ULTIMATE WILD WEST

Starting from Portland in Oregon we head south to quaint Bend and on to Boise the State Capitol.  The Craters of the Moon National Monument and the Penitentiary Museum are both en route. From the State Capitol we are going to soak away the days riding in the charming town of Lava Hot Springs  – population 407.   We have a full day to ride in Yellowstone National Park, the first US National Park established in 1872.  Although a day won’t be enough as the park is over four times the size of London.  Your evening can be spent watching Old Faithful erupt, which she does 20 times per day, everyday. Riding the Chief Joseph Highway is a highlight and this iconic US route takes us to the Wild West Town of Cody founded by, Buffalo Bill Cody.  Horses have largely been replaced by pick ups, but stetsons and cowboy boots are de rigueur. There is a nightly Rodeo if that takes your fancy or relax with a rack of ribs and a cold beer on the main street and watch the world saunter by.

We leave Wyoming for Utah home to some of the biggest fossil finds in the Americas.  Vernal is know as “Dinosaurland”.  With two nights in the chilled out Moab you have decisions to make. Kick back, relax and absorb the decidedly laid back vibe of Moab, or… As it sits on the doorstep of both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, get out and ride one or both!  Arches is the site of more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, such as the massive, red-hued Delicate Arch in the east and  the long thin Landscape Arch in Devils Garden to the north.  Canyonlands National Park is known for its dramatic desert landscape carved by the Colorado River.  More National Park action follows with Mesa Verde home to the incredible Cliff Dwellings of the Pueblo, inhabited for over 600 hundred years, by these relations of the Aztec.

If you thought that you had crammed a lot in so far then the next few days are going to blow your mind.  Our route rides the iconic Moki Dugway.  A series of hairpins takes this 3 mile dirt road from high atop Cedar Mesa to the Valley of the Gods.  The Valley is carved from the surrounding sandstone and our dirt road route through this incredible landscape will have you stopping for photos time and again.  Our destination is Mexican Hat, a small enclave and a simple road house that sets us up for the next morning. Rise early and roll the bikes out of the hotel so we don’t disturb the other guests and just a short ride takes us into Monument Valley.  Stop at “Forest Gump Corner” and watch the sunrise on this unmistakeable landscape. Back for breakfast and then on the road to the Grand Canyon.  We have two nights here and on our free day there is a real treat planned.  Weather permitting you will be taking a helicopter into the Grand Canyon and then it’s all aboard for a relaxing raft down the Colorado River.  You are getting the Grand Canyon from all angles.

To contrast all these iconic sites of natural beauty it’s time to get your sparkle on – Vegas Baby!  Two nights in this island in the desert cannot fail to make an impression.  It is everything you imagined and more!  The only thing now between us and California and our final few days riding the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway is Death Valley.  Once we have diced with Death Valley you can relax and soak in the California Coast from Santa Barbara through Big Sur to San Francisco.  But our trip wouldn’t be complete without riding across the Golden Gate Bridge and enjoying our final night dining at Fishermans Wharf with view of Alcatraz and that iconic big red bridge.