Broken Dreams and Beautiful Scenery

[AdventurePoser]

Broken Dreams and Beautiful Scenery

 

When Sunday dawned bright and beautiful I hurriedly called the Flame and said, “Get over to my place right away, and let’s put some miles on!” Chue-Shue, alias Jennifer, is never shy about going riding. She flew over from Diamond Bar to my place in 20 minutes flat. In another half an hour tires and oil were checked, face shields were clean, maps were consulted and we were accelerating out of town.

 

But where to go? Even though the sun was out, it was chilly. Plus I wanted to give my Joe Rocket Phoenix gear a try out. Soon it was decided. We’d head east toward Palm Springs, pass the dinosaurs, and improvise from there…

 

The ride from my place to the outskirts of Palm Springs doesn’t have much scenery, but it is fast! We covered the seventy miles in about 50 minutes. Now the weather was heating up and we decided to ride Dillon Springs Road as far as we could take it. The advantages would be no traffic and lots of interesting desert scenery. We turned off I-10 onto CA 62, and made an immediate right onto Dillon Springs Rd.

 

Now, they say that Riverside County’s speed laws are enforced by radar. I’ve never even seen an officer out in these parts of the desert. This is a good thing. Soon we were frolicking over countless whoop-de-doos in the middle of nowhere. I could hear CS giggling in the AutoCom headset every time we’d blast over the crest of one of these countless hills. After about 30 minutes playing, we came to Dillon and the I-10. Good spot for a break, a drink, and bathroom stop. We chatted for a few minutes with a very amiable CHP officer who was very interested in my bike; especially the Valentine One perched conspicuously on the RCU shelf:

Officer: I see you have a radar unit. Does it work? (Grinning)

Me: I see you have a radar unit. Does it work? (Grinning)

 

After exchanging a few more pleasantries about velocity, time, and distance, it was time to go. CS and I decided to continue south on CA 86 toward the Salton Sea. 86 is a great moto road. With mile after mile of agriculture, it is truly amazing what happens when the desert gets water. Grapes, dates, fruit, lemons, and tangerine groves seemed to stretch for endless miles almost up to the edge of the Salton Sea. We decided to pull over for a view, since the immensity of Salton Sea seems to be rivaled only by the Great Lakes.

 

Salton Sea was formed by accident. In the early 1930’s an aqueduct carrying water from the Colorado river broke. By the time it was repaired countless acres of desert land were flooded. The Sea remains today, but now it seems to only be a signpost of dreams left unrealized and shattered. We turned off the highway and rode slowly past ramshackle houses and broken down motels. We stopped at a large cracked wooden sign proclaiming a hotel and marina. We looked in the broken windows and at the ancient cracked swimming pool, long since dry. All that moved in this deathly quiet place was the wind and a few tumbleweeds that casually blew past the RT’s front tire. How many developers and businessmen came here after WW2 thinking Salton Sea could become a famous vacation area, I wondered. Did the dreamers take into account the blazing sun, the stink of the lake, and it’s incredible salinity? Today, only a few hardy souls live out here year round, their only company being passers-by and the droves of “snowbirds” that winter here in their RVs. We looked, took a few pictures, and decided to leave. “It’s creepy here,” said the Flame…

 

We happily left the Lake of Broken Dreams behind, intent on finding new adventures. About 50 miles from the Mexican border we turned west on CA78. A quick check of the map told us Julian, a quaint little town in the San Diego mountains was only 50 miles. Accelerating swiftly, we flew through the desert. The RT is happiest at about 95 mph, and we held it here until Val started giving us some KA band chirps near the Anza Borrego State Park entrance.

 

Traveling at a more leisurely pace now, we enjoyed watching the desert gradually give way to greenery. Cholla cactus surrendered its grip and gave way to pine trees and grassy green meadows. Deserted roadways also gave way to hordes of Sport-Utes, and bad drivers. On our toes now, we carefully threaded our way through the traffic, pedestrians, and horse-drawn carriages until we were out of Julian.

 

A deft twist of the wrist and we passed a couple of remaining RVs before we dove into the twisties once again. Cool mountain air, and Chue-Shue’s legs pressed tightly against my hips, we laughed as the big boxer danced off the mountain and into the parking lot at Dudley’s bakery at Santa Ysabel. We pulled off the helmets and said “Hi” to a group of Harley riders standing next to us. To a person, they returned our greeting with a sullen stare. CS and I wondered if they were having fun riding their motorcycles. Is “The Look” that important?

 

If you haven’t been to Dudley’s you should ride up one day. Fresh, hot baked breads, rolls, and other assorted pastries tempt the hungry rider. If that doesn’t do it, walk next door to the Julian Pie Company. Our favorite is Dutch apple with cinnamon ice cream. Don’t ask if we’ll share.

 

By now, we’d been on the road for most of the day. We opted for the most direct route out, a still pretty jaunt up through Ramona CA on 78. This is pretty county; rolling hills and expensive horse ranches abound. Unfortunately, tired folks in big RVs and SUVs dominate the late afternoon drive. We saw our share of bad driving!

 

Once out of Ramona we found our way to I-15 and a quick 88-mile blast home. We selected a speed that matched the flow of traffic and sped home. Soon we pulled into the driveway, 396 happy miles later. A safe, fast, fun ride with the one I love. Who could ask for more?

 

[cactusrider]

That sounds like a great ride! I'll have to check out Dudley's the next time I'm through there.

 

Don't ya just love being able to ride year round?

[Voodoo]

Steve,

 

I always love your great ride tales, unfortunately, as of late, they also remind me of how much I miss riding w/ my wife. Hearing all the great stories about you and CS, the courtship, the engagment, the great rides in between, just keeps sending me back to how much I used to enjoy those rides w/ my wife.

 

She made a decision after our son was born about two years ago that she was no longer a rider. While I have to respect her decision, it does leave a big hole in my riding world. We had many great trips together on the bike, including a few weeks through the Alps, various New England tours and weekend rides. And while she sometimes admits to missing it a little, she is truly adamant about her decision.

 

So, for me, for now, it's a solo thing. Which certainly isn't the worst thing in the world, and it's still a huge part of "living" my life. However, there are those times when I'm feeling great on the bike that it would the best thing to have her there to share it with again.

 

Well, maybe if I keep nagging.

 

Keep the stories coming and keep putting on the miles together!

[David]

I'll be your wifey, Dave! Let's go to the Alps! (Oh, BTW, do you ever let your wife drive?)

[Voodoo]

If you can fit in her riding gear...O.K., wait, that's not a good visual!!! Just remember, when we check in to the hotels, don't let them get away with "assuming" anything.

 

And, I only let her drive while I'm napping.

[TonyM315]

 

 

Great Stuff Steve! Awesome write-up. I was in the same area Sunday! Dillon is a fun one... and the area around the Salton Sea... well... is amazing.

 

Also - thanks for providing info on the Salton Sea... I always wondered about the history of it. A true wonder of nature.

 

One of these times I hope we cross paths.

[AdventurePoser]

Thanks for the nice words guys...Salton Sea is truly a bizarre place. I particularly enjoyed the old cafe with a run-down fire engine in the front yard. Pics next time.

 

Tony, PM me please!

[murrayg]

Steve: "Who could ask for more?" You could ask for more, but you don't need it. Thanks for the tale it was fun reading. I'll have to make it out west on Bennie one of these days.

 

 

 

[Ken/OC]

In reply to:

---

She made a decision after our son was born about two years ago that she was no longer a rider.

---

David, after our first child was born, I sold the MC and neither I nor the wife rode until the second (and last) child graduated from high school. Now we're both back on the road and the wife is more insistent than I am about spending those sunny days on the asphalt. Be patient!

[Bob Palin]

I took a very similar ride on Thanksgiving Saturday except I went down the East side of the sea on 111, not very interesting. I had intended to go right round the sea but time ran out and I went along 78 to Julian just as the sun was going down. All the off roaders were making their way back to their camps often following the road on each side of me, there were bikes and buggies everywhere like something out of Mad Max. Unfortunately the weather over the Julian Mountain (what is it's name?) was dismal. Not only was it dark, it was wet and cold, quite miserable.

The sea was actually formed in 1906 (mostly), you can read all about it here http://www.desertusa.com/salton/salton.html It's under threat from the latest water agreements which reduce agriculture in Imperial County, it is pretty much only fed by agricultural runoff now so is getting more and more saline.