Missions San Juan Capistrano / San Luis Rey

November 1, 2012

El Toro, CA

Today was forecast to be a nice Southern California day.  So the plan was to take an easy ride south to Mission San Juan Capistrano then 50 miles further south to Mission San Luis Rey de Francia located not too far from Camp Pendleton’s back gate.

A few things have changed at Mission San Juan Capistrano since the last time I was there.  First off, there was ongoing street construction in front of the Mission on Ortega.  This prevented me from positioning Sophia in a good spot for an outside photo.  Second, it appears that a local businessman has taken over the Mission business.  Remodeling is planned and entry fees are $8….the most expensive of any mission.  Needless to say, I didn’t go into the grounds. 

At the temporary pay booth Snoopy got a photo with the attendant and the passport got stamped.

Mission SD and Cabrillo Nat'l Monument

October 28, 2012

El Toro, CA

I’ve been home a week now and have been busy doing nothing J.  Ahhh, it is so good to just relax and help out with a few things around the house.

But today it's off to San Diego to visit the last of the SCMA’s California Adventure of visiting 24 NP’s. 

Needless to say the ride was a quick one, only 80 miles to Cabrillo Nat’l Monument, 15 to Mission San Diego de Alcala, and 80 back home.  175 mile trip; with the necessary stops it took about 5 hours.

At Cabrillo photos were taken Ranger David (SCMA Member) in his booth.

 

Home At Last !!

October 21, 2012

Lake Forest CA

Had an excellent rest last night and enjoyed a Subway sandwich with a glass of wine.  The plan is to sleep in tomorrow as there are only 2 NP’s to visit then an easy ride home to El Toro. 

The base motel, The Sleeping Tortoise, provided an excellent breakfast and Snoopy got to pose with the lady taking care of the food shop.

First stop was the Joshua Tree NP, located only a few miles from the USMC Base’s main gate. 

Riding Mulholland

October 20, 2012

MCB Twentynine Palms, USMC

Last night I decided to also complete Joshua and Mojave NP’s before heading home.  So today’s first stop would be in Thousand Oaks where I will visit the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (NRA).  What seemed to be an easy stop turned into a frustrating hunt but rewarded me with a ride down the Mulholland Hwy twisties.

Arriving at the NP in Thousand Oaks I was

confronted with this notice on the door.

Putting the Calabasas address into the Garmin I headed off to its location.  Garmin directed me to exit

Four Missions and One National Park

October 19, 2012

Port Hueneme CA

Today was a ‘Butt’ haulin’ day trying to accomplish visiting these places and making it to Port Hueneme Naval Base sleeping quarters.

The quarters provided at Vandenberg were pretty good, similar to a three story motel suite.  I got a good night’s rest not worrying about the bike parked out in the lot in front of the quarters.  Hey, I’m on a military base….my bike is safe from theft!  (that was a bit of cynicism!) Breakfast was coffee and pastry then out on the road heading for Mission La Purisima. 

Heading out of the Base it was a straight shot south on CA-1 until reaching the outskirts of Lompoc where I hung a left onto 246 which would take me directly by the Mission.   But then I almost missed it…at the last second I noticed a sign for the State Park….say what? A State Park? 

Yep, La Purisima Mission, along with Mission San

Last of the Best 15 US Roads Challenge!

October 17-18, 2012

CA-1:  Monterey to Morro Bay

Missions San Miguel and San Luis Obispo

Monterey Bay is sooooo nice in the early Fall!  Yesterday I rode all about the town, then out to the Navy Golf Monterey Pines and played 9 holes, absolutely awesome!  I could really enjoy living our here except for it being so cold and wet in the winter.  Oh, and IF I could afford a place to live our here….pretty expensive area!

It was an easy morning ride out of Monterey towards Carmel probably because it was a Sunday morning.  Today’s ride will be on CA-1, Cabrillo Hwy south to Morro Bay.  Anticipation was high as I imagined the views I will be treated to while on this road, and I was not disappointed.  It was only about 50 miles outside of Monterey that I came upon the first bridge with the support arches under the road.  Very picturesque style with the hills and the ocean surrounding it.  Snoopy liked the views and the unlimited supply of fresh ocean air flowing upon us from the Pacific.  Much of the road at the beginning just follows the coast and you can see the rocky shoreline or the uninhabited beaches.  Then in Big Sur the road cuts a bit inland only to once again come back out onto the coastline above the water.

Short Road, Long Time

October 16, 2012

NPGS, Monterrey, CA

Today is my departure day from San Jose and my brother in law’s house.  He has been an excellent host, cooking, entertaining, drinking wine with me J.  Have been here a long time, but during that time I visited all the local Parks and Missions that are listed in the SCMA’s Passports.

Today was a day to visit 2 missions on my way into Monterrey for a round of golf at the Navy Course and then be positioned for the last of the 15 Best USA Rides…riding the Pacific Coast Highway from Monterrey to Morro Bay.  At the end of that ride I will have completed the 15 ride event!

So today, it took me 4 hours to get out of the house.  Packing, loading, cleaning kitchen and bedroom, tire pressure, yadayada.  Made it to San Juan Bautista at 2pm and was on the road to Soledad by 2:20pm and arrived at Soledad mission at 3pm.  Not bad!

Riding 101 south is a good road until somewhere south of Gilroy and the construction begins, then the road gets a little rough.  Today there was also quite a bit of traffic, especially through Salinas. The little town of San Juan Bautista is a quaint little town that enhances a visit to the mission or state park for tourists.  It boasts restaurants, shops, etc.  A few days ago I stopped here for a very nice Mexican Dinner at Dona Esther.

The mission is located next to the State Park National Historic Site of San Juan and very easy to find. Unfortunately the entry to the front of the actual mission was closed either for the parking lot construction underway or some other reason.  So I had to settle for a photo at the street entrance near the gift shop.  Got my stamp (a huge stamp) and a photo taken there.  The photo was taken by a retired Army Colonel that was also visiting the site and wearing a “Retired Army” ball cap.