Hike around Soda Springs Area: Serene Lakes up to Lolas Lookout

We hiked to the highest place between Reno and the Bay area

Serene Lakes off in the distance

The Summit: Lolas Lookout

There were incredible rock formations!

We came across a fallen bird nest

On our way to float the Truckee River

We had five people and five tubes stuffed into the bus

Evening shot of the arch

A few of the cool signs down the Reno Strip

Reno: Revisiting the old Contemporary Art Gallery

In 2007, I was invited to participate in an annual art event in a downtown Reno alleyway, by Yale and his friends. To my pleasant surprise, my piece was still up. Extremely weathered, but still hanging on.


The black yarn had turned green.



Yales painting is still there as well.

Some Polaroids we took along the way!

Along the Redwood Forest
Last beach along the Oregon Coast: Gold Beach

Oregon Coast: we camped in between two light houses that night!
In Old Town Sacramento
The Redwood Forest tourist attraction!

Reno or Bust!

Packed up all the necessary bike (mini tall bike, swing bike, etc.) on the bus and took off!

Changing a Clutch Cable

Soooooo...Yale and I had just pulled out of his parents neighborhood at the lake, and WHAM, just like that, the clutch pedal hit the floor! Yup! The clutch cable broke. No worries, we just happened to have a "spare" cable waiting for us in the bus, ready to use!

So here's how it goes...
Step #1:

Jack up the bus! Make sure it is SAFE to spend time under the ol' VW.

Remove old cable and pedal assembly, etc.
Tip: dont forget how to put it back together. Make a mental note...

Grease up new cable before putting it on
Assemble new cable with the pedal
Insert cable and push it all the way through and hook the clutch end to pedal assembly.

Bolt the pedal assembly back down.

Step back and admire the beautiful work
AHHHH!

Tiki Men

Yale and I painted Tiki Men for his moms soon to be Tiki Bar. They turned out pretty sweet!

Fun at Donner Lake!

Our friend Matt brought his new moped over to the lake house...we took turns riding it around! So much fun!

Donner Lake!

We arrived at Donner Lake a couple days ago.
We reached the highest elevation so far in the bus! 7227ft!
We've been hanging out with Yale's family at their lake house on Donner and
meeting up with 0ld friends at Tahoe.
Not to mention the weather has been so great!

Next destination, Reno!

Old Town

We rode around old town Sacramento and also to Tower Cafe. If anyone visits Sacramento you must go to Tower Cafe. The atmosphere and environment are designed and worked so well. All of the decorations, plants, paintings, etc really draw you into the experience while you are there. Some old trains in the Old Town outside museum.

Redding to Sacramento

Once we arrived in Redding, CA, we took I-5 South to Sacramento. Randomly, Yale's mom and sis were there too. We hit up the hot tub and pool late night, were able to catch some showers, and slept peacefully in the hotel room. Free breakfast in the morning, a cheering sesh at a tennis match afterward...next stop...Tahoe!

Sun Dial Bridge

We visited the "Sun Dial" bridge in Redding, after we had spent the night next to a pizza club, where the street moter bike gang was hanging out...the bridge was really neat! Afterward, we set up our camp stove in the parking lot and made some breakfast.

Driving East on the 299!

We caught highway 299 headed East to Redding. A storm hit while we were driving, so we had to take it down a notch, but watching the crazy lightening and hearing the thunder, made it all worth our while. P.S. The moon was gigantic and wonderful!

Redwood Forest

Just a buddy we met along the way.

She told us we wouldn't fit...

...but we did!

Made It!

We made it to California...strong, smooth, and almost effortless.

The Oregon Coast!

We stopped in Gold Beach right before entering Cali!

Florence

Couldn't catch any waves on the coast, so had to stop at the sand dunes in Florence to get the fix.