We started off early this morning 6:30 in an attempt to miss the queues going into Yosemite Park... We got there so early that the paying booth was shut.. $20 saved.
It was a lovely ride into the mountains, just a steady climb, and lots to see.. Not too many places to stop on the way... We reached the heart of the park ; the Yosemite Village and campgrounds - and despite it being very early the campers / RV people were everywhere, in the trees, in the carparks, swarming everywhere - not for me and we we're away to Route 41, up, up and even more up before what seemed to be an endless down hill run to Fish Camp and Oakhurst (breakfast time) - and again I get the old chap that used to have a motorcycle and wished he could go on a long ride... Maybe I will he said and off he went...
Now it was starting to get hot again... Back onto the 41 to Fresno - another town that looked better from the interstate.... Once out the other side... The road was straight and very very boring... all the way to Stratford and Kettleman City (not really a city: just a collection on gas stations and diners). From here on, the road was seriously bleak across the desert and the Kettleman Hills, mile after mile of scrubland.
We then entered Paso Robles for some more gas... I seem to be riding from tank to tank... Onto the busy Route 101 South... Passed Atascadero and then back into hills to the campsite at Santa Margarita Lake and yet another expensive 5 square meters of dirt.... ah well...
For those that are following this on the map, you should now be on Page 52... square A1... Tomorrow we are aiming for Santa Paula camp site, via Route 1 and Route 101 , before braving the ride into Los Angeles after the morning rush hour on Thursday.... Or maybe the state park camp site at Malibu !!! I bet the price there is ridiculous..... Now let's check that map...
Temperature is 90 in the shade and the odometer is 76678