Didn’t stop for a lot of pictures on this trip. I tried to get some when we stopped to layer up, down or eat so pickings are a little slim.
Rush hour on the main street of Maricopa. This little diner was about the only store front business still in operation. The owner puts all the signs and her van out so you won’t think the whole business district is abandoned. The diner is a one woman show; Tina does the waitressing, cooking and clean up all while singing and chatting with the customers. Great food and a huge portion for cheap. I can’t imagine how she makes a profit with the amount of food she puts on a plate.
Left oil country and moved into vineyards. There is no shortage of wineries offering tastings. I don’t like wine so no shots of those.
The hills in the first shot are beautiful in person, the only way I can describe them is to say they look really “soft.”
Rode several roads and this bridge that were single lane (two way traffic). The roads were very twisty so no way to see who was coming at you. Just as we cleared the final one a semi came roaring in. I was very glad we hadn’t met up with him earlier.
Made a stop in Gilroy, which bills itself as the “Garlic Capital of the World.” They don’t grow the most but they I believe they are the largest processor.
I had a go at the garlic ice cream. It wasn’t half bad but I was hating myself on down the road. It is not fun being trapped in a motorcycle helmet with someone that just ate a bunch a garlic, even if that someone is you!
Entertained myself in San Fransico walking some of the Bay Trail. When they get this finished it will be a continuous 500 mile path encircling the Bay Area. California is really great about keeping water front and beach open to the public.
More trail, kicking back, watching the planes coming into SFO
I’d read about Alice’s Restaurant from some other members here so decided to check it out. There was a group of 13 Brits on a tour out of Vegas that mobbed the Bonnie when I rode in. Said they were happy to see a “Proper” bike. I got offers to trade it for one of their rented Harleys. One said the Harleys were new but they had already had to have one trailered off, said we had the right idea with a Triumph and a Honda.
More wine country
Monterey appears to a car lover’s wonderland. Couldn’t go a block without seeing a classic, exotic or custom. Here’s a Bugatti roadster.
The plan was to take Highway 1 south but we woke to low 50’s, fog and chance of rain so the plan changed and took the 101. No good gear for the weather so we froze and got damp but thankfully the rain never got to heavy.
Last stop was at the Cold Spring Tavern, established as stagecoach stop in 1865. There were several buildings on the site. Besides the tavern there had been a toll house there at one time and a building to house a Chinese road gang.
Just down the road you can get a view of the Cold Spring Canyon Arch Bridge. It is the 5th longest span arch bridge of this type in the world.
After that is was just grinding through LA to get home.
