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Saline Valley Thanksgiving 2013

No more stalling, it is time to go home. We have our minds right and head north up the 1.

There is no way we can o up the 1 without stopping in at Swantons Berry Farm for coffee and pie.
If you are unfamiliar with this place put it on the list of must visits! Located near Davenport, the store operates on an honor system so bring small bills and prepare for a delicious experience. :drool

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The Bossdog feels patriotic after running on the beach and chasing balls.

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With the sweet taste of pie in our mouths we load up and move out. Home in an hour and a half.
 
About struggle, adventure, and the cost benefit ratio of motorcycling in remote harsh environments:

Is it worth it? HELL YES!!!!!

I believe that struggle is part of the adventure and is rarely remembered as difficult as it may have been at the time.

I've also ordered a new copy of the book "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakaur as a reminder of how bad decisions can accumulate into disaster.

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All parties with the exception of the Sportsmobile have been accounted for,
Bear has since fixed his truck with U-joints he purchased once home.

I'll leave us with a story about the Sportsmobile.

As we all took a break from shoveling, winching, and extracting the owner of the Falco van made a comment to Don (Sportsmobile guy.)
Falco "I bet you paid an arm and a leg for that truck"
Sportsmobile "No, just an eye."

Winds up the van was part of a settlement over an accident that resulted in the loss of sight in one eye.

My SO looked at me and sighed, he lost an eye in 2007 not only did we not get a Sportsmobile but we burned through most of our life savings.

Life's not fair so you better live it well while you have it!!
 
I long for an adventure... for now I will savor yours instead, for your report has evoked the same feelings.

Thank You :)
 
I love Swantons. I had a magical moment there on the AIDS LifeCycle in 2011. :thumbup
 
Hey G!

Great ride report!
Epic T-Day in Saline Valley, 2013 ... sorry we missed it ...
Were there any other motorcycle people this year, other
than you guys?
Thanks for posting!
see you around the campfire,
-- SFMCjohn
 
planegray said:
I long for an adventure... for now I will savor yours instead, for your report has evoked the same feelings.

Thank You :)
Click to expand...

I'm glad I could bring you along; as you know I've always had a soft spot for you, thanks for popping in and enjoying this with me.

sfcootz said:
I love Swantons. I had a magical moment there on the AIDS LifeCycle in 2011. :thumbup
Click to expand...

I always feel as if I leave there like a 5 year old with sweet berry pie smeared all around my mouth and down my shirt. So worth it!!! :drool

SFMCjohn said:
Hey G!

Great ride report!
Epic T-Day in Saline Valley, 2013 ... sorry we missed it ...
Were there any other motorcycle people this year, other
than you guys?
Thanks for posting!
see you around the campfire,
-- SFMCjohn
Click to expand...

Jcrocker said:
Thanks for sharing this , !
Click to expand...

Thanks John!!
As always, Bear brought his plated XR400. There was also one lone band of KTMs ducking in before the finishing leg of Barstowe to Vegas. Three of them, 2 990 ADvs and a 690, they came in via Lipincott and went out over Steel. The North Pass would have been difficult on a bike as there was quite a bit of ice past 5000 feet.

I don't envy those big Clydesdales in all that rock, the guy on the 690 looked the freshest.

Hope to see you next year!

Thanks for coming along for the ride :ride
 
All I can think about is "what happened to the sportsmobile...". Sounds like you guys had one heck of an adventure.
 
I think he's still up on the mountain :laughing
 
Jenn said:
Great report, Gwen!

I had a much less satisfying adventure missing my airplane and sitting on my ass all Thanksgiving weekend. Wish I could have gone help shovel with you guys!
Click to expand...

Thanks Jenn,
It really wasn't fun while it was happening but in hindsight, I kinda wish I was doing it again right now.

I would give my eyeteeth to be able to sit on a rock above Saline Valley and just sit and observe nature.
 
ThumperX said:
Now that we are out of the valley it's time to beat feet and head home. WE drive down Death Valley Road to 168 and reach Big Pine. Although it's not that super late, it's dark, cold, and we're hungry.
We ask the GPS the quickest route home and it advises us to go north on 395 to Reno, catch 80 and head south. We can be home in 7 hours and 6 minutes :|
I check the weather in Truckee where we will most likely stop and it says -2 degrees!!! :wow

FFFFFFF********** that! :x

and who says we're ready to be home yet anyway?

Driving south on 395 we plan on merging onto 14 through Bakersfield and picking up the I5. :zzz

We've had enough for one day and decide to pull over for some well deserved sleep.
Click to expand...

Garmin did that to me when I camped out at racetrack this thanksgiving. I was too tired at 8 pm and just took its recommendation and drove through reno. Wish there was a shorter route!
 
Hey ThumperX,

Always love re-reading this ride report this time of year ... :ride

Happy Thanksgiving!
see you around
the campfire (not at Saline Valley hot springs ... :()
-- SFMCjohn
 
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Nice report G

First time I went to Saline Valley I had no idea what/where it was. Some college friends said they heard about some hot springs and decided to do our yearly camping trip there.

I looked it up on the map (early 90s, pre common internet), filled up my pretty new to me old Guzzi (and new to riding) and took off from Sacramento with a friend on a 1970 CB750. I had my (now) wife on the back. When down 395 and eventually came in from the south. Fortunately a buddy brought our camping gear in a truck.

I'll say this: a 1970s Guzzi with low bolt on clubman bars, stiff suspension, and a passenger with a very inexperienced rider (never off road) was not really ready for Saline Valley Road..We made it, on gas fumes, worried about navigation, how long it was taking... I was so glad to get off that bike.

loud humping donkeys, crazy tent destroying winds, military jets, hot pools, nekkid hippies, sight lines for miles, good times.

Quite an experience for a sheltered suburban boy, I've been by there since, but that 1st trip will always stand out.
 
I have not been to Saline Valley =( Looks like fun I went everywhere but Saline Valley when I went to DV.
 
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