Yosemite (and Tioga Road) Campout July 16 - 17, 2016

I had no plans for the weekend so I left the San Francisco Bay Area Saturday morning around 7:30 and headed up to Yosemite and stayed one night in Yosemite Valley at the Upper Pines Campground. I decided to to this last week and checked a couple times to see if there was a cancellation I could jump on, and if not, I would try a walk in site in Yosemite or camp off the 395. After checking a couple times one site came open so I took it.

I have a wife, two young sons, and a job, so hard to get away for more than a night.

First I had to fill up the gas tank...

Next, I had to get the Half Dome picture upon entry...

Then I set up camp before...

 Heading up to ride Tioga Road stopping at Tenaya Lake...

And Tuolumne Meadows....

And Olmstead Point and finally...

Exited the east gate. I was looking for the summit sign along the ride, but I never saw one. At the east gate I asked about this and was told it was attached to the building so I asked if I could park my bike and snap the shot. I was surprised when they said yes, but as you can see they allowed me to get the picture.

Ride Through Briones and Tilden July 10, 2016

Had about an hour or two to ride today so I could not go too far, but I always enjoy a ride through Briones and Tilden. I still get a little freaked out riding through Briones since I have to ride past the spot I helped my friend out while riding with him when he hit a deer even though I have ridden past it hundreds of times.

 

Ride to Mark Twain's Cabin July 2, 2016

I needed a destination so I decided to ride up to Mark Twain's cabin off Highway 49 between Angels Camp and Sonora. It was a hot day with 90s in the valley and 100s in the foothills, but I made my destination and even with the heat it was a fun ride. There was a fire in the foothills off the 4 and I was hoping that the 4 would not be closed down or have any delays for my return since I would not be able to stand sitting idle in the heat.

The cabin sits at the top of Jack Ass hill where Mark Twain spent the winter of 1864 - 1865.  He was a guest of the Gillis brothers, local miners, who lived in the cabin. The original cabin burned and the fireplace and chimney were built in the replica here.

During his stay at Jackass Hill, Twain and his friend Steve Gillis visited a saloon in Angels Camp and heard a story about a jumping frog. Twain returned to the cabin and wrote about “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” The book launched Twain’s publishing career. He and the jumping frog would later be recognized throughout the world. He also gathered material here for his book “Roughing it.” Twain would go on to write another 26 books, including “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” before he died in April 1910.

Twain was an author, a humorist and his life was filled with adventures that fed his imagination for timeless storytelling. One of his more famous quotes is, "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Carnegie OHV Ride on XR400R June 9, 2016

Nothing much to report, but took the XR out to Carnegie and had a blast. Only a few people out since a weekday.

Big Sur Ride June 4, 2016

I was up on Ebbetts Pass last weekend in the high Sierras and this weekend looked hot so I decided to ride down Highway 1 to Big Sur instead to avoid the heat. Boy did I avoid the heat - was pretty foggy all day. I rode over the Bay Bridge to Highway 280 to Pacifica and picked up Highway 1 for my ride down to Big Sur. I did not see the sun until I hit Big Sur. I did not check, but maybe around 400 miles.

Ebbetts Pass May 28, 2016

I took a ride up SR 4 over Ebbetts Pass. Up and back around 400 miles. Still lots of snow up there as you can see from the pictures. I had a small bear run across the road thirty or so feet in front of me. Fantastic.

Carnegie Ride with GSA May 27, 2016

I was going to take my XR400R out to Carnegie today but I had to pick up my son from school at 12:00 so not enough time. Instead I rode my GSA to the park since much quicker. Nice canyon rode to the park and a little dirt riding as well with the GSA.