Las Vegas Trip Report

Still sorting though pictures, will post several in the next day or two. Mileages listed below are approximate.

Day 1 – 435 miles, from home to Monahans, TX. I met everyone at the dealership and we were on the road just after 2 PM. Mini-T, Ray and Deb Caul, and Jerry and Dave Barnes. We started off in the rain and were under threat of rain most of the trip with periodic clearing. Rain gear came off after a couple of hours. It’s a good thing we stopped in Monahans, and not earlier as Midland had significant rain overnight.

Day 2 – 750 miles, from Monahans, TX to Glendale, AZ. This was a long one, my personal longest single day distance, previously was about 615 miles. While it was mostly interstate (including 80MPH limits in far west TX) we had a few stops. We did the two westernmost Lone Star Challenge Points, in Fort Stockton, and Horizon City. I have not ridden essentially all regions of Texas except for the farthest southern points. I also have no real desire to visit El Paso in the future. Just not a lot of comfort in that area. Close to the border, which unfortunately has a significant Mexican Drug war influence. The only relief was the time of day we went through, well under the light of the day! Long lunch as some small town Mexican restaurant as well.

Day 3 – 300 miles, from Glendale, AZ to Las Vegas NV. Very comfortable beds we had to get out of…. Took 60, then 93 out of Phoenix area, 93 is also called the Joshua Tree highway. Those things are pretty surrealistic for a foreigner. In fact on a lot of this trip I’m thinking no wonder they make “those” movies in these parts. Felt very Star Warsy. As well as all those bad horror movies, which are very easy to see the inspiration. You gotta be a different sort to live out it these climes. We also rode over the Hoover Dam which is very impressive, and apparently will not be an option in the future as they are building a bypass. Then…. Las Vegas Baby! It’s a much larger city than I expected, I guess I still think Dean Martin / Frank Sinatra when the city was smaller. We went to the Las Vegas HD dealership, very large place, picked up a couple of souvenirs then off to the Red Rock Resort and Spa. Its on the west end of the city and is a nice new facility. Darlene and the others arrived about 6:30 and we took a cab down to the strip to check it out.

Day 4 – 280 miles, Valley of Fire to Cali border loop. Day to myself as everyone is in class. Rode to the Valley of Fire State park. Even more surreal. Lots of critters too. Took lots of pics in the park. Then down to Searchlight and across to the California Border. Through another Joshua Tree “forest”? and over the border.. WTF, someone stole the California sign!!! Well at least I had to cross the border again so looped back on the interstate and got Cali. Oh yeah, 2 state signs, and I forgot my HOG tales book at the hotel. Oh well, I am sure I can make it work out.
We had the reception party, gambled a bit, neither of us were that interested in gambling, I don’t know if we even spent $20, then went to a bar and watched the nightclub act Zowie Bowie. They were pretty cool. Thought it was David Bowies son, but its not.

Day 5 – 325 miles, Las Vegas, NV to Scottsdale, AZ. Basically took the reverse route back from Las Vegas. Made a couple of stops including an old historic mining town in Chloride, AZ. Spent the night at Kris and Lindsey’s house. Thank you very much for the hospitality, food and margaritas! Phoenix metro area is pretty large, and not without traffic issues. Visited a couple of dealers.

Day 6 – 550 miles, Scottsdale, AZ to Roswell, NM. Early start, took 87 up to Payson, gorgeous highway. Then took a route along 60/260. Stopped to look at the snow… Elevation here was over 9100 feet. Into New Mexico, starting to need food and fuel. Had lunch in Pie Town and asked about gas. There was a power grid upgrade in the region, has been running over by about 3 hours, no electricity, next town has pumps but he wasn’t open today due to the upgrade… Uh oh. Next town after that also had pumps, and may have a generator to run…. Wrrrr, power comes on just before I finish up. Arrive in Magdalena at +180 miles on the odometer and no gas indicator light. Tempted to try to get to Socorro but didn’t want to push my luck. Wow, last 6 gallons at 45 mph, I’m impressed! Much better than the 37-38 we were getting pushing 80MPH on the first days. After this last stop the ride starts getting interesting again as finally there are big critters to watch out for. The antelope are crazy in these parts! First ones I see are on the shoulder and just about freaked me out, I went whizzing but and they barely even acknowledged me. Later one crosses the highway too close, in front of me. Also see lots, and lots of deer in the fields as well as more antelope, several turkeys and some Canada Geese.
Roswell on a Sunday night is dead, dead, dead…. Not that I needed any more excitement.

Day 7 - 550 miles, Roswell, NM to HOME! Took advantage of the bed, and took a detour to Clovis to check out the dealership, well, since it was on the way to Earth, another LSC point. Ah yes, the wonderful sights and smells of the panhandle plains of Texas…. Actually wasn’t bad at all. I have a state trooper give me a friendly reminder (warning) of the speed limit in these parts so I guess it will take me a tad longer to get home. Hit the highest temps of the trip, 102-103 F in a couple of small towns. Finally got home around 7pm and after 7 days in the saddle my butt was just beginning to get sore.

All in all it was a great ride. I really didn’t get tired riding at any point, except for one 45 minute period after lunch on Day 2. Saw lots of sights, and thoroughly enjoyed myself.