Tuesday October 28th, 2014
Total Miles: 325

Last night neither Galen nor I slept well and the Super 8 breakfast was lack luster with no protein options.  We topped off with fuel and headed East on Highway 36.  We were warned to get fuel before hitting Highway 36 because there are limited services on this road.  Despite the fact that this road is pavement it made for beautiful morning ride.  A great way to cut across the Valley.
The first part of Highway 36 was full of Redwood groves.

In Red Bluff we filled up with Fuel headed South on Highway 99 to Chico.  We found ourselves pulling into Sierra Nevada Brewing Company for lunch and a beer.  What a beautiful facility.  We learned early on that in California always take your gear inside with you or have a cable to lock to secure it to your bike.  Even in nice areas make sure you have your gear with you.  This is something in Wisconsin I rarely ever worry about.  This whole concept was something new to me and every time we stopped I had to remind myself to grab our stuff.  We sat at the bar next to some brewery employees.  Turns out they were mechanics and electricians that had just finished their shifts and enjoying a beer.  One guy was wearing a Brewers baseball hat and I had to make a comment.  He was from Wisconsin and had moved to California for a girl.  They told us all about the brewery and I just wished we had more time to take the actual tour.  No expense had been spared to build this brewery.  We settled up or bill and loaded up.

From Chico we traveled Highway 70 to Quincy.  This was a yellow route on the Butler map and by far one of the best roads we have ever taken on the bike in 10 years of riding 2up.  There were a ton of power dams on this route and the weather was beautiful. There were also some tunnels and a some beautiful bridges.

In Quincy we filled up with fuel and ask the locals about Three Lakes.  Chad from Adventure Designs had mentioned that he enjoyed camping at Three Lakes.  The locals pointed us in the right direction but warned us it was going to get cold at that elevation.  Lodging in Quincy didn’t look great from the reviews on Trip Advisor so we took a chance and headed to Bucks Lake. Temperature was dropping.  We came to a Lakeshore Resort which had a restaurant and bar.  We stopped in and found out they were serving food until 8pm but bar would be open until after the Worlds Series game.  They had cabins but didn’t rent them out for just one night.  The next place up the road that rented cabins was pretty rough but they would be willing to let us stay one night.  The folks at the bar suggested we try the bed and breakfast where we would probably have the place to ourselves since it was middle of the week and off season.  We motored up the street to the next place.  The owner and her friend where outside decorating for Halloween.  We asked if we could see the cabin. They were out of propane until later in the week so only one cabin had electric heat.  She was asking $100 for the night so Galen and I took a peek.  I took one step in and walked out.  I would rather camp in freezing weather then stay there.  Calling it a little rough was an overly generous description.  So up the road we went to the bed and breakfast which was called Haskins Valley Inn.  Dawn and her parents are the owner.  She also owned  the general store and she was getting ready to close up at 6pm.  We got there just in time.  Galen negotiated her down to $110 but she wouldn’t go any further.  The temperature kept dropping and I thought the bed and breakfast was a much better option than camping.  We took it.  We unloaded all of our items.  Galen still really wanted to go up to Three Lakes where Chad mentioned he loved to camp.  I wasn’t in the mood for a hero section so late in the day and I was concerned we would miss our window for dinner at the restaurant.  I asked if he could dropped me off at the bar so I could watch the last game of the World Series and I could order us food before the kitchen closed.  He agreed and dropped me off.  With the bike much lighter he could make much better time.  The locals didn’t understand why Galen wanted to go to Three Lakes because it had been drained earlier in the year.  Of course we didn’t know that, so Galen was in for a surprise.  The hours ticked by.  No cell service always makes me a little nervous.  It got dark.  I ordered a wrap because the kitchen was closing.  The bar emptied out after Kansas City had lost the World Series game and still no Galen.  Two guys at the bar who had way too much to drink said they would stay until Galen got back because they had trucks and could go get him if necessary.  Not much longer Galen pulled up.  Turns out he took a wrong turn and that is what caused the delay.  We spilt the wrap and he shared about his adventure.  The road was fine up to the last 4 miles.  It got rough but still doable.  He was shocked it was empty but got some pictures.

Most all the campgrounds he passed along the way were closed for the season and it was colder up at Three Lakes.  We finished our wrap and drinks and headed back to the Bed and Breakfast were we enjoyed the night in the cowboy room.