Guy Boutin's Motorcycle Touring and Travel Pages

Adventures in Sport Touring with the Honda ST 1100, 1300 and the BMW 1200RT

Exploring North America...One Road at a Time

                     Photo Memories of 2003

 Just like the song says- " I ain't rich, but Lord I'm free"

The long open roads of the American West.  I treasure my time on them when riding cross country.  Roads such as this one- South Dakota state route 79 near Belle Fourche.  I passed these rolling green hills lost in thought.  On a highway such as this you can go on auto pilot. I can look down at my odometer and note I've covered 60 miles in what seems like minutes.  The ride on this day was extra special.  The weather was perfect, and my mind was occupied with thoughts of how lucky I am.

The little things count on a long trip..  Riding a motorcycle the simple and quaint  take a whole new meaning.  I notice stuff when I am on my bike, I would never notice in a car.  I was taking a break at a local store in East Oregon, when I noticed the ST framing this small house alone on the prairie.   The only residence for many miles. 

I love sunrises and sunsets.  It had been a long day, and I was near my final goal of the day, when I took this picture of the sun setting over Goose Lake, Oregon.  US 395 runs the banks of the lake and offers spectacular views.  I was tired and bushed, after a 600 mile day.  

Peter Menard snapped this picture of me on a brutally cold morning on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Temps hovered around 27 degrees with a strong wind blowing over the peaks.  I thought my  hands would break before I could get my gloves back on.  Luckily, the temps were more favorable when we came down out of the mountains.

This was the scene outside the Juke Box Junction last October.  Peter Menard is on  his way inside after making a few phone calls.  Sometimes I ride for the ride, sometimes for the road, and sometimes for the brotherhood.  My annual fall trip to the Blue Ridge is a special time for me.

Virginia route 16, south of Tazewell.  I was trying to get to West Virginia, when I took this picture of the highway winding down out of the hills.  I was leaning like crazy making my way up and down in elevation.  It was late afternoon and daylight was fading fast, and I feared deer would begin to move and become more active., so I took refuge in a Tazewell flop house for the night.  

I call this picture, "Bad Man of Bodie"  captured by John "Coop" Cooper on the West Coast Trip.  Don't need any comments on the legs.  It was hot, besides y'all needed to see what I wear under the Roadcrafter.  Bodie was a fascinating place.

Fall in New England is a series of peaks.  Some areas are at peak, others just starting, and still others bare.  This picture was taken in the Catskills of New York, the trees were a few days past peak.  This is one of reservoirs New York City draws water from, it was heavily patrolled by conversation officers on the lookout for terrorists. when I came through.

And sometimes I ride for fellowship.  I have close friends all over the Country and Canada.  In this picture you will find many of my east coast riding brothers.  The Sagebrush Steak House in Waynesville is a favorite gathering place when we are in the Blue Ridge.  Come join us next fall.

 "Amarillo by Morning", music by George Strait, copyright 1983