Full Circle: Home Atlast!

At approximately 3:30 this afternoon, Sunday, August 25, 2013 we arrived at home. We have had a wonderful adventure, but truth be known we were all excited to be back at home with those that we had left behind! We have traveled some 6300+ miles and have come back to where the journey had begun! We have done this for the last three years and every year is the best! From sickness to motorcycle repairs, from bad weather to sunshine, from soreness to pain, we would still do it again! These adventures we truly believe add life to our years and years to our life! It is great to dream dreams but even greater to live and experience the reality! Great ride, great friends! ROM

The Trees!

Of all the places that we have been, I really missed the trees! Most of the places that we visited the trees were either nonexistent, few in number or very short! We went through national forrest that had very few trees! When I think of Forrest , I think of the Ouachita National Forrest and the abundance in the thickness of the trees! In many of these Forrest you would see clumps of trees but most of the land was open and mountainous! The contrast was interesting! ROM

Home Sweet Home!

No matter where you go or what you see or what you enjoy there is no place like home! As we crossed into Arkansas today, I thought of all the places we had been and all the things that we had seen and it only made me appreciate my state even more! This is a great state and a great place to live! The state has so much to offer those who live here and those who have never been here! Talk up Arkansas! ROM

Total miles

Our Adventure completes. 6342.6 miles. GMS 

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Eischens

The Oldest bar in Oklahoma, since 1896, located in Okarche,Oklahoma, and the best fried Chicken and okra around. A few miles to get there, a little wait for your food, and a great experience you'll tell others. What a way to spend our last night on the road. GMS 

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As long as we are here!

Know what goes good with 3 weeks on a cycle, potholes and bumps? An adjustment! Really takes the kinks out. Thanks to Scott and Gena for a full circle tour of OK City. GMS 

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Western Museum

From the little town reconstructed from the 19th century and Calvary, Rodeo, TV Cowboys and Cowgirls, the plains Indians and much much more, held something for everyone. Very good to add to your list if your in the OK City area. GMS 

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Jail

No comforts here, Philly and Dudley try the jail and it is no Holiday Express! GMS 

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National Western Museum

They came from all over the world, from all walks of life, to accept the challenge of the West to be a cowboy, or in man cases cowgirls. GMS 

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Somber Afternoon!

We spent a portion of our afternoon at the Oklahoma City Memorial! It was very beautiful warm afternoon and there were many memories for all is us as we recalled that day! A National Park Service interpreter went over the entire memorial with us and told us the significance of each part of the memorial. This was a great tribute to those who lost their lives, those who were injured and those who were left with loss of family and friends! This is in so many ways " Hallowed Ground! " ROM

Lunch!

We are all about food and new places to eat! Today we ate lunch at Irma's. This is a unique sandwich shop that has been in the family since 1937! Scott Shuck was our source and said that we would really enjoy the food and. the atmosphere and he was right. Everything was exactly like we like it! Fried! You could smell the grease when you walked in the door! I know! All of this will have to change beginning next week! So sad! ROM

National Western Museum

Mid morning found us at the National Western Museum! If you have not been there it is a great place to learn about the early settlers,the settlement of the West and how various peoples were responsible for the evolution of our Western states. It pays tribute to every aspect of daily life as it was in the 17,18 and early 1900s! Great experience! "Motorcycle Adventure 2013" is not just an adventure it is also an educational experience! You are never too old to learn! ROM

Daily Stop!

Of course, our day would not be complete without a visit to a Harley dealership! Gaylen and Scott Shuck are the first to make their appearance!
We went to three dealerships today! We were either trying to make up for missed days at the dealership or we just can't help ourselves! I think it is the latter! ROM

Round Barn on Route 66

One of a few round Barns still in existence! This is one of many historic structures to be found as you travel along route 66! This particular barn has been well maintained and preserved! It is on the national historic registry! This is part of the many sights around Edmond, OK.ROM

Pops!

Our first stop this morning was a place called Pops! It was a very unique place and specialized in of all things soda pop! There was every possible choice you could imagine and even then some! It was located on the infamous route 66! We had a pop and were on our way! Philip thought that it was named after him because that is what his grandchildren call him "pop"! Neat place! ROM

Home Away From Home

After dinner at Rudy's Barbecue we headed for the place we call " Home ". The HIE is a great place to stay and everyone we have stayed in has exceeded expectations in every area of service. They are very biker friendly! The complimentary breakfast is more than adequate and the rooms are spacious and make you think you are at
home. Most have fresh baked cookies in the afternoon in the lobby for guest. Prices are very affordable. If you haven't stayed here, give them a try! This has not been a paid advertisement. We just wanted to say " Thanks to HIE " and let everyone know about a great place to stay! ROM

Blowing In The Wind

These wind mill generators are all over the Southwest! They call them wind farms in many areas and you will see hundreds at a time. Good crop because the wind always blows! Reminds me of Don Quixote and we could charge these things on our steel steeds. ROM

A Strange Place on Route 66

We stopped for gas and a stretch and were going to possibly eat there but after looking around no one was brave enough! Phillip said for us to remember he was just getting over being sick! ROM

Amarillo Harley Stop

Tripp's Harley was a great store but not one of our favorite stops. There was no coffee in the lounge and the sales person that waited on us needed an attitude adjustment! " Gotta be careful how you treat senior bikers cause they get riled real easy! " ROM

On the Road Again

After a good breakfast it was time to pull up stakes and hit the road! We got off around 8:00 for an eastward run through the great states of Texas and Oklahoma! Our destination Oklahoma City, OK to visit with Scott Schuck and family. Scott has agrees to take his Saturday and show three old dudes some old places around town. ROM

OK City

Arrived in Oklahoma City a little after 4 and Scott got his Harley out a went to Rudy's BBQ to eat. It was really good. We are going to do some things around here tomorrow and head for home Sunday. GMS

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All Aboard!

You can almost hear the Conductor as he shouts " All aboard " as the passenger cars await their fares. ROM

Switch Engine

Switch engine # 15 awaits its next call to duty! ROM

The Chama Depot!

Quaint and restored to its functional original grandeur! ROM

Old Little Boy and the Train

ROM

The Charming Trains of Chama

Gaylen has already told you about this stop, so I will just share my pictures! This is engine 488 and it is stoked and ready to roll!

Railroad

This is looking toward the restored depot and the passenger cars and cabooses. They have rides that take you up to Colorado and back. The train and track are all the old narrow gage. A neat little town. GMS 

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Polaris Razors

We got to Four-Corners Harley before they opened and this gave us time to inspect a variety of Polaris Razor ATV's and make out our Christmas list. ROM

Four-Corners Harley Davidson

Leaving Farmington, NM we stopped at the local Harley dealer as is our custom If there is one in the town where we stay the night! It was a great store and carried other brands of bikes which is unusual. I don't know how that works because Harley stores are usually exclusive! From there we headed for Tucumcari, NM as our sleep destination, with stops along the way! ROM

On the road home

We left Farmington this morning in clear weather working our way home. We stopped by the 4 - Corners HarleyDavidson and got a look at the 2014 bikes just out. We then rode to Chama and the railroad museum. I call it that, but as you can see it is a working railroad and tourist attraction. The village of Chama bought the railroad and all work and restorations are volunteer. GMS 

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Rain, thunder and lightning

From four corners we headed east to Farmington, NM and about 15 miles out ran into some strong winds, rain and a lot of lightning. We found this pawn shop and trading post just as it was all about to let loose. GMS 

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Four Corners

This was an interesting stop on the Ute reservation where the corners of four states join ( NM, CO, AZ, UT ). There is an X that marks the spot on a large bronze medallion. We all three have one foot on the X which places each
of us in all four states at the same time. We left there and headed for Farmington, NM for the night and dined at Denny's. ROM

Four Corners

About 4 years ago, Phillip an I stopped at Four Corners, Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, on our cycle trip west. About a year later it was discovered to be in the wrong place. The area 20 yards behind the cars is where we found the monument and plaque. It was moved about a hundred yards where the flags are now. GMS 

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Gaylen: A Ride to Remember

When you bike anywhere you become a part of where you are and not just a visitor or spectator! " If I have to explain, you would not understand! " ROM

More Arches National Park

More of Arches

The formations were so unique! They were all huge but some were dwarfed by others. It is hard to believe that they were not chiseled by a sculptor and set in place by a massive crane. One of the many marvels of our country!

Arches National Park

The ride from Torrey was another unbelievable visual experience! We rode through Fish Lake National Forrest! It was kind of strange because there were few trees. It was beautiful with valleys, canyons and winding, steep roads. We got to Arches around mid morning. We rode our bikes through the park and again were supper impressed with the diversity of formations. This formation is one of the most often photographed! It had begun to get hot by the time we finished, so we headed over to Moab for lunch. Somehow we never miss a meal! ROM

Balancing Rock

This is amazing, fascinating and hard to believe how long it has been there and how many more years it will continue to balance. A true wonder of nature. GMS 

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Familiar scene

If your a fan of the old westerns, you've seen these a bunch of times. Entering Arches. GMS 

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Wednesday morning

Left Torrey this morning and winding north for Arches National Park. Just want to break into song, "Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful Day!" GMS 

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Bryce Canyon Panorama

This picture was taken on the path to Sunset Point! When we left Bryce we took the " Highway 12 Scenic Bypass " to Torrey, Utah for our stop for the night!

BryceCanyon

Skirting some rain showers we arrived at the canyon and found Sunrise Point and this view. A picture is worth a thousand words and still not enough. Gms

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BryceCanyon

What else can we say? GMS 

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Red Canyon

Leaving Zion we proceeded on Highway 9 headed for Bryce Canyon. We came to Red Canyon and as you can see, it is RED. GMS 

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Red Canyon in the Dixie National Forest

This was so unusual in that everything in the canyon was red! It looked as though it had been painted and I guess it had by the Master! It was amazing! I am left speechless by what I see! This is a massive area of canyons and mountains farther than the eye can see and the mind imagine! ROM

In Zion

We rode the free shuttle into Zion as it is all closed to cars. On top of this rock are people that have hike one of the trails which includes a bridge 1400 feet in the air that you cross. Hard to hike with bike boots, so we didn't. GMS 

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Zion Park Tour Very Impressive

Philly was overwhelmed with what he saw at Zion! He stated " it was almost like a dream! " For him it was! (He is asleep if you can't tell.) ROM

Zion Canyon National Park

We made our way out of Washington to Zion by way of Highway 9. We have stories of highway 9 but this one work great and an awesome ride along this kind of scenery. GMS 

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Packing up

80+ degrees already, getting ready to head for the parks and 100+ temps. GMS 

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This a First

When checking in to hotels, we always ask about parking our bikes under the awning in the front. Today, we were told we could not, but instead were given keys to the garage for bikes in the back. Is this a great country or what? GMS 

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