End of Day One

Trip Start Jul 03, 2009

Trip End Jul 25, 2009

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Where I stayed

Comfort Inn Green River

Flag of United States Green River, Utah
Thursday, July 9, 2009

Day One. 706 miles / 14 hours

Started early. Met with my very reliable and dependable long time riding partner, Paul at a gas station close to my house. Headed east on the 101 then north on the 15 through Vegas. It was a straight shot to Vegas. Riding through Vegas is never a lot of fun. More than a 100 degrees and even hotter wind smacking me in the face is just not good...ever!

Once through Vegas we stopped for breakfast and grabbed an iced coffee at Starbucks. A well needed break.

For me, the ride really began after a short trip through a portion of Arizona which is always beautiful country to ride through, but the ride really began in Utah.

Beginning of trip

Although still extremely warm the air hitting us was much cooler. Utah surprised me with the very different landscapes. There were many areas that were spread out with huge pastures with grazing goats and other areas with very large majestic grand canyon type rock formations which made for some incredible views as the sun began to settle creating crazy shadows. It seemed as though as we passed one ridge there was something all together different to see and each just as amazing as the previous.

At one moment we would be riding through a very flat, seemingly endless two lane highway and the next minute we are battling switch back curves with 6% grades. That was the most beautiful part of the ride today for me.

It was interesting though, as amazing as the views were and as mesmerizing as it was, I was yanked from my trance from the runaway truck Ramps that littered the highway every 1/2 a mile. There was some really steep grades, but not so steep I couldn't keep the speed up to about 70 while navigating the curves. What was most difficult was trying to enjoy the the actual ride while trying my best to take in all that Utah had to share with me.

I took a few pictures, but its hard to just pull over and stop while riding the Harley. Check out the pictures from today's ride. There will me more tomorrow for sure.

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