DAY 27

Another day to do the touristy thing in San Francisco. No need to get a very early start so we relaxed a bit in the morning and then it was time for a visit to the San Francisco Zoo. What a great zoo! It's laid out nicely so I was able to walk the whole zoo. Again, Faith was having a ball with her camera and her animals.

They've got a tremendous variety of animals. From beautiful flamingos.....

 To hungry bears. We got to see the bear feeding time. The zoo workers put food out in a few different spots and then they let the bears out.

 When we first got to the lion exhibit, they were sleeping nicely. But a little patience and we got a nice yawn.

We went from the gorilla area to a large grazing area for giraffes and zebras.
Many many more pics will be posted of Facebook. Faith was going crazy with that camera!

 After the zoo we stopped back at the room for a break and then noticed that the sun had come through the haze and it had gotten pretty warm. So we figured it might be a good time to get some better shots of the Golden Gate Bridge. So now that we were pros with the transportation system, we hopped on two different buses and found ourselves in the parking lot at the base of the bridge. Since the weather had gotten nicer the place was rather crowded but it was worth it.

The bridge looked great and the temps picked up a bit. You can see here that Faith was happy because this is probably the first time that the bridge was visible since we got here.

We have mixed emotions about leaving San Francisco tomorrow. The weather has been quite cool and overcast so we're looking forward to getting to some warmer temperatures. But we are having a great time and I know there's still so much more to see and do around here. It's been a fabulous few days but we really do have to get on the road again.
Check back because we're driving down the Pacific Coast Highway tomorrow and Wednesday so we'll have some absolutely beautiful photos.   Thanx

DAY 26

OK...Sunday in San Francisco. Not only Sunday but the Sunday of Labor Day weekend in San Francisco! One word---CROWDED!! We had pre-booked our Alcatraz tour but we weren't scheduled to go until 6pm. So we had the day to find things to do. Between Friday night and Saturday, we had gotten a taste of the MUNI system which is how most people get around the city. We bought a three day pass and that gets you on anything that moves around town. From buses to cable cars to the subway.

So we took the subway from our hotel  to a spot where we could get a cable car to the Little Italy section of town. The subway is actually an above ground bus that runs on an overhead electrical system to a subway that runs the same.

When we got to Little Italy, we walked a few blocks until we were about four blocks from Lombard Street, "the crookedest street in the world". The four remaining blocks were just about straight uphill so Faith walked two of them to take some pics while I sat outside at a little bistro and had a beer.

It was still a bit early so we walked from Lombard to Pier 33 where the tour departs. Even though we tried to kill some time we still arrived very early. We roamed around some of the piers checking out some of the street shows and folks looking for a donation. The streets were crowded and it got a little warm so we went back to the pier and just sat on a bench waiting for our tour. Finally it was time to board and head out to Alcatraz.

Alcatraz is a fantastic tourist attraction! Besides being extremely interesting just to walk the halls, it is steeped in some fascinating history and the tour guides were very knowledgeable. The guide will give you some of the history and then leave you at the front door.

Inside you can get a small recorder and earphones and take a self guided tour at your own pace.This makes it so much better because you're not herded through trying to hear someone at the front of the crowd tell you what you're looking at. You can actually take one of the earlier rides out to the island and stay as long as you wish. The boats go back and forth so you can take any return boat you want.

If you were unfortunate enough to be sent to Alcatraz, after you climbed a pretty steep hill to get to the main building, you were issued your number (no one in Alcatraz had a name. You were stripped of your identity and given a number). Then you were given a physical and marched through the showers to clean up before you got your prison uniform.
Lots more Alcatraz pictures on our Facebook page.
Faith really enjoyed the tour and thinks that it definitely rates in the top five attractions that we've visited on our trip. (so far)

DAY 25

Today was about as close as we could get to a relaxing day in San Francisco. We slept in a little longer than we have been and then tried to figure out how to get from our hotel to Fisherman's Wharf. We walked around the corner and boarded what we thought was the right bus but it only took us half way. So we had to get on the subway and this took us to the Market area. Still not close enough to the Wharf so we took another bus which was packed like a sardine can. But we finally got to the pier area.

 Got a bite to eat on Pier 39 and then walked around taking pictures just like a typical tourist.

Found the sea lions just relaxing and really not putting on much of a show.

 Being Labor Day weekend, the streets were quite crowded but we trudged along taking in the many different sights of the city. We saw some of the shops and restaurants that have been a part of San Francisco for years and some that are fairly new.

 We made our way from Pier 39 to Fisherman's Wharf. What an amazing place. Everywhere you looked you saw restaurants selling their wares along the sidewalk.

 We got a great cup of clam chowder and Faith was amazed at the whole scene.

 And of course a trip to San Francisco wouldn't be complete without the famous cable car ride. We waited in line for just over an hour and then they stuffed the car with tourists and we were on our way.

The cable car took us back to the market area and then we still had to take the subway back to our hotel. We had plans to meet my brother for dinner in Dale City which is about 3 miles from our hotel. We called for a cab but after waiting about an hour we decided to unhook the trailer and take the trike.

Although we arrived a bit later than the rest of the party, it was a very pleasant dinner with Jeff, Sue, Tracey and brother Hank.
Then back to the room. Tomorrow back to the docks to take the Alcatraz cruise.
Check back for details.

DAY 24

I called yesterday to schedule a fluid change for the trike because we've got some miles on her since we left. So this morning we stopped at Harley Davidson of Sacramento and they were nice enough to get me in and out in about and hour and a half. Now you know me, I don't like to brag but I got some great feedback about the work that I've done to the trike. This isn't the first time. People have been coming to get a closer look at it all along this ride.

Then we planned a lunch with what Faith calls a "twig in her family tree". Pat and Jerry are very nice people who live in Napa so we spent a couple of hours chatting and it was really nice to meet them. They talked about doing some traveling so we're hoping it will be more company coming to visit us in Arizona.

For a good part of the ride the weather was beautiful and we were making good time. We figured we'd get to San Francisco around 3. I thought that if we take route 37 instead of staying on 80 we'd get to go over the Golden Gate Bridge today and get some pictures. I hadn't planned on taking the trike out riding around town much. I was just about to tell Faith that it was getting a little warm and then we got to the Sausalito area. I don't know why or how but the temperature dropped drastically to the point where I almost pulled over to get a jacket. You could see the fog rolling in and we hit patches of kind of warm and then quite cold.

I really wanted Faith to see the bridge but you can see that it was mostly covered in fog.

You could barely see the bay and if you look closely at this picture, you'll see the Transamerica tower poking up through the dense fog.

We pulled off the highway into the viewing area and actually got some very interesting shots of the bridge. There were times when you couldn't even see it but then you'd get a little break and it made for some nice photo ops. Check out more on our Facebook page.

Every once in a while we get someone to take a picture of us together.

We checked into our hotel, took a walk to the laundromat and had some dinner while we waited for the dryer. When we got back we thought we'd take a walk down three blocks to the beach.

The fog seemed to be getting thicker and we could barely see the waves. But there were some die hards who were walking along the beach. We actually saw a couple of surfers who probably found this to be exciting and a challenge. But the dampness and the coolness sent us back to our room and that was it for today.
129 miles today and we've now driven from the beach of the Atlantic to the beach of the Pacific.

DAY 23

Today we started with a short 30 mile run to Fernley to get the final stamp for our challenge booklet. We had originally planned to go south on 50 from Fallon but we were able to take a connecting road out of Fernley that put us back on 50 without going 30 miles back. The road was nice and the weather was perfect again. Enough of a breeze or cloud cover to keep it from getting too hot. Our route took us over a few mountains and although we saw warnings, we saw no wildlife.
Highway 50 took us down through Carson City and until this point the day was going like any other. Then just after Carson City you can take 385 south or stay on 50 towards Lake Tahoe and California. Almost as soon as you get on 50 after the split the ride was fantastic. Throughout this trip I've found a few more "favorite roads". This is definitely one of them. You climb a mountain on a slow curving road with some absolutely beautiful scenery. The down side of the mountain wasn't as great as the climb but still a fun ride.

Then we got to Lake Tahoe. The views of the lake from the road were breathtaking and we stopped when we got down into town at one of the beaches.

There was everything from helicopter rides to skidoo rentals to parasailing on the lake. The mountains were a great backdrop and the water was a blue that you don't see all the time.

We stopped at one of the Tahoe casinos for lunch and a short slot break and then pushed on. Entering California we climbed more mountains and the the roads opened up a bit and we were heading for our hotel in Rancho Cordova.

 we were pleasantly surprised when we got to our room. The hotel itself was very nice but when we found a sitting room along with the bedroom and a 42" tv, we figured it was by far the best room we've had so far.

So we're getting a little excited because tomorrow we get to San Francisco and we spending the holiday weekend there. It'll be nice to park the trike again for a couple of days. There's plenty of trolleys and buses and cable cars to get us around town.
It turned out to be a longer day at 210 miles but we had those breaks so it was a very enjoyable ride.

DAY 22

 Although we rode part of Route 50 yesterday, the town of Ely is considered either the first stop or the last on The Lonliest Road in America. You can pick up one of these survival guides at many of the local merchants. The Lonliest Road goes from Ely to Fernley (or vice versa) with 3 towns along the way. If you "survive" the trip and get your guide stamped in each of the five towns, you get a certificate and a small souvenir of your ride.

 There are some very long stretches of Route 50 and it is truly a lonely ride. At times you could ride for a few miles without a curve or another vehicle.

We passed through Eureka and got our stamp and then pushed onward.

 We arrived in Austin just about lunch time so we had a burger here at the International. It was one of two places in town that served food. Next we topped off the tank and headed for our hotel in Fallon.

 More of the lonliest road. It might look like it would get boring but it was quite interesting. I like when you can see the road out in front of you for miles and miles. We did have to climb those mountains and the road gets a little curvy while climbing or coming down the other side.

 For one long stretch of road there was a small berm that ran along the highway. It seemed that someone had the idea to gather some stones and leave a short message on the side of the road. Now the messages go on for a couple of miles. Who loves who seems to be the most popular. You can see in the picture that the rocks aren't near the edge of the roadway. so these people had to walk a little way and gather them and then take the time to spell out their message.

265 miles later we got to Fallon. One of the larger towns along the route but we were tired after our long day so we checked in and patronized the casino in our lobby rather than walk from casino to casino. Then we ordered pizza and had a late dinner in the room.

Tomorrow we get the last stamp in Fernley and then into California.

Another "hello" to all of our family and friends who are following this blog. I'm trying to keep it interesting but these pics take a while to load so I'm putting the majoriy of them on our facebook page. So The stories will be here but the pics and videos will be elsewhere.
To my friends at NJNG, I'll be perfectly honest....I think of you often but I really don't miss the place all that much. If you get out to Arizona be sure to let me know. You're welcome anytime.
That goes for family, too.  And anyone else who thinks of us and reads our blog.
We'd love the company and would love to see you.

DAY 21

Today we left Fillmore, Utah to begin our journey along Highway 50 through Nevada. Before we get into the Route 50 experience, we have to tell you about Fillmore.  As we were getting closer to town I saw a sign that welcomed us to Millard County. So of course when we got to our hotel in Fillmore I asked if the Millard Fillmore thing was planned. It turns out the the county and the town were named in honor of President Fillmore. The library in town is the Millard Fillmore Library.

 So then it was time to get moving. We were about to travel on "The Loneliest Road in America". We actually weren't going the whole way today because it's quite a ride. We only did the section from Holden to Ely. The main part of this trip will be from Ely to Fernley, Nevada.

 We hit some sections of the road that went for well over 8 to 10 miles without a curve or even another vehicle. So I had time to take the camera and get a shot of us as we were cruising along.

 You can see here that the road is more than deserving of it's name. We only rode about 180 miles from Holden to Ely but we saw no more than a dozen cars and a few trucks during the ride.

The weather was absolutely perfect. Although we were riding through the desert we got lucky and had some cloud cover for most of the ride. It got a little windy when we hit the wide open spaces and that can make things a little loud and has a big effect on our speed but we were in no hurry and we really enjoyed the ride.

Finally got to Ely, Nevada early afternoon and after checking in, we took a walk up the street to the largest casino in town. Came back to room and washed the trike before going back for some dinner and gambling and a few beers. Then we spent the rest of the evening walking around the casinos and sitting in front of a machine here and there.
195 miles today and we're really looking forward to tomorrow. That's when we do the major part of Route 50. It's a long ride and we have to plan our gas stops. The towns are about 90 miles apart and between them you are on "The Loneliest Road in America".
In 1986, LIFE magazine named Highway 50 from Ely to Fernley and "The Loneliest Road in America".It's a 287 mile stretch with no points of interest and they recommended that drivers have "survival skills" to travel the entire route. They warned motorists to avoid this road unless they had these skills. But it has become more popular thanks to the warnings and you can even get an award for traveling the route.
There are five towns along the way that will stamp a card for you to prove you did the ride. So we will start with the stamp from Ely. Tomorrow we hope to get stamped in Eureka, Austin, Fallon and Fernley. Then we send in our completed card and we'll get our certificate and a souvenir.
So check back and we'll be posting a few pics of this classic road trip.