Great post election getaway guy trip...

[Capt Steve]

Just returned from a great 5 day getaway trip with my neighbor, friend, mentor, instructor and riding buddy. Our brides were more than a tad bit upset about the outcome of the election so we rolled out on Wednesday morning at O'dark thirty headed to San Diego from our homes in Tucson.

We've been friends for 10 years and ride together several days a week and had been discussing a get out of town run and this seemed to be the perfect time. Al is a retired CHP motor officer and bought his BWM when he retired but sadly they took off his blue lights and siren... we could of had some serious fun with those.

A strong Santa Ana wind pattern developed pushing us west with 25+ mph easterlies. The climb up from the desert west of Ocotillo and the subsequent mountains passes provided more excitement than we needed but we made the 418 mile run to San Diego where we arrived to a high of 93 degrees.

We stayed on a friends boat down on Shelter Island and spent 3 days just kicking back by the pool/spa with "occasional" visits to the bar. On Veterans day we rode out through Rosecran's National Cemetery atop Point Loma where 101,079 veterans rest. It is a pretty impressive place to be on Veterans day. We continued out to the Cabrillo National Monument touring all of the many exhibits.

Saturday morning we packed up and hit the road going north up the car pool lane on I-15 turning east north of Escondido and out through Valley Center stopping for breakfast (awesome steak and eggs), at the Harrah's Casino at the foot of Mt Palomar. On Saturday mornings the mountain is crawling with crotch rockets, most of whom have a serious death wish, so we passed on riding up "Mother of all Twisties" - 21 switchbacks take you up over 2,500' in just seven miles}. Instead we enjoyed a mellow ride out past Lake Henshaw, through Ranchita and down the infamous S22 into Borrego Springs.

Here is a shot of our bikes parked at a pullout about halfway down the S22's 12 mile 8% grade:



We picked up highway 78 outside of BS and took it all the way east to and through Glamis {miles and miles of sand dunes}, before turning south on Ogilby road and reconnecting with I-8 and on into Yuma. A night of fun at the Cocopah Casino and we hit the road for home at 8 Sunday morning. Got back around noon having logged 953 miles.

Had waay too much fun and we can't wait to head out again.

[CustomChevyGuy]

That sounds like a great get away. Nice of your ladies to let you out for a bit too, they must be keepers!

[29aholic]

Sounds like a great ride, but we need more pictures.

[Marshwheeling]

There's no such thing as a bad road trip.

[old bear]

Cap. I just love to see anyone out enjoying their life. Keep up the good work, and keep it right side up.

[Capt Steve]

Here you go, a couple more pics:



Here is a shot taken from the Cabrillo National monument. You can see the Coronado Islands, in Mexican waters, 13 and 17 m miles to the south. The houses nestled under the palm trees in the center of the shot is the location of the crisis of faith scene between Tom Cruise {Maverick}, and Tom Skerritt {Viper}, from the movie Top Gun. It is actually housing for a few lucky officers...



This shot was taken looking north from the Cabrillo Monument. That is Ballast Point, the submarine base
in the center. Got its name from the old sailing ships that would arrive in San Diego loaded with ballast stones to stabilize them during the long journey around Cape Horn. They would dump these stone at this location so that they could take on their cargo for the return trip. Over the years and thousands of ships
the point was formed.


Yep our brides are definitely keepers. Al has been married for 48 years and I am working on 47... not too bad since I'm not quite 65. I just can't seem to get enough time in the saddle on my Harley... just got back from a ride after cleaning up the bike and cranked out another 100 miles. Trouble is now I have to clean the bugs off....again! (o;