From the road: Ultimate USA is finishing (4UU1301)
30 Mai 2013
Hello and welcome to our live blog from the Ultimate USA motorcycle tour! This Ride4Fun tour is crossing the USA from East to West, going all the way from Miami to Los Angeles.
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DAY 20: Santa Barbara - Los Angeles - THE FINAL DAY
It is our last riding day today but one of the most beautiful too: We cruise along legendary Highway 1 and enjoy some stunning scenery and fantastic roads.
Of course, a short visit to Hollywood should not be missed!
Hey Marilyn - it is nice meeting you! ;-)
And you also Mickey!
We easily and quickly turn in our bikes...
... congratulations guys - no scratches, no damages - you are all excellent riders!
After having been in the saddle for about 5,000 miles (approximately 8,000 kilometres) Karin deserves getting a new helmet!
So: Having made all the way from USA East to West - CHECK | Having seen highlights such as New Orleans, Route 66, Las Vegas and many many more - CHECK | Last riding day complete - CHECK | Having turned in your bike - CHECK | Having arrived at the last hotel - CHECK | Having had a great time - CHECK
> Now we deserve a beer and tasting pizza!
Now, that we have collected so many beautiful and fond memories where should we go next?
Thank you guys for participating in this great Ultimate USA trip - you have been great riders and funny and beloved guests Karin, Uli, Michael, Peter, Paul and Freddy!
Our best regards go to Felix in Switzerland!
Please have a save trip home and see you soon on another ultimate Edelweiss tour!
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DAY 19: Monterey - Santa Barbara
Man, that was a long way to the Pacific and we all happily celebrate arriving at the other side of the USA.
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DAY 18: Sequoia National Park - Monterey
First thing in the morning - get yourself breakfast. Second thing in the morning - get yourself ready to go! ;-)
We quickly stop in Exeter, a very nice and friendly town on our way to California. This place is well known for its wall paintings, the Mural's.
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DAY 17: Ridgecrest - Sequoia National Park
Now we are going to see the biggest and oldest creatures on earth...
...the Redwoods!
Sequoia National Forest is the PERFECT place to rest!
'Ponderosa' - how do we know that name?
Who's the General? General-Sherman-Tree is the biggest tre in the world and about 2,200 years old!
These two are not as tall as General Sherman but still a lot taller than Karin!
But now, let's move on!
Oh wow, that looks tight and we ride the big Harleys...
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DAY 16: Las Vegas - Ridgecrest
From Las Vegas to the next overnight stop at Ridgecrest we need to detour our route to avoid running into Death Valley. And still, we end up seeing try dessert.
Who says that curves doesn't exist in USA?
That is Lake Isabell!
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DAY 15: Rest day Las Vegas
Las Vegas we have arrived! Of course, we visit the big Harley-Davidson store in Las Vegas not only because Felix is in need of a new hat.
And later at night... well, later at night we enjoy Las Vegas and a bit of its nightlife.
And have a look on some of its huge hotel buildings.
Oh, it seems that we have taken the wrong turn and that we have ended up in France... ;-)
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DAY 14: Grand Canyon - Las Vegas
So let's go for Las Vegas! Along Route 66 we shorlty stop at Seligman. Here, Paul is having a rest in the shade of Angelo Deligados shop - sure we will buy some souvenirs.
Yes Uli, you absolutely need to shave...
And the next one, yes Michael it's your turn!
Who did bring all these number plates from Germany?
That is my absolutely dream care - just in front of General Store in Hackberry!
That is an impressive building...
At Hoover Dam we are crossing the border between Arizona and Nevade twice!
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DAY 13: Monument Valley - Grand Canyon
After the big big steak in Mexican Hat we easily reach our next stop - breakfast at Monument Valley just 20 miles ahead!
When having breakfast in Monument Valley this is just what we see outside the breakfast room. Shortly after, we are going on a Jeep tour through this westernlike landscape!
But now, Peter wants to move on...
Grand Canyon is so sooooo huge!
We stop at many viewpoints - who knows when we will be back to this magic place?
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DAY 12: Durango - Monument Valley
Michael is having a rest in "Mesa Verde National Park".
The Pueblo Indians have been outstanding architects and excellent craftsmen.
We can already see the Rocky Mountains!
Four Corners is where 4 US states meet - we are busy having one hand and one leg in each "corner".
And again, we have deserved this little rest at the pool! That must be called "deja vu". ;-)
You want a steak? Mexican Hat is having delicious ones...
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DAY 11: Santa Fe - Durango
Karin is a brave woman and does test ride Paul's Trike!
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DAY 9 + 10: Amarillo - Santa Fe - Rest day Santa Fe
It is early morning at the Cadillac Ranch - that is shortly before we take off heading direction Durango and directly into the Colorado Mountains.
We won't notice but will soon riding passes over 2,500 meter - unbelievable!
Here is the Midpoint of Route 66!
Let's move on - we are looking forward to another rest day in Santa Fee!
Sometimes it is important to rest...
These are the kind of roads bikers are looking for!
Our hotel in Santa Fe - Pueblo Style!
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DAY 8: Oklahoma City - Amarillo
That's where every biker should go at least once in his life: Route 66 museum in Oklahoma!
Let's m0ve on on Route 66.
On our way to Amarillo - the Leaning Tower of Texas!
Sometimes we have to be careful!
What a nice place to have lunch...
If you are able eating this steak within 60 minutes you won't need to pay!
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DAY 7: Hot Springs - Oklahoma City
Isn't that a real "American Breakfast"?
That's another way to travel the world!
That's where we need to go - Uli is showing us the direction to go!
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DAY 6: Natchez - Hot Springs
On our way to Hot Springs / Arkansas we are riding a part of the Natchez Trace Parkway. Our way leads us through dense forest without annoying traffic lights, advertising or tons of trucks.
Have a good one - we spend our lunch break directly at seaside!
Welcome to Hot Springs!
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DAY 5: New Orleans - Natchez
Having collected many new impressions we start our bikes and head towards Natchez/Mississippi. When riding a bit further south we soon reach a real Southern plantage, the Oak Alley plantage. All girls are wearing traditional dresses and we almost feel like in the movie "Gone with the Wind".
Oh, if we just had a cool drink...
Also the tour guide - me - is having fun!
Isn't that beautiful? If you go down this alley you will be right in front of Mississippi river!
These are our best friends on this trip - our motorcycles!
And finally... you have have heard that it is getting warm in the South. Just good that our hotel has a pool and some cool drinks to cool us off!
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DAY 3 + 4: Apalachicola - New Orleans - Rest day New Orleans
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DAY 2: Daytona Beach - Apalachicola
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DAY 1: Miami - Daytona Beach
Let me shortly introduce our guests:
Karin und Uli from Germany
Peter from Switzerland
Felix from Switzerland
Paul from the USA and
Michael and ...
Freddy from Germany also!
After taking over our motorcycles - all Harley-Davidson models - we finally start the engines. Our first destination: Daytona Beach. A good steak and cold beer complete this first and beautiful riding day!