Introduction:

A few years back, Casey was a student at Sam Houston State here in Huntsville and doing part time design work for our company. This was right about the same time I started getting into riding in general. Casey getting an XR650L at that time was partially responsible for watering that dualsport itch deep down in my psyche. Then after he graduated from Sam, he moved off to Arizona, from where I would get the occasional pictures of fantastic scenery and tales of wild riding adventures. Then life took a turn for Casey... a kid

A few years back, Casey moved back to Texas and soon found his way to the TWT site. From that time on, he talked of a return trip to Arizona. We even tried to put together a tour ride for 2006. The initial reaction to the planned trip was overwhelmingly positive. Then we posted the details and ONE person signed up Much to Casey's consternation, that trip got dumped. Later in the year he approached me about doing the trip with a small group... I was definitely interested! And so began the planning...

Slow months go by as we wait and wait for the allotted time to arrive. Hours are spent in the garage pouring over the bike to make sure everything is ready: new chains and sprockets, clean air filter, new spark plug, new tires... And then it happens. First, Jeff "Sprocket" has to back out due to a shoulder injury and our group of four is now down to three. Then the Tuesday before we are to leave, I get rip roaring gut wrenching sick... By Wednesday evening, I am feeling much better. Early Thursday morning I am laying on the floor of the ER waiting to be admitted and wondering what in the world is happening inside me

Hours later, the Doc's tell me they can't find anything life threatening, that I should just go home and follow up with my regular Doc. Beth gets me home and the pain has subsided a bit, but I still can't stand up and walk very well. Casey is beside himself because we are supposed to be leaving for Arizona tomorrow... It doesn't happen. I simply am in no condition to go riding in the desert on a bike. It finally sinks in for Casey and we start trying to make plans for a delay of the trip rather than totally canceling it. We decide to postpone for two weeks.

Life has a funny way sometimes... The delay turns out to be a good thing. My fork springs have been feeling really harsh. The delay gives me time to get new Race Tech springs installed. A few nights before we are to leave, while finishing up with the forks, I notice that the steering stem is VERY loose! No choice but to pull the front end off the bike and have a look. Once inside, everything looks good and damage free. I guess the stem nut just vibrated loose during my recent trip to Mexico I had not been riding the bike much since then and never felt anything to indicate the stem was loose. Thank goodness I found this before we were out in the middle of nowhere!! I inspect and then repack the bearings, reassemble everything, and do a few test rides. All is well. 3:00am and I am off to bed.

I am a terminal procrastinator. Beth will be packed for weeks before a trip. I pack the night before, maybe a day before if I am really motivated. I have spent the last few weeks making sure I have everything I need and I have a general idea of how I will pack it. It all goes together and fits on the bike nicely. A fender bag goes on the front for spare tubes and patches. I have a tank bag on top for small stuff. There are tank panniers on each side holding my rain liner, nothing heavy and it makes for good padding... On the back is the Wolfman Expedition bag and my tent. On my back is the Camel Bak M.U.L.E. with 3 liters of water and munchies.

Friday - 5/19: It Begins...

Finally the day arrives... My unknown illness has not resurfaced and I am feeling back to normal. I get the bike loaded on the trailer and then sit... waiting... 1:00pm... 1:15pm... 1:30pm... and then finally 2:30pm and I am out the door! The plan is to hit Casey's place in North Austin as close to 6:30pm as possible, load up the other bikes and then drive straight through Friday night. I arrive about 6:45pm, we spend an hour or so getting the other bikes on the trailer and then it is time to hit the road!!


It is a LONG boring night of driving... Satellite radio helps With the time change, we roll into Mesa sometime around noon I think. Casey takes us on the hunt for a cheap place to stay. There are times when cheap is not good. The huge splatter of dip spittle on the wall over the head of my bead did not enthuse me about staying at the Royal Mesa Inn, nor did having to jump the fence just to get to our rooms It did not take more than a few minutes to decide we were going to be moving on. The owner tried to play dumb, and then make up some nonsense about charging us $20 per room for the hassle of being checked in ... Whatever Just a good reason to have used the credit card instead of paying cash!

We head back up the main drag to find the Starlite Motel. Casey always wanted to stay here because of the neon sign of a hottie diving into some water. A man has to have standards you know!


This time we check the rooms BEFORE we pay and they are nice. So we pay up and then head to Jim's (Advrider fellow) to drop off the truck and trailer. He has graciously offered to store it in his locked back yard for us during the week. given that the truck and trailer are borrowed, this makes me a happy camper!


We get the truck stowed in Jim's backyard and then say our good byes. Bikes loaded, we head back towards the hotel but not before grabbing lunch at Rubio's Baja Grill... Great food and BIG portions!! Afterward, Casey heads over to his old stomping grounds while John and I head back to the hotel to settle in for the evening. I've not had much sleep the last few days and the cumulative effect is catching up with me.


We spend the evening enjoying the dry air of Arizona and talking about our plans. When it is time to hit the sack, I ask what time I need to be ready to roll... "7:00pm"... No mention of sunrise or anything Okay.... so off I go, set the alarm and hit the sack...