NEPHI, WHERE???

It was starting to get hot in Las Vegas at 8am, so I decided to head north towards cooler weather.

Highway cut through mountain leaving Nevada and heading into Utah.
What a great looking sky.
It started to cloud up shortly after crossing state line. Lucky the rain was on either side of me.
Made it through the rain behind me before it got to the highway.
I'm doing the 80 mph speed limit, and cars are whizzing past me like I'm standing still.
More storms to the left and right of me.
Why stop in Nephi? This in front convinced me. Half an hour after I got checked in to the motel, it rained buckets.

HEADING SOUTH

Forecast thunderstorms and rain showers to the north and east of my present position, so I'm headed south where it's sunny and warmer. I don't know what the fuss is all about over global warming, because the temperatures have been unusually cool for this time of year at most places I've been through. I don't want to go south, but not wanting to ride in the rain keeps forcing me to head that way. However, triple digit temperatures will change my mind, and I'll head north, rain or no rain.
So far, it looks great going south.
Would you believe someone took the time to do this?
Someone must be blowing smoke about the economy. Las Vegas is a mad house. Lots of traffic, people, and the casinos I went into were crowded.
I might not be posting for a while, because I plan to spend some time here and may end up having to pawn my computer. Excuse me, mind if I squeeze in here?
HEY! Don't give me any crap. If you think these guys are looking at their cards, you're "nuts."

TONOPAH

Back up over Sonora Pass to get to Tonopah, NV. Why Tonopah you ask? Wanted to dodge the scattered thunder showers through this part of the country. Good day for a ride and no rain. Tonopah isn't much of a town, but the people I talked to here love the place. Of course, I didn't talk to any young people, so I don't know what they think.
Not a lot of people heading to or coming from Tonopah.
Free range wild horses.
Who could resist this as a place to stay for the night.

ROUND TRIP

Up over Sonora Pass and back through Yosemite NP. Weather was great going through Sonora Pass but it turned to crap while going over Tioga Pass in Yosemite. It was cold and got hit with a little sleet in a couple of places. Met a guy on a rented bike from Bavaria in Germany, had lunch with him, and rode through Yosemite together. He was on his way back to SF. He wasn't dressed for the ride over the pass and almost froze to death.
A little hairy in places on the narrow road and no guard rails. Run off the road here and they'll never find you.
At about 9,000 ft.
Heading down the east side of the pass.
Gas stop. I don't know what the price of gas is where you live, but this is "nuts."
This is the only picture I took while heading through Yosemite. The weather quickly turned to crap, and I wanted to get past it as quickly as possible. Actually, the ride over Sonora Pass was more scenic than the ride over Tioga Pass. As soon as we got over the pass, the weather cleared up.

COLUMBIA STATE HISTORIC PARK

Just a few miles from Sonora. Most of the preserved town is closed to vehicular traffic. Few shops and old buildings. Considering the age of earth, this all took place not too long ago. Even though we live in the age of text messaging and Facebook, who's to say life wasn't better back then.
Well, maybe the ride could have been a little more comfortable.

ANOTHER STUPID BOB TRICK

Decided to go through Yosemite and head south on US-395 to Bishop. Winding road heading up and over the pass.
Got through it without dropping the bike and found a view turnout a few miles down the road.
Decided to break out the lunch. Having lunch with views like these ain't, or should I say isn't too shabby.

As I'm walking back to the bike, I notice what looks to me like a white stripe on my rear tire. Can't think of what I went through to cause this. Upon closer inspection, I find the tire tread is worn away and the white is actually tire cords showing. HOLY CRAP!!!
I'm in the mountains miles from any town on a tire like this. Oh mama, what the hell am I going to do now? This means going back through the pass on a really crooked road. Bummer!
As luck would have it, I flagged down a couple of bikers who know the area, and they gave me directions to Sonora. Told me there was a Yamaha bike shop in town and if they had the correct tire, they would change it for me right away. Now the dilemma. Do I travel fast knowing I could have a blowout at any time in order to get to the shop before it closes, or do I go slow which would be better for me control the bike in the event of a blowout and get there after it closes. Always one for doing the right thing in the safest way possible, I went fast. Got to Sonora, larger place than I thought it would be, found the shop and as luck would have it, they had a tire. They got right on it and had it changed within an hour. The mechanic said he had never seen a tire so worn and said I should look at the tires once in a while. I told him that I did look at the rear tire about 20k miles ago and it seemed fine then. Well, duh!
Got to put in a plug for Gold Rush Motorsports in Sonora and Lawrence Rangel who went out of his way to provide me with great service. Everyone I talked to who worked there was cordial, friendly and courteous. I was impressed. For those in need of help, this is the place for it. Just make sure you're not on a "Harley."