2016 Summer Adventure

After spending the morning walking around Bandon, we made our way a bit north, then turned eastward across the mid secction of Oregon.

Eugene is a lot like Austin 30 years ago, smaller, less crowded, but still hip.  I consulted my trusted restaurant guide, YELP, and decided on dinner at Wildcraft Cider Works.  With great live music and food much like Contigo in Austin, it was a fun evening.   Band member, Tim, aka Eugene Jeans Huy, told me when he learned I was from FW that his mother was born there in 1938, as his grandmother was traveling from east coast to CA.  He said that since she was Jewish she had to go to the black hospital for delivery.  Didn't realize FW was still that backward in the 30's.   Wondered if my old friend Dr AI Goldberg delivered her.  In 1975 when I first started working as a pharmacist in FW, he was the only white doctor that would treat black Medicaid patients.  At least some things have changed, maybe.

The next day we tried to go to Crater Lake, but it was showed in and cloudy and cold.  This was a cold rainy riding day, in the 40's and 50's most of the way from Eugene to Klamath Falls, OR. 

Friday was also a cold ride from Klamath Falls to Reno. Arriving in Reno, we had dinner at Campo, a great little place downtown, and drinks at Death and Taxes, one of Brad's favorite haunts when he in in Reno.

The last day of the Brooke and Dad show, was a ride around Lake Tahoe, followed by dropping off the bike at the local BMW shop for maintenance, tires, and storage till I return later in the summer.

Brooke and I fly back to LA for her birthday celebration, and my next leg of the summer travels.

Tim, Our entertainment at Wildcraft Cider Works in Eugene.

Batman is alive and well in Klamath Falls, OR.  While vacationing away from Gotham City, he is saving the world by picking up trash.

We took a little tour around Lake Tahoe before ending our bike trip

Thanks, Brad Otts, for suggesting this great drink establishment in Reno.

2016 Summer Adventure

After a week of riding the beautiful Lake Tahoe area, my riding partner,Bill started back to Texas on another adventure.  My daughter, Brooke flew in from LA and jumped on the bike with me. We started out on CA 36 to Weaverville. CA 36 sign at the beginning said  140 miles of twists and turns and it was.  I wish I had taken a picture of that road sign that had the S curve sign and 140 miles.  It was one of the most challenging roads of my riding career to date.  Passing through Lassen Volccano NP, we ended the day at the Red Hill Motel in Weaverville.  The hostess and owner was a widow, originally from San Francisco.  She said she tries to keep the "riff raff" out but loves to rent to bikers.  The motel office was filled with art work by her late husband.  I'm constantly surprised by the diversity and interesting people I encounter on these trips.

The next day we continued west and arrived on the Northern Californa coast at Fortuna, and toured Humboldt Redwoods SP and the Avenue of the Giants.  After a marvelous dinner and the night at the Trinidad Inn, we continued up 101 to Redwoods NP.  After a very twisty dirt road we arrived at the Fern Canyon section of the park.  Parts of Star Wars was filmed in this canyon.

Continuing into Oregon, we stopped in Bandon, OR for the night.  We stayed at an 80's furnished motel on a secluded beach; reminded me of the Dingle Penisula in Ireland.

Weaverville, CA is a quirky little Northern California as evidenced by this.

Old school truck for the 30's with portion of a redwood.

Redwoods that are 1000+ years old are fantastic.  This one fell naturally and was cut so that the path could continue.

Fern Canyon in Redwoods NP

Fern Canyon

Bandon,OR beach. 

A sculpture made entirely from debris picked up from the beach in Bandon, OR.

A jobs preservation law??  

2016 Summer Adventure

Reno, NV is an interesting city in transition.  My last visit here was probably 20 years ago, and a lot has changed since then.  Tesla is building their "giga factory", people and businesses are relocating from the very expensive Bay Area and Silicon Valley.  With its' lower cost of living, lower taxes, and beautiful surroundings, Reno is rapidly becoming a tech and business hub.  

A friend and business acquaintance lives here and has been our guide and host for several days.  His passion for the city is evident and he has been instrumental in re-developing older casino hotels into upscale non-gaming properties that improve the business community and the city environment.

Using this as our base camp, we have taken day rides into the Northern California mountains.  There is a wealth of beautiful scenery, challenging roads and interesting people.

A fun gathering and private dinner at my friend's hotel in Reno.  Chef prepared a multi course Italian dinner.

One of my friend's hotel project.  Once a seedy casino hotel, it's now an upscale property with the world's tallest claimbing wall on the outside. You can stand on Main Street Reno and watch the brave climbers.

Interesting stone sculptures along the Truckee River in downtown Reno.  The artist travels around the country doing this.  He will be in Austin during the winter.

Reno is home to the Harrah family auto museum; over 200 vintage cars.  Well worth the visit.