Day 16: 7/4/10
Start: Grand Junction, CO
End: Colorado Springs, CO
Today's miles: 347.6
Total mikes: 3,296.7
Marriage Status: It all worked out, we made it!
Today's notes:
Today was the last day of our long journey, and it went great. No rain, no hail, just sunny skies all day. We slept in, which felt great since we were on a real mattress for a change. Then we went out for breakfast with Jason and introduced him to The Egg and I, which is a breakfast place we love back in the Springs. After that we headed back home.
We drove through some beautiful places on our last drive of the trip, including Gunnison, CO. We also drove over Monarch Pass, Canon City, and Salida, CO, which is a great drive that takes you through beautiful canyons along the Arkansas River. Then finally we were back in Colorado Springs. Our trip was fantastic. Taking us to glaciers, lava fields, emerald lakes, snow capped mountains, green forrest, and beautiful desert, but we were happy still to pull into our driveway and know we were home. I think we were most excited about picking up our baby girl Pancake from the kennel the following morning (we couldn't do it right then because of the holiday). After that we picked up a pizza at Papa Murphy's, kissed on a great trip, and headed off to bed, to catch up on sleep after an exhausting two weeks. But it was an amazing two weeks. Our country has so much to offer and I hope everyone reading this gets to experience everything Tomme and I did.
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Thursday, July 8, 2010
Day 15
Day 15: 7/3/10
Start: Moab, UT
End: Grand Junction, CO
Today's miles: 73.1 (this number is off somehow, but the total is correct)
Total miles: 2,949.1
Marriage Status: Good
Today's notes:
Today we got up early and packed up the campsite and headed to downtown Moab for breakfast. After that we went on a rafting trip with a company in downtown Moab. This was pretty much a float trip with only one and two class rapids, but we loved it. It was a beautiful day so we enjoyed the view on the river, plus we didn't go down in a guided raft. We followed them in an inflatable kayak, which was a pretty good time. There was another two guys that took a kayak, and since I'm not an adventure snob I won't make fun of them, but they had no idea how to paddle a boat or kayak. As a tip I would say that when you are in this situation take the guide's advice and stay between two of the guided rafts, and don't go in front of the entire group. That way you don't miss the turn off, and nobody has to come rescue you while you are trying to paddle upstream and the rest of the group is waiting on you to go home.
After rafting we ate Chinese for lunch and made our way back into Colorado. Soon after we crossed the border we stopped in Grand Junction to see my high school friend Jason and spend the night at his house. He cooked us a really good dinner, and then we just hung out talking and having some beer and KY whisky before going to bed.
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Start: Moab, UT
End: Grand Junction, CO
Today's miles: 73.1 (this number is off somehow, but the total is correct)
Total miles: 2,949.1
Marriage Status: Good
Today's notes:
Today we got up early and packed up the campsite and headed to downtown Moab for breakfast. After that we went on a rafting trip with a company in downtown Moab. This was pretty much a float trip with only one and two class rapids, but we loved it. It was a beautiful day so we enjoyed the view on the river, plus we didn't go down in a guided raft. We followed them in an inflatable kayak, which was a pretty good time. There was another two guys that took a kayak, and since I'm not an adventure snob I won't make fun of them, but they had no idea how to paddle a boat or kayak. As a tip I would say that when you are in this situation take the guide's advice and stay between two of the guided rafts, and don't go in front of the entire group. That way you don't miss the turn off, and nobody has to come rescue you while you are trying to paddle upstream and the rest of the group is waiting on you to go home.
After rafting we ate Chinese for lunch and made our way back into Colorado. Soon after we crossed the border we stopped in Grand Junction to see my high school friend Jason and spend the night at his house. He cooked us a really good dinner, and then we just hung out talking and having some beer and KY whisky before going to bed.
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Saturday, July 3, 2010
Day 14
Day 14: 7/2/10
Start: Moab, UT
End: Moab, UT
Today's miles: 128
Total miles: 2,876
Marriage status: Good.
Today's notes:
Well first of all I should say that whatever Tomme did to my bike seems to have worked. I had no problems with it heating up, even in 90 degree weather today. So we didn't have to drive it to Grand Junction, and we got to stick to our plan to stay in Moab.
So we spent our time in Moab today by starting off in Canyonlands National Park. There we took a look at Upheaval Dome, which was interesting in that the way this rock was formed. Scientist are not sure how it got to be the way it is. Think the mystery of stone henge, but it's not how people got it that way, but how nature did. Then we drove to a scenic overlook in the park that had a great view of the Colorado River and the surrounding canyon.
Then we headed out of the park drove downtown so we could spend the heat of the day in shops and in a restaurant for lunch. You have to love air conditioning. We did not have the best waiter at lunch (he was busy with the world cup on tv), but the food hit the spot.
In the evening we headed over to Arches National Park, where we took a short hike to see Landscape Arch. Finally night fell and we were at our campsite only to find that a decent amount of sand had made it's way into the tent, another thing I am familiar with in Moab. But we dusted stuff off, made dinner, and went to bed. We did try the brownie in a bag recipe again with our camp stove and apparently third time is a charm because it turned out perfect.
Also as a side note, Tomme and I both noticed bruising to our arms in the shower this morning secondary to yesterday's hail.
Mediocre tip: Don't drive a motorcycle at all in a hail storm.
Mediocre tip: if you are a server at a restaurant, not writing the orders done does not impress me, getting the order right does. I can say these things because I have been a server.
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Start: Moab, UT
End: Moab, UT
Today's miles: 128
Total miles: 2,876
Marriage status: Good.
Today's notes:
Well first of all I should say that whatever Tomme did to my bike seems to have worked. I had no problems with it heating up, even in 90 degree weather today. So we didn't have to drive it to Grand Junction, and we got to stick to our plan to stay in Moab.
So we spent our time in Moab today by starting off in Canyonlands National Park. There we took a look at Upheaval Dome, which was interesting in that the way this rock was formed. Scientist are not sure how it got to be the way it is. Think the mystery of stone henge, but it's not how people got it that way, but how nature did. Then we drove to a scenic overlook in the park that had a great view of the Colorado River and the surrounding canyon.
Then we headed out of the park drove downtown so we could spend the heat of the day in shops and in a restaurant for lunch. You have to love air conditioning. We did not have the best waiter at lunch (he was busy with the world cup on tv), but the food hit the spot.
In the evening we headed over to Arches National Park, where we took a short hike to see Landscape Arch. Finally night fell and we were at our campsite only to find that a decent amount of sand had made it's way into the tent, another thing I am familiar with in Moab. But we dusted stuff off, made dinner, and went to bed. We did try the brownie in a bag recipe again with our camp stove and apparently third time is a charm because it turned out perfect.
Also as a side note, Tomme and I both noticed bruising to our arms in the shower this morning secondary to yesterday's hail.
Mediocre tip: Don't drive a motorcycle at all in a hail storm.
Mediocre tip: if you are a server at a restaurant, not writing the orders done does not impress me, getting the order right does. I can say these things because I have been a server.
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Friday, July 2, 2010
Day 13
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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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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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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