Vinton

We left Quincy (1) on my FLH Electa Glide traveling southeast on Highway 70 on our way home to Santa Cruz via Stockton.  My plan was to take 70 to Blairsden (2), and then Highway 89 to where it meets Highway 49 near Sattley.  Unfortunately, several huge RVs arrived at the intersection of Highway 70 and 89 at the exact same time as I did, and to avoid a crash, I stayed east on 70 across the Sierra Valley to Vinton (3), and then southwest on Highway 49 to Sattley and then over the Sierra Nevada.  I had studied the map that morning, so I knew it wouldn't amount to much of a detour---perhaps 50 miles.

Approaching Highway 89 (Google street view).  This is where there was a confluence of enormous and slow-moving recreational vehicles with lowly me and my ex on a motorcycle.

Highway 70 to Vinton (3) and then to Sattley turned out to be one of my most enjoyable motorcycle rides.  It was a straight road with very little traffic and unlimited visibility--my favorite conditions.

Annotated

Here's a to topographic map of the area.

I took this picture outside of the gas station in Vinton (3).

A current Google Street View of the same place.  It's now a church.  What a difference 30 years makes.

Two pictures of a young Joe at the Vista Point (4).  You can see the Sierra Valley which stretches out to Hwy 70  behind me in the first picture.  I'm pointing toward Vinton in the second picture. Highway 49 hugs the Sierra foothills.

Looking back (Google Street View) toward the Vista Point and Sierra Valley beyond. 

Homeward bound.

1016 E400 Coupe

If I had to spend a great deal of money on a car, today it would be this one.

осень в Сибири

Autumnal Equinox

Autumnal Equinox--Rachel Derstine

Mosaic Tile Craftsman

Blessed is he who in the days of God will engage in handicrafts. This is a bounty from God, for in this Most Great Dispensation it is acceptable in the sight of God for man to occupy himself in a trade which relieveth him of depending upon charity. The craft of every craftsman is regarded as worship.
    --Baha'u'llah


Mosaic tile craftsman.

Split trunk repair

Not sure whether the split maple will ultimately survive, but I've secured it with nine 1/2" diameter all-thread rods through the trunk.

Meanwhile, it's time for the redbud to put on a show.

I had a great birthday...

I had a great birthday, at least I think so..

On the Road to Find Out

Early morning on Lincoln Street

Iron art

My nephew took this picture of a manhole cover in Bergen, Norway.

Manhole covers from various places.

Covers in Seattle include a map of downtown.

And indigenous art forms.

And whimsy..

A collection.

Goldfinch sighting

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH


I saw an American Goldfinch in the backyard this morning.  What a beautiful little bird.

(picture from web)




Lots of robins have appeared this week.  They love to take communal baths.  I've seen as many as eight or nine in the birdbath at one time--what a crowd!  Lots of splashing.

Then there are the regulars:  chickadees, juncos, hummingbirds, sparrows and jays.

Bicycle Helmet

I was looking online for a bicycle helmet, and I came across a company named "Nutcase".  LOL





It took some searching, but I found a helmet (required in my city) that didn't look absurd.  It's made in Denmark by Yakkay, and it's a simple bowl.

Here are some of the typical, ugly choices out there..

надо купить яхту

Purging Architect's Blocks

I laugh sometimes when purging architectural blocks.  They're so superfluous to structural drawings.