To Paso Robles
I was up around 6 AM, but didn’t get out of my sleeping bag until about 6:30. Once up I made some coffee, broke camp, then had one more cup of coffee before hitting the road. I was on my way to Panamint springs for breakfast before 8 AM. Alas, I first had to stop for some more of that $5.659/gal gas.
Panamint Springs was limited to an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for $10. If you like cakes (two types), scrambled eggs, potatos, sausage, bacon, coffee, and juice it’s a good deal. It was fine for me.
Entering Owens Valley
Heading toward Olancha
I took the usual route to Paso Robles, bypassing the stop and go of 58 in Bakersfield by jumping on 99 for about 3 miles then taking 7th Standard Road all the way past I5 into Buttonwillow where I picked up 58. I have some video of 58 leaving McKittrick that I may process some day. I was in Paso Robles around 3:30. Already there was Jerry H who came from his family gathering in Taft. Rich, Ginny, Jill, Jan, Jerry, and I had dinner at Margie’s Diner. Much food was served (and consumed).
SR 58 Video
The video is a sampling of 58 heading west out of McKittrick. It’s a fun road. I ran out of video memory before I hit the pretty section on the west side of the central valley.
Going home
Rob texted me about 7:30 the next morning, asking what room I was in. He’d just arrived at the motel. He stopped by to say hi before riding back to the bay area with Jerry. Jill and Jan were going to head over to the Morro Bay before heading north. They’d have to backtrack to 101 as highway 1 is closed in two spots. I think Rich and Ginny headed up 101.
I took my time packing, having some coffee, catching up on email, etc. I was in no hurry to leave. I decided to take back roads into San Miguel then pick up Indian Valley road to Peach Tree road to SR 25.
Indian Valley Road
Not a bit of traffic on Indian Valley or Peach Tree which is a good thing given the road is maybe a lane and a half wide. The trip started out under overcast sky but the blue came out the further north I travelled. When I hit the Peach Tree/198/25 junction I stopped for a short break. I should ride those roads more often.
SR 25
Approaching Paicines
I stopped for gas and one more chance to stretch my legs in Hollister before jumping on 101. The blue turned to gray as a few rain drops started falling about 10 miles from home. I was home (and still dry) by 12:30.
Good trip. 1235 miles according to my GPS. 21 hours in the saddle.
