tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89949111766075045212024-02-02T02:13:56.128-08:00Motorcycle WanderingsRiding a motorcycle is the closest you will ever get to flying, without ever leaving the ground.Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-1169666225381590242018-01-30T06:23:00.001-08:002018-02-11T12:37:01.525-08:00Six County Ride. <div style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">There used to be a time, when the RRs would be for a six state ride. Now, as lame as it maybe, all I have time for is just some pictures from a six county ride (Sacramento, Placer, Nevada, Yuba, Butte, Plumas) for me - and led by a home grown Hooligan, and a Brit ( I think, I didn't confirm), who happens to work in the same building as I - but whom I had not met in person till this day.<br />
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Not much to say, not because there wasn't much said. There was plenty said on the intercoms, all in good fun, I might even have offended Jeff, but because I don't have much time to do this write-up.<br />
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Just some pics and a line here and there. HotRodZilla would like this RR.</div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
All the pictures happened on the return trip. Riding out was more a speed blur for me than anything, chasing the two fast bikes. It's no wonder that ever since I have started riding with Doug, my gas mileage and tire mileage has gone way down - and I now wear out the sides of the tires before I wear out the middle..<br />
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This was the turn-around point at Belden, besides the Feather River.<br />
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</div><a name='more'></a>...and by the Belden power-house.<br />
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We retraced our steps, and returned to the town of Cherokee, where I had wanted to stop and read this plaque. Cherokee used to be a diamond mine here in the heart of Gold Country. They used hydraulic mining to wash away entire hill-sides looking for a sparkling rock, but of a different kind. This plaque is encased in some of the rocks which washed away from the hill-sides. If you look closer, you would notice a wide variety of them.<br />
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Looked for Pocahontas, but couldn't find her..<br />
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</div>Saw signs for this covered bridge, so had to go find it. Would have been a good picture - but for Doug insisting his ugly mug be in it...<br />
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</div>That's all. Didn't check the final mileage for the day, but we rode rough back roads all day long - and were quite tuckered out in the end. The ride back home was a bit of a drag - and I was tired... but made it home safely!<br />
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See ya'll later! </div>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-40081869716968836762017-12-17T20:36:00.003-08:002017-12-17T20:51:46.219-08:00Have been riding on occasion, but it has been so long ... since I posted. <div style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
My friend Doug rode with me today. He is teaching me how to ride in the dirt and gravel. We only did a small section of dirt, and the V-strom did pretty good in that gravel - the perfecto signal from Doug at the end of the dirt section was all I needed to see!<br />
The rest was goat trails. It was a perfect day to ride - just what I wanted and needed to forget about work for a day.. Work has consumed me. Trying to set boundaries has been difficult, I care too much about my customers, but it has been consuming me.. </div>
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On the bright side - I am lucky to have friends like Dougie to ride with. Real lucky! </div>
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Here are some pictures from the day.. </div>
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Near Iowa Hill. Yea, she is my red-headed b****.. </div>
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Had to pick up a fallen tree and move it out of the way to get here. Up a steep path covered with pine needles. The Strom rear-end danced a LOT, but kept on the gas and made it up. </div>
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Deadwood cemetery. Used to be a gold mining camp - in the days of the California Gold Rush. </div>
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We had rode smack in the middle of beautiful nowhere-ness.</div>
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Tried to head to Robinson Flats, but were stopped by ice. Well, I was stopped by ice. Dougie wanted to ride-on. He turned back because of me. </div>
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We turned around and headed further up the mountains. This time even Dougie had to turn back. Somewhere just under 7000 feet I believe. </div>
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Dougie pointed out - You can see all the way to the Sutter Buttes from up here, from not quite atop this mountain, looking out at the smallest mountain range in the world. It was good to be above the haze of the valley. </div>
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Good day to be riding. Thanks for the dirt/gravel lessons Dougie! Let's do this again soon!</div>
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Thanks for reading folks. It has been so long. </div>
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...and So long! </div>
Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-58996241484708447812016-12-30T21:10:00.000-08:002017-10-21T10:45:49.347-07:00Indian Summer in Big Sur. <div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I haven't been writing many (or any) ride reports lately, with so many other things to do, the motivation has been lacking. Somehow, after a couple of drinks to unwind this Friday night, I seem have found my second wind, in the writing department. Funny, and not sure why that is, but here I am typing away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was a short ride through Big Sur, a couple days before New Year's eve. I hadn't rode that stretch of Hwy 1 all year long. I have made that pilgrimage, at least once a year for several years now - Big Sur being one of my few favorite places in California. Not wanting the streak to end, I decided to mark my attendance before the year was over, a quick run south from Napa to Pismo Beach, where I would meet up with my good buddy Treedoc from the FJR forum, whom I hadn't seen in at least a couple years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It being the holidays, I expected traffic snarls, and dimwits aplenty from all over the country, and perhaps over the world, but then there was something I didn't expect...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Old man winter was in California early this December. Planning for an early departure from my parent's villa in Napa, I opened the garage door to find the driveway completely iced over. I stepped out and I could feel my moto boots slipping on it. I was going to have to wait it out till it thawed. More coffee then? Yeah sounds like a very good idea.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Traffic wasn't terrible cutting through the Bay area towards the Big Sur coastline. Typical holiday traffic heading in on a week day, but nothing like the carmageddon it normally is. With some effort I was able to get around clumps of slow moving vehicles, the sun was shining on my visor, and I could feel it's warmth, it was a good day.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I am writing this report today, the Big Sur highway has been closed due to a rain damaged, and now demolished bridge. It wouldn't be possible to ride this stretch again, not like this, for at least a year, if not longer. It could be a blessing in disguise, if you are in the know of other inlets onto portions of this iconic highway, but it certainly isn't a blessing for the businesses in Big Sur. This place for example, where I took my first break for the day, a mainstay in the area - Nepenthe.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was hopping, it was teeming, but service seemed efficient. Although, it does take a while longer if you arrive by your lonesome. Easier if in groups of 2 or 4. I had to wait till another single traveler arrived, so they could seat us together at an opening for two. A single-serving friend to talk to as we enjoyed the view. It was a beautiful day, a very pleasant day in December, there was a calming breeze, and there was a sea of green meeting the sky and ocean blue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">... and if you looked closer, a lot closer, you could see the world's luckiest horses frolicking in the cliff-side pastures. I am not sure who owns them and for what purpose, are those rescues, or just a wealthy horse lover and their prized steeds? They have always been here for as long as I have been visiting Nepenthe, and I always enjoy spying on them for a while, when I am here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What I didn't expect and what would become one of the highlights of the day, was when I returned to the parking lot to find a gentleman waiting beside my motorcycle. He introduced himself and asked me if I was an IBA guy. I thought he must have spotted the license plate cover, but no, he said, he recognized the type of bike I was riding. Now I was curious, and he explained - "A friend of mine was in the IBA, and he used to ride an FJR". Who is your friend? I asked. "John Ryan, he was a good friend of mine". I shook his hand. Yes, I knew John, as well. Probably not as well as he did, but he was one of the few IBA riders that I admired, and admire a lot. Perhaps it maybe, but I don't think it is mere happenstance, or serendipity, but I was in Big Sur, and at Nepenthe, in the October of 2013, on a coast ride, after having resurrected my FJR, that I learnt of John Ryan passing away, going perhaps the only way one could imagine, doing what he loved the most - riding his motorcycle. If a part of your spirit is here John, enjoying Big Sur, then you are in a beautiful place, as we knew you would be. The community misses you!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There wasn't much stopping for the rest of the ride, it was a bit of work as I settled into a pattern of trail and pass clusters of slow vehicles and enjoy an open stretch of the highway, and then rinse, repeat, but it was worth it. I stopped briefly at McWay Falls, but they were still in shadow, so I didn't linger and pushed on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I reached Morro Bay well before sunset, and enjoyed sitting by the park benches overlooking Morro Rock, sometimes lost, sometimes found in my thoughts. Recollecting, reminscing, day dreaming. Much to love about the fresh ocean air. Sunsets by the ocean are the best!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pismo Beach awaited and a long night catching up with Tim and Mary. I met them on the FJRForum, and Tim has become one of my best buddies. I don't get to see them as often, but I think about them often. I have met some of the best people that I know, riding motorcycles.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Life is good. Life on two wheels is even better!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span></div>
Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-91868015573104774742016-09-17T18:45:00.000-07:002017-08-18T11:47:58.495-07:00Glacier National Park in the Rain.<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's been over 3 months and half, and since I have not been finding time to write about it, I am doing something, which I usually do not do ever - give up, and just post the pictures instead. I will try to intersperse a few words for context, and to provide a framework for the story, but I will get directly to the titular best part, and I will mainly let the pictures tell their own. It is mid-January 2017 now, but I am going to go ahead and back-date this post to September 2016. Hey, it's okay, all the cool kids have done the same at one point or another.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I apologize if this may seem like being forced to look through someone's vacation album, but unfortunately, that is what it is going to be. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My base of operations for spending a few days in the park, was a little bed and breakfast with a big view in Somers, MT. <a href="http://www.outlookinnbandb.com/about.html" target="_blank">Outlook Inn</a> has a view which no other property has on Flathead Lake, and a hostess with a big heart, who has been running this B&B for 18 years now. Michelle loves what she does, and it shows. Some people just do what they do for the money, others have a true passion for what they do. Michelle is the latter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was no better way to start the day when here, than breakfast at this table. Something fresh, something local, something new and something always very tasty when Michelle is in the kitchen. She has huckleberry bushes behind the B&B, and this year she was determined to beat the Bears to the berries. The result - Huckleberry pancakes, and Huckleberry jam just to mention a couple of the fresh goodies I enjoyed here.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is also a nice patio to relax in and take in the view. I didn't get to take advantage of it this year, due to the wet weather, which arrived the day after I did. This would be glorious in the Spring and the Summer.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_2795_6_7.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_2795_6_7.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was still early evening when I arrived at the B&B, so after a prompt check in and some small talk with the innkeeper, I headed out again - hoping for a sunset in the park, and to get the lay of the land. The opportunity to photograph the sunset didn't materialize this day, and with the change in weather for the coming week, neither did it for any other day on this trip, but I got an introduction to what would become the base camp for a day hike foray into the park from the west entrance. Lake McDonald Lodge, or it's parking lot, rather, would be that base camp. :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_2748.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_2748.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The lodge is no Ahwahnee, but it is still a lovely place, with comfortable looking lounges and fireplaces, and even a fireplace in their reading room with plenty of books, either donated or left behind by visitors. If you want to stay inside the Park and do away with the daily commute, or get early starts and beat the herds pouring in everyday, the lodge is unbeatable. The lodge is expensive, and the facilities in the rooms a little out-dated, I hear, but that is the price you pay.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_2755.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_2755.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a shuttle service which runs from the lodge into the park, and to Logan's Pass and beyond, but be sure to check the daily schedule and reconfirm with the driver. This is not Yosemite, and the shuttles are irregular, and to some extent maybe even unreliable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My first full day in the park was for picture taking from the roadside, so I didn't bother with the shuttle. It was a cold, moody and gloomy day, my hands only wanted to venture out of their warm gloves, just so much, not so much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_2959_60_61.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_2959_60_61.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The opportunit<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ies to <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">juxtapose the scenery didn't present themselves much. I was tempted, b<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ut</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was safe. <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I framed the shots from the side of the road, making myself scarce f<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rom being runover by tourists not paying attention. There have been enough mishaps on the Going to the Sun Road, without trying to add<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> to the casualty count. <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">T<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hese sh<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">uttles (not the <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">regular park shuttles<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, these are run by a tour company), </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">had ca<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ught my eye at the lodge, and I found them again on the Going to the Sun Road. </span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_2953_4_5.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_2953_4_5.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> wet weather meant that the falls had started <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to flow again. A bit<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> mor<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e than a trickle, but better<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> than nothing at all. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_3194_5_6.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_3194_5_6.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jackson Glacier. Proba<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bly the only gla<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cier you can stil<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">l see from the side of the G<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">o<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ing to the Sun Road. Regardless, of which side of the fence you fall on. The glacier do seem to be re<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ced<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ing an<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">d many <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">have <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">disappeared. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_3206_7_8.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_3206_7_8.jpg~original" /></a></span></span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wild Goose Island<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> f<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rom the<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> vista point<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> besides St. <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mary Lake. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_3245_6_7.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_3245_6_7.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I headed out the park from the East entra<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nce, into the Blackfeet Indian Reser<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">vation<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, no<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> different (better<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">) </span>from any other <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">****-hole Indian reserv<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ation, didn't want to linger here too long. Just gas up and scoot.<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I </span></span></span></span></span></span>circled around <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">South</span> on Hwy 89, <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and Hwy 49 to Hwy 2<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-W</span>est. Hwy 49 is a great ride, but you have to be careful, it is open range and <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">there were <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">many <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">instances o<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f cows on the road. It's<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> a <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fun short<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cut, as long as <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">beef doesn't get you. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was the view a few miles south from the East entrance <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to the park<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> on <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hwy 89. It was getting later in the day, <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it got dark by the time, I <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">reached the B&B for the evening. <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Crap! Some big animals in Montana. The Aux lights were bl<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">azing full <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">blast, and I ha<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ve quite some difficulty seeing in the <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">dark these days. Let's not do this again</span></span>! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_3407_8_9.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/DSC_3407_8_9.jpg~original" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The weather didn't improve much the next day. This was the planned hiking day, I had hauled all this hiking g<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ear with me, </span>and I was going to go take a hike (actually two)! Come hail or high water! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First was to the Hidden Lake overlook from Logan's pass. Easy hike and very picturesque!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hidden Lake overlook. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">worth the hi</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ke in the wet and the cold! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I tack<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">led </span>H<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ighline trail next,<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> once I retu<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rned to the Logans <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pass area. It wasn't quite as wet in the beginning<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> of the trail, but looking west from the trail, you could see what was coming, and it didn't look good.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You are climbing up ever higher from the Going to the Sun Road, on this narrow ledge. I spied some bicyclists on the road, the wet weather wasn't stopping these Bike Nazis. Wonder how much traction they were getting..</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Not a good idea, to be up here, if you have vertigo. You don't, do you?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was still so beautiful, despite the mist and the rain hiding the most scenic sights from view. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Slim chance of survival if you were to slip and fall. It wasn't so wet now, but it was going to be. I wish I knew that I would end up hiking my way back this way again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, hello there! Are you friendly? Well, certainly not going to eat me, but definitely not friendly. This bugger and his couple of friends, wouldn't let me (and my fellow hikers) pass for a long time. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/IMG_0755.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/IMG_0755.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately for me. My hike was cut short. I had slipped on some wet rocks, and seemed to have pulled my right knee. I didn't feel it right away, but as the hike went along, I was starting to hobble. This combined with a distant wildlife sighting of the more carnivorous nature (far enough away, but seemed to be headed, where we were headed), made me rethink wanting to continue. After all, all my just met them at the parking lot hiking companions may have to do is to outrun me .. and I was hobbling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I turned back towards Logan Pass. All by my lonesome this time..but not for long, another group of hikers caught up to me, going back as well, and I tagged along with them. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Despite having to cut the hike short, I was just happy to be out here, I mean just look at that...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/IMG_0786.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Glacier%20National%20Park/IMG_0786.jpg~original" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Didn't stay that way for long though.. this is how the last bits of the hike looked like..and it poured and it poured and it poured on us. This is a little point past where it had started drenching us, and right about after this point, I put the point and shoot back in my pocket for good for the rest of the hike to the parking lot. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back on the road from the trail. I looked up to where I was minutes ago. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Could there be a </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fire breathing dragon lurking there in the mist? I think I<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> see it's outline. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What a day it had been, a day full of memories, and I didn't want it to end. I took a break in Apgar village, at this boat ramp on Lake McDonald. The weather gods were promising a little break the next day. It was going to be the last run through the park for this trip, and I was hopeful.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was time to get back to the B&B, rest, relax, replenish, and get ready for an early launch the next morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The forecast was for a break in weather earlier in the day, before the rain broke through and swamped us again. As with most weather forecasts the reality was a mixed bag. The sun was shining in some parts of the park, and the clouds were heavy in other parts. Still, it gave me a glimpse into what could be, when the sun is shining abundantly on this little peace of heaven. </span><br />
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The plan was to do a quick swing-by of the Many Glacier area, before heading out of Dodge and back towards home today. It was a mix of clouds and sun while in the park, but as soon as I got out of the park and into the Indian reservation, heading north for Many Glaciers, the sun was abundant. This area might be in some kind of rain shadow, perhaps. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sun is shining brightly on the shores of Lake Sherburne, but there is a storm brewing at Many Glacier. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I barely even scratched the surface of the Many Glacier area. This pretty much all the time I had to spend here. Visit Many Glacier Hotel and SwiftCurrent Lake. Have lunch and make a beeline back towards home - it took me 2 days to get here, and I only had 2 days to get back home. Only get so much vacation time as a working stiff in the private industry. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many Glacier Hotel and Mt. Grinnell (not Matterhorn). This mountain looked to me like a shipwreck washed ashore. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is some ongoing renovation/repair work at the hotel. Some parts of the hotel were closed. Mt. Wilbur (on the right) also peeked out for a bit, it had it's head in the clouds almost the entire time I was in this area.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Swiftcurrent lake and the ferry which takes you to Lake Josephine, and points deeper into the park. I wanted to get on so badly, but there was no time. As I have started to say a lot these days .. Next time baby!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over, but hopefully not out. Thanks for reading! :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-40490511250047608992016-08-29T19:38:00.000-07:002017-08-18T11:49:21.949-07:00A meandering ride to the river's end. <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first motorcycle ride of my 40s. Decided to ride to the coast. A nice long ride, but shorter by usual touring standards - rode to Mendocino from Napa on Hwy 128, through the Napa Valley and the Alexander Valley vineyards, and then through the glorious Redwoods near the coast. It was sunny, warm but not too hot earlier in the day - the reason for tackling the in-land portion of the ride first. Hugged the coast on the return journey, enjoying nature's air conditioning. The fog had blanketed the coast this afternoon - the sun struggled vigorously to burn it's way through. To no avail, it remained a prisoner to the wall of fog. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ride was brisk and fun - few (almost none) leisure stops. The weather was melancholy on the coast, but there was no fog in my mind. Opportunities to ride come seldom these days. I was grateful to be out this day. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I did make two or three notable stops. First at Point Arena lighthouse. The scene was guarded by the fog, but breached periodically by the beacon from the lighthouse. I ventured to do my best to capture the cliffs kissing the ocean - take it home with me in my mind, and also locked away inside my camera. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It isn't just the rugged coastline that the fog guards from the relentless sun. It's nearing the end of Summer and the sun has scorched the land to a tinder dry. Portions of the state are ablaze from the slightest spark, but the Sonoma coast still nurtures the spark of life, and its fragile beauty. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I headed back in-land at the mouth of the Russian River, but not before finding some welcome replenishment and absorbing the coastal views, one last time for the day, at one of my favored stops along this stretch of the coast - the <a href="https://www.ilovesunsets.com/home.html" target="_blank">River's End.</a> </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-2659694148774904352016-08-27T13:23:00.001-07:002017-08-18T14:31:30.114-07:00Sometimes you have to leave the ground - to fly.<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have always maintained that riding a motorcycle is the closest you will ever get to flying, without ever leaving the ground. Although, sometimes - you have to, and it is definitely very OK to float off the ground, and soar into the sky! This occasion was my big four-O! Life supposedly begins anew at the big four-O! However, I don't feel any differently than when I hit the big three-O, which I think is a very good thing. Not that I was going to let that stand in the way of celebrating! My American family had a surprise gift waiting in the wings..and it involved flame-throwers..in a way. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It would appear, if you have a flame thrower, some sturdy ropes, and lots of extra fabric - you can be a hot air ballooner. Oh don't forget the basket - you basket case! Don't try this at home kids! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2300_zpszlucwdaj.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2300_zpszlucwdaj.jpg~original" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meet Bob our balloon pilot. He came recommended. I was putting my life in Bob's hands. Just like you do any other pilot's. No parachutes allowed on board, and balloons don't glide either. No carry-on at all, except your cameras. That is one solid basket we were going to be riding in. No doors latches, which could accidentally open and spill you to your death. You have to climb the walls of the basket to get in (and get out). There was an 'already been imbibing for courage' bridal party in one of the other balloons (thankfully), and they had decided to wear high heels and short skirts to a balloon ride. It was very amusing watching them climbing and falling into their balloon baskets. No pictures of that amusement - this is not that kind of a blog. :)</span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Within minutes, the balloons were upright and lighting up against the sky. The moon was still shining bright, it would be a little while before the sun would wake up. We were all aboard on ours, but some of the others were still loitering, perhaps a little nervous - cutting it close..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were first off the ground! Taking off from the driving range, next to Domaine Chandon in Yountville. It was a gradual rise, including some controlled stunts like hovering us over the pond at the driving range - barely touching the water etc. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2313_zpsjvovspvu.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2313_zpsjvovspvu.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soon more of 'ours' were afloat. Lighting up above the Chandon Vineyards. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soaring above the sprawling champagne making and disseminating facility of Domaine Chandon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of 'ours' buzzed us as he went by. Just like we had buzzed another before. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not all balloon companies are created or operated equal. The best one in the Napa Valley is the Napa Valley Balloon Co. Whose balloons we were riding. These 'others' weren't even off the ground yet. They would be lucky to catch the early sunrise! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2351_zpsuqmvnjv7.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2351_zpsuqmvnjv7.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, one of them took off and he took off in a hurry, trying to make up for the delay by acquiring altitude as fast as he could. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2444_zpsmdugwwio.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2444_zpsmdugwwio.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then the others of his company slowly started to float up and away themselves. Maybe they would catch the later sunrise after all - barely!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2474_zpsrqpuzhv0.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2474_zpsrqpuzhv0.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of 'ours' had wandered off by his lonesome. Life a leaf catching a welcome breeze - rising away and getting away from it all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The valley was starting to fill with life and color - the harbingers of the arriving sun. This would be absolutely amazing in Fall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Getting ready for the first sunrise. How many sunrises are there? In our case there were three - we adjusted altitude multiple times - we witnessed three sunrises in all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The horizon was filling with color, and the valley was starting to filter in the light. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first hint and sliver of the red sun rising! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here he comes. That big red, yellow, and magenta ball of fire!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Floating (not quite) among the clouds in the golden hour. Surrounded by mountains, and a patchwork quilt of vineyards, mirror like ponds, and the roads stitching them all together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A stronger sun rises - parting the mists forcefully, making it retreat!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2498_zpskag3ubul.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2498_zpskag3ubul.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It would be a while before the mists completely burn off. The morning haze is routine in the valley in the early mornings. Today was one of the better days for visibility. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2588_zpsjauzcvqn.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2588_zpsjauzcvqn.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After about an hour fifteen or so in the air. It was time to think about starting to head back. The wind picks up in the Napa Valley as the morning grows older, and as the temperatures rise. Hot air balloons like neither of these things - wind and heat.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2546_zpsrwrqdboi.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2546_zpsrwrqdboi.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the more reason to start earlier. Pretty much all the companies have a similar cut-off time before the ambient air temperature and prevalent winds are no longer ideal for hot air balloons. The earlier you rise - the farther you might float, and the more time you would have to enjoy. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see the balloons heading back and lining up for a landing. One of 'ours' was going to try to land right where he first started. I don't think he succeeded. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2561_zpsirzblc3u.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2561_zpsirzblc3u.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other pilot got back pretty close to where we started from, you seem him there hovering over the Veterans Home in Yountville, trying to make it back a little more north to the driving range, but being wafted at the mercy of the draft, he just couldn't make it, and had to find an alternate landing spot. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2569_zpsfobju7wd.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/u539/playinfolsom/Napa%202016/DSC_2569_zpsfobju7wd.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our pilot, I think, had a pretty good idea on where he was going to land. Preparing for landing, he was in constant radio contact with the ground crew which was chasing us. He had promised us, that we would be among the first to get back to Domaine Chandon, so we could pick the best tables for the Champagne breakfast that was to follow! :)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He had us serenly floating over the myriad geometrical patterns of vineyards, heading in for a landing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not a very common perspective of the vines. That dark volcanic soil. Which makes Napa wines so delicious! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here, in Napa - all vines lead to great wine! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love old farm houses. The tower is a re-purposed water tower. This one is particularly picturesque. I will have to find it on the ground one of these days. It has featured many a time in the local photography galleries. Now, I have a general idea of where it is. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any landing you can walk away from is a great landing, this one was an incredibly gentle landing. No thuds, no bumps of any kind. Hats off to pilot Bob! Back at Chandon, we were not just among the first, but the first one's back - we had our choice of seating. It was a beautiful day - the food was great, and the champagne was flowing like water. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started of with Mimosas.. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, this was Chandon champagne we were drinking and an endless supply of it. Soon, we switched to just the champagne. Drinking, eating, reminiscing, talking, rinsing and repeating - we lost track of time, but I believe - we were there close to 3 hours!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A wonderful birthday gift, and a great way to start a new decade. Here is to raising our glasses for a decade full of fun, adventures, and great memories! Amen!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! Cheers! </span>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-29495523107243699072016-08-11T19:27:00.002-07:002017-08-18T14:32:18.255-07:00St. Helens and Rainier. The Pacific Ring of Fire - Part 3.<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The great state of Washington is where my dear friends Lisa and Tobie live. I don't get to see them very often, perhaps once, maybe twice a year, when they make their way down to the long-distance rider gatherings or what I (probably only I) refer to as 'The Fest' in Gerlach. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had the pleasure of seeing them at the IBR start in Albuquerque, New Mexico - July of 2015, but they were volunteer staff for the IBR, just as I was, and that meant many things to do, and not enough time to visit and catch up. It had also been 4 long years, since I visited them at their mountain cabin in Packwood, WA, and as I would learn - they have been quite busy upgrading their property in this time. More on that later..</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This entire trip had fallen into place almost last hour, and I was excited to see my friends today. Lisa had been in touch with me throughout the day, we were exchanging texts when I would stop for gas or food. She is a great hostess, and she knows I love good food, so she was already grilling me on what I like for dinner, for breakfast, to drink and so on .. god bless her - she is such a sweetheart! This blog post is dedicated to Lisa and Tobie - v</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ery dear friends and honest, hard working, responsible, patriotic Americans.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> May we all be blessed with good friends like them. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was after a late lunch in Hood River, OR - that I ran into the other variety of our citizens. I am not a bleeding hear hippie in any shape or form - I respect people who work, and who desire and appreciate the dignity of work. I have little patience for people who would rather mooch off the hard work of others. I didn't know in the beginning, but one such example was parked beside me in the parking lot, and from inside his car, he struck up a conversation with me on the pretext of being interested in my motorcycle. I chit-chatted for a bit, even though I wanted to just get on moving, and after a few minutes of banter - he dropped the shoe. Could I spare $20 for gas? Hahaha - I should've seen this coming! I scanned the car - there he was with his iPhone in his hands, and in the passenger seat, what seemed to be his drugged up girlfriend, who hadn't stirred despite the conversation. He had to have been speaking up because I had earplugs in and my helmet on. What I really wanted to tell this schmuck was to use that government subsidized phone to try and find a job, but instead I just told him I didn't have any cash or change to spare that I could give him - and that he should try his luck with someone-else. There is a lot more that I wanted to say to him and say here, but it's best to stop wasting time and just move on .. in the immortal words of Smashmouth - I needed to get some fuel myself - and we could all use a little change!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I set sail along-side the windy Columbia river, I had caught whiff of the barn, lunch had been a lousy McDonald salad and the texts with Lisa had whipped up my appetite. My love for good food was now engaged in full-scale warfare with my wanderlust, there wasn't a clear winner in sight, but the stalemate did result in a much quicker pace. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The savory Wind River Highway was first on the menu, and the GoPro was set on a 5 second time lapse, in retrospect - that was a lapse too long. I should have set it to 1 second or maybe a 2 second lapse. This highway serves up curve after delectable curve for miles and miles - in some cases you can clearly see the highway slithering away into the distance in front of you. I was hoping (counting on) the GoPro to catch these moments, but due to my own fault in setting the lapse, none of the 5 second lapse captures passed the taste test to be included here in this report.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For no fault of mine, however, the ever so kooky GPS had managed to ignore the turn-off on Curly Creek to get to NF-25, and as I would find out - also every other way-point I had set on NF-25. If I hadn't been paying attention - it would have routed me right to Mt. Adams - where incidentally (and I knew) the road was washed out and closed. Thanks wacko GPS - but I was prepared for your mischief, you weren't going to keep me from St. Helens and views such as this below!</span><br />
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</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2014_5_6.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2014_5_6.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NF-25 was the second course, and had opened for the season - just this morning! The crews at Pinchot National Forest had been repairing landslide damage from this winter's rain, and were expecting the road to open today, and hip-hip-hurray and kudos to their crews - they were right on time! </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had called the Forest office in the morning from Detroit, OR and talked to a very nice lady who informed me that she was waiting to hear from the crews as well. She took my contact info and then called me back almost right away - NF-25 was clear for take-off! :) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...and take-off you actually would, if you weren't paying attention to the road. NF-25 was bad enough 4 years ago, and the plundering seasons haven't been kind to this road. With limited funds spent (and available) to maintain this road - it is veritably pockmarked with potholes, and sneaky frost heaves. Although, if you keep your wits about you, you can still make pretty good time through here.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2020_1_2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2020_1_2.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The third course - I had never tasted before. Four years ago, when I rode past here, NF-99 to Windy Ridge was still snowed in, and the gates were closed. It is another one of those lesser traveled roads, leading to the east side of St. Helens. The west side and Johnston observatory being the more popular and more accesible tourist destination. This year NF-99 seems to have opened much earlier - there was more two and four wheeled "traffic" (and I use the term very loosely) on this road than I was expecting. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once again, I was hoping for some GoPro time lapse footage of my ride on this road, but this time I was foiled by a kamikaze bug, who unbeknownst to me, decided to dive bomb the lens on my helmet mounted GoPro. It's a mixed bag sometimes *shrug*. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although my pace had quickened, I was still putting my Nikon to good use. From this viewpoint along the way - you can see where I had just rode in from. Mt. Hood barely fading into view, with the expanse of the Grand Pinchot forest between us. NF-25 is on the left side - somewhere.. </span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Getting closer to Mt. Adams wasn't to be. The roads leading up to the mountain were still washed out. I could see it from NF-99, but one has to get closer to be impressed by it's size - it's a touch bigger than Mt. Hood, but perhaps has a bit less dramatic outline. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking closer, again, at Mt. Hood - perhaps you would agree. It is much further away, but more photogenic. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, the main attraction is St. Helens. This is what I came for. :)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is exactly what I came for! By pavement - you can't get any closer to Helens, than to it's north-east side on NF-99. The vistas from the road, riding up to Windy Ridge viewpoint are grander than I could have imagined - the gyrating road, the dead trees snapped off like tooth picks, and still menacing in the backrround - a now calm, but the once angry St. Helens who threw one hell of a destructive tantrum. I really wish that bug hadn't ended it's useless life on the GoPro lens. This road to St. Helens is also gradually deteriorating, in some places it looks like portions of it is going to just fall off the hillside, hopefully it doesn't crumble any time soon, or with anyone driving on it. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spirit Lake and St. Helens. This counts towards keeping the 'volcano and water' picture streak going. Mt. Adams doesn't count - I never had the chance to get anywhere near it. :)</span></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The view from the parking lot of the Windy Ridge viewpoint is partially obstructed. A much better viewpoint is several flights of stairs up a hillside. Any other day, you would have found me climbing those steps to get a better view, but today I am hungry and it's getting late. I had promised Lisa I would be at her doorstep by 5:30 pm, so I don't keep them waiting for dinner. Besides, did I mention I was hungry? I couldn't wait for dinner either! :)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, the parking lot is where I remained. There was another V-strom rider in the parking lot, but he wasn't interested in a conversation, he was too busy staring at his smartphone. I hid him behind my motorcycle in the picture below. The new and the old V-stroms side by side. I maybe biased, but the older one looks better. :)</span></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leaving Windy Ridge, I retraced my steps on NF-99 back to NF-25. This road is at it's worst between NF-99 and almost to the town of Randle, WA. I was standing on the pegs pretty much all the way. Even four years later, I still remember riding this section of the road on the FJR which has a much firmer suspension setup - it wasn't pretty. The V-strom mostly just took it in stride, including being able to get around several slow moving cars and vans. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Funny thing when I reached WA Hwy 12 at Randle - my RD immediately started chirping, I look to the right - the direction I was going to ride, and there he was. Four years earlier, there was a patrol car parked almost in that exact spot, and now there 'he' was again. Gave me a good chuckle. The legendary (infamous) WA speed-trap patrol. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The saying goes - not all those who wander, are lost. Although, if you think about it - how many of those who are lost, actually admit to being so? :) So, what am I doing here on this gravel road? Am I lost, but won't admit it? Fortunately, no. This is the only road in and out of the mountain where Lisa and Tobie have their mountain cabin. That, and I am a dirt road poser, and couldn't resist posting this picture.</span></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reunited with friends, I made myself comfortable in the bunk-house that Lisa and Tobie had added to their property. the mask collection is another addition (by Tobie), and the now defunct White Pass Motel sign dragged up the mountain (again by Tobie) to amuse visitors - typical Tobie. That's not all, not pictured below is a bath house, which sits between the bunkhouse on the left, and their cozy little cabin on the right. The bath-house has some interesting art - you would have to visit, to know what I am talking about. All in all, it's a very cute little place to get away from the world. No TV, no WiFi. They do have electricity, but no running water (yet) - rain water is collected for washing up, and lots of bottled water for cooking, and for anything which might end up in your mouth. Lisa also has a portable kitchen nestled in there, and she had been cooking up a storm. Two different kinds of home-made salads, pasta alfredo with shrimp, and the piece de resistance was the delightful grilled Salmon. The two nights I was here, they fed me like royalty. Salmon, Steaks, stuffed bell peppers, and different kids of dessert. Never lacking in hospitality - these two!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/20160703_070023.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/20160703_070023.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What is also not pictured here is the 2000 sq. ft. house they are building here. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, and when I say building it here, I mean actually building it themselves, and with the help of their son, who is a carpenter. All the lumber for the house has come from their property. Talk about enterprising, extremely hard working people. They work 5 days a week in Yakima, and then spend their weekends building their mountain home. I am not sure how they do it. I know I couldn't. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the view from their cabin and soon also from the porch of their beautiful new mountain home. I can't wait to come back and visit once it's complete. The structure is done and the roof and walls are up. I got a little tour and they talked about what they were envisioning it will look like when finished - it will be gorgeous. :)</span></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/20160701_201220.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/20160701_201220.jpg~original" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next morning I woke up to gray skies and poor visibility. Characteristic of the Pacific North Wet - I am told. Tobie opined that it will burn off, just give it some time and plan on a late start. After breakfast, and while I waited - I helped Tobie move in some heavy electrical stuff into the house, and before long it was clear skies in Packwood. There was no guarantee, however, what the weather would be like at Rainier. It could be sunny in Packwood, and socked in at Rainier. The only thing to do was to gear up and go over there and see for myself. It wasn't looking too bad as I approached from the east side, scattered clouds, some of them dark, but still plenty of blue sky.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/G1129357.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/G1129357.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think this is Stevens Peak and Unicorn Peak, but I am not entirely sure. Whichever these are - they made a very nice backdrop. </span></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2089_90_91.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2089_90_91.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not sure which waterfall this is either. It could be Sylvia Falls, or Martha Falls. Sylvia or Martha - whoever you like better, that's what it is then! :)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2116_7_8.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2116_7_8.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rainier is a fickle mountain. Fickle and shy. It had draped itself in an ever circling ring of clouds today. Fast moving clouds, but they weren't moving away, just circling around. I wonder how badly the winds were screaming at the summit, or even a bit higher up in elevation. The first up-closer look from just past Inspiration Point wasn't looking too promising, or inspiring, for that matter. The time-consuming (and time-wasting) game of cat and mouse was just starting. </span><br />
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</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/G1179380.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/G1179380.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I rode up to Paradise (here on earth), but found Rainier still lassoing those clouds around her, disappearing from view. The dance of cat and mouse, wait and pounce, was in full swing. With Rainier burrowed out of sight, I decided to explore Paradise Inn, supposedly counted as one of the "Great Lodges of the West". It's impressive in it's own regard, but I think I am partial to The Ahwahnee in Yosemite. Paradise Inn was built in 1916 and is nestled at the foot of Rainier, and other surrounding peaks.</span></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2140_1_2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2140_1_2.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finding even more time to kill, I decided to enjoy a late lunch in their dining room</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, which was surprisingly empty for a holiday weekend.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I was seated next to one of the many windows facing Rainier, and had Rainier not been playing coy - it would have afforded me a great view of her. I had put the camera away in the dining room - as I am apt to do, so people can enjoy their meals in peace and not have a camera shoved in their faces, or their food, but I am including a picture of the great hall and it's vaulted ceiling. </span></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2134_5_6.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2134_5_6.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The waiting game was starting to pay off just a little. I had aimlesly wandered away from the Paradise Inn and came upon the trail to Myrtle Falls, it wasn't too far of a hike to get to it, so I decided to trek to it in my moto gear. Perhaps the gods wanted the sacrifice of sweat along with patience, so they parted the skies and briefly opened a window to Rainier. I happened to be in the right place at the right time - Myrtle Falls pictured below with Rainier as it's backdrop!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2155_6_7_2-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2155_6_7_2-2.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This below is Edith Creek, which feeds Myrtle Falls. The window wasn't open very wide or for very long. Had the weather been clearer, or if I had hiking boots - I would have loved the hike up to Panaroma Point, hiking in motorcycle boots is no fun at all! One of the pitfalls of traveling by motorcycle - on a tight schedule. </span></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2167_8_9_2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2167_8_9_2.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The meadow near Edith Creek. You can see the Skyline Trail on the ridge, which leads to Panaroma Point and other trails. Perhaps one day, on a longer trip, but it wasn't on my radar today.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2158_59_60.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2158_59_60.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I took my time meandering back down to the Paradise parking area, and took one last shot at Rainier before gearing back up to complete my ride through the park. The waiting game had burned through most of my riding day. </span></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2197_8_9.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2197_8_9.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I rode out to the West entrance of the park, and then turned around and re-traced my steps back to the East entrance. Lisa and Tobie were waiting for dinner and I didn't want to be late, but I still found the time to stop a few times along the way. I was here to take pictures of and enjoy being in the presence of this mountain. I only got to catch glimpses of her between the parting clouds - but that is more than most get to see of her, when she is temperamental with her weather. I was much luckier than most. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2218_19_20.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2218_19_20.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Besides the blanket of clouds - do add to the aura and the mystery of this majestic mountain, makes looking at her even more dramatic, and awe-inspiring. </span></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2266_7_8.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2266_7_8.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One last look before I lost sight of her around the next turn. This is probably the best look I had today, at Rainier's imposing self. I think she was waiting for me to leave, before she dropped her veil. I caught this glimpse in my rear view mirror before I lost sight of the mountain, and decided to turn around and burn one last image of her to take with me. Who knows when I will be get the chance or find the time to return here again? :) </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2269_70_71.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2269_70_71.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dinner tonight was a potluck at friend's of Lisa and Tobie. We were all supposed to bring our own steaks and a side dish - Lisa and Tobie already had the steaks and side dish, so I bought the (really good) beer, and we grilled, drank (I had my two drink maximum - and stopped in time to obey the bottle to throttle rule), laughed, and played Foosball late into the night. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was time to head back home to Shasta the next morning. It was the 4th of July, and I was expected at my Aunt's in Shasta. I don't think I have missed a single 4th of July celebration here in the past 10 years! How could I? There is no better place to be on this holiday than with loving family - and undebatably, the best BBQ Ribs I have had anywhere, Period!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I took Lisa and Tobie out to breakfast in the morning, to try and thank them for their hospitality, it wasn't thanks enough, but hopefully they will come visit me, so I can also have a go at playing host sometime. We lost track of the time a little at breakfast, so it was a late start before I rode out of town. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had miles (> 700) to go, before I ate again. :) No, really - I made a mad dash (with some curvy road detours thrown in) to Shasta, stopping only to fill up the tank, and empty the bladder. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wish I had a warp engine on the bike, as those Ribs were waiting. I knew my Aunt would save some for me, but with Floyd and Brian around - I wasn't sure how many she would be able to hide away for me! :D</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hey, what's with the dirt track pictures again? Total poser shot! I need dirt riding lessons, badly!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/G1209497.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/G1209497.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No seriously! Cut it out! You are barely even moving.. :)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/G1209508.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/G1209508.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perhaps I mis-spoke. I did make one special stop in my mad dash home to Shasta. This was the 4th of July after all. As I approached the town of Snohomish, WA, maybe just outside of the Indian Reservation, I saw this proud and mighty flag waving - I could see it from miles away. I am certain I haven't seen a flag this size before, the motorcycle is in the picture for scale, and the bike is smaller than the stars section. The second tallest flag pole in the country is in Doris, CA and that flag isn't nearly as big as this one. Look at it - glorious in the wind, and it's expanse. Just like America - the beautiful! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There isn't a better place to stop this report - than here. Perhaps in the future there will be more parts to my story of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Up to Alaska, and perhaps down through Mexico - if not farther. Perhaps some day. I am hopeful!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Independence Day! God Bless America! :)</span></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2283.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/DSC_2283.jpg~original" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Epilogue: </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I had promised myself. One the way home I hit the 'other' and better highway between Oroville and Quincy. If you have been following along with the earlier blog posts - you know which one this is. Easy guess. It's a rip-roaring ride! :)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/G1359698.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/G1359698.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/G1379705.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Helens%20-%20Rainier%20July%202016/G1379705.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
</div>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-251041641046626562016-07-22T18:19:00.000-07:002017-08-18T14:33:59.015-07:00Mazama, Sisters, Bachelor, Hood. The Pacific Ring Of Fire - Part 2.<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Technology has integrated itself into our lives so inextricably - to the extent of becoming an extension of ourselves, lulling, perhaps dulling us into relying so heavily on the gizmos we constantly find in our hands, or at our fingertips - scanning a screen to give us the information we need. A glowing screen has replaced paper. Although, the irony of lamenting on a weblog isn't lost on me, I brought this up because it pertains to this narrative - do we even carry paper maps anymore? I haven't for years now. I should, they are essential, but I haven't been. I have been relying too much on my gadgets. My Ultrabook to plan my itineraries - translating them into meandering routes, and a scattering of way-points, before sending all that data to my GPS devices - which have been my rudders, steering me collectively through over 120,000 miles of wandering travels over the past 8 years. Evidently, this has worked pretty well for me over the years - until it didn't. :)</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Adventure begins when one leaves their backyard. Northern California - even around the Shasta area is still my backyard. I consider Shasta home after all. Adventure can still be found here, if I had decided to go way off the beaten track, but I didn't this time around. The plan was to visit Crater Lake first - come in the South entrance, snap a few photographs and exit the north entrance, to find the Aufderheide scenic byway (for off the beaten track fun). Crater Lake was hardly busy at all, it was still early enough in the morning and not a lot of souls were stirring yet. Chilly as it almost always is, but still pleasant. Not a cloud in the sky, although I would have preferred some of those white fluffy ones to be floating around. The lake was mostly calm, and reflective in that deep, deep blue hue, echoing the thoughtful and introspective state of mind it instills. </span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Mazama%20Sister%20Bachelor%20Hood%20July%202016/DSC_1744_5_6.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Mazama%20Sister%20Bachelor%20Hood%20July%202016/DSC_1744_5_6.jpg~original" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can spend an entire day here, multiple days - if you have the time, I ended up spending more time here than planned, despite not having the time scheduled in my route. I struck up a conversation with a couple riding from Minnesota to Napa, CA on their KLR650 motorcycles. They were the ones on a real adventure here, and they were having the time of their lives, and I lost track of time exchanging stories, and recommendations for routes, sights, and the really good places to eat! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was time well spent, enjoying the ripples of someone-else's experiences and memories, run through the reflections of your own mind. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Mazama%20Sister%20Bachelor%20Hood%20July%202016/DSC_1771_2_3.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Mazama%20Sister%20Bachelor%20Hood%20July%202016/DSC_1771_2_3.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back on the road, but way behind schedule. I bid adieu to my newfound friends, and continued on. I was running much later than I would have liked, but it is hard not to stop and admire this lake from multiple vistas. I know there are some who say that a circular lake looks the same from every vantage, to them I say take off those jaded blinders, and take a fresh look at your life. There is so much you are missing out on! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mt. Mazama blew it's top approximately 7,700 years ago, before there was written history to record it anywhere in this world. Written history - or what has survived of it, as we know it only dates roughly 5,000 years ago. Although, on this continent, written history was very late in arriving - only a few centuries ago. Even now at ~6,000 feet, much diminished from it's past 12,000 foot glory, it still offers great vistas all around it.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking south. Union Peak, with Mt. Mcloughlin, I assume in the distance, although I am not entirely sure if it is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... and Mt. Thielson - in the seemingly distance, but much closer in reality. The ultra-wide-angle of the GoPro skews the perspective - and pushes the perception of what's looming to seemingly three times the distance - much to my chagrin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A parting shot. Look at that water - this lake is a liquified gem, something beautiful - created by something violently destructive, some gems are forever, and I hope so is the beauty of this place. Love it, protect it, share it with generations to come!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exiting the park, I came down quickly from the giddy highs of being at Mazama, but I was heading for a gradual decline for this leg of the trip. Over the years I have had two Garmin waterproof GPS devices. The first one - which I still have and use is the venerable GPSMap 478. Still the best GPS Garmin ever made. It has been to hell and back, in storm cells and dust storms, and it has been rock-solid reliable on the FJR for over 85,000 miles. When I bought the V-Strom, I purchased a "refurbished by Garmin" Zumo 550 from a friend. I have been using it on the V-Strom for a couple years now, and it has been quirky from the get go. Quirky might be an understatement. It tells you to exit, then get right back on. Asks you to make turns, where no turns exist, unless you want to ride into a house, or a tree, or off a cliff. The worst of all so far had been that if you set a way-point way off your "main route", it gladly swallows it whole and pardon my french - shits it out, it even swallows up way-points for gas stops along the way, if they don't fall exactly on the way. "You don't need to go there - why do you need to go there? It's way off your route, you nitwit. Keep to the main route! I am just trying to help you out here.. oh and you don't need gas either, you can walk, can't you?" </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been getting used to ignoring it's quirks and just paying more attention to it trying to "improve" my routing - by cutting out entire sections that it thinks are just not worth going to, but today it was going to up it's ante. Today was the day that the dreaded Zumo 550 stuck screen was going to strike. The GPS turned itself off on a gas stop in Oakridge, and wouldn't turn on, till I un-mounted it, removed the battery, and then assembled everything back together again. Even when I turned it back on - the screen was stuck, and I couldn't load the route for this leg. I wasted a lot of time using a folded paper to try and clean the edges so the screen would come unstuck - to no avail.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had the route more or less memorized, perhaps a bit less, for the off the beaten track portion, and it became an issue trying to find my way to Aufderheide scenic byway from Hwy 58. I had never taken this route before, but I knew from some research, that I had to find a covered bridge somewhere here, which means I was on the right track. After some riding around, and U-turns I was able to find it, but then I encountered the very first road block. The road had been damaged in the Winter and there were 3 construction zones on this route - causing an additional combined delay of an hour and half. Detours were available, on side gravel roads, which is not an issue for the Strom, but without a functional GPS (or paper maps)? Hmm. Somewhere in the back of my mind warning signs were going off. Pushing on was sounding like a bad idea, I like adventure, but I don't like stupid, and I don't do stupid. I want to be a crusty old motorcyclist some day, and that doesn't happen if you do stupid things. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided to turn back and leave Aufderheide for some other day, backtracking all the way on Hwy 58 to the Cascade Lakes turn-off. I had fun on Hwy 58, no traffic, no LE today, and on the bright side I got to relive it going the other way as well. Cascade Lakes is another seldom traveled byway, although I hear that compared to Aufderheide, it is practically a thoroughfare. I have taken the Cascade Lakes byway several times before, I didn't need a GPS to navigate it, but then after one stop, it turns off and then on, and son of a bitch - it's working again! I took the opportunity to plug in the address of my hotel in Bend! </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cascade Lakes Hwy is smooth, and its fast fast fast! I was also looking forward to veering off here and there for short distances off the main by-way, and take the opportunity to explore some of the side roads which lead to said lakes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, I no longer remember which lakes I visited, and which lakes I photographed. I did remember, for a couple days after the trip, but it's been more than 2 weeks since the trip now, and my mind is crammed full of work issues - the brain copes by forgetting the less important details. :( </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">South Sister and Broken Top peering over the hillsides and trees at this lake I don't remember the name of... :-P</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This one I think is Lava Lake, or Little Lava Lake, but don't quote me on it, I don't remember because I am getting 'old timer's'. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Bachelor (Mt. Bachelor) and his toy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Bachelor with his more fun toys! Scantily clad women on that sail-boat would have completed the 'more fun' toys picture! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mt. Bachelor is a very popular ski area. Easily accessible from Bend. You can see some of those ski runs on it's slopes. It's July and it's still wearing some powdery (maybe icy is more accurate) white on it's distinguished crown. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bend was the stop for the night, and the Riverhouse on the Deschutes was the destination. Nice rooms, the nicest I have seen in Bend (to-date), and the bar/restaurant was upscale and packed with lot of pretty scenery. The bartender was a bit inattentive, I forgave him for that, the scenery was distracting him. The food was good, the drinks were strong, and I had a great table outside right along the Deschutes river. A very enjoyable way to unwind and rest after riding through the day, and to set myself up for a good night's sleep.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Morning came early, I was out the door at 6:30AM, quick gas-up and I was on my way back towards the mountains on Hwy 20, and then Hwy 22 towards Detroit. It was a beautiful morning, and a clear morning! I very much enjoyed seeing the Sisters mountains from the highway, and Mt Washington as well. It was also a cold morning. I had forgotten to zip up the jacket vents from the day before, and it was damn cold this morning at highway speeds. I had just passed several eighteen wheelers, and cars and trucks, and I would be damned if I was going to stop for anything for a while - even to zip up the jacket vents. I didn't want them to catch back up with me. I was just going to tuck behind the little windscreen and shiver it through, if I had to, to my first planned stop in the morning. It was cold, but not cold enough. I have rode through worse cold. I decided I would rather have a fun, clean run to Detroit, which I did! :) </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took a little coffee break in Detroit. I was going to go off the beaten track from here. The GPS - well, it had found a new lease on life, but I wasn't relying on it anymore. Even though, I have rode this route before, I used the WiFi at the Hotel to memorize my route, and put some notes in the map sleeve on top of my tank bag, along with an Oregon map I picked up at the gas station! Yay! :)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breitenbush Rd. (NF-46) runs between Detroit, OR and Breitenbush, OR. Where every naked hippie wants to be - to soak in their natural hot springs. Not my cup of hot water, I was here for the fun road. It's not very scenic in any dramatic way, but it is a great ride. It will take you all the way to the suburbia of Portland, if you let it, but then that would just get weird(er)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I branched off NF-46 on NF-42, it is a one lane road which meanders through the forests towards Oregon Skyline Road (two-lane), leading to Timothy lake and Mt. Hood. NF-42 is a lovely one-lane road, I have been through here before and I enjoyed it as much as, if not more than I did last time, and Skyline Road is smooth as silk and has some sweet corners! </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition, this time I was on my own schedule and could stop to take this picture! </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi Mt. Hood! Long time no see! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The useless GPS had eaten my Timothy Lake way-point out of the route for breakfast, as I suspected it would have. No matter, I found it for myself! I have been taking pictures of volcanoes by lakes or bodies of water (whenever I could, or when one was available), I wanted to keep the streak going! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was planning on filling up at Government Camp. That town name always gives me a chuckle. Instead, I found a Chevron along the way before the turn-off for Mt. Hood Hwy (35). I took that opportunity to fill-up my tank and drain my bladder. As an LD rider friend has opined before - never give up a good gas and leak stop, and yeah - stay away from the Guvm't - it's up to no good!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was retracing my steps on Hwy 35, from 4 years ago, but this time, there were no cars or traffic on the highway. None. Zip.Zilch.Nada. This may also have been a good day to stop by Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort, and Umbrella or Sahalie Falls, but frankly, when I was routing I simply forgot, neither did I remember when I was actually riding through. Next time! :)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My itty bitty V-strom David and the Mt. Hood Goliath. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The much diminished White River is now and probably has been for a while - really just a burbling creek.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ironically. I wasn't quite as impressed by Mt. Adams this time, as I was 4 years ago. You can see it in the distance in this skewed GoPro picture below. I was looking at it this time around, and was wondering what impressed me about it last time around, and couldn't remember the reason..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mt. Hood had my attention and my affections this time around. The picture below is from Panorama point. I didn't know it existed, because I have been so busy at work - I didn't do the exhaustive research that I usually do before a trip. In all honesty, I half-assed it. It's all that I had the time for. Luckily, I noticed the sign from the highway - and decided to go check it out! I am very glad that I did! :D </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leaving Panorama point, I got lost for a little bit, trying to descend into the town of Hood River - only exacerbated by a nutty GPS. Flip side of which was finding this sweet road I don't remember the name of... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was my backup "Mt. Hood and a body of water" picture opportunity. I had now crossed over the Columbia River into Washington, and as I picked up wind and sailed north - I said my farewell to Mt. Hood, and set my sights on other imposing volcanoes to come.. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.. to be continued.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-42023570174509167922016-07-09T12:23:00.001-07:002017-08-18T14:49:44.147-07:00Lassen and Shasta. The Pacific Ring Of Fire - Part 1.<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What drives my fascination with volcanoes? It's not the danger or the peril. On a day to day basis, those are practically non-existent for volcanoes which lay dormant for decades if not centuries. Yet, being fickle, mysterious monoliths, often shrouded in the mist - volcanoes permeate mystical in our legends and our psyche. We are drawn to them, like the one ring destined to return to it's fiery origins in the depths of Mt. Doom - volcanoes exert an inexplicable pull on the strings of my heart and my mind. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Europeans settled the West-unknown, in some instances they were undoubtedly drawn to settle in the stunningly gorgeous and fertile shadow of these sleeping beasts. Unaware of their history, or the fire which churned in their cores. The natives who roamed the land before the Europeans arrived, had no written history, only legends passed on through word-of-mouth, of the explosive battle between the gods of the sky and the earth, atop these mountain peaks. It's easy to theorize that when the West was conquered, the victors paid little attention to these fairy tales from the natives. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It had been a long 4 years since I toured these volcanoes in the Cascade range. July of 2012 was the first time ever, that I had strung together a vacation ride through the Cascades. At the end of that trip, I had vowed to return again within the next couple of years. Although, as most resolutions often do, it fell victim to life, work and responsibilities galore. So it was to be 4 years - almost to the day, and countless invitations later, when I embarked once again stringing together volcanoes along the way from Lassen to Rainer, with the goal of seeing and spending some quality time visiting my very dear friends Lisa and Tobie, who have a mountain cabin near Rainier. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Archiving the memories of the first portion of the trip in this post, taking some time here and there to do so. Hopefully, I don't run out of time, or steam in it's midst .. it might happen. Ride more, write less.. sigh.. :)</span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/G0018432-1.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/G0018432-1.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a pretty straight-forward and direct guy, but when it comes to traveling on the motorcycle, my routes are rarely but. Not in a hurry to get to anywhere, I like to take my time, and take the long way around. Life gets jaded very fast, if all you do is stay on the main thoroughfares. You don't see or experience much at all either, in life and in travels, if all you do is take the direct and fastest route from point A to point B. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had an early-ish start at 6:30AM. On a motorcycle the fun starts, where civilization ends. The early start afforded me the luxury of not having to endure weekday morning traffic delays, and it was still early morning when I found myself riding uphill, alongside the Feather River on Hwy 70. One of the two sister highways between Oroville and the Quincy area, Hwy 70 is faster than it's sister Hwy 162. I wanted to make a quick get away from the forecast 108 degree oven of the Sacramento valley - which was already in it's pre-heating stage this morning. Hwy 70 with it's fast, open sweepers and quicker elevation gain was going to let me do just that. I was saving the twistier Hwy 162 for later. :) </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/G0038491-1.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/G0038491-1.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Courthouse Cafe in Quincy is usually my breakfast/lunch spot when I head this way, but I have found a better replacement, further north - Anna's Cafe in Greenville. Much better service, and the bonus is that when I am heading north from Hwy 70, I don't have to backtrack to Quincy for a sit down meal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first look into Lassen National Park from Hwy 36/89. You can see the peaks of Brokeoff Mountain, Mt. Diller, and Pilot Pinnacle - from left to right. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1612_3_4-1.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1612_3_4-1.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A closer look at Brokeoff Mountain .. and the adventure V-Strom. After some initial setup problems, and some frustration with Suzuki for not thinking things through when they designed this machine, it is growing on me after all. Sorting the mileage issues out definitely helped, I might like it even more - once I fix the gearing, the next time I change out the chain and sprockets. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1636_7_8-1.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1636_7_8-1.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liking the Strom enough to pose it for a lot of pictures. I have come full circle - all this trip blogging initially started off as "ride reports" on the FJRForum, with copious amounts of here is my bike in front of _____, ad nauseum. Here it is again looking at the south face of Lassen peak. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1642_3_4-1.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1642_3_4-1.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Winter has been good to Lassen, and to the rest of California. Two years ago, there was no trace of snow here, about this time of year. Good to see at least a couple of feet still hanging around here, and hopefully also at similar altitudes in the Sierras, to help us through later in the season. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/G0148784-1.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/G0148784-1.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pilot pinnacle and Lassen peaks from beside the thin ice of Lake Helen. So much better to be up here in July, sitting beside a frozen lake and playing in the snow, instead of in the 108 degree heat of Sacramento! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1657_8_9.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1657_8_9.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1666_7_8.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1666_7_8.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hwy 89 takes a circuitous detour around Lassen Peak, veering away from, and then circling around towards it again. Pictured below is the ride along Kings Creek and Upper Meadows area. It was still too cold up here for the meadow to return to life just yet. I didn't stop. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/G0158830-1.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/G0158830-1.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did, however, pull over for my customary stop at what I call the "Road to Lassen". </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1687_8_9.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1687_8_9.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another stop worth exploring is the Devastated Area. This area has interpretive trails which preserve the remnants from the 1915 eruption of Lassen, which spewed pink and gray volcanic rocks and ash in this direction. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1700_2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1700_2.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Manzanita Lake is always a treat to stop by near the north entrance of the park, and although it isn't the only lake in the park which has campgrounds on it's shore. It might be the only one which allows kayaking, and perhaps paddle-boarding, although I can't imagine how cold that would be in these waters. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1711_2_3.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1711_2_3.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lassen may have cornered the majority of pictures in this blog post, but my heart really belongs to Shasta. Lassen is just transitional, Shasta is where I linger for a while. One of my favorite places in the world to hide away .. from the world. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Difficult to beat that view, as I look out my window in the morning, as I enjoy yoga in the studio, as I enjoy breakfast, as I thumb through a book on the patio, and most importantly as I spend quality time catching up and reconnecting with family. No, really can't beat that. It is my home away from home. </span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1735_6_7.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_1735_6_7.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did I forget to mention the sunsets? How could I have? Sunsets like these are more the norm than the exception. The mountain makes it's own weather, and although it doesn't cloak itself in a shroud of clouds as often in the summer, as much as it does in the winter. It is still wearing a topper on it's crown more often than not. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_2287_8_9.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_2287_8_9.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A crown of fire. At sunset the mountain-top sets itself ablaze, an inferno which imbues it's veil with the same hue and intensity. This is home. Home away from home, but still home sweet home! :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_2290_1_2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Lassen-Shasta%20June%202016/DSC_2290_1_2.jpg~original" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-14476689488784575392016-04-28T15:57:00.002-07:002017-08-18T14:52:36.642-07:00Getting out .. to anywhere - Touristy Images of Yosemite Valley.<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The year had started off bright, with a few sun-bathed days of wandering around the wine country and the Northern California coast, but I hadn't been able to get away on the motorcycle - somewhere, anywhere, for a few days at a time since then. I foresaw in January - that this year, I may ride, but I may not write as much. True to that vision, I have been able to ride on some weekends, but I haven't been writing about those rides, neither have I really been riding anywhere to write much about. As a matter of fact, I am feeling quite rusty as I am writing this right now. Work has been keeping me very busy this Winter, and while I am enjoying the challenges at work, with long days and dark cold nights, filled with puzzling problems to solve with methodical detective work - the longing to once again roam wild and free on the motorcycle has only been growing stronger, and overpoweringly so. I needed to get away, and decompress, the best way I know how.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To let the visor filter in the sun again. To ride the conduit towards the glimmer at it's end, and come bursting out on the other side. </span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/G3278292.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/G3278292.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first opportunity of it's kind in almost 4 months, came in mid-April. Those long hours were taking it's toll and I needed to unplug. Fortunately, my manager agreed and almost magically - an invitation to camp in the Yosemite Valley materialized from my good friend Albert. He had the campsite to himself all week, and he was inviting friends to join him for the weekend. I hadn't seen him in almost half a year - and we had a lot to catch up on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Besides, this would also be a great continuation of my moto affair with Yosemite, the earlier episodes of which were <a href="http://motorcyclewanderings.blogspot.com/2013/05/scouting-guardians-of-valley-yosemite.html" target="_blank">(Scouting the Guardians)</a> and <a href="http://motorcyclewanderings.blogspot.com/2015/06/getting-out-of-my-comfort-zone-yosemite.html" target="_blank">(Out of my Comfort Zone)</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Incidentally, the weekend of my arrival would coincide with the start of the "Free Week" to visit the National Parks. I was unaware of this till I reached the gates of the park, and wondered why the lines snaked almost double the length of what is usual for April. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You are going to encounter very heavy traffic in the valley!" The Ranger informs me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"It's OK. I am here for a couple more days." I counter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She smiles and says - it will be all right once it's past Sunday afternoon. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She wasn't kidding either - Yosemite Valley is infamous for it's late Spring and Summer gridlocks once the tourists start pouring in - and this day in early Spring was just as bad as any other you would encounter later in the season. Needless to say, I had neither the patience nor the stomach to take on the stresses of dealing with the hordes of tourist cagers. I was here to unwind, not for vehicular combat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heading straight for the campground. I found Albert chilling in his hammock, fiddling with some puzzles. Now, that's exactly what I was talking about! </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our campground was nestled at the confluence of Tenaya Creek and the Merced River. The campsites adjacent to the river are at a premium and are usually the ones which get snatched up first. Perfect to picnic while dipping your toes in the (freezing waters of) Merced River. The view from these premium campsites, is unmatched from any of the others. </span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/20160417_092238.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/20160417_092238.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">With Albert assisting, unpacking and setting up camp took only a few minutes. A quick change into street clothes, bike covered, and we set off on foot to explore Half Dome Village (formerly Curry Village) and grab some very late lunch, about 1/2 a mile from the campground. Even with the roads in the Yosemite valley reduced to parking lots, walking or bicycling in the valley is always a pleasure - and during these logjams, the fastest way to get to anywhere!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That night we were joined by 3 others at our campsite. None of whom we knew before we met this evening, but were friends or acquaintances of friends of Albert. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bruce and Suzanna from Orange County and Ricardo the Bear from the Bay Area. Ricardo the Bear, because he couldn't figure out how to get into the Bear lockers. Guess they do work! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bruce is a hard core bicyclist, and had done the 'Death Ride' in the Sierra Nevada Mountains more than a handful of times. 129 miles on a bicycle, 15,000 feet of climbing, and 5 mountain passes - starting at 5AM and finishing by 8PM one the same day. Talk about the REAL IRON BUTTS! Suzanna on the other hand was content to let him indulge in his "silly mountain rides, and his silly British classic cars (Triumph)" as she put it. Great people to hang out with, and they kept us great company till Al and I left - whilst they enjoyed staying an extra day. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although, on this first night, the campsite next to us got very interesting. Six young men speaking a foreign tongue, brought Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park by deciding to have a hookah (or was that really a gigantic bong) party at the campground. Loud music, dog left to wander around, bathrooms trashed, yeah Los Angeles all right. Meriting a visit by the Park Rangers, who politely informed them - this is neither the right place nor the right time for these antics, and they better put that Mutt on a leash, lest it become food for the Bears. To top it off, all six of them were going to sleep in one tent! We had some good laughs at their expense, joking that we didn't care if those guys spooned in that tent, as long as there was no forking - nobody wants to hear that! </span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/20160416_163147.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/20160416_163147.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the rubbernecks from the weekend had ebbed, we decided to indulge ourselves with a visit to, and breakfast at The Majestic Hotel (which was formerly called The Ahwahnee Hotel, but has changed it's name due to a trademark dispute). A grand luxury hotel built in 1927 in rustic architecture, and is now a national historic landmark - and it really is a treasure. </span><br />
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</span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/20160418_174457.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/20160418_174457.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yosemite valley was in the onset of an early Spring bloom. We were here a bit too early for it to be in the lush of Spring, another week and it would be a veritable eruption of color!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Majestic Hotel sits perhaps aptly with the Royal Arch Cascade as it's background. I am not sure what the name of the waterfall is in the background. Neither do I know if it even has a name. It probably flows early snow melt, but is long gone by late Spring or Summer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As grand as The Majestic Hotel is, it is still dwarfed (as is everything else in the valley), by the sheer size of the granite monoliths which pose as their backdrops.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breakfast was in the Grand Dining Room of The Majestic Hotel. It's 130 feet long, 51 feet wide, with a 32 feet ceiling supported by massive wooden beams and rock columns. The high ceilings and the stained glass windows reaching for the ceiling give it the appearance of a Basilica. There were other patrons enjoying their breakfast in the dining room, so to respect their privacy and to let them enjoy their meal without disruption - I decided to not be an ugly tourist who pulls out his or her camera to photograph the entire dining room, whilst others are in the midst of their breakfast. This one (and only) picture of food, with the permission of my breakfast partner will have to qualify for food-porn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's rare to see the Great Lounge of the hotel so deserted. There is a fireplace on either side of the lounge, with a piano in the middle, and both sides are floor to ceiling plate/stained glass. The Majestic Hotel's Great Lounge design inspired the set design for the lounge/lobby of the fictional Overlook Hotel in the horror movie 'The Shining'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fully fueled, Al and I then decided to loop the entire length of the Yosemite Valley. Approximately 14 miles for the full loop adding a couple miles for Mirror Lake, and other detours from the loop. This was the 'Moderate' hike that we chose to do as neither of us had done this before. I had learnt my lesson from the previous year, and decided not to lug my 35+ lb camera gear along with me, and save my back a visit to the chiropractor/masseuse on my return. We had a late start due to a leisurely breakfast, so we didn't stop much for breaks or photo opportunities. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At least not until 12 miles into the hike, when I had to take a break because my Keen hiking shoes had rubbed my left big toe raw. Either my feet are growing, or they swelled up enough from the hike, for the shoes to not fit as well anymore. I do love my Keen hiking shoes - maybe I will pick up another pair a 1/2 size bigger. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This one picture from the hike is of El Capitan from the Valley loop trail. It is much more imposing in person - than what the cell phone picture below portrays. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next afternoon, I decided to loop the valley again - this time on motorcycle, to make good on my promise of 'Touristy Images of Yosemite Valley'. Unfortunately, on this day, there was nary a cloud to be found, making for a very bland and blank sky. I should note that all of the mounted or moving shots are from my GoPro attached to my helmet. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">El Capitan beckons in the not so distance. It is closer than it appears due to the super wide angle lens on the GoPro, however, any closer to El Capitan and it would no longer all fit in the frame. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only faint wisps of clouds from Valley View. I was having so much fun, enjoying watching Bridalveil Falls flow. Although, the swell of the flow didn't surpass what I have seen a few years ago, it is still so much better than the last couple of years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tunnel View - the herd is much thinned out on a weekday in early Spring.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A different profile of El Capitan, with Horsetail Falls (or is that Ribbon Falls - I am confused). This is one of the many falls which won't be flowing later in the season. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Facing Horsetail (or Ribbon as the case may be) Falls and El Capitan is Bridalveil Falls - as seen from the roadside. It is actually an easy hike/walk to get to the base of the falls from here, but even though it is do-able in full motorcycle gear, I didn't indulge in it this time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yosemite Falls is featured prominently in the write-up this time. Perhaps because it is both very easy access and very photogenic. It's easier for me to take pictures of what is already so very beautiful! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/DSC_1495_6_7_default.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/DSC_1495_6_7_default.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The FJR enjoying it's moment in the sun. The bike may be over 11 years old, and has been through hell and has risen again like the Phoenix, but as it's rider and beholder, I still find it a very good looking motorcycle! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yosemite Chapel was next on the agenda - no, not to get hitched. It hasn't been in the cards for me so far.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/DSC_1510_1_2_smooth2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/DSC_1510_1_2_smooth2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Chapel, has been the venue of many a wedding - I am sure. I personally know of at least one! :)</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Guardians%20of%20Yosemite%20April%202013/P1070736Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Guardians%20of%20Yosemite%20April%202013/P1070736Large.jpg~original" height="640" width="434"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">File Photo: May everyone's brides be this lovely!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, some more shots of Yosemite Falls, and Lower Yosemite Falls - before I headed back to camp. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/DSC_1549_50_51_tonemapped.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/DSC_1549_50_51_tonemapped.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would have preferred not to have and could have done without the cars at either end of this frame - but I ended up with those cars framing this shot instead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almost back to the campsite, which is just a mile away from the foot of Half Dome, hidden by those tall pines, which are also hiding the Merced River which is flowing behind them. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/G3198235.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/G3198235.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Posing the FJR one last time in the valley, before heading back to camp, and before heading home the next day. Still not a cloud in the sky. The weather gods had opened this ideal window for a visit to Yosemite. It had stormed a few days before, and the weather forecasts were calling for a very chilly visit. Lows down to the mid 20F at night, which fortunately didn't materialize. I was bemoaning the lack of white fluffy clouds, but I was also thankful that otherwise the weather was absolutely splendid. T-shirt and sandals weather during the day - and only a light jacket sufficed at night. I had been wary of the weather and had packed way too many layers - half of them I would end up not using at all. Better to have stuff and not need it, than to need stuff and not have it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I prepared to leave the next day, the window of good weather was closing. The clouds I had been asking for throughout my visit had now floated into the valley. A storm was in forecast for later that night, but it's much more amiable and fair harbingers had already arrived - much to my welcome. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was pressed for time - mostly because I had been delaying going back home to the very last moment I could, yet I decided to loop the valley one last time before I headed home. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The skies are so much prettier when they are painted in with some puffy clouds. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Valley View. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tunnel View.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had mostly good luck with traffic on the way home. Found some good 'rabbits' as well. The storm was still hours away - and it was still a terrific day to ride!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/G3268271.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20April%202016/G3268271.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These speed advisories usually signal tons of fun on the motorcycle, but sometimes they also signal there are 20 cars ahead, going 5 under the suggested speed. Lucky for me, not on this day! :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg6c_U3918VZH1A1w4qMoCu8WophHaTbJ21LrrXX3aKalc_G_NMCw8HK2pG0cbbt1UEYXY2MpR42XfYDQ2BsmmJ7l-2sQkLLQa67jcaHv-zQoIqIiFo37dZ05D-katgsP_jVK-Cfs5SGVIzZ0cAf_IHi5DQF-tjtc1Lo-h0iqxzP4XufHXUljTkIgMq_P4hDSz7D2KY2H0sXO3IwtO6=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg6c_U3918VZH1A1w4qMoCu8WophHaTbJ21LrrXX3aKalc_G_NMCw8HK2pG0cbbt1UEYXY2MpR42XfYDQ2BsmmJ7l-2sQkLLQa67jcaHv-zQoIqIiFo37dZ05D-katgsP_jVK-Cfs5SGVIzZ0cAf_IHi5DQF-tjtc1Lo-h0iqxzP4XufHXUljTkIgMq_P4hDSz7D2KY2H0sXO3IwtO6=" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The passage out of paradise and back into reality. A few days spent in paradise had already worked it's magic to brighten my mind-set and perspective, as I prepared to plug-in and once more be a productive member of the economy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back home safe and sound - both the ride and rider none the worse for wear. The optimal consummation of any motorcycle journey. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I find the veteran FJR is just as good a 'truck' for camping as the young-buck V-Strom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you very much for reading! :)</span>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fi131.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp318%2Fskadeni%2FYosemite%2520April%25202016%2FG3308349.jpg~original&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg6c_U3918VZH1A1w4qMoCu8WophHaTbJ21LrrXX3aKalc_G_NMCw8HK2pG0cbbt1UEYXY2MpR42XfYDQ2BsmmJ7l-2sQkLLQa67jcaHv-zQoIqIiFo37dZ05D-katgsP_jVK-Cfs5SGVIzZ0cAf_IHi5DQF-tjtc1Lo-h0iqxzP4XufHXUljTkIgMq_P4hDSz7D2KY2H0sXO3IwtO6=" -->Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-58647018728609614502016-01-09T10:23:00.006-08:002017-08-18T15:10:35.544-07:00The Sun Also Rises in Winter.<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Winter has come to California. We had missed the memo last year, and maybe ignored it the year before, but we have it now. Winter <s>is coming</s> .. is here! It has also brought some life changes and lifestyle changes for me in particular. Gone are the days, perhaps, of riding every weekend, or taking off often on long cross-country trips for days on end. I am still young (very young?), those days might return, perhaps when I am a bit older, so maybe I can enjoy the free time a lot of my much older friends seem to enjoy, but I am in no hurry to get old. For now, professional challenges have a very firm grip on me, and I seem to be enjoying them also - I may have shirked away from responsibilities sometimes or some days, but I have never backed away from a challenge, and the new gig is nothing but..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But, the sun also rises in the Winter. Now, more so than ever, I have to grab every opportunity that presents itself - to get away, to let the wind scrub away the worries, the stress, the niggles from my mind. Let the sunlight color my face, and let the sun burn away the clouds and the fog which collect in the winter of my mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On these scarce days, I will ride more, and I will write less. I will extend my ride to pull in places farther away, but perhaps not extend the lens as much to do the same. New Year's Day was one such day to extend my wine country ride out to the coast. A perfect opportunity to start the year, the best way I knew how, astride perhaps the best motorcycle that I have ever owned - the tried and tested companion of many years now, the veteran, the been through hell and back, the quirkier now than before, but still the very enjoyable FJR.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope you enjoy the images that follow. I am going to be writing less, but I am hoping the images will convey more than my words could manage. Happy New Year!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Bodega%20Bay%20Jan%202016/DSC_1373%20Large.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Bodega%20Bay%20Jan%202016/DSC_1373%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leave the archway open, let the sun shine through..</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Bodega%20Bay%20Jan%202016/DSC_1343%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Bodega%20Bay%20Jan%202016/DSC_1343%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look beyond the rocks, and learn to ride the waves..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Bodega%20Bay%20Jan%202016/DSC_1384%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Bodega%20Bay%20Jan%202016/DSC_1384%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't be afraid of going to the edge, but do come back..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Bodega%20Bay%20Jan%202016/DSC_1398%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Bodega%20Bay%20Jan%202016/DSC_1398%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let the surf break on and scrub the rocks in your mind..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Bodega%20Bay%20Jan%202016/DSC_1408%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Bodega%20Bay%20Jan%202016/DSC_1408%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extend and pull in those who are further away..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Bodega%20Bay%20Jan%202016/DSC_1414%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Bodega%20Bay%20Jan%202016/DSC_1414%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find a way through the rocky seaboard, to the sandy beach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Bodega%20Bay%20Jan%202016/DSC_1393%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Bodega%20Bay%20Jan%202016/DSC_1393%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yearn the ocean blue, take it back with you in your heart. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-62459169257560019922015-09-10T19:53:00.002-07:002017-08-18T15:11:11.260-07:00San Diego Wildlife<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"What have you learned this year?" My sister asks me at a happy hour meet turned surprise birthday celebration with some friends. I was reluctant to get into a philosophical discussion about life's lessons, while the drinks were flowing so freely, besides I have always been a much better writer, than I have been a speaker. I tried to deflect her query, but she persisted. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Perhaps, you have learned there is no such thing as making a lifetime career at one company.", she offered. I agreed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Perhaps, you have also learned that you can always have family." I couldn't have agreed more, she is not my sister by birth, but she is my sister by heart! In a land I have made my home over the past 18 years, with my family of birth half the world away, I have been blessed with some very close friends, who have become my family. I have my "aunt" and my adopted family up by Mt. Shasta, I have my American "dad" near Reno, and my wise sister dear here in Sacramento! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What else have I learned? Perhaps that I have to keep enjoying and living my life, while I explore my options and opportunities, in this niche technical field where I have found employment for the past 16 years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Funds have been tight, as I navigate a period of transition, and as a result, the wanderings on a motorcycle have cooled down considerably, except for the occasions where the kindness of friends and family have provided me a roof over my head during my wanderings, knocking off the ledger, one of the biggest expenses while traveling!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On this occasion it was a trip to San Diego, and I was fortunate enough to spend several days in the area. I have been to San Diego multiple times in the past few years, my modus operandi here hasn't varied much - enjoy the relaxed beach towns of north county, photograph the sunsets by the ocean, and ride some magnificent roads east of San Diego. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This time around I didn't chase after the sunsets as much as I usually do, trying my hand a little bit at street photography for a change. Although, the locales I was spending my time in were mostly gentrified, and not too adventurous of places for street photography, it was nevertheless a target rich environment. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For instance this puppy mill (and not the kinds which are frowned upon for good reason), caught my eye. Perhaps I even found myself relating to it in some regard - caught in the wind, as I am at the moment. The wind churning my legs, but trying to keep my head up high and a smile on my face. :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/DSC_1306.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/DSC_1306.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was in Pacific Beach. The town is essentially divided into two districts - party central in the south next to the beach boardwalk, and the more upscale/residential sector with some mature and refined restaurants in the north. Two of my favorite restaurants in Pacific Beach are in northern sector. The first being <a href="http://www.costabravasd.com/" target="_blank">Costa Brava</a> Spanish cuisine, they have a tremendous happy hour menu, and the second is <a href="https://www.blogger.com/The%20https://www.thefishery.com/" target="_blank">The Fishery</a> for dinner. If you are ever in Pacific Beach you can't go wrong with either place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My companion for the afternoon was leery of the madness of the Pacific Beach boardwalk, but relented to making a short excursion into that territory. I knew the best wildlife was to be spotted here, but being able to convince my friend to venture here was definitely a feather in my cap. :) </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/DSC_1305.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/DSC_1305.jpg~original" height="640" width="515"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pacific Beach is a no country for 'old' men. There is a bar on the boardwalk every block, sometimes even two or three on a block. Billions of brain cells are being killed at any instant, as the booze flows in copious amounts, there are washed-out surfers holding "Will work for weed" signs, and then milling amongst the local wildlife are tourists like me pointing big lenses at everything and anything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All the glitter and flash, the hustling, and the random absurdity was overloading the sensitive senses of my companion, throwing them into a loop! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030017.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030017.jpg~original" height="640" width="332"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cutting inland from the boardwalk, we started to make our way to an early dinner reservation at The Fishery. Just a block or two and the landscape changes in Pacific Beach, it's not a town as pretty as La Jolla or Del Mar is for instance. A couple blocks in from the ocean and you might as well be in Sacramento. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Away from the boardwalk, the people watching shifts from what they are wearing, to what they are driving. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030012.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030012.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My first time spotting this little birdie in the wild - A Reliant Robin!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020972.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020972.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I am not sure if it would get you anywhere close to a good roll in the hay around these parts, but you could always rely on it for a good roll in the ... street! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QQh56geU0X8/0.jpg~original" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QQh56geU0X8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe> </div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, if you require some help with the roll in the hay department, that is also readily available around here. There are creepy vans, and then there are Creepy Vans, this is the latter!</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030025.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030025.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Fishery remains my favorite seafood restaurant in San Diego, to date. It was an early dinner because I wanted to catch the sunset by the ocean, unfortunately there was a wall of pall hanging out on the horizon which completely swallowed the setting sun. I would have to make do with a couple of photographs at twilight. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/DSC_1311.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/DSC_1311.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Even at dusk, we were staying away from the boardwalk, besides in my opinion the sunset is much more scenic from this spot than from the boardwalk south of the Pacific Beach pier.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/DSC_1312.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/DSC_1312.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rain had enveloped us the next morning, but I had plans to ride with my friend in Del Mar, who had just acquired a brand spanking new red FJ-09. We decided we were going to ride rain or shine, a little bit of rain is no bother, so we rode out to Julian in the mountains east of San Diego. En route, we encountered more rain than we were bargaining for as we continued to ride in and out medium sized storm cells. I enjoyed the ride nevertheless, albeit we did cut it shorter than originally planned, and I was back in the coastal north county for a late lunch. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Encinitas was my lunch stop, but first I stopped at one of Encinitas' landmarks - The Boathouses, built in the 1920s. Ironically, these 'boats' have been nothing but home to landlubbers and have never been out to sea. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030076.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030076.jpg~original"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Lunch was at Ki's, a restaurant of the organic/health food genre, where food used to be much better than what it tasted this day. Sometimes, this whole organic and whole foods concept results in you chewing on what tastes like cardboard. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The saving grace which remains of Ki's, is that it sits across from one of my favorite beaches in the area - the San Elijo state beach. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/20150825_142515.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/20150825_142515.jpg~original"></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On weekdays, anytime before 5pm is easy parking right next to the beach. When I am on the motorcycle, I come here to watch the sunset. It had been overcast and raining all day, but the skies were clearing slightly. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/20150825_151153.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/20150825_151153.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Only very slightly, as I hung ten in my moto boots! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/20150825_155613.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/20150825_155613.jpg~original" height="640" width="476"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">... but not enough. I love the foamy surf that often scrubs this beach. It was here that some friends also visiting the area, and who had been following my Facebook feed intercepted me. They were staying till sunset, but I had dinner plans, so I left. Good seeing you Doug! :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/20150825_164529.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/20150825_164529.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was an early morning the next day, a hike to stretch my legs was in order. I found myself in Rancho Penasquitos canyon preserve. An easy 6 mile hike to a waterfall was in order, it was an easy hike but I still wanted to get it over with before it started to get hotter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It had been much colder the night before, and even the local cold bloods were looking forward to warming up by soaking up the sunshine. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/20150826_094256.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/20150826_094256.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">An uneventful hike, other than the Rattlesnake sighting. It didn't make a sound as I took a wide detour behind it. All along the hike, I was hearing that there might actually be some water at the waterfall this day, because of all the rain we got the day before, and then I come to find out that this is that famous 'waterfall'. Gee, you guys need to get out more, at least to Northern California, it's close by! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/20150826_103744.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/20150826_103744.jpg~original" height="640" width="360"></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was turning out to be a beautiful day in San Diego, and I decided to spend it in La Jolla. First on the agenda was the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. It's open 9-5 every day and worth taking a look at. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030032.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030032.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is a well stocked aquarium with many exhibits including the hall of fishes, seahorses, a 70,000 gallon kelp tank with a myriad of marine life, and tide pool feedings, definitely something kids would enjoy and learn from. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In addition, they also have scary looking Eels!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030039%201.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030039%201.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And the Nemo reef. Where is Nemo by the way? Can you find him? That clown has gone missing again!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030042%201.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030042%201.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was too pleasant a day to be spent indoors, so I didn't blow too much time at the aquarium. It was lovely outside with pretty blue skies and I decided to spend the rest of my afternoon at Scripps park. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020960.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020960.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was an ideal day for people watching. There were many a wedding parties in and around Scripps park. This bride below with her scarlet bridesmaids caught my eye first. The chumps behind her I didn't care for so much. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020926.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020926.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Especially this bunch. Look at these fools. Such alluring maidens in their vicinity and they would rather be paying attention to their dull 'smartphones'. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020927.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020927.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One wouldn't blame the bride for running away! </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020928.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020928.jpg~original"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Another newlywed couple. Their first challenge - to navigate the ocean side bluffs to get closer to the water. I wonder which one of the two came up with that idea? :) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020937.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020937.jpg~original"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Although, it was still cute watching them gingerly climb down the bluff. Here, instead of carrying his bride past the threshold of his home, the groom is carrying her to the cliff sides. Don't drop her buddy! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020938.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020938.jpg~original" height="640" width="468"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yet another bride, ready to have her father walk her down the aisle, whilst being serenaded to the strums of a six string. Would have been a much better shot, if I could have photo-shopped the rubbish in the background, but I don't know how.. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020964.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020964.jpg~original"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I loved her smile! Definitely seems like she is enjoying the happiest day of her life! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020965.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020965.jpg~original" height="640" width="462"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On my way back from La Jolla, I stopped briefly at the Torrey Pines Glider port. Adventurous men and women strap parachutes to their backs and wait to catch the wind, so they can glide off that cliff, and soar into the skies. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020997.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020997.jpg~original"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030001%201.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030001%201.jpg~original"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Just below the cliffs where the para-gliders are jumping off of is Black's beach. If you want to know what Black's Beach is about, then click on the link ahead. Fair warning, it is not safe for work, or the eyes of little ones. So, click <a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030007.jpg~original" target="_blank">Here</a> at your own risk! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My penultimate night in San Diego, this was going to be the last night to celebrate on this trip, for the next would bring a 0-dark-thirty departure back home. I wanted to celebrate, but contrary to the Catholic tradition of sinning first and asking forgiveness later. I gave the guy up there a heads up for the sins I was about to commit, and asked for forgiveness before I was going to commit them. :) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is St. Mary, Star-of-the-sea church in La Jolla. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020969.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1020969.jpg~original" height="640" width="410"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030085%201.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/P1030085%201.jpg~original"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Jon Bon Jovi was the plan for the night, or at least the next best thing - a guy pretending to be Jon Bon Jovi and his tribute band. Amusingly, a tribute to 'The Boss' was the opening act. It appears Jon Bon Jovi is much more popular than the folksy Bruce Springsteen. I hadn't had much exposure to Springsteen prior to this night, but the tribute band played well and they played hard, it still wasn't my kind of music, but I could see the appeal. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was a lively night as you can see in the video - these guys are quite popular with the ladies. One of my groupie friends was front-stage, and according to her the guy was so very hot, even for a pretend Jon Bon Jovi. The video and the picture says it all! Hahaha!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ewVwpLWd7L0/0.jpg~original" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ewVwpLWd7L0?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> The first dancer they brought up onto the stage was amazing, the rest ... hmmm as they say, some guys can't jump and some girls can't dance.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/20150822_232053.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/San%20Diego%20Aug%202015/20150822_232053.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That's all folks, thank you for reading! :)</span>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-21031512748546153712015-09-01T20:33:00.002-07:002017-08-18T16:25:36.164-07:00The Mystical Mt. Shasta.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been making this pilgrimage for over 8 years now. My adopted family lives here, in this mystical place. This place seems to exist at the confluence of the natural and the metaphysical. It has for millennia inspired lore, legend, and spirituality - from the times when native tribes roamed the land to the present day. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One such folklore about the origins of the mountain has stuck with me, and I will share it here.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some time ago in the very distant past - this land was populated by an ancient tribe, which migrated seasonally between the coastal mountains of California, and the great plains which once existed here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They were led by a much loved and revered chieftain, who guided them in their passages for many years. There came a time, however, when the ravages of old age had made the chief too frail, and too feeble to make the trek through the coastal mountains. Yet, the chief longed to see the ocean one last time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was unlikely that he would have survived the treacherous journey to the ocean one last time, but his people loved him so much, they embarked on an undertaking which would change the landscape forever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If the tribe couldn't get their chief to the ocean, they were going to build him a pedestal so high, that he could see the ocean from atop it. So, they labored - far and wide, and day and night, and they terraformed, carving out earth from the far reaches and building a colossus underneath their beloved chief. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thus, the mountain rose, higher and higher into the heavens, until finally - the chief could once again see the ocean, from up among the clouds. His dying wish gratified, he immediately asked his people to stop building. When they stopped, they dropped the rest of the earth they had collected at their feet, where they stood - giving rise to the lesser mountains and hills which surround Mt. Shasta. :) </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you enjoy the pictures which follow! </span><br />
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</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Shasta%20August%202015/20150830_103816.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Running dry for a lack of rain. A natural spring also feeds this lake, albeit now, a bit feebly.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Shasta%20August%202015/20150830_103904.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This almost dry lake is the sole water supply for a now withering town of Montague. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Shasta%20August%202015/DSC_1316.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The super moon ascends from the foot of Mt. Shasta. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Shasta%20August%202015/DSC_1321.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Super moon and the tumultuous clouds which shroud the Shasta and Shastina peaks. Winds can frequently reach over a 100 mph on those ridges.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Shasta%20August%202015/DSC_1323.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another look at the Super moon rising over Mt. Shasta and the swift moving, but rapidly dissipating clouds. It is a fickle mountain.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Shasta%20August%202015/DSC_1313.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A longer exposure of the super moon as it diffuses through the now thinly dispersed clouds. The mountain yet fashions a misty fedora.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-62176736599931782292015-07-18T22:15:00.003-07:002017-08-18T16:26:05.370-07:00Things don't go as planned - A wandering ramble through the great American South West - Part 2.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Picking up from where I had left off in <a href="http://motorcyclewanderings.blogspot.com/2015/07/things-dont-go-as-planned-wandering.html" target="_blank">Part 1 (clickable link). </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you haven't read part 1 yet, please click on the link and read that first. :) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, fair warning. Part 2 is even longer than Part 1. I had a request from a reader, asking me to make Part 2 as long as I wanted to. Request granted. :D </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As voiced in Part 1 - Brian and I were having a disagreement with our riding styles. The ride plan now in effect was that Brian leads and we curtail our picture stops. I still have route suggestions and we attempt to strike compromises on the routes. Brian just wants to get to Albuquerque, he has his tall blonde 'girlfriend' to look forward to there, and to lighting up cigars and telling tall tales in the IBR parking lot with all his IBA buddies. He lives for moments like these, and I don't blame him. They are all very lovely people, some of the best that I have come to know, but we will be there all weekend long, and I am in no hurry to get there right away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brian wants to take the most direct and efficient route there. As you would, perhaps, if you were in a competitive rally. Why dilly-dally, when there are points to be accumulated, and points per mile statistics to stack in your favor. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am on the other side of the spectrum, for me the journey is the destination. I want to enjoy the journey, and linger, and soak up as much as I can. The destination is secondary and it can wait. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also wonder if "Been there, done that, got the T-shirt" has a role to play here. In his 57+ years on this earth, Brian has criss-crossed the country many times over. I on the other hand, have not enjoyed these vistas as often as I would like to, I still marvel at the sights, they still take my breath away, I still want to sit and stare at them. Will I still do that 20 years from now? Oh God - I sure hope so! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To his credit, Brian is taking what scenic route we are taking, and the resultant torture - for me. If it weren't for me, he would have run across I-40 to Albuquerque, interstate freeway riding is his thing anyway. For all intents and purposes, for him, he is dragging an anchor, and I am holding him back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crossing into Colorado from Utah, we route on CO Hwy 141 to Hwy 62. Hwy 141 is in the rain shadow and a high desert at the start, a fun twisty ride in the beginning, eventually giving way to valleys and high farm country. Not quite as scenic as Hwy 145 through the San Juan Mountains and Telluride, but then again, not as busy either, and Hwy 141 is the most direct route to Ouray. It's obvious I am not the one routing today, if I was riding by myself, I would have taken the longer but more scenic route. Riding separately is unmistakably the solution, but it isn't happening just yet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first view in almost 5 years, of the rugged and jagged peaks of the San Juan Mountains looms ahead. Brian is in no mood to stop, but I am, and I am not letting it pass by. I wouldn't do this on a remote back road, but we are on thoroughfare highways, if we get separated, we can pull over and wait for the other, or just link up with each other along the way. We both have SPOT and GPS devices and we know exactly where we are going. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/20150625_141719.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/20150625_141719.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">San Juan Mountains from CO Hwy62.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The San Juan Mountains are the largest mountain range in the Rocky Mountains, covering over 12,000 sq. miles and spanning the continental divide with more than a hundred volcanic peaks over 13,000 feet, thirteen of which rise over 14,000 feet. These peaks are considered the harshest and the most perilous mountain peaks in the Colorado Rockies.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">San Juan Mountains in Colorado.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ouray, a small town nestled in the rugged San Juan Mountains at roughly 7800 feet was our gas and rest break stop. An old silver and gold mining town, it was established in 1875. Almost all of downtown Ouray is registered as a National Historic District. We don't have time to stop and explore the town, so we just ride through. Great mountains and great views surround the residents and the visitors to this mountain town. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1225178.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ouray, Colorado</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">.. or one can live up in the mountains and enjoy a view of the scattered gems in the valley, when the town lights up at night. I know the pictures suck, it's the whole not stopping for pictures thing..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1225178.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking down at Ouray, Colorado.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ouray marks the beginning of the Million Dollar Highway. The origins of the name are disputed. Some think that the entire stretch of US Hwy 550 between Ouray and Durango is the Million Dollar Highway, but in reality it is only the 12 mile stretch from Ouray to the Red Mountain Pass which gives the highway it's name. This stretch of the highway is marked by hairpin turns, precipitous cliffs, narrow lanes, and lack of guardrails, but it's not much of an issue if you know how to drive or ride. </span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1245213.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1245213.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">US Hwy 550, Mt. Abrams in the the distance.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For some reason, riding this highway didn't make me the slightest bit nervous, quite unlike the feeling when riding the top of the ridge (called a Hogback) on the Escalante Grand Staircase. The views nevertheless, are breathtaking! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1225178.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1275241.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1275241.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mt. Abrams, US Hwy 550.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Soon the highway starts to coil it's way up to the pass, beginning the climb till it tops off at 11,000 feet at Red Mountain Pass. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tightly coiled, Million Dollar Highway.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It wouldn't surprise anyone where the pass gets it's name from. Red Mountain completely commands the scene, appearing and disappearing from view as you maneuver the switchbacks, and every time it appears, it tempts your gaze and draws it in. It would bode you well not to give in too much to that temptation. I keep my eyes on the road.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1225178.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1325319.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1325319.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Red Mountain, Million Dollar Highway.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Remnants of old mines line the highway. As we ascend, my camera captures what I believe are some of the ramshackle structures of the Idarado gold mine. Several tunnels have been bored into the mountains by the miners. Some extend 5 miles into the mountains, and appear on the other side near Telluride. As the crow flies, Telluride is only 5 miles away on the other side of these mountains, a trip which would take 60 miles by highway. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1225178.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1325340.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1325340.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Abandoned Idarado Mines, Million Dollar Highway.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Brian finally relents and grants a picture stop. The snow melt is in full swing, evident by the verve of the gushing, burbling, streams of alabaster.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1102_3_4_5_6.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1102_3_4_5_6.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Burbling, surging brooks. Million Dollar Highway.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's a slow grind to the top, stuck behind cars as Red Mountain Pass apexes at 11,000 feet. We finally break free from those moors, but it lasts only a little while before we catch up to the batch up ahead. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1345372.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1345372.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Summitting Red Mountain Pass.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We are still in the San Juan Mountains. Having crested Red Mountain Pass, we are heading towards Silverton and Molas Pass next. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1225178.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1345375.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1345375.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Glacier carved peaks and Silverton in the distance.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Glacier carved peaks emerge at every bend of the road. I haven't researched them, but some might still be glaciers, or may have been in the recent past? One of my favorite >14,000 feet peak - Mt. Shasta has glaciers, and they are still growing, how about the Rockies? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1225178.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1355388.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1355388.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A ribbon of asphalt and a .. glacier? :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That looks like it could be (or what remains of) a glacier. There is a pull out right in front of it, why aren't we stopping - Brian? :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1355395.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1355395.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looks like it could be a glacier .. it is whatever you imagine it to be!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Molas pass is south of Silverton, the ride up to this pass is nowhere near as challenging as Red Mountain Pass (which wasn't as bad as people make it out to be), it is a very easy climb on the highway. An interesting bit of trivia - this pass is the crowning point of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic race between bicycle riders and the train which connects Durango to Silverton. Very intriguing indeed!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Molas pass, US Hwy 550.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At the top of Molas Pass there is an overlook and well appointed signs directing you to it's approach. I can see Brian looking at the signs, he even turns his head to take a peek as he passes the overlook but keeps going. Your loss Brian, I am pulling over. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Denuded, snow covered peaks and alpine lakes surround you, how can one just pass this by? Brian would later recount that this highway is nothing new to him, he rode it last time in the middle of the night, dodging deer. Uh huh, I reiterate, your loss Brian.. ;) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Molas Pass, US Hwy 550.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Molas Pass, US Hwy 550.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Soon after leaving Molas Pass, I link up with Brian again, he had found a large pull-out and was hanging out in the shade smoking a cigar. I hopped off the bike and we hung out for a bit - he recited how after I split, some cars in front of him spotted a herd of mountain goats, and how everyone slammed on their brakes to stop and take pictures of the goats. Sounds very much like what happens on the 'Going to the Sun Road' in Montana. He declares I should have been there, but maybe it's good that I wasn't. Sorry Barry, no goat pictures for you! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">410 miles on the odometer for the day, our stop for the night is Durango. We find a hotel on the outskirts of town, so we can make a quick exit the next morning. It's a nice enough establishment, with split bedrooms so we can both enjoy some privacy and have ample room to stow our gear. Our bikes are parked right in front of the door, where we like them to be. We can hang out in the verandah and Brian can smoke his cigars, while we talk, snack and hydrate (non-alcoholic) before turning in. As much trouble as we have been having getting along on the bikes and on the road, it's a completely different story when off the bikes and just hanging out. Brian is a very good friend, and I really enjoy his company when regrouping after the day's ride. This really is the solution to our riding problems. We can start the day riding out together, knowing what our destination town is for the day. If we get split up along the way, and the other doesn't want to wait, we can always regroup at the end of the day. That would work perfectly. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We have only half a day's ride the next day, so we aren't too worried about getting a start before the sun rises. The most direct way is US Hwy 550 to Albuquerque, but we route east on US Hwy 160 first. Even stopping for breakfast in Bayfield, CO. Yup. We are in no hurry at all. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1225178.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1515545.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1515545.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Off to find Breakfast, US Hwy 160.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Then routing south to New Mexico on US Hwy 84, it is a fun highway, way more fun than the 4 lane wide, almost inter-state freeway like feel of US Hwy 550 south from Durango. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1585579.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1585579.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">US Hwy 84.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is in Tierra Amarillo that I spy what looks like a fantastic road heading further east (US Hwy 64). South is where we are supposed to be heading, not East, but that highway looks too good to pass up, it's not like I would be back here in New Mexico anytime soon. I want to go there, Brian wants to continue going South, and this is where we split up. Brian is not a happy camper at all, and for good reason. He came this way for me, instead of taking Hwy 550 directly into ABQ. I feel guilty, but I am still going to be heading East. Brian says that I have taught him a lesson about me, that I will do whatever it is that I want to do, and he maybe right. Brian continues South, I head East. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1635700.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1635700.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Riding the roller coaster of Hwy 64 in New Mexico.</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Hwy 64 is a great ride, and has excellent sight lines to haul ass, but it is also an open range, so just be careful. I did spot a couple of cows grazing off the highway, but the long sight lines mean that I saw them well in advance. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1635715.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1635715.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">US Hwy 64, New Mexico</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It was also much cooler up here, it would soon be time to drop back down to the heat, but for now I was enjoying the much cooler temperatures, whilst also enjoying a smoking ride on this highway. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1615698.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1615698.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A smoking ride, US Hwy 64, New Mexico.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One good thing about riding with Brian is that he does keep me out of trouble. In my attempts to find another fun New Mexico highway (Hwy 4), my GPS gets me lost and leads me right into the gates to Los Alamos National Laboratory, with a camera mounted on top of my helmet..Ack!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You know of the laboratory I am talking about. Don't you? Heard of the Manhattan Project? The Trinity test? Yup. That Los Alamos National Laboratory.. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Trinity_shot_color.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/Trinity_shot_color.jpg~original" width="556" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trinity Test, circa 1945.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is no way to turn around once you are at the entrance to the laboratory, so I ride up to the security gates, show them my identification, and explain that my GPS has me lost and I am just trying to get to Hwy 4 (a popular highway among motorcyclists). I do believe that the public can tour the laboratory these days, but definitely not with a camera mounted on their helmet. I assure them that the camera is turned off, and if I can just turn around and go back, I will try to find my way without having to go through the Lab. The guards discuss this among themselves for a few minutes, before one of them comes out with directions on how I can get to Hwy 4, he tells me to just go on and ride through the laboratory. Hmm, I sure hope I didn't end up on any watch lists. I am a model citizen, I really am! :-/</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">340 miles in the day later, I eventually wander my way into Albuquerque. Brian is already in the parking lot hanging out and holding court in his LD comforts. We are both here to spectate and be volunteer staff for the start of the 2015 Iron Butt Rally. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/20150627_104924.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/20150627_104924.jpg~original" height="640" width="371"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">IBR 2015, National Park theme.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There won't be any riding on Saturday and Sunday, Brian and I are volunteered for technical inspection duty, inspecting the paperwork and bikes of IBR riders - to make sure that they conform to safety checks and IBR rules and regulations. The IBR/IBA is operated like a corporation, probably because it is a corporation, and just like any tech company protecting it's trade secrets, the running of the IBR is strictly need to know basis, for many reasons, which probably make sense, but I won't go into here, also because it doesn't really matter. There is the inner circle of IBR staff, and then there is the rest - basically the volunteer staff. We are the latter. Nonetheless, is good to be here and get to see some friends and volunteer to help others. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is unpredictable weather in ABQ. It is well known that the IBR rally staff intentionally stages this competitive rally to coincide with some of the worst and unpredictable weather patterns in the country. One such storm cell hits us Sunday night, Brian and I are out to dinner at a nearby restaurant - Bonefish Grill (Great food, if you ever get the chance to try them out - you won't regret it! ), we step outside after dinner and the skies open up, the rain is so heavy that we run into the nearby mall. Even inside the mall, the rain is battering on the glass roof, loudly, making such a racket that it feels like it intends to break through the glass! Soon, the entrances to the mall are starting to flood, it seems like we will be here for a while, so we explore the mall till we find a massage place and book ourselves in for a nice 45 minute massage - enough time for the storm cell to pass. Mmm Heaven! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A nice soaker to set the trend for the rest of the rally. The IBR juju is in full effect. I am smiling now .. just wait .. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/20150627_202858.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/20150627_202858.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anyone order a bike wash? With a side of electrical problems?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The 2015 IBR started bright and early at 10AM on Monday morning. This isn't a sprint, it isn't even a marathon, which is technically still a race. They are not racists, they are rallyists! Haha! This is a competitive rally, akin to an Easter egg hunt on steroids. Lots and lots of steroids. It will run for 11 contiguous, grueling days. If successful in the end, at the minimum, you get bragging rights and a 3 digit IBA number. Hmmm ... I have been asked, if I will ever do one of these things. No disrespect, on the contrary, I have a lot of respect for anyone willing and able to endure this, but no thank you. I do not find this fun, life is short enough, and I get my jollies off elsewhere. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1147_tonemapped.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1147_tonemapped.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brian's blonde 'girlfriend'. I will let you figure out who it is.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> There was even a local police escort to guide the riders out in one big procession at the start. They must have heard about, or had previous exposure to the World's toughest riders and their kind, as they came fully prepared and armed to the teeth. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1157_tonemapped.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1157_tonemapped.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Local L.E. bringing out the big guns. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Soon, it's time, and the riders start streaming out the gate. The 2015 IBR has officially begun. A lot of riders on BMW motorcycles, followed closely in number by riders on Yamaha FJR1300s, and one who like me had chosen to park his FJR in the garage, and ride his 'other' bike instead. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1175_tonemapped.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1175_tonemapped.jpg~original" height="640" width="427"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chris Purney on his 'other' bike.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Unlike some of the IBR volunteer staff, Brian and I were riding home, and were on the road not long after the IBR riders had left. We were riding separately. Brian had an issue with his dog sitter, and need to get back home the next day. This meant slabbing it across NM, AZ, and into NV. Not something I wanted to do. I was going to take the more leisurely route back into Colorado, before turning west. I was planning to arrive home a day after he did. It was noon, as we bid our adieus, and went our separate routes. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had 300 miles to cover in a little over 5 hours of riding. Accounting for stops, there would be an extra hour on the road to tack on to that. These were going to be hard, twisty miles, not straight shots on the freeway, where you can just sit there and twist that. I wanted to be at my stopping point in the Colorado mountains well before dark. Although, it wouldn't really get dark till about 8:30PM, I am wary of the forest rodents (deer), and 6PM or thereabouts was my cut off time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If there is one thing that competitive rallies teach you, it is time management, and knowing what to do to keep on schedule, and juggle and tweak what needs to be adjusted so you can continue being on schedule. Even though competitive rallies are not my 'bag', I have run them in the past and have had moderate success at podium finishes, coached by none other than Brian. He has taught me well, I know what to do, and when to do it, and do it more or less - safely. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This will set the trend for today and the next 2 days. A lot of hard riding in the back country, but not a lot of stopping. I was switching gears. If Brian wasn't running back to his dog, he might even have approved, or enjoyed the return trip. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was routing back to Colorado, on NM Hwy 4, followed by NM Hwy 126, catching NM Hwy 112 back to US Hwy 84 into Pagosa Springs, and then head east on US Hwy 160 to South Fork. My stop for the night. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Little did I know, Hwy 126 was only partially paved. Oh the fun adventures of routing on the fly .. it wasn't as bad as I imagined it might be, besides I brought the right bike for the occasion. Nevertheless, this was going to ruin my batting average.. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1826289.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1826289.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">NM Hwy 126.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1826292.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1826292.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is what counts as a highway in NM? :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1856303.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G1856303.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A little better. NM Hwy 126.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Hwy 126 did slow me down a little, but I still made it to South Fork almost in time. It is the tiniest of mountain towns, but I was able to find comfortable lodging. This place called itself a bed and breakfast, and it was a far cry from any B&B I have stayed in, yet given the town I was in, it was comfortable enough. There was a bar and restaurant within walking distance, in an old converted firehouse, and to my surprise there was even some pretty local scenery inside. Hmm, not bad, not bad at all. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A long day of high mountain riding was in store the next day. I got an early enough start, skipped the crappy breakfast and instead just grabbed some energy bars at the gas station on my way out of town. Hwy 149, and Spring Creek and Slumgullion Passes through the San Juan Mountains were first on the agenda. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hwy 149 has some very enticing sweepers, and you can run very good speeds through them. Almost completely deserted, lots of fun can be had and some very good time can be made on this highway. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Rio Grande runs alongside the highway for quite some ways, well past the town of Creede, before the river splits away westwards towards Shotgun Mountain.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G2066399.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G2066399.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Rio Grande, CO Hwy 149.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The highway in turn slinks away northward, as it starts to climb first to Spring Creek Pass and the Continental Divide at almost 10,900 feet. Affording you great views of the valley you just climbed out of.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1212.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1212.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not sure if that is Lake San Cristobal. I can't remember anymore. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1215.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1215.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Probably not Lake San Cristobal </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The road deteriorates almost immediately after Spring Creek Pass. It starts to climb even higher towards Slumgullion summit and pass. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G2216594.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G2216594.jpg~original"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's a different ecosystem at Slumgullion Summit. The pine trees give way to Aspens dancing in the wind. You are at over 11,500 feet at this point. Then you start descending on the other side, and your breath is knocked out of your lungs, as you encounter a behemoth standing in your way. Jutting out of it's surroundings, weathered and chiseled in the shape of a shark fin by wind and glaciers, standing before you is the highest peak in the San Juan Mountains - Uncompahgre peak at 14,308 feet. It's surrounded by other peaks, couple of which also break the 14,000 feet mark. Uncompahgre is the sixth highest peak in the Rocky mountains of Colorado, and the third highest peak I have seen with my own eyes, behind Mt. Whitney and Mt. Rainier. It is taller than my favorite mountain - Mt. Shasta. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1224_5_6.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1224_5_6.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Uncompahgre Peak and surrounding mountains from Slumgullion Pass. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is a vista point, but it's hard to get a good picture from there, as it is now overgrown with Aspens which block your view. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1233.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1233.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Uncompahgre peak vista point.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I make quick work of descending from Slumgullion Summit, and drop into Lake City, but I don't stop, I am still on a time table and I have yet miles to go ... what's happening to me? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Exiting from Hwy 149, I catch Hwy 50 to Gunnison and finally enjoy my first real meal of the day. Refreshed and recharged, I once again set out west, before almost immediately turning north on Hwy 92, fording the broad Gunnison river. You pass right over the Blue Mesa dam and powerhouse. It's worth the time to stop and take a look at the power house and the canyon. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1242.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1242.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blue Mesa Power House. Gunnison River.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What a wild ride Hwy 92 is - complete with sheer drops, breathtaking backdrops and those blind corners combined with sneaky decreasing radius turns. Fortunately I have been warned about those sneaky turns by my friend AJ, so when they do weasel up on me I am well prepared to handle them. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G2446974.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G2446974.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hwy 92, Colorado.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G2446979.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G2446979.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wild ride, Hwy 92, Colorado.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is another vista point worth stopping at here, which affords a great view of the Gunnison river and it's canyon. You can also see the San Juan Mountains a great distance to the south. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1245.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/DSC_1245.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gunnison river vista point. Hwy 92, Colorado.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Time is running short, I know I have to pick up the pace, and I do. I catch Hwy 133 out of Hotchkiss and head for Mcclure Pass. I am running hard now, and running fast. No time to stop for pictures, unless something REALLY catches my eye. Mcclure pass is a beautiful ride, but the vistas aren't pulling me like they have done on the other highways, so I keep on riding, passing all that block my path. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G2527083.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G2527083.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Heading towards McClure Pass. Hwy 133, Colorado.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G2567174.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G2567174.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Had already passed him before the next time lapse (5 secs). Hwy 133, Colorado.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Alas, I hit major construction on Hwy 133 before Carbondale. The wait was what felt like an eternity, I had enjoyed very pleasant temperatures so far, but as I dropped down east off McClure pass, the mercury shot up. It was not even remotely as hot as the temperatures that Brian would encounter on his I-40 run through Arizona, Las Vegas and then near Death Valley, powering through temperatures in excess of 115 F. I on the other hand was spoiled, and having been spoiled by the weather gods for all this while - going from 70 F to 97 F, in such a short period of time, felt like being dropped into an oven. My luck with weather was running out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Glenwood Springs on the I-70 corridor felt even hotter, although in reality it was only a couple degrees hotter at 99 F. I found a gas station and doused myself with ice cold water and surveyed the tourist and traffic madness all around me. I was coming in from the wild and human civilization and it's chaotic lunacy had zero appeal for me, all I wanted to do was escape back into the wild. I-70 was also a maniac's playground with some added psychotic drivers thrown in just for fun. I couldn't wait to get out of there. Rifle, CO and Hwy 13 to Meeker, CO couldn't have come any sooner. I was running back home at this point, but I was still being careful as I caught CO Hwy 64 from Meeker. This highway isn't quite as fun as it's namesake in New Mexico. This is also the highway where I found ALL the revenue generation LEOs, for the duration of this trip. I counted 2 Colorado State Patrol, and 4 Sheriffs. What the heck? What were they ALL doing here? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">CO Hwy 64, without incident or 'close' encounters of the LEO kind, finally dropped me on to US 40, which would take me back into Utah for the night. 430 incredibly twisty and fun miles later, I find myself in Vernal, UT. A quick shower and an awesome Mexican dinner later, I am hopping into bed. Unbeknownst to me, later in the night, two riders from the IBR are checking into the hotel next to me to get some shut eye themselves. I see their SPOT track the next morning, but it's too late - they are already gone by the time I try to intercept them in their hotel parking lot. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is the home stretch. I wouldn't have imagined that I would get homesick, but I am getting there. I have been sleeping horribly this entire trip. Perhaps suffering from allergy and sinus trouble induced sleep apnea. I have been waking up several times in the night with difficulty breathing, and then having difficulty falling back asleep. It has been a week since I have had any sleep totaling more than 4 hours a day. None of these problems existed at home, and I miss my bed, I want my bed. Even more than that - I want to get some much needed sleep. Yet there is 850 miles to go before I get home. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To make matters worse, I inspect my tires in Vernal, and find that my rear tire is going bald. Great - that's the last thing I need and I am still 850 miles away from home. I investigate the possibility of getting a new rear tire in Salt Lake City, then I re-examine my rear tire, it is just about flush with the wear bars. I am running high mileage Metzler Tourances, and I determine and hope that I am correct in my determination, that I will make it back home on this tire. I will just have to take it easy. No high speed runs across the desert!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am now running half tank, if that, of my personal capacity, but my adventure isn't over yet. Everything goes smoothly until I am about 20 mile east of Austin, NV. Austin is right smack in the middle of Nevada, I have already ridden 520 miles or so from my start in Vernal, UT. I have 320 miles to go to get home, or now I am considering stopping at Brian's for the night, which is still 160 miles away. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There is one more curve ball this trip will throw at me, to deal with first. From miles and miles away, as I am nearing Austin, I can see the skies getting darker and darker, and notice the flashes of brilliance from distant lightning strikes. I am hoping and praying that by the time I get there, this storm cell would have passed and missed me. No such luck, I get side swiped by what seems like the worst of it, riding 30-35 mph on the 70mph US 50, on almost bald tires, praying that a moron in a car or truck racing at 70mph doesn't come plowing through me. There is no stopping on the side of the highway, which is equally dangerous, all I have to do, is to just ride it through.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Soon, I am in the mountains east of Austin and it is raining so hard that the entire road is a flowing river, and the rain is washing the hill sides on to the road.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G3037976_tonemapped.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G3037976_tonemapped.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nevada is a desert they say..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G3037977_tonemapped.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G3037977_tonemapped.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's an arid climate in Nevada they say.. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G3037978_tonemapped.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/G3037978_tonemapped.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is so f'in messed up I say! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Yes, I also need gas in Austin. I am not going to make the 140 miles to Fernley without filling up here first. As luck would have it, there is no covered gas station in Austin. None. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/20150701_165456_tonemapped.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/20150701_165456_tonemapped.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Who needs covered gas stations, right??</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is a deluge at this point, so much precipitation, that a puddle is forming on a slope! The water can't run off faster than it is coming down from the skies. I am fully expecting to see Noah in his ark around the corner! My riding pants are not water proof, but my jacket is. So, at this point I am soaked to the bone from the waist down, and my boots are filled with water. I take refuge in the gas station and take off my shoes and dump the water outside. Then I wait, and I wait, and I wait for the storm to pass, but it seems like the storm is waiting for me to come on back out, plus it is getting late, and I don't want to ride in the dark. In the end I beg the gas station attendant for a cardboard box so I can shelter the gas tank from the rain, and so I am able to fill up without getting any water in the tank. I gear back up and get back on the bike, and I notice that now one of my headlights is no longer working. Well, at least I still have one working headlight, there don't seem to be any other electrical problems, so I cross my fingers and ride out again. It seems like another eternity of riding in the rain, but I finally outrun the storm. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fernley is not far now, that is where I am stopping for the night. It's going to be a beautiful evening and finally, a restful night..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/20150701_203816.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Colorado%20June%202015/20150701_203816.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">All is well that ends well. Beautiful Nevada sunsets. Fernley, Nevada.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Good times! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-3935416558428287432015-07-15T13:05:00.003-07:002017-09-08T12:02:46.348-07:00Things don't go as planned - A wandering ramble through the Great American South West. Part 1.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Things don't go as planned. How many times are we reminded of the idiom - "Best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray"? Now this might sound like a pessimistic view to hold, but I disagree. Is it still a compelling story - if everything goes as planned? If everything is instrumented and executed smoothly and perfectly, like a machine? Although, aren't machines just as flawed? Conceivably inheriting the inherent flaws of their human creators? </span><br />
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I am reminded of a recent conversation I had with a new acquaintance over a campfire in Yosemite. This person had just hiked the Mt. Whitney trail, a 22 mile round trip, and a portion of the longer John Muir Trail (a 210 mile hike with a ~10,500 feet elevation gain), which he is planning to tackle next. An avid hiker, who takes great pride in his planning and execution as well as his physical abilities. During our conversation, we started to discuss the protagonist in the recent bestseller - Wild. I asked him if he had read the book, and he had, but didn't like it. When aksed why, he replied in a long-winded fashion, but which I distilled down to the woman having made every mistake in the book. I countered - that's what made her story a fascinating read. She was/is flawed, she made mistakes and lots of them, she encountered peril - even if sometimes it was of her own making, but there was also perseverance, learning, and growth from those hard knocks. I don't think I sold him on the concept. What do you think? If she had done everything by the book, how many would have bothered to read her story?</span><br />
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This story is not nearly as exciting, except things didn't go as planned. It isn't even by any means - concise, so go grab that coffee, tea, or maybe even a real drink. You might need it! : )</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
This jaunt through southern Utah had been planned several months ago, with Brian - my mentor and riding partner on some such touring excursions in the past. Despite our starkly different riding styles, we had on previous occasions managed to ride together with only a minimum of friction. That may have been because those outings were some years ago, and being new to longer distance touring at that time - I mainly just acquiesced to his plans, riding style and wisdom, the last of which he does have an over-abundance of. At this point you may be wondering, what is so inexorably different about our riding styles? It boils down to our personalities and motivations. Pitching the stop to smell the roses, and stop to take in the sights personality vs. the stop for nothing, just keep on riding, there is still miles to go before I stop/sleep type. The satisfaction we derive from the type of riding we prefer also resides in different hemispheres. I prefer the twisty and scenic byways and back roads, Brian prefers the freeways and the long, plumb highways through vast valleys and farm country. Something had to give for this dynamic to work. Would it work?</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A brisk and for summer, a surprisingly balmy run across the high desert of Nevada was first on the agenda. Brian was on his Honda ST1300 a proven touring and rally bike with over 100,000 miles on it. I had left the veteran, just a bit shy of 80,000 miles Yamaha FJR1300 in the garage, instead deciding to stretch the legs of the rookie Suzuki DL1000, it only had about 12,000 miles at the beginning of this journey and hadn't before been ridden past a 500 mile radius from home. We weren't setting any speed records in the desert. We had chosen the northerly route on US Hwy 50, over the much faster and much hotter E.T. highway, running nominal speed out of towns. It was an uneventful journey across Nevada, we noted and commented on the desert being unusually green for this late in the season. Spring Valley pictured below in White Pine county, Nevada was still grassy and living up to it's name.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/aede4c6e-1634-40d2-a194-f3c84ec9f2bb.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/aede4c6e-1634-40d2-a194-f3c84ec9f2bb.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">US Hwy 50, Spring Valley, Nevada.</span></span></td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Entering Utah I couldn't help but notice the preponderance of tar snakes. Utah DOT is obsessed with tar snakes, not just in the straights but also in the corners, the patchwork seems to follow no rules with respect to direction of travel, bearing a closer resemblance to a crazy road doodle than anywhere else in the West. Not much of an issue for cars and other three or four wheeled vehicles, but may prove catastrophic on two wheels, if not carefully navigated through. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0173552.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0173552.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Utah Hwy 21.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our destination for the night was Cedar City, UT. We were about 60 miles out when my left foot reached to downshift for the upcoming turn and hit nothing but air, causing me to search frantically with my foot as I coasted to a stop on the shoulder. I look down in panic, and in that tunnel vision - there is no shift lever to be seen! I dismount for a better look and it reappears, dangling by the shift linkages beneath the foot peg, the mounting bolt had worked itself out of the frame. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
Before leaving home, I had inspected the bike thoroughly, or so I believed, making sure everything was working as it should be. Suzuki under-engineers the damnedest of things, and in this case it was the flimsy and soft mounting bolt for the shift lever. I break out the tool box and thread the bolt back into the frame, but the bolt is tacky and I can only tighten it so much, and I am wary of rounding it off - for then I am really screwed! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
Yet, the threads on the bolt are long enough that I am confident it won't work itself out again anytime soon, and I could keep checking it at gas stops. Repairs complete, we ride the rest of the way to Cedar City with no issues. Approximately 500 miles on the clock for the day. This had been a Brian R. type of riding day - the only stops have been for restroom breaks, or for eating, for fueling, or to effect repairs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><u><br />
</u></i> This day following, would prove not to be Brian's day. In his own words - this would be the most miserable day of riding in his entire life. A lifetime of riding, which has included spending multiple days in a row in storm cells, till his boots were full of rain water - possibly setting in trench foot. Making him afraid of removing his shoes, lest he see he had grown webbed feet. For the rest of us, this was a typical riding to sight-see kind of day, something most of us lesser mortals enjoy - two national parks, one national monument, and riding out to the vista points to take in the view or take pictures. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
We were on the road before the sun had a chance to rise above the mountains, it gets very hot in Zion National Park, and we wanted to be in and out of there before the mercury started rising. Our first stop was in the north western reaches of Zion, in the Kolob Canyon area. We were at the visitor center before 7am, and they hadn't even opened yet. A ranger did arrive shortly after us and informed us that this portion of the park wouldn't open for another hour, but we were welcome to ride into the canyon now, if we wanted to. His parting words "Have fun!" Excellent! We would have the canyon all to ourselves, free to carve up that canyon road!! </span><br />
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</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0853.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0853.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kolob Canyon</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From Kolob we headed towards the south entrance of Zion. The main attraction of the park is the Zion Canyon scenic drive, which isn't open to driving by the public. It is a minimum of an hour and half ride on the park shuttles, in the midst of sandstone cliffs of varying hues which tower 2000 feet above you and into the sky. Of course, I couldn't get Brian interested enough to partake. </span><br />
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</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0873_4_5_6_7.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0873_4_5_6_7.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Zion National Park.</span></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0883_4_5_6_7.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0883_4_5_6_7.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Zion National Park.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0893_4_5_6_7.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0893_4_5_6_7.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Virgin River at the entrance to Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.</span></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0903_4_5_6_7.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0903_4_5_6_7.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Virgin River at the entrance of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What was left to do, was ride through the southern reaches of the park on Hwy 9. This highway looks like a fun ride on the map, but in reality is socked full of slow cars and RVs, of course any highway through a national park has a ridiculously painful speed limit - but in addition this highway has a 1.1 mile tunnel bored through the mountains - requiring RV permits, if your RV is wider than 7'10". As luck would have it, one such exceptionally wide RV was coming through the tunnel in the opposite direction, and the park officials had to close the tunnel for our direction of travel, till that RV could get through. It was a painful 20 minutes in the rising temperatures, waiting for the RV to crawl through at 5 miles per hour. :(</span><br />
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</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0293845.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0293845.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Utah Hwy 9, Zion - Mt. Carmel Highway.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0925.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0925.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Utah Hwy 9, Zion - Mt. Carmel Highway.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0303891.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0303891.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Utah Hwy 9, Zion - Mt. Carmel Highway.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Utah Hwy 9 spilled us out onto US Hwy 89, where we promptly encountered a neanderthal on a Harley and his much more civilized riding partner, who decided he wanted nothing to do with the antics of his friend with the dimensionally challenged appendage. This dingbat intentionally merged in front of us, while we had the right of the way, but we safely got around him. Prompting him to race to pass us, and then slow down. We passed him again and kept going, until we spotted him making a run on us. Brian was now fed up, he picks up the pace and I follow. Mr. Harley did all he could to try to catch up, not realizing that he would have to max out his throttle twice over, to catch up to the power of the machinery we were riding. Good riddance! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Brian and I would talk about this later, and he opines that when you encounter these passive-aggressive little pecks - the only way to deal with them is to put them in their place, where they belong - watching your tail lights disappear into the horizon. I agree.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bryce Canyon National Park on Utah Hwy 12 was looming next.</span><br />
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</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0982.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0982.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Utah Hwy 12.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We get to Bryce Canyon National park and Brian's patience is wearing thin, worn down also by the batches of throngs we were encountering in the national parks. Mobs we had to get around or get away from. Near the park visitor center we find some shade and convene for an action plan. Looking at the park map we strike a compromise on two vista locations - Bryce point and Inspiration point. Riding over to the furthest one first - Bryce point, with an aim to visiting Inspiration point on our return. We get to Bryce point and realize that the best vistas are not from the parking lot, but a few paces up the hill. Brian refuses to leave the parking lot - saying he didn't realize there was going to be hiking involved, and besides 'Rocks' from here would look the same as from over there! I walk up alone, and take some hurried shots, but there is a wildfire raging in the distance and the view is smoky at best. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0985.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0985.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bryce Canyon from Bryce point.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am nevertheless impressed by the bizarre and colorful limestone rock formations, they remind me of ancient ruins, of battered columns, and weakened arches, I imagine them to be the eroded remnants of the glory of an ancient civilization, lost and slowly being erased from the face of the earth. </span><br />
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</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0986.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0986.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Ruins' of Bryce Canyon.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0987.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0987.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Ruins' of Bryce Canyon.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0991.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0991.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Carved pillars without a roof', Bryce Point, Bryce Canyon.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0992.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0992.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bryce Point, Bryce Canyon.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I return to the parking lot. The deal had changed. Inspiration point was out of the compromise, it was just another vista point to look at the same old rocks, and it was going to look just the same as these rocks, and all Utah was, is full of rocks - of all shapes and sizes and colors. Things were starting to come to a head between us..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
..but the day wasn't done yet, it was wearing long when we started climbing the Escalante Grand Staircase. Owing it's name to the grand geological steps and terraces, that step down from just under 10,000 feet, till they descend eventually to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. </span><br />
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Undoubtedly, some of the best riding in Utah, and this afternoon we find only a handful of cars blocking our path or slowing us down. </span><br />
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</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0504101.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0504101.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Million Dollar Road, Utah Hwy 12.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although, I couldn't help but stop to marvel at, and take a picture of more rocks and the 'Million Dollar Road' which cuts through them between Escalante and Boulder. Between 1935 to 1940 it took a million dollars to build this road. Construction crews lacked heavy machinery, relying instead on dynamite, picks and shovels, and horse drawn carriages to complete the work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
A million dollar view as well, if you ask me. </span><br />
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</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0998.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_0998.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Million Dollar Road vista point. Utah Hwy 12.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0534216.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0534216.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Climbing the Grand Staircase, Utah Hwy 12.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The staircase is a wild ride, at one point it has you riding on top of the ridge, and sheer drops and canyons surround you. It is an experience thrust upon you unadulterated by safety nets and guardrails, it elevates you, thrills you, terrifies you, and leaves you gasping for more..</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0564263.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0564263.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Running the Ridge, Grand Escalante Staircase, Utah Hwy 12.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0564264.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0564264.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Top of the Ridge, Grand Escalante Staircase, Utah Hwy 12.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The highway climbs the stairs as far up as 9,500 feet, before spilling you over the other side. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_1002.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_1002.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Canyons of the Escalante Grand Staircase. Utah Hwy 12.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The day ends in Torrey, Utah. Two </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">national parks and one national monument later, and a </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mere 290 miles from our start. Thus ends the most miserable day of riding in the life of Brian R. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
Brian is foaming at the mouth at this point. "You are just wasting our time taking pictures of rocks. Pictures, that you won't even remember taking when you get home. A better option would be to just buy postcards - they would be and order of magnitude better than any pictures you would take." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
Brian vows to lead the following day, and that there would be changes. The fact that this might be my last adventure for what might turn out to be quite a while, or until I find a new source of income to finance such adventures, isn't even considered. I love the man, he has been a mentor to me, and continues to be a father figure. I refer to him as my American Dad, and I feel guilty for having subjected him to the day that we had today, so I retreat for the time being, but it is glaringly apparent, this ride partnership isn't working out for either of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><u><br />
</u></i> On the other side of the staircase is the Capitol Reef. During the great American migration to the West, the Capitol Reef proved to be a major obstacle to Mormon pioneers. Earning it's name as a reef which for a while shipwrecked all attempts at movement west. Rising up out of the earth like an impenetrable fortress, it's rugged walls dashed the hopes of many a pioneer. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It wasn't yet daybreak when we started to navigate the reef. Soon the dawn is breaking over the ramparts and we enjoy a beautiful sunrise which lights the path for us in between the fortifications. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0714360.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0714360.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Capitol Reef National Monument, Utah Hwy 24.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0774424.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0774424.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Capitol Reef National Monument, Utah Hwy 24.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Castles reaching into the clouds, is how my imagination registered what my eyes perceived. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0774428.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0774428.jpg~original" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">A 'Castle'. Capitol Reef National Monument, Utah Hwy 24.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The jewel of these citadels is the Chimney Rock formation. On this lovely morning the rising sun had set the parapets ablaze!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_1032.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_1032.jpg~original" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chimney Rock, Capitol Reef, Utah.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> It was full daybreak when we reached the shores of the Colorado river. The yet green desert we had encountered so far had left us ill equipped to handle the shock of seeing the Colorado so reduced. Where is Los Angeles going to supplement their water supply from next? I would find the answer later, at a rest break in Ouray, Colorado, and I would laugh till I finished relieving myself and then do my part to help Los Angeles with it's water problem. "Please flush, Los Angeles needs the water".</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_1057_58_59_60_61.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_1057_58_59_60_61.jpg~original" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A much reduced Colorado feeding Lake powell.</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Even the GPS was expecting the Colorado to be wider than it was now.. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0844562.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0844562.jpg~original" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Heading towards the Colorado.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> A peculiar find here is an airstrip hugging the canyon, you could pass by it without ever noticing it is there, unless you know exactly where it is. :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_1077.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_1077.jpg~original" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ready to fly, but not ready to leave the ground ..</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> This place also hides a great view of the bridge over the river Colorado. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_1067_68_69_70_71.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/DSC_1067_68_69_70_71.jpg~original" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bridge over the river Colorado.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> We were far from our destination for the night, somewhere in the mountains of Colorado, but first things first - which is crossing the river Colorado. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0854643.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0854643.jpg~original" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Approaching the bridge over river Colorado.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0854646.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Utah%20June%202015/G0854646.jpg~original" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Crossing the bridge over the river Colorado.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No sooner had we crossed the river that trouble found me again. We leave the canyon and enter some long straights, great for cruising in top gear. Then, towards the end of one such long straight, my foot reaches to downshift .. you can guess the rest - missing shift lever again, and there isn't a shoulder to pull over to. The bike wants to stall if I slow down too much, so I try to keep it in the zone and cruise along till I can find a pull out. This will happen twice more, almost becoming a routine - break out the tools, tighten the shift lever bolt, keep riding. Until we find a town large enough to have a hardware store. Here we buy some split ring pliers - so we can separate the shift lever from the bolt, for better access to the bolt, and some blue loctite - so when we tighten that @#$%&!~ bolt, it stays put!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the interest of a semblance of conciseness, and if they haven't already, perhaps to keep the reader's eyes from glazing over, I am going to stop this blog post here and call it Part 1, concluding the journey in the subsequent blog post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Next blog post: Colorado here we come! :) </span><br />
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Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-15556741297959825722015-06-18T18:39:00.001-07:002017-08-18T16:27:12.918-07:00Getting out of my comfort zone - Yosemite.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There have been an interesting sequence of events these past couple of weeks, in this adventure called life. The theme has remained the same - getting out of my comfort zone. One was planned, something I wanted to push myself into this weekend - to expand my horizons, and to discover a new experience. I have wandered solo for respectable distances, if not far and wide, but I have never camped before, having preferred the luxury of a comfortable bed and a hot shower at the end of the night. For the first time, I wanted to dip my foot into a new stream, albeit in a place with unrivaled charm and beauty, which perhaps made the experience infinitely more enjoyable, even for a first time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The other had been planned for me, by fate/life/chance/destiny - whatever you want to call it, perhaps giving me a chance to see what I was made of, and what I can make of myself. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wouldn't find out about these other plans till the Monday after I returned home, and then again unceremoniously, as is often how these things are practiced. Involuntarily coerced out of my comfort zone on a much larger and definitely life altering scale. For the time being, I have been taking a little bit of time 'just for me', before I start contemplating my options in all seriousness and unfold the sails and set a new course. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will be refraining from dulling this blog post further with the philosophical grappling in my mind, but my hope is that I will soon see the light at the end of this tunnel, and it will likely lead me to a better place.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/G0352666.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/G0352666.jpg~original" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Like it did it in this instance, as I passed through a series of tunnels on my way to the valley of paradise that we call Yosemite. I immediately veered off to my first stop as I entered the valley - a vista aptly named Tunnel View. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/G0422714.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/G0422714.jpg~original" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is the view which greets you as you egress the tunnel. One of the most iconic views of the valley, and certainly one of the most photographed. Its beauty is so immense, that even the diminishing waterfalls don't detract much from it.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/DSC_0461_2_3_4_5.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/DSC_0461_2_3_4_5.jpg~original" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/DSC_0436_37_38_39_40.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/DSC_0436_37_38_39_40.jpg~original" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Leaving tunnel view, I rode down to the valley floor. It was a Friday afternoon in mid-June and the pace and the crowds were a far cry from the frenzy it will see as the weekend turns and the hordes descend upon it on Saturday/Sunday.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">El Capitan was looming ahead, and it is a domineering presence. It is distorted in the picture below from the skewed perspective from the ultra-wide angle GoPro, which makes everything appear 10 times further. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/G0512767.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/G0512767.jpg~original" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hardly any traffic at all as I approached El Capitan. Ribbon Falls had already dried up by this time of year. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/G0462732.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/G0462732.jpg~original" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Despite the severe drought, the Merced river hadn't yet stagnated and was still flowing very well, but for how long? </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/G0462740.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/G0462740.jpg~original" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/DSC_0516_17_18_19_20.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/DSC_0516_17_18_19_20.jpg~original" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I took advantage of the favorable traffic conditions to loop the valley and visit some of its seminal road-side vistas. This is Valley View. Half Dome isn't visible from here, but its absence is usually very well compensated by Bridal Veil Falls, when it is flowing with gusto. Not so much today, it's June and the paucity of the rainfall we have received has already reduced it to barely a trickle.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/DSC_0486_87_88_89_90.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/DSC_0486_87_88_89_90.jpg~original" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Valley view is at the end of the valley loop, so I looped back around to head in-valley again and made one stop at the meadows offering a view of Upper Yosemite Falls. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/DSC_0546_47_48_49_50.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/DSC_0546_47_48_49_50.jpg~original" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was getting later in the afternoon and I had a campsite to check-in to. The rangers at the check-in kiosk were going to be leaving soon, so I headed straight to the campsite. I realized later, that I didn't really have to. The campsite was already registered and checked-into by friends from my camping meetup group. Check out Yosemite Campsite Share on Meetup, if you are interested. All I had to do was show up and setup tent, preferably before nightfall so I didn't have to fumble around in the dark. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/G0532784.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Yosemite%20June%202015/G0532784.jpg~original" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The campsite was almost directly below Half Dome, and by that I mean just a mile and half away from the base of that monumental outcropping of granite.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There was paved parking directly in front of the campsite, a campfire and a bear locker. The tall Pine trees provided excellent shade for the tent, there were flush-able toilets and running water less than 15 paces away, and incredibly, also filtered potable water. I suppose this wasn't real camping after all - this was luxury camping!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our Meetup group had 3 campsites in total and there were an eclectic mix of people at the campsites. Four older, retired gentlemen and multi year veterans of Yosemite camping at campsite 1, plus a young lady - they had been there all week, that was the chill campsite. There were 3 rock climbers at campsite 2 - two guys and a girl. The two guys were from the Bay Area, and the girl was from Colorado - she had met one of these guys on Tinder, and had hiked 22 miles of the Mt. Whitney trail with him, before showing up to Yosemite to rock climb - they had also been there a couple days before me. These three were the super fun people to hang out with and share meals with - the party campsite. At my campsite - there was the kayak lady, who was pretty much gone from sun-up to late in the night, and the French-American couple who I went hiking with - a super sweet couple! My campsite, was the absentee campsite, everyone was either gone all day and late into the night or hanging out at the other campsites - which worked out fine, I would always come back to peace and quiet when it was time to crawl into the tent and bundle up in the sleeping bag! </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had never met any of these people before, yet at the campsite everyone acted like fast friends - that was my favorite part! :)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Having never stayed overnight in the Yosemite valley before, I was thrilled at the chance to capture at least one sunset. Friday evening was the best opportunity - there were a few clouds in the sky on Friday, they were more dramatic during the day, but as the evening progressed, for some reason they started magically dissipating. I don't know why, I was hoping at least some would linger in the sky so the dying light may kiss them one last goodbye..</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They kept moving away, however, beating a hasty retreat and dipping out of sight towards the horizon. My hopes for a dazzling sunset were going to be dashed to the ground.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was sunset in the valley on Friday night. The clouds had all but disappeared, and replaced by smoke from the campfires nestled in between those Pine trees. I suppose I am to come back and try again! Someone twist my arm!:)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There was, however, treasure to be found at the end of the rainbow the next day. After breakfast with my rock climbing friends, I returned to my campsite to find the French-American couple getting ready for a hike. They were going to do the Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls trail, just like I had planned as well, and we decided to hike together - and they were great company! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We took the Mist Trail and were rewarded with a full length rainbow this day at Vernal Falls. Sometimes you see a portion of the arc as the sunlight hits the mist, but this day and perhaps the hour that we were there - it was a complete arc. Quite the sight indeed!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hiked to the top of Vernal Falls and took another picture, but the rainbow wasn't quite as prominent from this angle. Also, despite how it appears in the picture, I was not as close to the edge or to the water, the wonders of the modern zoom lens - and there was also a sturdy railing in between me and the waterfalls.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We continued our climb and rather than taking the Mist trail to Nevada Falls, we forked off into the longer but less strenuous John Muir Trail, and were treated with impressive panoramic vistas of Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap, Mt Broderick, and the other face of Half Dome (from right to left).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It had been a late start for us after breakfast, and we hadn't packed a lunch or any snacks to speak of, so instead of continuing on beyond Nevada Falls, we turned around and headed back to camp, where I parted ways with my French-American friends after lunch and headed towards Mirror Lake. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mirror Lake had remained dry for most of this year, but some late (but not enough) rainfall had started to slowly fill it back up. It is not often visited by a majority of the Yosemite tourists, so I was hoping to perhaps find a bit of tranquil here, and in large parts - I succeeded. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wonder when that massive boulder had slipped off the face of Half Dome and come crashing into the lake? Half Dome is to the right of the frame here and too tall to catch the reflection of, unfortunately. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The reflection you see is of Mt. Watkins. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I sat at this very spot and gazed for a very long time, till the fast approaching dusk made me retrace my steps back to camp. I wouldn't have wanted to be caught in this area in failing light, this is where the Bears live in Yosemite Valley, so be warned.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sunday morning came way too early, and it was time to leave paradise and head back home. After a farewell breakfast with my new friends, it was time to pack up and load up the bike and head home. I also bid my adieus to the colossal monoliths which surround Yosemite valley on my way home. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh how I wanted to loop back around to the left and relive my adventure in Yosemite all over again, but today I had to head home, no doubt I will be returning sooner or later. :) </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was time to exit stage right.. just follow the arrows back home ;) </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">...and it is always good to be safely home - sweet home! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-15400084158754336962015-05-16T15:18:00.000-07:002017-09-08T12:13:58.495-07:00Monitor Pass - Riding the Sierras Series.<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arguably for some, but inarguably for me, some of the best riding in the alpine country of the Sierras, and with some spectacular views! This stretch of Hwy 89 or Monitor Pass as it is called, is unlike the other highway passes which bridge the West side to the East (and entirely a different planet) side of the Sierras, in that it is entirely a two lane highway, and in my experience has also been *almost* always entirely deserted throughout the riding season. Which means, a much diminished chance of a smug Californian's snail paced Prius polluting your fun. In comparison Hwy 4 (Ebbetts Pass) while beautiful, is a one lane highway for about half of it's length, the stretches of Hwy 108 (Sonora Pass) are immense fun, but you will find it peppered with slow trucks and other four wheeled obstacles. Not to mention Hwy 120 (Tioga Pass) - the views are dramatic, countered by the astoundingly dense drivers and traffic you will encounter, either precipitating from or perhaps vindicating the 'retarded' speed limits on Hwy 120 as it passes through Yosemite National Park. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This Road Report picks up right out of the town of Markleeville, CA on Hwy 89. Markleeville is a tiny town in Alpine County, which has grown quite popular with the motor sports crowd and is a good option for a brunch or lunch stop while you transit to or from the destination passes (Monitor/Ebbetts). <a href="http://motorcyclewanderings.blogspot.com/2015/05/couple-of-old-classic-cars.html">You never know what you will find in Markleeville, CA.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep an eye on your speed and the posted speed limits approaching and leaving from Markleeville, CA - as is the mantra 'be mindful of in-town and near-town speed limits'. Ride safely. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leaving Markleeville, the highway runs abreast of the Carson River. The official turn-off to Monitor Pass is a few miles from here. On this short stretch you may find some campers, canoeists etc. recreating along the Carson River.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The turn-off to Monitor Pass is approx 5 miles from Markleeville. Riding straight ahead will lead you to Ebbetts Pass. Turn left here for Monitor Pass' roller coaster fun. The choice depends on what you are in the mood for. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unlike Carson Pass </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Hwy 88)</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> which is a highly traveled thoroughfare, which CALTRANS tries to keep open year-around, Monitor Pass closes it's gates in the Winter. CALTRANS had actually closed this pass a couple days before I rode through, due to a snow storm. They are surprisingly good, however, at clearing the road pretty quickly, as warmer temperatures aid them this time of the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a slow-meander and I am not talking about the riding on the west side as you climb up Monitor Pass. The road lazily wraps up towards the ridge, alongside Monitor Creek, and passes by Heenan Lake - which some stop at, but I didn't. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It tightens up a bit as you are cresting the ridge, there are blind corners and sheer drops here, so watch your lines as you climb. It does afford you great views of the surrounding Sierra peaks, esp. if you were riding East to West. Monitor Pass is short enough that people are known to run laps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you are lucky, you might even see some snow on those Sierra peaks - most likely not going to be so this year. There was some snow from a storm a couple days ago, but it was melting away - fast!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The top of the ridge has a distinct 'lonely highway' feel to it. You can see Leviathan peak in the distance - there is a dirt track which leads you to a lookout at the top of this peak, if you are adventure bike equipped, and feel up for a short detour, and maybe even if you aren't, you are an adult aren't you? Responsible for your own actions and decisions? :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was on a schedule and despite being on my V-strom, I chose not to. I was trying to get to Fernley, NV at a decent enough time, to borrow my friend Brian's Motion Pro chain tool to replace the chain and sprockets on the Strom. There are scattered groves of Aspens near Leviathan peak, which seem to be springing back to life after laying dormant for the Winter. I love dancing Aspens and they are especially photogenic in the Fall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Past Leviathan peak you begin the descent to the East side of the Sierras. The view from here is characteristically representative of what one imagines when one thinks of the Great American West. For some reason it also reminds me of 'Middle Earth'. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is pull off here well worth stopping at, highly recommended to pull over and breathe in the cool crisp air and absorb that view. It can be soft gravel, so when you kick that side-stand over, just be careful it doesn't sink in too much.. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have been here a million and one times, and I always stop here, it never gets old for me up here - never. Although, it does get cold up here and it was pretty cold today..Brrrrr..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Top of the world views at Monitor Pass. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was remarkably lucky to have both absolutely clean, clear and dry roads and to have caught the snow capped Sierras on this day. While the snow does add quite a bit to the visual impact, trust me the view remains perfectly dramatic without. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The descent from the top of the world is a tight coil of switchbacks galore, this is undoubtedly the most fun part of the Monitor Pass highway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are plenty of blind corners, but not all of them are, sometimes you can see the coiled ribbon like road twisting away into the distance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Which, can be to your advantage, as it gives you time to move away from morons who can't stay in their own lane, while also giving said morons a chance to move back into their lane. While, this stretch of the highway can be pretty deserted, that doesn't mean one may not encounter a dingbat piloting a four wheeled projectile. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The descent to the east side is the roller coaster part of the highway. The ride to the top from the west is akin to the slow pull of anticipation to the top of the roller coaster, then you crest, followed by the free fall as the coaster lunges left ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">... then right ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">... then doubles back on itself once ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">... and then over again ...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That imposing valley that you admired from the top, seems almost close enough to touch now, despite the skewed view from the super-wide angle view of the GoPro. I have come to the opinion that the super-wide view of the GoPro takes a lot away from the sensationalism of these views, what your eyes see is much more dramatic than what the wide angle captures here. Perhaps a 50mm 'normalized' lens would do more justice here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Almost to the end is a short rocky canyon, prone to rock slides, just a few more leans of the motorbike and you emerge to the flatness on the other side</span>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Highway 395 junction is ahead. Hopefully, there will also be more Road Reports ahead on this blog. I will keep you posted, and hopefully you will come back for them as well. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Monitor Pass - Traveled West to East, just over 22 miles end to end from Markleeville to Hwy 395. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elevation at Markleeville - 5,531 feet. Leviathan Peak elevation - 8,980 feet. Elevation at 395 junction - 5,108 feet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a Chevron roughly 4 miles north from the Hwy 395 junction at Topaz Lake on the Nevada side, if you need gasoline. If you are heading south, the nearest gas station could be 42 miles away in the town of Bridgeport. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The standard disclaimers of 'This road report isn't meant to be a definitive road guide, please refer to CA DOT for latest road conditions, and peruse the road resources section at pashnit.com for more information' apply. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span>
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</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I went for a ride this weekend, the V-Strom needed a new set of chain and sprockets. It's a 2006 V-Strom, and I bought it in Nov of 2013 as a companion bike to the FJR, which had been giving me some trouble in the latter part of 2013. This V-Strom had mostly been a garage queen when it was living with it's previous owner. It barely had about 5000 miles on it when I bought it. A 7 year old bike with that little mileage obviously meant it mostly just sat in the garage a lot, so when I bought it I replaced all the fluids in the bike, put new tires on, new plugs, new filters, basically did ALL the requisite maintenance and tune-up except for the chain and sprockets. I have put another 8000 miles on it since then, but despite regular cleaning and oiling, the chain was getting in pretty bad shape and had just started spitting O-rings, which is a death knell for a chain, but understandable since this bike previously just sat around for so long. </span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Long story short! I rode up to see my motorcycle guru in Fernley for some chain-work and took the slightly longer but much more fun way over Carson and Monitor passes. I am still looking through those pictures at the moment, and when they are ready - so will I be, to do another trilogy (hopefully) of 'Road Reports' in the Sierra mountains. </span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Till then, I thought maybe you would like to take a look at some old classic cars that I found along the way in Markleeville, CA. This was on Mother's Day and a couple of them were out for a Mother's Day drive together.</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">First up was a pristine restored/maintained 1950s (I forget which year exactly) Hudson Hornet. This is the only picture I took of it, before I caught sight of the car that I fell in love with..</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1950s Hudson Hornet.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b></b></span></div><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This one stole my heart, and monopolized all my attention as I crushed on it massively. This is a 1932 Packard 8 in exquisite condition. A 1932! Can you imagine that? This car is 83 years old. My parents weren't even born in 1932!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The attention to detail that went into both of these cars, and this one in particular is mind blowing. There hasn't been a mirror more polished..</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A 1932 Packard 8.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A big engine to serenade you with it's symphony, to rumble and reverberate in your heart, and to put an ear to ear grin on your face. Size has always mattered! </span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Size Matters.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Swiveling headlights. Eat your heart out unreliable Mercedes/BMWs of this world. A simple mechanical solution to see where you are going..</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Swiveling headlights.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is no ugly duckling. It's an impeccable swan song of perfection lost..</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Packard's Swan Song.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am still getting used to my new camera and messed up the framing of this shot. This car is a haunting throwback to when Detroit was...Detroit!!</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Packard Motor Car Co. Detroit, Mich. U.S.A.</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wouldn't you just love a ride in that? I know I would...Ohhh if money were no object..and if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride..</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Markleeville%20Classic%20Cars%20May%202015/DSC_0405.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If wishes were horses..</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Markleeville%20Classic%20Cars%20May%202015/DSC_0405.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></b></a></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for coveting along with me, and thank you for reading! :)</span></div>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-83008474148705416852015-04-27T21:14:00.001-07:002017-08-18T16:30:21.846-07:00Hike and Shoot - Lupine Fields of Folsom Lake (Not Motorcycling Content).<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently joined some photographers' social clubs. One of them had a meet to explore and shoot pictures of the Lupine fields of Granite Bay State Park, besides Folsom Lake. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Lupines are in full bloom right now, although they are much diminished from previous years due to the severe drought we are currently enduring. </span><br />
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</span></div><div style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nevertheless, it was a fun photo shoot, made some new friends, also with some people who were out there exploring with their kids in tow, and they modeled for us, which was great! </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since I have all the requisite model releases now, I am sharing the pictures here with you. I hope that you enjoy them! :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0126%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0126%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Walk in Fields of Purple.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0127%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0127%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Goal posts in a field.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0136%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0136%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The art of Nature and it's paint brushes. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0138%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0138%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Monalisa Smile, better actually.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0139%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0139%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Makes you wonder.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0141%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0141%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Smiling Beauty.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0150%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0150%20Large.jpg~original" height="640" width="436"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Siren and her rock?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0162%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0162%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Field Maiden.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0190%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0190%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brotherly Love!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0212%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0212%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Boy and his Dog.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0225%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0225%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Best friends are forever!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0205%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0205%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Waiting for the tooth fairy!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0206%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0206%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Twinkle in the eye.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0196-3%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0196-3%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Little ladies man.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0220%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0220%20Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Swimming Hole.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0261Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Folsom%20Lake%20Lupines%20Apr%202015/DSC_0261Large.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fire in the sky.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span></div>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-25622612635659383932015-04-26T22:14:00.000-07:002017-08-18T16:30:54.017-07:00Save A Horse, And Ride The Motorcycle. <div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is always a good reason to go ride and to go take pictures, but sometimes the good reason is also for a good cause. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All About Equine in El Dorado Hills held a fundraiser today, so I rode my own steel horse there to support them. It was open to the public to picnic, and wander the stalls, and look at the Horses and other farm animals that this animal rescue takes care of, and puts up for adoption. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was there as part of a photography group - which had organized a photo shoot for the benefit of this rescue organization. We had so called backstage access to the horses, so in addition to pitching in a few funds to keep the wheels turning at this rescue, we were also donating our pictures to them (in my case those that were any good, animals are hard to photograph), or the ones that the rescue might want to use. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They have many good looking and some very friendly horses up for adoption. I didn't take a picture of every one of them. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This rescue does not adopt out gnarly or ragged rescue horses, they rear them back to health (if need be), before the horses are put up for adoption. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you or your friends love horses, please feel free to help spread the word. There are animal rescue organizations which go belly up all the time - in fact All About Equine has even rescued horses from other rescues which had failed. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is their info: <a href="http://www.allaboutequine.org/">All About Equine</a>.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am posting up some pictures, that I took this day. I was here for about 2 hours, talked to the volunteers, talked to the photographers, roamed the grounds etc, before stretching the legs of my steel (well, aluminum mostly) horse for the rest of the afternoon. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Help%20a%20Horse%20Apr%202015/DSC_0276.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Help%20a%20Horse%20Apr%202015/DSC_0276.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Friends</span>..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Help%20a%20Horse%20Apr%202015/DSC_0278.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Help%20a%20Horse%20Apr%202015/DSC_0278.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adopt Me.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Help%20a%20Horse%20Apr%202015/DSC_0282.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Help%20a%20Horse%20Apr%202015/DSC_0282.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adopt Two. They are a good pair. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Help%20a%20Horse%20Apr%202015/DSC_0280.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Help%20a%20Horse%20Apr%202015/DSC_0280.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look at those eyes..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Help%20a%20Horse%20Apr%202015/DSC_0303.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Help%20a%20Horse%20Apr%202015/DSC_0303.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nice bangs. :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Help%20a%20Horse%20Apr%202015/DSC_0339-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Help%20a%20Horse%20Apr%202015/DSC_0339-2.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">They want to run and play .. maybe with you? </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Help%20a%20Horse%20Apr%202015/DSC_0361.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Help%20a%20Horse%20Apr%202015/DSC_0361.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So... wanna play?</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading!</span></div>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-40071759724119384012015-04-07T18:13:00.004-07:002017-08-18T16:38:56.100-07:00Looking through a new lens.<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spring is finally upon us. Even though it feels like it arrived in February, as we didn't really get a Winter season with all it's accompanying rain this year, in another week it will officially be the end of the rainy season in California and the beginning of the sunny season. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As if on cue, I picked up a new Nikon last week, I have been wanting one for a few years now, watching and waiting for just the right one for me, and finally pulled the trigger last week on a Nikon. I could have waited till the end of the year for better deals this holiday season, might have even saved some money, but I couldn't fathom the thought of going through three more seasons before finally getting my hands on one. This certainly wasn't an impulsive instant gratification thing, I have been waiting a few years for this. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't had much time to get familiarized with the new equipment and lenses, just a couple of outings on a mostly rained out weekend, before work has separated me from my new love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Foolishly, I had jumped right into very shallow depth of field snaps - to mixed results. This camera is unforgiving of rookie mistakes, and a shallow depth of field requires you to nail the focus exactly where you want it to be. Yet here I was fiddling with AF areas and modes etc. as I played around, even throwing in focus and recompose into the fray. I didn't always succeed, actually mostly didn't, but maybe more practice will make perfect. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What follows are a few examples of my goof ups, which I felt were decent enough to share. Here is to hoping that I get better, much better. That would be something! :)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully you would enjoy looking at these, even if they are nowhere near perfect!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Nikon%20April%202015/_DSC0023.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Rose at Villa Toscano, an Amador County Winery.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roses at Villa Toscano, an Amador County Winery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Nikon%20April%202015/_DSC0095.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Nikon%20April%202015/_DSC0095.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Rose at Villa Toscano, an Amador County Winery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roses at Villa Toscano, an Amador County Winery.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Nikon%20April%202015/_DSC0044.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Nikon%20April%202015/_DSC0044.jpg~original" title="Young's Winery."></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Rose at Young's, an Amador County Winery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roses at Young's, an Amador County Winery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Nikon%20April%202015/_DSC0049%20Large.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roses at Young's, an Amador County Winery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Nikon%20April%202015/_DSC0050%20Large.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roses at Young's, an Amador County Winery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Nikon%20April%202015/_DSC0060.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple blossoms are starting to bloom at Apple Hill.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Nikon%20April%202015/_DSC0062.jpg~original" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flowering bush at Apple Hill.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Nikon%20April%202015/_DSC0092-3.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Nikon%20April%202015/_DSC0092-3.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random flower along the way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Nikon%20April%202015/_DSC0100.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Nikon%20April%202015/_DSC0100.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A busy bee at Apple Hill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for looking. :)</span>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-43923739242867945942015-03-23T18:02:00.002-07:002017-08-18T16:40:52.876-07:00Ice House Rd - Riding the Sierras Series.<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The savvy reader has probably figured out by now, that I have split one ride into three different road reports. It would seem I was taking a page out of Hollywood's playbook, but that's not so. It actually was the intention - report on one road per blog post. Instead of one blog post with a glut of pictures on all three roads, we now have three (hopefully) useful blog posts to keep a reader's attention. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For more detailed road Intel on this road - Pashnit.com can be a good resource.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, this road report picks up where the previous one had left off. Wentworth Springs Rd dead-ends into a T-junction. Turn left and you head into ever more desolate wilderness - the road is rough and bumpy, but the rocky and rugged views can be engaging as you head towards Loon Lake Reservoir.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0151057.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0151057.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Loon Lake is roughly 8-9 miles of not too goaty road from the T-junction off of Wentworth Springs, where you turn left. The FJR suspension was too stiff for this road, just a little uncomfortable, that's all. I didn't have any trouble, but was definitely more comfortable on this road on the V-Strom. There are restroom facilities and also a campground by this reservoir. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0161101.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0161101.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like most other California reservoirs this year, the Loon Lake reservoir is also running near historic lows. The reports are that California only has about a year's worth of water reserves left, which is pretty alarming. We need to be more freaked out about it than we seem to be, more stringent water conservation is called for perhaps, although not sure how much that would help - better than the same ol' same ol' will I am sure!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0171151-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0171151-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are at roughly 6500 feet at Loon Lake. Beautiful mountain views all around from this vantage. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0171154.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0171154.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turning back South from Loon Lake, the next two pictures show the pretty views from this harsher road, and also more of the craggy mountainsides on which this road was cut. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0191169-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0191169-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0191177.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0191177.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Approx 8-9 miles from Loon Lake, and you are back at the T-junction with Wentworth Springs and the road improves dramatically. If you turn right, you can run Wentworth Springs East to West and back to Georgetown, or you could continue straight ahead and head South towards Hwy 50 on Ice House Rd. That's what this report will be doing. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0211196.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0211196.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is once again the fast, smooth road you had become accustomed to on Wentworth Springs Rd. The northern portion of Ice House on this section is densely wooded on either side and feels "boxed in". There are also several side-trips you can take from Ice House road. One notable one being to the Big Hill fire lookout for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. I didn't take these detours on this day.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0241224.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0241224.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The road does open up and you are not quite as boxed-in as you keep riding South. Denser growth on the road-sides doesn't necessarily slow many people down, but it does slow me down, never know what critter is lurking in the vegetation - ready to jump out and surprise you. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0251239.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0251239.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although not readily apparent from these pictures, the further South you ride on Ice House, the more technical the corners become. So, keep that in mind. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0261306.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0261306.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not entirely sure of the statistics, but I think there are usually more motorcycle incidents on Wentworth Springs Rd, than they are on Ice House Rd. If true, I am not entirely sure of the reason why?</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0261318.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0261318.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another thing to keep in mind, is that Ice House Rd is the only road connecting Hwy 50 to a multitude of camping sites and reservoirs (think boating) in the area. So, in the Summer weekends, fully expect there to be a fair amount of campers and trucks hauling boats on this road. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0261348.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0261348.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I caught up to these 3 riders on BMWs towards the later sections, they were running an OK pace, so I settled at a safe following distance behind them. An unsafe passing maneuver is what the crashed rider in the earlier report on Wentworth Springs Rd was attempting, when he shot off the cliff, as I have subsequently learned. Better to slow down a bit and enjoy the ride and avoid the pain and aggravation to you and yours that may occur because one is too bone-headed to keep their ego in check. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0261423.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0261423.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0261432.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0261432.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almost done...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0261451.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0261451.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last corner is marked for 15 mph. A lot of riders over-cook this corner as it doesn't appear as tight as it really is. Fortunately there is a wide shoulder in this corner, so if one overcooks it, it doesn't necessarily mean disaster, but then why over-cook it in the first place? </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0261475.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/G0261475.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ice House Rd. Just under 34 miles long. Traveled North to South when accessed from the Wentworth Springs junction, also accessible from Hwy 50 for a South to North run. The 9 miles or so to the North of Wentworth Springs junction to Loon Lake is a bumpy ride. The 25 miles or so ride South of the junction to Hwy 50 is more suited for sport-biking fun. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elevation at Loon Lake: ~6500 feet. Elevation at Hwy 50 junction: ~3200 feet. Map route below. Ride safely! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/Capture.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Ice%20House%20Rd%20March%2015%202015/Capture.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-56147972720720108352015-03-19T18:05:00.000-07:002017-08-18T16:41:26.346-07:00Wentworth Springs Rd. - Riding the Sierras Series.<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second in a series of pictorial blog posts focusing on one local motorcycling road at a time. Once again presented in the context of a rider's-eye view. For reasons which will become evident as you read on - Wentworth Springs Rd is an extremely well known and popular motoring road around here. It starts in the Sierra Foothills out of Georgetown, CA and spits you out in the Sierra Mountains. Positioning you perfectly with two choices to weigh - Into the wilderness to the North, or to the South on another delightfully delicious winding road back towards civilization. Those two choices to be the subject of another blog post another time. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once again, not meant to be a Road Guide. I will once again refer you over to Pashnit.com for Intel on Roads in California.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first 14 miles or so out of Georgetown are "boxed in", even if ever more sparsely populated as you traverse. The road is still more or less lonesome (look to the right of the photo below..). The lonesomeness depends much on the day you are riding through. :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0050598-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0050598-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best part of Wentworth Springs road, in my opinion, is past Stumpy Meadows Reservoir. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0070689-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0070689-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pullout by the reservoir has picnic tables, restroom facilities, boat launch, and there is also a campground nearby. I didn't stop here this time</span>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0070691-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0070691-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best part of Wentworth Springs road starts here. 14 miles of motoring heaven. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0070697-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0070697-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Kings fire ravaged it's way through here in 2014. The continuing drought in California has left vegetation especially susceptible. Just waiting for a spark..</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0090718-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0090718-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0090730-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0090730-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has been clearing the fire ravaged areas of yet combustible fodder which might fuel the next season of Wildfires. You might probably run into them and maybe log trucks on weekdays. I was here on a weekend. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0110747.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0110747.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see to the left, how the fire crested the hill, breached the road, and burnt right across the ravine to the other side. Kings fire was an immensely damaging and relentless burn. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0120751-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0120751-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The never-ending flow of corners continues past the fire ravaged area, as you keep climbing in elevation. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0120755-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0120755-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The skies start to progressively open up as you are nearing or riding on the top of the ridge. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0120774.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0120774.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0120787.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0120787.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't let this open-ness fool you. The fast corners lull the less experienced into overcooking the more technical corners which emerge almost without warning. In the picture below a crotch rocket had overcooked a corner a 1/2 mile or so up the road, shot across the road, launching him and his bike into the air and off the cliff and into the trees and rocks below. Not a pretty sight, he had to be life-flighted to an ER - he lives. His friend who was following him target fixated on the crash in front of him and also ran off the road, but fortunately not off the cliff-side. He was lucky enough to be able to ride home, his friend not so much.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0120866-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0120866-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The crash happened in a corner somewhere past that bend ahead. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0130869.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0130869.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The elevation is still climbing..</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0130916.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0130916.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, seemingly, you crest and you can see the (usually) snow-covered mountains looming ahead. Only a hint of snow-cover this year. We have been exceptionally dry this year, even by drought standards. Also, watch out for rock slides and other road debris around here..</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0130940-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0130940-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More twisty climbs after you crest the first time. Never-ending is not an understatement. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Left..</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0130972-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0130972-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then right.. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0130988-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0130988-2.jpg~original"></a><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then left again..then...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0130982-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0130982-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An A+ stellar ride from beginning to the end. Although, it doesn't stop here. More thrills and adventures await beyond the stop. That is for another time. :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0131004-2.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/G0131004-2.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wentworth Springs Road. Just over 30 miles long. Traversed West to East. The last 14 miles are the best part. Seemingly never-ending twisty fun of supremely paved and cambered road, people have been known to run laps - all day long. Fast corners mixed in with tighter ones, ride within your abilities. Ride safely. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elevation at start: ~2700 feet. Elevation at end: ~5500 feet. Map route below. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/Capture.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Wentworth%20Springs%20March%2015%20-%202015/Capture.jpg~original"></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-51153266515600148312015-03-16T18:25:00.000-07:002017-08-18T16:42:10.452-07:00Salmon Falls Rd. - Riding the Sierra Foothills Series.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a short pictorial blog post about a local road. Presented in the perspective of a rider's-eye view. Thinking of doing some pictorial series of the kind. This would be the first of that series. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not meant to be a definitive road guide or anything resembling the like (Pashnit.com is a good resource for road Intel in California). This is just for fun. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salmon Falls Road. A short but fun road, right in my backyard. Getting busier as the years roll on, it's best motorcycling days are way behind it. Depending on the day and your luck, it could be wide open with no cars, no squids and no CHP, or it can be chock-full of all of them. Roll the dice, take a chance, but ride prudently and safely!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you come to a fork in the road. Take the one more fun! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0010357-3%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0010357-3%20Large.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not much rain, but everything is still so green!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0010359-2%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0010359-2%20Large.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A popular motorcycling road. Fortunately, not a lot of squids out yet. CHP is showing an early presence, nevertheless. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0010372-3%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0010372-3%20Large.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the rider sees his shadow - a long riding season is ahead. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0010375-3.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0010375-3.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Full compliment of on-boards on the FJR. Still, not even close to the IBR steeds. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0010377-2%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0010377-2%20Large.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The road slithering into the distance. Super wide-angle lenses make things appear so much farther away than they are. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0010384-2%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0010384-2%20Large.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quite a few of those tight turns. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0020424-2%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0020424-2%20Large.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When a rider .. wait I already said that! :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030521-2%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030521-2%20Large.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> l love hill climbs and Oak trees. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow the Yellow ...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030528-2%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030528-2%20Large.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More hill climbs, I wouldn't love these on my bicycle. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030530-2%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030530-2%20Large.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some driveways more visible than others. Depends on your direction of travel. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030537-2%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030537-2%20Large.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15 mph usually means what it says.. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030546-2%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030546-2%20Large.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Up into the flaring sun. Almost done.. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030551-2%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030551-2%20Large.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple more corners.. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030555-3.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030555-3.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All done. Watch out for CHP when you throttle out of corners and into the straights. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030571-2%20Large.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/Salmon%20Falls%20March%2015%202015/G0030571-2%20Large.jpg~original"></a></div><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salmon Falls Road. Just over 11 miles long. Corners aplenty. Driveways spilling from Mc-Mansions also aplenty. Still fun. Traveled South to North. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starting elevation: ~617 feet. Ending elevation: ~1183 feet. Map route below. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994911176607504521.post-82399873494399564012015-03-02T14:57:00.001-08:002017-08-18T16:42:52.582-07:00Go Big (Money Rally) or Go Home.. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hadn't been taking any pictures while riding. Sure, I take plenty when I am off the bike, or when I have reached my destination for the day or night, but none while riding. There is a certain element to a ride report which actually has riding pictures, a lack of which is a missing ingredient whose absence is definitely felt, even though it is not an absolutely essential element.</span><br />
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With that in mind, and also being mindful of some upcoming trips to some beautiful Western and South Western countryside, that is in the works - I decided to invest in a GoPro, like many have done so before me. Go(Pro) or Go Home, they have said, which could easily have been the title of this ride report, but I am no Pro, and I like big money (rally) better. :)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having said that, I am actually not a registered rider in the BMR this year. The scales of the work-life balance have tipped very unfavorably in the past few months, and I foresaw and correctly so, that I wouldn't have time to do a whole lot of riding this year. Not as much as I would like to anyway, and certainly not as much as I did in early 2014. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Becoming a BMR finisher isn't a difficult task, I mean you have almost 5 months to do it, but since when has just being a finisher been enough for me? I may say it is initially, if you asked me, but I know better. Once those competitive juices start flowing, there is no stopping till Gold. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't have time for Gold, not this year. I do have time for Finisher, but I wouldn't know what to do with that competitive devil hovering over my left shoulder, hungry for and pissed there isn't going to be any Gold! </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately for me, a solution presented itself. My very good friend Albert signed up for the BMR. Al has been recovering from an incident a while ago, when a car turned left in front of him, while he was riding his motorcycle. I won't go into any detail about his injuries or his ordeal since then, suffice to say - he has been suffering from the aftermaths of that concussion. He doesn't ride much anymore either, for him joining the BMR was an avenue which would lead him to getting on the motorcycle a bit more. A form of meditation and therapy, of being mindful, focusing, anticipating, processing and of course having a little fun. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, Al has asked me to help him be a BMR finisher, and I am more than happy to help him with the research and routing/planning and riding along. His riding range is limited these days, so it will be short(er) and sporadic rides on a few weekends, but it should be enough to get him to finisher, besides it is all I have time for these days, so it will work for me just as well as it works for him - I still get to (kind of) ride in the BMR and I get to help my friend while doing so. Perfect! :)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past weekend was</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> our first BMR outing. A short 160 mile ride door to door, but rich in points. When I did my research, I found a treasure trove of points right in our immediate vicinity, with some terrific weather and great riding roads in the mix to get to them. This was going to be a wonderful start! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0080046%20Custom.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0080046%20Custom.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laird Rd.</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were going to meet in Auburn for Brunch. At one of my long-standing favored Breakfast places in Auburn, Katrina's is better, as most from around here may comment, but I have a long history with Awful Annie's, and good memories as well, so I always choose Annie's. :)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is almost always traffic around the corner on Laird and Folsom-Auburn on the weekends. The suburbs of Sacramento, which I call home are bustling more with each passing year, have to ride farther and farther away to get away from moving road blocks on four wheels.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0080047%20Custom.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0080047%20Custom.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laird Rd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first bonus of the day was at Awful Annie's itself. A picture of Al and our Barista serving us some good coffee to start off our bonus hunting day. I am not going to include a picture of every bonus from the day, just a few markers along our route. :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/20150301103003-IMG_3230-400x300.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/20150301103003-IMG_3230-400x300.jpg~original" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Al and the Barista.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next was the Auburn P.O. for a Town Name (with 6 letters) bonus, followed by the Placer County Courthouse in Auburn. It is a beautiful building and a longstanding landmark. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/20150301113602-IMG_3233-400x300.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/20150301113602-IMG_3233-400x300.jpg~original" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courthouse in Auburn.</td></tr>
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hwy 49 just out of Auburn into the foothills is a great road on weekdays, but on weekends - there is many a weekend reveler on this road, hauling everything and anything that you can imagine. We didn't really have a choice but to hold our noses and ride it to our next stop, a town name (with 4 letters) bonus at the Cool P.O. The signage here wasn't easily accessible, so in true BMR fashion, Al rode up his R1200GSA, not a small bike by any standard, up the ramp right up next to the sign. He fits right in with the BMR'ers. He isn't right, but he is all right!! :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/20150301120602-IMG_3237-400x300.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/20150301120602-IMG_3237-400x300.jpg~original" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town Name (4 letters), Cool, CA.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The roads were opening up from here onwards, as we turned on to Hwy 193. We had gotten far enough away from the hub-bub of the suburbs to begin to stretch our motorcycles' legs.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0090052%20Custom.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0090052%20Custom.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hwy 193.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of stops along the way, first at Greenwood for Town Name (with 9 letters), followed by Georgetown for Town Name (with 10 letters) bonuses. Once again Al jumps the curb with his GS to get closer to the signage. Yup, he fits right in! :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/20150301131402-FullSizeRender1-400x300.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/20150301131402-FullSizeRender1-400x300.jpg~original" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town Name (10 letters), Georgetown, CA.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great riding out of Georgetown, just pick a direction and start riding, Hwy 193 continues to twist it's way South, Wentworth to the North and Marshall Rd to the South West. We picked Marshall, narrow and tight in the beginning and then it opens up wide to sweet sweepers!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0100084%20Custom.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0100084%20Custom.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marshall Rd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leading us to our next bonus, Town Name (5 letters), Lotus, CA and the nearby Marshall Gold Discovery Park. This was the site of the very first Gold discovery in the entire state of California. This sparked the beginning of the Gold Rush. I did a short ride report on this Park quite a while ago. (You can find that report <a href="http://motorcyclewanderings.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-small-flake-of-gold-country.html">Here</a>).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bonus at this park was a picture of Al and a Blacksmith. These are volunteers who run the Blacksmith shop in the Park, mostly apprentices etc. Before we left, we dropped a small cash donation in the donation box to help them with supplies etc.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/20150301134202-IMG_3244-400x300.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/20150301134202-IMG_3244-400x300.jpg~original" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Al and a Blacksmith. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Al wanted to lead the way out of here to Placerville for our next bonus, he used to live around this area before he moved to Sacramento. I let him run before me, and he sometimes succeeded in pulling away from me in the turns, that R1200GSA has maddening power pulling out of turns..much more than my DL1000 has. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0130144%20Custom.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0130144%20Custom.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lotus Rd.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0130149%20Custom.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0130149%20Custom.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Valley Rd.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0130151%20Custom.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0130151%20Custom.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenstone Rd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our stops in Placerville were the Placerville P.O. for the Town Name with 11 letters bonus, and the Hog Wild Barbecue for different ways one can spell Barbecue! Two variations found here, but only one posted..</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/20150301134402-IMG_3246-400x300.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/20150301134402-IMG_3246-400x300.jpg~original" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many ways can you spell Barbecue?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I led the charge again out of Placerville, as we caught back up with Hwy 49. Although it was sunny and gorgeous in the foothills, there were still some unsettled weather patterns in the higher Sierras, we could see some tails ends of those isolated storms from here. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0160217%20Custom.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0160217%20Custom.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hwy 49.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our next couple of stops were the Wilderotter Vineyards (no wine tasting involved, picture stop only) and Plymouth P.O. for the Town Name with 8 letters bonus.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/20150301144302-IMG_3250-400x300.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/20150301144302-IMG_3250-400x300.jpg~original" height="300" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town Name with 8 letters, Plymouth, CA.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a few more bonuses planned towards Jackson, but Al had had enough for the day. He is still building his riding stamina back up and this is where he wanted to turn around and get to the 'Go Home' part of the ride. So, as prudence would dictate, that's what we did. Go Home and Go Home safe is ALWAYS the plan! The title of the report should really have an "and" in it instead of an "or". Too late now! :)</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I led him over Old Sacramento Rd to Latrobe, where we parted ways and he headed into Sacramento on Hwy 16. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0180254%20Custom.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0180254%20Custom.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Sacramento Rd.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0180266%20Custom.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0180266%20Custom.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Sacramento Rd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I continued on to Latrobe on the way back to Folsom. Some light traffic, which was easily dispatched. Latrobe is a fun road, right in my backyard. :)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0200298%20Custom.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0200298%20Custom.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Latrobe Rd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was almost home as I turned on to White Rock Rd. It had been a short but great day of riding with a great friend. Folsom and home were just over that hill...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0220322%20Custom.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0220322%20Custom.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Rock Rd.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0220324%20Custom.jpg~original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/skadeni/BMR%2003_01_15/G0220324%20Custom.jpg~original"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Rock Rd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading! :)</span></div>Puppychowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07714842336406615374noreply@blogger.com2