Big Bend or Bust

eemsreno

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It was -14*F just 24 hours before I hit the road, but it got up to 20* so off I was.


I was getting the 2012 ready to go and Michelle said " why don't you just ride the new bike?" We have had the 17 for 2 1/2 years and I have never ridden it on any trip without Michelle on the back with me. So the more I thought about it ,I thought it would be fun.

I stopped by Marble Falls, Arkansas to get some pictures then ended the day setting up camp along the Buffalo River.
The ranger told me it was free camping along the Buffalo until March 15th when they turn the water back on.

Marble Falls.


First night camp.


I stopped in here for breakfast and it was great! I'm going to have to ride Michelle down here for breakfast during the rally.


I rode the Talimena National Scenic Byway.


That night I think I was someplace in Texas. another free camp.


Still in Texas the next night. [Texas is Big!]


Then I ended up at Rock Hound St. Park in New Mexico. The rock hounding wasn't all the great though.




That evening I had just put a can of chili on the cooker when a couple walked up behind me and ask if I would like to join them for supper.
I said just give me a second to throw this chili in the trash.
Had a great evening with Larry and Debra from Wyoming.
They own a ranch there but sold their home and live on the road now.


The next day I found a jeep road and rode up in there to find a great old abandoned Ghost Town "mining camp"


There was so many buildings all over and a millsite, mine. and I could have spent hours looking around.
















 
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eemsreno

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I rode up into Mogollon, New Mexico.










Then up 191 through Clifton, Arizona's big copper mine.




Camped in some forest campground that night.


It's a good thing that I stopped there because on up the mountain the campgrounds were all closed from snow.




I seen two herds of elk.




I was headed up to the Petrified Forest, took a couple pictures of their rock,




Then went way out on a dirt road to look for my own petrified wood. [outside of the park of course]




I just loved it way out there and should have set up camp and just stayed there for days.


Found plenty of "good wood"
This is just a small sample of what I hauled home.
I had too big of a load , My granddaughters will love it for their rock collections.


That night was by a lake.


 
B

ballisticexchris

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Looks like a fun ride!! Boy that bike is loaded. What's cool about these big bikes is being able to carry all the comforts needed for serious traveling. BTW, I notice you are using the stock foot pegs. I'm feeling a lot better now that I switched back to mine. My last "big trip" I was surprised at how comfortable they were for seated and standing riding.
 

eemsreno

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I thought Arizona was very pretty and am looking forward to returning again.


I rode up Mt. Lemmon




That night I ended up at some cave state park "Kartchner Caverns"
Set up my tent and it started to rain so I got in and was going to dig around for something junk to eat when outside my tent a guy was asking if I was home. He said he seen me pull in and with it raining wanted to know if I would have supper with him and his wife.
I said I'll be right over.
This was Don and Pam from Maine. He rides a 650 V Strom. Very nice evening.


I rode through Bisbee



Rode along the Mexico border as close as I could.

That night I ended up at Guadalupe Nat. Park. Just to camp, It's mostly a hiking park.


Heading for Big Bend along the border. Highway 170 "River Road"




 
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eemsreno

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When I got to Big Bend all the camping was full even the remote backcountry spots so I had to leave the park and find a spot.


I hiked up this hill to get a picture and picked up a hunk of petrified wood.

I just didn't want to leave it behind but I had way to much "good wood" already. so I took it with me to a little store called Stillwell. So this guy in the store was telling me all about the family that settled the land and they had 22,000 acres. He said the lady wrote two books and they were great reading. So I showed him my Petrified wood and he was really impressed and I picked up one of her books and said I'll trade you. He said sure! Take it!.

I had something to read at nights.

I got up early and headed back into the park to find a camp.


Unloaded everything and headed for the River road. It's a 4x4 road 50 miles along the Rio Grande.






I seen two jeeps when I first got on it but no one after that.


I really liked exploring this area.























Then I had to head for home. My last nights camp was in Knox City Texas.


Had to ride 825 miles in a stiff head cross wind but got home at 12:30 AM this morning. It was 20*F Yep Feels just like Home Sweet Home.

Thanks for reading.
Steve
 

BaldKnob

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Very nice! Looks like you camped next to some very cool folks too. Amazing that Big Bend was so full... must be the place to be when it's 15 degrees thru most of the Country.
 

Don T

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Thank you for sharing your ride.
Can't wait to get my bike back on the road after a long dark winter with no riding. Hopefully it will happen soon.
 

Madhatter

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sometimes you get to big bend and you can find a spot sometimes not .... there are 2 big bend parks ,the national and the state . I have not been to the state park yet , but it is the less developed and wilder park.... summer in the parks is pretty hot so winter fall and spring are the optimum times of the year to visit.
 

eemsreno

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Do you have heated gear or how do you survive the cold at speed?
I think you would die out there without heated gear.
I had on as much as I could and I was not warm. 4 pair of long johns. The 17 has factory heated grips and my hands stayed very comptable except one finger kind of got burnt. I had on good insulated boots but with 3 hothands in each boot my feet were cold. I had 2 hothands body warmers on both thighs and that helped. My heated vest kept my core pretty comfortable unless that brutal side wind could get air up under my coat.
The last 300 miles I had to stop every 75 miles to drink hot chocolate or coffee .
 

gmtech

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what all do you where to keep warm on those long cold rides? my chin always gets cold when I commute when its below 25F
 
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