DAY 19
Left this morning under clear skies and great temperatures. Headed down some great two lane along lakes and rivers before starting to lose altitude and gain temperature.
Turned south on CA 49 which follows some of the route taken by the miners during the gold rush. We rode by Sutter's Mill scene of the original gold strike, now a tourist attraction, packed with people on a weekday?
Changed route to get Bruce a tire in the capital of the state of Nevada and made the decision to spend the night.
DAY 20
Great morning for a ride with temps in the mid 50's and clear skies, beautiful riding weather. Headed south on 395 (our main route for the day) with the snow covered Sierra's on our right down into the Carson Valley an area it's hard to believe is in Nevada.
Continued south past the towns of Lee Vining, Big Pine, Lone pine and several lakes. The passes over the mountains that were closed when we passed here on May 15th are now all open to traffic, As yoda would say "the urge to turn west is strong in this one, yes" but time forces us to press south and east.
Last 75 miles or so bordered on miserable with to many trucks , to many potholes, and to many digits on the thermometer.
Going to stretch trip with one extra night in Chino Valley tomorrow before an early morning trip down the hill and home.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
DAY 18 MAY 31ST I COULD DO THIS OVER AND OVER
South on the 101 from the hotel cool weather beautiful scenery and a fast smooth road. Took a side loop off the 101 into the thick redwoods then back to the 101. Quick stop at Redwood Harley in Eureka and back on the road. At Leggitt we stopped for a break and gas before heading down one of the best roads in California, which has several, Highway 1.
At the store next to the two pump station I pulled into a spot with a downhill grade. This is not a good idea on a bike with no reverse and something I try hard to avoid but this time made the mistake of not backing in. An old drunk sitting out front said "I used to ride bikes the got them reverse gears on that thing now?" I told him no they still didn't have reverse and he looked at me and said "ya-all kinda stupid aren't ya" I couldn't disagree but when I left I cut between parking blocks onto the porch around the ice machine and up the hill. Stupid don't ride that good.
Then it was on to Highway 1 twists and turns cool temps, mile after mile of great pavement, lightly traveled. You dodge and dip into the redwood forests then back out to appear on a bluff a hundred feet above the ocean. Then it's back into the trees with a steep downhill grade suddenly back in the sunlight ten feet above the water. The forests so thick with moss covered redwoods and ferns five feet high on the ground blocking out most of the sun. The bluffs lined with cypress tree limbs permanently bent away from the steady offshore wind.
He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back
He had a hopped-up 'cicle that took off like a gun
That fool was the terror of Highway 101
Well, he never washed his face and he never combed his hair
He had axle grease imbedded underneath his fingernails
On the muscle of his arm was a red tattoo
A picture of a heart saying "Mother, I love you"
He had a pretty girlfriend by the name of Mary Lou
But he treated her just like he treated all the rest
And everybody pitied her and everybody knew
He loved that doggone motorcycle best
He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back
He had a hopped-up 'cicle that took off like a gun
That fool was the terror of Highway 101
At the store next to the two pump station I pulled into a spot with a downhill grade. This is not a good idea on a bike with no reverse and something I try hard to avoid but this time made the mistake of not backing in. An old drunk sitting out front said "I used to ride bikes the got them reverse gears on that thing now?" I told him no they still didn't have reverse and he looked at me and said "ya-all kinda stupid aren't ya" I couldn't disagree but when I left I cut between parking blocks onto the porch around the ice machine and up the hill. Stupid don't ride that good.
Then it was on to Highway 1 twists and turns cool temps, mile after mile of great pavement, lightly traveled. You dodge and dip into the redwood forests then back out to appear on a bluff a hundred feet above the ocean. Then it's back into the trees with a steep downhill grade suddenly back in the sunlight ten feet above the water. The forests so thick with moss covered redwoods and ferns five feet high on the ground blocking out most of the sun. The bluffs lined with cypress tree limbs permanently bent away from the steady offshore wind.
He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back
He had a hopped-up 'cicle that took off like a gun
That fool was the terror of Highway 101
Well, he never washed his face and he never combed his hair
He had axle grease imbedded underneath his fingernails
On the muscle of his arm was a red tattoo
A picture of a heart saying "Mother, I love you"
He had a pretty girlfriend by the name of Mary Lou
But he treated her just like he treated all the rest
And everybody pitied her and everybody knew
He loved that doggone motorcycle best
He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots
And a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back
He had a hopped-up 'cicle that took off like a gun
image: http://static.urx.io/units/web/urx-unit-loader.gif
That fool was the terror of Highway 101
Vaughn Monroe
Headed inland from Fort Bragg on highway 20, just another great road, rivers, forests, farms. Good friends, a good bike great roads and weather, can't get better.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
DAY 17 BACK TO THE COAST
Headed back to the coast after breakfast on a great two lane roads through tall trees and farms. Then down the coast on the 101 ALL DAY, life is good.
Today's route (click here) .
Today's route (click here) .
Monday, May 30, 2016
DAY 16 LAUNDRY, SHADOWS,AND MY PEOPLE
I left the hotel first to go check out a laundromat just a mile down the road. The desk clerk said it was "ok" but that the clientele was a little suspect. When I got there I found a good sized room half closed off with used plywood and a bevy of fairly new stainless steel front loaders along with two of the clerks suspect clientele. A quick call to the guys and I decided to get started. As I was loading the washer I muttered that I couldn't find my soap. I don't know if it's the long hair, the fact that I haven't shaved recently, or the Harley, probably all three, but this started a conversation with the two occupants of the laundromat. The first guy gave me his Tide to put in the washer and said he would leave me a bounce sheet if he was done before me. The second "suspect clientele" started telling me about his cocaine arrest and how he wanted jail but got probation and now he can't even smoke "legal" dope.
Oh well, laundry done and on down the road, stayed on the 101 until Newport then turned inland on Route 20 to I-5 where we found great lodging at the Phoenix Inn. The 101 is as beautiful as I remembered with busy traffic in the small towns and fast running between towns.
Late this afternoon we saw some dark objects on the pavement, some stationary and some moving, after much discussion and consulting with a local found out these are shadows. They are not usually seen in this part of the country and are apparently a cause for celebration.
Back to the 101 tomorrow.
(Click for todays map)
Oh well, laundry done and on down the road, stayed on the 101 until Newport then turned inland on Route 20 to I-5 where we found great lodging at the Phoenix Inn. The 101 is as beautiful as I remembered with busy traffic in the small towns and fast running between towns.
Late this afternoon we saw some dark objects on the pavement, some stationary and some moving, after much discussion and consulting with a local found out these are shadows. They are not usually seen in this part of the country and are apparently a cause for celebration.
Back to the 101 tomorrow.
(Click for todays map)
Sunday, May 29, 2016
DAY 14-15
DAY 14 Another Ferry Ride
Headed south of Anacortes and found the Port Townsend ferry. We had started in a light rain but it was done by the time we reached the ferry terminal. After an hour wait we boarded for the 40 minute trip across the sound.
Back on land road the inner route of the 101 through the Olympic National Forest, the 108, back on the 101 then turning inland to Longview were we found hotel rooms thanks to a double elimination tournament not a round robin ( losers had left).
DAY 15 MAY 28 2016
Left the hotel and after a short ride up I-5 got off at Castle Rock and headed to the Mt Saint Helens visitor center, after a brief stay continued up the mountain to the St Helen's Interpretive Center a much more interesting stop. You could see areas of devastation and recovery. It was amazing how well the forest was recovering with help from man with replanting. It was 36 years ago this month that the mountain blew. Thanks to advance warning, the mountain grew 9 feet a day before eruption, only 57 lives were lost and it could easily have been much worse.
There was also a sign for elk viewing with regular elk on the right and handicapped elk on the left but we saw neither.
Headed south of Anacortes and found the Port Townsend ferry. We had started in a light rain but it was done by the time we reached the ferry terminal. After an hour wait we boarded for the 40 minute trip across the sound.
Back on land road the inner route of the 101 through the Olympic National Forest, the 108, back on the 101 then turning inland to Longview were we found hotel rooms thanks to a double elimination tournament not a round robin ( losers had left).
DAY 15 MAY 28 2016
Left the hotel and after a short ride up I-5 got off at Castle Rock and headed to the Mt Saint Helens visitor center, after a brief stay continued up the mountain to the St Helen's Interpretive Center a much more interesting stop. You could see areas of devastation and recovery. It was amazing how well the forest was recovering with help from man with replanting. It was 36 years ago this month that the mountain blew. Thanks to advance warning, the mountain grew 9 feet a day before eruption, only 57 lives were lost and it could easily have been much worse.
There was also a sign for elk viewing with regular elk on the right and handicapped elk on the left but we saw neither.
Heading down the mountain stopped for lunch at a small cafe "19 Mile House" and I had a delicious elk burger couldn't tell if it had been handicapped or not.
Heading west to look for a hotel found us all the way to the coast and scrambling to find a room. We got very lucky and found a newly remodeled Quality Inn with a single open floor (out of three floors) and a vacancy. Next door was the Big Foot restaurant with friendly staff, cold beer, and good fresh fish.
Saturday, May 28, 2016
DAY 13
We started the day off with making quick reservations for the ferry and a leisurely breakfast before the short ride to the terminal. Once on the ferry with the bikes parked we were free to head upstairs and explore the ship.
The trip was about 3 1/2 hours with one stop in Friday harbor on San Juan island where we offloaded a handful of cars and gained several. San Juan island has a full time population of about 6000 but can double that with visitors in the summer.
The trip could have been longer and I would have been fine with it, I know it wasn't a luxury liner but standing on the bow with a hot cup of coffee watching the world go by was a great way to spend the day. Didn't hurt that I knew as soon as we landed, and cleared customs, we would be back on the bike.
As the son of a son of a sailor,
I went out on the sea for adventure,
Expanding their view of the captain and crew
Like a man just released from indenture.
As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin' man,
I have chalked up many a mile.
Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks,
And I've learned much from both of their styles.
Haul the sheet in as we ride on the wind that our
Forefathers harnessed before us.
Hear the bells ring as the tide rigging sings.
It's a son of a gun of a chorus.
Where it all ends I can't fathom, my friends.
If I knew, I might toss out my anchor.
So I'll cruise along always searchin' for songs,
Not a lawyer, a thief or a banker.
Jimmy Buffet
I think that works for the boat and the bike, at least it does for me. Leaving the ferry, clearing customs, finding the road, watching the rain, decided to call it a night early. Headed east about twenty miles and ended with a bite to eat and a trip to the Jacuzzi.
The trip was about 3 1/2 hours with one stop in Friday harbor on San Juan island where we offloaded a handful of cars and gained several. San Juan island has a full time population of about 6000 but can double that with visitors in the summer.
The trip could have been longer and I would have been fine with it, I know it wasn't a luxury liner but standing on the bow with a hot cup of coffee watching the world go by was a great way to spend the day. Didn't hurt that I knew as soon as we landed, and cleared customs, we would be back on the bike.
As the son of a son of a sailor,
I went out on the sea for adventure,
Expanding their view of the captain and crew
Like a man just released from indenture.
As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin' man,
I have chalked up many a mile.
Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks,
And I've learned much from both of their styles.
Haul the sheet in as we ride on the wind that our
Forefathers harnessed before us.
Hear the bells ring as the tide rigging sings.
It's a son of a gun of a chorus.
Where it all ends I can't fathom, my friends.
If I knew, I might toss out my anchor.
So I'll cruise along always searchin' for songs,
Not a lawyer, a thief or a banker.
Jimmy Buffet
I think that works for the boat and the bike, at least it does for me. Leaving the ferry, clearing customs, finding the road, watching the rain, decided to call it a night early. Headed east about twenty miles and ended with a bite to eat and a trip to the Jacuzzi.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
DAY 11 LEAVING WHISTLER; DAY 12 EXPLORING A SMALL PART OF THE ISLAND
Woke up day 11 in Whistler and tried to get a little earlier start since there was no breakfast at the lodge. Headed out and immediately found drops of water forming on the windshield. It wasn't raining we had just driven into the clouds. Had a quick breakfast at a Tim Horton's which is a cross between a low budget Starbucks smashed into a nice burger king.
Headed on down the road and found the ferry landing, managed to buy tickets ride immediately on board sailing ten minutes later. Made our way up to the theater like area with nice seats looking out the front picture windows at the passage going by. It was like watching a documentary on the inside passage with the volume off on a panoramic screen.
Once off made our way up island along the eastern coast to Campbell River, self proclaimed salmon fishing capital of Canada. Sitting at the pub next door about 9 PM, still light out, watched to of the seasons first cruise ships negotiating the inside passage. Noticed that across the street on the walkway was a sign indicating the 50th parallel, no wonder it was still light.
DAY 12
Click for map of today's ride
That just about sums it up, great roads, great weather, a little pucker factor, and unbelievable scenery.
Headed on down the road and found the ferry landing, managed to buy tickets ride immediately on board sailing ten minutes later. Made our way up to the theater like area with nice seats looking out the front picture windows at the passage going by. It was like watching a documentary on the inside passage with the volume off on a panoramic screen.
Once off made our way up island along the eastern coast to Campbell River, self proclaimed salmon fishing capital of Canada. Sitting at the pub next door about 9 PM, still light out, watched to of the seasons first cruise ships negotiating the inside passage. Noticed that across the street on the walkway was a sign indicating the 50th parallel, no wonder it was still light.
DAY 12
Click for map of today's ride
That just about sums it up, great roads, great weather, a little pucker factor, and unbelievable scenery.
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