Haven't done enough hiking

Haven't posted on my blog much either, or played much golf. Haven't played tennis in years.

Did finally go on a hike yesterday. I tagged along with Dave and Jim as the headed up Syphon Draw in the Superstition Mountains. This is the path most take to climb to the top of Flatiron. I won't be doing that. Gary (another park friend) made it to the top 25 times last season and had has topped out six times already this year! Of course he is part Canadian mountain goat.

Another tattoo

I guess they are addictive, because as soon as this one was done, I was thinking about the next one.

Lady Luck because I have been so lucky in life. Even my marriage was good because together we raised such great kids. I was lucky to get the job at the shipyard - it allowed me to retire at 55. I have been lucky to make so many good friends. I have been lucky to be so healthy.
I was never lucky enough to get a hole-in-one though....

Bound for Arizona

Leaving on Monday. I had a nice visit. Thanks to Thom and Ross for giving me shelter. Seven weeks of living out of suitcases will be enough.

Last leg home

We made the final run home today, riding up 97 in to Washington and over Chinook Pass on 410. Three hundred and thirty-five miles.  Our grand total was just over Three thousand miles in our nine days riding.

 Rob on his Beemer.

 Steve on his Road King.

Plans are underway for next years ride. A rerun or do over if you will - some of our favorite rides from the past five years - all east of the Cascades and out of the rain!! Beartooth Pass, Spiral Hiway, Hell's Canyon, Canadian Rockies, Road to the Sun.... so many good roads.
Thanks again to my travelling partners Steve and Rob. Good guys, good friends. Sorry Dave and Pat couldn't make the trip this year. We'll try to make it happen next year.

Two-lane blacktop

Three hundred and seventy nine miles of mostly flat, straight, two-lane blacktop on Highways 395, 31 and 97 between Susanville, CA, and Madras, OR. Really a pleasant ride, just totally different from the last few days. Had a great dinner at Geno's. We'll be home tomorrow.

As usual, just click on the picture to see it full size.

24%

The sign leading to Ebbett's Pass on Highway 4 out of Angels Camp reds:

It's a beautiful drive. Steve and I stopped at the aptly named Mosquito Lake to take pictures - but not for long.

From there it was on to South Lake Tahoe, then 395 to Susanville. Only 279 miles today.

Only 380 miles tomorrow as we hurry home. We'll spend tomorrow night in Madras, OR.

Off to Chico and Angels Camp

Poor internet service in Chico prevented me from posting last night. The days and roads and curves all blur together. We average over 300 miles each day, with hundreds of curves.

The road to Chico took us past Mt. Shasta and through Mt. Lassen National Volcanic Park. Visit Lassen if you haven't - it's an amazing drive, beautiful scenery.

The ride from Chico to Angels Camp in Calaveras County, California (made famous by Mark Twain) was mostly along Highway 49, with a stop in the quaint little town of Nevada City for lunch at Lefty's Grill. Well worth a visit for the brisket sandwich with jalapeno and cilantro cole slaw. We all loved that meal. Here is the one picture I took today that impressed me.