Nevada

AUGUST 6, 2010 - DAY 2 - FERNLEY TO JACKPOT, NV

I think the greatest part of any travel experience are the people you meet along the way, and this trip is no exception. Most people are friendly and actually enjoy hearing about what you are doing, where you are going, and eager to share their experiences as well.

And with all the bikes on the road, and so many people we've already met traveling away from where we are headed, they all assume Sturgis is our big destination. There are even those who are astounded when they ask where we are going and we answer, "New York". And others who are thrilled to see two women out on their own adventure even when they say that it is something they could never do themselves, though we reassure them they could.

This morning started out with just such an experience while having breakfast at the motel. I started chatting with a gentleman whom it turns out was on a ride of his own on his V-Rod but was now heading west. He was able to provide some roadway information, having just come from the Yellowstone area, as well as ideas on what to see. It also turns out he used to live in Santa Clara and once served 10 years in the USMC.

Though that falls under the "small world" category I think the thing that struck me most before ever hitting the road was the couple getting in their truck as we mounted our bikes. They had a trailer behind their Ford, and on that trailer was a Road King Classic. The woman seemed to barely glance at us, almost with contempt as she climbed up into the cab. But the man lingered a moment, stared and gave a half-hearted wave, as though he were trying to wish himself out on the road.

Don't get me wrong, I know as well as anyone how much more comfortable it is to have air conditioning, radio stations and a CD player, an insulated cab, and the ability to carry on conversation with someone without shouting or crude sign language. But I don't really understand trailering your bike if you are driving to a biker event anyway! There is so much you miss out on.

So maybe he still saw the abandoned mine out in the middle of nowhere that somehow had numerous trailers parked around it like an RV park, but did he also notice the sign at the exit that said "airport"? I didn't see one, but I guess somewhere out in the vast desert and scrub brush one existed. And I'm certain that just before Battle Mountain he noticed the sudden farm and green grasses off to the left, but could he smell the alfalfa before seeing the bales?

Did he notice that as we headed eastbound there seemed to always be mountains to each side and the front, but that they varied in type, size and shape? And that they appeared to be stretched out in layers? And did the roof on the cab of his truck prevent him from noticing the clouds? At first they were ahead off in the distance, where they all appeared to be flat on the bottom and fluffy like cotton on the top. I thought this would change but when I found them above me they still looked the same, as though someone had sliced them at the bottom.

And I wondered if he even thought much about the effects of the brief sandstorm, especially if his windows were already up because his a/c was on due to the heat. Of course the wind gusts are always a problem and noticeable in a vehicle, especially one with a trailer. But I know he did not have sand blown between him and his seat or have to close his face mask to keep the grit out of his mouth. So much to experience, and in an enclosed vehicle so much to miss out on.

The ride was simple today, I-80 was all of a block away from our hotel, then a straight shot for 300+ miles before making a left turn onto Highway 93 ~ and just under 70 miles to Cactus Pete's in Jackpot for the night. And though many may think the landscape unchanging along the way, I was amazed at the differences in the mountain-sides, the alfalfa and hay farms suddenly popping up now and again, and the odd weather patterns. It all adds up to a beauty that was unexpected and probably not seen by those in other vehicles.

But there were also lessons learned already on this second day. First and foremost, lesson #1: is that it doesn't matter how many times you pack and repack, you never really know what you need or how and where it should be packed until you are on the road; lesson #2: never wear a rhinestone bandana if your helmet fits snugly or you will have painful indentations on your forehead; lesson #3: six months of working out is not enough to keep one day of riding from letting you know there are still muscles you have forgotten; and lesson #4: when in Nevada and you see what appears to be a cloud rolling your way it is not rain or fog but sand and dirt. And the wind is strong enough to not only pack sand on your bike with you on it, but can partially lift a parked bike enough off it's kickstand to cause it to roll back about an inch. Thankfully it did not knock it over as I was not going to get off my bike to save Angel's...sorry, but I also told her that!

Tomorrow we travel through Idaho, parts I haven't seen since that summer I was 15 and learned to ride a "real" motorcycle. It will be much more scenic compared to today's sparse landscape, but everyday holds a different view and new things to learn, and I am still struggling with sleep due to the adventure each new day holds.

Today's stats: 8 hours and 375 miles