Desert dwellers on the road

[Focks]

Mike, it sounds to me like you and Deb, are having too much fun. Maybe you need to just stop, for a day, and brood. Then get back into the truck and go.

More pictures! We need more pictures!

[tickledpink]

I have enjoyed seeing my beautiful Pacific Northwest through your eyes! We all enjoyed you two so much and extend a warm welcome back any time !

Sue

[Bert Schneider]

Last August Sherry & I left Vegas and drove to Pismo beach, then took hiway 1 all the way up to Ereaka. It was a blast. We stoped at every light house on the way, went to Hearst castle, if you have time I think it is worth seeing. Got a $60.00 dollar parking ticket in Frisco. Had one guy in a big old car that thought he could keep up with the R, he couldnt hang in with me thru the cornors. I know you will have fun as we sure did, be safe. The new fans are working great, thanks again. Bert & Sherry

[abadssr]

Hey Mikeinaz were right off of 101 in san jose not too far off your path if you need a rest stop phone number is on pin map under abadssr call if ya need something

[Mike in AZ]

After a night at the Holiday Inn Express in Arcata, CA, we are again on the road.

Pic 1 is the departure from Arcata headed South. Note the southbound distance to San Francisco on the sign. Solvang was in the GPS as a target for the evening.... right.
Pic 2 is our initial entry into the Avenue of Giants. It was 59 degrees, top down and AWESOME......
Pic 3 is an overview of US 101 passing through the forest. a wonderful ride.
Pic 4 is a snapshot of my two best girls.... Debbie and Crystal

[Mike in AZ]

Originally Posted by abadssr

Hey Mikeinaz were right off of 101 in san jose not too far off your path if you need a rest stop phone number is on pin map under abadssr call if ya need something

Thanks for the offer.... we spent a little time in San Jose having luch at Chevy's...... Had not seen your post or we would have bought you lunch..... Thanks for the offer.

Mike

[Mike in AZ]

As we got farther south, the smoke got heavier.... to the point where we had the top up and the A/C on recirculate. It finally started getting clearer as we got out of the mountains.

Pic 1 is a sample of "light" smoke. It got a lot more dense....
Pic 2 will give you a little understanding about why this place (northern CA) is burning.... Really dry underbrush....
Pic 3 Is a pic of the "R" near the Golden Gate bridge
Pic 4 is a second SSR portrait with the bridge in the background
Pic 5 is the official SSR Golden Gate crossing... woohoo!!!!!

[Mike in AZ]

After getting across the bridge, the GPS routed us through the middle of San Francisco to get back onto the 101. Obvious to us that Solvang was going to be too much of a stretch......

We headed south on Highway 1 and US 101 until we got to where Debbie wanted to stop for the night. We're bedded down in Carmel-by-the-Sea, near Monterey. Good stopping spot at a nice little Inn. Covered parking for the "R" and a fireplace in the room....... hmmmmmmm...

Pic 1 is a snapshot of Downtown SFO. Cool green building on the right.
Pic 2 is a beach on the coast.... headed south on Highway 1 from SFO to Carmel. Note the low hanging SFO style fog bank at the top of the hills.
Pic 3 is another Highway 1 shot .... closer to carmel. Not the best road, but a lot of fun and a GORGEOUS view......

That's it for me for the night. Off to Solvang tomorrow. Home on Tuesday.

Mike & Debbie on the road............

[Mike in AZ]

Deb and I are gonna take Highway 1 from Carmel to Cambria....... I'll post a few photos tonite.

Something about that road less traveled and not knowing when we'll pass this way again....... I think the great dinner last nite and the fireplace in the room had something to do with the decision.......

TTFN

[LTs SSR]

Originally Posted by Mike in AZ

Deb and I are gonna take Highway 1 from Carmel to Cambria....... I'll post a few photos tonite.

Something about that road less traveled and not knowing when we'll pass this way again....... I think the great dinner last nite and the fireplace in the room had something to do with the decision.......

TTFN

Good for you guys!!! ENJOY!!!! Pictures are amazing!

[RUN ROD RUN]

Awesome pictures Mike.

If you two are hungry for something to eat by the time you get to Camarillo, let me know and I’ll be happy to ditch work and treat you two for a meal. I’ll PM you my office email & phone #.

[abadssr]

Mike sorry we couldnt hook up dinner/lunch would have been nice . IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MY TREAT THOUGH did you guys stay in cambria . we do that sometimes stay at the cambria pines good deals nice place travel safe

[Redracr]

Mike,

Looks like you are having a great time. You need to be in the travellog business. Great photos and info. Drive safe and have a good trip home.

Hope to see you at another SSR Event.

Glenn

[LTs SSR]

Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN

Awesome pictures Mike.

If you two are hungry for something to eat by the time you get to Camarillo, let me know and I’ll be happy to ditch work and treat you two for a meal. I’ll PM you my office email & phone #.

Hey... call me if its a go.. I'll ditch work!!!

[BlueStreak]

ope you did 17 Mile Drive while you were in the Monterey, Carmel area. If not you will have to return.
When are you hitting SoCal? We need to have a . Sure hope I am around for it.

[Mike in AZ]

After a comfortable departure in the mid-morning from Carmel, we headed south on Highway 1 until we got to the road closure, just south of Big Sur. I had seen a sign that the road was closed, but wanted to capture a little stretch of Highway one first. Nice ride with my favorite copilot. The Highway patrolman at the closure point said that they were only protecting structures and not really fighting the fire itself. Guess that's why the hundreds of firefighters only have the fire 3% contained..... Really sad.

Pic 1 is the cute little B&B where we stayed last nite. We had a covered parking spot on one side of the breezeway behind the R... Really tight parking, but safe.
Pic 2 thru 4 are some snapshots along the coast between Carmel and Sig Sur.
Pic 5 is the Pac Blue looking smart along the road. Note that the bridges were all built in the early 1930's. Nice work.

[Mike in AZ]

After turning around on Highway one and backtracking to Carmel, we headed inland to get back onto the 101 to get to Solvang. It cost us a couple hours, but a great drive along the coast.

No, we didn't take the 17 mile drive.... Guess we'll have to go back some time.

We did come across another SSR at the beach on the way back through Carmel. Introduced ourselves to Pansy (yup, that's her name) and got a look at her newly acquired 2005 with nice pearl flames and air bags on all four corners. Nice truck.... she'll be stopping in here soon, we think.

We're bedded down at the Wine Valley Inn and had dinner at Cafe Angelica in Solvang. last time I was there was with Bevan Cates, his wife Smokey and LT last year. I raised a glass for our missing friend. Dinner was great.

Pics 1 and 2 are more of the coastline along Highway 1. There will have to be a second visit sometime.

Pic 3 is the nice slingshot of a very nice lady. She had not heard of our forum. It was cool to see Debbie jumping right into this one. Good job, honey.

Off to bed now....... Headed for Phoenix in the morning. Have to be home before 5 tomorrow evening.

TTFN

[BlueStreak]

Long drive to Phoenix from Solvang. Please be careful and take enough breaks. Sorry we won't have a chance to see you this trip. See you in Flagstaff next month.