MarkG
08-16-2008, 12:25 AM
One of the reasons I wanted the Nomad was to travel around and relax. I have been planning a fall vacation trip since December. About the only place I am actually going is Rapid City, SD for a few days to see my folks, family, and a few friends. My folks are in their 90s. Everything else in between is a direction rather than a destination. I do not have to be anywhere specific at any given time, so no pressure to meet a deadline. The vacation loop will be modified on a whim, so it may or may not be my actual route. My wife and son are staying home. They have been all over the US for most of the summer. Neither one has any desire to ride, so I get to go solo and do whatever.
My major problem is how to get there. Laugh if you want, I could drive the four lane in my sleep. I want scenery, away from rush hour traffic, and it will probably take me forever to get between stops. (Sorry Dan, I would drive you totally nuts with how slow I am going to ride.) I'll probably stop every time there is another pullout. Take plenty of pictures, etc.
The Breckenridge thread caught my attention. I haven't been to a couple of those areas, so it would be different. There were several other areas mentioned throughout the forum, too. I have looked at several dozen different ways to go up and back.
Presently it looks like the first three weeks of September and a little over 3,300 miles for a nice loop. After a PM to some of the guys, their suggestion was to do Colorado first rather than take the chance of an early snow storm. Yes, I know it is likely to be a bit chilly in a few areas. After an entire summer of 110 degrees, I'll dress for the cooler temperatures.
Dan suggested doing a google map and posting the link so others could chime in what I might want to explore. The checkpoints are for reference only to make the map fairly simple. Other than the first day to get out of Arizona, I probably will only do a couple of hundred miles at a time.
September Vacation (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=chandler+az&daddr=AZ-87+N+%4034.183530,+-111.334100+to:cortez+co+to:silverton+co+to:US-50+%4038.537980,+-106.940660+to:breckenridge+co+to:CO-119%2FCO-72+%4039.955720,+-105.509530+to:estes+park+co+to:US-85+%4041.769290,+-104.266480+to:rapid+city+sd+to:US-14A+%4044.855410,+-108.200140+to:red+lodge+mt+to:yellowstone+national +park+to:US-30+%4042.162138,+-110.987093+to:UT-150+%4040.830750,+-110.853590+to:39.88445,-111.692505+to:UT-10+%4039.211760,+-111.012220+to:UT-12+%4037.994100,+-111.418340+to:Highway+63,+Bryce,+UT+84764+(Bryce+C anyon+National+Park)+to:flagstaff+az+to:Lake+Mary+ Rd%2FNF-3+%4035.028180,+-111.453480+to:payson+az+to:chandler+az&hl=en&geocode=1531994411140986543,34.183530,-111.334100%3B10709911620641195359,38.537980,-106.940660%3B14406776808664298377,39.955720,-105.509530%3B9678577482392041968,41.769290,-104.266480%3B411605173929868314,44.855410,-108.200140%3B5445863663609971757,42.162138,-110.987093%3B14789888548647615678,40.830750,-110.853590%3B18432874674920434423,39.211760,-111.012220%3B14925628518311298699,37.994100,-111.418340%3B13142596883257036502,37.622322,-112.168007%3B2479950516087098217,35.028180,-111.453480&mra=dpe&mrcr=7&mrsp=15&sz=9&via=1,4,6,8,10,13,14,15,16,17,20&sll=39.711413,-111.033325&sspn=1.107138,2.471924&ie=UTF8&ll=40.178873,-108.325195&spn=17.573252,39.550781&z=5) Good grief this is a long link!
Probably make it as far as Shiprock, NM the first day. Payson, Holbrook, Gallup, and Shiprock are all 90 mile segments. I haven't been to Mesa Verde National Park in years, figured it might be nice to wander through it on my way to Silverton, CO the next day.
I'll stay in the Silverton area for a couple of days, always have liked that area. Might rent a jeep and do the Alpine Loop for the heck of it.
Go from Silverton toward Breckenridge. Don't know how much time I might spend there. Assuming the weather cooperates, go up Mt. Evans. Then take 40 up to Rocky Mountain National Park. After that go on toward Rapid City.
Since I grew up in the Black Hills, I'll take the opportunity to ride around the hills area a bit. Found out that my brother-in-law, nephew and his girlfriend all have rides. Guess that has been a closely guarded secret from my folks. Looks like I will be the lightning rod and if I survive, then the rest of the family might admit that they ride, too.
After a few days with the family, I'll head toward Yellowstone. Beartooth Pass sounds interesting, I've never been over it. Probably take a couple days to get to Yellowstone, and spend another couple of days in the park.
South out of Yellowstone toward Bryce Canyon National Park, UT. Tetons and a bunch of other stuff in between. That segment is listed as a little over 600 miles. It will take a couple days to get there, no hurry. Dan and several others have mentioned highway 12, seems like a good time to check it out.
Then finally it will be time to bite the bullet and head back home. I'll take my time getting to Flagstaff. From there home is where I will have to pay close attention. Traffic will continue to get heavier, especially from Payson the rest of the way into Chandler.
Suggestions are welcome. If there is something near my proposed route, I might take the time to go look. Then again, I might change my whole route because the suggestion sounds interesting, who knows. My whole purpose is to de-stress. I'm hoping the weather cooperates of course. Any input will be appreciated, thanks.
My major problem is how to get there. Laugh if you want, I could drive the four lane in my sleep. I want scenery, away from rush hour traffic, and it will probably take me forever to get between stops. (Sorry Dan, I would drive you totally nuts with how slow I am going to ride.) I'll probably stop every time there is another pullout. Take plenty of pictures, etc.
The Breckenridge thread caught my attention. I haven't been to a couple of those areas, so it would be different. There were several other areas mentioned throughout the forum, too. I have looked at several dozen different ways to go up and back.
Presently it looks like the first three weeks of September and a little over 3,300 miles for a nice loop. After a PM to some of the guys, their suggestion was to do Colorado first rather than take the chance of an early snow storm. Yes, I know it is likely to be a bit chilly in a few areas. After an entire summer of 110 degrees, I'll dress for the cooler temperatures.
Dan suggested doing a google map and posting the link so others could chime in what I might want to explore. The checkpoints are for reference only to make the map fairly simple. Other than the first day to get out of Arizona, I probably will only do a couple of hundred miles at a time.
September Vacation (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=chandler+az&daddr=AZ-87+N+%4034.183530,+-111.334100+to:cortez+co+to:silverton+co+to:US-50+%4038.537980,+-106.940660+to:breckenridge+co+to:CO-119%2FCO-72+%4039.955720,+-105.509530+to:estes+park+co+to:US-85+%4041.769290,+-104.266480+to:rapid+city+sd+to:US-14A+%4044.855410,+-108.200140+to:red+lodge+mt+to:yellowstone+national +park+to:US-30+%4042.162138,+-110.987093+to:UT-150+%4040.830750,+-110.853590+to:39.88445,-111.692505+to:UT-10+%4039.211760,+-111.012220+to:UT-12+%4037.994100,+-111.418340+to:Highway+63,+Bryce,+UT+84764+(Bryce+C anyon+National+Park)+to:flagstaff+az+to:Lake+Mary+ Rd%2FNF-3+%4035.028180,+-111.453480+to:payson+az+to:chandler+az&hl=en&geocode=1531994411140986543,34.183530,-111.334100%3B10709911620641195359,38.537980,-106.940660%3B14406776808664298377,39.955720,-105.509530%3B9678577482392041968,41.769290,-104.266480%3B411605173929868314,44.855410,-108.200140%3B5445863663609971757,42.162138,-110.987093%3B14789888548647615678,40.830750,-110.853590%3B18432874674920434423,39.211760,-111.012220%3B14925628518311298699,37.994100,-111.418340%3B13142596883257036502,37.622322,-112.168007%3B2479950516087098217,35.028180,-111.453480&mra=dpe&mrcr=7&mrsp=15&sz=9&via=1,4,6,8,10,13,14,15,16,17,20&sll=39.711413,-111.033325&sspn=1.107138,2.471924&ie=UTF8&ll=40.178873,-108.325195&spn=17.573252,39.550781&z=5) Good grief this is a long link!
Probably make it as far as Shiprock, NM the first day. Payson, Holbrook, Gallup, and Shiprock are all 90 mile segments. I haven't been to Mesa Verde National Park in years, figured it might be nice to wander through it on my way to Silverton, CO the next day.
I'll stay in the Silverton area for a couple of days, always have liked that area. Might rent a jeep and do the Alpine Loop for the heck of it.
Go from Silverton toward Breckenridge. Don't know how much time I might spend there. Assuming the weather cooperates, go up Mt. Evans. Then take 40 up to Rocky Mountain National Park. After that go on toward Rapid City.
Since I grew up in the Black Hills, I'll take the opportunity to ride around the hills area a bit. Found out that my brother-in-law, nephew and his girlfriend all have rides. Guess that has been a closely guarded secret from my folks. Looks like I will be the lightning rod and if I survive, then the rest of the family might admit that they ride, too.
After a few days with the family, I'll head toward Yellowstone. Beartooth Pass sounds interesting, I've never been over it. Probably take a couple days to get to Yellowstone, and spend another couple of days in the park.
South out of Yellowstone toward Bryce Canyon National Park, UT. Tetons and a bunch of other stuff in between. That segment is listed as a little over 600 miles. It will take a couple days to get there, no hurry. Dan and several others have mentioned highway 12, seems like a good time to check it out.
Then finally it will be time to bite the bullet and head back home. I'll take my time getting to Flagstaff. From there home is where I will have to pay close attention. Traffic will continue to get heavier, especially from Payson the rest of the way into Chandler.
Suggestions are welcome. If there is something near my proposed route, I might take the time to go look. Then again, I might change my whole route because the suggestion sounds interesting, who knows. My whole purpose is to de-stress. I'm hoping the weather cooperates of course. Any input will be appreciated, thanks.