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A Little Tale About a Ride to the Hot Springs
Ten A.M., gear stowed, underway 24-242-4, they’re all just numbers on the map until the rubber hits the road Delta levee roads at least for now, water level’s rising!
26 into the hills no one around for miles Wheels are hummin’ as the pavement rolls by 12 to Mountain Ranch to Sheep Ranch to Avery Where’d all these bicyclists come from?
Frozen water is abundantly clear or maybe just translucent Alpine lake is solidly in place Mosquito Lake is without namesake Ebbitt’s is passable Catfish Corner is still sandy but free from fallen fish!
Mountain BBQ smells delish but I’m on a mission today Buckeye springs is flowing fast Tub is full and totally free Clothes are off and I am in Thank God soaking’s not a sin!
The tent is up and holding fast I’m off to Travertine for more good fun The water there is smooth and silky My cold Corona slides down easy Would stay forever but Domino’s won’t deliver Dinner waits at Casa Michaela Whoo hoo that salsa’s hot!
The stars come out to share the night Redford, Newman, Gable and Hepburn Oh wait I think I’ve had too much scotch Is it bedtime already?
In the AM I head for town Breakfast is fabulous at the Hayes Street hideaway Then it’s time to head back West Sonora’s calling and I’ve got its number Time to put the Tiger to the test Watch out for the Marines at MWTC!
The view from up top is incredible!
Let me repeat that. The view from up top is incredible!!!!
Winter wonderland it’s still up here Snow mobiles are zooming all around the pass Skiers are skiing and I’m fading fast Time for nap in the sun but not before preparing for Paula’s approach I’ve got a cold wet surprise in store!
Bikers go past by the two’s and the three’s But I’m waiting for that one dressed in yellow with rider in red My snowballs are melting but there’s more where they’re from And suddenly I spy her flying up from below Will she notice my Tiger and take the bait?
As Vader exclaimed in that move we saw so many years ago “I have you now young Skywalker” I see her hesitate upon seeing my bike Soon she’s turned ‘round coming back down With a cry from above my hailstorm descends Damn my poor aim, I’ve missed her both ends!
We chill in the sun admiring the view Then play hopscotch over the pass Trading photos of folly of the two-wheeled variety At last we reach camp where we off-load our gear Time for a nap before getting a beer!
Again we go soak in the water at Travertine Mellow conversation with others in need This wonderful hot water heals all of our aches The Corona’s not bad for that either!
Dinner at Ray’s second night in a row The tender pork in tortillas is almost like heaven We finish up soon and head for our camp I’ve got more wood for a fire that night The single malt beckons as does my chair Look more stars! Uh oh, here we go again…
Now it is Sunday and time for us to go But not before breakfast and well, one more soak That water is warm and feels way too good But ride away we must less our cats go hungry Sonora is calling so off we go with a Hi Ho Silver and Away!
Down the hill we go, where we will stop…only I know!
108 is so fast Strawberry Bypassed Middlecamp detour Big Hill ain’t so big!
Tri-tip in Oakdale Too much to take in Traffic is terrible but we’re on the bikes Soon we reach Livermore with fields all on fire Yet more crowded interchanges but we slow just a tad Up and over the hill past Castro Valley It’s the homeward stretch (Thank God says my butt!)
Now 4pm and all is just fine Relaxing at home after a very full day Only two on this ride but that’s how it works For those who showed it was better than dreamed For those who didn’t? Well, there’s always next year…
Paula in action (5 meg .mov file)
Craig |
