2024
2024.10 California
Honda CRF300L Rally
Oct 13 - 26, 2024
2400 miles riding
Big Bear Lake CA (Best Western) 180 mi
Kernville CA (Kernville Inn) 225
Shaver Lake CA (Elliott House) 212
Lee Vining CA (Murphey’s Motel) 167
Arnold CA (Timberline Lodge) 170
Kyburz CA (Sierra Inn) 126
Truckee CA (Best Western) 114
Clio CA (The Clio Inn) 133
Chester CA (Antlers Inn) 90
Grass Valley CA (Best Western) 144
Oakhurst CA (Best Western Plus) 204
Kernville CA (Kernville Inn) 218
Big Bear Lake CA (Best Western) 224
Home 182 mi
In October 2024, we braved a 2,400-mile adventure aboard our Honda CRF300L Rally bikes, carving through California’s mountains, lakes, and winding backroads. From the crisp air of Big Bear Lake to the rugged beauty of Kernville and the towering pines of Shaver Lake, each stop brought a new slice of the Golden State’s charm. We traced the eastern Sierra to Lee Vining, admired alpine views in Truckee, and rolled through historic towns like Arnold and Grass Valley. Cozy inns, hearty meals, and endless twisty roads made for a ride full of discovery, camaraderie, and the pure joy of two-wheeled travel. Every mile was a story, and this journey left plenty worth telling.
2024.08 Idaho & Montana
Honda CRF300L Rally
Aug 24 - Sep 12, 2024
2400 miles riding
Drove truck to Hawthorne NV (Travelodge) 453 mi
Drove truck to Ontario OR (Quality Inn) 459 mi
New Meadows ID (Idaho Hartland Hotel) 169
New Meadows ID (Idaho Hartland Hotel) 148
Grangeville ID (Gateway Inn) 167
Pierce ID (The Outback) 144
Wallace ID (The Stardust Motel) 162
Bonners Ferry ID (Idaho Lodge & RV Park ) 179
Eureka MT (Silverado Motel) 167
Libby MT (Country Inn) 101
Thompson Falls MT (Rimrock Lodge) 114
Lolo MT (Days Inn) 172
Anaconda MT (Forge Hotel) 102
Ennis MT (Sportsmans Lodge) 155
Dillon MT (Best Western Paradise) 137
Salmon ID (Super 8) 169
Hailey ID (Wood River Inn) 160
Ontario OR (Quality Inn) 163
Drove Truck to Hawthorne NV (Travelodge) 459
Drove truck Home 453 mi
In late summer 2024, we loaded up our Honda CRF300L Rally motorcycles and hit the road for a 2,400-mile ride through the rugged landscapes of Idaho and Montana. After a truck haul to Hawthorne, NV, and Ontario, OR, the adventure truly began. From the winding roads of New Meadows to the historic streets of Wallace and the scenic beauty of Bonners Ferry, every stop offered a fresh dose of small-town charm. Montana greeted us with mountain views in Eureka, Libby, and Thompson Falls before we rode through iconic towns like Lolo, Anaconda, and Ennis. Along the way, we soaked in the wild beauty of the Rockies, enjoyed local hospitality, and savored the freedom of two-wheeled travel. With wide-open spaces, twisting backroads, and countless stories gathered, this was a ride to remember.
2024.07 Colorado & Wyoming
Honda CRF300L Rally
July 21 - Aug 9, 2024
2300 miles riding
Drove truck to Flagstaff AZ (Best Western) 516 mi
Drove truck to Cortez CO (Baymont by Wyndham) 290
Naturita CO (Rimrock Hotel) 117
Norwood CO (Norwood Hotel) 148
Montrose CO (Stay Wise Inn Montrose) 150
Lake City CO (G&M Cabins) 128
Gunnison CO (Econo Lodge) 101
Salida CO (Silver Ridge Lodge) 163
Canon City CO (Best Western) 146
Canon City CO (Best Western) 152
Cripple Creek CO (Hotel St Nicholas) 47
Leadville CO (Columbine Inn) 102
Carbondale CO (Days Inn) 185
Craig CO (Best Western) 148
Saratoga WY (Hacienda Motel) 176
Dillon CO (Best Western) 204
Monte Vista CO (Best Western Movie Manor) 173
Cortez CO (Baymont by Wyndham) 175
Drove truck to Twentynine Palms CA (Fairfield by Marriott) 616
Drove truck Home (190)
In the summer of 2024, we went on a 2,300-mile adventure through the breathtaking landscapes of Arizona, Colorado, and Wyoming on our Honda CRF300L Rallys. After hauling the bikes to Flagstaff and Cortez, the real ride began — winding through remote mountain towns like Naturita, Norwood, and Montrose. From the rugged peaks of Lake City and Gunnison to the historic charm of Salida, Canon City, and Cripple Creek, every mile brought a new vista and a fresh story. Colorado’s high-altitude beauty continued through Leadville and Carbondale, before the wide-open plains of Wyoming welcomed us to Saratoga. After looping back through Dillon and Monte Vista, we returned to Cortez with dust on our boots and memories in our hearts. The journey was a perfect blend of mountain passes, winding roads, and the sheer joy of riding through the West.
2024.05 Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Nevada
2022 Suzuki DR-Z400s and 2023 Honda CRF300L Rally
May 23 - Jun 8, 2024
2800 miles riding
Blythe CA (Days Inn) 217 mi
Wickenburg AZ (Best Western) 172
Prescott AZ (Sierra Inn) 145
Chino Valley AZ (Days Inn) 80
Flagstaff AZ (Best Western) 184
Page AZ (BW View of Lake Powell) 202
Escalante UT (Circle D) 94
Caineville UT (Cathedral Valley Inn) 167
Green River UT (Am Best Value) 110
Fruita CO (Balanced Rock) 130
Monticello UT (Atomic Blue) 165
Blanding UT (Arch Canyon Inn) 89
Torrey UT (Austin’s Chuckwagon Lodge) 174
Kanab UT (Best Western Red Hills) 203
Boulder City NV (Best Western Hoover Dam) 231
Twentynine Palms CA (Best Western Joshua Tree) 200
Home (190)
In late spring 2024, we took a 2,800-mile adventure ride, each of us riding our trusty dual-sport bikes — my 2022 Suzuki DR-Z400S and her 2023 Honda CRF300L Rally — through the southwestern U.S. From the desert heat of Blythe, CA, to the towering red rock landscapes of Escalante, UT, we explored a mix of charming towns and rugged roads. We enjoyed unforgettable sights like Lake Powell, Cathedral Valley, and the Hoover Dam. From the wilds of Utah to the quirky streets of Twentynine Palms, each day brought a new adventure, a new challenge, and countless memories. After looping back to California, we had a few more miles to go, but the ride was well worth it, filled with the freedom of the open road and the thrill of two-wheeled travel.
How to view a larger map ...
Let’s say you’re looking at your map in Google My Maps, but it feels a bit small, and you want to see it bigger. Here’s how you can do that:
Look for the Expand Option: When you’re viewing your map, check the top-right corner of the map area. You might see a little square icon with an arrow pointing outward (it looks like it’s trying to stretch). Click that. This makes the map fill your whole screen or at least a larger part of it.
Open in Google Maps (Alternative): If you’re previewing your custom map and see a link or button that says 'View in Google Maps' or 'Open in Maps,' click it. This takes your map to the full Google Maps website or app, where it’s bigger and easier to explore.
Zoom and Adjust: Once it’s larger, you can use your mouse wheel to zoom in or out, or drag the map around to see more details.
That’s it! You’re just telling the map to take up more space so you can see everything better.
This works whether they’re on a computer or a phone, though the exact buttons might look slightly different. If they’re stuck, they can also hit the 'Preview' button in Google My Maps to see it in a cleaner, larger layout.
How to export a track from Google MyMaps ...
How to Export a Track from Google My Maps
Open Your Map
Go to Google My Maps on your computer and sign in.
Select the map containing the track (e.g., a line)
Identify the Track
In the left panel, find the layer with the line or route you want to export.
If it’s not already a line, you’ll need to have drawn it as one (e.g., a path between points).
Export the Map or Layer to KML/KMZ
Click the three-dot menu next to the map title (at the top of the left panel).
Select "Export to KML/KMZ".
A dialog box will appear. Check the box if you want to export only a specific layer (e.g., the one with your track), or leave it unchecked to export the entire map.
Choose KML (for broader compatibility) or KMZ (a compressed version of KML).
Click Download. This saves the file to your computer.
Verify the File
Open the KML/KMZ file in a program like Google Earth to confirm your track (the line) is included. It’ll appear as a path or shape you can view.
Convert to a Track Format (Optional)
If you need a true "track" format like GPX (common for GPS devices or apps), use a third-party tool:
Online Converters: Sites like GPS Visualizer or MyGeodata Converter let you upload the KML/KMZ file and convert it to GPX.
Steps: Upload the file, select GPX as the output format, and download the converted file.
Alternatively, software like QGIS or Garmin BaseCamp can also handle this conversion.
Use Your Track
Once you have the file (KML/KMZ or GPX), you can import it into a GPS device, a mapping app (e.g., Gaia GPS, AllTrails), or another platform that supports tracks.
Notes
What’s a Track?: In this context, a "track" is typically a recorded path with timestamps (like from a GPS device). Google My Maps doesn’t record timestamps, so your exported line is more of a static route. Converting to GPX might add basic track-like properties, but it won’t include speed or time data.