I generally rise fairly early so that I may enjoy vibrant colors of daybreak and the morning birds. The air is crisp and clean and unlike any other time of day. I love sitting with my coffee staring into the distance and at the MCB&B the mornings were perfect!

Sadly, this was the morning I needed to leave. I got the bike packed, Dean rode it out to the parched and packed dirt and off I went, promising to return when able. What a dream to have discovered…thank you Frenchy!!

I decided early on that I wanted to ride 191 which I was told had been called the 666 but was changed due to the devil reference. It is now called the Devil’s Highway or the Coronado Trail. It was perfect!

The odd thing about this gorgeous road was that it ended smack dab in the middle of a copper mine, apparently the largest in North America.

I decided that mother nature was not happy as I entered the area the wind started up with horrible gusts and hot air. By the time I reached Phoenix, I was parched and HOT!! I didn’t have my camelbak and was beating myself up for forgetting it. My head was pounding and the wind was spreading me all over the road. I got to Renee’s home just in time. Gary arrived only an hour or so after me. We both were hot and spent.

The evening was spent with friends and we were rested and ready to go to the Grand Canyon. Gary surprised me with my camelbak in his luggage!! Woohoo!!! Saved!

You can’t take a bad picture of the Grand Canyon. It is simply gorgeous.

This map, though keeping off the main highways, was a serious pita. The local bikers were all out in hordes, big parade groups of Harleys and trykes. It was a bear to pass them, as they were certainly less than courteous to those of us that desired traveling faster than 45mph. I believe if i were to do this again, I would simply do a straight shot up 17 to Williams and then to the Grand Canyon. It was not all that scenic and the speed limits were killing both of us. So much so, that when in the park, after the ninetieth person stopped in front of us to snap a scenic shot we slipped around them on a dashed line but still got a ticket!! OUTRAGEOUS…damn it. We were trying so hard NOT to get any. The park ranger was condescending and lectured us. “Do you know what an elk is?” Without waiting for us to respond, he added, “it is a LARGE herbivore that will TAKE YOU OUT.” Uh, ya, we know what an elk is and we were being careful, we simply wanted to pass the vehicle that kept stopping in front of us. Well, too bad…u win an award. I guess the parks need to generate some cash, but damn why on our silly little tourist watch?? Bastids!

From the Grand Canyon to Page and Antelope Canyon…I can’t wait!