Yeah, we'll put it in the maybe column for now. My wife and son are still in the maybe column also. Looking more and more like they might decide to join me for the weekend.

I was returning from Montana on my V-Max and the front that blew through Austin yesterday was in Wyoming on Friday. The winds were so strong and swirling that it blew me and my Max off the road at 60 MPH. Does that qualify as dual-sporting? The suspension left a bit to be desired, but I didn't crash it. I've never had that happen in 32 years of street riding. The next day in Colorado I rode through snow in Colorado (same front).

The weather in the great Northwest is like Forrest Gumps box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. I always take rain and cold weather gear with me on trips up there. I had a similar windy experience back in June of 1993 south of the Little Big Horn. The wind blew me and my Maxim 750 across the highway. Pulled off shortly thereafter and called it a day.

Hey XR650, I'm not taking the bike to Big Bend this time. The family is staying home and I'll be sharing driving duties and playing tour guide to some folks from work (they don't ride). Oh well, Big Bend is good no matter how you experience it.

JR Thanks for the update......We're heading out of the door in a few minutes.....I was going to look you up but if you see three riders down there somewhere flash your lights a whole bunch and we'll stop and visit.

Steve Smith

Well XR650, how was your Big Bend weekend? We had a good time. The cool and rainy conditions were perfect for desert hiking. Also found out that my tent isn't quite as water proof as I'd like.

Friday night we stayed in Ozona....Saturday morning it was still raining "BIG TIME"....We decided to head West with the bikes on the trailer and try to escape the rain...30 miles South of Ozona we had to turn back because the roads were all flooded.

We went back to IH10 and then down to Alpine and on into Terlingua Ranch....The Ranch had been cut off since Friday with flooded roads.

We rode around the Ranch on Saturday afternoon but it was tough going....A lot of washouts and much mud.

Sunday we rode from Terlingua Ranch on mostly private Ranch roads back up to Sanderson, about 110 miles....The creeks were running about 18" of water and lots of mud.

Then we went home....Got back to Round Rock around 10:00pm.

Should have taken a Jet Ski.....But...It was a challenge and a lot of fun.

Next weekend it's Scottsdale to Prescott AZ with the OHV FunRun Gang....I hope it doesn't rain.

Steve Smith