Gremlin's Tall Stories

7.30am and the alarm goes off. Kevin had said leaving at 8am, so a bit of a sleep in (at least for them). I’d already been awake from Murray and Anjum moving around. Then I realised I hadn’t even collected my bag from the previous evening so nothing to do there.

Still… I had to get up anyway. The sun was still somewhat cold and I wanted to check my tyre pressures as I thought they may be down a bit, especially from the bashing off road. Sure enough, both needed a couple of PSI, all done easily enough with my pump kit.

John then took an interest in the bike, so I showed him some of the features that haven’t been introduced to tractors yet. He even had a sit… perhaps I have converted one… only a few to go, but I fear I have left it too late in the trip to convert the lot. At least their plan to convert me has failed miserably.

I bade them farewell, chatted to Kevin who was looking as ready as me (shorts, t-shirt, jandals or bare feet), except he was about to put on his boots and head off. I had a shower, packed, cut my finger nails etc. and had my usual cruisy start to the day. The temperature was mild compared to yesterday, high 20s in the morning.

On the road at 11.30am, there was no gas station right in the Village, but I assumed I would come across one in due course, and I had over 200km left from the previous day’s fill. Sure enough, after 50km I spy a gas station. Giving the attendant $25 (it’s all prepay pretty much in the USA), thinking it should cover the gas, I’m surprised to see that it doesn’t. $4.49 a gallon, it’s at least 50c more expensive than normal… blimey, no wonder I didn’t fill the tank. I’m not inclined to give them more money either, since I have plenty of gas for the day.

It’s a shorter day, around 150 miles, so quite easy going. South on 64 but skipped Williams, zipped along I-40 to Flagstaff, briefly onto some back roads including a piece of the historic Route 66, then I realised dear Karen was taking me to the centre of Flagstaff. It’s the weekend, so traffic everywhere, I can’t be bothered and find the Highway, jumping onto ALT89 as soon as possible, heading out to Sedona. It’s warmed up in the early afternoon, now low 30s.

It’s a fantastic winding road, unfortunate that a car decided to hold up everyone, never pulling over and doing 20-30mph. Eventually I got past using a short straight… about time. A few shots while on the move (I had no desire to have the snail catch up) and I passed right through Sedona, Cottonwood and Clarkdale without stopping, as I had less than an hour to Jerome. Between Clarkdale and Jerome I was most happy to see the Americans embracing roundabouts. Touched something down on one of the four successive roundabouts.

Arriving in Jerome at 2.30pm, it’s about a mile above sea level, and appears to be a destination for bikers, much like the Coromandel and the Conner Hotel is buzzing. I have no idea where to check-in, so queue at the bar, and he informs me the door that looks like a gift shop is where I want to be. I ask to check-in, and she says the rooms aren’t ready yet, only at 3pm. Drat. Enquiring about a suitable eating establishment, I’m directed to another Inn down the road. Our group is actually spread out across several places, the Mile High Inn being another.

I say to her off hand it won’t be long anyway… she says, well, about 1 and a half hours, as it’s 1.40pm. Wait… what? Turns out I have missed a time zone change somewhere. It gets worse. It means that I didn’t get up at 7.30am… I got up at 6.30am. This thought alone is worth thoughts of suicide… but I also didn’t go to bed at 11.30pm… it was 10.30pm. This life changing event is too much to comprehend for me, so I don’t bother.

The Mile High served a fantastic Avocado burger, 1/2lb Angus Patty and thousand island dressing. Bottomless lemonade gets refilled a couple of times, I think the bartender was a bit surprised. The wall is covered in memorabilia and historic signs, some really funny. Mark and Gerry rock up as I finish up, they’re in this Inn so a quick chat and back to the Hotel. Nope, the rooms aren’t ready, it will definitely be 3pm and even then they are pushing it. I settle down in the shade to wait, then spot Kevin, so chat to him until Ken and Jan also pull up.

The rooms are finally ready, so we check-in, unpack etc. the usual stuff. I really want to get back up to date on the blogs, so spend the afternoon into the early evening processing my photos and uploading them. Murray comes visiting a little after 7pm, and gets the front desk to ring up to me. He fancies a burger, I do too, so after he’s done on the phone we search out a place that had been recommended for excellent burgers.

Trevor and Buzz arrive, we tell them to join us. The choice of place is good, he had fish and chips, I had a steak sandwich with lots of salad (you got your own from the selection) and wedges. I could swear I’ve been putting on weight, much to my annoyance, but once the waitress says there is carrot cake I flip like a light switch… the deal is sealed when she says it’s really good It comes… cor blimey, the damn thing is massive (I took a photo for proof).

I finally polish it off, including sampling Murray’s cream cheesecake thing (which was also good). There’s a birthday for the couple at the table next to us, so we sing them Happy Birthday, and because their chocolate is large, they offer some to us. We tried to offer them ours… they didn’t take it for some odd reason. The chocolate cake was also delicious.

It turns out Trevor and Buzz, Darryl and Raewyn had been delayed because of Harley issues (what else eh?). Darryl had heard problems from the rental’s gearbox, so took it into the Grand Canyon dealer to have it looked at. Pulled apart on the spot… the gearbox is shot, requiring extensive rebuilding. A call to the rental guy (they have another bike insurance, plus roadside assist etc.) and in the end, the owner provides his own Harley to them, while something is sorted in the background.

Heading back to the hotel, I drop in on the Karaoke, except it’s on the wives, who have enjoyed a lot of Sangrias, a few turns for the ladies, then on to the guys, who are playing pool down the road. They’re far too good for me, so a quick chat, they’re heading off for the Karaoke and I head back to the hotel to continue my write ups.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TrPtMCBYQm5cYNdb8