DevCon Day 03

Got an early start for a change, Had a terrible breakfast at the hotel. My 30 liter bag was hard to close I'm going to have to lose a few thing.

The weather was great this morning nice and cool ride and not a cloud in the sky.

I headed West on Hwy 302 out of Odessa Texas, turned left on Hwy 285 and right on Farm Market Road 652 for the next 40 mile I was the only one on that road.

I turned left on to Hwy 180 to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. I did a couple of miles of hiking in McKittrick Canyon area and then stopped by the visitors center.

I did not see one gas pump since I left Odessa Texas this morning and after exploring Guadalupe Mountains National Park I was started to run on fumes. Found a gas station near Salt Flats, Texas (26 miles west of the park) just in time. I filled up with almost 6 gallons.

I stopped for lunch at May's Cafe in Cornudas, Texas, it's in the middle of nowhere and it's a great place to get a good cheeseburger.

I continued on Hwy 180 West, turned Right on Hwy 375 to Franklin Mountains State Park to take a few photos

After a few miles on Hwy 80, I hopped on Hwy I-10. I pull over at Deming, New Mexico, in a Mac Donald's to take a break, checking email, and have a soda while the rain passes by.

Stopped for dinner at Kranberry's Family Restaurant in Lordsburg New Mexico. This is my third time here and it's always been good.

I Cross the Arizona state line at about 450 mile and pulled off at Bowie, Arizona and turned South on Apache Pass Rd to see the Fort Bowie National Historic Site. I did not make it to the site, after 20 mile the pavement ended and it was getting dark, so I chose not to ride on the gravel/dirt road in the dark heading back to I-10.

However I had a great time riding on Apache Pass Rd. The weather was great and I got some great photos.

By the time I got back to Bowie, Arizona it was dark, I hopped back on to Hwy I-10 to Wilcox, Arizona and booked a room at the Motel 6.

About five years ago I broke down here in Wilcox, Arizona and had my motorcycle (Yamaha Venture) towed to Tucson Arizona.

I stayed on I-10 so I could get in 500 to 600 miles today to get a little ahead of schedule, I actual hit my goal at 545.7 miles.

Photos • Route • Spot

DevCon Day 05

Had a late breakfast at the Hotel and headed over to check out the Heart Attack Grill, I was there way to early eat, but next time I'm here I'll have to have lunch.

A couple of block back towards Hwy I-10 was Chandler Harley Davidson, I stopped there to check out the new 2011 Road Glide Ultra. Very cool bike and no I'm not buying one anytime soon.

I stopped for lunch in Goodyear Arizona at Bill Johnson's Big Apple, what a great lunch, I had the Bison melt.

I continued on Hwy I-10, I had to stop for gas at Quartzsite, Arizona. The pumps were down for about 45 min, the next service station was 40 miles away West and 60 miles East, I could have continue West but was not sure I could make it to the next service station. Better safe that stranded.

After crossing the check point at the California state line I continued on Hwy I-10 and turned North on Cottonwood Spring Rd and entered the South Entrance of the Joshua Tree National Park. By the time I got there the Visitors Center, it was closed, but the park was open.

When I left Phoenix Arizona it was 115˚ and the closer I got to the California state line it was 120˚ and when I arrive at the Visitors Center at Joshua Tree National Park the Temperature had went down to 101˚, the funny thing is that 101˚ felt good.

After driving through, hiking, & photographing at Joshua Tree National Park I stopped for dinner in 29 Palms, California for dinner at the 29 Palms Inn. Had a great steak there at the bar and met some great local people there. The 29 Palms Inn had no rooms left (I really wanted to stay there) so I booked a hotel room an hour away at the Courtyard Marriott in Palm Desert, California.

By the time I got to the Courtyard Marriott it was dark.

After soaking in the hot tub I called it a night!

Photos • Route • Spot

DevCon Day 02

Left out of Burnet Texas later than I planned and it was already getting hot at 10 AM.

I head West on Hwy 29 To Llano Texas, I have done this road many times and it always a joy to ride. At Llano I turned North on Hwy 71 to Brady Texas. Even though it was hot, it was a gorgeous day. Blue skies with pure white pillow clouds everywhere.

At Brady Texas I hopped on Hwy 87 North To San Angelo Texas for lunch at Fuentes The stuff chicken salad was great!

I continued on Hwy 87 to Sterling City Texas and turned West on Hwy 185. I had to stop and a couple time because of construction.

The closer I got to Midland Texas the threat of rain was coming, surprisingly I skirted around the storms with only a few sprinkles of rain.

When I got to Odessa Texas I called it quits for the day and Reserved a room at the Marriott Towneplace Suite and had dinner.

Photos • Route • Spot

Center Of Texas

In Eden Texas their welcome sign stated they were "The Center Of Texas" and In Brady Texas a marble marker on the courthouse lawn states "The Center Of Texas".

So which is true?

http://www.tpwmagazine.com/archive/2006/feb/threedays/

DevCon Day 01

After my appointment this morning and lunch at Rudy's BBQ, I started my trip to the West Coast.

I rode on Hwy. 290 all the way to Austin Texas, I stop at Napalm Motorsports to take a gander at what they had. They had lots of Victory motorcycle and more Victory accessories than any other Victory shop I seen so far. I was not going to buy anything, but I ended up buying a cool T-Shirt.

I continued on to Ranch Road 1431 through the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge and found a great road "Cow Creek Road", it's a great scenic ride.

After riding and taking photos in Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge I mad my way over to Burnet Texas.

I had dinner at the Highlander Inn (Very Good Ribeye) and booked a room at the Best Western for the night.

Photos • Route • Spot • Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge

Big Trip Starts Tuesday!

Headed to San Diego, CA through New Mexico & Arizona for the FileMaker Conference (Database Stuff). Then I'll head up through California to Oregon & Head back to Texas Through Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, & Colorado.

I will be leaving this Tuesday August 10th and returning to Houston at the end of the month.

Crystal (My Daughter) will be joining me in Medford Oregon and I'll drop her off in Ft. Worth on the way to Houston.

I'll post maps later and updates here during my trip.

Follow me here everyday starting Tuesday:
http://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=1cd24c5f7aa0a867b

Packing

I started packing for my trip yesterday and finish up today.

I'll load up the motorcycle tomorrow evening.