Redwood State & National Parks

Amazing.

So much fun to ride through.

Epic to behold.

628.1 miles

Ukiah, CA to Irvine, CA via the 101 with a detour on the Pacific Coast Highway (CA Hwy 1) from San Francisco to Half Moon Bay.

I got to ride the Golden Gate Bridge.

The coastal mountains in California cause funny things to happen with the weather. I rode through multiple intense climate changes as a traversed the landscape. I had to put my rain gear on again, but not to stay dry, just cause I needed another layer again to stay warm.

Tomorrow afternoon after work and some R&R, we will regroup and end this 4 Corners Tour by riding down to the Mexico border and back.

Note: My miles/route will differ from Kent and Troy for today.

The Golden Gate Bridge
Fogged over and windy, but still awesome to see and ride.

Statistically speaking I thought it was certain that our ride through the Northwest states of Washington and Oregon would be a wet one - especially considering our previous luck with the rain.

I was surprised after our first two days that we had no rain, and in the morning as I left Albany, OR a look in the sky made me certain that we had avoided the inevitable for too long and the rain was out to get us.

However, I rode for ours in the cloudy gloom with no drops from the sky.

And as I approached Grants Pass I could see the end of the clouds and blue sky.

I am amazed.  We beat the odds.

580.6 miles

Albany, OR to Ukiah, CA via Redwood Highway.

Amazing things today that won’t be summarized here.

Note: My miles/route for today is different than Kent/Troy’s because we are taking different routes down California.

Once again I have parted ways from Kent and Troy.

While they are keeping with the original route of I-5 South until near San Francisco and Jumping over to the 101 South, I have been convinced to take the scenic Redwood Highway from Grants Pass, OR to Crescent City, CA and take the 101 down the Northern California coast.

I’ll meet back up with the guys in Orange County on Thursday and we will ride to the Mexico border and complete the 4 Corners Tour together.

I hope Kent gets a photo of Mount Shasta - the main thing I am sacrificing with my route change.

Ride safe.

665.1 miles.

Moses Lake, WA to Albany, OR via Blaine, WA.

Washington is another fine state. We were treated with just about the best weather possible. A little chilly at times, but great.

Oregon will let you pump your own fuel if you are on a motorcycle, but the attendant has to be there with you.

So far the first 100 or so miles of Oregon has been in the dark, looking forward to the morning’s ride to finish the state in the daylight.

It’s all Southbound between corners 3 & 4.

Blaine, Washington

The most Northwestern city in the Contiguous United States.

Corner #3 of our 4 Corners cross country tour.

Done.

Fiamma Burger - Bellingham, WA

I stopped for lunch at this gourmet hamburger joint that was recommended to me by other MetaFilter members when I posted our route.

It’s the type of place that has 21 specialty burgers on the menu and most look like they could be your new favorite hamburger, although some are out there - a salmon burger may sound good to you, but not for me.

Well, I’ve finished my burger and sweet potato fries and I am only 30 minutes South of Corner #3 in Blaine, WA so I feel anxious to ride on…