My First Overnight Motorcycle Trip

My First Over Night Road Trip

Over the Labor Day Weekend the 55^th Birthday was experienced while on the road during the first overnight motorcycle road trip. The excursion was from the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex to the Palo Duro Canyon. The solo round trip was approximately 1000 Mi.

There were two things that were distinctly different experiences on this trip. The first was that there was no place to be at any given time. There was no tight schedule. The wrist watch was left on the counter at home. Secondly, upon entering Texas roads west of the Metroplex there were stretches of road where there was no one in sight from the front nor the rear view mirrors. For a city dweller this was a very unusual experience.

As far as you can see not another person or vehicle

The goal was to tour the Palo Duro Canyon and see first hand the Hoo Doo formations. This trip was planned 2 years earlier but the old Honda broke down. The next year wasn't time to make the trip (How can this be?) but the 22 year old Honda was replaced with a new Sportster. This year the Harley made the trip without incident. Though the Sportster isn't a touring bike, it gave an excellent performance on this excursion.

The Route: Leave the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex via 114 West. At Seymore join up to 82 West. Travel to Dickens & take 70 North. 86 West was picked up at Turkey. Lastly taking 27 North from Tulia to Amarillo. Since there was plenty of time and nowhere to be, time was devoted to looking over the historical markers that line the road less traveled and to stretch the back and legs.

Most of the Historical Markers were about towns that had flourished and then met their demise when the depression hit and the trains stopped. There were a few about the Comanche Exodus which piqued interest and deserve to be studied in more depth. The markers are about people's lives and how they were forever changed.

When going through Olney there was a banner advertising it as the home of the “One Armed Dove Hunt”. Since 1972 the town of Olney has events during September for people who have either one or no arms/hands. Activities include a Dove Hunt in addition to skeet shooting, etc. Also, companies that make prosthetic and orthotic appliances are there to show off their latest innovations. Check out the link at http://www.onearmdovehunt.com/. Participants from around the world have come to Olney for this event.

On Friday the goal of visiting the Palo Duro Canyon State Park was achieved but was cut short by high water at water crossing #2. Only a third of the park was reachable on a road bike. Upon returning to Amarillo an enjoyable evening meal was obtained at the Big Texan Steak House where if you eat a 72 oz (that's 4.5 lb.) steak in 1 hour you get it for free. Of course it would be sacrilege to visit Amarillo and not stop by the Cadillac Ranch on the West edge of Amarillo.

The Palo Duro Canyon from the top. 230 Million years in the making.

Palo Duro Canyon down in the Park (One of the small Hoo Doos)

Palo Duro Canyon – Water Crossing #2 – Too Deep for me and the Sporty

The Cadillac Ranch (an example of “If You Build It They Will Come”).
There was a constant flow of people stopping by to see this no cost attraction

Historic Route 66 passes right through Amarillo. This was a requisite to take a ride on since this road had such a significant part to play in Americana History being the path from Chicago to Los Angels during the dust bowl and the depression years. It was a bit of a let down though as the expectation was for some retro restaurants or something to that effect. Rather it was antique stores and a few restaurants.

The plan was to return to the Metroplex on Saturday but upon waking rain was observed stretching from Amarillo to the Metroplex as the chances of rain had gone from 10% to 80%. The plan was altered and another day in the motel was the course of action.

Sunday it wasn't raining but it was only 50 degrees (note: it will snow in the panhandle during the month of October). The Sporty was loaded up and pointed home. Three minutes down the road it started to rain and continued for the next 7 hours of the return trip. This resulted in the road most traveled and the shortest route home (287) being the route of choice. Time was not devoted to reviewing historical markers or landscape. It was a cold and wet ride. The riding equipment consisted of a half helmet, riding glasses, gloves, blue jeans and a leather riding jacket. But then, the forecast was for a 10% chance of rain.

Conclusion: The ride was enjoyable till the return home. However, the ride home is part of the trip that will make it unforgettable. A better time of year to make this trip would have been to go earlier in the summer when there was a lower chance for rain in the Amarillo area. That way the entire park could have been enjoyed. Also, there are more activities when the college students are around to staff them. This isn't the last trip. Not much time will be spent planning the trip and the conditions at the moment will decide the route.

Wayne Hughes

Plano TX.

	My First Over Night Road Trip Over the Labor Day Weekend the 55^th Birthday was experienced while on the road during the first overnight motorcycle road trip. The excursion was from the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex to the Palo Duro Canyon. The solo round trip was approximately 1000 Mi. There were two things that were distinctly different experiences on this trip. The first was that there was no place to be at any given time. There was no tight schedule. The wrist watch was left on the counter at home. Secondly, upon entering Texas roads west of the Metroplex there were stretches of road where there was no one in sight from the front nor the rear view mirrors. For a city dweller this was a very unusual experience.

	As far as you can see not another person or vehicle

	The goal was to tour the Palo Duro Canyon and see first hand the Hoo Doo formations. This trip was planned 2 years earlier but the old Honda broke down. The next year wasn't time to make the trip (How can this be?) but the 22 year old Honda was replaced with a new Sportster. This year the Harley made the trip without incident. Though the Sportster isn't a touring bike, it gave an excellent performance on this excursion. The Route: Leave the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex via 114 West. At Seymore join up to 82 West. Travel to Dickens & take 70 North. 86 West was picked up at Turkey. Lastly taking 27 North from Tulia to Amarillo. Since there was plenty of time and nowhere to be, time was devoted to looking over the historical markers that line the road less traveled and to stretch the back and legs. Most of the Historical Markers were about towns that had flourished and then met their demise when the depression hit and the trains stopped. There were a few about the Comanche Exodus which piqued interest and deserve to be studied in more depth. The markers are about people's lives and how they were forever changed. When going through Olney there was a banner advertising it as the home of the “One Armed Dove Hunt”. Since 1972 the town of Olney has events during September for people who have either one or no arms/hands. Activities include a Dove Hunt in addition to skeet shooting, etc. Also, companies that make prosthetic and orthotic appliances are there to show off their latest innovations. Check out the link at http://www.onearmdovehunt.com/. Participants from around the world have come to Olney for this event. On Friday the goal of visiting the Palo Duro Canyon State Park was achieved but was cut short by high water at water crossing #2. Only a third of the park was reachable on a road bike. Upon returning to Amarillo an enjoyable evening meal was obtained at the Big Texan Steak House where if you eat a 72 oz (that's 4.5 lb.) steak in 1 hour you get it for free. Of course it would be sacrilege to visit Amarillo and not stop by the Cadillac Ranch on the West edge of Amarillo.

	The Palo Duro Canyon from the top. 230 Million years in the making.

	Palo Duro Canyon down in the Park (One of the small Hoo Doos)

	Palo Duro Canyon – Water Crossing #2 – Too Deep for me and the Sporty

	The Cadillac Ranch (an example of “If You Build It They Will Come”). There was a constant flow of people stopping by to see this no cost attraction

	Historic Route 66 passes right through Amarillo. This was a requisite to take a ride on since this road had such a significant part to play in Americana History being the path from Chicago to Los Angels during the dust bowl and the depression years. It was a bit of a let down though as the expectation was for some retro restaurants or something to that effect. Rather it was antique stores and a few restaurants. The plan was to return to the Metroplex on Saturday but upon waking rain was observed stretching from Amarillo to the Metroplex as the chances of rain had gone from 10% to 80%. The plan was altered and another day in the motel was the course of action. Sunday it wasn't raining but it was only 50 degrees (note: it will snow in the panhandle during the month of October). The Sporty was loaded up and pointed home. Three minutes down the road it started to rain and continued for the next 7 hours of the return trip. This resulted in the road most traveled and the shortest route home (287) being the route of choice. Time was not devoted to reviewing historical markers or landscape. It was a cold and wet ride. The riding equipment consisted of a half helmet, riding glasses, gloves, blue jeans and a leather riding jacket. But then, the forecast was for a 10% chance of rain. Conclusion: The ride was enjoyable till the return home. However, the ride home is part of the trip that will make it unforgettable. A better time of year to make this trip would have been to go earlier in the summer when there was a lower chance for rain in the Amarillo area. That way the entire park could have been enjoyed. Also, there are more activities when the college students are around to staff them. This isn't the last trip. Not much time will be spent planning the trip and the conditions at the moment will decide the route.

	Wayne Hughes Plano TX.