Motorcycle riding through volcanoes

I love reading about all the scenic byways in the U.S.A. One of them especially stood out, the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway.  This byway is 500 miles long and takes you from one active volcano to another. If you like discovering geological wonders while riding, this may be the trip for you.

The byway begins at the southern end of California at Lake Almanor.  This point is only a few miles from many active geological wonders at Lassen Volcanic National Park and takes you to the northern end at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.

As you ride this byway, you will see the great Cascade range, known for its chain of tall active volcanoes, and deep evergreen forests that stretch from the Canadian border to northern California. Cascade volcanoes erupt with fierce explosions which occur on the average of 2 eruptions per century. The most recent was Mount St. Helen in Washington State.

You will pass by many small volcanoes as you drive the byway. The Cascades are mostly made up of hundreds, even thousands of small shield volcanoes that lie between the large stratovolcanoes like Mount Shasta and Crater Lake (the former Mount Mazama).


The major volcanoes that you will pass along your travels of this byway are Crater Lake, Medicine Lake, Mount Shasta and Mount Lassen. The 6 mile wide caldera, which Crater Lake now fills is a 4 thousand foot deep hole that has filled up with rain and snowmelt to a depth of about 1,900 ft.


This byway also contains some of the most abundant wildlife habitat in the western part of the United States. Many unique and diverse landscapes also come together through this area.



Depending on whether or not you have just 1 day or a week, there is a travel plan along this byway that will fit your schedule.

Check out my other blogs for more motorcycle adventures and ride safe.

10,000 feet on a motorcycle

With incredible views at elevations of 10,000 feet and higher, this All-American Road is breath-taking. A 54 mile section of the Highway beginning 8 miles south and east of Red Lodge and ending just east of Cooke City, Montana has been awarded the National Scenic Byways status.

The Beartooth Highway is a 68-mile travel corridor, beginning (at its eastern most terminus), just south of Red Lodge, Montana at an elevation of 6400 feet and ending (at its western most terminus) near the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone National Park and Cooke City and Silver Gate, Montana, at an elevation of 7500 feet. In between those tow elevations, the road rises to 10, 947 feet at Beartooth Pass in Wyoming.

Looking for adventure? - Check out motorcycle riding on the wild side. The beauty, the wildlife viewing, and the sheer wildness of the ride make the Beartooth Highway one of the premier rides in America today. Two of the Beartooth Highway's gateway communities host motorcycle rallies each year, and the Highway's close proximity to Sturgis make it a natural stop for bikers traveling to and from the South Dakota rally.

Plan at least two hours of driving time on 68 miles of the Beartooth Highway. Be sure to pack a windbreaker and warm clothing for the trip!

The Beartooth corrider is surrounded by Custer, Gallatin and Shoshone National Forest near Yellowstone National Park, and passes through millions of acres of untouched wilderness. Gaze upon mountains, and glaciers on mountain peaks over 11,500 feet while traveling down the highest elevation highway in the Northern Rockies.

Accessing the Beartooth Highway takes visitors through one of three "gateway communities". Each of the communities offers unique visitor services and experiences. Visit each of the community's web sites when planning a trip to ensure a full traveler experience.

Points of Interest

1. Rock Creek Vista Point Rest Area & Interpretive Trail - Elev 9190'. This wayside is twenty-one miles from Red Lodge. Vista Point provides breathtaking views of Rock Creek Canyon and Hell roaring Plateau. The short trail to the overlook is wheelchair accessible.

2. International Summer Ski/Snowboard Camp - Elev 10,737'. The ski area lies in Wyoming above the Twin Lakes Head wall with slopes of 15 to 50 degrees and is one of North America's oldest ski training areas, operated by International Ski and Snowboard Camp. It is generally open for skiing by late April and runs into early July with access to 3,000 feet of terrain unless there is insufficient snow.

3. Gardner Lake Pullout and Trailhead - Elev 10,536'. This is the trailhead for the Beartooth Loop National Recreation Trail. It is also a great location for viewing the Bear's Tooth, a pyramidal spire rock formation carved by glaciers and the namesake of the Beartooth All-American Road. Look for alpine flowers in mid-July.

4. West Summit, Beartooth Pass Overlook - Elev 10,947'. This is the highest point along the Highway with spectacular views in every direction. In late may and early June, this high elevation are can produce harsh weather conditions including blowing snow and fog, resulting in short term (less that 24 hours) highway closures.

5. Top of the World Store - Elev 9,400'. This stop offers food, fuel, gifts and lodging and is 38 miles from Red Lodge and 25 miles from Cooke City. The store was originally built on Beartooth Lake in 1934 then moved to its current location in the 1960's It is operated under a special use permit from the Shoshone National Forest.

6. Beartooth Bridge, Falls and Ravine - Elev 8,900'. Beartooth Lake outlet flows under an historic bridge constructed in the 1930's using unique construction techniques. The high mountain water rushes south through the ravine and then turns to present a magnificent waterfall to travelers along the highway. A quick side trip to the Beartooth Recreation Picnic Area takes you to Beartooth Lake, which is great for fishing and canoeing against the backdrop of Beartooth Butte.

7. Clay Butte Fire Lookout Tower - Elev 9,811'. At one time this tower was used as a fire lookout. Now, it serves mainly as a visitor center. A well-signed pullout begins a three-mile drive up a gravel road to clay Butte Tower. Visitors are welcome to take in the panoramic views that include Montana's highest point, Granite Peak and Beartooth Butte, and enjoy the interpretive displays of the 1988 wildfires that burned in and around Yellowstone National Park.

8. Pilot and Index Peak Overlook - Elev 8718'. These two peaks located many miles west of the pullout in Wyoming rank in the top ten of the most often photographed scenes along the Beartooth All-American Road. In addition o the Peaks, this location looks down on the beautiful Clark's Fork River Valley, and the Wild and Scenic Clark's Fork River that ultimately flows into the Yellowstone River.

9. Clark's Fork Overlook - Elev 8,000'. This pullout offers closer views of the Clark's Fork River Valley. In late summer, patches of brilliant yellow aspen trees contrast with the background of dark mountains in the distance.

10. Lake Creek Falls - Elev 7329'. This rumbling falls plummets under the Beartooth All-American Road. A short hike takes you to a pedestrian bridge where you can get a closer look at the powerful waterfall.

11. Crazy Creek Cascade - Elev 7,329'. A short hike upstream presents a mass of water tumbling over rocks giving a cascade appearance rather that a falls. A generous parking area makes stopping at this site easy.

12. Clark's Fork Trailhead and Picnic Area - Elev 7,900'. Just as the Beartooth All-American Road travels back into Montana there is a mile-long stretch of recreation facilities including hiking and horseback-riding trailheads, Chief Joseph Campground and a Nez Percé Interpretive Site. This stretch of the highway is a great place to stop for a picnic, a hike or a history lesson!

13. Beartooth Highway Orientation Site - Elev 7,500'. At the west end of the Beartooth All-American Road you will find a wealth of information about the Beartooth Mountains, early area mining history and the Cooke City / Silver Gate area.

http://www.beartoothhighway.com/index.html

Freedom Is Never Free, The Forgotten Eagles

Forgotten Eagles®, Inc. a non-profit organization formed in 2002 by a group of concerned citizens that have come together in a common desire to ensure our nation does not set aside the needs of veterans and their families.

Thier goal, to heighten awareness and publicize the POW/MIA issue, to advocate for the fullest possible accounting of all of America’s POW/MIA’s, to promote physical and cultural improvement of America’s veterans and their families, to assist the disabled and needy veterans, and to participate in community projects that benefit those veterans.

Since its inception, Forgotten Eagles®, Inc. has become the largest cash contributor to the Michigan Veteran’s Trust Fund, with contributions totaling $98,661. They have also established a Veterans Memorial Maintenance Fund to assist individual chapters in maintaining the designated Veterans Memorials in their area of service. Forgotten Eagles® continues its support of Michigan Veterans by making yearly contributions to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans and the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw with cash donations as well as a recent donation of digital picture frames to use in the treatment of Alzheimers.

Growing to six chapters, covering 83 Michigan counties, this group of concerned citizens is sincerely making a difference in the lives of many Michigan Veterans along with keeping the POW/MIA issues at hand by continuing to press for accountability of all America’s POW/MIA. 

The goals of this group could not be met without the support of caring communities, similar organizations and concerned citizens that show support thru donations, participation in Runs and other fundraising events, volunteering their time and simply thanking each and every Veteran we come in contact with. The old adage “Freedom is Never Free” holds true now, just as it has for many years past.

Membership in the Forgotten Eagles® does not require that one be a veteran. Only that each individual believe in and support our mission statement, “Fighting for the rights of POW/MIA, helping to protect future veterans and veterans in need from all wars.”

Every dollar we receive directly benefits Michigan Veterans.

We are committed to improving their quality of life and have sincerely made a difference in their lives.

If you're ready to help those who sacrificed everything for our freedom, then it's time to join the organization.

http://forgotteneagles.org/ 

EVENTS

The leather clad fashionista: Strut your brain bucket!

Bell helmets have released their 2012 collections of fashionable lids for the sheak motorcyclist.
This collection is  full of graphics, and modern designs.

Bell has been around for about 50 years, so we all recognize the brand and agree on the quality of these helmets. Today motorcycle helmets come in an array of designs, models, and types. From full faced and open faced helmets to half helmets and flip-up helmets.

For those of us who choose to wear a helmet and those of us who are required by law to wear a helmet, we are all to familiar with the variety to choose from.

When it comes to safety, a motorcycle helmet is the single most important piece of protective riding gear. It has also become the most prominent element to express your personal style

Today helmets come in all colors, styles, and designs, and the 2012 collection of Bell Helmets are no exception. There is absolutely no excuse for not looking good on your bike with these attractive brain buckets.

Big, tattoo clad bikers with street names like Snake, Bubba, and Spider, will look sheik strutting their stuff in these designer helmets.













Whatever your style, there is no reason for not being able to find that helmet that screams YOU!

The Badlands on a steel horse

Overlooking magnificent geological wonders as you ride down twisty roads. Nothing is so beautiful, so untouched. Sitting on your steel horse, you seem transported back into the wild west as you overlook the stone pyramids, deep canyons and domes displaying shades of color that cannot be captured on film.  The views are incredible, that is the only way it can be described. Nothing is so beautiful than the scenery of the Black Hills and Badlands.

The Black Hills is not only a cornucopia of spectacular scenery but also home to Mount Rushmore. Work began on this structure in 1927 and took 14 years, 400 workers and one million dollars. The region provides spectacular National and State scenic byways.




Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway

This 70 mile stretch of scenic byway has been named one the 10 most beautiful byways in the United States and named for the late Peter Norbeck , a South Dakota conservationist, Governor and U.S. Senator. The Byway includes picturesque lakes, towering granite formations, six picture-perfect tunnels, tight hairpin curves, spiral “pigtail” bridges, and the wildlife ranges of Norbeck Wildlife Preserve, Black Elk National Wilderness Area and Custer State Park.

Along the route, be prepared to encounter steep grades, sharp curves and tunnels, which all add to the uniqueness and beauty of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway. Wildlife crossings are not marked, because they could be anywhere. A traffic jam here can be caused by a herd of buffalo or mountain goats.

Nothing beats the rugged beauty of the Badlands which features an inspiring and striking collection of stone pyramids and canyons boasting various shades of color.



Unique among the Nation’s National Parks, half of the Badlands National Park is made up of a mixed grass ecosystem that is unlike any other on earth; it consists of many native plants and animals. There is a short scenic loop along highway 240 that takes about an hour and is a great way to explore the park. There are about 14 scenic overlooks along the way which provide spectacular views.

If you have only gone to South Dakota for the Sturgis Rally and not traveled around this State, you have missed out on the beauty and magnificence that is truly South Dakota.

Best adventures: I'm lost!

The best adventures for me are riding with no particular place to go, no time limit and no agenda, just ride and when we get tired, we stop for the night where ever we end up.

Going through small towns I never knew existed and are not found on a map. Traveling down winding roads with beautiful scenery and sweet smells of pine. You can't find this if you planned it,,,especially if you planned it. Experiencing a feeling of total freedom, finding solice in your own thoughts, humming a tune over and over again while traveling down the road. The fact that you have no job, no money, past due bills and a car with major problems seems unimportant,,, It doesn't matter. The world is laid out before you and you're out to make discoveries and capture once in a life time moments.

There is nothing like traveling on a motorcycle. You can't explain it, you must experience it. Those are the moments that you find out what is really important in life. There are no do overs, just moments. They come and go, as hard as we try, these can not be recreated. They are captured, cherished and returned.  All that remains is the memory and the smile on your face.

Traveling in Maine

Maine , the easternmost state in the United States bordered by the Atlantic. Almost 230 miles of coastline and four designated National Scenic Byways. Each of Maine’s byways boast archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic qualities that make it worth the visit.

The shipping port of Bucksport overlooks historic Fort Knox, the largest fort in New England. With its labyrinth of passageways to explore, this 1844 granite structure will fascinate as you gaze at the awesome views of Penobscot River and Verona Island.

Gulf Hagas   

The gorge of Gulf Hagas is described as “The Grand Canyon of Maine” Filled with spectacular waterfalls, swimming holes, and chutes. Hike along an 8 mile loop which takes you along the rim of a deep 400 foot gorge and cuts through a branch of the Pleasant River. Gaze at views of Slate Canyon, take pictures of the immense population of wildlife, and witness the beauty and wonders of this untouched oasis.  

 Acadia - Saint John Valley   

Riding on the Acadia Byway is something not to be missed. This byway travels through Acadia National Park and the historic villages of Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor on Mount Desert Island and hugs the rugged Maine coast and the untouched old-growth forests. No need to worry about accommodations as you travel this route, you will find several along the way.

 Old Canada Road Scenic Byway (U.S. Rt. 201) 

Enter Main’s massive forests while traveling down Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway along Route 201 which winds alongside Kennebec River, Wyman Land and the Dead River. Small villages such as Bingham and Jackman offer relaxing places to stop for food or shop. Encounter abundant wildlife in mountain ridges, forests, and rivers. The fall season is a great time to visit which is a time that displays beautiful foliage colors and scenery when traveling this byway.

Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway

Traveling down Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway, you will have many opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching. While wandering this route, you will awe in the beauty of crystal clear lakes and rolling mountains.

Scoodic National Scenic Byway

For a rugged adventure, travel down the Schoodic National Scenic Byway and explore a less developed and unspoiled area of the Downeast Maine coast. Experience the art of lobstering as well as other traditional ways of life in the sheltered harbors and watch the work of local craftsmen and artisans along this pristine coastline.

For more information on taking a trip to Maine, check out: http://www.visitmaine.com/