NOBODY leaves this house without going through me!!

Both motorcycles received a good inspection and cleaning before leaving on our trip.

And where EXACTLY am I suppose to sit?

Dealey Plaza, Dallas, TX.

The Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, TX.

A record of the events which took place on November 22, 1963.

The "Grassy Knoll."

November 22, 1963

A West Texas thunderstorm sent us looking for cover. The lightning show was something to see.

After waiting under cover for about 30 minutes, we decided to move on and not waste any more daylight. This was the only time we needed rain suits during the entire trip.

Somewhere in Texas.

Joe Cool taking his own picture. Again, somewhere in Texas.

Fuel stop in Akela, TX; a fake town.

Bummer! The bank just cut off my debit card. For "unusual" purchases.

We saw signs for this place for MILES!!

After paying for admission, we cautiously entered.

What ever "it" is, it's big!

"It" is kept far from the public's eye.

This is it???!!! I paid good money for this???!!!

Nick just couldn't handle it, he hurled.

What is it?? We took a solemn oath to never reveal what the Thing is. You will just have to make a trip to Dragoon, AZ to see for yourself.

Sunsets on our trip were beautiful.

Another day in the history books.

At this fuel stop, we found a traped cactus.

This location in Eastern California was incredible!

A picture just can't do it justice.

Jim had flown in on Monday for a meeting. Joann and Samantha arrived earlier in the day Tuesday via SouthWest. Joann and Jim pause for a photo op.

Finally, after four days of hard riding, we arrive at the Hotel del Coronado on Coronado Island. Joann, Samantha and Jim have a supper table waiting on us.

The next day, as we prepare to depart, the weather is typical San Diego weather. PERFECT!!!

A good night's rest at the Del. We prepare to head North to Santa Barbara by nightfall.

Samantha is getting her "biker" face on.

However, she must leave Jim (her hubby). He must remain behind for a meeting.

Joann gets comfortable in the Mustang. Where's Nick? Getting his head-phones on.

First stop, the 101 Cafe in Oceanside, CA. We didn't eat here, just a photo op.

A neat little place.

If you're looking for a photo op, here's one.

Brother's opinion of that!

Caffeine stop in Carlsbad, CA. Where? Starbucks, of course.

Samantha and I plot our route as we continue North on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Nick's not so sure about our navagating skills. Hey, we have a GPSr! Nothing to worry about.

The Queen Mary Oceanliner in Long Beach, CA.

You better FEED me before I hurt someone!!

Lunch stop in Newport Beach, CA.

Santa Monica Pier.

Things were interesting on the pier. The dark clouds in the background are proof, it does rain in California.

Sister and brother.

Smiles are all around.

Okay, I did eat a "stick" donut.

The shoreline from the pier.

Mom and son are all smiles, too.

Entrance to Highway 1. It's the left turn in this picture.

In some places traffic moved slowly along the coastline.

Malibu and its beaches. I saw no place in Malibu where Jim Rockford could have had his trailer.

Mountains on one side and......

......Ocean on the other.

We danced around these rain clouds as we headed North.

These pictures just can't touch the real beauty.

Our view from the hotel in Santa Barbara.

Joann says, "One night in Santa Barbara is not enough." We will be back, someday.

Our road trip mascot had it's own line of coffee.

Breakfast location was Nick's suggestion.

And a good one, I might add.

While we ate breakfast...........guess we parked in the wrong place.

An oil rig. We think.

We continue North on Hwy 101.

Yes, I'm not only having fun! I'm having a BLAST!!

Nick is too!!

Not sure what a Safety Corridor is. We traveled safely throughout the trip.

Next 2 miles!! No big deal. At this point in our trip, having transversed Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, we were used to signs which read, "Gusty Winds" next 70 miles!!

Nick thought this sign was only a suggestion.

This photo is for my cousin, Thurin. He spent some time at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Hwys 1 and 101 divide and we stay on Hwy 1. We make a quick side trip to Cayucos, CA.

A neat little town with a very long pier.

But, worth the walk.

The shoreline is magnificent.

Father and son. Motorcycle buddies.

Give me a hug, Sweetie.

Joann, "Nick, does my hair look okay?" Nick, "Yes mom, it's perfect."

Mom and daughter.

We continue North toward Big Sur.

One of many beautiful views in Big Sur. And this just simply can't capture the real beauty.

Is everyone..."click"...ready? I guess not.

Now we're ready. Smile.......

We pass Hearst Castle as we head North toward Monterey, CA.

One of the many bridges we crossed on highway 1.

Departing the hotel in Monterey. We'll be in San Francisco before bedtime.

Hold on Samantha...........

First stop in San Francisco......food! Joe's Cable Car Restaurant.

The only air conditioner offered at the hotel I had reserved in San Francisco. "Beresford Arms Hotel" Write that down....and don't stay there!!!

Samantha and Nick talked me out of immediately checking out and finding another hotel. Again, Beresford Arms Hotel, 701 Post Street...don't stay there!!!

This will cool things off.

Let me read through this booklet. Maybe there is a hidden a/c unit.

Alcatraz.

As if you need to be told.....The Golden Gate Bridge.

Mom and Daughter have the perfect backdrop.

The clouds just slowly move in past the bridge.

View of Sausalito from Conzelman Road.

Just simply breathtaking.

View of The Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco from Conzelman Road.

Coit Tower, Firefighter's Memorial in San Francisco.

I took this photo from Coit Tower. I actually didn't realize Lombard Street was in the distance until I saw this on my computer.

This was our second ride down Lombard Street.

Joann rode with me the first time. That was enough. So, she took pictures.

Lunch on Fisherman's Wharf.

Sunday, Joann and Samantha flew back to their homes. Nick and I headed East to Mojave, CA.

Before leaving Mojave the next morning, we checked out things at the Mojave airport. Rotary Rocket Company...developed the Roton concept in the 90's before running out of funds.

I guess we can't go in.

The airplane graveyard in Mojave.

I have no clue what they do with these planes.

Next stop: Blackbird Park in Palmdale, CA. Home for retired SR-71s.....

......and an A-12.

Lunch in Palmdale. We FINALLY get to eat at an In and Out.

After lunch, we headed East to Victorville, CA.

Home of the World Famous Route 66 Museum.

Sunsets remained as beautiful as ever.

Only thing wrong with sunsets.....it means another day of our trip has slipped by. Tonight, we will sleep in Vegas.

The lady who checked us in said she would give us a room with a good view. She did well!!

Waiting on our luggage the following day.

Okay, Just to have proof we were there. Next stop....Hoover Dam.

This photo is taken from Hoover Dam. One day this new road will move traffic through the area without crossing the dam.

This photo was taken in the summer of 2008. Compare it to the previous and next photo to see how much they have completed on the arch in the past 12 months.

Don't believe I would want the job of the men working at the tips of these arches.

Yep! This is proof we were there.

Hoover Dam

Another sign Nick thought was only a suggestion.

Case-In-Point.

Route 66 in Kingman, AZ.

Mr. D's diner. We didn't eat here. Just like the colors.

Kingman Powerhouse, another Route 66 Museum.

Next stop, Williams, AZ on Route 66.

We heard a voice, above the street, call out to Nick.

Yep! This is where we will sleep tonight.

The Red Garter Bed and Bakery.

The history of the building and business.

Nick's first words about the Grand Canyon, "Grand" is such an inadquate word.

His statement is so true.

These pictures just can't show you the real Grand Canyon.

This is something you need to lay your own eyes on to grasp the magnitude of what is before you.

CAREFUL NICK!!! Don't fall!!

Nick being funny. I had no clue.

After seeing the Grand Canyon and getting a good night's rest, we depart the Bed and Bakery and leave the neat Route 66 town of Williams, AZ.

Next stop......Oh my Lord, it's a girl in a flatbed Ford, slowing down to take a look at me!

Okay, maybe she is slowing down to take a look at him.

Or, maybe Nick.

Eagles; Take It Easy.

Here is the flatbed Ford. Just no girl to be seen.

An Arizona sky.

Here it is.....What is? You ask.......

.....Jackrabbit Trading Post in Joseph City, AZ.

Yes, Nick talked me into doing this.

But, only after he did it first. As Nick said, "This WAS the best part of the Jackrabbit Trading Post."

The dividing point of the USA.

Road side views.

Another night in a Route 66 town, Tucumcari, NM.

The Cozy Cone Motel, in the movie "Cars", was loosely based on the Blue Swallow Motel.

Joe Cool.

Our room had that 50's look. Beds slept well.

A rotary phone? Did it work? I don't know.

The 13 channel black and white TV didn't work. Nick ask, "What do you mean it has to warm up?" However, the one above it did work.

One of several neon Swallows on the exterior of the motel.

Each room had an attached garage. This was one of the walls in our garage.

This was the forward wall in our garage.

Tucumcari is a neat old Route 66 town, but on life support.

A few of the businesses seem to be doing well. Others have fallen by the wayside only empty buildings remain.

Medalands Community College had one windmill in town. Nick and I saw 100s of these in Texas, New Mexico and California earlier in our trip.

Here we are. Midpoint from where? You ask.......

Midpoint of Route 66 in Adrian, TX.

Neat little Route 66 roadside cafe. And the food was good too!

Route 66 Theme is everywhere.

What's this? If you have been near Amarillo, TX, you know what it is......

......the Cadillac Ranch.

Just like in the movie "Field of Dreams".......

......if you build it, they will come. And we did.

We were able to see this cross for several miles. Second largest cross in the Northern Hemisphere.

The folks in Grooms, TX seem to have a problem with their water tower. Probably got blown off kilter with one of the storms that past through here.

I tried to straighten it for them, with no luck.

Conoco Tower Station in Shamrock, TX. It's now the home of the Chamber of Commerce.

Frozen in time. Check out the price for a gallon of gas!!

Samantha and Jim met us at the Oklahoma state line. We rode together back to their home in Edmond. On the way, we stopped at yet another Route 66 Museum in Elk City, OK.

Our first home cooked meal in 14 days. Boy was it good. Thanks PJ !! With a good night's rest we are ready to continue East. Next stop, Tennessee.

Ready to roll.

Bye Samantha. Tell Jim Bye for us.

Love you guys. See you in a few weeks.

The bridge over the Mississippi River. And we are on the East side of the river! Tennessee soil!!!

Joe Cool with the bridge as a backdrop.

We slept late. Missed the rains that passed through Memphis during the early morning hours. With 5,618 miles traveled.....We're HOME!!!!