The above photograph was taken about ten days ago.  Now, here we are four days to Easter.  More snow and rain coming  in,   That’s good one one hand; but been a cold Winter her in Montana.  

Now the issue is, can I leave the ranch?  With snow on the seven miles of dirt road, some of the drive on a relatively steep and windy section; just don’t think I want to chance  attempting  the drive out with the XL.  Good news is no plans to leave until around April 7th.  Just maybe the worm will turn by then.  

Off to Morro Bay for some beach R&R and fine sea food at Dorn’s Restaurant and fish and chips on the pier.  While there, hope to drive Hwy 1; but with all the storms kinda doubt it is open.  Funny, when I lived in San Luis Obispo I rode Hwy 1 so often got a bit board with it!    

This is my first bike, 1976 BMW R90S.   I will never admit riding sometimes at speeds of 100+ then having to downshift to 15 MPH for one of the many curves.  Great fun!

So now if I can take the XL up be a much slower ride!  

The route is  beautiful drive - through the Gallatin Gap onto West Yellowstone first nigh probably southwest of Idaho Falls.  Continue through Ely, NV find a wide spot to RON.  Then onto Bishop and load up on bread at SCHATS BAKERY.    Will overnight at a HARVEST HOAST in Independence- Mt Whitney Golf Course.  Final leg - blast to Tempilton , CA and stay at a winery, another HARVEST HOAST - CASTORO CELLERS.  Motor into Morro Bay and relax for a week.

The delivery.  Purchased it from La Mesa RV in Phoenix.  Took an out of state delivery - why pay the taxes!  Montana has no sales tax.   So here we are driving to Gallup, NM.

I have owned several RV's since 2005 when I bought my first Pleasure Way Plateau TS.  Although the van based rig served me well over the years; buying the last in May of 2022, found moving up to the XLTS  a great improvment in comfort.   Although been winterized since picking it up in October of last year - live in Montana, and thus have not used the shower.  I find the liveability to be very comfortable.  I do travel by myself with the company of my three cats.  We  "all" love it.  Storage, both interior and the outside bays  offer plenty of room for all your items..
In my first real trip recently completed the economy was outstanding for a rig of this  weight and size; averging  19.62 gallons over the 5,980 miles.  

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Added a Honda CT125 "toad"  to make living easier.  Now can run to the market for milk or adventures.  As you can see it is on a hitch carrier and really does not add much length, still pretty much drive and park where I wish.

Next trip is to Morro Bay the first of March - if I can get out of the ranch for now we have quite a bit of snow with more on the way.  I have to drive seven miles on dirt to get out, the first two are a bit worrisome  given this is not a four wheel drive!.    

Hope to bring you more reports and adventure of being in Morro Bay  and riding Highway 1

​I was so very blessed to have returned home last Friday; for as you can see in the photo below (taken 1/12) we received about seven inches of snow and more to come  Temps today are a high of -11  low tonight -33.   The  RV is snug in the heated garage and I do hope I will be able to get out to Morro Bay first of March!  

I did depart the afternoon of the first.  So glad i did for a storm was beginning to brew.  Had to drive through some  weather, but not bad.  Only drove for a couple of hours to get beyond the morning drive time.   Spent the night in Richmond, VA at Cabbellas 
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Weather reports showed a possible storm coming in at the end of the week; and since I liver of a ranch with a seven mile dirt road, thought it best to get back before any storm.  The drive across America was thankfully clear of weather issues.  Indeed it was a good decission to blast back for two days after return we received severn inches of snow.  The PW would not have made it down my dirt road.

Like the travelsers of yesteryear I came across one of the most famous "sign posts" in American history: Chimney Rock.

The settlers on the Oregon Trail used Chimney Rock as a guide marker.  Standng 300 feet tall it was like a lighthouse to the wagon trains  The name :Chimney Rock was given by the fur traders of the early nineteenth century,  As per the website, "the first reorded mention of this landmark was given the name by Joshua Pilcher.who had journeyed up the Platte River to theSalt Lake rendezvous in 1827."

I pressed on with a stop  at Fort Laramie.  The Fort was originally  built as a trading post in 1834 and enjoyued an almost momopoly on the buffalo trade until 1841.   Things hanged in 1841 as the wagon trains arrivied with the thousands of westward bound emigrants arrived on the way to the West along the Oregon Trail.

Above: Cavalry barracks 

While I did take a  moment to visit this historic site; my search for a Harvest Host lead me on to Cody, Wyoming.  I was a long day in the saddle from Lexington, KY to Cody qnd I was ready to hang up the spurs  and have a tall beer before rolling out the "bedroll"
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​As I stated in the previous post, my son returned from his deployment  to Greece and arrived home on Christmas Eve.  Santa did me right!  Mostly just enjoying time together. One excursion we did was go to the VIRGINIA MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM.  I have been here several times photographing the airshows.  They do a fabulous job and should your travel plans see you in the area the have a five collection of aircraft and indeed one of the best in World War One aircraft.  Check  their website for the air show callandar.

I filmed many of the airshows at the "museum"   Here is the World War I  film I did
several years ago, and  the one that's follows is WARBIRDS, many of which where filmed at 
VIRGINIA BEACH MILITARY AIR MUSEUM.  Enjoy.

it has been a wonderful trip.  The PW has been a joy to drive and live in for a month.   I shall depart for home on the first and will "coddiwomple".  I do have a final destination; however no idea of the route.

So with a full and happy belly, I continued Eastward.  Passing through West Virginia and into Pennsylvania; destination Lancaster.  Lived here for sixteen years.  I know the area well and below are photos of my favorite sites Do love the Amish farms.  Lots  of respect for the Amish folk.  America could learn a lot about their work ethic!

Lancaster County offers quite a bit of things to see and do -and great eats.  A drive through the farm lands is scenic  and peaceful.  For a more exciting adventure take a ride on the Strassburg Railroad.  Located only twenty minutes from downtown Lancaster you can take a trip back in time.  A time when the live - living - steam trains of yesteryear huffed and puffed through our land.  I love steam engines.  Great beasts that seem alive.  In the film below listen to the roar, the clanging, the whistle shattering the peace of the farm land; but oh so wonderful.

​Time to eat?   An icon of Amish buffets is  SHADY MAPLE.  Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Truly a cornucopia of foods.   Located a short (traffic permitting) drive from Lancaster in New Holland.

Video shot out my front window at TRINITY RANCH, Montana
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Good timing,  left Lancaster with a major storm coming up the Eastern Seaboard.   The rain hit around 6PM and was heavy.  Over 3 inches at Cape Charles where I was at Arlington Farms, a very pleasant HARVEST HOST.    Early morning around 0530 I crossed the Chesapeake Bay bridge in heavy rain and wind.   Just glad it was open.  Crossing was not an issue.  Amazed for some people will not cross it anytime.   Sure  saves time not having to drive through DC and deal with all that traffic too.


What an engineering  marvel .  Construction began in the early 1960's and was open to traffic in 1964.
Seventeen and a half  miles across the inlet sea.  The longest bridge of its type in the world.  Look up the history on the internet, a fascinating read.

The day prior to the crossing and before storm; spent a couple of hours looking for the wild horses
on Assateague  Island.   They were there but to far to photograph.  Had to leave because of the storm coming in.  Did see quite a bit of water fowl.  The light level was. so low had to use a high ISO, please forgive the grainy image plan on spending several days.
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Writing this post I am at my son's home in Virginia Beach.  And the joke of the Season is,  I have driven over 3,500 miles to spend Christmas with him and the evening I arrived, he was deployed to Greece the early morning  of the next day.   Hopefully will return Christmas Eve - perfect gift!  

Again wishing you all a very Merry Christmas
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Left Montana in early December for a trip to spend Christmas with my son in Virginia Beach and pick up a Honda CT125 in New Bern, NC.   Ct125's are had to find and was lucky to get one relatively close, only three hours south of Virginia Beach.   Looking forward to using this little bike for off road and well as putting the streets - beats walking!   

First thing first, forty minutes from the ranch stopped for lunch with Father Bart at Saint Anthony's Catholic Church  and to have the rig blessed.

I will not go into the Battle for we all know it.  I will say the "good" guys won; sadly to lose the war later.

​First night I overnighted on the Crow Reservation.

Day two the trek continued through the southern part of Montana and into Wyoming.  Winds were very strong with gust to 55.  The rig did notice the force; but held a reasonable path. 

My day started at ODark Thirty and drove into the early night.   Needed to get some miles under the tires.   The video below will make sense to you fellow pilots out there:

Not much to report on the dash across Country other then stayed at a couple of fine HARVEST HOSTS properties:   First on up was PALS located in North Platte, NE  Great selection of craft beer and a pretty good pizza too.   Be careful of directions by your GPS  turned me in the wrong direction; but the manager did i fine job getting me there.

Next stop was at the TUSC locationAN HILLS WINERY, Effingham, il.   Wonderfull and very convenient location.  Staff was also wonderful and very good wines

  Stopped at the AIR FORCE MUSEUM in Dayton, Ohio.  Been there many times.  Obviously an outstanding collection of t aircraft from the early days of flight right up to today.  if interested in aviation this is a must see.

Time for dinner; so off to a place I have visited many times.  Long history and great food!  SCHMIDTS SAUSAGE HAUS  in Columbus,Ohio.  Established in 1886 in what was the German  section of Columbus still owned by the family.

Dinner time and off to a wonderful establishment I have been to many times, SCHMIDT'S SAUSAGE HAUS.  Owned by the family since 1886 in what was then the German Town Columbus.  This historic restaurant offers  some of the finest german food and of course delightful sausage.... oh don't forget the Cream puffs and the Struddel!

This evening I had Sauerbraten accompanied by a great German beer  Weihenstehaner.  Prost!

After the delivery of the 2024 Pleasure Way XLTS as you have read, drove from Gallup, NM up to Durango, Silverton, Ouray; overdnighting at the Harvest Host property in Montrose. Continues ontiued up to an overnight at one of the campgrounds at Wind River Canyon.  Departing in the early morning to catch the morning light.

  Old established Mexican resturant seving authentic Mexican meals.  

​On the drive, stopped for a late lunch in Riverton, Wyoming at THE DEPOT. Old established Mexican resturant, located downtown on Main Street.

​Wonderful lunch of shredded beef enchilada and chile 
relleno, and of course a margarita.

Enjoy the drive:

From the "Canyon" it is only a few hours to TRINITY RANCH, my home.  The route took me to Cody, Wyoming where should you find yourself there be sure to visit the BUFFALO BILL CODY CENTER OF THE WEST, but better pan an entire day to see it!   

Never to miss a meal and lunchtime stopped at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Red Lodge, Montana, La Palmita, never a disappointment.

Timing is everything for a few days upon return we got a dumping of eleven inches of snow.  I do love Winter here so beautiful.

Downtown Durango

How many times have I driven this route?  Too many times to count.  Have done it in cars, RV’s, motorcycles, and now again in the 2024 Pleasure Way XLTS.  Have driven the Million Dollar Highway in all seasons.  Always beautiful!

From Gallup, NM drove direct to Durango, on to Silverton on to Ouray and a great lunch.
My fears of the 4 cylinder being able to handle the mountain passes rolled under my tires at 50 miles per hour as I climbed Molas Pass.  Not a race car but adequate considering the altitude.

                     Molas Lake.  Camping is nice here; however a bit brisk in the Fall.

From Molas Lake a downhill drive to Silverton where you will find good restaurants and RV camping.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

​If you have never done it,   You really should plan a trip out here and take the train from Durango to Silverton.  About a three hour ride and a wonderful experience!   If you are skittish there are some area that you may not wish to look over the tracks.  My father and mother did the trip in 1941 when it was still a work train running sheep to the high country.  He shot a wonderful 16mm film of the trip.

​Drive the Million Dollar Highway

Arrived in Ouray in time for lunch.  Had a hankerin’ for a pizza so stopped into GOLDBELT’s, restaurant, established in 2011, offering up some fine craft beers and to die for hand tossed pizza.  Highly recommend this fine establishment.  Started with a fresh Greek salad followed by  the pizza - worth the drive back!

Overnighted at a Harvest Host  property, a delightful family award winning winery - La Noue Dubois; located just south of Montrose a few miles.   After a informative wine tasting with the owner, Rick, bedded down next to the vineyard and next to the river.
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