Some of you are aware that I started a touring company for women this year. It's been slow but we momentum seems to be pushing forward and I'm hoping that 2009 will be even better than 2008. I thought I would share some pics and story from our last tour of 2008. Enjoy!
On the last NorthStar tour for 2008, I had the distinct pleasure and honor of leading two ladies from the UK, Sally and Carol, around some of my favorite roads and sights in the South Bay and beyond. Dorothy/glassgirl was our sweep and was a definite positive addition to the experience! All the photos can be found here:
https://fancyfeettr.smugmug.com/gallery/623...393963379_vd95a
We started in Santa Clara on Friday morning, after having gotten to meet and greet at dinner on Thursday night. The day was brilliant – sunny, blue skies, cool temps, and empty roads just waiting for us. The ladies had rented their bikes from Dubbelju in SF – Sally on a BMW650GS and Carol on a Triumph Bonneville.
We traversed some of the classics – 9 to 35 and stopping for a clear view of the Bay Area from the vista point on Skyline.
We continued along Skyline until we settled in at Alice’s for a brunch at one of the outside tables, soaking in the warm sun.
They had the place all decked out for fall with pumpkins lining the entire outside deck.
The weathervane asked us, “Whooooo are you?”
While we were eating, we were entertained by this pup whose owner would make shadow movements on the deck and he would pounce on the shadow trying to catch it!
After a tasty meal, we traversed 84 and out to the coast for a stop at Pescadero Beach, one of my favorite places. It was an absolutely brilliant day, albeit a bit breezy!
Sally takes it all in.
Sally brought her traveling companion, Flopsy, who was also enjoying the day.
Continuing south on Hwy 1, we then headed inland for a bit along Bonny Doon, Empire Grade, and Felton Empire before taking a quick break in Felton…
… where I spotted this huge dragonfly nestled in the gas station window!
Backtracked a bit on Hwy 17 so I could take them on Old Santa Cruz Hwy before hitting Summit Rd. and San Jose-Soquel Rd. The sun was playing peekaboo behind the clouds. It was really a beautiful day! Sally said so far they had ridden more twisties in that day than they had all year back home – boy, did they have some treats in store for them the next two days!!
We settled into our hotel in Monterey and headed for a delicious dinner at the Fish Hopper, enjoying the conversation, the view, and the food!
After dinner, we wandered around Cannery Row a bit… Carol was impressed with the size of this statues’, um, nozzle…
The next morning we awoke bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready for the day’s treats along the amazing Hwy 1. Sally saw this sign and had to stop for a photo opp to add to her blog (pic courtesy of Dorothy).
Carol enjoys the view at Bixby Bridge
Sally told me about some sort of internet phenomenon called “Mini-Mes”… photos of items that look like a little person of sorts… here was her contribution
The moto gods were definitely looking out for us and gave us the gift of a brilliantly clear day on the coast – Sally enjoying the view
We stopped for a break at the Little River Inn in Big Sur. It was a wee bit too cold to dip our tootsies in the water so we settled for a riverside sit instead.
Next stop was a picnic, supplied by the lovely Ben, at Julia Pfeiffer State Park and then a short hike out to view the waterfall and surrounding coast. The water color was astoundingly blue.
Walk toward the light! Or toward Sally…
Many hikers were disappointed – although we could already see re-growth in the burnt areas… Mother Nature works miracles
Mo’ Hwy 1
A stop at Ragged Point for a proper afternoon espresso and watch as they set up for a wedding on the grounds
Another stop to see the elephant seals but all of the big boys seemed to be out of sight. We journeyed to our hotel in Cambria with an ocean front view room and all its splendor. The evening’s festivities included another fabulous dinner followed by a night tour of Hearst Castle.
The Lovely Ben modeling part of his dinner
Reflecting
Before heading to Hearst Castle, we were gifted with a stunning California sunset
Lovely lady… and the statue too!
My camera is not the best at night shots so I only took a couple (they request no flash on the indoor shots so that kinda made it difficult!)
After the tour, we retired to our hotel and everyone agreed that it was one of the best night’s sleep they’d had in awhile. We woke the next morning, packed up the bikes, then headed to the common area for a lovely breakfast before heading off for the day.
Sally’s t-shirt for the day
Saddled up and ready to gooooooo!!
I tried to get a shot of the pavement as it was glittering as if paved with diamonds in the morning sun.
The view from 46 (both the road and the temp!) – I had thought it would warm up once we headed inland but it was quite chilly!!
Vineyard Dr.
Peachy Canyon (lots of deer dodging!)
On the last NorthStar tour for 2008, I had the distinct pleasure and honor of leading two ladies from the UK, Sally and Carol, around some of my favorite roads and sights in the South Bay and beyond. Dorothy/glassgirl was our sweep and was a definite positive addition to the experience! All the photos can be found here:
https://fancyfeettr.smugmug.com/gallery/623...393963379_vd95a
We started in Santa Clara on Friday morning, after having gotten to meet and greet at dinner on Thursday night. The day was brilliant – sunny, blue skies, cool temps, and empty roads just waiting for us. The ladies had rented their bikes from Dubbelju in SF – Sally on a BMW650GS and Carol on a Triumph Bonneville.
We traversed some of the classics – 9 to 35 and stopping for a clear view of the Bay Area from the vista point on Skyline.
We continued along Skyline until we settled in at Alice’s for a brunch at one of the outside tables, soaking in the warm sun.
They had the place all decked out for fall with pumpkins lining the entire outside deck.
The weathervane asked us, “Whooooo are you?”
While we were eating, we were entertained by this pup whose owner would make shadow movements on the deck and he would pounce on the shadow trying to catch it!
After a tasty meal, we traversed 84 and out to the coast for a stop at Pescadero Beach, one of my favorite places. It was an absolutely brilliant day, albeit a bit breezy!
Sally takes it all in.
Sally brought her traveling companion, Flopsy, who was also enjoying the day.
Continuing south on Hwy 1, we then headed inland for a bit along Bonny Doon, Empire Grade, and Felton Empire before taking a quick break in Felton…
… where I spotted this huge dragonfly nestled in the gas station window!
Backtracked a bit on Hwy 17 so I could take them on Old Santa Cruz Hwy before hitting Summit Rd. and San Jose-Soquel Rd. The sun was playing peekaboo behind the clouds. It was really a beautiful day! Sally said so far they had ridden more twisties in that day than they had all year back home – boy, did they have some treats in store for them the next two days!!
We settled into our hotel in Monterey and headed for a delicious dinner at the Fish Hopper, enjoying the conversation, the view, and the food!
After dinner, we wandered around Cannery Row a bit… Carol was impressed with the size of this statues’, um, nozzle…
The next morning we awoke bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready for the day’s treats along the amazing Hwy 1. Sally saw this sign and had to stop for a photo opp to add to her blog (pic courtesy of Dorothy).
Carol enjoys the view at Bixby Bridge
Sally told me about some sort of internet phenomenon called “Mini-Mes”… photos of items that look like a little person of sorts… here was her contribution
The moto gods were definitely looking out for us and gave us the gift of a brilliantly clear day on the coast – Sally enjoying the view
We stopped for a break at the Little River Inn in Big Sur. It was a wee bit too cold to dip our tootsies in the water so we settled for a riverside sit instead.
Next stop was a picnic, supplied by the lovely Ben, at Julia Pfeiffer State Park and then a short hike out to view the waterfall and surrounding coast. The water color was astoundingly blue.
Walk toward the light! Or toward Sally…
Many hikers were disappointed – although we could already see re-growth in the burnt areas… Mother Nature works miracles
Mo’ Hwy 1
A stop at Ragged Point for a proper afternoon espresso and watch as they set up for a wedding on the grounds
Another stop to see the elephant seals but all of the big boys seemed to be out of sight. We journeyed to our hotel in Cambria with an ocean front view room and all its splendor. The evening’s festivities included another fabulous dinner followed by a night tour of Hearst Castle.
The Lovely Ben modeling part of his dinner
Reflecting
Before heading to Hearst Castle, we were gifted with a stunning California sunset
Lovely lady… and the statue too!
My camera is not the best at night shots so I only took a couple (they request no flash on the indoor shots so that kinda made it difficult!)
After the tour, we retired to our hotel and everyone agreed that it was one of the best night’s sleep they’d had in awhile. We woke the next morning, packed up the bikes, then headed to the common area for a lovely breakfast before heading off for the day.
Sally’s t-shirt for the day
Saddled up and ready to gooooooo!!
I tried to get a shot of the pavement as it was glittering as if paved with diamonds in the morning sun.
The view from 46 (both the road and the temp!) – I had thought it would warm up once we headed inland but it was quite chilly!!
Vineyard Dr.
Peachy Canyon (lots of deer dodging!)
