Phoenix AZ to Lemon Grove CA trip

[Motoman_AZ]

Last week I posted a ride request on Southwestrides.com ..kinda a last minute deal:

"Long time friend who I call my brother has found his dream bike *soon to be sumo*... he has been struggling with money for quite sometime and finally sold all he can, borrowed all he can and had fortunate friends and family that gave him money to finally have enough to get his bike......

The bike is in San Diego... he's arranged a ride share Saturday @ $40 to get there and ride the bike home. Me and Johnny were going to over on Friday and stay the night then come home with Paul on his new bike... well heard yesterday that Johnny looped his KX500 when the throttle stuck, messed up his L5 and is slobbering on pain meds at this point so he's out.

Well Christa does not want me to go alone Friday so I am looking for another rider to go over with me on Friday.... I need a responsible, level headed, keep me out of trouble type of person for the ride over.. share a hotel, meet Paul @ 1Pm on Saturday and ride back to Phoenix with him on Saturday... we will be going through El Cajon through Julian through Ocotillo Wells, Glamis and Blythe and home........."

Well no one was able to make it so I went and bought a "SPOT" satellite tracker to help give Christa a better feel that she could watch my progress as I made my way to Lemon Grove, via Glamis, Ocotillo Wells and Julian. I made great time on the way over... the weather was PERFECT! A little wind through Ocotillo and a little chilly in the elevations but was refreshing. I made it to Lemon Grove, settled into my hotel and went to the beach (South Beach) for some Mahi and Lobster Tacos.....

All geared up ready to go!



Last chance gas at 339th ave... Hyper only gets 120 to a tank. Didn't want to take any chances



Made a gas stop in Blythe and decided to get some late breakfast at Denny's.



Making my way through the fields before Glamis... bugs were light

http://www.emotoman.com/bikes/2010/l...m/IMG_5871.jpg

Coming into Glamis Sand Dunes... and my camera picked up bugs!



Went up to the vista at the dunes



They were doing some burning in Brawley....



Making my way to Julian....

[Motoman_AZ]

Saw these old trees in Julian and snapped a pic

http://www.emotoman.com/bikes/2010/l...m/IMG_5891.jpg

Guess what I was doing......

http://www.emotoman.com/bikes/2010/l...m/IMG_5892.jpg

Overlooking the desert I just came through by Lake Cuyamaca

http://www.emotoman.com/bikes/2010/l...m/IMG_5894.jpg

Finally made the hotel....long hot bath and then to the beach! FORGOT the camera at the beach!

http://www.emotoman.com/bikes/2010/l...m/IMG_5895.jpg

The next morning I was waiting for Paul to get there... I went to a late breakfast after walking all over Lemon Grove visiting the different motorcycle shops... found the Antique Cafe and got some breakfast! Good stuff.



While I was having breakfast I posted up my status on Facebook...minutes later my cousin called me and said she was visiting California and was 20 minutes from Lemon Grove... since Paul was still and hour out I went and visited Bridget, Ashley and Brenda... haven't seen em for years!

[Motoman_AZ]

Finally got the call from Paul that he had arrived... I went down to Wayne's house where Paul was checking over the bike and adjusting the controls to his liking.... and were off! So we thought! His new (well new to him) 1997 Suzuki DR650SE



We noticed that the rear tire was new but the front was all weather cracked. We were behind schedule but did not want to chance the tire coming apart on the trip so went looking for a new tire and ended up in El Cahon at "World of Motorcycles". These guys were great... about 45 minutes and we were on our way.

http://www.emotoman.com/bikes/2010/l...m/IMG_5906.jpg

We left El Cahon and the first leg was Lyon's Canyon... wow what a road! Then we made our way up to Julian again.



Poser shot at Lake Cuyamaca



Back at the vista



Stopped at Romano's in Julian! HIGHLY recommend giving this place a go! The food was awesome and just what we need for a long run across the desert....



Paul's new bike never missed a beat!

[Motoman_AZ]

Paul at our pitstop in Brawley



Trying to wake up!



Our last stop before Phoenix at 2am....



we said our goodbyes and heading different directions! 800 miles and some beautiful country! Super great riding with Paul again! Hope you enjoyed the pics......

[Raiden]

Very cool, great pics