Total: 279 miles
Est time: 8 hours 50 minutes
Routes and map by Google.
[ Monday -
October 10, 2011 ]
What happened. The last several nights weren't so bad but last
night was different. Perhaps it's the Motel 6
accommodations. For some reason the Major's snoring was the
worst last night. It was like being in a motel room with a
Harley Davidson with straight pipes, and it wasn't idling.
Yikes! Even with earplugs in and two pillows piled on top of
my head, it didn't make any difference. Oh this blows, but I
made it through the night. Maybe we should get separate
accommodations next time.
Last night, having been in a dark mood due to all of the oddities
happening around me, I didn't feel much like visiting my friend
Bob. But this morning is a different day. I find myself
looking forward to seeing the old friend.
London Bridge is the same as it ever was. We cross it
searching for that legalized wonder drug again... coffee. One
thing is for sure, the economy has impacted this region also.
The coffee shop we were at four years ago is long gone. Only
the skeleton of the shop remains. Looking through the windows
I can still see the hardware that was once used to make
coffee. I can only wonder as to when this place
disappeared. It is also extremely quiet, but it's possible
that a Monday morning is partly to blame for the lack of population.
Kelly's back in 2007.
In the end be revert back to the Starbucks across the bridge for our
coffee.
We make it to Bob's place on the south end of Lake Havasu. The
trees in the front of the house have grown quite a bit. It's
been a good 4 years since we were last here. We spend some
time talking and catching up. Bob still talk of moving back to
California, but it might be a hard proposition given the economy and
the housing situation. Still it doesn't hurt to try.
Eventually we bid Bob a fond farewell until the next meeting.
Maybe we'll be back in a year or less. At first a was
reluctant to visit Bob, but in the end I was really glad I spent the
time. Despite what my moody self was trying to say, I was glad
gave Bob my time.
It looks so close on the map, but the distance between Lake Havasu
and Twentynine Palms seem to just go on forever and ever.
We fuel up for the last time in Twentynine Palms. There's only
70+ miles to reach home and both bikes are more than capable of that
distance. However, it's coffee break time. We stop at
the Starbucks in Yucca Valley. Apparently we've caught the eye
of a lot of folks. As usual I receive questions about the 8GS,
but the funny part is when a couple of older gentlemen ask about our
nationality. Chinese, Philippino, Japanese, or Korean?
It's a funny answer, none of the above. Siam, South East Asian or
Vietnamese. It turns out these guys are Vietnam vets.
What a pleasure. We both spoke to them at length. I
thanked them for their time and service in adding us in our previous
country before it fell. We enjoy each others' conversation
until the vets turned us loose to get some coffee.
70+ miles left. It's almost over. Unfortunately we have
to make it through the narrow channel of the east San Bernadino
mountains and north edge of Mt. San Jacinto State Wilderness on the
I10. Funneling all of the wind through this channel has us
being tossed around like dandelions in a typhoon. Once again
I'm reminded to be careful on this freeway stretch. It's still
windy as heck! At least I know how to deal with this stuff
after so many times being through here. I tuck down and keep
plowing forward.
At last Minh and I part ways as he continues on the I10 while I take
the 57 to head for home.
