"NEW" HORIZIONS

As a follower of this blog you have read that fifteen years ago I fled the "Peoples Democratic Socalist Republic of Kalifornia"   I did however, leave some investment properties there.  This year I sold and now free of that "Red Star" state.

Following are some of the adventures in the West over the years;  by motorcycle, RV and 4Runner.
​Fine hotels and sleeping under the stars.  Great memories of my life in the Wild and Open West. The majestic Rockies and Sierras.  The deserts.  Miles upon miles of open travel with hardly a structure in sight!  Unlike the East where it is dificult to escape mans footprint. 

                  On the road to Paonia, CO for the Colorado BMW Rally
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Since there is no reason to return West for business; I will miss the seventy two years of wondering the Western States as a child with a great family and as an adult on my own travels.  Been to many places in all the Western States - California, Nevada, Utha, New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho, , Oragon, Washington and my personal favorates Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.  Lived in Alaska back in the mid seventies.
Drove the Alcan.  Hint, drive/ride one way and take the  Alaska Ferry Inside Passage one way.     Either by car, RV, or motorcycle however you do it - go West.  Motorcycles alone have logged well over 300,000 miles in the saddle. I do love the West.  Perhaps I will find my way back to live out there again.

Been living in the Mid-Atlantic for fifteen years and can't tell you much of the rides in the East.   Moved here because my son got orders to USNA.   Have been to AMERICADE a couple of times.  Seen the beautiful Fall Colors in New York, Vermont, New Hapshrie and the Blue Ridge.  Maybe later this month will return.  May drive the northern half of the Blue Ridge too.  We will see.  I have become rather satisfied at home with Lynn and the fuzzes.   Do miss my cats when gone.  Yes, dear, miss you too.

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Below, my pride:  Sabrina, and her brother Sebastian, Buddy. Graycie May, Baby and Mr. Binks.  All rescues.

Left riding the Denver and Rio Grande in Durango.  First ride was when I was about ten.  Been there many many times.  Durango, Silverton and Ouray one of my favorite places.

Below in the Summer of 2007, my son and I were on two diferent rides he on his R1200 GS and I went out to spend time in Jackson Hole in the RV.  We met up at a great little place in Buffalo, Wyoming.  After a great lunch we went our ways; he back to his command at the Naval Accademy, I went on to
Custer and the Badlands of South Dakota.

Buffalo and the Moose in Teton National Park

Sometimes you have to look up to see the beauty.  Thunder storm in Wyoming.

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Ghost town of Bodie, CA   Located off Highway 395.  A great place to see and photograph.

                                                                                                                                                         Dallas Divide on the way to Telluride, CO

Wherever you are:  "Go West Young Man"  Just avoid the cities.  Wonder the outback.  Occassionally ride a train or shoot the Snake RIver in a raft or kayak!  Go horseback riding on a packtrip.  Throw yourself off a mountain - LIVE life while you can and are healty.  Don't get old and wish you had done stuff!  Now at 72,  still in pursuit of the next adventure.  

Pack trip Mammoth Mountain, CA

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Rock climbing and repelling, San Luis Obispo, CA

Borrego Springs, CA                                                       Old Custom House, China Ranch, CA              Silverton, CO
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Pfeiffer Falls, Hwy 1, CA                                              "Million Dollar Hwy, Ouray" , CA                       Marble, CO

When new before the sidecar 2005 R1200 GS at one of my favoret places - Alibama Hills, CA.  Camp there and get up around 4AM in the summer.  Make a pot of coffee and sit out in the brisk air and watch the "Alpen Glow" on Mount Whitney!  Doesn't get much better.

As seen in full morning glory  from my base camp in early morning light is Mount Whitney. 

Lake Powell , AZ                                                              Red Mountain, Hwy550 CO                                Monument Valley, UT

Now  "New" Horizons  and the new Ride

Above is the new rig,  2017 INDAIN VINTAGE CHIEF and married to a HANNIGAN MOTORSPORTS
SIDECAR.   Sweet ride!  Sad to give up the off road capabilities of the BMW R12; but this will be a great scoot to the fine hotels and dinning.  After all think I am done with sleeping on the cold hard ground and eating beans over a campfire....maybe.  Still have the 4Runner for the "outback" and for camping.

Again as a reader you have seen in the previous posts that there were issues with both the Indain and with Hannigan Motorsports.  All was made good.  Kudos to Dave Hannigan and the fine folks at Polaris
Indian.

Gettysburg,  PA                                                      GATHERING OF WARBIRDS, OH                    FORT TICONDAROGA, NY

There have been many trips here in the East. In the next post we can explore some and introduce you to places you may wish to go; be it by motorcycle, car or RV.   Come back  to this blog and enjoy the rides!

Oh and if you wish to purchase one of the photos here in the blog. please see them in the blog store or find them at my photography website:  http://www.karlhjohnsonphotography.com.  
Purchases help buy gas and cat food.  Thanks for your patronage.

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See You Down The Road