Sunday, May 31, 2009


Day 7 Santa Fe, NM

I changed my plans a bit. I was to leave Santa Fe today but the weather conditions out in the Farmington area were really bad. So, I am staying here one more day and will leave for Alamosa, CO tomorrow.


Santa Fe is and art center. Galleries and Museums abound. There was a Fine Art Show in the park. I headed over the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. I have enjoyed her work fir years and the opportunity to see it up close, could not be missed. If you are not familiar with her and her work, google her and learn.


I spent the rest of my walk recording examples of Santa Fe art, it’s everywhere.

Saturday, May 30, 2009


Day Day 7 Santa Fe, NM
Today was my day to see Historic Santa Fe. But first a visit to the local CVS Pharmacy. I needed to renew two prescriptions that my HMO would not fill before I left Clearwater. I called in the prescriptions yesterday and picked them up this morning. No problem, they took care of it just like the Clearwater store said they would.

My first stop was Historic Plaza and the Palace of the Governors. The Palace of the Governors has an Indian market under the long porch every Saturday. They line the porch displaying jewelry, blankets and baskets. I asked one couple if I may photograph them, they declined and I politely put my camera away.

The Palace of the Governors is also a History Museum. Upon entering, I was informed that today admission was free and as a bonus I was invited to a preview of the beautiful 3 story new museum, located directly behind the Palace of the Governors. The Grand opening is tomorrow. Sorry no pictures were allowed.

I did shoot some photos as I wandered around some of the old streets. The architecture is fascinating, a smooth soft look prevailed and colors are the colors of the earth.

Lunch, as food is very important, was at the Coyote Cantina. A Southwest Burger and a Corona went down very well. Then it was back to the hotel and a nap.

Just got back from dinner at Cowgirls Bar-B-Q. Excellent Bar-B-Q and an interesting history. If you want to read it click here: http://www.cowgirlsantafe.com/history-photos

See todays photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dickpritchard/sets/72157619019627602/

Friday, May 29, 2009


Day 6 Roswell, NM to Santa Fe, NM 254 Miles
Today was all about what I started this trip for. I have often dreamed about wide open roads that you can see the horizon looking in either direction and not see another vehicle, let alone another human. There were times when I didn’t see another car for up to 30 minutes. I stop along the highway, turn of Big Red, sat down on the shoulder and listened. The only sound was the wind, as close to total silence as I have ever experienced. Oh, and I started to see trees! Juniper trees growing along the river are almost real trees. I must be adjusting to this magnificent country.

I changed my original plan for the day, which was to ride the Turquoise Trail. That would have been yet another 300 plus day. I opted for a shorted day and by pure luck rode a great Scenic Trail that took me through Lincoln County, Billy the Kid country, aliens yesterday and cowboys today. I stopped in the town of Lincoln and shot some pics. As an extra bonus I also saw Smokey the Bear standing at the road side. This is also Smokey country. The little guy was found here after a fire burned through the area. Speaking of wildlife, I saw wild turkeys, not the drinking kind, eagles and deer, no road kill.

Rolled into Santa Fe about 2 o’clock and checked into the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza Hotel. The hotel was built on the site of the Ortiz Hacienda built 300 years ago. Some of the original adobe was used in the hotel construction. I wandered about a bite took a few photos, rested and had dinner at the hotel
Now it’s bed time.

To see todays photos click here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dickpritchard/sets/72157618985364638/

Thursday, May 28, 2009


Day 5 Abilene, TX to Roswell, NM 314 Miles
Today I said goodbye to trees. From Abilene west there are no trees. They have these scrubby looking things scatter about the landscape, but no real trees like pines or oaks. You know, real trees.
What they do have are windmill farms. They are huge 3 bladed windmills that generate electricity and there are thousands of them. They line US84 from Roscoe to Post, which is where I got onto US380. Farming must be pretty good because not only are they harvesting electricity but they are also pumping Texas Tea (oil that is) out of the ground. Every where I looked those little rocking pumps where pumping cash out of the ground.

Activity thinned out as I headed west on US380. Please note when traveling this road don’t miss the gas station in Tatum, NM cause there aren’t no more till your in Roswell. Jim Wattam gave me a good tip about riding this part of the country, don’t past up a gas station cause you might not see another one till morning. With that in mind and the fact that big red is guzzling fuel, I stopped in the Brownfield Wal-Mart and bought a 1 gallon gas can, filled it up and packed itin the trunk. What I bought was peace of mind.!

The weather was beautiful. That translates to NO RAIN.

I got into Roswell early enough to stroll down main street and see the sights, including the world famous International UFO Museum & Research Center. I took a bunch of photos, visited the visitor center and meet a cute Zuni girl who told me all about Roswell.

Dinner was a pleasant surprise. An excellent Italian restaurant called Pasta CafĂ©. It’s first class in food and service. I highly recommend it. Check it out at http://www.pastacafeitalianbistro.com/ .
Take a look at the days photos, just click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dickpritchard/sets/72157618896076889/

Wednesday, May 27, 2009


Day 4 Marshall, TX to Abilene, TX 331 Miles
A day without rain is like….well it’s like today! Last nights Dopler views showed a huge rain storm west of Dallas and I mentally prepared myself for yet another wet day. Checking again this morning, I saw that fortunately the storm had blown through during the night and the west was clear, my first rain free day of the trip!

I-20 west to Dallas Ft. Worth is pretty much standard super slab. Lots of 14-wheelers and the truck traffic have taken its toll on the almost 60 year old concrete. Once through Dallas/Ft. Worth, I-20 swings south west and becomes an entirely different experience.

Signs keep referring to Texas Hill Country. Geographically, I don’t know where Hill Country begins or ends, but it does get hillier and hillier as the miles roll by. Yahoo, I like Hill Country.
Got into Abilene and the very new Hampton Inn, which by the way is across the street from the La Quinta Inn we stayed in during our big Texas tour in 2002.

I had a great dinner at the Lytle Land & Cattle Restaurant. One of the best steaks I’ve ever had. The staff was friendly and fun. If you ever in Abilene, don’t miss dinning atthe best steak house in town.

Take a look for yourself,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dickpritchard/sets/72157618807736323/

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Day 3 Hammond, LA to Marshall, TX
Howdy Buckaroos, I made it to Texas! Big Red and I cranked out 340 miles today, and may I say it was a far better ride then yesterday.

I took I-12 out of Hammond, through Red Stick (Baton Rouge) where I reconnected with I-10. It was I-10 to Lafayette, LA where I turned north on I-49. As far as Interstate highways go, I-49 seems to the road less traveled and I traveled 200 miles of it. What a great day!

When I stopped for lunch and fuel in Natchitoches the first drizzle of the day caught up with me. Found another little one just before Shreveport, nothing that required Gore-Tex.

I encountered that at the Texas state line on I-20. Man it got dark and ugly real fast. I got off the I road and into a Loves Truck Stop. I suited up under the fuel pump canopy, the wind blew and the shit flew while I sat it out under that beautiful canopy. When it slacked off I rode the last 22 miles to Marshall and a room for the night.

Here's a few pix I took today: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dickpritchard/sets/72157618761431767/

Monday, May 25, 2009

Day 2 Marianna, FL to Hammond, LA
Swimming on a Harley
I would like thank Mr. Gore for inventing Gore-Tex. After today’s weather I am a believer.

The Weather Channel, this morning, showed some heavy rain squalls east of Pensacola so I left my motel fully suited up in that miracle fabric. Rain covers enveloped my T-Bags and my new HJC helmet with a drip proof face shield and stow-a-way sun shield completed my foul weather regalia. (Sounds like a commercial for Fletcher's)

Ten miles west of Marianna, I started running into brief showers. By the time I reached Pensacola it was a white wall of water. All you can do is follow the faint tail lights of the cars and trucks ahead. I rode in and out of these squalls for next 275 miles.

As the Bard of Avon once said, all’s well that ends well. I got through it safely with out even a “Oh Shit”. I stayed dry, my travel bags stayed dry and just east of Hammond, LA the rain stopped.

Sorry, no photographs today. But then you know what rain looks like.

Sunday, May 24, 2009


Day 1 The Adventure BeginsBill Frederick offered to accompany me on this first day of the Bucket Tour. When I got to Bill’s home at 7:30 am, Ed Ketcham was waiting to ride with us also. When we arrived at Caposey’s Restaurant in NP Richey, Dick McCall was waiting for us. What a great surprise! You’ve heard of the Over-The-Hill Gang, well the four of us make up the Above-The-Sod Gang.

The weather was beautiful and after breakfast we headed North on US19. The miles fell behind us and soon it was re-fuel time in Chefland. Ed and Dick left us at that point to go and look for squiggly new roads and Bill and I pressed on for, what else, lunch in Perry. We opted for Pounce’s instead of Swain’s. We left US 19 for US98 and headed west.

I have ridden through the Apalachicola National Forest on many occasions and every time it rained. Today was no exception. We almost made it, but the rain caught up with us about 35 miles out of Marianna. We sat out the most of the storm with Jessica at the Amoco station. Thanks Jessica.

After about an hour the rain eased and we rode off into another downpour about a mile down the road. Such is motorcycle touring.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dickpritchard/sets/72157618748320164/

Sunday, May 17, 2009


The Shake Down Cruise
Fletcher’s H-D completed a 30K service on Tuesday May 12. Pete gave Big Red a through going over to assure that my Bucket Tour will be as trouble free as possible and to put it to the test, we went on our H.O.G. chapter overnighter to Ft. Myers and the Murder Mystery Dinner Train Ride. The Chapter almost filled the dining car and what a great time we had. The best part being that the ride down and back was uneventful. I hate those “EVENTFUL” rides. However, I did find out that it’s possible to put 5.012 gals in a 5 gallon Harley fuel tank! That Gas Station in the middle of nowhere sure looked good!
Note to self: There are no Gas Stations on SR31 between Arcadia and Ft. Myers.

You may view more photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/dickpritchard/sets/72157618332686877/