Larry,

Thanks for the suggestions I will look at them tomorrow.  I really like the idea of not borring.

Mike I will keep you guys posted on where I think I will be, but let me see how traveling goes when I actually leave Houston.

Steve

 Great photos Steve, scenic Americana like you don't see from the Interstate system. I bet that Bubba's Big Deck is a hoot on a Friday night! 

I hope my Idaho suggestions are good ones.  I also have comments about Oregon, though I haven't seen nearly as much of that state.  While much of it has staggering beauty, you haven't seen "boring" until you've driven through South-Central Oregon!

Take a look at Rand McNalley -- there is huge emptiness around your route between Lakeview/Valley Falls just north of where you'd leave California, and US 20 or US 26.  Note the complete lack of those green "scenic drive" dots along most of that route.  It's empty for a reason; it's in the Cascades' rain shadow and extremely dry desert.  A caveat:  I haven't been there, exactly, but rather to the east in the Malheur Lake/Steens Mountain area, which wasn't bad.  The other side of Steens is unbelievably lacking in rainfall.

The part I HAVE been over is between Burns and the Idaho border.  I don't know of anyone who thinks it's pretty or interesting!  IOW, the Oregon part of your route seems unexciting to me.  And, it's a BIG state -- you drive, and drive, and drive....

Unfortunately, alternatives are very far apart and might add too much to your trip.  I have a couple of suggestions:

• Take I-5 north from Redding, past Mt. Shasta.  Continue north over the Siskiyou Mtns. into Oregon.  You have a big variety of routes off the Interstate from there, to go past, or to, Crater Lake.  You can also decide where to cross the Cascades, but just north of Crater Lake isn't bad.
• Or, turn off I-5 at Weed, and take US 97 past Klamath Falls and Klamath Lake.  Continue up US 97 to see the Cascade peaks from the east side.  (The Cascades are low mountains with very high ex-volcanos every 50 miles or so, like Crater Lake, the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood, etc.)

The Siskiyous:

Crater Lake, INSIDE the top of a 8,000-9,000 ft mtn.  The lake surface is over 6,500 ft. in elevation -- WAY above the surrounding countryside (see the clouds below the crater at http://public.fotki.com/TomBremer/places/american-west/oregon/20070630002.html):

In any case, I suggest you try to avoid either US 20 or US 26 across Eastern Oregon to Idaho.  Those are two very long, deserty drives.

The Columbia Gorge is terrific.  However, that's a big addition to your trip.  One thing you could do is stay on US 97 until you can turn West on US 26, and then go right at Government Camp onto OR-35 and down to Hood River.  This takes you right past Mt. Hood, which won't have much snow on it this time of year.  This is a Spring or early Summer pic:

Then, you can take I-84 east across the Blue Mountains, past Baker City and the Wallowas, and on toward Boise.  Unfortunately, the best of the Columbia Gorge is to the west of Hood River.

Sorry I can't give you definite preferences like I could for Idaho.  Hope this helps.  Maybe you can ask Munkingman, who I think lives around Portland.

Larry,

Thanks for the ideas.  I have tweeked the route.  Take a look at the new link.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=3571+Pineview+Dr.+Powhatan,+VA+23139&daddr=I-40+W+to:I-30+W+to:I-35+S+to:US-59+S+to:TX-249+N+to:I-40+W+to:W+Tomichi+Ave%2FUS-50+to:US-50%2FUS-6+to:US-50+E+to:CA-89%2FW+Lake+Blvd+to:CA-267%2FNorth+Shore+Rd+to:CA-49+to:E+Hwy-20%2FCA-20+to:US-101+N+to:CA-299+to:US-97+N+to:E+Hwy-26%2FOchoco+Hwy%2FUS-26+to:44.88312,-117.020874+to:US-12+to:I-90+E+to:I-90+E+to:I-680+E+to:I-465+S+to:3571+Pineview+Dr,+Powhatan,+Virginia+23139&geocode=%3BFaQJKAIdWJ_g-g%3BFQ5UBQIddGdw-g%3BFbwOxQEd1PEm-g%3BFdINxAEdSFJN-g%3BFdmyyQEd6JdN-g%3BFX4AGQIdzBju-Q%3BFQYkTAIdhlOg-Q%3BFRyXVAIdSM8w-Q%3BFf5OVgIdgNbd-A%3BFVYXVAIdwgTX-A%3BFfIJVwIdPPjX-A%3BFZrGWwId-pjO-A%3BFRKDVAId_jyu-A%3BFQrybQIdgQSZ-A%3BFQIVbgIdOiSp-A%3BFe4joAId4ALF-A%3BFYxMpwIdhFTZ-A%3B%3BFQxAwAIdWFEc-Q%3BFS4fugId9POH-Q%3BFdgGoQIdqGfY-Q%3BFZQneQIdLEVJ-g%3BFZKSYAIdhgTf-g%3BFWz7OwId53pb-w&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=11&mrsp=18&sz=8&via=10,11,12,13,15,17,18&sll=44.960911,-117.685547&sspn=1.978366,7.009277&ie=UTF8&ll=39.402244,-112.807617&spn=34.351096,112.148437&z=4

Steve

customsteve01:

Thanks for the ideas.  I have tweeked the route.  Take a look at the new link.

I think you'll be happier with your new Oregon route.  US 26 is much better than 20, and you'll like Prineville.  That stretch between Baker City and Halfway is very pretty, being well-watered by runoff from the Wallowa mtns to its north.  (North of the Wallowas is gorgeous, but too far out of your way.)

Your new route goes down into Hell's Canyon, and it looks like you'll see two of the Snake River dams, Oxbow and Brownlee.  I think they're very interesting.  Then, you're taking ID-71 (I knew the hwy no. without looking) over to Cambridge.  That stretch along the Snake always scared me some -- it runs along a bluff over the deep, still reservoir without any guard rails, and usually no one's around if something happens.  There're a lot of scary dropoffs in the West, but that one has given me the willies.  [EDIT:] I think the reason is the curves aren't that well engineered for consistency, and some are surprisingly sharp when you don't expect it.[end edit]

Cambridge and Council are really deadly for scenery IMHO (my grandfather lived in Cambridge and dad grew up there).  It depends on what you like to see (I don't really know).  It gets better north of Fruitvale, and really nice near New Meadows, tho' mostly not as good as ID-55 to McCall and New Meadows IMHO.  However, you saw the pics I posted along the Payette No. Fork and McCall, so now you know I'm a mountain-and-forest guy.  I'm not sure when your done that you'll think the Baker-to-Cambridge thing was that special.  Keep in mind that some of those back roads, like ID-71 and US 95 to New Meadows, aren't very fast.  55 isn't bad.

There are usually quite a few 'cyclists on US 95 along the Salmon.  I remember seeing them between Riggins and White Bird

Larry

Day 5 07/09/09 and start of Day 6 07/10/09

Didn't get to post these yesterday, we were visiting with Carolines daughter, husband and our grandson. It was really noce that they have a pool. It was so refreshing to get in the water. It was in the triple digits yesterday. I will say the cool vest helps alot in this heat.

Before we left I took a few pictures of the outside of the Bed and Breakfast we stayed at. Its the Lambs Rest Inn. Its in New Braunsfels but really closer to Greune. It is the only B&B that is on the water. They have some really nice landscaping and decks out back.
The Inn from the front.


Looking from the upper porch down to the river.


Down this path leads to the decks by the river.

The upper deck


The lower deck


Devil Duck wanting to get in the river.


They had a really cool gazebo made from old doors. It had a two person swing and ceiling fan. You could sit here with a drink, book and your wife and just relax and watch the river.


Stopped for gas aways outside San Antonio and met Val from Michigan, she was on a VRod and had rode out to the Grand Canyon and was on her way to Katy. We were passing right by there so we rode together for about 100 miles. It was 103 today.


Today We are going to head North to around Tomball, its only about 45 miles or so. Staying with more friends up there.

Oh, Devil Duck did get to go for a swim in the Lambs Rest Inn pool.  I didn't get him out at Carolines Daughters house because my grandson would have wanted to keep him.  lol

 Was down in Gruene the week before you and wanted to go jump in the river.  Have a safe trip and enjoy!!

Looks like I got alittle behind, let me chatch you up.
Day 7 07/11/09

Made it to Tomball, staying with friends not much else to say and no pictures.  I did go get a oil cooler and put it on.

Day 8  07/12/09

Left for the Gulf Coast around 11 am.  We went west to Dayton on FM 1960 then over to 90 and then down 365 at Nome through Winnie to 124 South down to High Island, then down the coast on 87 to Bolivar to catch the ferry over to Galviston.  Was a nice ride to the ferry.  We had to wait an hour to get on the ferry then over to Galviston.  We ate at Tortuga Coastal Cantina on 61rst street.  Then headed up I-45 to Richard and Carols house.  It was a really hot ride home.

Here we are waiting on the ferry and the line looking both directions

I am going to head out in the morning and try to make Amarillo, Talk to yall soon.

Ok Time for another installment of "Devil Duck goes Cross Country".....  lol

Day 9  07/13/09 

It's hard for me to believe that I have been away from home for 9 days already.  I really feel this is the first day of the trip.  For the last few years I lived in VA but worked in Houston, TX and comutted back and forth all the time, and I lived in Houston for 11 years prior to moving to VA.  Plus today is the first day of the trip that I have really been solo also.

Enough of all that lets get on with what Happend today, Thats what you guys want to know, right....
Well I was up around 7:30 and got ready but still had to load up the bike.  Left my friends house around 8:30 or 9:00 I think, didn't really pay attention to the clock I was hot and sweaty already and knew it was only going to get worse.

Ready to leave.

Headed up to Tomball to say "see ya later" to my Dad and grabbed a quick bite foor breakfast.  Headed up 249 at 10:30 then turned left on 105 to HWY 6 North

Alittle shot of 105

HWY 6 takes you thru College Station home to Texas A&M then thru Hearn and Calvert.  Calvert has a bunch of old shops and the Yellow Rider as I call him.  He has been there for a long time and never gotten anywhere.  Actually he did move across the street a few years ago.
If you want some Texas stuff go in this store

Yellow Rider

Shot of main street Calvert

When coming down from Dallas the other day I told you about the corn dead in the fields well here it is. This is on I-35 south of Fort Worth


It looks like they are just plowing it into the ground.

Oh did I mention that is has been increadably hot today... I can't wait to get into some cooler weather.  After getting thru Fort Worth I headed North on 287 and stayed on this all the way into Amarillo.  I saw a sign at a truck stop near Wichita Falls that said it was 112 degrees.  I thought about turning around to get a picture of it but I did need gas and I really didn't want to prolong todays ride by even 15 min. yes it was that hot.  here are some shots along 287.
Just Northwest of Fort Worth

coming up on Wichita Falls I saw two trucks hauling tires, yes those are tires.  Each truck had 3 big and 3 little tires.

It started getting alittle greener as I past Wichita Falls, but it didn't get any cooler.

Not too bad of a self picture going 75 down the highway.

I stopped to get a this picture and noticed the train coming so I waited and got some of the train too.  Most of the trains I saw today were really long and they had 2 engines in the front and two more in the back.



This is the direction I was riding with the sun right in my face.

And the end of the train.

The sun set about 30 min. before I got into Amarillo and it was a really comfortable riding tempature.

I rode 577 miles in right at 11 hours and I think I mentioned it was really HOT didn't I.  I told the clerk when I checked into the motel that I just needed a room with a good airconditioner.

Well thats it for today kids.

Thanks for the pics, it's going to feel like more the trip you were expecting now that your on your own.

Enjoy yourself, this is a trip of a lifetime, people talk about a trip like this and most never do it, have fun and be  safe.  

 Great Photos Steve, keep em coming. WOW what an adventure! Let me know an ETA for Indy when you got closer. I'll get some cold ones ready for ya. Stay hydrated man. 

Michael

Thanks for the pics,stay cool,ride on! I often think of takin' a long ride across country with some friends,if I do,it will be in Fall,lol.

Day 10 70/14/09  Updated on 07/15/09

The day started off really good.  The weather was great for riding and not a cloud in sight.  I got started alittle later than I had wanted but I needed a few things at Walgreens and I stopped for breakfast.  Once on the road and headed north on 87/287 I was putting miles behind me.

Amarillo is in my rearview mirror

Some of the mostly flat lands between Amarillo and Dumas

There is a long bridge for the train in this pic.

At Dumas, TX 87 splits off of 287 so I made the left turn to continue on 87 North.
I met two retired Oklahoma State Troopers that were also headed into Colorodo so we decided to ride together for a while.  They were on GoldWings.....  It was kinda cool John was on a red bike Don was on a white and me on a blue

This is the way to grow corn, but it does take alot of water.

Before getting into Dalhart I stopped and watched this crop duster for a bit.

Dalhart has 3 of these big grain elevators

Mew Mexico state line

First sign of some hills

Passed this group of bikers

Hills getting closer and closer

These clouds in the distance do not look very good.

Here are the red, white and me on the blue

In Raton, NM it did try and rain a little but not enough to get out the rain suit, it was nice to be cool tho.  Actually when I passed the welcome to Colorado sign it was raining so I waited till the welcome center to stop for some pictures

Some from the rest stop.  You can see the storm I rode thruogh

First sight of the mountains on I-25 North headed to Pueblo

Just North of Colorado City I crested a hill and pulled over for some pictures

When I stopped I smelled oil burning.  Looked around on the bike and noticed oil on the timing cover.  It was coming from where the oil filter adapter goes when you install an oil cooler.

I located Outpost Harley that was not too far off my route.  they were able to get me right on in and replace the gasket.  They did a great job but I still lost 3 hours, so my plan to make it past Gunnison was not going to happen.  I decided to go as far as Salida and stay the night there.  I was really wanting cooler weather, it was 100 in Pueblo.  I stopped as the Royal Gourge and walked across the bridge, if I had known you could drive across it I would have done that.

Long way down

Hwy 50 follows the Arkansas River and is a really fun ride.  You forget you are going up all the time.

I was getting dark as I rode into Salida so I decided to get a motel room for the night.

Day 11 07/15/09  part 1

Like I said spent the night in a motel least night instead of camping.  Here is the view from the parking lot.

Bike packed up again ready to roll.
Town sign

I headed west on Hwy 50 to go over Monarch pass and on the Gunnison and beyond but how things change.

I saw this really detailed horse sculpture

The ride up to the pass was really nice and twisty.

Made it to the pass safe and sound, it was a little chilly and had to put on a light jacket.  Some riders were in full leathers.

I decided on taking the gondola ride to the top of the mountain up another 1000 feet.  The mountain top is at 12,000 feet and the view was breath taking.
Going up???





Still snow on the ground

Not a bad picture for a point and shoot.

The ride down was a blast.  It was a 6 deg. decent for 9 miles of twist and turns.  I had both the gondola operators warn me that its a dangerous ride down the west side and that they loose about 1 biker a week.  I found that if you do the posted speedlimit and pay attention to what your doing it was a thrill.

At the bottom shiney side up.

A few pictures of the ride into Gunnison.

I decided to go ahead and camp where I planed to last night.  I also am going to change my route a little in the morning.  Instead of taking hwy 50 all the way I am going too turn North on 92 which will meet up with 50 in Delta.  This will add some time but I have been told it is a really neat road. 

So far this trip has been so great and I still have so many places to see.  I also think I will go all the way to Hwy 1 in Califoria instead on 101.

Hope I am not putting too many pictures in this thread.  its just a drop in the bucket of what I have taken.

Steve