AS I RIDE: Riding the Desert

Greetings from Delta, Utah. Since the last post we've left the beautiful northern area of California, crossed the high desert of Nevada, and so far, more of the same with Utah.

The canyons heading away from the coast in California were spectacular and the roads proved to be some fun riding with twists of all sorts and decent road conditions and of course a dash of Winnebago traffic. We hit Reno two nights ago, cruised through town and decided it was probably worth it to leave and head to Fallon for the night.

From Fallon, NV to Delta, UT we had the most amazing scenery through the deserts whose elevation reached 7500 at times and higher yet in areas off of Highway 50. Traffic was sparse and at times no one in front or behind us for a time. 50 is known as the loneliest road. Time or one of the rags coined the term in 86 and go figure Nevada jumped on it for marketing reasons. Regardless, it was wide open and civilization with 80 miles or so gaps in between.

Route as of the last 2 days

California 299 heading towards Redding in the Trinity National Forest. Pulled off the road and hung around the river for a break.

Another one

An example of the canyon road

And of course with roads like this... It's the attack of the squids. These people have a complete lack of courtesy for the goofy girls hanging on the back, others on the road, and even themselves.

Yeah, uh, lets leave.

From the naval base in the desert following a convoy.

I can see for miles and miles. Some perspective end of the roads were at 10 miles going by landmarks. It could very easily be more.

We headed down this side road looking for earthquake faults. I don't know if we saw them or not.

The scenery was great regardless

Heading back. Highway 50 is about 4 or 5 miles ahead. See it?

It was all downhill so I coasted with the motor not running.

Middlegate, NV. An eclectic roadside stop.

Austin, NV. This was a cool town and situated on the side of a slope close to the summit. Fun road in and out of town. Feasted on ham sandwiches at the International.

Heading out of Austin.

This was outside Eureka I think. A 'wideload' taking up both lanes. Pretty close if you ask me.

Same one as on the east side of the nation.

The high elevation in the desert.

Rock

YEAH! This bucket is as big as the RV's.

Desert sky

Government sanctioned vice

I like pictures from this angle.

Convoy truck. I think there were 6-8 trucks? Helicopters followed with one on each side of the road.

More...

... and more...

... and more... I couldn't get enough of the landscape. This desert is different from say Arizona, which was sandy and like riding on the moon. This northern desert was riotous with growth.