I Left My Heart...

We left Monterey this morning and headed out on a 100 mile drive for the day. There were lots of things we wanted to stop and see along the way.

After we first got on the road, I had to stop and clean the mist off of my windshield. We stopped in a neighborhood and two guys stopped by to make sure we were okay. Two great guys, Troy and Joe. Joe was going to go home and tell his wife they needed to get a ride like ours. How'd that go for you Joe? Great visiting with you two this morning.

We then stopped off at Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz. We had heard that this was hokey but worth the stop anyway. They were right on both counts. Hokey but worth the stop. Rita is defying gravity.

This lead ball is hanging straight down.

We then checked into our motel at Half Moon Bay and headed out on a 40 minute drive into San Francisco. Great view overlooking Half Moon Bay.

And into San Francisco we go.

We did a drive to the Fisherman's Wharf. These photos don't show how steep the roads really are. On the expressway, they warn truckers of a 6% slope; these are near 18%. 31 degrees. I now know what it is like to pop a wheelie on my bike.

And then you go down...Thanks Nick's Pro Power Sports for making sure my brakes were okay!

Alcatraz.

We had dinner here.

I now understand the song, I left My Heart In San Francisco. I left it somewhere on this hill. I'm going to go back tomorrow and see if I can find it. I need it back!

And of coarse the requisite fog.

Till Tomorrow!

Unfortunate Detour

We left a beautiful chunk of Nirvana behind this morning as we left beautiful Cambria. We were not able to drive much further north along the coast due to another massive mudslide last weekend. A massive mudslide covered Highway 1 at Mud Creek, just 24 miles north of Cambria. We could have driven up but then turn right back around through Cambria again. The mudslide caused an estimated 1.5 million tons of mud to slide into the ocean creating 16 new acres of land in the Pacific. We already knew we could not get all the way north through Big Sur due to heavy winter rains that so damaged Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge just south of Big Sur. The detour we ended up having to take is but an inconvenience for us. It's the people who live along the area we feel most badly for. The detour was incredibly kind to us in serving up some beautiful scenery yet again.

Part of the detour was to take Highway 46. We were amazed by mile after beautiful mile of wineries. Not just a few but dozens with each one seeming to surpass the size of the last one.

We arrived at Carmel By the Sea and diverted south to take in Big Sur from the north. The splendor of the ocean and its power are remarkable!

We wanted to stop in and have lunch at a local business in Big Sur. Businesses have been so devastated with the road closures. This is greatly impacting their businesses. Last year they faced fires and now this.

As you approach the end of the road, the signs tell it all...

As we drove back north, it certainly gives one pause to view how these slopes have been eroded away leaving these trees precariously balanced on the edge. Though this is just one slope, there are countless others just like it.

Notice that there is no room for dirt and trees to fall without impacting the roadway.

And when you look above you see more hills towering above.

This is the Bixby Creek Bridge. It was constructed in 1932 and stands 260 feet above the creek. The bridge is indeed beautiful and I'm told that it is the most photographed bridge in California. The failed Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge was constructed in the 1960s. It gives one cause to contemplate turning around given the incredible wind gusts. As we checked into our motel, The Inn at the Bay, Monterey, Caitlin took care of checking us in. There was a large photo of the Bixby Bridge. I commented about our harrowing ride this afternoon and Caitlin explained that she grew up in Big Sur and school was in Carmel-by-the -Sea; a full two hour bus ride every morning and afternoon. I believe that would be a lot more harrowing than that which we experienced. Thanks Caitlin for such great service!

And then there is this guy. I need not say any more.

Till Tomorrow!

Astounding Beauty

Happy Memorial  Day!

We left Ventura, (yes on the highway), at about 8:30. We stopped for breakfast at Pete's Breakfast House. We read the reviews that said it was a great place. We weren't surprised when we drove up to see a line up outside. The hostess told us we were early enough to beat the crowd. She said that they served over 6000 people for breakfast the day before. It was incredible and we even got a few tips on where to go on our trip.

We left with fog and 57 degrees but the beauty of the coast shines through anyway. We have been astounded to see hundreds of motor homes and campers lining the road along the beach. It is legal to camp in designated areas on the roadside. I get that people want to see the beauty of the ocean; that's why we're here, but we are riding along all alone, not with hundreds of strangers all in one concentrated place. To each their own.

We stopped at a rest area to stretch our legs. I was admiring the beauty around us and snapped this picture. As I turned to walk away, we were greeted by 3 people complimenting my bike. We struck up a conversation and were surprised to be introduced to Jefferson Starship.

That's right, we were chasing White Rabbits and looking for Someone to Love. My bike introduces me to the most amazing people. Pictured with us are Chris Smith and David Frieburg. Thanks to Chris' wife for snapping the photo! Guys, I didn't tell you we are listening to Sirius/XM , 60s on 6. Shortly after we drove away, we very much enjoyed listening to, Don't you want somebody to love. Perfect timing! By the way, we'll be in San Francisco in a couple of days just in case you need a rhythm guitar player to add to the group; I do have the right hair color. Great meeting you today. Thanks for the photo! Or perhaps, you would rather break out your bike with sidecar and ride along up to Alaska with us.

As we were driving by amazingly large farms, we came across these workers working hard in the field. I guess they don't get the Holiday off. There are two tractors hooked together traveling very slowly. Notice that there are no drivers on the tractors. And these guys are actually picking garbage. It is a vegetable known as broccoli. As we drove surrounded by these vast farms, I realized that this is where a lot of the food we eat comes from.

As we rode into Pismo Beach, we saw this diner and knew we had to stop. We needed an Ice Tea fix for the day. The atmosphere inside was great. These two old cars were actual cars used by Amtrak and taken out of service in 1978. One was a diner car and the other a lounge. I found the information on their website interesting if you are so inclined.

http://rockandrolldiner.com/info

And a short drive later we are at our destination for the evening. Captain's Cove Country Inn right on the Pacific. This is an awesome room and comes complete with a garage. David greeted us and let us know that there is a hospitality basket in our room complete with bananas and pastries. He even told us about a great Restaurant a short walk away that has great seafood, called the Sea Chest Oyster Bar and Seafood Restaurant. I shall be putting down a few oysters later this evening!

http://www.seachestrestaurant.com/about/

Tonight's sunset is at 8:14. I'm feeling a photo op coming on!

Addendum:

We strolled along the boardwalk enjoying the sounds of the waves crashing upon the shore.

A short quarter mile walk and we arrived at the Sea Chest Oyster Bar and yes, I did enjoy my West Coast Oysters.

We made it out of the Sea Chest in time to take in a great sunset.





Till Tomorrow!