Friday, Sept 26th/2008
We had been in bed since 8:30 last night. The heat seemed to really zap our reserves and we were both ‘tuckered out’. Rod was up before dawn and took his camera and Wing out to get some early morning shots. The morning temperature is 48F –
tonight it will dip to 39F. Winter approaches.
I lazed around in bed reading when I ‘should’ have been catching up our Blog, consequently we didn’t get away from the Inn til the crack of 11:00 a.m.
First stop – a grocery store to replenish our water supply as we had depleted it entirely in the desert heat of yesterday.
It is a crisp, fall, gloriously sunny day without so much as a single puff of cloud in the sky to define the landscape. After the sagebrush and tumbleweed of the desert it is wonderful to have greenery and I am delighted to be back among my beloved pine trees and drag deep breaths of the scent into my lungs.
Rod called his office to catch up on the news and happy (sort of) to know he is not needed back urgently. Well, at least according to Karen as he hasn’t spoken to Mike yet. :-)
We are seeing hundreds of motorcycles on the road today – all headed to Reno for the weekend for the “Street Vibrations” Rally. Street Vibrations Motorcycle Festival is a celebration of music, metal and motorcycles offers tours, live entertainment, parades, ride-in shows and stunt shows. We briefly discuss whether we should re-route and take part but decide that Yosemite beckons strongly. It turns out to be an awesome choice.
The Sierra Nevada range rises sharply to our left. Although not as “craggy” as those we experienced in Colorado – they are still incredibly majestic.
To our right gleams Mono Lake as we descend into Lee Vining and fuel before heading into Yosemite via Route 120.
I stop along the road many times to make notes in my journal. I keep thinking there must be a way I could have a voice activated recorder so I don’t have to keep stopping. Any ideas out there?
As we climb into Tioga Pass, there is yet evidence of snow in the crevasses and old avalanche runs. The scent of fall is heavy in the air redolent with the promise of the coming winter. It is so unspoiled and the fall colours abound riotously. 
Today is a perfect example of when it would be wonderful to ‘double up’ with Rod on his Wing. Although the road is wonderful to ride – it takes some concentration that doesn’t allow for ‘lolly-gagging’.
Numerous waterfalls drop their heavy load to valleys far below. I am at a loss for words (for once) to describe the awe-inspiring beauty we are viewing.
Ellery Lake glistens in the mid-day sunlight with the sun creating millions of diamonds across its pristine surface.
The water dances across the river rocks en-route to the lake creating a cheerful, gurgling symphony of sound.
We had been in bed since 8:30 last night. The heat seemed to really zap our reserves and we were both ‘tuckered out’. Rod was up before dawn and took his camera and Wing out to get some early morning shots. The morning temperature is 48F –
tonight it will dip to 39F. Winter approaches.I lazed around in bed reading when I ‘should’ have been catching up our Blog, consequently we didn’t get away from the Inn til the crack of 11:00 a.m.
First stop – a grocery store to replenish our water supply as we had depleted it entirely in the desert heat of yesterday.It is a crisp, fall, gloriously sunny day without so much as a single puff of cloud in the sky to define the landscape. After the sagebrush and tumbleweed of the desert it is wonderful to have greenery and I am delighted to be back among my beloved pine trees and drag deep breaths of the scent into my lungs.
Rod called his office to catch up on the news and happy (sort of) to know he is not needed back urgently. Well, at least according to Karen as he hasn’t spoken to Mike yet. :-)
We are seeing hundreds of motorcycles on the road today – all headed to Reno for the weekend for the “Street Vibrations” Rally. Street Vibrations Motorcycle Festival is a celebration of music, metal and motorcycles offers tours, live entertainment, parades, ride-in shows and stunt shows. We briefly discuss whether we should re-route and take part but decide that Yosemite beckons strongly. It turns out to be an awesome choice.
The Sierra Nevada range rises sharply to our left. Although not as “craggy” as those we experienced in Colorado – they are still incredibly majestic.To our right gleams Mono Lake as we descend into Lee Vining and fuel before heading into Yosemite via Route 120.
I stop along the road many times to make notes in my journal. I keep thinking there must be a way I could have a voice activated recorder so I don’t have to keep stopping. Any ideas out there?
As we climb into Tioga Pass, there is yet evidence of snow in the crevasses and old avalanche runs. The scent of fall is heavy in the air redolent with the promise of the coming winter. It is so unspoiled and the fall colours abound riotously. 
Today is a perfect example of when it would be wonderful to ‘double up’ with Rod on his Wing. Although the road is wonderful to ride – it takes some concentration that doesn’t allow for ‘lolly-gagging’.
Numerous waterfalls drop their heavy load to valleys far below. I am at a loss for words (for once) to describe the awe-inspiring beauty we are viewing.
Ellery Lake glistens in the mid-day sunlight with the sun creating millions of diamonds across its pristine surface.The water dances across the river rocks en-route to the lake creating a cheerful, gurgling symphony of sound.
With our many stops and starts to take
photos and journal, it is doubtful we’ll make 100 miles this day. 
I am overcome with emotion as I try to write what I am seeing and feeling. My eyes well up with tears and it’s hard to write through them as the
expanse of grandeur grows more beautiful at each turn in the 
road. My heart is truly full of 
gratitude that we are able to undertake this wonderful adventure being strong of mind and body and I offer a prayer of thankfulness.
My fingers fly across the pages of my journal as I write page after page in hand-writing that would be in-decipherable to any but this would-be author. As I read to Rod what I have written, I see him bite his lower lip – what – is that mist I see in his eyes too? He takes me in his arms and smiles in silent understanding. I feel finally at peace. It is nourishment for both soul and spirit and heals at a deep level the pain and difficult times of earlier months this year. First, the loss of my very dear friend Cori, then the day after Mother's Day, my mom, then within days, my much loved brother, Dave. Too much. Too much. 
Towering above us, these phenomenal rock formations jut proudly skyward each seeming to be more spectacular than the last. We are dwarfed to atom-like insignificance by virtue of their sheer immensity.
Highway 120 leading out of Yosemite and into Jamestown has to be one of THE most fun roads I have ridden. EVER!!! It snakes down from an elevation of 8000 ft and twists and turns down the mountain through the dappled light of the pines. For some time we followed a tour bus as he put it through the manoeuvres. I would NOT liked to have been a passenger as he wended downward tortuously close to clipping the mountain on several turns. He was really wheeling that machine and even had he not been in front of us I doubt we would have traversed it at a greater speed.
We need fuel but what I’d REALLY like to do is gas up- go back – and do it all over again. Greedy wench that I am.
I am overcome with emotion as I try to write what I am seeing and feeling. My eyes well up with tears and it’s hard to write through them as the
expanse of grandeur grows more beautiful at each turn in the 
road. My heart is truly full of 
gratitude that we are able to undertake this wonderful adventure being strong of mind and body and I offer a prayer of thankfulness.
My fingers fly across the pages of my journal as I write page after page in hand-writing that would be in-decipherable to any but this would-be author. As I read to Rod what I have written, I see him bite his lower lip – what – is that mist I see in his eyes too? He takes me in his arms and smiles in silent understanding. I feel finally at peace. It is nourishment for both soul and spirit and heals at a deep level the pain and difficult times of earlier months this year. First, the loss of my very dear friend Cori, then the day after Mother's Day, my mom, then within days, my much loved brother, Dave. Too much. Too much. 
Towering above us, these phenomenal rock formations jut proudly skyward each seeming to be more spectacular than the last. We are dwarfed to atom-like insignificance by virtue of their sheer immensity.
Highway 120 leading out of Yosemite and into Jamestown has to be one of THE most fun roads I have ridden. EVER!!! It snakes down from an elevation of 8000 ft and twists and turns down the mountain through the dappled light of the pines. For some time we followed a tour bus as he put it through the manoeuvres. I would NOT liked to have been a passenger as he wended downward tortuously close to clipping the mountain on several turns. He was really wheeling that machine and even had he not been in front of us I doubt we would have traversed it at a greater speed.We need fuel but what I’d REALLY like to do is gas up- go back – and do it all over again. Greedy wench that I am.
We come through a ‘town’ called Chinese Camp. (Is that still politically correct?) It is the remnant of a notable California Gold Rush mining town. Some of the very first Chinese labourers arriving in California in 1849 were driven from neighbouring Camp Salvado and resettled here, and the area started to become known as "Chinee" or "Chinese Camp" or "Chinese Diggings". At one point the town was home to an estimated 5,000 Chinese. The current population of Chinese Camp is 146.
Days end is in Sonora, California. We have come 145 miles. At our hotel we ask for a recommendation of where to eat. Joe suggested dinner at ‘Outlaws’ – in “town” some 5 minutes away. We enjoy a fabulous meal there in a fun atmosphere. 
I try a wonderfully rich 
and smooth Merlot from a local winery (Mt Brow) and Rod a local beer. Our bartender, Mark, moved here from Orange County a couple of years ago. The restaurant he had been working in was failing and "seeing the writing on the wall" he decided to come to Sonora where his parents live and own a couple of acres of paradise. He has never looked back and speaks glowingly of friendships made here that form strong bonds that will endure forever. Dessert (that we share) is raspberry pie with hand-made ice cream – delicious!
Back at the hotel, we slip into the hot tub and then into the pool. I lie on my back and float and enjoy a black sky with millions of stars twinkling overhead. A perfect ending to a stellar day. For me, the most memorable of our long journey.
Days end is in Sonora, California. We have come 145 miles. At our hotel we ask for a recommendation of where to eat. Joe suggested dinner at ‘Outlaws’ – in “town” some 5 minutes away. We enjoy a fabulous meal there in a fun atmosphere. 
I try a wonderfully rich 
and smooth Merlot from a local winery (Mt Brow) and Rod a local beer. Our bartender, Mark, moved here from Orange County a couple of years ago. The restaurant he had been working in was failing and "seeing the writing on the wall" he decided to come to Sonora where his parents live and own a couple of acres of paradise. He has never looked back and speaks glowingly of friendships made here that form strong bonds that will endure forever. Dessert (that we share) is raspberry pie with hand-made ice cream – delicious!Back at the hotel, we slip into the hot tub and then into the pool. I lie on my back and float and enjoy a black sky with millions of stars twinkling overhead. A perfect ending to a stellar day. For me, the most memorable of our long journey.
1 comment:
This is your BEST blogging EVER, Linda Sue! I can tell the words are just flowing out of you, and you have given us such a wonderful picture of your day's travels...you with your descriptive writing and Rod with his photo journaling. I experienced that same sense of overwhelming awe when we climbed near Tincup Pass in July. It does take your breath away! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful day!
Bomb along!
Lyn
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