Final Leg Sacramento

On Sunday morning I rode a short distance into Sacramento on Highway 50 now an eight lane freeway.  Quite a change from the past two weeks of riding across America.  Dropped the Low Rider off at Sacramento Harley-Davidson.  Handing the keys over and unpacking the bike was not an easy task.  A close bond between man and machine had been established.

Two flights and a layover created a long day on Sunday.  Waiting for my flight at the airport I dozed off for a moment.  I was riding again through the open country of the American West.  Turning in my dream to look over my shoulder for traffic my head fell to the left.  Awaking suddenly, the realization of where I was came to me...sitting in an airport...my mind and spirit still on the open road.

Back in the studio.  Working on the story for HOG.  Planning the next trip.  Freedom of the road.

live free, ride free, Carlan

Highway 50 into the Sierra

Fires in the Sierra Mountains filling the sky with smoke this morning.  Checked with Caltrans Hwy 50 was reopened.  King fire now over 76,000 acres and threatening 12,000 homes.

Short stop at Lake Tahoe.  Currently not in the direct path of the fires.  What an incredible deep blue body of water.

Around a sweeping turn in the road the small town of Twin Bridges comes into view.  Knew I was in California...a beautiful VW bus.  Met Squirrel and Jenifer owners of the Strawberry Station Market.  19 years ago Squirrel proposed to Jenifer...the engagement ring... the bus.  License plate reads "Marry Me".  Thanks Squirrel and Jenifer for the great coffee and homemade cinnamon roll!  You two are the best!  Excellent break from all the smoke.

30 miles from the end of Highway 50 tonight.  Into Sacramento tomorrow morning, drop off the bike at Sacramento Harley-Davidson, catch Southwest to ABQ.  14 days on the road.  Seems like a few minutes.  Mile after mile, thought after thought, cold and hot, fog and sun, clouds and smoke,  stop for gas, look for a place to eat and sleep, meeting so many wonderful people along the BackBone of America.  No words can express it.

live free, ride free, Carlan

Riding with the Pony Express

Highway 50 out of  Austin, NV follows the Pony Express route.  Big fires in the Sierra filled the sky with smoke this morning.  Hard to see the mountain ranges ahead.  Why would someone set the forests on fire?

 

Old ruins from the Butterfield Stage Station and Pony Express stop, New Pass Station 1861.  They built using local stones.  The Pony Express only lasted for a short time.  Riding they made over 100 miles a day.  Replaced with the telegraph, and then the railroads.  Hard to believe how fast the west was developed.

 

Gas stop at Middlegate Station.  Met  Jerry, Misty, and so may others there.  Real people, real Nevada.

Grimes Point.  Sacred hunting and gathering location dating back 7,000 years.  To walk on the earth where our ancestors  hunted and gathered so may years ago helps to bring perspective to our lives today.  Caves here were used to preserve food during the summer months.  At one time this location was used as a  trash dump for our society until the importance of this site was realized.

East of Caron City the billboards were advertising...."The Bunny Ranch"...wonder what this might be...are they raising rabbits here .... should I stop....what could this be...just another interesting part of Nevada....?

Carson City tonight...into the fires of the Sierra tomorrow.....

live free, ride free, Carlan

Ridin' with the clouds

West from Ely this morning Highway 50 becomes the "Lonest Highway in America".  The road leads straight into the clouds.

 Clouds leave small openings for pieces of light to touch the earth.

Clouds fill my frame from horizon to high over head.

Mountains create a graphic line against the cloud filled sky.

 Road side rest along the Lonest Highway, clouds are my company.

Smoke from fires mixes with clouds.

Cozy Mountain Motel.  My home away from home tonight in Austin, NV.  Ridin' with the clouds...what a beautiful day.

live free, ride free, Carlan