We woke to warm sunshine and clear skies here in beautiful downtown Klamath Falls. Finally after weather disturbances for the last week it's so gratifying to be out in this glorious sunshine. Now for some riding!
Today's plan is a lazy ride down to Reno by enjoying the backroad countryside. We've been struggling with what to do for the next few days as this is a ride, a holiday and a honeymoon. Do we hammer it down to Las Vegas, stay two nights, then hammer it home, arrive late on the weekend and go back to work all trashed and burnded out? Plan B is to mosey down to Reno, all backroads of course, set up a base camp for a few days and do day trips in the area. There is a lot to choose from with desert to the east, winding mountain roads, Lake Tahoe, the high chaparral forests in Truckee. Plan B is looking better and better; throw in some pool time and we're in for some relaxing days ahead. Done deal.
First things first is to reconfigure the loads on the bikes. The bikes are new and there isn't much to choose from for hard cases yet. The third party manufacturers do not have much selection and what there is is overpriced and clumsy looking. The solution is to travel light with soft-shell duffle bags, the waterproof kind from MEC, expensive but worth the money. So far they are proving to be suitable but will tend to slide around unless they're cinched down tighter than a rodeo saddle. We play around for a while and come up with method that is going to work just nicely.
The weather is lovely and we dispense with the leather jackets and go for the mesh ones. Oh and don't forget to fill up the camel-backs. Conveniently there's a gas station next to the hotel so we're fueled-up and ready to roll by mid morning. Hwy 39 is on the doorstep so we soon passing through the outskirts of town and into the open farmland.
Today is one of those days when it all comes together. You know the kind I mean; the air is fragrant and soothing on your skin, the bike has a mind of it's own as it follows the curves and rises in perfect harmony with the road, the sun is shining and you're thankful to be alive. Add to that your best pal and soulmate is riding along beside you smiling in the sunshine, both sharing the experience and you have heaven on earth.
Crossing the Oregon-California state line
Lori cruising along Hwy 39
Hwy 39 leads to 139 and we continue to ride through the scrubby forests with little pockets of farmland scattered along the way. Lori's in the lead smoothly weaving through the curves and giving the throttle a little extra twist in the straightaways.
Hwy 139 in NE California.
We stop in Adlin for lunch at the general store. They sell everything from soup to nuts as well as a deli sandwich counter. Maybe it was because I was so relaxed but this was one of the best lunches I've had on one of these trips. Nothing fancy; a roast beef sandwich on whole wheat, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and a bit of mustard. A Granny Smith and a bottle of water and I'm good to go. Lori, being part French, goes with the croissant ham and cheese, apple and Clamato juice. Simple enough lunch but it was absolutely delicious.
Feeling a little sleepy we stop for a stretch on Hwy 139
A highway selfie.
Roadside rest-stop.
After Adlin we stay on 139 down to Susanville for a quick gas stop before running the last eighty miles down to Reno. The traffic picks up as does the pace of the road. We zip along dry open desert-like terrain with low rocky hills on either side. Before we know it we're on I-80 and crossing the Nevada state line and roaring into Reno. The GPS is a handy little device and takes us right up to the front door of the Siena Resort where we have a reservation for the next three nights. Check-in goes smooth and it's hit the shower before going for dinner and a walk around downtown. Tomorrow's plan is sleep in a little later and take a ride up to Virginia City and play tourist for a while.
So my friends, good night!
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