Weekend At Kitchen Creek

The third time was the charm for this extended ride/event. Rained and snowed out twice by unseasonable spring storms the number of riders committed to the entire weekend dwindled considerably but folks kept knocking at our door.

Friday

Ron Growel, Rod Fleming and I arrived at Cibbets Flat campground in the Laguna Mountains before noon. They have driven trucks laden with "essential" supplies from cook stoves to lanterns, food to...well, more food, water, more food and tents. Rod and Rose had gone shopping at Sams Club just before the second trip was canceled and suffice to say they'd planned for quite a few more mouths.

Ron and Rod pushed everything out the back, set up tents and headed back down the mountain to pick up their bikes and significant others. I had managed to pack everything except food on the Nomad from tent to air mattress, clothes to camp chair.  Thank goodness for bungee cords. Just as I finished rolling out the sleeping bag and squaring away my little bit of turf Tom (Doc) and Bonnie Cassidy arrived with their camp supplies and even more food. We're going to need bigger bikes just to haul our lardly rears around after this trip.

The afternoon, Rod and Ron pull in again on their Venture and Road Star trailed in the trucks (gotta get all this essential stuff home again somehow right?) by Rose and Lorn and surprise..Dick Useted has joined the parade!

We still have some setting up to do including the inflation of air mattresses. I use a hand pump as does Ron but Rose has picked up a newfangled "electric" pump for their home away from home. Rod is gone from camp for awhile but returns with a wire dangling from one hand, a power supply at the end asking his bride..."and just where do you suggest I plug this in?" Rose considers suggesting a place but remembers we have clergy in our midst so refrains. We continued to goad Rose about this little gaffe all weekend.

The campfire beckons Friday evening and the gathered 8, about half the number who'd planned to attend the originally scheduled outing sit around it, dodging the smoke and solving the worlds problems. Dick departs but promises to return in the morning to join our ride.

Saturday Morning

Chef Rodney is up and putting together a feast before the majority of us are even aware the birds are beginning to sing. He's wishing he'd remembered to bring his cast iron griddle but does a masterful job with frying pans on sausage, bacon, eggs, potatoes and coffee.

It's 9 am and time for the ride. Dick Useted is back but nobody else is making the trek apparently so away we go.

We ride east on old Highway 80 through Boulevard, Bankhead Springs and Jacumba stopping at Boulder Park and the historic Desert Tower. I've never been here before and it's pretty amazing. Someone discovered this place in the 1800's and decided the view was so great he'd just have to build a four story tower---knowing people far and wide would appear and pony up a buck to climb his stairs and look at the desert. We did.

Across the parking lot from the tower is a large pile of boulders, deposited by Mother Nature millennia ago, their caves used by the native population for generations for shelter. This rock pile has been sculpted by another enterprising gent with little else to do out there in the

desert.  Seeing patterns already in the rocks he enhances them with hammer and chisel to form snakes, lizards and one rather large monster. I read all about it on the plaque along with the advisory that I'm entering at my own risk and proceed to climb. Up over rocks I go, through caverns shimmying up between dirt encrusted granite (obviously not a path well traveled I'm thinking) finally reaching the top. I'm pretty danged proud of my mountain climbing abilities, standing there next to a stony image of Godzilla and waving at Rose who's still up in the tower. I'm not all that certain I'll be able to climb back down with such agility though and that's when I see them. The steps. Yes readers, had I but looked a bit more carefully I'd have noticed, there are stairs carved into the rocks curving around the opposite side of the rock pile on which I've just accomplished my feat of daring do. I return a bit red of face (exertion ya know?) to terra firma showing the others the way "most" visitors tour this site. Doh!

Back on the motorcycles Ron with Lorna at pillion, Rod with Rose still hunting for an extension cord, Dick and I riding solo we continued east on "scenic" I-8 pulling up short of El Centro to carve our way through Ocotillo and west on CR 52. A butt break seems like a dandy idea at the Vallecito Stage Station, another desert spot steeped in history then out to 78, up Banner Grade skirting Julian, out 79 to Sunrise Highway and finishing our 100+ mile morning going "down" Kitchen Creek Road. The winter was not kind to Kitchen Creek which hasn't seen a paving crew in at least a decade and now sports a (not there last year) gully that came within a silly millimeter of bottoming out our cruisers.

Doc is still healing from his winter spill so he and Bonnie didn't accompany us but surprised us with lunch as we pulled back into the campground. Hot Dogs not only taste better at a ball game, they're pretty doggoned good at a camp out too. It must have been something in the air because every single one of us decided to take an afternoon siesta. Dick headed home putting another couple of hours on an already hot set of tires while we dozed

Saturday evening Chef Ron got our taste buds all tingly with his old family recipe spaghetti sauce and pasta along with French bread and salad. A blazing campfire followed with more surprise visitors.  Gery and Virginia Marcelino just happened to be in the neighborhood on their Virago and decided to spend some time with us.  Then it was time for another fine night with a million stars lighting the way to our tents.

Sunday Morning

Sunshine and birds. What a wonderful way to wake up in the morning, especially for someone who's generally up well before even the earliest bird at o-dark-30. Rod and I were up at the same time so we divvied up the chores.. He has already proved himself the master maker of breakfast so he goes to work with the fry pans while I cobble together a roaring fire to welcome the stragglers. Have you ever had French Toasted cinnamon bread? What a treat along with more bacon, sausage, fresh fruit and other items. Breakfast over we have a last cup of "camp coffee" and try to remember how to fold a tent so it'll go back into the provided bag. Lorn scoffs at my story about how Coleman has a bunch of guys back east they've hired just to make sure large things can be stuffed into smallish cartons at factories so normal people can never get them in the box again. Name given these guys? The Green Bay "Packers!" Someone tell her it's true.

So another Wanderers camping trip is in the books. Those who decided not to join us because of a lack of creature comforts...Hey, we use air mattresses...well, except for Rod and Rose. And big cook stoves and lanterns. Maybe you'll join us for the next outing...sure as heck we still have lots of food.

Cheers
JQ

 

Okinawa, Japan

5/23/01 (23.5.01)

Yesterday the sun came out!  Glorious day!  So, about 4pm, I headed out on my little Virago 400 - not going to far (about 10 km), I stopped at a coworker's house, and picked up his burnt-orange Road King.  He is out of town, but asked me to baby sit...yee-hah!

I rode north up 329, about 25 km or so, to Ishikawa area.  The road signs here are great, North is Nago (a city) and South is Naha (capital city).  There ain't much east/west, and every road would be sweepers if there wasn't so much traffic!

As I got to the Ishikawa area, I hooked back on 329 B.P. (bypass??) and headed south.  I was looking to go out to the West coast, (15 miles!), to an area called Chatan - there is a seaport village, giant ferris wheel etc.  So far, I'm starting to get used to the King, but in stop and go traffic, that baby is HOT!  No wonder HD riders all sit with legs out on the highway pegs.  They're trying not to burn themselves!

The traffic isn't too bad, and the day is just great - the sun is headed on down, and I'm going to the coast (funny - it's all coast!) Anyway, you should be getting the picture that on this island, we are located near the middle, the waist, and a pretty narrow part.

I cruised over on 85 to Chatan, and decided to go check out the area. Last time I was there, it took me about 25 minutes to go around the block.  Even on my little bike!  This time, it is pretty clear, not too many people, so I cruised around to the back.

I recognize the name of restaurant/dance club someone had told me about, called 3F.  (it means 3rd Floor, and EVERY building has labels for the business on 2F, 3F, etc!)  It is a very cool club, with a giant clam shell for a bathroom sink, cool 'island style' decor, and it turns out, a good tuna sushi!  (everyone has good sushi, and it is not very expensive)

so, a quick snack, and a walk through the "Make-Man" or home depot - their symbol is a monkey with a work hat on, so most Americans call it "Monkey Man".  They also cater a little more to the homemaker, though that still may be the guys.  Lots of stores here also have a "100 yen" shop, and that is now my fav place to go!  (120 yen=1 USD), so about 80 cent shop!

Then, back to the King, and cruise on back to the house.  This is where I am getting hot, stuck in traffic.  The weather, as the sun went down, was about 70-75 deg, perfect for a light jacket.  I stopped by my friend's house that I am cat-sitting for, and let the cats out.

I am sure the neighbors are thinking?  what's going on over there!

Cruise on back to the house, drop off the King, pick up the Virago, and go back to watch TV with the cats. (old Dark Angel and Ally MacBeal at Christmas - for those who have ever been overseas, you gotta love Armed Forces Radio and Television System!)  Angel just started last month, and I think Ally is about 6 months behind, as well...(or 4?)

Anyway, put the cats in, ride on back to my pad, GREAT NIGHT!

It's beautiful today, guess I'm gonna have to take off early...

Tera

"I'll gladly pay you Tuesday..."

A very dismal gray May day turned out pretty OK.  I departed our usual Kearney Mesa staging spot at about 8:10 by myself, not surprizingly since the drizzle was doing it's best to dampen my enthusiasm.  Still, in typical Wanderer's fashion, I managed to get on 94 west off the 805, instead of east.

After turning around at 30th st, I made my way out to Spring Valley, where Doc & Bonnie Cassidy were waiting.  Soon no other than PA Davis arrived, along with his SO Mary and pal Nick.  This is gonna turn out OK, I thought.  We got a table, and proceeded to fluster the waitress a bit, but Nick leaped into service, providing much needed coffee!

After awhile, Dick Usested, Ron Growel, and Lorn arrived.  It was well after nine, and I figured that was it, no one else was going to show up. Still, a pretty good group, considering the leaden overcast that was drizzling here and there, no doubt throughout the county.

Saturday the weather was pretty much the same, but we had ridden over to Ramona and found sun and warmth, so I figured, once we get up to Dulzura or so, we'll break out of this stuff.  So it's a bit damp right now.  I guess we all thought so.

After breakfast, PA and Mary had to head for home, but Nick decided to ride with us.  And then Jim Webb arrived.  All right!  Let's ride.

We headed out 94 towards good old Mexico, our leader was Dick, and route was to take us through Cameron Corners, back to Old Hwy 80, and over the Sunrise Highway into Julian.  Well, it was damp riding along 94, the drizzle was trying to imitate actual rain, and that didn't make for very warm riding conditions.  Nobody had really dressed with this in mind.  We took a detour to Tecate (US side) for gas, and it was miserable there.  So everyone decided to call it a day and turn back.  Everyone but Doc that is, who announced he'd find some sunshine if he had to ride to Arizona!  Well, this was my idea, I thought, I should keep him company, heh?

Well, it did get a bit drier as we neared Cameron Corners, and Buckman Springs Rd. was fairly dry, but no sun in sight.  We headed out Old Hwy 80, after waving at two V-Star riders who'd stopped to either admire the view or figure out where the heck they were, and soon found ourselves riding up the Sunrise Hwy....in the clouds.  Here was dampness again, and a cow standing forlornly along side the road, and then....sunshine!  Blue sky, green pines, and an awesome view of white could tops all the way to the eastern horizon.  We didn't ride out of the 'coastal overcast' today, we rode up through it.  We stopped at the Lodge to savor this.  Warm sunshine, clear deep blue sky, great scenery.  We'd perservered, like the old Vets we are, and it was kinda fitting for Memorial Day, in a way.

Riding on, we were back in the clouds (read fog) before we got to the Cuyamaca turn, and it only got wetter from there.  It wasn't until just about two miles from Ramona that things got drier again.  I enjoyed this. Yes, there is good traction in the wet, the twisties were as much fun as usual, and there was something about riding through the green tunnels, with rain on my faceshield, that was just....I dunno...neat!

Sitting at Packards, Doc in his wet pants and soaked foot (it's still in a cast, folks), me with my wet socks, we watched a group of Harley riders going east on 78, only to see them returning 10 minutes later.  Hah!  They ran into the "wet" and decided it wasn't worth it.  Perhaps not, but Doc and I agreed it had been a great ride, and well worth it.  We were all grins.

Regards,
Bill E.

Meeting Site maybe

Today, after meeting up with John Q. Lawrence, Rod & Rose Fleming, Ron Growel and Grumpy, we visited what appears to be an almost perfect location for our club to hold Saturday Breakfast Meetings, called the Country Choice.  It is located 8912 Troy St. in Spring Valley, near Bancroft.  The staff was very friendly, they have at least two semi-private rooms, plus a patio for warmer days, great food at very reasonable prices, and they don't mind seperate checks.  They have plenty of parking in the rear and across the street, and to top it off...they seemed glad to have us!  So that's it then, at least for now, the 4th Saturday of each month, beginning with our next meeting in June, the Country Choice.  I'm sure you'll all like it.

To introduce this place, Dick, Ron and I came up with a plan for an impromptu ride Monday the 28th, Memorial Day.  We will meet at 8AM at Denny's in Clairemont Mesa, off the 163, and ride to Spring Valley for breakfast at the Country Choice.  Afterwards, Dick will take us for a ride out Hwy 94 through Cameron Corners to Buckman Springs Rd, over Old Hwy 80 to the Sunrise Hwy, and up through Julian and back into Ramona, with no doubt a stop for Apple Pie along the way somewhere.

A Note From The Webmaster

We have a new button!   Check out the top row of buttons on the club website and you’ll note one dedicated to “Meetings” only.  Now meeting times and places won’t get lost among the scheduled rides.   Please note the link to our “Suggest-a-Ride” form for those who’d enjoy seeing some roads less traveled following our experimental Saturday morning gatherings.

“Past Rides” posted during May included “Jim’s Surprise Ride” to Mexico and the “Wanderers Camp Trip.”   If you’ve already seen the write-up’s on the list you might want to check out the new photos.

One more minor change.  The “Members” page now actually shows your e-mail address in the final column.  You might want to check and be sure the address listed for you is correct and most current.

We’ve been linked!  Motorcycle Consumer News must have been tipped to our existence because we now have a link on their website at http://www.mcnews.com/link/106.html .  You’ll find many other clubs posted here as well.  Interesting to see what other organizations are doing.  Most seem to be digging out from under a winter load of snow.  We are SO lucky.

Cheers
John Q. Lawrence
Wanderers Webmaster

 

WANDERERS TREASURER RPT - 05/16/2001

1. 04/18 Last reported balance = $558.42

2. 04/18 Rick Moyer dues thru 04/02  = $15.00

3. 04/18 Dave Marinelli dues thru 04/02= $  15.00

4. 04/18 New: Rick & Julie King thru 04/02= $15.00

5. 04/21 Bill Edwards dues thru 04/02 = $  15.00

6. 04/24 New: Vickii Gervais & Katie Maloney thru 04/02      = $  15.00

7. 05/16 Current treasury balance= $633.42

Notes:

 1.  Ronn Kilby dropped membership.

 2.  Sal Orso (Teresa) dropped membership.

 3.  Bishop, Dodds, Marcelino, Palmer & Swan mbrshp pending.

  Bishop & Marcelino say will renew.

  E-mail & phone msg left for Palmer & Swan.

  Dodds bad phone # & no response to e-mail.

 4.  Tommie Gilbertson extended to 04/02 re incorrect address.

 4.  34(see 3 above) paid memberships - 53 total members.

 5.  5 dues paid thru 04/01 - 29 thru 04/02 (total 34).

 

 

  WANDERERS PATCH ACCOUNT                

  1.  04/18  Previous reported account balance      = $189.00(-) 

  2.  No additional patch sales 4/18-5/16

  3.  05/16 Current patch account balance $189.00

  Regards, Gary Steinweg

  Wanderers Treasurer

Scheduled Rides

Friday, June 1st

Packards Night: Decompress from your work week at Packards on Main Street in Ramona. This is an every other week ritual started a couple of years ago. North County area riders gather at the base of Highland Valley road, just off the I-15 for a 6:15 pm departure. San Diego, South Bay and East County riders gather at Burger King in Lakeside at Highway 67 6:15 pm. Both rides are approximately 45 minutes allowing for plenty of sunlight for coffee sipping, posing and talking about  motorcycles. This is an ever other Friday night event, rotating with the Thursday evening Hot Rod shows in La Mesa.

Sunday, June 3rd

Annual Blue Knights Charity Ride: Check Newsletter For Ride Registration Form.This year we are returning to "Rocky's" Cycle Parts West for the ride sign-in and day-of registration. This year's Benefit Ride will be bigger and better than ever with lots of great prizes, CASH awards, terrific trophies, an awesome NEW designed Ride Pin, a great after ride meal, which this year includes your drink, and of course a FUN ride! The ride route is TBD, but will probably be a short coastal route. AND...to add to the fun!...we've invited several local television and radio celebrities who have scoot's to ride with us!...including JASON AUSTELL KFMB-TV Chopper 8, who is our Blue Knight's 2001 Honorary Ride Captain! Jason rides a new Harley Softail when he isn't flying around in Chopper 8! So, I hope you and as many of your MC Club member's will join us on our ride, with proceeds benefiting "The Center for Child Protection, Children's Hospital".

Ride flyers and applications are available at a majority of SD County MC shops and dealerships as a counter display. For your convenience, I have attached a URL link below to my website with the ride flyer and application, that you can open with 'Microsoft Word', and copy as many as needed. The flyer and application have be produced in color FYI. THANK YOU and we hope to see you June 3, 2001 at Rocky's!

Thursday, June 7th

La Mesa Hot Rod Night: Come sit and sip and watch the chrome go by! Thursdays are "Hot Rod Nights" on Main St. La Mesa. Motorcycle parking is on the street beside "Por Favor" restaurant where we will "try" to reserve a table. If sitting doesn't work for you then you can do plenty of walking and looking at some beautiful hot rods and motorcycles. This is an "every other" Thursday event for the club, rotating with Friday nights at Packards.

Friday, June 15th

Packards Night: Decompress from your work week at Packards on Main Street in Ramona.

Saturday, June 16th

Wanderers Get Acquainted Ride/Picnic

Everybody clear your calendars for this one. It's a great chance for club members to meet each other and for your S.O's to meet the people you ride with. We've chosen a county park just outside Ramona to host the event and the club will provide most of the vittles. If you'd like to bring food, so much the better but be sure and bring yourself. Check back for specific time and other details.

Thursday, June 21st

La Mesa Hot Rod Night: Come sit and sip and watch the chrome go by! Thursdays are "Hot Rod Nights" on Main St. La Mesa

Friday, June 29th

Packards Night: Decompress from your work week at Packards on Main Street in Ramona.

Saturday, June 30th

“Bike For Kids" Benefit Ride This is a National Ride for Missing Children.

Riders from 50 states and Canada will be on the road at the same time. All proceeds go to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children @missingkids.org. This ride is being organized in the San Diego area by the Southern Cruisers Riding Club. Some Details: Sign in: 8:30 to 10:00 AM Sat June 30th Location: eCycleparts.com Address: 12373 Poway Rd, Poway (SW Corner of Poway Rd and Pomerado Rd.) Return: To Hawthorne Machinery, 16945 Camino San  Bernardo at 12:00 Additional information at: http://www.scrc-sd.org/B4Kflier.htm

Thursday, July 5th

La Mesa Hot Rod Night: Come sit and sip and watch the chrome go by!

Thursdays are "Hot Rod Nights" on Main St. La Mesa

Sunday, July 8th

SandyEggo Casinos Tour: This is a 90+ mile ride with stops scheduled at Viejas Casino and Sycuan Casino. Of course, we have to get there the long way. <grin> Ride begins at 9 am at Grossmont Shopping Center in front of Starbucks We will take back roads to the top of Mt. Helix (stopping quickly for photo's if anyone desires) then back down the mountain to Highway 94. We'll take Lyons Valley Road out to Japatul to Willows and a (length to be determined by group) stop at Viejas. After dropping some quarters we'll continue through Alpine, down Harbison Canyon Rd. to Sycuan Casino. This will be the official ride end so everyone can stay to gamble or eat as long as you wish. Anyone lost at this point should ask someone to point the way back to civilization. Route Map Posted Here

Friday, July 13th

Packards Night: Decompress from your work week at Packards on Main Street in Ramona.

Thursday, July 19th

La Mesa Hot Rod Night: Come sit and sip and watch the chrome go by!

Thursdays are "Hot Rod Nights" on Main St. La Mesa.

Saturday, July 21st

Mike Calderones Beach-Mountain-Desert Ride Check back for details

Friday, July 27th

Packards Night: Decompress from your work week at Packards on Main Street in Ramona.

Sunday, July 29

Second Annual "Anti Destination" Ride This one was a real hoot last year.

We'll gather for a 9 am start at Denny's Kearny Mesa. Arrive early because those who agree to lead the group for a short while will draw numbers from a helmet. Based on those numbers, leaders will be changed and can head off in any direction they desire. Those who don't want to lead, don't worry you can just enjoy, quite likely, some roads and scenery you've never traveled or seen before. Be prepared to make some U-Turns though.