Northern California
and across the plains of Nevada.
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Two more states to visit and more National Parks.
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The giant Redwood trees dwarf everything. |
Highway 101 from Crescent City was going to become a familiar route as we journeyed south along the coast in California.
First though we had to stop at the Simpson Reef Grove in the Redwood National Forest. |
These huge trees are magnificent and the size could be seen as Jim stood beside a fallen log.
Then Dot tried to see how high she could reach. |
Looking skyward it was difficult to see the tops! After overnight stop at Trinidad we passed through the towns of Eureka and Fortuna.
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Highway 1 the infamous Pacific coastal road |
The coastal road went past wetlands and marshes used as a rest stop by migrating birds. The scenic Avenue of Giants led to this World Famous One Log House-
still on the original trailer it was the ultimate mobile home! |
At the small town of Phillisburg the Volunteer Fire men were hosting a 'Hot August Daze'.
The local Sheriff rides this neat Kawasaki trail bike on the dirt roads.
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He was also the star attraction for the dunk tank.
Local people paid lots of dollars to get the chance to tip him into the water |
Highway 1, the Pacific Coast road, begins the long journey south at Legget and the road twists and turns through the forest towards the coastal cliffs. We arrived at Westport-Union Beach State Park in the fog, stayed overnight and left next morning in the fog! Did not see any of the view!
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Lunch was at Manchester Beach and another overnight at Bodega Dunes before we arrived at Tomales Bay. Here we stopped to chat with Mad Ray who was flying a load of kites including three stunt models to music with a great deal of skill. |
In order to visit the Pt Reyes National Seashore we stayed in Olema.
The Yamahas were unloaded and we took a ride out to see the old farms and spectacular beaches. |
On one of the headlands we stopped to watch a herd of tule elk.
As it was the start of the rutting season we kept our distance from this fine stag.
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The peninsular is separated from the mainland by the San Andreas fault.
At the far end is this lighthouse which was closed on the day of our visit. |
Sir Francis Drake is reputed to have sailed into this bay on his journey around the World.
He stayed for many weeks to make repairs to the ship and the bay is named after him. |
After all the riding we had done since arriving in the US both back tyres on the bikes were almost bald . Jim decided to fit new rubber before we hit the trails again!
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After a very rough drive along the Sir Francis Drake highway ( this road has not been surfaced since he left) we arrived at the Larkspur ferry terminal to make the crossing to San Francisco.
The bus was parked on the nearby campsite which was within walking distance of the ferry-another first as we had to walk along the Freeway! |
Before boarding the ferryboat all passengers were subjected to an explosives check!
The trip across gave a good view of San Quinton prison and the bridges but the morning mist chilled the air!
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An interesting day in San Fransisco |
The first sight as we left the beautifully restored Art Deco ferry terminal was this very French looking toilet.
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The next surprise was all the old trolley trams that are full of people moving around the city centre. |
The ferry ticket included a free ride to and from the terminal on the trolley. So we hopped on and hopped off at Peir 39.
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Dot had to hang onto her hat in the breeze as we looked out towards Alcatraz-
we had not realised the rocky island was so close to the shore.
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A noisy gang of California sea lions live in the harbour and entertain the crowds with their antics!
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This street is named after us! |
This biker is from Belarus and is trying to be the first deaf and dumb rider to journey around the World.
He started three years ago on a Jawa 350 but has swapped to a BMW with unusual panniers.
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The waterfront is crowded with boats and this old ferry was the 101 highway until the Golden Gate Bridge was built.
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We took a trip on a cable car then after visiting the control station walked through China town.
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Visiting a friend and a bear encounter in Yosemite. |
Next morning we crossed the famous Golden Gate bridge in the mist and this is all we could see!
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We headed down the bay to visit with a Canadian biker, Shawn Price who we had met on the Dakar Rally in 2003.
The family made us feel so welcome at their beautiful home.
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Jim and Shawn drank a few beers as they chatted about bike and car racing.
It seems that all our friends have garages full of interesting machinery! As we said goodbye next morning we wondered where in the World we would next meet! |
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Leaving the ocean behind we headed inland and stayed at an Escapees SKP Park in Coarsegold.
Here the vegetation was very very dry!
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The park has an old stagecoach complete with air-con unit and TV aerial!
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Next stop was Yosemite National Park where the valley view gives an introduction to the magnificent scenery.
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El Capitan is just one of the rock formations in the park and we enjoyed a full day of sightseeing.
The waterfalls were empty but the visitor centre and museum was crowded!
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That night at Crane Flat campground Dot was outside cooking when a brown bear decided the curry smelt good.
Remembering all the instructions she picked up a rock, threw it at the bear and shouted 'go away' or words to that effect.
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The bear climbed a tree and looked around at her.
Meanwhile Jim stayed in the motor home and took the photos! It was the closest we have ever been to a real live big bear!
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Next morning we were up and away early to avoid the heat. The bus struggled up the long steep 3000ft climb up to the Tioga plateau. We enjoyed lunch at 10.30am beside the Teneya Lake.
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Up at this height with snow on the peaks the views were awesome and the air clear and fresh.
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The Tioga Pass park exit is up at 9,945ft and at last we could begin to go down through the Inyo forest.
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Across the Nevada plains on the Extraterrestrial highway. |
After the mountains we arrived down on the plains at Mono lake and turned east through this burnt forest.
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The road seemed to go on for ever with open ranges, bright green fields irrigated by huge watering systems. |
Literally in the middle of nowhere along the Extraterrestrial highway is a place called Rachael.
Here we stopped for coffee and toast at the Aleinn.
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Outside the cafe is a spaceship recovery vehicle.
This is the famous area 51 where a UFO was thought to have landed in 1947.
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Inside the cafe is every kind of souvenir imaginable connected with aliens!
I bought an Area 51 poster for Jims shed. |
On again across the hot wide open plains through small towns.
At Ash Springs we decided not to stay at this RV park! |
At Cathedral Grove we stopped to admire the unusual rock formations.
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Once again Dot had a close encounter with one of the natives-this time a snake!
It was here that we got the news of the hurricane Katrina that has devastated a large area along the Gulf Coast and New Orleans. We crossed yet another state line into Utah. |
We arrived at Cedar City a nice tidy town with tree lined streets and a lighthouse!
We had to stay a few days to fit a new front wheel bearing. We could not have managed without the help from the Brindley brothers who let us stay on their land. Thanks guys!
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Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks and the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
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