Friend and former student Alexis invites me for a ride in her friend Doug's 1959 Piper Commanche 250 HP, Doug had the engine upgraded to a 300 HP test model stunt engine, he is known to do barrel rolls.

 

Doug gives us a long ride over the Coast Ranges, Salinas Valley, and Big Sur.

 

I decide to ride over the Sierra Nevada along the Tioga Road (CA-120). On the way I stop in Hollister to pay tribute to Johnny's Bar and Grill, "Birthplace of the American Biker".

In 1947 Wino Willie and his Boozefighter’s came to Hollister for the Fourth of July Gypsy Tour Races. Life Magazine exaggerated the rowdy fracas, and the article inspired the 1953 movie "The Wild Ones" with Marlon Brando and Lee Marvin.

 

The Tioga Road is uncrowded as I ride up through the foothills, across Tuolumne Meadows, over Tioga Pass, and down into Owens Valley. I return over the pass in the morning light. Mono Lake, a large, shallow saline lake, provides critical nesting habitat for millions of migratory birds. Threatened by diversion of water for Los Angeles, legal action required partial restoration of the lake level.

 

West of Tioga Pass, 3031 m (9943 ft).

 

Passing crowded Yosemite Valley I ride up Glacier Point Road to magnificent views.

 

incredible. thanks for sharing your journey!

 

Amazing thread and pics!!!! Thanks Doc......

 

Impressive journey and great photos! W-O-W!

 

Still following! Thanks for posting, Doc.