The River

[Old Michael]

Yesterday, I got up damn early, and went for a ride with my cameras.

I rode up and down the Sacramento River. That's the major river that runs from north to south

down the central valley in Northern California. It's a remarkable thing.

It looks like this from the air.

(Not my photo. Don't have a helicopter.)

I rode from just north of where that photo was taken, and down to

where the river empties into the delta and eventually

the San Francisco Bay. Here are a bunch of photos of my day.

[SIZE=8pt]With just a few captions.[/SIZE]

Had to hang out in this field 'til the sun came up.

I brought my 50D with me and used it a few times. It takes nicer pictures. I should really take the

time and learn how to use it properly. But that would take focus (hahaha - pun) and I'm lacking there.

It was a very windy day. Very, very windy.

Okay. I sort of just stopped here and there, and drove down roads and looked around. But

I DID stay pretty much along the river.

A walnut orchard. They always graft these trees from one type to another. For details on the process,

I would direct you to ....Google.

Stopped at Cliff's Marina. Did a little fishing.

A local congratulates me.

Pictures of an FJR (mine ) on the levee.

The valley here (being a river valley) is incredibly fertile, and is one of the richest agricultural

areas in the world. Good dirt.

:blink:

Watched this guy, with his leaf blower, and the wind gusting to 35mph.

Not a good day for boating.

Brannan Island State Recreation Area is a great place to camp/RV/boat in the summer.

Excellent facilities.

Lots of waterways to explore.

The Rio Vista Bridge.

That section in the center goes up and down to allow boats through.

Rio Vista. Downtown.

Stopped in here for lunch. Interesting place inside.

They have a bar, too.

To be honest, the food was lousy. Chicken breast sandwich with swiss cheese and bacon.

The chicken tasted just like a frozen, thawed-in-a-microwave, thrown-on-a-grill, piece of ******

chicken should taste. I absolutely suck at choosing lunch spots.

I had coffee because I was sleepy and it was chilly outside. The coffee was good.

Over the bridge into Antioch ...

...then a U-turn and a $4 toll to go back over the same bridge and back up the river.

(I'd make a great tour guide, huh?)

Just a couple of more pics in a minute.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I love the wandering.

Another classic Old MichaelTM ride report.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Only you could make blah scenery interesting Michael. But do us a favor and keep your helmet on, will ya? You'll scare some cows or something...

 

[Old Michael]

Thank you Wheatie, ...Shiny.

Onward.

Just a bit more.

Stopped in Isleton.

Yes, there's an actual sign. Poker in the rear.

Then, almost home. Through town.

I drank alcohol in this place ....once.

Memorial Auditorium.

As a younger man, it was in there where I enjoyed Alice Cooper, Eric Clapton, The Marshall Tucker Band,

and a few others. (Old guy talk.)

And city hall. Really neat building.

That's it. Thanks for taking the time.

And..............

 

[FJRBluesman]

OM - Ride reports... Blah - blah, - blah- blah,- blah- blah- blah- blah!

Excellent OM!!!! U da MAN!!!

 

[Niehart]

Good stuff as always, well almost always, well most of the time...

Thought this should be titled "A levee runs though it."

 

[madmike2]

Good stuff as always, well almost always, well most of the time...
Thought this should be titled "A levee runs though it."

Actually: "A Levee Surrounds It". The "islands" are fertile bottom land protected by the levee system because the river and slough water levels are above the levee system.

Great job, Michael. We are blessed to live in an area with diverse scenery.

 

[madjackdog]

Please tell me that that isn't a smudge of lipstick on the coffee cup. I've heard rumors, but being one of OM's myriad worshipers, I've always discounted them.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Only you could make blah scenery interesting Michael. But do us a favor and keep your helmet on, will ya? You'll scare some cows or something...

When riding in areas inhabited by elk (and upon encounter); the U.S. Forest Service Rangers recommend, if possible: removing your helmet so the elk (especially the bulls during the rut) see you as human and then you (or in this case, OM) are not considered a threat to be challenged. :blink:

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Yes, there's an actual sign. Poker in the rear.

And 'likker' up front...?

 

[MEM]

Wonderful RR, as always, OM

And thanks for the Canadian flag shot (at Freeport Bar and Grill) B)

 

[Old Michael]

...Please tell me that that isn't a smudge of lipstick on the coffee cup... .

I use it ONLY for its moisturizing properties, madjack.

... But do us a favor and keep your helmet on, will ya?

When riding in areas inhabited by elk (and upon encounter); the U.S. Forest Service Rangers recommend, if possible: removing your helmet so the elk (especially the bulls during the rut) see you as human and then you (or in this case, OM) are not considered a threat to be challenged. :blink:

Please forgive Shiny, c-matic.

Unlike us, he obviously knows NOTHING about the rut.

...And thanks for the Canadian flag shot ...

What, Mary Ellen?

 

[MEM]

...And thanks for the Canadian flag shot ...

What, Mary Ellen?

GOOD one OM! Looks as though I'll be buying YOU the drinks at CFR

 

[airboss]

Keep them ride reports coming OM, was out for a couple hours this morning. Then it stated to drizzle, I swear not only did those rain drops have lumps in them, some of them actually bounced.

The end is near. :dribble:

 

[Hamie]

Great pictures.....thanks for sharing.....

 

[Tyler]

And 'likker' up front...?

I believe it's spelled "liquor" thus enabling the possibility that the other has a chance of happening.

I am everywhere... BWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! :devil:

 

[wheatonFJR]

Keep them ride reports coming OM, was out for a couple hours this morning. Then it stated to drizzle, I swear not only did those rain drops have lumps in them, some of them actually bounced.

The end is near. :dribble:

My end came today...gassed up with stabil, changed the oil, put battery on charger.

Done, das ende, finito, done. period.

Thanks again for those RRs, OM.

Maybe I'll take up banjo playing during the winter to pass the time.

Then maybe wifey won't complain as much about the mcy riding during the riding season.

So...is it spring yet? tap, tap, tap...

 

[Panman]

Good stuff, good captions, good fun, the weather looked a little lite for good sailing though!

 

[dcarver]

Old Michael, I bow down before, humbled by your wonderful pix and prose..

Always a joy to read your reports mi amigo..

You too see things, uhh, differently, eh?