Sorens First Big Adventure!

[Girl O' Flight]

(or Our Fun Run to Laughlin NV)


Since I bought my new bike in January, I haven't been able to take it out very far
for a ride due to old man winter thwarting my plans with annoying regularity!

There's been way too much of this all winter:




And this:




However, I'm happy to report that this past Wed., the forecast was for mid
60's here and low 70's in NV so we took off south to see Laughlin NV and the Grand Cyn Caverns
just outside of Peach Springs AZ. This is also to be this years destination for the
2nd Annual SW Utah Pashnit Ride & Party!

I've been really anxious to see how the SV did on a longer ride.
So far I had only ridden it mainly around town and an occasional
50 miler, so I was looking forward to this much longer trip!

Here is a link to our route:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...5,2.268677&z=9


The morning looked promising as the sun came up over the hill near
our house





Doggie goes to camp. (so his Mom and Dad can go riding!!)
"Ok..I'll go as long as I can bring my hedgehog!"




Soren and "bike" (i.e. no name..) are prepped, packed and ready to go!



More coming up........

[Girl O' Flight]

After we left Blaze off at the pet resort, we rode on down to
Mesquite NV for lunch. It wasn't nearly as warm as they said
it would be and we still needed our heated duds!
It was down right chilly!!

Parking in our "personal spot" at the Casablanca Resort/Casino
in Mesquite. It actually felt rather pleasant here in the warm
sunshine and out of that cold wind!




We had hamburgers...plain this time with no garnish. They are
really tasty...like char broiled on the grill! And the fries are
Yum Yum Yum!!




We jumped on I-15 to Moapa...this is where the cold wind got really
annoying. Every 18-wheeler that passed us (or that we passed)
buffetted us around something fierce. It was really rather scary to me
a couple of times. I had to hold on extra tight as it felt like I'd get
sucked underneath if I didn't. I was glad when we exited the freeway!
We stopped for a little break at "the sign"..



This is the hwy 169 toward Valley of Fire. It's been repaved and turned out
nice and smooth. All the dirt areas and delays are gone and they have also
paved the pull out areas which were gravel before






Still more to come...

[Girl O' Flight]

Desert scenery along Hwy 169







This road since being repaved is fast and fun. Unfortunately, there
were way too many cops out trolling for speeders!









.

[Girl O' Flight]

There are plently of pull over spots now to take in the wildness of
the desert







Sweepers abound...




We arrived just before sunset in Laughlin NV. The Aquarius used
to be a Hilton, we found out later. The service was excellent and
the accomodations very nice, clean & comfortable. Only $35/night in
a place that looks as though they would charge well over $100 anywhere else.
Overall, NTS!!

[Girl O' Flight]

After checking in, we went down to the River Walk which takes
you along the Colorado River behind some of the casinos.

Our hotel from along the river




Dinner cruises down the Colorado are available on this boat.
They were closed, but it looks like it'd be fun in the warmer
times of the year!




There are several water taxis to take you to and from Bullhead
City on the other side of the river. This is also where the airport is.
It seems to me this taxi was free years ago when I was here and it
is now $4 each way!

[Girl O' Flight]

Thursday morning after a pretty nice breakfast in one of the restaurants
inside Aquarius we took off for The Grand Canyon Caverns, about 62 miles
away along Route 66 (an hour or so from Kingman AZ.) After we climbed the hill
away from Laughlin it got cold and really windy again. Much worse than
the afternoon before. The whole trip there
we fought against a quartering headwind and big gusts that knocked
us around for what seemed like a century!

Entering Peach Springs, AZ. There were quite a few old abandoned
buildings just on the outskirts of town. Peach Springs is only about
12 miles from the Caverns.




The road up to the caverns is pot holey and rough, but the ride is only
about a mile. Our bikes just outside the Caverns. A group of German
tourists on rented Harley's arrived right on our tails. And I mean right on our tails!!





Rob posed outside before our tour.




Me complete with helmet hair from he11!




More's still comin'!

[soeurm]

Nice ride report and pic. I'm thinking of doing Utah this year. Thanks for posting.

[RobertVP]

Great RR.

Yet another area to add to the 'must explore' list.

Thanks

[FishWitch]

Awesome Suzi!! I pretty much stayed parked as wasn't feeling well on my laughlin trip bur WOW this is some great info for some fun riding nearby!!

Hope to cross paths soon

Excellent RR as usual!! I'm working on a trip east in April work & weather pending so will hook up!

[Girl O' Flight]

Thanks Dan, Sam and Robert!! Appreciate it alot!!

Originally Posted by FishWitch

Awesome Suzi!! I pretty much stayed parked as wasn't feeling well on my laughlin trip bur WOW this is some great info for some fun riding nearby!!

Hope to cross paths soon

Excellent RR as usual!! I'm working on a trip east in April work & weather pending so will hook up!

Sorry to hear you weren't feeling so great on your Laughlin trip, Syd!

Just PM me when you think you'll be around and maybe this time we
can get together!