But first, after four weeks on Magic, it was time to massage the riders. Freedom found a Thai Massage therapist for us. While Jules had 1 1/2 hours, I relaxed at the motel, reading by the pool. He rode back to pick me up and assured me it would be the best massage I ever had!
Yes, it was a Thai (Thai me up and beat me) massage. The therapist found areas to give me pain that I never knew pain existed. She flopped my body around like a ragdoll, but even though I could barely walk down the steps when I left, I now feel like a million bucks (a little crumpled but worth a lot).
Tahoe was our projected goal, but instead of traveling east and taking the shortest route, The Golden Chain Highway (route 49) showed us out of Nevada City. We followed, then crossed the Yuba River, where the banks were littered with hundreds of people trying to cool off in the blue-green trickle that ran between huge boulders.
Soon we again found ourselves in the Tahoe National Forest. Tall pines and spruce with an occasional redwood defined the road and brought some relief from the heat. We stopped for lunch where a relatively new sign marked a mining claim. Individuals hoping to strike it rich, still search for gold in the rivers of this area. A few small towns, each replete with a saloon, greeted us on the way.
Higher and higher we rose into the Yuba Pass and finally at about 6000 feet, we were cool.
Many twists and turns and just a bit of construction brought us to route 89 which led us into Tahoe. Driving through Truckee by the Donner
Pass, Jules and I thought about taking the historic road, but we were apprehensive because it was past dinner and we were very, very hungry!
The presentation of Tahoe is impressive. From a height of 7000 feet, you glide down toward a crystal blue lake that covers the landscape for miles. Mountains made for skiing surround the water and reflect into its 900' depths. Sailboats, kayaks, motor boats and fishing rigs dot the lake.
Tonight we have ended our day in a motel by the water. A wine and cheese reception in the lobby turned into a reunion, as we met, by chance, friends we made at dinner yesterday.
After the wine and then dinner, we walked to the shore of the lake and watched the moon copy itself in the ripples of the water then back to our cabin. Tonight we are experiencing our first night ever on a Murphy Bed, hoping it doesn't flip as we sleep!
As we have ridden along the many roads of our past 30 days, I have been struck by the beauty of the ever changing sky. Sometimes so blue it looks false, others it is green and gray and ominous. Then it can be painted with the oranges, reds and pastels of the setting sun. Because we ride with our faces in the wind and no roof over us, the art of the sky is extremely intense.
On the motorcycle, the road is king, but the sky is queen.
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