Saturday–Monday, 11-13 Sep 2004
Carl’s pictures are on this page
A Trip Full of Firsts
The 2004 camping trip was a first: the first time we planned on spending two nights in Sequoia Park. Past trips were one night in Kings Canyon (1997, 1999, and 2000), a long day in Fresno (1998), Kings Canyon and Yosemite (2001), and Kings Canyon and Sequoia (2002 and 2003).
Carl, Tom, Gloria, and I were waiting in front of the donut shop Saturday morning. Fred and Irma came into view a minute or two before the scheduled 7:00 AM departure. Irma pulled into the gas station down the block. Fred rode up, said something like “gas”, then headed down to station. This being Irma’s first long ride, we rode to the station and waited. And then waited some more while tire pressures were checked. Who says we can’t be nice to novice riders! Besides, I was late once, too :-)
We went to the Cozy Cup in Hollister for breakfast. After breakfast those who needed to gassed up prior to the ride down Ca. 25. The pace was moderate. The temperature was getting hot. I’m sure I’m not the only one who wished he’d removed a layer at Hollister.
It’s Hot
Irma and Gloria
Fred
We stopped at the intersection of 25 and 198 for a chance to remove unneeded layers of riding gear. Once ready we headed into Coalinga for a gas and rest stop. This was two firsts for Irma: first time in Coalinga and first time this far from home on the bike. More firsts were to come.
It’s about 70 boring miles from Coalinga to Pescado Pete’s in Visalia, our lunch stop. I’ll try to find a better lunch stop for next years ride. Fish and chips on a hot afternoon, and it’s always hot, after a big breakfast probably isn’t the best idea.
After lunch we continued down 198 to 3-rivers for gas and checked out the store as a supply stop. This turned out to be a good thing. It was another 10 miles or so from 3-rivers to the campsite. When we got there we found only 3 open sites, none of them next to each other. Two of them were across a common area from each other so we grabbed them and started setting up camp. Tom, Carl, and Fred then rode back to 3-rivers for supplies. It was too late to make it to the store at Lodgepole.
Irma in the Kermit Chair
Carl and Tom
Gloria and Fred
Dinner was made over camp stoves. The rangers had advised us that due to the high fire danger camp fires were not allowed. That didn’t put too much of a damper on things as the night was warm and the beer was cold. We celebrated more firsts: Irma’s first camp out as an adult and Tom’s first introduction to the Kermit camp chair. When you have 3 Kermit chairs for 6 people you can be certain that none of them will be empty. It took a while before Fred got a chance to try out his new chair.
The next morning it started getting light a little after 6 AM and soon most of the group was up and about. Breakfast was everything from oatmeal to bacon or hash and eggs. Gloria was tired. Seems she saw a bear just after going to bed and was up most of the night hoping to see it again. For the most part the bears left us alone.
Morning espresso
Bacon and eggs
More cooking
Chef Carl
Who? Me?
Tired Gloria and Tom
Carl noticed oil on his rear wheel and reduced rear brake power. It looked like he blew a seal in his rear end. Fred helped diagnose the problem. The filler plug was removed to check the level in the final drive. The level was OK; the leak was annoying, but slow… not a show stopper.
no oil there
checking the input seal
bear
After Carl’s bike was buttoned up a bear wandered into another campsite. It ignored the people yelling, banging pots, and throwing rocks. Finally someone triggered their car alarm which got the bear’s attention. While this was going on Irma was with Fred down by the river, missing her second chance to see a bear. Fred wanted to wash the dust off his feet before putting his riding boots on.
Sunday was a day for sightseeing in the park. The group stopped at a lookout on the Generals Highway where the following photos were taken. Note the twisty road in the first photo. Motorcycle heaven when the traffic is light.
Twisties
Fred, Gloria
landscape 1
landscape 2
landscape 3
Gloria and Tom
Irma and Fred
Sequoia park is all about big trees. Here are some photos to give you a rough idea what they look like. You have to be standing next to them to get the full effect.
