Spoiling for California

[spoilsport]

The only good thing about the motel was - well there were two good things, the bike was outside the door, and there was wi-fi. So, I got out my netbook and I looked for a nice route into California that provided some scenery and avoided the interstates, and a decent place to stay for the night. This time, I read the reviews carefully, hoping to avoid any surprises (like all night trains). I decided to head for Twentynine Palms and El Rancho Dolores Motel.

Flagstaff, AZ to Twentynine Palms, CA

Eager to ride through Sedona and Jerome in the early morning, I took off without a proper breakfast. I'd more than make up for the missed nourishment later...

 

[spoilsport]

The weather was cool and clear as I descended through the twisties into Oak Creek Canyon

The Coconino National Forest

Stopped for some apples and water in Sedona and jumped back onto 89A toward Jerome

Approaching Jerome

History of Jerome, AZ

The Connor Hotel is a nice place to stay.

or perhaps the Jerome Grand Hotel. I've never stayed there, but it has the view.

Leaving Jerome - looking back toward Tuzigoot National Monument

I continued on 89 through Prescott and enjoyed a great ride on the White Spar Hiway to Congress where I hooked up with 71 for the long slog.

View toward the desert from the White Spar Hiway

 

[spoilsport]

I really should have filled up before trying to cross the desert on two lane roads, because I was flashing by the time I got to Bouse. Happily, there was one working pump in the town where I was able to fill up.

Welcome to California

More Desert

desert signpost

This is why I didn't go I40 - Maybe a dozen cars, tops, between Poston and 29Palms.

The lovely El Rancho Dolores Motel in Twenty Nine Palms, CA

One hell of a deal for $60. See ya later. I'm hittin the pool.

 

[spoilsport]

Oh, I need to back up just a little and talk about the little detour through Skull Valley I took coming out of Prescott. It is called Iron Springs Road. It wasn't really an intentional detour. For some reason, my Zumo wanted me to go through there instead of staying on 89. I stopped at the diner and had a delicious meal that actually made skipping breakfast seem like a good idea. I saw quite a few motorcycles go by, so it seems like 89/Iron Springs is a popular loop for day rides in the Prescott area.

Skull Valley Cafe

Retro Garage - Skull Valley, AZ

 

[Silver Penguin]

Loving your pictures. What a great ride report. Some familiar scenes there, such as Sedona, the Cameron Trading post, Mingus mountain and Jerome. Wonderful roads on a bike.

When we came home from the first NAFO, our plan was to spend the night somewhere around Durango or Cortez but we didn't think to call ahead for the Saturday night stay. Others did, and snagged all the rooms. We must have checked out every motel we passed on the way, ending up very late at night beside the train tracks in Flagstaff. We got a $50 room and gladly forked over $120 for it, trains and all. Good times.

 

[okmac]

Great report and pictures. Keep them coming. Thanks for sharing.

Mac

 

[beemerdons]

Fantastic Ride Report spoilsport, Thank You!

 

[spoilsport]

In order to see the Joshua Tree National Park in the early morning light, I was up and out of the El Rancho Dolores at dawn. When I rode into the park I was surprised that not only was there no traffic, there wasn't even a ranger at the entry station. But, the gate was up, so I scooted by. I really didn't know what to expect in this park, but I certainly didn't expect the beauty or the solitude - I passed two cars and otherwise saw no people. This area was designated a national park in 1994, making it a very recent addition. It's certainly one of the largest, at 1234 sq miles! The higher, drier section of the park is part of the Mojave Desert and distinguished by lovely rock formations and large stands of Joshua trees. A large part of the park is designated wilderness area.

Here's my route for today. I know it's a strange way to get to Dana Point, but I've got some business to take care of in San Diego late in the afternoon:

29Palms to Dana Point

 

[spoilsport]

They opened the park early, just for me!

Entrance - Joshua Tree National Park

A Clean Windshield, A Full Tank of Gas, and an Empty Road = Happiness

Joshua Trees

Amazing High Desert Scenery

 

[spoilsport]

In Colorado, we have some wind farms, but nothing like what I encountered at San Gorgonio Pass on my way to Palm Springs.

San Gorgonio Pass Windfarm

Traveling on to Palm Springs, I had a nice breakfast at a 5 star Denny's in Palm Desert right where 74 starts. Then it was onward and upward to the famous hiway 74.

A gentle warning for reckless motorists and squids that 74 can be lethal.

View from the 74 overlook - if you squint, you can see five sport bikes on the sweeper.

Here he comes....

 

[spoilsport]

I finally felt like I was through with the desert when I hit CA79. The farmland and orchards in the region were a welcome relief from the scrub of the desert and reminded me a bit of the midwest. As I was riding through Warner Springs, I saw a plane and glider taking off and later passed a sign for the airport and decided to stop in for some refreshment. The Warner Springs airport is really a funky farmhouse with some chairs on the front porch for a great view of the glider runway. It seemed more like a golf clubhouse than a terminal. There was a lot of activity that day, with gliders taking off every 10 minutes or so and tow planes and gliders coming in for landings. They were taking walk-ins and I was very tempted, as the weather and the wind were perfect. But I contented myself with sipping a coke on the porch and watching the activity. The place was popular with motorcyclist couples - another exciting, and calculated, risk.

Warner Springs Glider Airport

Glider ready for tow, with one in the que

Liftoff

Next stop was the Julian Pie Company. Who could resist stopping here? Apparently, not many - the parking lot was full of cars and Harleys (plus one odd Concours, a Ducati, and, of course, an FJR.

Fresh Pecan Pie ala mode

Julian was bustling with motorcycles of all sorts

Finally, another Yamaha!

 

[beemerdons]

Fantastic Ride Report, Thanks Again!

 

[spoilsport]

Fantastic Ride Report, Thanks Again!

You're welcome. Glad you're enjoying it and thanks for the comments.

 

[spoilsport]

So, it was finally time for the first half of this journey to come to an end. After taking care of business in San Diego, I hopped on I5 and bombed up to Dana Point - first time on an interstate so far this trip and first time ever riding on a CA interstate. I pulled up to the St. Regis Hotel, my final destination, and unloaded the bags onto a waiting dolly. The doorman noticed my plates and wanted to know all about the the trip. When I asked the valet where to park the bike, I expected to get directions to the garage. I was surprised when he pointed to a showcase spot in the valet parking area, surround by all the Italian and German cars, and suggested I park it there for the next 3 days. OK! I'm already liking this place.

Prime Valet Parking Space

Then I went up to the room and realized quickly that this was going to be quite a contrast to the cheap motels I'd been experiencing for the past few days.

My room.

When I went onto the balcony and saw the view, I finally felt like I had made it to Southern Cal. You folks really do have it pretty good...

View from the balcony.

Coming Soon - Part II, The Journey Home.

 

[Silver Penguin]

When I went onto the balcony and saw the view, I finally felt like I had made it to Southern Cal. You folks really do have it pretty good...

We certainly do have it pretty good, as your pictures demonstrate. Then of course, there is the traffic...... but your beautiful pictures show what a great place this is to live.

 

[Old Michael]

Bravo, spoilsport!

Enjoying every bit of this!

 

[James Burleigh]

Enjoying following your adventure. Great pictures and comments. We have a member in 29 Palms (GunMD). Did y'all connect? I caught hell from him for not connecting when I went to Joshua Tree last year. You coming up this way (I got lazy and didn't re-read your route plan).

 

[spoilsport]

Enjoying following your adventure. Great pictures and comments. We have a member in 29 Palms (GunMD). Did y'all connect? I caught hell from him for not connecting when I went to Joshua Tree last year. You coming up this way (I got lazy and didn't re-read your route plan).

No, we didn't connect this time. Return route was through Vegas, so I miss NorCal this trip. Maybe next year...

 

[puppychow]

Wow! How did I miss this one till now. Lovely pictures! I hope there is more to come!

 

[wheatonFJR]

Wow!

Nice report!