Over the past month, I have been answering questions about the 8 day Utah Adventure ride. Some are thinking about going while others are just curios. So I thought it might be helpful to write a little preview of the trip. First off, this ride is one that Tisha and I had planned to do in September as part of Tisha's vacation. The southern part of Utah is probably our most favorite destination. We try to get to Utah as often as possible. Now the good part for you all is that Tisha is going. So it's not going to be an "Iron Butt" type of ride. Tisha does not like to ride sun up to sun down and enjoys stopping at locations to enjoy whatever is there. She also doesn't like to go without food for any length of time. So I have tried my best to accommodate her wishes while planning the route. There are so many sights to see and places to go in Utah, one could spend months. So here is my attempt at getting the most out of 8 days. Day 1, Sunday. Santa Maria to Laughlin, NV. This leg of the trip will cover the most miles in a day to help position us for the rest of the trip. Around 430 miles. Day 2, Monday. Travel to the GRAND CANYON for a little sight seeing. We will stay in Kayenta,AZ for our second night. Around 340 miles. Day 3, Tuesday. Leaving Kayenta, we'll ride through MONUMENT VALLEY to Mexican Hat, then north on 261 through VALLEY OF THE GODS and up MOKIE DUGWAY. Make our way over to 191 north to Church Rock. Take 211 into CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK. Spend the night in Moab, UT. Around 265 miles. Day 4, Wednesday. Travel to ARCHES NATIONAL PARK. After the park, will travel on 128 along the COLORADO RIVER to I-70. West on 70 to the 24. Then to CAPITAL REEF NATIONAL PARK. After the park, we'll ride to Torrey, UT for the night. Around 240 miles. Day 5, Thursday. Tale the 12 out of Torrey and over the very scenic BOULDER MOUNTAIN. en route to BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK. After the park, we'll ride to 89, then south to Mount Carmel, where we'll spend the night. Around 205 miles. Day 6, Friday. Travel through (stopping of course, many times) ZION NATIONAL PARK. After the park, we'll make our way to the 15, then south to the 169 and spend the night in Overton, NV. Around 160 miles. Day 7, Saturday. Visit VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK, which is off the 169. After the park, travel along LAKE MEAD to Henderson, NV. Travel to State Line (Primm) for the night. Around 190 miles. OR, spend the night in Barstow, CA. Around 275 miles. This would make the Sunday ride home shorter. Day 8, Sunday. Travel home via the quickest route. From State Line, 355 miles. From Barstow, 250 miles. As you can see (or read), there will be a lot to experience. With the exception of Laughlin, I will be staying at Best Westerns the remaining nights. I need to build up points on my Best Western "Ride Awards" card that you can sign-up for on the National HOG website. Also, I would recommend getting the yearly National Park Pass for $50. This will save you about $45 in entrance fees. At this time, I do not know how many of you will take advantage of this opportunity. But if you can make the time, you won't regret it. It could turn out to be your most favorite ride ever. In another month, I will have the complete ride "booklet" with everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask. For those of you who commit to this adventure, we will have a "get together" prior to the start date. This way, everyone will know what is and what is not expected of them. Happy trails, Moe