US tour, got any tips?

**Xile** · 27th March 2008, 08:58

Hey Mack,
Love this smile on your face mate!
Sounds so great, so much wildlife and beautiful landscapes!! Waiting for some more pics now :P

**Aa7** · 27th March 2008, 10:33

dude you look like your loving it

as everyone else has already said - we are ALL SOOO JEALOUS, have a great time

have you had anyone notice or comment on the silver NZ on your panniers yet

nice!!!!!!!!!

**Bikernereid** · 27th March 2008, 10:38

Glad you are having fun it looks awesome. So when do we get the next installment of pictures?

**Macktheknife** · 29th March 2008, 19:14

Sorry all, no pics to load this time, getting online is proving hard to do, small towns list free internet access in the motels but they seldom work as advertised and usually are too slow to get any pictures loaded up.
Zion and bryce were amazing, Hearst Castle was sadly closed by the time we got there, but Arches National Park and Moab area was pretty stunning
But in the last couple of days I have been thru Glen Canyon, along with route 141, which was really good but has to be done at slightly over legal speeds to make it interesting! Canyonlands was pretty too, kept thinking of those old 'roadrunner' cartoons, the landscapes were mostly drawn from these areas.
Road kill for today was really stunning, 7 red deer, a strange furry paste which could have been a coyote, 4 live cows, and a few birds that were no longer recognisable. The most exciting was coming round a corner in between 4 cows just walking along the road with no obvious destination! Not long after that was a genuine wild turkey, strolling about looking to become a hood ornament!

I am now in Colorado for a day or so, heading to 4 corners and Mesa Verde if the weather is kind, then on to Monument Valley and Grand Canyon!

I will load some of the incredible photos when I get a connection that will mean I don't have to spend a day in front of the computer just to load them!

Hope you are all having as good a time as I am! lol.
Mack

**EJK** · 29th March 2008, 19:19

LOL Road Kill Cows? We don't see them here lol

Man, you are really having fun!
I'm now jealouse

**Hinny** · 30th March 2008, 01:54

Originally Posted by Macktheknife

Hope you are all having as good a time as I am!
Mack

Of course we are.
Living vicariously through the lives of others.
Take a trip and never leave the farm.
No worries about tyre life.

**T.I.E** · 31st March 2008, 20:52

as im in the states too, this is the txt as i got it from the man.

"just outside the grand canyon tonight, bloody cold here! i am on the main street route 66 in the town of williams"

ill keep ya all updatyed as i get the txts from him. spoke to him the other day and he was in fine spritis. all though the kiwi accent isnt doing too well for him as yet.

he is loving it. but a few 20 - 30 miles straight roads aint alot of fun. wish i was on a bike here, but i know i would get into trouble.

and the police cars here have much better engines than the ones back home. who needs a police helicopter. dam they are quick lol. and local knowledge helps.

ill let ya know how he is it he cant KB it.

stuck in ridgecest and loving it.

**Macktheknife** · 1st April 2008, 13:19

So here are a few piccies from the last few days, still too slow to load them all but it should give you an idea of the amazing landscapes I have seen lately. I am in Grand Canyon tonight and tomorrow, then heading down some of Route 66 and off to Las Vegas for a couple of days!!
That should be a riot!
Alice's Restaurant, made famous by Arlo Guthrie.
Arches Park entry, get a national pass, saves heaps of money!
Balancing rock, weighs about 2500 tons!
Another large arch, about 70 feet across.
Strange rock formations, like a different planet in places.

**Macktheknife** · 1st April 2008, 13:24

A few more shots, can't remember the order...
Remember Forrest Gump when he decides to stop running?
This is the spot where that scene was shot, Monument Valley.
The 'open range' signs mean these guys can be found around any corner, not usually on the side either!
Bloody cold around here, better bring your warm gloves and longjohns.
Apparently altitude affects mileage.
Arches park is amazing, this one is about 18mtrs high, not the biggest by any means.

**Stirts** · 1st April 2008, 13:31

Originally Posted by Macktheknife

Apparently altitude affects smileage.

NO SHIT!

You are OBVIOULSY having a fan-farken-tastic time!!!!!

**tide** · 1st April 2008, 13:33

Awesome dude... looks like you are having a ripper of a time...

**Macktheknife** · 1st April 2008, 13:41

A couple more...
Finally got a good connection to upload, the weather has been really exceptional, but I don't expect it will last too much longer.
There are floods and tornados not too far away, snow in California, and the overnight low tonight where I am staying in Grand Canyon is expected to be about -4! brrrrrr.

Will load more when I get the chance.