After two nights in South Dakota we said goodbye to the family and headed west to Montana. We passed an area where all the trees were snapped off about five feet above the ground not sure how or why but it was interesting. As we approached the Wyoming state line we passed about 100 bikes going the other way – very cool. After a few hours of very nice roads we arrived at Devils Tower National Monument (think Close Encounters of the Third Kind) it is a spectacular view standing in the middle of a green valley, just amazing. We stopped for lunch about a mile away and then continued went to Hardin, MT near the Little Bighorn battlefield. Shortly after lunch we encountered a problem, Ray was having problems holding speed and line when we checked with him he realized he didn’t take his insulin with lunch and needed to rest so we stopped at the B & J Convenience store located near the edge of nowhere. As Ray rested Scott, Phil and I visited and wrote in our journals. We also learned from the lady running the store that our next few hundred miles were through an Indian reservation with an added warning to not breakdown, stop or eat anything along the way. Phil then shared an Arizona motorcycle store involving stopping uninvited on reservation land he and a friend had – suffice it to say we were motivated to avoid a repeat of that adventure. After Rays rest we were on the road again and found that our route was on a stretch of road that due to construction was dirt and gravel road for about 12 miles. Not knowing the area and seeing that backtracking would add hundreds of miles we pressed on. About 100 yards in we encountered a blind dip that shot Scott’s T-Bag so high in the air it cleared his head. Since no one was hurt it was easy to laugh about it and thankfully the road was much smoother after that. We ended the day in Hardin, MT and a camp ground that spent more on the website than the property – It was a total dive and overrun with Mosquitoes. To round out the sleepless night was the trains that passed through the town blowing a horn at every cross street all night long. We woke the next day tired and cranky and for the first time on the trip needing to ride two days in a row. This leg of the trip should have been our best day… Bear tooth Pass and Yellowstone, but the lack of sleep and miles took a toll and the first 1/3 of the day was boring riding and a hot day. When we stopped before the beginning of Bear Tooth Pass we had a disagreement as to the plan to ride it together at a pace comfortable for the slowest rider or split-up and meet at the entrance of Yellowstone. Frustrations and disagreements aside, Bear Tooth is a spectacular ride and well worth going out of the way if you are ever near north western Wyoming. When we joined up at the entrance to Yellowstone I thought we all had stopped for Gas because I saw Scott pulling out of a station as I pulled in and I saw Phil and Ray stop, turns out Scott stopped for the restroom and didn’t get gas because he had ½ a tank and didn’t know how far the next town was. So our relaxing ride through Yellowstone turned into Scott drafting 6” off the back of my bike while Phil and Ray were trying to figure out why Scott had abandoned the staggered riding formation. We found gas, no body died and at tribal council no one was voted off the trip. By the time we reached Jackson, WY we were tired and it was good that we didn’t need to ride anywhere for the next four days. I was planning to take a side trip the next day and go to Nevada and back because I had never ridden in that state so I skipped dinner and went to bed. The KOA at Jackson was great, the tent sites are separated from the RV sites and we were 20 feet from the Snake River, the lack of sleep and stress of the ride and the soothing sounds of the river conspired and I slept way past the 6:00am planned departure time. So I joined the boys for breakfast only to discover my clutch lever was not engaging the clutch properly. We stopped and found that the master cylinder was almost empty. After topping it off all was well so we all headed off in different directions, my ride was cut short when after about 15 miles the clutch lever want soft again. I checked it and the reservoir was full but the new fluid was very dirty, clearly it had sucked air into the line so I went back to camp. Later that afternoon when it had cooled down Scott and Phil helped me bleed the system and it has been fine since that time. The next day we went on a rafting trip and it was great. The four of us were joined by a family from Poland. On the trip we saw a Bald Eagle and it was amazing, we also had the chance to get out of the boat on a long calm section of the river. I initially didn’t get out because I was concerned about getting my 6”2” 290lb body back in the boat but Phil who jumped in pulled me in from behind. After the initial shock from the cold water it was the best part of the trip. It reminded me of God’s Grace like the River we don’t know where it will take us but we are none the less held safe and can if we choose not to fight for control float peacefully along enjoying the moment. When the time came to get back in the boat it was as ugly as I thought but thankfully we have no photographic evidence of that event. We ended the river trip and relived it all on the bus ride back to camp; we were hungry and exhilarated so we went to Bubba’s BBQ in Jackson for a great meal and then a good night sleep. I took a side ride to Idaho and had a huckleberry shake and enjoyed and mountain road with a 12 percent grade which is as steep and paved road I have ridden, It had one fast left hand corner that had an optical illusion making the road appear to end and having you fly into a valley thousands of feet below (Can you say pucker factor?) Since I am writing this you can rest assured that I survived that corner.
After four nights we were sad to say goodbye to Jackson and the Snake River but it was time to go. The ride south to Utah started beautifully but became a flat boring challenge match to stay awake for mile after mile of sameness. The only distraction came with a traffic stop for road construction where Phil and I each listening to different music on our I-Pods were dancing in the street while we waited for our turn to ride the one lane road to nowhere. Not sure who gave us stranger looks Scott and Ray or the drivers of the cars around us. Let’s face it sometimes you just have to dance!
Quick stop for Fireworks and lunch and Ray told us that this was going to be his last day, he needed to go back to TX because of family issues and was going to get a hotel in UT to get a better night sleep before the two very long days of riding he had coming.
We went through something called the Valley of Fire (Sounds inviting doesn’t it?) and after miles of stark beauty came to a dam and a lake with boats and stopped to get wet and cool off. As it turns out after a very hot day I got wet only to then drive into a storm and a cold front you never know what is around the next corner. Before long we came out of the small storm and arrived at the KOA in Vernal, UT Too much to eat at a buffet and out to a movie before a great night under the stars, no tent needed that night.
From Utah the plan was for two days of riding in the Colorado Rockies but when we woke up we missed home more than we wanted to tour our home state. Part of the planned fun was showing Ray the Rockies but he was gone and the three of ride these mountains all the time (I know we are spoiled) so we cut a day off and headed for Denver. It was a full day ride avoiding the major highways and enjoying riding and views that are not possible anywhere else with the possible exception of the Alps. Climbing and falling thousands of feet and spending a good part of the day above 10,000’ is something every motorcycle rider should experience at least once.
When I ride I get a strange reverse altitude sickness where it doesn’t seem like a ride unless I can get above 10,000’ for a while.
Wrap-up
The riding was great and the memories will last a lifetime. I was put in a position to face my fears about leading and like all human endeavors that was filled with both success and failure. The best part is the failing is I got to feel the fear of not being enough so God could remind me that I was never intended to be enough and to lean on Him.
Last week I asked the company to create a position leading a team and to be responsible for a federally mandated program and told then I wanted that job. This would have never happened if the conflict of the ride hadn’t happened first, and I thought we were just going for a motorcycle ride.
Wrap-up
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Part 3 The Good Stuff
Somewhere between the planning, expectations and conflicts was a great ride…
Day one Thursday 7/10 3:00am
I could hardly sleep the night before the ride it was so exciting and I didn’t want to oversleep. Up early to pack the bike and head out to the rally point a Shell gas station sough of Parker, CO. Unfortunately Phil and Ray went to a Conoco station a mile away so we didn’t meet until 3:40 but such is life on the road. We also had our first mechanical issue; Phil’s tail light was burnt out so he could not be seen from behind in the dark. With no way to repair it without parts and nothing open at that time we put phil between Ray and I and off we went to meet Scott for breakfast at Brush, CO – about 140 miles from Parker.
We saw a great sunrise (sorry no pictures, it kept getting better and all of the sudden it was too late) We did experience the strangest weather that morning… The temperature dropped at sunrise as compared to 3:00am to the point that we needed to stop and add a layer of clothing. Scott was waiting in Brush and we had breakfast at a large building with a sigh that read “Hay Auction” (See Above) The building was also home to the Cowboy Church. After breakfast we got gas and hit the road.
At one point rider who will remain nameless took turns leaving the pack and testing the strength on the bungee cords to see if the tent will stay attached at 100+ MPH. After a few minutes of that we rejoined as a group and road at or near the speed limit and crossed into Nebraska. At our next Gas stop we found out that Ray and Phil got very little sleep and needed a nap so we found a park with some shade (it was getting HOT) and they went to sleep as Scott and I found an auto part store to fix Phil’s running light problem, and join them for the last part of the nap. A quick lunch and off to Alliance, NE home of Carhenge http://www.carhenge.com/index.htm a full scale replica of Stonehenge made of Cars. My guess is that Carhenge is a great place to visit if the temperature is in the 70s or 80s but when the day is in the high 90s to low 100s it was just a hot field with a bunch of dead cars.
At this point we were all hot, tired and getting more than a little cranky. The ride out of Nebraska into South Dakota is boring and that is putting it nicely. The Black Hills of South Dakota have some great riding but coming from the south you don’t get to the Black Hills until the last 40 miles or so.
Just as we entered the Black Hills area we passed through the town of Hot Springs where the Bank sign said it was 101 and we are all sure it had cooled down by then, in short it was HOT! The last forty miles to Custer were beautiful and dangerous. The beauty is obvious but the danger was more subtle, it was the combination of several things: 550 miles which are more than most of us ride in a week, heat (Did I mention it was HOT?) and four legged obstacles (Buffalo, Deer and Elk Oh My) On mile 547 of 550 miles with the one traffic light in sight a deer bolted in front of me and I was on the brakes hard and almost got run down by the other guys in the group who didn’t see what had happened. Moments later we entered the KOA with our heart rates returning to normal to see our families were already in the pool. After stripping down and standing under a cold shower for several minutes I began feeling normal again.
What a day!!! Two State Lines, 100+ heat, Car Art, Bike Repair, Midday Naps and a Cold Shower It just doesn’t get any better than that.
What a day!!! Two State Lines, 100+ heat, Car Art, Bike Repair, Midday Naps and a Cold Shower It just doesn’t get any better than that.
We spend two nights in Custer visiting Mt Rushmore and the surrounding area before the families went back to Denver and we pushed to the west but that is another day
More to come.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Get the Bunny 2008 Part 2... Processing the emotions of the ride
This ride had more planning than D-Day; I have been talking, mapping, planning and dreaming about this for more than six months. This is completely contrary to my normal riding approach where I start the ride having no idea where I will end up and only a vague idea of when I will return. This trip not only had maps but reservation for camping every night. As a result the adventure was not to be found in the mystery of the ride but in the mystery of the personalities on the ride.
As the default ride leader it was assumed by everyone that I would make the decisions and on the bike that was fine but when we stopped I was out of my element. My nature is to take things as they come more than direct the outcome and in conflict I am not a “Force of Will” kind of guy. In other words I would make a lousy General.
Our first night camping was only the second time I would setup a tent in my adult life. Given the vast camping experience that Phil had I deferred to him but because that was not clearly communicated it was a surprise to him and how he reacted to that surprise was a surprise to me. Not that Phil is a bad guy; I love him and consider him a friend. Phil is a “Force of Will” kind of leader and after a very long and hot day in the saddle (over 550 miles much in excess of 100 degrees) He was shocked when I didn’t continue to lead when we arrived at the camp. In all the months of planning I never had the division of leadership discussion. So Phil who leads as part of his life, work and ministry was expecting this ride to be a vacation for leadership responsibilities was surprised to be pushed into that role. He took to it but was less than gracious in the transition. He later referred to the event by saying “In the absence of leadership the A-Hole will appear.”
For some time I was thinking that at my age I should move into management at work instead of continuing as a SME (Subject Matter Expert) and Developer. A benefit of this trip was to place that consideration under the microscope of a field trial. I thing I would remain an SME for now and the immediate future.
Scott seems to have a gift for contentment, at least form my prospective he never got caught up in the friction that existed between the three of us. I wish I could learn that contentment but with all the unspoken expectations I had around this trip I set myself up to fail in the area of contentment.
Ray joined the ride at Phil’s invitation so he and I didn’t meet until the morning of day one. He and Phil have had a 30 year history that among other things has seen Ray cycle between being a committed Christian to disappointment and bitterness towards the Church to agnosticism at that point he and Phil will have long and difficult talks to convince him to return to being a committed Christian. At the time of the ride Ray was deep in an agnostic cycle and whiles his stated reason to join the ride was for the ride it seemed to me that his unstated reason was to get time alone with Phil. This caused friction between Ray and Phil in particular and all of us in general. It also seemed to me that Ray is comfortable being a little needy and the point of focus for the group which I would guess contributes to his dissatisfaction with the Church for not meeting his needs. I liked Ray and his sense of humor (The man is a pun machine and is always good for a laugh) but I am not sure I would want to go on another multiple day ride with him.
I started out very angry with Ray and Phil for inviting him but have come to accept the fact that we all brought baggage on the trip (not just the kind you attach to the bike with bungee cords. Ray is a great guy who may never get to know very well.
A large part of my life is spent with men at 12 step meetings who are wounded and want it to be about them but the demands of recovery is you give that attitude up or you don’t recover. I don’t have 30 year relationships with men who don’t change in that time. In recovery if you can’t or won’t change you tend to not stick around the meetings for very long. So I don’t understand Ray and Phil’s relationship. For my part I was also going on vacation from being a 12 step sponsor so encountering a man who reminded me so much of the men who walk into the meetings was not what I was hoping for in a vacation.
So the adventure was not the surprise around the corner it was the surprise around the camp fire. It took me some time to recognize the value in this different type of adventure where the Father called me to walk closer to him in the area of how I see myself and others and to learn how I lack grace for others and myself at times.
Thank You Father for surprises in surprising ways
As the default ride leader it was assumed by everyone that I would make the decisions and on the bike that was fine but when we stopped I was out of my element. My nature is to take things as they come more than direct the outcome and in conflict I am not a “Force of Will” kind of guy. In other words I would make a lousy General.
Our first night camping was only the second time I would setup a tent in my adult life. Given the vast camping experience that Phil had I deferred to him but because that was not clearly communicated it was a surprise to him and how he reacted to that surprise was a surprise to me. Not that Phil is a bad guy; I love him and consider him a friend. Phil is a “Force of Will” kind of leader and after a very long and hot day in the saddle (over 550 miles much in excess of 100 degrees) He was shocked when I didn’t continue to lead when we arrived at the camp. In all the months of planning I never had the division of leadership discussion. So Phil who leads as part of his life, work and ministry was expecting this ride to be a vacation for leadership responsibilities was surprised to be pushed into that role. He took to it but was less than gracious in the transition. He later referred to the event by saying “In the absence of leadership the A-Hole will appear.”
For some time I was thinking that at my age I should move into management at work instead of continuing as a SME (Subject Matter Expert) and Developer. A benefit of this trip was to place that consideration under the microscope of a field trial. I thing I would remain an SME for now and the immediate future.
Scott seems to have a gift for contentment, at least form my prospective he never got caught up in the friction that existed between the three of us. I wish I could learn that contentment but with all the unspoken expectations I had around this trip I set myself up to fail in the area of contentment.
Ray joined the ride at Phil’s invitation so he and I didn’t meet until the morning of day one. He and Phil have had a 30 year history that among other things has seen Ray cycle between being a committed Christian to disappointment and bitterness towards the Church to agnosticism at that point he and Phil will have long and difficult talks to convince him to return to being a committed Christian. At the time of the ride Ray was deep in an agnostic cycle and whiles his stated reason to join the ride was for the ride it seemed to me that his unstated reason was to get time alone with Phil. This caused friction between Ray and Phil in particular and all of us in general. It also seemed to me that Ray is comfortable being a little needy and the point of focus for the group which I would guess contributes to his dissatisfaction with the Church for not meeting his needs. I liked Ray and his sense of humor (The man is a pun machine and is always good for a laugh) but I am not sure I would want to go on another multiple day ride with him.
I started out very angry with Ray and Phil for inviting him but have come to accept the fact that we all brought baggage on the trip (not just the kind you attach to the bike with bungee cords. Ray is a great guy who may never get to know very well.
A large part of my life is spent with men at 12 step meetings who are wounded and want it to be about them but the demands of recovery is you give that attitude up or you don’t recover. I don’t have 30 year relationships with men who don’t change in that time. In recovery if you can’t or won’t change you tend to not stick around the meetings for very long. So I don’t understand Ray and Phil’s relationship. For my part I was also going on vacation from being a 12 step sponsor so encountering a man who reminded me so much of the men who walk into the meetings was not what I was hoping for in a vacation.
So the adventure was not the surprise around the corner it was the surprise around the camp fire. It took me some time to recognize the value in this different type of adventure where the Father called me to walk closer to him in the area of how I see myself and others and to learn how I lack grace for others and myself at times.
Thank You Father for surprises in surprising ways
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Get the Bunny 2008 Part 1
Four for the Road!
We just concluded an eight state 2400+ mile motorcycle ride and I am having a hard time writing about it because it was different that I expected.
I remember the moment when the thought first came to me. It was about a year ago, July 2007 near the end of a family road trip / vacation. We had gone from Denver to Albuquerque for a family wedding then on to San Diego for vacation. On the trip home we stopped and visited friends I have known since High School in Temecula, CA. While visiting and reminiscing I was remembering a cross country motorcycle trip I took in 1978 and though about the next summer being the 30th anniversary of that ride. How to commemorate such an event? I hadn’t ridden in 26 years so I tucked the thought away. 30 years older and a bad back from an auto accident I couldn’t ride a bike again, or could I? A few weeks later on a family drive to Estes Park when I brought the possibility up with my wife Robbie who surprised me with her support.
First step was to take a Motorcycle Safety Course and get my license again then my brother-in-law Phil arranges for us to take a day ride and for me to borrow a friend’s 1200 Gold Wing and the ride was great including some beautiful roads in the Rockies, it is good to live in Denver if you ride. So I had fun and my back was fine, now came the near impossible task of finding a comfortable, reliable bike for less than 2000.00 Craigslist to the rescue. I had focused the search on Gold Wings but one day expanded it to include the Yamaha Venture and found and clean 83 model for 1800.00 so I bought it. After several short rides I took an 800 mile one day ride to see how my back would be on a long trip and all was well.
As the planning began I decided to make this trip different than the original where I took the Interstate system to make the best possible time and I took that trip alone. This time no Interstates if possible and the invitation was open for whoever wanted to come along. The first to join was Phil and then Ray and long time friend of his from Texas and a late addition was Scott. The four of us would do eight states in nine days.
The basic plan was to go to Mt Rushmore then north to Canada, southwest to Yellowstone and back to Denver. When we looked closely at the route we saw day after day of flat hot riding and when you are spoiled by the Rocky Mountains in your back yard that is too much to take. So we eliminated Canada and added a stop at Devil’s Tower in WY and a longer stop at Jackson Hole just south of Yellowstone and a white water raft trip. We extended the return trip to include Utah and added a side trip to Idaho while in Jackson Hole. Any excuse for riding in another state.
I guess I should explain the name of the ride “Get the Bunny” It started with our dog Scooby who is obsessed with chasing and rarely catch bunnies. I had to admire his tenacity and single minded pursuit. I adopted his attitude when it came to riding and adventure when on a ride to no place in particular it hit me; I have never ridden in Kansas so I “Got the Bunny” and added another state to my resume. So part of the route planning was to get as many states as possible for the miles ridden. At the end of the trip I am up to 30 with the goal of 49 before I stop riding. I don’t have any desire to fly to Hawaii to rent a bike so 49 will do for me.
There is a rule that the difference between what you expect and what you get is equal to your disappointment and I guess that is where my challenge is for writing about this trip. First disappointment, I had planned a side trip to add Nevada but circumstances conspired to cancel that part of the trip, more on that later. Second, I had an unexpected heart lesson on leadership and what part of my life should be dedicated to leading other men. Third, I do not do well with conflict between other men, I guess I am more of a loner and under estimated to impact that riding, eating and sleeping with others would have on my peace of mind.
So there it is my first installment and a commitment to finish the store about the trip as time, willingness, inspiration and courage allow.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Back from the trip
We are back and I hope to write more later, just can’t find the motivation yet. For now I am up to 30 states (see updated picture to the right) and only 19 to go to hit the goal of riding in every state except Hawaii.
This is the four of us in South Dakota
Monday, July 7, 2008
2 days, 14 hours, 16 minutes and 18 seconds
After months of dreaming and planning the start of the trip is almost here and the big plans are all set now it is checklist time…
Oil Change… Check
Packing list… Check
Watch “Wild Hogs” again… Check
Agree with the guys “No Spooning”…Double Check
You get the idea. When I get back I hope to have lots of pictures and stories for the BLOG and maybe with Robbie’s help a submission or two to some motorcycle magazines.
In the myriad of details it is easy to lose track of “Why are we doing this in the first place?” Well today I got the answer in two places. First is Robbie’s BLOG http://www.robbieiobst.blogspot.com/ where she talked about the change she has seen in me as I have tried to abandon being “nice” and become “good” instead. Check it out to see who the real writer of the family is (Hint it’s not me)
The second came at a 12 step program I attend were the topic was the difference between negative (fear based) sobriety and positive (Love bases) sobriety. Now sobriety is a good thing regardless of the motives and addicts are by definition love cripples so all addicts must have a period of fear based sobriety before love based sobriety is possible. Basically fear based sobriety is motivated by the fear of the consequences (Getting Caught) and all that entails. It is a defensive game where the addict tries to keep the addiction from winning much like a basketball player tries to keep other players from scoring. Love based sobriety is surrender… I surrender my right to manage my life and trust God. I turn my back on the addiction and let that become God’s problem as well. The measure of “sober” thinking and behavior is not in a set of Do’s and Don’ts but a freedom where the only decision is based on taking the action of Love towards God, my family, and the 12 step fellowship.
How does this relate to a motorcycle trip?
When it was my priority to manage my life with the single goal of avoiding consequences I would never take such a trip much less ride a motorcycle. I had stopped riding for 26 years, first because of $$$ but later out of fear of reinjuring my back after an auto accident in 1991
As I have been progressively set free from fear and the need to “manage” my life I have been willing to take more risks and to trust a Loving Father in the process. So after years of growth I am willing to take a vacation with other men without the fear that they will discover the truth about me and reject me because I now know that they are not the report card on my life, only God is my judge. We ride because riding brings my joy and causes my heart to come to life. While this may seem selfish to some it is a gift from my Father so feel free to take it up with Him, I don’t feel the need to justify my choices.
Very soon we will embark on this adventure but I am clear on the fact that motorcycles and trips are not required for adventure. The real adventure is living each day by faith and not by sight. Every day I need to trust God to be the man, husband, father, friend that He would have me be. The real adventure is to trust God and not lean to my own understanding. The real adventure is to walk in liberty supported by His unconditional love rather than run to self-righteousness where I can have all the control and the comfort of feeling better about myself as compared to others who don’t measure up to me.
The adventure of the trip is a gift from the one who has called me to a much larger Adventure of walking with Him every day.
I believe every man needs adventure in his life and a few my get to ride motorcycles too.
Oil Change… Check
Packing list… Check
Watch “Wild Hogs” again… Check
Agree with the guys “No Spooning”…Double Check
You get the idea. When I get back I hope to have lots of pictures and stories for the BLOG and maybe with Robbie’s help a submission or two to some motorcycle magazines.
In the myriad of details it is easy to lose track of “Why are we doing this in the first place?” Well today I got the answer in two places. First is Robbie’s BLOG http://www.robbieiobst.blogspot.com/ where she talked about the change she has seen in me as I have tried to abandon being “nice” and become “good” instead. Check it out to see who the real writer of the family is (Hint it’s not me)
The second came at a 12 step program I attend were the topic was the difference between negative (fear based) sobriety and positive (Love bases) sobriety. Now sobriety is a good thing regardless of the motives and addicts are by definition love cripples so all addicts must have a period of fear based sobriety before love based sobriety is possible. Basically fear based sobriety is motivated by the fear of the consequences (Getting Caught) and all that entails. It is a defensive game where the addict tries to keep the addiction from winning much like a basketball player tries to keep other players from scoring. Love based sobriety is surrender… I surrender my right to manage my life and trust God. I turn my back on the addiction and let that become God’s problem as well. The measure of “sober” thinking and behavior is not in a set of Do’s and Don’ts but a freedom where the only decision is based on taking the action of Love towards God, my family, and the 12 step fellowship.
How does this relate to a motorcycle trip?
When it was my priority to manage my life with the single goal of avoiding consequences I would never take such a trip much less ride a motorcycle. I had stopped riding for 26 years, first because of $$$ but later out of fear of reinjuring my back after an auto accident in 1991
As I have been progressively set free from fear and the need to “manage” my life I have been willing to take more risks and to trust a Loving Father in the process. So after years of growth I am willing to take a vacation with other men without the fear that they will discover the truth about me and reject me because I now know that they are not the report card on my life, only God is my judge. We ride because riding brings my joy and causes my heart to come to life. While this may seem selfish to some it is a gift from my Father so feel free to take it up with Him, I don’t feel the need to justify my choices.
Very soon we will embark on this adventure but I am clear on the fact that motorcycles and trips are not required for adventure. The real adventure is living each day by faith and not by sight. Every day I need to trust God to be the man, husband, father, friend that He would have me be. The real adventure is to trust God and not lean to my own understanding. The real adventure is to walk in liberty supported by His unconditional love rather than run to self-righteousness where I can have all the control and the comfort of feeling better about myself as compared to others who don’t measure up to me.
The adventure of the trip is a gift from the one who has called me to a much larger Adventure of walking with Him every day.
I believe every man needs adventure in his life and a few my get to ride motorcycles too.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Good to be the Dad
Yesterday was Father’s Day and I hope every dad felt as special as I did. My lovely bride declared the weekend mine so Saturday we took a family day and went to a flea market and then to a motorcycle shop where I was treated to new riding boots and a cool sun shade that fits on my clear visor to I can still see at night but have glare blocked when riding into the sun. I was thinking how blessed I am to have a wife who supports my need for adventure. It reminds me of the line in the movie As good as it gets “You make me want to be a better man.” You can get a glimpse of her amazing talent at her BLOG Joy Dance http://www.robbieiobst.blogspot.com/ today in my lunch she left a note thanking me for taking the ride… “I am proud of the way you take care of yourself and the do the things that restore you.” I am a blessed man – It is good to be the dad.
We then went to church for what I expected to be the annual public beating of men. Not sure why it is that Mother’s day is the time for churches to praise women and Father’s day is the time to beat up men but that is the way it seems to be. We moved to this church last fall so this was our first Father’s day. The message was great. In fact when the post the MP3 the website I will be sending it out. I am a blessed man – It is good to be the dad.
Sunday morning I was surprised with another gift, a cabala’s sleeping pad for the trip. I am not a camper by nature and I was a bit worried about nine nights sleeping on the ground and this will help. After breakfast I loaded up and took off for a ride to who knows where. Along the way took some roads I have never seen and stopped at Echo Lake where I saw that the road up Mt. Evens was open. Mt Evens is one of the Colorado Fourteeners http://www.14ers.com/ which are mountains reaching at least 14,000 feet above sea level. Mt Evens is special in that is boasts the highest paved road in the Unites States 14,270 feet making it possible to drive to the summit. So I paid my 3.00 and off I went. The view was spectacular especially above the tree line. It is like another world. I wish I could say the bike and I had no problem with the lack of Oxygen but that would be only part true. The bike was fine… I was sucking wind like I just ran a marathon but it was well worth it. I couldn’t resist stopping at the store at the bottom of the road, if you can call 10,000 feet the bottom of anything to but a patch and t-shirt. I am a blessed man – It is good to be the dad.
To sum up…
· Blessed Man
· Good to be the Dad
We then went to church for what I expected to be the annual public beating of men. Not sure why it is that Mother’s day is the time for churches to praise women and Father’s day is the time to beat up men but that is the way it seems to be. We moved to this church last fall so this was our first Father’s day. The message was great. In fact when the post the MP3 the website I will be sending it out. I am a blessed man – It is good to be the dad.
Sunday morning I was surprised with another gift, a cabala’s sleeping pad for the trip. I am not a camper by nature and I was a bit worried about nine nights sleeping on the ground and this will help. After breakfast I loaded up and took off for a ride to who knows where. Along the way took some roads I have never seen and stopped at Echo Lake where I saw that the road up Mt. Evens was open. Mt Evens is one of the Colorado Fourteeners http://www.14ers.com/ which are mountains reaching at least 14,000 feet above sea level. Mt Evens is special in that is boasts the highest paved road in the Unites States 14,270 feet making it possible to drive to the summit. So I paid my 3.00 and off I went. The view was spectacular especially above the tree line. It is like another world. I wish I could say the bike and I had no problem with the lack of Oxygen but that would be only part true. The bike was fine… I was sucking wind like I just ran a marathon but it was well worth it. I couldn’t resist stopping at the store at the bottom of the road, if you can call 10,000 feet the bottom of anything to but a patch and t-shirt. I am a blessed man – It is good to be the dad.
To sum up…
· Blessed Man
· Good to be the Dad
Monday, June 2, 2008
Different strokes for different folks
When I ride I ride. My average day on the bike is at least 250 miles and the last several rides have been 400 + so it is not easy for me to find people to ride with. Most people when they speak of a ride are talking about 30 to 50 miles and call it a day. For me that raises the question… What’s the point?
I thought I found my peeps in the BMW Owners club, I do not own a BMW but they don’t care. They look like me – mostly 40+, the dress like me – everyone in riding gear (no jeans or leathers) and everyone wears a helmet and they ride like I ride – hundreds and hundreds of miles. I have been on several rides with these guys and other then them riding a little faster then I usually do it has been a good fit.
Last Saturday was I assumed to be no exception. I joined the group after breakfast in Morrison, CO and found the group planning he longest ride (about 400 miles over several passes) and recognized several people and bikes from previous rides along with some people I hadn’t ridden with before. All was well until we got off the main roads and into a mountain pass and the pace picked up to triple digits.
This is where my wife should stop reading.
Cresting a mountain pass at 110 does have its appeal but when my foot peg digs in on a long sweeper at 95+ I decided that I would meet up with the rest of the group at the next gas or meal stop and get back to my normal speed limit + 5 velocity. The truth is that these roads are beautiful and anything above 80 I get so much wind buffeting and vibration that I can’t enjoy the view so what’s the point. I learned some time ago in cars to keep the racing to the race track. For a while last Saturday I forgot that rule also applies to bikes.
I guess the lesson is avoid group think when riding and in life. To your own self be true.
The nice surprise was that a few of the BMW guys on full touring bikes (like my Yamaha) were hanging back and taking a slower pace so I had someone to ride with after all.
I thought I found my peeps in the BMW Owners club, I do not own a BMW but they don’t care. They look like me – mostly 40+, the dress like me – everyone in riding gear (no jeans or leathers) and everyone wears a helmet and they ride like I ride – hundreds and hundreds of miles. I have been on several rides with these guys and other then them riding a little faster then I usually do it has been a good fit.
Last Saturday was I assumed to be no exception. I joined the group after breakfast in Morrison, CO and found the group planning he longest ride (about 400 miles over several passes) and recognized several people and bikes from previous rides along with some people I hadn’t ridden with before. All was well until we got off the main roads and into a mountain pass and the pace picked up to triple digits.
This is where my wife should stop reading.
Cresting a mountain pass at 110 does have its appeal but when my foot peg digs in on a long sweeper at 95+ I decided that I would meet up with the rest of the group at the next gas or meal stop and get back to my normal speed limit + 5 velocity. The truth is that these roads are beautiful and anything above 80 I get so much wind buffeting and vibration that I can’t enjoy the view so what’s the point. I learned some time ago in cars to keep the racing to the race track. For a while last Saturday I forgot that rule also applies to bikes.
I guess the lesson is avoid group think when riding and in life. To your own self be true.
The nice surprise was that a few of the BMW guys on full touring bikes (like my Yamaha) were hanging back and taking a slower pace so I had someone to ride with after all.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Any Excuse for a Ride
Last weekend My Brother-in-law Phil invited a good friend Scott and I on a ride to surprise another friend Benny at his daughter’s college graduation in Gunnison, CO. We all got off early Friday and met at a gas station in Morrison for the 200 mile ride to Gunnison. This was also a great shakedown trip for the 10 day trip in July, so we went fully loaded including tents, sleeping bags, camp gear and change of clothes. The trip was filled with lessons along with a lot of fun.
Lesson 1… The bungee cords for the tent did not keep on top of the trunk. During the 10 mile ride to the gas station ralley point the tent slipped way back on the trunk, it didn’t fall off the bike but was not where I wanted it. Solution… Use a strap to attach the tent to the “spider-web” bungee holding the sleeping bag to the rear seat.
Lesson 2… The load changed not only the waight of the bike but the center of gravity and added a great deal of surface to catch any cross wind. Solution… Be ready for anything and don’t ride near the edge of the lane.
Lesson 3… Mountain passes get cold even in May. Solution… Pack several layers of clothes and lots of chemical hand warmers.
Lesson 4… Expect the unexpected. This is a two part lesson – first weather we had clear weather for the ride but it rained Friday night, thankfully we were in our tents before it started and when we woke we found that it was more than rain as we found almost an inch of snow on the ground in the morning. Great test for my new sleeping bag, I slept great.
The next unexpected part was the wildlife. We had several close encounters with Deer and since I returned Saturday to be home for Mother’s Day I missed the “Ghost Goat” on Sunday. Scott was following Phil into and valley and as the road turned to the left as a mountain goat jumped the right guard rail and ran alongside of Phil’s bike for a few seconds. Since Phil was looking in the direction of the turn he never saw the goat, hence ghost goat. Solution… Slow down and smell the roses.
Lesson 1… The bungee cords for the tent did not keep on top of the trunk. During the 10 mile ride to the gas station ralley point the tent slipped way back on the trunk, it didn’t fall off the bike but was not where I wanted it. Solution… Use a strap to attach the tent to the “spider-web” bungee holding the sleeping bag to the rear seat.
Lesson 2… The load changed not only the waight of the bike but the center of gravity and added a great deal of surface to catch any cross wind. Solution… Be ready for anything and don’t ride near the edge of the lane.
Lesson 3… Mountain passes get cold even in May. Solution… Pack several layers of clothes and lots of chemical hand warmers.
Lesson 4… Expect the unexpected. This is a two part lesson – first weather we had clear weather for the ride but it rained Friday night, thankfully we were in our tents before it started and when we woke we found that it was more than rain as we found almost an inch of snow on the ground in the morning. Great test for my new sleeping bag, I slept great.
The next unexpected part was the wildlife. We had several close encounters with Deer and since I returned Saturday to be home for Mother’s Day I missed the “Ghost Goat” on Sunday. Scott was following Phil into and valley and as the road turned to the left as a mountain goat jumped the right guard rail and ran alongside of Phil’s bike for a few seconds. Since Phil was looking in the direction of the turn he never saw the goat, hence ghost goat. Solution… Slow down and smell the roses.Thank you Benny for sending your daughter to college in such a cool part of the state and thank you Phil and Scott for the ride this was a great weekend.
This ride makes me feel better about the July trip which starts eight weeks from today – Wahoo!
This ride makes me feel better about the July trip which starts eight weeks from today – Wahoo!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
More than Half Way!
When I am on a road trip especially on a motorcycle I love crossing a state line and it’s even better if I have never ridden in that state before. Recently I found a web site where you can create a map of states visited. http://www.epgsoft.com/VisitedStatesMap/ so I made a map and noticed that I had ridden in 25 states and thought about the possibility of riding my motorcycle in 49 states (No roads to Hawaii) before I get too old to ride or am called home by the Father. The planned summer trip will pick up two to four more depending on the route so looking at the map I saw Kansas, only a few hundred miles from Denver and not on the summer route so off I went last Sunday and had a great ride while increasing the state count to 26.
Robbie told me a story about our dog Scooby who is obsessed with getting one of the bunnies that roam free near our home. She was walking him one day and dropped the leash and told him to get the bunny. He was off like a flash and out of sight before she knew it. As she walked around the buildings she found him (no bunny carcass in sight) catching his breath and very willing to go back to the routine of the leash. He was very happy to have had the time off the leash but ready to go home. I think I am like that silly dog; I love my life and can’t wait to get home after work to be with my wife and son. Home is a safe place filled with love and joy for me and I hope the same is true for you as well. But every once in a while I need to be off the leash and for me that almost always means time on the motorcycle. Last Sunday was an off the leash day for me, I took a ride with no place in particular to go and the thought of adding Kansas to my list of states was not planned. I got out the door and just need to “Chase the bunny” when I came back I was tired and need to warm-up leftovers but it was worth it. I was happy to be home and would have been happy if I hadn’t left home at all that day. But because I went I had the joy of getting that bunny.
I am not saying Men are Dogs but as men we need some time off the leash and so do our dogs.
Robbie told me a story about our dog Scooby who is obsessed with getting one of the bunnies that roam free near our home. She was walking him one day and dropped the leash and told him to get the bunny. He was off like a flash and out of sight before she knew it. As she walked around the buildings she found him (no bunny carcass in sight) catching his breath and very willing to go back to the routine of the leash. He was very happy to have had the time off the leash but ready to go home. I think I am like that silly dog; I love my life and can’t wait to get home after work to be with my wife and son. Home is a safe place filled with love and joy for me and I hope the same is true for you as well. But every once in a while I need to be off the leash and for me that almost always means time on the motorcycle. Last Sunday was an off the leash day for me, I took a ride with no place in particular to go and the thought of adding Kansas to my list of states was not planned. I got out the door and just need to “Chase the bunny” when I came back I was tired and need to warm-up leftovers but it was worth it. I was happy to be home and would have been happy if I hadn’t left home at all that day. But because I went I had the joy of getting that bunny.
I am not saying Men are Dogs but as men we need some time off the leash and so do our dogs.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Can you be too careful?
The battle between good and evil (spring and winter) in Denver continues… Wednesday in the 70s and snow on Thursday Friday, Saturday and Sunday nice and snow again on Monday, last weekend we switched up the days because of Noah’s soccer game and work I didn’t ride on Saturday and went on Sunday instead. I got a late start because one of Noah’s friends from third grade was being baptized so our family went to church with them to celebrate and it was great. After church I rode and Robbie and Noah went to a BBQ with the family. While there the boy’s dad was asking Robbie where I was riding and she said she didn’t know. It is not that she doesn’t care or that I don’t want her to know it is because I don’t plan the day rides I just go until I see a road that looks interesting and take it.
When she said she didn’t know he went on to give a lecture on their family rule where everyone knows where everyone is all the time in case of an emergency. In general I agree with that idea, we always want to know where Noah is since he is nine and I like knowing where Robbie is because I am responsible for being the family covering and I always let the family know where I am and if I am going to be later than expected.
When it comes to adventure, part of whole point is that it is not “managed” with the possibility of untold mystery around the next corner and that is simply not possible if the route is preplanned. I am not saying that the other dad was wrong, he is like most men who want to stick with what they know works, that bad of well used talents, gifts and coping skills. That is a predictable way to live and as long as al your problems are smaller than your skills you have nothing to worry about – reality check… If today’s problems are larger than your skills just wait. Life will sooner or later drop something on you that you can’t handle on your own that is where faith comes in and like anything if you don’t use it you lose it. I am not saying you can lose your faith or salvation, but if you never go to the gym you can’t just walk in and bench press 400lbs.
I think that men should take small adventures to “exercise” faith in small ways and get used to living a less managed life so you can enjoy a more vital relationship with God. Just like the weights if we do not have regular times with God where you are outside of you ability to manage life it will be very hard to trust Him or even recognize Him when things go wrong.
So Robbie and I don’t know where I am going when I leave for a ride and my marriage, life and walk with God are the better for it so yes I believe you can be too careful.
When she said she didn’t know he went on to give a lecture on their family rule where everyone knows where everyone is all the time in case of an emergency. In general I agree with that idea, we always want to know where Noah is since he is nine and I like knowing where Robbie is because I am responsible for being the family covering and I always let the family know where I am and if I am going to be later than expected.
When it comes to adventure, part of whole point is that it is not “managed” with the possibility of untold mystery around the next corner and that is simply not possible if the route is preplanned. I am not saying that the other dad was wrong, he is like most men who want to stick with what they know works, that bad of well used talents, gifts and coping skills. That is a predictable way to live and as long as al your problems are smaller than your skills you have nothing to worry about – reality check… If today’s problems are larger than your skills just wait. Life will sooner or later drop something on you that you can’t handle on your own that is where faith comes in and like anything if you don’t use it you lose it. I am not saying you can lose your faith or salvation, but if you never go to the gym you can’t just walk in and bench press 400lbs.
I think that men should take small adventures to “exercise” faith in small ways and get used to living a less managed life so you can enjoy a more vital relationship with God. Just like the weights if we do not have regular times with God where you are outside of you ability to manage life it will be very hard to trust Him or even recognize Him when things go wrong.
So Robbie and I don’t know where I am going when I leave for a ride and my marriage, life and walk with God are the better for it so yes I believe you can be too careful.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Closer to the summer trip.
This week several things happened or were completed to be ready for the July trip.
I found my next and hopefully last piece of luggage… A super large tank bag http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=145&cat=31 and some pieces of clothing… Riding pants, a Sherpa neck sock and better cold weather gloves which all were tested on Saturday, the weather man promised a great spring day with temps in the 60s and no precipitation. In Denver that was correct but the mountains it was a different story so ½ my day was spent watching snowflakes float over my windshield which was a first for me motorcycling in the snow is truly surreal I wish a had a camera, and the looks we got from people in cars who thought we were a bunch of nuts. The new gear kept me warm and dry, in fact the ride was quite comfortable until I came off the mountain and was almost too warm which is a strange problem to have on a motorcycle.
I just heard from my brother-in-law who is coming on the trip that his motorcycle is repaired. It had been making a loud chirping noise and the local dealer wanted 100.00 to find the problem and 90.00 per hour to repair it once they knew what the issue was. Phil found a local guy who works out of his house or will come to you (If you are in the Denver Area) and he was in and out in 45 min and the noise is repaired for only 20.00. Found him on Craig’s List – you have got to love the Internet.
Once the Tank Bag arrives it will be time to practice packing and do a few test rides fully loaded. It is clear to me that men, OK I am just as obsessive as expectant mothers who will wash and put way the baby’s clothes several times before the baby is even born. So here I am 13 weeks before we leave trying to decide the best place to mount the tent on the motorcycle. I may have motorcycle OCD. When I took my original cross country motorcycle trip I left 2 or 3 days after deciding to take the trip so the only real prep work is new sprockets, chain and sparkplugs. Strapped what I had on the bike and off I went. The first indicator that I hadn’t thought it through can a half a day out when I arrived at the edge of the dessert as the sun rose on a day where the temperature would hit 125. Didn’t think to leave LA in the afternoon so I could cross the dessert at night… That would require planning. Who knows what this trip has in store for us but at least I have learned the lesson about not only having cold weather gloves and getting a sunburn on my hands in the dessert and then needing to put those gloves on swollen painful hands a day latter then the dessert was behind me and the weather turned. You just can’t have this kind of fun in a car.
The most significant milestone this week is the camp sites are booked which caused a slight change in the route. Rather than riding to the north end of Yellowstone on day 4 for a day or two and then moving to the south for a few days, all four night will be south near Jackson Hole, WY so the 4th day ride is longer but we don’t have to pull up the camp and move in the middle. That site puts us on the Snake River near the Teton National Park and about an hour outside Yellowstone. The thought is that Yellowstone is very crowded and the Tetons are less crowded. All the camps sites are private KOA type so they are near roads and have water, laundry and shower facilities. Not as cheap as the federal sites but ten days is a long time in whatever clothes you can carry and without a shower even for a bunch of men.
The New Plan:
July 10 – Denver to Custer, SD and stay 2 nights at Custer/Mt Rushmore KOA http://www.koa.com/where/sd/41107/
July 12 Custer to Hardin, MT and staying at the Grand View Camp Ground http://www.grandviewcamp.com/
July 13 Hardin, MT to Jackson Hole WY and stay four nights at Snake River Park http://www.snakeriverpark.com/index.shtml
July 17 Jackson Hole to Vernal, UT and stay at Dinosaurland KOA http://www.dinokoa.com/index.html
July 18 Vernal to Cotopaxi, CO and stay at the Cotopaxi / Arkansas River KOA http://www.coloradocampingkoa.com/
July 19 Return Home
Along the way we will visit Mt Rushmore, Devils Tower from Close Encounters, Yellowstone, Tetons, Raft the Snake River, Violate the speed limit in at least five states, six if we pop out of the west side of Yellowstone into Idaho, Have a Huckleberry Shake and maybe see a two headed calf or the 8th largest ball if tinfoil… You never know what’s around the next corner.
Well that is the ride and so far three of us are committed to this adventure, it is not too late to join in on all the fun just let me know if you are interested in riding with us. We could also use a car driver so the bikes don’t need to carry as much stuff but the trip will proceed car or no car.
Please share any travel tips, motorcycle packing, or anything we should see in that part of the country
I found my next and hopefully last piece of luggage… A super large tank bag http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=145&cat=31 and some pieces of clothing… Riding pants, a Sherpa neck sock and better cold weather gloves which all were tested on Saturday, the weather man promised a great spring day with temps in the 60s and no precipitation. In Denver that was correct but the mountains it was a different story so ½ my day was spent watching snowflakes float over my windshield which was a first for me motorcycling in the snow is truly surreal I wish a had a camera, and the looks we got from people in cars who thought we were a bunch of nuts. The new gear kept me warm and dry, in fact the ride was quite comfortable until I came off the mountain and was almost too warm which is a strange problem to have on a motorcycle.
I just heard from my brother-in-law who is coming on the trip that his motorcycle is repaired. It had been making a loud chirping noise and the local dealer wanted 100.00 to find the problem and 90.00 per hour to repair it once they knew what the issue was. Phil found a local guy who works out of his house or will come to you (If you are in the Denver Area) and he was in and out in 45 min and the noise is repaired for only 20.00. Found him on Craig’s List – you have got to love the Internet.
Once the Tank Bag arrives it will be time to practice packing and do a few test rides fully loaded. It is clear to me that men, OK I am just as obsessive as expectant mothers who will wash and put way the baby’s clothes several times before the baby is even born. So here I am 13 weeks before we leave trying to decide the best place to mount the tent on the motorcycle. I may have motorcycle OCD. When I took my original cross country motorcycle trip I left 2 or 3 days after deciding to take the trip so the only real prep work is new sprockets, chain and sparkplugs. Strapped what I had on the bike and off I went. The first indicator that I hadn’t thought it through can a half a day out when I arrived at the edge of the dessert as the sun rose on a day where the temperature would hit 125. Didn’t think to leave LA in the afternoon so I could cross the dessert at night… That would require planning. Who knows what this trip has in store for us but at least I have learned the lesson about not only having cold weather gloves and getting a sunburn on my hands in the dessert and then needing to put those gloves on swollen painful hands a day latter then the dessert was behind me and the weather turned. You just can’t have this kind of fun in a car.
The most significant milestone this week is the camp sites are booked which caused a slight change in the route. Rather than riding to the north end of Yellowstone on day 4 for a day or two and then moving to the south for a few days, all four night will be south near Jackson Hole, WY so the 4th day ride is longer but we don’t have to pull up the camp and move in the middle. That site puts us on the Snake River near the Teton National Park and about an hour outside Yellowstone. The thought is that Yellowstone is very crowded and the Tetons are less crowded. All the camps sites are private KOA type so they are near roads and have water, laundry and shower facilities. Not as cheap as the federal sites but ten days is a long time in whatever clothes you can carry and without a shower even for a bunch of men.
The New Plan:
July 10 – Denver to Custer, SD and stay 2 nights at Custer/Mt Rushmore KOA http://www.koa.com/where/sd/41107/
July 12 Custer to Hardin, MT and staying at the Grand View Camp Ground http://www.grandviewcamp.com/
July 13 Hardin, MT to Jackson Hole WY and stay four nights at Snake River Park http://www.snakeriverpark.com/index.shtml
July 17 Jackson Hole to Vernal, UT and stay at Dinosaurland KOA http://www.dinokoa.com/index.html
July 18 Vernal to Cotopaxi, CO and stay at the Cotopaxi / Arkansas River KOA http://www.coloradocampingkoa.com/
July 19 Return Home
Along the way we will visit Mt Rushmore, Devils Tower from Close Encounters, Yellowstone, Tetons, Raft the Snake River, Violate the speed limit in at least five states, six if we pop out of the west side of Yellowstone into Idaho, Have a Huckleberry Shake and maybe see a two headed calf or the 8th largest ball if tinfoil… You never know what’s around the next corner.
Well that is the ride and so far three of us are committed to this adventure, it is not too late to join in on all the fun just let me know if you are interested in riding with us. We could also use a car driver so the bikes don’t need to carry as much stuff but the trip will proceed car or no car.
Please share any travel tips, motorcycle packing, or anything we should see in that part of the country
Monday, January 28, 2008
If you love riding winter sucks!
The opportunity to ride have been few and far between, in fact I bought a new rear tire from a local shop weeks ago and have not even been able to get the bike to them to get it installed. Every week or so I start it and let it warm up to keep the battery and to a lesser extent my soul changed but I miss riding so my attention has turned to planning the big trip this summer.
The date is set Thursday July 10th through Sunday July 20th (really planning to return Saturday the 19th to have a day to rest before work on Monday)
Day 1 Denver to Keystone, SD (Mt Rushmore)
Day 2 visit Mt Rushmore and possibly Sturgis
Day 3 Keystone, SD to Hardin, MT with a visit to Devil’s Tower monument seen in the end of Close Encounters of the third kind
Day 4 Hardin, MT to Yellowstone
Day 5, 6 & 7 Tour Yellowstone and the Grand Teton’s
Day 8 Grand Teton Park to Vernal, UT
Day 9 Vernal to Buena Vista, CO with a tour through the Black Canyon of Gunnison
Day 10 Buena Vista to Home with lots of time in the mountains on the way
This adds up to about 2000 miles not counting the tour days at Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone.
I have gone back and forth on the subject of making the ride a sort of Christian men’s retreat but have decided against it and to focus on enjoying the ride and time with the men who choose to come. I will be listening to a book and music while I ride and if the other riders are interested I’ll share the MP3 files but I don’t want to plan for the great spiritual truth we will discuss on night 5, it is more important for me to just be one of the guys.
Please pray for those of us who will be taking this trip that it will be an adventure that will awaken our hearts and souls and that we will grow closer to The Father as we have time away from the Matrix. If you are considering joining the trip please contact me soon so we can form up plans.
I am considering another trip called 24 in 24. It is a trip where you cross 24 peaks in the Rocky Mountains in 24 hours – like a marathon on a motorcycle. I may do it in 48 hours so I can enjoy the views.
That is all for now I need to return to my search for the perfect tank bag.
The date is set Thursday July 10th through Sunday July 20th (really planning to return Saturday the 19th to have a day to rest before work on Monday)
Day 1 Denver to Keystone, SD (Mt Rushmore)
Day 2 visit Mt Rushmore and possibly Sturgis
Day 3 Keystone, SD to Hardin, MT with a visit to Devil’s Tower monument seen in the end of Close Encounters of the third kind
Day 4 Hardin, MT to Yellowstone
Day 5, 6 & 7 Tour Yellowstone and the Grand Teton’s
Day 8 Grand Teton Park to Vernal, UT
Day 9 Vernal to Buena Vista, CO with a tour through the Black Canyon of Gunnison
Day 10 Buena Vista to Home with lots of time in the mountains on the way
This adds up to about 2000 miles not counting the tour days at Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone.
I have gone back and forth on the subject of making the ride a sort of Christian men’s retreat but have decided against it and to focus on enjoying the ride and time with the men who choose to come. I will be listening to a book and music while I ride and if the other riders are interested I’ll share the MP3 files but I don’t want to plan for the great spiritual truth we will discuss on night 5, it is more important for me to just be one of the guys.
Please pray for those of us who will be taking this trip that it will be an adventure that will awaken our hearts and souls and that we will grow closer to The Father as we have time away from the Matrix. If you are considering joining the trip please contact me soon so we can form up plans.
I am considering another trip called 24 in 24. It is a trip where you cross 24 peaks in the Rocky Mountains in 24 hours – like a marathon on a motorcycle. I may do it in 48 hours so I can enjoy the views.
That is all for now I need to return to my search for the perfect tank bag.
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