Redwood National and State Parks~ CALIFORNIA

We made it to Northern California on Friday, July 24, 2015 and we saw some Red Wood Trees, Boy!!! Did we see some trees?

We were on Route 101 riding through the Redwood National & State Parks. This segment of Route 101 is also referred to as the ~The Redwood Highway. We have never seen trees as tall or as old as the ones that we saw here. This park is an “Old-Growth temperate rainforest with some of the tallest in the world.

In 1968, The Red Wood National Park was established. This establishment protects the remaining old-growth. It was combined with three other parks: Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith & Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The state parks cover 133,000 acres.  They are located in Humboldt County & Del Norte County which is near Crescent City, California.

We stayed at a wonderful hotel in Crescent City, California that evening, The Lighthouse Inn. It was directly across from a bay. The room was very large holding 2 king size beds. A tan colored over-stuff soft leather love seat was also in the room. I immediately noticed the wall paper borders around the top of the room ~red roses. The bed spreads were a similar pattern of the red roses. In the guest laundry area, the wall paper borders were lighthouses. This was one of our laundry times.  I took pictures of the model lighthouses in the lobby and also of the miniature model houses. During check out, we notices the redwood counter – beautiful.

Back to the trees.

During check out, we were told about Klamath, California and also about the Avenue of the Giants. There are three large drive through trees. The Avenue has the two largest ones and Klamath has the smaller one. We also learned that the location of the giant sequoia trees are in the “Sequoia & King Canyon National Park” and that the park is under construction. We will not be able to see General Sherman, the biggest tree in the world.

Our first stop was Klamath, California. Jim drove up a steep hill but before the bike went down, I had to get off. He then got in line to drive the motorcycle right thru the tree. The tree was gigantic. A path had been cut out of the trunk so that cars can drive thru it. Above the path, there was a sign that said, “TOUR THRU TREE” While inside of the tree, Jim said that he touch it and also saw the age rings. We were told that this is a giant live tree that is 275 years old.

Next we drove on the Avenue of the Giants. This is a 31 mile scenic drive. It is 200 miles north of San Francisco and 100 miles south of the Oregon border. We saw Ancient Redwoods. While enjoying nature, we saw several trunks on the side of the road parked for a filming crew. I Google it and learned that Kirsten Dunst was filming a movie on that day named, Woodshock. This was a glorious day.

More GREAT LAKES, Diamond & Crater in OREGON

Yesterday, Thursday, July 23, 2015, we were actually on the road by noon. The weather was great for riding. The temperature starting out was 70 degrees going up to about 80 and the winds were calm.
We usually asked for an extended check-out and leave the hotel room about 12:15 pm. Most hotels want you out by 11:00 am.

 Jim said that Maggie and Siri could not come to an agreement over distant. Maggie is what Jim named his Megellan RoadMate Global Positioning System (GPS)
 & Siri is the Apple Company's voice assistant that is on my IPhone. We were trying to figure out how far it was to Crater Lake National Park. At this point, we are in a Best Western Plus Hotel in Sutherlin, Oregon. The GPS said over 100 miles and the telephone said, "69 miles Tina as the crow flies"  How does a crow fly? We asked at the front desk and was told that it would take about 1 and a half hours and also gave us a map. These directions were different than both of our electronics. We decided to go.

After about 1/2 hour or so, we stopped to get directions. We were told that we were still a waysand that after Diamond Lake, Crater Lake was still a distant. We are also going to travel some unpaved area, go through construction and will need to wait for a car polite. It took us a while, maybe a few hours but our first stop was Diamond Lake. This was a resort with cabinets, a hotel and a restaurant.
It was a pretty lake with several people swimming and doing in other water sports. There were mountains in the distant.

20 minutes away, we had to paid $10.00 to go to Crater Lake National Park.

ONCE UPON A TIME ~The Village of Steveston ~ Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

The town was the Village of Steveston, Richmond, British Columbia on the street, Moncton.

Yesterday, Tuesday, July 21, 2015 was so nice for me. I was happy, so very happy, Jim said as we entered the town. "Do you see anything you recognize?' "No, not yet." but within just a few seconds, I said, "YES!" and there was the sign for Mr Gold Pawnbroker & Antiquities Dealer.  Once Upon A Time fans knows that Mr. Gold doubles as the character,  Rumplestilskin. I looked around and I was there, there on the street of my favorite TV show, "Once Upon A Time." Jim said, "You must be so Happy." and I was. He took my picture in front of the store and then someone offered and took our picture.  It was amazing and I felt just like a little kid in a candy store.

I did not know where to start. I wanted to get more information on the buildings they use and maybe on why they use that town. I may Google this at a later date. After doing some video taping of the street, I went to the Storybrooke Cannery which doubles as the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. This Cannery was build in 1894 on the waterfront and is still a producer of canned salmon.They have a gift shop and I got my post card. I was also given information about some of the buildings the show uses and where to get some additional information. I had to go to the Post Office/Museum that was in the next block.

All of this time, Jim is sitting in front of Mr. Gold's while I run up and down the street.

After I left the Cannery, I went to Granny's Dinner. I had learned from the cannery that "Any Given Sunday" which is next to Granny's Dinner, is used for storage for the props when not used as an Ice Cream Shop during filming. The door was open so I asked the guy sitting in the car with the door partly open and his feet were on the pavement and he said. "NO". "I just want to take a picture of that " referring to the sign on the floor. "Can I go in?" "OK, but don't touch anything.

I went in and there was a Storybrooke sign and many other props. I quickly snapped a few pictures. When I returned outside, I watched, video tapped and took a few still pictures of them putting up a sign, STORYBROOKE HARDWARE & PAINT using a crane. I also watched the transformation of the coffee house.

I took pictures of a place named the Rabbit Hole and the Storybooke Sand Dollar Boutique.

Once I returned to Jim for maybe the third time, he had information about them filming the next day. He offered to stay an additional night. We did not stay. There was a lady and her daughter that with Jim and informed us that the Mad Hatter may be one of the upcoming characters on the show. I already saw and taken a picture of the Rabbit Hole but they showed me the price of the gas at the Marine Garage. It was 15 7 over the 10.  We were also told about the store, the candy dish. I took a picture of the gas sign but we did not experience the taste of Snow White fudge.

It is time to go now, It has been about 1 and 1/2 hour and I am still in my glory. Jim has been very patience with my favorite street. On the way out, we stopped in the post office and I spooked to the female post master for a little while. I got a nice brochure that explains the transformation of all of the buildings and a business card. She suggested that I go on their Face Book page to see when they are filming.  Sometimes people will post pictures.

Jim took a few additional pictures and again we were riding back to the good old USA. It was like Christmas and Disney Land for me.

VANCOUVER ~ Canada

We made it to Vancouver on Monday, July 20, 2015. We did not have any problems crossing the boarder this trip but once we got into Canada, the winds continues. We looked for the Harley Davidson Shop so that we would know where it is the next day. We found a nice looking, at least from the outside, Super 8 Motel and broke our rule of no numbers. We were disappointed. We saw it on the way to the Harley Shop and it was near the gas station, a wine & spirit store and a bar & grill. The bar & grill closes on Monday and the wine & spirit store only had screw top wine. Jim did not like that.

We were going to go to Butchart Gardens on the Vancouver Island a little north of Victoria and south of the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.. This would require taking a ferry to the island and walking the gardens. With all the walking and paying for the gardens and also the Ferry, we decided not. In Victoria we were also going to visit an underground museum.

We did go to Richmond, British Columbia to visit where they film the TV show, "Once Upon A Time."

The state of WASHINGTON with Friends & Family

Have you ever heard of Lake Tapps, Washington?

NOT FUN

Riding from Spokane, Washington for about 50 miles to Jim's cousin's house outside of Seattle there was nothing but wind and I do mean wind on Thursday, July 16, 2015.  Extremely Strong Wind. Jim thought that he would have to ride on the shoulder of the road like we did in Salt Lake City Utah at the Bonneville Salt Flats on July 28, 2010. At that time, we drove at a speed of 20 MPH for over 30 miles. 

We took more rest stops than usually on this day because of the wind. Jim said he was stressed and that raises his adrenaline and makes him tire. At one of the rest stops, we spoke with a lady who was complaining about the wind pushing her car. Imagine, she was in a car. She told us that we had about an hour and a half addition ride before the winds calm. I told her that if that time was based on 60 MPH, we may have a longer drive because we are traveling slower. She named the area as Vantage, Washington and said that it would be beautiful. She also said that when we got to the trees, it would be less wind. We got to Vantage, it was beautiful but the winds continued to be strong. The trees did not help either. We continued to ride slow, safe and we stopped often.

There were others at rest stops that were driving top load trailers or pulled trailers that were chagellaged by the winds. Jim was very careful if he needed to pass a tracker trailer.

After all that wind, we finally get to his cousin's street. The GPS was reading .1 mile so I decided to get off to look at the addresses. As I was getting off, Jim said, "check my tire, something is not right." As I looked at the tire, I said that something is leaking from the bike. There was a puddle in the street. He walked the bike to the side and created another puddle. We saw his cousin. We missed the house by one. I informed him that something was wrong with the bike. Ricci looked at it and said that the seal was broken.

Daily Motorcycle Maintenance

Every morning, or should I say afternoon. By the time we checks out of the hotels~ and we always asks for an extension, it is always afternoon.

The pressure of both the tires and the shocks must be checked. Air pressure should be 40 and shocks should be 43. My job in this process is to look for the painted blue dot located on the rim of the back tire. That indicates where the tire valve is. Jim has tools to check both and we carry an air pump to put the needed pounds in the tires. The air pump is powered by a cord that goes in the cigarette
lighter.

C'Mon Inn

While riding through North Dakota and Montana, Jim and I saw several signs advertising the C'MON INN. At some point, Jim said, " that sign for the C'Mon Inn reminds me if the Two Wheel's Inn." I said, "You mean the one with the rooms that included a little garage for the motorcycles?" "Yes was Jim's reply. "Where the owners were really nice and were also x-riders and let use wash our bike."

The Mountains

Because I am from Pennsylvania, actually about 20 miles north of Philadelphia, whenever I think of mountains, my first thought is the Poconos. Growing up, I sometimes would refer to Poconos weather as being very cold in the morning - about 40 degrees, get hot doing the day - about 75 - 80 degrees and then dropping down again when the sun sets. 

On this ride, we have gone through the mountains of Montana, "The Big Sky Country." Yesterday, I put on my long sleeve, turtle neck Harley Davidson thermal top. Boy did I need it. Jim said that the elevation was 5500 which higher than Denver, Colorado.

Bathrooms on the Road

When riding on a motorcycle, we stop about every 120 miles or so for gas, to stretch and to use the wash room/bathroom. Most of the bathrooms that we use are at gas stations. They are OK and sometimes very clean. It is good practice to have tissues it napkins with you and also to have hand sanitizer just in case. If  we stop for something to eat such as TGI Friday's or Applebee's there bathrooms are always clean. I think that the best ladies rooms are at the Harley Davidson Shops.

The ladies rooms at the Harley shops are always large. Some of the are just for one person and sometimes there may be several stalls. They are nicely decorated  with motivational saying and pictures. They always smell good. Sometimes like flowers and some like fruit. They also have toiletries that ladies on the road can use like: hair spray, deodorant, hand lotion and perfume.

Big Sky Country

LAUNDRY ~ Again?

At the Butte Comfort Inn in Butte, Montana sitting in the lobby. There are 24 minutes left on the wash cycle and I still need to dry and hope that I can get a dryer soon. Several people are doing there clothing this evening. Maybe I should have on my bathing suite and be in the pool while I'm waiting. No, that won't work, I have too many clothing to carry back and it may be more difficult if I am wet. I have 3 bags and the room is so so very far.

Jim is in the room relaxing on the bed. This is the first time we got to the room, he lay across the bed and immediately went to sleep before having his drink. He slept for about 20 minutes while I got the ice and gathered the clothes for the wash.

The first time we washed clothes was on Friday, July 10, 2015 in Green Bay, Wisconsin at the Best Western Hotel. The laundry room & the pool was almost right next to our room. No on was using them. Jim and I were able to sit in the pool area and wait.  We watched a couple play ping ball and the kids splash in the water. It was nice and relaxing.

FARGO, North Dakota

How was the decision to go to Fargo made? Jim said that we are going to Fargo because he did not see the movie. North Dakota was also one of the four states that we needed to visit to say that we saw all 48. Prior to this ride, we also needed to visit Arkansas, Oregano, and Washington.

The movie was a crime film/Drama that was filmed in 1996. When we get home, I will see if I can borrow it from the library. I think Jim will like this neo-noir black comedy thriller as defined on line, more than me. In researching, I learned that Fargo was also a television series that premiered April 15, 2014 on FX. The second season will start September 2015.

"When we get to North Dakota, there is nothing to see," those are the words of my husband Jim. While riding through North Dakota, I made the sky my entertainment since there was nothing else. I watched the clouds change shapes, color shades and texture. Their background was different tints of blues. This was especially nice when the sun was out.

Fargo, ND is the largest city in the state. It is also the county seat of Cass County. It was founded in 1871.

Fargo is known for much more than the movie. It is known for the flooding of the Red River in the Spring and it is the home town of the baseball legend Roger Maris. He broke Babe Ruth's home run record by hitting 61 in '61.

Lake Superior

Lake Superior is one of the 5 Great Lakes. I saw it on Friday and Saturday, July 10th & 11th when we stayed in Duluth, Minnesota. It was so large, and so beautiful. It is the largest of the Great Lakes in North America & the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface.

With the visiting of this lake, I have now seen all five. The other lakes were: Michigan, Huron, Ontario and Erie.

In 2008, I wanted to go to Lake George in upstate New York. Jim said, "you want to see some lakes!!!!" That's when he designed a ride that would take me to see the other 4 Great Lakes. When planning this 2015 ride, he made sure that Lake Superior was on his highlighted map.

It was great seeing it in Duluth, Minnesota at Canal Park. This was a very nice tourist on the water area. People were everywhere and there were lots of restaurant with people eating outside. There was a lot of street activity. We bedded down at a Comfort Suites. Jim gave it an A+.

Leinenkugel's Beer

While traveling through Wisconsin, we saw the sign advertising Leinenkugel's Brewery tours. 

                                    

That is one of our favorite beers especially in the summer with their summer shanty flavor. We always try to get a few cases near the end of the season. The last time I was in the beer distribute with Jim, on of the owner's, "K" said, "Jim always says, save me two." We like this one better than their fall beers.

The Jacob Leinenkugel's Brewing Company is a subsidiary of SABMiller. It is an American beer based in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.  It was founded by Jacob Leinenkugel  and John Miller but John sold his shares in 1884. During prohibition, near beer or soda water was sold. In the 1970s a light beer was introduced and in 1988 The Miller Brewing Company brought them.

Other than Summer Shanty, some of their other flavors are: Sunset Wheat, Berry Weiss, Lemonberry Shanty, Snowdrift Vanilla Porter and a few others.

We are usually suckers for signs but we did not stop for the tour. Several hours after seeing the sign, we had a refreshing summer shanty Leinenkugel beer. The lemonade flavor makes it just perfect for a hot summer day. We looked at the label and said that we had never noticed it before. This company was founded in 1867. Jim said, "I thought they had been around for a while."

Green Bay

We went to Green Bay just to see Laubeau Field. There is nothing else in Green Bay.

Visiting the Harley-Davidson Museum in MILWAUKEE

I decided to fill in this space/page that I had been holding for about a month now about the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for about a month now. I looked through my journal and I did not see no entries, notes, nothing at all. How is that  possible? Maybe some of the stuff is on the piece of paper that flew out of my vest pocket while riding on the road back in early July.

We went there on the 8th of July just to see where it was located but on that day, it was very close to closing time. We got a room at the Ramande Inn that was about 6 or 7 minutes away and visited the next day. 

Prior to going to the Ramada Inn, which was within our price range, we were told that a lot of bikers enjoy staying at "The Iron Horse Hotel", 500 W. Florida Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204. This used to be a 100 year old warehouse built in 1907 and became a hotel in 2008. It is now considered a boutique hotel

The "iron horse" is a name that the Native Americans gave to the train as it sped through the prairies. 

In 1907, it was a warehouse for the Berger Bedding Company and located near the railroad. The building was divided into a factory and warehouse which today is the hotel and restaurant.

We were told that a night's stay starts between $250.00 to $300.00 and is well worth it. We did not agree. We were  polite and found the Ramada Inn that was $119.71.

We took several pictures outside of the museum before going inside and of course, talked to people. It was exciting to shared stories and exchanged information with other bikers or Harley enthusiasm. Some of the information we received and I still need to look up is:

The Triple Nickle

Belly of the Dragon

Backbone of the Dragon

Where Ducks Walk on the Fish

These may be interesting places or roads to travel.

In July 2012, we did the "Tail of the Dragon." In my 2012 blog of that ride, I wrote that it is a scenic road in Deals Gap, North Carolina. It is a mountain pass along the North Carolina-Tennessee state line, bordering the Great Smoky Mountains. It is 11 miles with 318 curves and is American's number one motorcycle and sports car road. 

The museum is located at 400 West Canal Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201. It was established on July 12, 2008. We were in Milwaukee in August 2008 for the Harley Davidson's 105th Anniversary but at the time, we did not think that the museum was finished. 

The museum area is a whole community. Across the street from the museum on the corner was the gift shop that sold motor cloths and other souvenirs. There was also a Motor Bar & Grill and a Cafe Racer Cafe. We had burgers & beer for lunch at the cafe. On the other side of the street was the museum and also the Garage. The Garage housed special exhibits.  We were there for the Willie G. Davidson one. 

Willie G. Davidson is the Grandson of one Harley Davidson founders. He is Senior Vice President & Chief Styling Officer. He helped, along with other employees to buy back the company when it was in trouble in the 1980s. He helped save the company from bankruptcy and help with new bike designs.

With FAMILY in Chicago

We Pushed It

The first riding day was a long one. I had a hard time getting myself together the next day. It was sort of a difficult ride, maybe because we had not done distant riding in a long time and as Jim said, "We should have done a practice ride." We rode about 8 hours and did about 450 miles. My heels were burning and felt raw. I must find out what this is about. I also had what felt like charlie horses in the front of my two ankles. Jim is having problems with his knees. We do have different types of rubs and aspirin with us.

FIRST day of our RIDE

We left home on Sunday, July 5, 2015 at 1:15pm after Jim did an introductory segment on the video. Our neighbor, Charlie was there. He turned the music up and the song playing was, "California Dreamin' by the Mamas & the Papas.  Jim & I were off and riding on another Great Adventure, One Heck of a Ride or whatever we chose to call it.


This song is from the album, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE YOUR EYES AND EARS. It was released, December 8, 1965. The record label is the RCA, "His Master's Voice". It has a picture with the dog on it who is looking into the Victrola. Some of the words to the song are:

       
        "All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey.
          I've been for a walk on a winter's day.
          I'd be safe and warm if I was in LA.
        California Dreamin' on such a winter's day"


For us, it is a warm summer day and the very first of our many days.


~ The genre of the song is considered psychedelic pop or folk rock. It is #89 in the Rolling Stone's Song's List of the 500 Greatest Hits of All Time. It became a Gold Record by RIAA in 1966 and inducted in the Grammy Hall of Frame in 2001. The History of the record was looked up online.

MORE ON PACKING

Not only do we packed the two saddle bags but we put our leather jackets in the trunk along with extra sneakers, windbreakers, maps, Harley Davidson shop locaters, Jim's vodka, my upcoming bills & checkbooks and the address list to mail out post cards. On top of the truck, we have our rain gear, charging cords, extra tapes for the video, our camel backs and a few snacks. We try to save room for when we buy stuff. We also purchased gift cards for restaurants such as Outback Steakhouse, Applebees and Longhorn Steakhouse.

More on Preparation

Not only are maps done, but we got tide pods detergrent, dryer sheets and quarters to wash our clothing. The way we packed the saddle bags, we have clothing for 4 - 6 days.

We let our neighbors, family , the police and the post office know about  our vacation dates and plans. The post office holds our mail, the police look out for us and our neighbors take care of our properity. The cats and fish needs to be feed, the pond needs to be cleaned, the grass needs to be cut and our house plants and hanging flowers that are outside must be watered. At least this year, we do not have the vegatable garden that would need to be watered and weeded. I do miss the green beans, eggplant and squash.

Jim creates a calender/chart and each task has a price attached to it. Our neighbor's children sigh in the spot of the task that they did. All of it gets added up when we return and they get paid.

Some Packing

How do you pack when you're traveling on a motorcycle for two people that may be on the road for a month or more? Well, we have a nice size Harley Davidson to begin with that is equipped with a trunk, two saddle bags and a luggage bar above the trunk.

This is how we pack the cloth saddle bags liner that we carry in the hotel, friend or family home. To start, we take a pair of pants, lay them flat and folded leg over leg. On top of that, we put, again as flat as you can, two shirts, two sets of underwear and two pairs of socks. Roll this up as tight as you can like a jelly roll and hold together with about three rubber bands.

I am not saying that I am a tiny person, not by any means, but my pants are smaller than Jim's so I can do this three times. That is 6 days for me plus what I am wearing. I also put a sleep shirt, a pair of shorts, my bathing suit and flip flops in my saddle bag.

Hotel Cards

Can't forget the Hotel Reward Cards. We have about 15 cards. About three months ago, I called each of the hotel companies to obtain my points and to make sure the cards were still active. We always use the cards on our rides and receive points, upgrades or rewards. There have been promotions that if you stayed three nights, you received a free night or a gift card. One year, we used the free night for our anniversary in September. Another year, we both got the Sears gift card offer and purchased a microwave. I just pulled out all of the cards and will put them together with my address labels and stamps for my post cards and for paying my bills at the end of the month.

First Preparations

There are so many things to put together for a vacation/ride like this. We plan to be on the road for four(4) weeks.  My husband, Jim made several trips to AAA to get a U.S. road map and also various state maps. Since our 3 cross country rides beginning in 2007, we covered all of the states except: North Dakota, Arkansas, Oregon & Washington. We flew to Hawaii twice and Jim does not want to go to Alaska. 

The last four states needed to be included in the planning so that we can complete all 48 continuous states.Various sites to visit were decided by reviewing a United States travel book and we were also given several suggestions from friends and family. From here, a route was created, revised, revised again and again and completed. This is still only a guide because you never know what you may find on the ride. Jim, my husband used color markers or highlighter to highlight the highways and the byways. Different colors were used to identify the many Harley Davidson Shops that we may stop in. 

 He figured out the mileage and created segments of what cities we targeting to be in and on what days. This also included an estimate of riding hours. This was typed on four pages. We decided what family or friends were on the route and typed their contact information on a separate sheet. All sheets were laminated for protection. The total estimated miles are a little over 10,000.