When was you last adventure

Men of Vision
Vision - Noun: an experience in which a person, thing, or event appears vividly or
credibly to the mind, although not actually present, often under the influence of a divine
or other agency.
Vision and indomitable spirit forged American mettle. Travelling west, pioneers found an
ocean paradise via the desolate desert heat. In honor of that spirit I rode to Laughlin
Nevada on a new American legend, the Victory Vision motorcycle. Our journey will take
us from Slab City to Joshua Tree, through the Mojave Desert to Laughlin. Along the way
we will better understand some of the visionaries that shaped today’s badlands. From
Cabot Yerxa who founded Desert Hot Springs, Leonard Knights’ 25 year labor of faith
on Salvation Mountian to Dr. Van Tassel’s flying saucer energy dome and finally
Laughlin. Dreams or delusions, facts or fantasy you be the judge.
Traveling hundreds of miles through arid desert requires a modicum of creature comforts.
Amenities that allow one to contemplate the grand expanse before you. Options like XM
radio or an iPod, whether the windshield should be an inch higher or inch lower. The
variety of possible leg positions of cleverly designed floorboards. Should the heated
seats and handle grips be activated to stave off this evening’s chill? Most importantly
pondering tonight’s dining options. Having ridden all flavors of American touring
motorcycles, only the Victory Vision offers such choices. Aerodynamically faultless and
visually stunning it’s shocking how well a motorcycle this size actually handles. The
additional torque and power of the new freedom 106 power plant is truly appreciated.
Completely at ease at 85 miles an hour as the road unfolds the Victory Vision is
exhilarating.
The Shaman’s Vision Quest
When traveling this amazing terrain, first and foremost, we must pay homage the
Cahuilla Indians who have lived here continuously for 3000 years. Cahuilla shamans
would procure their power from the natural mineral springs found here. Called SE-KHE
in Uto-Aztecan (Boiling water) then Agua Caliente (Hot Water) by the Spanish finally
called Palm Springs because of the surrounding native palm trees. Important shamans
like Pedro Chino bathed here and through vision quest acquired knowledge about healing
from the powerful beings who occupy the underworld to which this hot springs is
connected. He was allegedly 126 years old when he died in 1939. Today these same hot
springs are located in the Agua Caliente Casino on the corner of East Tahquitz Canyon
and Indian Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs. This is ground zero for our own
quest for Men of Vision. Stay the night here, get a good breakfast and begin early. There
really aren’t any good places for lunch, pack food and water, this journey is not for the
faint of heart.
Portrait of Pedro Chino by Paul Grimm. The Cahuilla Maiden bronze statue in front of The Agua
Caliente Casino/Hot Springs in Palm Spring
Day 1: Our first stop is only 15 miles away but the museum tour is another hour so factor
that in. Heading north on Indian Canyon Drive pass the 10 freeway to Dillon road, turn
right (east) to Desert Hot springs. At Mountain View Road, turn left and follow until it
ends and veers left again. Cabot's Pueblo Museum is on the right. Cabot Yerxa
homesteaded here on Miracle Hill in 1913 and cashed in on now famous natural hot
springs. You won’t believe what’s inside this amazing 4 story, 35 room Hopi Style
Pueblo. The 40-foot Indian sculpture outside is hand carved by Peter Wolf Toth. In his
“Trail of the Whispering Giants” he pays homage to America’s indigenous tribes and has
placed one of these majestic sentinels in every state of the union.
http://www.cabotsmuseum.org/
Cabots Pueblo today
Cabot Yerxa with his wife in 1945
Salvation Mountain, a Vision of Faith
Back track to Dillon road and turn left. This fantastic strip of asphalt ribbon is one hell of
a roller coaster ride. Laden with dips and crests you’ll find yourself airborne regularly.
It’s a 45 mile fun zone that connects to Hwy 111 south. At this point you’re skirting the
Salton Sea. It’s the result of an irrigation plan to divert water from the Colorado River
gone terribly wrong. A Levy breach in the early 1900’s created California’s largest body
of water, a surreal mirage against a dry desert backdrop. The ride from 111 to Niland is
another 36 miles. A once promising recreational paradise now resembles a post
apocalyptic Mad Max movie set. There are so many interesting abandon structures from
North Shore to Bombay Beach add another hour of exploring to your journey.
Abandon Marina Resort at North Shore
A Bombay Beach seaside cabana
Once in Niland turn left on Main St. and you will dead end at Slab City and Salvation
Mountain. There are countless stories, books and movies about this god forsaken land
(see Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea-2006 and Into the Wild 2007).
After years of defeat proclaiming his faith Leonard Knight decided to make a "small
statement" with half of a bag of cement, he fashioned a small monument near the
Chocolate Mountains of Slab City. One thing turned into another - days turned into
weeks and weeks turned into years. Each day, Leonard would put a little more cement
and a little more paint on the side of a forgotten riverbank "I was just going to stay one
week. It's been a very good week". Salvation Mountain has become an American Mecca
with visitors sometimes traveling thousands of miles. Leonard’s message to the faithful
is simple; God is Love, make good bigger. That reflects his passion on the mountain.
Build it and they will come.
http://www.salvationmountain.us/
Leonard Knight welcomes all visitors personally
as do the” Slabbers:
Navigating on soft sand and dirt those tip over pads that extend below the rear passenger
floorboards may bite if you pull a rookie move like me. Keeping my left foot grounded as
I made a left turn on sand my foot got caught under the rear pad. Fortunately I was
wearing serious riding boots, I lost a chunk out of the heel and the soft sand allowed my
foot the sink under 900 lbs of weight. This could have been a very unpleasant situation in
the middle of nowhere. Other new riders traveling solo noted bumping the rear pad also.
If you’re just learning the Vision’s physics I suggest dropping the passenger floorboards.
Your legs will tap against those harmlessly until mastered. As always, when riding any
large motorcycle, get your feet off the ground as soon as possible.
Again we backtrack 22 miles on Hwy 111 and you’re rewarded with another spectacular
view of Salton Sea. Catch 66th Avenue north, it turns into Box Canyon Road, then Pinto
Basin and finally Quail Springs Road. This is one of the most enjoyable part’s of the
ride, your cruising through the heart of Joshua Tree National Park. The rocks take on a
strange liquid like form as if floating gravity free, armies of Joshua Trees loom before
you defending their arid empire. It’s an absolutely beautiful drive with some serious
twisties tossed in. Keys View is at 5575 feet and the vista is staggering. You can see
Mexico 3 hundred miles away. Again you will travel another 50 miles and may stop
several times to appreciate the unique terrain. Quail Springs Road will expel you onto
Highway 62 in the City of Joshua Tree. Today’s travels only toll 230 miles but its taken
10 hours!
Keys view at Joshua Tree National park
The night is still young and full of surprises. I suggest booking room 8 at the Joshua Tree
Inn. That’s where Gram Parson (The Byrd’s music group) died while under the
influence. Watch the movie Grand Theft Parsons (starring Johnny Knoxville) there. It’s a
really bizarre true story and they say you will see his ghost in the bathroom mirror. Sleep
well. http://www.joshuatreeinn.com/
Gram Parsons Ghost is still cruising Joshua Tree
<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=palm+springs+ca&daddr=Dillon+Rd+to:Dillon+Rd+to:Desert+View+Ave+to:Desert+View+Ave+to:Mountain+View+Rd%2FMt+View+Rd+to:Dillon+Rd+to:Dillon+Rd+to:Dillon+Rd+to:48th+Ave%2FAvenue+48+to:Niland+ca+to
:66th+Ave+to:El+Dorado+Mine+Rd%2FPinto+Basin+Rd+to:34.020795,-116.150208+to:Joshua+Tree+ca&hl=en&geocode=%3BFRCnBQIdWrAN-Q%3BFXunBQIdObgO-Q%3BFYInBgIdxaQO-Q%3BFYYnBgIdx6IO-Q%3BFX6nBQIdJrkO-Q%3BFWqdBQIdarAPQ%3BFRq9AwIdxCUT-Q%3BFUaIAgId_3AT-Q%3BFTo6AgIdNg4T-Q%3B%3BFSg6AAIdOuAU-Q%3BFe8SBgIdfT0W-Q%3B%3B&mra=dpe&mrcr=4&mrsp=13&sz=10&via=1,2,3,5,6,7,8,12,13&sll=33.917153,-116.052704&sspn=0.516243,0.812988&ie=UTF8&ll=33.902336,116.275177&spn=0.516333,0.812988&z=10>
Link to day one travel map.
Day 2: A must stop is the Rt. 62 Diner and try the hearty Road kill breakfast. It’s a
1950’s style diner connected to Hutchins Harley and they have beautiful vintage
motorcycles on display in back. Again, lunch may not show upon on any map soon.
Take Rt. 62 to Old Woman Road all the way to Landers, home of Giant Rock and the
Integratron. A large sign stating “Welcome to Landers” is the cue to your next right turn.
About mile down is another sign heralding the Integratron. Dr. George Van Tassel was
one of the leaders in the UFO movement in the 1950’s and held annual "Spacecraft
Conventions" at Giant Rock for 20 years. He built the Integratron, a 38-foot high, 55foot diameter, all wood structure originally designed as a rejuvenation and time machine
but it never actually got turned on. George died before it was finished and his original
plans are lost. Giant Rock is thought to be the world's largest freestanding boulder but the
road there is nothing but soft sand. Unless you’re on a dual-sport or something with 4
wheels fuggitaboutit. Today you can have a neuroacoustic sound bath, attend a UFO
symposium or participate in a Goddess retreat. http://integratron.com/Welcome.html
Integratron: Aliens have Landed!
The Integratron
TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER!
Dr George Van Tassel
Again back track the 13 miles on Old Woman Road to and continue north on Rt. 62 to
South Amboy Road in Twenty-Nine palms towards Amboy. The historic Roy’s Motel
Café, built in 1938 served as a desert oasis to travelers on this desolate section of Route
66. Roy’s vision of a travelers Mecca was dashed when the 15 freeway was built
virtually bypassing the old Rt. 66. Over the years the station, motel and cafe that served
thousands now stands virtually deserted along that stretch connecting national trails
highway to the 40. http://www.rt66roys.com/
Another deserted desert dream dashed adrift by desolation, devastation and desperation.
Forging east on route 66 (needles highway) into Laughlin is where cruise control comes
in handy. The Victory Vision is well laid out esthetically and ergonomically. Recall those
cleverly designed floorboards I mentioned? They have enough real estate to do the twostep. I was even able to wedge my heel into the front cowl and tip over pad for a
comfortable full forward leg extension. The incredibly cushy seat coupled with a smooth
suspension left me daydreaming. Take a second to reflect, other American motorcycle
manufacturers like Indian and Harley-Davidson have had over a century to define and
refine their product. Victory’s mere decade is very, very impressive. Taking advantage
of a century of evolution, fusing it with modern technology and visionary designers like
Arlan Ness, Victory embodies that true American spirit. I’ve read reviews baggin the
Visions lack of well ...baggage. Will somebody please tell me exactly what the overall
cubic foot of storage is on an HD Ultra Classic Electra Glide? Their website states NA,
really? Not Available? If you pack the soft bags provided with the Vision appropriately I
beg to differ. The glovebox and even a hidden area under the tour pack are very usefull.
I think the visual aerodynamics of the sweeping body lines creates higher
expectations…come on boys and girls will somebody give me some stats!
Laughlin Nevada: Paradise Found
Again it’s been another 200 miler and you’ve better booked a room at Don Laughlin’s
Riverside Resort Casino. This 40 story hotel over looking the Colorado River began with
a bankrupt bar on an unpaved road. Another lone wolf in the desert, this man of vision
now inhabits a city that bears his name. The Laughlin River Run began in 1983 and is
now billed as the "West Coast's Largest Motorcycle Event on the Banks of the Colorado
River", with thousands of avid motorcyclist’s attending annually each spring. The
Riverside also hosts their “Run to Fun” rally mid October.
Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort in 1951
as she sits today
Sitting in Don’s Auto Museum is an EZRyder, the bike that inspired generations of
custom builders and riders. (The original bike was stolen shortly after filming was
finished and never recovered) Replicated again and again this one’s the real deal, it even
leaks oil.
Also Emilio and Monica Scotto’s motorcycle is on display. In his 10-year motorcycle
odyssey he traveled 485,000 miles visited 232 countries crossed 6 continents while
receiving 15 tickets (13 in California). This epic excursion earned him a place in the
Guinness World Book of Records for the Worlds the longest journey on a motorcycle.
Day 3: The Grand Canyon, Death Valley or Sedona are all within reach, that’s up to you.
I am going to ruminate over the experiences of the past several days. Builders of desert
empires or abandoned sand swept dreams. One mans mountain of faith revealed,
another’s cosmic secrets lie yet undiscovered. Visions can be vivid shimmering desert
mirage’s that evaporate before your eyes. Or, they become tangible manifestations of
motorcycles, hotels or rocket’s to the moon. If you can conceive it, truly believe it you
might achieve it. Ride safe.
<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&saddr=Joshua+Tree+Ca&daddr=Landers+Ca+to:34.133973,-116.267624+to:Amboy+Ca+to:Historic+Route+66+to:Historic+Route+66+to:River+Rd+to:Laughlin+Nevada&hl=en&geocode=%3B%3B%3B%3BFVMoEQIdDzwgQ%3BFZHVEgIdxOwi-Q%3BFTiYFAIdCqoq-Q%3B&mra=dme&mrcr=1,2&mrsp=2&sz=11&via=4,5,6&sll=34.184542,-116.165314&sspn=0.261854,0.439453&ie=UTF8&ll=35.144898,-114.683189&spn=0.129418,0.219727&z=12>
Link to day 2 Google map
Gary (Koz) Mraz