Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/386749
SPORTS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES | FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | OCTOBER 2014 43 One man, two wheels, three countries, six states, 12 days and 3,910 miles equals one grand adventure for this Motorcycle Club member. On Aug. 27, I left Four Seasons and rode 429 miles to Tucson, AZ, the starting point for this year's annual Three Flags Classic ride that would go from Mexico to Canada in four days. Thursday I rode to Nogales for a "Touch the Fence Ceremony" to officially start in Mexico. Friday morning between 3 and 6 am, 250 riders started the journey to Canada. All riders could take their own route, ride as far as they liked each day and stay where they wished each night. Each rider was required to get their "passport" stamped at each of three checkpoints — one in Torrey, UT, one in Twin Falls, ID and one in Walla Walla, WA — and then arrive at the destination hotel in Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa, BC, Canada by 9 pm on Monday, Sept. 1. What a grand adventure! This was one of my "bucket list" projects and I felt very good about completing it. Friday was a long day. I logged 650 miles in 13 hours and traveled through some gorgeous scenery including Lake Powell in AZ and UT. Things got really beautiful heading north out of Kanab, UT on US-89 and then east on UT Hwy. 12 (called the Kodachrome Highway) through Bryce Canyon and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. There were a lot of open range cattle along the roadside in this area and one huge bull was standing in my lane just staring at me as I carefully moved into the oncoming lane to pass him. Saturday I continued north through Utah and into Idaho passing many beautiful places including my first time to see the Great Salt Lake. I covered hundreds of miles of farmland in this 430 mile day. Sunday was a 380 mile day zig-zagging across the Snake River, through farmland and over mountains. I traveled through three states this day and spent the night in Washington. I left Walla Walla at 5:30 am on Monday, Sept. 1, and headed for Canada. As I began before dawn, I was impressed at just what a particularly peaceful and beautiful morning it was. It seemed that I was the only vehicle on the road, the countryside was beautiful, the sun was rising behind me and illuminating two snowcapped peaks in front of me (I think they were Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams). This was a motorcyclist's dream ride — quiet, solitary, peaceful and beautiful. After crossing into Canada and riding another hour I arrived at the destination hotel. Hurray! Rest and party time! Tuesday was a lay day with only the event banquet scheduled for the evening. Wednesday I rode from Canada to Portland, OR and spent two nights visiting my aunt. Thursday I rode down to Crescent City, CA. Friday was another beautiful ride south along the Pacific Coast and through Redwood National Park to spend the night in Rohnert Park just north of San Francisco. Sunday I rode 500 miles directly back home. With two non-riding days on the trip I averaged 390 miles per riding day. What a great motorcycle adventure. It's nice to be home. ~ Howard Lyon Motorcycle Club Howard Lyon at the Mexican border