Robert Griego - RoadRUNNER

Lockwood Valley Washout

“The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.” J.R.R. Tolkien There is a beginning, middle, and ending to every story. Everyone knows that—this one, however, is different. The Lockwood Creek reversed everything. A sign reading “ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING” stopped us in our tracks. The disappointing road

Destinations Premium Content

In Pursuit of Wildness: Pinnacles National Park

Once upon a time, it was called Pinnacles National Monument, but today it is America’s newest national park. That’s where this story begins. Graduating from San Jose State, getting married, and landing my first permanent job with the National Park Service all within one week was a miracle.

Destinations

In Pursuit of Wildness: Great Basin National Park

“On the path that leads to Nowhere I have sometimes found my soul.” – CORINNE ROOSEVELT ROBINSON Rarely do I ride 1,800 miles just because a stranger suggests an awesome ride, but I had just met a fellow rider, Scott, in Springerville, AZ, and he was already persuading me to

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In Pursuit of Wildness: Big Bend National Park

I’m not sure if Steve McQueen considered the badlands of Texas “nowhere,” but that’s where I’m riding my motorcycle on this epic adventure into the Wild West. In four days and 1,700 miles, I intend to wake up in the middle of Big Bend National Park.

Destinations

In Pursuit of Wildness: Zion National Park

In Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the two bank- and train-robbing bandits sought these red canyons as their hideout from the law. I was mesmerized by Paul Newman and Robert Redford in this modern-day Western, but honestly, the scenery captivated me more. I knew that one day I would

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In Pursuit of Wildness: The Carrizo Plain National Monument

A sleeping giant lies on the valley floor between the Temblor Range and the Caliente Range. That is where this story begins. In 1857, the strongest earthquake in California’s recorded history ripped through the San Andreas Fault, wrenching the western side of the Carrizo Plain National Monument 31 feet

Destinations

In Pursuit of Wildness: Cabrillo National Monument

The Pacific Ocean is jaw-droppingly beautiful as I ride my motorcycle along Highway 1 from Monterey, CA, toward San Diego. It’s easy to allow your imagination to run free along each curve on this scenic highway, envisioning sailing ships exploring new lands. Albert Einstein said that “imagination is more

Destinations

In Pursuit of Wildness: Petrified Forest National Park

I’m on historic US Route 66 heading east for a small village nestled next to the Rio Grande in New Mexico called La Joya. Each year, I make this journey across the wild west, past little communities and towns with interesting names: Newberry Springs, Oatman, Cool Springs, Valentine, Peach

Destinations

In Pursuit of Wildness: Abo Ruins

In the 2009 documentary The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, Director Ken Burns spoke about the grandeur of a world known as Yellowstone National Park, as well as less familiar National Park Service areas, such as Abó Ruins, an integral part of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument in New

Destinations

In Pursuit of Wildness: Canyon de Chelly National Monument

The rain is hard and relentless. The gas station ahead, a few miles from Window Rock, AZ, offers shelter. In seconds, the parking area is flooded, but my motorcycle is safe and dry. “Do not go out further just yet,” the old Navajo man says. “The roads will be full

Destinations

In Pursuit of Wildness: Chiricahua National Monument

I’m on my motorcycle, heading west on I-10 back to California, when I see the sign for a destination totally unfamiliar to me: Chiricahua National Monument. Just the name sparks my interest. Although best known for being the home of the Grand Canyon, Arizona is rich with more than

Destinations

In Pursuit of Wildness: Rocky Mountain National Park

Bear with me, as it’s been 1,200 miles since I left Three Rivers, CA, and the wild views before me are stunning. The Rocky Mountains in Colorado stand majestically before me. The Quaking Aspens tremble in the wind. The weather is mild. I’m on a “rocky mountain

Roundtrip Tour Premium Content

A Brothers Ride to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is home to the oldest individual trees on Earth—bristlecone pines. Some exceed 4,000 years and appear sculpted by the wind. I’ve never seen them before and I’m looking forward to this adventure. The name alone conjures wild images about this natural

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In Pursuit of Wildness: Manzanar National Historic Site

Once upon a time, Manzanar National Historic Site was called Manzanar War Relocation Center. It was one of 10 camps where Japanese American citizens were incarcerated during World War II. I had never been there, and I knew little about this site, though I knew that it is managed by

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Wild Winds Across the Badlands of New Mexico

Rarely do I heed a warning before a long-distance ride. This message, however, is from my nephew Ruben, who is a wildlands firefighter stationed in Silver City, NM. A credible source. His message is, "It's supposed to be very windy across New Mexico, starting tomorrow." He

Destinations

In Pursuit of Wildness: Death Valley National Park

> Death Valley National Park is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in America. It’s a summer day and I’m filling up my motorcycle gas tank in Baker, CA, when I asked the gas station attendant how hot it is. I’m a bit surprised when he

May/Jun '20 Premium Content

California: Chasing Butterflies and Wildflowers

The perfect time to see the migrating painted lady butterfly and witness one of California’s rare wildflower super blooms is early March to early April. It doesn’t happen every year, but when weather conditions are just right, a simultaneous blooming of wildflowers occurs in California’s arid regions.