Family Adventure – Day 11

Posted on July 24, 2010 by Freejack

I was in Fenton for the Family Reunion (at Roaring Camp). And a cousin lives just a few miles north on 9

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Family Adventure – Day 10

Posted on July 23, 2010 by Freejack

Hang around

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Family Adventure – Day 9

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Freejack

Monterey and Fisherman’s Wharf

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Family Adventure – Day 8

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Freejack

Left Kurt’s and headed north to Watsonville

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Family Adventure – Day 7

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Freejack

Next morning I got my gear sorted and went out to put it on the bike. It was around 96 degrees per the desk clerk. Once I got packed up, I dropped off the key and headed out.

I ran into another border patrol checkpoint as I was only a few miles from Mexico. I’ve been raising my flip up so the guys can see my face and they’ve been just waving me through. I guess that I don’t likely have several illegals on the bike also helps

After the first one, I stopped after to get a pic of the area. The border patrol was keeping an eye on me of course. I was thinking that this would be a bad place up cross, due to the heat, but then figured it would be at night so less of a chance of being spotted. I also thought that we should just snag the illegals to build the wall rather Than sending them back.

Next up was an area of sand dunes. I stopped for a quick look and pics the off I went. As I approached el centro, it cooled down a bit. It warmed up on the other side though and started through the desert again. It was a very straight run to the mountains then started the run up. This was fun, two lane and twisties on up. At the top, I spotted a tower and decided to check it out. In-ko-pah co park has a tower that overlooks the desert. I paid my 3.50 bucks and went to the top. Then hit the bathroom and checked out the caves. Well, not really. It was really just a bunch of leaning rocks but it was cool to climb around.

Back on the road, I headed west again. Now I’m at the top of the “mountains” at 4000 feet and it’s a bit cooler. On the other side as I headed back down, I thought I could see the Pacific. Unfortunatley, it was really pollution. Going through el cajon, I could smell the smog and even my eyes burned a bit. Getting beyond that though and the air was moister, but not quite as smelly (or I got used to it).

Getting to 163 and I headed north. It was a bit later and I still needed to get to LA. I took Balboa down to the ocean. I called Rita and she suggested heading downtown to see the mosaic outside the convention center. I initially was reluctant but when I got to the ocean, thought I’d head on down.

South on 5 until I saw the sign for the convention center and exited. This was downtown and surprisingly not busy. I wandered around for a bit and then called Rita trying to figure out where the mosaic was. I used the maps feature on the iPhone and found I’d made a right where a left would have had me right at the center. I looped around until I spotted it, stopped, hopped off the bike and walked over for a picture. I also discovered that Comic Con was in town!

After that, I headed north to LA.

I had to find my way out, found 8 and headed east. I missed 5 north but 805 was a bit farther so took that north.

As I followed 5 north, I was able to see the ocean. A couple of times I would take the road over to ride closer but it would still put me back on 5. At laguna hills, I stopped seeing the ocean so tried to cut over again and got lost, finally taking out the iPhone and tracking my way out. After that, I stuck to 5 then 405 until I got to 90 and headed over to Venice Beach to visit with my brother and his girlfriend.

Even that took a couple of tries. He lives on the canals and it’s an interesting bit of roads to traverse. But I eventually found the place, greeted him and unpacked the bike.

After a shower, we headed out to dinner at an Asian place near the pedestrian mall. Then hit the apple store and returned home. We of course chatted, especially about the extended family that I’d been visiting and their expectations. I sacked out on the wicker couch and went to sleep.

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Family Adventure – Day 6

Posted on July 19, 2010 by Freejack

Ok, let me see if I can catch up a bit here.

I bailed early as I generally do and headed west. As I approached Los cruces, I saw the exit for 25 north which would run me home. I occasionally get mildly homesick and think of making the turn. So I thought about it a little but continued on west instead.

Weather wise, it was somewhat cool so I was comfortable. I made an exit for gas and spotted a bunch of goats. I’d seen quite a few in places but this was a larger number. Making my way to town, I stopped for gas and grabbed a banana. An older guy stopped to chat. It’s cool to meet up with folks on the road. He suggested avoiding Phoenix by taking the 8 bypass. Thanking him, I headed back out.

The temps were getting up there as I headed west. I started leaving the front of my suit open so my sweat would keep me cooler. I was going through a liter or so of water between gas stops. There were lots of other cars but no bikes as I took 8 west.

I had planned three days to get to LA but it looked like I was doing a bit better. If I pushed it a little, i could probably make it. Then I decided on San Diego to check out one of the places I grew up. On the 8 route is the northern bypass at gila bend. I decided to continue on to San Diego and kept on west.

I kept an eye on the bike to make sure it was operating well. Engine temps were exactly right and the bike never seemed to waver. I also stayed thoughtful of my state, drinking lots of water and stopping for gas when possible. It wouldn’t do to run out in the desert.

As I approached Yuma, temps were quite high. It seemed that sweat was evaporating very fast. I’d scrunch down to let it build a little then sit up to cool down. It was like someone was blowing a hair dryer into my neck it was so hot. Eventually when I got to Yuma I decided it was too hot to continue and snagged a room with AC

I unpacked, took a shower, then headed out for dinner. It was 3:30 or so and still very hot. The lady at The desk said it was 107. One thing to remember, temps are not consistent. Street level temps are generally hotter than bank sign or weather report temps. So I figure it was a bit warmer for me on the bike than 107.

I did some reading, walked around town a little, and finally went to bed.

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Family Adventure – Day 5

Posted on July 18, 2010 by Freejack

We headed out to Georgetown for breakfast at monument cafe. I snagged pancakes, oj, and peppered bacon which was quite good. The pancakes had a sugary crispiness. We did a quick tour of town then headed back. I packed up the bike, said my goodbyes and headed out.

I headed south through Austin then west on 290. Humidity wasn’t as bad as the day before but still up there. As I headed west, the foliage changed. When I reached Fredericksburg, the countryside was still green but the humidity was way down. It was certainly hot but with the sweat drying instead of pooling, I didn’t feel as hot.

As I moved through hill country, I saw the green get less, scrub oak, manzanita, and the ground became lighter.

Once I connected with route 10, of course movement picked up and it became a cycle of sip, sip, sip from the camelbak, gas and pee.

In reaching the Rio Grande, I of course could see into Mexico which was interesting. I saw more border patrols and as I reached the river, there was a border station on the freeway with a big backup

In approaching 600 miles and El Paso, I spotted a cheap motel and snagged a room. But cheap rooms are cheap for a reason Even the towels smelled like cigarettes. The AC was so noisy I had to shut it off at 1am.

Still, the view of El Paso was spectacular.

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Family Adventure – Day 4

Posted on July 17, 2010 by Freejack

Yesterday was basically a straight run down to Austin. It started out as warmish and got hotter, about 114 on one sign. I followed 75 per the map but got on a side road so got to Austin at 5:30. Other than the screwball who tried to run me off the road in sherman, it was just ride, stop for water and gas, keep up with traffic, and avoid the cops.

I met with Sharon, omar’s wife and got my gear together for dinner. We went to chili’s and after, we talked about computers, security, how we met, and all those other things we got caught up on and here I am

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Family Adventure – Day 3

Posted on July 16, 2010 by Freejack

Well Friday we basically hung out together. Barb went to get Val so she could work on the yard some more. I updated the blog as you can see. When she returned, we went through the box of pictures. I picked out a small stack that Michael will scan for me. We had lunch and she took Val back home. At 5:30 or so, we headed over to Discoveryland with Blair, Sebastian, and a friend of hers. Discoveryland presents a show of Oklahoma which is what we came to see. Before the show started, we watched an Indian dance which was cool, then a pony express reenactment. We then went to our seats. First was a song montage. Then they had folks from each state as they called them out, stand and do a ye haw! . Next a tribute to veterans. Then the show started. They did a fine job but by intermission, the clouds rolled in and the canceled the rest of the show. We zipped home, Blair dropped me off and I hit the sack.

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Family Adventure – Day 2

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Freejack

Morning and it’s sprinkling a little. I can see rain clouds ahead so I’ll be wearing my rain gear to start and see how it goes later.

The motel didn’t have wifi until I got up so no updates. Today it’s a ride from Garden City Kansas to Tulsa Ok.

I’ve been taking more alternate routes vs the main roads but it looks like I’ll have to hit the freeways for most of the ride today.

Get the biked packed up with the new weight distribution, get the rain gear on and head on out.

A few miles down the road had me stopping to put my Aerostich rain gloves on as it started raining a bit. That was light and only lasted to Dodge City. I went through town first to see how big it was then turned around for gas and to see Dodge City.

Stopped at the info center and checked out the tourist stuff. Even picked up a t shirt which I hadn’t planned on. Got some pics of the surroundings but none of it looked like what I expected. Ah well, time to hit the road again.

As I’m leaving Dodge City, I came upon a weird intersection. I made a turn but stopped and took a quick look at the map, decided I was going the wrong way and turned around. Turns out I was going the right way the first time. So I had to make the right at Kinsley and head down to Greensburg so I can head to Wichita.

In Pratt I pulled over for gas and chatted with a couple on their Harley. We exchanged weather info, they were heading back to California via Colorado but hadn’t pick a definitive route yet. I gave them a wave as we headed out.

With the overcast skies, the temps weren’t horrible. In Wichita the sun broke through and the temps started rising. I stopped for a quick break and sent a text to my aunt. Be there at around 4 (it was 12:30).

Got to the toll road and headed on south on 35. In Oklahoma, the roadwork was going on so lanes were 1 lane. The ride went by a little quicker than expected and I reached my exit, route 412. The toll road to Tulsa.

Even that was reasonably nice for a toll road 🙂 At mile marker 35 I stopped in for fresh cold water (I’ve been heavily using a Camelbak) and ran into an MC group (clean and sober). I got the same question I get about the Aerostich and how comfortable the bike is. We chatted about bikes, how fast have I gone, how many miles (“How many!?”), where I’ve ridden and other bike topics.

I texted my aunt again with the 1 hour warning and headed off.

In Tulsa, I found the freeway was closed and under repair and had to head south on 64. I followed it around until I got to 21st Street. Unfortunately I got off early. See Tulsa is a bug plus with north sough streets and east west ones. East side is street name east. So I got off on the west side and decided to cruise through town instead. Man was that humid and hot, apparently a heat index of 120.

I finally pulled in, kickstand down, helmet off and a big hug from my aunt as I announced I’d arrived.

I brought my gear in and took a shower. My under gear was dripping wet and the suit weighed in with five more pounds of sweat.

Once cleaned up, I snagged a soda and we started in chatting. I met with Valerie, a young family friend who was mowing the yard. Then we headed out to snag dinner from the Rib Crib. When we got back, other family members had arrived. Cousin Blair with his wife Cheryl and boys Sebastian and Jayden. Lainey (granddaughter) and her boyfriend Curtis. Then Uncle Michael arrived and we had dinner.

We got acquainted during dinner and after as we’d never met before, chatting about work, sports, toys, etc. Uncle Michael showed off the ‘vette he was getting and the boys ran around playing.

Later after folks left, I broke out one of the card games I brought and taught them something a little different (cannibal pygmies). After Val left, we played Trionimoes then chatted a bit before hitting the sack.

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