My Ride to the Spring 2008 Pashnit Gathering

[Helmetdance]

I love the Pashnit gatherings for many reasons. Not least, of course, for the great people, the food, the fun, the big bonfires, and then there is that short little ride to get there and back that presents endless possibilities. Keep in mind that I’m an Indiana resident who works in Alabama.

This year’s ride to the 2008 Pashnit Spring Gathering was no exception. So I thought I’d share a few pics from my journey to the gathering and back again.

I left northern Alabama after work on the evening of April 30 and rode the Goldwing the 570 miles back home to northern Indiana. I needed a new set of tires and an oil change, and I had a new set of tires coming to me as a prize from the mileage contest I had won the year before at my dealership. My little trek to Alaska didn’t hurt any in winning those tires.

So with a new set of Dunlop Elite 3s and fresh oil, I set out for Sopiago. But there was one very important stop I still had yet to make before California, i.e. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Mission: To meet my new grandson. Thought I’d share a few pics with you:

Andrew – Age 14 Days







I left Milwaukee early Monday morning, May 5, and started making my way west across the Great Plains states on Interstate 94 and then 90. Stopping in Buffalo, Wyoming by sundown, I had covered over 1050 miles since leaving Wisconsin.

Leaving the interstate behind Tuesday morning at Ranchester, Wyoming, I started west across Wyoming’s beautiful Bighorn Mountains on Highway 14. Rough weather in South Dakota and northern Wyoming had dropped one to four feet of snow in Rapid City and the surrounding Black Hills of South Dakota just a few days prior. It looked like I would have to take an alternate route, but the weather turned in my favor allowing me to see this part of the country in a still somewhat wintry appearance.

















Near Shell, Wyoming




Buffalo Bill Cody Reservoir, west of Cody


My pulse quickens as Yellowstone National Park appears on the horizon

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Arriving at Yellowstone!


The east entrance to the park had only been opened about a week earlier and the snow was still high along the sides of the road.





Yellowstone Lake with Icy Frosting


Grey wolves are illusive creatures. And though I’ve known they’ve been introduced into Yellowstone for some time now, I’ve never seen one. This really made my day!

Grey Wolf on the Shore of Yellowstone Lake


Yellowstone River


Elk Grazing Along the Madison River



Having made my way across Yellowstone into West Yellowstone, Montana, I headed south on Idaho’s Highway 20. I ran into a few clouds and cold drizzle hear Ashton, Idaho, but hardly enough to get the windscreen wet. In Idaho Falls, Highway 20 takes a westerly direction and the countryside becomes much less populated and more lonely. I made my way through the little towns of Butte City and Arco before crossing Craters of the Moon State Park. As I began heading north on Highway 75, the sun was already below the horizon so I decided to call it a day and spent the night in Bellevue.

On Wednesday morning I continued north on Highway 75 making my way through Idaho’s ski country.

North of Ketchum, Idaho














View of the Sawtooth Mountains near Galena Summit on Highway 75


Stopping in Stanley for breakfast, I continued south on Idaho’s incredible Highway 21 which winds its way through Boise National Forest which includes passing over Banner Creek and Mores Creek Summits. Highway 21 is a lightly traveled high-quality blacktop, not to mention one very thrilling motorcycle road.

Idaho Highway 21


It is amazing how much the terrain can change in a matter of relatively few miles. Having passed through Boise, I made my way into Southeastern Oregon at the little town of Ontario. Southeastern Oregon is a surprisingly vast expanse of desert, and if you plan to cross Oregon on any of the highways in this part of the state, be aware that gas opportunities are few and far between. Having passed my last chance for gas at Vale, Oregon, I was somewhat dismayed to find that there was no gas for sale in the tiny little town of Juntara. Luckily, one of the patrons in the restaurant I stopped at had about 1 ½ gallons of gas back at his house. Actually, it seemed like this restaurant was all there was to Juntara, save for a few houses. He was willing to give me the gas, but I insisted on giving him all the singles I had in my pocket, a total of $4.00. Not bad! I was very lucky!!

Southeast Oregon, a vast expanse of empty desert








Riding Highway 20 through the town of Burns, I eventually came to the junction of Highway 395 and headed south.

Lake Abert on Highway 395


Arriving in Lakeview, Oregon about an hour before sunset, I decided to park the bike here for the night and go find a place to eat.

[Helmetdance]

Thursday I continued south on Highway 395. I left before sunrise hoping to see the sun come up a little further south in California, but the price to be paid was enduring the cold weather. I donned the electric gear as the temps were only in the mid-20s. I made my way through Alturas, Modoc National Forest on Highway 139, Susanville, eventually following Highway 70 west through a beautiful river canyon. Someone may have to help me on this one, but I think it was the Feather River. I arrived in Sacramento early Thursday afternoon, a little over 3 days since leaving Milwaukee.

Friday morning I picked up my friend Gabriella at Sacramento International. Gabe had flown in to attend the gathering with me, and I had been carrying her jacket, riding pants, and helmet with me on the Wing the whole way. Except for a very short ride that Gabe joined me on about 5 years earlier in Toronto, this would be Gabe’s first “real” motorcycle ride. After giving appropriate first-ride “need-to-knows”, we were off. Gabe was not only about to experience her first motorcycle ride, she was also about to experience her very first taste of California!

Silver Lake on Carson Pass






Saturday morning we cross Carson Pass once again, but this time on our way to Ebbetts Pass.

Carson Pass Summit






Mosquito Lake on Ebbetts Pass – Still Frozen








Monitor Pass




After our Saturday afternoon tour of a few Sierra Passes, we headed over to the Pashnit Gathering.

Kendall and Steve


The Bonfire seen from the Space Shuttle

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Sunday morning we head south on Highway 49 on our way to Yosemite. On the way we experience the one-and-only Little Dragon!
















Arriving in Yosemite National Park for the first time is like watching fireworks, only better.

El Capitan


Yosemite Falls


Stream below Bridalveil Falls


Bridalveil Falls

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Since Tioga Pass was still closed, our next stop along the way would be the famous Glacier Point. By this time Gabe and I had totally exhausted our vocabulary of superlatives and found ourselves repeating the same words over and over, but not because we were bored, but because we were totally awestruck.

View from Washburn Point






View from Glacier Point




A view of Yosemite Falls on our descent back into the Valley


Breathtaking view of Yosemite Valley


Park Resident

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Monday morning I dropped Gabe back off the airport in Sacramento as, unfortunately, she had to head back to Toronto and go back to work. After parting company, I headed east out of California on I-80.

View of Donner Pass from Interstate 80






Heading through Reno, Nevada, I made my way to Nevada Highway 50, also known affectionately as The Loneliest Highway in America. But I really didn’t feel very lonesome as I passed this military aircraft target range, the pilots were working today!











General Store Austin Nevada


The Great Basin of Eastern Nevada – Highway 93




Highway 93 – Another VERY Lonely Road!






Tonight I would end the ride in Rapid City, Utah, not far from the Nevada border. Again, this is some extremely empty terrain as far as civilization is concerned. A great ride, but don’t let the gas tank run too low.

Another thing to watch for in these parts is wildlife. I got into Rapid City about 30 minutes past sundown on Monday night. That was making me very nervous because I had seen so many roadkills on the highway, including elk. Sure enough I spotted a deer as he started to cross the road in my headlights. Luckily I was paying attention and had enough distance to brake, but I had to grab the brakes pretty hard!

[Helmetdance]

Tuesday morning I head east out of Cedar City, Utah on Utah Highway 14, also known as the Markaguant High Plateau Scenic Byway. This is an absolutely beautiful 40-mile ride through Cedar Canyon and Dixie National Forest that affords views of some of the famous parks in the area including Cedar Breaks and Zion. Reaching an altitude of about 10,000 feet, the air was very crisp this morning!

Cold Morning Ride


Beautiful Vistas from Highway 14


Do you recognize the famous landmark in the distance?


A frosty hint!


Heading north on Highway 89, I turn east again on Highway 12 as I approach Bryce National Park

Red Canyon Outside of Bryce National Park – Utah Highway 12










Continuing along Highway 12, the landscape never ceases to amaze.

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Having reached Torrey, Utah, I turn east on Highway 24 on make my way across Capitol Reef National Park.









I stop to grab a bit to eat in Hanksville, and then continue on Highway 24 to Interstate 70 for a short distance until reaching the exit for Arches National Park.

Arriving at Arches National Park


This was my first visit to Arches. This place is so surreal it is just hard to describe it in words. Hopefully you won’t mind if I substitute a few extra pictures for the words I can not find!

[Helmetdance]

More Pictures of Arches National Park:

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More Pictures of Arches National Park:















I stayed in the park until sundown, and got a room in Moab that night just outside the park.