Continuing to really enjoy your stories and photos, @Bolosun. Thanks for taking the time to post! Keep it up!
We left the "show" and headed for Texas. Next stop was the U Drop Inn Cafe Station in Shamrock Texas. Then it was off to the Grey County I-40 Rest area At the rest stop it was approx 100F and we were looking for the shade or better still the air con inside. We were about an hour from our hotel and looking forward to a beer and food, but the weather had other ideas. As we approached Amarillo we could see the storm clouds in the distance, as we got closer the heavens opened the temperature dropped to about 66F and we got caught in a horrendous hail storm with the hale stones the size of large marbles. And when they hit you, you knew about and a few of the group showed the battle scars for the rest of the holiday. Not my hand After about 20 minutes stuck at the side of the road waiting for the storm to subside, we headed for the nearest truck stop waiting for it to pass over. We were there for nearly 3 hours before a gap in the weather. We also had a Tornado warning, and could see it building in the distance, but thankfully it did not materialise. We finally got to the hotel at 21:30 for a very late dinner.
Bloody hell, hope everyone was ok. You're certainly experiencing the full nine yards that nature can throw at you. As for you hand, don't be embarrassed that you chose the wrong colour for that day. . Enjoy the rest of the trip. As I've said before, really enjoying your pictures and reports.
So now we are onto day 8 and heading for Sante Fe, New Mexico. Over 310 miles, so not much chance for photo stops. And we will be crossing the half way point on Route 66. Because of some peoples planning for wet weather (Not!) we had to first of all go to the nearest Wallmart for them to buy some wet gear. The weather looked fine but cold, but we had to take an extended break within the hour because of an approaching sandstorm. So again we spent about an hour in truck stop waiting for a gap in the weather. We managed to make our way threading through a couple of weather fronts, but managed to avoid more rain. We were going to the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, but because of the unexpected shopping trip and the bad weather we bypassed it.
Not being mean here, but you would have thought that being bikers, they'd have had the sense to pack their rain gear. So because of them, you and others, have missed out on what to me is a bit of a main attraction.i know the bad weather played its part too. Other than that, I hope you're all having a fantastic trip.
I had the same thought about their lack of planning. But they where relatively new to touring, were as we are veterans at it. The trip was in September. It has taken me this long to recover and gather my thoughts and pictures. Still going through my GB's of video.
Day 9 was a day off the bike in Sante Fe. No pictures as we just mooched about the place enjoying a day at being tourists. Our daughter told us Sante Fe was were the Disney cartoon film Cars was based on.
Day 11 we headed for Gallup New Mexico. Approx 230 miles. Main tourist stop today was the town in the Wild Hogs with Tim Allen and John Travolta where they had the fight with the baddies. Lunch stop was at the Albuquerque Old Town Church Street Cafe. Our hotel for the night was the El Rancho where each room is dedicated to a film star. Don't know what is going on with the post, but can't delete the wrong route picture. Delete it , save changes and it is still there!
Day 12 and we are off to Williams Arizona near the Grand Canyon. Mileage today approx 220 miles. Main stop today was at the Petrified Forest & Painted Desert National Park. The road is approximately 25 miles to get around the park with lots of stop off points. Lots of warnings about don't touch or take any "souvenir's" as that will get you into a lot of trouble if caught.
We then stopped for lunch were our daughter joined us for the rest of the trip. She does not ride a bike, so followed us in her hire car. After lunch we called into the Wigwam motel, And the final stop for the day, Standin' On The Corner In Winslow Arizona.
Day 13 and a day off the bike for us we hitched a ride with our daughter to the Grand Canyon. Some of the group did the helicopter ride, but we just went to the Canyon for a wander. The rest of the group wandered around the park on there own, and unfortunately dopey Dave came off his bike. He was with a couple of the other riders and they managed to get him out of the hedge he buried himself and the bike in. That was the last of his riding and he spent the rest of the tour in the van.
So close but yet so far. Tucson, AZ where Steve and I live is less than 300 miles from Williams, @Bolosun! You're practically in our back yard. I'm really enjoying your Route 66 thread. Thanks for posting!
So near yet so far. I never understood when you said it is too hot to ride, but over the next few days the temp was in the mid 40's, and yes it was too hot to be riding, but we had to.
Day 14 and we are off to Needles CA. Mileage appox. 250. Managed a few picture stops on the way. First stop was the Hackberry General Store Next we stopped at the Arizona Route 66 Museum. Next we road the Oatman Highway which is only 8 miles, but 191 bends to the silver mining town of Oatman. This road and the town are known for the wild burrows. Our daughter encountered one who was quite taken by her car. And in the town.
Such awesome photos, @Bolosun! The Batman wild burros especially captured my heart. Looks like a fantastic trip! Sorry about the high temperatures, though. Ahh, but I'll bet it made you tougher. Or gave you heatstroke...one or the other.
