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

West Coast 2005- More pictures from the West Coast 2005 Tour.  Again the photos are placed in random.  This was such a memorable tour, that I find myself coming back to these photos often.  Each of these snapshots brings back memories of good riding and times.  The song for this album is "Much too Young," by Garth Brooks.  A saga of a tired rodeo rider, and those he left behind.  Songs about the cowboy, and their life on the road, and those that love them, seem to capture Long Riding the best.  Their sense of freedom is unique, and the envy of many.  You might have all the worldly things you could ever hope for, but a cowboy with nothing more than his saddle, still captures the imagination, because he answers to no one.  No boss, schedules, debtors, or anything else has any sway on him.  Outside of family, I place the greatest value on being free.  

"And the white lines gettin longer, and the saddles' gettin cold......"

This sign can be found on Arkansas SR 23.  Note the sharp right hander.  Typical of the Ozarks.  These signs are quite common, great riding throughout the area.  I find the biggest difference in East-West Coast curves to be the absence of long sweepers in the East.

Riding the back roads of America, I often find the remnants of things left behind, when the interstate came to town.  Like this old store in the Ozarks. 

A close up view of the old truck in front of the Hillbilly Cabin in the Ozarks, found on SR 23.  Apparently, somebody started this roadside attraction as a joke, and now folks from all over the country are sticking their business cards on the door.  I placed mine among the other 100 or so.  

In this photo, taken at Alice's Restaurant, Don "Freestyle" Cortez explains something to Alan Tryhorn (blue jacket).  Probably on where to get the best deals, or how to talk someone down on  price.  Free is the best horse trader I've ever come across.  

In 2005 I made my first visit into Southern California, and was treated to SR 79.  This photo was taken near Mt. Palomar.  A great road, with lots of curves and a good surface.

California SR 79 bending hard uphill near Mt. Palomar.  If I have my "druthers" I prefer carving uphill as opposed to down.  

The peaks of Lassen as seen from the banks of Lake Almanor on SR 147 in California.  Another great ride on a like day.  I was on my way to Oregon, spending the entire DAY leaning and carving the California Gold Country.  A worthy route for any Long Rider.  It was 500+ miles of motorcycle bliss.  

The tranquil beauty of the Mississippi River as seen from the Great River Road.  I was on the way home when I took this picture on a late afternoon ride along the river.  The scene is somewhere in Wisconsin, looking across to Minnesota.  When a southern boy finds the Mississippi, his instinct takes over and south he goes.

Early morning on California SR 49.  I was all set to begin my trek through Gold Country, when the morning sun cleared the mountains behind me, and brought my shadow to life.  A good indicator a great day is about to start.

This sunset is near Goose Lake State Park in Oregon.  Sun rays, stream down through the clouds on a cool afternoon.  Having just completed a great day on the road, I was humbled and thankful to be afforded so much opportunity to live free.

Just when you think you can't lean anymore, you find a road like California SR 89.  Over and over, I eased through a series of S curves and sweepers.  It was great fun.