After thawing out at Lake Elizabeth, we continued on to a junction on the road called "3 Points". I have no idea why they call it this. Perhaps to place a name on an otherwise near-invisible road junction. From 3P's, we hopped on Pine Canyon Rd, which is a great little road so few people know of. If it wasn't as surprisingly smooth and clean, many would consider Pine Canyon Rd a "Goat Trail". Aside from a few homes, there is nothing along the road except a Chapparall forest. However, the various twists and turns, steep descends and climbs, and quite a few unmarked decreasing radius turns with great visibility made it a very interesting and fun road on a high performance motorcycle like our lightweight Buells.
We finally did end our ride for the night in the community of Gorman, located next to Interstate 5, well north of Los Angeles. About 5 miles north of Gorman is the larger mountain community of Frazier Park, located at the eastern base of the Los Padres National Forest. It is a trucker's haven as it has a full service maintenance depot, a large buffet-style restaurant called the Cookery, a large and cheap motel, as well as several large gas stations. Frazier Park is also a major stop for many 4-Wheelers, Campers, Hikers, mountain lovers, and motorcyclists who enjoy the off road trails, campsites, and twisty roads that encompass the Los Padres National Forest. We avoided Frazier Park due to its busy and noisy location. In addition, we have eaten the "food" at The Cookery and knew only too well, it was NOT REAL FOOD! The buffet at The Cookery makes the military MRE's taste great!
We stayed at the old Econo-Lodge in Gorman. There was nothing "econo" about it as our rooms cost $70 each! Holy Moly! It was a $50 room to be honest! Worse, our bikes were parked right outside the main road for all to see. Hey ya all! There's a couple of near-new Buell motorcycles here for the taking....and everyone drove pick ups in Gorman and Frazier Park! We ain't in Orange County anymore! Luckily, we were able to park our bikes right outside our Motel rooms. However, so did a couple of big rigs who by the way, all like to keep their diesel engines idling ALL NIGHT! Well, at least the diesels, like the sound of water falling, does lull you to sleep!
I woke up several times that evening everytime some big rig arrived to park their trucks somewhere near my Motel window. Each time, they released the pressure from their airbrakes: CUSHEEEEEESH! Wake up Rogue! At least it gave me an opportunity to check the status of our bikes outside. Suffice it to say, I was glad to get out of Gorman. By 7AM, I was ready to roll. I took advantage of the free pastries and coffee at the Motel lobby while I let my Firebolt warm up. It had easily been 30 degrees the night before and my Firebolt's engine struggled to start, then idle. Poor thing was used to being garaged back home and had never experienced sleeping outside! Asphalt_Carver came out soon after. I reminded him to be a good boy and eat his free breakfast but he ignored me. This will haunt the poor guy later. He had no idea!
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