We got a fair amount of sleep during the night, and felt pretty good about the day. We knew it was going to be long, about 500 miles, but we were going home!
Out of Beatty, we followed 95 a bit further north before taking ?? west. I wish I could remember the number of that road. It basically went from north Beatty to California, hitting 395 just south of AAARG! I cant remember the town! Tom, this is your fault for making me do this with no map! I�ll come back and fix it for my own reference later�
Anyway� the unknown road. It was straight desert stuff for many miles, but then it passed over a mountain range before joining up with 395. The road was super tight (20 mph curves), smooth and wavy. It also had a bunch of whoop-de-doos, much like 120 out of Mono Lake does, just not quite as big. It was a blast for me, and I think we removed another pound off the centerstand :-)
just after joining 395, we stopped in the town I cant remember for breakfast. It was a great little country grease joint, and we had a most excellent breakfast of eggs and other fried things that are bad for you. Suitably full, we continued north on 395. It was nice, open with 2 lanes each way and a center divider. We were able to make good time despite all the trucks and motorhomes. In Lee Vining, we stopped for gas and a quick break. It was getting really hot by now, and we still had a long ways to go�
The pass of choice for today was the one heading right through Yosemite. I must admit, I was not crazy about the idea from a traffic standpoint, but it was definitely the shortest route. Turned out fine, too. It moved about 45 to 50 mph all the way (slow, but reasonable) and was, of course, absolutely beautiful! It had been a loooong time since id been up that side of Yosemite, makes me want to go backpacking out of Tuolome meadows again�
Outside of the park it was HOT!!! We stopped for a Coke just outside of Yosemite, then continued into Oakdale where we grabbed lunch. Traffic was pretty bad (as expected on a summer Sunday), but it moved. We were totally drenched with sweat by the time we got to Oakdale, perhaps explaining why we got the worst service ever� Im not much one to complain, but it was bad. I had to set our table and go get the waitress whenever we needed something� like to order, or the check for example.
Anyway, on the road again. Not much happened from there to 205, but once we got up on 205 traffic came to a screaming halt. Damn. Again, not unexpected, but it took forever to creep through Tracy. The bikes temp gage was buried in the red again (a recurring theme these last few days), and ours wasnt much better. Eventually it picked up, and we took a quick stretch break in Livermore. From there, we could almost smell the sea!! The remaining miles into Oakland flew by, something about familiar roads and autopilot, I think�
Crossing the Bay Bridge was really neat, I think we were still in sightseeing mode. We have both crossed that bridge countless times, yet it was just absolutely beautiful! The sun was setting, fog was rolling in, and the City was lit up. Traffic was light, the air cooled off, and we were just smiling ear to ear. I noticed things ive never seen before, like signs to the visitor center :-) Anyway, we rode down Embarcadero towards our place and it felt great! Cool breeze, people hanging out, bad drivers, we were almost there!
Pulling up to our apartment, we unloaded the stuff into the entryway, walked upstairs and collapsed. What an exhausting day. Hobie (our cat) was waiting for us, the fridge was stocked (Thanks!!!) and our bed was there. after a few safe arrival calls, we hit the sack IN OUR OWN BED! It felt soooo good.
The end of a wonderful trip.
David.
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