Goin' to see the ocean

It had been too long, and the hot central valley days had me hungry for a look at the Pacific ocean and a visit with brother Frank. Time to take a two day ride, catch up with Frank, and enjoy the amazing riding to be had in the N. California coast range.

Link to Google map of route



My route included some gravel roads so I took the trusty NX250 and headed up past Monticello dam and followed Hwy 128 through the endless vineyards of Napa Valley...





...past Mt. St. Helena and into the Alexander Valley...





...then past Lake Sonoma to the start of wonderful Skaggs Springs-Stewart's Point Road, 36 miles of moto paradise in my book. I'll let the pictures tell the story.



















A few miles before reaching the Pacific Coast Hwy I turned off to try three roads new to me. First up was Tin Barn Road, which like Skaggs alternated between sunny ridge top and shady redwood forest.



After a few miles Tin Barn becomes Hauser Bridge Road. Its steep drop down to handsome Hauser Bridge is guaranteed to make you smile real big.









A few more idyllic forest miles brought me to the turn off for Cruz Ranch Road.



continued next post...

-Bill

Goin' to see the ocean, cont'd

...continued

Kruse Ranch Road is a narrow, mostly gravel path winding through dense redwood forest and ending at Hwy 1, the Pacific Coast Highway. Along the way it passes through Plantation, the site of Farm Camp, a beautiful facility that offers kids (for a spendy price) an opportunity to escape technology and experience farm work and play in a gorgeous natural setting. Their video is quite inspirational.



Past Plantation, Kruse Ranch Rd. twists and turns through deep dark forest and the Kruse Rhododendron State Preserve.





Reaching a fog shrouded Hwy 1, I headed north for a late lunch at Stewart's Point.





Continuing north, the sun was still mostly losing the battle with fog at the mouth of the Gualala River...



...but had gained the upper hand by the time I rolled into brother Frank's place where I was treated to a wonderful meal as we ate, laughed and told stories.





I slept like a log, dreaming about the day's pleasures while the sea lions barked down at the cove below. Next morning the sun was again struggling against a drizzly fog...



...but a mile or two up a steep Fish Rock Road I broke out into sunshine and the route began a series of climbs to ridge tops followed by steep drops into canyons. Fish Rock is 28 miles long, about half that length is gravel.



The low morning sun filtering through the redwoods created a mesmerizing kaleidoscope effect...



...while breaks in the trees provided a look back toward the coast and the multiple ridges I had crossed.





Again I'll let the scenery speak for itself.











Reaching Hwy 128 I turned toward home, enjoying the fantastic corkscrew sections along that part of 128.



Nearing home and surrounded by old sights I've enjoyed for decades, I rode the last few miles thinking about how lucky I am, to have such great riding so close at hand, to have wonderful family, and a wonderful wife. Life is good.



-Bill

Life appears to be really good.!

As always, I find your ride reports so inspiring. In fact, I almost always book mark them for future inspiration or reference.

Now having just ridden many of the same roads earlier in the week, I have a very important question for you: You didn't happen to find a disc lock key at any of your multiple stop spots did you?. My one and only disc lock key is somewhere out there. And now I'm going to have to cut the lock off grrrr

In all seriousness, great pics and thanks for sharing.

Thats what motorcycling is all about.

GB500guy said:

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Beautiful! I especially like this one.

What they all said ^^^

matty said:

As always, I find your ride reports so inspiring. In fact, I almost always book mark them for future inspiration or reference.

In all seriousness, great pics and thanks for sharing.

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I book mark them too.... and many other solid moments on two wheels.

Blushing. Thank you one and all.

-Bill

Really like your ride reports. Great pics,awesome bikes . Keep them coming!

Very cool.

Good stuff Bill.. Thanks for posting!

Fantastic report!

Damned fine reading, thanks!

Thanks again for the kind comments. I credit mother nature for the scenery and the road builders for the means to get out and enjoy it!

-Bill

Great photos Bill! I alway enjoy seeing your post!