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PinnaclesNP/San Francisco

7/28/2015

8 Comments

 
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Stormy and I made our way to "The 5" from Fresno.  Once we were on 25, the countryside was all of the California of my memory.  Although this is the first time I have ridden across the country, it is the fourth time I have crossed the country.  It is only the second time East to West.  I can remember vividly the first time I saw the brown hills of California, that is where I first saw velvet.  Going over those hills, and then there was the Pacific ocean.  I was driving, I remember yelling to the back of the truck to Jody, wake up --- you've got to see this.

So nothing but brown velvet hills, dotted with Canyon Live Oaks.  Although, they may actually be Interior Live Oaks, there is a difference, but that I forget.  Think it has to do with elevation.  The road itself was empty and Stormy and I were both content to silently go with the flow, until we reached Pinnacles.  I didn't know much about Pinnacles NP, only that it is our 59th NP, created just two years ago.  This is the park that drove me crazy during a conversation because I was sure there were 58 NP's.  Google to the rescue, once again!  Anyway, Pinnacles is named for the eroded remains of an extinct volcano.  Most of it is protected wilderness, as it is a nesting area and release site for California Condors that have been hatched in captivity.  I think there are about 33 of them there now.  They were put on the endangered species list in 1967.  I saw 3 of them flying outside of the park, once I knew what their wingspan in flight looked like.  I think I saw a couple going into the park, but I can't be sure, didn't know what I was looking for.  This park also has some caves and is home to several bat species.  There is a colony of Townsend's big-eared bats, that stay in the park year round.  White nose syndrome is not here!!

Nice, albeit short drive through the park, this is a hiking park, and it was way too hot this time of year for that.  Why it was so empty.  Beautiful campgrounds, Beautiful Park. 

Butler Maps highlights hot springs on their maps.  There was one about 53 miles from Pinnacles, so I decided to head there.  Getting there, was a gorgeous ride on Panoche Rd. and Little Panoche Rd.  However, Stormy was low on fuel, there really had been no where to fuel up the way I way coming in.  So beautiful riding soon turned into worry as we hit our reserve.  The road did not want to stop.  Nothingness.  Just brown velvet, live oaks and a very occasional ranch.  I stopped 3 times to check my maps.  And of course, no cell service.  Finally, I came around a corner and saw green in the distance, knew that had to be it.  What a surprise Mercey Hot Springs turned out to be....... Heaven! and just a few campers.  Met a nice couple from Pismo Beach, CA.  who also ride BMW GS's.  Although they weren't on them for this trip.  Found out that fuel was about 17 miles away, N on "The 5".  We could make that, with the 30 ounces of extra fuel I had.  Relieved, I unloaded, lubed Stormy's chain, checked her over, fluids, loose nuts, etc., then headed for a magnificent soak in a tub filled with hot mineral spring water.  They had two tub areas, one where clothes are required and one where clothing is optional.  No need to guess which area I headed to.

Had another soak with my morning coffee, completely alone, before heading off for Interstates all day.  For the next 17 miles, I was running at 3000 RPM's, instead of 4300, pulling the clutch in on downhill grades, and using my brakes instead of my engine to slow down.  There was probably something else I could have done to save fuel, but that was all I could think of.  We made it!  Never have I been so happy to see an Interstate.

Headed toward Oakland/San Francisco, I was mulling over a conversation I had with Chris and Phil, the couple I met yesterday aft.  We were talking about motorcyclists not being seen.  Phil observed that it's not that we aren't looking for motorcyclists or bicyclists, it's that we aren't used to seeing them, so when we look and see them, we don't see them because our mind isn't used to seeing them.  I recall the training videos about Railroad Crossings for school bus drivers.  When we cross the same tracks, sometimes 4 times a day, we stop and look, but we see what we are used to seeing -- empty tracks, even if a train is coming, unless we change our way of looking.  

After Tommy died, I was coming to terms with my anger about his death.  I was on my way to work after lunch, at the end of my own road.  I stopped, looked left, looked right, then looked left again before making a left hand turn.  Saw empty road.  Started to pull out, heard a beep and slammed on my brakes, a motorcycle went by, and the driver had a huge smile.  I just started shaking and sobbing.  That was Tommy.  Had that motorcyclist not beeped, I would have hit him.  I meant to tell that story to Roy, don't know if I did.  But I am reminded that I need to.

So I guess the point of this particular rambling is that when we look for motorcyclists or bicyclist, we need to EXPECT to see them.

Wasn't expecting to go into San Francisco until the way back down the coast, but traffic directed me that way, rather lack of traffic.  But that way a myth...... Anyway, crossed the San Francisco bay first from Oakland into San Francisco and then from San Francisco into Marin County.  Going through the city brought back a flood of memories, I recognized street names and just picked my way through.  It was fun.  Eventually made my way to 101 and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge.  From there the fun ended.  Traffic, Traffic, and more Traffic.  And it was 2:30 in the aft. on a Mon.  I was hoping to make it to Santa Rosa for the night, but gave up at Petaluma.  I had been standing on my pegs because I get more air and I want traffic behind me to see me.  Lane splitting is legal in CA. and every motorcyclist I saw was doing it.  I even saw cars moving over for them.  But I am just not comfortable doing it, especially with all my gear.  

Petaluma used to be small town, really small town.  Not the case, anymore.  I asked the young woman who checked me in, she said it was "discovered" because of low housing costs so close to the city.  The traffic was not an anomaly, it is the way it is now.  




8 Comments
Cj's Mom
7/28/2015 08:48:55 am

Not only are you a marvelous writer Marjorie...but an accomplished photographer also...hope there's a book in the making here. You have all the tools and experiences to accomplish this!

Reply
mmw
7/28/2015 02:46:42 pm

Appreciate your support, Susan. Who knows? One thing at a time at this point.

Reply
Betty
7/28/2015 10:44:21 am

Although black is the prevailing color of motorcyclist, it is not the safest.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/study-bright-colors-save-lots-motorcyclists-lives

Reply
mmw
7/28/2015 02:48:56 pm

Thanks, Betty. I agree. Why I wear bright red. Have been seeing more and more neon green on the road, as well.

Reply
Claire
7/29/2015 12:30:42 pm

OH, NO....this is one of my pet peeves = lane splitting. I didn't even know it had a name. In my mind, it's always been something like, "stupid-ass kid syndrome". There aren't too many things in life that really get me going, but this is definitely one of them. And to think it's legal... I really, REALLY don't like it and frankly, can't imagine that a state/county would make it lawful. It is SO reckless and dangerous. WOW - it's actually legal in CA. OMG. Is there something I'm missing??? I do have an open mind and am always willing to learn and adjust my perspective. Am I off base? Help me.
Okay, I'm calming myself down now and am thinking about healthy bats, hot springs sin ropa, and good, good memories. ahhh...much better. :-)
I love what you wrote about "expecting" to see the two wheeled riders. It's so true. There are more and more bikes of all sizes and shapes on the roads now (especially in the Asheville area!) and we have to - must - put them into our visual/mental radar systems.
I like that new cars are being designed with the blind spot technology. Hopefully, this will help cut down on many fatalities. (Although, I'm not too keen on the automatic steering/braking stuff yet. Gonna take some time for this gal to get used to that nonsense. Heck, I still miss roll down windows - where's my old Chevy truck???!!! I miss it.)
Miss you, too.
Love, Love, and more Love coming your way. ~*~ Oxxx

Reply
mmw
7/29/2015 12:54:15 pm

ahhhh. Clairabelle,
Yes I can see how lane splitting can seem like that. I'm not positive of all the info. I'm about to say. But I believe, it started because motorcycles used to all be air cooled. ie, they needed to be moving, especially in warm climates. It is not meant to be done when traffic is moving at a normal rate (over 50 mph). It is MUCH safer for the motorcyclist in stop and go traffic, as It prevents them from being rear ended by cars. I can tell you from experience, that is a worry.
I was in traffic so horrific yesterday aft. In San Rafael. 101.4. Degrees F. Moving a couple of ft. An hour. If If stormy was air cooled, I would have gotten over my fear of lane splitting quickly!!!

Hope that helps with another perspective.
Love you!!!

Reply
Claire
7/30/2015 02:47:44 am

Thanks! It does help. Was thinking about it this morning before my feet hit the floor and thought it might have something to do with the heat and physical safety from that perspective. I didn't know about air cooling and rear ending. I can see where that would be an anxiety producer! We humans are crazy! Now that I know it's a legitimate thing, I will be looking at it with new and enlightened eyes. 😳 I am grateful. 😘

Betty
7/30/2015 04:36:38 am

Interesting that lane splitting is the third leading cause of motorcycle accidents. I didn't know that. http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/motorcycle-accidents-common-causes-30330.html

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