Arizona and California

I met my friend AGirl in June, 2006 when she came to Nashville to visit family.  Since that time we have ridden many miles together in my part of the country, and since that time she has been inviting me to come visit her part of the country.  We had planned on it early in 2008 but rather than take a trip across the country I decided to spend $6,000 on a new heating and air conditioning system when mine died on the coldest night of the year.  So we put it off a year.

In November, 2008 we decided that 2009 would be the year for my trip west, and decided on the first week in February as the date.  The pages that follow provide a brief synopsis of my trip however they only hit the high spots.  It would be impossible for me to try and explain in detail the majesty and diversity I encountered during a week running around in the desert of Arizona and California so all I can do is present the photographs I took and provide a little bit of narrative to go along with them.

I had a fantastic time.  I met some wonderful people, I saw some fantastic sights, and I visited some very interesting places.  And, I actually got warm in February!  While Nashville was dealing with wind chills of zero and below we were riding in mid 80° temperatures.  There was hardly a cloud in the sky for the entire week.  The Weather Gods must have taken pity on me since it could not have been any better.

I’m very grateful to all four of my tour guides, AGirl, KC, Russ, and Ron but especially to AGirl and KC for hanging out with me all week and keeping me from getting lost.  Without all of them it would have been a hollow trip and I would have missed a lot of truly memorable places and events.

So, here we go.  Seven days in the desert and hills of Arizona and California.  The trip is divided up by day and you can go from day to day with buttons on each individual page.  They are also listed below.

January 31, 2009
Saturday
Phoenix, AZ to Arroyo Grande, CA
February 1, 2009
Sunday
Arroyo Grande, CA to Camarillo, CA
February 2, 2009
Monday
Camarillo, CA to Phoenix, AZ

February 3, 2009
Tuesday
Bartlett Lake & South Mountain
February 4, 2009
Wednesday
Tortilla Flat and Desert Botanical Garden
February 5, 2009
Thursday
Tucson (PIMA and AMARG) and National Parks

February 6, 2009
Friday
Tempe and End Of Ride

AGirl’s Ride Reports Are At This Link