To Alaska and Back...

[Yazz]

We are headed for Durango the first of aug.. thanks for the preview....

Could have stayed a week in Durango and explored it more. Beautiful place! Hope you enjoy your stay there!

Glad you like Arches National Park--Your pictures are great.

Also glad you liked the narrow gauge RR. Had you went to Skagway (100 miles or so, south of Whitehorse) you could have rode the Yukon and White Pass RR through the mountains--same views and set up. We drove the road on the Spyders last summer from Whitehorse to Skagway--but did not take the train ride--since we did not have a whole day to do that.

We were also treated to some nice "nosebleed" views for about 25 miles as we entered the valley to Skagway.

Linda says hello also.

Thank you so much for mentioning Arches National Park! Will recommend to anyone in the area to pop into Arches and enjoy the sights!!

Met some people who were exploring Alaska for the summer. The sights they have seen! Would love to spend the time and see what all Alaska has to offer!

Talk about "nosebleed" views! The train went from six thousand feet to nine thousand in three hours. When we got to Silverton, our legs were heavy and we didn't feel like doing the tourist thing. Wouldn't want to stay that high on a Spyder doing twisties for too long. Did I tell you Cypress, TX is 140 feet above sea level?

Say Hidee Ho to Linda and give her a hug from us!

[Yazz]

This was a day that was all about the ride.

Coming out of Durango, the stop lights set up a group of riders heading out into the mountains and beyond. Ape Hangers in the lead, second was Sports Bike, then Hubby and me riding Tailgunner. We were a pack. It was a great time, the four of us slicing through fifty miles and twisties. As each pealed off to their own destination, there were big smiles and waves. Brotherhood.

Coming into Northern New Mexico.



We started dropping into red canyons.

Echo Amphitheater.



Below Santa Fe, there was a lusty cross wind. Never saw Hubbies bike lean that much!

In this picture, the wind was hard enough that it was rocking Spydee.



The good news is, we finally turned east and had an awesome tailwind to Santa Rosa!

Santa Rosa, looking out my back door. (Its getting dark earlier now...)



Hope to have gentle winds on our homeward journey...

Trip B - 10,194.9

[ARtraveler]

Great Pictures: I do love those red rock canyons.

[Yazz]

Great Pictures: I do love those red rock canyons.

So do I! The most beautiful things pop up in the most unusual places.

[DynamoBT]

The best evar travel blog!!! Love that narrow gauge rail!!!!!

Hope you have a safe last leg to home!!

[Spyder Cat]

Trip B - 10,194.9

[Yazz]

Made it into Texas today.



The bad news was the winds were still strong.
The good news was we had a tail wind sixty percent of the time.
The bad news was we were getting into the agricultural area around Lubbock, and the unplanted fields caused dust storms.



The good news is after getting out of the farming area, the air was clear again.

The temps got up to 105 by Spydee's gauge, 110 by BMW's gauge at 2:00. Doesn't matter who was right. It was hot! We stopped every 50 miles and drank at least one bottle of water. We were dirty (from the dust storms), stinking (from the heat), bikers.

Came into Abilene, and it was hazy like a dust storm but smelling of smoke.

http://trueoldiesabilene.com/abilene...aking-history/

There were forest fire fighters staying at the hotel. They were very haggard.

Abilene, Texas. Looking out my back door.



We should be home tomorrow...

[SpyderWolf]

Thanks for the great updates. I too wish you could have made it to Maggie Valley, but your trip of a lifetime has been an amazing journey and I would not want to deprive you of one minute of that. Ryde safe rest of the way home, and we will be looking forward to the final Trip B mileage reading.

[Yazz]

The best evar travel blog!!! Love that narrow gauge rail!!!!!

Hope you have a safe last leg to home!!

Riding the Choo Choo train was a hoot!

Think we will have a good last leg home. No rain and the winds should die down a bit.

Trip B - 10,194.9

Tonight, Trip B is 10, 581.6 and Spydee has held up well!
Going to put a few more miles on before we get home.

[ARtraveler]

Way to go--keep driving safe.

[Lamonster]

Great report

[JimAlpha]

Home? No, please just keep on going. Sure enjoyed the pictures and tales.

[Yazz]

Thanks for the great updates. I too wish you could have made it to Maggie Valley, but your trip of a lifetime has been an amazing journey and I would not want to deprive you of one minute of that. Ryde safe rest of the way home, and we will be looking forward to the final Trip B mileage reading.

I wish we could have made it to Maggie Valley too! Next year is all about Spyder events.

Trip B mileage coming up!

Way to go--keep driving safe.

We're home now and done riding for at least a week. Spydee needs a thorough wash and detail job. Then she goes in for her 12 K annual. She deserves a little pampering...

Great report

Glad to have so many people on the road with us!

Home? No, please just keep on going. Sure enjoyed the pictures and tales.

Robert Earl Keaton sings 'The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends.' We loved living that life but the truth is... Hubby needs to get back to work to pay for all the fun.

Happy you're on the trip with us!

[docdoru]

You are both an example for our clubs riding experience: ryde without limits!

[Yazz]

You are both an example for our clubs riding experience: ryde without limits!

Thank you for your support!

You only live life once, and we aren't getting any younger!

[Spyder Cat]

Thank you for your support!

You only live life once, and we aren't getting any younger!

And if ya live life to the fullest, once is enough!
What a ryde!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Yazz]

The most exciting two days on a road trip are the day you leave, and the day you get home.

We woke up to the Forest Fire Fighter's rigs around Spydee. The good news is it rained during the night. Hope the rain helped the guys...



You know you're in Texas when...

Ranch entryway, near Comanche.



Blue Bell Ice Cream, Brenham. They "Eat All They Can and Sell the Rest."



It was humid heat vs. dry heat. Home again!



Trip B and Temp.



Tomorrow, will tell some road stories...

[docdoru]

Almost 11K?

[SpyderAnn01]

I bet you are glad to be home. I like the raccoon look you wear it well! We have thoroughly enjoyed riding along with you both on this trip your pictures and stories were amazing. I'm exhausted from a week on the road so I'm sure you must be dead tired and ready to stay put for a few days rest.

We met two couples from West Virginia yesterday at our hotel in Indianapolis they were on the 2nd day of their 5 1/2 week trip to Alaska. They were on Gold Wings and they had really big tent camper type trailers.

[Spiderwoman]

Yazz.

Its been a great ride!!!!

Thanks for sharing and a welcome home to you and hubby!

[dltang]

Joy,
So glad you are home safe and sound. Thank you for sharing your adventure with us, it has been a pleasure to read it and what wonderful photos. That is a trip of a lifetime not only for you but for us as fellow SpyderLovers who shared with you in spirit. Can't wait to meet you again one day.

[Spyder Cat]

11k

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us!
Might be time for a good long soak in a hot tub!!!!

Rest well road warriors and pleasant dreams

[ARtraveler]

Thanks for the ride. Sharing your adventures with us was awesome.

Glad you and Jeff made it home safe.

Any plans yet for next years ride?

[glynnk]

Joy/Jeff---Glad you guys made it back home safe and sound. Enjoyed checking your posts almost daily. Report and pics were just super. You guys made all the rest of us terribly jealous!

Glynnk

[NancysToy]

Joy/Jeff, what an amazing adventure! Thanks for taking us all along, via your excellent photos and narrative. We did miss you at the BBQ and Maggie Valley, but we all understood and applauded your choice of trips. Glad you made it home safe and sound.