Viewing 1 - 12 out of 12 Blogs.

Well, as most of you know, on Oct 26th, Friday, I dumped my bike. I got up this morning bored to death. I had no money and no place to go. I paced the house looking for things to do. I have plenty here but nothing that I felt like doing. I just had that feeling of wanting to just be gone. Nothing to think about but the wind and the road. Man that is a hard itch to scratch sometimes. Anyway, the Highway Hawgs had two more events coming up and I had people to talk with. I picked up the phone and thought "F" this, I'm going to see them, at least I'll get out for a little while. I putted into town and went to Johnny Outlaws Tattoo shop to invite them to the candy giveaway at Seemore's here in town on Holloween. Also to take them the artwork for my next tattoo's. I showed up to find out they are moving so we talked a few minutes and I left for Jmar Customs to peek my head in there. I never did give my artwork to Jonh though. At Jmar Custom, I talked with the owners JB and Debbie and thier son Jason. Also there was Tom and his wife DragonLady as well as David, "Maddog" who is our newest member. I confirmed with them all about Holloween and our trip to Beatty Days on November 1st. We chatted and laughed a while then I left to go across the street to Rich's place. Sorry, Rich, I can't remember the name of your business, my bad. But he does leather stuff. Shoe's purses my patches and so on. We caught up a bit because it has been a while since I've stopped in. I told him about our events and to relay it to his dad who also rides. By this time, I was getting pretty hungry. I had not breakfast and I had a chile relleno burrito waiting for me at home. I said my goodbye's and headed for home. As I passed the Nugget, I remembered that I had another guy I wanted to talk with that was working the care sale there in the lot. I really should have stopped to see Scott, but I didn't. I was hungry. Pulled up to a red light at Basin and was feeling so great to just be there. I little lady on a small bike with a pink helmet was next to me. I handed her a club card and the light changed and I was on my way. I wanted to get the most out of my ride so I was coming up to 60mph when I looked in my mirror to see the pink helmet make a right turn on a little street. My thoughts vanishd to just pure enjoyment. I sat relaxed in my seat and had no one close behind me or in front. Now here is where things get sketchy. I had just looked down at my speedo and I was still doing 60 as I was coming into a small turn in the road. I had two cars in front of me. The white one in front, all of a sudden slammed on their brakes and swerved into the dirt. I hit mine at the same time and laid on them. I felt the rear start to slide just as I started to feather the breaks to keep me up. As I'm sliding, I had another car in front of me stopped in the road. I can't tell you if they had their blinker on or not. At this point, it was pointless. I knew I was going down, it was just a matter of how and how much did I want in the end. I started to the left to stay on the asphalt but there was to much on coming traffic and I didn't want to get T-boned if the one in front of me decided to make the left. So then I moved the bike the other way and there was not enough pavement to keep me up right. I was looking at rocks and bigger rocks to crash into. NO WAY!!!! That was asking for some major injuries. Last choice, jump my handlebars and clear the car. I could do this. I planted my feet and kept on the brakes. I checked my distance and then it happened, my front tire came off it's rim just before impact. I jumped, then saw white and then I was sitting on the floor looking at stars and little birds flying around my head. I looked up to see that I was sitting next to the cars passenger door facing the direction I had just come from. The lady in the car was screaming and crying like someone was killing her. I remember her arms were waiving wildy. My thoughts were "what the hell is the matter with you, I'm on the floor". Anyway, I started checking myself out and seem to be ok except for some soreness on my thighs. A young man ran up to me and he was already on the phone with 911 giving them info. He turned out to me an off duty EMT. He asked the usual questions and I answered. While sitting there waiting, I called my wife to let her know what happened and then called my buddy Doug to pick up my bike from the road. I'm looking at my bike trying to figure out how I ended up where I was sitting. Apparently, I didn't clear the handlebars. They caught my legs and flipped me into the back windshield of the car and then I rolled off to the floor. Last thoughts were"Oh Shit" then I'm looking at stars. I was put on a board and then into the ambulance. I cracked a few jokes because all in all, I was till having a good day. The EMT in the ambulance tried to put an IV on me but pushed the needle to far and went through my vein and so he gave up. We showed up the hospital and some wonderful young lady was running her fingers through what hair I have left on my head. Turns out she is a long time biker as well as her husband. The doctor was great and so was the staff. After 3 hours of X-rays and observation. I was released. Doug and Francois were at the hospital waiting for me and taking care of Mary, my wife. I could not thank them enough for being there for me. It shows true friendship. Anyway, I asked if I wanted a wheelchair to the door. I told Mary, my nurse, no, I'll walk because no one brought a camera anyway. LOL As I left emergancy, everyone at the nurses station stopped to watch. No one believed that I could walk away from something like that. I forgot to mention that the second person to my side was Harley Kulkan, he was a witness to the accident. Apparently he had my story on the news, both radio and TV. One other person impressed me that day and I don't even know his name. It was a biker who was south bound on hwy 160. He stopped and asked if I was ok, while I was sitting there on the road. I remember hearing the sound of a bike and had to turn to see who was coming down the road. I said yes and he asked again to make sure. I assured him that I was. I was impressed by the pure honesty about his question. To you my brother, thank you. So the end is , I'm walking, not good but walking and the bike is totalled. Insurance is going to pay about a third of what it's worth and the fire department is charging me a grand for helping me on the road. Next time I'll call a brother to scrape me off the pavement and stop paying taxes since I'm being charged twice. Ok, that was my bitching too. But I'm here and I'm alive. I'm on the road in my dreams and in every thought. To all of you, keep safe, Doc

Songbird and I put out a bunch of invites for this trip so we can have fun celebrating our anniversary with our friends, but no on could go. Everyone made other plans. I guess I would start this at the true bigginning on the 3rd of July.
I had a full day of things to do for the trip but everthing go screwed up first thing in the morning.
A friend needed help and by the time I was done with them, it was about 1 in the afternoon. Songbird got off work early for the holiday weekend and we were home by about 1:30pm and showered and did a few things around the house like feeding and watering the dogs and finish washing clothes for the trip and stuff like that.
Then I almost forgot that Gravy and a couple of the guys were coming up to get their patches.
Songbird and I road to Sherri's brothel to meet them for dinner and drinks at about six in the evening. We were supprised to pull up and find a few more than a few there.
We got to shake hands with Tommy2Saints, Joe, Wolf, Tony, Elaine and Norine for the first time. And of course Gravy and Jessica for the third and second time respectfully.
We talked and I gave them their patches and collected for new memberships.
I still have to get more patches for them. But we then moved to the inside of Sherri's and found a couple of tables to sit at and eat, drink and just talk about the club, and the website.
They got a tour of Sherri's and that was fun for them too.
All I can say is, that if the rest of our members are as fun as these guys and girls, we will have a most awsome club. Our little dinner meeting ended up lasting until nine pm. Man, did I still have stuff to do for the next day's travels.
We road together to the gas station were everyone filled up and then we road to the highway together and I sat on corner waiting to make my left while waiving to all the rest of them as they made their right turn and headed back to vegas.
OK, now for our trip. We got home about 9:30pm and packed up and got everything ready for the trip to Big Bear. We didn't get to bed until about eleven that night and neither one of us got a good night sleep. Always happens before a trip. Just to excited.
We got up at five AM to beat the sun through Death Valley. On the way out we stopped at Sonic Burger and got some munchies to get us going. We accually left town a little after six AM.
It was nice from Pahrump to Soshone but then we hit cross gusts all the way to Baker.
From Baker to Barstow, we had a constant wind but no gusts so I just leaned and pulled on the throttle. LOL, sounds fast but we cruised about seventy all the way.
We filled up in Barstow then went through Lacerne Valley to the 18 and up the mountain. This wasn't a bad trip through here. We had to detour because they had the town closed for the parade and stuff like that. So we took the scenic route and started up the switchback. Most of the turns I had to go real slow. I was jocking between 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears. Most of it in 2nd.
Songbird screamed and laughed most of the way up. LOL
We cruised into Big Bear and road straight to the Village. We walked around a bit while looking for our lodge so we could check in. We found it about a half mile from the Village give or take a quarter mile. LOL. Just a lot of walking but the weather was so cool. It was perfect tank top weather.

We got our key then looked in the room. We had a nice room with a king bed and a jaccuzzi. Sweet!!!
We used the restroom then off for our long walk back up the bike to find someplace to eat. On the way up the hill, small hill but a hill never the less, we went to a mexican place to have breakfast.
Great food.
After breakfast we walked around a bit then road the bike back to the lodge to unpack and head back out. We walked the village for a while then decided to go to the movies to watch Hancock with Will Smith. Good movie but the both of us almost fell asleep just from being so tired from the lack of sleep. We went back to the lodge and jumped in the Jaccuzzi for a while and then passed out while watching TV.
Saturday morning, we were up early and started washing up and getting ready for our day. It was so cool outside. Brisk with the smell of pine in the air and the town was all abuzz.
We road through the Village towards Los Angeles and just before leaving town, is a small restraunt that we like and we stopped for breakfast. Always a good meal. Not overly huge but just enough to get you going. Real nice owner, Blanca.
After breakfast we road back to the Village which as you can tell is our favorite place to hang out. I parked the bike and we walked the shops and poked our heads in to the Pub and into Chads just to see what they had. All the while talking with other bikers about our club and some of the business about our website.
We went to the conventions center because they had some booths and a petting zoo and live music. We walked around there a while then headed back to the Village were we ate at the Pub. It was not a bad meal and the atmosphere was nice too. It was comfortable.
They had a guy playing a guitar and singing soft music. I can say, it was very pleasant. Just what we needed at this point.
We sat and had ice cream out by the theatre which is where I had parked my bike. We got a kick at looking at all the lookyloos. It does make me feel good to see all these people walking by admiring my bike and hearling their comments. Some of them remember seeing us ride or seeing the bike someplace else we had parked.
We took a ride around the lake too and that was sooooo nice. Songbird had a few more laughs and screams in here for this tour.
After that we walked out and down to Chad's Place which is a bikerbar for all bikers.
We passed out cards and talked with the manager, security, waitresses and the bartender about the people and the business in general. That is when they invited us to come up for the run.
We were already thinking about going up there in September but this finalized the date.
We sat and listened to music and ate some more. Then about nine pm we left and road back to the lodge to get a good night sleep before leaving in the morning.
Someplace in all this above, I forgot to say that we had a great view of the fireworks from our balcony. We almost missed them because we both had fallen asleep and songbird was awakened by a boom !!!
We sat out on the balcony and watched the show then went back into the room and fell asleep.
Ok, I think I'm caught up now. LOL
I went to sleep on saturday night at nine and woke up at one in the morning. Just wide awake. I was so mad just because I could not get back to sleep. I tossed and turned but I was just awake so I just laid there. Next thing I knew my alarme went off and I was so short on sleep but we had to leave so we would not fry on the way back through Death Valley.
We got up at five and left by six. Man was it cold. My hands froze and so did my arms. We took only our vests. Nothing longsleeve. Songbird was hiding behind me for any warmth she could get. lol
I road slow through town. It was all desserted. No one on the road at all. We started down the switchback and we got a little sun that warmed us to about comfortable instead of cold.
We pulled off and Songbird took a couple of pictures then we road home. We had a great ride home until we hit Baker. Nothing but wind all the way to Soshone. We stopped at the Crowbar for breakfast and sat for a while then road the rest of the way home and that was that. Flopped in my chair and I was done. LOL
Hopefully next time some of you can join us.
Doc

One more thing.
First at the lodge, my wife was filling up the jaccuzzi for a dip. I turned it on just as the water got to the top of the jets and shot her with both barrels of water. I turned it off right away but to late. She was soaked and so was the floor and the couch behind her. It was way to funny. All she could do was laugh too. Good thing, it was all dry by the time we got out. LOL

Bunch of guys got together and decided to open a chapter. After applications were filled out and patches were designed and some embroidered, everyone left to start another club and left the chapter holder alone with all the costs.
Just looking for an opinion, what do you think of these guys?
Ok, a little clarification needed. These guys wanted a club but could not get together to form one so they joined an existing club just to get excited and leave it to finaly start their own. Takeing with them copies of the paperwork so they just need to change club names and start their own. Ok, I think that's it in a nutshell.
Doc

Doug and I met at 7:30 at my house then headed for the gas station to fill up.
After that, we road into town and to the Nugget here in Pahrump.
As we came up on the parking lot, we notices a bunch of other bikes.
There were 15 of us to start with.
We milled around and talked and shook hands with new riders.
When 8:am came along, we lined up behind Espi and we were off.
It was a great feeling to be in a pack. Just the feeling of the rumble and hearing all the pipes roaring to life as we kicked our bikes into gear and headed out of the parking lot to Hwy 160.
We made the signal and cruised down through town. I just love that feeling. All the excitement of a parade.
When we got to the edge of town and we started to accelerate, I found myself sitting in back with Pappie who hasn't ridden in a long time. So needless to say, the crowd left us and we were cruising 60mph in a mild breeze. I noticed Pappie kept taking his hand off his grip and stretching it out. So I stayed on his six and kept an eye on him. I leave no man behind.
My wife was relaxing on the back of my bike, just taking in the site of the morning desert. Just sitting back, taking it all in.
When we got about half way through the desert, I saw blinking police lights, so I moved to the next lane and cruised by and after that, Pappie picked it up to almost 70mph. Now we were cruising along. Pappie started to slow as we started up the pass. About half way, I saw another biker on the side of the road. I started to slow and honked my horn and gave a thumbs up and he returned it, so I knew he was ok. Turned out to be Tom and Dragon Lady from our group. I figured Espi and the rest were at the top of the pass at Springmountain Bar and Restraunt. He always wants to stop for a cigarette break there.
So Pappie and I pulled off, but no one was there and then Tom went by like a flash, so we took after him.
We crested the top and headed down the other side. It was a bit brisk on top but we were dressed for it and it got a bit breezy on the Vegas side of the mountain. On the way down, we passed a group sitting at a gas station and it turned out to be our group. Then we saw one of our trikes and Doug heading back the other way, so I took it as they were lagging someplace in the middle of us and the leaders.
We turned around and headed back up to he gas station just to see everyone had already left and now we were playing catch up again after another u-turn.
Espi just waived as he went on his merry way with about six other riders.
As we turned again and headed down to Decatour Blvd, I was wondering, what happened to the other five that were now missing?
Espi finally waited for us on Decatour and we all jumped on the 215 to Henderson together, but then again, everyone was gone and I stayed behind with Pappie because like I said above, I leave no man behind.
We did 50mph the whole way through town to the 93 return towards Vegas again and got off on Boulder Hwy.
We made a right then went down about a block and a half and made a u-turn then parked near the Leather Headquarters where we need to register for the run.
So far it has been eventful.
Pappie, it turns out hasn't ridden in a few years and his hands don't work so well because of arthritis. I told him to stay with the Espi in the lead so we can all stay together and he was good with that.
We all registered then a few of the guys wanted to go in and do some shopping before leaving for our next stop on this poker run.
While they were shopping I was looking for this other guy, Gravy, that I was suppose to meet there but I never saw him.
When we get ready to go, Pappie told me that he was going to ride with Sam. OK, no problem.
I started up my bike and road up to where I thought everyone else as and came to find out they had all left and we were now down to four bikes and a trike together. I guess no one understands the concept of riding in a group. I guess that's why they are not in my club but they also had no problem taking advantage of the discounts I got them at Leather Headquarters.
Ok, Espi and another guy, Tom took the lead and the trike and I were in back with Doug in the middle.
We ran down Sahara to Las Vegas Blvd and tried to make a left but the trike and I got caught by the light.
After we made the left, we caught up to the others almost. We were three cars back when we got caught by another light and that was it. Now it was just us two in the back and the other three just left.
Oh well, nothing new for me. I'm starting to get use to being left behind, or everyone else quiting and leaving me to run by myself.
We had fun running the strip down to Warm Springs and made a right and pulled into the ScrewBall bar where most of the guys were sitting and waiting.
Espi was working on a flush, I was hoping for something at all and Mary was working on a straight. Doug was out pretty quick.
We got some water and soda and was getting ready to leave when the rest of the crew wanted to sit and have a meal.
I didn't understand that one since we had food waiting for us back over in Pahrump, but Oh well.

Espi, Doug and I left and headed to our next stop on Blue Diamond on our back up to Spring Mountain for our next cards in our poker hands.
I ended up with a pair and everyone else ended up with nothing at all.
Tom met us at Spring Mountain before we left so we waited for him to pick his card and then we road back down the mountain and on to Saddlewest in Pahrump. Now we are doing 80mph all the way there.
I don't know what the hurry was but we on a missiong I guess.
We pulled into town and made our left into the parking lot and the guys then made a right to park, but I made a left to enter my bike in the beauty contest in the Dyna Class.
My wife and I went and met up with some other friends and shook hands and gave hugs then headed for the food line. I was hungry and so was she. She had a hamburger and fries with a diet coke and I had the hamburger, hotdog, fries and baked beans with a rootbeer. Espi, Doug and us sat together and ate. I talked with some people at the next table about our club and gave them my card then we went to vote on the best bikes.
There was a band playing on stage and a few other clubs were there also. I talked with old friends and new ones.
When they started calling out the winners for the contest in the different classes, mine came in first for the Dyna's and Sam won first for his bike and Tom and Dragon Lady also won first for their bike too.
There was one more guy that did not run with us but also took first for his custom bike that all had work done to them out of Jmar Customs.
All in all, it was a great day of riding and comradely.
Hope you enjoyed the story and join us on one of our next runs.
Doc

Songbird and I left a little after 7:30am on highway 160 south to Las Vegas, where we gassed up for our trip.
After filling up we jumped on the 215 to the 95south. It was a fast trip through Vegas with no incedences. The sun was up and the weather was just right. Hitting hot and cold pockeets of air. We took the 95south to the 40 east. We stayed on this until we hit Laughlin where we stopped for breakfast at about 10:30am.
We ate at the Riverside Casino. We sat at a great table with a view of the river. We played Keno as we ate. After that, we jumped on teh bike and headed back to I 40.
From here on, Songbird started to overheat. Poor baby, was as red as a beat. We took a detour through Havasu in California where we had to back track to Needles so we could go to the Arizona side of Havasu.
You'd think they would build a road around the lake but they didn't.
Songbird was cooked by now and I just kept us going until we got to the other side of the lake.
It didn't take us long before we found a friends house where they had started the BBQ already.
It took a while before Songbird cooled down. We had fun talking and meeting new friends.
When the sun went down, we headed for our motel room a few blocks away and just crashed for the night.
At about 6 in the morning we met up with some of the people from the BBQ for breakfast at Black Bear Diner. (Great place to eat).
The temperature was supposedly 89 degrees already but it felt hotter.
One of the guys that works with Songbird lead us out to a small town called Oatman in Arizona. It was a very curvy road. At one turn I made a left and dragged my foot peddle on the asphalt.
As we entered Oatman, we saw several mule on the side of the raod. It was a quaint little historic town, with few shops and eatery's. We bought some souveneirs and were on our way again.
In our group was three bikes and a chaser.
We left and went to gas up and that's when we split company. The rest were heading for California and we needed to get home.

It was a better ride home. Hot but not over bearing. We were drinking plenty of water and just had a great time until we came over the pass and down into Henderson. While on the freeway, we got caught in a torrential downpour. I could not see past my glasses. I went from cruising about 70 to about 20 in no time. Everyone was breaking and the freeway was getting flooded fast.
We got off and pulled into a gas station where I put a mask on and turned around and headed back into the storm but by this time it had passed. I was so drenched in a matter of about 5minutes.
What a trip. We were dry before we got out of Vegas. The rest of our trip was uneventful.
Just tired and wind burned.
Doc

It started off cold and cloudy.
I left home at 9am to pick up some fuel and run some errands before meeting up with everyone later.
I don't know how cold it was but I was bundled up like I was riding up north or back east. Felt like the Michelin man. I could barely get my leg over my seat.
Doug showed up at my place at 10am and he had on more layers than I did.
But then again, he's old. lol.
We cruised over to Coyote Corner so he could get gas and wait for everyone else to show up at 10:30.
We sat and talked for a while then doing what we hate most on a leisure ride like this. We started calling people to see where they were.
We got the usual excuses, to cold, don't feel good, to windy, to cloudy, it might rain. Everyone had an excuse. Doug and I both said the hell with them, lets ride.
It was cold and we could feel a light breeze and there was clouds in the sky.
We figured we'd ride to Shoshone and have lunch there instead. Well depending on the weather.
We left at about a quarter to 11 and it felt good. Cruised a few side streets then we hit the highway towards Death Valley.
No one was on the road. I think we say maybe four or five cars and a few bottom dumps going into Pahrump.
But no one in our direction. As we rode, the skies got clearer. We hit the curves right before getting to Shoshone and stopped at the stop sign.
I asked Doug how he was doing. We both decided that the hell with it, lets make the left and finish our ride to Baker.
We cruised about 60mph and relaxed. I think two cars passed us and nothing else was on this road until we hit Baker.
We went to the Mad Greek restraunt and had a couple of Gyros and talked about what a great ride it was and how the day turned out so nice. No wind, no clouds and it was even warming up a bit. We both peeled a few layers off for the ride home. We passed one truck on the way home. No animals to see this trip but pools of water from the rain that had hit that area not to long ago.
Just under 200 miles round trip. What a nice day ride.
Doc
All future blogs will be posted in the Highway Hawgs group if you want to continue reading and I will be posting pictures of these rides too.

Tags: Baker California

Let me first ask, who started these rally's?
Bikers did. We started Sturgis, Daytona, Laconia. So who in the hell gave away our rights to ride free to the Promotors, the City, or anyone else that does not want us.
It has been Tradition to be at Hollister the weekend before the 4th of July.
It is our right to calibrate our pride in our country by having the Hollister Independence Rally. We decide when and where to ride. And if promotors want a piece of the action then they can follow us, not us chase them.
What happened to the balls of bikers?
Have we been cut down so low that we can only hang those little brass ones on our bikes to remind us of what we have lost.
I have never been to Hollister during this run but have always had it on my list of places to go. If I make it this year, you know I will be there the weekend before the 4th.
So bikers, I ask you to show your power in making decisions for yourself and your brothers, show up on the traditional date.
The Week Before The 4th Of July
See you there. I'll be the lonely biker with the pig on my back. (Highway Hawgs).
Doc

Tags: Hollister

 

Well we decided to take another day trip to Dante's View in Death Valley today.(9-22-07)Jim, Mary and I met another rider, Rick, at a gas station on the corner of Hwy 160 and Mesquite.We were suppose to meet more but I guess they all were scared of the rain. lol
It was clear but we did have a bad yesterday and night of rain. Almost 3 inches according to one of our neighbors. But we all had on our chaps and vests or jackets on. We left the gas station promptly at 9am and headed north on the highway for Bell Vista to Death Valley. Before we even got out of town we ran into a river at the corner of Bell Vista and Lesley. And being who we are, we took the chance and road through. Jim first, then Rick and Mary and I pulled up the rear. It wasn't so bad but we did splash water up a bit. We were excited now. By the time we geared up into fifth gear we were downshifting for another river a bit deeper at Bell Vista and Barney. What the hell, lets go anyway. So we did. No problem. The ride out of town was wonderful. It was a brisk morning with a slight breeze. A lot of puffy clouds floating in the clear blue sky. The road was dry with some gravel from last nights rain. It tends to move a lot of stuff onto the road. We did the twist and turns leaving town. We were up to 65-70mph and looking forard to the rest of our adventure. Jim and I met Rick at a Sonic burger joint here in Pahrump. So we invited him to ride with us and he was game for it. This was going to be Ricks first time riding to Death Valley. He had been to Apache Junction before but not farther than that. So needless to say, he was a bit more excited than us. He had called Jim about seven in the morning to see if we were still riding. Jim asked him about the weather and Rick said that he saw blue sky and so Jim said yes we are riding then. I got up about eight and woke up Mary to see if she is still going with us on the ride. She said yes and got up to get ready and so did I. I went to wake up Jim and found that he was up and dressed already. Funny thing is we both wearing the t-shirts we had gotten from the Brothel run earlier this year. We laughted about it. Jim had to take a quick ride into town to check in at work and get some fuel. I was going to meet him at the gas station at nine. Mary and I left the house about a quarter to nine and headed down the highway. I was all fueled up and ready to go. Had my water and a bottle for Mary and two more in the saddlebag. We pulled into the station and saw Jim and Rick standing and having a cigarette. We chatted for a few minutes then at Nine sharp, we hit the road. We were flying down our road to Apache Junction and we noticed this lake to our right. As we ran along side of it, we noticed that it was moving in the same direction we were. Then we saw it, a river in front of us, crossing the road. A car parked just in front of us. A young lady got out of the car and was talking with Jim. Rick and myself pulled up next to Jim and to evaluate the situation. This river was wide but we couldn't tell how deep or if the road still existed under the muddy water. We watched a couple of trucks and cars coming from the other way cross with no problem but it was looking a bit deep for us and fast moving too. The girl in front of us crossed with no problem except that she headed to the far left and we thought she was going to go off the road. But she made it. A truck parked behind us decided to take off like a bat out of town and cross. He too made it with a huge splash on either side of him. Then another van came across and told us that there were at least two more rivers like this one but deeper and wider with the water moving just as fast. That's when we decided the hell with this. Lets got to breakfast instead. lol We turned around and headed back for Pahrump. We passed a Honda with a trailer making a u-turn to follow us back to town. Rick pulled over and so did I about 50 yards ahead of him. Jim kept riding. I saw Rick pull back onto the road and so did I then we saw Jim passing us going the other way. LMAO. He caught up fast and we were back riding in staggard formation. When we got to Barney, we crossed through and the water was rising there too but not bad yet. So when we got to Lesley, I decided to make a right and go down a ways but that turned out to be a very wet ride also.  When I hit Mesquite, I turned left and just headed for the Highway into town. We pulled into the Nugget parking lot and went in for buffet. It was a good breakfast and we laughed about our day.  At the table is when we found out that Rick pulled to the side because he forgot to strap his helmet. And that he has never road with anyone else. We talked about the club a bit and other stuff then we were done. We shook hands and headed for our bikes and went our separate ways. I hope he rides with us again and we are looking foward to Bikefest in Vegas this next weekend.

Doc

ps. I've posted pictures.

Well the Highway Hawgs participated in their first bike run today. We started at Saddlewest at 6am for breakfast. It was my buddies, Jim, Mark, Gary, Gorden and myself. Bonnie and Mary went also.
After breakfast I led the way to the top of the mountain on our way to Henderson, NV.
We pulled off the road at Spring Mountain for a break. It was a nice run to there. We lost Gary for a while, but he joined up with us on top.
After about a half hour we hit the road again but this time with Jim in the lead and me in the back. We road into Vegas and turned on Rainbow to get on the 215 freeway for Henderson.
We pulled in at the Leather Headquarters which is the start of the run at about 9:45am or so.
We registered then Mary and I went inside to get her a face sock to keep her warm for the rest of the morning ride.
Mark got some new chaps and after about another half hour we were getting ready to head to Arlen Ness's place for his Anniversary Party.
We got there a bit early then Mary noticed that she didn't have her purse.
I got on the bike right away and headed back to the start which was like a quarter mile back down the road. I got there and no one had seen or knew of her purse. Not much in it as far as money but a couple of credit cards. Funny thing was that I saw the lady that had her purse but they were leaving and I didn't know about her yet until after I talked to the people at the check out counter inside and when I got back to my bike, I called Jim and he put Mary on the phone and she told me about two other bikers that told her about who had her purse.
And I had seen the lady as they left. I looked around the area and then headed back to Ness's place. After I got there, I found out that Arlen wasn't there yet and he wasn't going to be there for a while so that fell through for us. We left and went to our second stop on the poker run.
It was the Screwball bar. We went in and picked our card for our hand and then headed outside where Mary was busy calling her credit card holders and reporting them gone. Also while there the girls went to the restroom and some lady had plugged one of the toilets. We reported the overflow to the bartender.
We left there and headed up to the BlueDiamond Saloon for the third card and while there, we noticed this guy working on his bike. He put diesel instead of gas in his tank. So a few of the guys helped him get the bike to the empty lot and emptied his tank so he could fill up again.
So far now every stop had something going on.
We got together and left again and headed back up the mountain at a quick pace. We were doing a fast 70 mph. lol
Felt quick since it was getting a little breezy.
It was a nice ride straight back over the top of the moutain on our way back to Pahrump.
We passed a few other bikers and a Christian biker club on the way.
We made a left on Gamebird and headed for Homestead where we made another left to go to Sherri's Brothel which was the next stop.
We pulled in and went to the front door to get our fourth card.
We went inside for a drink and while there Mary and I started talking with a few friends there about the ride, the day and our Club.
My phone started to ring and when I picked it up, it was Bonnie and the rest out at the bikes. They were ready to leave for the last stop.
So we said our goodbys and road off for Saddlewest. The destination of our start.
It was wonderful. We pulled in and got our last card. I ended up with three kings. Not a winner though. We ate good and had good music to listen to.
We looked at other bikes and talked to the vendors.
Mary and I went to the tent with the tattooing going on and talked about a few designs. Bear was a nice guy. Big with a full tattoo on his back of the face of a Grizzley.
We had fun and it was so warm too.
We left at about 4pm and did the 10 miles home.
Another great day in the wind.
Doc

 

It was this last Saturday, Feb 24th, 2007.
There was suppose to be about 12 of us going on this run but only three of us showed up at Saddlewest for breakfast. That is one of our casino's here in town.
Jim, Mark and myself left there at 7am for gas and our then to Vegas via Red Rock. It was a cold morning. We were doing about 80 though the desert on Highway 160 and was suppose to stop at the top of the mountain for a break.
I had on my facemask that ended up blowing air up my glasses and made my eyes tear up. I figured ok, I can make it to the top then take the mask off for the rest of the trip in. But Mark took the lead and kicked up the speed and we were off. I could not see the road for the life of me. Everything was all blurry.
We got to the top ok but then Mark kept riding and so we stayed with him. I was doing fine until this one turn that I was not able to judge. It was a curve to the left and I went wide and ended up on the wrong side of the road with a big white truck coming up the other way. My heart started beating and I started cussing and leaned WAY right and correctted myself and I was back on track.
I was a bit pissed by now.
We made it to our turn on Avery to go through Red Rock and I beeped at Mark and I pulled over.
He said he didn't stop at the top because it was below freezing up there and thought it was best to keep going. Well that made sense, so I couldn't get to mad at him for thinking. I removed my mask and road the rest of the way with a cold face but by this time my eyes were all red and dryed out from the hour of blowdrying they got.
I took the lead and cruised through Red Rock. Lots of turns and the scenes out there are just so beautiful.
We arrived at the Elks Lodge in North Vegas about 8:30am and walked around a bit and looked a few other bikes then walked to the back for registration.
There was about two hundred bikes there when we got there, but the line was short and we got our tickets, wrist band and pin.
We left and got some more gas and headed back through Red Rock to the highway and back over the mountian to our first stop which was the Chicken Ranch.
It was still below 40 on top of the moutain and just barely 40 in the valley.
So we were pretty cold but bundled up.
This was a black jack run so at the Chicken Ranch, we picked our cards. I got a 3 and so I knew right away I wasn't going to win. Then we rode next door to Sherris Ranch and sat at the bar for a while. I got a King here and just laughed about it. We all ordered our drinks, two waters and a diet coke.
Then Sarah came out and greeted me. She is a wonderful young lady.
We talked for afew moments then she said she would be back out shortly after a shower.
We said we would wait. After a few more moments, Brianna came out and we talked and laughed and I introduced her to Jim and Mark. She let us have pictures with her then Sarah came back out and we got pictures with her also.
I can't post those pictures out of respect of the girls even if the both were dressed and not showing anything.
But I have posted one of the three of us in the corner of the bar.
Then we noticed a bunch of bikers coming in and we decided it was time to leave. We were trying to get to the end before everyone else so we can get a T-Shirt. Last year they ran out early.
So we left and headed north, out of town to Crystal.
When we got to Crystal, we were one of about 10 bikes there. So we got our t-shirts and got our plates for the BBQ.
It was a good meal and another large bottle of water.
I started taking pictures to show how the bikes were coming in.
I took pictures with the empty lot then again when there was about 300 bikes then again with more then again with even more. We estimated about 800 bikes showed up. We parked in a spot away from everything so we could have a way out when we wanted to leave but in no time we were boxed in.
I was planning on sticking around a little while then leaving and coming home through Death Valley but that never happened. They had a live band and one vendor with crap for sale.
We watch a biker drop his bike and another biker that road up in a trike then jumped into his wheel chair. He was amazing.
Lots of club patches were there also. Jim and I walked around a few times looking at all the bikes. Most were nothing special but some were out of this world. Everything showed up, Harley, Crotch rockets, Mopeds, Trikes and a few cars and trucks. It was almost 4pm and I was tired. Some bikers cleared thier bikes out of the way so I could leave. We started up our engines and I told Jim, don't wait for me, I'm cruising it home. I'm not in a rush.
So Mark took off like a rocket, Jim followed him. I was cruising about 60 like I like and just had a wonderful ride home. We covered over 200 miles for the day and I felt very bit of it. I was so sore. My muscles just hurt. But that was because I really don't like doing over 70 plus it's sucks down the gas and I don't like paying for it.
It was a great day and we all made it home safely.
Hope you enjoyed my trip in these words.
Doc

 

 

Highway Hawgs US Tour 2007

Sounds like a great bike run doesn't it? Well it was but I'm the only one that showed up. Usual for something that I plan. Anyway, everyone that was going was kept from it by their wives except one guy who's wife got a new job so I can't really blame him.

So, lets see, I left at 4:50am on 8-8-07.

It was a beautiful stary morning. I was both excited and depressed at the same time. Excited for the ride but depressed because I was going alone again.

I knew it was going to be a fast trip and it was. I did 80 mph most of the way to Boise.

For me, the trip will start there. I was so tired. I got lost in Boise and a biker was riding by and gave me directions to my hotel. Turned out he road with Bikers for Christ.

I found my hotel and checked in. Then went to find my brother Mark.

I got to his house without incident. Us and his wife Valerie and daughter Tavia all went out to dinner.

We had a great time laughing and just relaxing.

I left there and went back to my hotel and after we agreed that I would meet them for breakfast.

I had a so-so night without my wife laying next to me.

I got up early and got packed for my days ride. I was so looking forward to it until I walked outside and noticed the thunderstorm coming in. Damn!!!

I rode to Marks and we tracked the storm for a while in the morning. I decided that it was not going to be a kind day on the road so I decided to stay another night.

I joined Mark and the family for a fun day at the carnival. We had a great time walking around and watching the kids ride the rides. I gave Tavia a ride to the carnival on the bike and back home again. I think she enjoyed herself.

Devon, gave up his room for me and I do appreciate it very much. Matter of fact that was the only good nights rest I got until I got home again, so thank you very much.

Mark tried to talk me into staying again because of the fires they were having in the area that I was suppose to be riding in, but I told him that I had already tracked the fires before I left and knew that I would be no were near any of them. Come to find out, everyone was trying to talk me out of this trip. Haha, no way. I looked forward to it for to long to give up now.

I headed out of town via the 21 east towards Idaho City. It was such a beautiful ride and I could see the salmon running in the river. Not very big but still it was exciting. I was mostly looking forward to seeing some animals. I had wish list for sitings, Deer, Elk, Moose and Bear.

I got half of them on this trip.

I rode by myself until I got to this little town before Stanley. I filled up and started talking with some other riders and found out we were all heading the same way so we joined up for a short ride to Stanley where we ate at a great steak place and got my motel room.

I have to thank Rick, Mike and Dan for a great time before I forget later in this story.

The next morning we got up and had breakfast and filled up.

We all were still heading in the same general direction so we mounted up and started our ride. We ran along the Salmon river. I have to say it is a very beautiful river.

It was my turn to lead the group, so I headed out first and no sooner got out of town and around the first bend when there were two deer coming down the slope about 20 feet from me and just as fast they made a u-turn and were running back up. I was real excited now.

Dan was headed to Hamilton, Mt and Rick and Mike were on there way to Glacier and I was looking for Lolo Mt.

On our trip we made a detour and went to Wisdom Mt and that is a must go for anyone riding or driving. On the way we passed one of the indian battle grounds.

It was interesting up there.

On the way up we say a real "Mountain Man". Animal skin vest and walking the road. We weren't gone long enough for him to get to the bottom and there wasn't any traffic on this highway but he was not on the road when we went back down the mountain. So he must have headed back into the woods.

We were somewhere around 7000 feet and it was cold. No chaps for me so I was a bit colder than the rest but to excited to care about it and it was all downhill from there.

We had a fantastic ride together but now we are in Hamilton and it is time for us to start parting.

We said by to Dan and shook his had. He was on his way to a friends for a great fishing trip.

Us three rode to Lolo where I got myself a room for the night.

Everywere we went we could smell the fires and sometimes see the smoke but it wasn't that bad for us.

Rick and Mike sat with me for a while before they headed for their adventure.

I have to admit that I really enjoyed the company. I could not have asked for a better time on the road. I hated to see it end but until next time guys.

I was up early and got filled up and skipped breakfast. I was eager to get on this road. It is Hwy 12 going west to Lewiston.

This is the only road I was looking forward to on this trip.

Rick told me that the rode we had come off of was a better road than the hwy12 but I had to see for myself. As far as seeing wildlife he was telling the truth. The only deer I saw in 12 was what ever popped out in front of me. Mostly a blur. Nothing I could sit and just watch for a few moments.

But on the other one out of Stanley, we saw deer, big bucks and turkeys so close I could have kicked them while riding.

Hwy 12 is full of twists and turns but nothing but trees and river. So not much to see because it was so tight but it was fun to ride on.

I did stop in Lowell for fuel and a late breakfast. About 10am.

It was a small store with only two pumps outside. As I walked in, all I saw was two young ladies about 6 and 8 year olds behind the counter. The older of the two asked very politely if she could help me. I asked for gas and told her which pump and to fill it up. She punched some numbers and told me to go ahead and fill up. I was impressed but not as impressed as when I walked back in for my change that she had guess already what I needed and started to count it out.

As I as leaving she wished me a good day and then I saw her mother in an isle on the phone.

She was working hard stocking shelves. Then I went back to the counter and asked the young ladies if the eatery next door was any good. They told me it was great so I had to stop and eat.

The food was good and I met an other couple from Texas which I shared my breakfast time with. They were going the opposite way as me.

Just short of Lewiston, I turned off on 12 to the 95 to the 55 to Boise.

Now this was a nice road and very scenic.

I saw deer, and a moose in a river. As soon as I got close he jumped out and ran for the woods. I thought he was so huge until he jumped up then I realized, OMG, how HUGE he really was.

I've never seen anything like him in my whole life. In all the time I have spent in the woods up and down the cost of Calif, Or and Washintton, I have never seen anything like this.

My trip could not get any better than this, and it didn't.

But I cruised back into Boise and got lost again, haha.

I raced to catch this other biker and his wife/girlfriend and asked them for directions back to the hwy to get me back home again. She gave me directions and I gave them my card and just before I made my turn towards the freeway, they both yelled out that they were Christian bikers. I just smiled and waived and headed for home.

I spent the night just south of Boise in a small town called Mountain Home.

I'll never go there again. Just a dive of a place and I got no sleep.

I was up before sunrise and headed for home. Again, 80-90mph just to get home and see my family.

It was an exciting trip and thanks to everyone that made it special for me.

Well today my friend, Francois and I took a ride to Lone Pine California. It was a great 339 Miles exactly from my house.
I got up this morning and was feeling kind of so-so and didn't know if I was going to do this ride or not. Everyone was flaking out again on us and the least I could do was to meet Francois and any others and then make my choice whether to ride or not.
I got to the gas station at a quarter to 8 this beautiful, cool morning.
I was the first to show up. I sat on my bike and thought should I go or not. And as the minutes ticked by I figured I was riding someplace today even if no one else showed up. I started to run places through my head and decided that if no one came that I would go to Beatty since I've never been there.
At four minutes to Eight, a bike pulled in. It was Francois. Everyone else dumped on the day so he asked me if I'm up to the it this morning and all I could say was "I'm here, lets ride".
He warned me that it is like a hundred and sixty something miles away. I told him "no problem".
So we were off. We headed out of town on Bell Vista towards Furnace Creek. Nothing eventful, just cool and a bit stiff when we started our turns in Death Valley. We were passing Furnace Creek in no time. Now I'm on a road that I have not been on yet but have seen from Dante's View.
I can feel my throttle had stiff from the cold and my fingers a bit numb.
The rest of me was pretty confortable.
The road was pretty straight for a few miles with a few leans this way and that way. Just easy cruising. Then our first moutain pass came up. Some great turns in this one. We were upshifting and downshifting and easing on the breaks then hitting the throttle.
As we were coming out of this first pass on the other side an F-14 flew right over us. I mean, it was so low that it was just above the power lines. I think the power lines are about forty feet high so we estimate this guy ways flying someplace between fifty and a hundred feet. We both started seaching the sky for his partner but as it turned out, he was the only one.
The rest of the ride warmed up gently to about 70 and one great site after another came up. To much for my eyes to comprehend or to describe but if I was out taking pictures I never would have made the rest of the trip. Just to much.
We pulled into Lone Pine which is a small town but with trees and at the foot of the California Rockies. It was a two and half hour ride.
We had a wonderful lunch and the waitress was great. She didn't put up with any of my comments. Always came back with another remark to rebuttal my bad behavior.
We ate then rode through town and filled up on gas for the ride home.
The ride home was as much fun as it was getting there, but different view of all the same sites.
Francois did hit this one turn doing about 75 and climbing. So I hit the throttle and followed the best I could. All I saw was a poof of dirt and he was gone. I was up to 80 and he was still pulling away. I pulled back a little more and was doing 90 and he was still leaving me in the dust.
So I ducked my head and set my feet and pulled back more and was slowly climbing on the speedometer when I noticed that I started catching him fast and I then I had to release because I was almost about to pass him. Ha ha, he slowed back down to 60 but I was to busy to watching my speedo to notice he had relaxed.
I know this don't' really sound that interesting but you really have to be here to experience the ride and the colors and just the all round beauty of the desert. I personally never really saw anything good about a desert but now my opinion has changed.
Doc