~ National Park Week 2018 ~

“There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than the Yosemite, the groves of the giant sequoias and redwoods, the Canyon of the Colorado, the Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Three Tetons; and our people should see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children’s children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred.”  – President Theodore Roosevelt

Photo by Denise Griego looking towards Mineral King.

There are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day and they are America’s best idea. The fee-free days provide an awesome opportunity to visit that favorite park or perhaps one that you have never been to before.

My favorite National Park is in my backyard here in Three Rivers  – Sequoia National Park. My wife and I were hiking the short trail to the little-known, Hanging Rock when I spotted this awesome motorcycle parked along the highway amidst the Giant Sequoias. The road continues to the more famous Moro Rock and Crescent Meadow. To reach the top of this granite dome, follow a stone stairway over 350 steps that climb 300 feet to the summit for panoramic views. At the top, you can see the mountains of the Great Western Divide. Peaks in the Great Western Divide climb to more than 12,000 feet. Don’t climb Moro Rock if ice or snow is present on the stairs; it is very dangerous. 

Hanging Rock.

Moro Rock.

Great Western Divide.

Moro Rock, view from Hanging Rock.

Our friends from England, Vic and Jane Simpson.

You can read more about Sequoia National Park in my articles – Celebrating100 Years of the National Park Service and Exploring the Backcountry of Sequoia National Park. The Chronicle, In Pursuit of Wildness, features other great National Parks like Pinnacles National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and El Morro National Monument.  Undoubtedly, there are hundreds more favorites – just pick one.

For one week each April, the National Park Service welcomes you to celebrate America’s treasures upfront close, and free. This year, National Park Week for 2018 will be celebrated from April 21 through April 29! There are some special programs and events to be celebrated at most parks such as:

·       > April 21: National Junior Ranger Day

·       > April 22: Earth Day

·       > April 28: Military and Veterans Recognition Day

·       > April 29: National Park RX Day

Celebrate National Park Week at a park in your backyard. Now, I need to climb those 350 stone stairs to the top of Moro Rock.  I know the view will be amazing.

~ The Carrizo Plain National Monument ~

"I'd rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth." - Steve McQueen.

Thank you, to all my readers here in the USA and around the world, for following My Motorcycle Tales.

My article, "In Pursuit of Wildness - The Carrizo Plain National Monument," appears in the March / April 2018 edition of RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring and Travel magazine.  RoadRUNNER is a family business in North Carolina who produce a quality, professional motorcycle and travel magazine featuring interesting stories in the United States and around the world.  RoadRUNNER also sponsors Blue Rim Tours who offer amazing motorcycle tours.  You can also follow them on their RoadRUNNER Instagram page.  Take time and check them out by taking a preview of the current edition or better yet, subscribe to RoadRUNNER magazine - you'll love it.  It is exciting to be a writer for them, and I am very proud of my latest contribution.

There will be more of my articles to appear at RoadRUNNER Magazine, so stay tuned ......

Thinking back about The Carrizo Plain, the wildflowers, solitude, a huge cottonwood tree, and my campfire were my companions.  The night sky was brilliant and magical - you'll need to experience the wildness yourself.

The wildflowers at every corner are breathtaking

My campsite comes with a view

Sometimes, a tree is the perfect shelter

~ A Cowboy from Oklahoma ~

"We will be known forever by the tracks we leave" – Dakota saying.

"My name is Marvin and this is my dog Mal'akhi."

It has been cold here in Three Rivers but the weather forecast for the next few days is for even colder temperatures – down to 25 degrees they say.  

Today, it is sunny and a perfect day for a bike ride.  So with those warm thoughts, I head off towards Strathmore, heading east on Ave 196.  This is an easy-going county road and the recent snow is highlighted on the surrounding mountains.  This lonely road will eventually link up with Highway 190 pointing toward Lake Success.

Earlier, I stopped at Subways for a sandwich that I plan to eat at the overlook while watching ducks spending a comfortable day on the water.  Though I don't need them, I buy several boxes of Girl Scout cookies from some cute little girl scouts.  Bikers like sweets too.

Love these lonely country roads.

This rancher's entrance gate was a must stop.

I did not hear him coming up behind me but his warm, "Hello” turned me around.  

He began to tell me that he saw me and my bike and that he had, “That itch to turn the throttle.  I have a Harley and it looks like your bike.  Simple."  He had a very little dog by his side.  He seemed like a nice man, so I began talking or rather listening.  Immediately, I liked him.

“Four years ago, I lost my wife.  A few years later, I remarried.  She likes to ride my motorcycle and horses.  I am 81 years old.”

Now that sparked my attention as he looked, maybe 70 years tops.

“I’m a cowboy from Oklahoma,” he continues without much fanfare.  "This is my dog, Mal'akhi."

“I love to ride horses, but last year, a got thrown and broke my collar bone and several ribs.”  

Without much of a pause, he continues, “He's a good horse but got spooked when some motorcycles fired-up and he must have thought he was in danger.”  

Wow.  A real cowboy from Oklahoma who still rides horses and motorcycles.  I listened to the man as he talks freely about his life.  I squeeze in a few words telling him about my backcountry trips on horseback in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.  We have something in common.  Imagine that.  He smiles and now encourages me to talk with his silence.

"I've never been to Oklahoma," I add.  "If I were to go there, where would you suggest."  Thinking, he says, "Sulfur, next to Chickasaw National Recreation Area."  "Ok, it's settled, if cross into Oklahoma, that's where I'll go."  He smiles.  "Can I take your picture?" I ask.  He promptly grabs his little dog to be included too.  I think he likes his little friend, who never muttered a word, obviously likes motorcycles too.

I squeeze in a few more words and tell this stranger about my motorcycle trips and camping lightly on the land in my “In Pursuit of Wildness.”  “Here is my card, you can go on-line and see some of my motorcycle stories, including some stories for RoadRUNNER Magazine.”  As a cowboy might, he adds, “I’m not computer literate but my wife is.  I’ll look over your stories.  It sounds like you've covered some ground.”

We shake hands and he’s off with his little dog.  I think the man said his name was Marvin. 

Sometimes, we meet people for a reason.  Perhaps, an 81-year-old cowboy had a lesson for this 69 year-old biker  –  I just need to figure it out.

Riding back to Three Rivers, the song by Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert – You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma plays in my head  –

"♬♬... All the cowboys down on the Sunset Strip, wishin' they could be like you.  

Santa Monica Freeway sometimes makes a country girl blue.

You're the reason God made Oklahoma.

And I'm sure missin' you...♬♬"

~ Tend Your Biscuits ~

Wilderness is an anchor to windward. Knowing it is there, we can also know that we are still a rich nation, tending our resources as we should — not a people in despair searching every last nook and cranny of our land for a board of lumber, a barrel of oil, a blade of grass, or a tank of water.  

Clinton P. Anderson

February 8th is my 69th birthday and "I'm feeling fine."  I love Lonesome Dove and Keith knew that when he sent me his birthday card.

Denise took me to our favorite place on earth -- Pinnacles National Park.  We camped for a few days and hiked the High Peaks Trail (6 1/2 miles) to see the California Condors.

We saw many, including two Condors perched on a nearby rock.  Then, one flew towards us.  It was only ten feet above us and the "swoosh" from its wings stirred that innate "nature moment" within us, letting us know that we too belong.

This Condor in a few fleeting seconds reminds us that "Nature is amazing and her show is always free."

Here are some pictures from that day.  The last, are from my birthday present, a blue tooth selfie stick which I love.  And oh yes, the Pinnacles hat is a birthday present too, which fits well.

Yes, "I'm fine, turning 69."

Bob and Denise at the infamous Pinnacles sign

The High Peaks Trail towards the end of the day after a 6 1/2 mile hike

I love these rocks which I've climbed

A California Condor about to land

Two California Condors in their natural element

The sparse rains will be a struggle for the wildflowers this year.  These Shooting Stars display their courage

Male California Condor luring a mate

Mating by California Condors

Reflecting on earlier days at Pinnacles

Denise and Bob at the place where it all began -- Pinnacles National Monument, our 1st National Park Service assignment

Looking down on the Balconies and the infamous, Machete Ridge which I climbed with Jim Langford

My first selfie with my new blue tooth, showing off my Pinnacles Condor hat

It was such an amazing trip back to the Pinnacles, gray hair and all

~ I Wish You Enough ~

I WISH YOU ENOUGH

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright, 

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more, 

I wish you happiness to keep your spirit alive

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting,

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess,

I wish you enough "Hellos' to get you through the final

'Good-bye,"

He then began to sob and walked away.

Melton "Dale" Hair  11/6/2017; age 91 years young

I met Dale in 1971 at Pinnacles National Monument in San Benito County.  He was a real cowboy.  I loved his country talk and easy going attitude.  He always wore his cowboy hat framed by his huge cowboy smile.  He took us to the Bolado Park rodeo and I was hooked on horses, cows, and cowboy stuff.

Dale and Billie would join us at Mount Rainier National Park and then Rocky Mountain National Park.  One day in Estes Park, I asked Dale:  "Can we ride your horses sometime?"  "Any day," he immediately reply.

"Then Dale introduced us to his two horses, Charlie and Blaze.  

Such good horses and eager to please.

We rode high to the mountain top with smiles to match.  Thanks Dale, you paved the way.

Keith and Lori remember the day that you made us cowboys and cowgirl - such a memorable ride.  

Life is about moments, and you made them come true."

Keith, Lori, Robert Griego

Keith, Dale, Lori

Keith, Dale, Lori

Lori and Charlie.  Keith and Blaze