Today started off with a lot of noise. I’d asked if there were any special events happening when I checked in on Wednesday but nothing was mentioned. Well….turns out there is a so called world championship Polaris Razer quad rally here this weekend. What tipped us off you ask? Maybe a procession of a hundred or so quads heading down the road out front to register at the casino! They will be racing tomorrow, Saturday in the pit up behind us. So…time to get out of town and go for a ride. I wonder how loud it will be tomorrow.
>
We like the ride to Kingman through Oatman so off we went.
South on the Needles highway and then east on the Avi Parkway. Hay growing in the fields, hay for sale and unsold hay from last year rotting…buy what you like I guess.
Heading east on Boundary Cone Rd or #53…take your pick.
The starkness of the landscape is always impressive.
The cholla cacti are happy. Must have been a fair amount of rain this winter.
Coming into Oatman and the burros are everywhere.
This is a little tourist town that we never stop at.
Lots of cars, lots of tourists, lots of junk for sale and lots of burro poop! It really stinks as you drive through.
Ahhh….serene and quiet as we head out of town.
The ocotillo are blooming here too.
Lots of mining in this area so this must have been some kind of pit at one time. We are starting to rise up to Sitgreaves Pass.
The road as we climb the road is incredibley twisty with really tight switchbacks. We aren’t travelling very fast here as the big Harley is made for the open highway. Eric really has to pay attention and he can’t take his eyes off the road.
Starting to head down and the terrain opens up.
You can see the road below switching and twisting and turning.
Vehicles to 40 feet are allowed on this road but if two met on a blind switchback corner somebody would have to back up!
See what I mean about tight corners.
As we head down to the flat straight road to Kingman we pass by Dry Springs.
I did an over the head behind me shot and just happened to catch a motorcycle going the opposite way. Lots of bikes in large packs on the road today riding back the way we just came.
Into Kingman and historic route 66.
We usually eat at El Palacio when we come to Kingman and today was no different. Decent Mexican cuisine and Pacifico beer.
Lots of restored buildings and lots in their original condition.
The train is roaring by as we head in for lunch.
It’s a big restaurant and is usually full at lunch time. Eric had a carnita (pork) burrito and I had a chili relleno and spinach enchilada which I forgot to take pictures of! Must have been hungry I guess.
I’ve done blogs in the past about the steam locomotive and train history of Kingman. Still….I like to get a shot of this beautiful old engine.
We head west on highway 68 back through Golden Valley to Laughlin.
It’s a steep grade heading down but at least it isn’t switchbacks.
It was a nice 100 mile day with some interesting country and a good lunch….what more can you ask for.
Back in Laughlin it is hot, hot, hot! I closed up the rig before we left and …..forgot to turn on the A/C!
No comments:
Post a Comment