{"id":99,"date":"2010-06-13T22:41:27","date_gmt":"2010-06-14T05:41:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rubschlager.com\/matt\/?p=99"},"modified":"2010-06-13T22:41:27","modified_gmt":"2010-06-14T05:41:27","slug":"wandering-around-the-west-day-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rubschlager.com\/matt\/wandering-around-the-west-day-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Wandering Around The West – Day 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Day two started out with a disaster. \u00a0But first allow me to employe the plot device that drives me insane. \u00a0A couple of hours earlier we’d eaten breakfast at a restaurant not on the main drag in Bend called The Breakfast Club. \u00a0There we had a hardy breakfast that actually got us through lunch.<\/p>\n

After arriving back at the hotel we gathered our belongings and Angie went off to check out. \u00a0I placed the bags on the ground around the bike to prepare for the bungee-ing them to the bike. \u00a0I threw my jacket onto the saddle of the bike, and out shoots the GPS. \u00a0Landing on the ground in, thankfully only two, pieces. \u00a0The damage amounted to just the face plate being cracked so some cellophane tape is holding it all together until we get home to the glue.<\/p>\n

Once on the road we headed south out of Bend on US route 97. \u00a0After a while we stopped at the Newberry Volcanic Monument to check out the obsidian flow. \u00a0Angie had been there a couple of years back when her parents came out for a trip in late July. \u00a0Well, being mid-June, there was still quite a lot of snow hanging around so a good portion of it was covered. \u00a0However, the bits that we could get to were cool. \u00a0I don’t think I’ve ever seen chunks of obsidian quite as large as the ones I’d seen there. \u00a0I snapped quite a few photos, and we hopped back onto the bike and headed off in search of state route 31.<\/p>\n

Again, thankfully the damage to the GPS was only skin deep, and it continued to work flawlessly throughout the day. \u00a0I did turn it off during a fairly long stretch on the same road to save some juice, although looking back I think it could have made it. \u00a0I didn’t charge it up fully tonight so we’ll see if this lasts us through our ride tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Reaching state route 31 we were greeted by signs proclaiming the scenic-ness of the road. \u00a0True to the advertisements the surroundings were very scenic. \u00a0One thing about riding on a motorcycle instead of a car is that there is no muting of the scents — for better or worse. \u00a0For example, on my way home from work there is a farm that fertilizes the fields with cow manure. \u00a0In the car with the A\/C on I’d never know. \u00a0On the bike, well, it’s hard not to know.\u00a0\u00a0After turning onto route 31 we were greeted with the scent of hot pine wood. \u00a0There were plenty of little nooks to go hide away from the cares of the world. \u00a0While traveling along we came to a sign for Fort Rock. \u00a0I’d read about it on another site and figured I’d go give it a look. \u00a0It’s a pretty cool landform. \u00a0I need to look it up online to learn more about it. \u00a0It’s basically a semi-circle butte that seems to have been hollowed out, and one portion of the wall removed. \u00a0I took some pics, but they’re from a distance, so I’m sure they’re not too good. \u00a0We stopped at the Fort Rock museum which was interesting. \u00a0Homesteader cabins and other historical buildings have been moved there and you’re encouraged to go exploring for a small fee.<\/p>\n

Back on the road we returned to state route 31 and headed south. \u00a0We rode through some more high desert that there was the distinct scent of marigolds, but not one in sight. \u00a0There was another blooming wildflower that didn’t have much color to it that I suspect was the source of the scent. \u00a0Up to this point we still had two possible destinations, and a decision required by the time we reached Chandler State Park. \u00a0Upon arrival at the park I had pretty much made up my mind. \u00a0I’d had just about enough of the high desert and wanted to get somewhere. \u00a0The first destination, Winnemucca, Nevada, was just shy of four hours away. \u00a0The second destination, Alturas, California, was just shy of two hours away. \u00a0At this point in the day I wanted to get our hotel arrangements made and settle in, so off to Alturas we went.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately the ride went from boring high desert to straight, flat boring farm land as we entered California.<\/p>\n

The bike is obtaining a protective sheen of bug splatter that I’m quite proud of. \u00a0My five year old Harley-Davidson Sportster, unwashed during my ownership, has a fraction of the dead things sticking to it. \u00a0However, special accolades to the dead bugs that achieved the following stunts during their demise:<\/p>\n