A 60 on 2 at 105 for 430

Hi 👋.  It’s been quite a while. Or at least feels that way. No. It has indeed been a while. I don’t remember my last trip post and for sure not a moto trip one.  A moto camping trip one feels like ancient mythological history. We are about to repeat (ancient) history.  Feels like years. Maybe it is years. Then maybe not. Why does it matter. A ramble in action I guess.

Anyways, this is a new motocamping summer roadtrip. Finally. I missed it. So what’s cooking you may ask (or may not, actually most certainly not).  This is going to be a semi-local trip to scoot around true Northern California. Meaning south of Oregon border, not what SoCallers call NorCal meaning MidCal - San Fran area.

I’m taking two days, 750 miles to meet Roee, my son, who is riding south from Seattle on his new (used) Moto Guzzi. We are meeting just north of Bend, Oregon in Redmond (not the Washington Redmond) . Then we will zig zag for a week to California’s Lost coast, the Redwoods and bunch of remote unknown places but on well known California motorcycles roads.

Some highlights:

• Crater lake

• OR-66

• CA-3

• Callahan-Cecilville

• CA-96

• CA-299

• CA-36

• Lost Coast

• Redwoods parks

• CA/OR-199

Today I rode the first of two days approach to the rendezvous point. Starting in Los Osos, I rode an easy 430 miles to Redding CA. It felt so good to just be floating earthily on two wheels. Even just straight highway. Something about the fast boundless motion is magically rejuvenating. It was a simple highway ride on 101, around east of the crazy Bay Area up north the scorching mid-north California farm country. As soon as I left the bay the temperature rose up to 92..96..98..102..105 at which point I stopped at a gas station and put on the holy soaked cooling vest. It makes a big difference in comfort but even before I put it on  the heat was not foreboding for some reason. I guess it’s all in my head (and I did keep hydrating).

A couple of days ago I turned 60.  Now you may ask how does it feel to turn 60. Or you may not, most certainly you did not. And I can add that you chose well. There’s nothing profound or mundane to say about it. It’s just a day in the continuum of life. Other than being in gratitude for receiving an embrace all day, and a fun party full of love, and authentic care and love (not a typo - an emphasis). So why do I mention it? For two reasons. First it is a worthy milestone to mention, and second, it made it to the blog title, so it needs at least a brief elaboration. Also, I should mention that I am as excited at 60 as at 40 about riding,  pitching a small tent, and sleeping uncomfortably but well on a thin sleeping bag with inflatable pillow. What is there not to love about it? That said, it hasn’t happened yet. I’m still on the road to the rendezvous.

A note about Redding:        . 

Indeed absolutely nothing worth a mention from my short ride from the motel to the downtown post office saloon  for  quick bite. Actually, the bartender told me it’s the hottest town in CA. I’m sure he is wrong but for sure a good top of 3 I guess.

Good night.