Departing from the Sacramento area we travelled to Redding, Ca stopping for lunch at Wilda’s Grill. \u00a0This is a small eatery that has a very limited menu mainly consisting of hot dogs, salads and one heck of a pastrami sandwich! If you don’t get there before the lunch crowd you can expect a line out the door as was the case on this visit. Leaving Redding we travelled west on State Route 299, also known as the Trinity Scenic Byway, \u00a0through Weaverville, Willow Creek and Blue Lake before we connected with U.S. 101 and south to our overnight accomodations in Eureka.<\/p>\n
Eureka is not the most desirable location to spend the night, but with a little pre planning we were able to stay at the Townhouse Motel which is rated very high by TripAdvisor, and rightfully so. \u00a0While it was not billed as a “motorcycle friendly” motel, it certainly was. \u00a0The attendee at the desk asked if we wanted some towels for the motorcycles and brought them up to the room.<\/p>\n
With plans to eat dinner at the Samoa Cookhouse, we elected to hoof the 3+ miles on foot which took us across three bridges to Samoa Island, putting our lives in jeopardy from the passing traffic which at one point we almost dove over the side to keep from being hit by a passing van with the driver having an absolute glazed look on his face (maybe he had been smoking some of that Humboldt weed). \u00a0Arriving safely at the Cookhouse, we had a great dinner of short ribs, fried chicken, vegetables, Spanish rice, fresh baked bread, carrot cake and coffee. \u00a0If you are not familiar with the Cookhouse, it has been in business since 1890 when it fed lumber jacks \u00a0“family style”, which is still the same today (absent the lumberjacks).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Early the next morning we departed north on U.S 101 to Crescent City were we connected to State Route 199 – the end (or the beginning) of the “Winnemucca to the Sea Highway”. \u00a0Also known as the “Smith River Scenic Byway”, it is a well maintained highway that \u00a0passes through the Redwood National Forest and Jedediah Smith State Park before it enters the Smith River canyon where it affords the rider with some beautiful river scenery along with some nice twisties.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n At the Oregon border the highway becomes OR140 and the remainder of the entire highway both in Oregon and Nevada are identified as Highway 140. While the highway from the state line to Grants Pass is scenic, it does not compare to CA199. \u00a0OR140 from Grants Pass to Medford follows other highways including I-5. \u00a0Upon leaving Medford and turning east on OR140 you are immediately greeted with a great view of Mt. McLaughlin and it’s 9495 feet.<\/p>\n East on OR140, we roll through Oak studded rolling hills and farmland before climbing up and into to the Fremont National Forest. \u00a0Leaving the national forest we drop down and ride the east shore of the Upper Klamath Lake before rolling into Klamath Falls. Leaving Klamath Falls, the roads narrows through the farm lands before slowly climbing back up to the higher elevation ranches.<\/p>\n Rolling through Bly, I spot a local fish fry event taking place. If not for the distance to our overnight stop I would have joined the locals for a cold beverage and some deep fried food. \u00a0Cresting Quartz Mountain Pass at 5504 feet, we drop down and roll into Lakeview, OR for the evening.<\/p>\n We overnight at the Best Western Skyline Motel. The desk clerk was very accommodating and provided some old clean towels to wipe down the miles of bugs taking passage on our motorcycles. \u00a0When asked for a dinner recommendation, we were given three, with Mario’s Steakhouse touted as the best. \u00a0Walking down to Mario’s we pass the local Safeway store. This sign has been there for a very long time, because in today’s political correctness it would never be allowed!<\/p>\n We found Mario’s a dining pleasure, with very reasonable rates, friendly staff and more importantly the steaks were prepared to perfection. \u00a0Dinner for the two of us, including a beverage, soup, salad, fresh baked bread (exceptional), a cut of rib steaks and coffee came to just $54 dollars. If you pass through Lakeview be sure to stop by Mario’s. You have my personal recommendation!<\/p>\n Leaving the next morning in below freezing temps, we head north on US395\/OR140 for five miles before turning east on OR140 and climbing up to over 5000 feet as we pass by the Warner Ski Area where there is still snow along the road shoulders. Heading towards Adel, OR140 is very scenic with some great motorcycle asphalt.<\/p>\n Arriving at Adel, we are to early for a hamburger as the charcoal grill isn’t fired until 1030. The store is well worth a stop as it is filled with some very interesting mounts and antiques. On this day it was also warm with a nice fire burning.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Its 160 miles to our next fuel stop on US95 and NV290 (Paradise Valley). \u00a0Topping off with fuel (no premium pump but Octane boost is available), we roll on towards Nevada and Winnemucca. Crossing into Nevada the landscape becomes more barren and the roads straighter. But when I saw the cut running from the left to the top of the mesa (as seen in this photo), I knew we had some more sweeping motorcycle asphalt waiting this long run across the desert.<\/p>\n We were not disappointed as the road was a continuous series of curves to the top with no guardrails and a long, long way to the bottom!<\/p>\n NV140 continues through the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge which includes a large population of pronghorn antelope and bands of bighorn sheep. Although we kept our eyes peeled, on this day we did not see any of the larger wildlife that winter in this area.<\/p>\n Fuel was not available in Denio until May, so we pressed on towards Paradise Valley. \u00a0Crossing the Nevada desert is not without its rewards. \u00a0One just has to look deeper and see the beauty it holds.<\/p>\n NV140 ends at the intersection with US95. Turning south we fuel at the turn-off to Paradise Valley. Heading into Winnemucca, we make a final stop at the start or as in our case the end of the Winnemucca to the Sea Highway.<\/p>\n![\"IMG_0161\"](\"https:\/\/rumblingcowboy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/IMG_0161.jpg\")
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