Desert Rat Pack

[JimmieS]

Every year for the last 8 or 9 years a fellow by the name of Don Cameron in Deming New Mexico has been holding a 'gathering' for Veterans Day. http://www.deminggathering.com/ Don used to own the local Motorcycle shop in Demming and was known as the "Go to" guy for all the motorcycling needs. When he retired he sold the business, but couldn't give up the friendships and relationships he'd developed during his many years in business. So, the gahering began, small at the start, and always limited to the first 175 folks that signed up and paid their 10 bucks for the Bar-B-Que. The Long Distance Riders http://www.ldriders.com/ and local New Mexico clubs participated. It's grown.

Enter my friend, Bob. He's a LD Rider and has been attending this event for years, and has invited me along a number of times but I'd always been out of time off or had other commitments. This year I got to say "Yes!" when the invitation came along.

This was to be a week long ride from the Bay Area, through and around Arizona to the Mexican Border and up to Deming by Saturday for the party.

We left around noon on Wednesday the 4th of November and made a slab bee line down to Bakersfield and the Crystal Palace for the night. Did it 'Just to get out of town' .



Dinner at the palace consisted of an excellent steak and some very fine entertainment. I left my camera in the motel, but have to share this one picture of Bob and his desert from my cell phone - Mud Pie - that sucker was HUGE!



As Bob was finishing his mud pie his cell rang and we found that another friend that was going to the gathering had just checked into the hotel and would be joining us for Dinner. A few minutes later our friend Bob Shelton arrived. He ate while we talked about the upcoming ride. We decided to be Bob'd (Butts on Bikes), Feet up and wheels turning at 08:00 on Thursday. So I toddled off to my bed and a nights sleep.

Thursdays Route and Spot Tracker:

Note that all routes we took will be highlited in yellow.





The route for Thursday was to take the ride across the Tehachapi Pass, through Mojave then take 395 South at the 4 corners toward Apple Valley. Through Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms, following the desert along highway 62. We eventually crossed the Colorado River and entered Parker, Az. We also lost an hour.

Along the way. Bob H. in the lead, Bob S. and me. We're in the desert and we're a small pack!

[JimmieS]

The desert can be a VERY lonely place. This was taken about 10:00 and the temps had warmed to about 74 from the chill of the morning of 55.



Along Highway 62



Bob S. - The man was never without his still camera or his hi-def video camera.



We arrived in Arizona about 14:00 and still had another 2 1/2 hours to go before arriving in Wickenburg for the night. Where we were to pick up the 4th Member or our Pack later in the evening.

Taking a break from the sun.


Your's truly.

[JimmieS]

Well we arrived in Wickenburg about 17:30 and got checked into our Best Western. The hotel in Wickenburg is really quite nice, rooms are a bit small, but then too - so is the town! Dinner that night was across the street at "The Golden Nugget" Good food - no pics - forgot the darn camera again.

The 4th packmember arrived about 22:00 after riding in from Salt Lake City - a 650 mile day for him. 4th member is Dennis.

Friday's route and spot tracker:





We got up and went through the same routine as the day before (Bob'd, feet up and wheels rolling by 8:00) - only this time we had to make sure we had a full breakfast first.



Once underway we headed for us-63 and Arizaona 89 for a ride up toward Prescott and through the Skull Valley.

[JimmieS]

A little fall color along the Skull Valley. Cottonwoods with their tell tale Green bottom leaves and their brilliant yellow top leaves.



Along Az-89 toward Prescott.



Another shot along the way.



Along US-89A toward Jerome.



And beautiful Downtown Jerome, Az.

[JimmieS]

We made a quick stop at the I-15 and Az-260 intersection for fuel and refreshment before continuing on through the Verde Valley on Az-260 toward Payson.



A couple of shots along the way.



At Payson we turned right and headed South along US-188. It wasn't too long before we reached the Colorado River once again and the Rosevelt Dam and Lake. This area of Arizona is known as the Tonto Preserve (no, not of the Lone Ranger fame (at least not that I'm aware of)).


Cactus anyone??



Rosevelt Lake.



Tonto Cliff Dwelling.

[JimmieS]

Highway 188 heading in toward Benson, Az.



We arrived at 18:30 in the small town of Benson and were welcomed to the Best Western with gifts of cleaning rags for the bikes, kickstand Pucks (for those soft shoulder stops we like to make), and hand cleaner.

Talk about being Biker Friendly -- YES - Best Western Benson - Recommended.

We orderd in Pizza and waited for the 5th member of our pack to show up. His name is Bill. -- Skinny guy, black shirt.





Todays route spot tracker:

[JimmieS]

Ok, we have nearly the entire pack together, only missing one and he's riding in from Texas so we won't see him till the gathering.

We still have a ways to go. Today's route will take us even further South into the town of Tombstone and further yet into Bisbee. I'm pretty sure that if you spit (even in a light breeze) from the Southen town limits of Bisbee it would wind up in Mexico.

The highways were very remote today, pretty much the only other traffic we saw was the Border Patrol, and there were lot's of them.

But, I get ahead of myself -- first - here are today's route and spot tracker.





Early morning getting ready to leave.



It was so early in the morning, and so late in the season there wasn't any activity in Tombstone, so I took just the one picture and then we headed out of town.



The town of Bisbee, Az came into existance because of the discovery of Copper. The Lavender mine - long closed is still the center of attention when riding through. This picture is of the lake at the bottom of the pit.

[JimmieS]

There are several other 'noteables' about Bisbee. The first is Dot's Diner, and the Second is the Shady Dell Motel.

Dot's Diner is a 'purpose built' structure - it was constructed soley to be a diner, I supposed if you wanted to gut it and turn it into something else you could, but who would want to??

This very small little place has exactly 10 seats in it and pretty good food too.

From left to right -- Unknown local, Bill, Me, Dennis, Bob S., Bob H.



The back wall.



The Kitchen.



Ummm What's left of my breakfast by the time I remembered to take a picture.



And the building itself.

[JimmieS]

The other noteable is the Shady Dell Motel. This place is a hoot! If you've ever been in Northern Ca. and stayed at the Railroad Park Motel up there then you'll be able to relate to this place. It's a motel that is made up entirely of old 'air stream' trailers. I'm talking Vintage stuff here. They have 12 units, 8 of which have bathrooms. Mostly trailers, but several buses and one Chis Craft boat.



After Breakfast we decided to take a stroll around the Motel.



The owner was out doing work and was thrilled to show us around.



We bid goodbye to the friendly town of Bisbee and headed East and South. The Mexican Border on our right and the dust and sand of Arizona's desert on the left.



Eventually we crossed the border into New Mexico and gradually headed North toward Deming.

[JimmieS]

The Gathering -- Wow. This first shot was taken about 14:30 as people began arriving for the 16:00 lunch bell.



Bill found a missing Pack Member who we didn't know for sure was coming. Say hi to Pat.



They had mini bike races. The idea here was not to see how fast you could go, but, rather how slowly -- without putting your foot down.



Bikes from everywhere and of all kinds. There were a lot of BMW's, as well as Honda's.