(Note: Slide show at bottom. Thanks!)<\/p>\n
Once a year I take a long motorcycle trip as a vacation. This year I went to a rally based out of Santa Margarita, California. Santa Margarita is not far from San Louis Obispo and Morro Bay.<\/p>\n
\u00a0I have been going to rallies since 2000, so know many of the people who show up at these things. Its always a great way to meet and greet friends not seen for a year or more, and meet some new friends along the way.<\/p>\n
\u00a0This year I stayed at Las Vegas (Circus, Circus) on both the outgoing and return legs of the trip. Price for the room was not bad, about $42.00 per night, but I am not a big city person and I certainly felt out of place on \u201cthe strip\u201d. But\u2026it was good to have a nice air-condition room to sleep in (daytime temps in the 90\u2019s) when I got off the bike!<\/p>\n
\u00a0Day 1 got me as far as Las Vegas. On day 2 (A Thursday) I arrived at the Santa Margarita KOA. I had camp set up by around 5:30 local time, so decided to take off for a ride to the ocean (Morro Bay) and get something to eat.<\/p>\n
\u00a0It was quite cool at the beach, but I enjoyed the ride, watching the waves break, and watch the antics of the sea gulls. As much as I like my mountains, there is something about a sunset over the ocean that is very satisfying to watch.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Dinner that night was pizza. I had developed a hunger for one on the ride out, and finally found a local joint in the town of Itascadero. I managed to eat an entire 10-inch Canadian Bacon, and boy it sure tasted good!<\/p>\n
\u00a0The next morning I called a pair of friends who had also arrived early (Main rally was\u00a0 scheduled\u00a0 for Saturday) and we got together for breakfast at Denny\u2019s in Paso Robles. We decided to head up to a national monument named The Pinnacles. Of more interest to people who have an interest in geology, The Pinnacles sits on the edge of the San Andreas Fault. Right on the edge\u2026broken formations are separated by several miles, showing how the fault has slipped over the eons.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The best part of this trip way California Hwy 25, which is the route to the eastern entrance to the monument. It runs along the edge of a fertile valley, and is great for motorcycle riding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0After visiting The Pinnacles, the 3 of us headed north to Hollister, west to 101, then back south to the KOA where the rally host was cooking dinner. A nice evening ensued, with other riders showing up and eating dinner around a fire.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The Saturday main group ride began after a campground breakfast of French Toast and Sausage. The group leaders set up a route out to the Pacific Coast, taking back roads through valleys and a planned stop for lunch. As with the previous morning, temperatures were a bit on the cool side, 50\u2019s with some morning fog.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Now, getting a group of bikers to do anything in unison is akin to herding cats. None the less, we finally got going and did some riding. I confess to being part of the problem, as myself and another guy headed out to get supplies and fuel. We met the rest of the group on the way back to the KOA.<\/p>\n
\u00a0We stopped for lunch in the town of Cambria. It was a very pleasant stop, with good food at reasonable prices. Once everyone was full, we mounted up ant took off north along the coast, stopping for some group riding shots.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Eventually we headed back to the KOA for dinner. Larry and Kelli, the hosts, did an excellent job of preparing a meal of briskit and trimmings. Lots of talk, a few beers, some wine, and good company made for a very pleasant evening.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Sunday was departure day for some of the riders. Not me\u2026I had planned to start back on Monday. As it was, a group of 5, including me, formed up to ride north, as the other 4 were heading that direction on their homeward routs. We got on the road after saying our goodbyes to the others, rode up Hwy 101, ate at a genuine Mexican restaurant (I still don\u2019t know exactly what I had) and headed west. Turning north-west on G-16, we were riding through Carmel Valley.<\/p>\n
\u00a0This is a very nice bike ride. Carmel-by-the-sea is a high-bucks area, and I can see why. Beautiful old houses and ranches, flowers blooming everywhere, and picturesque fields and pastures abound. Eventually we arrived in Monterey Bay, and took in Fisherman\u2019s Warf. After walking around and getting a souvenir for Pam (I had my orders!) it was time for me to head back to camp, and the others to continue their trips home.<\/p>\n
\u00a0I was able to come back on Hwy 1, the Pacific Coast Highway. Even better, the fog and cloudiness that had been with us for most of the day cleared out on this last leg. I was able to get some good bridge and landscape photos, and stopped at a look out point to watch the sun set over the ocean. It was a very nice way to wrap up the rally.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Monday morning I packed up and headed home. I stayed in Las Vegas that night, and arrived home at about 6:30 P.M. on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Over-all, I rode 2,920 miles. Of these, about 990 miles were \u201clocal\u201d miles ridden after I arrived at the KOA and before I left to return home. Monterey Bay had the highest gas prices, about $4.60 per gallon for mid-grade, or about $4.50 for regular unleaded. Longest stretch is the home-to-Las Vegas segment, about 548 miles. However, the Barstow to Bakesfield link is probably the ugliest. Best stretch is through western Utah into the St. George area, as the elevation is high enough to be cooler, you can see some snow in the mountain peaks, and the valleys have enough water to stay green.<\/p>\n
I do enjoy these outings, and look forward to planning next year\u2019s trip.<\/p>\n
\u00a0That\u2019s it for now. Thanks for looking in!<\/p>\n