T. D. R. 2 - Another Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Photo Journal

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“A sequel is an admission that you’ve been reduced to imitating yourself.”

Oh yeah like that would stop me.

This time I’ve “upgraded” to a 6th gen so I could afford a less cheap DSLR that does autofocus, and yet I still have my piece-of-crap orange tent with its useless rain fly. Can't win 'em all.

All captions/descriptions limited to the customary 140 characters because I built Speaker City from the ground up and I can barely read!

Let’s roll.

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Your photography skills show through yet again. Nice!

Day 1/2

10 days of vacation starts…NOW. I snuck out of work at 3pm but didn’t leave until 8pm. Typical me.

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First stop: Los Gatos to see Charlie, uno gato that belongs to my friend and his wife. Oh yeah, my friend and his wife were there too. Yay.

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They told me they were having a baby so Adam and I drank “some wine.” Later I parked the bike in a garage – possibly theirs.

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In the morning I moved the bike out of the garage and started it. For someone like me, this is major progress.

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I stopped in Tres Pinos because I was freezing. And wanted a soda. I even got fuel -- I’m getting good at this travel stuff.

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This lady was on her first solo ride on her new GS. She was headed to LA – and based on her pace she’s just now arriving.

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Hey we’re the Golden State! Maybe “Shitty Brown Drought-stricken Bankrupt Dump State” was already taken?

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I hustled through the Central Valley. Which is kind of like screwing a fat chick to get to her hot friend, only with worse air quality.

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Then it was up Kern Canyon at the speed of light. Best wishes to the dude on the CBR who decided to pick a fight with the guard rail.

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“I’ma tell ya somethin’ ya might not know about me Joe Rogan: I smoke rock.”

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Break at Walker Pass. I don’t see colors, I only see black and white and everyone is the same. Oh and I’m a vegan woooooooo

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Joseph Rutherford Walker, on the other hand, probably wouldn’t have approved of my black motorcycle. *shifts uncomfortably in chair*

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Insert a pokey bush joke here. Hey Beavis...you said pokey bush.

See, not only am I progressive, I’m extremely mature.

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And we’re off to Death Valley. The national park, not the LSU Tigers football stadium.

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I like empty roads and highlight/shadow contrast. I also like women with big jugs. You can’t have everything all the time.

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These people were on their way to Death Valley too. I guess they didn’t make it to the “Valley” part.

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“Hey my map shows a section of this road as unpaved but maybe it’s out-of-date and they’ve paved it since??” You’d think I’d learn.

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Shortly after this I’d ingest roughly 8 pounds of fine dust from a seven mile dirt section. Looking forward to my mesothelioma settlement.

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When you’re running low on daylight the best move is to stop and take photos. Trust me, I’m an expert. I have political advice for you too.

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What’s the Timbisha Shoshone word for “90 degrees in November”?

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I’m Rob Base and I came to get down.

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And now, I present a live look-in at a Harley rider’s dreams. Off to Furnace Creek Campground in the dark.

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I set up camp, ate a shitty/overpriced sandwich, and drank a pint of Fireball – because the only thing I hate more than boredom is my liver.

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Day 1 (sort of) mapply:

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More to come.

Fun to read. Very nice pics too. Please keep them coming.

C

Duc2V4

Your photography skills show through yet again. Nice!

Thanks man. I only took 8 billion photos on this trip so it should only take a year to finish the report haha

Polarbear

Fun to read. Very nice pics too. Please keep them coming.

C

Will do for sure. Everyone's gotta bear with me though, it won't be one-post-per-day as it has been in the past.

Safe and fun travel wishes from the Netherlands!!!

All of us should be so lucky as to have our lives look that good. Really.

Sweeper

All of us should be so lucky as to have our lives look that good. Really.

"Look" is the key word. You can't see me shivering in the photos.

Very nice pictures! Wish I was out riding and not here working.

I see a ghost in the last picture, trying to steal your bike..................and it looks like he's wearing sneakers............

Fantastic photos.

Gorgeous pics, any chance for camera/lens specs? Not that it matters, seems to be more about the guy behind the camera, but hey i can always make excuses right?

Great pictures and a great ride, thanks for sharing with us!

Thanks for all the compliments. That's 1 day of 10 posted, so there is much, much more to come.

atx

Gorgeous pics, any chance for camera/lens specs? Not that it matters, seems to be more about the guy behind the camera, but hey i can always make excuses right?

Canon 6d, 24-105 f/4L. That's the only lens I bring on the bike - I don't feel too bad about beating it to death.

Oh also the picture of the cat was with Adam's 50mm f/1.8L.

Thanks for this Brian..nice bucket list preview.

Day 3

This is the lowest point in the United States. I’m sure Donald Trump will find a way to deport it.

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My idea of vacation is waking up at 4am and packing in the dark while I can’t feel my fingers. God I’m stupid.

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While I waited for the sun to show up I did three runs on Artist’s Drive and got dangerously low on fuel. Photography still isn’t art.

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But do you repair….6th gen electricul’s!

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I then teleported across the desert to Zion. The highlight of that section was eating El Pollo Loco. It was that good.

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Fall was in full swing at Zion. I took full advantage. I’m also full of shit. Rule of threes!

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Going out on a limb here, but I think this is a tree. See what I did there????

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In all seriousness, Zion is my favorite National Park. So of course I rode straight through with only three stops.

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It’s not about quantity - it’s about quality. Which is what people without quantity say.

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Sun setting, moon rising, temperature dropping.

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I just couldn’t stop taking photos of this. It was like nature’s version of Kate Upton at a nude beach.

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BTW, tunnel blasting in Zion is one of life’s great pleasures – right between finding $20 in your winter coat and having your dog fetch you a beer.

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To the high country, where the temp gauge hit the teens. Sometimes I want to hit teens - Millennials and their sense of entitlement! *shakes fist*

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People were taking photos of this scene like they were witnessing an alien invasion. Not sure if they're sheep, but the people sure are.

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Coral Pink Sand Dunes for the night. Low temp 12F. Camping weather! MAPPPPPPPP

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Still much more to come.

Good posts again. Love the photos. Love the Rob Base quote - I'm not internationally known, either (but I'm known to rock a microphone). :)

I enjoy reading your reports because then I go ride through those places. Last year I followed your route from your previous Thanksgiving. Could you go somewhere different so I have new places to go? Can ya?

superfunkomatic

Good posts again. Love the photos. Love the Rob Base quote - I'm not internationally known, either (but I'm known to rock a microphone). :)

I enjoy reading your reports because then I go ride through those places. Last year I followed your route from your previous Thanksgiving. Could you go somewhere different so I have new places to go? Can ya?

Thanks.

Re Rob Base you'll enjoy this - I have it posted on the wall of my office and you'd be amazed how few people get it.

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Baja. Yes, and no, I haven't been. Was on the way a few years back and had my reg/rectifier and stator fry. So, I'll be looking forward to your next witty instalment.

Absolutely love your write ups and first and foremost. ...your talent with a camera. ....you rock Brian

This recap is awesome! The pics are insane, I'm a sucker for the black and neon yellow bike and your writing style is definitely on point. Props for the Tyrone / Dave Chappelle quote on day 1 by the way :)

Keep em coming!

HumalogAddict

This recap is awesome! The pics are insane, I'm a sucker for the black and neon yellow bike and your writing style is definitely on point. Props for the Tyrone / Dave Chappelle quote on day 1 by the way :)

Keep em coming!

LOL I'm glad someone caught that. I throw a lot of obscure jokes/references in these and sometimes I wonder if anyone actually catches them.

"Fear was never a factor for me Joe Rogan -- I'm tryna get some crack rocks." Classic.

In case you're wondering what we're going on about: http://www.cc.com/video-clips/2rupm2/chappelle-s-show-tyrone-biggums-s--fear-factor----uncensored (possibly NSFW for language)

Oh and thanks for the compliments, always glad that people enjoy these reports.

Spectacular pics! Looking over the 2nd day map it jumped out at me you were going from Death Valley to Paradise but there was no change in the photos - they were all excellent.

The short verbal 'tweets' for each photo really works with my pacing of going through the photos. This combination could easily carry through to a book.

Please, keep it coming.

Day 4

This might’ve been my coldest ever night of camping. It was like sleeping in Hillary Clinton’s soul.

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Despite my heated suit, anything under 20F was brutal. Like, watching-Lifetime-with-your-mother-in-law brutal.

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For some reason I queued up in Kanab with 220 (no joke) other lemmings to try to get a permit for “The Wave” hike. Mercifully I was denied.

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Also in the “denied” category were two men riding Yamaha 125s…from Japan. One of them was crying. Could’ve been piston envy.

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Anyway, I jetted off to the emptiness of the North Rim. No jobs were found, but it was quite scenic.

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Sadly, I never actually made it to the Rim. On PR4s, this scene is best described by a once-popular Boyz II Men song.

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I did tool around a bit and fall down in front of a minivan full of tourists. I mean no I didn’t, that would’ve been wildly embarrassing.

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Teacher: “Draw a life-size picture that describes you.”
Me:

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This was one of those moments that I take these trips for. Silence, solace, scenery, sun, and some other S-words I can’t think of.

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My mom and I always make each other a snowman when one of us is in the snow and the other isn’t. See, I have a very small….heart.

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Just the tip.

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I was never very good at that game. The “wasting time on the side of the road” game though – I got that on lock.

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*Sees car coming a mile away.*

*Frantically pushes bike to side of road so it won’t get hit 3 minutes from now*

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For all you non-motorcycle fans, finally a picture without one in it. Wait, what are you doing on a motorcycle forum?

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Spent 3 hours on AZ67 and saw 6 cars. This is what Lil’ Wayne refers to as “Paradice.”

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I have to travel alone because I stop to take photos every 10 feet. The fact that no one likes me is a distant second.

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“Lunch.” It’s a wonder I’m not morbidly obese or diabetic. I eat like I’m high.

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Here I’ll use fancy photography words like “vignetting” and “depth of field.” No one else knows what that means, but don’t I sound smart and cool???

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The descent to House Rock is is the best two minutes of riding you’ll ever have. Uh, that’s what she said.

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And now, a slog through the desert. Windy and miserable. Sort of like every ex-girlfriend I’ve ever had. At least Arizona is pretty.

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This would be a good place for an inspirational quote. So would a dumpster.

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There’s a Dixie Chicks song about this. I mean, I don’t know any Dixie Chicks songs. So yeah.

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Must be a heavy flow day for the Colorado River. And the Dixie Chicks.

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“If your friend jumped off the Navajo Bridge, would you jump off it too?” That’s just sound parenting. Thanks mom.

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This is a Canyon. It’s Grand. Probably possible to make another ex-girlfriend joke here.

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A personal plug deep in here: if you like my photos I’m Brian Fairleigh Photography on Facebook, @brianfairleighphotography on Instagram. Go follow me.

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I also know a place in SF where you can buy a "personal plug." Probably looks a lot like that hoodoo.

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“Light-writing for people with no light-writing skills.” Or who are freezing and didn’t pay attention during D.A.R.E. My trips should be sponsored by Fireball.

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“But I’m le tiiired…”

“Well, have a map. Zen FIRE ZEE MISS-ILES!”

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Up next, my “character played by J-Lo” moment: facing adversity! Stay tuned.

I just decided to to never take another bike travel photo for the rest of my life. I'm just going to photoshop my bike into Brian's pics.

I will just paint my bike to match, that way I don't have to photoshop so many pictures, they will all just work.

hahahaha as cold as Hilary....

Choices choices.... at least she has a soul (from our euro-trash perspective!)

I see you have not watermarked all your pictures here; so are you OK if some not watermarked one are posted on other MC forums? For they are amazing for sure!

J-Lo "the Maid"????? did you run in a little 'misunderstanding' with one? (like euro-trash S K?) :goofy:

Two questions...

Hilary has a soul?

You are a sock?

I have this much fun in my head when I travel but it doesn't come out as well as yours. Nice work.

Sweeper

Two questions...

Hilary has a soul?

You are a sock?

I have this much fun in my head when I travel but it doesn't come out as well as yours. Nice work.

Lol more of a tube sock if ya know what I mean.

Dutchy

hahahaha as cold as Hilary....

Choices choices.... at least she has a soul (from our euro-trash perspective!)

I see you have not watermarked all your pictures here; so are you OK if some not watermarked one are posted on other MC forums? For they are amazing for sure!

J-Lo "the Maid"????? did you run in a little 'misunderstanding' with one? (like euro-trash S K?) :goofy:

"Maid in Mexican Hat" maybe. Although that seems a little racially-slanted. :mellow:

(P.C. Police don't get your panties in a bunch - I rode through the town of Mexican Hat, UT on Day 4)

As for watermarks and usage, sure, do whatever with them. I use these reports as publicity/demonstration for my photography business. Any publicity is good publicity!

Oh and as always, my one serious moment: thank you for the compliments and kind words.

Out-rockin'-standing! There is simply no other like you. Luck us.

:beer:

Day 5

Up at 5am to catch sunrise. Pack, hop on bike, turn key…dead. Pull battery, take in bathroom to hit it with the hand dryer. Great.

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Electrons warmed sufficiently, a bump start and we’re off. Can I please own a 6th gen for like 5 minutes without it breaking????

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Goodbye Shorai – which sounds a lot like a 60’s song title.

The net was money spent and weight gained – which sounds a lot like marriage.

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Out of Flagstaff to the underwhelming Sunset Crater. Though not as underwhelming as my experience with marriage.

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No idea why this is a National Monument. National Grassland would’ve been more appropriate. Or National Who-Gives-A-Shit.

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Decided to abandon the route plan I didn’t have and head to Monument Valley. This isn’t Monument Valley.

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I know when that hotline bling……that can only mean one thing.

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I got obsessed with sunbursts on this trip. Apologies to all the purists out there…now go listen to some 8-tracks or something.

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Random marmot photo because I can!

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And now back to your regularly scheduled f/22 diffraction. #fancyphotographywords

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No idea what this lady was up to. Maybe she was a Rossi fan who suddenly realized he’s a has-been?

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This is a sunset in Monument Valley. You’re on the internet. The sky is blue. Etc.

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Honorable mention to the guy at a gas station who said “it looks like your stuff sack is giving birth to a sleeping bag.” It’s a boy!

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This should calm the photography purists a bit. I guess I don’t have the hipster gene - though it would be mighty skinny if I did.

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Camp set up, $1 pizza eaten, and off to stand in the middle of a below-freezing highway. Amazing I don’t get thrown in a mental institution.

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Especially when you see me doing the ghost dance while holding two flashlights. Shoulda taken two mushrooms instead.

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Blue Shadows on the Trail.

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Then back to camp for the usual: photos, Fireball, hating my loud neighbors, etc.

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Thanks to the howling overnight wind for covering everything I own in red dust! MAP

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We're only half way...more to come.

Really great job on this trip report again Brian and return of the marmots too!

Wow - the phenomenal pics just keep coming! Maybe the vacant road in Monument Valley is a function of winter riding. When I was there it was non-stop cars and motorhomes. Looking forward for more installments!

Cheers

Cogswell

Wow - the phenomenal pics just keep coming! Maybe the vacant road in Monument Valley is a function of winter riding. When I was there it was non-stop cars and motorhomes. Looking forward for more installments!

Cheers

Yeah, maybe. I've never been there in the busy season so I'm not sure.

Going after dark and pre-sunrise really helped - plenty of traffic free shots. As any famous place though, if you're patient enough there will almost always be a moment where magically there is no one. I spent about 5 hours total in that spot between sunset/night/morning.

Great job looks like you had a lot of time to yourself. I think you should mount dual sport tires on your bike you seem to spend as much time off road as on

Day 6

The only thing I hate more than other photographers is other photographers who want to chit-chat. This one didn’t even look at me. Perfect.

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I’d hoped for an epic sunrise. I’d also hoped I'd be successful and rich by 30. Needless to say, neither has panned out.

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That cloud looks just like a tuft of Greek God hair. Remember those mushrooms I was talking about?

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This was a day that started perfectly and went straight downhill from there. Sort of like most of my relationships.

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Oh mother tell your children, not to do what I have done…spend your lives in sin and misery…

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BTW a special shoutout to the a--hole who stole my camera battery and charger from a bathroom outlet – I hope you step on a tack. Or a landmine.

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Consequently the number of photos per day will drop quite a bit – just like the temperature did when this front rolled in.

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Off through the brutal, freezing crosswind to find a horrible gas station burrito. Oh the glamour of the road.

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My mom adores Canyon de Chelly, and I’d never been. I stopped by. I’ll be having a word with her about travel recommendations.

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Just kidding – the Not-So-Grand Canyon isn’t that bad. And the gas I got from that burrito also “wasn’t that bad.”

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More miserable crosswinds to Petrified Forest. I was getting really pissed at this point – it was utterly miserable. Look at that tree!

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The bike is parked that way because when I parked it leaned into the wind, it lifted off the sidestand. Instant panic attack.

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It really was beautiful though – I was just too irritated to enjoy it. Sort of like watching Beyonce in concert.

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To top it all off, I even got gum on my footpeg. And yes, that’s “gum” with a G, weirdos. I don’t like the VFR that much.

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A log dropped over a creek and petrified. 225 million years later I dropped a log in the visitor center. All is right in the universe.

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When you’re down to two camera batteries, only take pictures of the important things. You know, like, your helmet.

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Leaning into the wind for my usual shoutout to Patrice in Finance who makes everyone wear purple on Wednesdays. Sizzurp!

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All joking aside, Petrified Forest was really cool. It was just too cold and windy for me to care.

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Remember that epic sunrise I’d hoped for? It saved its energy for the set.

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Somewhere over that horizon is a hotel room with a hot shower and a bed. I’m traveling like the 1%!

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I just had a hunch that the sunset was worth waiting for – so I adjusted the chain while parked on the side of the road.

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It delivered. But not in 30 minutes or less so it was free.

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I definitely didn’t get distracted by the sunset and ride to the hotel with the pinch bolt not tightened. No way. Not me.

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This was the best sunset I’ve ever seen, hands down. Hands up, don’t shoot! #sunsetlivesmatter

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It was like an orgy with the Victoria’s Secret Angels – unreal in every direction, and impossible to capture with a camera. Or so I’ve never imagined.

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Anyway, this has dragged on long enough. A parting shot:

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MAP

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Despite your hoping otherwise, there’s still much more to come.

You Animal you!!!

I bet the wind was hell with that sail you had on the back unless you are accustomed to riding with the big pillion's.

The 2016 VFRD calendar could be made from only these photos - no need for anyone to submit anything else! Well done!

Jaw-dropping. And side splitting. I salute your Talent.

BrianF - always enjoy reviewing your posts and looking at your photos. I have had a few questions over the years, but never asked.

Thanks for answering my first question: Canon 6d, 24-105 f/4L.

I noticed your water mark in the lower corner, so I assume you have take enough photos and good enough to get paid for them.

I was wondering if your full time job is photography? Or is this a side project?

Also, how much time do you spend in photo editing software? Such as in your photos in the album Turkey day runaway II.

If it is not a trade secret, what software do you use? Or if it is, which inexpensive software package would you recommend?

And I assume you shoot in raw format?

Thanks

Excellent photography and an awesome trip. I see some Ghost Rider photo opportunities out there.

VFRMike639

BrianF - always enjoy reviewing your posts and looking at your photos. I have had a few questions over the years, but never asked.

Thanks for answering my first question: Canon 6d, 24-105 f/4L.

I noticed your water mark in the lower corner, so I assume you have take enough photos and good enough to get paid for them.

I was wondering if your full time job is photography? Or is this a side project?

Also, how much time do you spend in photo editing software? Such as in your photos in the album Turkey day runaway II.

If it is not a trade secret, what software do you use? Or if it is, which inexpensive software package would you recommend?

And I assume you shoot in raw format?

Thanks

Thanks Mike.

I'll PM you in regard to the technical stuff - don't want to clutter this with photography discussion.

Also everybody please hang tight on the posts for the last days of the trip. Out of town for pretty much the next week so no time to edit/post.

Day 7
 

On the 6th day, I awoke in a Motel 6. There were no drugs, dead hookers, or exotic animals in my room so I hightailed it. It was not warm.

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I didn’t care about the temperature though, because I found US60. It was better than drugs or hookers. Not that I’d know.

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No idea what the name of this giant canyon is, but it was quite enjoyable. More ex-girlfriend material…

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You never expect the spilled paint on a road to still be wet – but this was. Cue correspondingly big wobble.

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You carved a turkey, I carved corners. Advantage: Brian. I didn’t even have to deal with your drunk, slightly racist aunt.

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Sebastiao Salgado is my favorite photographer. Sometimes I try to imitate him. Hey, it never hurts to try.

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“I’m Top Chef, you Top Ramen…all I see is strange clouds.”

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When you look up “sweeper” in the dictionary, here’s what you find. When you look up "dipshit" you'll find...

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I really should’ve bought these. They’re more real than the lashes on a lot of the hookers girls I know.

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Should I feel bad that I’m writing this whole ride report at the office? No? Okay good. Stickin’ it to The Man!

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In Oracle my progress was slowed dramatically by a huge car accident and a life flight helicopter. How dare they get in my way!

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I ate McDonald’s in Tucson, then jetted up the Mt. Lemmon highway. I’ll let you guess which I enjoyed more.

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Although if someone catches me writing a ride report at work, I might end up working at McDonald’s.

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Yes, it’s that good. Mt Lemmon, not McDonald’s.

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I cast a very imposing shadow. That’s about thing only thing imposing about me.

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I think I’ve seen this exact photo on a religious pamphlet. They’re perfect for starting bonfires, by the way.

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Joke time: Why did the scarecrow win an award?

Because he was outstanding in his field HAHAHA

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More sunburst action. Pause for purists to clean vomit off their screens. Up next: more HDR!

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Golden Hour > Golden Shower

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I’d make an R. Kelly joke here, but that’s a dated reference. Maybe I’ll ask Bill Cosby for a drink instead?

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Random fact: The US Handball Association Hall-of-Fame is in Tucson. Eat that Canton and Cooperstown.

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This is a sunset over Tucson. These captions sure are creative today.

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And then it was off to find the worst Thanksgiving dinner on earth.

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100% success. Look for this in your local grocer’s frozen foods section. I would’ve been better off eating at the homeless shelter.

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When you return to your campsite, don’t smoke a bowl and eat half of a cherry pie. You’ll regret it. I sure didn’t.

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I'm sure I was missed at my family Thanksgiving. Hopefully they poured out a little White Zinfandel for me. MAP:

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Alarmingly, there's still more to come.

I smell Ayawaska...

Never has self wry deprecation been so funny. Let me pick myself up off the floor before the (hopefully) next installment. :laughing6-hehe:

Amazing photos and terrific prose. Thanks for again sharing the journey.

I really have to see the US at some point, you guys have some of the most incredible landscapes on the planet.

BrianF

Should I feel bad that I’m writing this whole ride report at the office? No? Okay good. Stickin’ it to The Man!

Shit no, i eat food at my desk and hit the gym on my paid lunch break. I consider myself a professional athlete since i am getting money for it.

Hey, I just saw these... Great pic's. I saw two Mt. Dew but no Taco Bell... WTF, get your feces coagulated... :goofy:

crazybrother

Hey, I just saw these... Great pic's. I saw two Mt. Dew but no Taco Bell... WTF, get your feces coagulated... :goofy:

Lol I'm gradually turning from young jedi to old crazybro. I used to not drink soda or eat fast food at all. Progress!

Hey man, great ride!

You have a great writing style and a knack for knockout photos. Enjoying this very much!

Keep heading for the sunny side of life!!!

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Never heard of HDR in 2007... :-)

Ok, that does not always pan out as wished... Then make sure you have an umbrella handy....

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Day 8

I arose way earlier than you, just to catch a non-sunrise. The only thing the early bird catches is less sleep than the lazy-ass worm.

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Surfer Rosa! (Please someone chime in if you get the reference)

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Hey look, the pineapple equivalent of baby carrots!

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Ah yes, we’re here for the sunrise. The sun rose...very exciting stuff. So unpredictable!

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More desert flowers. Probably have less calories than dessert flowers. They’re their there you’re your etc.

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The sunrise was so good I left and went to McDonald’s. Which is sort of like leaving Buckingham Palace to go to the laundromat. Only greasier.

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Then to a national park full of…saguaros. My length of stay was accordingly short.

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After getting stuck turning the bike around, I said “____ this place.” Rhymes with stu…you get the idea.

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After saying “goodbye this place” and tidying my ascot, I bolted to Kitt Peak. *checks pocket watch* I said “good day!”

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Then I nerded out at the observatory for a couple hours. Mostly I learned that we spend a lot of money on scientific stuff that I’m not smart enough to understand.

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Kitt’s a tough one – not really a destination road, but one you should ride at some point. Especially if you like telescopes or astronomical government spending. *pun alert*

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Then to Organ Pipe Catcus…I think I made one of those in a Freshman-year pottery class. Minus the Organ and Cactus part.

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As the TDR III plan is Baja, I decided to do some Mexicanvestigation. I’m definitely not muling any drogas in my rectum, so don’t bother asking.

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I didn’t stop once in Mexico. But when I got back to Cali, I got lost above SD and rode on a snow-covered road for the first time. Speaking of drogas.

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Pulled in there to put on rain gear, then pulled right out. And they say that’s not an effective birth control method! MAP:

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We’re hitting the home stretch, but there’s still a bit more to come.

BrianF

Surfer Rosa! (Please someone chime in if you get the reference)

Are you referring to the fact that there is a song called Cactus on the Pixies album Surfer Rosa? What do i win?

atx

BrianF

Surfer Rosa! (Please someone chime in if you get the reference)

Are you referring to the fact that there is a song called Cactus on the Pixies album Surfer Rosa? What do i win?

Bingo! Well done.

You win the hearts and minds of the people. It's war out here.

Btw everyone hang on for the last few posts - back on the road for work for the next 7 days.

Day 9

I woke up in a tent. This sort of coincidence seems to be common when camping.

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Dixon Lake was a real surprise. If your last name was Dixon and you had two daughters, they could be called the Dixon girls. Uhhh…

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Another random marmot photo because it’s my ride report!

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Oh god, just imagine if the Dixons had a donkey! It would be the…not family friendly.

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This is Lake Elsinore, and whaddyaknow, it has water in it. Leave your shower on all day because the drought is media propaganda!

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Dear idiot drivers: please stop turning left in front of motorbikes. Thanks, -Brian.

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Then to Coco Ichibanya for lunch. There will be a meeting with a toilet in your near future – enjoy.

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Next stop on my usual SoCal tour: Malibu. I didn’t used to drink Malibu rum in high school – that would’ve been illegal.

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I still get lost in the hills every time. Which is sort of like getting lost at Oktoberfest – not really a bad thing.

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If you know who rnickeymouse is, then you’ll recognize this spot. If not, you’re watching too much YouPorn (like there’s actually such a thing).

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Don’t worry, I only read YouPorn for the articles too. Majority rules!

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Then off through Ojai to Los Padres, to collaborate with Captain Morgan to identify the meaning of life. Little progress was made.

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MAP:

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One more day left.

It's going to be sad when you finish this masterpiece. :wub: :sad2:

Hey I forgot this one!

The Rockstore guys took a photo of me while I tried really hard not to crash. I succeeded at something!

Final post on Monday.

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Day 10 (the end)

If I could fit the bike in the tent, I probably would. I could run it to keep me warm! Wait, what’s this carbon monoxide you speak of?

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“I ain’t got a dime, but what I got is mine – I ain’t rich, but lord I’m free.”

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Peter Egan says the minimum temperature in degrees at which you’re willing to ride is the same as your age in years. I’m too old for Los Padres in November.

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By noon I’d slid into some grassy runoff on a frosty patch, ate cheese that I’d dropped in dirt, and broken my radar detector. Time to get lost.

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This is Nacimiento Fergusson Road. I use the term “road” loosely. Like, career-hooker-with-nine-kids loosely.

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But then you get to the top and you fall in love with her anyway. It’s kind of like Dirty Dancing.

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These are flowery bush things. They looked cool in person. Like every one of my slightly truthful stories, “you had to be there."

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All of my favorite roads are “who-decided-to-build-this-and-why” roads. This is the posterchild.

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I used to hate Big Sur because it’s so crowded. I mean damn, look at all those tourists. What a mess.

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Hey, at least the Scott Oiler keeps the rear wheel well-lubricated. Not sure about its effects on the chain.

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This is a bridge, but I forget which one. I’m just a fountain of knowledge.

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At this point you start to think about how far you are from home and how late it’s getting. Unless you’re me, then you don’t and you get home at 1am.

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*WOO WOO* Pull over, that ass is too fat!

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Just take these photos handheld because setting up your tripod is too much work. Deleting all the shitty handheld photos you took is comparatively easy.

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Your reward for all your patience: lane-splitting in the dark!

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And then, your Runaway is over. Until T.D.R. III…

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…it’s back to reality. MAP:

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Deuces.

Pilgrims at Plymouth

But I just froze in a tent

Who’s the turkey now?

Awesome photography, but you knew that. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to T.D.R. III

The end?! Boo Hoo. Must. Read. Thread. Again. And. Again. :fing02:

Brian, you are just awesome as a photographer and a writer. BTW  I like your tent. I don't 

care who else doesn't like you, I bet it would be awesome to ride along on my 05 Italian Red.

wrestler

Absolutely OUTSTANDING photos and writing! Thank You!