Devils Tower Wyoming, originally uploaded by GregDawson.
On a recent road trip to Sturgis, my bromate and I put an afternoon aside to go see Devils Tower in Wyoming.
The name Devils Tower originated in 1875 during an expedition led by Col. Richard Irving Dodge when his interpreter misinterpreted the name to mean Bad God’s Tower. This was later shortened to the Devils Tower.
Categories: Photography · harley · travel
Tagged: devil's tower, road trip, sturgis, wyoming
Ladies and gentleman… I bring you the first guest post from my brother, Dan the Man.
“Type here” – Yes he had to tell me where to type, ok maybe not but damn near. Hello everyone it’s DTM in person I say
that sarcastically, but sometimes I swear to hear Gregory talk about me or write about me puts me up on a pedistal. I asked him if I could write alittle for this page of his and he took me up on it so here goes, don’t bother correcting my mistakes not only do I know Im makin them I don’t care so save it. Like I told Gregory you show me how to work a computer and ill show you how to work on your bike.(ok that’s not what I said, but gona do my best to keep this PG)
Few weeks back G (Gregory duh) texts me “need a vacation from life I’m bored and just need to go somewhere , you down?” I couldn’t respond to him quick enough. My response “dude you have no idea get your shit and get out here will figure out the details when you’re here” one day later pickin him up at the airport. Next day traden in all my quads on a bike for him an spent the next few days getn it ready for some mileage. After a few hickups we were on the road Thursday afternoon. Both lookin for some sort of answer to lifes never ending questions.
I don’t know bout him but the only question I answered was weather or not you can ride 650 miles in a day without your ass hurtn.
My questions aren’t unique there the same ones men an women have asked for years. And for some unknown reason besides dr. phil no one seems to have figured it out yet. Or maybe some of you have and are just some stingy bastards! No big deal though cuz I’m pretty sure what works for you won’t work for me or the next person. We are all unique an in turn our problems are. Which leads me to believe our solutions will be as well.
I made an attempt to see my dad on this journey of ours, I haven’t seen him in something like 10 years. Don’t remember last time I wrote him a letter. And he’s been in prison since I was 6. Through the majority of my life he’s been nothing more than a plug for a hole in my life. Every child or person who grows up without either there mother or there father knows what I’m talking bout, unfortunately there are more people out there that know what im talking bout than those who don’t. ah todays society got to love it. My point is I was attempting to possibly find or get answers from someone who besides biologically knows nothing about me and who I besides, my mom telling me I eat French toast like him , basically know little about him. I see this same reaction all around me everyday. If we don’t have the answers we in my opinion look else where for solutions. Rather than diggin deep and either coming up with one or sticken it out and letting the solution come find us we take the easy ways. Which in todays world is a number of things because of all our options. And as luck would have it all the negative options are much easier than the one positive and that is to atleast attempt to find your answers with in yourselves. So long story short it took me 1500 miles to realize if there is an answer to my lifes troubles right now it’s 1500 miles behind me not on the road and not in my dad.
so here I am still no answers, but much closer than I was yesterday, ah progress.
I may have not got answers, but I did gain a life time of experiences that unfortunately most will never attempt. For as long as I’ve had a motorcycle I’ve wanted some one I could connect with to go riding with. And through the most unusual of circumstances I got that now when I need it the most.
I leave you with a thought and a saying I read the other day. “thought” try to find something good in everything you do and everything that happens to you it’s not always easy, but it is possible. “saying”we do not cease to play because we grow old, we grow old because we cease to play. George Bernard Shaw
To “the G man” I can’t tell you what it means to have you by myside thru this chapter of life I can only hope I have as much to offer you and your battles as you do mine. I look forward to the next adventure what ever it may be “sign me up”
One more thought that rings close to me and my life. If you take yourself out of the game before you have the chance to strikeout, fumble the ball, or miss that game winning shot, you’ll never know what would’ve happened. That’s true in every aspect of life, you know what you may fumble, but then again you may not. I got this partially from a movie I just watched , but it’s how I’ve always been in my opinion. I don’t have a problem with losing despite what my fam may tell you. I do however have a problem with not givin life your all. Basically if your not doing something because you’re afraid to fail you’re an F#$%*n idiot in my eyes. The way I see it you failed by never even giving yourself a chance to fail, keep that up and you will end your life a failure in your own eyes. You may fail a million times, but take it from some one who has f#$%^ed up a lot each one has been an experience and I wouldn’t take em back for the world. so if your neked sittin in your bean bag chair eatin cheetos just waitin for some sign here it is. And thru the most unusual of circumstances, a strangers telling you to parden the cliché “just do it” don’t worry about failing. Simply trying makes you a success. “show me a good looser and I’ll show you a looser!”
- DTM
Categories: harley
Tagged: answer to life, failure, harley, life experience, road trip
Sometimes I wonder if life gets too bottled up with well, life… so much so that we forget to stop and “just breathe.”
Having time on the road has allowed me to do just that.
While the first few days were absolutely amazing with Mother Nature’s best eye candy on display, most of my attention was focused on the different learning aspects of the bike. From leaning into turns to downshifting, the bike gobbled up most of my time.
With a few days on the bike, I’m starting to feel a bit more comfortable with all the details and have been able to relax and enjoy myself.
My “ah ha” moment came after we left Ukaia and were in route to Sacramento via HWY 20, which rolls through several small towns and the gigantic Upper Lake.
We left bright and early and as we were coming down off the first ridge, there it was… the early dawn light, rays falling through the dewy mist and the light sparkling off the lake. It was, by far, the most awe-inspiring sight I’ve seen in a long time.
Life lesson learned: When life is getting a bit crazy… just breathe.
Here are Daniel’s top two road trip songs that allow him to breathe:
- Whitesnake – Here I Go Again
- Bob Seger – Roll Me Away
What’s your favorite road trip moment or road trip song?
Also, here’s a slideshow of a few of our pictures.
Categories: harley
Tagged: california coast, harley, hwy 101, oregon coast, road trip
We road almost 500 miles today and my tailbone is aching! Of course, the bike is hurting a little bit too… I dumped it trying to make a turn while backing it up on a tight corner. Oops, my bad! The only thing dinged up was my pride. And of course, Daniel was quick to point out that he has never tipped his bike over. I congratulated him.
Our day was spent rolling down HWY 101 and it was nothing less than spectacular. Every we turned a corner, there was a little picturesque surprise waiting for us. I’ve been in the flatlands of Chicago for the last few years so seeing the best that the Pacific Northwest has to offer was very refreshing.
The sun cooperated again today and even though the damp cool air was pounding against my jacket, I had a smile from ear to ear.
The terrain turned from damp and cool to warm and dry the minute we entered California. One of the first detours we took was to drive the Avenue of the Giants, a scenic byway that meanders through the Redwood Forest. These trees are absolutely huge. I’ll try to get some pictures up tomorrow. Link.
The above photo of the Chandelier Tree, a Redwood giant, climbs 315 ft and boasts a diameter of 21ft.
We logged a lot of miles today so we treated ourselves to a Holiday Express. It feels good to be clean. The dirt and grim from our bodies clogged the shower drain… very gross.
Tomorrow, we plan on meeting up with our nephew T.C. in Sacramento, BBQ’n, and resting up before heading down to the L.A. area for a few days.
Categories: harley
Tagged: avenue of the giants, harley, redwood, road trip
Harley RT: Day 1
The morning started with Harley Dan installing some “staggered special” exhaust pipes on the Sportster 1200. The reverberating sound of the power rushing through the exhaust was like a sweet symphony… but minus the violin with extra trombone.
We took HWY 97 out of Yakima toward Goldendale and then followed HWY 14 along the Columbia River (Washington/Oregon border) toward Portland. The sun was out, the leaves were green and we were loving life.
We then bypassed Portland via I-205, connected with I-5 South to HWY 22 where the real ride began. If you ever have a chance to take HWY 22… do it. Follow it West then hit HWY 223 South to HWY 20 West toward Newport, OR. We pass through Valley of the Kings, a town befitting of its name. At one point, we were surrounded by cliffs and forests on both sides, a valley in front of us and the sun peaking through the clouds touching us with a few more of its warm rays.
The only close call of the day was a lady in a white sedan that almost took me on on a corner. But, no harm, no foul. All-in-all, a great first day that ended with a campfire and a beer.
To life, cheers!
Categories: harley
Tagged: harley, newport, portland, road trip
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Greg Dawson