August 31st

Today we met up with Clark & Kathy Flynn of Albuquerque, NM.

At 1 p.m. we went over to Escondido Cycle Center to have the parts installed on our respective bikes. Left there are 6 p.m. Can't say enough nice things about this company - VERY professional business. Went out of their way to accomodate us because we were from out-of-town.

Stopped by the motel - found Joe Sewell of the Tulsa, OK area. Joe, Larry and I headed for to Pat & Oscar's Restaurant for dinner with the TAA group.

The photos tell it all - good food. Lots of old faces, some new. Gary & Marj arrived a little late, but they did arrive on the trike.

Teresa won't be riding with Mike this year...says she's done it twice. She will ride as far as Victorville with the local CMA group.

Frank and Lil of York, PA arrived this a.m. - they had to stop in Vista, CA to replace a rear tire because they ran over something that damaged it.

Tomorrow we are heading for Kingman by way of Laughlin and Las Vegas....not looking forward to this route about way in extreme hot temperatures. We aren't leaving Oceanside until almost 9 a.m. Lots happening in Kingman that Gary's is excited about. I'm sure the long, hot ride will be worthwhile....at least that is what we are telling ourselves this evening.

Wayne isn't riding this year (last year we kept calling him Frank) and Frank isn't going either. It is possible that Bruce will be joining us tomorrow.

There are two guys form the Bay area - Dennis and Mark. They are riding all the way and having the bikes shipped back to CA....Dennis has a car rally to attend.

August 31st

Today we met up with Clark & Kathy Flynn of Albuquerque, NM.

At 1 p.m. we went over to Escondido Cycle Center to have the parts installed on our respective bikes. Left there are 6 p.m.

Stopped by the motel - found Joe Sewell of the Tulsa, OK area. Joe, Larry and I headed for to Pat & Oscar's Restaurant for dinner with the TAA group.

The photos tell it all - good food. Lots of old faces, some new. Gary & Marj arrived

Made it to San Marcos

We left Lost Hills at 5 a.m. - temperature was 86 degrees!

Actually got rained on the Grapevine. Saw some spectacular lightning - happy it was from afar.

It wasn't a bad ride down here - we arrived at Escondido Cycle at 10 a.m. As agreed they took Larry's bike in right away.

We left the cycle shop after 1 p.m. to return tomorrow for the installation of the parts they had to order today.

Not only are they fixing Larry's O2 sensor, they are replacing the defective trunk lock assembly on my trike. They also discovered a recall on my trike that had not been done and took care of that.

We are at the Ramada Limited in San Marcos - not too shabby for $52 a night.

Clark and Kathy Flynn have arrived!

Day 1

HOT HOT HOT....105 riding south on I-5. The trike did its usual thing. As long as I didn't ride over 60 mph it didn't get TOO hot.

We road as far as Lost Hills at 8 p.m.

Larry's bike threw a code - right O2 sensor needs to be looked at. Going to Escondido Honda when we get there tomorrow.

My trike had a burned out headlight first thing today. Larry replaced it - much easier than when he replaced his in Billings! Later in the day the trunk open message kept popping up after going over bumps. ARGH!

Saw Don Whittier in Clearlake - he took our photo, but too tired to up load it.

On the San Marcos tomorrow EARLY!

Ready to go....

Bags are packed and loaded. Motorcycles serviced and aimed for the road.

We will be riding as far south today as is practical. Stopping in Sacramento for haircuts and a visit with Loren (who, by the way, is now the proud owner of a California Class A license!).

Think kind thoughts, good roads and sane drivers!

Torches Across America Itinerary

We finally got around to packing today. This time we have packed for COLD weather. Last year we didn't have enough warm gear.

August 29^th – Ride south as far as we want so that the ride to San Marcos is fewer miles.

August 30^th August 31^st Ramada Limited San Marcos CA

September 1 Travelodge, Kingman, AZ

September 2 Comfort Inn, Albuquerque, NM

September 3 Holiday Inn, Amarillo, TX

September 4 Econo Lodge, Tulsa OK

September 5 Fiddlers Inn, Branson, MO

September 6 Super 8 Motel, Troy, IL

September 7 Holiday Inn, Cambridge, OH

September 8 Vienna Wolf Trap Motel, Vienna, Virginia

September 9 Redroof Inn, Secaucus, NJ

September 10 and 11^th Day’s Inn, Somerset, PA

Baking

Just couldn't resist trying to make Italian bread - not that airy French crap, good hearty Italian bread.....it worked! Tastes as good as it looks!

Visiting

My brother, Dennis, came to visit on Friday. He is on his way to Victoria, B.C. for some salmon fishing. Hope he doesn't get too wet on his ride up there.

Yellow Trailer

Finally got to bring home the newly color matched Escapade trailer. Fortunately the decals arrived before the shop was finished.

We also received our new color matched helmets.....we are ready for TAA 2007!

Relaxing!

Well, sort of relaxing. Since our return home on July 11th we have been resting up from all the heat. Not much riding - just around the lake a few times.

The red trailer is at C.A.R.S. in Lakeport to be painted yellow to match my trike. It looks very nice - just waiting for one last reflector to be glued on. Slight problem now is that the lid closed and locked and they can't get it to open with the key they had. Now awaiting the locksmith to make another key and get the darn lid open so I can have the trailer back!!

Ordered new helmets - this time matching the motorcycles.

This weekend we will ride to the Marin French Cheese Factory in Novato, CA - yummy!

Our next long distance ride will be Torches Across America - we leave August 29th.