An excellent start Mark :clapping: Awaiting the rest with much anticipation
I'm wondering ......... how many pics did you take on the trip?
...about 400 pics. Most of them junk...but some of them good enough to fill around with text for the RR.
...Will start on the RR tonight after looking at my shorthand notes and reviewing the pictures. I suppose I should wait until I have all the day's RR completed before I start posting...unlike previous reports.
I should also make special mention here to thank people who made special efforts to help me before and during this trip. I don't want to wait until the RR is done as that may take too long to provide a timely thank-you.
Rich/exskibum - NorCal routes, snow reports, and ride leading...THANK-YOU! Thanks for everything! It was fun to ride behind such a smooth rider. :clapping:
Skaggs Spring Rd. HOLY CRAP!!! :yahoo:
Tyler - CenCal routes, organizing rides, organizing dinners, and MORE organizing...and ride leading. You did heaps of work for me girl...much more than I deserve, and more than I can ever repay you for. Thank-you so much. :clapping: It seems strange to think that we just met...seems like I've known you for a long time.
Griff - My riding buddy that couldn't make the ride. Griff made all the reservations for us three...and then didn't get the benefit of his own labor. Sorry you couldn't make the trip...airboss and I made the best of it.
Thanks for all the work you also did pre-ride to change the CCT, install sparkplugs, do a TBS, change fork oil, and all the other stuff you do helping to teach me the basics of FJR maintenance. THANKS buddy. :clapping:
KJ/George - Thanks for being my first tour guide out here...you did a great job...making efforts so I could see Morro Bay and the Rock, AND doing the Trooper mod to my bike.(I like the mod...and my son David smiled a great big smile when he heard it for the first time) :yahoo: I had great fun riding with you, seeing your art work in your barn, and eating at Maggie's Diner. Thanks! :clapping: Thanks also for lending Rudy out to us to lead us the next day...we had great fun following him down 229 and 58 to McKittrick and back.
Richard/Fairlaner - Thanks for being the man at party central at Big Bad Bubba's BBQ. I had a great time...thanks for telling the man at the mechanical bull controls to take it easy on my old body. The thoughts of blowing out a knee just as this trip was starting up with thousands of miles left to go did cross my mind.
Thanks also for the hints regarding the GoPro setup on my bike...that helped alot. It was also fun to try to hang with you for a little bit on Peach Tree road with the GoPro going. :yahoo:
Doug/Bugnatr - Thanks also, bigtime, to Doug/Bugnatr and his wife for hosting us at their house in Peardale. You guys went way over the top to put us up. We were pretty whupped by the time we got to your place, and you guys let us just hang out and relax. I appreciated the ride you set up and I also really appreciated the birthday dinner you set up just for me. I had a really nice evening...and have already worn the "Willo" restaurant tee-shirt you gave me with pride. THANKS! :clapping:
TOMinCA - At the very last minute...the night before I believe...we found out that Rich was not able to lead for the last day we were in California due to mechanical and real life getting in the way issues. Tom stepped right up to fill the gap and took airboss and I on a great ride. It was a great way to spend our last full day in Kali....thanks Tom. We really appreciated what you did for us there...that was huge. :yahoo:
Last, but not least, Karl and I want to thank every one of you who came out to ride with us. We know it wasn't about us, because it doesn't take much for people to want to get out and ride. We just had a great time meeting new FJR friends, and reacquainting with friends we've met before. You guys all rock!!! :yahoo:
EDIT: Dagnabbit, I knew I would forget somebody. The morning we left Bodega Bay, I looked at my oil level and it was down to the bottom of the sight glass. :huh: I had to get some oil...on a Sunday even...in NorCal. Fat chance. Well as Beemerdons and Brodie were heading for points south, I asked if either of them had some oil. Beemerdons gets off his already loaded bike, and gives Lucy Liu (his FJR) a splash of oil and then hands me the rest of his quart. Thanks Don! :clapping: I know that messed up your party plans later...but my bike needed it and must have really liked your oil. It kept all of it.
You really can count on FJR riders to help out in a pinch...that's been my experience for sure.