Start: Las Vegas, CA 10:25am
End: San Diego, CA 4:54pm
Miles: 350
Total trip miles: 2,899
Summary:
Well, the trip came to and end. And what a trip it was! Traveling by motorcycle is infinitely different than travel by car and I learned many valuable lessons about motorcycle touring.
But the most important lessons I learned aren’t ones which can be listed in order or are so matter-of-fact. These are the lessons one can only learn when in soltitude and faced with challenges. Personal lessons about who we are and what’s important. It’s the people in our lives and who we are which give satisfaction and meaning. We are not defined by our jobs, education level, net worth, or clothes on our backs. I realized how important people are to me, without them we’re simply cruising along in landscapes in scenery. The future may be uncertain, and things may change around us, but the firm bedrock of the soul, if discovered and nurtured properly, will weather anything and stay as solid and everlasting as the granite mountains of the Rockies. I hope to be able to take this spirit of adventure I used during this motorcycle trip and apply it to other areas of my life, to use the same courage to challenge myself personally and try to grow as a person by facing down my fears in other areas. Thanks to all who have supported me in the past few weeks, the small and big things mean more than you may know.
Start: Salina, UT 9:38am
End: Las Vegas, NV 3:24pm
Miles: 390
Money won: $31.25
Summary:
Today was a pretty chill day (pun intended). Leaving Salina the tempature was about 30 degrees and it didn’t get above 50 until about an hour outside of Vegas. I had some coffee with some Harley guys I kept seeing since Denver and we talked about our near death experiences the day before in the snowstorm. Drove through some cool canyons then got in to Vegas where I got a cheap room at the Luxor. After a great skate session at one of my favorite skateparks, I walked to watch the Bellagio then played some slots where I came out ahead $31.25. It always feels bad when you put another casino out of business 
Tomorrow…back to San Diego where the bike gets a good bath and tune up.
Start: Cheyenne, WY 6:24am
End: Salina, UT 6:36pm
Miles: 590
Altitude: 10,000+
Summary:
Wow, what a day. I decided last night to forego Salt Lake City due to a big winter storm system moving in to the area. Instead I planned to drop back south to Denver then cut West through the Rockies in the hopes of beating the weather. Mother Nature had other ideas. In exchange for the breathtaking scenery, the weather challenged both man and machine. First rain and storms in the mountain passes of Summit County which left me covered in mud, to the 50 mph wind I would battle across the high plains of western CO that would try for 3 hours to peel me off the road, and finally to the bone chilling cold of the Utah mountain ranges where I found myself descending from a 10,000 foot summit 50 miles away from an exit in a whiteout snowstorm. I learned the true definition of courage today and felt the triumph of overcoming challenge. The ride was beautiful and I had some amazing experiences on the bike. I figured the only way to end a day like this is with some good ‘ole Mormon fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Tomorrow…Vegas. I go to sleep tonight grateful to have arrived safely and glad to be alive. Tell me you can have that type of experience in a car…
Start: Pueblo, CO 8:23 am
End: Cheyenne, WY 6:39pm
Miles: 293
Skateparks: 3
Summary:
Another good day. I’m exhausted as I write this. Today was a triple threat: 3 skateparks back to back. First, Denver (which by the way is an amazing skatepark). Next up, Boulder skatepark (super fun, highly recommend it). And finally, Fort Collins skatepark (not the best and I was pretty tired at that point but I managed to flow around). Other highlights of the day include the Denver 16th street mall and an awesome sandwiche shop in Fort Collins. Cheyenne seems small. I feel like I’m in No Country for Old Men. Now if I could only find my cowboy boots and hat. Tomorrow I need to get on the road EARLY. Looks like a big snow storm is on it’s way. The race is on!
Start: Albequerque, NM 10:30am
End: Pueblo,CO 8:37pm
Miles: 393
Low temp: 40 degrees
Altitude: 7,500+
Summary:
Started off the day skating in Albequerque at an awesome skatepark all by myself. Fought strong winds to Santa Fe. Hung out there and got some great breakfast then rewired the bike. Headed out into the Rockies. So beautiful words can’t describe. Me and the bike really hit our stride today. Another great day! Tonight laundry, tomorrow Denver skatepark.
Start: Scottsdale, AZ 9:00am
End: Albequerque, NM 10:09pm
Miles: 493
Max Altitude: 7,000 ft
Summary:
Up out of the desert and into the mountains. Crisp, cool, fresh mountain air. Tamarack pines. Lumber county, bear territory. Smooth blacktop snaking through the hills and trees. Perfect weather at Flagstaff. Skated the park; met some locals; had a good session. Left the forests of Flagstaff out onto the wide open prairie. Roads that go forever. Each minute feels like two. Truckers; petrified forests; knife shops; Americana; ghosts of Indians and buffalo. Navajo Nation. The sun sets over New Mexico. I ride at night through the cold night air of the high desert under a brilliant blanket of stars. Albequerque at night. Motel 6. Another great day of riding! Tomorrow…the Rockies.
