June 29, 2015

Packing up this morning got a bit easier, we rearranged a few things for easier access, it'll become second nature in a few more days.I was very diligent last night going over maps and writing down every road, every turn, had the map set, the GPS set and off we went from lake Arrowhead. The day started perfectly, we head out on route 73, a small beautiful,  twisty road through the mountains, 30 minutes or so and we'd be on Rte 138, another scenic road winding through the San Bernadine Mountains.  But, alas, 10 miles down rte 73 came the sign  "ROAD CLOSED",  can't be, it's on the map and the GPS, so another 5 miles or so and we stop at a Ranger Station, and sure enough, the state had closed the road 2 years ago, and now it was washed out and impassible.  So on to plan "B", except there is no plan "B". My headset stops working and Go-Pro mount won't hold. Electronics making life easier, yeah, right. We backtrack and eventually after an hour or so get to where we wanted to be. The road gets awesome now, even better than awesome, the temperature has gone from 95 down to the low 70's, the road is twisty and beautiful and no traffic. And then we hit the Angel's Crest Highway, even better, 55 miles of awesomeness!  Then we must descend through the Angeles National Forest toward Los Angeles, the temperature rises and rises to 109, we are stuck heading up the freeway, in bumper to bumper traffic. We are roasting and tired, we're not quite in all day riding mode yet, but after about 60  miles we find our exit, stop for some water and to stretch, and again head into the mountains. 

At about 4:30 We pass through the small town of Pine Mountain and opt to stay in a B&B. We grab a Stone Brewery IPA and a bottle of wine and chill and check the maps.Maxine and Dave, a retired actor own the place, Maxine is recovering from cancer surgery, nice folks. The temps drop and we spend a nice quiet night....    Life is good in the mountains.