Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Arizona Mountain Ride

We had a great time and a great view. For some reason, my helmet slips to the side, which makes for a good look - kinda like Bob's Big Boy!


Well, plenty of time to recover and make our way to Jerome.



The next day, we saddled up for a ride to Jerome, a converted Ghost town. Unfortunately, Capn' Jimbo missed a turn and we ended up in Bum-F, AZ. Oooopsie.



Love was in the air.



Oh yes, we had fun that night. RJ, just has that certain look about him.



Terry Furlong entertained us throughout dinner. Terry was originally a band member on the Grass Roots (Midnight Confessions). Terry has cool storys on meeting Elvis, Beatles, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, Charles Manson (yep, that Charles Manson). We had a great time hanging out with Terry and even bought his book.



We headed out to dinner at the Cattleman's Restaurant. Had a western steak and shared a table with these wonderful ladies from Prescott.



OK, back to the present. This is funny "gallows humor" from Jersey Lillys Saloon.



As mentioned before, I know the boys from our hockey playing days. I found this team photo and here we are - with hair! That's RJ, top left, Kyle next to him. Skip over Blaine, we all do, then you come to me and Yanko. This team is the Portland Royals, hailing from Portland, Oregon. This is from a Las Vegas tournament - we won! Yahoo!



This is more like it. We found a nice resting spot.



And tht's Whiskey Row for a reason ... next door to the hotel is Matt's Saloon, Jersey Lilly, A-1 Palace and, hey look, there's Yanko up on the balcony. Let's check it out.Then it's on to Route 89 and a 3 hour ride up a winding mountain road to Prescott, AZ. The temperture dropped from the high 60's to the low 50's. It's an absolutely beautiful ride with wonderful canyon views as you ride up. Prescott is the original state capital of Arizona and has an Old West feel. Neat place. This is the St. Michael's Hotel where we stayed overnight, also has an Old West feel. The street in front is called Whiskey Row.




Here is where things get just a little strange. We stopped for lunch in Wickenburg and run into this fellow, wearing a badge and carrying a loaded sidearm - all legal in Arizona. Looks like RJ's older brother.


We headed north to Highway 60 and on to Wickenburg.


The next day, it's time to ride! Unfortunately, my bike died - right in the Harley Davidson parking lot. How convenient! The fine folks there diagnosed my problem (loose alternator cable), got me fixed up, battery recharged and on our way - no charge! love those guys.


After the game, we took in an 8 piece band playing pretty cool, albeit, whacked out music. We had such fun!


That night, at the Phoenix Coyote hockey game, Yanko gets to pose with the Stanley Cup. Very nice.


Now I get in the picture. We go back to the mid 1990's and played hockey together in Portland, OR. I use the term "played" loosely.



Here is lovely Jenée after a 6 hour ride from SoCal to Arizona. These are the boys, from left; R.J. Moore (RJ), Kyle King (Kinger) and Darren Yankovsky (Yanko).



Time to catch up with old friends and go for a Harley ride in the Arizona mountains. Jenée and I trailered in our 2 bikes to the home of my good friend, Darren Yankovsky in Buckeye, AZ. I realize I don't have many pictures of the actual ride and sights. Oh well, how 'bout I talk you through it. This is the bike carrier on our truck.