Day 4: Kingman, AZ to Winslow, AZ

The day started with a hint of perfection. The weather was cloudy, a little bit cool, but very comfortable in tee shirts. We started again on route 66 and it was easy to appreciate the pretty scenery of Arizona and the southwest. The first 90 miles or so were among the best so far and it was so relaxing there was the temptation to close one eye and take a nap – since one of us only has one eye and they might've closed the wrong one, we decided against it.

We stopped in the schmaltzy tourist trap of Seligman, Arizona. We fit right in even though almost everybody else was speaking with the European accent. This was the most uniquely interesting, and populated, town that we've run across along Route 66.

We continued on Route 66 to the town of Williams, Arizona and appropriately had lunch in Pancho McGillicuddy's.

We got back on the road and the skies were turning dark with angry devil rainclouds. The devil rainclouds asked us to dance and we did the two-step with our six speeds. Then they challenged us to games of chicken and then hide and seek. We played poorly- but only at times. In the end I think we at least salvaged a tie. But we didn't like the parting comments of "We'll see you later!"

Wet and with dirty motor ponies we stopped at the Meteor Crater about 20 miles before Winslow. The clouds started to chase us again so we put it in high gear and hightailed it to the hotel just before all heck broke loose.

Lightning, heavy rain, hail and high winds ensued thus ensuring an evening in. The local pizzeria delivery boy should soon be here. However, if he hears T singing one more chorus of "standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona" by the Eagles he may not deliver our food.

Pictures are now being successfully installed in the blog so please  be sure to take a look for day one through four. We have now reached the 1000 mile mark in our trip.

Day 3 Barstow, CA to Kingman, AZ

The song starts out "hot, hot, hot"

We started in warm, graduated to hot . We finally made it out of California after we found historic Route 66 and followed it until it disintegrated beneath us at one point between Daggett and Newberry Springs. 

There were countless abandoned properties and deserted sites along Route 66 and it was sad to see the conditions. We had Route 66 to ourselves and it was fairly easy to see why, regardless of history. At one point T posed for pics ( which we hope you will eventually see) laying down in the middle of Route 66 for an extended period. No danger. He could have taken a nap!  In Needles the temperature was up to 106 and we ducked into an air conditioned spot to bring our body temps down and grab a bite.  The desert theme continued. 

From Needles ( where Snoopy's brother Spike lives) to Kingman, Arizona the temperatures slowly reduced to under 100. We gained some cloud cover and avoided the thunderstorms. We stopped at the local grocery store for water, wine and snacks. It is somewhat reassuring, but probably disturbing in some right, that after 2 bottles of wine we are still basking in our success against the elements. A good day, a good ride, good night. P.S.- we are still a very long way from home and loved ones.

Day 2 Paso Robles, CA to Barstow, CA

"The day started in cold

Not so good for the old

But before we were done 

We wanted no more sun"

We started late after trying to establish the blog. It was very brisk and we were layered up or wearing electronic accessories to stay warm. The ride was monotonously pretty with parched hills and landscape followed by stretches of desert landscape, Mojave style. By the time we reached Barstow the temperature was over 100 degrees-in the evening-so the adult beverages were required to be cold. 

We weren't sure whether we were in Barstow or Bars Two. Didn't see much else.  Sleep was not a problem .

Day 1: Half Moon Bay, CA to Paso Robles, CA

The morning started with sun

 it looked like so much fun

And then it turned to soup

Followed by 70 miles of mountainous loop-de-loops.

The sign said " 64 Miles of hills and curves"- a dream for most all bikers.  However, this duo had one with severely impaired arthritic hands compounded by a fear of heights and he was followed by a biker with one eye. Scary dudes- to themselves!

The weather had started warmly in Alamo but it was chilly by the time we arrived at Half Moon Bay. We did the ceremonial toe dip at Half Moon Bay's Poplar beach (Bluff Top Coastal Park) and headed south on PCH. Mountains, state parks, cliffs, giant redwoods, ocean views , birds of prey and elephant seals were the venue of the day while the temperatures hovered in the low 60's with fog overhead until our arrival in Paso Robles around 6:30 PM

The conditions, and our conditions, had slowed our progress to the point where visiting Hearst Castle and the wineries at Paso Robles were faded hopes which we offset by the warming elements of several adult beverages at the local Chili's. Any further renditions of our exploits for day 1 would bore you unless you are a fan of snoring.

Day 0

G became available after work on Wednesday, August 29 and picked up T at the airport. We picked up the bikes at Dudley Perkins and then holed up for the night in Alamo California at the Veiga residence. Dinner, adult beverages and goldfish races at "That Bar" in Danville was our preparatory training plan. (G's wife Cindy lost with her entry in the goldfish race)

Prelude

Steve Thomas( T) and Steve Gale (G) worked together for about 30 years and rode together for about 20 years.  With life's passings, and the passing of too many people and things, they decided it was time to work on the bucket list. Thus, the ocean to ocean motorcycle tour was created. It was tricky to work around personal and business schedules but that's what we did. The adventure began on August 30, 2012. So arrangements were made and the motorcycles were shipped from Barb's Harley-Davidson on August 13. The bikes arrived in San Francisco at Dudley Perkins Harley-Davidson on August 21. The motor ponies were waiting on us.

Mom always said " if your friend was going to jump off a bridge would you feel like you had to do THAT too? Well, now my friend is riding his motorcycle from ocean (Pacific) to ocean (Atlantic). And mom, the answer is still YES! S2O tour starts August 30th!!