Flooded roads were common along the coast
Russian River Valley
A cool and wet weather system was slated to move in to the California coast so I enjoyed the sunny weather while it lasted. With darkness setting in and rain sprinkling the visor, I pulled in to an abandoned service station north of Point Reyes Station, drove the Ruckus past the broken door hanging by one hinge and into my quarters for the night. Wind and rain drove hard but I was pleasantly snug in my sleeping bag beneath the aging roof. Overnight, the guttural yelps and whines of sea lions in the nearby Tomales Bay kept me sleeping with one eye open. It wasn't until morning that I realized there was not a dying drunk behind the building.
During my last visit to the Bay Area, I met Dave and Candy who live on their sailboat Seair in San Rafael. They were kind enough to offer me a visit despite Candy's recovery from a cold. In the warm cabin of their ship, we recalled stories and spent two days relaxing, sipping tea and heading out for delicious local grub. The incessant storm hammered on the deck and hatches overhead and my mind strayed the the little Ruckus parked outside in the pouring storm. I hope nothing gets compromised from all the water.
Dave and Candy's ship 'Seair' on right
Later the following day, I set off for downtown San Francisco with darkness setting in as I rode through Sausalito. The rain picked up and with a 25 mph headwind, I eased my way onto the 101. The iconic cables of the Golden Gate Bridge stretched skyward to dissapear in the dense clouds and darkness of night. The mighty scooter struggled to keep 35 mph as city buses, cabs and impatient drivers hurriedly passed me on the poorly lit span. The headwind kept my speed limited yet I gained a short bump in speed as I crested the rise and started downhill toward San Francisco. Slippery metal grates hummed beneath my feet and the steering felt squishy and unresponsive. It was a great relief as I crossed the toll booth and snuck my way through behind another car, making the first right toward the Presidio. Phew.
I met up with Lex, a friend of a friend, who had offered up his vacant apartment in downtown to me. The conversation with him and his girlfriend over pizza was enjoyable and we departed into the night, a small key in my hand to unlock a studio apartment where I'd take the most needed shower I've had in a while! The rain continued through the night and I was happy again to have a roof over my head. Thanks Lex! In the morning, my alarm sounded before sunrise and I packed my gear, prepared a breakfast of pooridge and coffee then set out into the awakening city headed ever south and west.
I met up with Lex, a friend of a friend, who had offered up his vacant apartment in downtown to me. The conversation with him and his girlfriend over pizza was enjoyable and we departed into the night, a small key in my hand to unlock a studio apartment where I'd take the most needed shower I've had in a while! The rain continued through the night and I was happy again to have a roof over my head. Thanks Lex! In the morning, my alarm sounded before sunrise and I packed my gear, prepared a breakfast of pooridge and coffee then set out into the awakening city headed ever south and west.
Artichoke Fields Forever
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