Day four

Tons of stars last night! Just as I drift off, I hear a big bang at the restaurant. Noise goes on all night. The proprietors caught a raccoon in a trap. I don't know why they bother catching them, there are hundreds more that could visit tomorrow...

Here's my camp

I grab breakfast at the restaurant around the corner and I meet Quinn. He's from Atlanta and he's riding the same route as me. We end up leap-frogging each other all the way to Kirkwood.


Back on the road

There goes Quinn

I met a guy photographing trees and he was kind enough to take a photo of me. The guy was on his way to the Mono Lake area to check out bristlecone pines.

Here I am at Carson Spur. The guy taking the photo flies a plane in that valley when the weather allows.

My day ends at Kirkwood. The ride in was weird- no one around! The receptionist at the lodge called it "may away". No more skiing, but still too much ice and snow for summer fun.

32 miles daily
236 total

Day five

A chain clanging on a flagpole is the only thing moving as I leave Kirkwood-

Rejoining hwy 88

15 minutes riding and it's time for breakfast at the Kirkwood Inn. Good eats and they play great music, too.(below)

Caples Lake

It's all down hill from here. 100 yards down I bundle up. All the clothing and fast traffic make me grumpy. Fantastic views-

Jamming down to Hope Valley

These bent and busted old trees are amazing

Things are starting to warm up along the Carson River. Glad to shed the cold weather apparel!
(below)

Smells like cinnamon as I reach the desert. I can't believe how fast the terrain has changed! 2 hours ago I was beside a lake covered in ice!

So long sierras! The general store in Woodfords was closed. This is the second time a hopeful refill spot proves fruitless. Funny how things work out here - "opening soon!" "closed til November!" "see ya next season!"

The ride to Genoa is an easy glide all the way. The landscape is so beautiful, almost surreal

California to the left, Nevada to the right

Genoa is Nevada's oldest town, therefore, they can boast having the oldest saloon

Back to civilization at about 4:30

After check-in I hoof it to a grocery store and walk through this park near the state legislature building

Pretty flowers at the bank

54 miles today
290 miles total

Day three

Mike and Kelly send me off....

Mike, Me and the Incredible Bulk

A ride on Gold Hill Rd leads to ponies in a meadow-

A savage climb leads to to finest break spot in placerville-

This cafe/bar has a real mine still open for viewing-

Leaving Placerville on Broadway-

The Columnes River-

Chugging along Omo Ranch Road-

Right about here on Omo Ranch Rd I bonk out hard and take a break to eat and drink-

Daylight's burnin' as I push for Cook's Station Campground-

I reach Cook's Station at 9pm and eventually discover camping behind the general store-

This was my first night breaking out the camping gear. As I am setting up, Jeremy, the property owners' son, rolls out of his trailer and we chat it total darkness. He has ventured on some biking quests as well.

47.56 miles
203.6 total