Day 13: 7/1/10
Start: Salt Lake City, UT
End: Moab, UT
Today's miles: 248
Total miles: 2,748
Marriage Status: Holding steady.
Passed through: Uinta National Forest, Price Canyon Recreational Area
Today's notes:
Today was both a good and bad day. It started off great with coffee brought to us in bed by aunt Sandy, and once again great talks with her over coffee and breakfast. Then we started packing up the bikes and took off in the afternoon towards Moab, UT. This is where things start to turn on us. First of all, I mentioned earlier that driving a motorcycle on a busy interstate is no fun, and that we try to avoid them as much as possible. So today we tried to leave Salt Lake without getting on the interstate. This was perhaps a mistake. It took us a good two hours before we finally made it to highway six and left the city traffic, and stop lights behind.
After that we thought we had the worst behind us and we were joyously on our way. However, about 45 minutes after getting on highway six the beautiful blue sky turned grey and all the sudden it starts, not to rain, but hail. Now I hope you can imagine how painful solid spheres of ice are when they are falling from the sky while you are moving 60 miles an hour. But Tomme for some reason found this amusing for I could here him laughing over the intercom as we were getting pelted. I did not find it so laughable, and what was coming over my intercom was not as innocent. So we pulled over to put on the rain gear and wait for the hail to subside, and the moment the rain gear is on the hail ceases and so does the rain. But we leave it on just in case things start back up again a little further down the road. Well within 20-30 minutes the sun is back out and the temperature rises back up into the 80s, so we pull over again and take the rain gear off.
Now you would think that would definitely be enough, right? Wrong. The last time I was in Moab I went with my friend Melanie, and as we were driving along I-70 my car started to violently shake while going downhill fast. This was not a comfortable feeling, and we pulled over, called a mechanic in Moab, who explained my rotors were probably warped, and during our stay in Moab I had my jeep fixed. Well apparently Moab curses all my vehicles because just as I was thinking how lucky we had been to not have had real bike issues during this journey, a large spray of fluid hits my visor on my helmet (and no it was not rainig again). At this point we are only about 50 miles from Moab, but this keeps occurring over and over again. Finally I get a warning signal on my dash indicating that my engine is getting too hot. But this only flashes for a moment and then it's gone. We actually make it to our camp site in Moab and then we take a look. We realize the fluid that was spraying at me was my coolant, and that the pump that delivers it to the engine did not seem to be working properly. So at that point it's too late take it anywhere, and the only place I can take it is a BMW dealer if I want them to fix it under my warranty, which the closest one is about two hours away. So Tomme fools with it a bit and seems to have gotten it under control, but we still plan to call the dealer in Grand Junction in the morning, hoping they are not closed for the fourth of July, to get their advice on what we should do. So I have decided I am never coming to Moab again unless I am in someone else's vehicle.
After all that we figured we deserved a fairly decent meal and some beer. So we went into town, and ate at an Italian restaurant and then picked up a couple of jugs at the local Brewery to enjoy before bedtime. Here is hoping tomorrow is a better day.
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Friday, July 2, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Day 12 photo
Some of the delicious beer we have enjoyed over our awesome conversations with our aunt in Salt Lake City. We thought this was hilarious, but it was also pretty tasty.
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Day 12
Day 12: 6/31/10
Start and end in Salt Lake City Utah
Today's miles: 0
Total miles: 2,500
Marriage status: really good
Today's notes:
Today was a great day, we got to sleep in, which was greatly needed, and then had an awesome breakfast made by Tomme's aunt. After that we went to Wasatch National Forest and walked around for about four miles. Then we took a drive in downtown Salt Lake City and got a look at the Mormon temple, which was pretty interesting.
Eventually we headed back to Tomme's aunt's house and just hung out and played with her dog Max. We have had great conversations here with Tomme's aunt on all kinds of subjects. We have talked about religion, politics, healthcare, philosophy, and many other deep issues. It has been really wonderful. With all the craziness that is out there (24 hour "news" networks and pundits taking the place of journalists), you get scared that there are no sane people left in the world that are asking tough questions and having conversations of actual substance and not just talking points. So the relief that people such as Tomme's aunt exsist, and that we can still have real and interesting conversations about all these topics is a gift. When Tomme and I got married that was basically the first time I met his entire family because Tomme left for Korea soon after we started dating and stayed there all the way up to our wedding. So even though it's six years later I still have really only had the opportunity to get to know his mom and brother and no one else in the family. So this time with his aunt has been great, and we both really enjoyed it. Thank you aunt Sandy for the awesome conversations, food, and place to stay, we have loved our time in Salt Lake!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Start and end in Salt Lake City Utah
Today's miles: 0
Total miles: 2,500
Marriage status: really good
Today's notes:
Today was a great day, we got to sleep in, which was greatly needed, and then had an awesome breakfast made by Tomme's aunt. After that we went to Wasatch National Forest and walked around for about four miles. Then we took a drive in downtown Salt Lake City and got a look at the Mormon temple, which was pretty interesting.
Eventually we headed back to Tomme's aunt's house and just hung out and played with her dog Max. We have had great conversations here with Tomme's aunt on all kinds of subjects. We have talked about religion, politics, healthcare, philosophy, and many other deep issues. It has been really wonderful. With all the craziness that is out there (24 hour "news" networks and pundits taking the place of journalists), you get scared that there are no sane people left in the world that are asking tough questions and having conversations of actual substance and not just talking points. So the relief that people such as Tomme's aunt exsist, and that we can still have real and interesting conversations about all these topics is a gift. When Tomme and I got married that was basically the first time I met his entire family because Tomme left for Korea soon after we started dating and stayed there all the way up to our wedding. So even though it's six years later I still have really only had the opportunity to get to know his mom and brother and no one else in the family. So this time with his aunt has been great, and we both really enjoyed it. Thank you aunt Sandy for the awesome conversations, food, and place to stay, we have loved our time in Salt Lake!
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Day 11
Day 11: 6/30/10
Start: Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID
End: Salt Lake City, UT
Today's Miles: 263
Total Mikes: 2,500
Marriage status: Excellent
Passed through: Judging by the temperature, I would say hell.
Today's notes:
Today was a tiring, but really good day. However, it did not start out on such a good note. We didn't get much sleep last night because of the fighting over the pictures and then this morning we woke up early due to rain coming through and hitting us inside the tent. Last night we did not put the fly on the tent because it was so hot, and we didn't think it would rain. Obviously we were mistaken. The rain only lasted a few minutes, and was just a light drizzle, but when we looked west it appeared more was coming our way. So instead of catching up on the sleep we didn't get last night we got a quick start to the day by packing our stuff in a hurry and moving out. On our way out we stopped at the visitor's center, and we were able to look at some pretty cool exhibits before leaving Craters of the Moon.
We skipped breakfast for fear of the rain coming, but without much sleep we really needed some caffeine and food. So we did a GPS search for the nearest Denny's (50 miles away) and went straight there. We downed our food and coffee and then jumped on the interstate for really the first time on this trip. For those of you that do not ride motorcycles, riding on the interstate sucks. It's boring, windy, and crowded with crazy drivers. For these reasons and several others we have not been taking the interstate at all on this trip. But today we were going to Salt Lake City to visit Tomme's aunt, and there was no other real good way to get there. The ride was very hot, and with all our safety gear on I felt like I was doing yoga in one of those places that have you do it in a sauna.
Then we made it to Salt Lake, and had an incredibly wonderful evening with Tomme's aunt. We dicussed politics and philosophy over a great home cooked meal and wine. The meal was excellent. I'm one of those people who normally don't care for salmon, but this salmon Tomme's aunt made was great! She baked it with a layer of mayo and brown sugar on top, which sounds disgusting, but it was very tasty. Then her neighbors came over and we talked with them for awhile as well. It was a really good and relaxing evening, but I am so ready for bed. So goodnight!
Mediocre tip: Always prepare for rain, even if there isn't a cloud in the sky.
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Start: Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID
End: Salt Lake City, UT
Today's Miles: 263
Total Mikes: 2,500
Marriage status: Excellent
Passed through: Judging by the temperature, I would say hell.
Today's notes:
Today was a tiring, but really good day. However, it did not start out on such a good note. We didn't get much sleep last night because of the fighting over the pictures and then this morning we woke up early due to rain coming through and hitting us inside the tent. Last night we did not put the fly on the tent because it was so hot, and we didn't think it would rain. Obviously we were mistaken. The rain only lasted a few minutes, and was just a light drizzle, but when we looked west it appeared more was coming our way. So instead of catching up on the sleep we didn't get last night we got a quick start to the day by packing our stuff in a hurry and moving out. On our way out we stopped at the visitor's center, and we were able to look at some pretty cool exhibits before leaving Craters of the Moon.
We skipped breakfast for fear of the rain coming, but without much sleep we really needed some caffeine and food. So we did a GPS search for the nearest Denny's (50 miles away) and went straight there. We downed our food and coffee and then jumped on the interstate for really the first time on this trip. For those of you that do not ride motorcycles, riding on the interstate sucks. It's boring, windy, and crowded with crazy drivers. For these reasons and several others we have not been taking the interstate at all on this trip. But today we were going to Salt Lake City to visit Tomme's aunt, and there was no other real good way to get there. The ride was very hot, and with all our safety gear on I felt like I was doing yoga in one of those places that have you do it in a sauna.
Then we made it to Salt Lake, and had an incredibly wonderful evening with Tomme's aunt. We dicussed politics and philosophy over a great home cooked meal and wine. The meal was excellent. I'm one of those people who normally don't care for salmon, but this salmon Tomme's aunt made was great! She baked it with a layer of mayo and brown sugar on top, which sounds disgusting, but it was very tasty. Then her neighbors came over and we talked with them for awhile as well. It was a really good and relaxing evening, but I am so ready for bed. So goodnight!
Mediocre tip: Always prepare for rain, even if there isn't a cloud in the sky.
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Day 10 photo
Tomme crossing the border into Idaho. I'm only writing the next line because Tomme told me I should: "I-da-ho? No, u-da-ho."
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Day 10
Day 10: 6/29/10
Start: Missoula, MT
End : Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID
Today's Miles: 299
Total miles: 2,236
Marriage status: Fair
Passed through: Bitterroot National Forest, Challis National Forest
Today's notes:
Today was a long and productive day. We took our time eating breakfast and packing up the bikes in Missoula. And we made a quick stop at the local REI to pick up some more stove fuel and a foldable camping sink. Then we continued to head south toward Idaho.
The drive was really great. We went through a couple of national forests. The roads were great, curvy with beautiful views. Most people don't usually think mountains when they think of Idaho, but there are many, and it was a great backdrop for the drive.
Then we arrived at Craters of the Moon National Park. If you are like Tomme and I you had never heard of this place before, but when we planned this trip we realized on the map we passed by it and we looked it up on the internet. It is actually really cool. It is an area of three major lava fields, spanning 700 square miles from eruptions as recent as 2,000 years ago. When you first get there it looks pretty barren and boring, but at sunset it is beautiful.
When we first got there we went straight to the campground and found our site. After quickly setting up the tent we took off to explore the lava fields. It was sunset when we went to explore, which was perfect because it was really hot during the day. We went down into lava tunnels and tubes, and with our head lamps went into a lava cave. It is a very strange, but fascinating place.
When we got back to the campground we went to a program the rangers were having at the campground amphitheater about the wildlife in the park. The ranger was a great speaker and we really enjoyed it. Then we headed back to our tent and made some quick mac and cheese for dinner. Before going to bed we tried to take some cool night pictures of the lava fields and our tent, but this sparked a sizable disagreement between Tomme and I because we were trying to tell each other how to take the photo and neither one of us are good at accepting help or advice from the other. But eventually this was resolved and we were able to go to bed.
Mediocre tip: When going into a cave bring a flashlight AND extra batteries.
Mediocre tip: Pictures look better when you take the lens cap off.
Mediocre tip: Explore hot places in the evening and early morning.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Start: Missoula, MT
End : Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID
Today's Miles: 299
Total miles: 2,236
Marriage status: Fair
Passed through: Bitterroot National Forest, Challis National Forest
Today's notes:
Today was a long and productive day. We took our time eating breakfast and packing up the bikes in Missoula. And we made a quick stop at the local REI to pick up some more stove fuel and a foldable camping sink. Then we continued to head south toward Idaho.
The drive was really great. We went through a couple of national forests. The roads were great, curvy with beautiful views. Most people don't usually think mountains when they think of Idaho, but there are many, and it was a great backdrop for the drive.
Then we arrived at Craters of the Moon National Park. If you are like Tomme and I you had never heard of this place before, but when we planned this trip we realized on the map we passed by it and we looked it up on the internet. It is actually really cool. It is an area of three major lava fields, spanning 700 square miles from eruptions as recent as 2,000 years ago. When you first get there it looks pretty barren and boring, but at sunset it is beautiful.
When we first got there we went straight to the campground and found our site. After quickly setting up the tent we took off to explore the lava fields. It was sunset when we went to explore, which was perfect because it was really hot during the day. We went down into lava tunnels and tubes, and with our head lamps went into a lava cave. It is a very strange, but fascinating place.
When we got back to the campground we went to a program the rangers were having at the campground amphitheater about the wildlife in the park. The ranger was a great speaker and we really enjoyed it. Then we headed back to our tent and made some quick mac and cheese for dinner. Before going to bed we tried to take some cool night pictures of the lava fields and our tent, but this sparked a sizable disagreement between Tomme and I because we were trying to tell each other how to take the photo and neither one of us are good at accepting help or advice from the other. But eventually this was resolved and we were able to go to bed.
Mediocre tip: When going into a cave bring a flashlight AND extra batteries.
Mediocre tip: Pictures look better when you take the lens cap off.
Mediocre tip: Explore hot places in the evening and early morning.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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