California Meet and Greet.

This is the very first California “Meet and Greet” for our group. California is such a large state (Tx would understand) it has always been difficult because of the vast distance for everyone to go. So I knew this was going to be special.

The plan was to meet in Big Sur along the coast about 25 miles south of Monterey. A group was camping and the rest were going to stay at motels.

I left on a Thursday evening after work. It took an extra hour just to get out of town because of the traffic and construction. I made my first stop over the pass on Hwy 205.

(click on any image to enlarge)

Lots of wind up here thus all the windmills.

I can tell by this point I’m going to spend several hours in the dark. OK, at least I’m riding.

By the time I hit the 680 freeway to head south it had turned dark. So no pictures from here.

The road just rolled under me for the next 100 miles. I finally turn off the freeway to take Hwy 156 over the hills to the coast. I ran into a few patches of fog and the temperature dropped by 15 degrees. I finally hit the PCH (as the SO CA riders call it.) It was another one of those surreal moments driving in the dark and not knowing that the ocean is just to your right. As I passed Monterey I saw a couple of light houses doing their job providing their light beams circling. I arrived in Big Sur around 9:20 at night and had forgotten the name of the camp ground. I gave Dave (Volusiaguy) a call and asked for instructions. As it turned out the campground was difficult for several riders to find.

Pulled in and parked the bike. It was good to see familiar faces. After I set up my tent we gathered around the campfire. We all caught up on what was happening and got to meet a new face (Soda Pop) from my neck of the woods. The booze was brought out….”what do you mean it’s the last beer?” Good thing I though to bring mine own bottle. The weather was chili but not bad at all. I had no problem sleeping that night.

The next morning it was amazing we all emerged from our tents at almost the same exact time. Everyone was doing great except Jeff (jpaige wasn’t talking much, but he never was a morning person.)

Here is Volusiaguy and Soda Pop.

We all suited up and headed off to Monterey. Why, ummm…I think Dave wanted a shirt and we thought we wanted breakfast. It’s only a 26 mile jog up the PHC highway.

Here is one of those lighthouses I saw the previous night.

Another view.

Here is the PHC on a overcast day. If you look carefully you can see jpaige one the far right.

The roads out here on the coast are candy for a motorcycle. It has high-speed sweepers with peg scraping twisties thrown in. If that’s not enough then put yourself on the side of a cliff while doing your riding.

Then I saw it. That famous bridge your see in so many movies. They turned out to be several of these type of bridges. Again Jeff kept jumping into the picture.

Since I had the camera out I got the rest of the boys crossing the bridge. Dave is on the left giving me the “You’re #1” hand sign, Stitch is right behind him with Soda Pop bringing up the rear.

Here is Volusiaguy filling the tank. I think this picture should be on the calendar.

Stitch had this Russian helmet that I thought looked soooo cool. It even had 2 different visors, one clear and one dark. I will have me one of these helmets.

After missing the turn off on the Hwy to Monterey we finally find Cannery Row. Monterey is one of those places everyone has been to but not recently. First things first, breakfast! Stitch suggests some place new, so we ended up at this sea food place for fish and chips. Here is the gang in the front of the place.

After breakfast we walk around all the little gift shops then decide to head back to camp. We stop at a store in Monterey to pick up supplies for the camp and head off. As we are heading back we pass Special Ed and he catches up to us. Of course we were like a pack of wild mustangs and it took a few miles to get us all to stop.

It was a good time to show the boys how to pack. Beer first, then protect it with the wood. Got it?

Here we are catching up with Special Ed. Then we all had to go look at his bike.

Back on the road. Is that Stitch or a Russian Biker?

I need a closer look.

Before you know it we are back at camp. Here is Dave going over the rules of camp, “The only rule is there is no rules!”

Pvogler showed up in the afternoon and added another to the camp group. As it grew dark some said, “Isn’t there some people staying at a motel?” No one had a number.
Here are all the bikes parked at night.

Here is Stitch starting a new MAN LAW, “Do not burn the fire stick.”

Here are the planning committee for the night’s festivities.

Of course Dave shows us how to attract women.

Stitch was the first to cross the deep creek. We camped right at the edge of the creek. One false move and you would end up in the creek 10 feet down.

We stayed up late having a wonderful time talking and acting like children. The next morning the plan was to ride towards Hearst Castle along the PCH. Leroy showed up with a great looking VOL with a matching faring.

Here is our neighbor, she droped by to meet a real biker. Too bad she didn't find any here. ha ha.

The bikes and the tents.

Today was going to be a easy run with lots of stops for pictures.

Here is General Volusiaguy, look at all those metals!

Here is the group heading North.

The bikes looked great together.

Here is a nudists beach…where are all the people?

Here is Volusiaguy trying to get a shot for the VOL calendar.

We tried to find a place to eat. But out here prices are not cheap. Most places started at 15 dollars a plate. We finally found this little café/burger joint and eat lunch. Leroy headed west inland and we headed back to camp.
Stitch taking a hard turn.

The road back to camp. Not bad eh?

Here is Stitch crossing a bridge.

Soda Pop and pvogler riding together.

Volusiaguy giving the thumbs up to this ride.

Pvogler and Soda Pop crossing another bridge.

I really liked this bridge.

We all finally showed up back at camp and as we were unpacking the supplies Special Ed and Mrs Ed showed up for a visit. Then DS06C50T and his wife dropped by and gave us T-shirts. That was very nice, then if we were not having a good enough time already Special Ed gives us each a ride bell!

Stitch’s mission this weekend was to start a fire.

It wasn’t long before we were settled in around the campfire and everyone loosened up.

Here is the group praying for the fire god.

Remember that cliff at the edge of camp? It was bound to happen someone would slip and fall off. Soda Pop won the prize.

I’ve never seen this before but you can burn cans!

Here is Curt doing imitations.

We all feel alseep late and the next morning we packed up to head back. It was a great time with many friends. Here is Volusiaguy, jpaige and my bike before we split up to head our own ways.

I was supposed to meet up with the hotel group on my way home. They were in Monterey some 26 miles up the road. I pulled in and saw several VOLs. Here is Special Ed’s bike on it’s trailer.

I got to meet Special Ed, Mrs Ed, RebaLynn, SmokinMr2 and their daughter, DS06C50T and Another Vol rider (I can’t remember his name or his wife, sorry.) Quite a big group. We had breakfast as Denny’s and had a great time. After breakfast we grouped up in the parking lot for a few pictures.

Of course I had to get them to point….

Then I got into the picture and the fun started.