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We have had relatively mild weather so far in 2018, that is until the week preceding the Almond Festival. That week had a cold
northern blast that dropped temperatures into the 30's, BRRRRRrrrrr, and although there was no rain in the forecast, Sunday morning was
to be cold. Now I prefer to be comfortable when I ride, any ride is good, but most enjoyable rides include not being miserable.
Sunday's forecast meant getting out my heavy leather jacket, chaps, layers, and my "Hippo Hands." Hippo Hands? Maybe you've seen such gear
on snow mobiles - fleece lined gauntlets that go over the handle bars which are so warm inside that your hands may still get sweaty in
summer gloves. Would you like to know more? Go to hippohands.com, or search for "Hippo Hands
Motorcycle" or "snowmobile handlebar gauntlets Hippo Hands"). The Hippo Hands are big and ugly and make your bike look like a low flying
crop duster, but, they are comfortable in the cold. Hippo Hands are also a little disconcerting because you cannot see any of your
handle bar controls - but that's alright because you know what and where they are anyway - don't you?
Well, by 9'ish am the temperature was approaching 50'ish under a clear blue sky, not really all that cold, but, all the cold gear was already
laid out, so, here we go, dressed for the arctic (well, not quite). The ride to Elkhorn Saloon Country Bar and Grill on the river road going
west out of West Sacramento was definitely comfortable. Princess, aka, Sharon, and I met Steve, Todd, Michelle, Jimmy and Jim there
for breakfast. Rose denied me pancakes (they are not on the menu but I just had to ask anyway) so I had linguisa and two fried eggs over
easy with country fried red potatoes with red bell peppers and onions and buttered sour dough toast and black coffee - YUM!
Eleven'ish and bellies full and temperature was approaching 60'ish we continue west through Woodland and then take back roads north around
Madison to Esparto. That was the plan, however, an apparent wreck with a lot of emergency vehicles has the road totally blocked, so it was
left turn on lane and a half wide road I've never been on before. This was a crummy road but worth it for the great scenery. We eventually
reconnected with the intended roads and rode past almond orchards that filled the air with the sweet smell of almond blossoms. As luck would
have it we no sooner entered Esparto from the north and a parking place large enough for all five bikes was vacated!. Temperature is
now in the 90's, not really, but, melting with all the winter gear, so we shed leather and some layers. The Esparto community park was
filled with vendors and bands that play both kinds of music (country and western) and there was food. Aaaand, of particular interest to me
was the annual car show. There were a lot of really nice muscle cars there but didn't see any street rods, you know, like a 32 Ford 5 window
coupe chopped and channeled, or a 40 Ford coup, or a 40 Ford pickup. Just as well, that kind of expenditure would not go over well with Babydoll.
All done in Esparto, Todd & Michelle and Jimmy had other commitments so they head back for the barn. Babyroll, aka Princess, Steve, Jim
and I head west out of Esparto toward Capay. Holy krap! Traffic into Capay was stop and creep for half a mile into Capay. Jim had a 4pm commitment
and gets concerned about traffic delays, so, coming into Capay he takes the road to Dunnigan and home. Capay Junction Saloon is still closed and
was parking for Road Trip Bar & Grill patrons. The Road Trip Bar & Grill was already rocking out and P A C K E D. Traffic
cleared as soon as we passed the Road Trip Bar & Grill and we continue to ride west.
WHAT IF??? See the CHP coming at you? See the little white car behind the CHP? See the tents of stuff for sale on the right side
of the road? WHAT IF the little white car dives right in front of you for the right side of the road? It happened and Steve passed
the test.
Just past Cache Creek Casino we come to the usual orchard where we take pictures amoung the blossoming almond trees. Wellllll... breakfast took
a lot longer than we thought, aaaaaand... traffic into Capay took a lot longer than we anticipated, aaaaaand... the almond ice cream was a
"Martha thing," sooooooo... we headed back to the Road Trip Bar & Grill for lunch.
The Road Trip Bar & Grill had a packed house rocking out to great music by "Bad Moon Rising" with
Hallie O'Ryan. "Bad Moon Rising" is a Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty tribute band out of Greenville Texas
(https://www.facebook.com/badmoonrisingband/). In fact, the Road Trip
Bar & Grill regularly has great entertainment - check their website: roadtripbg.com. Paula was
there and working right along with the rest of the staff. Steve and I had burgers, BIG burgers, tasty burgers, with fries; Sharon had some sort
of chicken salad thing - good girl. Why did the wolf look so happy? The Almond Festival Queen was also at the Road Trip Bar & Grill.
The shadows began to get longer and as we headed to Woodland then on the river road to Sacratomato the sun continued to go down and with it
the temperature. Just on the edge of getting cold by the time we got home, but, all in all, a really good ride on Sunday!
KNUCKLEHEADS FOREVER!
Article and photographs by Russell "Raz" Holder
Would you like to see more?... go to www.russellRAZholder.com and click on the event photos link...
Hippo Hands...
... photograph by Russell Holder
crummy lane and a half wide road with great scenery that I've never been on before...
... photograph by Russell Holder
rode past almond orchards that filled the air with the sweet smell of almond blossoms...
... photograph by Russell Holder
the breakfast group: Babyroll, aka Princess, Steve, Michelle, Todd, Jim, Jimmy, and Raz (behind the camera)
... photograph by Russell Holder
Esparto car show muscle cars and rat rods...
... photograph by Russell Holder
... photograph by Russell Holder
Road Trip Bar & Grill - rocking out and P A C K E D...
... photograph by Russell Holder
WHAT IF???
... photograph by Russell Holder
... photograph by Russell Holder
... our favorite orchard...
... photograph by Russell Holder
"Bad Moon Rising" with Hallie O'Ryan...
... photograph by Russell Holder
packed house...
... photograph by Russell Holder
The Almond Festival Queen
... photograph by Russell Holder
aaaawwwwoooooooooooo
... photograph by Russell Holder
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