April – Riding without a Destination

A day off. No kids needing direction, no immediate demands and a decent day weather wise so what better day to take to the road!

I packed up the bike with every intention on taking a few days to do some Nevada spring touring. I have longed to travel to eastern NV touring the Great Basin NP and Cathedral Gorge. I set my GPS to route a zig zag across the desert holding to all the back roads, skirting Hwy 50. Well…

Once I finally got ready to go it was 1pm but I figured the sun was in my favor and would give me several hours of light. Riding down to Geiger Grade my cut off road to Hwy 50, I was blown across the lane twice and the 3rd gust got my attention. Ok…what am I nuts?? I am not going to brave the flatlands with this rising windstorm. So now what?

South 395 and reverse my route. Go down to Lone Pine over 168 only I never made it there either. By the time I reached Walker, NV, I thought it timely to introduce myself to Chris who is taking all our reservations for the first pashnit Girly ride!! I notice it is really smoky in Walker and the wind is still gusting away! I visit Chris, gas up the bike and head to Bridgeport, hoping the smoke will clear.

Bridgeport is smoky and gusting like a displeased Zephyr. OK… how about Sweetwater Canyon and a quick visit to Yerington to see my dad. Nawww, i’ll go back up 395 and go over Monitor Pass and check it out, then maybe head down to see Syd.

Monitor is howling the blues. It is beautiful but chilly. I stop to don my heated liner with my vented jacket. Hmmmm….who taught me how to dress? Monitor is looking good, with only a few spots of sand and a couple of minor rock slides. I slip right on into Markleeville just about 6:00PM and I consider going over 88 to warmer country, only by the time I reach Hope Valley stop for pix and a short hike, it is nearly 7PM.

I kick around ideas until they are well bruised and then I head home back over 88 to Jack’s Valley and then north on 395.

As I pulled in the drive, I considered leaving the bike packed so that maybe tomorrow sans gale winds, I can get outa Dodge…i mean Reno.

Monitor Pass finally open!!