High temp today 41C/106FI assume Ruth is packed up by now and ready to catch her flight to San Fran and meet me in Mendocino.
Great riding day, primarily on the Pacific Coast Highway with some riding on 101. Entered the Gaviotta Tunnel on Camino Real (NW of Santa Barbara) from a temp of 26C/79F to come out the other side to a temp of 40C/105F within a few minutes. Throughout the day this occurred, usually when you headed away from the ocean and into the valley between the ridges near the ocean & the larger mountains inland. Like switching from the coldest a/c in your car to full heat and vice-versa as you drive. Of course people driving in cages with the a/c on would not would not notice this or the smell of sea air and trees in the area.
The Pacific Coast Highway is very scenic but the best motorcycle riding lies between San Simeon & Carmel. In most places concentration on the road is the prime consideration and not seeing the sites. Stopped for 5-10 minutes due to a rock slide being cleaned up. A guy on KLR passed all of the cars and went to the front of the line so I followed him. I suppose this could be called splitting lanes, legal in CA, but I only did it because traffic was stopped. I don't trust car drivers enough to split lanes in traffic. The KLR guy stated that the trailer hauled pretty well through the curves as he wasn't leaving me far behind after I waved him by. Was pushing many cars, including Porches, through this section of highway but the Porches and a few others had the sense to pull to the side to let me pass. Had to wait for the few straight stretches for others. Notice some Harleys going very slowly around some corners as parts were starting to drag.
Saw a lot of cars stopped at a viewing point for elephant seals so stopped and took a look. Lots in the water and a few on shore. Saw one about 7' long and another about 10' and thought they may be dead at first since there was no movement. However, after a short time they started using their flippers to throw sand over them to shelter them from the sun.
Stopped for a late lunch/early dinner at 16:35 in Caramel. Enjoyed riding so much that I forgot to eat. Had a small beer called Scrimshaw Pilsner. Later found out that it's brewed in Fort Bragg so will have to check out that place when at Joan & Paul's in Mendocino.
There was no smoking allowed on the Santa Monica Pier so had my single malt and cigar tonight to celebrate the end of Route 66.
400 km/250 mi. from next stop in Mendocino late Friday.
Photos: Gaviotta Tunnel; Elephant Seal; Pacific Coast & Road View
2 comments:
Hi Ron
Wow - that's a big difference in the temperature and you're right people in boxes wouldn't get to experience that. I can't believe you're at the end of Route 66 - YOU DID IT!!! Congrats.
As for the elephant seal when I first saw the picture I thought it was dead!!! -
Enjoy your time in California with Ruth and keep on blogging.
The best alarm clock is sunshine on chrome. ~Author Unknown
I thought the two on shore were washed up & were dead too, until I heard them & saw them scoop up sand.
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