Yamaha TW200 - Alpine to the Palomar Observatory

[Warren]

Yet another beautiful day in San Diego!

My buddy Jim and I decided to attack Palomar Mountain and grab some lunch at the Santa Ysabel Casino.

Total Miles: 154
MPG: 66.4
Temps in Alpine: 81
Temps on Palomar: 63

I left out of Alpine at 8:45 to meet Jim at Packards in Ramona.

From there we headed out the Old Julian Highway to 78, then up to the 79 at Santa Ysabel.

We split of to Mesa Grande Road - A real nice twisty ride - where we came along a sport-bike rider that had just
run off the road - Thank the Lord he wasn't hurt as he went right off the road and through a 4-wire barbed fence:
He was lucky enough to land in a very wet/muddy marsh - And ended up riding away a wiser rider (I hope).

We then headed down the 76 past Lake Henshaw, then the East Grade Road up to the Palomar Observatory.

After some sightseeing we ran back down to the Santa Ysabel Casino for a burger. When leaving Jim's battery
decided to retire... Got him push started and he set out ahead of me home.

I stopped on the way home only to collect some bread and breakfast bars at Dudley's.

In spite of the few issues we had - It was a spectacular day!

Here is the general track:

http://www.spotadventures.com/trip/view/?trip_id=198253

And here are some photos:

Up Wildcat Canyon, on the Barona Reservation, are some of the densest oaks I've seen:



Up through Old Julian Highway are several horse ranches - These are for my daughter but I'll share with you as well:





Here is a shot of Lake Henshaw heading down Mesa Grande towards the 76:


 
Yes: Me and my wonderful T'Dubya overlooking Lake Henshaw:



A few shots at the Palomar Observatory:







Looking North - Big Bear Mountain:



Lunch at the Santa Ysabel Casino:



That's it folks! Hope you enjoyed riding along!

[happycommuter]

That;'s a fine day trip.  I'm guessing the observatory (as seen in Rebel Without a Cause) is pretty elevated.  Were there fun roads to get up top, or just a straight gradual incline?

[Warren]

That;'s a fine day trip.  I'm guessing the observatory (as seen in Rebel Without a Cause) is pretty elevated.  Were there fun roads to get up top, or just a straight gradual incline?

Major twisties and steep stuff up Palomar Mountain... 

[fishball]

Real nice.  I may have asked this before but what camera do you use?  Your photos are always so vibrant.

[Warren]

Real nice.  I may have asked this before but what camera do you use?  Your photos are always so vibrant.

On this ride I brought my Old Canon S410... Only 3 Megapixels and 10 years old but it does a good job and is very compact.

[highwayjamin]

Great job once again Warren.  I have to ask,to you even have a job  It seems like you are always out riding somewhere,where do you find the time. Me with work,kids,house,and all the other junk I hardly get time to ride. 

Man I an so jealous,ok enough of my   

Great job and keep up the good work and keep riding 

[Warren]

Great job once again Warren.  I have to ask,to you even have a job   It seems like you are always out riding somewhere,where do you find the time. Me with work,kids,house,and all the other junk I hardly get time to ride.  

Man I an so jealous,ok enough of my    

Great job and keep up the good work and keep riding  

Wife and kids do the horse thing on Saturday's - I am very allergic so I do the iron pony...  

Saturday's are mine - The family gets Sunday's (sometime Saturdays as well) - Work gets the rest....  

[Burgi]

Looks like all the snow that was up there a couple of weeks ago is gone.

[Warren]

Looks like all the snow that was up there a couple of weeks ago is gone.

Yes, all gone... Summer is coming!!! 

[m98]

Warren, nice ride and write up. The TW is a fairly small bike, any problems keeping
up with traffic or do you just stay off the freeway?

[ariwhiteboy]

Very Nice Warren!  You get the Nighty for best photo ride reports.  I just made up an award for you so you should feel really special.  Now give a good speech!

[Warren]

Warren, nice ride and write up. The TW is a fairly small bike, any problems keeping
up with traffic or do you just stay off the freeway?

It will hold 50 anywhere worst case scenario (hills, high wind etc.).

It will cruise at 65 most of the time.

So I ride the Interstate when I need too, but usually at 60 (it is very happy there)... I still pass big rigs so I'm doing okay. 

Hey I pay taxes! My roads too! 

 

[Warren]

Very Nice Warren!  You get the Nighty for best photo ride reports.  I just made up an award for you so you should feel really special.  Now give a good speech!

Well I can't see it but...

SPEECH:

I will say, my friends, that even though I no longer own a Nighthawk - You continue to be my two-wheeled brothers from another mother...

I find myself pulling over to take a picture because I want to share it with you all....

Thank you for tolerating my little 196cc menace, and reading and making comment on my ride reports... More to come... 

[fishmeister]

Trust me Warren,.........   It' you that's doing us the favor with those sweet reports!

[Warren]

Fish - You find the coolest animated gif's!

 

[ariwhiteboy]

Fish - You find the coolest animated gif's!

 

Sounds like another catagory for the Nightys!