Thursday, September 2, 2010
Greetings from the cool pines of Williams, AZ.
Today, we departed Amarillo, TX, before the local Harley dealer opened so we saved both time and money. We were bound for Gallup, NM. No sightseeing today. Our goal was put in miles on the Interstate, and miles we did at nearly 80 MPH all day long. Hey, come on, it's only five miles over the 75 MPH speed limit and we were still getting passed.
We stopped in Tucumacri, NM, for gas and hydration; it was warm in the low nineties, but not unbearable. Arriving in Albuquerque (I'll never learn to spell Albuquerque as long as I live) we stopped at Thunderbird Harley-Davidson, where I once again refrained from shopping. Can't say the same for some of the others. Fortuitously, there was a Buffalo Hot Wings sports bar right across the parking lot where we feasted on hot wings for lunch.
About 80 miles west of Albuquerque we stopped at Grants, NM, for gas and more Gatoraid, Monster drinks, and Red Bulls. Something about the afternoon sun, a long straight road with scant scenery, the constant drone of the motor, and a full tummy that just wants to put one to sleep. Napping is not recommended riding solo on the Interstate.
Arriving in Grants, NM, at 2:00 PM, and only being 50 miles from our planned evening destination set us to rethinking our plan for the day. We still had a lot of daylight to burn and it didn't make much sense to do it sitting in a hotel room or looking for the world famous sights of Gallup, NM. So, out came the Western States map and the pink felt pen. We set a course for Flagstaff, or maybe even Williams, AZ, for the night. That would get us home one day earlier than planned. We took a vote, and the decision was unanimous. We were off to Arizona.
We were back on the Interstate by 2:40 PM headed for Flagstaff some 300 plus miles away. Our route took us past the Petrified Forest National Park, an opportunity to be "standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona," and the Winslow Meteor Crater, none of which we took the time to see.
Heading west the air was so clear we could see Mount Humphries in Flagstaff more than 75 miles away. As the sun began to get lower on the horizon, we began climbing in elevation to 7,000 feet and we entered the pine tree forest that surrounds Flagstaff. The temperature began dropping to a very comfortable 70 degrees, a welcome relief from the afternoon heat. As Williams, AZ, and the Holiday Inn, was only 30 minutes away, we motored on enjoying the cool air and clear sky (and blinding setting sun). Fortunately, Grand Canyon Harley-Davidson between Flagstaff and Williams was closed for the day, once again saving us both time and money.
We rolled into Williams, AZ, at 7:30 local time (we had two time changes today; that messes with a mind and body) and checked into the hotel. Thirty minutes later we were in the pool and jacuzzi. Later, we walked into town and had supper at our favorite restaurant, Rod's Steak House. Tomorrow we will be home after 28 days and some 9,400 miles on the road.
Greetings from the cool pines of Williams, AZ.
Today, we departed Amarillo, TX, before the local Harley dealer opened so we saved both time and money. We were bound for Gallup, NM. No sightseeing today. Our goal was put in miles on the Interstate, and miles we did at nearly 80 MPH all day long. Hey, come on, it's only five miles over the 75 MPH speed limit and we were still getting passed.
We stopped in Tucumacri, NM, for gas and hydration; it was warm in the low nineties, but not unbearable. Arriving in Albuquerque (I'll never learn to spell Albuquerque as long as I live) we stopped at Thunderbird Harley-Davidson, where I once again refrained from shopping. Can't say the same for some of the others. Fortuitously, there was a Buffalo Hot Wings sports bar right across the parking lot where we feasted on hot wings for lunch.
About 80 miles west of Albuquerque we stopped at Grants, NM, for gas and more Gatoraid, Monster drinks, and Red Bulls. Something about the afternoon sun, a long straight road with scant scenery, the constant drone of the motor, and a full tummy that just wants to put one to sleep. Napping is not recommended riding solo on the Interstate.
Arriving in Grants, NM, at 2:00 PM, and only being 50 miles from our planned evening destination set us to rethinking our plan for the day. We still had a lot of daylight to burn and it didn't make much sense to do it sitting in a hotel room or looking for the world famous sights of Gallup, NM. So, out came the Western States map and the pink felt pen. We set a course for Flagstaff, or maybe even Williams, AZ, for the night. That would get us home one day earlier than planned. We took a vote, and the decision was unanimous. We were off to Arizona.
We were back on the Interstate by 2:40 PM headed for Flagstaff some 300 plus miles away. Our route took us past the Petrified Forest National Park, an opportunity to be "standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona," and the Winslow Meteor Crater, none of which we took the time to see.
Heading west the air was so clear we could see Mount Humphries in Flagstaff more than 75 miles away. As the sun began to get lower on the horizon, we began climbing in elevation to 7,000 feet and we entered the pine tree forest that surrounds Flagstaff. The temperature began dropping to a very comfortable 70 degrees, a welcome relief from the afternoon heat. As Williams, AZ, and the Holiday Inn, was only 30 minutes away, we motored on enjoying the cool air and clear sky (and blinding setting sun). Fortunately, Grand Canyon Harley-Davidson between Flagstaff and Williams was closed for the day, once again saving us both time and money.
We rolled into Williams, AZ, at 7:30 local time (we had two time changes today; that messes with a mind and body) and checked into the hotel. Thirty minutes later we were in the pool and jacuzzi. Later, we walked into town and had supper at our favorite restaurant, Rod's Steak House. Tomorrow we will be home after 28 days and some 9,400 miles on the road.
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