I finally had the opportunity to road trip out west and see some of the beautiful places others have posted about, so I set off from the north Dallas area to Utah. My route was 287 out of the area to I40 towards Tumcumari NM. If your familiar with that route I won't bore you as there is nothing much out there.
I left about 6am..nice sunrise about 1 hour out.<a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/8A52BAC7-ED77-4875-8FDB-382987DFCBB3_zpsexe0cmjt.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/8A52BAC7-ED77-4875-8FDB-382987DFCBB3_zpsexe0cmjt.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 8A52BAC7-ED77-4875-8FDB-382987DFCBB3_zpsexe0cmjt.jpg"/></a>

440ish miles later arrival to the Blue Swallow Motel in Tumcumari NM. Old route 66. Great motel nicely restored with fellow riders as owners.
<a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/CB8FA887-F3E6-43C8-9EFF-BCD17888571F_zpsabcdgicx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/CB8FA887-F3E6-43C8-9EFF-BCD17888571F_zpsabcdgicx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo CB8FA887-F3E6-43C8-9EFF-BCD17888571F_zpsabcdgicx.jpg"/></a>
The next day I had an early start on to Cortez Colorado for another 400 mile ride. Fairly uneventful ride there, again with an overnight at the Retro Inn..another nice place..

Tuesday I'm off for Moab going 491 from western Colorado to 191 toward Moab.
Who says Colorado is all mountains<a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/90D80AB3-FA89-478B-ABDD-8150DC68BB9C_zpsqs2aamum.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/90D80AB3-FA89-478B-ABDD-8150DC68BB9C_zpsqs2aamum.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 90D80AB3-FA89-478B-ABDD-8150DC68BB9C_zpsqs2aamum.jpg"/></a>
The first arch I see just outside of Moab<a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/370B2F44-01AC-455F-823F-0D4F485ECD31_zpspjflvbqd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/370B2F44-01AC-455F-823F-0D4F485ECD31_zpspjflvbqd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 370B2F44-01AC-455F-823F-0D4F485ECD31_zpspjflvbqd.jpg"/></a>
Finally arrival to Arches National Park <a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/1968A8F2-03AD-428D-8C54-DD3B13DE3DF8_zpswmsqunbr.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/1968A8F2-03AD-428D-8C54-DD3B13DE3DF8_zpswmsqunbr.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1968A8F2-03AD-428D-8C54-DD3B13DE3DF8_zpswmsqunbr.jpg"/></a><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/1CBD3DF7-5484-4DC1-847C-4118638973F5_zpsvyz77mnx.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/1CBD3DF7-5484-4DC1-847C-4118638973F5_zpsvyz77mnx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1CBD3DF7-5484-4DC1-847C-4118638973F5_zpsvyz77mnx.jpg"/></a>
after some photo taking its on to Terry Utah along I70. A major highway but if you have to take one, this is pretty scenic. So I70 to 24 towards Hanksville then 24 east to Torrey, Utah. These pics along 24.<a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/84A13663-45FA-486B-BC7C-7C26211D29C1_zpsnemygjuq.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/84A13663-45FA-486B-BC7C-7C26211D29C1_zpsnemygjuq.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 84A13663-45FA-486B-BC7C-7C26211D29C1_zpsnemygjuq.jpg"/></a>
Up early and retrace a few steps to grab some pics i missed. Ancient petroglyphs<a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/8A956E1E-1975-43C9-BC26-508139BD3E10_zpsuahbki9m.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/8A956E1E-1975-43C9-BC26-508139BD3E10_zpsuahbki9m.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 8A956E1E-1975-43C9-BC26-508139BD3E10_zpsuahbki9m.jpg"/></a><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/2FAAFED3-3589-4468-A064-F7A88B1DB841_zpsfz350i7c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/2FAAFED3-3589-4468-A064-F7A88B1DB841_zpsfz350i7c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2FAAFED3-3589-4468-A064-F7A88B1DB841_zpsfz350i7c.jpg"/></a>
Next down 12 towards Escalante and Bryce Canyon. !2 is an excellent road over and through the mountains. A must ride if you are in the area<a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/A740D79A-AAA9-471A-983C-FD96F3888BA2_zpsyqhocuu6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/A740D79A-AAA9-471A-983C-FD96F3888BA2_zpsyqhocuu6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo A740D79A-AAA9-471A-983C-FD96F3888BA2_zpsyqhocuu6.jpg"/></a><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/268BFAFA-1C3E-4D9D-9026-B437533CAF7E_zpswtkxii0e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/B715FF14-7643-47AF-B8C3-7C19BB8791E7_zpsmqvhnc9j.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/B715FF14-7643-47AF-B8C3-7C19BB8791E7_zpsmqvhnc9j.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo B715FF14-7643-47AF-B8C3-7C19BB8791E7_zpsmqvhnc9j.jpg"/></a>

Next report, The Grand Canyon…Thanks for looking.

 

Beautiful pics. Looking forward to more.

 

Great pics - thanks. Gets me to thinking about a trip out west............

 

Great ride and pics, thanks for sharing it with us

 

A quick finish of my trip..After spending the night in Kanab, AZ i wanted to get an early start for the Grand Canyon North Rim..nice road in good condition but I didn't take any pics. Destination was the Lodge at the North Rim..this was the last day that it was open…Some great views from patio of the Lodge.<a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/637CECFA-A864-40C5-B662-BD065EDE871D_zpsazuxh3c8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/637CECFA-A864-40C5-B662-BD065EDE871D_zpsazuxh3c8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 637CECFA-A864-40C5-B662-BD065EDE871D_zpsazuxh3c8.jpg"/></a><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/BCA76CCD-3D43-4731-A7B9-2F95BED22DA9_zps7hduqaml.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/BCA76CCD-3D43-4731-A7B9-2F95BED22DA9_zps7hduqaml.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo BCA76CCD-3D43-4731-A7B9-2F95BED22DA9_zps7hduqaml.jpg"/></a>

Then down the park road to Cape Royal. Another must do road if you in the area..great views at the end.<a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/4D31D7E6-2C2A-496D-8629-337CAC8E517A_zpsx2nsyfsl.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/4D31D7E6-2C2A-496D-8629-337CAC8E517A_zpsx2nsyfsl.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 4D31D7E6-2C2A-496D-8629-337CAC8E517A_zpsx2nsyfsl.jpg"/></a><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/3048FD1F-BF7E-491A-AC7B-19CCE8AD4F2B_zpsob41ajmf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/3048FD1F-BF7E-491A-AC7B-19CCE8AD4F2B_zpsob41ajmf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 3048FD1F-BF7E-491A-AC7B-19CCE8AD4F2B_zpsob41ajmf.jpg"/></a><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/06114524-865C-4732-B5A7-9152F6DBC578_zpsofwc9ews.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/06114524-865C-4732-B5A7-9152F6DBC578_zpsofwc9ews.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 06114524-865C-4732-B5A7-9152F6DBC578_zpsofwc9ews.jpg"/></a><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/EC499796-B9F1-4127-902D-545B6E23ECCE_zpsptlgerlr.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/EC499796-B9F1-4127-902D-545B6E23ECCE_zpsptlgerlr.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo EC499796-B9F1-4127-902D-545B6E23ECCE_zpsptlgerlr.jpg"/></a>

I left the park after a few hours and wanted to go through Zion National Park. Its a nice park but seemed very crowded..
<a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/AB101B92-D13D-47C7-B9B4-690BF8AE2EAE_zps4or9kjzf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/AB101B92-D13D-47C7-B9B4-690BF8AE2EAE_zps4or9kjzf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo AB101B92-D13D-47C7-B9B4-690BF8AE2EAE_zps4or9kjzf.jpg"/></a><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/940190A1-C42B-4196-BD2D-4530D7A2A273_zpscdebenxy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/940190A1-C42B-4196-BD2D-4530D7A2A273_zpscdebenxy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 940190A1-C42B-4196-BD2D-4530D7A2A273_zpscdebenxy.jpg"/></a>
Then back to Kanab AZ for another overnight. The next day I retraced my route back up 12 then to 24 and then 95 towards Monument Valley. Another great scenic road for motorcycles..view entering Monument Valley..Look familiar? its the place they filmed the running scene in Forest Gump.<a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/94F863A6-4E99-409A-B9AF-D3940D64325B_zpsfkmkcmzf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/94F863A6-4E99-409A-B9AF-D3940D64325B_zpsfkmkcmzf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 94F863A6-4E99-409A-B9AF-D3940D64325B_zpsfkmkcmzf.jpg"/></a><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/66634A6C-FB07-4994-900C-0DA755D16886_zpsw14epdzg.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/66634A6C-FB07-4994-900C-0DA755D16886_zpsw14epdzg.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 66634A6C-FB07-4994-900C-0DA755D16886_zpsw14epdzg.jpg"/></a><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/0018FA0E-66E3-4AEE-8B55-4C6AA02CF579_zpsbyee8m6k.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/0018FA0E-66E3-4AEE-8B55-4C6AA02CF579_zpsbyee8m6k.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0018FA0E-66E3-4AEE-8B55-4C6AA02CF579_zpsbyee8m6k.jpg"/></a>

Four Corners is next..I was expecting more but it was still king of cool.<a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/50A05A4B-16EC-4ABE-812A-2AA5CD0114AA_zpsl4bgvybi.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/50A05A4B-16EC-4ABE-812A-2AA5CD0114AA_zpsl4bgvybi.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 50A05A4B-16EC-4ABE-812A-2AA5CD0114AA_zpsl4bgvybi.jpg"/></a><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/13A22A69-E944-4D61-8941-8568F27EEDE3_zpstlmcj7mg.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/13A22A69-E944-4D61-8941-8568F27EEDE3_zpstlmcj7mg.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 13A22A69-E944-4D61-8941-8568F27EEDE3_zpstlmcj7mg.jpg"/></a>
Another overnight back in Cortez,CO then the trip home…whats left of the town of Cuervo, NM<a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/0319C8D2-32B4-4276-86DE-D723C2B33A14_zpsryxsizgl.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/0319C8D2-32B4-4276-86DE-D723C2B33A14_zpsryxsizgl.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 0319C8D2-32B4-4276-86DE-D723C2B33A14_zpsryxsizgl.jpg"/></a><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/B7C1D87F-2032-42CA-8EFD-86205D62DB14_zpswkvoxqrm.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/B7C1D87F-2032-42CA-8EFD-86205D62DB14_zpswkvoxqrm.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo B7C1D87F-2032-42CA-8EFD-86205D62DB14_zpswkvoxqrm.jpg"/></a><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/E05DE5DC-2AAD-4B75-AA19-C9613F8AE6AC_zps6kzxz7ey.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/E05DE5DC-2AAD-4B75-AA19-C9613F8AE6AC_zps6kzxz7ey.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo E05DE5DC-2AAD-4B75-AA19-C9613F8AE6AC_zps6kzxz7ey.jpg"/></a><a href="http://s1136.photobucket.com/user/westernAero/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/D0D76B42-1BB2-484F-A6DA-C596CA3C27EE_zpsrgkh7war.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n484/westernAero/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-10/D0D76B42-1BB2-484F-A6DA-C596CA3C27EE_zpsrgkh7war.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo D0D76B42-1BB2-484F-A6DA-C596CA3C27EE_zpsrgkh7war.jpg"/></a>
All together 3,400 miles, 8 days and a couple hundred pictures..I highly recommend this part of the country if your looking for a road trip.

Thanks for looking.

 

Thanks for sharing, great pics.

 

Great Pixs for sure...Thanks for sharing. My GF and I was out there on a HD Rental way back Spring 2010. Tons of memories though.


Thorey

 

Great pictures, thanks for sharing.

 

Great pics and write up. Thanks for sharing.

 

What do you think was the "Highlight" of the trip? Did any particular place seem to demand a return trip, or was there a place where you particularly wished you could have stayed longer?

North Rim of the Canyon is easily in the top 3 of my destinations in having toured 15 states. I camped in the Forest Service camp ground in DeMott Meadows and made daily rides to the rim. Could only stay a week in 2011. Went back in 2014 and stayed a month. Never got enough, hope to see it again in 2016. It changes season by season, day by day, hour by hour according to the weather and the angle of the sun.

I think the picture showing your boots overlooks a trail the Ancient Ones used in seasonal migrations from the River to the Rim. Packed everybody up that cliff in the spring to grow corn on the rim, then back down in the Fall to escape the cold. Did you notice the interpretive display on the rim? Those people were some kinda tough!