Devil’s Tower

August 9, 2011

Looked like a rainy day comino on….and it was.  So I put Sophia away and drove the truck to Devil’s Tower, WY. 

I thot this tower was just a Hollywood set make believe….nope, it’s for real.

Wonder how Richard Dreyfuss ever climbed that puppy….goes straight up about 1250 feet.

C ya mañana

Gonzo

twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA

Jeff Bridges & Robert Thomas

August 11, 2011

What a surprise, Jeff Bridges put on a pretty good show….not only can he sing but he can also play the guitar…howzat for some talent???!!!  Unfortunately I was looking for some drum beating, electric guitar rocking music night…he was singing ballads, and wistful stuff….but it was good stuff. 

Keep on singing Jeff….but don’t give up the acting job.

            While sitting at a bench table in front of Col Tom’s, couldn’t help noticing a nice sleeveless vest being worn by a guy in the front bench seat.  He’s Robert Thomas owner of Thomas Heating & Maintenance out of Gettysburg, SD. 

            Had a great chat with Robert.  He started out as a mechanic, became a truck driver, went to school to become HVAC, raised a family, made sure his son got educated and working for someone else before taking over the family business.  Twas a real pleasure to meed Robert.

            I’ve been very fortunate meeting some fine folks along the way of my travels…hope the good fortune continues.

            Listened to Stevie Nicks sing some…Changes, Soldier’s Angel, then the wind came down pretty strong, storm in site, so I pulled outa there and headed for the Best Western in Custer.  Tomorrow morning will be heading to Denver to pick up the I70 and head to Louisville.

            Looking forward to meeting more nice folks.

C ya mañana

Gonzo

twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA

Marine Taking My Site

August 11, 2011

While finishing hooking up the trailer to the Expedition, a young man rolled up in his truck asking if I was leaving.  

            He is Eric Sieffert and was a CH-53 Avionics Technician in the USMC.  I Semper Fi’d him and told him I flew the 46’s so we had a good chat…and of course, I relinquished our site to him.

            This was an excellent site as it was in the center of the field, next to what became the road for ingress/egress and well away from the aromatic outhouses.  And as I posted earlier, my neighbors were the best to have.

            Eric and I swapped beers, my warm Tecate for his cold Bud….seemed fair to me J.

C ya mañana

Gonzo

twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA

Indiana Flat Tire

August 15, 2011

Well, it was inevitable….can’t travel 4500 miles w/o having a flat.  I just wasn’t expecting it on the trailer with new tires on it.

I took the off-ramp to get gas and as I was rolling on the road between the off ramp and the Flying J gas station when I could hear a strange loud humming from the rear of the truck….thot the windows were open…they weren’t….that’s when I knew something was wrong.

As I pulled into the station there was a weight inspector there also and he came over to tell me that I had a flat tire on the trailer…bummer.

Bottom line, the “jack” that I bought from the Irvine RV store won’t work on my trailer.  But Dave Mishler of Dave’s Lawn & Tree service (256) 503-2503 had the kind of jack and was able to get the wheel up for me to change it.  Dave works a lot of the storm areas, hurricanes, etc., in clearing trees and stuff. 

At this point with the tire changed I was ready to hit the road….but I needed a spare.  Again, Dave was a big help as he gave me directions to the local TSC Tractor Supply Center for an extra wheel, a proper jack for the trailer and SUV, and directions to a tire shop that carried the unique trailer tires that I needed.

I now have two spare tires in the trailer and a jack to make the change if there is a reoccurrence of the event. 

BTW, cause was not a nail….but probably from low tire pressure.  Altho I had checked the tires the previous evening and they were at 50 psi, when I rechecked them at the station they were all at 40 psi.  So, each day before rolling, I will check pressure with the gauge.

C ya mañana

Gonzo

twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA

Patriotic RedHead

August 11, 2011

I will always do my utmost to firmly support our flag wherever it is draped…..or painted

Am havin a great time  :)

Gonzo 

Gail’s H-D & Truman Farm

August 14, 2011

Twas a lucky day today.  When I started my twitter: @GonzoCrossUSA, Gail’s H-D, Grandview, MO was one of the early connections made.  So naturally, upon leaving CA one of the objectives on this trip was to visit the dealership, get a Gail’s T, and possibly meet the young lady herself.

I pooped out around Abilene, KS and decided to call it a night at a rest stop when I received a tweet from Gail’s H-D announcing their Hoka Hey party that night…bummer…I was too far away to reach it.

In the morning, after passing thr u Kansas City, I turned south on the 71 and headed to Grandview expecting to see it open.  About 10 miles out I realized it was Sunday and I should have called first to see if the store was open….I’m glad I didn’t, cuz they were closed.

However.

I continued on to the store deciding to leave my card if they were closed.  Sure enough, as I turned off onto 150 I could see the store with an empty parking lot working on its suntan.  So I pulled in anyhow.

And guess what?  The service dept was open….Gails H-D was a check point for the Hoka Hey challenge.  After parking the rig, Adam came over to greet me and I explained why I was there and the hope of getting a T.  He turned me over to John Crabbe who took me into the closed store to his new bride Dani who helped me select a nice T and then over to Doug Dolton in the service area to ring it up…talk about being lucky!

But the luck didn’t end there.  As I was exiting the Service Door, none other than Gail herself pulled up on her beautiful Harley Softail.  It was a tough choice as too which one to admire the most…bike or Gail….but Gail won out…what a cutie!!  Made me wish I was 40 again J.  The pic is taken in front of her store…and what a store it is….OC Irvine eat your heart out J.

MOPH I-70 KS

August 11, 2011

Kansas has the nicest rest areas bar none!

Each one that I have pulled into is clean and nicely supplied with paper, soap, seat covers, and HOT WATER !!

At the rest stop just west of Topeka I slept for the night and found out that I-70 has been dedicated to the Military Order of the Purple Hearts.  It is also called the Eisenhower Highway.

Speaking of which, I pulled into Abilene KS to see where Eisenhower was born or lived…couldn’t find the place…guess I don’t know how to really read signs L

C ya mañana
Gonzo
twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA

Toby Keith Night - Bill/Laura - Wiebler’s HD

August 10, 2011

Holy Crap !!  Talk about one fantastic show!  Toby really knows how to put it on.  This was the best show of the whole week…he had the whole crowd rockin and singin to his songs….yes, I was singin all my favs…..and yes, a number of folks suggested I stay in retirement…permanently J

Tried to insert a movie from Toby’s performance but Blogspot wouldn’t cooperate….darnit!Met some really fine folks while up at Col Toms balcony.  Bill and Laura from Wyoming spent some time chattin with us between performances.  Bill just put some new pipes on his bike and they’re both excited about it.  He owns a medical distribution Co and they are relatively newlyweds…..hope to keep in touch with them.

Also met Don and Brian from Wiebler’s HD in Davenport, Iowa.  I thot they said Ohio and been trippin all over the map trying to find Wieblers in the wrong state. They were a lot of fun with jokes and stories.  I’ll have to stop in at the store and say hi to folks there.

Wow…can’t believe I finally got to a Toby concert !!!

C ya mañana

Gonzo

twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA

Campsite Packup

August 11, 2011

Got the trailer loaded and hooked up to the Expedition.  Bikes went on real easy this time with the location shift that I did.  Previously, Sophia went on first on the right, then ‘Lil Baby’ went on the left side staggered back 18 inches or so.  The prob with this arrangement is Sophia’s mirror striking the spare tire mounted up on the wall by the ramp entrance.

This time I put ‘Lil Baby’ on the right and she went in effortlessly as her handle bars and mirror are lower than the Road King (Sophia).  Sophia on the left was completed even easier J. 

I then pulled the trailer up the dry hill, exited the main entrance, and went around to the back entrance to Buffalo Chip and parked the rig by the Blue Lagoon pay showers.  Perfect location for quick egress from camp and within slight walking distance from the Amphitheater….a lot easier then leaving it parked at the campsite and trying to egress from there after the show finishes.

C ya mañana

Gonzo

twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA

Tyger Vally, South Africa

August 11, 2011

Tyger Vally in Sturgis?

Was in the photo shop on Main & 2nd(?) in Sturgis looking at the group photo taken at high noon.  Found my face (barely) and decided not to buy the pic. 

Bought 3 tees on a pkg sale (I.m a sucker) and met Hennie and Peter from Tyger Valley, South Africa.  They flew into Chicago and then rode to Sturgis.  Pretty cool….

Wish them a safe ride and flight back home and hope they can keep in touch.  An I promise to work on improving my accent for them J

C ya mañana

Gonzo

twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA

4 Wheeler Fun

August 10, 2011

My neighbors to the other side of me were two good ol’ boys from Aberdeen, SD. 
Dwight Aman and Rod Kirschenmann get kicked outa the house every year by their wives and sent to Sturgis so their wives and kids can get a well deserved break.

Dwight & Rod pulled in next to us with a truck and a mini flatbed trailer hauling a strapped down truck camper (w/air conditioning), golf cart, and a 4-wheeler.

They just ran around on the 4 wheeler checkin out parties, drinkin beer, and just have a good ol’ time.

C ya mañana
Gonzo
twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA

Iowa Soldiers as Neighbors

August 10, 2011

Said goodbye to men and their ladies that camped next to us. 

These are some of the finest young Americans that was my honor to meet.  They were all in the same platoon in Afghanistan and were hanging out together @ #Chip drinking, partying, talking, having a well deserved good time.

They were gr8 neighbors to have on my side….ok, you probably figured it out.  They had buckets of beer sittin out approximately 2 arm lengths from me….and I couldn’t resist borrowing a few from them to take to the Def Leppard concert (but in return, the next day I placed 4 Mexican beers and a bottle of Chardonnay into their bucket). 

I salute these men and their families and am deeply grateful for their service to America.  My apology for any misspelling and incorrect ranks/positions.

Clay Cundy, PltLt, South Dakota

Blake & Kristan Jones, Iowa (Blake is an ordained minister)
Jon & Erica Goodknight, PltSgt, Iowa
Brian Hickle & Patti, Iowa
Jason Boesen, Iowa
These fine young men were with the 133 Infantry Iowa Guard in Nuristan, Afghanistan

Thank you men, America is indebted to you.

C ya mañana
Gonzo
twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA

Iron Mountain Pucker Factor

August 10, 2011

Alter comino outa Custer State Park I jumped over to Iron Mountain Road.  Holy crap!  This is one helluva twisty, uppy, downy freakin road!  Hairpin turns at 5mph while ascending or descending…not much level road here. 

At first the turns were intimidating but then I began to feel at ease, leaned back and used the engine while leaning into the turn to bring be around tight turns.  As this exciting ride progressed into lanes that could only accommodate 1 bike (You miss an edge and you’re over the side or smacking into trees) and thru one lane holes blasted out of solid rock I began to get a little too comfortable with everything.

No, didn’t crash or anything.  But I’ll probably be constipated for a week.  I was doing about 25-30 mph and hit a turn when I realized the damn road was practically a 360 deg corkscrew turn! F**K!! I couldn’t touch the brakes as I feared the rear would drift into the rail.  Throttled completely down hoping the engine would be effective brake…no, not much, the descent was too steep.  All I could do was lean Sophia so hard that I could feel the runnin board scraping the asphalt.  I made the turn, but after that the last 2 miles was done very slowly.

Back at the room, reflecting on that corkscrew turn, I decided to apply my own corkscrew to a bottle of red….which I’m sippin right now….makes me recall the Jackass’s big brown eye.

C ya mañana
Gonzo
twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA

Jackass In Hwy

August 10, 2011
Today was a slow day.  Left #Chip for hotel in Custer.  After Toby’s freakin fantastic show last night I decided not to drive back to the hotel but instead to sleep it off on the air mattress in back of the Expedition.

After taking care of personal business via the internet (none #Chip) I jumped on the bike and headed to Custer Park specifically to run the Wildlife Loop.  No, there weren’t a bunch of bikers on display behind bars! 

Down Under Up In Utah

July 5, 2011

Slept for about 5 hrs then headed for the courtesy breakfast Quality Inn provided for guests.  I was expecting the usual continental but I actually had a ticket for the breakfast buffet at JB’s restaurant conveniently located next door.  Had coffee, scrambled onion-grn pepper eggs and bacon. 

After serving myself from the buffet I selected a table and sat down.  Unknowing to me, the couple that entered JB’s ahead of me had also selected the tabbe-the gentleman came over to get a small item on the table that I hadn’t noticed.  I apologized and started to move.  He told me that it was OK and I could detect an Aussie accent.  I moved anyhow and so did he and his companion…oh well.

Finishing the last of my bacon and coffee I overheard another lady telling her male friends about a biker crash she witnessed…was a bad one, guy trapped unde the car and screaming.  I finished eating and passing their booth I said, “I get real nervous when I hear stories like that!

I forgot the waitress’s name (bummer), but she was originally from OC and her son and daughter live in San Clemente. 

Out in the parking lot, getting ready to roll, I saw the Aussie couple again and we got to chattin.  His name is Sid from Sydney Australia and his gal is Kathleen.  They  have been travelin the world and are now crossing the USA heading back to Aussie Land.

C ya mañana

Gonzo
twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA

First Day’s Run

August 3, 2011

Finally got outa OC!  Made some stops in Fontana then hit the road to pass thru Vegas, AZ, and enter UT with Richfield Quality Inn holding a room for me.  Since this is my first run with a fully loaded trailer I decided to drive 60 mph or less to see how things shake out.  Each stop however showed nothing amiss in the trailer.  The shelving built in front of the 16 footer crisscrossed with heavy duty bungy cords more than adequately retained all the Costco plastic storage container boxes.

I figure all my gear plus shelving is under 800 lbs, bikes are 700 + 950 added to a trailer of 2350 means I’m pulling no more than 5000lbs. 

The Expedition’s 5.4 engine pulled the load nicely and would shift down into 4^th when starting the climb into the mountains. 

It was dark as I left Vegas so I never got to see the land…but I’m sure it was all barren desert.  Outside temps ran up to 104 degrees.  I could see lightning flashes in the distance so I expected and did receive some rain but it was minor.  It was a long ride to reach the I-70 turnoff from I-15 but I was rewarded with only having to go 40+ miles to reach Richfield. 

Got in around 2:30AM….my penalty for leaving so late.  I was worn out…reminded me of the ol Flight School saying, “stalled, crashed, burned"…that’s what I did when I hit the sheets

C ya mañana
Gonzo
twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA

Whata Rack !

July 29, 2011

For those of you not up to speed on my latest, I depart Tues AM for Sturgis, SD.  On the 12^th I depart for Louisville, KY to visit friends when I lived there in ’67-’69; then on to Lusby MD to hang w/bro playing golf, chattin, bbqing, yadayada.

Riley Marine in Long Beach finished building the camping rack for the Road King and WOW, what an awesome job!  They collaborated with me on the design and then built it out of steel tubing and polished it up to look pretty.  Now all the camping gear can be strapped down around the T-bag without touching the RK Classic leather saddlebags ….and the cover of the saddlebags can open under the rack!!  Absolutely awesome.

C ya mañana
Gonzo
twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA

Catchin Up

August 13, 2011
What an unbelievable week!   

Departure outa CA was a day late but made it to Sturgis on schedule.

Then the partying began…and the ridin

Absolutely awesome!

Now to write some of the stories get the Blog up to date

And to try and wind down….man, my inner motor is just screamin high RPM’s!

Hope the drive outa Colby KS towards Louisville will settle me down.

Following posts will be outa date but will capture some of the past events.

C ya mañana

Gonzo

twitter:  @GonzoCrossUSA