So here we are on I-80, passing over the Donner Pass (one of the highest passes you can drive in California...about 7,000' elevation)....me, Claudia and our little buddy Tuck driving through thick fog with horrible visibility, snow banks on each side of the road (I'll post some pictures later today) as high as 15', heading to Nevada to deliver my motorcycle to its new owner. We sure know how to pick our adventures! But here's the rest of the story....before you think we're completely crazy (just halfway). When leaving Grass Valley our weather was about 50 degrees with light rain and the weather at our destination in Reno, just across the mountain, was 65 degrees and sunny. But there was that mountain between the two areas...and you have to cross it. While you're on "the pass" as the locals call it, if it starts snowing or the rain starts to freeze, the highway patrol stop you at check points and turn you around if you don't have tire chains. It's still hard to get used to the fact that it can be 60 degrees here in Grass Valley...and we can jump in the truck, drive 45 minutes to Truckee and experience world-class skiing. So different from Florida, where you had to drive at least 10 hours to get any climate change. Truly...we're not in Kansas anymore Toto.
My BMW R-26 has a new home in Nevada...and we delivered her yesterday. For a couple reasons, it seems funny to write that. First, delivering a motorcycle to Nevada? My entire life (up until the last month or so) that would have been a week-long trip. Now...it takes exactly an hour and a half. Second, for those of you who have followed the blog for a while, or checked out the pictures, you know about the 18-month restoration of my BMW. It was a long, often gratifying, often frustrating, often "I just threw a wrench at the wall" maddening experience. But ultimately, after I finished it and looked down at what I had accomplished, it was totally worth it. I've been told that it will be featured in a motorcycle magazine sometime this Spring. That should be interesting. Stay tuned. The new owner is a great guy who lives near Reno and he owns more than a few great old bikes and VW's from the 60's. The bike will have a great new home. I took one look back, reflected on the hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars I had invested, and....walked out of his shop. Time to move on. Now....if only I can find an old Mini Cooper, or maybe a 60's era 3-cylinder Saab with a 4-speed shift on the column....the hunt continues.
Cheers!
Wayne, Claudia & Tuck