Sunday, 18 Apr 2010
Going to Paso Robles
I woke with the rising sun, about 6:30 AM. First a trip to the rest room, then my morning coffee. Rob stopped by the camp ground as I was finishing my first cup and starting to break camp. My goal was to be packed and ready to go by 8:30… that meant there was plenty of time for a second cup.
The others apparently left for Panamint springs slightly before I did. I pulled into the restaurant parking lot just as they were getting their gear put away. Breakfast was fine, but with slow service (we’ve learned to expect that). It took longe enough to get our coffee that I was glad I’d had a second cup before leaving the campground.
Dan was going to go through Bakersfield. His goal was to find a Kragen/Auto zone/whatever to replace the broken spark plug. Bakersfield was still another 100+ miles away. First was a stop at Olancha and at the same gas station in Mt Mesa that we stopped at the way to Death Valley. I left Mt Mesa with Rob. We bypassed much of Bakersfield by taking 99 to 7th Standard Road. Much faster.
A nice section of road is 178 between Lake Isabella and Bakersfield. Kern Canyon Rd. The downside is traffic. This time the ride was about 5% great and 95% traffic, although the truck pulling the boat trailer was making good time until we caught up with a slow line of cars. The following video tells the story.
Rob and I stopped in McKittrick where the small store was open this Sunday. That was more than I expected. Ice cream break! Next stop for me was the motel in Paso Robles. Rob took another rest stop along the way. I hit the hotel about 5 PM. Rich and Ginny were already there. Rob showed up about 20 minutes later. The rest of the group got there around 6. Dan found and installed a new spark plug along the way.
After some socializing we went to Margie’s for dinner. Mmmmm, chocolate malted shake! No one went away hungry. We spent a little more time socializing before heading off to our rooms and bed. No real plans were made for the ride home. On the plus side, no rain was forcast for Monday. Lots of options.
Leaving Panamint Springs
Owens Valley
200 miles on a broken plug
