I cross the border into Idaho, and met up with some old friends that I went to Europe tour with. They all look much older now, but seems all well.

I reached Spokane Washington, where I was 5 years ago when my r1100s broke down. Took a picture of my bike where the broke down happened.

Met up with Sid and Intern from the e30 groupie. I stayed with Intern and went to Leavenworth the next day. It is a Bavarian village in the mountains near Seattle. Very very neat town. Ofcourse we drove the e30 vert there.

After that I arrived at my friend that rode with me down the Cassiar. He offered me a room and his garage to do all the service I need on the bike. The chip seal in Canada really messed up the tires. I was only getting about 8000 miles from the Motoz Tractionator GPS. Where it is rated for 10,000 +. Bearings are bad, spark plug, chain and sprocket all went bad. Everything is refreshed, and I took a few days break and went out to eat with my host and left the next day.

After my bike is fixed, I headed south bound into Oregon. On the way I met a couple that was broken down on the side of the road, with a bmw r75/6 I tried to help them, but the bike was in poor shape. All the fuses and relays are very badly corroded. By the time I left, the campsite I was visiting was already filled. The family hosted me, so I ended up with a nice warm shower, food and comfortable bed.

I exited Oregon and passby Haystack rock, then on this overpass in California highway 101, I might have met the coolest guy ever on this trip. Leroy invited me to visit him when I am down in Orange County. I got his contact and went south to the Redwood forest. The Redwood forest is probably one of my favorite gems. There is no “official” park entrance that make it a tourist trap. The size of the trees can only be describe as fantasy like.

I stayed with my cousin for a few days and washed my cloth, then I visited a friend from my Spain trip, and head to my Aunts place in Visalia, near the Seqouia national park.

I took a ride into Seqouia national park to see the great Sherman tree, which is the widest tree, but not as tall as the redwood. Then stop at Moro Rock. I did hike up, and back down. Then did some trail riding in Kings Canyon National Park. California, has so many gems. It is such a shame how poor the state is now. One of the most beautiful places to live no doubt.

Next stop, is the Desert of California. I stayed with Tom who at the time was working for Boeing. He bought me a new windshield after seeing how beat up it was. Then I visited reward mine with him. an abandoned coal mine that is popular with off road enthusiasts like jeeps etc. He drove his car while I rode. Tom parked as far as the car can go. I rode up to the cave entrance. The trail up to the entrance was extremely rough, I nearly dumped the bike twice. It was an exciting experience, when you are in the mine, its complete darkness is both harrowing and peaceful at the same time.

After leaving Tom, I head to the famous Mulholland Drive. Mulholland Drive is cool, but very overrated. Its just this one tiny spot, the rest of the ride is pretty sublime. Nevertheless I came and saw and rode it. I went to see my cousins, in LA. Stayed there for a day or two and head out to the desert with Mikelle with a bunch of moto influencers.

I found out on this trip that, 90% of the influencers are posers. The whole thing is a production, go out ride, make videos. Its disheartening to know that most influencers are not really enthusiasts of the sport in the sense of how I understood it. They are just Starbucks riders, instagram-ers, social media personalities. They are enthusiasts of having the image of being a motorcyclist. You can imagine, they have little in common with me, and more so, there is nothing to talk about since they do not really ride that much.

I met up with Leroy, in the middle of the night, we rode to his beach house in Newport Beach. The following morning he took me out to teach me how to surf. It was rough lol. But I’m ever so grateful to have the experience.

Met up with Mikelle again. stayed with him in LA, living the high life. It was a nice few days. Then I headed south again towards the boarder.

I finally reached my cousin Leon’s house. Its a nice spot 30 min from the border. I rode up Otay mountain and you can see Mexico from the top of the mountain. It took me 2 weeks of procrastinating and overcoming the fear before I entered Mexico through Tijuana border.