Seattle to SCal and back

[Hudson]

I'm a day behind RR. Friday, I had to be in Chula Vista to pick up the Ecamper, but I also had an unscheduled detour. Seems PieNiehart needed a pie **** pix fix, and I had to stop by Julian, so it worked out well. I blasted down to Hwy 74 and stopped off to visit the Mission San Juan Capistrano. As a wee lad, I had many a hand slapped by the Mission nuns with a ruler, and yet I still have fond memories of the place.

Stopped by this place to drop a twenty off. It used to be a candy store run by this little old lady. We'd stop by after school, and more often than not would slip a few butterscotch ripple's in the uniformed pockets when she wasn't looking. I figured it was high time to make a karma payment, but the store was no more.

Great example of art deco buildings:

I headed out to 74 and was soon in the twisties. Caught up with these two guys, and they were nice enough to wave me past.

I got to the top of Ortega and the fog suddenly blocked the view. Downhill tight twisties in the fog present a new level of pucker factor.

I got to the bottom, this time not in the dark like Monday, and found Elsinore to be largely the same as I remembered from my youth, except boarded up and fenced.

 

[ahchiu]

Nice Dave, you got more riding in this past week than you have all summer :clapping:

 

[Hudson]

Thirty miles later, I picked up Hwy 79. It was crawling with RV's and Toy hauler's headed up to the lake for the weekend.

I was doing a pretty nice clip and came up on these three chaps, one riding an FJ1200. Not sure why they were mosy'ing along when there were so many fast sweepers to tackle, but they waved me past.

Next stop, Julian, the pie capital of California.

Niehart, you'll want to shut your door for the next few pix, lest someone catch you.

Yes, Niehart, Friday is baking day, and every one of Julian's 20 or so cafes is busy baking pies for the weekend crowd. I walked around and I kid you not: the whole town smelled of pie.

 

[Hudson]

I grabbed lunch at a cafe and was joined by the three guys I had earlier passed. The FJ rider restores old British bikes and had a few projects we discussed. Then it was off to Chula Vista, by way of Hwy 79. Julian's historic downtown was spared from the raging fires a few years back, but not the surrounding area where hundreds of homes burned to the ground, including a house owned by in-laws. The trees are still barren, but the brush has come back and it was in full autumn bloom.

Thereafter, a quick jaunt on the Freeway, and arrived to pick up the newly minted Ecamper.

 

[Hudson]

Saturday I had planned to hang out and ride up to Pinks, but time and distance conspired against me. I'd be riding back a hundred or so miles, possibly in the wet, at 1 a.m., and yet was still trying to rationalize how to do this. Instead, I got a very late start, was stuck in traffic, and decided to head up the coast with the FJR in tow. I had hoped to land Pismo before too late, but the sun was quickly dropping and I ended up on Rincon, right next to the water.

It was heaven.

Rincon point is an amazing place, first come first served. There had to be 50 or more RV's lined up end to end. It has primitive facilities (meaning a porta potty) so for the Ecamper, one night is ideal, though the gal next to me had been there for a few days.

I enjoyed a fine stogie, a waterfront view, and built a nice fire to cozy up to. Then it was time to break in the Ecamper. Setup was easy, under three minutes, and I came away impressed by all the little features and attention to detail. The owner of Ursa Minor used his prototype for a full year, testing it out and tweaking the design and features. It was surprising warm inside, and quite comfy.

The next morning, awakening to the sound of crashing surf, I peeked outside.

I wiped off the drizzle and headed up Hwy 1 to meet Carver and the Missus for brunch.

 

[Niehart]

Thanks Dave, I needed that! :drag: And yes I did close the door. :coolsmiley02:

 

[Hudson]

I headed up to Morro Bay to a nice little place, Kitty's. Carver and Missus showed up quickly and we shared a great meal and terrific company.

Good people, Carver and Mrs.

I wanted to stay and chat longer, but Don correctly guessed how long the ride to Roseville would take, so I got moving. I'll let Hwy 1 speak for itself, as no captions are needed.

Quite suddenly, the air rippled with crackling thunder and the sky lit up with lightning. Then it began to rain hard. Then hail. It was a deluge like I'd expect only in Seattle, and I was thankful to be inside the E while the FJR took a beating and the roads began to suffer.

Then, just as suddenly, the storm disappeared.

 

[Hudson]

More pix, no captions necessary.

For the longest time, I've wanted to do this stretch of Hwy 1 but was always running out of time. Not today.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Very nice Hudson, quite a trip!

--G

 

[Auburn]

Hudson, we have to a PNW crew trip through there some day.

 

[dcarver]

Open invite to all PNW phook-heads..

'jes sayin'..

Plan to spend at least 3 days in the Hondarosa Hood...

and bring them dirt/dual sport bikes too..

 

[Old Michael]

For the longest time, I've wanted to do this stretch of Hwy 1 but was always running out of time. Not today.

Looks ******.

So.

Did you make it home, Hudson?

Tickets in Oregon?

 

[Hudson]

Made it home last night. We took 3 days to get back. Hwy 20 to 101 (great road BTW!) then spent a night in Arcata. Next day was spent checking out the Redwoods

then up Hwy 199 to Roseburg. Yesterday we rolled in just in time for dinner.

It was a great 2 weeks, something I didn't realize how much I needed until it was over. It was great to spend time with folks on the forum, and a huge thanks to Fairlaner for making the riding parts so enjoyable, and the feedback of others who helped make the routes more fun.

I didn't do two routes: Hwy 33 or Death Valley, but this trip gives me motivation to get back down for follow up.

 

[Fairlaner]

let me know when!!!!!!!!!!!!

R

 

[beemerdons]

Outstanding Ride Report and Fantastic Photographs, Hudson; Thank You Very Much, it a great piece of work!