Great trip HOME.........

We departed North Ranch near Congress, AZ. Tuesday morning about 8:30. It was a beautiful day and we hoped we had our new home all "summerized" and everything was in order. I must say, it looked so nice I kinda hated to leave.

Here we are getting all loaded up and ready to go. When we got back from Tucson all of our Oleanders were in full bloom. They were beautiful.

Here it is after we pulled out, Ms Pat is putting the finishing touches on raking the yard.......

Before, we always hooked up our "Toad" in front of our X neighbors place up by our old lot.  So we told Paul and Nancy that for old times sake, we would hook up there before we headed out.   After our goodbye's, hugs and a few tears, we said our "so longs" until Fall.  We sure are gonna miss these fine folks.

Soon we were headed North to Prescott, then on North from Flagstaff.   We went about 400 miles to our favorite boondocking spot, Gooseneck State Park in UT.  You travel through Monument Valley and  just over the state line into Utah to a very quiet,  peaceful place, way out in the country. We stayed here last year and enjoyed it so much we came back.  Look what was right out our front door.

By the time we arrived and got parked, it was, of course, "Happy Hour"!  During happy hour we were invaded by about 12 Motorcycles.  They parked right beside us.   I looked out our window and saw they were Harley's, so I ventured out to meet them.  Much to my surprise, they were all Japanese. They were in "Awe" looking at our Teton and Volvo truck.  They were asking me all kinds of questions but in Japanese.  I couldn't understand a word they said.  I could tell it was all friendly, because they were friendly. Finally, one of the men stepped up and could speak excellent English.. He said " They want to know about your RV.  .It is so BIG!!" So they all asked questions and he interpreted and translated my answers. They asked us things like how long is the RV (of course) and how many people lived in it. They were astonished.  They looked it all over and were more interested in it than they were the beautiful Gooseneck scenery. Then they saw the Harley on the back of our truck.....that made us Brothers!

The interpreter politely asked me if they could take a picture of it.  "Of course", I said.   Dozens of camera's started clicking. Next, I was asked if one of them could stand on the driver side step. I opened the door and motioned the interested one to go ahead and sit in the truck.   He climbed up and sat behind the wheel, smiling from ear to ear with all his buddy's taking his picture like crazy.   Then they wanted Ms Pat and I in the picture...then our picture standing by the truck with them.  Ms Pat just happened to have one of her Harley T-Shirts on.   They were having a ball and so were we  They were a great bunch of guys and it was a joy meeting them.

I found out that they flew into Los Angeles, rented the Harley's at "Harleys Rent and Ride" program and were touring the country. From here they were headed to the Grand Canyon and then on to Las Vegas. They were all so friendly and a pleasure to meet. 

Note the "THUMBS UP"....... These four were the older guys from the group.  They were all fully leathered up and "Harley" badges and patches everywhere.

Then, they all rode off into the sunset........

What an enjoyable meeting that was....really an unexpected pleasure. They were a neat bunch, we all shook hands and each and every one said "Thank You", "Thank You".   It's a small world and Harley riders all have something in common, even those from Japan!!! So much Joy and Laughter.  Wow, it was a blessing. We both really needed that!!!

This is where I had my coffee Wednesday morning while watching the beautiful sunrise.  See my coffee cup in the picture below.......

Below is the Sunrise:

After coffee, it was time to crank up and hit the road. Another beautiful day in the making.  We continued on, departing Gooseneck State Park about 7:30 am. We planned on driving to where we usually stop in Craig, Colorado, However when we got there it was only 3pm. So we decide to drive on to Rawlins, WY.  While we were traveling, I had Ms Pat make an appointment with an alignment shop in Casper, WY that I have dealt with for years. I needed them to check my Teton wheel alignment, bearings, etc.  I knew I had a broken shock bracket and I hoped they could fix it.

Ms Pat took this picture just south of Moab, UT. when we stopped at a pull off....

After spending the night in Rawlings, we left early the next morning and we were in Casper sitting in front of Kelly's Wheel and Frame Alignment at 10:00am.  They got us right in, fixed all my problems including the broken shock mount and had us out by Noon.  

We headed on north to Custer and pulled onto our property at shortly after 4pm.  Super trip!  Great weather, no wind, and everything ran perfectly.  It is so good to be back home in the Hills......God's Country!!!   We are getting settled in and looking forward to attending our little Cowboy Church this morning.  

Rollie and Gina are at their place in Louisiana visiting family and taking care of things so they can come up here and spend the summer. We have so much to show them and can't wait for their arrival.

Everyone have a Happy Memorial weekend and remember to give thanks to those that defended our country so we can enjoy it so much.

Thanking you all again from the bottom of my heart. We have so much to be thankful for.

It was a GREAT WEEK!!!!
Mike

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