I didn't know it at the time but this was to be my longest day on the road. I left early from Avoca, Iowa
you can see the long shadow of the morning sun that I had the road nearly to myself . It was still a bit cool but later in the day it was blistering hot
I was trying to put on the miles so I only made pit stops for fuel and beverages and perhaps a quick meal before I headed back on the road
Soon enough I-80 turned southbound to I-76 and I crossed into Colorado where I stopped for a photo. I remember that it sure was hot that day. I told Dom to expect me at 6pm and I was racing the clock to make it on time. I nearly made it on time but got lost trying to find his street with similar sounding names. So after 602 miles I finally made it into his garage
At this point in my journey I had already been on the road for 33 days so it was nice to have a non-riding day when Dom invited me to be his Monkey the next day on an excursion to Red Rocks Park
I had never been in a sidecar before so it was a new experience for me. I am sure many of you haven't either so here is a short recap of our day together. Dom did the riding and I was assigned to camera duty. This is the first chance I have had to work on my videos
I have no idea which roads we took and I can't remember the name of that little town where we had breakfast but it was a great day and many thanks to Dom for showing me around
Flashback to August 12, 2013 Denver, CO to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
Did you ask for clarification on whether you were the monkey or ballast? I'm told that the monkey participates and ballast doesn't.
ReplyDeleteNice video of a beautiful area.
Richard:
DeleteI'll admit that I was ballast for a while until the "captain" told me to lean right on right turns. I managed to do it most of the time, when I remembered so perhaps I was only a Half monkey. All I can say is truck wheels look large as they pass you on the freeway
Thank you for the reminder warmer days are ahead.
ReplyDeleteI expected you to make shadow puppets or wave at your shadows at 0:50 in the video when you were riding away from the sun.
Trobairitz:
DeleteIt was great to be a passenger and move my camera around. Too bad I didn't bring my monopod. I think I was bothering Dom as he was trying to keep a straight face and attend to the freeway traffic
Hard to believe that only 4 short months ago we were sweltering in the heat
Looks like a good way to spend the day riding and relaxing at the same time.
ReplyDeleteKen:
DeleteI had a few non-riding days but this was great because I got to ride and relax, both at the same time. I also got to play with my camera too.
Bob was a great monkey! It was very nice hosting you Bob, when you make your way south again, you know where to find us.
ReplyDeleteDom:
Deletethank you again for inviting me. I really liked the sidecar. Your subdivision had so many similar sounding names. I was riding in circles. Will be easier next time.
Wished we had more time to keep exploring but perhaps next time
We have pictures of us at that same sign.
ReplyDeleteI will be in Banff Canada in July. My daughter-in-law invited me to join her and two of my grand daughters. Air fair and hotel is on her company. I think that is near your area.
BB:
DeleteBanff is in Alberta and it takes over a day to get out of British Columbia, but it's much closer than Chicago. It's a slow road as we don't have freeways and really slow if you get stuck behind RVs or campers. You should rent a car and drive the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic roads in North America, and go up to the Columbia Icefields.
You are so lucky to have a vacation paid by your DIL's Company
We might just have to do that, I'll check into it.
DeleteShe owns the agency, it's like a franchise and corporate does a training/vacation once a year. They've sent her all over the country. This is the first time to Canada. Once to Mexico...Cancun I think. She said she liked Boston the best but she couldn't live there.
They have been to these so many times that they have made friends with other owners. Last year it was CA. A group of them headed to Disney Land, then rented cars and drove down to Lake Havasu and rented a couple house boats for a few days. Then they drove up to Vegas for a couple days and flew home from there.
I'm sorry my son can't go, but glad she asked me to take his ticket. She's a keeper!
BB:
Deleteyou should have fun there but remember you are in the Mountains and the weather can change fast. We have been there in July before and it was snowing a little. If you go to Jasper, AB make sure you take the side road to Moraine Lake.
Maybe your son "let" you go instead for some DIL bonding and a much needed vacation
Bob, so bold in taking that shot of the pillion who was basically naked below the waist (no wait, she did have shoes on), yet such restraint in refraining to comment on the folly of riding in such a precarious position without gear. You're certainly a study in contrasts. By the way, between her on the back of that bike, and you in Dom's side car, she was definitely the monkey. You were the intrepid photographer, as always. Great video. Next time, try to get the camera right down to ground level. If you had had a monopod I know you would have used it brilliantly. Dom would have been worried about it getting into the spokes.
ReplyDeleteDavid:
DeleteI actually spoke to that young couple at the gas station but I forget most of their story after so many months. They were heading home after a few days on the road with minimal luggage. I usually have my GoPro mounted on a Monopod but I didn't bring it as I was trying to travel light. I liked being in the sidecar and snapping photos. It's a lot of work to ride as you have to be leaning most of the time to keep the chair from flying