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Published: February 25th 2014
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Just to prove I was there. The emotion associated with leaving people and the place that you have lived for the past 20 years is of course huge, but this blog is not about that personal side of events, but rather about what comes from motorcycling to clear ones head for what lies ahead in life. This blog is about a 2500 mile motorcycle trip and what happens on the way. Its about the sheer joy of motorcycling through the ups and downs that occur on any long trip and the people that share that trip with you.
The trip today is all about route 8 east which I joined from route 67 having left Poway (where I live for now) by what I would call the back route - that is away from the coast. It strange to be traveling the roads that you might do for a Sunday afternoon jaunt knowing you are going beyond and that you may never travel those familiar roads again.
Route 8 east takes you out through Cleveland National Forest- an odd name, since as far as I can tell there is not a single tree - the New Forest or Sherwood are oversold but at least they have
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The iconic entry point into Arizona. a few trees even in the modern era. Not so Cleveland - it might be better named the Cleveland Park of Piles of Stones. This naming is not to be scoffed as there are some memorable rock outcrops not 50 miles east of San Diego.
Beyond that there is less to rave about. Reaching El Centro I missed the first exit and thought I would exit the second for fuel for body and motorcycle. Too late there was only one exit. In Yuma there was at least a few exits to nowhere worth visiting except for food and fuel. The 3:10
to Yuma would be better named The 3:10
from Yuma. Along the highway you periodically see a memorial plaque to CHP officer so-and-so. I can't help wondering whether these are officers who happened to have money to warrant a plaque, undertook some nobel police deed, say a shoot out with a drug lord, or just fell asleep at the wheel and died in the wideness. The signs just do not do these folks justice. Passed a Museum of Granite outside of Yuma. Did not stop for obvious reasons. Sounds like the museum for watching ice melt or many other such similar nothings. Yuma marks the border into Arizona and the iconic cacti and some beautiful wild flowers soon appeared, beyond that there is not much to see, but wait there is that 3:10 to Yuma again - in this case a seemingly endless freight train loaded with a double decker cargo of containers. I got to thinking how many trucks that train would represent and became thankful for trains. Route 8 joins Route 10 which is the Phoenix - Tucson corridor characterized by more traffic and lots of billboards. The savior is a backdrop of some interesting mountains that offer a taste to come. Before getting to Tucson deviated off 10 to visit friends who live in the satellite suburbs that have sprung up out side of Tucson and have beautiful mountains as a backdrop. More as we head further east tomorrow with friends in tow.
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Wolfgang
non-member comment
Off you go, now
Hi Phil, I was wondering if the trip was actually going to happen. I\'m happy for you that it worked out after all, because I know how much you treasure these opportunities for time off on your motorcycle, and it\'s been a couple of years since the last one. Given the unprecedented drought in San Diego, it\'s no stretch of the imagination that you definitely are off to greener pastures. Cheers, Wolfgang