Wile E. Coyote Country

June 12

Decisions, decisions.  The ride to Vegas yesterday was blazing effin’ hot.  I didn’t have to be in Phoenix until the 14^th to meet my buddy Mike.  My awesome hotel room cost $54.  Maybe I should change my plans slightly and chill out another day (or two) in Vegas.

I had been to Grand Canyon before, but I had never been to Zion, and I always wanted to.  My original plan was to go to Zion via Area 51.  I recently learned that tripping to Area 51 is probably not worth it.  It’s a long hot ride out of the way, and down a gravel road to get a picture of a very anticlimactic sign that you can easily find on the internet.  Going any further than the sign gets you a personal greeting and interview from Captain America in a Humvee or something. 

So I thought if I cut Area 51 out of the plan I could get not only to Zion but also to Bryce Canyon, UT in a day.  Ok, Dave – out of bed.  Let’s go.

Packed up and leaving Bally's.  My filthy Road King
with camping gear looks so out of place here!

On my way out of Vegas I made my obligatory stop at the Las Vegas HD dealership.  I think it might be the biggest Harley dealership I’ve ever seen.

My Milton HOG vest usually is a conversation starter in the dealerships as I’m a long way from home.  However, I was outdone today.  I met these guys today from the Rome, Italy chapter who had come to Vegas to do a fly and ride.  I didn’t even know Italians rode Harleys – I thought only Ducati’s, Aprillia’s and Vespa’s!

"Terminator" and "Smoky".
(I was going to make up some names from
Super Mario Bros., but that would be in poor taste.)

Leaving Las Vegas, the scenery was pretty much like it had been on the way in and pretty hot, given that it was still morning.

However, crossing the border in to Arizona, the scenery gets a little more interesting.

I know it's blurry - but I got it!

Crossing into Utah, the scenery improves more, with more colours appearing in the rock.

I almost missed this sign but just barely got it!

Just before taking the turn off the (75 mph!) I-15 to highway 9, I stopped for gas and noticed oil leaking from my air cleaner down onto the rear pipe.  Fortunately the Zion HD dealer and service department was only a few miles down the road and they quickly checked it out for me.  It seems that Calgary HD probably slightly overfilled the engine oil when they changed it and the oil overflow is out the air intake.  If the oil level is marginally high, the leaking problems usually show up when its really hot out (not to mention setting the cruise to something slightly north of 75mph…).  So bottom line, not to worry if this happens, but I was able to ride on with peace of mind.  Thanks Zion HD!

Once I entered Zion National Park, the scenery was unbelievable and the roads were made for motorcycles.

You are charged $12 for a week's entry
whether you're staying or passing through

Decreasing radius turn taken a little too quickly.
Good thing for hot tires today!

Bonding with my pal at a rest stop between Zion and Bryce

The ride from Zion to Bryce was pleasant, and interesting enough.  However when I entered this town, of course I had to screech to a halt and take a picture or two.  For everyone reading this at work!

On the way to Bryce there is another smaller area called Red Canyon for obvious reasons.

Bryce is awesome too.  The roads weren’t as exciting as Zion but the scenery is great.  While Zion has the spectacular layered mountains, Bryce is full of hoodoos.

All in all, a great day and I’m glad I didn’t lounge in Vegas and miss all this.

Back to Arizona and the Grand Canyon tomorrow!