Too much riding visiting and chatting with folks, owe updates!

Before leaving SC,  BBQ and a visit with my friend Jane. SC BBQ is second to none, and I eat BBQ all over North America.



We originally went east to head west, i finally headed west.

I always enjoy finding on deserted back roads an apocalyptic service station. We are now in Mississippi, the klr is amazing me.






Arrive in Philadelphia MS, visit a general store. They sell everything from animal feed to Ralph Lauren clothes to fresh meats and groceries to horse saddles to Justin boots.



Fresh slab bacon right out of the slaughterhouse



Women's Columbia brand threads



Horse and tack



Remember the theater on the movie "Mississippi Burning" the FBI set up so in?... this happens to be that old theater.



OK I arrive at cousins property and as promised she left the fare unlocked. My excuse to spending hours on her fire break trails is in looking for the perfect spot to pitch camp.  Deep down I know I'll be throwing the sleeping bag in the little cabin.



The little cabin.



Leave for another 500 mile day, head to Dallas. Of course I have to do in Monroe, Louisiana steer being tipped off about a cabin joint. Chatted with locals and ate the best seafood gumbo ever with shrimp, crab, and crawdad tails. I added the saltines.



Onward to Dallas and arrive. First stop i noticed they sell unique brand wine and wine bottle holders.



Wow TX brisket is second to none, and Cajun and brisket in the same day? Thanks klr. Now i remember last time i was in Dallas. Bonedaddy's House Of Smoke.

Made new TX friends here tonight



Then ate this HUGE fresh jalapeño, plus the sliced brisket and pulled pork. Just friggin' wow. The fried okra was all that too.



Eat here when in Dallas.



Now, is quite the challenge to haul all this camping gear into a hotel! Its just too late to figure out a campsite tonight. Tomorrow I meet the Dallas BMW group for breakfast, then head west.

Eat here when in Dallas.

+1

Looks like fun Steve.

Looks like a great time. I am down in your neck of the woods. Port St Lucie for a few days and then up to Orlando to do a week of Disney with the family.

Very cool Steve, looks like you're having a great time! 


I like the "friends" you met in TX... 

the klr is amazing me

That d*mn bike will put a smile on your face, huh?

Thanks for the update. the trip looks epic. Keep the photos coming.

693 miles on the klr today! 35 degrees when I arrived here on the Nm/Az border at Gallup, NM, glad i wired the bike for heated gear.I'd have done a lot more but I got a late start because I met up with the Dallas BMW Club. A guy had same jacket as me with size 34Long Gortex pants that didn't fit him. We made a deal and I was going through TX anyway. Got invited to their shindig meet and scheduled trip for it.


We looked like nerds in the same Klim jackets? That's his KTM 690. Was a great time with Joel and his crew.



Just what I needed, more cargo. No room so I just strapped the britches on.




There were a whole lot more bikes than this pic, my klr being the only Japanese type.



I rode a bit on famous rural Highway 66 in New Mexico, didn't take many pics but an old abandoned gas station from back in the day that hwy was active appeared apocalyptic, and I like zombie gas stations. This one had a wooden roof.




I been slabbing it and visiting folks. Now that I'm out west it's game on starting with dice and meeting friends in  Vegas then the real fun starts for the next few weeks, off roading/rural roading/ camping and some sport touring  miles

693 miles on the klr today! 35 degrees when I arrived here on the Nm/Az border at Gallup, NM,

I know Gallup well. I went to HS in Grants NM. Did you see signs for the "Ice Caves"? If you stop in tell them Steve, or Betsy's husband sent you.

the trip looks epic. Keep the photos coming.

+1

Can't wait for June, when I can go coast to coast. 

I know Gallup well. I went to HS in Grants NM. Did you see signs for the "Ice Caves"? If you stop in tell them Steve, or Betsy's husband sent you.

I remember those signs!

+1

Can't wait for June, when I can go coast to coast. 

Right on, its a great feeling!

Left this morning Vegas bound. I was on the nm/az border and man wow it was nice at the edge of the desert. I so miss living in AZ

 

Long story short got to Vegas after another LONG ride. talked to the last at Starbucks, explained I need a room unlike most in this town. i need to park the bike in front to easily unload.She phoned a friend and I got a suit for 39 a night local rate, and a card waiting good for 9.95 all u can eat prime rib buffet there. Geez I owe her a favor I didn't realize how she had hooked me up with that call till I got checked in and saw it. My door is behind the bike, 1st floor as requested



Of course I jump on the buffet after a long shower



Then none of the desserts on the buffet appeal to me and I ask the sweet lady if she can help. I requested cheese cake with strawberry pie filling and fresh strawberries on top, with extra cool whip or such. Geez she fixed me a nice one!

Hey there #9334, what diet are you gonna go on when you get back? It won't happen at the Citrus County Cruise.

Hey there #9334, what diet are you gonna go on when you get back? It won't happen at the Citrus County Cruise.

My scrawny self will need a diet, I'm looking forward to that event!

Here's the latest:
Needed a rear tire and our friend Jason is affiliated with a tire shop in Vegas. He gave me an incredible deal on a rear tire and oil change, and his mechanic threw in chain service, air filter clean, and a list of other stuff and I left a tip.

They have quite a few dirt bike tires in stock



They installed this for me



GEEZ Jason and his friend Fred turned me on to some locals food that was unreal while my bike was being serviced. Flakiest burrito I've ever had. Fortunately it was huge because I couldn't stop eating.



The tire made the bike look dirty it was so clean. Problem solved here.



Jason had me over and I met his wonderful family. Also  rode one of the his bikes, a 20 year old 1200GS BMW! So so smooth....



Night comes and as usual everyone gives the Klr  the VIP parking



I was going to take a few days break in Vegas after eating so many miles. I can't sit still so I'm heading on to Sedona, Chloride, and Jerome Az then back to Vegas the night before we go to Death Valley/Gold Point.

I was going to take a few days break in Vegas after eating so many miles.

  I know the feeling. It's a tough job sampling all those restaurants but somebody's got to do it.

I was gonna ask ya how the rear tire fared on the trip. Nice new meat looks perfect for playing.

When are you coming back through? Wifey and I will be heading to Hot Springs AR or San Antonio depending on the weather. Leaving out on 29 or 30 Oct, return about 8 or 9 Nov. If we go to Hot Springs, will be hugging the Gulf for the warmer temps and get some Cajun food for my soul.

I was gonna ask ya how the rear tire fared on the trip. Nice new meat looks perfect for playing.

When are you coming back through? Wifey and I will be heading to Hot Springs AR or San Antonio depending on the weather. Leaving out on 29 or 30 Oct, return about 8 or 9 Nov. If we go to Hot Springs, will be hugging the Gulf for the warmer temps and get some Cajun food for my soul.

Steve the schinko 700 did great! I'll be heading back 29 I believe, going to see friends in Dallas. Let's play it by ear and I hope we can make planets align and meet!

I had planned on a few down days in Vegas after a ride across the country but Jason gave me some tips on places to see such as murals in Chloride, and a ghost town and such.

Chloride had painted rock murals that phone pics do no justice but here are a couple





This is a WTH as a front yard ornament in Chloride!? The skeletal part is real skeleton and it has a helmet on




The desert was incredible and beautiful to ride in. After all these years I still wonder why I moved from AZ







This sign lies, LIES  I tell yah lol! The unpaved road was so sweet I got the klr faster on it than I ever got it on the freeway! I suspect the locals kept it plowed smooth.



Then I ate some road miles and went to Jerome, Cottonwood, and Sedona. The mountain twisties were AMAZING. And so was the desert. Here is looking in front of the klr approaching Sedona



Ended up dark and in Flagstaff. Tomorrow Vegas again, Thursday Death Valley!

Almost jealous   Is the KLR meeting your expectations and better yet, is it leaving you wanting more?

Almost jealous   Is the KLR meeting your expectations and better yet, is it leaving you wanting more?

Thanks! The Klr is doing better than I ever expected, especially at eating road miles. With the air hawk R on the seat I can go forever on it, even want to go far like today for no radon. The stock suspension shucks in the twisties, and when loaded off road I bottom out when torturing it. But other than suspension is baffling me how much fun this bike is.

I also noticed it doesn't do well hit baking and trail breaking the front into turns in the mountains. But in all fairness to the beater klr, I have a T63 knobby on the front. So it's either the tire, then front brake system, or both.

Again overall I'm amazed with the bike. I had a back up plan to ship it home and fly if it was bad. But no way I'm riding it back. Wish I had time to ride it to the North Pole and back first =)