'New' 2006 Interstate (Mid-bath)

[Lotus54]

Day 7
Just going from just outside the Park then up to the campground.

After that we took the little Honda around, stopped at various lookout points etc. It was nice to have super easy parking and a great view. Not very fast (I did have to shift to lower gear and rev it pretty well on a hill or two) but it was ok at the speed limit there, even for two people.
Got loads of comments on the bike, even a guy from Italy that used to work on them when he was young (another in his party could translate)

We hung around the campground with the awning out- lazing and keeping cool. Later in the day we went back out again.

45 miles with the AI


Mark

[InterBlog]

Beautiful pics. Keep 'em coming.

[Lotus54]

Day 8

Left the NP campground and headed East. we did the dry caverns (I forget the name right now), which was interesting as I've never been in one like that.

We went toward Page, AZ and over to the Horseshoe Bend of the Colorado. I had not been there and it was pretty neat. The Park is working on a new overlook, with a fence etc (so it appeared to me).

Then after Page we went through the Antelope Canyon. That was pretty cool, they do have quite a few people going through, but did a reasonable job keeping for TOO crowded. I enjoyed our guide, great sense of humor.

After that we went to a campsite near the meteor crater.
Stayed there and went to the crater in the morning.

photos to follow.

327 miles

oh- and a couple last ones of Grand Canyon

Edited to fix my mistake.

[Lotus54]

Here are a couple of pictures of Horseshoe Bend.

I didn't take my camera into the Antelope Canyon- they led me to believe it would be a problem. But it would have been easy and wish I had.

I also realized I chopped off some of the track. I couldn't edit it anymore, so if an admin wants to remove the older track I would appreciate it.

Here is the full one.

[Lotus54]

Day 9

Rode the bike to the Crater site and did the tour. I didn't take any pictures, it was interesting but nothing that I 'saw' that seemed to want it's picture.

After that we did laundry and stuff, then went to Winslow for a late lunch and on to the entrance to Petrified Forest.
There were two places that had free camping. One also had power for really cheap- so we used that (nice to charge everything up, use AC if desired and stuff like toasters).

I forgot to mention. I neglected to test the generator before we left. I don't even remember the last time I used it.
so of course first time to run it the darn thing wouldn't do anything (not turning over at all, no click- nothing). LB and IB were kind enough to send some AI specific wiring (I had the gen manual) but nothing matched up. It would start and run if I used the switch ON the generator, but it isn't exactly easy to get to, with having to remove the cover etc and crawl around under the van (barely room). So we just went without, not really a big deal since 99% of the time it is just to run the microwave when we need it. We are driving enough to charge the house battery anyway most of the time.

I'll post up some Petrified Forest pics in the next post.

only 74 miles.

Mark

[Lily&Me]

Looks like a great trip.

That happened to our generator at one point...Doug could only start it by sliding under the Interstate to reach that switch.

I don’t recall what the problem was...maybe the wiring to the switch itself?.. but it was easily fixed.

Maggie

[Lotus54]

Yes, I think the wiring to the remote switch has a problem. the remote switch appears to be ok.

Perhaps I inadvertently pulled a wire apart when I replaced the rear dampers.
Now that I'm home and can better get underneath with all the 'stuff'- I'll check it out. the wire colors didn't match the AI documents, so I really wasn't too certain which went where, but I'm sure it will be a LOT easier at home.

If the Gen switch was accessible without removing the cover, it wouldn't be too bad. But with the spare in the way, plus the leveling jack- it is a bit more challenging to pull up both the locks at the same time to remove the cover. (the remote shut off works fine)

thanks for all the kind comments and PMs.

Mark

[Lotus54]

Day 10

Entered Petrified Forest as soon as the gate opened. Took a leisurely drive up to a pullout that bobbi had looked up. Then parked and did a hike to 'Martha's Butte'. No trail or anything but some vague directions. It wasn't a big deal, we could see the butte after going not too far and I just paid attention where we were going (looking back etc).

It was pretty neat, wasn't too hot or anything and could really see the area better.

After lots of stops through Petrified Forest, we went on up to Mesa Verde.
We were going to go up 191, but there were big storms on that side so took the New Mexico route.

249 miles

Mark

[Lotus54]

one more pic

[Lotus54]

Before I go on to the next day, a couple more Petrified Forest.

[Lotus54]

Day 11

Spent the day at Mesa Verde. Used the van to make the loops- we were going to use the bike for some of it but ended up just using the AI.
Did a tour of 'Balcony House'- many were closed still. It was quite interesting I thought and well worth it. those with fear of exposure will not likely want to do this one. I didn't take any pictures of the tour we did- but I did take some looking 'into' some areas from across canyons.

52 miles.


Mark

[Lotus54]

Last two

[Lotus54]

Day 12

Left Mesa Verde and went to Manitou Springs. bobbi wanted to do the 'Incline'.

I didn't take any pictures of it, but I'll see what I can dig up that she took.
We stayed at an RV park in town and of course VERY crowded. But it was handy for what she wanted to do, I took her on the little bike to where the bus went and then had time for showers and dumping the tanks etc.

I found a picture- you can see the Incline in the background. LOTS of steps and lots of elevation gain.

357 miles

Mark

[Lotus54]

Day 13

I took bobbi to the bus stop- then rode around a bit looking for a hardware store (I wanted to do a little mod on the motorcycle carrier- moving the bike a little). But I couldn't find one. Nice ride through an old town section.

After getting all the 'chores' done I picked her up and we headed East.
Rolled through Kansas and had found a city park about the right distance with AllStays.

Ellis, KS. site is right on the river, almost nobody there this early. Nice little place and we could walk to a mexican place. Although the first one we tried (closer) was closed that day- the other one closer to the freeway was pretty good.

Super friendly people in town- almost everybody waved and said hello.
Nice and quiet, even the train wasn't too bad. We sort of had a running joke about trains and campsites by then.

Only 318 miles.

Mark

[wachuko]

I check daily for updates, lol... enjoying the photos and comments!!

[Lily&Me]

The cliff dwellings are freaking amazing, aren’t they?

If you get a chance to go to Chaco Canyon, I recommend it...and, our little rigs navigate the road in as well as fit into the small campground sites.

Maggie

[Tobbun]

This is a great thread and really appreciate the time you have put into it. Great pictures

[Lotus54]

I didn't have all the camping site pictures (bobbi took most of those).

So here are a few.

1- Plymouth COE

2- Shoshone Wild Horses

3- Echo Canyon

4- Tusayan

[Lotus54]

1 Meteor (getting ready to take the bike to the site)

2 Ellis KS city

[Lotus54]

Day 14

From Ellis KS to Graham Cave State Park in Missouri.

Nice place, big thunder/lighting that eve. Sure glad we were not in a tent!

Power and a dump station (with fresh water)

454 miles

Mark