27th Anniversary Ride

Well once again Dee and I had reason to rejoice in another year of wedded bliss and in doing so for this our 27^th we opted for a ride to Yosemite where it all began and then over to Kings Canyon because, well just because I needed to.  Dee’s bike picked a prime time to need mechanical work and so it was Skibold to the rescue and he loaned us one of their trusty steeds.  There is no way for me to say thanks enough to Ken and Gail for the loaner.

  We tried to take the road less traveled as much as possible and since we were going to stay in Mariposa for a couple nights we went up North Fork Road off 41 and went by Bass Lake.

  Friday night we were nearly lured into the Pizza Factory for dinner but since we had Costco pizza the night before we decided on Mexican thinking we would hit the Pizza Factory Saturday.  Saturday morning we saw smoke billowing from up the street and on walking up to check it out I noticed the creek was filled with foam.

  Getting to the main street this is what I saw.  The Pizza Factory had burned to the ground the night before.  This is a tough hit for a small town like this.

  After our continental breakfast we headed on up to Yosemite.  Here we have some pictures of the Merced River and the bikes.

  Yosemite Falls and the valley shot.

  We headed on up to Glacier Point where we captured a bunch of photos and here are but a few.

  Sunday morning we headed off toward Kings Canyon N.P. taking the back roads.  We had to figure out where we were now and then but we finally made it.  Here are a few spots along the way.

  Kerckhoff Lake

Watts Valley Road at Maxon Road.

  The wife’s flower shot.

  Pine Flat Lake looks like a great place to launch the boat!

  Many old barns dotted the countryside along the way.

  Some of the residents of Wonder Valley along Elwood Road came out to greet us.

  We stayed at the John Muir Lodge in Kings Canyon.

  The next morning we headed down into the canyon and here is a view of the road.

  Dee and I.

  The Kings River.

  Grizzly Falls.

  On the way out of Kings Canyon we stopped at Hume Lake and enjoyed the views.  Looks like it would be a nice place to relax for a few days.

  Thanks for checking out our photos.

Oregonians & Californian Pashnits Get Together

This was a last minute trip for me even though it had been planned on the Pashnit forum for quite some time.  Due to budget constraints I had planned on missing this ride but when my better half said she thought I should go well, who am I to argue?

  Captain John and I  met up with Ken and Geno at the IHOP in Bako and after a hearty breakfast we slabbed it up to Williams where we stayed at the Ramada Inn.  The next morning it was off to meet up with Hwy 36 for the ride to the coast.

  Here we have the obligatory photo of the famous sign with John next to it.

Riding in scorching heat means soaking the helmet for relief and here we have Geno doing that along with Ken.

Here’s me practicing my over the shoulder shot to see what happens and a front view of highway 36.

No trip is complete with out being stopped by construction!  Ken is waiting patiently with the rest of us.

We figured that they were bringing the big logs down the hill and the smaller logs up the hill.

Some of highway 36 reminded us of Rossi’s driveway or highway 229.

Who knew there is a shoe tree on highway 36?

More over the shoulder shots looking back at John and Ken.

A look back again and then we have that there river that flows next to 36.

Here is the initial meet and greet.

This is a bad group of photos taken inside the restaurant.  For some reason this camera doesn’t like taking photos inside.  I think I need a new camera because it can’t possibly be the operator.

We met up at the station before heading north on highway 1.

Here is BMWLloyd with a real camera!

I’ve heard it said that Californians aren’t welcome in Oregon but this here sign and our Oregon Pashnits proved that rumor false.

Looking back on the group again.

In our honor they had prepared a parade to greet us in Gold Beach.

Ken and John chatting during the parade.

To disperse the crowd after the parade they dispatched this here Messerschmitt to strafe the parade route.

Rolling up the coast for a visit to the Cape Blanco Lighthouse.

Parking at the lighthouse in a strong wind.

Ken and John posing in front of the lighthouse where they say that they lose 8 panes of glass every year due to the wind that can reach in excess of 120 MPH.

John, Ken, Geno and I enjoying lunch in Coos Bay.

Port Orford is one of my favorite places along the Oregon coast.

Heading back to Crescent City.

The group shot out front of the Curly Lodge.

Captain John looking happy in the saddle.

Ken and Geno bringing up the rear.

    

Last shot of Clear Lake along Hwy 20 on the way back home.  This has got to be the smelliest lake I have ever smelled!

   In closing out this ride report I’d just like to say what a pleasure it was meeting all of the Pashnits from up north.  This forum has a way of bringing the best folks together.  My only regret is that we couldn’t spend more time riding together and getting acquainted.  We can always look forward to next time!