RED's Birthday Party

Brenda, aka "RED", was celebrating her birthday and she has made it a point to ride on her birthday in the company of friends for the past 3 years.  When she posted "RED's Birthday Surprise Party" on the Central Jersey Motorcycle Riders Group forum I immediately signed up to what I was sure to be a great ride and party.  I was not the only one, in quick succession more than 40 other friends signed up.  The interesting part was that she announced the party but not the location, she kept tormenting us with details about the location, the food "Steaks and Burgers are all cut right on the premises in our Butcher shop for supreme freshness", the live music and the fun.  All we knew was that it was in NY State and we "could relax on one of the adirondack chairs on the sandy beach overlooking a babbling brook".

Rhodes North Tavern

She finally announced the place a few days before the party, Rhodes North Tavern located in the heart of Sloatsburg NY, but it didn't matter where it was, we were ready to follow her and help RED celebrate her birthday in style.

The group planned on meeting at the Tom Sawyer Diner in Paramus and then ride together to the Rhodes North Tavern but being "bikers" at heart a few riders decided to meet at the Vauxhall rest Area on the Garden State Parkway in Union and ride together to the Tom Sawyer Diner.  Some of us, myself included, live far south and so my friend Roger came up with a plan, lets meet at 8am, go for a ride and join the group at the Tom Sawyer Diner.  Roger took us through central New Jersey on some very nice winding roads, through parks I had never been on and when we arrived at the diner over forty of our fellow bikers were already there including the birthday girl.

The Birthday girl :-) AKA "RED"

The group was too large to travel together so it was broken into three separate groups, each with a leader with a route on the GPS.  Roger, myself and two others decided we would go on our own and meet at the final destination.  Roger again lead the group through some amazing roads through Harriman State Park and eventually lead us to Bear Mountain State Park.

Park roads

Harriman State Park is the second largest state park in New York and is known for its 31 lakes.  We passed some of them on the way to Bear Mountain State Park which is located on the west side of the Hudson River in Orange and Rockland counties of New York.  The park is also home to the United States Military Academy at West Point. We took the scenic drive to the top of Bear Mountain, called Perkins Memorial Drive.  We arrived at the top of the mountain joining hundreds of fellow riders, parked our bikes and enjoyed the views of the surrounding parks and lakes on a beautiful and clear day.  These parks and mountains are well known to riders as they offer beautiful scenery with windings roads leading to some amazing views.

Top of Bear Mountain State Park

View of Queensboro Lake

From the top of the lookout tower

My "Goldie" in the background

We left the park and headed towards Rhodes North Tavern passing Peekskill Bay and again through Harriman State Park arriving at the final destination to join our fellow friends at a very busy and chaotic parking lot.  Somehow we managed to park the bikes in the middle of what seemed like hundreds of bikes.  Shiny American Harley Davidson's, BMW's, Japanese cruisers and sport bikes with a few Italian Ducatis sprinkled in between filled the parking lot.

We headed inside and proceeded to have a great lunch accompanied by our fellow Central Jersey Motorcycle Riders friends and celebrated RED's birthday with a huge birthday cake.  The food was great, the cake was delicious and the camaraderie was even better.

RED and fellow members of CJMRG

The adirondack chairs on the sandy beach

Wharton State Forest

I guess I spoke too soon, the "bang" was more like a whisper and the cold weather returned last weekend.  Hopefully last weekend's good weather was only the first salvo of beautiful weekends to come and a good indication of what lays ahead for the rest of the year.  Nevertheless, a little cold weather is not going to stop me from going out, specially now that I have fitted heated grips to my Goldie.  I never expected I would need them, I have always been one to tough it out in the cold but on Sunday I switched them on and never turned them off until I got home.

Our group with the two red Triumphs

My friend Wayne had invited me to take a ride to the Polar Bear rider's meeting place in South Jersey, I called my brother and the three of us were ready to go in no time.
We decided to meet on route 206 at the Vincentown Diner in Vincentown and over a cup of coffee decided to go around Wharton State Forest before meeting the Polar Bear group at the Pic-A-Lilli Bar & Restaurant.  Wharton State Forest is the largest single tract of land within the New Jersey State Park System. It encompasses approximately 115,000 acres (465 km²) of the Pinelands northwest of Hammonton, in Burlington, Camden, and Atlantic counties. The entire park is located within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve. The park is located in the forested watershed of the Mullica River, which drains the central Pinelands region into Great Bay.

The Pic-A-Lilli bar and restaurant on the edge of the Wharton State Forest

We were joined by another friend and the four of us departed south on 206 and then went east on Retreat road after passing through Vincentown.  We continued south until we met County road 563 where again we proceeded south approaching the edge of Wharton State Forest.  We entered the park and took a right on County road 542 on the south edge of the park near Green Bank.  The park has nice roads and winding curves through the forest.  One always has to be careful around the turns though as water runoff will bring sand and pebbles onto the curves.  The group consisted of two Triumphs, one BMW and my Kawasaki Concours, AKA Goldie. We quickly covered the 55 miles and after passing Hammonton Municipal Airport made a right onto Route 206 again, this time going North, arriving at the Pic-A-Lilli Bar & Restaurant in short order.

The Polar Bear riders group meet

I was surprised to see so many bikes out, with the weather turning worse and a few sprinkles starting to come down I expected even the Polar Bear riders would stay home but alas lots of bikers were already there.  It was time for lunch, after a few pictures outside, we went inside and had a good meal.
We came out of the restaurant and it had started raining.  We got on our bikes and went north again on route 206 until route 70 where we made a right and proceeded north east to Whiting where my parents live.  They always enjoy seeing their two sons together and a cup of coffee and cake was waiting for us.  We had just finished a huge sandwich but you can never refuse cake from mom, not when she has just finished baking it and it is still warm, the thought about not having cake hadn't even crossed our minds in any case ;-)

A pink Ridley, America's automatic motorcycle

A beautiful Indian Motorcycle

Spring

SPRING....it finally arrived and with a bang.  The weekend was going to be hot, all the weatherman were elated pointing to all kind of graphs showing how the weekend was going to be warm and not a cloud in the sky.  Weatherman are known to get overly excited over little things but when it comes to good weather even I get giddy at the possibility of spending some quality time with my Goldie.  Saturday was going to reach 70 they all said and so we decided to put some mileage on the bikes.  My wife decided she would accompany us on this trip up north, we really didn't have a destination other than we would travel to Port Jervis and then go up to Hawk's Nest on Highway 97 along the Delaware river in NY State.

Port Jervis is located just north of the point where New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York meet. The first fully developed settlement in the area was established circa 1690, and a land grant of 1,200 acres (4.8 km2) was formalized on October 14, 1697. The settlement was originally known as Mahackamack, and was still known as such when it was raided and burned before the Battle of Minisink in 1779. River rafting, kayaking and canoeing are popular summer activities, drawing numerous visitors.  Hawk's Nest just north of the town is also well know by motorcyclist because of the sinuous curves up the side of the mountain.

We left Jackson with a planned stop at "Xtreme Machines" in Millstone for their open house.  Xtreme Machines sells Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and Can-Am.  We arrived at Xtreme Machines but to our surprise the usual was on display with nothing special other than Yamaha special financing and some cash back offers.  The usual display of bikes inside the showroom.  My wife bought some gloves while my brother and I looked at a Can-Am a customer was taking delivery.  He had just installed a new set of pipes and the Twin Rotax 990 sounded awesome but we were surprised when the guy told us he was buying it for his wife. He had bought it automatic because his wife couldn't use the clutch, she had some problem with her hand.  It's nice to know that you can still enjoy the feeling of biking regardless of your disability, where there's a will there's a way.

We then traveled to Metuchen for a visit to Cross Country BMW where my brother planned on buying a tank bag for his BMW 1200 GS Adventure.  After a little negotiation he picked up the tank bag, just a little north of 170 bucks, ouch!

We left Metuchen and our plan was to hit I287 north and then pickup US route 206 just north of I78.  For much of its length, US 206 is a rural two-lane undivided road that passes through the Pine Barrens, agricultural areas, and the Appalachian Mountains of northwestern New Jersey, with some urban and suburban areas. The road is known as the Disabled American Veterans Highway for much of its length.

We encountered light traffic most of the way until we ran into a Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Newton.  With roads closed for the parade we had to take a detour but thanks to the GPS we were back on the correct route after a small delay.  The day was getting warmer and we were glad to pickup speed again on the way to route 94 were we proceeded north until Hamburg, we then made a left on route 23 north and proceeded north into High Point State Park.  The park is located in the northwestern part of New Jersey in Montague, in the Skylands Region of New Jersey and is the highest elevation in the state at 1,803 feet (550 m). It is just southeast of Port Jervis. High Point is the highest peak of the Kittatinny Mountains.  At the peak is the High Point Monument, a 220-foot (67 m) tower, built in 1930 to commemorate the war dead. Three different states can be seen from the top: New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.  By the time we reached the park we were starving and we had to skip the monument but we will be back to tour the park in the summer when the leaves are green and the flowers in full bloom.  Route 23, as it crosses the park, has beautiful curves that can only really be appreciated on a motorcycle.  We passed Steeny Kill Lake, entered New York State and then made a quick stop at Deer Park Cafe for lunch.

It was 2PM, lunch time but after a quick look at the menu we all looked at each other and with a laugh decided it was time for breakfast, we all picked something from the breakfast menu.  Half an hour later, with two fried eggs, some bacon, ham, sausage and french toast in my stomach, or as my brother calls it, a cholesterol explosive breakfast, I was ready to move on.
We passed Port Jervis and entered US route 97 north into the Delaware State Forest along the upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River area.  This part of the road is known as Hawk's Nest in the upper Delaware Scenic Byway.  It's a stretch of road that winds itself up and down the side of the mountain offering beautiful views of the Delaware river and sweeping curves that are so enticing to motorcyclists.
We stopped to admire the scenery, see bikers testing their skills on the sweeping curves and admire the other motorcycles nearby.

After a few photos we made our way north until we found a gas station, my Goldie needed replenishment's, it was her time to have a drink of the High Octane fuel.  Six gallons later we were back on the road and this time heading south towards home.
Again we passed Hawk's Nest but this time without stopping, it was our turn to enjoy the sweeping curves.

We passed Port Jervis again and continued south back on route 206 but this time continued onto route 15 which took us to I80 East towards New York.  We traveled east on I80 for a few miles until I287 where we took the south bound direction towards route 24 which starts in Morristown.  Route 24 passes the by the Short Hills Mall, a high-end mall in the Short Hills area of Millburn.  We didn't stop, there are no motorcycle farkles at the mall.  We made our way to I78 East and onto the Garden State Parkway south where you always run into moderate to heavy traffic around the Union area.  It's always fun and challenging to compete for position on the parkway with the mom's and their minivans but we stuck together and made it home safely having complete just shy of 300 miles for the day.
We were already planning our next trip as we parked our bikes in my garage.  I can't wait for summer.

January's first ride

It's January, it's cold, it's dreary out there but every Friday I peak at my Goldie just to make sure she's still there waiting for me.  I glance at Goldie and hope the weather will be good for the weekend.  The sun streaming in through the garage window keeps her heart warm, faintly warming her beautiful sleek body with the gold paint glowing in the sun. The weekend finally arrived and the weather is good, no time to waste, lets get out there and enjoy the day while the weather holds.  I called my brother and his Bimmer was ready to go in no time.  Our good friend Wayne joined us on his beautiful red Triumph.  With the early morning still on the cold side, my heated liner was plugged in and we hit the road. The plan was to ride out to the BMW dealer in Metuchen to take a look at riding gear and then follow back roads to Frenchtown where we would have lunch.

We left Jackson towards Freehold along Jackson Mills Road and then turned left into Georgia Road which has some nice fast winding turns.  We crossed Freehold and rode past Monmouth Battlefield State Park where dense smoke filled the road from controlled burning by the State Park rangers.  We continued on Co. Rd. 522 through Englishtown and then followed Co. Rd. 527 until Route 18.  After a few miles on 18 we entered Route 1 and then crossed over to Route 27 and made our way to Cross Country BMW.  We had coffee, talked to friends, looked at gear and promptly left.  The temperature had risen high enough by now and the heated gear was promptly disconnected.
We made our way to Route 22 and followed it until Route 202 where we proceeded west, quickly dispatching with the light traffic and enjoying the rolling country side along Route 12, cows lifting their heads to look at us, probably annoyed by the buzzing sound of our bikes.
Three very different engines producing a symphony of sounds.  The BMW's twin, the Triumph's triple and the Goldie's quad cylinders going through their motions with a beautiful staccato.

We enter Frenchtown, a quaint and charming and quite photogenic little town.  Frenchtown is a little Victorian village on the Delaware River and probably the best kept secret in NJ.  We park our bikes and after a quick stroll we make our way to "The Cafe Greco of Frenchtown", a small but cozy restaurant on Bridge Street.  If you ever go there you have to try one of their Panini sandwiches, their are tasty and the bread is made on location.  They also offer an assortment of scrumptious fresh cookies.

After lunch we crossed the river into Pennsylvania and turned south on River Road, Route 32 towards New Hope.  The road along the river passes through little towns and is a favorite with riders, the undulations and left right sweeps providing a beautiful riding experience.  In the cold months, one has to pay attention and be alert at all times, as water coming down the side of the mountain can freeze on the road and surprise even experienced riders.  It's better to stay towards the center of the road as it offers more time to view road obstacles and dangerous road conditions around the turns.
We arrive in New Hope with daylight dwindling fast, the town still brimming with people walking along it's sidewalks and enjoying the many restaurants.  We decided to continue as we still had another hour to get home.  We continued along Route 32 South past the Washington Crossing Historic Park and then made a left on General Washington Memorial Blvd and crossed back to New Jersey.  Back in home territory we followed Route 29 until it turns into Interstate 195 and proceeded East towards Jackson.  We arrived home, the sun going down fast and another great ride on a short winter day.

My friend Wayne and my brother with our respective rides parked in Frenchtown

Photos of charming Frenchtown

 Charming little guy

A Wish for 2010

My wish for 2010 is that Yamaha brings the Super Tenere to the US.  I would be first in line to get one and I would begin a whole new type of my own adventures.  All my long trips to date have been mostly on paved roads with the occasional unpaved road but the sound of rocks and stones bouncing off my Goldie's fairing always makes me cringe.  There are so many unpaved, gravel and dirt roads in the US to be explored and this would be the perfect bike to explore them. As every biker knows, one bike is never enough and the Super Tenere would be a great addition to my stable.  Yamaha, please bring the Super Tenere to the US, what an awesome machine.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year and all the best adventures in 2010. Remember that the key to take on any good adventure is to just show up.

Last ride of the year

As I count down the last days of what was a beautiful and successful riding year, I can only hope 2010 will be even better. Lately I have been missing the long past warm Summer days and all the beautiful scenery I have enjoyed this past year. The just started winter season is already dragging and I long for the warm Spring days to start the riding season again.

This past weekend started with rain on Saturday that continued throughout the day into the evening but it turned out to be a blessing as it melted the almost 20 inches of snow we had received on the 19th.

Sunday was expected to be in the upper 40's according to the weather man and a quick plan was put into action to wake our bikes out of hibernation. I am referring to my brothers new shiny BMW 1200GS Adventure and my trusted Goldie. They had been keeping each other company in my cold garage, my well ridden Goldie and the brand new, never ridden GS. I'm sure my Goldie could tell the newcomer a few tales if they could talk. We started getting them ready on Saturday by making sure the battery tenders were in action, activating and warming the chemicals in their hearts, as the early morning start would put a strain on their cold engines. Sunday arrived with a beautiful sunrise and temperatures in the high 30's. We got the bikes out and started their engines, the starting cacophony quickly turning into a purring sound, music to our hearts. We suited up and briskly hit the road, no time to lose. My brothers instructions were clear, no speeding, no highway driving, no constant speed, preferably a road with lots of turns and ups and downs, that is the way to break-in a brand new engine. We decided we would ride back roads towards the shore and then continue up to the Sandy Hook lighthouse. I have lived in the area for 24 years, I know my way around. We rode through some of Jackson's back-roads eventually crossing through Freehold and hitting the old Route 33, we proceeded East past the old Collingwood Auction and Flea Market and into Ocean Township. We went down Cold Indian Springs road towards Deal road and made our way to Whale Pond road alongside Joe Palaia Park. We continued towards Long Branch where I had planned to stop for a quick bite and an Espresso (Bica) at the Port Chop Barbecue, a small but cozy Portuguese restaurant. We split a plate of "Rissois de Camarao" (Shrimp Cakes) and another of "Pasteis de Bacalhau" (Cod Fish Cakes) and after 2 espressos I was ready to hit the road again. A few casual observers had been admiring our bikes and especially the GS with its aluminum side cases and the black spoke wheels. We got back on the road and proceeded to Ocean Boulevard, turning north along the shore.

View from Sandy Hook towards NY City with the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in the foreground

We entered the Gateway National Recreation Area, AKA Sandy Hook, and continued past Spermaceti Cove followed by Horseshoe Cove and finally stopped for a few shots of our bikes in front of some Cold War age US Army Missiles. These missiles were used to protect NY City from nuclear attack from the old USSR.

We then rode past the old homes along the bay and moved on to the north part of the park where you can see the old fortifications. These concrete fortifications held gun batteries at the beginning of last century but are now decaying badly. Some of the areas are still accessible to the public and offer beautiful views of the bay and the entrance to the New York Harbor.

My brother waiting for me while I take photos

We left the park and proceeded north to the Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook. At 266 feet, this overlook in Atlantic Highlands sits on the highest natural elevation on the Atlantic seaboard (excluding islands) from Maine to the Yucatan providing beautiful views of Sandy Hook, Sandy Hook Bay, Raritan Bay and the New York skyline. This 12-acre site is also home to Monmouth County's 9/11 Memorial. Monmouth County's 9/11 Memorial is a tribute to 147 men and women who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001-- men and women born, raised, or residing at the time in Monmouth County.

It was getting late and it was time to head home, we got on our bikes, rode down the twisty Ocean Blvd to the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor only to make a U-turn and head back up Ocean Blvd just for fun. We continued home on Navesink Ave and Monmouth Ave towards route 35. We made a left going south towards Red Bank and then crossing Colts Neck Township on County Road 537 and eventually getting home without ever hitting a highway. We did a little over 100 miles and got home with the sun disappearing on the horizon and the temperature returning to what is normal for this time of the year, in other words, freezing. We parked our bikes, plugged the battery tenders and quickly went inside to brew a cup of coffee.

My brother is happy with his new GS and I can't wait for Spring.

A big Happy New Year wish to all my friends :-)

"Our" Motorcycle trip to Death Valley, California

We were in Las Vegas celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and the flashing neon sign welcoming you to "Fabulous" Las Vegas as you leave the airport is a sure sign that you can find something to entertain you in this glistening and exciting oasis of a city in the middle of the vast Nevada desert. We were headed to the Luxor Hotel and Casino for what would be seven days of good food, exceptional entertainment, the renewal of our wedding vows and to top it off with a motorcycle trip through Death Valley in California. The city, with it's plethora of wedding chapels, is the perfect spot to surprise your honey of 25 years. From Elvis themed chapels, drive-through chapels, “Chapel in the Clouds” and even helicopter rides to the Grand Canyon for vow renewals, you are bound to find something exciting to celebrate the occasion.

We were headed to the Luxor because of my sweetheart’s affection for everything Egyptian and there’s nothing better than to start with an Egyptian themed resort and casino. She was pleasantly surprised the next day and totally unaware when the big white stretched limo pulled up in front of the hotel as we waited outside for what she thought was going to be a simple cab ride to another casino for dinner. We drove through the city, a labyrinth of glowing and flashing neon signed casinos in what to her might have been a white chariot pulled by stallions, to the wedding chapel. We renewed our vows, got the pictures to show the family and friends and then were chauffeured in the limo through the city to the Bellagio casino for a sumptuous dinner at the Circo restaurant, a rustic taste of Tuscany with breathtaking views of the Bellagio fountains.

Later that evening, we saw "O" Cirque du Soleil, an aquatic tapestry of artistry, surrealism and theatrical romance, with world-class acrobats, synchronized swimmers, divers and characters performing in, on, and above water to create a breathtaking experience in a magnificent theatre reminiscent of a European opera house.

The day finally arrived when we would embark on our motorcycle adventure to Death Valley. It was to be my first time on a Harley Davidson motorcycle and I anxiously waited for the moment I would straddle the big Harley and “feel” the big V-Twin rumble. It was a Harley Davidson Heritage, similar in size to my Kawasaki Mean Streak, which was to be my ride for the day. We both suited up and promptly left the city of Las Vegas at 8.30 in the morning for what was to be a glorious riding day into California and through the entire length of Death Valley. We hit State Route 160 West, AKA the “Pahrump Valley Highway” and proceeded to cross Mountain Springs, a small community in southern Nevada located at the pass over the Spring Mountains.

It was late February and the mountains peaks were still covered with snow. We shivered for a while as we crossed the peak of the mountain and then as we descended into the valley took a left on to the Old Spanish Trail Highway on the way to Calvada Springs. I was not prepared for the cold temperatures but as we crossed Tecopa the temperature was on the way up. We stopped to admire the scenery and to stretch the legs. The roads in this part of the country stretch for mile after mile in endless straights offering the perfect place to enjoy a motorcycle. The Heritage was very comfortable and the windshield offered a certain amount of protection from the cold. My better half was totally enjoying the ride and finding the back seat much more comfortable than the one on the Mean Streak.

We arrive in Shoshone, population 52, although small it is notable as a southern gateway to Death Valley and it has the last services available before the Furnace Creek area in the park. The town includes a Post Office, gas station, restaurant, bar and coffee house and lots of Date Palm trees.

It was still early morning and cold, a hot cup of coffee and a snack at the local shop was soon in our hands. We made an acquaintance at the coffee shop, he didn't say much but we had fun taking pictures with him. After admiring the local shops and wondering through the local area we filled up with gas and got on our way leaving behind the still sleepy desert town.

Just a few miles down the road we made a left into Jubilee Pass road leaving the white peaked mountains behind us. The Harley was finally able to stretch its legs and we made good time across the desert until we met up with Bad Water road. We made a right and proceeded north into Death Valley. The early morning sun beautifully accentuating a desert of streaming sand dunes, snow-capped mountains, multicolored rock layers, water-fluted canyons and 3 million acres of wilderness.

Summer high temperatures commonly run above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, I was glad we were doing this trip in late February. Our first major stop was in Badwater Basin, the lowest place in North America and one of the lowest places in the world at 282 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea, between Israel and Jordan being the lowest. We walked on the Salt lake bed and were surprised by the lack of any visible life form other than human. The salt lake extends for miles and miles throughout the valley with the snow-capped Panamint Mountains rising to more than 11,000 feet above the nation's lowest elevation.

The water is definitely "Bad" but the pools of salty water reflect the beauty of the surroundings creating a beautiful landscape. We mounted our steed and noisily left on the way to Furnace Creek, the headquarters of Death Valley National Park. Furnace Creek has the distinction of holding the record for the highest ever recorded temperature in the United States, as well as one of the highest ever reliably recorded worldwide, reaching 134 °F (57 °C) on July 10, 1913. Springs in the Amargosa Range created a natural oasis at Furnace Creek. The Timbisha Indians have lived in the area for centuries and continue to comprise most of the permanent population. The town is full of Date Palm trees providing a contrast to the desolate surroundings.

We headed to the Corkscrew Saloon for a much anticipated meal and drink. The waitress was nice, the food good and the drinks cold. With our bodies replenished, we left town and proceeded north towards Scotty's Castle on the north side of the park. We took some sight seeing detours along the way and finally arrived at our destination late in the afternoon. Hidden in the green oasis of Grapevine Canyon in far northern Death Valley, the Death Valley Ranch, or Scotty's Castle as it is more commonly known, is a window into the life and times of the Roaring 20's and Depression 30's.

Death Valley "Scotty" told everyone that he built his castle in northern Death Valley with money from his "secret" gold mine. That was not quite the truth. A Chicago millionaire and his wife built their "Death Valley Ranch" in the cool of Grapevine Canyon and they let their friend Scotty live there as a guest. "Moonlight anywhere is a delight. But there's no moonlight in the world that can compare with the moonlight in Grapevine Canyon, our desert canyon, where the Castle stands." -quote by Mrs. Bessie Johnson from Death Valley Scotty by Mabel © 1932.

It was late in the afternoon and with the temperature dropping fast, we made our way out of Death Valley over the mountains and back into Nevada, passing Bonnie Claire, a ghost town before meeting up with I95 and turning south towards our next stop for gas in Beatty. By the time we reached Beatty, the darkness of the desert night had engulfed us and the temperature was fast approaching freezing. We bought t-shirts, 2 warm scarfs, warmed up with hot chocolate, donned my protective mask and with a full tank of gas headed south for what would be a 2 and half hours dash back to Las Vegas.

The approach to the city is almost supernatural with all the light shining into the sky and illuminating the surrounding desert. Outdoor lighting displays are everywhere on the Las Vegas Strip and are seen elsewhere in the city as well. As seen from space, the Las Vegas metropolitan area is the brightest city on Earth. Our day ended with 380 beautifully ridden miles across the desert. We returned to the Luxor, had a glass of Champagne to celebrate the ride at the Aurora bar , which features unique lighting effects across the ceiling based off the Aurora Borealis, and then retreated to our Egyptian themed room. Later, as I closed my eyes with my honey next to me, I could still hear the rambling of the big V-Twin of the Harley Davidson Heritage.

More pictures here: