My mind was fully occupied. I was humming Canned Heat’s, “on the road again” and melding with the pavement beneath my wheels and all the while keeping heads up for crazy automobile drivers talking on phones, texting or eating their morning meal. Yep another day touring America!
I had it in my mind to seek out some sunshine and warmer temperatures. Sacramento has been one cold arsed day after another and another I swear my fingers and toes were frostbiten. So, last week Gary and I purchased a new to us car, just so there was another secure machine at my disposal to escape my ever present winter seasonal disorder. But after careful consideration, I knew that what was needed was a motorcycle trip and nothing short of falling snow was going to keep me in Sacto. I had roads to ride!
My plan was to get to SoCal and connect with my friends Kris Viffergyrl and Alan M.Brane and let them show me some of their awesome riding roads in the time that the holiday weekend allowed. Well, we did our best and this is what spawned from that consideration.
Seven hours of some of the most fabulous scenery I have seen in an age along with some beautiful warm temperatures, some mighty fine tarmac and some not so much. Thanks to Kris and Alan, I now have an entire different perspective of SoCal. I was a NorCal snob as you know…until yesterday. 😀
Please not those gorgeous VFRs not just the awesome riders!
Kris
Alan
Not a great shot but given the sign verbiage,it seemed the perfect intro for the day!
Just one of the amazing roads.
A little goat for those seeking adventure.
Bicycles run amok.
One bicyclist was actually getting some shade sitting on a very tight blind right hander. I think first Alan nearly took him out, then Kris then me. I mean three’s a charm dood!!
Kris and Alan
Us 3
Another not so great a shot…but the loftiness is undeniable.
Santa Rosa Rd….ahhhhhhh
Jalama Beach
Yep…we’ll all still here!
Loved the sign…
And the sustenance.
There was alot of rubber sacraficed on this day. Our lead Alan, did not allow moss to grow under his tires. Kris and I basically followed, so to speak.
Thanks Kris and Alan…you gave me an awesome introduction to the first leg of my journey to the SW…
Onward to Tucson…
This shot cost me. I thought I had unlocked all the doors so I could get back in to my friend Roger’s home, and NOOOO…..hahahahhahah, I locked myself out. I decided to try the back door, climbed the fence talking all the while to Snoopy the watch dog so he wouldn’t think I was a creepy tweeker or something and discovered it was not only locked but sadly, I couldn’t fit through the doggie door. As I got back out in front, the neighbor where the kids were awaiting school, saved my arse. Coby, Roger’s son let me in through the garage, phew. It had to have been funny for anyone who saw me…in my robe and slippers wishing I had put my phone in my pocket. Boy, way to learn a lesson girl…;)
My bike looks pretty sporty without the bags!
After the fence climbing incident, riding a motorcycle seemed a breeze! I jumped on Hwy 10 and headed to Tucson after Roger told me that the route I had chosen originally, was over the drug smuggling area, so I opted for the highway.
Hwy 10 is an odd road. Much of it is just fast and dull, but on the way to Tucson, there were miles and miles of big rigs running side by side. I remember when truckers were good drivers. I think now 12 hours and a few hundred dollars can put one on the seat of a big rig and there are some absolutely horrid operators. Well, this group was difficult to navigate as they ran like a parade dropping the speed limit from 75 to 45. Lane splitting was looking really inviting.
Once I got to Tucson, the weather was amazing. It was warm and 75. I rode to my friends home, ready for some SW hospitality.
On the road…
At my friend Deb’s home.
I love the Amy’s wall, Deb’s neighbor.
This work was all done with spray cans.
I love Deb’s neighborhood. I could easily settle in here.
OH YA…I found my house!
and the plants for my yard.
Deb had some time off, and her husband Mark is a musician, a previous VLA astrophysicist who dropped out. So we had time to just hang out and play music. Now, let me qualify that, I could hang out and try to play music.
The flute/trombone player also plays the Melodia, a wind instrument piano. Very odd instrument.
I am attempting to play a large bass Kalimba.
This is a goofy shot, but one I loved! It’s the glass tile in the bathroom and how cool is that?
The following day we all decided to go to the Essence of Tranquility hot springs.
The day was dark and brooding but gorgeous.
The hot spring was a total delight! The baths are private so clothing is not needed. They are all old skool pools with stone and cement.
By the time we left the hot springs, it was getting dark and the trip back to Tucson was a little over two hours. I spotted this guy in Tucson.
I spent one more day with my friends who are Quaker and went to my first Quaker meeting. I enjoyed the sense of community and the celebration of silence. I left Tucson for Truth or Consequences feeling pretty darned centered!
The rains started on Monday and most of my ride to TorC was in some pretty potential downpours, however between them there were some amazing skies. I believe the winds around Lordsburg were trying to reallign my spine with those lovely 50mph crosswinds. It was one crazy ride.
I saw this place and had to exit to check it out. There was a museum there that my friends described as a goth inquisition museum…hmmmm, I had to see that, but it wasn’t open. Next time…
This pretty much summed up my day of riding, with more or less wind, but a pretty steady rain. My Gerbing kept me nice and warm and my FirstGear Kilimanjaro kept me completely dry. I was amazed.
My stay at the Blackstone is always fabulous. The people that run the resort are gracious and warm hosts and the hospitality is amazing. I was unable to remain in my original room, since I only made reservations for one day, but they quickly situated me in another room, with a hot springs shower instead of of a soaking tub. I don’t know, that are both awesome!!
Here’s the “Twilight Zone” room.
Here is the Blackstone from the street.
This shot is the courtyard in the spring which is in stark contrast to now.
Spring
Now
So…in my craziness, I have been considering the purchase of a piece of property in TorC. Many of my friends think I am absolutely bonkers, but I love the desert as you all know. It is energizing and centering to me and I know I’d thrive there, but it would have to be on a part time basis. So, that places that I looked at needed to be cheap.
I found this property which needs lots of TLC, but the big selling factor is that it’s grandfathered into a hot springs permit which would allow me to drill a well into the hot springs. That was enough for me. I’m going to have the property inspected and see if I can proceed with the purchase.
It had a wiring fire within the conduit. There is little fire damage except for smoke damage. The best photos of the place can be seen here.
It’s my intention to offer considerable less and see what they counter. It’s been on the market for a while without any bites, so I’m hoping they are ready to deal. I guess one has to be a visionary to see the potential in this mess, but I have some lofty dreams.
I don’t know, I’m thinking the my motorcycle looks pretty good parked in front of the place. ; )
This is the adjoining property, which just shows the potential that can be reached here. I love the fence, both the stone and the metal. I’d like to wall it in for privacy and security, if I end up owning it.
Ok…enough about my dream. I needed to get ready to go, but I was hoping for warmer temps. When I emerged from my room, it was 31 degrees…i believe my entire ride back to Tucson was never above 44. I was toasty warm, where the gerbing covered, but I have to admit, a bit chilly otherwise.
Leaving TorC, I decided I wanted to pay a visit to the War Memorial, which I had never taken the time to stop and see. It’s very sombering. They have recreated the Vietnam wall at half scale. I can only imagine the power of it on a full size.
There is a museum there, but it wasn’t opened yet and I knew I needed to begin heading back to the west! I did have to snap this ambulance.
Well, it’s finally up to the 50s so I’m back on the road.
Well, I made it home safe and sound last night around 6ish. I left Beatty, yesterday morning and it was clear and 35. I don’t believe it warmed up until I got back to the Sacramento Valley! Tonopah, NV was 40 at noon! I was ever so glad to have my heated gear, but quite frankly it was difficult to get it warm enough to counter the chill. There wasn’t one other motorcyclist on the road until I reached Fallon. I wasn’t surprised, as most riders have better sense, but usually I see at least one other person touring.:whistle Not yesterday.
The last of the story…
I left Tucson with the idea of going to Death Valley, but I was a bit generous in my thinking and ended up in the lovely town of Blythe. I had a free room coming from Best Western and decided to take advantage of it. By the time i arrived, it was full on dark and I really wanted to have a decent meal and drink, but wasn’t really interested in going somewhere solo, so instead I made it to the grocery store and got wine and some misc munchies. I drank the vino, ate the goodies and hung out on pashnit and MCB&B reading threads. What an exciting night life I lead on the road, eh??? 🙂
I did meet a homeless man at the store who had a dog with him. After seeing my bike he proceeded to tell me he had been a rider and crashed and his bike went over a cliff. It was quite the colorful tale and being he was a fellow rider, I gave him a couple of bucks and a croissant sandwich and gave the dog a pat. It was cold there and I gave pause to that. 🙁
This gas stop had these dinosaurs fighting to see who got the Bandit. I explained their arms weren’t long enough to reach the bars.
I took a cut off road that connected to Hwy 78 and ended up being a whole lot of fun, however there was a border patrol on it who decided to search three semi trucks that were ahead of me. I was jonsing to get back on the road as daylight was burning, but he would not wave me ahead. I was trying to be patient as he crawled up into each semi and checked the back holds. When he was quite finished he waved me though. Ya….thanks. :scratch
As the sun was beginning to set, the colors emerged to a glorious golden glow.
I slept fitfully and was up early. I had sorted photos, cleared camera cards and was ready to head onward by 8ish which for me was early. I looked at the maps I had and really wanted to get through DV and then to Beatty to overnight.
I believe this was Hwy 95 right along the CO river. It was really quite stunning, but reminded me a lot of the Salton Sea and an area that never quite reached expectations.
I am never surprised at people, but must admit this was a first. Along Hwy 95 the speed limit is 65. I came upon a motorhome pulling a trailer that was doing 45 along a double lined area with a RR crossing ahead. The thing kept slowing and slowing and then before the RR tracks…STOPPED on a highway. Wow…:pfft I definitely went around as soon as I could. It wasn’t even a “rent America” motorhome, these people actually must have owned and traveled with this monstrosity.
Next stop was Las Vegas, though I didn’t quite plan it that way. I was hoping to get into DV from Hwy 127 to 190, but somehow my GPS put me right into LV. Oh well, i coffeed up and headed to Beatty once again arriving at dusk. This trip had me riding more darkness that I usually do, but there is something satisfying about it. I can’t really explain.
I decided in Beatty to live it up a bit ( :funny ) and hit the local bar/restaurant KCs Outpost Saloon. What a night. I met the local Beatty Cowboys. I can’t really explain these guys, but they dress up in traditional garb and do local shows, like gunfights and other savory examples of the wild west. I only met a handful, but they were dressed the part and were serious about being true to a “Deadwood” sort of style.
They gave me a brochure.
They truly added color to Beatty, the likes of which I had never seen.
On Saturday morning, I awoke to really cold temperatures in the 20s. I waited until it hit 30 before I go on the road but was pretty darned chilled most of the way home. I was determined to get back to Sacramento, and since it was bone chilling cold, took the path of least resistance, skipping my FAVORITE roads which seemed sacrilege but necessary.
I did stop in Goldfield for a few shots.
The ghosts of Goldfield.
I have shot these before and they are as cool as ever.
And to think if I had made Tonopah, I could have stayed here!
Hwy 95
You know how you get one photos that really moves you. Well this is mine for me. It reminds me of an impressionist painting as it moved into abstraction. It’s Walker Lake.
A crop duster.
The final summit of I80. Wow as pretty as the scenery is, I couldn’t help but think of my friend Sydney as she avoided that road like the plague due to potholes and traffic.
My descent into Sacramento was truly breathtaking and once again I found myself at home.
