2010-11-13 Melancholy local ride

Melancholy local ride

Posted 14 November 2010 - 02:08 PM

20101113-Melancholy

Spurned by the current 'ClamChowda' ride I rode today in search of good ClamChowda. FredW said it could never be good if derived from a can. Hell, ain't he heard of Dinty Moore Stew, the best evah?

Nevertheless, I decided to stay local today, and take pix of things I see every day. Too often, I think, 'Life happens while you are planning something else.' So then, why not stay in the moment of the day? My 92 year old Dad says 'Today is a brand new day, one you have not lived before - why not make the most of it?'

So then, you can see where this going. I decided to take a new perspective on my local hood. To view at from a different angle. With the exercise completed, I can tell you it was a wonderful day. And isn't that goal?

So stay with me as we take a new look at the Central Cali hood of Atascadero, Morro Bay, Cambria, Templeton and Creston.

Atasacaero has two new bridges. This is one of them. Do you know where the other one is?

Back in the day, HG Lewis founded Atascadero. BTW, Atascadero means 'mud hole' in Spanish. HG built this and now it's being 'stabilized' for future restoration when the economy improves. The last earthquake deemed it unsafe. It's a cool old building I hope we as community save it.

I liked this motto -

Breakfast at Hoovers. The waitresses are all cute, young, and wear tight tops. Hee hee.

Stopped by my favorite NAPA store to buy KrZy8 new life lubricant. They will treat you right when you buy from them.

We have a new memorial honoring Atascadero veterans. I'd never stopped before, probably been by it more than a thousand times. Today is a good day to stop.

Lined with polished and waxed bricks, names engraved.

One who gave all.

I'm proud of our little town for doing this.

Westbound on 41, heading towards Morro Bay. KrZy8 turns 59,000 miles young,working on her third odometer.

The stacks of Morro Bay power plant. Orginally an oil burner, she now burns natural gas, and has been relegated to a Peaker plant - only generates during peak power loads. The company owning her wants to sell - their stock is parade rest. Potential new owner does not want or need this old 1950's plant - most likely she is doomed.

Northbound on 1 now, heading towards Cayucous.

Cayucous is a small beach town still having charm. Unlike Avila Beach, for example.

Cayucous is now in the southern view of my rear mirrors, money-laden rich man town of Cambria lies ahead.

Even gates going to nowhere are expensively and lavishly garnished. Pure copper?

Cypress Mountain Road connects the Eastside of Cambria to 46 Eeast/West. A wonderful little goat road. Normally I try to ride at speed but today, well, 1st and 2nd were just fine. Sun-a-Shining, Bike-a-Purring, Mind-@-Rest. Lots of foto opps out here. I need to bring a group of peeps that like to take foto's along sometime for foto/ride shoot with emphasis on the foto part.

I wonder how old this silo is? Is it really a silo?

Or this tractor? Oh, I see the better side of Bustanut to pix right, too!

OrangevaleFJR memories. I wonder how he and Timmie are doing?

Meandering instead of speeding opens up opportunities. This group of hard-core bicyclists were from Orange County. They belong to a racing club, and this was a training run. The neat thing is they are completely family oriented. Dads, Moms, bro and sis too were out there. This is a huge climb. I felt happy to be fat and riding a 128 hp machine.

Stopped at an overlook to watch the crazy bikers. Especially the gals in that tight tight Spandex.

As I progressed through the bike group, I noticed the riders were all younger. Old peeps were off and pushing up the hill, these guys and gals just powered up like no big deal.

This was the self-proclaimed 'old man' of the group - he was out front with the youngsters. He's 28. How's that make you feel?

Another one for Andrew.
This is at the junction of 46 and Cypress Mountain Rd.

Onto and into Templeton, CA!

The grainery. Still in buisness today!

You need to stop in and just look around this old-skool hardware store. Even the doors, hinges, and latches are old.

And if you get hungry - this is very good steak house. Not the best, but still very good.

Heading home to Creston now - this family have been traced to being one of the first to settle this area.

The darker grapes are still on the vine, the leaves turning color are the closet thing we have to the Eastern peeping experience.

Neat new building on a dirt going to nowhere. Did they run out of money? What's the intent?

Hey, Creston? It's been a great day,time to head to the barn.

Two for Tim -

The sunset looked promsing, so I took the 426 out for some last pix.

That's it.I learned today. I like learning. I feel good. I like to feel good. A simple day, a simple ride.
Life is good I think, and head home to nice glass of Whiskey, a warm fire, a fun cat, a good dog and a great woman.

..and NO, I never got no ClamChowdah!
FredW sez he'll send me some in a can?