Ely, Nevada

The towns along Highway 50 are few and far between.  Ely, NV is the natural stop for the evening.  This is yet another tired town.  There is only one new hotel and that's La Quinta on the far side of town, next to a two story Play Land McDonald's "restaurant".  This fills up weeks in advance so we weren't going to be staying there.  We opted for the Hotel Nevada, located in the lovely downtown....said with more than a slight tone of sarcasm.  Dave and I had researched the places and this was #2 on TripAdvisor, guess what was #1?  Yep, La Quinta....which was booked up.....weeks in advance.  This is a historic hotel with clean rooms and biker friendly (we have NO idea what that means).  And it is "good value" which was to become the theme of our trip.  La Quinta is $115 per night and the Hotel Nevada was less than $50, including taxes!  Donna was ready to scream when we pulled up and she saw plywood covering some windows...LOL.  And I'm pretty sure E-Boy would be traumatized by the interior decorations.

We got rooms on the top floor, they got the corner suite (total LOL, but their bathroom actually had a tub so it was MUCH larger). The rooms had brass plates with the name of a famous person who had spent the night.  We were in the Hank Thompson room.  We are not familiar with this entertainer, even after reading the press clippings and album covers.  The room was clean and we never smelled smoke or heard neighbors.

We strolled through downtown Ely (pronounced E-lee) and found a lovely little park.  Still... sorry town.  How do you end up here?  Are you born here and just stay?  Or does your car break down and you just stay?  Everyone is very pleasant.  But still.....I would be bolting at the first chance.  We had dinner and breakfast here.  Good value.

We left early in the morning to try and beat the desert heat.  We fueled up in Delta, UT where we had to have them come out and explain to us how to work the pump!  The buttons were on the lower side and we were focused on the screen, where the buttons are usually located.  She said everyone makes that mistake.  The help was friendly and also directed us to the post office where I mailed off the first postcard to E-Boy.  I thought this would be a good tradition to send postcards to my grandchildren while we're traveling.

By my choice, I carry the full blame, we ate lunch in Salina at Mama's.  I remembered it as delicious, and I readily admit my memory is not all that good.  The food wasn't too bad, but the service was HORRIBLE.  After lunch we hit the road.  Bret looked up and asked if we should put the rain cover on the bags.  We should have just done that.  But we didn't.......

Shortly after leaving Salina we hit the mountains and the black rain clouds from an afternoon thunderstorm.  And yes, there was lightening and thunder to accompany the rain...and then hail.  Dave couldn't see a thing.  He got behind a big 10 wheeler that was driving in the slow lane with flashing lights.  He got in the tire wake and just followed along.  There were no exits or overpasses....we just kept riding along. This went on forever...at least it felt like that...most likely one half hour.  We were chilled....not to complain because we knew what awaited us.....HEAT.

When we got out from under the black rain cloud, there was a clear sky with a bright sun.  We were soaking wet and it took less than 30 minutes to dry out.  We stopped at a rest stop and discovered the first of many super clean and not smelly outhouses.  They even had hand sanitizers.  Very upscale.

We continued on to Green River where we fueled, soaked the cooling vest and buff, added ice to the kerchief, and drank plenty of cold water.  We also chatted with the other people and learned a few tidbits.  Then we headed out for the final leg to Fruita, Colorado.

On Our Way to a Wedding

We were ready for a long summer ride. Many destinations were discussed. Then Lindsay and Cliff set their date and we knew where we would go....Colorado.....and ride the Million Dollar Highway!  I've heard quite a bit about this road, and watched an episode of "Dangerous Roads".  Dave & Bret worked on the route and we were off........

We decided to wing it....see where we wanted to go.  We had our rooms for two nights for the wedding and then another night in Moab, UT since that looked a little iffy on availability...which makes sense since it's just about the only thing in that area.  We did something new, trying to split up the horrid ride through Nevada.  Instead of the first day riding 500 miles, we'd ride 200 miles to Carson City and then 300 to Ely.  If you have ever taken a road trip on Highway 50, you know what I'm talking about.  They don't call it the Loneliest Highway for nothing....plus it's hot.....and boring.

We left town at 4:30, hit mild traffic (we split lanes when the traffic is stopped....yes it's legal in CA....yes it is a bit scary, mostly because drivers do not use their mirrors) and didn't stop until Pine Grove for dinner.  The little joint (it was so little it did not have a public restroom....we ran across the highway and used the toilet at the park)  had good burgers and served a massive amount of fries.  The four of us should have shared one small order.  The help was entertaining too.  We learned everything about dental hygienists versus assistants, technical schools, and job opportunities.

We arrived in Carson City around 9:30.  Why are all those Casino/Hotels so sad?  There was hardly anyone there, the clerk behind the desk looked like they lived hard, and the parking lot was in desperate  need of a new striping job.  Our room was clean and ready so all was good.  When we woke up we saw this beautiful sunrise....over the the electric substation!

We stopped for breakfast in Fallon, NV at Jerry's...which is where we always stop to eat when we're in Fallon....mostly because that's about the only place.  It's an old-fashioned diner.  This is our third visit. Our first stop for gas was in Austin....another sorry and sad little town along Highway 50.

Now the entire time we're riding along, this is my view

 If I move a little to the left, this is my view

And here's my view if I look up

When we stopped for gas in Austin, Donna chatted with the sweet, young, gas station attendant while she was waiting to use the newly built restroom (which was greatly appreciated).  She told Donna to have lunch at the deli in Eureka that's run by an Amish family...they make their own bread.  We did find it, not too difficult since there's only one road through town (Highway 50) and not much going on. It was at the far end of town and we were about to give up.  We were surprised when we walked in and there were electric lights....we figured they were Mennonites and the young gas station clerk didn't know the difference.  The food was FABULOUS, service was FABULOUS, and the price was...yep, you guessed it, FABULOUS.

This is a photo of the guys turning the bikes around, getting ready to hit the road again.

The day was warming up and we continued on our way to Ely, NV

Mr. & Mrs. Gray aka Cliff & Lindsay

Lindsay moved from CO to CA for her first career job after college.  We met about four weeks after she moved here.  I immediately loved her and I adopted her as my daughter.  She met Cliff about a year later, fell in love, and then Cliff moved away to San Antonio, TX.  They were both miserable apart.  Eventually they reached a compromise.  Lindsay returned to CO and Cliff followed her months later.  After Cliff managed to gain the approval of family and friends, the date was set.  We rode the motorcycle out for the shindig.

Lindsay's Wedding Shower

Lindsay same to California just so we could have a Wedding Shower for her.  Dave had to work so he packed his provisions (the small insulated bag we use while riding worked to keep his drinks and sandwich cold) and kept to his desk in the office.  He did come out in the beginning to help park cars....and explain to Mary the mail lady what the loud noise was all about.

Megan, Lindsay, Jessica, and me

You're about to see many ideas we found on Pinterest.  Jessica went wild.  Megan and I did as we were told by the boss lady.

and here's where I notice I failed to get any photos of the food...can you believe that?  Megan made up the menu and we all had our marching orders.  I did go off the reservation since I do not own a bundt pan, so I purchased two (I couldn't make up my mind so I bought a Red Velvet and Lemon, their top two flavors) bundt cakes from "Anything Bundt Cake"...which I must be the only person that had never heard of this place.

 Lindsay's new last name will be Gray.

Megan made the favors....cookies in the shape of a wedding dress.

 We had plenty of lavender freshly cut from our yard which not only smell fabulous, but they're Lindsay's Wedding Colors!

A great time was had by all.  And Dave and I had three hours of Lindsay all to ourselves....we especially LOVED that part.

North Coast Ride

We've been trying to ride again to Oregon for years and something happens (bad weather, stuff falling off trucks and hitting us, etc.) to stop the trip. Our friends headed up on the same day I was co-hosting a Wedding Shower so we couldn't go with them. We figured out we could meet them on their way back home.
Someone thought it would be wise to get an early start out of town so off we rode at 6 am, UGH, and people are actually out and about at this time on the Thursday after the holiday on the 4th...who knew? The concern was that it would be too hot for me until we got to the Coast.  Not to worry, it was overcast until we reached the Coast....then it was foggy.  We were not going to see the sun for a few days, until the day we returned.

Samoa Cookhouse, the BEST breakfast place....if you're near Eureka you must eat here...they serve three meals a day.  It started years ago to feed the loggers.  They have long tables and you sit next to strangers...well they're strangers until you all become fast friends while dining.  They have a fixed menu and serve family style.  You can eat as much as you like.  We had scrambled eggs, potatoes, biscuits and gravy, Texas toast, and the best sausage links (NO gristle...at all).

When you're in this area, The Avenue of the Giants is a must.

Back out on the Coast, we stopped to look out over the Pacific Ocean.  I NEVER get tired of this....it's so beautiful and different every time.

Our second (and last night) on the road, we stayed at the Stanford Inn by the Sea.

This is the view from our room.  We had a balcony all to ourselves.

After we checked in, we had enough time to walk around the place before my massage.  Oh yeah, it isn't just about riding.

There were plenty of lovely flowers and a veggie garden too.

This is the river that's just down the road from the Inn.

Our friend Margaret is really in to the property where we sleep.  This makes it quite an adventure for us.  There's generally a twist.  Mostly the B&B thing that we are NOT in to....at all....but I won't go in to that now.  We didn't check out the place before booking, we just followed her lead.  So we get a sense that this is a different place....VERY dog friendly, which we don't hate but we're not pleased because you just never know if that animal has been all over the furniture, etc.  and if the owners tidy up after their animal. Anyway, we see the garden and we know it's a big deal now to get veggies from an on site garden.  Back at the room, when I go for my massage, Dave begins to read the literature.  That's when we find out this is an "Eco Resort" and it's totally and seriously (is there any other kind?) VEGAN.  So here I am at the #1 Vegan resort with my #1 Carnivore!

Above is a "Reuben" sandwich.  I had an heirloom tomato salad and Dave had this pizza.  We were still stuffed from our HUGE breakfast and then lunch in Ft. Bragg at the Wharf (where I skipped lunch and just had dessert :)

But all was well because they served regular wine....although we're guessing the vineyards are organic and fully sustainable.

And our ride back on Saturday was in 100+ degree temperatures with full sun.  I was not pleased with the heat, Dave was in heaven.  And when we stopped for lunch in Calistoga....we ALL ordered something with meat or fish!

Summer Time!!!!

One of the MANY wonderful things when the grand babies live nearby, is they can drop in for a quick visit. Jessica brought the boys up for a swim after their afternoon naps. It finally warmed up around here so swimming is on their minds.

This is Ezra looking particularly adorable.  He doesn't pose so I was extremely pleased to get this shot.

Here's Baby T looking cute...and messy.  He's feeding himself now.  We know he's getting something in his tummy since he's still chubby, but there is certainly food all over the place.  We hosed the patio after he left.  We dipped him in the pool to clean him off.

Ezra likes to do all things that involve pressing a button, so he's decided he likes taking pictures.  I have some interesting shots in my files.  He's not too interested in framing, or even looking through the view finder for that matter....he mostly wants to press the button and hear the noise.

Then they were off to pick up Papa after work........