Last week I attended a meeting near Sedona, AZ.  Using wife's DTS I would have AC, tunes and be on interstate = Boring.  Using the Thumper I (got) bugs, weather, lots of scenery and an absolute minimum of interstate.  (Hard decision   )
Left the house and went south to pick up hwy 60 east at Socorro.  By the VLA telescopes I met a lone pronghorn in the road. I don't know if he/she wanted to race, or catch a ride, but at 3 ft. away and right next to you......Stayed on hwy 60 to hwy 260 through various mountain ranges to the motel in Camp Verde, AZ.  Putted around Jerome, AZ etc. the next day (HOT and crowded).  Left for home after the meeting (about 3 PM) via hwy 260 back through the mountains.   NOTE That stretch of 260 between Camp Verde and Payson, AZ is notorious for bad accidents. Elk in the road or over enthusiastic drivers. (I passed an accident with three bikes down and a fatality.)
I stayed in the mountains as possible via highways 180 and 12. Then back to 60 where I ran through scattered rain showers. (Rain gear ?? I live in New Mexico, I don't need no stinking rain gear... ) And home 903 miles later.      
 It's been 20 years between bikes and at age 73 ya have to enjoy every minute and every mile......   

Sounds like a great ride.  Sounds like you enjoyed all of it except maybe the hot and crowded.  Enjoy the ride when you can. Watch out for those "accident" roads.

I hope one day I get to ride out west.  The change of scenery would be nice.

The dragon is about 2 hours from me.  Blue Ridge Parkway is about an hour. Plenty of twisty, curvy roads lots closer than those. But, the scenery, though beautiful, is always pretty much the same.

Serowbot wrote on 09/19/15 at 07:23:16:


No pix. But more great memories ....