Thom got the keys to his house.

He found this cartoon that expresses his thoughts about someone letting him buy a house.
http://www.xkcd.com/616/

Bah. Humbug.

My fingers have been silent because I decided to NOT post on my blog my true feelings about the Christmas season. It is, for many reasons, my least favorite time of the year.

Staying busy

Some habits are hard to break.

No matter that my intention as a full time RVer was to divest myself of home improvement projects, I continue to feather my nest.

First it was deciding to stay in one place for the winter. It IS a nice place to spend the winter. Then the decision to return to the same place this winter. There are a lot of nice folks here and it IS a nice place to spend the winter.

Then I bought a shed. It's a small shed. A place to store the seldom ridden bicycle and spare hoses. The little refrigerator was just sitting in the storage unit in Ellensburg doing nothing anyway so why not put it in the shed? Putting the insulation in the shed was logical.

It just made sense to have a small vehicle to use when I had errands to run or get groceries and it came in real handy when I had to move the 148 cement patio blocks that I am using to build my patio out back...

Happy Thanksgiving

To my kids,
This isn't how it was supposed to be.
love ya,
Dad

Thom's house is a very, very, very fine house.

My son, Thom, has been looking at houses for a while. He was too slow in making an offer on some, was told an offer just 10% below the asking price was offensive and found one that was just right for now.


9620 134th St Ct NW, Gig Harbor, WA

Well maintained 1 level home on .42 acre lot. Huge fenced backyard, 336 sq ft garage, vinyl windows, good roof, entertainment deck, mature landscaping. This affordable home is just a few minutes from Hiway 16. Three bedroom, big living room and kitchen/dining room, just painted inside, brand new carpet.

Goodguys South West National Hot Rod Show

Five of us from the park (John, Jerry, Larry, Dave and I) rode our bikes to West World in Scottsdale to look at all of the shiny cars at the Goodguys South West National Hot Rod Show. Dave and I went last year. You may remember that I posted some pictures. It really does get overwhelming. So much chrome and so many nice paint jobs. We usually search out the odd and unusual vehicles for special attention. Jerry spent most of his time looking at the junk in the swap meet. He wants a copper Arizona license plate for his collection. John looked at just about every car that had a "For Sale" sign in the window.

Visitor from the frozen (well almost) north

Ken (also known as my ex-wife's-twin sister's-ex-husband or Kenny-poo) took a sad journey to Arizona on the occasion of the death of his Mother. My condolences friend.

He took the time to come to Apache Junction to visit and spend the night. I took him to Waldo's for a rib dinner and to Tortilla Flat for breakfast. I think he enjoyed both.

Short visits by friends and family are always appreciated.

A great day for a ride.

It was a great day for a ride. Six of us left the park at 9 this morning for ride east through the Salt River Canyon to Show Low on Highway 60. The ride through the canyon has numerous switchbacks as the road descends to the bottom of the canyon and climbs back up the other side.

After lunch in Show Low, we turned west towards Payson. The highway cuts through a beautiful pine forest.

South from Payson through the Tonto National Forest to Apache Junction. About 320 miles.

We got back to the park in time for cocktails and a neighborhood weenie roast.

Trailer Tramp Art

Before John and Jane arrived and before they moved in to their new space at the park, we inspected the shed that they purchased and found four satellite dishes inside. Little imps that we are (I am?), we placed the gray dishes around their palm tree as a "Welcome Home" greeting.

John and Jane are good sports and accepted the greeting in the way it was extended.

Then they decided to take it a little farther and create Halloween decorations from the dishes. Of course now they will have to continue the tradition and decorate the dishes for other holidays.

New Apache Junction wheels

Sometimes it is nice to have something more than a motorcycle. Dave and Paige tell me that I can borrow their Jeep, and others have offered the use of their vehicles, but after having the use of Ross and Patti's truck in the summer, I knew I wanted something down here in Arizona, too.

Here is my 1998 Ford Ranger. Bare bones - four cylinder, five speed and air conditioning. It's in pretty nice shape and I didn't spend very much money.

Mud Dobbers Ball

Living in a motor home means putting up with some smells. It's a small house sitting directly above the septic tank that gets heated by the noon-day sun.

I have meant to do something about improving the ventilation of the tank for some time. I bought a fancy whirlygig vent head in May for that purpose.

I finally got up on the roof to do something about it this morning. The picture shows the mud wasp nest that almost entirely closed the vent.

C.B. - I'm sorry I didn't have this fixed before your visit in Durango.

New shades!

I suffered through the heat of May in my motorhome and decided that when I returned to Apache Junction I was going to invest in shades for the outside of all of my windows. They not only cool the coach, they provide some privacy when the curtains are open so I can watch the world go by.

I also got a different seat on the bike with a better passenger seat so I can take some of the ladies in the park for a ride in comfort. While I was working on replacing the seat, I switched over to my "good neighbor" mufflers. The bike just doesn't sound the same. I might as well be riding a BMW.

Weather is great, wish you were here.

The weather has been perfect. I arrived just after the 100 degree heat ended. The temps have stayed in the mid to high 80s with a slight breeze. Perfect. The long range forecast calls for sub 100 temps the rest of the year. It may be in the 90s this weekend. I spoke too soon - 100 degrees on Friday and Saturday.
I have ordered screens for the outside of all of the windows on the coach. Others in the park have them, they offer some privacy with the curtains open and help keep the inside cool. They should be installed on Thursday. I washed the windows this morning in preparation for the installation.
I rode down Hiway 79 to Catalina for breakfast yesterday, then rode to Winkleman on 77, 177 to Superior (with a stop at Dairy Queen), then 60 back home.
Other park residents are trickling in. It's nice to see everyone again.

Almost home, Arizona

As close as I've got to a home I guess. I'm here. Plugged in and anchored down. Only 97 today.

The zip code at the park changed to 85119.

Las Vegas sucks

..or at least driving through Las Vegas sucks. After my 505 mile drive from hell yesterday, I hoped for better today. The first half of the drive, through Utah to St. George, was beautiful. Then came the windy, white knuckle, mind numbing drive to North Las Vegas.
I've been to Las Vegas three times. The same construction project continues. The exit to 95 south off of 15 should be illegal.
The good news is that I am in Lake Havasu. Dave told me I should see it. When I told him where I was, he said I was on the wrong side of the lake. You just can't please some people.
Tomorrow should be a fairly easy drive of 270 miles or so to Apache Junction. I am back in shorts and sandals - as it should be.

Filmore West

After 150 miles of the worst, most boring road imaginable south of Boise, I passed the next 150 miles driving through construction from Ogden to Salt Lake City.

I don't enjoy driving the rv as much as I used to prior to the "incident" in May. With every little bump my balls and my heart meet deep in the pit of my stomach. I stop often to check on the bike - no problems so far. I am glad I put nylock nuts on the fasteners. Everything else has been shaken loose.

I am spending the night in Filmore, Utah. Farther than I had planned to drive. I missed an exit in the construction zone, so missed the park I had planned to grace with my presence.

Dinner and a couple beers and I'm out.

Thorp to Caldwell

Easy 375 miles to Caldwell, ID. Found a nice RV park - Country Corners Campground and RV Park. Free wifi, good tv reception, all pull throughs, good power and water and a Good Sam park. Only $23.
Decided to leave this morning because there was no wind this morning and my furnace ran all night last night. Will have to disconnect the water hose tonight before bed, they had frost here last night.

My brother is a rolling stone...

Ross got sent to Nanana, Alaska to oversee the restoration of the local police station. He called Patti to say he had arrived safely and that it is snowing.

I'm going to Everett on Sunday to have lunch with the kids and my Mom.

Happy birthday Thom!! (10/29)

What's going on?

My almost wife (Paige) is upset with me in that I have not been posting on my blog regularly. I always thought "no news is good news" but I guess that doesn't apply to blogging.
One reason I've not been blogging is that I never remember to either take or use my camera when I am out doing whatever it is that I am doing. We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words.
Luckily for all concerned (you and me), I don't have a thousand words in my head.
Last weekend was spent in the Marysville area. I planned on visiting my Mom and my sister and attending my 40th high school reunion. The possibility of staying at the Tulalip Casino hotel was put asunder by the $240 per night room rate. I did visit with Mom and attended the reunion picnic, but was unable to visit with Tom and Mary. There was a mix up (on my part) regarding which day Mary would be returning from San Diego. Oh well, I'll see them in Arizona in the spring.
The reunion was the first I have attended since graduation. It was well organized and it was a lovely day on the lake. A few people were recognizable and a pleasure to see again. I rode by our old house and the location of the old high school, then left. I didn't forget anything for which I need to return.
I returned to a sorrowful house. Patti and Ross' 13 year old cat Reynolds passed away. They are both pretty upset. Reynolds was a feral cat that Ross rescued. He followed Patti around like a little shadow. He ran and hid from just about everyone else. I tricked him in to thinking I was Ross a couple times and got to pet him a little. It was a game I'll miss playing with him.
This weekend has been spent riding. One hundred- sixty miles on Friday on back roads in and around Yakima, many of which ended in gravel and necessitated U-turns.
Today's ride was to Wenatchee sticking mostly to well known highways. The run on I-90 to Ellensburg from George was in to a steady head wind of about 25 miles per hour. It was a tiring ride.
One of the purposes for both rides was to visit the local Harley Davidson shops. I look forward to returning to the Phoenix area and visiting large, fully stocked Harley shops again. I'm sure the limited riding season plays a part in the economics of operating a shop, but Sound Harley Davidson in Smokey Point seems to be able to make a go of it as a pure Harley shop. The people at Owens HD in Yakima are friendly and helpful, but their resources are limited. I was not impressed with the operation of Legends HD in Wenatchee and the prices on the displayed bikes seemed very high.
Okay Paige, that's what I've been doing.
Now I can get back to using my computer for it's real purpose - looking for a love life and parts for my Harley.

Visitor

This guy was on my kitchen counter tonight.

A little Northern Exposure

Took a lazy ride along the Yakima River through Cle Elum to Roslyn for lunch.

Some of you may remember a television show called "Northern Exposure" about a New York doctor working off his school loan in the small Alaskan town of Cicely.

Well, as far as I know, Cicely, Alaska is imaginary. The show used Roslyn for the outdoor shots and had a set in Bellevue or someplace for interior shots.

Attempts were made years ago to visit Roslyn during shootings, but without success. The "hot set" signs are no longer needed.

The large painted advertisement for the Roslyn Cafe was modified to "Roslyn's Cafe" for the show, but has been returned to it's original glory.

I got to town just after 2. That's important because that's when "Village Pizza" opens. She makes her own crust dough and sauces. Yummy.

Check out weenerbagotails to see Dave's new gas tank. Forrest painted it and Doug finished the design in gold leaf (the same guys that painted my bags). It's a replica of a tank design used on a 1933 Harley that Dave saw in the museum in Milwaukee.

Got my stripes

I don't know if I earned them, but I got them. Forrest did a great job on the repair and laying the pearl on the bags and fender, Doug followed thru with my Maltese Cross design on the bag lids and the stripes on the fender. Beautiful.

Mike and Vicky had Dave, Paige and I over for dinner last week. Great steaks Mike!

Dave and I rode to Port Orchard for coffee this morning. We met Mike and Chuck at Tully's. Nice to talk about everything except work with these guys. Everyone feels better after they retire. Chuck just got back from umpiring Little League regionals in California and Mike is heading down to the family ranch in California tomorrow to do some shooting.

I'll be packing up and moving back to Thorp tomorrow. I'll make one return trip to this side of the mountains to attend my 40th high school reunion on the 12th of September. Don't know why I'm going for sure, I have not attended any earlier reunions.

moved

I've moved to Bremerton. Forrest is my host. He will also be repairing the rear fender on the bike. I purchased a new "Tail Bagger" kit from CycleVisions and my new hard saddlebags actually hang straight on the bike. I hope to get some pinstriping done, too.
Accommodations here are good - I have water, sewer and 30 amp electricity. Three things I didn't have at Ross and Patti's. HOWEVER - I don't have cable tv or internet access. Two things I did have at Ross and Patti's.
The weather is supposed to be acceptable on the wet side of the state for the next week or two. That will be just right. I'll head back to Thorp for most of September, then be on my way to Apache Junction.
I thought time would slow down when I retired, but the summer has flown by.

My adopted home in Thorp

A few pictures of my summer home in Thorp. Ross and Patti are gracious hosts. I am lucky to have the opportunity to share their "park".

Three thousand miles of thoughts

Storms of Dillon
Rolling along the Beaverhead
Long straight ride to Dillon
Black storm cloud ahead
Lightning to the left
Lightning to the right
Forty-one leads us on

Wisdom and Bliss
Miles and miles to find them
We gained Wisdom in Montana,
Discovered Bliss in Idaho
It's easier on two wheels

Passed Over
Logan
Marais
Lolo
Lost Trail
Colter
Beartooth
Targhee
Raynolds

Middle of nowhere

Going to the Sun Road - Glacier National Park

Pictures

Dave has the maps and general description of the day to day rides. You can find that information at weenerbagotails.blogspot.com or by clicking on "Dave and Paige's blog" at the bottom right of my home page.

I'll just throw some pictures at you.

What I learned in 3,682 miles

I learned I have some gr8 friends. I hope they didn't tire of me, I didn't get tired of being around them.

Pat and I learned to buy new tires before a 3,000 mile ride, rather than planning to buy tires after the ride.

I learned again that I am not as good of a motorcycle rider as I think I used to be.

I learned again how lucky I am to be in the position to be able to take a two week ride with my friends and not have to go back to work.

I learned that not everyone appreciates a Corbin seat. Steve rode about 40 miles on mine and called it a wooden bench. As for me, I made the full ride sans monkey butt - and that's a good thing.

I learned that it is always good to be home - even if that home is on wheels.

Bison, elk and bear - oh my.

Our ride today from Bozeman to Cody took us through Yellowstone, entering at the north entrance near Gardiner and exiting at the northeast entrance, ending at bottom of Beartooth Pass in Red Lodge.
What a ride.
Again, Dave will post pics I'm sure. He is still smiling. Steve, Rob and Pat enjoyed it so much they rode it twice.
We saw elk at the north entrance, a bear somewhere along the road and a bison walked down the road toward me just before we left the park.

Visit weenerbagotales for pics

I did not bring my computer, so cannot upload pics to my blog, so am waiting until I return to Thorp to do so.
Dave, however, did bring his computer and has uploaded images to it.

Visit weenerbago tales today - you'll be glad you did! Look for "Dave and Paige's blog" in the lower right corner of this page.

Secured - I hope

In an effort to not repeat the past, I have reconfigured the tie down system for the bike inside the trailer. I found a way to attach to the frame at the rear of the bike and not interfere with the saddlebags (when I get them).

Now I'm off to the local waste water treatment plant to dump my tanks. Oh joy!

Spud Run '09

Dave and I will depart from Thorp on Sunday the 19th and head for Couer d'Alene, ID.
On Monday all five of us (in usual riding order: Steve, Rob, Pat, me and Dave) will make the 321 mile ride to Kalispell, MT via Hiways 2, 508, 37 and back on to 2 in to town..
Our Tuesday ride will again cover 321 miles running from Kalispell to Missoula. The first half of the ride will be a loop in to Glacier National Park and "Going to the Sun Road" over Logan Pass. The second half of the ride will take us along the west side of Flathead Lake on Hiway 93 to Missoula.
Wednesday will be Missoula to Missoula. That's not a typo. The day's ride will be over Lolo Pass - twice on Hiway 12. An easy day of 224 miles or so.
Thursday is Missoula to Bozeman - 274 miles on Hiways 200, 279, 12, 89 and 86 through the Helena National Forest.
Bozeman to Cody, WY on Friday, dipping in to Yellowstone National Park just enough to ride over Beartooth Pass on Hiway 212 to Red Lodge, MT and in to Cody on Hiway 72. A ride of 260 miles according to Steve's calculations.
Saturday's ride from Cody to Dillon, MT through Yellowstone National Park , a 289 mile day on Hiways 20, 87 and 287.
Day 7 runs us from Dillon to Ketchum, ID. Following a short run north on I-15, we'll turn west on 43, then south on 93 and 75 through the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. A long day of 340 miles.
From Ketchum to Boise via Twin Falls completing the run south on 75/93, west on 30, then 78 in to the Boise area through the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. 295 miles.
We'll head out of Boise on our 262 mile ride to Riggins on Hiway 21 going through Boise National Forest as far as Lowman, then turning west to catch 55and 95 north through Nez Pierce National Forest.
Our last day as a group is a 269 mile ride from Riggins returning to Couer d'Alene on 95 with a side trip to the Spiral Highway in Lewiston.
Here's hoping for fair weather and smooth roads.

Trailer progress

Ross and I have been busy straightening the ribs and bolting down the E-trac. The 1/8" mahogany sheathing will arrive Monday night or Tuesday morning and I'll be ready for it.

We also bolted in a small cabinet that he had been saving for a special purpose and a spare air compressor that he had sitting around. Lucky me!

Meeting of the minds

The boys rode over the hill today and I fed them lunch. It wasn't quite the crab stuffed mushrooms, artichoke dip, salad with some special dressing, steak, corn on the cob and dessert that Steve wanted, but they seemed satisfied with chips and Rob - er, I mean dip for an appetizer, ice cold Sam Adams Summer Ale and Negro Modelo, medium rare steak, and corn on the cob. Not too bad.

We talked about our upcoming ride - The Spud Run - that begins on the 19th and covers some 2,700 miles through Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and maybe a bit of Oregon. If there is a high mountain pass or canyon road along the route that Steve planned, we'll be on it. Highlights of the trip include the Going to the Sun Road, Beartooth Pass, Lolo Pass and the Spiral Highway.

Rob made reservations at convenient Best Westerns along the way - three kings and two queens. Dave and I are retired, on a fixed income, we share a room.

Pictured, left to right: Steve, Pat, Rob and Dave.

Latest progress

Here are photos of the bike - almost done and trailer - just getting started. Forrest is making good progress on painting the saddlebags and I am waiting on a few parts (like locks for the saddlebags) from Owens Cycles, but it is on the road again. I've missed riding.

The new white two-by running down the middle of the trailer will help support the weight of the rear of the bike. The piece of 3/4" plywood that used to cover that portion of the floor got busted up pretty bad. I think I can straighten the two damaged steel ribs in the sides of the trailer and the sheet metal will get patched. I also bought a floor anchor system (the stuff on the right in the trailer) to help ensure that this doesn't happen again.

I am enjoying my stay in Thorp. My brother has a few projects planned for me to work on in my spare time.

Dave, Pat, Rob, and Steve are riding over to visit on Saturday. I'll throw some steaks on the barby and beer in the ice chest. We'll talk about our upcoming ride around Idaho - the Spud Run.

The floor is bolted down and the first coat of paint is on.

Second coat of paint is applied.

E-track is in place, chock is repaired and remounted, pushing on the bent ribs.

Don't go there

When a person or couple become full-timers (living full time in your RV), it is almost inevitable that some stuff will get put in to storage.
It is also inevitable that visits will be made to the storage unit.
Don't do it.
I walked through my past for a few minutes this morning. I was sure that there was stuff that I just had to have with me in my motorhome. There were a few things - silverware (now that I have drawers in my kitchen), my battery powered skill saw, some wood hangers and my back scratcher.
There were lots of things that I would love to have around me - my leather couch, big flat screen tv, my bed, tools, art, clothes that I used to wear.
I left the storage unit a little depressed. I wish my kids would use this stuff. Erica's little apartment is already overflowing and Thom is searching for a place of his own. There is still hope that he will take most of it.
A lot more stuff will be going to the Goodwill store before I leave for Arizona.

Some help for my friends that have not yet retired

Where to Live After Retirement:

You can live in Phoenix , Arizona where.....
1. You are willing to park 3 blocks away because you found shade.
2. You've experienced condensation on your butt from the hot water in the toilet bowl.
3. You can drive for 4 hours in one direction and never leave town.
4. You have over 100 recipes for Mexican food.
5. You know that "dry heat" is comparable to what hits you in the face when you open your oven door.
6.. The 4 seasons are: tolerable, hot, really hot, and ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!


You can Live in California where...
1. You make over $250,000 and you still can't afford to buy a house.
2. The fastest part of your commute is going down your driveway.
3. You know how to eat an artichoke.
4. You drive your rented Mercedes to your neighborhood block party.
5. When someone asks you how far something is, you tell them how long it will take to get there rather than how many miles away it is.
6. The 4 seasons are: Fire, Flood, Mud, and Drought.


You can Live in New York City where...
1. You say "the city" and expect everyone to know you mean Manhattan ..
2. You can get into a four-hour argument about how to get from Columbus Circle to Battery Park, but can't find Wisconsin on a map.
3. You think Central Park is "nature."
4. You believe that being able to swear at people in their own language makes you multi-lingual..
5. You've worn out a car horn... that is, if you even have a car.
6. You think eye contact is an act of aggression.


You can Live in Maine where...
1. You only have four spices: salt, pepper, ketchup , and Tabasco ..
2. Halloween costumes fit over parkas.
3. You have more than one recipe for moose.
4. Sexy lingerie is anything flannel with less than eight buttons.
5. The four seasons are: winter, still winter, almost winter, and construction.


You can Live in the Deep South where...
1. You can rent a movie and buy bait in the same store.
2. "Y'all" is singular and "all y'all" is plural.
3. "He needed killin'" is a valid defense.
4. Everyone has 2 first names: Billy Bob, Jimmy Bob, Mary Sue, Betty Jean, Mary Beth, etc.
5. Everything is either "in yonder," "over yonder" or "out yonder." It's important to know the difference, too.


You can live in Colorado where...
1. You carry your $3,000 mountain bike atop your $500 car.
2. You tell your husband to pick up Granola on his way home and so he stops at the day care center.
3. A pass does not involve a football or dating.
4. The top of your head is bald, but you still have a pony tail.


You can live in the Midwest where...
1. You've never met any celebrities, but the mayor knows your name.
2. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor.
3. You have had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" on the same day.
4. You end sentences with a preposition: "Where's my coat at?"
5. When asked how your trip was to any exotic place, you say, "It was different!"


AND You can live in Florida where..
1. You eat dinner at 3:15 in the afternoon.
2. All purchases include a coupon of some kind -- even houses and cars.
3. Everyone can recommend an excellent dermatologist.
4. Road construction never ends anywhere in the state.
5. Cars in front of you often appear to be driven by headless people.

Work in progress

New handlebars and gripsWorking on the lightbar.

Progress

I found some saddlebags and delivered them to Tonkin's Custom Paint for finishing. Since Dave is staying there, he can oversee that portion of the project.
I heard from my insurance adjuster - the check is in the mail. Upon hearing that, I made a run to Owens Cycles in Yakima and spent $1,000 on bits and pieces. The handlebars should be back on soon.
Found a couple small dents in the rear fender and the estimate was amended to reflect that. Forrest can fix the fender after the Spud Run.

New handlebars, chrome levers and Kuryakin grips are installed. Everything works! Started the bike. Bought a new windshield and ordered some other parts.

Durango to Thorp - Day 4

I'm baaaack.
Snugly ensconced at my summer estate in Thorp. That would be Patti and Ross' place, parked along side their fence. Don't have full hook-ups, but I do have wifi and cable television.
Owens Cycles (the Yakima Harley dealer) was able to complete the repair estimate in less than two hours this morning. What a well organized shop. I had to pay for the estimate, but Safeco should reimburse me for it and I would have paid Durango Harley if it would have gotten them off their ass. The repair costs are just shy of $5,000. No structural or internal damage. Everything bolts on, so I'll be buying pieces and doing what I can myself.

Durango to Thorp - Day 3

A VERY easy 300 miles or so to Prosser. Why didn't I just go to Thorp you ask? I don't want to back track. I'll be at the Harley shop when it opens. Nice RV park in Prosser from what I've seen - except for the pay showers! Free wifi, cable television, green grass. I've missed green grass more than I realized.

Durango to Thorp - Day 2

Easy, boring 300 miles today. Had a little trouble finding the RV park, but I'm here. Not quite as nice as last night, but cable TV and free wifi. Prosser tomorrow night and I'll be at the Yakima Harley dealership early Monday morning.

Durango to Thorp - Day 1

450 miles to Brigham City, Utah. I even went through rush hour traffic in Salt Lake City at 3 p.m. to get here. No problems to report on the way here. There was some construction along the way, but nothing that brought me to a stop. Highways 160 to 491 to 70 to 6 and up 15 to this stop.
If the bike was operational I would have stopped at Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park. Moab is situated in a nice valley surrounded by red cliffs. The area north of Moab to Price looks like a gravel pit. The traffic through Salt Lake City was the pits but I just snuggled in between some Walmart trucks and bit my lip.
Dave suggested this RV park and a few more. Don't know if I'll be ready to stop in Nampa, Idaho - that's only 300 miles.

Had dinner at "Wingers". That should clog my arteries for a while. I had the 'Sizzling Steak' - strips of steak, mushrooms and onions floating in cheese, with fresh veggies and a baked potato for $10. I stepped out of the restaurant in to a thunderstorm. Seems they followed me from Durango.
If I did 450 miles each day, I would arrive in Yakima on Sunday - the Harley shop is closed on Sundays - so I'll cut it down to about 300 miles, spend tomorrow night in Nampa, ID and Sunday night in Prosser.

Heading north

Well, three weeks and a thousand dollars later - Durango Harley Davidson has failed to even look at my bike, let alone complete a repair estimate.
The trailer coupler has been replaced so it is safe to tow. I bought new tie down straps and have decided to just push the wreck back in the trailer and head north. I'll hope for better service from a dealer in Washington.
I'll park the RV at my brother's house and take the bike to Yakima.

The general manager from Owen Cycles (the Harley dealership in Yakima) called me today and said that they would complete the estimate on the same day that I deliver the bike to them.
That's how things are supposed to be done.

Taos!

What a wonderful drive from Durango, CO to Taos, NM via highways 160, 84 and 64. This route takes you through beautiful rolling countryside. Through ranches. Between peaks of the mountain ranges along the route. Alongside numerous rivers.

After an easy 5 hour drive (with breaks), Carolyn and I arrived in Taos and checked in to the Sagebrush Inn. The Sagebrush was built in 1929 and the third floor loft was for a three month period, the home of Georgia O'Keefe. R.C. Gorman also visited the Inn. Many of his works hang in the hallways. Parts of "Easy Rider" were filmed behind the Inn.

Christine - take a trip to Taos and spend the night. Wander the halls and view all of the art work. I especially enjoyed the frescoes installed at the time of construction.

We wandered the plaza. Carolyn found many treasures to take home as reminders of her vacation. We visited the St. Francis of Asisi church. How many artists have recreated this structure? We visited Taos Pueblo. We stared at the Rio Grande gorge and Chimney Rock. It was a very enjoyable trip.