West Coast 2002

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

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In Memoriam

                                    Amber Waves
                          A Rider's Cross Country Notebook

In the summer of 2002 I completed my second cross country trip on my 2001 ST. It was a inspiring, memory filled ride. Amber Waves is the day to day story of that ride. A record of the places I visited, and the people I met.

I rode the Ozark Mountains, across the Great Plains, through the desert Southwest and the Pacific Coast Highway. I camped in Yellowstone Park, the Cascades, and Utah. I saw the natural wonders of Crater Lake, the Utah Canyons, Big Sur, the Colorado Rockies, and Montana. I visited the Palouse, and its endless miles of green rolling wheat fields. I spent 4 nights in San Francisco, sightseeing, and visiting friends. I spent time in Las Vegas in awe of the bright lights, and excitement.

I stopped for lunch to meet a fellow long rider, just because he wanted me to. I asked a farmer for a tractor ride, because it looked interesting. The vast majority of people in this country are good, you just have to give them a chance.

The trip covered over 7,800 miles, 90% of it on back roads. I passed through a thousand towns and met hundreds of people. This journal is only a sampling of the many experiences I had. Many faces and towns are lost in a kaleidoscope of images. Why did some experiences stand out from the others? I don't know. How is it I noticed a town won the state football championship in 1991, but I can't tell you a single name of a business there?

I start every trip with a list of objectives. Places and things I want to see. Few times am I able to accomplish all of them, but this trip proved to be the exception. I returned home with a great sense of pride and accomplishment, because on this tour I met them all. I saw Crater Lake, Glacier, the Redwoods, Yellowstone, Big Sur, and the Utah Canyons. I also found "hidden treasures", places few know about. Locations such as Steptoe Butte, an abandoned Pony Express station, a forgotten tennis court in a small town. A close examination of the Bixby Bridge. I love seeing the important things, but small towns and their people have always fascinated me. I enjoy a chat with friendly local, or sitting in a small cafe and observing. Watching the people of a small town, going about their lives is like peering in a window. I get a glimpse of what life is like in this place.

The riding? I rode many of this country's finest motorcycling roads. At one time it was a 2000 mile lean-a-thon (Yellowstone to San San Francisco by way of Montana, Washington, and Oregon). I carved my way through canyons, twisted up 12,000 foot peaks, leaned along the Pacific Coast, and zapped 50 miles of a lonely desert road at 105 mph. The riding was the best any long rider could ever ask for.

Yes, I had some long days in the saddle. I was drowned by a thunderstorm in Oklahoma, I froze in the Cascades, and found myself late at night, on a dark and lonely road in Texas.

I met new friends, and reunited with old.

Long tours can be a spiritual experience. They cleanse my being, and allow me to live my life at its fullest. This trip was especially gratifying in that regard. I recall rising very early on a Nebraska morning, just so I could witness the sunrise from my bike. That sunrise will always be with me.

This trip is special to me. For 3 weeks I was at my best. I did things many only dream about. No one can ever take it from me, and when its over, I will tuck it away and take it with me.

I not only recorded what I saw, and what I did, I also added my personal thoughts and insight. I hope you don't mind. Writing down what I think about something helps me to understand it.

The format for Amber Waves is different then that of previous journals. Each day is a story in itself. I hope y'all find the new format to your liking. Let me know.

I'm glad so many identify with me. Many of you inspire me to do what I do, and I hope I inspire others to seek what it is they enjoy about riding, or life in general. I am no one special folks, just a regular guy that likes to ride and explore, just one of hundreds.

I hope y'all enjoy Amber Waves as much as I liked writing about it.

Day 1- Riding the Ozark Mountains

Day 2- Thunderstorms in Oklahoma

Day 3-Thru Kansas and Nebraska, and riding a John Deere

Day 4- Inspiring sun rise, lunch with a southern flavor, Yellowstone

Day 5- Touring Yellowstone Park

Day 6- Montana and Glacier National Park

Day 7- From Montana to the Emerald land of the Palouse

Day 8- The East Oregon Hills, and the majesty of Crater Lake

Day 9- Riding the Klamath River Road, and arriving in Eureka

Day 10- Riding the Pacific Coast and arriving in San Francisco

Day 11- Sightseeing in San Francisco