I'd like to get the folks who live out in the Western Half of the USA to pony up their favorite vacation sites or their favorite Natural Beauty sites.

I've been fortunate in the last 30 years to have lived in Washington State. Here we have been blessed with just awesome scenery and a fairly mild climate. True we get a fair amount of rain and some snow. That's why we are the Evergreen State.

I'll contribute along the way as I've also been fortunate enough to have visited many many places in the Western USA on my many motorcycle trips and a couple of my Titan adventures.

As a starter I'd like to offer up Crater Lake in Oregon.


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This National Park is centered around the huge lake formed as a result of the caldera of a volcano collapsing and filling up with water. All the water, is from melted snow as there are no rivers feeding the lake. In September of 1998 I was fortunate enough to get a room in the newly refurbished Crater Lake Lodge. Plain in furnishings, but such a wonderful place to spend the night. I rode from my home in Silverdale, Washington all down the Pacific Coast to California and then back North through the Redwoods to Grant's Pass Oregon and on to Crater Lake for a night. Now this trip was the first on my new motorcycle and my face hurt because I spent the whole trip with a huge grin on my face.

On the day I arrived at Crater Lake, I rode around the rim twice, once in each direction and stopped at most of the major view points. Its hard to capture in words the majestic beauty of this lake. Its huge, deep and blue. Utterly peaceful and it provides a wonderful backdrop to just sitting and becoming one with nature.

As I mentioned my room was plain, but very comfortable. No TV. No Phone. Just a comfortable bed and well appointed bathroom. All I needed for a restful night of sleep. The restaurant in the lodge did dinner by reservation only. You needed to eat there as there were no other choices on the summit. It was well prepared and delicious and priced a little high as are all meals in the parks.

The most wonderful portion of the day was after dinner I took a cup of coffee and wandered down the trail towards the lake. I was all alone in the dark and there wasn't a sound to be heard. I spent a couple of hours gazing out over the lake with the stars overhead. A magical time to be sure.

The next morning I rode out heading home in a whiteout. But that's a tale for another time.

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2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

For me, my favorite spot is the Grand Canyon. I'd quit my job and pick up trash and beer cans there if they would let me...... The ancient rock paintings, the trails, the scenery......... Following that is the Salt River Canyon, kinda sorta like a mini Grand Canyon, followed by the Pinetop/Showlow area. Piney woods, lakes, all the good stuff.
In fact, on weekends, I like to take the Titan and drive to old abandoned mines and towns, or go visit the ancient (over 1000 yrs old) indian ruins here in Arizona.

I sure enjoyed my trips to Arizona. I visited the Payson area because I wanted to visit the Zane Grey museum. Turns out, when I was there that the endowment of funding had run out and it was closed up. The area aroung Showlow and Pine was neat too. Very beautiful are up in the trees. OH well, I enjoyed the Meteor Crater for sure. Imagine the forces involved when it struck. The Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff was really impressive too. Got to see where he discovered Pluto by using this machine that flashed images back and forth. Noticing where one dot moved to another place turned out to be Pluto. I can't imange how he spent YEARS doing that and not going blind.

Ever spend any time in Sedona? Well I spent one evening up at the airport and watched the sun set on the Red Cliffs. Marvelous.

Red

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2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

Sure have. Sedona, Cottonwood, Payson, Prescott. It sounds corny but I try to travel throughout as much of the state and the 4 corners region as time and money allow........ Used to travel to WSU in Pullman WA on a regular basis. Amazing how much different eastern WA is from the west. Almost like 2 different states!
I also (mostly because of my job), have traveled in Nev., Utah, Colorado, Texas and New Mexico

My major travels have been WA, OR, CA, MO, ND, SD, ID, UT, CO, AR, NV. Hard to tell which has been my favorite as they are all bless with beautiful country.

OH Canada too. British Columbia and Alberta mostly.

Red

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2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

Same here, but throw in Hawaii, extensive Canadian (including WAY up north near the Arctic Circle, Mexico, South America and the island of Curasao in the Carrib. Most of it was due to my job, but always took time to get out and see the scenery

hawaii all the way! aloha!

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PRGbuilt
born 12/3, purchased 1/4 '04 Smoke SE KC PRG MT kit, CST spindles, PRG Spec'd SAWs 2.5" C/Os w/Eibachs, SAW Airbumps, CST carrier bearing, 37x12.5x17 Pro Comp Extreme All-Terrains, American Racing Mojave Teflons, HID low beams, Magnaflow custom exhaust, Injen CAI Filter, ID FRP prerunner fenders, front windshield tinted, Optima Yellow Top, Pioneer AVH-4100DVD w/ipod adapter connected to 80gb iPod, Sirius, HD radio tuner, Hertz 6.5" Components front, Boston 6.5" rear, Boston G1 10" subs, tech12 sub enclosure, Alpine amps, Eclipse BEC106 backup camera, TrueTrac, regeared from 2.94s to 4.11s, CTW TT prerunner fiberglass bedsides, Giant Motorsports under axle conversion kit w/64" deavers (21" rear travel) with Giant custom built rear bedcage and KING 3.0 bypass shocks...

VIDS!!! http://vimeo.com/groups/h00ligan/videos

I've really enjoyed my toobing trips down the salt river!!!

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Jeremy



JBA Evol Cat-Back's * New Generation Volant Cold Air Intake (thx for the great deal SCMS John) * Airaid TBS Spacer * 2 Degree Timing Advance (thx:RB'sTitan) * AlTezza Custom tinted tail lights * 9006 True Views - Front Low Beams * Foglight modifcation (thx:wakeboarder) * Custom Painted Engine Cover (thx:scottsbro23) * CNC 2.5"Leveling T-6 Kit * 33x12.50x20 Nitto Terra Grapplers * 20x9.5 Axis Titan Rims (thx:vshortt) * Rockford Fosgate System w/subs * (2) 10" Memphis M Series Subs * Custom built 'Firedown' Sub Box * Sirius Satellite System * Viper 560XV Alarm w/ Automatic Engine Starter *

'UpRev - Osiris/Cipher' & Headers coming soon

I forgot about that! YESSS

On my trip in May to Las Vegas, my buddy and I went and took the tour to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon where the Skywalk is located.

This is a must see for those of your who aren't bothered by heights. The floor of the horseshoe is glass that is reported to be about 5" thick. I didn't feel the least bit insecure and the view to the bottom, 4000' down, was marvelous. The rim of the canyon has no guard rails, so watch your step.

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2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy