MUMBLINGS June 16, 2005

Flying has been a favorite way to see the world for a long time. You fly to a destination, rent a car and head out any direction you wish.

It has been my privilege to enjoy such travel for a long time, all the way from Maine, New York, Canada, California, Mexico and the entire west. Now I've learned the new wrinkle on how to fly and ride. Instead of renting a car, you have a motorcycle waiting for you.

There are a lot of "hogs" in Baldwin, other than the variety that makes pork. They are a Harley Davidson organization group.

Recently, the following six men from Baldwin and Mobile flew to Phoenix, Arizona with Harley Davidsons awaiting them in Scottsdale, Arizona. These cycles cost $25,000 or more but rent for $100.00 a day.

They spent about eight days from the time they left flying to Phoenix and returning home.

Those making the trip where all dedicated Harley Davidson owners as follows: Dr. Gary Branch -President Faulkner State Community College, Bay Minette; Mr. Phil Law- Regional Pharmaceutical Representative, Daphne; Dr. Don Sanders- Medical Internist, Mobile; Mr. Thomas Steiner- Director of Springhill Nursing Home, Mobile; Mr. Hunter McDonald- Owner of The Locker Room (a men's clothing establishment), Montgomery; Mr. David Howell- Sales Manager for Harley Davidson, Mobile.

I always get fun out of my own trips and as remembered, have never used this column to tell about any trips made by other people. However, this is so interesting I thought you would enjoy it.

In the main, the following mostly is in their own exciting words. Saturday May 21st they picked up their Harleys at the Scottsdale Dealership (Scottsdale is a suburb of Phoenix). The ride was arranged through the Harley Davidson Fly and Ride Program. It's a special program that allows people to fly into major cities, be picked up by shuttle and taken to a local Harley Davidson dealership to get motorcycles for the ride. After the tour or ride, the riders are returned to the airport by shuttle.

The group left Phoenix and rode to the south rim of the Grand Canyon where they enjoyed a sunset and spent the night. The next morning they experienced an equally gorgeous sunrise and headed out again. The Grand Canyon was Dr. Branch's favorite part of the trip. They visited the Painted Desert, Monument Valley, and the Valley of the Gods.

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On one particular day, they started out through the desert, the temperature climbing to 103 degrees. By that evening, they had reached the top of Bryce Canyon and rode into snow, sleet and a temperature of 31 degrees.

The riders' tour included Arches National Park, Utah; Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah; Canyon lands, Utah; Capital Reef National Park, Utah; and Zion National Park, Utah. They visited Four Corners where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah meet. Dr. Branch particularly enjoyed the towns of Telluride, Colorado, Ouray, Colorado and old gold mining town (where the group spent the night), Durango, Colorado and Sedona, Arizona. His favorite state was Colorado.

A special treat for the group was traveling a section of Historic Route 66 where the movie "Easy Rider" was filmed in 1969. Dr. Branch brought back a treasured souvenir- a piece of pavement from the famous road.

He said there was a scene in the movie in which the characters Captain America (Peter Fonda), Billy (Dennis Hopper), and George Hanson (Jack Nicholson) were not allowed to spend the night in a motel because they were "motorcycle riders". He noted this hotel is now deserted.

Dr. Branch verified the "out west" you should buy gas anytime you see a service station. You can actually travel 100 miles without seeing another station. They stopped for gas in Norton, Colorado and found one service station with two pumps. However, the small town did have three bars and two liquor stores.

The ride covered over 2,000 miles through four states: Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. The group returned their motorcycles to Scottsdale on Friday, May 27.

The men thoroughly enjoyed the time they spent riding and viewing these western states and the "great wide open". Dr. Branch observed that it reminded him anew of what a beautiful country we live in and the awesome creative power of God.

See you again soon, I hope.