"The Oasis of my Soul"... A Lifelong road trip with Spirit...

[Beemerchef]

Welcome back, Ara. That's a long time on the road!

But... but... we never left!... or did we?... we have left... yes... we did six months ago... I hate to think of myself in the years to come...

I will be near SF by the way soon... a bit above Stockton, well east of it I believe... near Pionner. I have to figure out if SF is a day's ride and come to meet some of you's... maybe leave the caravan behind and spend the night in the... city!...

You be well... looking forward!

Ara & Spirit

 

[Mickey_D100]

SF is definitely a day's ride from Pioneer. I was just there Saturday! It'll be a few hours but nothing terrible. I'm looking forward to reading more of your thread.

 

[Beemerchef]

A "must" do loop... CA.

Thanks Ryan... probably around the 15th of May...

A “must”do loop... CA.

One of the most pleasant ride taken yesterday... could have been a frame of mind but I know that the terrain had a lot to do with it also. Constant change of scenery, friendly drivers waiving, great weather and nice breeze... Watched some kayakers having a blast and back to camp a bit early decided to do my own take on this “tri-tip” revolution so popular here!!! You be the judge on the Blog...

Be well...

Ara & Spirit

Today's Blog....

 

[Mickey_D100]

Ara, I've been watching this thread and your blog off and on, but still can't quite figure it out, since the blog kind of picked up in the middle, or so it appears. . . . from the sound of it, you worked about half the year (as a chef? I figured that from your license plate but I'm not sure) and then traveled on the bike the other half with Spirit? From your more recent updates though, this looks to be a journey with no planned return to your profession any time soon? How old is Spirit? It sounds like he's doing well and happy. Is he okay health-wise, or does he have some issues that you guys are dealing with?

It's an amazing journey you're working on, and thanks for sharing it. Good luck in your continued travels.

 

[Beemerchef]

Hi Ryan... for the past 20 years I have taken off six months a year on two wheels... Family mishap a while back stopped me from it all... yes, now we are NOT returning... I have all my dear possesions with me!... "my friend's souls following me".
Simple really... what else does one need?...

You be well... and yes, I have been a Chef for 40 years now!!!

Ara & Spirit... he in great health, 3 yrs old +/- (rescued dog...),
and I am trying to be also!!!

 

[Beemerchef]

The BIG BIG trees of Ca... and a cup of coffee...

The BIG BIG trees in CA... and a cup of coffee!

Moving means busy... I get particular as to where we camp and sometimes it is not too easy finding the right spot. And then there is cooking, riding and exploring, Spirit and our playtime,
you know such things are laundry and Murphy’s law to always fix the unpredictable...
I would not trade my days anymore for anything you could offer me to replace these times...
Including today’s ride to Sequoia amongst the BIG tress... they are huge!... and always wondered... why there?
The first part is already on the Blog... with the story of a cup of coffee... beware!
You be well... part two will follow very shortly... we are moving again tomorrow... for a week or so... it will be a bit more permanent... like a week?

Be well...

Ara & Spirit

Today's Blog...

 

[Beemerchef]

Rain or shine we ride... in CA.

Rain or shine we ride!!!... CA.

The worse detriment in our Journey is bad weather. We have been lucky... I cannot take the credit that I follow sunshine throughout as we have had bad surprises... from actually lack of forgetting to check the weather sites! Today started heavily forecasted... but it did not keep us down...
Too many roads and sites to see... even if it is a short loop we were out there...
Nice roads... nice scenery... California does not cease to amaze me... unfortunately the prices of goods also take me a bit back...
Our day... and some of the past day on our Blog... in great colors of Spring.

You all be well... have a great weekend...

Ara & Spirit

Today's Blog...

 

[Beemerchef]

Under the clear skies of California.

Under the clear skies of California...

The skies are finally clear... Sequoia and Yosemite are waiting for us, but there are clouds of pain within me! A kidney infection... stones perhaps also... have managed to make their way since yesterday...
Already on medication... awaiting for all this to end... soon I hope... still took a chance for a little ride and mingle with some friends for some great food and conversations. Might have been a slight judgement error as now I am paying even a higher price for that escapade... but the road... at least half of it was worth it and so was the scenery as written on the Blog...
Karma has been good as you might read about it... and as always my thoughts are... so many have it so much worse. This too shall pass...
Till later... be well... I am trying myself to go there!!!

Ara & Spirit

Today's Blog...

 

[Beemerchef]

On to the Gold Country of CA...

On to the Gold Country... CA.

Maybe a couple hundred miles further north tonight, I don’t keep much track of mileage truly.
More important are the roads traveled, the scenery and the feel of it.
Past Pioneer on 88... ahead of the riders coming up for the Pashnit Gathering and feeling very fortunate to be allowed to stay here. Beautiful country... much luscious green trees... great weather which I hope holds up for everyone else.
The route is on the Blog and so are a few other pictures...
Be well...
Ara & Spirit

Today's Blog...

 

[Beemerchef]

Do you believe... again!!! Lake Tahoe

Do you believe it?... again! Lake Tahoe

At least, again, we did not crash... You must be getting used to this... anyone would like to by a used hack???... Look at it this way... every time something breaks, only 5 times however by now,
it is fixed better... stronger... OK... Maybe you want to wait a little longer, we are getting near completion... not much left that could break... This was a fabricator part by the way...
Besides that, the ride was just fantastic... 88/89 to Lake Tahoe at this time of the year must be the best... cool, just right temps, the roads are dry and open, even Tioga pass is opening tomorrow at noon!
Want to see some pictures... see what happened?... The Blog is up to date...
SmuMug was down for maintenance last night, could not post the pictures and that is OK too...
They are the best in the business...

You be well...

Ara & Spirit Today's Blog...

 

[Beemerchef]

A Great time at the Pashnit Gathering... CA.

A Great time at the Pashnit gathering... CA

This will be one of those memorable weekend... no doubt about it. Great people making us feel so welcomed, a family oriented gathering, nice to see and feel the togetherness, the friendships, the camaraderie... good food (at least I hope it truly was Friday night too...). The names will surface as we would love to come back next year.
I still need to have a square piece of metal, which a bolt goes through, permanently repaired with a solid piece machined, drilled and welded... Waiting word from South Lake Tahoe... if not... will look into Sacramento or Stockton... I just got word that this man does not have a drill press...
It will all work out... as it normally does.
More on the Blog...

Be well...

Ara & Spirit

More on the Blog...

 

[Mickey_D100]

Re: Do you believe... again!!! Lake Tahoe

Do you believe it?... again! Lake Tahoe

At least, again, we did not crash... You must be getting used to this... anyone would like to by a used hack???... Look at it this way... every time something breaks, only 5 times however by now,
it is fixed better... stronger... OK... Maybe you want to wait a little longer, we are getting near completion... not much left that could break... This was a fabricator part by the way...
Besides that, the ride was just fantastic... 88/89 to Lake Tahoe at this time of the year must be the best... cool, just right temps, the roads are dry and open, even Tioga pass is opening tomorrow at noon!
Want to see some pictures... see what happened?... The Blog is up to date...
SmuMug was down for maintenance last night, could not post the pictures and that is OK too...
They are the best in the business...

You be well...

Ara & Spirit Today's Blog...

I just did 88 and 89 into South Lake three weeks ago and saw scenery just like yours. It was perfect and beautiful.

 

[Beemerchef]

Simply Spectacular Views... CA

So beautiful here... I feel like staying!!!

Simply Spectacular Views... CA

You might be surprised at my Spectacular views of today... but I see them... and hope that you do to.
The rig is fixed and more... another bracket broke while there and being removed... Ah! I am so glad that I bought the “heavy duty” mounts... You might have had to send me flowers instead of reading this!
A ride to Yosemite coming up... I am ready... we are ready... I even took a night ride to the adjacent campground!... Make sure that my seven headlights are working... all is fine.
Check it out in the Blog...

Be well...

Ara & Spirit

Today's Blog...

 

[yella600rr]

WOW!

I just found this thread! I'm going to read as much of it as I can in the next week or two.

Beautiful pictures.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[humbug612]

Having met Ara and Spirit I can say they are more wonderful than you are reading, if you get the chance, go say hi, you will not regret a moment.

 

[yella600rr]

That is great to hear. I'm not terribly far from Yosemite and I was thinking of sending an email to see if I can say hi.

Also on Sunday in Fresno there is a Vintage Motorcycle <private> Museum Open House. This Museum is in someones garage and it totally rocks. I was going to send him the link via email to the event. Food, beverages, motorcycles & motoheads of all ages.

 

[Beemerchef]

Humbug... you are just too kind!... Hopefully will meet again soon... I feel like I will be in CA longer than I thought...
Yella... Yes, I am writing on Yosemite right now... one word only... including the roads going up... "WOW..." How can you even work 5 days a week... and not go RIDE!!!... For the first time as another rider was... of course passing me... and taking a beautiful leaned line on a tight curve... my heart skipped a beat... and I missed two wheels!!!... Don't tell Spirit!!!
I will be parked in Cupertino tomorrow... as I want to see SF and meet some of you(s)... then I will be back to this area and most likely parked in Walnut Grove near SAC where someone is putting their 6 acres at my disposition... and kitchen!!!
I think that is the unplanned plan...
Be well...
Ara & Spirit

 

[yella600rr]

Ah darn, missed Ara in Yosemite.

Ride safe and again thanks for sharing.


My heart skipped some beats when I started reading this thread and seeing the pictures. The sunset one with the silhouette of Spirit was breath taking.

Ara, I’m pay palling you some money. If you are inclined I would like to purchase some photo images from you.

 

[Beemerchef]

But I will be back.... !!!
Funny you ask as I was thinking about setting up with Smugmug for some picture sales as many readers have been asking me!
Give me some time... I am computer ignoramus and I am inquiring right now...
Be well...

Ara & Spirit

 

[yella600rr]

I'm being paid to sit at a desk 5 days per week all the while living vicarously through your rider's blog.

I got time to wait.

I will watch for your return to Yosemite. I've been known to take time off work to get some two wheel time.

By the way my name is Theresa.

Thanks for the Pictures & Stories!