Day 1 - Bodfish Rd. to Lake Isabella - twisty and no cars
My Magna loaded for touring
Byron on his Wee Strom
Todd, the navigator, routes us to Kernville via back roads
Day 2 - We rise early to beat the heat and climb to cooler temps
We stop for a bio-break...
along an overlook on the way up to Sherman pass
That's me with the Eastern Sierras as a backdrop.
Here's the view from Sherman pass - 9,200 ft.
Todd chats with some tourists
Todd, Byron and Gary posing as the three amigos.
Here's a view of Mt. Whitney from Hwy 395
Past Bishop, Todd routes us onto a scenic side road
The road to Paradise is aptly named.
That evening we walk past Mammoth H.S. after dinner
Day 3 - We take a morning ride around the Mammoth Lakes area
This is Twin Lakes - there's a lodge next to the lake
The bikes ride better with empty packs...
Tent and camping gear are off the bikes.
Mount up !
I've never been to Mammoth in the summer
There's still snow up here in July.
The Honda VFR strikes a pose against the sky line
Wild flowers from the Minaret overlook area
Here's a view of the Minarets against the skyline
Yellow wild flowers
A close up of a Mammoth Mtn. flower
Day 4 - We park the bikes, shuttle to the park and take a hike
We pause to admire the art of fly fishing
Floppy hats provide UV protection at this altitude
First stop is the Devil's Post Pile
Devil's Post Pile - a religious explanation for this phenomena
Scientists feel compelled to post their own explanation
The real truth - Native Americans quarried patio pavers here
Knotty pine?
A side view of the Patio Pavers quarry
Here's a shot of the finished product
Knarley pine?
Todd walks across the remains of a Meso-American patio
We hike on...
following the stream...
towards Rainbow Falls.
Non-Native Americans cool themselves by the falls
The requisite tourist photo is snapped
Day 5 - We take the scenic loop of June Lake
We stop to conference
June Lake is quite scenic
The area is surrounded by granite peaks
There's still a water fall flowing
These cabins were built by descendants of European settlers
Along the edge of June Lake, we pause
The mountains reflect off the placid water
I could spend some time here
Motorcyclists develop a pecking order - the wisest go last
We head back out to Hwy 395
Byron stops for the pause that refreshes - thumbs up!
The sun lights up these clouds...
providing a dramatic background for this chromed steed.
We ascend Tioga Pass at Lee-Vining- 9,943 ft
We pause near the top of Tioga - the highest pass in the Sierras.
It's a bit cool up here for a mesh jacket
More adhoc planning.
The terrain gets more dramatic as we head west
We stop at this overlook as other motorcyclists arrive
This is a regular chat space for motorcyclists
We turn around and head back out
I snap...
these dramatic shots...
of Eastern Yosemite.
Day 6 - We ride out from our Lake Tahoe camp site
This is Emerald Bay
We meet a couple on a Goldwing trike
Todd routes us to the little town of Downieville
The ride on 49 has banked turns and smooth asphalt
Its a biker destination...
including some mud-spattered mountain bikers.
This was a Gold Rush town...
now preserved and maintained...
with tales of by-gone lynch mobs...
and one hanging...
and a neurotic plaque to explain old Wild West history
We return to Lake Tahoe via a Northern route
Then dine on the Lake with a setting sun - perfect
After three nights in Lake Tahoe, we head back South
We cross Sonora pass from the East
These are views...
from the top of Sonora Pass.
Purple high elevation flowers
The road down and...
up has twists and turns for the...
discerning motorcyclist.
If you don't get off the bike...
you'll never see the beauty here.
Exotic flowers frame the horizon
Later the same day, Todd and I ride the famous Hwy 49
Hwy 49 was quite warm, Byron took the high route to Yosemite
At Oakhurst, I decide to ride up to Yosemite via 41
I arrive in the valley before sunset
There's cell coverage. I receive a message
Byron scores a premier campsite along the river
I park the bike
We assemble the tent. I jump into the river!
Then we head to Curry Village for pizza and beer
Awesome place. I must return for a longer stay
There's a young buck hiding in the reeds
The setting sun...
lights up half dome as we await our meal.
After a bear attack during the night,
we rise early for a long ride
I snap these...
awesome pictures...
as we head out of the park.
My album ends with the sun rising over Yosemite Valley...
