OTHER Trip Report 02/12/2020

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Key West, FL
Date Posted	02/12/2020
Date Climbed	01/09/2020
Author	oldschool

Motorcycle ride to Big Bend & Key West, FL
It's winter time again which means I'm off work and heading out. I work seasonal as a Guide (rock climbing, hiking, mtn biking, Jeep/UTV, Indian rock art, geology) at Gateway Canyons Resort in Gateway, CO. I get winters off (Dec 1st - Feb 29th..an extra day this year with leap year!) After doing 2 sections of the Hayduke Trail (see my last Trip Report) I spent Christmas with my son in Grand Junction then loaded up my 2 motorcycles and headed to Phoenix. I had made plans to ride one of my bikes to Key West, FL, with a 3 day stop in Big Bend NP. Total trip was 6041 miles and I took 18 days to do it. Took back roads all the way..no Interstate except for very short sections where needed. Stopped for a night in Pancho Villa State Park in New Mexico (sweet little Park with chill camping for only $8), then camped at La Cuesta campground along the Rio Grande River in Big Bend Ranch State Park, TX before 3 nights at Cottonwood campground in Big Bend National Park, TX. Hiked to the highest point in the Park, Emory Peak @ 7825 ft. Big ass Park!! Utilized Bunk-A-Biker website that has bikers that let you crash at their place as you travel across country. Never know what you're gonna get that's for sure! San Antonio TX, Lufkin TX, Hattiesburg Mississippi , Thomasville Georgia, Lakeland FL, and finally 4 days in Key West. Took a boat ride one day (2 1/2 hrs west of Key West) out into the Gulf to see Dry Tortugas National Park (awesome). Key West was all about fish tacos, beer, and Key Lime pie..every day! Observations....west Texas is HUGE! The big Wide Open...damn. The hill country of Texas is a motorcycle rider's paradise. Rude ass drivers in Louisiana and Florida. Back roads of Alabama were amazing..so green and pretty and way more cows than I had ever thought would be in Alabama. Florida too...lots of cows. I saw at least 500 Baptist churches. Once you get out of west Texas it's so green and lush. Humidity..yuck. Key Lime pie...not yuck! Only about 100 miles of rain during the whole trip. Stay away from Crystal River, FL during the Manatee Festival....I didn't know and it took me a long long time to get through town. Key West is touristy but a cool place with interesting history, great food, and roosters and chickens all over the place. Don't expect to sleep in if you're staying in Old Town as they are up early and everywhere. A good adventure. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Motorcycle ride to Big Bend & Key West, FL

It's winter time again which means I'm off work and heading out. I work seasonal as a Guide (rock climbing, hiking, mtn biking, Jeep/UTV, Indian rock art, geology) at Gateway Canyons Resort in Gateway, CO. I get winters off (Dec 1st - Feb 29th..an extra day this year with leap year!) After doing 2 sections of the Hayduke Trail (see my last Trip Report) I spent Christmas with my son in Grand Junction then loaded up my 2 motorcycles and headed to Phoenix. I had made plans to ride one of my bikes to Key West, FL, with a 3 day stop in Big Bend NP. Total trip was 6041 miles and I took 18 days to do it.

Took back roads all the way..no Interstate except for very short sections where needed. Stopped for a night in Pancho Villa State Park in New Mexico (sweet little Park with chill camping for only $8), then camped at La Cuesta campground along the Rio Grande River in Big Bend Ranch State Park, TX before 3 nights at Cottonwood campground in Big Bend National Park, TX. Hiked to the highest point in the Park, Emory Peak @ 7825 ft. Big ass Park!! Utilized Bunk-A-Biker website that has bikers that let you crash at their place as you travel across country. Never know what you're gonna get that's for sure! San Antonio TX, Lufkin TX, Hattiesburg Mississippi , Thomasville Georgia, Lakeland FL, and finally 4 days in Key West. Took a boat ride one day (2 1/2 hrs west of Key West) out into the Gulf to see Dry Tortugas National Park (awesome). Key West was all about fish tacos, beer, and Key Lime pie..every day!

Observations....west Texas is HUGE! The big Wide Open...damn. The hill country of Texas is a motorcycle rider's paradise. Rude ass drivers in Louisiana and Florida. Back roads of Alabama were amazing..so green and pretty and way more cows than I had ever thought would be in Alabama. Florida too...lots of cows. I saw at least 500 Baptist churches. Once you get out of west Texas it's so green and lush. Humidity..yuck. Key Lime pie...not yuck! Only about 100 miles of rain during the whole trip. Stay away from Crystal River, FL during the Manatee Festival....I didn't know and it took me a long long time to get through town. Key West is touristy but a cool place with interesting history, great food, and roosters and chickens all over the place. Don't expect to sleep in if you're staying in Old Town as they are up early and everywhere. A good adventure.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

greenonion	Interesting Pair of Destinations 2/12/2020 10:26am Big Bend and Key West. Sounds like it was a fun trip, Mike! Big Bend is about the only decent area of Texas if you ask me. Rugged, wild, and out there. Just like Key West, but a LOT drier!
angry	Hattiesburg 2/12/2020 11:08am I've driven from California to Florida and back twice and always dreaded the route through Texas. The only Hattiesburg I'm aware of is in MS. Didn't know there was one in LA. I spent several summers at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, MS when I was a field training officer. It was miserably hot and humid. The only saving grace was that I was making the trainees more miserable than I was. :D
oldschool	Angry... 2/12/2020 11:18am You're right..it's Mississippi. I corrected my TR. Thx.
Kiefer	Beauty 2/14/2020 7:39am Now THAT'S what I call an awesome trip. I've stayed there once in La Cuesta when I lived in NM. Nice place. I didn't know you had a bike. And you're only in Gateway!! We're practically neighbors Mike!!! I'll get a hold of you. We need to get out again. It's been WAY, WAY too long.
oldschool	Kiefer 2/14/2020 7:44am I'll shoot you a PM with my number. Would love to get out with you and do something.

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