June 13, 2011 on the outskirts of Sacramento, CA

June 13, 2011 on the outskirts of Sacramento CA

For those who are counting, I’ve tent camped two nights (John bet I’d get 4 nights on the ground, over 6 wks).  I rather like being outside, the air mattress is comfortable, the weather has been cool and dry, and then there are no bed bugs to think about in the middle of the night.  The price is better than a motel if only slightly.  I pulled in yesterday just before dark too tired to be picky and paid $36 to sleep on the ground!!!

Yesterday morning I headed north from Visalia into the Sequoia National Park on Hwy 198.  The roads within the park are varied and include wonderful twisties that help rub rubber from the outer edge of my tires.  Not too far in, I stopped at a bathroom,  and as I made a hard right turn onto what I know now was recently tarred gravel, I found myself sliding on what felt like greased ball bearings.  At that point, the Wing decided to lie down for a brief rest.  The bike wasn’t hurt and neither was I.  I was really mad at myself, though, ‘cause I should have known better.  A group of bicyclists had also stopped for a rest and four of them picked my bike up, while discussing how heavy it is.  In response to my mumblings, one of them laughed, “I didn’t get a picture of it, so it didn’t happen!”  We joked; then they rode down the mountain and I headed up.   I went through a long stretch of construction with one lane of traffic; the road was mostly dirt, some gravel, and plenty of potholes along tight curves.  I’d had my wake up call in the parking lot, so I was VERY careful.  .

I spent some time walking amongst the Sequoias, the Gentle Giants.  It’s hard to put to words the experience of sharing oxygen with other living beings who are so old and magnificently large.  But words like small, fragile, fleeting, insignificant came to mind when thinking of us; enduring, strong, and wise were inadequate synonyms for the Gentle Giants.  The short hike to the General Sherman tree is at 7,000 ft, so I was huffing.

Within the Park there were stretches with snow on both sides of the road and warnings like “tire chains may be required at any time” and “watch for ice in shady areas.”  Throw in a few tour buses and motor homes, salt with loose gravel, spice with incredible scenery and you have your hands full on a bike.   I left the Park on Hwy 180 West, heading down to Fresno and Hwy 99 north.

Back on a freeway, I began to make good time and wonder where I’d stop for the night.  It had taken much longer in the Park than I thought, and I was getting tired.  But soon I dropped in behind a green Triumph Motorcycle and enjoyed “being with” another biker.  I rode with him for about 100 miles; he obviously knew the road though there were a couple of times I thought he would earn us both a speeding ticket, Several times he made room for me or “waited” so I could join him after we were separated by traffic.  Then I needed to stop for gas, so I signaled to him, waved, and pulled off.  That’s one of the many things I enjoy about bikers – sharing the road and courtesies with someone whose face you never see.

After a 367 mile day, I stopped for the night and set up my tent (man, I wish they wouldn’t put tent sites uphill on gravel!!!)  This morning I met a lady who was also brushing her teeth in the campground bathroom; she and her husband both ride.  They came over to my tent briefly, took a post card, and gave me a good luck hug.  She added, “Remember to have fun!  The kids want that.”  Great reminder.  I’m making this ride for the kids, and I want to do it their way, which is the fun way.

Today I’m chilling out; for some reason, I’m tired 😉 I hope to go the Shriners Hospital in Sacrament, and then I’ll move on towards Blaine, WA.

So far I’ve ridden 3,114 miles, and I’m still smiling.

I’ve added more pictures on my photobucket site http://s1141.photobucket.com/albums/n595/gypsyjudge/

If the link doesn’t work, do a copy & paste and that should get you there.