Monday 22 October 2012

Now heading East

Well I know its been a few weeks since my last update, I keep saying "I must update my blog" then I get to my motel or campsite and get a beer and settle down for the night and then the blog goes out of the window !!

One thing I have been thinking about was the lovely couple who hosted me some weeks ago when I stayed at Lake Tahoe. Christine was originally from Bury in the UK and invited me to stay in front of their RV. No sooner had I parked up, Alan her husband was out and offering me a whisky followed by a beer :-) I have to admit I was a bit light headed while I put my tent up. As I sorted out my stuff, Alan had made me a delicious home made chip buttie ! The next thing, he is lighting a lovely camp fire for me..... I felt like a king that day :-)

A warming camp fire that Alan sorted out for me
I thought that I had taken a photo of Alan and Christine but I can not find it ! Then again, I have now taken about 4000 pictures on this trip.

Well after I left Boonville, I headed down on route 1. This is a fantastic route that hugs the Californian coastline. I ended up staying in Vallejo with Scott, who had kindly offered a room on the ADV rider site.
I just felt I really needed a break from riding! so much so that I ended up staying for 9 days :-) It was so nice to just chill and walk to the local shops. I also did some work on my bike and carried out a mini service.
Scott getting ready for a ride out


Leaving Scott's I head south over the Golden Gate bridge, to be honest it didnt seem that grand ! and it cost me $6 to cross !

Mind you, the ride down route 1 made up for the disappointment! lots of sweeping curves and the views were spectacular :-)
Posing on Route 1 California


So after a few days of living it up on the road I had arrived at the HUBB meet in Cambria. I was due to give a presentation on my trip so far. To be honest, I was quite nervous ! However it went down a treat and everyone managed to understand my English jokes :-)
So much so that I ended up doing 3 presentations !
To me though, the best bit about the meet was meeting like minded people, people who understand the need to travel. I made many new friends that weekend :-)
I also met up with Iain and Debz, who I had left the UK with just over 6 months ago. It was great to listen to their stories.

So now I am now near Area 51, having survived the ride thru Death Valley!
The next few days will see me having a rest in Las Vegas before heading East







4 comments:

  1. How about a post on the bike you are using and what camping/travelling gear you are carrying? Ride safe Geordie

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    1. I think I will Jool's once I get back to the UK... that way I can say what worked and what didnt lol

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  2. Will ~ thanks for the note on my blog and I'll update the post about you with your blog by tomorrow. I'm now "following" you... cool.

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    1. Thanks Anna for your lovely write up.... I am a bit slow at blog updates.. I tend to leave it a few weeks and then update :-)

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