Oct 4 - The Incredible, One-Day Journey

Today was the second time we have made the amazing trek between San Diego and Sedona Arizona. Today's excursion terminated in wacky, wonderful, Jerome, AZ; but, the route here was identical.

While the mileage logged is only slightly north of 400 miles, the terrain drastically changes nearly a dozen times. The last time we traveled the route was from east to west and in the early spring. We encountered snow in the mountains near Prescott and desert sands closer to the Arizona border. This time we did it in reverse. It went something like this:

We awoke early; like 5am, early. We figured that's what it would take to beat the San Diego rush hour traffic. Much to our surprise, we couldn't have waited a minute later; the roads were packed in the morning blackness.

As we left the Downtown area, Garmin Electra directed us to I-15 and on to the Scripp's Poway Parkway. So we began with some metro traffic.

Abruptly, our next turn found us climbing over the mountains on a narrow, winding road called Wynola.  Keep in mind that we're avoiding the Interstates and ultimately seeking Highway 78 for a magic carpet ride through the rugged, mountain canyons and the desert wasteland that follows. Wynola Rd., Liz remarked, reminds her of Deals Gap; I agree. Tight, twisty turns are linked end to end up the rugged mountainsides.

Just as you think it can't get any better, Wynola becomes Banner Rd for another series of twists and turns. Next thing you know you have found your way to Highway 78 and you're roller-coastering your way through the jagged canyons of southern California.

Magically, the mountains slide down into desert terrain. Scant scrub and cactus dot the landscape for as far as the eye can see. But wait...off on the distant horizon it appears as though the vegetation must disappear altogether. Can that be possible? Can California be mirroring the Saraha? Sho-nuff! Just keep your seat and watch as you cross a narrow ravine and almost instantly the desert becomes totally free of flora. Huge sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see. They're complete down to the smallest detail including the little sinewy ripples that characterize sandy, desert terrain. Whoa! Did somebody forget to tell me about this...or did I just forget to recall it was here? BTW...the dunes happen about 140 miles east of San Diego on Hwy 78 near Brawley. This killer highway continues to provide multiple looks at nature until it turns north and dumps you onto I-15 for a short 9 mile ride to US 60 to begin your trek to Arizona.

Hey, folks...forgive me...I'm coming down off a high here. I really do believe if our days were numbered and we could only take a handful of future excursions, this would have to be among the top 5-6. The Arizona part is equally, if not more thrilling than that Cali portion because it's so freakin' diverse. Literally, you go from rugged desert to sandstone rock canyons to Saguaro laden landscapes and finish with not one, but two climbs into the mountains of Prescott and Jerome. Nuff said...I'll just stop there and offer a few snaps of the happy, haunted, hippy-hamlet turned awesome artist colony, Jerome Arizona.

Our accommodations - haunted, I might add!

Nothing is level in Jerome

Dinner at the FlatIron

From our hotel window...Jethro meets Jerome

No wasted space here

That's the Grand Hotel top left

Jerome lifestyle accommodations

Artsy-fartsy shops abound

Headed for two (2) nights in Santa Fe...stay tuned...

Oct 1-3 - On driving in California

On Driving in California

In a word..."traffic."

Can we talk? Really...this is not our first Rodeo Dr. in California. We've been to California almost every year for the past six (6). So navigating the treacherous trails and travails of the Golden State is not something new. We have also ridden every inch of Highway 1...but...never contiguously. That still holds true, but we did ride it pretty much straight through from Sonoma to San Diego over these past three days. So, now that's completed, there's good news and bad news. Would we do it again? Give us about 5-10 years rest and ask us again. LOL

Some quick stats from the three day excursion:

• 876,932,103 vehicles counted
• 526,394,215 Mercedes
• 204,136,784 Toyotas
• 101,264,832 Bentleys, Teslas, Maseratis, Ferraris
•   45,136,271 Various SUVs and Minis
• and Jethro
• 6,342,017 traffic signals - 13 were green as we approached
• Three (3) types of Pacific Coast Hwy drivers
• Type 1 - travel at 25-28 mph and brake at every bend or corner in the road (aka "tourist")
• Type 2 - travel at the posted speed limit (geek, nerd, yours truly)
• Type 3 - travel at the highest speed possible with no regard for the posted speed limit (locals)
• The positioning of any given group of vehicles
• Type 1 in the lead
• Type 2 following
• Type 3 bringing up the rear
• Thought process of the drivers
• Type 1 - Oblivion, no regard for multiple posted signage - "Slower Vehicles Must Use Pullouts"
• Type 2 - Give me a break!
• Type 3 - Maximum Intimidation. Make the slower drivers regret ever slipping behind the wheel!!!
• Headlamps during dawn, dusk or foggy conditions - Optional
• Maximum following or tailgating distance - less than one (1) car length
• Fast lane - any partially open or temporarily unoccupied lane
• Signaling before changing lanes - Forget that!

So what do people do that have to face this insanity day in and day out, year after year? 

Invent games, of course. 

Here's an example of one of the Golden State Highway games:

Objective: Change lanes as many times as possible while ultimately giving yourself only a 10 yard or one car advantage. 

Emphasis of the game: persistently weave from lane to lane fully realizing the entire freeway is packed solid and there is no possible way of materially reducing your transit time.

Points are awarded as follows:

• Maximum lane changes with minimal ground gained - 100 points
• Three (3) lane change - 25 bonus points
• Reverse direction change(s) - right then left or left then right - 25 bonus points
• Faking a left lane change and making a right lane change - 40 point bonus
• Frightening/intimidating another motorist - 75 point bonus

Points deductions are as follows:

• Signalling - 50 point deduction
• Passing because there are open lanes ahead and an opportunity for material advancement - 50 point deduction 
• Clearing the car you're passing by more than 3 feet - 25 point deduction
• Making any sensible maneuver or any move that might be easily mistaken for a sensible maneuver - 100 point deduction
• Following another vehicle at any speed by more that 1/2 car length - 100 point deduction
• Yielding to any other motorist for any reason - 500 point deduction
• Acknowledging there is a posted speed limit - 500 point deduction
• Driving a Mercedes, Bently, Maserati or the equivalent without participating in the game - suspension of your license for 3 months.

Game Over: 

Your score is monitored by satellite and you receive perpetual updates on your cellular device. You are obliged to constantly monitor your phone at all times while driving during the game. The game ends when you exit the freeway or highway. A final, one-time, daily 1000 point bonus can salvage an, otherwise, poor performance if you can wait until the last possible millisecond and cross at least three (3), occupied lanes as you whip onto the exit ramp.

As you can tell, these are serious games for serious players. All we had to do was survive roughly 650 miles of this sport over the course of three (3) consecutive days. Why three days, you ask? Because it takes 8-9 hours to travel 200+ miles along the Pacific Coast Highway. Of course, included in that time is meals, mental health breaks and the opportunity in invest in the ever spiraling gasoline economy of California. That' right, folks...drive up to any pump you choose and take out a loan. Your $4.00++ gasoline is ready and waiting for you. 

So why subject yourself to such debauchery, you might ask? Well, for one thing the drive is spectacular! Right now, especially, the ice plant is red and the wildflowers are in bloom. I guess September is just a special time here; every road side pullout is packed. You can't even find a place to pull over and enjoy the view. Perhaps you've noticed I have no snaps to share. You've got to go this one on your own.

We did stop at another of your favorite haunts, Morro Bay. I don't know what it is all about any more than I know what Bandon Oregon is about. I suppose tourism is the main income source followed by some commercial fishing. The town is only somewhere around 10K and shrinking in population. That said, it is a totally cool spot to stop, visit and eat along the wharf. It is named after a huge hill-shaped rock formation in the harbor; morro in Spanish.

The morro in the distance is the namesake

Some fishing and tourist boating fills the coffers

Hey...a gals gotta eat somewhere...

...here's where we choose!

We pulled into Goleta with the intention of kicking around Santa Barbara, one of our fav spots. For starters...we were beat up from the trip down the coast. Thus, we decided to head into Santa Barbara for breakfast the next morning. Of course, it decided to rain the following AM, so we got an entirely different perspective of the city than we had before; morning rush hour. It truly is a gorgeous area and well worth spending some quality time just kicking around.

The last day of the trip took us along the coast from Santa Barbara to San Diego. We skirted LA while traveling through almost every household named romantic Cali-Seaside town: Malibu, Venice Beach, Ventura, Oxnard, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Hermosa Beach, Topanga, Sunset, Huntington, Newport, Long Beach and the list goes on...

...exhausted, we did an early dinner and crashed in San Diego.

Stay tuned...

Sep 28-30 - Jordan and Amanda Become One

Friends and family...I must say that sometimes you experience things that just can't be captured with words or pictures; you just had to be there. That's exactly what occurred this past weekend at Jordan and Amanda's wedding. I've never experienced anything like it before and probably never will again. I don't care how old or young they were, everyone there experienced love, devotion and marriage in its purest and most sincere form. Now the two continue their life's journey as pair-well-bonded.

Jordan and Amanda...we love you both...we thank you both for sharing the experience with us...and we wish for you nothing less than life's richest blessings.
Much love,
Dad and Liz

After hugging Jordan, Amanda and her family goodbye last night, we went back to our friendly neighborhood farmhouse in south Sonoma. Our VRBO hosts had a daughter who was into FFA. She raised not only a grand champion bull, but sheep and chickens. Perhaps, I'd forgotten what roosters enjoy doing at dawn's early light. I'm now well reminded. In fact, and on multiple occasions, Liz and I gave serious thought how much we might enjoy a hearty chicken dinner. Again, I digress. We crashed and burned exhausted from the weekend's emotional intensity. For some strange unknown reason, Rodney Rooster seemed to understand and gave us a break this morning. At least he waited until 7:00AM to commence with his infernal bellowing! Give me a break!!

After delivering Rodney his last rites, we packed and began our leisure, laid-back, casual drive through San Francisco and its benign byways brimming with mild-mannered, maniacal, motoring morons. It was a serenely perfect way for us to unwind as we began our trek home. Only five hours were required to travel 160 miles to our Monterrey destination. In all fairness we did travel a great portion of Skyline Blvd and stopped to "get anything we want at Alice's Restaurant." Yum...always a treat.

Like a couple of wind-up toys, you can expect Liz and I to perform the same thing almost every time we hit the California coast. One guarantee is a trip to (arguably, but almost certainly) the most serenely beautiful restaurant on planet earth - Rocky Point Restaurant. It's right on Highway 1 about 7-8 miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea and north of Big Sur. It's possibly the most scenic spot on the highway. Enough, already! So we always have to go there whenever we're within a couple hundred miles. Today was no exception.

Every table and seat in this amazing structure looks out over the rocky coastline.

Each evening huge stadium fixtures light up the rocky coast and surf...simply breathtaking!

I was introduced to this incredible place almost 40 years ago. I've taken friends and family here on multiple occasions. Every one of you reading this must go here before you die - no excuses!

There's both indoor and patio seating available...

...we just love the patio for lunch. Here's our corner table...romantic, huh?

Just in case you were wondering what Lizzy Love is looking at...

Each time we visit it seems to get more beautiful...

...the owners take immaculate care and make frequent, tasteful upgrades.

Mother Nature makes a pretty fair contribution, too!

The food is as amazing as the views. Fresh California fare and a menu to die for is the style offered here. Before, during or after your meal, you can stroll around the grounds and breathe in the sea air.

 I have to tell you a story about Jethro, "The Man." Believe it or not, he's quite a looker and catches some eyes; perhaps, even some eyes you'd rather he not catch. As we were leaving Carmel after buying some cheap gas (cough, choke, sputter), we were caught at a traffic signal. Beside us, a Carmel police officer pulls to a stop and we notice he's giving us a huge once over. Deciding not to look to shy or suspicious, I look over right into his steely blue eyes. He looks away as if he's re-reading Jethro's name emblazoned on the front quarter panel. Then he looks straight back at me. After nodding in the direction of Jethro's name, he breaks into an approving smile and raises his gun hand to give me a "thumbs-up!" It was all I could do to control Jethro...let alone Liz.

Jethro hangin' with the Harley dudes

Jethro, just bein' Jethro...

Stay tuned...

Sep 20-22 - Savoring Sedona

Folks, we've done some fairly serious off-roading with our boy, Jethro, but nothing so far has compared with hitting-the-dirt in and around Sedona Arizona. The road surfaces (can you call them that?) are just about as unpredictable as you can imagine. On the flip-side, the payoffs are amazing.

Our first adventure took us up Schnebly Hill Road. In a way, this is an old friend from way back. It's just that this is the first time we've become intimately acquainted. Here's the story:

Seems like back in the day when many of the Arizona towns and settlements were established, it was not uncommon for the town to be named after its postmaster. In this case the postmaster was Theodore Schnebly. Some claim his last name was too long; others claim it was simply too awkward for a town name. Regardless which story is true, the town was named after his wife who had the lovely name, Sedona. The road we traversed, however, was obviously named after Postmaster Schnebly. This was, perhaps, our 10th visit to Sedona; we fell in love with it on out first trip here in 2011. We've always wanted to traverse the legendary Schnebly Hill Road, but were too chicken to attempt it on our bikes. After this adventure, we're rather glad we waited for Jethro...here's a quick look why:

Remember - Click the Pic

We spent most of the trip being slammed against the doors and ceiling. Jethro just laughed.

There was almost never a break...mile after mile

This was not Liz's cup o' tea

The payoffs, however...

...were spectacular!

Undaunted, we made two more adventurous treks: 1) Broken Arrow and 2) Vultee Arch. Each was thrilling!

After Schnebly Hill, we were a bit tentative. Liz, in particular, didn't feel the jostling around was either a) fun or b) worth repeating. That's not to say she's not up for some great off-road adventure. Rather, it was the constant, never-ending, perpetual, persistent, continuous, sustained pounding of the rough, exposed rocky surface that she found mildly annoying. That said...off we go up Broken Arrow. Like a good tourmeister and loving husband, I was so attentive to her needs, I never snapped a shot. So...

...I stole a couple of shots from Pink Jeep Tours to show you where we were and why I forgot to grab my camera.

When we reached this spot, we were ready to turn around. But, as luck would have it, these Pink Jeep Tours came by and we watched and learned.

I figured the Jeep tour guides put their pants on one leg at a time just like me...

...so off we went. Not too bad, I must say. Our ascent (and descent) was smoother and with less skidding than theirs. However, I was not trying to give Liz extra spills and chills for a big tip - dontchasee?  We both loved it!!

So...the next day found us headed off to Vultee Arch just north of Sedona. After having earned a few stripes on my driving uniform, I was a bit more composed and remembered to snap some remembrances.  Here goes:

Ho hum. They all start this way...

...yawn...

...let's check this out closer...

...ok, easy does it...that's about a 14" curb there...

...hey Jethro, you loving' this yet?

You betcha...

...keep it coming!!

Long story short...we had a blast! And, I might add, so did Jethro. Here's some of the sights you can see after you earn the right.

Just goes to prove...

...Sedona is gorgeous...

...from any angle...

...and from any perspective...

...she just loves to show her beauty!

See you next in California!! Stay tuned...

Sep 19a - Monument Valley

We have traveled US 163 beside Monument Valley several times. This, however, was our first time to venture into the park, pay the fee, and take the dirt trail in and among the monuments. I am reminded of earlier proclamations regarding how easily I can become overwhelmed by too much of the same kind of scenery. This, then, is yet another example. Each massive, monumental, masterpiece is enthralling. This many all clustered together makes it almost impossible to take in. Perhaps, I'm just nuts that way. There is not one that is so different and distinct that I can recall it as I write this text; and...the visit was only three (3) days ago. I'm sure I'll be reminded as I load each image, but for now...they just run together. That's another way of saying that Monument Valley is another Grand Canyon.  By that, I mean, 2-3 times per lifetime is enough for me.

I might add that September is the new August when it comes to travel. Perhaps, it's old codgers like us that have no jobs to return to or kids to put into school, but the vacation period in the good ole US of A certainly extends into September. And, I might add, the conversion of every vehicle known to mankind into some kind of "SUV" means that no road is untraveled.

Nuff said...here's some photographic proof that we were where we said we were.

As if it required extra drama...

...the silhouette of Monument Valley from US 163 is unmistakable!

Still unclear what natural phenomenon created this scene...rain? wind? hmmm? Cool, though!

After paying our park fee...the monumental journey begins...

...sorry, I don't know the names of these massive formations.

While each is uniquely special...

...the similarity, perhaps in size...

...begins to make each one...

...just a touch to similar to the one(s) before

Holy cow! I'm feeling like some kind of critic of nature here. Please forgive me...hey...I think they're all amazing! Here's another:

This is the Beatles': "The Long and Winding Road"

I think that may be the inspiration for the Statue of Liberty there in the middle

While we traveled from the Moki Dugway to Mexican Hat and on to Monument Valley, we continued to encounter this strange militaristic vehicle along the way. We became fascinated and began to formulate all kinds of crazy scenarios and uses for such a strange, vehicular "morphodite." After multiple observations we postulated the following:

1. It, and we presume its occupants, are visiting here from Austria (license plate)
2. It is a Mercedes (insignia)
3. It must be hugely expensive (size...and it's a Mercedes)
4. It must have cost a fortune to ship it over here (bulk)
5. The owners must be taking one helluva road trip (would you ship this thing somewhere if you weren't?)
6. The owners apparently don't feel we offer the kind of off-road vehicles to suit their tastes
7. It is totally ridiculous "Overkill!"
8. I kinda like it...

Easy, Jethro...we don't know what that is either.

East bound and down, loaded up and trucking' - we're gonna do what they say can't be done...

got a long way to go and a short time to get there, east bound...watch ole Bandit run!

Next three (3) days and four (4) nights in Sedona...stay tuned!