What a great start to my Southwest Ride. I arrived in Phoenix around 9:30 AM this past Friday, April 5 and spent two days with my brother Jon and my sister-in-law Amy. It could not have been better. Jon and Amy were the best – Friday night dinner at their house and Saturday night dinner at Parma Italian Roots in Phoenix with Jon, Amy and my cousin Jay and his girlfriend Jill.
Quick background on Jay. Jay and I grew up together in Eastchester, NY where we were in the same grade and hung out 100% of the time. Since I retired in March of last year, I have seen Jay twice, which is twice as much as I had seen him in the past 10 – 15 years. Did I mention retirement is great!
Jon and Amy – the perfect hosts – so much funJon, Amy, Jay, and Jill – getting together and sharing really great memories
While I could have spent many more days in Phoenix with this crew, I am here to explore the Southwest. So, at approximately 10 AM this morning (Sunday, April 7) I said goodbye and started my trip by riding 205 miles from Phoenix to Jakes Corner, AZ and then onto Safford, AZ.
205 Miles – AZ Route 87 North to Jakes Corner (B) – AZ 188 East to 70 East to Safford, AZ
The ride was through Tonto National Forest. Tonto National Forest, encompassing 2,873,200 acres, is the largest of the six national forests in Arizona and is the fifth largest national forest in the United States. Calling it a forest, for Easterners, is a misnomer as it is a high desert with few trees – mostly scrub. But, the vistas were beautiful and the mountains still have snow on them.
A scene from AZ Route 188
Jakes Corner – this is it – Nothing else to be found at Jake’sBut, I did find the area to have its humor as well – the “SHOE TREE” – along Route 70
If you look closely at the above map, you see that I rode along a very large lake called Theodore Roosevelt Lake. Theodore Roosevelt Lake is a large reservoir formed by Theodore Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River. Located roughly 80 miles northeast of Phoenix in the Salt River Valley, Theodore Roosevelt is the largest lake or reservoir located entirely within the state of Arizona.
As I entered Safford, AZ, I was greeted by snow-capped mountains.
Finally, to cap off day one, I had dinner at the Manor House where I enjoyed a $2.00 Budweiser and a $12.99 Prime Rib Dinner. Cannot beat the prices!
A Manor House 12.99 Prime Rib Dinner with Onions, Mushrooms and Green Beans w/ Bacon – Defibrillator was extra
Tomorrow I am off to take on AZ Route 191 – Coronado Trail Road, or, as an old biker told me today, the Devil’s Highway – Yeeha!
Paul Kramer’s award-winning and distinguished career is characterized by a long track record of building high-performance sales and marketing communication organizations.
He brings a high-energy, enthusiastic approach to marketing that is contagious and produces results. His expertise is a unique blend of creativity, technical marketing analysis, and a keen business sense for strategic positioning. He has worked with some of the world's greatest communication companies, including Grey Advertising, Bates Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi, D.L. Ryan Companies and Epsilon.
He is skilled in all areas of marketing from both the agency and client side of the business. He is especially strong in strategic planning, global marketing, national brand & account management, marketing communications, licensing and business development. In addition, he has a solid thirty plus year management foundation with accomplishments in P&L management, intellectual property, forming and maintaining strategic alliances and building business.
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It was called the Devils Highway as its previous designation was AZ Route 666. It was changed to stop the road signs being stolen which apparently was a common things. I am not sure if that is true or not, but it is a great story.
That is a great story. Have you ridden it? This old Harley rider claims I’ll never get out of 2nd or 3rd gear. Having dealt with the “Tail of the Dragon” in Deals Gap Tennessee – I’m not worried.
Yes, I have ridden the part of the road in AZ from Morenci (where there is a huge copper mine) to Sanders near the junction with I-40. It was a fun road, especially near Alpine I think, but it was easy to ride and you are right not to be worried.
Andy, I am planning to get down to Tucson on Monday, April 29th and catch up with you, Ken and Pat, Eldon and Roxanne, Barbara Thomas, Sally Moore, Kenny Hanson, etc. Hope you will be around – I was going to coordinate with Eldon. Let me know if you are around. And, always careful.
Cruising with Kramer 
Keep smellin’ the roses, Cowboy!
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It was called the Devils Highway as its previous designation was AZ Route 666. It was changed to stop the road signs being stolen which apparently was a common things. I am not sure if that is true or not, but it is a great story.
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That is a great story. Have you ridden it? This old Harley rider claims I’ll never get out of 2nd or 3rd gear. Having dealt with the “Tail of the Dragon” in Deals Gap Tennessee – I’m not worried.
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Yes, I have ridden the part of the road in AZ from Morenci (where there is a huge copper mine) to Sanders near the junction with I-40. It was a fun road, especially near Alpine I think, but it was easy to ride and you are right not to be worried.
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👍👍 I’ll write tomorrow. Bed time. Good night.
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Paul: Looks like a great trip so far. Be careful out there partner. Andy
Sent from my iPad
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Andy, I am planning to get down to Tucson on Monday, April 29th and catch up with you, Ken and Pat, Eldon and Roxanne, Barbara Thomas, Sally Moore, Kenny Hanson, etc. Hope you will be around – I was going to coordinate with Eldon. Let me know if you are around. And, always careful.
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