Aug & Sept 2024

 Here's the basics:

Friday: Camp at Fiddle Creek Campground on the 49 out of Grass Valley.  It's the one past Carlton.   Many of us...Rig, Pete, have a Garmin In Reach, so we can send out messages about where we are.....that's good..  Get one , you loser.  

Saturday is a big loop track, but we could add stuff on in Gaia...so look it over ......You don't have Gaia?  WTF?  Dude...

Sunday lunch in Downieville...you know....by the river...it's a pizza and burger joint...think poker flat survival moment. 

Tracks  

Supremely Unsatisfactory.  That's it.  Dave said so.  Well, there's a lot of backstory to that statement, and frankly, I don't really know where to begin.  Maybe I should write this one backwards, from the good times to the crazy times.  This was a weird one.  A one and only I hope. 

Sometimes the coolest parts of these rides/gatherings is the hang out time.  We had some very good hang out time on this one.  Bassett's Station is a go to from now on.  It's a great place to get supplies, a splash of gas if needed, and then a people watch place.  We hung out there for some time on Sunday.  We were trying to make Downieville for lunch by 11:30 to meet Todd and Chris, and we were ahead of schedule.  So let's just hang out.  Man that 49 is a fun motorcycle road.  You have to be careful though because it's also a great site seeing road.  But don't look away too long, a tight corner is ahead.  I love going to these mountain towns.  It's like traveling back in time to the Gold Rush days.  There's so much to see and ponder.  How do people make a living in these towns?  I guess stores and restaurants work.  The Downieville lunch spot is money.  Great pizza.  A go to for sure. We missed Todd and Chris.  They were late.  Next time boys.  Saw them coming into town as we were headed home.  Stopped at the Bullard's dam with Raf and Dorian.  Had one last beer.  Always a good spot to stop and ponder.  I had to get some gas so I went the Brownsville route home.  They have that nice new market and gas station.  Frankly, this route is about 10 minutes longer than the Loma Rica route, but it's less highway and more fun.  

So I had to work Friday.  So glad I could take off after work for this ride.  My last class was awful.  I don't like being around them.  I worry for America with kids like that.  I was the last of the group.  Raf went early, then Rig and Terry, then me.  This part of the story isn't really mine.  I have to relay what was told to me.  But Fiddle Creek and Carlton appeared to be full. But it turns out that Terry found one spot that was open in Carlton.  So he nabbed it.  He met Raf at the Outpost across the highway, I guess as Raf was about to go over to the Cal Ida campground.  But Raf had been hanging out at the Outpost doing a little day drinking, and met this gal who was doing the same it sounds like. You can get on the wifi there and people gather, it would seem.  Fo and I bought firewood there once, but I didn't realize they are kind of a bar too.  So anyway, Terry calls me to tell me the spot, then the three of them head over.  

Well, it turns out, this day drinking gal that Raf met was our next door camping neighbor.  Along with her grandma and her grandma's bff.  The evening was just fine.  Terry made burgers.  He was testing out his new camping set up for his Forerunner.  First time use of the awning and so forth.  Didn't expect the burgers and they were tasty!  Thanks Terry and Rene!  

Just visited and drank and went to bed.  Then it got interesting.  Around 4 in the morning, but certainly by 5, when Rig got up, the neighbor gal lost her marbles.  I think she forgot her medication, but she sounded hammered drunk, and she was screaming and cussing and throwing stuff and just generally going bonkers.  I got up and Rig and I watched the show from a distance.  Other neighbors were awake and were curious as well.  Eventually, grandma's friend and the crazy gal went to hair pulling and fisticuffs.  It was amazing.  Supremely unsatisfactory.  This went on for some time, until eventually, she came over and sat on our table bench to poach a little warmth from Terry's propane fire.  She went from full on crazy and screaming to enjoying a little quiet moment by our fire.  We asked where home was, and that got interesting.  They were from Marysville, but she got philosphic with "What is a home, really?".   And so, in a bit, grandma got her into the car and they left.  This left bff grandma in camp.  She really seemed like she didn't know what to say or do.  But her key fob got busted somewhere along the journey and she couldn't get her car running.  We got all packed up and Terry rescued her by jumping her car. 

We took off to Downieville for some supplies and to wait for Dorian.  He was headed our way.  Once he connected, we took off and took our first dirt track.  This is a great two track and heads up and over to the Gold Lake area.  Spent a good amount of time up near the top in a big turnout, just hanging out, talking, having a beer, and enjoying nature.  We got going.  We wanted to see Deer Lake so we took the 4x4 track up to there.  You can see the pictures above.  Gorgeous spot.  But it was early so we wanted to go see if we could get the camp at Haven Lake. We did. It was about 2 at this point.  I regret not heading back to Bassett's Station at this point, but like Rig said, once you get to camp it sort of sucks you in.  Even if it's early.  Terry took a nap in his car and we all just visited and hung out.  Eventually, Terry took off for home and Dorian opened a bottle of wine.  Turns out, his tumbler holds a whole bottle of wine.  He didn't share.  

Rig and I and Raf had a little beach time.  You can see that in the photos.  Raf and I had a rock throwing competition.  I think we both won, and Rig won by not playing.  Back at the table, we played some chess.  Never got the cards rolling, but they did get opened.  Packed it in early.  I prepared for cold with my electric vest.  Man, if you don't have one of those, you are missing out.  I hate being cold, especially in my tent.  That thing is a game changer, though the truth is, it wasn't really cold.  In fact, it got windy in the night and I bet that helped keep a warmer air moving.  We thought we ran out of water in the morning, but Dorian had a gallon and coffee was flowing.  

We rode the next track that loops east and then back down to Bassett's Station.  And that's when we hung out there.  That is a really nice track.  Colleen and I drove it a while back and saw a bear and a coyote on the road, so I was cautious out front.  But also, these smooth dirt roads make me a little nervous about oncoming traffic going fast.  Had a view and a hang out session up there for a bit.  Gorgeous. 

So, this ride had a lot of adventure in it.  Saw beautiful country, rode great tracks and pavement, not too far from home, and just a pleasure to be up there.  Could of done without the crazy lady, but that certainly adds to the story.  Hope more of you can make the future rides.  We had a great small group, but it's always fun to have bigger ones too.  

Until next time, let's keep it supremely satisfactory.  Cheers.