Soozy's 50 First Dates Tour:The Ride Report

[Soozy]

Soozy, I talked to Tanaya today to let her know you will be passing through. You have a place to stay that night if you wish. She's looking forward to meeting you! Just give her a call on her cell phone, or stop into the local HD shop in Albany and ask for the Shop Employee of the Month

BTW, if you are going up the Oregon coast Highway 101, let me know. On the Yaquina Bay is a fabulous restaurant: Mo's. It's on the pier overlooking the bay and they have THE best clam chowder and clams west of New England. From there, Hwy 20 meanders through the Coastal Range down into the Willamette Valley, into Philomath (where I used to live) and Corvallis, then veers northeast to Albany. Great ride through the mountains and along farmland, through small towns and a smallish college town (Corvallis). I think you would enjoy the ride.

Glad to see you are enjoying yourself!

I think I will call Tanaya tomorrow. It looks like I will be there Wednesday. I really look forward to meeting her, and I will take lots of pictures for you, Elzi. I appreciate you both.

Here are some shots from today. I spent the afternoon touring with a friend from long ago. It was date number 5!

So on with the adventure. I got to meet Pat's friend John yesterday and share some local brew. Good times!

I HAVE to do this!

I started out this morning early to make the meet up time of 9:30 near Sausalito. It is always wonderful to see an old friend! We planned to ride in his fun car. He drives it hard and has done many track days with it.

Here is the exhaust for you enthusiasts out there.

And the motor...

He drove me on all his favorite roads and I was shooting over the wind shield.

San Francisco on the horizon.

We went to a beautiful winery for lunch.

We also dropped by to see some eye candy.

It was a wonderful day in spite of the baking on the ride back to Stockton. I am packing for the run to Rio Dell tomorrow. Hwy 36 awaits!

 

[Janet]

I'll take the black one Soozy. Please.

 

[Soozy]

The outside one, or the inside one? I know the outside one is only $100K. I could send it UPS.

I am safe and sound in the home of Wally (Wannabeguru) and DeeDee. It is nestled in a lush valley with a 360 degree view. I am working on the ride report and I want you all to know that it is now a requirement for each of you to ride Highway 36 form Red Bluff to the intersection of 101. Twisties for 150 miles through giant redwoods for half of that. I am not sure I have breathed yet.

And I am already missing Pat (Fitty)

Pictures later!

 

[Texfire]

Oh, now that sounds like a nice stretch of road. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[Soozy]

Monday, June 29

I got an early start out of Stockton to attempt to beat the heat and commuter traffic. The road I wanted to ride runs from Red Bluff on I-5 to Hwy 101, so I elected an Interstate run. Hwy 36 is stunning pastoral pleasure with constant curves running through hills covered with live oaks that give way to pines.

It rises about 5000 feet and turns into close quick rising and falling twisties that zip through giant redwoods. Every sense is involved. I felt the constant change of temperature and the fresh breeze that sometimes turned into heavy wind. The smells of the forest changed around every bend. Redwood trees smell sweet and woody. I found I had to chose between riding the road or looking at the scenery. Couldn't do both at once. Wally arranged to meet me in a spot with store and gas that was 100 miles into the twisties for me and 50 in from the other direction for him. I rode downhill for better than 20 miles coming out of the mountain to the store where Wally was there waiting for me with his Bandit.

The best part of this road is the last 50 miles with its switchbacks and redwoods as wide as my bike is long.

I am making friends with Wally's puppies and DeeDee is still at work, but I hear she is planning to barbeque chicken when she gets home.

I will post pictures of my hosts Wally and Deedee a little later. Dates #6 and #7!!!

 

[Janet]

The outside one, or the inside one? I know the outside one is only $100K. I could send it UPS.

I'm not particular. Which ever one strikes you. You'r a Pal!.

 

[Soozy]

Wally, Deedee, and Deedee's cousin Troy made a wonderful meal!

Strawberry Margaritas! I need a designated typer.

Some views...this bluff has a cross in it that can be seen at sunset

Deedee has talents!

Good people and Dates 6, 7, and 8! Dee Dee is from this area, so she set me up with a plan for tomorrow. Klamath Falls are out and Creston City is in. I might see a whale.

 

[Lano]

Great stuff Soozy! You are killing me. Don't stop, have the time of your life. Don't come home and say "man, I wished I had done that". I love the road, and I love reading about other people's road trips. You go girl!

 

[RASZ]

Good people and Dates 6, 7, and 8! Dee Dee is from this area, so she set me up with a plan for tomorrow. Klamath Falls are out and Creston City is in. I might see a whale.

Soozy, what is in Creston City?

 

[Tracker]

If you get a chance, Silver Falls SP (just east of Silverton) is well worth a 1/2 day trip. Something like 11 falls in a relatively easy 5 mile hike.

This one at the north end of the park is less than a mile walk from the parking lot and I think 135' tall.

hard to get a perspective, but this one you can walk behind.

 

[wanabeguru]

Gary: glad you mentioned Silver Falls. My wife has taken me there several times. Well worth the side trip, but I don't know if Soozy's schedule will permit it. Keep this lady in your prayers for safety, folks.

 

[Soozy]

Aww, thanks Wally!! I am safe at Crescent City, Ca. The birthplace of Deedee!! I love this place right on the Pacific. I really enjoyed my Rio Dell host family and the route they put together for me today. It was perfect! I will post up soon as I explore. I just will leave you all with this story...

I was working on the computer yesterday evening after the magnificent meal Deedee and family put together. Deedee took a phone call and I overheard her explain me being there like this:

Yeah, yeah...Wally met a woman on the internet and wanted her to spend the night.

I was giggling as she caught me listening and she put her hand over the phone and said, "It sounds better that way!"



Seriously good people!

 

[Soozy]

Rasz asked what is in Crescent City. Well, let me tell you.


Tuesday, June 30

I felt like I was leaving old friends as I packed this morning, but the adventure today was designed by Wally, Deedee, and Troy.

I headed North on 101 in heavy fog and stopped a couple of times to put on more gear. I was eventually dressed the same way as I do on the mornings that are in the 30's at home. Yes, one does need winter gloves on a summer trip. As the road got close to the coast I made little side trips for pictures and to warm up.

Do you feel the cold in this picture?

I made this side trip to ride through the Prairie with a chance of seeing elk herds. And it took me through crazy beautiful forest.

Tiny prairie flowers. Sometimes I like to see the micro stuff too.

Then I met this tree.

I am pretty sure it is a boy.

I made another side trip in Klamath where I rode a rough twisty road along the Klamath River to the point of confluence with the Pacific. I could not get pictures because the cliff side shoulder was too scary for me.

I went searching for a drive thru tree and did not come up empty handed. So worth two bucks!

The tree is right near Klamath

These guys are there also. The Paul Bunyon guy is talking to people in the parking lot. "Hey! Hey you in the yellow. Don't go!" Think of the fun you could have with that job.

Back on the road and suddenly OCEAN.

See the seagull?

It was my June 30, too!

Seriously waterproof boots.

Arriving in Crescent City...and it truly is a crescent around a wide open bay.
I found my home for the night.

Then went exploring!

This light house will show up in the background of many of the next pictures.

Five little girls learning to fish.

It is really windy!

I walked to this dock area from the motel. I LOVE this stuff!

Purple centered Daisy?

This is whale watching territory. I saw seals today, but no whales. That means that I HAVE to return again. Too too bad!

Time for dinner!

 

[Janet]

Do you feel the cold in this picture?

No. The pictures of the fog, light house and ocean are making me wish that I had not gotten out of the Coast Guard.

 

[Gilk51]

Does anybody else hate Soozy?

 

[TexasShadow]

You're making me vewwy homesick.................

Wait till you see the Oregon coast

Keep on truckin', Sooz!

(p.s. Give Tanaya a hug for me.)

 

[wanabeguru]

"When I saw "My Lighthouse" I got a tear in my eye to know you found the sacred place. I had forgotten how much that little beach means to me. I am so glad you found it. I always have to go see "My beach and Lighthouse" every time I'm near Crescent City. I was excited to see Silver Creek Falls mentioned too. I can't even recall how many memories I have of family picnics and winter wonderlands and summer "pickup" dates I have had at Silver Creek Falls. The full walk is 9 miles around the falls with 11 water falls and 3 you can walk under in all. I've done the full walk twice. Wally and I have camped there before. It has a very nice campground. It was nice to have you and I hope to see more pix! The northern California coast is equal to the Oregon Coast. Real Californians consider us in Oregon. Real Californians think their state ends at San Fransisco, or Sacramento for sure![/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT]

 

[wanabeguru]

The tree you met and claim is a "boy" is one that is showing you where "burl" wood is obtained from. The wood is extremely curly grained and verypretty/ornate. Also very expensive and as you can seenot veryplentiful.
Wally

 

[Tank2Tank]

Jonathan Livingston Seagull !!

Beautiful pics, Soozy; you are confirming that the PCH is a must-do trip.

I've noticed that you have significant zoom capability, what photo equipment are you using?

Thanks again for sharing; ride and stay safe.....

 

[TWTourist]

Does anybody else hate Soozy?

Hate is not the word I was thinking of..........more like envy.
Soozy I hope you are ready to tell your story at the next pie run.

 

[Soozy]

I am at the home of Tanaya and Evan in Albany Oregon!!! I am going to hang out with Evan and his friend Bob until Tanaya gets home from work.

I am going to annoy them with all the picture taking, but I am doing it for Elzi.


DD, I LOVE your birth city!!

Tank, my camera is a Canon 590. It has been zooming 2x this trip, but I know there is a 4x setting. The zoom tends to smoke up the picture. I chose this one because the digital viewers are often hard to see when outside. This is one of the few under 300 bucks that has the old fashioned view lens also, and it shows the zoom. It is a smallish camera and fits my jacket pocket. It is woefully inept for the views I am seeing!

FJR...you got it buddy!

Janet, I passed a sign for a Coast Guard post today and thought of you.

 

[TexasShadow]

Hi Soozy!! Hi Tanaya!! Hi Evan!!

Wiley and Elzi say "Hello!!!!"

 

[Soozy]

Hi Soozy!! Hi Tanaya!! Hi Evan!!

Wiley and Elzi say "Hello!!!!"

Your kids are delightful!! I am uploading pictures right now. Give me a half hour.

 

[Soozy]

These are for Elzi!! Love your daughter and Evan! Bob and Linni are also here and are both hoots! They are all together dates # 9,10,11, and 12!

Bob is Evan's best friend.

And Evan is Bob's best friend.

Evan's head blew today.

Isn't she lovely!! This is Tanaya, Elzi's daughter.

And her bike.

Tanaya's work place.

Her work station.

Memory Lane. (Elzi in a dress!!!)

More stuff later...this was the important stuff.

 

[Tom]

Tanaya sure looks like her mommy.

Keep em coming Soozy.