Mulholland Drive then North.

As I set out today to follow the coast of California north, I couldn't resist that famous ridge road, Mulholland drive. I jumped on at it's beginning and rode those curves on the Mothership until I was above Encino. It was fun even with traffic. I followed a two axle straight truck with a forklift off the back that was making pretty good time on that winding road. But I was eager to cover some miles so I bailed of the ridge and went down into Encino got on Hwy 101.
      At lunchtime I was at the Marina in Downtown Santa Barbara having lunch with friends.
     The weather was pretty warm coming out of LA so I had a chance to test the vents on my leather jacket. It was comfortable all the way to San Luis Obispo.
           I loved the up and down of that rumpled real estate outside of Buellton, there was even a tunnel through one hill. There where periods beside the ocean with enough wind that there were pretty good waves today.  I started seeing other motorcycles out touring today and at one point a California Highway Patrol bike came up past me and we shared a wave. Another time a car coming up on my left, slowed and let me slid over to get around a semi, after I passed and moved back over the car came by and it was a State Patrol disguise car. I am finding these California Highway Patrol officers to be pretty friendly, maybe the mothership just makes them smile like it does for me.
     I had planned to try for San Simeon today and that was almost where I ended my ride, but my lunch mates suggested a funky little sea town called Cayucos and here I am.  Town is pretty quiet probably because it is Monday.There were lots of little 10 to 15 room motels, so I picked the Cypress Motel,  I suspect named for the tree in the picture. That grassy area has chairs to sit in and smell the ocean a couple of blocks away. I think there a nine rooms at this motel and each one has a theme painted on the door, my room is Hopeless Romantic. Probably true! The decor was "interesting".  But it is a quiet little seaside and I walked down to Martins Mexican food and had dinner and I am finishing up a great day, here in my small room, using the wi-fi to talk to all of you. Pretty nice.
     Tomorrow I expect to go up through Big Sur, Monterey Bay and Half Moon bay, then get up past San Francisco to the north. I don't think I will finish the coast of California till Wednesday, as I am enjoying these shorter rides. It is a lovely time to be here, with the hills green and yellow flowers that looked like sweet clover to me, but I didn't stop to see. But the hills were covered with them.
     A great day on the Mothership and I will take it as it comes, one day at a time.
Will by the River