Along The Road to InZane...

[DDT (12)]

We rode on from Payson, AZ, up through Strawberry, over the hump, and down the western slope towards Camp Verde… Took more photos on this leg of the journey… Then, it was on to Jerome, Seligman, and ultimately Kingman.

Arizona is greener than usual this time... must be because of all that rain we've been dodging!

The mountain near Flagstaff viewed from just east of Camp Verde...

View from the overlook just above Jerome on US 89A...

Anybody remember these? Along Route 66 east of Seligman…

Seligman and time for a hot dog & glass of lemonade...
take me to a gas station near me

wells fargo bank atm near me

Motel in Kingman...

Quaint, huh... We're with Bugs...
huntington bank branch near me

While in Kingman, Dirty Dan paid us a social visit, and we once again heard about Oatman, AZ. An old mining town up in the hills reportedly with lots of donkeys milling about. It has even been reported that a real donkey is actually mayor of this town! Some might argue that all towns have asses for elected office holders, so… This one apparently has made it official.

I’d heard of this town for years, and I’d even seen something on TV about it once upon a time… However, I’d never known where it was, consequently I’d never been there… Time for that to change! Turns out it is only about 25 miles from Kingman, so Jerry happily agreed to yet another change in our plans to include that must-see location…

We only saw one donkey on the whole ride… and that a mile or so before arrival at our target destination. Funny, that critter stood motionless and waited patiently for Jerry to get stopped and fumble around getting his camera out and ready… Just before Jerry could snap the shot, though, the donkey then dropped over a bank and disappeared! Fickle? Camera-shy? Contrary? Ornery? Elected official?

We enjoyed breakfast at a delightful restaurant in town, then wandered around taking some pics of various oddities… Naturally, we took a few shots on the way there, too…

give me directions to the nearest petrol station
the nearest shell gas station








Following a visit to Oatman, we made a beeline towards St. George, UT, our destination for the next four nights of rest, laundry, and grilled steak! We chose a route around Lake Meade that allowed us to avoid Las Vegas and a delay picking up I-15… Nice, scenic ride, too… We had to race the rain on this leg, however, and we did have a couple of close calls!



Seemed every time we’d pull into an overlook, a couple of other vehicles would follow us in… Nope, no relief opportunities at all! Few pics either as a result… The ride on I-15 through a canyon was unbelievably beautiful and scenic! No pull-offs for photos, though, and traffic was rather heavy through there… Try to close your eyes and visualize towering, sharp, sheer, colorful cliffs, a winding stretch of Interstate highway following a
river flowing beside it… Sorry, the best I can do…

We found the house I’d rented through AirB&B, and we settled in for a nice, relaxing pause in our trek…

No, photography ain’t my strong suit… I haven’t quit my day job!!!

where is the closest gas station from my current location



Early morning view from our patio…
what are other duties of a forensic anthropologist

Same view at midday…


From St. George, we rode to Zion NP…

td bank by me
key bank open near me



The incredible ride up SR 12…


The incomparable Bryce NP…





More SR 12…


Capital Reef NP



SR 24

boa near me


Jerry rode through Arches NP, but I didn’t… I’d seen it before, so I chose to lay low that day… Perhaps he’ll share some of his pics of that experience. We then rode on to Mesa Verde NP.

We didn’t actually visit any of the cliff dwellings (I’ve seen them on previous visits, Jerry didn’t feel up to it that day). We did get to view some sites on the way in & out…


mobil petrol station locations

bp diesel station locator


Valkorado joined Jerry and me for breakfast and a guided tour of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
what does a forensic anthropologist do on a daily basis
find a chevron near me



e85 locator map

Seth and his partner, Cheryl, later took Jerry and me to dinner in Gunnison… During our meal, he mentioned Crested Butte, CO… a place I’d never heard of. Well, what else was there to do but… change our plans yet again and go there the following day! Saw a dragon up there, too!


Lake City ride… Met-up with an old friend at the overlook for the headwaters of the Rio Grande River… Britman!



The Million Dollar Highway.





Breakfast stop in Silverton.


Oooo Ouray!


Two nights in Chama for more decompression, then… on to IZ!
nearest santander bank

Troutdude & Waterbug presented me with a suitable beverage with which to toast our journey… Bacon Soda!

eastern bank atm locations

DDT

[..]

That orange jacket is very ORANGE! 

[The emperor has no clothes]

YeeHaw ! Most superb report 

[DirtyDan]

Bruce pictures are looking GREAT !!!

 

Dan

[SCain]

Outstanding Ride Report 

[Skinhead]

SR 12.  One of my favorites!

[Reb]

Ya'll are becoming skilled with them there photo taking contraptions 

[msb]

A lot of Great photos here, don't know what yer talkin' about...although it is pretty difficult to take a bad photo of a Valkytie or some of that spectatualr scenery you've been through. I recall in the movie World's Fasted Indian those Burma Shave signs....I guess they are real Outstanding post (and photos) and as usual a must read. Love riding through those little old towns...

[Hook#3287]

No, photography ain’t my strong suit…

I wouldn't say that at all!

Some most excellent shots and great report. 

[Oss]

That road up to Jerome is sure pretty as is 89A north of Sedona.  Hiking Sedona took us the better part of a week but all fun..

Did y'all walk around Jerome at all?  Lots of interesting art and crafts of a unique nature can be found there.

Also that road from St George to Vegas has some really nice sweepers  I put someone's video on my blog when I went thru in 2014 as well as one of 12 in zion.  The little road that runs ALONG the river is not 12 but it leads to the end of the civilized world and you can only see the giants from there  Hope you got to show Jerry those beauties this trip
If not there is always next year

Loved the report  I am gettin spoiled between you and Mike

and jonesing for another long trip out west

Thanks Bruce

[threevalks]

Bruce,
        Jane and I have been to Oatman twice, first time only a few donkeys on the way in, second time there were several in town. If you get there before the shops open you're too early, they don't show up for work until work time. Jane has a video of herself feeding granola bars to several of them. Ain't no way I can figure how to get the video from her phone to here. She'll just have to show you, next time we meet.

[Valkorado]

Great report and photos Bruce!   I got a chuckle out of Delgadillo's Snow Cap,  home of Cheeseburgers With Cheese!   Speaking of food,  I was so impressed with their 7 buck breakfast I convinced Cheryl and rode back to Zack's the following weekend to sample their lunch BBQ.  It reminded me why God gave us shredding teeth.  I am becoming familiar with the Hotchkiss metropolitan, and was able to navigate through the labyrinth back to Hwy.  92 without GPS consultation!    

BTW,  that's the same place we stayed at in Chama.   We are planning going on going back in July and riding around that loop,  and maybe spend an evening in Eagles Nest again.

[Bigwolf]

Most excellent ride report Bruce!  I am going to take some time compiling my photos and videos before posting.  Right now there are honey do’s and 2 family reunions to tend to.