Blues Traveler
08-02-2007, 04:06 PM
The plan is to go up through N.Ca. and into Eugene Oregon to stay with a friend for 2 days and squeeze in a visit with my sister in Eugene.
This trip will be camping all the way except for 2 day's in Cottage Grove Oregon where I'll stay with a friend. Only one meal, breakfast on day one will be bought. The rest of the trip I will cook all meals while camping.
July 21st. Day one:
Its early and the GSA is all packed and ready to go. I jump on the 215 in Sun City Ca. and head for the top of Cajon Pass. Once over the top I catch the 395 and head out across the desert where I make my one meal stop in Olancha for breakfast. The Ranch House Cafe is one of our groups breakfast stops when ever we pass through, the food is great.
After words I head out and make my way along 395 through Lone pine, Big Pine, and Bishop where I make my 1st stop for gas. Next is up the hill through Mammoth pass June Lake, Lee Vining, amd a lunch stop at the Mono Lake visitors center where I make myself a sandwich and allow myself to stand for awhile. In other words it was time for a break.
I move on but not without a side trip down to the lake itself for a couple of pictures. While there I had an old Ford Edsil pull up behind me to do the same. Don't see many Edsil's anymore and not this far out of the way.
Back on 395 I head up the big switchbacks that take me up towards Bridgeport. My 1st night is suppose to be at a place called Virginia Creek Settlement. I arrive and the place is dark and looks closed. Sign in the window say's: Sorry we missed you be back around 3:00 pm. Well its 2:00 now and I have no plans of waiting an hour so I push on.
And push on I did. A couple of hours later Im in S.Tahoe at the local KOA. Get myself a tent spot and settup for the evening. Great spot just a little pricey for a KOA but I guess this is Tahoe and nothings going to be cheap. I get Camp settup and head for the showers. Afterwords I cook up a great meal and hit the sack. Its been a long 450+ mile day.
Day 2:
Im up early and take care of everything inside the tent. Its all ready to load on the bike. Outside I make breakfast, clean up and finish packing the bike. All gear loaded I hit the start button and the Beemer fires up and settles into a nice idle. All except for a whining noise that wasn't there the day before. Sounds like a stuck brake servo but I know it isn't as you can hear the servo's power up over it. Im not too concerned so I push on.
The street thats straight across from the enterance is suppose to take me through the recent burn zone in S.Tahoe. What a sight. Where what were probably million dollar homes is now just fireplaces sticking up from the ashes. Not much left.
I headed up 89 for Lassen national park. $5 at the gate got me a sweet ride through the park. It was hard keeping the speed down, 35 was the limit. My radar detectors laser warning kept popping on but I could see nothing in sight. Out the otherside my next stop was Shasta City for gas. It was late in the day and I was ready to stop for the night. Just across the 5 was Lake Siskiyou campground. I've stayed there before. Cheap, nice secluded spots with clean restrooms and hot showers. After eating dinner I had a guest. A deer damn near came up to the table as I was sitting there having coffee. It checked things out then moved along.
I crashed early and was up before 1st light having coffee with some eggs and bacon before moving on.
The Beemer still had its little strange noise going on but didn't seem any worse.
Day 3:
Im now on the 5 headed for Grants Pass. I have an aunt and uncle there and this would be my 3rd unanounced try ins several years to supprise them with a visit. Once again they weren't home. I headed for Cottage Grove and got there about 3:00 in the afternoon. My friend Kevin said a key would be in the tool kit on his Suzuki DR650 out in the carport. It was there and I made myself at home. This would be a 2 nighter here with a visit to my sister up in Eugene. Here I went online and started a thread on the BMW Sporttouing website. My noise was the topic. After many question the conclusion was a plugged fuel filter. Im ok with that if that is indeed what it is.
Day 5:
Bikes ready, we say our goodbys and Kevin heads for work. I take off but in about 1/2 a mile I remember leaving my cell phone sitting on top of my L/H tank pannier and its not there anymore. I panic and retrace my route several times but the phone is nowhere to be found. I finally get an idea and call my phone. On the 3rd time someone named Tim answers. He's about 40 minutes away in Eugene. I punch the address into my GPS and im there in about 40 minutes or so. Damn was I ever happy to get it back. The job site where he's working is just across the street from BMW Motorcycles of Western Oregon, what luck.
Nice shop and very helpful. They go over my bike and come to the conclusion, Fuel Filter. They say they can squeeze me in if I want but also say its not a problem and I should be able to make it home. Still I buy a filter and clamps just incase things get worse and I feel like pulling the tank getting inside because thats where its at, inside the tank. This is something I'd rather do it at home.
So......they point me towards the coast and im off. 101 along the Oregon coast is awsome. Glad I had my Gerbings jacket linner with me because I wore it all day. It was overcast and very cool out. About 8 miles north of Ca. I get into Brookings and find what was the best campground of the trip. Harris Beach is a state run campground and is top notch in my book. Had a geat spot overlooking the ocean. I settup and settled in.
Day 6:
Im up had breakfast and now headed across the border into Ca. Hwy. 1 came up real quick and I went for it. Lots of cliffs with no shoulder what so ever in may places. My GPS was telling me it was 445 ft. to the water at the bottom. If I did I would be able to think about it some before I hit the bottom. But what a GREAT ride. I need to come back soon and do it again.
After passing through The Ave. of the Giants I found another place for the day. And for the life of me I can't think of its name. Great place and except for a guy headed for Canada on a bicycle I had the whole place to myself. I settup and did my thing, relaxed and cooked another great meal.
Day 7:
Back on Hwy. 1 I gassed up about 40 miles above San Fransico. I decided at this point to cut over to Petiluma for supplies and than try and make it through S.F. 3:00 in the afternoon on a Friday is not a good time to try and get across the Golden Gate Bridge which took about 40 minutes. after about 2 hours I was on my way on the 101 on the otherside of S.F.
Getting late I asked the GPS for lodging and it took me to the Cabana Mobil Estate Campground. No tent camping but they squeezed me in on a grassy knoll about 50 feet from the restrooms. They even brought me a table. They gave me a deal of only $18 for the night. What a relief as it was getting late and I was starting to worry about finding a place. About 9:00 that evening when I was all done with everything and having my coffee it started to mist really good. I put what I could back in the bike and brought the rest inside the tent and crashed for the night.
Day 8:
Im up in Monterey at the Cabana Estate in Monterey and ready to go. Last nights mist had me pack everything away wet. Today I planned on making it home. On the 101 I could make some good time. And I did till I got into Santa Barbera, traffic on the 101 stopped at the 126. Hmmm the 126 sounded familar so I headed east. The 126 took me to the 118 where I stayed until I got to the 210. I was home by 5:00 that afternoon.
As I came up the street I could see my wife and daughter out front with my 9 month old grandson who was to my supprise walking. What a great ending to a great trip I was gone 8 days, covered 2348 miles and saw my grandson walking as I pulled up to the house.
This week I got the tank off and replaced the fuel filter, the noise is gone. The bike even seems to have more power as its not struggling to get gas. I never noticed as the Beemer never missed a beat and always seemed to have plenty of power.
From this year forword I will find a way to use at least 1 week of my earned vacation time for a solo trip. Its something I would now recomend to everyone.
For many pictures of my trip look in my Webshots below in my signature.
Hey! go out and do a week on your own!
This trip will be camping all the way except for 2 day's in Cottage Grove Oregon where I'll stay with a friend. Only one meal, breakfast on day one will be bought. The rest of the trip I will cook all meals while camping.
July 21st. Day one:
Its early and the GSA is all packed and ready to go. I jump on the 215 in Sun City Ca. and head for the top of Cajon Pass. Once over the top I catch the 395 and head out across the desert where I make my one meal stop in Olancha for breakfast. The Ranch House Cafe is one of our groups breakfast stops when ever we pass through, the food is great.
After words I head out and make my way along 395 through Lone pine, Big Pine, and Bishop where I make my 1st stop for gas. Next is up the hill through Mammoth pass June Lake, Lee Vining, amd a lunch stop at the Mono Lake visitors center where I make myself a sandwich and allow myself to stand for awhile. In other words it was time for a break.
I move on but not without a side trip down to the lake itself for a couple of pictures. While there I had an old Ford Edsil pull up behind me to do the same. Don't see many Edsil's anymore and not this far out of the way.
Back on 395 I head up the big switchbacks that take me up towards Bridgeport. My 1st night is suppose to be at a place called Virginia Creek Settlement. I arrive and the place is dark and looks closed. Sign in the window say's: Sorry we missed you be back around 3:00 pm. Well its 2:00 now and I have no plans of waiting an hour so I push on.
And push on I did. A couple of hours later Im in S.Tahoe at the local KOA. Get myself a tent spot and settup for the evening. Great spot just a little pricey for a KOA but I guess this is Tahoe and nothings going to be cheap. I get Camp settup and head for the showers. Afterwords I cook up a great meal and hit the sack. Its been a long 450+ mile day.
Day 2:
Im up early and take care of everything inside the tent. Its all ready to load on the bike. Outside I make breakfast, clean up and finish packing the bike. All gear loaded I hit the start button and the Beemer fires up and settles into a nice idle. All except for a whining noise that wasn't there the day before. Sounds like a stuck brake servo but I know it isn't as you can hear the servo's power up over it. Im not too concerned so I push on.
The street thats straight across from the enterance is suppose to take me through the recent burn zone in S.Tahoe. What a sight. Where what were probably million dollar homes is now just fireplaces sticking up from the ashes. Not much left.
I headed up 89 for Lassen national park. $5 at the gate got me a sweet ride through the park. It was hard keeping the speed down, 35 was the limit. My radar detectors laser warning kept popping on but I could see nothing in sight. Out the otherside my next stop was Shasta City for gas. It was late in the day and I was ready to stop for the night. Just across the 5 was Lake Siskiyou campground. I've stayed there before. Cheap, nice secluded spots with clean restrooms and hot showers. After eating dinner I had a guest. A deer damn near came up to the table as I was sitting there having coffee. It checked things out then moved along.
I crashed early and was up before 1st light having coffee with some eggs and bacon before moving on.
The Beemer still had its little strange noise going on but didn't seem any worse.
Day 3:
Im now on the 5 headed for Grants Pass. I have an aunt and uncle there and this would be my 3rd unanounced try ins several years to supprise them with a visit. Once again they weren't home. I headed for Cottage Grove and got there about 3:00 in the afternoon. My friend Kevin said a key would be in the tool kit on his Suzuki DR650 out in the carport. It was there and I made myself at home. This would be a 2 nighter here with a visit to my sister up in Eugene. Here I went online and started a thread on the BMW Sporttouing website. My noise was the topic. After many question the conclusion was a plugged fuel filter. Im ok with that if that is indeed what it is.
Day 5:
Bikes ready, we say our goodbys and Kevin heads for work. I take off but in about 1/2 a mile I remember leaving my cell phone sitting on top of my L/H tank pannier and its not there anymore. I panic and retrace my route several times but the phone is nowhere to be found. I finally get an idea and call my phone. On the 3rd time someone named Tim answers. He's about 40 minutes away in Eugene. I punch the address into my GPS and im there in about 40 minutes or so. Damn was I ever happy to get it back. The job site where he's working is just across the street from BMW Motorcycles of Western Oregon, what luck.
Nice shop and very helpful. They go over my bike and come to the conclusion, Fuel Filter. They say they can squeeze me in if I want but also say its not a problem and I should be able to make it home. Still I buy a filter and clamps just incase things get worse and I feel like pulling the tank getting inside because thats where its at, inside the tank. This is something I'd rather do it at home.
So......they point me towards the coast and im off. 101 along the Oregon coast is awsome. Glad I had my Gerbings jacket linner with me because I wore it all day. It was overcast and very cool out. About 8 miles north of Ca. I get into Brookings and find what was the best campground of the trip. Harris Beach is a state run campground and is top notch in my book. Had a geat spot overlooking the ocean. I settup and settled in.
Day 6:
Im up had breakfast and now headed across the border into Ca. Hwy. 1 came up real quick and I went for it. Lots of cliffs with no shoulder what so ever in may places. My GPS was telling me it was 445 ft. to the water at the bottom. If I did I would be able to think about it some before I hit the bottom. But what a GREAT ride. I need to come back soon and do it again.
After passing through The Ave. of the Giants I found another place for the day. And for the life of me I can't think of its name. Great place and except for a guy headed for Canada on a bicycle I had the whole place to myself. I settup and did my thing, relaxed and cooked another great meal.
Day 7:
Back on Hwy. 1 I gassed up about 40 miles above San Fransico. I decided at this point to cut over to Petiluma for supplies and than try and make it through S.F. 3:00 in the afternoon on a Friday is not a good time to try and get across the Golden Gate Bridge which took about 40 minutes. after about 2 hours I was on my way on the 101 on the otherside of S.F.
Getting late I asked the GPS for lodging and it took me to the Cabana Mobil Estate Campground. No tent camping but they squeezed me in on a grassy knoll about 50 feet from the restrooms. They even brought me a table. They gave me a deal of only $18 for the night. What a relief as it was getting late and I was starting to worry about finding a place. About 9:00 that evening when I was all done with everything and having my coffee it started to mist really good. I put what I could back in the bike and brought the rest inside the tent and crashed for the night.
Day 8:
Im up in Monterey at the Cabana Estate in Monterey and ready to go. Last nights mist had me pack everything away wet. Today I planned on making it home. On the 101 I could make some good time. And I did till I got into Santa Barbera, traffic on the 101 stopped at the 126. Hmmm the 126 sounded familar so I headed east. The 126 took me to the 118 where I stayed until I got to the 210. I was home by 5:00 that afternoon.
As I came up the street I could see my wife and daughter out front with my 9 month old grandson who was to my supprise walking. What a great ending to a great trip I was gone 8 days, covered 2348 miles and saw my grandson walking as I pulled up to the house.
This week I got the tank off and replaced the fuel filter, the noise is gone. The bike even seems to have more power as its not struggling to get gas. I never noticed as the Beemer never missed a beat and always seemed to have plenty of power.
From this year forword I will find a way to use at least 1 week of my earned vacation time for a solo trip. Its something I would now recomend to everyone.
For many pictures of my trip look in my Webshots below in my signature.
Hey! go out and do a week on your own!