Questor goes on a National Parks tour

Greetings everyone.

After years of dreaming of it, I'm finally going to do it.
After years of planning, obsessive research, and many smaller journeys, I'm going on a trip that I have long dreamed of doing.

For the past five or six years, I have dreamed of just packing up the stuff I need, and just hitting the road on the motorcycle. In the past year or so, I started making the necessary changes in my life that would enable me to do this, and it's all comming together.

I've done lots of research and came up with a list of National Parks, National Monuments, and State Parks I would like to see. (There's also a planned visit to a Titan Missile Base in AZ. and you all know how much I like Missile Silos. )

I've got routes for all the National Scenic Byways and Highways, like Bighorn Pass, programmed into the GPS and I'll try and ride them as well.

I've updated all my Garmin software, and got my hands on all the paper maps I could need. (Thanks Rider_grrl. )
I've added all the State Parks and KOA that lie near my route, and I have taken advantage of the "Tent Space List".
My poor GPS is stuffed.

This trip will be done on a tight budget.
I've got a set amount of $$$, and the more frugal I am, the longer I can stay on the road. I have no calendar end date set. (In the past I had a tight schedule to ahdhere to, and that limited the travel experience. This time I don't and I believe that will make a huge difference in terms of how this trip unfolds.)

The Garmin GPS says the loop is 10,000 miles.
I'm guessing the trip will take 4 to 6 weeks.

My approximate route looks like this.


EDIT (10-16-08) Here's a picture of the actual route I rode.
The additional sections into British Columbia and Idaho were worth it.


I'll do my best to keep an active Ride Report, but I plan to spend most nights camping to to save money, and as such I will probably not have Internet every evening. But I'll do my ADVrider best.

I leave tomorrow early am and ride from NW CT, to Huntsburg OH, (500 miles) where I've got a Tent Space set up with muddyrabbit. Thanks muddyrabbit . The next night I'm staying with a friend in Elgin, Il. (Another 500 miles day). Then onto the Badlands and Devils tower area.

By Sept 9th, I should be in Bozeman MT. After that I'll head up to Glacier NP, and try to ride the Highway to the Sun before they close it for repairs on the 15th.
After that, I'll head south to see my aunt in Colrado.

It would be great to meet some fellow ADV folks along the way.
Any local knowledge of my route would also be appreciated.

Wish me luck.
Q~

Take lots of pics of the missile silos for me, Q!

--mark

I was going to try and stop at the Minuteman Missile NP in SD, but they closed on Sept. 1st.

Oh well, the minute man sites were small. I want to see the HUGE Titan complex!

Stay tuned.
Q~

Ride safe bro -

Take lots of pictures for us "unable to toss it all in" types.......


Sounds like a friggin great trip!

Good luck! We'll be watching!!



.

Hey MZ.

Thanks for checking in.
Knowing me, this will be an epic trip....

I'll keep you in mind when it's "strange picture" time.

Q~

Of course GB.
I've been trained by the best!

Q~

Ahhh…the night before an adventure. It’s 11:30 where I am in the western side which would make it around 2: 30 on your side…and I imagine ( if you’re anything like me) that you are wide awake praying for sleep. I never sleep the night before so I’m assuming that you are having the same challenge.
I’m all ears on this one…looks really interesting so please stay in touch, be safe and pursue the vision.
BTW…I’ll be riding through eastern Colorado between Mesa Verde NP, Durango and Telluride on the 16<SUP>th</SUP> through the 18<SUP>th</SUP> this month. I’m not leaving SoCal till the 15<SUP>th</SUP>. Planning on camping at Morefield campground at the entrance to Mesa Verde. Let me know if you’re going to be in the area and I’ll buy you a beer.

that is good to know as I am leaving on the 8th and Minuteman missile NP was my list. good luck on your jouney.

Approximate route looks fantastic. Best of luck for your journey.
I will be following this thread with pleasure.

I hope lots of eye candy to follow. I'm watching.

Ride hard, ride safe!

According to this site they're still open.
http://www.nps.gov/mimi/index.htm

Hello all.

The first day was all Interstate from CT to Huntsburg, OH.
Not much to see in terms of scenery, but I did get some good distance under my belt.
Total miles 497. Moving average 57.6 Total travel time 10:02 Stopped 1hr 24min.

I saw a lot of this...


And camp that night looked like this.



Thanks for the campsite "muddyrabbit" .
I guess the highlight of the day was talking to the Amish folk who I met at a gas station. It was tough explaining to them about the trip, since I did not know how "modern" a life they were living, but they were quite inquisitive, and they liked the GS!

Day 2:
I was up at 5:00 and on the road by 5:30. It was still dark when I woke up but I wanted to get past Cleveland OH before the morning rush, and get to my friends place near Chicago before the evening rush hour.

I made it to his place by 2:00pm. A quick shower and I was ready to be social.

Stats for the day:
465 miles, moving average 60.6 mph. Moving time 7:41. Stopped for 36 minutes.

So that's my update, I'm now going to hang out with my friends...

More to come...
Q~

I'll definitely keep that in mind, it would be great to hook up.
Q~

OH MY GOD!!!
You're right.
But unfortunately they are closed on weekends. I'll be driving by on Sunday.
Sad for me.

Perhaps I'll stop by anyway and try and get a private tour. I'll be camping nearby so it's worth a try.
Q~

it time/money get tight, dump the arizona portion of the trip...especially in the summer......imo.....Bruce

Hey, look at me I'm posting and not just lurking! I'm being social!

Never mind my medication issues...

Questor showed up at my house today. Looking for room, board, and beer.

Dude!
We're subscribed... 'tho we won't be able to catch up reading 'till we return from MobiusII. It would be so funny if we randomly crossed paths with you in CO or UT.

We're still doing the 2-week-at-a-time trips.

Happy trails! (is that whale still with you? We're escorting a small rabbit on this one)

Francine says "Hi"