Kalifornia or bust (on a KLR)

Too much riding, visiting and chatting with folks, owe updates!

Before leaving SC, BBQ and a visit with my friend Jane. SC BBQ is second to none, and I eat BBQ all over North America.



I originally went east to head west, i finally headed west.

I always enjoy finding on deserted back roads an apocalyptic service station. We are now in Mississippi, the klr is amazing me.






Arrive in Philadelphia MS, visit a general store. They sell everything from animal feed to Ralph Lauren clothes to fresh meats and groceries to horse saddles to Justin boots.



Fresh slab bacon right out of the slaughterhouse



Women's Columbia brand threads



Horse and tack



Remember the theater on the movie "Mississippi Burning" the FBI set up so in?... this happens to be that old theater.



OK I arrive at cousins property and as promised she left the fare unlocked. My excuse to spending hours on her fire break trails is in looking for the perfect spot to pitch camp. Deep down I know I'll be throwing the sleeping bag in the little cabin.



The little cabin.



Leave for another 500 mile day, head to Dallas. Of course I have to do in Monroe, Louisiana steer being tipped off about a cabin joint. Chatted with locals and ate the best seafood gumbo ever with shrimp, crab, and crawdad tails. I added the saltines.



Onward to Dallas and arrive. First stop i noticed they sell unique brand wine and wine bottle holders.



Wow TX brisket is second to none, and Cajun and brisket in the same day? Thanks klr. Now i remember last time i was on Dallas. Bonedaddy's House Of Smoke.

Made new TX friends here tonight



Then ate this HUGE fresh jalapeño, plus the sliced brisket and pulled pork. Just friggin' wow. The fried okra was all that too.



Eat here when in Dallas.



Now, is quite the challenge to haul all this camping gear into a hotel! Its just too late to figure out a campsite tonight. Tomorrow I'll meet the Dallas BMW group for breakfast, then head west.




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Oops double post deleted

Something in the blood just makes me read all KLR stories. Have fun guy, looks like you're off to a good start.

As a fellow KLR owner, I'm jellous of your trip. As a professional firefighter I'm envious of your father's retro fire engine. As a man, I'm pissed you are hanging out with beautiful "new Texas friends" and I'm not partaking. Enjoy the journey.

Subscribed indeed.

I hear ya...

Thanks guys and wow firefighter, thanks for doing what you do!


693 miles on the klr today! 35 degrees when I arrived here on the Nm/Az border at Gallup, NM, glad i wired the bike for heated gear.I'd have done a lot more but I got a late start because I met up with the Dallas BMW Club. A guy had same jacket as me with size 34Long Gortex pants that didn't fit him. We made a deal and I was going through TX anyway. Got invited to their shindig meet and scheduled trip for it.


We looked like nerds in the same Klim jackets? That's his KTM 690. Was a great time with Joel and his crew.



Just what I needed, more cargo. No room so I just strapped the britches on.




There were a whole lot more bikes than this pic, my klr being the only Japanese type.



I rode a bit on famous rural Highway 66 in New Mexico, didn't take many pics but an old abandoned gas station from back in the day that hwy was active appeared apocalyptic, and I like zombie gas stations. This one had a wooden roof.




I been slabbing it and visiting folks. Now that I'm out west it's game on starting with dice and meeting friends in Vegas then the real fun starts for the next few weeks, off roading/rural roading/ camping and some sport touring miles

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Glad to see somethings don't change Philadelphia, Ms looks much the same as it did the 30 years or so when I was last there. This ride reports making me hungry.

Yes Sir, but there has been a lot of growth in town due to the casinos and new hotels.

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Left this morning Vegas bound. I was on the nm/az border and man wow it was nice at the edge of the desert. I so miss living in AZ



Long story short got to Vegas after another LONG ride. talked to the last at Starbucks, explained I need a room unlike most in this town. i need to park the bike in front to easily unload.She phoned a friend and I got a suit for 39 a night local rate, and a card waiting good for 9.95 all u can eat prime rib buffet there. Geez I owe her a favor I didn't realize how she had hooked me up with that call till I got checked in and saw it. My door is behind the bike, 1st floor as requested



Of course I jump on the buffet after a long shower



Then none of the desserts on the buffet appeal to me and I ask the sweet lady if she can help. I requested cheese cake with strawberry pie filling and fresh strawberries on top, with extra cool whip or such. Geez she fixed me a nice one!



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Welcome to Vegas

Thank you sir!

Needed a rear tire and our friend Jason is affiliated with a tire shop in Vegas. He gave me an incredible deal on a rear tire and oil change, and his mechanic threw in chain service, air filter clean, and a list of other stuff and I left a tip.

They have quite a few dirt bike tires in stock



They installed this for me



GEEZ Jason and his friend Fred turned me on to some locals food that was unreal while my bike was being serviced. Flakiest burrito I've ever had. Fortunately it was huge because I couldn't stop eating.



The tire made the bike look dirty it was so clean. Problem solved here.



Jason had me over and I met his wonderful family. Also rode one of the his bikes, a 20 year old 1200GS BMW! So so smooth....



Night comes and as usual everyone gives the Klr the VIP parking



I was going to take a few days break in Vegas after eating so many miles. I can't sit still so I'm heading on to Sedona, Chloride, and Jerome Az then back to Vegas the night before we go to Death Valley/Gold Point.

I had planned on a few down days in Vegas after a ride across the country but Jason gave me some tips on places to see such as murals in Chloride, and a ghost town and such.

Chloride had painted rock murals that phone pics do no justice but here are a couple





This is a WTH as a front yard ornament in Chloride!? The skeletal part is real skeleton and it has a helmet on




The desert was incredible and beautiful to ride in. After all these years I still wonder why I moved from AZ







This sign lies, LIES I tell yah lol! The unpaved road was so sweet I got the klr faster on it than I ever got it on the freeway! I suspect the locals kept it plowed smooth.



Then I ate some road miles and went to Jerome, Cottonwood, and Sedona. The mountain twisties were AMAZING. And so was the desert. Here is looking in front of the klr approaching Sedona



Ended up dark and in Flagstaff. Tomorrow Vegas again, Thursday Death Valley!

Keep it up. Nice report. Fun following along.

Thanks!

So I'm out in the middle of nowhere, haven't seen a human in forever. Taking a break, a train stops. Weird, we wave and I leave



I eat



Find some serious curves



And even better sweepers



Oatman, AZ, gold mining town is OK to this day for your donkeys to be on the streets



I ride in some creek beds. All I will say is after these pics a creek bed humbled me. Bike and I are fine





400 mile day, sun setting, time to roll back to Vegas for the night. Next I'm California bound!

It was great riding with you Steve. I'm still on a post-rally/vacation High, haven't had this much fun in a long time.
Enjoy your travels, ride safe & post some updates man!

Thanks for all the help great riding with you too and can't wait to do it again sometime!

I've been too busy to update this report but will soon, talk with you later

Steve,
Your enthusiasm and great attitude made the weekend at Gold Point. Hope the rest of your trip goes great.



Rob,

+1 Yeah, what Rob said !