I try to get out and do a cross country ride every year. I have for four years in a row, and this year was to be the fifth, but it didn't happen. There were a number of reasons, and when it came down to the date I was going to leave for the west, the heat, and fires were going to be a bit much for me. I don't mind the heat, but riding in 100+ degree heat for 12 to 14 hours a day is doable for a day or maybe two, but for better then a week straight would be just too much. 

I had planned to hit the rally in Missouri, then go to Rocky Mountains NP in Colorado, over to Canyon Lands NP, and Arches in Utah. Maybe go back to Monument Valley then up to Jackson, Wyoming, and up to Glacier, Montana. I planned to spend some time at each location to do a bunch of photography. In a way the break is welcomed and maybe I needed the rest.

Next year, 2013 I try for the Arctic Circle again. The BMW rally is in Salem, Oregon, and since I am already half way there, then I have to go for it. I will plan the trip during our long, long, cold winters here in Syracuse. I know that my wife will meet me in Oregon to explore the Washington, Oregon, Northern California areas. She may then meet me again in Alaska like the first time. I expect I will go back to Chicken, AK and pan for more gold. I loved doing it. Fever maybe, but what the heck.

I thought I would stray from the original intent of this blog to add some non motorcycling trip photography. Some of the photos I am going to post are from local motorcycle trips, and quite a bit more are from my yearly visit to my brother in Arizona. I go out there, and drag him around on my photo expeditions. He is a good sport about it.

In the spring of this year I had scored two passes to get into The Wave. This is in the Coyote Buttes area of the Para Canyon Recreational Area. They allow 20 passes a day into this feature. 10 passes are by internet lottery, and 10 passes are by show up lottery. I had been trying for years to get in, and finally scored the passes. The hike in takes about 2.5 hours to cover three miles. But it is well worth it. I will note that Craig, my brother, and I got to The Wave at about 0800 am and did not see another soul until about 1100 am, and then for a total only about 7 other people. Craig and I were the only ones with the proper passes which have to be displayed. A shame that people get the passes, and don't use them, when others who would, can't get them.

On this trip we based ourselves in Page, AZ where we could get to The Wave, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Slot Canyon, and up to Monument Valley. This whole area is ripe for landscape photography. Another great spot in this area is Toroweap Point. This point overlooks the North rim of the Grand Canyon. I visited this point in the fall of 2011 and met some great photographers there. One photographer, Craig Bill has a website, craigbill.com that has many great images for sale.