MondayMotoMadness

Monday, July 1, 2019

Erickson Pass Ride

On past rides along the Pony Express Trail I had seen a sign for Erickson Pass.

I was initially put off by the sign that warned it was for 4x4s only because I was with friends. Of course, that just meant that I had to go back and try it out for myself.

Andrew (Africa Twin), Chris (DRZ-400), and Lucas (CRF250L Rally) were game for a try after I explained that I had no idea what it was or how bad it might be. In fact, I incorrectly remembered it as "Norton, or Nelson" pass. We went right by the cutoff before realizing that I had the wrong name and turned back to give it a go.

The road was through rolling hills typical of the area. An easy ride to enjoy the scenery. Because of the late spring rains it was greener than would be expected for this time of the year which was an added bonus.

Erickson Pass was little more than a depression is the surrounding hills. Had we not seen the sign we would missed it completely. I suppose if I were in a horse drawn wagon it would have been more meaningful but it hardly a challenge for our mighty beasts.

Seeking a little bit more of a challenge we decided to see where the trail behind us led.

Not sure what was up with my camera but I really wasn't going that fast.

Another break to checkout some interesting rock outcroppings and then on to Delta for lunch.

A little over 200 miles for the day split between dirt and pavement. That's the great thing about adventure bikes; no trailer required! We all had a great time and are looking forward to doing it again in the Unita mountains next month.

Make my day, tell a friend about this blog!

Sunday, June 16, 2019

Really Old Stuff

I rearranged my work area today and moved this toolbox over to the bench. A moment's reflection made me realize that it contains a micro history of my life.

I bought it used in 1968 when I got my first real mechanics job at Weymouth Honda south of Boston. I worked a deal with the Snap-On dealer to buy the basic wrenches and sockets on credit and slowly paid him off as pay checks came in.

The stickers for Honda of Boston, Honda City, and Boston Cycles are from the summers I worked in those shops as I went to UConn. They have all passed into history with many great stories if I had time to write them all down.

The upside down American flags is a protest against the Vietnam war that killed several of my friends.

The tools and sockets are from many eras. There are Metric sizes from working on Japanese motorcycles and Whitworth and British Standard from a time when I worked on Triumphs. There are SAE sets from the summers I worked on school buses with Floyd Chesbro. A great man who taught me that the most important tool in any toolbox is patience.

The same wrenches that I bought in 1968 are still in the drawers and still get used regularly. Good tools and good friendships last forever.

Make my day, tell a friend about this blog!

Monday, June 3, 2019

Doggish Sayings - Part Deux

From my sister:

Medicine heals the body; Dogs heal the soul - My favorite T-shirt

If your dog thinks your the greatest, do not seek a second opinion! - Good Advice

You don't get to tell me what to do - you're not my dog. - Anonymous

Make my day, tell a friend about this blog!

Friday, May 31, 2019

Truth

Make my day, tell a friend about this blog!

Monday, May 27, 2019

Mr Kool

If you can't laugh at yourself ...

Make my day, tell a friend about this blog!

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

DOGGISH SAYINGS

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue." -Anonymous

"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful." -Ann Landers

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went." -Will Rogers

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." -Ben Williams

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." -Josh Billings

"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person." -Andy Rooney

"We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made." -M. Facklam

"If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons." -James Thurber

"A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down." -Robert Benchley

"I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult." - Rita Rudner

"Dogs need to sniff the ground; it's how they keep abreast of current events. The ground is a giant dog newspaper, containing all kinds of late breaking dog news items, which, if they are especially urgent, are often continued in the next yard." -Dave Barry

"And nobody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog."- Franklin P. Jones

"If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise." -Unknown

"Outside of a dog, a book is probably man's best friend; inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." -Groucho Marx

"Ever consider what they must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul -- chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!" -Anne Tyler

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." -Robert A. Heinlein

Make my day, tell a friend about this blog!

Sunday, May 19, 2019

DMT - Until the next time

foo

This is how it ends up, bikes in the driveway and stuff all over the lawn. Plans undone, a plane to catch, disappointment in the air.

Maybe I could have given Jason and Erika the Taco and trailer to get back home to meet their plane while I continued on. At the time it was all about getting Erika back to see her mom and whatever was best for her.

Adventures have only vague plans and uncertain schedules. You take it as it comes and play it as it lays. There were plenty of hits on this trip like Monica the ranger who gave us some tips on places to see and camp away from the tourist crowds. Cheryl, the waitress at our lunch stop, mailed our postcards for us so they would have the Death Valley CA postmark.

The Taco is ready to take us to another adventure. It's just a matter of time before Death March Tours heads out again.

Make my day, tell a friend about this blog!

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Heading Home

A family emergency is calling us back. Adventure awaits another day

More confusion

Repacking for the change of plans.

Day 5 - Plan B

A slight change of plans after a rough day of sand and gravel roads. And one small accident.

We're back in Beatty again. (You can check out any time you like, But you can never leave!')

Today we are switching to the Taco and continuing on our original plan. Same route but a different vehicle.

After regrouping and reloading we will be heading for the BDR this morning.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Day 4

Packed up and ready to go. Off to Dante's Peak and then to the connection to the BDR. We've maxed out on hot for now so we're moving on from Death Valley

Monday, May 13, 2019

Day 3

Obviously in no hurry today. But that's what it's all about. Some days are fast and furious, others are laid back and lazy

Day 3 - Looking a little more organized

Breakfast at Mel's and a quick stop for some more supplies. Then off for more fun and adventure

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Taking the long way home

Went to see the Rhyolite ghost town and the 30' tall Lego lady.

Then decided to ride through Titus Canyon. In some places it's only wide enough for one car to fit through. I have no pictures because the ones I took are incapable of showing the scale of the rock formations.

When we got back to the highway we found the road blocked by some emergency. It was dark and we were tired. If it we didn't have bad luck we wouldn't have any luck at all!

Like everything else today, it was just another bump in the road to be dealt with. A not to long detour had us heading to Beatty and a well deserved shower.

What fresh disaster tomorrow?