The Snoopy Conversation

September 24, 2012
Fallon, NV

After loading Sophia I had a quick Carl’s breakfast of coffee and egg burrito….ah, con salsa y mas café!  Then out on the road riding back on 299 thru Shasta to the Whiskeytown Visitor Center.  They were open and I got my SCMA Parks Passport stamped and invited volunteer Ranger Joanne and volunteer Polly to join Sophia and Snoopy for a photo.

Crossroads – Decision Made

September 24, 2012
Whiskeytown NRS, CA

Those of you who have been following my blogs or were with me in Nelson BC, know of my decision at the end of The Three Flags Classic, to just ride back to the west coast, head south, complete the California Parks Adventure for the SCMA’s Triple Crown, and call it a year.  No more "The 15 Best Roads in America Challenge"....felt that next year I would ride at my leisure and really enjoy the last three rides.

This was my frame of mind while sitting in Nelson BC sipping on a beer

CA-299 Salmon Runnin’

September 23, 2012
Redding CA

It was a good rest and a simple continental breakfast with some good coffee.  Snoopy even got to flirt with the owner’s little 2 year old daughter this morning but she was too shy to pose for pictures.

Back out on the road I was soon turning onto CA-299 that would take me over the coastal mountain range and into Whiskey Town…the next National Park that I needed to visit in NorCal.  The road was a gentle climber into the mountains, some nice curves, and then a few steep climbs but nothing extreme.  Or at least I don’t remember anything extreme.  There were some 180’s but they were gentle curves as the highway climbed into Willow Creek. 

I took a stop in Willow Creek for some breakfast at the Bigfoot Bar and Restaurant.  As I entered the town I noticed Gonzalez Mexican Restaurant but didn’t stop there as I really wanted a plate of eggs and ham.  Across from the restaurant I got these photos of the mural painted across the whole building.  Later, on google, I found that Willow Creek is considered the Gateway to Bigfoot Country and they have erected a Bigfoot statue in the town center…too bad I didn’t know it at the time as it would have been a nice photo for Sophia and Snoopy.

Don’t Trust Bicyclists or Hikers!

September 22, 2012
Eureka CA

Rough day today.  First an email reporting electrical problems in the house…will need an electrician…ka-ching is coming, I know it.  Then another rough call from daughter….details not necessary.  While loading bike and installing Garmin via bungy cords thru speaker brackets on the fairing the right side speaker cover ripped out.  The plastic around all four screws broke from the frame….but fixed it with super glue and installed Garmin bungys via handlebars. 

Went and had the motel breakfast….hard boiled eggs and a seeded bread with butter and strawberry jelly all washed down with a good tasting coffee.  Ahhh, got me ready for the day.  Met Bodie, a young man from Beaverton who was riding (I think) a Kawasaki.  He loves to ride and see the landscape….wish him the best of rides!  And it was a bummer that I overlooked taking a photo of him on his bike to post herein.

After breakfast I rode over to the Visitor’s Center that was located a few blocks away.  It was here that I discovered there is no separate National Park per se, but that the whole area consisting of each State Park comprises the National Park.  At least I think that is the arrangement.

Ahh, A Good CaliMex Dinner !

September 21, 2012
Crescent City CA

Today was a good day to depart OR and mi familia.  First, because I need to get back on the road again (Sophia was complaining and Snoopy was whining), second, I’ve been here waaayyyy too long (My bro and Sis in law were considering adopting me J), and third, today was the first day of rain since I arrived in OR….so Fall has now officially arrived in OR according to the Gonzo Book of Seasons!  And I’m outa here!  Heading for Northern CA and finding country roads, scenic roads, yadayada.

 

My visit with family in Tigard has been a good one.  The resting and sleeping that began in Tacoma and continued here has renewed my spirits somewhat. and I've gained unneeded weight from Tere's cooking! I played a little golf, got sophia her 40K service, hosted a party with mi familia and friends to celebrate the year's riding.

Here's a pic of me at The Reserve and of the next door neighbor, little Cooper with his mom. Lil Cooper loved to push all the buttons and make the horn honk :).

 

WA-20 &The Cascades NP

September 5, 2012
Tacoma WA
(Cascade Pics)

Bob, Marty and I departed Nelson around 9am after a light breakfast at a restaurant associated with Best Western….located more in the west of Nelson away from the Prestige Hotel.  It was a good breakfast, exactly what I needed to continue on the planed route that Bob and Marty have in mind.

We will take Canadian Hwy 3 towards Castlegear then head south to the border and pick up WA-21 to WA-20 into Omak.  The plan is to continue on WA-20 through the Cascade National Park towards Concrete so Bob can get credit for riding this road for the 15 Best Challenge.  I’m heading to Tacoma to visit my friend for a few days then head south to Tigard (Portland) and visit my brother and Sister in law for a few more days.  All I want to do is veg somewhere off the saddle!

It was a very nice ride through Canada on the 3 to the border…lots of climbs, descents and good curves in the road.  Upon reaching the border we only had a brief wait.  Bob was first and he got through after a cursory inspection of one of his bags.  Then Marty…same thing.  Then me.  The Border agent was very polite but took about 10 minutes on each of us.  In my case, asking why the CA Drivers license and the OR plates…easily explained.  Then she decided to inspect the left

I Am 50% Canadian

September 4, 2012
Nelson, BC  Canada

Typically, I consider myself of Mexican descent because my father was an Hispanic from Tejas.  As a child I lived in a number of those small towns in southern Texas…Weslaco, Mission, Falfurrias, Alice and of course, probably a few outlying non-city country farm locales.  Perhaps this is why I love the country so much.

BUT, what about the other side of me….my mother’s side? She was Canadian…..from the Hamilton area.  I haven’t been in touch with anyone on that side of the family for years….other than my cousins, children of my mother’s brother and sister.  And they are all New Yorkers basically.

I am not sure.  But I believe my mother was a combination of English

Day 4: Adrenalin Rush

September 3, 2012
Nelson, B.C.  Canada

Only 200 miles to go from Trout Creek MT, cross the border, ride around Lake Kootenai, ride the ferry across, and roll into Nelson….the finish line!

Needless to say, I took my time.  Had a leisurely breakfast in the small family café across the street and sipped extra coffee while reviewing the maps for sites I wanted to check out for future fishing.

(Pics of Canada near end)

Day 3: Cold, Long, and Too Dark

September 2, 2012
Trout Creek WY

Got up around 5am, loaded the bike and was on the road by 6:30am.  In the Little America parking lot it was chilly, but not excessive.  Regardless, I put on the layers, leathers, raingear/windbreakers, heavy gloves and face mask.

But it was to no avail.

The intended route was to depart Little America west on I-80 for a few miles and exit at US-30 north to WY240 to connect onto US189 towards Jackson Hole.  I am so glad that I was dressed for the worst….because the cold started to show up with a chilling effect upon my left wrist.  Riding over a few hills I could see far into the distance what seemed to be very low clouds or fog.  Later I was to find both (what’s the difference??).

Day 2: Three Flags Classic

September 1, 2012
Little America WY

I got the early start I needed, 0745 back on the road.  Before leaving the motel I met Stan from Canada, then Marlene also from Canada then I met probably the oldest riding couple in the group.  I forget their names but he must’ve been 76 and she in her early 70’s.  Each was riding a new Gold Wing.  She is so petite that she steadied the bike on her toes!  OK, I’m not sure about that….but that’s what it seemed like.

The planned route took us North on the US24 then northwest on CO62 which was full of climbs, twisties, descents with more twisties…scary for me a little but I’m getting better at handling these drop off cliffs. 

62 took me through Aspen!  Always wondered where that was and what it looked like.  I’m so glad I never spent $$ just to go there….totally plastic for the in crowd.  But who am I??  I can barely stay up on a pair of skis.

Day 1: Three Flags Classic

August 31, 2012
Buena Vista CO

Quite a day….met some wonderful SCMA folks who are 3FC participants and/or volunteers administering to the organization of the event.  After dinner I had a hard time settling down to sleep and was up until almost midnight.  Not to worry however, at 3AM practically every motorcycle in the lot was firing up and riders were heading west on the 10 to connect to the Patriot’s Highway, US54 and head north to Colorado. 

I didn’t, I rolled over and went back to sleep for another 2 hours.

After waking up the 2^nd  time I immediately went and turned in my start