[tjfischer]

I had a blast in Gatlinburg. I am looking forward to next year. I met so many wonderful people, from so many different states, so many different backgrounds. It was great. Now, I am, headed for home. Most of you know by now that I don’t take the direct route. Tonight I am in Oklahoma.

I left Gatlinbrug, Yesterday around 9:00am. It rained on me for 400 miles straight. Frog Togs only keep so much water out, then they are done. It didn’t stop raining until I got past Memphis Tennessee. Once the Skies cleared, I pulled into a rest stop. I removed the rain covers from the saddle bags. Wouldn’t you know it, everything inside the bags were soaked. So much for that. Then I remove my rain gear. Of course I was soaked, but I already knew that. I got back on the road and turned left. I was now heading South instead of West. I ended up spending the night in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. That worked out perfect. I wanted to stop at Crater of Diamonds and dig for Diamonds the following day.

Today, I went to the crater of Diamonds and spent the morning digging for Diamonds (my boots were still wet). Unfortunately, I didn’t find any. It was still very interesting and a fun experience. I left there around 11:00AM. It was already in the nineties. I got into Texas, and quickly realized all the roads are straight (boring). So, I made a right, and I am now in Oklahoma. All the roads are straight here as well. It’s not as hot as Texas, but it’s still hot.

Tomorrow, I will continue to go north for a little while, looking for cooler temperatures. Then I will turn left and go west again. I’m not really sure where I will end up tomorrow. If I have internet access, I will post an update, to my wanderings.

[billybob]

drive safe my friend

[Marc]

Tony,

We will watch for your updates along the way.

[ScottyD]

I left Gatlinburg Sat morning and got rained on till just west of Nashville. It was dry from there to Memphis (I live 20 miles north of Memphis). I guess my timing worked out a little better. I hope the rest of your trip is dry.

[B1TTEN #509]

Tony
I very much enjoyed meeting you and look forward to hooking up next year. I did the trip home 1000 miles on Sunday 17 hours one shot. I did not like the looks of the rain on Saturday for that trip.

Give yourself a big hand for helping out Tony.

[tjfischer]

Well, I asked for cooler temperatures and I got them. When, I left, Paul’s Valley, Oklahoma. This morning is was a nice 60 degrees out. I just figured it was going to heat up, like Sunday. Nope, before I knew it, it was actually getting cooler. After a half hour of riding, I stopped and put on my jacket. I ended up wearing it all day long. It never got above 73 degrees.

I headed north from Paul’s Valley, OK. Since all the roads are straight in Oklahoma. I just stayed on the interstate until I reached Oklahoma City. Then I turned left onto Interstate 40. After a while, I made another right. I ended up in Dodge City, Kansas. You know that town from the TV show “Gunsmoke”. Who would have thought, I would end up there. I have an affinity, for old west towns, western movies and all that stuff. I just had to tour the Museum. It is fantastic little museum. I had a beer in the “Long Branch Saloon”. How many of you remember that from the movie?

I have been feeling tired all day. Therefore, I made this a short day. I only rode about 550 miles. I am staying the night in Lamar, Colorado.

Tomorrow, I will see what the roads of Colorado have to offer.

[Marc]

tjfischer, on Sep 28 2009, 07:43 PM, said:

Well, I asked for cooler temperatures and I got them. When, I left, Paul’s Valley, Oklahoma. This morning is was a nice 60 degrees out. I just figured it was going to heat up, like Sunday. Nope, before I knew it, it was actually getting cooler. After a half hour of riding, I stopped and put on my jacket. I ended up wearing it all day long. It never got above 73 degrees.

I headed north from Paul’s Valley, OK. Since all the roads are straight in Oklahoma. I just stayed on the interstate until I reached Oklahoma City. Then I turned left onto Interstate 40. After a while, I made another right. I ended up in Dodge City, Kansas. You know that town from the TV show “Gunsmoke”. Who would have thought, I would end up there. I have an affinity, for old west towns, western movies and all that stuff. I just had to tour the Museum. It is fantastic little museum. I had a beer in the “Long Branch Saloon”. How many of you remember that from the movie?

I have been feeling tired all day. Therefore, I made this a short day. I only rode about 550 miles. I am staying the night in Lamar, Colorado.

Tomorrow, I will see what the roads of Colorado have to offer.

You might be in for some more long, straight roads for awhile in eastern CO. Bring on the mountains!

[tjfischer]

Well, today I did not do much riding. I left Lamar, Colorado, Heading west on US Highway 50; also know as the “Santa Fe Trail”. Slowly the terrain changed for the plains of Colorado into the mountains, and canyons of Colorado. I was just having enjoying the ride when I say a sign that said, “Royal Gorge turn left”, so I did. Wow, I am sure glad that I did. I do not think I have every seen anything like this. It turns out this is the location of the Worlds Highest Suspension Bridge. It crosses the Royal Gorge over the Arkansas River at 1023 ft above sea level. Talk about breathtaking views.

I may not have been the first Spyder rider to get 50,000 miles. I am sure I am the first to cross the world’s highest suspension bridge, on my Spyder not once, but twice. The south entrance to the park was closed. Therefore, I had to double back. While crossing the second time I met a nice couple from San Diego who took my picture on the bridge.





Tonight, I am Salida, Colorado. This is a very nice small town in a small valley, between all the mountains. All the people are very friendly.

[Marc]

I gotta tell ya Tony, I wait for your posts every night

[tjfischer]

Marc, on Sep 29 2009, 05:48 PM, said:

I gotta tell ya Tony, I wait for your posts every night

Thanks Marc, I look forward to them too. I never know where I will end up, or what I will do.

[billybob]

Marc, on Sep 29 2009, 07:48 PM, said:

I gotta tell ya Tony, I wait for your posts every night

me too

[tjfischer]

Today was a day of just riding. No sightseeing, other than the beautiful canyon I was riding through most of the day.

When I left Salida it was a chilly 47 degrees out, lots of rain clouds in the sky. I thought I was going to have another day of riding in the rain. As I was heading out of town, I saw a perfect rainbow. Then I knew I wouldn’t be getting much rain. As a matter of fact I got just a few sprinkles here and there.


I continued up US 50 to Grand Junction. I stopped by the local Spyder Dealer there. I was hoping they would have some “Y” pipe gaskets. No, such luck. Oh well, what are you, going to do? So I continued riding now I was on interstate 70.

The ride on Interstate 70 was a rough one. I had 45 mile an hour head winds with gusts up to 60 miles and hour. Talk about getting, knocked around. My neck is sore, from all the wind turbulence. The wind was so strong, I could not use my cruise control. It would not maintain speed. So, of course the gas mileage also dropped in half. Has anyone else ever gone only 78 miles between fill-ups?

I finally turned left at Green River, Utah. I figured a cross wind would be better. Not, now I find myself leaning to the right side of the bike, just so I don’t get, knocked off. The wind was really, strong, and cold.

I stopped for the evening in a small town called Torrey, Utah. It is at the junction of Highway 24 and 12, between Arches National Monument, and Brice National Park.

[TMehaffey#1960]

Great journal Tony! They are a lot of fun to track your journey home.
Be safe looking forward to the next one!

This post has been edited by TMehaffey#1960: 30 September 2009 - 07:26 PM

[Marc]

Those are some crazy headwinds. We did a family vacation in 2007 and spent a couple days near where you are now. It's beautiful country.

[tjfischer]

Today was a great day for riding. I really didn’t have a plan. Therefore, I spent the day seeing all the wonderful terrain Utah has to offer.

When I left Torrey, UT this morning, it was a nice chilly 31 degrees outside. I took highway 24 west. What a great ride. The terrain was ever changing. At one point, I came around a corner and saw a deer. Well, you know, if there is one deer, there is a least on more. Turns out there, was about 29 more. I was sure glad I slowed down to almost a stop. Fortunately, with the Bike having a blown “Y” pipe gasket, it is really, loud. This spooked the deer and they scattered in every direction, except in front of me.

I must say, as I was riding through these canyons. I was fortunate to see on of the most spectacular sunrises I can remember.


I continued on highway 24. After the sun came up, I had the privilege of seeing the spectacular colors of the Aspen trees. It is fall, and all the leaves are changing to different shades of yellows and oranges.


This part of the country has free, range cattle. As I was riding, I saw many head of cattle on both sides of the road. I came around a corner, there was a Cow standing on the left side of the road. My instincts told me to stop. Good thing I did, half a second later a calf came running across the road.



Remember when, I told you it was cold? Well, it was getting colder. It was now in the mid 20’s


When I got to the top of Bryce Canyon, it was 22 degrees outside. Man it was cold.

I also rode through Zion National Park. I finally ended in Las Vegas Nevada. I know I am almost home. I figured, I would just finish the tour tomorrow. All I can say was today was a fantastic ride.

[pampchic]

Such an adventurous guy......Just imagine where you would go if you didn't need to return......Wish I was with you to enjoy all of it with you......

[oeti]

Tony
I cant tell you how jelious Iam that i am not with you love the roads from here to there however I would most definatly need to return.
left telephone road ventura ca. 14 years ago and would only go back for the ride!
give the west my reguards. and thank you for letting us all live vicarously through you with this blog
steve pickel

[tjfischer]

oeti, on Oct 2 2009, 06:56 AM, said:

Tony
I cant tell you how jelious Iam that i am not with you love the roads from here to there however I would most definatly need to return.
left telephone road ventura ca. 14 years ago and would only go back for the ride!
give the west my reguards. and thank you for letting us all live vicarously through you with this blog
steve pickel

Thank you Steve.

I enjoyed meeting you and all the other great people at the rally. I am looking forward to next year.


As an update I am home. The ride from Las Vegas is actually pretty boring. Not many back roads to choose from. I did stop by my dealer to schedule my 36,000 mile service. Seems like it was just in for the 24,000 mile service. All I know is that I'm my dealers best customer.

[tjfischer]

Well, I am home.

Total miles for the ride to a from Gatlingurg. 8164.1 miles.

Thats not too bad, for not having a route. I am only 1835.9 mile short of the 10,000 miles I was shooting for. Oh well.

I covered 22 States, some twice

California (three times)
Nevada (Twice)
Oregon (Twice)
Washington
Idaho
Montana
Wyoming
South Dakota
Minnesota
Iowa
Illinois
Indiana
Ohio
Kentucky
Tennessee
Arkansas
Texas
Oklhoma
Kansas
Colorado
Utah
Arizona

It was a trip to remember. Thank you all for listening

[Marc]

tjfischer, on Oct 2 2009, 09:41 PM, said:

Well, I am home.


It was a trip to remember. Thank you all for listening

Thanks for sharing your adventures with us Tony.