Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 A friend of mine from Ireland, Mark, and I had long discussed his first trip to the USA. Where we'd go, what we'd see and do. In September, we finally made it happen. Mark flew into Indy and we headed west. He was going to ride my trusty old 2002 ST1100. I had to freshen it up a bit prior to the ride with new tires, brakes, fork oil change, etc... Had it looking as new as an 11 year old bike can... I'll be aboard the less than trusty but never failing BMW GS... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 We hop on the scooters and aim them west on I-70. First stop is in St. Louis so Mark can see the Arch... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 I've passed the Arch thousands of times and never really checked it out much. So it was good for me to see it as well.Some odd characters there though, like the Crusader for Christ dude... Guy just stood there for hours on end, not moving at all in the 100+F heat and 85% humidity. The black dancing dude was far more entertaining though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 A hot day in Ireland is about 65F and zero humidity. Mark wasn't so much diggin' his first experience with heat and humidity.... Looked like a well steamed lobster at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 But he didn't bitch much about it and we soldiered on. Laughed at him at every stop, wringing the sweat from his shirt... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) Overnighted in Joplin, Missouri the first night. Not a lot there and no pics taken. Hammered across Oklahoma the next day in even higher heat and into Texas... We chose to ignore the sign and rode like scalded dogs - the Earache and Mark way. Edited October 30, 2013 by Earache Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 We weren't really doing a Route 66 tour, but Mark wanted to see a few of the stops along the way.... Just like a proud Texan... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Still sweatin' to the oldies... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Another stop a few miles later at another old filling station; the first Philips 66 in Texas.... Not much chance of getting run over while taking pics in the road here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Like most of the towns along old 66, this place has seen better days and is largely deserted now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 It's become a new ritual for us now at all stops - a Sweat Check on poor Mark... And now he's dripping out off his pant legs... While I, the older and fatter guy, remain dry... Funny how we become accustomed to heat after living in it for our entire lives. But I still don't like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 We ride on to Amarillo and find our hotel for the night. All the good, shady parking spots are taken already ... I'm guessing that they won't get a ticket for parking in a fire lane, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) After stowing our gear away in thew room, we call for the free limo ride to The Big Texan Steak Ranch (see: http://bigtexan.com/ ). Yeah, it's touristy as Hell, but we're tourists, damn it. And teh free limo ride was hard to pass up.Cold beers and good food... [url=http://s307.photobucket.com/user/EaracheBikeTrips/media/Mark%20Grant%20USA%20Trip/IMG_4164_zps11376265.jpg.html][/url I opted for the Whiskey Barrel Stout while Mark supped on the Wup Yer Donkey IPA. Fine beers indeed. Edited October 30, 2013 by Earache Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) Burgers 'n' Beer... After about 6 beers, it was safe to say that Mark was liking Texas... a lot. And fried jalapenos as well. Another first for him. Edited October 30, 2013 by Earache Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Up at the crack of noon with heavy heads the next day and we're continuing westward. No trip through Amarillo is complete without a stop at The Cadillac Ranch... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Like I said, "We're tourists, damn it".... Hungover bastard was lucky he didn't kill himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Next, we're in the Land of Enchantment... and a few more Route 66 stops... And the obligatory Sweat Check... Mark was just marking his territory with sweat puddles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 At a fuel stop, I noticed soemthign hanging off of the BMW's engine.... If anyone needs a lightly used BMW skidplate, it's in the trash can at Love's Truck Stop in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casper Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 At a fuel stop, I noticed soemthign hanging off of the BMW's engine.... Ouch. Good pics otherwise. Is this the guy we're doing the offroad trip out to CO with next year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 We stop for a couple of days in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I always find it beneficial to take a rest day after doing 1,200 miles or so in a couple of days. No sense in making a death march out of it. Besides, loads of great restaurants and things to do in Santa Fe. Great place. Took a quick cruise to Los Alamos... And past the Valles Caldera (see: http://wikitravel.org/en/Valles_Caldera_National_Preserve ), it's a rather large volcanic hole - a blowout like Mt. St. Helens only larger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 And a cruise through the Gillman Tunnels. Way off the beaten path and not many go there, but worth the effort to see. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_State_Road_485 ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Glad I wasn't on the crew that had to hand cut these things back in the day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Back to the oldest city in the USA, checking out some of the older than dirt buildings here... and old scooters as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Zamfir was rockin' the Square... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earache Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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