State of Jefferson
Today, the beginning of my ride home. I may have packed last night, but I still need to pack it onto the motorcycle. It is always a chore making sure things are relatively well balanced and secure. I was on the road by 0900 PT and fueled up on my way out of town. The attendant at the pump asked me if I minded pumping my own gas. While I am used to people asking for money while at the pump, I may never get used to someone asking if I need help at the pump. Back on the highway and heading South to warmer weather, I hope, destination unknown Napa County.
Not much to report other than road and fuel stops every couple hours. I was filling up in Central Point, OR when the pump suddenly stopped with a message all pumps stopped, but it resumed. I noticed vapor recovery hoods are not required in Oregon. However, some locations in Oregon do have it at the pumps and it is required in California. While an inconvenience on a motorcycle holding the hood back to pump you eventually get used to it.
I finally made it back to California around 1400 PT and no checkpoint today at the California Border Protection Stations. Now about the title of today's post, State of Jefferson. I noticed it on my ride up on some patio like structure off the highway, but I did not really look into it. You remember that long miserable day, right? I passed it again today at about 1415 PT around mile marker 766?
I pulled over at a vista point since it is not often I see wide open spaces back home. I messaged a friend while I was taking glamour photos of my motorcycle with Mt. Shasta. I let them know I was back in California and they responded with:
are you really back, or are you in The state of Jefferson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_(proposed_Pacific_state)
Naturally my response was in ALL CAPS:
OKAY SO I SAW THAT THE OTHER DAY COMING UP
So here we are with an honorable mention for secession. Moving on. I filled up in Weed again and continued to ride on. Windy roads again! I may have been riding a little too spiritedly as I did have one close call, oops. Another concern was clouds after Shasta, could I be caught in inclement weather, again?!
I wonder if this payphone still works? I guess I could have checked by dialing 1-800-CALL-ATT.
I pulled over at a rest stop to do rest things and stretch. While there I met another rider (a former Costa Mesa local) and we had a brief chat. They were riding down from Washington to Tustin (for a birthday, if I remember correctly) and then eventually to Camp Pendleton to visit someone else. Sadly we did not ride together as we have different timelines and off I went.
A couple hours later I made a stop in Corning for gas. To my surprise my card was declined at the pump. My first thought was I must not need gas now if it means going inside, but I suppose it is better than the alternative of being stranded. Fortunately I do carry cash for inefficient situations such as this. Inefficient only in that it requires going inside, outside, back inside for change, and then finally back outside. These precious minutes add up! Now why my card was declined is another concern that I will deal with later, maybe. Time to take advantage of some open stretches of road.
I was finally near my destination around 1800 PT and pushed my fuel range just a bit. Another fuel stop before calling it a day to save some time tomorrow. Another cancelled transaction!? What is going on? Impossible travel? Fraud? Whatever, I am not going inside this time and I will use another card. Finally at my destination after 607 miles with a total elapsed time of 09:18:16. One of my favorite things about visiting family is dinner, Chickenjoy sarap!
I spent the rest of the evening talking with family, eating, and watching television together. Quality time and then sleep before one more day of riding.