Due to the heat we decided to leave Garberville earlier than usual & decided on a short ride to Weaverville only 130 miles away. The heat was taking it's toll in the same way as this Cowboy.
Once again we plotted a route on unnamed roads with the usual Northern California scenery, you can be so remote here but only 20 miles or so from the main routes.
We see very few cars although when we reach highway 36 several bikes are about, that's always a good sign, the 'Mad River Burger Bar' is our breakfast stop & the sign say's 'Don't Blink Or You'll Miss Us'.
Weaverville is reached in the early afternoon & it was good to have a dip in the pool, the town is an old Victorian settlement from around 1849 when there was a gold rush, the local museum also has a working steam stampmill used to crush rocks for gold extraction.
The main street remains in character & is famous for it's spiral staircases that used to give direct access to first floor accommodation & businesses.
They are very patriotic in these parts & the town Hotel is decked out in Red White & Blue.
On Wednesday our intention is to enter Nevada via a route passing through Lassen Volcanic National Park, this volcano erupted in May 1914, in the devastated area it's like a desert with very little tree growth.
The road takes us up to 2599m with the highlight of the park at Bumpass Hell an area of hydrothermal activity & the tell-tale smell of sulphur.
Time for a 'selfie' I guess, there is often steam rising from my head!
The area is quite extensive with bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles & boiling water, the only problem was the 2.5 mile walk each way from the car park in 90 degree heat.
Considering how toxic the ground is it's a surprise to find a clear pool of water with plants so close by.
There also used to be a Sulphur works here which is next to the road, John passes the area with mineral deposits clear on the adjacent hillside.
As usual we spend longer in the park so decide on an alternative destination of Susanville, still in California so I guess it's Nevada tomorrow instead.
We find out there is a brewpub in town (this is becoming a common occurrence) called The Pioneer & we sample the wares of the 'Lassen Ale Works', they also have a Honda Trail 90 in the window, I would have made an offer but we can't carry it with us.
Walking back to the Motel the local School has a sign displaying the 85 degree temperature around 9.30pm, I guess it will be hot again tomorrow.
Once again we plotted a route on unnamed roads with the usual Northern California scenery, you can be so remote here but only 20 miles or so from the main routes.
We see very few cars although when we reach highway 36 several bikes are about, that's always a good sign, the 'Mad River Burger Bar' is our breakfast stop & the sign say's 'Don't Blink Or You'll Miss Us'.
Weaverville is reached in the early afternoon & it was good to have a dip in the pool, the town is an old Victorian settlement from around 1849 when there was a gold rush, the local museum also has a working steam stampmill used to crush rocks for gold extraction.
The main street remains in character & is famous for it's spiral staircases that used to give direct access to first floor accommodation & businesses.
They are very patriotic in these parts & the town Hotel is decked out in Red White & Blue.
On Wednesday our intention is to enter Nevada via a route passing through Lassen Volcanic National Park, this volcano erupted in May 1914, in the devastated area it's like a desert with very little tree growth.
The road takes us up to 2599m with the highlight of the park at Bumpass Hell an area of hydrothermal activity & the tell-tale smell of sulphur.
Time for a 'selfie' I guess, there is often steam rising from my head!
The area is quite extensive with bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles & boiling water, the only problem was the 2.5 mile walk each way from the car park in 90 degree heat.
Considering how toxic the ground is it's a surprise to find a clear pool of water with plants so close by.
There also used to be a Sulphur works here which is next to the road, John passes the area with mineral deposits clear on the adjacent hillside.
As usual we spend longer in the park so decide on an alternative destination of Susanville, still in California so I guess it's Nevada tomorrow instead.
We find out there is a brewpub in town (this is becoming a common occurrence) called The Pioneer & we sample the wares of the 'Lassen Ale Works', they also have a Honda Trail 90 in the window, I would have made an offer but we can't carry it with us.
Walking back to the Motel the local School has a sign displaying the 85 degree temperature around 9.30pm, I guess it will be hot again tomorrow.
Bugger that too hot for me
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