FJRiders.com

Motels cheap and empty?

bigjohnsd wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2020 5:39 pm Motels cheap and empty?

Motels have been cheap. Staying for about $65/night. The trouble is food. I landed in Eureka California tonight only to learn sit down dining is banned until further notice. Ended up at a take out burrito place where I bought tonight's dinner and tomorrow mornings breakfast.

Now instead of finding a hotel near a diner I will find them near 7-11's and Love's travel stops. Going into a grocery store is futile with long lines so travel stops and 7-11's it is. Last night the Safeway grocery had long lines and no bananas while the 7-11 had bananas and fast food.

One more night and I will be home.

Jim, no adventure as great as this one is without unplanned moments. I know you will overcome and adapt splendidly. Bringing home your new beauty under these conditions will only make these memories sweeter. Stay safe!

Daily Ditty

March 18, 2020

I had my last sit down meal for this trip in Monterrey last night. It was great.



Today started out with mostly cloudy skies and finally gave way to rain just north of San Fransisco. My route was up Hwy 101 to Eureka California. I choose this over Hwy 1 as it saved me two hours of travel time and the roads along the coast were likely to be wet and or I would find more rain. Mostly it was the time savings as I have been up Hwy 1 north of San Fransisco several times.

The rain didn't last long and soon I got the camera out to take a few shots.



Then the Redwood trees start to appear.





Then some blue skies and a few turns.



And turn with Redwood trees.



Weather wise I have been fortunate the past couple of day arriving at places just before or just after the rainfall. Notice in this photo the roads are damp from rain earlier in the morning.



Redwood trees.



After landing in Eureka I put a bit of air in my tires and set out to have a steak for dinner. I found all sit down places were closed and ended up with a take out burrito for dinner and a second is sitting in the hotel refrigerator for breakfast.

Tonight I found hotels near a bunch of take out fast food places in Oregon but will stop at a Love's Travel stop just before the hotel just in case.

Two days, one night and 760 miles to home.

To be continued.

Cav47 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 18, 2020 11:23 pm Jim, no adventure as great as this one is without unplanned moments. I know you will overcome and adapt splendidly. Bringing home your new beauty under these conditions will only make these memories sweeter. Stay safe!

Well Josh I hear ya but there are good unplanned events and bad ones. Two days before I arrive in Texas my buddy in New Braunfels learned about a medical condition that will likely change his life, my step grand kids were sick when I visited, lost my top case and COVID-19 has significantly impacted this trip and this nation in ways most of us could not imagine on March 3rd when I flew to Texas. The desire minimize my exposure to COVID-19 is driving me home as quickly as possible. None of this stuff is a good memory, in particular the impact to all those affected by COVID-19 more than myself; jobs lost, lives disrupted, schools closed, sports cancelled, business closing, fear in the nation, people ill or worse. I have worked hard to find a silver lining in this trip every day.

For a short time yesterday along Hwy 1 yesterday the virus was a distance memory. People were out enjoying the day. Today the different weather conditions and blue skies, Redwood trees and vineyards helped calm my mind. Getting home in one piece and not getting COVID-19 will be a victory.

There's always a little silver in the lining.

Safe travels on your final push north Fontanaman! Since I’m working from home, I’ll keep your track up and running to check progress...

~G

Daily Ditty

March 19, 2020

Silver Linings

Let's continue with the silver linings theme as negativity is weary.

This morning I heated up a burrito for breakfast. Silver lining I had breakfast.

I got going about 9:00am and it was 42 with blue skies. Silver lining was the weather was great today.

I got to see Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox today. Silver lining is fantasy is a good diversion.



Why is it named Babe the Blue Ox when clearly this Ox is male?

I got to see big Redwood trees today.









My Garmin 590 is paired to the Garmin app. It told me Hwy 101 was closed and suggested a 2.5 hour detour. Silver lining is the Garmin thought the traffic light controlled one way road on Hwy 101 was a lane closure. I will refrain from a Garmin rant here, damn my lip is bleading. I just want an Android Auto Head Unit for a motorcycle than can be controlled by gloves and connect to my phone.

I got to see the Pacific Ocean today and that is the silver lining.









I got to ride on Hwy 199 today. Silver lining is its a nice twisty road and I had a clean pass except for a couple of knuckheads who could not read the slower vehicles use turn out signs. They were dispatched quickly not be be seen again with a well deserved salute.







I entered Oregon today. Silver lining is I am fine and closer to home.



I used DoorDash today to have food delivered to my hotel. Was great!



To be continued.

Looks great. Spotwalla shows you at one final push from home. Time to finish this and put her in the barn. The bike, that is.

Back in the day, I read all those Paul Bunyan stories.... here's the one in Rumford, ME... I don't recall seeing "appendages" but will have to check closer next time I'm there. At least 'she' is Blue.

Awesome Ride Report Oh Man from Fontana. I love the area in this section of your report especially and will get there this July...after slipping on some new tires at Rays.

Just one question though...

fontanaman wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2020 11:09 pm I used DoorDash today to have food delivered to my hotel. Was great!

You ordered breasts and intestines? What kinda place was this?

Dinner last. night was hot in spicey shrimp. It was spicey. All in all I was quite pleased with dinner last night.

Silver Linings?

I know that my ugly scowl in the pics makes it look like I am unhappy but in fact nothing could be farther from the Truth.

I have read many, many posts, enjoyed countless pictures and somehow came to "know" Fontanaman through the old FJRForum and now here on this forum. This opportunity to actually meet Jim, to hear his voice, to enjoy his company in real life was a huge deal for me. The fact that Pop and I were able to sit down to eat in the home of our dear and trusted friend Hppants with these gentlemen meant more to me than I care to share here in the public view. Yes, the Coronavirus is impacting all of our lives in ways we didn't expect. It's true that Jim's maiden voyage with the new FJR was cut short and didn't turn out the way any of us wanted.

But, all of our friends are still here right now. I am grateful for that. I am grateful for this forum and the fact that we can all "assemble" here together without fear of contaminating one another.

The fact that Jim/Fontanaman just purchased a second FJR gives me hope for another hundred thousand miles of forum posts and pictures and goodness. That my friends is not a Silver Lining. That is Pure Gold.

Ride safe my friends.

AMEN.

Thanks for your kind words Andrew. Your silver linings are a much appreciated.

I have one more trick up my sleeve on my ride home today.

Daily Ditty

March 20, 2020

How about more silver linings today?

Using the McDonald's app on my phone I order breakfast and walk to the store next door and stand in app order stall 4. Within 5 minutes I have breakfast. Silver lining is I have breakfast and I am learning to be more flexible.



Today was a blue sky day with some haze and moderate temperatures. Silver lining is it is a nice day for the final day of this trip.

My route takes me along the Columbia River Gorge. The Gorge is a natural venturi and the Silver lining is it is not blowing today.



I decide to get off the freeway give you a show of the Columbia River Gorge. Silver lining this ride report will be better for it!



The white wood guard rail is a used to add character to the highway as this was used back in the day over 100 years ago. Motorist are in the debt of Sam Hill and Sam Lancaster for this wonderful road. The engineering alignment generally had a maximum grade of 5% and curve radius of 200 feet.



There are several waterfalls on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. This is Wakeena Falls.





Horsetail Falls



Now back on the freeway on the way to Mosier.



The Columbia River. Silver lining I was here today!





Self portrait. Silver lining is I didn't drop the camera.



In Mosier Oregon on Hwy 30.



This is for you Hppants. Once Joey told me he wanted to rider every Rowena Curve when he comes out west despite this being a short but sweet section of road. Silver lining I am the the Rowena Curves, again, darn.











The Ice Age Floods carved these cliffs and created the spectacular water falls. Please take a couple of minutes learn about this dramatic landscape. There is also a video in page too.

Also near Bonneville Dam there was a large landslide and here is a 5 minute video from Nick Zentner a Geology Professor at Central Washington University. Nick is a natural at teaching.

Mt. Hood in the distance. Silver lining was it was a clear day.



John Day Dam. Silver lining it didn't breach today? That is dark humor and should be banned from silver linings!



Back in Washington State on the north side of the Columbia River. State Route 14 is a nice road.



Interesting rock formation on the right.





Heading home. Silver lining is I made it home safe and sound.



To be continued. Yeah there is a bit more.

fontanaman wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2020 12:06 am Silver lining is I have breakfast and I am learning to be more flexible.

I think we are all learning to be more flexible. Also, being flexible is key to surviving any adventure. And no, you don't need an ADV bike to have an adventure, a global pandemic can come along at any time and turn the average sight seeing trip into an adventure. Looks like your flexibility has gotten you to the barn. Good job sir, and thanks for the beautiful pictures. I agree with Pants that I'd also like to ride all those curves too.

Jim,
This trip had many more unexpected turns than normal. Thank you for surviving each and every one...and sharing the ride with us.

Beautiful scenery! Even the self portrait was good!

The Columbia River is quite majestic, and a great ride there for sure. Very nice, Jim. Betcha it's nice to be home too.

fontanaman wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2020 12:06 am ....Silver lining I am the the Rowena Curves, again, darn....

Nice!