Jumping Frogs, Part 3 (Klamath Falls to Albuquerque)

Wow. Two long days but that Road King just eats up the miles. I don't think I could have done the trip in the time I did on the Fat Boy. I routinely have found myself cruising down the freeway in fourth gear and suddenly realizing I still have more to go.

Left Klamath Falls early. Down through Susanville, CA, into Reno, then out Highway 50, The Loneliest Road in America (their designation, not mine, but totally believable). Ran into Ely about 5 pm on Day 1 and was going to camp. Looked at the map while I was eating a hamburger at McDonalds (yes, I broke down and ate junk) and discovered that I was still about 700+ miles out of Albuquerque. Decided to push on.

Left Ely and promptly ran into a construction delay. I sat for about twenty minutes or more.

Personality aside: A Tale of Two Flaggers

First flagger. Had to move from Reno to Austin because his dad got sick. Finished high school in a school with 4 teachers and 27 students (K - 12). Has a summer job as a flagger for $10 per hour. He is happy to have the job, could have had a higher paying job further away but would have had to drive quite a distance. He is headed back to Reno in the fall to go to college. Not a negative thing to say about his life or his situation.

Second flagger. Just East of Ely, NV. Upset because the length of the work day is cutting into his beer drinking time. From Reno, stayihg in a hotel on the company dime while working. Nothing positive to say about anything.

I'd hire the first guy for any job I had available, wouldn't touch the second with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole.

Back to the trip. Stayed in the Deltan Inn in Delta, UT. Old, somewhat run down, but clean, well kept, and friendly. I would highly recommend this little motel over some of the big chains that I've stayed in.

Left early after just a few hours sleep (7ish which is few for me). Forgot I was in Utah where there is no helmet law. Remembered about four hours later. :)

Down the Interstate to Moab, UT. Once again the Road King just hums along, even at 80mph which is pushing it for cruising on the older bike. Didn't stop at any of the National Parks in Moab. A bit of a shame but I had miles to make, wanting to be in Albuquerque that night.

Riding Aside: I tend to ride like that. I stop very infrequently as it's all about the riding. I miss out on a lot of scenic and historic things but it's just the way I am, I guess.

Down through Moab (lots of pictures from the motorcycle so we'll see how they come out when I get home). Into Shiprock, NM, through Farmington, then into Albuquerque about 6:30 or so.

Close to 2,000 miles in three days. Felt good and loving the Road King.