My Photo Album

On this page, the thumbnails for albums I have placed here link you to galleries of some photos I have selected to showcase memories from various national, regional and local trips/rides of mine.
It is developing a life of its own and will continue to "morph" as I will continue to keep sharing more memories when I sort, select and add more from my vast and continuing to grow library/collection of photos.
So do re-visit from time to time for continuing updates.
……. enjoy.

1978. Just got the Ducati 450 dirt bike fixed. Dang, that thing had power and turned out to be a temperamental beast of a machine!
Here's where it began .......... Yamaha 80cc
......... and here's where it continued - BMW 250cc
An almost dead-ringer of our Agrati-Garelli motorized bicycles
Accra, Ghana. Christmas Day, 1979. My then-buddy Narh, “my self-customized baby” and I. The BMW 250cc and this bike left indelible impressions on me, that to this day I attribute a lot of their characteristics to my choice of machine in the Honda ST models I have owned and continue to own and ride to this day. Big enough, heavy, powerful, smooth, comfortable and well planted/sure-footed – among other attributes. It is the only picture I have of this one and I cherish it a lot. Many many fond memories of rides on her.
Pee on "Santa" right after a successful restoration/rebuild. Kumasi, Ghana
Family friends Lulu and Willi on the newly arrived Yamaha 80cc. Check out the state-of-the-art leg-guards.
All-time classic - Hondas' 1964 50cc model. A.K.A. the CUB, acronym for Cheap Urban Vehicle. And cheaply it ran too. close to 100 miles per imperial gallon. First motorcycle I ever rode on.
Accra-Cape Coast road shrouded in a haze of Harmattan dust in the air. November 2015.
Mum, making our favorite snack/dessert of pancakes for us. Regardless of the “black and white” picture, I can remember very vividly and in extreme detail, the color of everything in this picture. From the red and white colored gallon-can of Olos cooking oil, to her purple and silver headscarf.
Kwame Nkrumahs' Mausoleum. Old Polo Grounds in Accra, Ghana. The very spot on which I first mounted a bicycle in my life, long before this was constructed or even thought of.
Music session at home during another of our typically unforgettable summer holidays
On the BMW R65/5 with then-buddy Narh
Just a sight from the African countryside - a Fulani herdsman/boy, out grazing the herd of cattle. Pure definition of "Open Range"
My first day of primary school, which happened to also be my first day ever on a motorcycle. Dang, I looked sharp and ready ............... to ride!
At last! My very own Sport Tourer! Arrival of my 1995 Honda ST1100 in Corpus Christi, TX February 2010.
Honda CB400 Four. King of the motorcycling streets in Accra, Ghana. June 1979. Notice the lack of a muffler? ............Yup, you could hear me coming waaaaaaay before you'd see me.
Leo, giving cousin Mary a ride around the yard on his new Yamaha 80cc
Taking my eldest daughter for a ride on my new-to-me Honda ST1100. Corpus Christi, 2010
Taking my youngest daughter for a ride on my new Honda ST1300. Avon Lake, Ohio 2013
On my 1983 Honda VT750 Shadow. Accra, Ghana 2005
Amanorkrom, Ghana. Way up in the mountains above the capital city of Accra .....................
................. Where the produce doesn't come any more organic, fresher or affordable than this!
Newly completed construction of the Ashaiman Overpass, bridging the Accra-Tema Motorway. Ghana 2005
Night photography in the streets of Accra, Ghana. November 2011
Not only did he love riding pillion with me, Francis shared an equal passion for photography as well. This was a great night for photography in the streets of Accra, Ghana, 2011. R.I.P. my friend, you are truly missed and remembered.
Paid for and taking delivery of my 1st Sport Touring machine. California 2010. The smile on my face says it all, I'm sure!
Me 'n my buddy Evans. Couldn't have secured the purchase without your help.
There's that same smile again. Recognize it? Taking delivery of my new ST1300
Maintenance/cleanup day. Ghana 2005
Ready to Roll!
Driveway bikers. Look Dad, no hands, no feet!
The old Ghana Oil gas station in Mankesim, Ghana. Having sprouted a canopy over what used to be a solitary gas (petrol) pump, the security light still exists. And co-incidentally, a motorcycle stands in pretty much the same location mine stood when stranded that unforgettable night back in 1978.

My ever-present companion - An aspiring long distance rider, just like me.
First riding-break of the day at dawn in George West, Texas.
2 different species of Cactus plants. Some of the hardiest plants in the desert.
Pulling over at the side of the road to assess the threat of rain.
Taking in the sights atop the Topol Vista in the Big Bend National Park. Way off in the distance, just over my right shoulder, the range of mountains - The Chihuahua Mountains, creates a sharp natural demarcation between the United States and Mexico.
Capturing video footage for posterity.
Nothing but a bunch of "lolly-gaggers"!
Approaching a range of mountains in the Big Bend Park area. Road quality and weather conditions were close to perfect.
A view towards "The Window" formation of mountains, through the window of the restaurant in the chisos Basin.
Lovely mountain ranges beyond the deserts of West Texas
Texas! - Big Blue Skies, wide open spaces and long straight roads.
The "Vee" formation known as "The Window". It is the only opening in a ring formation of mountains that creates/encloses The Chisos Basin within
The formation known as "Casa Grande"
We were so lucky to have as knowledgeable a person amongst us who taught us so much of the park on this day. William had gained a vast knowledge of the park over the previous 20 years of visiting the park as a scout master.
Off in the distance, "The Window" and the formation of mountains around/enclosing The Chisos Basin.
My first real experience of the meaning of the word "desert"!
A Convenience Store deep within the Big Bend National Park system, situated in the foothills of the Chihuahua Mountains. We paid 7.00 bucks per gallon of gas at this place! Luckily I needed less than 2 gallons, but decided to fill up out of abundance of caution. Needless to mention, it was to be expected because everthing required for convenience here is "trucked-in", resulting in increased costs of availability.
Wide-eyed with excitement, this little kids' experience took me way back to August 1964 when my Daddy put me onto his motorbike at that time.
Feet in the Rio Grande .....................
............... squishing mud between my toes. Oh how good it felt. Took my mind way back to Africa, growing up as a little boy, playing in the rain water and mud after a monsoon rainfall.
Horses grazing in their corral at the Cow Head Ranch.
Looking out towards the Fort Davis Mountains from the Cowhead Ranch
Ranch owners bunkhouse at the Cowhead Ranch
Sundown, preparing to exit the Big Bend National Park
More desert, more mountains
Taking a break from the heat of the day
On a day without breeze, this windmill stands still on Texas ranch land
On a beautiful Texan morning at sunrise, the railroad tracks, just like the roads, continue to run straight and true as far as your eyes can see.

Dawn over the Laguna Madre in South Texas as we headed out on our first motorcycling tour.
Three kids on the block.
With the change in vegetation, there was no doubt at this time that we had crossed into Arkansas.
At the Nimrod flood-control dam.
With new friendship in the making, we gathered to memorialize the moment before setting out for the day.
Taking in the views high atop the highest point in Arkansas - Mt. Magazine, at 2,753 ft (839 m).
The thrill of freshly laid asphalt.
Los Tres.
Downstream of the flood control dam, we posed for this photo, with the air dominated by the smell of sulphur, by the Sulphur Springs River
High atop the Ozarks Plateau.
Beautifully manicured and well maintained resting site of Petit Jean, 1000 ft. (300 m) above the Arkansas River Vally. Fact or legend?
Taking advantage of the solitude of the area to "play on the road again"
My most admired exhibit at the Automobile museum located high in the mountains of Arkansas.
A view To A Thrill!
At the end of the Pig Trail Run.
Comparing individual notes and experiences at the end of the Pig Trail Run.
William, taking it all in!
Too close for comfort!
Taking advantage of the serenity and doing things I would not dare to do within urban areas!

Early morning set off for Arkansas via Houston
Abandoned barn in the Ozarks. Hauntingly picturesque, the area provided a rest area for a short while.
Getting important stuff prepared on the Triumph Sprint.
Night shot of a part of Houston, TX.
Meeting up with friends ............. old and new!
...... on a fresh, cool October morning up on a mountain in the Ozarks. If you cherish serenity, you can find some of it here.
View from atop a Fire Tower overlooking the forested landscape of the Ozarks.
............... it could have been worse. Much, much worse!
Lit up like a well decorated christmas tree - henry's new to him Gold Wing motorcycle that we affectionately dubbed "The Yellow Submarine".
In the Ozarks, as the colors of the Fall Season (Autumn) slowly crept in/approached.
Arriving at the Russelville Honda Dealership, why am I not surprised to see which machines have been chosen and showcased to meet and greet you upon arrival? On the left, a Honda ST1100 and on the right, a Honda ST1300
Mealtimes are always special!
Mountain cruisin' buddies. L to R, yours truly, William, J.P., Tony and Henry.
Boys and their bikes. They just can't talk about anything else!
On the Talimena Highway, crossing into Oklahoma.
Los Tres Amigos!
Meeting up with other bikers enjoying the same passions as we do.
Cruisin' the Ozarks.
Scrappy and Teddy enjoying the view atop Sugar Loaf Mountain in Arkansas, along the Talimena Highway.
Back home in Texas after a long riding day.
With front wheel safely removed on William's Triumph Sprint, preparation for the trip to Arkansas continued in earnest
There's no doubt about a biker's priorities!
4:00 a.m. Early morning departure at the end of our 4-day riding visit to Arkansas

Mr. Vickers. Such a wealth and resource of South Texas history.
Lonestar Liz. a.k.a. Mary McLanahan.
Meeting the Pinkertons.
A dream finally come true for Grandma Esther.
Gathering for a group photo with Grandma Esther, she initiated a thumbs up to immortalize her long-awaited bike ride.
................ and reluctantly was taken off the bike when she expressed a wish/desire to embark on the trip with us.
Group photo at the Pecos Bridge Overlook. The Pecos Bridge is the highest one on the Texas Highway System.
Group of other bikers leaving the hotel parking lot in Alpine, Texas on a lovely April morning.
Natural horses and an iron horse "herding" together.
No doubt, the smile on William's face says how much he's enjoying being out here doing what he is.
Taking time out at the Big Bend State Park.
Part of the River Road.
River Road. Stopping at the movie set of Streets Of Laredo.
On the movie set 1.
On the movie set 2.
Cooling off in the waters of the Rio Grande.
All teetering at the edge of the canyon trying to catch a glimpse of a tanker/trailer that had gone over the side in the past but still lay in the canyon.
River Road. My first truly adrenalin-pumping ride of my riding adventures on this side of the globe.
Indelible memories in the making.
No shortage of help to determine another flat tire atop Mt. Locke, Texas.
Sunset through the haze of a still smoke-filled valley after wild fires had raged the previous week.
Part of the Observatory Complex atop Mt. Locke in Texas.
Being given a personal tour through the McDonald observatory by Mr. Doss.
No need to peer into the valley, wouldn't yo agree? Nothing to see through the haze of smoke.
Sunrise in Alpine Texas.
Preparing to patch a flat rear tire as we motored through the Fort Davis Mountain Range.
Valve and tire repair kit in hand, repair work progressed.
Nothing the rest of us could do but wait. No man was going to be left behind!
Aquaduct on the outskirts of Balmorhea, Texas.
More permanent tire repair work being performed by the local mechanic we found in Balmorhea, TX who also happened to be their mayor. Nice chap.
....... nothing else to do but wait!
........ and still nothing else to do but wait and play with junkyard dogs!
Having already crossed 6 miles into New Mexico, we gathered for this memorable photo - our first stateline crossing photo of our group rides.
In the bowels of the Carlsbad Caverns - the largest natural limestone caverns in the western hemisphere
"The Giant". Largest stalagmite, measured at 62 ft. (19 m), found in the area of the caverns known as "The Big Room".
Yes. A feeling of accomplishment that we had really been somewhere and seen some things!
Some Texas history
A "Sport Touring Rider" in the making.

New bike, first weekend - definitely did not stay at home to mow the lawn!
Early morning pre-breakfast stop in Pleasanton, Texas.
At the original and still current Post Office in Luckenbach, Texas.
Resident cat at the Post Office in Luckenbach.
... and the town mascot - "Shotgun" . Although he looks intimidating, for a slight fee, you can sit astride him for a photo-op.
Scrappy. The days when he had the perch all to himself.
Typical street scene in Bandera, Texas - Cowboy capital of the world.
At the replica of the famed English monument in Ingram, Texas.
Texas Hill Country roadside warning sign.
Julio, Terry and I resting on the banks of the Guadaloupe River.
Post-breakfast, pre-ride.
Wetting our feet in the cold waters of the Guadaloupe River.
Pre-dawn gathering for the day's ride.
Photo-op before starting "The Three Sisters" ride.
Other bikers along our same route.
Texas Hill Country Photo Of The Day as captured by txfotomoto.com Guess who of?
Townsfolk gathering behind the Post Office/Town Center for an afternoon of country music and socializing.

Time for some "new shoes"
Equipment integrity checks!
Early morning approach into the "Heartland"
Crossing the great Mississippi.
One of the Madison County covered bridges.
At John Wayne's boyhood home in Winterset, Iowa
Re-hydration break at the Nebraska/Missouri state line
"Old Time Baby" in all its glory!
Early morning in Nebraska
Leaving the sunrise behind.
Wearing dirt llike a badge of honor!
Nothing but rows and rows of corn and un-ending farmland!
Friendships formed along the way.
I came upon this "crop-duster" and for the next 20 odd minutes or so, hung around to watch him ply his trade and display his aerobatic skills.
Kansas prarie.
A picture that truly speaks for itself.
The marker, indicating the geographical center of the lower 48 states.
As I waited for a pilot truck to guide us through road construction on Kansas Highway 36, I took time out to watch this equipment make light work of its harvesting duties.
......... and "ate" dirt in the process!
Fields of Gold.
Livestock, unperturbed by the approaching storm.
Weather forecaster at work!
Hanging out to dry alongside fields of baled hay being prepared ahead of the coming winter season.
It took all of 12 minutes in the heat of this Nebraska day, to get bone-dry after getting drenched in the storm.
Feeling the moment, breathing the air and tasting the dirt of days gone by.
Like giants standing over the praries, these grain silos in Gurley, NE dwarfed me.
Atop the Pine Ridge in Chadron, NE, I visited the meeting area where Indian tribes and "mountain men"/fur trappers would gather and trade during the mid to late 1800's.
Crossing into South Dakota from Nebraska along highway 385 towards the Pine Ridge area.
Engineering sure has come a long way!
My first "live" sighting of Mt. Rushmore.
A late night view of Mt. Rushmore. I was the last guest to leave the monument that night.
Winding road through the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Mountain carving of what is to be the Crazy Horse Monument. At the current rate/pace, I doubt that it will be completed in my lifetime.
A 1/300th scale of Crazy Horse, silhouetted against the actual, ongoing mountain carving.
One of the tunnels along the Iron Mountain Road in the Black Hills.
Another tunnel along the Iron Mountain Road in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Yet another tunnel along the Iron Mountain Road, this picture I took setting it to portray a picture frame of Mt. Rushmore, way off in the distance.
Bridge over the Missouri River.
I stopped to admire nicely manicured farmland as I traveled through Wisconsin.
Arriving in Illinois at sundown, signalling a return to urban sprawl.

Authentic Appalachian home from the 1800's.
Phew, what a view! somewhere up in the Appalachian Mountains above the Shenandoah Valley
Selfies are serious business.
having made it over the mountain to Tazewell through fog as thick as "pea-soup".
Marker along the Appalachian Trail. Continues all the way to the state of Maine
Mountain ridges of the Appalachians.
Relentless fog shrouds the mountains I just came out of in Virginia.
Overflowing river forced me to detour.
Meeting up with my Buddies in Benton, Arkansas.
Turned out to be a great and unforgettable mountain ride! Twisties galore!
Meeting new friends along the way ......
..... and finding out that we are like 2 peas in a pod!
Beware, the tail of the dragon! Lovely ride. Had the whole road all to myself due to inclement weather. Made for a great thrill ride, but I found it to be seriously over-hyped in all my readings and research of it.
Time was of the essence!
VA 16. No way I could have anticipated the "White-Knuckle ride" that lay ahead of me. 32 miles of twisties, fog and steep, sheer drop-offs! A very technical and experience-garnering ride. Definitely overshadows the Tail Of The Dragon.
Feeling very refreshed after a good night's sleep, ready for some great riding along the Skyline Drive on this day. Front Royal, VA.
Re-hydration break. Water for me, Premium Unleaded for The ST!
Meeting up with an old time classic. A Suzuki 500 twin. I remembered the days when bikes of that class were "The Big Bikes"!
Good time for breakfast and a chance to get out of the relentless rain for a while.

I have no doubt that this photo, with my smile exhibiting the personal thrill of my accomplishment, says it all!
Looking northwards as I await sunset over the Bay of Fundy.
......... and finally, the arrival of that golden hour of light that "makes" a photographers' day.
Lighthouse sitting across the bay in Canada on Campobello Island.
Grilled salmon with a dash of lime, freshly tossed garden salad, garlic-laden mashed potatoes and fennel. Made for a great dinner after 2 days of great riding.
Alpacas, no doubt continuing their discussions of local politics from the "barber shop", in Connecticut.
By Fox Pond in Maine, along Highway 182. A lovely spot I chose for a lunch break.
A great and long-awaited lobster dinner at Bailey's in Saco, Maine, for under 10 bucks!
At the summit of Mt. Olga, along the Molly Startk Trail, Highway 9, passing through the Hogback Mountain conservation area in Vermont.
Sidewalk- lunch. Somewhere in Massachusetts along Interstate 495.
If the water was not so cold, I'd probably have done the same
Good Times! Pete and I.
... and good fare! - rice and beans, beef, plantain, good 'ol ginger beer and a good friend to share it all with! Meals don't get much bettter than this.
Quality time! Miims and I in Howell, NJ.
Lush green vegetation of the North East.
Back into urban sprawl!

Early morning departure. Leaving Cleveland behind.
Got off the highway and ducked into a gas station to hide from the rain, 30 miles west of Slidell, LA.
Beautiful early morning as I approach Gill, TX on Highway 59.
Loaded up and ready to roll. Heading for the Cherohala Skyway on this lovely morning.
Does it and can it get any better than this? ..........
...... or this?
No Grandpa, you're doing it wrong. This is how you should do it.
... even the Chihuahua had missed me tremendously.
Friendships formed along the way - even during a rainstorm.
Taking advantage of the heat of a summer day in Pensacola, FL to dry out my still-wet boots.
Another new friend along the way.
... and to this day we remain brothers from different mothers. A blessing.
...... and they got married, with friends and family from across 3 continents.
I pulled up into this convenience store just outside of Charleston, W.Virginia to grab a much-needed cup of coffee, to keep me from falling asleep.
Bamarider and I. A meeting 7 years in the making.
Beginning of the Cherohala Skyway

Preparations underway
Route planning and general concensus.
Seating assignments verified.
Reflections in the life of a SportTourer.
Being rescued after a mishap 170 miles (272 km) into the trip.
1 of 3 instant punctures ......
The culprit!
... and the official start of my journey out west - The Lewis and Clark Monument in St. Louis, beside the St. Louis Arch - Gateway To The West
Artwork adorning one of several buildng locations in Fanning, MO just outside of Cuba, MO a.k.a. Mural City. A must-visit, must-see destination if you're in the neighborhood. Keeping the spirit of The Mother Road alive.
Fanning, MO. site of the current 2nd largest rocking chair in the world.
Quapaw, OK - where east meets west! The dividing line that geographically splits America in half (East/West)
It was so interesting to stick around here at Cadillac Ranch just beyond Amarillo, TX to see the changing artwork being adorned on these automobile fixtures by very talented artists with a keen sense of colors and themes. If you like people-wataching, this is a good place to watch them in their element of interest, doing their thing!
"So many down and still that much more to go", with more and more smiles tthrough the miles still to go!
Highway 64 across New Mexico did not disappoint in anyway whatsoever. Great road quality, great scenery and one great riding thrill as a result!
It always pays to have the right tool for the right job!
Bridge over the Rio Grande Gorge, just outside of Taos, NM along Highway64. Breathtakingly captivating.
Heading into the twisties along Highway 64, way up in the mountains in New Mexico
Preparing to head into the mountains as I prepare to leave Taos, NM behind.
One of the Earthlink buildings. I stopped by to get a first-hand look at the project showcasing environmental friendliness through natural construction methods.
I swear, you can find a McDonalds anywhere you go in America! this one announcing its presence in Kayenta, AZ.
approaching Beclabito, NM en route to the 4 Corners Monument. Great scenery, great riding and great heat!

More twists, turns and thrills along Highway 64 in the mountains of New Mexico.
What better place to have lunch? - Under wide open skies along a stretch of empty highway, I was working my way to Farmington having just come away from Tierra Amarilla, NM.
Changing topography at the higher elevations
End of my riding day in Farmington, NM as the sun dipped below the mountains off in the distance
Convenience store along Highway 64 in New Mexico
Another picture that I truly believe speaks for itself. - 4 corners monument.
Twin Rocks, as they are referred to, meeting and greeting travelers as we enter Bluff, Utah
"Mexican Hat" rock formation just outside of the so-named town here in Utah along Highway 163.
"Mexican Hat". Arizona
Mexican Hat? Sporttouring Hat!
My approach to Monument Valley - Iconic symbol of the western genre of movies. - Simply breathtaking!
Truly The World's Greatest Outdoor Museum
approaching rainstorm along Highway 160 just outside of Winslow, Arizona. It eventually dumped loads and loads of water and moved on as quickly as it apporached - in all of about 35 minutes.
Some pictures just need no captions. They say it all for themselves!
This place needs no introduction.

Dry-baked clay/soil in the heat of the day after recent flooding from rainfall along this roadway as I crossed into California from Arizona.
Start of the journey along Historic Route 66
Delgadillo's establishment in Seligman, AZ
Typical Historic Rt. 66 memorabilia.
Nostalgic gas pumps
Old car relics along the way
Preserved/protected Saguaro cactus plant at the motel Barstow, California.
Tourists, feeding and photographing the wild Burros in Oatman, AZ
Up on Sitegreaves' Pass, "cutting through" the mountains in Arizona on Historic Route 66.
An unforgettable mountain road. What a thrill ride on approach to Oatman, Arizona. Perfect riding weather and excellent road quality. There wasn't much more I could ask for at such a time!
Stopped for a re-hydration break here along the Agua Dulce canyon road just outside of Santa Clarita. It was shaping up to be a blistering hot afternoon
Stopped to get a close look at and feel of this Joshua Tree as I worked my way through the desert along Pearblossom highway (CA 18) towards Los Angeles
A teenage dream of mine come true!
cooling off my hot, sunshine-deprived feet in the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean at Santa Monia Beach

View of the west side of Santa Monica Pier from the beach
You will find the world's tallest thermometer here in Baker, California
Sunshine reflecting mirrors being used for solar evaporation in a pond to facilitate harvesting of minerals and phosphates. Old technology but futuristic design. I came across this as I approached the Nevada state line.
Motoring through Littlefield, AZ on my way to St. George, UT.
Observing sundown from my perch high atop the rocks in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, in St. George, Utah.
.... of days and times gone by from the old west.
Preseved fort/stockade from the old west
At the start of a breathtaking and unforgettable ride through Zion National Park in Utah along highway 9, the Zion to Mt. Carmel Highway. The camera just does not do justice to the sheer scale and magnificence of the surrounding scenery.
Riding through Zion NP, it was extremely difficult to keep my eyes on the road at all times. The rock formations and scenery was just amazing and attractive
Leaving the park after what was a truly soul-changing and unforgettable ride!
...... and on towards Escalante and Bryce National Monument and Park. I wanted to see and experience them all!
A road definitely not to be missed by any true "Long Rider"
Approaching Bryce Canyon National Park
After 6 years of wintery weather in Ohio, I afforded myself the luxury of a much needed sun tan on this trip!

My ever-present riding buddy, leading the way through Capitol Reef national Park
Just cruising along enjoying the ambience
Early evening re-hydration break in Teasdale, AZ
Highway 24 is simply breathtaking!
It was downright sad to know that I'd be back on the Interstate highway soon.
I chose this spot for a lunch break as I passed through Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Homeward bound across the Kansas Plains
Having brought us safely back home .....
... I gave her a well deserved bath!

On a clear day, you can see for miles!
Plan the ride and ride the plan!
Clingmans Dome observation Tower. Allowed me a 360 degree view of The Smoky Mountains.
Modern Day Route Master and Travel Guide
Skyline Village Inn, situated at the junction of Route 26 the Blue Ridge Parkway, between Spruce Pine and Marion, NC. A great place to stay. I stayed for a night. A lot of history to this place.
I wasn't the only one who came to enjoy the riding in these parts
What a thrilling time I had, "catching" all of these roads. I ended up doing the whole loop twice over.
The serious business of "selfies"
Part of the newly-completed section of the Foothills Parkway. Offering really great views of the Smoky Mountains as it wraps around the mountainside
The roads were nothing short of exhilarating!
Regardless of the price deals on Sodas, I reached for water during this re-hydration break in the Tennessee Mountains
A.K.A. TN 421, a.k.a. Route 91 in the northeastern corner of Tennessee. More thrills!
Twisties galore! These and more I found on West Virginia highway 16 - The Midland Trail. It led me eastwards, following the New River in its gorge
The Linn Cove Viaduct just seems to "hang in the air" as it wraps around the boulder field of Grandfather Mountain up high in the Smokies.
A road with many twists, many turns, many thrills and many names! I was in the neighborhood and I just had to come ride it again since I first did, in 2015

At the Ohio/Indiana Stateline along a country Highway on what ended up being a great riding day
Electrolytes and Protein over a lunch break. Went down well and prepared me for the coming heat of the 1880's Town, South Dakota day.
Preparing the pedestal for our prototype windmill
Success! The Windmill is mounted and spinning freely in the breeze
Taking pride in phase 1 of our accomplishment
Entering the yard of the largest truck stop in the world - Iowa 80 Truckstop
Unloading the bike at the end of a riding day. Anxious to get indoors out of the heat of the day, looking forward to a meal and hot shower before settling down for the night, here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Wind Turbine Guide-Vehicle Engineers, preparing their highway underpass height-clearance gauge
I always take a few extra minutes to pick out a shady cool place whenever possible for a rehydration break. This one in Sioux City, Iowa
No way was I going to sleep on this!
A convoy of Wind Turbine Blades preparing to continue the next segment of their journey. I rode with them for several miles, admiring the technology and skill of the radio-controlled, rear dolly equipment and operators as they navigated their way towards their final wind-farm destination.
The beginning of strong headwinds that would last for several days as I headed across the Great Plains
Another picture I believe, that captures and says it all
Well-fed Prairie Dog that seems to just love to have his picture taken. He struck this pose for me and I just had to oblige him
Part of the Badlands Wall, followed by the Loop Road along which I was travelling. The boundaries of the Park are drawn around the 60-mile Wall of the Park
Massive Bison. I was not about to hang around and argue with him.
On the Loop Road, following the geologically fascinating features of the wall that encompasses the South Dakota Badlands basin.
Stunning view into the Badlands basin.
A Zybach Center Pivot Self-Propelled Sprinkling Apparatus. A very fine example of what I deem "Appropriate Technology"
Newly erected statue representing Sacagawea, looming large and overlooking the Missouri River Crossing at the Chamberlain, SD Rest Area Facility
Running with the pack!
Although massive, this is the smaller of 2 turbine blades currently in production
Rocks and Stone, older in years than I can count
Interstate 90 crossing over the Missouri River in Chamberlain, SD. Preparing to cross the Missouri. Back in 2014, I crossed this very bridge without even knowing/realizing it. On that day I learned a very important lesson of must-knowing, and paying attention to the onset of fatigue
A sign of things to come - Things to look forward to!
Overlook along Highway 14 in Wyoming
Entering Spearfish Canyon for what was to be a very memorable ride
Even the descents can be exciting! This part of highway 14 is subject to closure every winter.
Small Town America
Entering the Custer National Forest along one of America's most Scenic Byways. Road quality and scenery at some of it's finest
Stay focused and alert!
Summer remnants of glaciers, high up in the Beartooth Mountains
I believe this one speaks for itself
The ongoing serious business of "Selfie Photography"
A long awaited Steak Dinner as I overnighted in Cody, WY
My buddy's bike getting some needed mechanical repairs during his return trip to Texas from Sheridan, WY

A 2-Beverage stop here in Leola, SD. Ethanol-free Premium Unleaded fuel for the bike and a cup of Coffee for me.
Trashcan secured in the strong winds of the South Dakota Plains
Bales of Alfalfa prepared well ahead of winter feeding of livestock
Multi-colored bands of bacterial colonies. The only organisms that survive in the searing heat of the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, here in Yellowstone National Park.
Watching railroad cars go by at this crossing in Forsyth, MT.
Like her, American by choice and with a passion for photography. Although I must admit, I'm nowhere close to being as accomplished as she was. Definitely a source of inspiration to me.
On vacation with time on my hands, a reliable road machine, a pre-planned route/ride, a full tank of gas, custom-fashioned grips for improved comfort to ward off fatigue and a cup of coffee to keep me awake as I galavant through "small town America", seeing new things and meeting people - what more could I ask for?
Caught in an early morning rainstorm (that lasted all day) at the side of the highway at the South Dakota/Minnesota state line
Indication of pressure points in my hand, resulting from the strong grip I had to maintain due to very strong, relentless crosswind blowing out in the open prairie
Taking shelter from the rain in Adrian, Minnesota
Looking rearward into, and saying goodbye to North Dakota for now, as I begin my journey southwards towards home.
Tourists living their dreams on the Yellowstone River. I took this photo from the "North Road" entry to the National Park, which today has had part of it washed away from the devasting flash flooding of the 2022 rainy season.
Bison ranch I stopped by at the edge of the Gallatin Custer National Forest here in Montana.
"One man and his bike, came across cross a meadow" - here in Big Timber, Montana
Expansive view from atop Pompeii's Pillar Monument.
This Bee latched onto my food bag out on the prairie during one of my rehydration breaks, and hard as I tried to "shoo" him away, he refused to leave. I had no desire to take his life, instead I took him for a ride. I have absolutely no doubt that when he got home at the end of the day, he had a heck of story to tell the rest of the guys what speed he had been subjected to and how he had to hang on for dear life!
"Home On The Range"!
Taking it all in on approach to Medora, ND
Lonely house on the prairie, just outside of Herreid, SD

Photo Gallery