Our Epic 8 day road trip on the Harley this year was a scenic drive through northern California, Tahoe, Nevada and Mammoth. Initially inspired by a
motorycle road website. We planned our stops around scenic routes, old historical towns, and, of course, Lake Tahoe. The trip was scheduled for May, to celebrate our 29th Anniversary, but work and rainy weather forced us to reschedule to June. Usually a mild month for weather, but not this year: home was a scorching 100* plus temps. This also changed our plans to travel in Nevada. The plan was to take the Historical Route 50 aka, the loneliest road in the west, but with the high temps, that's not going to happen this time.
But, no worries, we got our FIX: My desire to explore new places, and Danny's love for riding.
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| Our view from the balcony. |
Day 1 Morning drive through Ahwanee, Ca. for breakfast and a Bloody Mary at
The Hitching Post . Leaving here, feeling more relaxed and ready to get to vacationing, we head up the curvy 49 into the small scenic towns, now a bit dryer from the drought. Our first night is at the
Cary House Motel in Placerville, Ca aka The Old Hangtown. A historical old brick motel originally built in 1857, has all the charm you'd expect from an old building. The town is quiet and small, boasting of great restaurants, boutiques and antique shops. We picked up cheese and wine from the merchants next door, and enjoyed them on the brick and ivy-covered, shared courtyard hidden in the back. Resting for a couple hours then walking down the street to find the only restaurant open is an authentic Italian eatery with original brick stove.... fabulous food!
enjoying our wine on the cozy courtyard
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| View in the morning, feels like we're apart of an old Western. |
Day 2: Packed up and ready to leave to be at the
Harley-Davidson shop in Folsom by 9 am. Taking the scenic route as advised by a local in the wine tasting room last night....
we take the Green Valley road to Blue Ravine Road that takes us into Folsom, avoiding the busy Hwy 50.
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| the only time he likes to clothes shop :) |
Danny picked up a couple T-shirts, one for Kyle and himself and I get my Harley hip-bag, which later proves to be a great purchase.
Traveling north on Hwy 49, through back roads, avoiding traffic was fun but a little warm and dryer due to the drought in Ca. We took a turn in Grass Valley and headed for Hwy 70 to gain some miles. Finally, arriving in the foothills, still a couple hours from our destination we stop at Scooters Cafe in Orville for some lunch and very cold beers. I'm not usually a beer drinker but loved their local pale ale on tap.
The Feather river Brewery.
.... and all is well in the world.
The following miles on hwy 89 are covered with large sweeping turns,
pine trees, with glimpses of the Lake Almanor, and lonely roads..... perfect on a Harley!
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| Lake Almanor behind the trees seemed to go on forever |
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| Back patio of St. Bernard's Lodge |
The
St Bernard Lodge is a pleasant site along the long lonely road just west of Lake Almanor and south of
Lassen National Park. We didn't visit the park, but I found porous stone surrounding the lodge on my morning walk.
The St. Bernard's Lodge is a rustic Bed & Breakfast Inn with knotty pine interior, large comfortable furniture and old country charm to make you immediately feel welcome. Jim & Sharon, owner/operators of the Lodge were very kind and helpful during our short stay. This night turned out of be a memorable night. Jim is a terrific chef, and invited us to play on his custom pool table in their beautiful bar after dinner. What a fun night! Sharon tended bar in between giving us points of interest and a great route for tomorrow's ride.
I suggest to ask the locals for great scenic rides, and places to stop and eat.
We didn't have any bad advice on this trip.
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| Trying to bring back those old skills. |
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check out their old cash register
We talk about coming here with a group of riders and renting out the entire lodge for a long weekend....who's in? |
Day 3: this drive was so breathtaking and impossible to capture the beauty in pics; especially, when using a cell phone from the back of the bike. Every turn was lush, grassy landscape, Old Barns with quilts painted on their doors, old abandoned tractors and trucks, then the Feather River winding in and out of our road.
Our directions from Sharon were as follows:
- Take 89 south to Greenville, Left turn on Main Street, veer right to Indian valley Arm.
- go into Taylorsville, good sandwiches, follow signs to Genesee and Antelope Lake.
- Watch for the Heart K Ranch with the Large Red Barn and Barn Quilt on their doors.
-enjoy a rest by Antelope Lake and follow the signs to Susanville and Hwy 395 to get you to Carson city, NV.
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| Barn Door Quilt |
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| Love the old trucks on the side of the road. |
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| Selfies! |
Still Day 3: took the Antelope Lake Loop per Sharon's suggestion. Great spot to get off the bike and go down to the water and watch the fishing boats.
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| Antelope Lake |
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| Burnt out trees from past fire |
End of Day 3: Carson City, NV..... we're here!
Hardman House, just down the street from the Capital and old downtown. On our search for unique places to stay this was a great choice. The motel is lacking the welcoming exterior apperance, but with the excitement just blocks away, it was the prefect location for some Nevada Nighttime fun....Bars close at owner's discretion.
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| Leaning in for our close up :) |
Just around the corner we find the Carson Cigar Co....so many choices....
Day 4: Heading to Lake Tahoe, with a stop in Genoa, NV at the oldest Bar in the state for Bloody Mary's.....Do you start to see a possible theme to our trip? stay in unique old towns, discover great scenic routes, and find the best Bloody Mary.
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| Me with my new Harley Hip Bag....dorky, yet handy. |
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| over 100 years worth of dust.... |
Known as one of the original stops for the Pony Express.
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| It's not a glamorous way to travel, but it sure is fun. |
Time to head up the Kingsbury Grade (hwy 207) to South Shore Lake Tahoe with the most amazing views.
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| view of Tahoe Valley from the Kingsbury Grade. |
Mid-Day 4 we find our home for the next 4 days at the
968 Park Hotel in South Lake Tahoe. We stayed here before, so the familiarity is comforting. We like the access to the state line and being just far enough off the main strip to enjoy the quiet, yet within walking distance of anything we may need. Also meets the parking requirement for the bike: covered garage.
Returning guests also can get a 30% discount, just for the asking. check their website.
After a short rest in our room, we head out for dinner.
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| Margaritas and appetizers at Azul's. |
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| fish tacos and beef burritos.... all organic and oh so delicious. |
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| oooohhhh, Margaritas! |
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| Temps drop quickly in Tahoe |
Day 5: Our ride-free day.... time to just play, relax and enjoy Tahoe.
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| $40 buys you the most scenic views from 12,000 feet. |
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| Views from the Observation Deck |
At the top of Heavenly you'll see all the activities: Zip-line, rope Course,Rock wall, and lots of trails. This is not just a tourist attraction, but local buy season passes and get their workouts in with all the beautiful trails.
And, a massive bar..... where I found Danny...
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| Not us :) |
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| time to head back down the hill |
For happy hour we decide to find the Irish Pub that Danny remembers coming to with his buddies a few years back....it was just a small pub back then, but we find it's moved down the street and it's grown into this:
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| Danny enjoying his dark porter beer at Mc P's |
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| A gal's always thankful for some dress-up time after long day's ride. |
Day 6: Inspired by a "Reno to Nevada loop" found on Motorcycle Roads website, we head North on the 89, to the North end of the lake.
We have breakfast burritos and strong coffee at a funky little local spot, the Java Hut in Kings Beach. (no bloody Mary's? you ask). Continuing on 49 North into Loyalton, then east on the 70 through Portola, then back to 89 south through Sierraville and Truckee.
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| Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe |
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| Loyalton, CA |
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| A Lonely Graveyard, random in the middle of nowhere |
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| Danny with his "rolling sofa" |
This time, avoiding the usual Tahoe traffic, we head back to our starting point via the hwy 28/50 on the Nevada or East side of Lake Tahoe.
End of day 6 and Back in Tahoe in the late afternoon, we eat at a local Taco joint close by for dinner. Then we settle into our motel lounge with our bottle of wine and listen to a local singer: Mic Smith.
Day 7: time to leave Lake Tahoe and travel to Mammoth Lakes. We decide to take the
Kingsbury Grade again, but cut off to the 206S by Mottsville and avoid the 395 for awhile. Keep south on the 206 til you get to 88 and take it south and take 88 south by
Woodfords into Markleville for lunch at Ali's Cafe and a drink at the Cutthroat Bar...We've been here before, but forgot it doesn't open til 11am..... we'll wait :)
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| Waiting on his Bloody.... they make 'em good here. |
Today's ride is an amazing change in scenery. Markleeville, although very small town, is a huge attraction for bikers, car enthusiasts, and hikers, due to it's location. So, the drive out of here is slow and cautious.
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| Harvesting alfafa hay |
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| Very pretty farmland |
staying on the 89, until we connect with the 395 just north of Bridgeport, Ca.
Glimpses of snow on the mountains, lets us know we're getting close to Mammoth. But sadly, not enough for this time of year.
Danny takes a quick detour around the June Lake Loop before the Mammoth Lakes.
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| A great place to ride horses, too. |
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| June Lake |
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| Random history of June Lake. |
End of Day 7 arrive at our final home-away-from-home, the Shilo Mammoth Inn. It's an easy find off the freeway, and far enough away from the Mammoth Village to keep the congestion down. Honestly, not very appealing on the exterior, so I worry that we're gonna end on a bad note. But, the lobby is large, the staff is accommodating and our room is also, very nice & roomy, with a sofa & mini kitchen.
We hear this is the main connecting motel for all the shuttles for the activities during winter and summer. This month, June, is Monster Motocross..... NO, I didn't know that! dang it.... next year.
After a short break we are back on the bike to see the Mammoth Lakes: Mamie, Mary, Twin lakes ..... just 5 minutes up the road.
We're still smiling.... after these miles and all these years. Loving this vacation together.
Better get back to our room and rest for our last day's ride.... it's gonna be another good one through Yosemite to home.
We'll need to leave early to beat the afternoon heat in our hometown of Hanford, Ca.
Day 8: homeward bound... Just a few miles north we connect to the Tioga Pass hwy 120 in Lee Vining. There's 3 entry points into Yosemite. But, this will be the first time for us to take this one. I think we took the most photos on this day. When you come around the corner and each new scene seems more spectacular than the last, you just can't resist. so, bare with me....
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| Tioga Peek |
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| Tioga Lake (or Lee Vining Creek) |
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| El Capitan |
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| My amazing hubby, safe travel partner, and his trusty steed. |
thank you.... if you stayed with me through this entire post.
It was an amazing ride that we didn't want to forget. After a week it was difficult to recall all the turns. Hope to do it again. Next year may take us on a coastal trip up to Oregon and Washington.
thank you for joining us, Danny & Annetta Stacy
