Going away...

Mitica100 · Jun 20, 2007

...for a short period. Loading up, taking the bike in tow and spending one week near San Francisco, I can hardly wait.

Plan to return to the site of my all time favorite bent tree, near Point Reyes:

Also, going around the wine country, Sonoma and Napa Valley. I will have my laptop with me so I will be in touch with ya'll.

Been waiting a whole year now for this...

newrmdmike · Jun 20, 2007

wow, amazing tree!!!!

i hope your trip goes well, and that you get some more shots of that tree!

doenoe · Jun 20, 2007

Thats a groovy looking tree

Have a great trip :thumbup:

Antarctican · Jun 20, 2007

Heyyyy, have an awesome time.

[Will you hit that 5000 post mark while away?]

Chris of Arabia · Jun 20, 2007

Does Antarctican ever sleep I wonder?

Have a great trip and hope the air is clearer when you get to that tree...

Tangerini · Jun 20, 2007

Have a wonderful trip!

terri · Jun 20, 2007

mmm, drink some of that CA cab for me, will you? :sexywink:

The non-overoaked kind.

Have a great trip, and bring back some pics. (I still remember this shot!)

Bike safely!

danalec99 · Jun 20, 2007

That's a cool tree!
Have a safe trip!

Mitica100 · Jun 20, 2007

Will do ya'll!... Getting anxious now and can't wait.

Mitica100 · Jun 22, 2007

9:30pm, leaving now!!! Can't wait!!!

Mitica100 · Jun 23, 2007

Made it! Drove like mad, over 14 hours (traffic sucks in SF, there is a Nascar event and a Gay Pride event going on at the same time (not same location).

I am tired but happy! Had a good and fresh dinner, a bottle of beer and I'm going to sleep right now.

terri · Jun 23, 2007

Glad you made it safely, Dimitri. Have a wonderful time! Get to shooting.

Mitica100 · Jun 25, 2007

Oh wow! Was I disappointed today! The tree is still there, is still bent but most of the branches are missing.

Still, a great trip on the bike, minus a little mishap with the battery. Somehow one of the battery terminals lost its connecting nut and I was without power for a few good milet, where I had to push start it a few times. Made it to a garage, borrowed some tools and a replacement nut and fixed it on the spot. Tomorrow riding to Bodega Bay and Occidental... will report later.

Mitica100 · Jun 26, 2007

Second day now... Second extended ride. We went to Bodega Bay, site of the famous Hitchock movie "The Birds". It's really mesmerizing, lots of seagulls, almost like in the movie. Visited the school, the pier where action took place. Found out Tippi Hendren (lead actress of the movie) will be in town to sign autographs on Saturday. That's the day we're leaving...

Then traveled on the Bohemian Highway to a little place called Occidental. Cute and lots of Italian restaurants. Ended up going South to Bear Valley and visiting the famous 1906 earthquake epicenter, right on the San Andreas Fault. Right there we met an old Harley rider, riding by himself all the way from Alabama. He told us that he used to ride with his wife of 35 years but he lost her to cancer about 2 and 1/2 years ago. So now he rides solo to all the places he went with her before, when she was alive. What a beautiful story, about him, huh? He really inspired me.

Tomorrow, wine country! Going to Sonoma then Napa Valley. A particular winery in mind, called Sattui (Google it). I've had their wines before and they are fantastic. It's a small winery, they don't sell but to a few restaurants and the rest they sell at the winery. Mmmm... Can hardly wait. Be driving the car tomorrow, not riding the bike, besides that my butt's sore!