Peninsula Red Riders

Often our trips are defined by some event. In the case of the Kings Canyon camp out there was the year of the flat tire (1997), the year we didn't make it (1998), the year of "Shoo, bear" and exploding chili (1999), and the year we lost Jerry on the way home (2000). As nothing very eventful happened this year I fear it will be remembered as the year Marc was 3 minutes late.

Six riders left the Donut shop at 7:04: Marc, Mark, Fred, Jessica, Michael, and Rob. We rode to the Cozy Cup in Hollister for breakfast where Jerry joined us, having left his house about 20 minutes late. Rob only joined us for breakfast, having other weekend plans.

We took our typical route of Ca 25 to Ca 198 to Visalia where we stopped for lunch. Leaving Visalia we took Ca 208 to Ca 245, 30 miles or so of great motorcycling. Ca 245 ends at Ca 180 just a few miles from the park entrance. We stopped at the entrance for a short rest. The rest gave Fred ample opportunity to play with his camera, including documenting the fact that he uses all the available rubber of his rear tire, but Jessica doesn't.

It's about a 45 minute ride from the park entranceway to the bottom of the canyon (traffic permitting). We found a pair of nice camp sites and had camp set up in no time at all. Wood, beer, and snacks were purchased at the campground store. Shortly we were settled in, drinking and telling stories, none of which were probably true.

Before it got too dark, Michael started the camp fire. Notice the roaring flames. Notice the nice tee-pee of wood in the fire pit. Notice the bottle of BBQ starter fluid on the table next to Michael! Some previous camper left an almost full bottle of starter fluid in the bear box. Seemed a shame not to use it.

Dinner started as the sun set. Marc made noodles with non-exploding chili. Jessica had some curry cooking. Others went the easy way: the picture on the far right is Mark's Mandarin Orange Chicken cooking in its pouch. Jerry brought sandwiches and fruit.

After dinner and dinner clean up it was time for more drinking and story telling. People started heading off to their tents around 9:30. No bears this trip. No signs of any other wild critters, either. The only night sound was the sound of river water in the background.

Sunday morning started about 6:30 when Marc woke up and got the morning fire going. Marc fixed bacon and eggs, Jessica tried egg-like-substance in a bag, and I believe Mark broke out an MRE. Coffee and tea was also enjoyed by some.

Camp was struck by all but Jerry who decided to spend a second day at Kings Canyon. Mark and Michael were heading home. Marc, Fred, and Jessica were going on to Yosemite. The Yosemite bound group took Ca 180 to Fresno, and then Ca 41 into Yosemite with a stop in Oakhurst for lunch. We drove into Yosemite Valley, but the ride was somewhat frustrating due to the traffic. There was no camping available in the Valley, but Crane Flat, near the 120 entrance, had plenty of room.

Fred went foraging and came back with a large amount of wood for the camp fire. Then, with Marc's folding hatchet in hand The large branches and logs were cut almost to size. One bit was too large for the hatchet, but we figured we'd put it on the fire first and burn it in half. Sun-of-a-gun -- that's exactly what we did.

We got to the campsite early enough to catch up on light reading before dinner. Dinner was over before it got dark, which made clean-up a bit easier. Perhaps one of the reasons dinner went so fast was the 6000 foot elevation -- water boils quicker!

After dinner we got the fire going and talked until nearly 10 PM. It was warm enough close to the fire to not need extra clothes... but that didn't stop Jessica from bundling up. Sometime during the evening we decided that we'd just have coffee in the morning, then break camp and have breakfast on the road.

In the morning we did as planned. A cup of coffee/espresso or two was consumed while striking camp and packing the bikes. The first stop was the Crane Flat gas station for a fill up. By 8:30 we were back on Ca 120 heading toward the valley to pick up Ca 140 which follows the Merced River. Breakfast was in Mariposa, about 1 hour from the camp grounds. It was early enough that there was no traffic to speak of.

From Mariposa we got on Ca 49 heading north. The road was nearly empty and lots of fun. We hit Ca 108/120 and headed west toward Oakdale. The road opens up to 4 lane divided highway where traffic seems to run at 80 MPH. We made excellent time into Oakdale.

Oakdale was our last stop. We gassed up and took a 20 minute break before heading back onto 120. Ca 120 brought us to I5, I205, I580, etc. Fred split off at Castro Valley. Marc and Jessica hit the San Mateo bridge too early for the toll free lanes. We were home by 1:30 in the afternoon.

All-in-all it was a great trip. Yosemite was a bit disappointing (too crowded, even this late in the season) so next year we're thinking of a Kings Canyon/Sequoia camp out. That would give us lots of time to play tourist.