Our first NorthStar tour (www.northstarmototours.com) began Thursday evening with a nice get to know one another dinner. We congregated bright and early on Friday morning to begin the weekend’s festivities. Our first tour customers were MichelleK, on her new Ninja 250, and MichelleP, on her 250 Morphous scooter. Nicknaming themselves Thing 1 and Thing 2, I knew we were all gonna have a good time. They were eager and ready for their upcoming adventure!
We headed to some of the classics of the Santa Cruz Mtns. – 9/35 and a stop at the famed Alice’s for brunch.
The shirt says it all
After a tasty meal, we sallied forth along 84, Pescadero, and out to Hwy 1 where the temps were blessedly cool and we breathed a short lived sigh of relief.
Across from Gazos Creek with CC, my trusty sidesweep
After a break, we continued down Hwy 1 to Bonnie Doon, Empire Grade, Felton Empire and stopped briefly in Felton for a hydration break as the temps had climbed once more. Seems you can take the girls away but you still can’t take them away from their cell phones!
More fun along Summit/Highland to San Jose-Soquel and finally jetting along Hwy 1 to Monterey, our resting spot for the evening. After a walk on the beach at Cannery Row and freshening up from the day’s ride, we headed for The Fish Hopper for the evening’s respite. The food was delicious and the company stellar. It turns out that Thing 1 and Thing 2 had much in common, both being military brats and living in many of the same places. Was great to see them bond quickly, especially since they were sharing a room!
A toast to a great start
Dusk in Monterey Bay
The moon was nearing full
The next morning dawned with cool temps and sunny, blue skies. Neither of the ladies had been south on Hwy 1 so it was really fun to show them some of the breathtaking vistas along the way. No matter how many times I drive down the coast, I never tire of the majesty and grandeur of the rugged cliffs and blue ocean.
Bixby Bridge
MichelleK (aka Thing 1)
MichelleP (aka Thing 2)
Hurricane Hill
We stopped at the River Inn in Big Sur, taking a few moments to stop, relax, and cool our feet in the stream out back.
Followed by a quick stop to check out the views at Nepenthe
Next on the agenda was a picnic lunch at Julia Pfeiffer State Park followed by a ¼-mile walk out to view the famed falls.
View of coast looking north from the falls
A pit stop at Ragged Point where we were all very glad we didn’t have to gas up!
A nice run down Hwy 1 to visit the elephant seals
These little guys were very bold and would walk right up to you looking for handouts.
Someone had trouble reading the sign… and I’m not talking about the squirrel
Contemplating the life of a squirrel
You talkin’ to me??
We gassed up and then settled into our digs in Cambria. Our hotel was directly across the street from the beach so the girls made good use of their time and entertained their inner beach bums getting soaked in the process – damn kids!
MichelleP conquered the rock
Another fabulous dinner at the Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill before being whisked away for the night tour at Hearst Castle
We headed to some of the classics of the Santa Cruz Mtns. – 9/35 and a stop at the famed Alice’s for brunch.
The shirt says it all
After a tasty meal, we sallied forth along 84, Pescadero, and out to Hwy 1 where the temps were blessedly cool and we breathed a short lived sigh of relief.
Across from Gazos Creek with CC, my trusty sidesweep
After a break, we continued down Hwy 1 to Bonnie Doon, Empire Grade, Felton Empire and stopped briefly in Felton for a hydration break as the temps had climbed once more. Seems you can take the girls away but you still can’t take them away from their cell phones!
More fun along Summit/Highland to San Jose-Soquel and finally jetting along Hwy 1 to Monterey, our resting spot for the evening. After a walk on the beach at Cannery Row and freshening up from the day’s ride, we headed for The Fish Hopper for the evening’s respite. The food was delicious and the company stellar. It turns out that Thing 1 and Thing 2 had much in common, both being military brats and living in many of the same places. Was great to see them bond quickly, especially since they were sharing a room!
A toast to a great start
Dusk in Monterey Bay
The moon was nearing full
The next morning dawned with cool temps and sunny, blue skies. Neither of the ladies had been south on Hwy 1 so it was really fun to show them some of the breathtaking vistas along the way. No matter how many times I drive down the coast, I never tire of the majesty and grandeur of the rugged cliffs and blue ocean.
Bixby Bridge
MichelleK (aka Thing 1)
MichelleP (aka Thing 2)
Hurricane Hill
We stopped at the River Inn in Big Sur, taking a few moments to stop, relax, and cool our feet in the stream out back.
Followed by a quick stop to check out the views at Nepenthe
Next on the agenda was a picnic lunch at Julia Pfeiffer State Park followed by a ¼-mile walk out to view the famed falls.
View of coast looking north from the falls
A pit stop at Ragged Point where we were all very glad we didn’t have to gas up!
A nice run down Hwy 1 to visit the elephant seals
These little guys were very bold and would walk right up to you looking for handouts.
Someone had trouble reading the sign… and I’m not talking about the squirrel
Contemplating the life of a squirrel
You talkin’ to me??
We gassed up and then settled into our digs in Cambria. Our hotel was directly across the street from the beach so the girls made good use of their time and entertained their inner beach bums getting soaked in the process – damn kids!
MichelleP conquered the rock
Another fabulous dinner at the Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill before being whisked away for the night tour at Hearst Castle
Either that or send her out here and I'll do it for ya... 
