Friday, September 2, 2011

Day 57: Jackson, CA Elevation: 1,200

Miles:  59.87
Average Speed:  12.85
Max Speed:  34.40
Total Miles:  2,111

Slept in a little this morning at Caples Lake just west of Carson Pass.  Had a breakfast of camp food and finally got on the road about 9:27.  Patrick relieved me of one pannier, bless his heart.  Exactly 1.3 miles down the road we arrived at the Kirkwood Inn where we decided to have second breakfast.  Kirkwood Inn was built in 1864 by Zachary Kirkwood - place served as way station, hotel, pony express relay point - some of the original structure, with bullet holes they said (we couldn't identify any), is incorporated into the present inn.  After passing the Kirkwood Ski Resort we had several very tough climbs - Patrick can climb circles around me.  But at least he truly understands what it is to do a slow bike ride.  Then it was pretty much down hill to Pine Grove where we stopped for gas - malted milks.  Then one more tough climb and on into Jackson where the atmospheric pressure is crushing and suffocating.  Patrick's rear tire went flat just as we pulled in - and yes, it was another dreaded wire.

Leaving Caples Lake - beautiful spot

Supply your own Freudian interpretation


Kirkwood Inn & second breakfast

Kirkwood Inn interior - see the bullet holes?


Kirkwood Ski Resort

Kirkwood Ski Resort - Patrick has a season pass through school for Kirkwood, Alpine Valley & Homewood - $250, FOR THE SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking north from hiway 88

Wired, I mean wired-less

Road into the void

Massive
 
Taking a while to get down
 
Silver Lake
 
Looking back toward Silver Lake

No, we're not going the wrong way

Patrick pointing out the Desolation Wilderness just south of Lake Tahoe

Lunch stop

Something wrong with camera

Tomorrow we start damn early.  Anticipating a rather tedious ride to Stockton.  Hoping all is well with everyone.

2 comments:

  1. Steve,
    Congratulations on the successful completion of your trip! Very happy for you. Kurt Fischer provided the blog link to me. I much enjoyed the great photos and commentary and following along with your journey. Viewing your blog was inspiring and intriguing--arduous though it was at times for ya, esp. with the major heat wave in July. Say hi to Kurt for me when you see him in Vancouver later this month.
    Again, congrats!!
    Curt Dederich

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