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[GregKhougaz]

      UFO_HOG (Bryan) planned a trip for a week out of Clovis, California through the Four Corners Region of the US, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado.  This is some of the most beautiful and historic land in America.  For me it was nine days, 2,732.8 miles and 51.8 mpg.  Bryan reported 2,339 miles in eight days or riding and 3.1 miles (not including vertical) of hiking, and 54 mpg.  It was hands down, the most beautiful trip I've ever been privileged to make.  Hopefully, I can do it justice and show you all what it was like!  Bear with me here.  This make take some time.   

       Friday, August 31, I left Santa Monica and rode US I-5 over the Grapevine to US 99 North through Bakersfield to Clovis (228 miles).  Not to much to show except the Grapevine.  Stayed the night with Bryan and Tammi.  Unfortunately, she could not make the trip so here is a shot of her from the Tahoe GTG last year.  Thanks for Tammi for being a good sport and letting us go play for a week.

[GregKhougaz]

       Saturday,  Sept. 1, the intrepid group assembled at 0700 hour at Starbucks.  Here we are ready for adventure. 

[GregKhougaz]

       We headed out of Clovis through some lovely two lanes and eventually hit the 41 North into Yosemite Valley then took the 120 which takes us over Tioga Pass.  You may recall that Jock was the first over the pass last year after the Tahoe GTG.  Stopping for a brief rest, whom do you think we saw!  Yes that's Panhead Jimmy! 

[GregKhougaz]

        Jimmy was headed west and we, east.  Next stop was Olmstead Pass near the Tioga Summit.   

[GregKhougaz]

       The bikes all were looking and running well. 

[GregKhougaz]

       This is the lake near the point and I cannot find the name.  If someone knows, I can edit this post.  Thanks!

[GregKhougaz]

       We continued over the pass which is spectacular but which we have done many times.  Next stop was Lee Vining which has a great view of Mono Lake and here, Black Island.

[GregKhougaz]

         Tioga Pass (CA State Route 120) runs into US 395 at Lee Vining which we took south for a short while and then east again on 120.  This took us around Mono Lake and eventually to Benton, CA and CA Route 6.  (More about Benton at the end.  We took 6 all the way into Tonopah, NV.  It is one very lonely road.  Tonopah was our rest stop for the night.  (291 miles). 

The group, L to R:

Bryan, Greg, Dan, Leann, Debbie, Susan, Martin and Terry. 

[GregKhougaz]

       People tried to join us but they just could not keep up.   

[GregKhougaz]

       Dinner was at the recently renovated Mizpah Hotel and Casino.  The new owners have done a fine job.   

[GregKhougaz]

        Bryan makes friends very easily. 

[GregKhougaz]

       Best Western, Tonopah VIP parking.   

[GregKhougaz]

        Sunday, it's east on 6 toward Kanab, UT.  It's called the Grand Army of the Republic. 

        The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, US Navy, US Marines and US Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, it was dissolved in 1956 when its last member died. Linking men through their experience of the war, the GAR became among the first organized advocacy groups in American politics, supporting voting rights for black veterans, lobbying the US Congress to establish veterans' pensions, and supporting Republican political candidates. Its peak membership, at more than 400,000, was in 1890; a high point of Civil War commemorative ceremonies. It was succeeded by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), composed of male descendants of Union veterans. 

       At the junction of the 6 and 375, there is the most curious hot tub I've ever seen.  It's fed by a stream up the hill to the right of this shot and continuously refreshed.  I could not get anyone to join me and get in. 

[GregKhougaz]

        Now it's east on the 375, "The Extraterrestrial Highway."    There's no telling what you might run into, including "low flying aircraft," or perhaps a UFO in need of a tow?   

[GregKhougaz]

        In Rachel, NV, we stopped for lunch at the Little AleInn.  It's North of Area 51.  They have a very interesting collection of alien souvenirs and a very curious parking lot!