Thursday, August 26, 2010

Thursday ~ August 26, 2010


Navajo National Monument
Arizona
Page, Arizona
UTAH!!




UTAH!! ~ Thursday ~ 08-26-2010



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UTAH!! ~ Thursday ~ 08-26-2010



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Leaving Kayenta, Arizona ~ Thursday ~ 08-26-2010

Sitting in Page, Arizona at a Safeway/Starbucks for a small break and to get water for the ice chest. Believe it or not we are still on the Navajo Nation! It's huge and beautiful. We visited the Navajo National Monument this morning on the way out of Kayenta. Such a beautiful place. Took a half mile hike down to the Indian cave dwellings, not bad on the way down but a bit steep on the way back up. I finally got my National Park Passport so I can stamp it with all of the National parks we visit. The day has hardly started and has already been worth the trip.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Monument Valley, Utah ~ Part One ~ Wednesday ~ 08-25-2010

Today started out early as we had decided to take a tour of Monument Valley. We walked over to McDonalds where Big Daddy promply spilled a cup of hot coffee all over himself. Back to the room he went as I finished breakfast. We left for the tour and right away started seeing some beautiful sections of Monument Valley. The Navajo Nation is one very large Reservation. It is actually the size of the whole state of West Virginia.
As we entered the Navajo State Park the sandstone formations got closer together and larger - it was amazing. The roads in the park are unpaved with some sections being very loose sand and gravel. We were very glad we had decided to take the tour and not the bikes. The roads are so bumpy that at times riding in the suburban was a bit dicey. Our guide was of course Navajo and she spoke with a heavy accent. I loved hearing her speak to the other tribe members in their language. Upon entering the park the booth attendent asked her where we were from. When she told him Texas he let out with a chorus of "All my exes live in Texas...". Along the way she told us about the different movies, commercials and music videos that have been made at each formation. It's interesting what your mind retains and will then recognize when someone points it out. At John Ford Point there were a lot of tourists from different Countries. I am not sure why I am still amazed that so many people will travel so far to see this great land we live in. It always reminds me to be thankful that we have such beautiful places and that we have the freedom to throw a leg over or hop in the four fenders and go and see it anytime we choose.
Only one family is allowed to live in Monument Valley in the Navajo Park. There is no electricity, water, gas, or in most places there, cell phone reception. The nearest store is about 25 minutes away in Kayenta, Arizona. This is where the family in the Navajo park must go to get their water and propane. Just imagine, no lights at night, no television, radio, phone, running water, air conditioner or internet. And then imagine you're broken down right there in the middle of it at almost midday.
It started when our tour guide, Jeanine, told me that we could visit a Hogan and a lady there would do a rug weaving demonstration for us. Of course I wanted to do that! We went to Susie Assazi's hogan and went up to her door. She wasn't there but someone called for her very loudly. Jeanine explained that Susie was hard of hearing as she was 94 years old. Across the way came walking a wizened looking Indian woman in a colorful skirt and top with beautiful jewelry. We were invited into her hogan and she sat at her weaving chair. She took the hair from a black sheep and spun it into yarn. As we sat there Jeanine told us a bit of Susie's life and showed us some traditional Indian items. Our visit with Susie in her home was one I will always remember. The hogan was very nice and although it was getting hot outside it was cool in her home. We went out to the Suburban and it wouldn't start. This is where the primitive life of a true Indian Reservation will really strike you. No way to call for help. Period.

To be continued....

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Cuba, New Mexico ~ Tuesday ~ 08-24-2010

Sitting in a McDonalds in Cuba, New Mexico having coffee. On the way to Four Corners then Monument Valley. If only my eyes could take small snapshots it would be wonderful, for the beautiful mountains we have seen so far have been gorgeous.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Albuqurque, New Mexico ~ Wednesday ~ 08-18-2010

411 Miles yesterday, about 11 1/2 hours. We stopped to see the worlds biggest Muleshoe and the Mule Statue in Muleshoe, Texas. We also went to the Waylon Jennings museum in Littlefield, Texas. It is in a liquor store! Then we had to stop and take a photo of me at the Clovis, New Mexico sign. Hank Baskett lived there after all. We found a hotel on Route 66 in Albuerque. It was originally the Ramada Inn. They have a picture in the office of this strip of Route 66, Knob Hill, in the 1960's with the old cars driving by. It's cool! This morning Big Daddy is off on walk about and I'm resting. I was plagued with issues yesterday that were very irritating and that delayed us about 2 hours. Hopefully today will be much better. I'll fill in the blanks later and add pictures.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Words and music by Mars Bonfire

Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes our way
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
I like smoke and lightning
Heavy metal thunder
Racin' with the wind
And the feelin' that I'm under
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
Like a true nature's child
We were born, born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never wanna die
Born to be wild

We traveled almost 400 miles today and made it to Sweetwater around 6:00 p.m.  The Home Sweet Holiday Inn was a very welcome sight for me as we rolled into the parking lot.
 
We had dinner at a great restaurant last year and were hoping to eat there again.  Thankfully, it was still there and the food was as remembered.

We talked to the waiter and  he told us about the T. Boone Picket windmills that are in Sweetwater.
He is going to school to be a technician on them.  Very interesting conversation.  As usual this fist day was spent just trying to get across Texas into another State. Texas is one big place. Since nothing of real interest happened today I thought I would just list some of my thoughts and a few things I've learned while riding.

1) As George Strait says in the song, "It's amazing what a man can see in the light of a burning bridge", therefore always remember you can see some very beautiful sights in your rearview mirrors.  Sometimes the view in the mirror is just as gorgeous as the view facing you, so don't forget to look back once in a while.  

that being said....

2) When you see a truck with a gooseneck trailer parked on the shoulder of the road of a two lane road and he is parked, keep both eyes on him. At the last minute that guy in the big truck WILL decide to just cut to the left real quick and cross all of the lanes to go to the small road on the other side. So, as Jim Morrison says, "Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheels."

3)  Sometimes even with your shield down on your helmet a fluttering insect will make it's way between your lips and your microphone.  It will feel really strange because at first you won't know what it is. Once you do figure it out blow really hard and it will be on it's way. As Alice Cooper says "Along came a Spider, Crept up beside her, Spun his web deep inside her, My darkness will guide her", so glad it wasn't a spider....I think.....

4) If faced with a buffalo on the road, slow down and lay the bike down. Period. No, there was not a buffalo in the road, but we did see one on the side of the road so we naturally discusssed the possibility of it actually being in the road.  Hey, when you've been greeted by Old Dan from "Where The Wild Fern Grows" and he ran  at you straight down the lane in front of your bike you seem to want to prepare for these possibilities. I like to be prepared. Molly Hatchet says, "I'm driving down the road and I'm flirting with disaster", well, yeah, every day.....I live for it...

5) I have found if you concentrate too much something may happen to bring your mind back to reality. Like a big rock hitting you right in the fingers.  *It doesn't matter what Kris Kristofferson was thinking about Janis Joplin when she made "Bobby McGee", yes my mind wanders...

6) Eighteen wheelers actually have blind spots. When passing them on the left, move to the left side of your lane. Passing on the right? Move to the right side of your lane. If you can't see their face in their rearview mirror they can't see you.  Also, be nice to them. This Country depends on truckers to operate  believe it or not. Think of how your stuff gets to Walmart. Also, they are nice, helpful, and remember, they have a lot of friends. :)  And CB Radios to call for help for you.
P. S. - Don't ride their ass, as you might end up under it. 

7) Most bikers are so very nice.  Some are just downright rude bastards. Especially the ones that have their motorcycles in the back of their pick-up trucks.

8) When you see two doves perched on the top of a fence above one of those white crosses on the side of the road that means something.  It's not just two birds.

9) As you pass by a small girl with blonde hair sitting on a wood fence in a very small one-horse town you should wave at her. She's just looking at the traffic go by, probably waiting for school to start and has nothing to do, just thinking. Remember, you used to be that small blond girl sitting and watching the traffic go by dreaming of what you wanted to do when you grew up. You might make her day if you wave. (and by the way, i'm damn well doing what i was dreaming of back then!)

10) If you happen to come upon some construction on the roadway and you are first in line how about chatting with the flagman?  He has a hard job and you just might make his day too. Can you imagine how much shit he has to put up with every day with people yelling at him because they are mad they have to stop?  Sometimes people just like to talk.

11) As you pass by a military base that has had a tragedy, Fort Hood, Texas, you may get a tear in your eye but that is okay. It's okay to remember that the reason we are all free is because others are willing to give so much.
I saw soldiers there saluting one another as I drove by.  
Remember.

Take the world in a love embrace

Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space

Everything for the happy biker! Temple, Tx ~ 1:02 pm, Monday



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Great Bagels and Omelets! Monday



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Vacation ~ 2010

We're off this morning and tonight we'll be in Sweetwater, Texas. Of course the lite sprinkle of rain had to show up this morning to bless Big Daddy's bike and our trip with good luck. Time for breakfast and then we'll be on the road till nightfall.

Vacation ~ 2010



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Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Juwster's World

Hells Bells, I am so sick of stoopid dumb ass mothers! While getting my nails done today a mother, and I use that term lightly, came in. She had three kids with her. They all appeared to be under the age of ten. She inquired about a pedicure and a manicure. After making the arrangements she then turned to the kids and said "go play in Walmart". Yes, folks this salon is in Walmart. So off the three kids went and as of the time I left the kids had yet to return.

Wans't it Adam Walsh who was left to 'play' in a Sears toy department so many years ago and was later found with his head chopped off by a pervert? Since that time his father John Walsh has made it his mission to make every person aware of child predators so that won't happen again. Perhaps the woman doesn't own a tv, radio or have access to newspapers. Oops, no excuse there since she prompty sat down at started in on her cell phone.

When will people begin to realize that children are their most precious gift and quit treating them like luggage to be sit aside when not needed?

I know one thing. If she sees those kids again she better get down on her knees and thank a higher power they made it back to her mothers arms safely.

Wake up!