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.