Day 32

Got up around 9:00 ‘ish as Drew was getting ready for his day. Since he was going to be busy with his own stuff for the majority of the day, I looked at my map of San Francisco to decide what I was going to see. I ended first going down and walking around the Fisherman’s Warf area, and Pier 39. It’s a big touristy spot, but after all, I’m a tourist! At Pier 39 I got to see some sea lions that apparently have made the place their home! They were a lot more talkative and active than the elephant seals that I had come across the other day along the PCH. After I’d walker around Fisherman’s Warf enough, I drove around the city a bit and check out the section of Lombard Street which is known to be “the most crooked street”. Since it was one way going down the hill, I decided against trying it out on motorcycle. Had it been one way going up hill, I might have tried it! From here I went on down to check out the Golden Gate Bridge. I figured you can’t come to San Francisco without going to see the Golden Gate Bridge. Luckily it was a beautiful day today, and so I got some good clear shots of the bridge. Afterwards, I drove around some more and eventually made it back to Drew’s apartment. I updated the blog and just hung out while waiting for him to get back. When he got back, we ended up just hanging out a bit before I went to meet up with another friend from my days in South Carolina, Jennifer. So I met up with Jennifer, her boyfriend Roy, and a friend of Jennifer’s called Haley (sorry if I misspelled it). We ended up going out that evening to go catch a show; a guy by the name of Chuck Prophet. It was pretty cool music, and just nice to go out for a change.

Here are the pictures from today:

Day 31

Woke up and did the usual. Got the bike packed and hit the road around 9:30 am. A bit chilly this morning, but at least the sun is out, and it looks really cool right now with this light mist/fog lingering around here and there. Hopped on the Pacific Coast Highway and started heading north. Now in the past recent days, I had been asking myself what I was doing, being gone all this time, and spending all this money, but this morning while cruising up the PCH and heading up to San Francisco to see an old high school buddy it all became clear again. This road is just amazing! There are turnouts all up and down the road so you have plenty of occasions to pull over and take pictures; and believe you me, I did! A little north of Point Piedras Blancas I even got to see some elephant seals basking on the beach! Apparently this is not the peak season for them, so instead of thousands, there were only maybe 200 or so seals lying around. Also, I didn’t get to see any males. Anyway, it was still pretty cool to see; check out the pictures. From there I continued on north, stopping every now and then to take a picture.

Eventually I made it to San Fran and met up with my friend Drew. Got all my stuff up into his apartment and then went walking about town a bit to get a bite to eat. A little later tonight, I think we’ll be going back out.

Well that’s about it, here are the pictures:

Day 30

Woke up and got my things together. Then said thank you and goodbye to Anthony, and then talked with his brother for a while to get some insight on good roads to take while headed to San Francisco. Finally got on the road around 9:30am and headed west. Got off I-10 in Beaumont where I was going to get on 79 and follow it to route 2 to then go around Big Bear, but with it being so cold and the weather looking rather menacing, I decided against my previously planned route and instead kept going up I-10, to I-5 north, and eventually turned off onto Frazier Mountain Park road; cold and chilly, but a great road none the less! From here I continued west on 33, and then 58. Both of which were also amazing roads. Unfortunately, while along 58 before reaching the 101, it started to rain. I guess the good weather couldn’t last forever. So I stopped and put on my rain gear and pressed on. I eventually got on the 101, but soon after turned west on 46 towards the Pacific Coast Hwy. This road looked like it was amazing, unfortunately with the rain, and a pea soup fog that prevented me from seeing any farther than about 100 feet in front of me, it was a little hard to tell. Upon reaching Cambria, I decided to find a cheap motel and call it a night. Tomorrow, San Francicsco.

Here are the few pictures from today:

Day 29

Had an easy day today. Got up and realized that the dealership in Temecula doesn’t do service work, no worries, I just headed down a little ways to the dealership in San Marcos. They were able to work me in with no problems. On top of the regular 2.5K service, I also got my rear brake pads replaced as they were in need. While I was hanging around the dealership, I made a few phone calls that I’d been needing to make. Anyways, got back on the road around 11:00am or so, and headed north to Santa Monica. Got there and walked around the beach for a little bit. I also went and checked out the famous Santa Monica pier. After a little while I figure I’d better go ahead and get on the road for San Francisco, so I started up the Pacific Coast Hwy. I went just a little ways before stopping to fill up for gas, and while I was at the station I decided to check my cell phone for any messages; earlier I had made a call to an old college friend who lived somewhat nearby. Sure enough, he called me back, so I called him again and got him on the phone. After talking for a little bit, I decided to go see him and spend another night down here before heading north. This of course meant going back east, through Los Angeles. This is where I was introduced to what California motorcycle riders apparently do all the time, ‘lane splitting’! Wow, let me tell you, it’s hair-raising watching these guys literally split the lanes, ducking in and out between cars! Now I must admit that I did a little myself; after all, as the saying goes, when in Rome do as the Romans do. Besides, I let someone go in front of me to ‘part the seas’. Anyways, once out of the greater LA area, I went for a little loop down 79, across on 74, and back up to I-10 on 243 before heading down to the Palm Springs area to meet up with Anthony. Spent the rest of the evening hanging out and catching up with my old friend. Tomorrow, I’ll be heading north towards San Francisco.

Day 28

Left Quartzsite around 9:30am this morning and hoped back onto I-10 west bound towards California. I had hoped to find a ‘Welcome Center’ upon crossing into California, but no such luck. Oh well, I’ll just plow ahead I thought. I kept going until I reached Desert Center, at which time I turned north/northeast onto route 177. At this point I was driving along the outer edge of the Joshua Tree National park. I kept going until I was able to turn west again on router 62. I kept going on 62 until I reached Twentynine Palms, at which point I was able to enter Joshua Tree National park. The park was really amazing. These weird trees/cacti all over the place; not to mention amazing rock formations. Check out the pictures. After looping out of the park back onto route 62 in the town of Joshua Tree I continued west until I got back on I-10. I went west for a few miles on I-10 until I was able to turn south on route 243. Now I know that several days ago, while going through the Gila National Forest, I said that I drove the best road I’d ever driven. Now, I’m thinking I may have to take that statement back. Route 243 was awesome! Another road that I would highly recommend to anyone ever coming in this area. Anyways, I continued on back down from the mountains, and am spending the night tonight in Temecula, where I hope to go by the Harley dealership tomorrow to get another oil change.

Here are the pictures from today:

Day 27

Started out the day by going back to Saguaro National Park, to go around the loop again in the morning light. Then I went west of Tuscon to go see the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. This was really cool. I could have easily spent a few more hours here, but unfortunately, I had to get some miles behind me. Anyways, I saw a bunch of cool animals; everything from mountain lions, wolves, bobcats, roadrunners, prairie dogs, and numerous types of birds. Check out the pictures.

From here I head south and then west along the Ajo Highway, route 86, through the Tohono O’Odham Nation. It was pretty cool, but ridding through the desert gets a little boring after a little while. Around Ajo, I started back north along 85 until I reached I-10. Then I took I-10 west so as to be able to swing through the Joshua Tree National park tomorrow. Tonight, I holed up in a little motel here in Quartzsite, Arizona. Check this out. Instead of one building with multiple rooms, their “rooms” consist of a bunch of trailers! Well that’s about it for the day.

Here are the pictures from today: