KRATZMC

Well, this day marked the last day of the 7^th Annual FPD ride. Tony, Milky and I would soon part company with Gary, John, Mike and Bob after we reached Bryce Canyon. The later guys had to get back to California while our trio was headed back to Salt Lake City to get ready for the Utah 1088.

We activated B.O.B. at 0800 hrs from the Shell station located in Torrey at the intersection of SR-24 and SR-12, grabbing a quick cup of Joe to tide us over until breakfast about an hour down the road in Boulder.

Hwy 12/SR-12 Aspen lined highway

We left Torrey and began to ascend as we rode south on SR-12. This is another favorite stretch of road for me, as the Hwy enters into the Grand Staircase and the Aspen tree lined roadway. Views are spectacular through out and on this mountain road the temperatures drop and provided an air conditioned like retreat from the hotter desert floors.

Views abound

As we rode along, I notice clues. These clues were in the form of cow pies on the road. When in an mountainous region and you see these land mines, heads up for free ranging cattle. Sure enough, we came across several bovines moving across the highway at various points so caution was in order.

I stopped at one view point and from here, you can see the variance of the terrain below and one National Park with its unique terrain, blended into another equally diverse park. Note to self. “This is an ideal spot for motorcycle camping”. There were many well groomed dirt roads and trails off of the highway, leading to meadows with spectacular views. A virtual haven for Adventure Touring.

After a most pleasant ride, we began to descend watching the trees start to give way to high desert type scrub as we arrived into Boulder Ut. Scanning for a place to eat, I noted a unique looking place nestled in the trees. The place called “Hells Backbone Grill”, is rustic in its design with many windows, giving you the feeling you are dining outdoors but without any bugs. One may easy miss it if inattentive so if going north through Boulder look right and if going south, look left. The breakfast was gourmet exotic with offerings of Buffalo Sausage, home made Jams, salsa sauces and unique breakfast fare.

Hells Backbone Grill, Boulder Ut

Hungry riders

After an excellent breakfast, we continue on scenic SR-12 and a short distance later, we reached the “Hogs Back”. The “Hogs Back” is a four mile stretch of road perched on top of a mountain ridge. There is virtually no useable shoulder and the slopes drop steeply, thousands of feet to the valley below. If you suffer from Vertigo, you may have some trouble but mind the 25MPH speed advisory sign and you will do fine. There is an information plaque that describes this section of highway and allows the only photo op on that stretch of road.

Hogs Back from the air

After the “Hogs Back” the roadway descends to the valley floor and winds through rocky canyons with some tight radius turns. Fortunately most traffic comes from the south so in our direction, we had very little tourist traffic to contend with.

Regulators……….Mount up!

We reached the town of Escalante, also another good place to grab a bite if you find yourself in the area during meal time. We saw a familiar sight, an old bearded Codger who calls himself the “Bike Doctor”. You will easy figure out who he is, as he will be sitting astride an old Harley and will wave to you if you are moving and come up to you with a business card if you are static. The “Bike Doctor” just happened to be sitting at a cross street as we road by and we got our obligatory wave and continued on to Bryce.

We stopped one more time in Cannonville, as I saw the Visitors Center sign for the Grand Escalante Staircase N.P. Knowing Milky and Mike would want their N.P. stamps, it was a good place to stretch our legs, hydrate, fuel and anti-hydrate prior to reaching Bryce.

With the short stop behind us, we again ascended towards Bryce and watched the scrub covered terrain transform into bright Salmon colored rock formations, dotted with green trees. We soon reached the park Visitors Center. I remained outside with Bob Hole as the others did their shopping. After the quick visit, I took them to two of the view points.

Bryce Canyon

USGS Survey Marker

View from Bryce Point

We did the touristy photo thingy like all the other visitors, who arrived in their cages and on the Tour buses. We got some stares from the heat bothered Pedestrians as we were adorned in our riding gear. Most of the gear we were wearing was the perforated summer type riding garb but to them, we looked like we were fully jacketed. I am an advocate for safety and especially in the desert, I always keep my skin covered. It really does keep you cooler and lets your body work like it’s supposed too. Bob Hole, who is probably more safety conscious than I advocates “A.T.G.A.T.T”. “All The Gear, All The Time”. Bob has been around the block a few times and I have gained a lot from his acquired wisdom.

After we were finished with the sights and sounds of Bryce and its spectacular views and rock formations, it was time for our final meal as a group. My intention was to hit the restaurant at Ruby’s. Although I have been there many times, I always camped and never ate at the resort. We pulled into the parking lot, jammed with traffic and buses. Little did we know, we walked into the Bryce Canyon Diner and not Ruby’s Inn Restaurant.

Ruby’s Inn was obstructed from view by the tour buses, so I felt duped. Second, the fare consisted of burgers, pizza and sandwiches, which were funneled down chutes in assembly line fashion. I was just hoping I would get a fresh burger and not one that had been sitting under the heat lamp for the past two hours.

I ordered a burger and when I vented my disgust, Tony said his steak and mushroom sandwich was fantastic. I took the bait and his offer for a sample. As soon as I put the piece I spit it out saying “It tastes like plastic!”. At that, Tony began laughing his ass off, knowing he had finally got me. Fish On!

After a disappointing meal, we parted ways in the parking lot. The others would head to Mesquite Nv in two groups. Mike and Bob would head there via Cedar Breaks for a cooler ride, while Gary and John went via St George and Zion N.P..

Don’t Eat Here Unless You Are Desperate

Ruby’s Bryce Canyon Ut

Tony, Milky and myself would head north into Panquitch, where a BMW MC rally was held just a few days before. We would work our way up north to Meadow, located off of I-15, where Milky and Sherry have a cottage get away.

We soon made our way as far as we could on US-89 and cut over to I-15, which was also 10 degrees warmer. As we worked our way closer to Meadow, I saw a sign that said “Cove Fort”. We took exit 135 which puts you onto SR-161 and leads you to a beautiful park like venue and spots of shade nestled in the trees, Cove Fort.

Cove Fort

This site is care for by the LDS church and is stop I recommend you see. We were greeted by and LDS Elder, who offered us a 45 minute tour. The best thing, it is all free of cost or talk of religion. Cove Fort was a Fort in every sense of the word and is beautifully preserved and restored. It was operated as a way point and Bed and Breakfast for those who found themselves in an area. To learn more, you can visit their site at “Cove Fort”.

Touring with the Elder

Inside the Fort walls

Dinning room

After our visit at the Fort and another 40 minutes on the road, we reached the town of Meadow Ut. Located in an agricultural valley, Meadow is a region steeped with out of doors activities, primarily hunting and fishing. The town is small, I mean small and the local joke is the “Meadow Mall”, which is just the gas station and convenience store at the highway off ramp.

Main St. Meadow Ut

We showered and changed and went to Filmore Ut up the highway for a dinner at the “Steak House”. We returned to Milky’s get away and sat on the covered porch for a cool summer evening and reflected on another successful PD ride. We pondered the destination for next year and Washington State came out as the destination of choice. I may just use it as a jump off point to finally ride Alaska, so we will wait and see.

Tomorrow we ride the South Jordan to prepare for the Utah 1088 rally. Thursday is the pre-ride BBQ dinner, Friday the Tech inspection and Speedometer Calibration Ride and then the pre-rally briefing at night. Saturday will encompass the rally and Sunday the finish and award Banquet. I will pick up my adventures with a synopsis of the rally and my journey back to Texas. So see ya later!

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