It can be said that 2015 was a year of change, turmoil, and loss for many people, including myself.  I read somewhere that the end of 2015 was meant for our own personal clean up after the whirlwind of storms.  Clean up is in progress, but also what it meant for me was planning my moto adventures for 2016.

Looking back the past few years, there were some amazing places right here in the good ol’ U.S.A. where I started my moto journeys.  Looking at these places and reflecting on my experiences, helped shape my ideas for 2016.  Here are a few throwbacks:

Moto excursions consisted of a 2-week long solo journey of the Southwest, a week-long adventure to the Saw Tooth mountains of Idaho, and several shorter weekend explorations to ghost towns of California and Nevada.  Some trips I set up a tent in the woods,  while other trips offered the comfort of a hotel room.

After much thought, I decided to save my 2-week long solo trip for next year.  This year, I’ll join friends and take two trips, both about 1 week long.  In between those two bigger trips will be many weekend adventures, maybe solo, likely camping out somewhere under the stars.

2016 is all about adventure.  All moto trips are adventures but the difference here is, the roads traveled will be off the beaten path, and likely where pavement ends.  The first week-long adventure will begin in beautiful and mysterious Death Valley.

I’ll be joining my friend, Crazy Mike and 4 or 5 other guys on this trip, camping out at Furnace Creek.

For the first time, we’ll be trailering our bikes to our destination (don’t hate).  Anyone from California knows the ride from NorCal to SoCal is pretty unremarkable.  Long, traffic-ridden super slab for 520 miles.  Sure, you can take the (even longer) 395 for more of a view, but we want to maximize our ride days in Death Valley, so hauling the bikes in a trailer will be just fine.

We’ll be riding to most of the major sights including:  Ubehebe Crater, Sailing Stones at Racetrack, Lippicott Canyon, Scotty’s Castle, Artist’s Drive and so on.  The area I want to see most is the road to Barker Ranch which was the final hiding place for Charles Manson and his “family”.

Moving on to adventure #2:  My best riding buddy, Dick and I will be taking the dirt bikes to Moab in September.  Amazingly enough, I’ve never been to Moab yet so this will be an exceptional treat.

Again, we’ll haul the bikes to our destination because, they are dual sport bikes that are happier on the dirt than on the freeway.  As with Death Valley, we want to maximize our time there and I’d prefer not to ride 900 miles on the freeway with a dirt bike.  Camp? Cabin?  Hotel?  Not sure yet, but more to come soon.

Goodbye to many things in 2015, and hello to a new sun rising.  I hope you’ll follow me on my excursions, both big and small, but always ending with good stories, great photos, and hopefully a smile.