Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

World traveler, Hash House Harrier, and Harley enthusiast...not necessarily in that order. Read more🇺🇸Cincinnati popl.co/card/qD4Qce0c/1/txt

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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Oregon Summer Is COLD 🥶
June 13, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 46 °F
At 04:30, I woke up shivering in the 35°F "summer" and went directly to the laundry room to read. I read one book yesterday and started a second last night. After I finished the second book around noon, I started a 1,000-piece puzzle. I finished that at 21:00.

When I went to take a shower sometime in the morning, I noticed a pair of yoga pants that were still in the same place as yesterday with shampoo and soap bottles next to it. Assuming all were abandoned, I tried the pants on and although they were snug (which is probably how they're supposed to fit), I decided to wear them as an extra layer on top of my long johns and under my heated gear pants. I have 3 shirts on plus my heated gear jacket. I don't know if I have enough clothes enough to make it through the night 🥶. At least it's not raining, too.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 94 mileage: 0 (total 21438.1)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 196)
National Parks: 0 (total 39 in 19 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Rain, Rain & More Rain
June 12, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 45 °F
I woke to the rain, packed in the rain, broke down my tent in the rain, left Klamath Falls KOA in the rain, took a picture of the Bend HD shop in the rain, arrived Central Oregon KOA in the rain, setup my tent in the rain, and unpacked in the rain.

I left Klamath Falls at 09:00 and got to next KOA near Culver around 14:00. I sat in the store and the laundry room until sunset, when the weather finally started to clear. It's been a cold, wet day. I only hope I have enough clothes to not freeze tonight. The forecast is dry but 35-40°F for the low 🥶.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 93 mileage: 178.0 (total 21438.1)
HD Dealerships: 1 (total 196)
National Parks: 0 (total 39 in 19 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Downtown & The Falls
June 11, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
I wanted to do something nearby today, so I rode into the downtown area where I had dinner last night and had brunch at the Waffle Hut, which was packed with locals (always a good sign). The area is right on the lake, and I walked to the park to check out what I rode by yesterday.

There was an old steam locomotive on display and loads of water birds. Downtown also has lots of murals and street art. The library was having a sale, so I picked up a brand new paperback to read...for a dime 😱. I have them a dollar.

Then I rode a couple of miles to a hilltop that looked like it would be a good place to view the falls. The overlook turned out to be an unfinished subdivision with a blocked road...but not a blocked sidewalk 😉. I rode to the top of the hill, then walked around to get some cool shots.

Just across the river, where you're supposed to park and walk to see the falls 🤣, was a small park looking at Pelican Marina. A very appropriate name considering all the pelicans in the area.

I was back to the campground by 14:00, read all of my book (The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett), and DoorDashed the same meal I had last night. Now, I'm in the tent ready to crash. Great day.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 92 mileage: 11.6 🤣 (total 21260.1)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 195)
National Parks: 0 (total 39 in 19 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Crater Lake, Sort Of
June 10, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
This morning started off well. I packed up and rolled about 07:30, grabbing "clear" (no additives or ethanol) premium 92 octane fuel and breakfast at the corner store. Then I headed north, slowly climbing in elevation towards Crater Lake National Park.

Around 09:00, I began hitting clouds, which were misting, but not enough to put my rain gear on. I did, however, stop to put my heavy gloves on. The temperature was dropping and, even with the heated grips, my fingerless gloves weren't enough.

Another couple of thousand feet and I was wet, cold, and ready to not be rising to Crater Lake. But I kept going. As I watched the snow banks getting deeper, I wondered if I should be riding on the wet road because of black ice, but the Park Service lady assured me the temperature wasn't supposed to drop until it would snow on Sunday 😳. Okay.

So, I kept going, higher and higher, through the avalanche area that was still heavy with snow, up to the Visitor Center on the rim of the Crater. Of course, the entire Crater was filled with cloud, and because of the snow along the edge of the rim, the sidewalks were either closed or buried, so I didn't actually get to see Crater Lake this year. I did get my passport stamp though, so check a 19th state off the list. Yippee.

Although the Rim Road and North Entrance we're open today, I had had enough and backtracked out of the West Gate and turned south to go north. I was headed for Bend, but decided to go into Klamath Falls for gas. I'm was wet and cold, but drying and warming, so when I found a Loves truck stop, I stopped for a out 2 hours to eat, make some calls, send some emails, and look for lodging.

I found a tent site at the nearby KOA for 2 nights, and another 2 nights at the KOA near Bend, so my weekend is set.

Right now I'm sitting in the KOA store/office with my computer adding photos to and getting caught up with these posts. I'm not sure what I'll be doing tonight, but I'll be warm and dry doing it 😉.

Update: I had chicken korma and garlic naan at an Indian place in downtown. Yum 😋!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 91 mileage: 155.9 (total 21248.5)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 195)
National Parks: 1 (total 39 in 19 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
North To Oregon
June 9, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
I left Lonnie's this morning around 08:00, heading east towards Sacramento to grab a dealership, then turn north. I'm fairly sure I rode through Napa Valley because of all the signs and vineyards. At one intersection there was a rafter/flock of turkeys grazing in the field. Cool.

I took I-5 North and made it into Oregon after several stops. Mt. Shasta was beautiful with its crown of snow in the brilliant (and hot) sunshine. I was really tired today and considered stopping for the day before noon. But I pressed on to Medford.

Now I'm in a KOA "kabin" and hoping to get some good rest tonight.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 90 mileage: 403.7 (total 21092.6)
HD Dealerships: 2 (total 195)
National Parks: 0 (total 38 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Redwood Riders Ride
June 8, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
I was invited to a Redwood Riders ride this morning, and because Lonnie had.to work, a couple of the guys picked me up. I got to see a few friends, which was terrific. The ride wasn't many miles long, but it was on little backroads (albeit bumpy ones) through gorgeous countryside. We even popped out on the Pacific Coast for a moment and passed through one of the towns used in Alfred Hitchcock's film "The Birds." I need to watch that again.

We ended at Lavender Bee Farm, which is owned and operated by another rider friend of mine and his wife. I met Richard at the Spring Heat in Arizona Rally earlier this year, and it was nice to see him again.

They hosted a delicious BBQ luncheon for us, and we were able to walk around their three acres to watch the two working honey beehives in action. Super cool.

Since the farm was less than 4 miles from Lonnie's house, I took myself back to his house. We ran to a couple of stores and spent the rest of the evening watching the NBA playoff game and a movie.

Another good day with good friends.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 89 mileage: 98.3 (total 20688.9)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 193)
National Parks: 0 (total 38 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
1 like
The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
You Can't Petaluma!
June 7, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 57 °F
I left the hotel at 08:00 this morning with my heated gloves, pants, and jacket keeping me warm in the 45°F "Summer" here. If this is Summer, I wouldn't want to be here in any of the other seasons 🥶.

I started south on US 101, then took CA 254, Avenue of the Giants. When I rode here last year, it was pouring rain. Today, it's gorgeous! When I stopped at Founders Tree, I had the entire place to myself, at least at first, and made the half-mile walk to the Dyerville Giant without having to talk. I love listening to the forest sounds with no people jabbering, babies crying, or dogs whining. It was so peaceful. But I had to move on.
More info:
Founders:
http://famousredwoods.com/founders/
Dyerville Giant:
http://famousredwoods.com/dyerville_giant/

My second stop was the Shrine Drive Thru Tree. I wanted to do one of these last year, but with the weather.... Well, I did it this year! The Toyota Camry in front of me, however, didn't 🤣. The sign said the tunnel was 7 feet wide, but it sure didn't look like that car would have fit.
More info: https://www.visitredwoods.com/listing/shrine-dr…

I jumped back up on 101 to make better time, and stopped for lunch in Willets, where I finally peeled off all of my cold weather gear, before heading to my friend's house in Petaluma (long u). It's pronounced like this: You can pet a dog. You can pet a horse. You can pet a llama. But you can't Petaluma 🤣.

When my friend Lonnie finished work, he took us into Downtown Petaluma where we walked around as he played tour guide. This is where they filmed part of the movie American Graffiti! Really cool, very artsy downtown area with a bit of a riverwalk and lots of murals, statues, and stores complimenting the art deco architecture.

After a drink and snack, we grabbed food for dinner at the house. Once at the house, we chilled out in the jacuzzi and watched movies while Lonnie's 3-month-old Jack Russell Terrier puppy chewed everything he could get his mouth on, including Lonnie 🤣.

Now, I'm about to fall asleep on a comfortable couch with a full belly. Aaaahhhhh.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 88 mileage: 235.8 (total 20590.6)
HD Dealerships: 2 (total 193)
National Parks: 0 (total 38 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
2 likes
The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Down Day
June 6, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 50 °F
I took today off the bike to sleep in, sit in the jacuzzi, and kick my feet up by the fire.

For dinner, I walked to a seafood place on the bay. The meal was far too salty, but the crisp and cold New Zealand Pinot Gris and crunchy and creamy creme brulee were incredibly delicious.

Eureka has a starving artist feel to it, which I'm fairly certain means homeless with style 🤦. Anyway, instead of packing to leave in the morning, I just finished watching "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore." Yippee!!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 87 mileage: 0 (total 20345.8)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 191)
National Parks: 0 (total 38 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
2 likes
The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Big Trees HOG Touring Rally Day 6 End
June 5, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Redding to Eureka. The End

I left my Redding hotel at 07:00 and beelined west on Highway 299. It was raining and around 50°F, so I had to choose between wearing rain gear to stay dry and plugging in my heated gear to stay warm. I opted for the heated gear, which turned out to be the best option. The drizzle broke once I got over the mountain, but the roads were wet all the way to Eureka. Very slow going all the way, but I made it to my hotel by 10:00.

I was able to check in and offload my bike, then I went to brunch at Café Waterfront, which had an absolutely delicious shrimp, crab, and scallop scramble. They also had live music, a muted trumpet and keyboard duo. Excellent meal and atmosphere in a small space. I did, however, get a lot of sideways glances as I was peeling off my riding gear 🤣.

After brunch, I went a mile down the road to the dealership where I had scheduled a rear tire replacement. And man, did I need it! I had just over 15,000 miles on it and it was as bald as I've ever ridden on, which is another reason why I took the ride so slowly. (Read the post script 🫣.)

Unfortunately, when I started the bike to go to the hotel, the check engine light came on. The codes were for the rear wheel motion sensor (new code and they just changed the tire 🤔) and the right hand control module (historic code). They cleared them out and I went back to the hotel, no problem.

A couple of hours later, I was going back to the dealership for dinner. When I turned on the ignition, the display lit up...then turned itself off. It did that four or five times. And it was doing it so quickly that I couldn't get the bike started until the last time. I rode immediately and directly down the avenue to HD and gave them back the bike. A little while later, the guy said it seemed to be a short in the right hand control module, but they didn't have one in stock. Um, ok.

I said so long to everyone and took Willie back to the hotel. He started fine (because when you're at the repair shop the problem never happens), but when I turned off the ignition, he didn't stop for a few seconds. Ugh. Not sure what I'll do, but I'm not staying here.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 86 mileage: 166.0 (total 20345.8)
HD Dealerships: 1 (total 191)
National Parks: 0 (total 38 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)

P.S.: While I was waiting on my tire install, a guy came into the store walking slowly and looking pale. I figured he was cold and wet. I was wrong. A mutual friend of ours later explained that he went down in a turn 🙁. On the mountain 🫢. With no guardrail 😳. Part of his rear wheel was literally hanging off the edge of the road 🫣. With a 35-foot drop-off 😱. Luckily, he didn't go over 🫡, and both he and the bike were pretty much ok. I'm pretty sure that what I thought was a look of cold and wet was really a sign that he needed to change his underwear 💩 🤣.Read more
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Big Trees HOG Touring Rally Day 5
June 4, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
Chico to Redding

It rained and was below 40°F in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Slow going on what would have been great twisty roads. We only made it to the Visitor Center, then back-tracked and beelined to our hotels.

I didn't take many photos because I needed both hands on the bars today.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Days 84 & 85 mileage: 515.9 (total 20179.8)
HD Dealerships: 1 (total 190)
National Parks: 1 (total 38 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Big Trees HOG Touring Rally Day 4
June 3, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
Sonora to Chico

Rode north into South Lake Tahoe (lots of forest fire damage), continued north on the west shore, had lunch at Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge, and boogied through great twisties.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 84 mileage: Oops (total 19663.9 + Today)
HD Dealerships: 1 (total 189)
National Parks: 0 (total 37 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Big Trees HOG Touring Rally Day 3
June 2, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 66 °F
Fresno to Sonora

Another amazing day! The Center of Cali & my first time in Yosemite National Park! Incredible!!

Location of "another waterfall":
https://goo.gl/maps/U4Md3Lo5Gddyd8Xa6

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 83 mileage: 218.8 (total 19663.9)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 188)
National Parks: 1 (total 37 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Big Trees HOG Touring Rally Day 2
June 1, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 81 °F
Bakersfield to Fresno

Great ride today past Lake Isabella, through two gloriously squiggly canyons, and up amazing Highway 198 through incredible Sequoia National Park, plus a mile round-trip walk to General Sherman and lovely dinner at the dealership. Superb rally so far!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 82 mileage: 284.5 (total 19445.1)
HD Dealerships: 1 (total 188)
National Parks: 1 (total 36 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Big Trees HOG Touring Rally Day 1
May 31, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
This morning was an early one. I had to have the bike across the street to the dealership for service at 08:30, but I was up when the sun woke me at 05:30 🥱.

While waiting on the bike, I helped the Rally Coordinator Bill and the Regional Manager Chris set up their registration booth, chatted with some friends, and reconnected with Leann who has been in Santa Barbara. The bike and I were back at the hotel by 12:30.

My roommate Donna arrived at 16:00, and we walked to the dealership for dinner at 17:00. We just got back from a fun time at the first day of the Big Trees HOG Touring Rally. Leann even won a big rally banner! Now, it's pack up and get ready to roll in the morning. Yippee!!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 81 mileage: 6.6 (total 19160.6)
HD Dealerships: 1 (total 187)
National Parks: 0 (total 35 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
1 like
The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Adulting Day
May 30, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Today was adulting. I don't like these days, but they must be done, whether at home or on the road. After breakfast, I went to a laundromat to do laundry because the hotel's washer is kaput. They didn't have a bathroom, so I had to change out of my dirty clothes into my swim shorts and OCP uniform shirt right there. Oh well. It wasn't the first time I've changed clothes in public. Probably not the last either 🤣.

I spent the rest of the day organizing photos, working with the GPS, repairing my tank bag, and cleaning my helmet. After yesterday's dust storm, I could taste the dirt when I put my visor down this morning, so I took out all the pads, dunked them in soapy water, rinsed them until the water wasn't colored any more 🤢, and hung them off the shower curtain rod to dry. The little hair dryer really impressed me by running on high for over 4 hours until I turned it off. Because of it, the pads will be dry by morning now. Rock on, little dryer.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 80 mileage: 8 (total 19154.0)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 186)
National Parks: 0 (total 35 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
1 like
The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Vegas Wouldn't Let Me Leave
May 29, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
With only 300 miles to ride today, I didn't have to leave early, so I didn't pack last night. I had parked the bike in the parking garage area so it would be in the shade and less likely for a homeless guy to pee on it. When I went to bring it across the street to load it, the battery was sluggish to get going. Well, he's been sitting for almost three days. No problem. I rolled him right up on the sidewalk, got loaded, and pulled back into the parking garage to check out at 09:00.

When I got back to the bike, he wouldn't start. Dead battery 😭. So I unloaded everything, took off all of my gear, dumped everything with the bellhop, and took the bus to Las Vegas HD. I got there right at 10:00 when they opened, and they could fix it, but didn't have anyone to tow. So, I got back on the bus, called Harley Roadside Assistance, and got back to hotel about 15 minutes before the truck showed up. The two guys (one training) were great and let me ride with them back to LVHD.

They knew I was trying to get out of town, so they replaced the battery pretty quick. I was back to Circus Circus, loaded up, and ready to roll at 14:30. The only good thing about it was had I left at 09:30, I would've hit a really bad traffic jam on I-15 through the mountains. As it happened, traffic was smooth sailing all the way.

Vegas tried to keep me from leaving, but Cali didn't seem to want me there because by the time I got to Barstow, the winds were an average or 40 mph with gusts up to 50 😱. Plus, I was in the Mojave Desert, which made the wind like sandpaper at times. I made it 35 miles past Barstow and pulled down an exit ramp shoulder, where I was going to put the bike on the jiffy stand to check my phone for a place to rest/shelter. But the wind was blowing so hard that although I got stopped, I didn't dare take my hands off the bars or my feet off the ground, not even to put down the stand.

So I took off, got back on CA-58, put my hazards on, and tried to keep it between the lines. Only a few miles later, there was a sign for a Pilot, so I exited, but couldn't see which way to turn because of the sand. I guessed left and got lucky.

By now it was about 17:30, so I ate a sandwich in the attached Subway while I checked the weather. The winds weren't going to let up significantly until 22:00, and I wasn't about to wait that long to go just another 100 miles. At 18:00, I was nodding bye to another biker I chatted with briefly and getting back on 58.

Sixty miles later, I was getting really tired and now really cold. I hit Tehachapi, climbing to around 4,000 feet and the temperature dropped quickly. My crappy GPS weather app said it was 59°F, but it felt a lot colder. I considered stopping to put on more layers when I realized I wasn't leaning sideways any more. The cold distracted me from the wind, which began to diminish as I continued through the pass. By the time I had dropped down into the green, lush valley, the wind was gone and I was warm again.

I just made it to the Bakersfield hotel and am beat. Early night tonight.

Oh yeah, I rolled over 100,000 miles on Willie yesterday, but didn't get a picture until later 😭. Stupid wind.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 79 mileage: 317.4 (total 19146.0)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 186)
National Parks: 0 (total 35 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
Traveler100K Willie!
6/10/22Reply
1 like
The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
1 1
Hoover Dam & LA Comedy Club
May 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 77 °F
I was super excited when I jumped out of bed this morning. Hoover Dam, here I come!

I took the Comedy On Deck bus tour (comedybustours.com) so I could listen to some dam jokes on the dam bus. The guide Harrison--also an open mic comedian--was extremely knowledgeable about the dam Dam, with lots of stories during the dam ride about things we were seeing on the Dam ride.

We stopped at the Welcome to Vegas sign first, and unbelievably there was no one there. Well, it was 07:45 on a Saturday morning. In Vegas. Our next stop was the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge to enjoy a dam beautiful Dam overlook while straddling the border of Nevada and Arizona. Cool. If you're driving a car on the bridge, you can't see anything, so park here if you go: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gQAZg5Y8kNafaQiPA

We finally made it to the dam Dam, and part of the cost was a Power Plant tour, which was cool but a bit underwhelming. Afterwards, I had a few minutes to walk across the Dam and was surprised by the emotions that came over me. I remembered when a young reporter was on the Dam taking photos when a huge earthquake hit 😱. The Dam began to collapse and the Jimmy was just about to fall to his death 🫣 when, just in the nick of time, Superman came to the rescue! Hooray👏👏👏! We won't talk about how spinning the earth backwards would do a lot of things, but not reverse time 😉.

Superman (1978) clip: https://youtu.be/3y_yFw3ZJSI
RIP, Christopher Reeve.

After the Dam visit, we had a quick lunch in Henderson, then I was back to my hotel around 14:30.

After a cool down in the a/c, I walked up the Strip to the Strat while trying to avoid stepping on or making eye contact with any of the homeless people. They're everywhere and usually talking to themselves or trying to sell grimy bottles of water to tourists.

I had a tremendous time at the LA Comedy Club after getting in for the price of a drink with the ticket the Dam tour company gave out. The host was James Michael and his magic comedy schtick was very unexpected and totally hilarious. He had two other comedians with him, Alex Kool-aid and Stoner Rob. Kool-aid was okay, but Stoner was really funny. Neither could top Cowboy though. Great show!

Cowboy James Michael Redneck Comedy
https://www.facebook.com/thebadboyofmagic

Alex Kool-aid Ansel
https://m.facebook.com/ComedianAlexAnsel/

The Stoner Rob
https://www.facebook.com/TheStonerRob

I'm pretty stoked after another great day and can't get to sleep, but I'm trying. I check out in the morning...which is a good thing because I'm broke and didn't even gamble 😱. It's really expensive here. The only thing you can do free is walk and park. Okay, and breathe, yes, that too. Totally with it, though. What a great time I've had on the Las Vegas Strip. No place like it in the world.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 78 mileage: 0 (total 18828.6)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 186)
National Parks: 0 (total 35 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)

-----

My notes from the Dam tour:

180 feet below (2 bodies found so far) full pool of 1229 feet
1042 current
895 dead pool

537 ft down in elevator at 5 mph-ish

1. Penstock upstream viewing platform: 30-ft diameter, carries water to lower plant, then 13-ft pipes to speed up before hitting plant

4000 long, 56-ft diam diversion tunnel
Towers 395 ft tall, pluggeds areas on map

Up 32 feet in 5 sec

2. 5th floor Nevada side
300 ton each crane, need both cranes to lift 1 rotor over 500 tons (statue of liberty = 225 tons)
Pelton water wheel 1 each side brown sideways
2.4 mw each used for plantRead more
Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar 180-feet below full pool of 1,229 feet!
5/30/22Reply
Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar Electrical towers lean purposely to keep the wires away from the iron-rich canyon walls.
5/30/22Reply
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Golden Tiki & The Buffet
May 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
I had a nice day doing pretty much nothing excepting eating 🤣.

I met a friend at Golden Tiki for Happy Hour. What a cool place. Located in a very not-so-special strip mall, this little place was decorated to the hilt with all things tiki. They even had a Hawaiian band playing and dancing. We had a great time catching up. We even got leied 🤣🤣!

I was really hungry afterwards, so I hit the buffet in Circus Circus before going back to my room. It's Vegas. I mean, I had to eat at a buffet once, right? Never again though. It wasn't worth the money or the heartburn 🤣.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 77 mileage: 0 (total 18828.6)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 186)
National Parks: 0 (total 35 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
The Beatles LOVE by Cirque de Soleil
May 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 84 °F
All I did today was pick up the bike from the dealership. They did the fluid service, checked the front brake and wheel bearing (both good), and pulled a nail out of my rear tire 🤦. It didn't puncture the tube, and they don't have a tire, so nothing else to do about it.

This evening was another absolutely incredible show, The Beatles LOVE by Cirque de Soleil. It was my first time seeing a Cirque show and man oh man it was awesome!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 76 mileage: 5-ish (total 18828.6)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 186)
National Parks: 0 (total 35 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
2 likes
The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
The Doobie Brothers!
May 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
I spent the day at the hotel pool, and the evening at the Doobie Brothers concert! Oh man was it great! Plus, I got to see the volcano performance while walking back to the hotel. They're tearing it down soon (next year, I think), so I really wanted to see it. Mission accomplished. Now I'm having a very late dinner at Denny's. Great day!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 75 mileage: 0 (total 18823.6)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 186)
National Parks: 0 (total 35 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
2 likes
The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Vegas, Baby!
May 25, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F
This morning I left the Skyline Casino & Hotel in Henderson and moved into Circus Circus Casino & Hotel on the Strip! Finally! After four times through Vegas, I'm finally on the Strip! Yippee!

I spent the rest of the day dropping off the bike for service, taking the Big Bus tour, finding my most favorite beer in the world (Kilkenny) at the New York, New York Irish Pub, taking pics at the Hard Rock, cruising Fremont Street, watching girls dance on the bar at a biker hangout, and getting into an Uber that wasn't an Uber but got me back to my hotel for free after I demanded to get out. Lucky on that last one. I had a wonderful, wonderful day!!!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 74 mileage: 10-ish (total 18823.6)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 186)
National Parks: 0 (total 35 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Grand Canyon Skywalk
May 23, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F
Leann and I did the Grand Canyon Skywalk today, a semicircle, glass-floored catwalk over the Canyon. You can't take pictures because.you have to buy them from the photographers, but what would've been a great shot was standing above the shadow of the walk as it cast against the cliff perhaps a 1,000 feet below. Wow!

This evening, I went down to the casino to watch Danny Boyle perform his solo act. Great voice and excellent classic songs. Here's his website: https://dannyboylelasvegas.com.

I had a nice meal of salmon, carrots, rice, and a salad, and now I'm sitting in a freezing room with a hot cup decaf coffee. Beddie-bye soon. Great day!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 73 mileage: 0 (total 18813.6)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 186)
National Parks: 0 (total 35 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
2 likes
The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Mission Complete
May 22, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 90 °F
My mission today was to get from Richfield, Utah, to Henderson (Las Vegas), Nevada, with only two fuel stops. Success!

Because it was 35°F 🥶 in Richfield at 06:00, I didn't leave until 09:00 in maybe 50°F. Going over the pass on I-70W took me above 7,000 feet, and there was quite a bit of snow on the peaks around me. But at 6,000 feet, it was warm enough to turn off my heated gear, and by my second fuel stop at about 5,000 feet, I had to take it all off. My heated gear, that is. I didn't do any stripping until I got to Vegas 😉.

I wound up on Fremont Street by accidentally programming my GPS with the wrong dealership. The one on Fremont is just a t-shirt shop, but, luckily, I could get the bike close enough to take a pic. Yippee!

I kept going down the Strip--do they call driving the Strip "Stripping"?--until I got to the real Las Vegas HD, where I immediately stripped off my leathers. It's 90°F here, although I shouldn't be surprised. I also shouldn't be surprised that I'm getting or already have a cold, probably because of all the altitude and temperature changes.

I stopped at LVHD to schedule service. Almost exactly a year ago, 15 May 2021, I had my 30,000-mile service at LVHD, and they were superb. I need them to look at a weird rubbing sound in Willie's front end, and I'll go ahead and let them do the 100,000-mile service 😱. Yep, my 2018 Street Bob officially has more miles on it than my 2012 FJ Cruiser 🤣.

Leann and I are staying at Skyline Hotel and Casino in Henderson for the next two nights.

My first Vegas show! This little hotel/casino and they have this incredible band playing on a Sunday afternoon. Wow! I was sitting next to a guy they invited up to sub for the drummer. He was very hesitant, but they got him up there. Turns out, he was the drummer for The Round Robin Monopoly. Ollie has been playing drums in Vegas for longer than I've been alive 🤣.

https://www.discogs.com/master/1177043-The-Roun…

The band played at my uncle's night club Bob Lilly's Other Place. Small world.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 72 mileage: 319.9 (total 18813.6)
HD Dealerships: 1 [surprise!] (total 186)
National Parks: 0 (total 35 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
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The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Utah is Absolutely Gorgeous
May 21, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
Leann and I left our decent hotel with a great view after breakfast and a chat with a couple driving an FJ Cruiser. We headed back past Mexican Hat and turned north on Hwy 261.

What a ride! This tiny road turns into hard-packed dirt and gravel for three miles as it twists and winds its way up the side of a cliff. But the views! You overlook Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley. Completely worth the effort to get up there. Also, once you're at the top, there is another unpaved road on your left that takes you to Muley Point. Even more majestic views!

Google Maps links:
- View of The Valley of the Gods
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2J8ckXiJ2esqTuBz5
- Moki Dugway
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HbBYTkh8Zoh64rnDA
- Muley Point East
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PXc75hF8fxtD1jkU9
- Muley Point
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RPQoxDNCcwML1xtGA

Getting back on the paved Hwy 261 to head north, I started slowing down because of all the poop on the road. Open range cows were in the area, and with all the fresh patties, I figured we'd see them sooner or later. We did. Unfortunately, Leann and I have polar opposite driving techniques when a road hazard presents itself, so when we reached Hwy 95, she took off on her own.

I made my way to Natural Bridges National Monument and did the scenic drive loop. I was cutting it close on gas--I was 50 miles into my tank with at least 95 to go before the next gas station--but I decided that taking 10-mile loop would be worth running out of gas later. Luckily, I reached Hanksville with a little to spare.

The drive up Hwy 95 takes you through the stunning Fry Canyon, then crosses the Colorado on a beautiful bridge. Just after the bridge, there's an overlook that will make your jaw drop. Just incredible.

- Hite Crossing Bridge
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tAG2kz5E6QNc2Tvp8
- Hite Overlook
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DYYp8MMra5hkAs6v5

Before reaching Hanksville, you also come through part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which is also magnificent and has many places to pull over, park, and walk around.

Rolling into Hanksville around 13:00, after a much needed fill-up, I had a late lunch at Duke's Slickrock Grill (https://maps.app.goo.gl/LYDvp7vCGKsPT2Cf8), which I found last year. Really good food in a John Wayne theme restaurant, you know, The Duke.

From Hanksville, I took Hwy 24 west to Capitol Reef National Park. This drive is even more spectacular than Hwy 95! And better yet, the scenic drive from the Visitor Center is even better than both of those. This year, however, I didn't take the scenic drive, opting instead to head to Richfield and our hotel.

Unfortunately, if had taken the drive, I would've met back up with Leann, so I made it to Richfield about an hour and a half before her. But with an Arby's next door, I was able to grab dinner while I waited for her.

It was a beautiful day in a gorgeous part of the US.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 71 mileage: 282.4 (total 18493.7)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 185)
National Parks: 2 (total 35 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
2 likes
The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Four Corners & Monument Valley
May 20, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
I am so happy that Leann decided to join me on the road today!

The morning started out with a bang. Literally. While I was waiting for Leann in the hotel parking lot, a lady driving a camper van thought she could fit under the hotel portico. She couldn't. Her rooftop air conditioner hit the rooftop overhang and was dragging along when she stopped. She looked around inside her van, then kept going. Now she's halfway through. She stops, looks around again, then keeps going until she hits the opposite edge of the roof. She stops and finally gets out to see what the noise is. She looks at the top of her van then gets back in and drives off dropping pieces of her air conditioner and the roof on the street as she drives away. I'm glad I wasn't behind her.

Leann met me right after and off we went. We stopped briefly to take some photos of Ship Rock (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6m7YV8AijRgPR8py7). But our first real stop was Four Corners Monument! Yay! I rode by here last year, but it was still closed from COVID. Now I can check it off my list.

Then we took a break at Bluff Fort, which was much more elaborate than I expected and definitely worth a stop if you're in that area.
(https://maps.app.goo.gl/hxzsWUL2hFCaWw488)

A tour guide at the fort told us about a cool place just out of town, so we stopped briefly at the Sand Island Petroglyph Panel (https://maps.app.goo.gl/6ZRKBrHNWsWgTwuL6). Really amazing!

Our next stops, well, I'll just list them:
- Mexican Hat Rock https://maps.app.goo.gl/4g9DSqtJ5ww2ikyd7
- Monument Valley https://maps.app.goo.gl/bA4CV3H8d68YqkBY7
- Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center https://maps.google.com/?cid=113083947877316669…
- Goulding's Stagecoach Dining Room https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vby6MBQ4ZjhKXbPM7

We back tracked about 25 miles to Mexican Hat (the town), where we were lucky to find a hotel room. We were just about resigned to sleeping in the car (Leann) and tent (me) for the night. Bonus: we wound up right next to the river. Wonderful!

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 70 mileage: 198.3 (total 18211.3)
HD Dealerships: 0 (total 185)
National Parks: 0 (total 33 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
3 likes
The 2022 Motorcycle Adventure Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Another Good Day
May 19, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 72 °F
I was really looking forward to today's ride, running some of the same routes I ran last year. And I wasn't disappointed!

I left Colorado Springs at 07:00 in 47°F wearing all of my heated gear. Is it not at least Spring here yet? As I was heading south on I-25, I suddenly smelled a Number 2 pencil being sharpened. It wasn't a paper mill or a pine logging operation. It was the shavings from a Number 2 pencil. Weird.

Even weirder, after I stopped at the Pueblo Harley dealership, I smelled burnt buttermilk biscuits . Not burnt toast, cornbread, or tortillas. Burnt buttermilk biscuits. Weird. Did I have a stroke?

Anyway, I pressed on down I-25 until 09:00 when I had to take off all of my heated gear. A couple of miles later, I hit the turn off for Highway 64 and Taos. This was the first time I had taken this route to Taos, and it was beautiful. The first 5 miles were covered in pronghorn antelope, one of which decided he'd like to share my lane for a few seconds. Then I hit Cimarron and squiggled through the canyon, where I crossed paths with a small herd of elk. Man, are they big! Although neither pronghorn nor the elk made me come to a complete stop, the prairie dog running in front of me did. I got all of their pictures 😁.

I finally popped out in Taos, had lunch at the best Mexican food place in Taos "Toribios", then crossed over the Rio Grande--the same river that makes the border of Texas and Mexico--before stopping at Earthship Biotexture (https://earthshipbiotecture.com/). I saw this community three times last year but never stopped. What an amazing concept in practice. The starter units (2 bed/2 bath) go for about $200,000, but some can reach almost half a million with up to 4 bedrooms and all the extra features. Imagine if standard architecture made use of some of these concepts, particularly water capture and recycling. Incredible capabilities.

I continued on US64 through Carson National Forest. Thankfully the road was open despite several large patches of snow at about 9,500 feet. This road has wonderful sweeping, broad, fast turns and is just a glorious place to ride. I was, however, wishing for my heated gear for about 25 miles until I dropped back down in elevation as I reached Chama. Then it was west to Farmington where Leann and I are staying tonight.

After settling into our room and feeding the dog, we walked across the street to a Mexican food restaurant where she relayed how she lost one of her Airmen to suicide just before she retired as a First Sergeant. We talked for quite some time then asked for the bill. Someone had already paid it and had already left.

First Stormchaser Jay saves me from the hail and now a stranger buys us dinner. Perhaps there is a little human left in humanity. We were both humbled, astounded, and, frankly, embarrassed because they had probably heard our tearful conversation. We left quietly, silently thanking our evening benefactor(s). It was another very good day.

So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

Day 69 mileage: 477.5 (total 18013.0)
HD Dealerships: 2 (total 185)
National Parks: 0 (total 33 in 18 states)
10 Rides for 2022: 0 (total 5 of 10)
MCGTTX Stops: 0 (total 23 of 50)Read more
1 like

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