My 08 Big Fat Moto Trip NV ID OR MT complete!!

[demenshea]

All systems were go. Packed and ready and bursting with excitement, I cleaned my chain and attended the last details for my upcoming “big fat” solo ride. This was quickly becoming a yearly event, and this year I was about to retrace some of last year’s highlights. Gary, my husband, then shared his news. After several months of looking for a more suitable job back in CA, he was offered a position that required a move. Sigh, well I would be carving some extra fat off my big fat trip! But I knew I would enjoy the ride nevertheless!

Day One
Many people consider the Nevada desert to be a mundane trial of dust and glare, I however find touring through the desert a time of introspection and reflection and a darn good opportunity to see exactly how well my bike will perform! My journey toward the northern desert of NV and southern OR didn’t disappoint in rugged beauty and desolate empty roads.

I gassed up in Winnamucca but had to stop in McDermitt to top off the bike upon discovering the lack of petrol on Hwy 95 and Hwy 78 until the town of Burns. I chose going through Burns rather than directly to Boise, to stay at a Day’s Inn that I knew and for a nice leisurely ride through the lovely canyons to the quaint town of Vale, before entering the freeway to Boise. I also wanted to check out the Steens Mountain area for a future ride and have a great dinner at the Meat Hook, and organic beef dinner house located right next door to Day’s Inn. What a great meal after a marvelous day of riding.

Ready to go..


Cool car in Winnemucca (the only cool thing in Winnamucca...)


Some desert country between Winnemucca and the OR border Amazing how lovely the desert becomes with a bit o water!


The border town of McDermitt and a welcomed frosty! Great shakes here


A nice couple traveling the US from China. She spoke a bit of English, but he spoke none. They were amazed I was traveling solo by motorbike, but not nearly as surprised as most people.


Gas is a commodity out here and the area between McDermitt and Burns is vast and gas free, so to speak. I have nearly a 200 mile range on my bike and barely made it. I imagine smaller ranges would need to carry extra gas. I am certain that before my next adventure I will be investing in a couple of those liter containers for extra coverage. This was not my only gas scare on this adventure!







The Steen Mountain area, where I definitely need to return and explore. What gorgeous country!!






This entire meal with a glass of vino, was only $16.95




geeze, a small hot fudge sundae too!!


Day’s miles 366

[demenshea]

Day Two

The weather was perfect but getting hotter when I left Burns Thursday morning July 2, and stopped in Vale for petrol and a canned Starbuck’s drink. I also discovered that my new Nolan Helmet was giving me a bit of a headache with the foam liner tightly hugging my frontal lobe. Hmmm....I would have to do something drastic, if I were to keep my pace and make my destination of Stanley, ID.

The desert outside of Burns, OR Burns sits in a lovely lush valley.




A painted wall in Vale, OR


Birds of Prey Harley Davidson, was right off the freeway outside of Boise. What better place to find a creative service department with a sharp knife! The shop was more than helpful for allowing me a space to carve and a sharp instrument to carve down the liner of my helmet. All the while, the service person was telling me that I was negating my warranty. Geeze and I thought these guys were rebels!

I decided that I would deal with the liner when I returned home and could send the helmet to Nolan, but for now, I simply needed it to fit better. Once I got the foam to a comfortable size, I got back on the road and made my way to Hwy 21.

I could hear the Deliverance music twanging in Idaho City. What an odd place.



The amazing Hwy 21!! This was one of my favorite roads from the entire trip!




What can I say…just had to have the bike shot!


First sight of the Sawtooth Mountains


Suddenly, the road opens into a most scenic valley outside of Stanley, ID


The wildflowers were in full regalia.

Loved this fence!


And those mountains….wow!

[demenshea]

My casa for the evening was here…an amazing little place and reasonably priced at $85. ($50 would have been better, but this is Stanley, ID)




Across the street from my cabin


My view from my cabin window and the back yard






The owners dog loved playing fetch from the river!! He was a wonderful dog!






Dinner that night consisted of tuna salad in a bag and crackers and a couple of wine coolers. I should have planned better, but a kind family from Idaho Falls, saw fit to make me a couple of smores for dessert. Yum… This is why I love being on the road, the lovely people you meet along the way.

Day’s miles 270

[justjack]

Great stuff Donna.......... Really injoy your work....

[Twisted Trader]

This is lookin' like an epic adventure. Great photos, and great story. I am looking forward to doin' a few miles in Idaho in a month or so. The Sawtooths look spectacular.

[owrstrich]

we have been anxiously waiting for this motoscooter report...

its a beauty so far... im kinda thinking its gonna get a lot more interesting too...

now anxiously awaiting the rest...

thanks...

johnny

[calikatoom]

Donna!

I have been waiting patiently for this ride report!
Great stuff as always. I feel like I am right there with you. You have a great ability to to not only show the picturesque, but present all the rest of the great experiences too! This is no easy task, but is exactly what draws me to my own moto adventures. The riding is certainly a big part of the fun.... But its the exposure to so many new people, local cuisine/culture, nature, and just the all around good natured vibe that you can find in our country.

I can't wait for more!

Thanks for sharing.

-Gail

[GS-RON]

Hey, GET A JOB......

Great trip, great write-up and fantastic pics..... RON

[demenshea]

Originally Posted by justjack

Great stuff Donna.......... Really injoy your work....

Thanks Jack! Riding it was only half the fun!!

Originally Posted by Twisted Trader

I am looking forward to doin' a few miles in Idaho in a month or so. The Sawtooths look spectacular.

Vincent, it was truly the highlight of my trip as I had seen Glacier NP last year and the Sawtooth's (sawteeth ) were new this year. It is amazing!! I do believe what made it so lovely were all the flowers in bloom. I was fortunate to have seen it!

Originally Posted by owrstrich

im kinda thinking its gonna get a lot more interesting too...

Gee Johnny...how did u know!

Originally Posted by calikatoom

Donna!

I have been waiting patiently for this ride report!
Great stuff as always. I feel like I am right there with you. You have a great ability to to not only show the picturesque, but present all the rest of the great experiences too! This is no easy task, but is exactly what draws me to my own moto adventures. The riding is certainly a big part of the fun.... But its the exposure to so many new people, local cuisine/culture, nature, and just the all around good natured vibe that you can find in our country.

I can't wait for more!

Geeze Gail...
Don't worry, your wish is my command!

Originally Posted by GS-RON

Hey, GET A JOB......

Don't worry...it will happen soon enough...

Thanks everyone, more this evening!!

[myhrdly]

So far so good!!!! Anxiously waiting for the next segment!!!!