tntmo 882 Posted August 22, 2014 Got my trip started yesterday, San Diego to Flagstaff. Wasn't too bad, probably just under 100 through the desert. Today I helped my son get his dorm set up and we explored the area. He's going to have fun here. It rained most of the day. I'm hoping to check out the Grand Canyon tomorrow and stop at Bryce Canyon for the night. More rain in the forecast, I have rain gear and a good tent. We'll see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
REV5 0 Posted August 22, 2014 Sounds like a great time. Have fun and be safe. Photos please Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHunter 15 Posted August 22, 2014 Grand Canyon and Bryce after some rain - should really bring the colors out. Enjoy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagstr 287 Posted August 22, 2014 Yes, paying for college Will put you in a Tentl On his own for the first time! Watch Out Flagstaff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danrider 5 Posted August 22, 2014 Yes, paying for college Will put you in a Tentl On his own for the first time! Watch Out Flagstaff. Yes you stand correct on paying for college will put you in a tent! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 882 Posted August 22, 2014 I have a few good tents, so I guess I better keep them maintained. It was raining in Flagstaff this morning, bought the boy pancakes, gave him a hug and rolled out. It cleared up after half an hour or so. I explored some side roads but they were a bit muddy for my comfort. The Tiger is a big bike, I'd rather not slip and slide on it. Made it to Grand Canyon, my first ever visit. I could stay there a few days, but only hung out for a few hrs. Heading north I hit a nice rain storm 20 miles south of Page. That's my current location. Getting some food and supplies for the night, Bryce Canyon is 150 miles away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 882 Posted August 24, 2014 Made camp at Bryce Canyon last night, met some pretty cool people there and relaxed with some brandy and cigars. Got up this morning, made some camp coffee, packed up the bike and took a quick tour of Bryce. What a beautiful place! I can't believe I haven't been there before. After a few hours, I headed out toward Zion. Another great place, I need to spend a few days at each one of these parks doing some back country hiking. I had no real plans after Zion, so I decided to check out Hoover Dam. All of the destinations I went to were places I had never been. I took the back route into Hoover Dam through Lake Mead recreation area, a really fun two lane twisty road for 80 miles. After I drove over the dam and got some pictures, I bypassed Vegas and hit the state line. I was undecided on camping for the night, so I just started heading south. As the sun went down, I was about 200 miles from home so I just twisted the throttle a bit more so I could sleep in my own bed. A bit more than 1500 miles, lots of new experiences for me and a good time. Once I get pictures online, I'll post them here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHunter 15 Posted August 24, 2014 We did some light hiking in Zion but someone thought the water was too cold to hike/wade into Wall Street/Narrows so I missed that part. Def want to go back and do it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Narrows_(Zion_National_Park) Look forward to the pics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulmbowers 236 Posted August 24, 2014 It WAS cold! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHunter 15 Posted August 24, 2014 Well, hello, Laura..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 882 Posted August 25, 2014 So here's the reason I went up to Flagstaff, getting Aaron settled in to his dorm. I'm jealous, looks like he will have a good time. 20140821_135747 by tntmo2, on Flickr The next day, met him for pancakes and then headed out. Of course it was raining. 20140822_080944 by tntmo2, on Flickr Lots of nice forest trails to explore, but with the rain I didn't go too far. The Tiger is tall and heavy, and sliding around on it wasn't good for my heart rate. 20140822_085007 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140822_095420 by tntmo2, on Flickr The police were friendly. 20140822_092901 by tntmo2, on Flickr Grand Canyon, my first visit ever. 20140822_102029 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140822_102043 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140822_102212 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140822_102614 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140822_103323 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140822_111003 by tntmo2, on Flickr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 882 Posted August 25, 2014 I don't know why some of these pictures are sideways or upside down. They aren't saved that way on Flickr, if you click on the photos it should take you to the picture and it's right side up there. Oh well! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 882 Posted August 25, 2014 On the way to Bryce Canyon. 20140822_173638 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140822_174216 by tntmo2, on Flickr And camp is set up. Got a few essentials to keep my motivation levels up. 20140822_184812 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140822_194757 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140822_185141 by tntmo2, on Flickr I met some pretty cool people at the campsite, talked to a retired Air Force guy and a family from France. Oui, je parle Francais! I slept okay, the brandy helped. Made instant coffee and packed up, then headed out to see some more of mother nature. Bryce Canyon is beautiful. 20140823_090438 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140823_090457 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140823_090543 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140823_092124 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140823_095445 by tntmo2, on Flickr I decided to check out a few more side roads. 20140823_103113 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140823_103708 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140823_104255 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140823_104232 by tntmo2, on Flickr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHunter 15 Posted August 25, 2014 Great trip, Tom. Thx for taking the time to post up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 882 Posted August 25, 2014 Made it to Zion, it's pretty close to Bryce Canyon. Really nice. The mile long tunnel was cool. Big temp change from one side to the other. 20140823_122211 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140823_122737 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140823_124252 by tntmo2, on Flickr On the west side of Zion, it was hot. The highway was no fun, but I just kept drinking water and kept moving. I stopped for fuel and noticed that some idiot checked the oil at the last gas stop and didn't screw the dipstick back in. Lots of oil on the side of the right side of the bike. Guess it won't rust. Anyway, there was a sign that said 80 miles to Hoover Dam so I decided to go there. Turned out to be great, because it was a nice two lane twisty road through Lake Mead Recreation area. 20140823_150059 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140823_152143 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140823_161832 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140823_161836 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140823_161844 by tntmo2, on Flickr 20140823_161904 by tntmo2, on Flickr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dress4Less 162 Posted August 25, 2014 Nice pics Mo! Your son should really enjoy his time at NAU/Flagstaff! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites