Petaluma to Catalina Island: BEST DAY EVER!!! Pics (of course)

[kimber99]

Another update from the road. We're now in Ventura...on our way to Catalina Island in the morning.

We have had nothing but great days for riding, now finished with day 3. Average rides have been about 175 miles per day.... Today was the first day I was tired by the end. (Forgot to have caffeine!) Yesterday was Santa Cruz down to San Simeon. Wonderful stretch of road coming south of Carmel!!! That stretch of 20 miles or so actually beats our Hwy 1 up north for amazing views!

The pace of the ride was restrained due to traffic...but that was perfect cause any faster and I'd have had to choose between enjoying the views and keeping the bike from jumping the cliffs!!!

Today we went from San Simeon to Ventura via Hwy 1 (San Luis Obispo, Guadelupe, Lompoc) and 246, Solvang, 154, 192, 150, 33 >> Ventura. Met a guy who had just bought a used BMW RS two days earlier and was on his way to Seattle. Unfortunately, the bike seemed to have developed an oil leak. Being Sunday morning, his timing couldn't have been worse.

He was going to chance it and head up to Santa Cruz. Being the crack mechanic that I am ("if it can't be fixed with duct tape, it can't be fixed") I suggested that he buy and extra quart of oil before heading out. He hadn't thought of that, and seemed to think it was a good idea. So I guess I'm not TOTALLY useless. Hope he makes it...

Great riding, all of it! I might have to become less of a NORCAL roads snob from here on out...lol.

[noynrz]

For those of you who might be wondering why the heck there's a crab in our pictures, it's for our 4-year old, Quinn (or "Coggy" as she's been nicknamed by a few fellow pashnites). I was recently in Las Vegas and had promised to bring her something special back. Now, like many young girls, Coggie would love nothing more than a room full of stuffed animals. Unlike most 4 year olds, however, she's not satisfied with the typical offerings of bears, dogs, horses, cats, etc. She requests extremely hard to find things like hippos. After searching several stores throughout the greater Vegas strip area, I let her know that a hippo was not forthcoming. Coggie, was disappointed, but generously came up with a plan "b"....a stuffed crab. Needless to say, that wasn't happening in Vegas either, so we promised a crab on our coastal trip (if we couldn't find one in a coastal town, we weren't going to find one anywhere). Thus, we found "Crabby" in Santa Cruz and he's been sharing our adventures ever since.

[demenshea]

Thanks so much Doni and Kimber for sharing your adventures. We are living vicariously and are sorry we weren't able to join in your adventures at one point or another.

I do like your crabby new friend...but I don't think i'd want to be his pillion so make sure he doesn't get ahold of the keys!!! Also explain to Coggie, that wine for crab is only good if you are dipping them in it!!
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[pashnit]

Now this is a cool shot! I have images of photo shoot in my head with a background like that. Where is this?

[Backmarker]

I guess you can get crabs off a toilet seat! Always use an a*s gasket!

I love that old Victorian home in need of a little TLC. I can just picture what it must have looked like back in its day. Love that photo.

I grew up in the Westlake Village/Thousand Oaks area where you'll be passing thru. My mom actually grew up in Oxnard and Ventura. It's all changed a bit since those days. But in all that time, we have never been to Catalina! So take lots of great photos since I have the feeling I may never make it there. The list of places to go just keeps getting longer and longer.

Thanks for taking us along on your coastal trip with Crabby. Your own version of the Travel Lawn Gnome.

[Chocoholic]

Make sure to stop by Splash Cafe in Pismo Beach, CA. I always think they have the best clam chowder.

[Helmetdance]

I like the shot of the old house. Looks like it was quite a place in its day. Hard to believe its just sitting there like that. Where is it?

[Ogsarg]

Originally Posted by pashnit

Now this is a cool shot! I have images of photo shoot in my head with a background like that. Where is this?

I think that is on the way out of Lompoc.

Do I get a prize if I'm right?

[noynrz]

Originally Posted by Ogsarg

I think that is on the way out of Lompoc.

Do I get a prize if I'm right?

Yep, just coming into Lompoc from the north on Hwy 1. We missed it coming into town, but the idea of this picture was already formed...and we got the shot one the way back north after lunch!

As to the prize...well, maybe Tim will give you a shirt when he comes to town for that photo shoot he's talking about!

[kimber99]

We're in Ojai now...after returning from Catalina Island today (by a cool helicopter ride!). We had
about as much fun on Catalina as we could jam into a little over 24 hrs... This was our big "splurge"
in terms of accomodations. We had the best room at the Avalon Hotel...see 270 degree pano for the
view from our balcony!

Renee, you shouldn't give up on seeing Catalina Island quite yet! It's a very doable daytrip from
LA...or an easy overnight. The ferry only takes about an hour and it not overly expensive.

We had a fun ride to Ojai this afternoon, courtesy of Dale's routing. Note the pic with the duct taped
directions...!!! (Dale, we had to cut it a bit short a little after the Mulholland portion due to concerns
about darkness and the little issue noted here regarding problems with my bike's lights. We hopped
on 101 and boogied up to Ventura and over to Ojai.) Mulholland was pretty incredible. Donna,
it puts Mt. Tam to shame in the tight twisty department. Great views too! Much appreciated, Dale!


Tomorrow it's inland to 33, 58, etc. ending up at the coast and Cambria for the night. Then back
inland to G14 and G16 the next day.

Note the pics with the BMW hard luggage hitting the dumpster. Doni clipped my bike as I motioned
her past me at the pay gate leaving San Pedro... The piece that holds the bag broke off. Total write
off. We bungied the backpack that had lived in that hard case to Doni's sissy bar...and off we went.
One bag and a bunch of money (to buy the new one when we get home) lighter. Oh well...as long is
it's just stuff breaking, right?