Day 2
So having gone to sleep early, I wake up early, it's 2 am here. I had a good sleep, so, while awake
I work on the blog. Watch some Youtube videos and then go back to sleep for a couple
of hours. It will take me a few days to get used to the time zone changes. The important part is
I got a good nights sleep, which I did. I wake up about 5 am. Make some coffee and finish
yesterdays blog.
Today's/last nights accommodation is at Extended Stay America. Which has it's + and -, but I know
it comes with a fridge and microwave, and that is all I really want.
It's always nice to be able to see your bike, and with that 2000's alarm. No worries. Now I'm just
waiting for the sun to come up so I can do some maintenance on the bike. I change the front tire
TPMS battery, as it seems to be cutting in and out. I also want to remove some of the overfilled oil.
Easy, peasy, the battery is changed, but I need to add some air to both tires. But being that it's 7 am,
I'll wait and let the sleepers sleep in. I'm leaving around 9 am, so, that should be a good time to do
it. I go to check the overfilled oil level, and with it being rather cool last night, it's where it is
supposed to be at, go figure. I grab a coffee from the front of the motel, which the front desk lady
said was good, and had a cup. Well, she was right, I get the motel with the 1 out of 50 that has a
good cup of coffee, who knew. Time for a shower and shave and to start packing and organize
everything again. I'm surprised on how much I've forgotten where everything is. With that done,
I fill the front tire with air, the back actually being ok. I'm all packed and finally I know where
everything is. I check out and head to the Main st of Palm Springs. It also happens to have lots
of great shops.
This is the view from the motel. Nice. It's just before 9 am and it's 65 degrees. But it's that warm
sunny desert 65 degrees. I put on a light sweater for the ride. First I head over to 99 cent. I do have
a thing for $1 stores.
Still funny, so if anyone wants some, let me know.
Everything you need, and only for a $. I grab some vitamin C gummies, though not a dollar. Some
snacks for later and I head over to the SHAG store.
I could have some fun with these at work. It does say "Super" on the package.
I have a few SHAG prints, so I always wanted to actually go to the store. It did not disappoint. You
can go online and see the prints, but it's a whole different level when you actually see them in
person. WOW, they are impressive. The prices, not so much. But that is life. If I win the lottery,
Palm Springs will be first on my shopping list for shopping. More on that later. Though very
temping, I walk out without buying anything. The great thing about the SHAG store, you can order
everything online. From here it's off to go Pawn shop watch shopping, that and anything that catches
my eye.
Tempting, though overpriced for a quartz movement
I actually almost bought this. It was at a great price. The problem, too small, and no extra links. If
I wasn't on the trip I could work around it. But not today, I'd want to wear it.
A nice watch at a average price. Pass
This Omega Speedmaster is actually close to one of my "Grail" watches that I desire. $3500 and
it's mine. Almost, but not quite there. The rest of the Pawn stores were a bust, but that's the way
it goes.
This place was next to one of the Pawn shops. Prices were reasonable. Now I understand why
people say they would retire to Palm Springs. Lots of great 50's and 60's architecture, you could
buy a really great 60's bungalow, and with all the great second hand stores, I wouldn't even bring
furniture, I'd just fill my place up with all the finds in town. I'm sure glad I came, and I will be back.
I hit up Jack in the box for lunch, it's good and cheap, which is all you can ask in a fast food place.
Time to hit the road, and today's destination. Yuma, AZ. I don't know much about Yuma except
that Nick Papagiorgio lives there
Maybe I'll run into him there. It's around a 3 hour drive, nothing too strenuous. It's mostly a divided
highway, with some stop lights thrown in. Actually it was better than I thought it would be. Traffic
was light and easy. Lots of Cops speed trapping, so I have to behave. I pass by the Salton Sea, which
is bigger than I thought, though at least you can't smell it from the highway.
Salton Sea history
Think of it as if Death Valley was accidentally flooded by mistake. You get the idea. After that I
make my way down to Interstate 8. Before I forget, the weather is great, it's sunny and the temps
are in the low 70's. Perfect weather for riding, warm enough to enjoy with out any layers, cool
enough to still wear all my motorcycle gear. That $20 I put in for gas in Palm Springs, is getting
low, it's going to be close. So should I stop and fill up at $4.50 a gallon on the California side, or wait
until I get to Yuma and fill up at $2.50 a gallon. So I pull over at a rest stop and use my spare 1 lt
container of gas to ensure I can make it to Yuma. For our American friends that's a 1 qt bottle. It's
enough to get the bike 10 extra miles.
It's some state park which I can't find on the map. The dunes are impressive.
I like this sign. All I can think is that we needed it at Niagara that year. Because all I think of
is "Silverwing" when I read this. Also, how many signs do you actually see the word "Common
sense" on?
I'm glad I stopped here. Some re-hydration, and a pee stop. They are outhouses, but for a worlds
first to me, it didn't smell at all. Will wonders never cease. Anyway, back on the bike and into Yuma.
It's like 10 miles down the road. I hit the gas station and fill up. $20 gets me a full tank and the
spare can filled up. Since it's around 3:30 pm, I do a bit more pawn shop shopping. I didn't find
anything, but that's the way it goes sometimes. I did find a watch on my list, but it was too scratched
up for what they were asking for it. But I end up driving by my motel, so I check in. Unfortunately,
not the best place, but not the worst.
I do the mom test, which is, would I let my mom stay here. Most of the time, I'd say
yes. Today is a no. It's just a worn out room. Sometimes cheap can mean too cheap, and this is one
of these times. I had to do a bed bug check, so at least there is none of those in the room, thank god.
After heading down to the local Anderson's for grocery's, I setting in, get started on the blog and have
some dinner. The beds no to bad and I get some sleep. The room is actually really quite.
Today's mileage 191 miles or 307 km
Total for this part of trip. 311 miles or 500 km
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