Leaving Pahrump early didn’t save me from roasting. By the time I arrived in Las Vegas it was already 87degrees. My full camelbak, helped as did my cooling vest, although it would only stay wet for about 30 minutes, but it was 30 of the most comfortable minutes I could have enjoyed!

I was trying to go around Vegas, but somehow the GPS took me right in to the clusterfuck. I nearly passed a *bucks then came to my senses, cold cold coffee sounded awesome!! :2thumbsup Within minutes, I had a new best friend telling me all about his Vegas antics and his motorcycle that had gotten stolen in Chicago. He was from Jamaica, but way of Chicago and somehow ended up in Las Vegas. I didn’t have enough time to spend hearing the entire tale, let’s just say, it was getting taller by the moment!

Here’s Vegas early morning, you can barely see it on the far left rising out of the sin. 😀

I made my way around Lake Mead and all its construction. Boy, what a mess. There was one point where they held traffic for 20 minutes. It’s just not fun on a motorcycle, in the heat and sun.

I swear other than a pashnit friend’s shots of LV, I would never have any interest in going there. Somehow, he makes it look gorgeous, and I know I need to tour around the surrounding area instead of doing a blanket hate campaign. 😉

My next gas stop was somewhere in AZ, where both the bike and I made a stop only I’m certain mine was more entertaining. All I can say is why don’t I ever have any quarters when I need them.

The weather as I rode east was looking pretty stormy and I actually welcomed the rain! It was soooo hot that I knew the wet would be fleeting, but it’s the lightening that I fear, not the rain. Suddenly, the sky opened up and I was in a tiny cloudburst. Water ran across the freeway in torrents and I could barely see, but enough to watch cars hydroplaning. Quite the scary sight.

Did you know that rain at 70mph hurts? Well, it certainly does especially on my fingers covered only by mesh gloves. OUCH…i was glad when it quit by the time I reached Holbrook, so ended up with about 40 miles of cool reprieve and very sore fingers!

I had to do a mid-street U-turn to shoot this place! The Wigwam Motel in Holbrook is right on the old Hwy 66. Funny, I don’t remember leaving my car there in front of the far left wigwam…

From the Wigwam Motel to prehistoric pet cemetery, I traveled. I suppose after the Wigwam, this should come as no surprise.

My favorite beast, whatever it is, is the one holding the fish in his mouth. Hmmm, I don’t remember seeing him in any of my dinosaur books, but hey, he’s extinct so who can argue??

I was ready to arrive in Show Low, but still had about 50 miles. My bottom was telling me I was finished and ready for some respite, in the form of a single malt. The sky was still playing with me but I was ready to take home my marbles, all that I had left, that is.

When I arrived in Show Low, the colors were unbelievable! I had to stop for this photo op, before taking on the MCB&B’s driveway of adventure, five dirt and rock miles of an adventure rider’s dream and a street bike’s nightmare!

Arrival at the MCB&B photo credit to Frenchy!

But it was all worth it in the end, to be greeted by these reprobates!

L-R Pam, Dean, the illustrious owners of the MCB&B and our weekend hosts, Fiona (Sleeping Beauty) and Marc (Frenchy750)

and a rainbow…another Frenchy photo!

As darkness overtook day, I could see that the night sky was going to be simply amazing!

Day two: 448 miles