Heading South....

Driving down I-5 is pure torture!  The view of Rainer was a nice diversion as we departed late the first day.  Made it as far as Springfield around 9pm and stayed in a WalMart parking lot.  Will not be one of the better campsites on this trip but day one was about making time.

 Even Petey wanted to know why in the hell we were out here on this crowded slab.

View of Mount Shasta from the super slab.

I usually avoid interstates at all costs but needed to make some time to the south to meet someone about a possible business venture.  Otherwise, I would have done the coast route for sure.  Once south of Grants Pass, Oregon on the second day I started thinking about camp for the evening.  Once on the north end of Lake Shasta I pulled off at the first signage indicating camping.  Figured it being the off season I could get a reasonably priced place with a shower.  First campground had maybe three campers in it with about 40 empty spots.  They wanted $30 for a piece of ground to park.  I don't need hook-ups just a level piece of ground an maybe a hot shower.  Nope, still $30!  Saw some county employees and inquired if there were any Forest Service roads nearby.  Two miles up the road.  I departed the hallowed campground and went in search of stealth camping....as in free!

While unloading and setting up camp Petey did some lounging on the warm rocks along the lake.

Had the place all to ourselves.  Lake is really low so we basically drove out to where it would normally be 20-30 feet underwater.  Beautiful evening with temps in the low 60's.  Not a bad spot considering it costs us nothing.  Petey standing guard.

Final Preparations

Last minute details taken care of.  Finishing touches on the revamped trailer.  Loaded the bike and hooked everything up.  Plan is to leave by noon tomorrow for the drone down I-5.  Wanting to make tracks south as fast as possible.  Had considered going down US 1 along the coast but will drive it when coming north in late May.

Why a Blog?

I've been posting my previous trip reports and photographs to various motorcycle/travel forums, Facebook, sending pictures to others via email,  and have decided to create this blog for family, friends and anyone else with similar interests or the poor sap with no cable and needs something to do.   Basically a consolidation of sorts to eliminate numerous postings, emails on my part.  In my opinion there is nothing more enjoyable when travelling than to have no set destination or plans.  Load up either on my motorcycle or in my pop-up camper and simply GO.  God forbid a reservation is made or an itinerary is in place.  Takes all the adventure out of it. Having to be somewhere is a major commitment in my book.  I'm not good at committing!   More like....ensure I have gas (truck type), maps, some sardines, beer funds and the camera.  That about covers it, time to go...with Nowhere to Be.   Upcoming trip will commence tomorrow as I'll be heading initially to Baja and then to the Southwest area for the remainder of the trip.   Plan is to be on the road for 8-12 weeks.  Not sure where in Baja or for how long but will pick a general direction once across the border.   I hope, time willing, to post up some of my earlier trips as well.  Please subscribe by posting your email in the spot provided above if you'd like to follow along. By doing so you'll receive email notifications when an update is posted.  I hope to make frequent posts as the trip unfolds.  Comments or questions are welcomed and can be made in the comment section at the bottom of the page.

Oh yea, I will be travelling in my pop-up camper on this trip so I'll have my best friend, Petey, along for the ride.  His first "roam about" since I got him a few months ago so hoping he loves to travel.  I'll keep you posted on the exploits of Petey.  Hell, who am I kidding here.....following Petey will be the best part of the trip.