As you have read in the previous posts; had to sell my beloved sidecar rig to generate some of the money for the repairs of the loss to my property due to the rains/floods we suffered in this last season. Almost done with the repairs.  Cost in going to be north of $30,000 - uninsured loss.

You know when one door closes another opens.  For decades I have been sitting on motorcycle saddles
riding to one adventure to another.  One restaurant to another.  One burger joint or fine dinning to another.  My waist line got so big, - 41" thought I'd get my own ZIP code!  I love  food and a fine  Cabernet.  Guess you could say:  Slow death by motorcycle.   

So with the loss of the bike I was going through  "Two wheel withdrawals".  By luck I ran across "electric
bicycles" in an article.   Since I have suffered with bad knees from skiing injuries I wondered if I could
return to cycling?  Used to love to ride.  Back in 1961 I had a true road racing bike.  It was made by Raphael   Geminiani a World Champion.  Won the Tour de France in 1951.  And many more races.

So after all these years of being out of shape and getting older - 71 in a few weeks.  Thought it better
to get back in shape.  After all, would like to be a good looking gentleman when in the box!  In the meantime by shedding the dreaded pounds, have a better life.  I tell you this as a kick in the keister to some of you that have become like me.   Get out and exercise more.

Stay tuned for great rides, travels and adventures!

,The cold Winter is now behind us as well as most of the repair estimites on the damage caused by the California rians.  Contractors will  be on site in about three weeks to begin the repairs.  Hopefully the total will leave enough funds available to bring you some great travel destinations.

Thank you for your support of this blog!  Evey dollar helps.  Thank you for your patience .

Look for the first new post to be coming  around mid May.  I know that is a month and a half from now; but I assure you there will be some great material coming.  Once again the plan is to bring you "adventures"  from California to Maine  From primitve camp sites, cooking up burgers on the open fire under the stars, to exquisite dining and fine hotels.
​
Always good to have a back-up plan.

 With the expenses of the repairs I may not be able to drive out to California;The logistics are six days travel time each way just to get there!  Should that prove to expensive; there is a great air show coming up in mid May.  Located in Virgina Beach. VA.  The MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM'S Warbirds Over The Beach will be held on May 19-21.  Folks this is a great air show.  Well worth the drive to see it!  Along with the aircraft are the re-enactors.  So spend a weekend and revisit the 1940's!

​Check out their website:   http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

​Following the air show I'll take you  to visit some of the lighthouses of Maine and seek out the best lobster in Bar Harbor!

Portland Lighthouse

We must concentrate on our blessings and not focus on the rocks we stumble and trip upon during our walk through this life.  



​The rains in California have had a  significant effect on the drought.  They also have brought 
devestation to many of us there as well.  I am thankful that my loss pales greatly  to many.  
​Be that said, it still is an uninsured loss that will total tens of thousands.  

​It will have an impact on this blogs frequency and content. The many adventures planned this year will have to be  adjusted  so as to focus on recovery.  I hope you will be patient and return  once again to enjoy my journeys . The good news is I will have to make a run out to inspect the property and the repairs and that may offer up a chance to bring you an adventure or two. Maybe a run up to Yosemite, the Falls should be spectacular.  Ever been to Alabama Hills?  No, well maybe a couple nights there camping near Mt. Whitney.  On the drive home perhaps drive through Death Valley.  Lots to see between the California Coast and the farms of  Pennsylvania.    Just will have to do without a motorcycle for awhile.   But, you know the 4Runner is a great ride too.  I have heard from many readers that enjoy the locations and don't have bikes.  So, bucle-up; there will be more to see.

Unlike  Major T.J. "King" Kong,     I will not ride "it" in.   We will recover.  

As a side bar, in another life, way back in 1981, I flew a B-52H on a  low level simulated nuke relase like the footage above.  Quite the ride at low altitude, skimming the Nevada desert and  weaving lower then the mountain tops in Utah and Wyoming.  At one point came up over a saddle in the mountains and you should have seen the cattle scramble!  Sure scared a few pounds of them!   Now THAT was an adventure!

​Working it.  

​Up close and personal with the KC - 135 Tanker

Winter continues. Temperatures have been mostly above normal. The tree branches reach their bony bare branches to the sky.  Everything is colorless.  No snow. No photo opportunities.

So below I have inserted some  photos and videos    Hopefully this will keep the blog alive and you will return to enjoy the future content.  I have several great trips planed  this year and there is a new "ride" to introduce you to, of which I am excited.

Sunset at Turks and Caicos.  If you have never been, it is a short flight and wonderful diving. The first trip was when living in California so that was a longer flight with a plane change in Maimi, well worth the time. My first "Wall" dive was there.  Jumped off the boat,  to the sea bottom about 60 feet and slowly swam to the edge of the wall.  Spooky!  My BC was perfectly balanced and as drifted over the edge, the sea floor drifted away 6,000 feet in the blackness below.   I was OK until I had the thought - what is down there looking up at me?  

Planning a trip out West? Say to California?  Let me suggust a run up Highway 395.  Lots to see from the aircraft bone yard at the Mojave Airport to Bodie, pictured above. Don't forget to stop at the Alabama Hills near Independance.  One of the best times here is to camp and watch the sunrise on Mount Witney.  Stay up late into the night to marvel at the Milky Way!  In Bishop be sure to pick up a loaf or two of the famous Sourdough Bread at Shatz Bakery.  Few miles north take a left and tour Mammoth which, in season, has some to the best skiing on the planet!  During the summer take a pack horse trip into the Sierras. Few miles north of Mammoth is Lee Vining and Mono Lake and above that is the Ghost Town of Bodie.  

All Aboard!    Did a photo shoot on the Western Maryland Railroad a few years back.  Will take you
​along for the ride in one of these posts.

Below is an uncut scene of the cab.  Listen to the locomotive breathe.  I swear they are alive!

Several trips to airshows.  One has been here in the June posting.  Another fine one is the WARBIRDS
Airshow held at Virginia Beach.

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             TEETH OF THE TIGER

This blog is a one man show.  As such, with Christmas expenses  and now taxes on the horizon; cross country  travel is on hold for the most part until Spring. Since there may not be posts as often as when "on the road" please be sure to read the past entries if you haven't already.   May I ask, if you enjoy reading this blog please consider a donation.  If everyone that reads this blog would just forsake one Starbucks or beer, sure would help defray some of the expenses.  This year will bring more destinations that will spark your lust of adventure and traveI. I have a few ideas locally for your pleasure that I can bring you;  but as of this date, Winter has been boring. No snow to speak of,   No real opportunity  for those scenic "Norman Rockwell "photos or film.  As soon as we get some, I can show you the beauty of the snow covered farms and roads of Lancaster, PA.    We did get a bit the other day. bad news for the blog it was only few inches.  Good news not enough to shovel.  Here is a "short" that I shot looking for subjects.  Turns out it is a tease of things to come.

Winter is a wonderful time to visit.  Crowds are gone.  Even if we do get snow, around here the streets and highways are clear pretty quick.  If you're lucky, on a back road rather then a buggy, you might have to give way to a slay, or stop and watch the children sled . 

Lancaster is an easy drive from Philladelphia, Baltimore, even New York and DC.  Come on up enjoy the sights and dine at a local Amish resturant.  Just be aware Amish stores and eateries are closed on
Sundays.

​Monument Valley is truely one of the most magnificent wonders of the West.  You have seen it if you have watched any of the classic western movies.  While true John Ford shot many movies here; you would be surprised of some of the others.  In 1939 John Ford shot STAGECOACH followed by other great westerns, SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON 1949, THE SEARCHERS 1956.  All in all John Ford shot about ninteen movies here.   You might be surprised that others were shot here too.

John Ford

Forrest Gump                                                Stagecoach                                                        The Eiger Saction

hirintMonument Valley is located in the SE corner of Utah.  Very close to the Four Corners.  Here is where four States share a common border, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.  Monument Valley with the magnificent mesas, arches and buttes offer the visitor a grand view.  Don't discount the night sky here either.  Well worth staying into the dark of night to see the Milky Way and the wonderful display of stars.  Be sure to drive the sevemteen mile road.  Located just to the left of the parking lot.   This dirt road will take you passed many of the "monuments".  The road can be rough in areas and low clearence cars and RV greater then 20 feet are discouraged.  Also I recommend hiring a Navajo guide to take you into the  back country and is well worth it.  Here you can get sunrise photos of the Totem Pole, The Dunes and many other areas not possible without being in the backcountry.  The guides can be found at the hut in the main parking lot.

Moccasin Arch

Sunrise at Totem Pole

            Rug making.  

​Although these hand made rugs bring a high price, they are beautiful and will last a life time.  

     Turtle Rock                                                  Hogan                                                               Rug Weaving

 Where to stay.  There is the town Kayenta   24 miles South of Monument Valley that has a few motels; but in my opion the only place to stay is rich with history and a great place  - GOULDING'S LODGE.
GOULDING'S has it all, from a grand hotel to RV and tent camping a gas station, the grocery store
even a car wash; oh and an airport!  Here too you can book a guided tour of the area.  This is well worth doing.  Not only will you see the sights but the driver will give you the history as well.  I have stayed at the RV area and the hotel.  On this trip I had a two bedroom suite in the Hillside Suites.
Standing alone each with a living room and a nice kitchen area as well as a great view from the patio.

  

​GOULDING'S  has a rich history. Originally established in the 1920's by Harry Goulding and his wife Leone. In the early years of the "Trading Post" they lived in tents. After a few years the permanet building was constructed.  The musem is housed in the original building.  Things got  a bit rough in the Great Depression and it was the "gold" of Hollywood movie production that saved Gouldings.

The first film was John Ford's STAGECOUCH staring John Wayne.  Since then many movies have been shot here.


Whether you drive, RV, ride or fly   GOULDINDS is the place to stay!

                                                    Inside the museum                                                                 Old Tour Truck

Across the highway is the Navaho Visitor Center. Museum Gift Shop and the View Hotel.   Take time
to wonder through the museum and learn of the Navaho Nation,  Also there is a fine showcase of
the World War II Navaho Code Talkers.

It's a short drive to Moab from Durango.  Shorter still if you stop to spend the day at Mesa Verde.
Anytime is a good time to crawl or drive around Moab; anytime but Summer!   Summer is crowded
and hot!   Be sure to carry lots of water with you  and on you if you are going to hike around during the summer.  If lucky, in winter you may find snow.  With snow on the ground it gives your photography a great blanket of white to contrast agaist the rock.  

As you come into Moab from the north, the Arches NP is on your left about a mile from town.  Best time for photography is
early morning or late afternoon.    Many motels and campgrounds in Moab.   Peak seasons the motels are expensive.
One of the best RV campgrounds is on your right as you approach the town.  Slickrock offers some outstanding camp
​sites; but get there early to stake one out for they fill up fast.

Arches National Park is over 76,000 acres.  Arches NP contains the world's largest collection of natural stone arches.  Along with the arches are the fins, bridges, pinnacles, and balanced rocks.  Some of the most popular stops are Park Avenue, The Courthouse,  and  ablout half way into the park is the Balanced Rock.  Don't be to hasty to hurry through; some of the best viewing can be at dusk or the dead of night.                                                               i

SHAFER TRAIL

    
After a mid-morning shoot and stopping for lunch in Moab, I engaged a local police sargent for information of trails and camping that may not  be so well known. Being an avid off-roader, one of the places he likes he told me about:  Yep, he said go on up north out of town and turn on this road along the river, pass the potash plant and enjoy.  Now I don't recall if he said: be sure to stay away from Safter Trail or not. He may have mentioned at the "trail intersecton" go to the left - White Rim. I dont know.  At any rate I went right.  The photos above shows you what the Shafter Trail looks like.  The video below will give you a feel for the entire journey.  

After the fact and looking for precise information for this blog I ran across www.dangerousroads.org.   Kinda wish I had seen this before I turned "right"!     Here is what the website has to say:
              "Safter Trail Road -Shafer Canyon Road is 18 miles of dirt track that requirs extreme caution at
              the best of times.  This road has humbled many egos.  It's not for the sissies and shouldn't be 
              attempted by novice drivers.   Be prepared to self-rescue (I have to add here - what rescue if you 
              just fell 1,000 feet off the cliff!)  A 4WD vehicle and experienced driver are recommended.  Avoid
              driving if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. Stay away if you're scared of heights. 
              There are sheer drops virtually along the entire route and enough hairpins to make a whirling
              dervish dizzy.  A quick glance at the map at its sheer drops and serpentine twists and turns
              confirms that this is no hype."

If you can take your eyes off the road, you will be rewarded with beautiful vistas.  

OK, maybe it is not the "pucker factor"  that I have presented.  In most days you can drive Shafer Trail in just about any car.   It is true if you are skittish about heights - don't do it.  I know people that will not drive Highway One on the California Coast, or "The Million Dollar Highway" (Hwy 550) between Ouray, Colorado and Silverton.  Shafer Trail is not for the faint of heart.
​

I wish for all of my readers a very Merry and Blessed Christmas Season.

Thank you for following this blog.  

Many thanks to those of you that have made a donation!  The cost is a bit overwhelming and any donation helps - Thank You.


​Although shot in 2013 the sentiment holds true.

I left Silverton in the morning for Durango and breakfast at the best place in town!  Then off to Mesa Verde.  So after washing the "Runner"  stopped downtown Durango for breakfest at the Durango Diner.  Most often or not
my breakfast is always the
"Breakfast Burrito"  -
absolutly fantastic!

You can do the entire site in one full day. Be sure to visit the Museum.

​I have visited Mesa Verde a few times over the years and have stayed in Cortez simply because it is the closest to the Park.  On this trip I stayed at the Baymont Inn and Suites.   This is a wonderful place to staty.  Offering  large and comfortable rooms  and everything you would like to find after a long day climbing and exploring, enjoy the pool and the hot tub to ease the stress of the day!

,
While staying at the Baymont Inn and Suites I would  recommend for a great dinner, the Distination Grill.   Basicly across the parking lot of the hotel.  

It's all in the marketing - one time Amimas Forks was said to be the "Largest City in the World ...at this
altitude!"  Nestled  in the San Juan Mountains at 11,584 feet and a great drive from Silverton.  Dual Sport motorcycle or 4x4 is advised.  If you don't have one, rent an ATV in Silverton and go explore the "Forks" and beyond.  The road out of Silverton is easy for any vehicle; but then it gets pretty rough - not bad - but think I'd leave the Ferrari in the garage!

HA!  That does remind me, a buddy of mine years ago had a couple of Lamborghini Countach and I asked if I could use one in a fashion shoot out at a place called Montana de Oro in California   Sure he said..  Then I remembered the road got a bit rough and decided best to not use the  Lambo.  Same driving to  Animas Forks.  A street car "could" do it; but it will be yours - not mine!

      The above photos don't show the depth of just how rough the raod can be.  The video will.

​

​The Ghost Town of Animas Forks

Animas Forks Jail                                                                              William Duncan's House

Think of the harships establishing a town at 11,800 feet back in  the1870s.  But you know, they had everything;  from the road and soon came the narrow gauge railroad.  Electric service, telegraph even the telephone.  So when William Duncan arrived in 1875 from Pennsylania  he built a wonderful Victorian home in 1879..  The Duncans left in 1884.  Life at this altiude brought its own challenge.
Winter with its snow depth, some storms bringing more then five feet.   Avlhhalanches that would
isolate the town for months at a time.  You had to be tough to live there.  Even today the Forest Service closes the road.   Best time to visit is late May through Mid October. 

View from Animas Forks back towrads the road to Silverton.

Following film is a visit to the Million Dollar Highway this time for the little bit of snow we got on this
trip.  If you will - a few nickels and dimes - along the way.  The contrast of the white and the gold of the Aspens was beautiful.