Into Oregon

We crossed into Oregon today which gave Kevin, Nate and Rick checks on their states ridden bucket list.

We had a couple secluded twisty roads today along with some that were fairly congested with weekenders heading home.

We're spending the night in LaGrande, Oregon after a full day of riding.

Hells Canyon in Oregon 

Another shot of the canyon. It's actually deeper than the Grand Canyon but not as spectacular..

Just riding down the highway.

Picture day.

It was a good day today. Perfect weather except a lot of smoke in the atmosphere from far away fires.

Took a bunch of pictures most of which were in the town of Clayton, Idaho that has a strong history of lead and silver mining. In recent years the locals have refurbished some of the towns buildings and turned them into museums show casing life in the early 1900s. We happened into the town while they were having a celebration of their heritage.

Nate standing next to a Moline tractor.

So we're checked in to our lodge for the night and killing time before supper.

Idaho Falls, Idaho

All 8 of us arrived at about the same time here at the motel. The ride had cool temperatures for the six of us but we hear it was still hot for Frank and Bruce. 

We got to ride some decent roads along the Snake River but mostly through flat farm and cattle land.

Our friend,Tom Moon, recommended an ice cream shop in Farson, Wyoming so we had to stop. The only problem it was 1/2 hour after we had our breakfast so we had to pass on their Big Cone.

We stopped at a road side historic marker commemorating the Oregon trail for wagon trains over 150 years ago. Ruts from the wagons can still be seen in the distant field of this picture.

Here are some pictures of the pretty stuff.

Coming together

6 of us have arrived in Rawlins, Wyoming. We all had a nice cool day of riding coming in from 3 directions. Steve and I up through Colorado, Kevin and Nate from Nebraska and Jerry and Rick from Utah. Within an hour of arriving a pretty good rain storm hit but only lasted for a short while.

  After a mediocre supper down the street we're gathered back at the motel for evening stories. The guys are checking out Rick's Harley trike as I write this.

  Tomorrow it's on to Idaho where we will hook up with Frank and Bruce who made it to Panguich, Utah today.

New summer new trip

Well it's that time of year and we're off again on our motorcycles to see the great out west. The participants on this trip are: me, brothers Steve and Kevin, Nate, Frank, Jerry, Bruce and a new member of the group Rick. 

There will be 2 each: BMW K1600s, Goldwings, Honda ST1300s and Harleys one of which is a trike.

We are gathering from Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri and Arizona. Our first meet up will be in Rawlins, Wyoming on Thursday with the last 2 guys meeting us in Idaho Springs, Idaho on Friday.

We will be traveling west through Idaho, touching base in Oregon and Washington and then turning back east through Idaho to Montana. Then working our way SE to Red Lodge, MT where we will pick up Beartooth Pass (primo highway for motorcycles) and ending the group ride in Buffalo, Wyoming.

We will all scatter making our way back home.

I plan on posting pictures and commentary through out the trip, as long as I can get WiFi. Come along for the virtual ride.

Pie for lunch

We did a loop ride that took us on the Coronado Trail road. This road takes you through the copper open pit mine in Morenci, AZ and then for 90 miles of winding blacktop. We stopped in Alpine for lunch at the Bear Wallow Cafe. The total ride was right at 300 miles. The weather was comfortably cool and sunny.

Getting ready to hit 191 north (old 666)

Coffee break in Clifton

The processing plant at the mine

Part of the open pit mine. Look for the hauling trucks at the bottom.

A tire and wheel from one of those trucks.

A small portion of the long and winding road.

Lunch 

There goes my diet for the day

Going up to country

A quick 3 day trip from our homes to the White Mountains of Arizona and New Mexico. Clay from Tempe, Roland from West Tejas and me met today in Silver City, NM. Tomorrow we'll do a loop ride on the Coronado Trail and back. Hope to have more pictures for tomorrow's post.