Epilogue

Well that was quite a ride. Just over 3,000 miles in about a week. Four days down the coast with all the twisty roads you could imagine, two days celebrating our success in raising nearly $60,000 for Water for People, and then our becoming official Water Buffalo's, and then three days back to Eugene along the spectacular Sierra Nevada's.

On my return trip,I followed hwy 15 to Victorville the up 395 across the Mojave Desert and along the east side of the Sierra Nevada range and stayed in Bishop the first night. Then on to Tahoe and Reno and into Nevada where I stayed in Winnemucca the second night.
From Winnemucca I stopped in Fields Oregon for breakfast then on to Eugene. About 500 miles that last day.

Peg introduces me to my new lucky charm for my return trip

On Saturday we road in as a group of what was now 18 motorcycles to the Hyatt convention center in downtown San Diego to meet with the board of Water for People and present them with nearly $60,000 dollars we raised on this trip.

Banquet dinner and the induction of new members

Finally at Castle Creek Resort we had a wonderful dinner with speaches and the initiation of the new members complete with the smokinf of the cerimonial cigars!!!

Friday June 12

Friday morning was drizzling in east LA as we headed off to ride a road recently reopened in the mountains outside of LA hwy 2 with 50 miles of brand new pavement at about 7000 feet in the mountains. We then dropped back into the clouds at the lower elevations where the fog was so thick we got lost and ended up in several smaller groups. We all managed to survive the fog and met most of what would be our final group with riders from all over the country and Canada in Idyllwild out toward Palm Springs. We then road into where we would have our banquet at Castle Creek.

June 11, evening and morning of June 12

June, 11.

Our next stop was at a motel in Glendale and some tough rush hour LA traffic. It was here that we met up with more riders. Some from Illinois, more from Oregon, and had a great time becoming acquainted.

Thursday, June 11 (cont)

we split up when Bill, Judy and Leon stopped to tour the Herst estate and Ken, Chris, Danielle and I toured some mountain roads with lots of twisties. We stopped for lunch near the summit of San Emigile Mt. at the screaming squirrel restaurant.

Ken coming around a corner on Hwy 1 followed by Chris and Danielle

June 11, started out in Monterey following Hwy 1 on down the coast then to 101, and inland on 166. The Hwy 1 down the coast was a trip to remember. I cornered so tight I scraped my floor boards so many times I lost count. I will need new ones when I return. Once inland, we split up and Ken, Chris, Daniell and I found an endless number of curves and tight road circling Mt. Pinos just North of Steve and Debbie. Lots of curves, many miles of good riding. We had lunch at the summit and descended down toward L.A. where we were greeted with rush hour traffic until we found or next stop in Glendale California where we will meet up with more riders.

Following a short tour of the old cannery district, we fond a nice spot for BBQ.

All seven of us at lunch, just before crossing the San Francisco Bridge

Nice place, don't tell Peg!!

Stopping for lunch in Eureka

day 2 (continued)

We followed Hwy 101 down the coast, what a beautiful ride. The redwoods were very much a surprise as the road narrowed to two lanes and the trees were just right next to the road. After lunch we toured some of the old fancy homes in the old town of Eureka.

Just South of Eureka we spotted a heard of elk, just off to the right. We turned off 101 at Leggett and onto Hwy 1 with 44 miles of some of the tightest curves I have ever seen. Ten miles or so was what I expected, but the whole road was so curvy, twisty and narrow that at times you nearly were stopped to make the curve, a zero mile per hour curve. we were all pretty tired by the time we got to Fort Bragg. We had a fair meal with terrible service. The waiter admitted he expected no tip, and he got none.

Day 2 started at 7:30 with Bill Persich's arrival and the 7 of us off for Fort Bragg Califonia. Picture is where we had lunch, Eureka I believe.

Day one ended with 6 of the 7 of us meeting at Reedsport. I met up with Judy Grycko and Leon Kerr when I arrived at the Motel. Christopher and Danielle Sheridan arrrived later with Ken Howe.

Here are Chris, Danielle and Ken arriving at the motel.

Day 1:Preparing to leave.
While packing, I was surprised to notice that I am bringing a lot more stuff than when back packing. I suppose it is because I have the room, so why not fill it. My gear is packed in two bags; the first is leather and is made to attach to the sissy bar of a motorcycle, the other is just a black duffel bag. The duffel bag contains my sleeping bag, tent, and sleeping pad. Along with some fly fishing tackle. Everything else for two weeks is in the leather bag attached to the sissy bar. The Duffel appears to make an excellent back rest for this long trip. Time will tell.

This is my attempt to write a blog that covers my trip by motorcycle from Eugene to San Diego and back. The trip will begin Monday, June 8 and cover approximately 2300 miles. The trip starts with the NW contingent of "Water Buffalo's" riding down the coast of Oregon and California to the AWWA convention. The purpose of the trip is to raise money for an outstanding charity, Water for People.