LAS VEGAS AND THE CANYONS by MOTORBIKE (April,2026)
Here is a summary of my
motorcycle tour starting in Las Vegas and covering southern Utah and
north-western Arizona. I rented a BMW R 1200 GS Adv from Martin Petrov
through the Riders Share platform. I departed from his garage on April 6, 2026,
and completed my tour on April 15, 2026—a total of 9½ days. The cost was €1,470
plus $40 per day for insurance.
The main stops on the
tour were:
Las Vegas →
Zion National Park (Hurricane, UT) → Bryce Canyon National Park → Moab → Page →
Grand Canyon South Rim → Kingman → Las Vegas.
I stayed two nights each in
Hurricane, Moab, and the Grand Canyon area, and one night at the other stops.
To partially adapt to the
time zone, I flew from Istanbul to Charlotte (via Heathrow Airport) on April 1, 2026. It was a
comfortable flight, and I arrived in Charlotte at around 16:30. I spent most of
the following days there with my sister’s family, then flew to Las Vegas on
April 5, 2026. There is a 3-hour time difference between Charlotte and Las
Vegas, and the flight took about 5 hours with American Airlines. After
landing, I took a taxi to Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, located right on the
Strip (the main street of Las Vegas). In the
afternoon, I went out to explore the vibrant city of Las Vegas.
I walked along the Strip—Las Vegas Boulevard. In my opinion, Las Vegas is a city of lights and
entertainment. I took pictures and then stopped at Flamingo Las
Vegas to sit at Gordon Ramsay Burger. There are Gordon Ramsay
burger restaurants everywhere. I paid 46.58 USD for a burger and a
beer.
DAY 1:
April 6, 2026 Monday
Las Vegas → Hurricane, UT via Valley of Fire
Highway (195 miles / 310 km)
After a delicious breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi—one of the cafés near my hotel—I took a taxi to meet Martin Petrov and pick up the bike at 10:00 a.m. There, I prepared the motorcycle and geared up for the ride. I mounted my Garmin XT2 and my phone onto the bike. Once everything was ready, I set off toward Valley of Fire State Park via Henderson at around 10:45.
This route (Route 564, continuing as Route 167) has
less traffic and offers better views. Shortly after Henderson, I paid a $20
entrance fee for a 7-day motorcycle pass to enter the Lake Mead National
Recreation Area. I only used this pass for passing through, so the rest was
unnecessary in my case. Around 12:40, I reached Valley of Fire State Park
(entrance fee: $15) and stopped to take photos. The landscape is dominated by deep red rock formations shaped by wind
and water erosion into towers, cones, and other striking forms.
After taking pictures, I
continued riding toward Moapa
Valley and later joined Interstate
15 heading to Hurricane. The highway crosses from Nevada into Arizona and
then into Utah, passing through impressive rocky mountain scenery. I passed
Utah Tech University (UTU) on my left before arriving in Hurricane.
I stayed at Zion Inn,
located just behind a Chevron gas station on the right. The cost was $120
(including tax) for two nights, without breakfast.
After freshening up for
about half an hour, I went out to explore Hurricane—a small town on the way to
Zion National Park. I walked along the main street and came across a museum.
Since it was after 5:00 p.m., it was closed, but I still looked at the old
carriages and historical items displayed in the yard.
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| Hurricane Museum |
On my way back to the hotel,
I stopped at a Mexican restaurant called Las Lupitas for
dinner. The fajitas were delicious and flavourful, accompanied by an aromatic
beer (36.-USD).
After dinner, I returned to
the hotel to rest and sleep.
DAY 2:
April 7, 2026 (Tuesday)
Trekking
in Zion National Park (47 miles / 75 km)
I woke up early in the morning to a clear, sunny sky—perfect weather for visiting Zion National Park and going trekking. To avoid the crowds at the entrance, I left my hotel in Hurricane around 7:40 a.m. and rode toward Springdale, the gateway to the park. The early morning light made the scenery along the 35 km route especially beautiful. The entrance fee to Zion National Park is $30 for motorcycles. The pass is valid for seven days.
After parking my motorcycle
at the Visitor Centre, I changed into lighter, more comfortable clothes and
trekking shoes. It was still quite cold, as the sun had not yet reached above
the canyon walls. I then headed into the visitor area, hoping to find a coffee
shop. To save time, I had planned to have breakfast inside the park—but there
wasn’t any café at the Visitor Centre.
Next, I walked to the
shuttle queue, where around 250 people were already waiting. Since private
vehicles—including motorcycles—are not allowed inside the canyon (only bicycles
are permitted), visitors must use the shuttle buses. Shuttles are leaving every
10 minutes.
I asked a staff member at
the bus stop where I could have breakfast and buy water. She explained that I
needed my own bottle, as free water refill stations are available throughout
the park. She also mentioned that there was a coffee shop at Stop 5. I quickly
went to the nearby gift shop and bought a steel thermos bottle, then boarded
the shuttle.
Because of the crowd, it was
not easy to fully enjoy the scenic views from the bus. As soon as we reached
Stop 5 (named as Zion Lodge), I got off and went straight to the café. I bought
two chicken sandwiches and two granola bars for breakfast and lunch. Sitting
outside in the fresh air, I enjoyed my coffee and sandwich—an excellent start
to the day.
After breakfast, I took the shuttle to Stop 9(named as Temple of Sinawava) , the final stop. From there, I began walking along the river. This trail is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km), easy and mostly flat—perfect for warming up at the start of the day. The Riverside Walk is an out-and-back trail, so I returned to Stop 9 afterward.
Next, I took the shuttle back to the Weeping Rock Stop (Stop 7). The hike to Weeping Rock is short but slightly steep, offering a quick but rewarding climb. Because of the layered rock formations, water seeps out of the rocks, and due to this humidity, there is a kind of “vertical” vegetation in this area.
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| Weeping Rock and Vertical Vegetation |
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| Weeping Rock |
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| Weeping Rock and vertical vegetation |
After returning to the shuttle stop, I took the shuttle down to Stop 6 (The Grotto). Here, after crossing the river via the bridge, I took the trail to the left. This is the Kayenta Trail, which led me to the Emerald Pools. I visited the pools and then continued walking along the trail to Zion Lodge. I walked approximately 6 km.
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| Lunch Break at the Zion Lodge |
My plan was to hike the West Rim Trail. After crossing the bridge again to the other side of the river, I turned right. The West Rim Trail took me up to Scout Lookout, which is right at the start of the Angels Landing trail. The sun was directly overhead, and the switchbacks were steep. I covered approximately 6-7 km on this strenuous trail.
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| Angels landing |
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| Up to the Scout Lookout |
After returning to Stop 6, I took the shuttle down to
the Visitor Centre. I then prepared my motorcycle for the ride back to my hotel
in Hurricane. I arrived at the Zion Inn around 5:50 p.m., took a shower, and
relaxed in my room. No dinner tonight.
Today, I rode only 75 km on the bike but walked
approximately 18 km.
DAY 3:
April 8, 2026 (Wednesday)
Hurricane, UT → Bryce Canyon City (110 miles / 175
km)
Oscar’s Café turned out to be a great choice, with friendly staff and a welcoming
atmosphere. The breakfast and coffee were both excellent. After finishing my
meal, I continued toward Zion Park. Since I had already purchased my pass the
day before, I simply showed it to the ranger at the entrance and proceeded
without delay.
At Zion Canyon Junction, I took the Zion–Mount
Carmel Highway—a highly scenic road with plenty of curves, making it
especially enjoyable for motorcycle riding. I passed through the Zion–Mt.
Carmel Tunnel and then continued along Route 89. After passing through the town
of Hatch, I turned onto Route 12, which leads to Bryce Canyon City. A few miles
after turning onto Route 12, I stopped at Red Canyon. The road passes
through natural arches carved into the red rock formations, and on both sides,
there are numerous striking and scenic rock formations.
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| Red Canyon on the way to Bryce Canyon |
Eventually, I managed to find a room at Bryce
Canyon Resort, conveniently located right at the junction of Canyon Road.
The price was quite high—around $340 for one night—but given the limited
availability, I had little choice.
After settling into my room, I set out for Bryce Canyon, which is just a few miles from the inn. I paid an entrance fee (most likely $30) and, although there is a shuttle service within the park, I chose to ride directly to Bryce Point, located approximately 6 km from the Visitor Centre.
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| Bryce Point |
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| Bryce Canyon-Inspiration Point |
The view from Bryce Point is truly spectacular. The vast visibility and the depth of the canyon are remarkable, allowing visitors to clearly see the intricate rock formations and layered structure of the landscape.
After visiting Bryce Point, I continued to Inspiration
Point, located about 3 km along the canyon rim. I walked a few hundred
meters along the edge, taking in the intricate formations deep within the
canyon. The rim sits at an elevation of approximately 2,500 meters above sea
level.
From there, I rode on to Sunset Point, just 1
km away, where I parked my bike. I then began walking toward Sunrise Point
along the Rim Trail. The walk along the rim is easy—mostly flat and smoothly
paved. From Sunrise Point, I decided to take the Queen’s Garden Trail,
which descends to the canyon floor. The bottom is covered with trees, allowing
visitors to walk among both forested areas and remarkable rock formations.
Near the canyon floor, I joined the Wall Street section of the Navajo Loop Trail. This part of the hike is particularly spectacular, with narrow passages winding through towering rock formations. The final stretch climbing back up to Sunset Point is steep and strenuous. By the time I reached the top, I had covered approximately 5 km, and it was nearly 5:00 p.m.
Back at the hotel, I parked my bike in front of my
room and walked to the Cowboy Ranch House for dinner, located on the inn’s
grounds. A New York–style steak and a beer were a satisfying way to end an
active day, having covered a total of 162 miles (260 km).
DAY 4:
April 9, 2026 (Thursday)
Bryce Canyon City → Moab via Escalante, Torrey (260
miles / 420 km)
The breakfast included in the room rate was very
disappointing. I walked over to the restaurant at Bryce Canyon Resort—where I
had dinner the previous evening—only to find a self-service offering of toast,
butter, and jam. Remembering the price I had paid for the room, I returned to
prepare for the day’s ride.
At 9:00 a.m., I departed the inn and headed east
toward Escalante. The ride was well worth it, with spectacular scenery
and relatively little traffic. Crossing the mountains beyond Boulder, the
temperature dropped to around 4–5°C, and I even saw snow along the roadside. As
I descended toward Torrey, the elevation decreased and the temperature rose
noticeably under the sun.
After turning east at Torrey, the road
continued through striking reddish canyon landscapes. However, within 10–15
miles, the terrain shifted dramatically into open desert. At Hanksville, I
turned toward Moab and continued riding through arid surroundings. I paused
briefly at Kathline Rock at 12:50 p.m. to take a few photos before
continuing in approximately 26°C weather.
After checking in and refreshing myself, I changed
into casual clothes and rode to Arches National Park, whose entrance I
had noticed earlier on the way into Moab. It is located about 4–5 miles from
town. I paid $25 for a seven-day motorcycle pass. My plan was to explore Arches
today and reserve the following day for Canyonlands. Arches National Park is comparable
in size to Bryce Canyon, with equally impressive landscapes.
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| Arches National Park, Moab |
I rode to the Devils Garden Trailhead, parked
my bike, and walked to Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch, which are
located close to one another. I then made a brief stop at Skyline Arch.
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| Pine Tree Arch |
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| Sand Dune Arch |
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| Sand Dune Arch |
Next, I parked at the Sand Dune Arch area and
walked into a narrow passage between towering red rock walls. The ground is
covered in fine red sand, and many visitors leave their shoes at the entrance
to enjoy the soft sand barefoot. Deeper within the passage lies a large arch
formed by erosion. After returning, I continued on foot to Broken Arch,
about 2.2 km from the road.
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| Broken Arch |
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| Balanced Rock |
Continuing by bike, I stopped at Balanced Rock,
located along the road toward the Visitor Centre, and took a few photos. I then
rode on to the Courthouse Towers viewpoint, where massive rock formations
resemble grand courthouse buildings—an especially striking sight.
For dinner, I opted for a hamburger in town and
stopped at Trailhead Public House & Eatery on Moab’s main street.
The restaurant had a friendly, cozy atmosphere. I ordered a house beef burger
and a spicy jalapeño margarita (totalling $36), which made for an enjoyable and
satisfying meal.
DAY 5:
April 10, 2026 (Friday)
Rest day in Moab; the Canyonlands, Dead Horse
Point (128 miles/200 km)
As I had planned the day
before, I went to Jailhouse Café on the main street of Moab. It is about
250 meters from my hotel, the Victorian Inn. I rode there and parked my
bike by the roadside. For breakfast, I ordered a Jailhouse Scramble and
a cappuccino—both were tasty. The staff was friendly as well. I paid $25.
After breakfast, I departed at
9:00 a.m. for Canyonlands National Park, one of the two major natural
parks near Moab. Canyonlands is located northwest of Moab, and it takes about
32 miles (50 km) to reach the Visitor Centre. The road is beautiful, with
impressive surrounding views. Horsethief is one of the scenic points
where you can admire the unique rock formations.
I rode directly to the Visitor
Centre and paid $25 for a seven-day motorcycle pass. P.S.: State parks
usually have different rates for non-residents. Non-residents must pay $250 for
an annual permit, which allows entry to all national parks for one year. In my
experience, rangers at the entrance do not always check residency strictly. This
happened to me once, I believe at Zion Park. I said “Las Vegas, Nevada,” and
they let me in.
At the Visitor Centre, I
looked around at the information boards and photographs. The rangers were very
friendly, especially when answering children’s questions. I then took some
pictures in front of the building.
There is an overlook called “The
Neck.” After taking some photos of Shafer Canyon there, I continued
to Mesa Arch. It was quite crowded. To reach the arch, you need to walk
about 300 meters along a trail. From the rim, there is a wide and impressive
view of the canyon to the east, and the arch itself frames the landscape
beautifully.
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| Mesa Arch |
After Mesa Arch, I rode
to Buck Canyon Overlook. I asked a lady to take my picture. The rim here
is at an elevation of about 1,900 meters. Something unusual happened: a boy,
around 10 years old, approached me and said he liked my camera and wanted to
take a picture. We were right at the rim. I handed it to him, placed the strap
around his neck, and showed him how to use it. He thanked me and walked away
without even checking the photo he had taken.
For video at the Buck Canyon Overlook :
An American couple who had seen this came over and started talking to me. They said they were surprised and described me as a very generous person. I then asked the lady to take another photo of me.
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| Upheaval Dome, at the first overlook |
After the hike, I rode back
toward the Visitor Centre. I planned to take the unpaved road down into the
canyon valley. This gravel road, known as Shafer Trail, begins near the
park entrance. I switched my bike to “off-road” mode and started descending. It
is a challenging road and not recommended for regular cars.
Some people watching from the Neck Overlook above were waving and cheering down at me. When I noticed them, I waved back.
At the bottom of the valley,
there is a junction leading toward Moab via Potash. I made a U-turn there and
rode back up to the rim. I spent more than an hour on this off-road ride.
Afterward, I headed back
toward Moab. The weather became cloudy and darker. After about 6–8 miles, I
turned toward Dead Horse Point State Park. The entrance fee is $10. I
walked to the Dead Horse Point Overlook and took some photos. From there, you
can clearly see the dramatic gooseneck of the Colorado River. The view is
spectacular.
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| from Dead Horse Point |
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| from Dead Horse Point |
Later, I went to the Mexican
restaurant El Tapatio. It is a family-style restaurant and quite noisy. I paid
$40 for an enchilada and a house margarita. Unfortunately, the meat was very
tough—definitely not a place I would visit again.
On the other side of the road
I saw a bar called The Spoke on Centre. I went in and ordered a lime Margarita.
After the second one I walked to my hotel to sleep.
DAY 6: April 11, 2026 (Saturday)
Moab → Page via Monument Valley, Kayenta (277
miles / 443 km)
I prepared my bike for the day’s ride. After checking
out, I rode directly to Jailhouse Café for breakfast. Today’s omelette
was called “El Greco,” made with spinach. I enjoyed it with side dishes like
mushrooms and potatoes, along with a cappuccino. I paid $27.
At the café entrance, they were selling T-shirts and
sweatshirts. I bought two T-shirts—one for myself and one for my son.
I then departed and headed south on Route 191. After
riding 25–30 miles, it started to rain.
I put on my rain gear and continued. I passed through Monticello and Blanding
under clouds and rain. The temperature dropped to around 4–5°C. By the time I
reached Bluff, the weather had completely changed—the rain stopped, and the sky
cleared.
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| Twin Rocks Café |
I noticed a nice place on the right side of the road—Twin
Rocks Café—so I turned in and parked. This region is part of the Navajo
Nation. After taking some photos, I had a coffee and relaxed after the
rain. There was also a nearby gift shop, but I found it quite expensive.
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| Valley of the Gods |
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| Valley of the Gods |
The road continued beautifully under a clear sky, with
impressive scenery all around. After another 10–15 miles, I saw a sign for “Valley
of the Gods Rd” on the right and turned onto it. It is an unpaved gravel
road. I rode about 4 km and saw several red rock formations shaped by erosion,
including Battleship Rock. Some people were camping in the area. This region is
part of Bears Ears National Monument.
After returning to Route 191, I continued south. After
a while, I reached the famous “Forest Gump Point,” a scenic spot with a
wide view of monumental rock formations in the distance. I stopped and took
some pictures.
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| Forest Gump Point |
Continuing, after about 8–10 miles I arrived at the
junction for Monument Valley. Turning left at the roundabout, I rode to the
entrance. I paid $10 for entry to Monument Valley Tribal Park. The road to the
Visitor Centre is flat and straight. I parked my bike and prepared to walk
around. It was quite hot, so I left my jacket on the bike.
At the Visitor Centre, I bought some gifts for
friends. The handcrafted dreamcatchers—believed by the Navajo to
protect against bad dreams—were particularly interesting. I asked about touring
the park, but due to road conditions, motorcycles and bicycles are not allowed
inside.
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| Monument Valley |
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| Monument Valley |
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| Monument Valley |
I then went to a tour stand where Navajo guides organize trips in open 4x4 vehicles. I joined a small Polish group, and together we negotiated the price down to $30 per person (from the original $110!). We set off in an open 4x4 vehicle, and the tour lasted about 1.5 hours. With a rather noisy audio system, the driver briefly explained the names and meanings of the rock formations—some resembling elephants, camels, roosters, and more.
After finishing the tour, I departed around 4:00 p.m.
for Page. The route headed mostly west, passing through Kayenta and Kaibeto—towns
primarily inhabited by Native Americans. Along the way, I saw scattered houses
and ranches far apart from each other, likely belonging to Navajo families.
I arrived at my hotel in Page at around 6:30 p.m.—Rodeway
Inn at Lake Powell. After resting for a while, I decided to ride to Glen
Canyon Dam, which is only about 4 miles away, before heading to dinner. It
was already dark when I reached the dam.
There, I met some motorcyclists from Mexico. I spoke
with one of them and learned they were also on a tour, having started from El
Paso.
On the way back to my hotel, I found a nice place—Sunset
Restaurant. I enjoyed my meal along with a margarita. I paid $60 and then
returned to my room.
DAY 7:
April 12, 2026 (Sunday)
Page → Grand Canyon City (154 miles / 245 km)
I woke up early this morning.
I had set the alarm on my iPhone for 6:00 a.m., but because of the time zone
difference and the phone’s automatic adjustment, I woke up one hour after
sunrise.
I planned to ride to Horseshoe Bend first, so I headed to the park where it is located. It took only about 10 minutes (5 miles) to get there. The entrance fee for motorcycles was $5. There were only 8–10 cars in the parking lot.
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| Early in the morning to Horseshoe Bend |
I started walking toward Horseshoe
Bend. It was early in the morning, and long shadows were stretching across
the ground. The trail is about 800 meters (½ mile).
As soon as I reached the
viewpoint, I was struck by the beauty of nature. The Colorado River
flows silently through the bend, and the depth of the riverbed is approximately
100 meters. After spending nearly an hour there, I returned to the parking lot
and departed for Glen Canyon Dam. I wanted to see the dam and the bridge
once again in the morning light. I took some photos and then went back to my
hotel, Rodeway Inn. They also provide breakfast, so I ate and then prepared for
check-out.
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| Bridge at the Glen Canyon Dam, Page |
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| Glen Canyon Dam |
Antelope Canyon Visit:
I had booked a Lower Antelope Canyon tour two days earlier while I was
in Moab, with Dixie’s Antelope Canyon Tours for the 10:15 a.m. slot. I
needed to be there 45 minutes in advance. However, due to confusion with my
iPhone clock caused by the nearby time zone boundary, I arrived one hour early.
I went to the registration
desk and explained the situation. Luckily, they had a free spot in the 9:15
a.m. tour group. I joined that group and followed the guide along with about 15
people.
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| Entrance to the Antelope Canyon |
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| Exit Point from Antelope Canyon |
After returning to the visitor
centre of Dixie’s Tour Company, I picked up my small bag from the reception, as
bags are not allowed inside the canyon.
I then prepared my bike for
the ride to the Grand Canyon. I rode south on Coppermine Road and
then joined Highway 89. At the junction, I stopped at a gas station to fill up.
I continued via Cameron and then took Route 64 west. At times, the wind
was quite strong, but I eventually reached the east entrance of Grand Canyon
National Park. The views along the right side of the road were already
stunning.
The entrance fee for
motorcycles is $30, valid for 7 days. From the east entrance to my hotel is
about 50–55 miles, all within the park. After a while, I stopped at Desert View
and the Watchtower, where I walked to the rim and enjoyed the spectacular scenery.
I also passed Navajo Point before continuing.
After checking in, I relaxed
in the hotel jacuzzi for about an hour. Later, I rode back to the Grand Canyon
Visitor Centre. I parked my bike and took the Blue Line shuttle to the Hermits
Rest transfer point. After about 20 minutes, I switched to the Red Line and got
off at Mohave Point.
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| Colorado River |
From there, I walked along the rim to Hopi Point, about 1.6 km away, where the sunset view is known to be beautiful. I arrived just in time for sunset at 6:50 p.m. Afterward, I took the shuttle back to the Visitor Centre and rode to my hotel in Tusayan. It was quite chilly in the evening, around 3–5°C.
DAY 8:
April 13, 2026 (Monday)
Rest day, Tusayan and Grand Canyon Village (14 miles / 23 km)
I decided to stay one more day at the Grand Canyon. I
wanted to visit a few more viewpoints along the South Rim.
I had breakfast at the hotel’s
restaurant. They offered good options and friendly service. I ordered poached
eggs, sausage, butter, and jam with coffee (18 USD). After breakfast, I packed
my day bag and put on two warm jackets—it was quite chilly outside, around
3–4°C.
I then entered Verkamp’s
Park Store. It’s a cozy place, and there is a chronological story of the
Grand Canyon displayed on the floor. After that, I walked down to the Train
Depot, where a train had just arrived from Williams. I took some
photos and then boarded the Blue Shuttle to the Shrine of the Ages.
I got off there and walked to
the Market Plaza. On one side, there was a restaurant where I bought a
soup for a quick lunch (7.-USD). The market also had many supplies for campers
and hikers. I bought some gifts and some medicine for my cold.
Then I took the Blue Shuttle
westbound from Market Plaza and returned to the Visitor Centre, where I
transferred to the Orange Line toward Yaki Point. I enjoyed the canyon
views there and saw some friendly squirrels playing nearby.
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| Mather Point |
After that, I took another
Orange Shuttle in the opposite direction and got off at Pipe Creek Vista.
From there, I walked along the rim to Mather Point, a smooth and
well-paved trail of about 2.3 km, accessible to everyone. Along the trail,
there were pinyon pines and Utah juniper trees. The junipers have
distinctive bark that peels vertically- typical vegetation for this region. I
also saw a buck near the canyon side of the trail.
I spent some time at Mather
Point, which was quite crowded with visitors. From there, I walked back to the
Visitor Centre, where I had parked my motorcycle, and then rode back to my
hotel. I arrived around 4:00 p.m. and relaxed in the jacuzzi located in the
hotel’s interior garden.
At 6:40 p.m., I walked to the Cowboy
Steakhouse, just across the road—about 200 meters from the hotel. I ordered
a Cowboy Steak, served with baked potato, beans, and corn, along with a Modelo
beer. The total was 60 USD.
It started raining as I walked
back to the hotel. On the way, I stopped at the gift shop inside the IMAX
theatre building and bought a few more gifts for friends. Back at the hotel, I
noticed people sitting at the Wagon Wheel bar. I joined them and had a
lime margarita (19 USD including tip) while writing in my logbook.
DAY 9:
April 14, 2026 (Tuesday)
Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel → Kingman (186 miles / 300
km)
It rained last night, and because of the low
temperature, the water on my bike had frozen. When I started preparing the bike
for the ride, I noticed small ice particles on it.
After having breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant (19
USD), I departed from the Hotel Grand Canyon Plaza in Tusayan. The
temperature was around 2°C, but fortunately the rain had stopped and the roads
were dry.
I rode south on Route 180 and reached the town of Williams,
Arizona. From there, I planned to follow Route 66. However,
Interstate 40 passes through Williams, and after a few attempts to find Route
66, I had to take I-40 west toward Kingman. It seemed that in many sections,
I-40 runs parallel to—or even replaces—the historic Route 66.
Near Seligman, I stopped at a large service area.
Inside the store, I heard someone speaking Turkish on the phone. I introduced
myself, and we had a brief conversation. He was a truck driver of Turkish
origin living in Massachusetts. He explained that in some areas, I-40 overlaps
Route 66.
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| Seligman |
I continued I-40 until I saw signs for Seligman
and Route 66. I took Exit 123 and soon found myself in a historic town. Because
of the 100th anniversary celebrations of Route 66, Seligman was especially
lively and attractive. There were many nostalgic vehicles parked along the
roadside in front of shops and cafés. I parked my bike and walked along the
street, browsing the shops and eventually stopping at a café for a cappuccino
(4.25 USD).
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| Angel Delgadillo |
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| with the Beauty of Seligman |
I then entered a shop with a cardboard figure standing
at the entrance. It was an interesting place, with a barber shop section on the
right side. Inside, two people were interviewing an elderly man. I learned that
he was Angel Delgadillo, one of Seligman’s most well-known historical
figures. Now around 90 years old, he played a major role in promoting the town
during the golden days of Route 66, also known as the “Mother Road.” I
bought some gifts and caps from the shop to remember this remarkable man.
I left Seligman and continued along Route 66. There
was almost no traffic at all. The road was long, straight, and flat. I passed
through Peach Springs and Hualapai before arriving at my hotel, Arizona
Inn in Kingman, at around 3:00 p.m.
Kingman lies at an elevation of about 1,000 meters
above sea level. The weather was sunny and pleasant, around 17–18°C—a big
change from the 2°C in the morning. After taking a shower and resting for a
while, I went out to explore the town.
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| Santa Fe Locomotive in Kingman |
Later, I visited a motorcycle shop and bought a Route
66 Arizona plaque. In downtown Kingman, along Beale Street, I
found a brewery—Grand Canyon Brewing & Distillery. It’s a large
place for food and drinks. I ordered a Beast Burger and an Esmeralda II IPA.
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| Grand Canyon Brewing & Distillery |
Afterward, I continued walking along the street and
came across another brewery, The Rickety Cricket Brewing. I drank there
a lime Margarita and then I returned to my room around 9:30 p.m.
DAY 10: April 15, 2026 (Wednesday)
Kingman → Las Vegas via Hoover Dam (112 miles / 180
km)
I had noticed Mudd’s Café while walking the day
before, so I went there for breakfast. It is located on Route 66 and overlooks
the railroad. At 7:30 a.m., I ordered a bacon, cheddar, tomato, and scallion
scone along with a cappuccino. The small café was staffed by three young people
serving breakfast to their guests. After finishing my meal, I walked back to my
hotel. I had another coffee at the reception of the Hotel Arizona Inn. My room
was on the ground floor, and my bike was only a few meters away.
I departed at 8:30 and took Route 93 toward Hoover
Dam and Las Vegas. The road runs almost entirely through the desert, and
there were many vehicles along the way. At one point, I saw signs reading “Last
Gas,” so I filled up my tank. I arrived at Hoover Dam at 9:45. There was a
security check at the entrance, where they asked if I had a gun with me. I said
no.
So, these were 9½ days on the motorcycle. I travelled
a total of 1,483 miles (2,370 km).
LAS VEGAS
Days without Bike:
After returning the rental motorcycle to Martin, I
spent two more days in Las Vegas. I stayed at the same hotel as when I first
arrived—the Planet Hollywood Hotel. I took an Uber from Martin’s place
to the hotel. By chance, my driver was of Turkish origin. His name was Turk,
and he had moved from Gaziantep, Türkiye, to the United States 40 years ago.
During my stay, I walked along the Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard) several times and attended a few shows. On April 16, I went to the Sphere to see The Wizard of Oz and also watched the show Absinthe at the Caesars Palace tent. Both were interesting and spectacular.
 |
| Sphere |
 |
| Strip of Las Vegas |
I flew back to Europe on April 17 with British
Airways, connecting through Heathrow before continuing to Istanbul. I landed in
Istanbul at 18:00 on April 18.
Total Days : 9 1/2
Total
Distance : 2,370 km
Gas : 100 litre ==
3,650.-TBa
Bike Rental
(9 days) :
Insurance
(9 days) :
Accommodation :
