A Couple Little Rides to Trinity County

[GeoNorskie]

Yesterday and the weekend before, made little day trips through Trinity County. The weekend before, we'd intended to ride to the coast and back, but didn't make it that far, as we made more/longer stops for food, pix, kicking the tires, etc. That ride started at J's Market in Old Shasta. As usual these days, we have to start with a beauty shot of Guy's Moto Guzzi.



Headed out 299 over Buckhorn, then 3 to Hayfork. It was a bit chilly, but there was little traffic. The stretch of 3 that was chip sealed last year is now PERFECT. We popped in to Irene's for breakfast, and then managed to get back on the bikes despite imminent food comas. Some of the crew.




After breakfast, we split off from the rest of the guys and headed west on 36, planning to check if FR-1/Titlow Hill Road was open all the way. It was! Yea! Quite a bit of the usual debris - rocks, rocks mixed with pine cones (which is which? ), and fallen trees partially across the road - but quite a lovely ride.



Taking turns posing at the official pashnit "FR-1 Trinity Alps Overlook".





con't...

[GeoNorskie]

Once we hit 299, we were feeling a bit droopy, so we hung a right and headed back east. For a little perk up, we stopped at the Straw House Cafe in Big Flat. This is a GREAT spot for a mid-way break on 299 between the coast and Redding. The view from their porch is fantastic and very relaxing.



Guy takes in that view.




After our refreshing break, we continued east to the ghost town of Helena. It was established in 1849 by miners, and I think was last inhabited in the 1930s. It's just 1/4 mile off 299 up the North Fork of the Trinity, and the old buildings are right beside the road. Definitely worth a side trip if you're on 299.





The road through Helena.



That house was so interesting, I returned the next weekend for further exploring.

con't...

[GeoNorskie]

So, the next trip to Helena was all about the old buildings - no moto pix, sorry. Here's the backside of that old house. This was the only old farm implement I saw.



The old barn door.




Lots of opportunities for window shots and to wonder who lived there and why they chose that wall paper and what they did there in Helena...




Another place.







This must have been the fireplace for the grand mansion!




At the end of the day, the locals again had Helena all to themselves.

[jmooduc]

Great pics! You are so fortunate to live and ride in that neck of the woods.
But my favourite pic is the close up of the Moto Guzzi.

[RobertVP]

Thanks for the pics and report!

I'll try to make time to see Helena when I am in the neighborhood in July.

Count yourself very fortunate to live so close to such awesome roads!

[Ally House]

Nice stuff, and some good pics in there. I often do that sort of wondering, too.

[Papa-Ken]

Very nice Bonnie. Brings back lots of memories from times gone bye......Ken

[Girl O' Flight]

Great pics, Bonnie! I'd love to explore that old ghost town! Enjoyed the shots of the old buildings! Really interesting!
Everything is so green and lush too! Here it is a lovely shade of brown already....

[GeoNorskie]

Originally Posted by jmooduc

Great pics! You are so fortunate to live and ride in that neck of the woods....But my favourite pic is the close up of the Moto Guzzi.

Thanks, Dick! You have nice riding up there, too, don't you? We're going to be up your way, and ride around Vancouver Island, in early September. Wave if you see the Guzzi.

Originally Posted by RobertVP

Thanks for the pics and report!

I'll try to make time to see Helena when I am in the neighborhood in July.

Count yourself very fortunate to live so close to such awesome roads!

Thanks, Robert! Hope you have a good ride in July - bring the cooling vest!

Originally Posted by Ally House

Nice stuff, and some good pics in there. I often do that sort of wondering, too.

Thanks, Ally! See you soon.....

Originally Posted by Papa-Ken

Very nice Bonnie. Brings back lots of memories from times gone bye......Ken

Thanks, Ken! As I posted, I wondered if you had a tale of Helena.

Originally Posted by Girl O' Flight

Great pics, Bonnie! I'd love to explore that old ghost town! Enjoyed the shots of the old buildings! Really interesting!
Everything is so green and lush too! Here it is a lovely shade of brown already....

Thanks, Suzi! See you soon, too!

[puppychow]

Great pictures! Especially loved the pictures of the old buildings!