11th annual Rally in the Valley . by John & Edie Camacho

This year CA1R presented a great rally for all in attendance, Honda- lujah!

We would like thank Suzie Coles and Bob Hole for sharing their experience with us; they are both great people to travel with. We started from Bakersfield on Friday morning and rolled into Mesquite Nevada about 3:00 Friday afternoon. After checking in, Suzie told us we'd need our GPS to find our rooms. This consisted of climbing back onto our bikes, flipping a u- turn out on the Boulevard and finding our way to the roped off area in the parking garage.

Mesquite Nevada was named after the mesquite tree, which Native Americans considered to be good luck. It is said that Native Americans would burn mesquite wood like incense to bring friendly spirits. Good luck was on our side as Saturday dawned as a perfect riding day. The rally had put together several rides for participants but we choose to explore the area with a route Bob put together to Snow Canyon State Park .

Red Navajo sandstone, capped by an overlay of black lava rock, makes photography, hiking, biking and camping in Snow Canyon State Park a double treat. Early spring and fall use of the park is especially appealing due to southern Utah 's moderate winter climate. Two recent volcanic cones are found near the head of the canyon.

This strikingly colorful canyon is 11 miles northwest of St. George. Facilities include a 35-unit campground, modern rest rooms, hot showers, electric hookups, sewage disposal station, a covered group-use pavilion and overflow campground. Next we visited Zion's Kolob Canyons

The Kolob Canyon section of Zion National Park is one of the most conveniently located national park areas in all of Utah . Located just off Interstate 15, these spectacular finger canyons of Zion offers soaring cliffs of red Navajo sandstone and deep pocket canyons just waiting to be discovered.

Kolob may be the little known portion of Zion National Park but that doesn't mean it is not as spectacular as the main canyons of Zion proper. Kolob is home to a unique geological history and diverse animal and plant life. The scenery is stunning and provides visitors with peaceful and serene surroundings unmatched by any other nation park in the southwest. The word "Kolob" is from Mormon scripture meaning "residence closest to heaven." Visit Kolob Canyon and see for yourself.

Kolob Canyons is a beautiful place to tour throughout the year. In the winter, the red Navajo sandstone glimmers with a fresh dusting of snow and in the spring the waterfalls cascade down the rugged cliffs, streaking them black from the run-off. Wildflowers bloom in abundance during the summer, and with the coming of autumn, the yellow-gold leaves of the valley's scrub oak offers an interesting contrast to the vast scenery.

Scenic Drive

Most visitors access the Kolob Canyons via the scenic byway located off I-15 exit #40. Stop at the Visitor Cent for more information about the park. Along the route there are interpretive signs and pullouts that mark point of interest. Be sure to stop at each one. As you drive through the Canyons you cross a major fault line which gives rise to the great plateau in which Zion was born. An enormous natural cutaway of the Markagunt Plateau, the spectacular "finger canyons" display the oldest and youngest rocks in Zion , as well as its tallest peak: the 8926 foot - Horse Ranch Mountain .

The route will traverse along a ridgeline, climbing over 1,000 feet in elevation until it ends at a turn-about known as the Timber Creek Overlook. Timber Creek features an absolutely breathtaking view of the Kolob Terrace. Keep your camera ready. The light in the afternoon to twilight can be the best time for photography and this area is one of the best places for panoramic shots.

Kolob Canyons was set aside for protection as a national monument in 1937 and added to the Zion National Park in 1956.

The perfect afternoon gave way to the evening events.

We sat at a table of Wolfs from CA2W for the Saturday evening buffet dinner.

“Big John” participated in the wet t-shirt event

It was a lively table with no shortage of Goldwing riders named John.

Tim, Chapter Director from CA1D joined in the fun…

Anita & JR worked the crowd. Our friends the Cows made a grand entrance and John visited with Frogs.

The program for the night moved right along and before we knew it everyone was heading off in their own directions

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Qoala kicked back in the room during the evening, safely (out of arms-way) with a cool drink.

Sunday started bright and early for the 600 plus mile ride home, Butts on Bikes at 6:10 a.m., we were lucky Bob was tolerant of our tardy start. We said good-by to Mesquite all worked our way through the Mojave winds and back into California with Bob and Suzie breaking off to the west just after Bakersfield where all of this started just a few days ago.

In one short rally week-end we visited four states, covered over 1200 miles and shared good times with our GWRRA friends.

A destination is the by product of the journey.