somehow work them selves out.

If you have ever been to Vancouver, Seattle, or even better, a resident of, I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Leave a comment, message me on twitter,  or contact me here. 

Oh what dazzling sights I've seen in Utah

Day 2 Moab Road Trip:

    Destination-Moab kicked off with an outstanding drive over Scenic Byway128 which launches from the Ghost Town of Cisco and ends at the outskirts of the city of Moab itself. The first 40 minutes of the drive was a tad boring offering little more than flat plains dotted with a farm or two. Thankfully, the plains soon gave way to gorgeous and massive red tinted cliffs towering over the road. While thoroughly enjoying the ride and the captivating scenery, I found myself thinking of what the area would have looked like many thousands of years ago. I quickly realized this trip was certainly going to live up to all my grand expectations.

Steep red-rock canyon walls of eastern Arches National Park.

A brief stop along the way in Arches National park.

     I was very eager to arrive at my campsite to unpack, recoup, grab a bite to eat and venture out and explore this beautiful state of Utah. Driving through Moab I was taken-back by how fairly large yet un-obtrusive the town really was. Don't ask me why, but I had visions of the town being mainly trailer parks and a few local stores here and there. I was pleasantly surprised to see major chain restaurants such as McDonald's, Burger King as well as City Market, Dollar Store and of course 4X4 shops aplenty. I was a bit worried that my dining choices would be limited. After checking in to my campsite, I was famished and had to get some food so off I went. I was not at all familiar with the towns layout yet so the closest place won, McDonald's. While  there, I talked to a few locals to get input on the best place to begin my adventure. Their advice, coupled with the wealth of information I received both at home and on Twitter ,  help me to decide the best place to start would be Canyonlands South Rim and the Needles. But there was just one problem. It would take a good 2 1/2 hours to reach so on this day that was certainly a bad choice because of the late time. This would be my destination of choice for Wednesday so instead I opted to see the visitors center and wander the streets and local shops around town.

     I awoke Wednesday to some medium cloud cover, which was a bit disappointing, so I had a bit of a decision to make on whether or not to head out on my original plan of South Canyonlands. By the time a had my fill of breakfast the clouds dispersed so a great day was upon me, therefore, off I went to explore.

     My first stop in Canyonlands was Newspaper Rock. A roadside ruin which had petroglyphs of all shapes and sizes etched into a small rock face just a few yards from the road. I was completely enamoured by the amount of carvings on proud display. They ranged from animals to spears to what looked like wheels. You can almost see a pattern to the drawings emerge. I tried to imagine what prompted the ancient peoples to produce these carvings but I became a bit overwhelmed. The most prominent carving was that of multiple giant feet. I was at a loss as to their meaning and purpose. I suppose there could be such a mundane reason as migration or maps of sorts. But nobody really knows for sure.

Newspaper Rock. What artful hands these ancient peoples had.

After many miles and brief spots of rain, I made it to the Green River Overlook at the South Rim of Canyonlands. I had no idea this part of Utah would be so breathtaking and massive. I now could see the lure of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. From the cliffs edge you can see a huge network of Canyons which twists and turns for hundreds and hundreds of miles. At the lowest elevation, you can see whats left of the Green River which played a big part in forming the area. I sat back, closed my eyes and tried to imagine the roar of this ancient river at its finest and most powerful. You can almost see the canyons being cut right before your minds-eyes. All along the region, cut by way of erosion and shear power of the river, are monolithic spires of rock (Needles) that must be upwards of 500 feet in height. My one regret is that I did not have an offroad motorcycle on this trip. I now know this is THE best way to really experience Canyonlands National Park and all its grandeur.

Hazy view of Green River: Grand Overlook

Close up view of some the Needles formations.

Posing on the fringes of the cliffs edge.

Have you been to Moab Utah, Canyonlands or Arches National Park? What was your favorite spot? How about the Grand Canyon Arizona? Tell me of your adventures.

Until next time...
Safe Travels.

Gateway Canyons Colorado: Hidden Gem of the Southwest

 Day 1 Moab Road Trip:

   While staying overnight at my brothers in Grand Junction before heading on to Moab, he recommended we take a day-trip to a little know resort tucked deep in the canyons of the western slope. The place is the Gateway Canyons Resort on hwy 141 just 60 miles south west of Grand Junction Colorado. Once we arrived, I soon realized the awesomeness of the resort and its adjacent classic car museum.