roadhound
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Posts posted by roadhound
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Rick,
First thanks for the Conway Summit stuff!!
I have posted below the 1939 descriptions of US 101 between the Oregon Border and Ukiah, north to south. They are from the WPA American Guide Series, which I especially enjoy because they capture the roads as I recall them as a kid on family vacation just after the war….that’s WWII for the “youngins!”
You may note the view from Lookout Point just south of Orick…that has to be on the hilltop road I “discovered” in earlier posts, which is bypassed by the present road. It is an obligatory “detour” coming or going. I was even thinking of doing it myself and waving to you guys as we passed each other…but alas, my “dog sitter” copped out. Anyway, do one for the “gipper” if time permits and capture the scene with some of your outstanding photos.
And keep your eye out for Black Bart Rock, about 5.8 miles north of Calpella measured on the old alignment. I’m afraid that the newer road may have taken out the rock, but if not the site is “famous” as a site of one of Bart’s stage coach holdups. I’m sure every Californian knows of Black Bart, the famed bandit Po-8!
Keep us posted!
Keep the Show on the Road!
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Dave
Thanks for the additional info Dave. I will mark the location of Black Bart Rock on the map and see if I can snap a picture for you if I am able to find it.
I have the hilltop road scoped out on Google Earth, marked it on the map, and unless they closed it for some reason we will be driving it.
That would have been funny to see you driving straight at me waving franticly out the window. IF your dog sitter changes their mind and you make the trip southward let me know and I can give you a better ETA on when we will be there.
One day of work left!
Roadhound
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Why, yes, I do have some stats:• 3,657 miles• 126 gallons of gas costing $540.40• average 28.99 mpg• cheapest gas: $3.899/gallon in Preston, MN• most expensive gas: $5.296/gallon in Maryfield, SK (adjusted from $CAD/litre)
Still much cheaper than flying a family of four... flights to Canada are pretty expensive.
Hope your Corolla is as good as new soon
Chris
Just for comparison the stats from my 2006 trip from California to Saskatchewan
4194 miles
21.3 MPG Avg
196.9 Gallons costing $417
I don't remember the price but the most expensive gas was in Saskatoon. I gassed up in Malta, Montana before heading into Canada and only needed 1 1/2 fill-ups while I was there. We were sucking fumes when we came back across the border and filled up in Plentywood, Montana on the return trip.
I would need to budget at least $900 in fuel for the same trip today if I were to drive the same vehicle. It would be closer to $1200 for my truck.
Roadhound
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My wife and I really liked it there... Regina seemed like it would be an okay place to live. I really loved the prairies and the sky. And of course everywhere you look you get two-lane roads!
Of course, I didn't visit in winter. Our friends up there talked about how cold it gets and how much snow they get (running out of places in the yard to store it), but that the roads are always passable and everyone is expected at work every day. I can't even say that about Indianapolis--about once every year or two I can't get my car out of the neighborhood...
Chris
The Saskatchewan natives say there are 2 seasons there...Winter and Road Repair.
I've never been there in winter either and there is nothing appealing to a California boy about -40 degree winters.
I do feel a connection to the open prairie though but it is to bad that the old wooden grain elevators are slowly dissappearing from the landscape.
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I just completed posting the write-up of our family's trip the past two weeks from Indianapolis, Indiana to Regina, Saskatchewan and back:
My wife did most of the writing--she is a more interesting writer than I am...
We headed out of Indianapolis on the old Michigan Road/Dixie Highway, following Lake Michigan on US-31, over the Mackinac Bridge to Sault Ste. Marie. We then headed across the length of the Upper Peninsula, around Lake Superior and through the northwoods of Minnesota. We skirted Lake of the Woods, and headed to Winnipeg, Manitoba. We avoided the Trans-Canada highway from there to Regina, Saskatchewan, enjoying some nice gravel and dirt highways.
While in Regina, we took the Corner Gas tour. If you haven't seen this television program, you really should! It has been the most popular program in Canada for over 5 years now. It is broadcast in the states on WGN and we are huge fans.
On the way back, we took what they call the "Can-Am Highway" which turns into US-52 at the border with North Dakota, and pretty much followed US-52 back to Indianapolis (the shadow of the hypotenuse!).
Anyway, read along and enjoy the trip with us. I haven't geotagged the 365 photos yet...
Chris
Thanks Chris, I needed a dose of Saskatchewan.
Our family did two trips there from California in the last 5 years. My father was born and raised in a little town east of Saskatoon called Quill Lake and I have a cousin that lives in Saskatoon and is the sole remaining family member living in Saskatchewan. The last trip up in 2006 was special because it was Quill Lake's 100 year anniversary and not only did we make it up for the big parade but my father and a few of his brothers were there as well.
Oh, and Corner Gas...ever since that trip in '06 we have been fans.
Roadhound
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2006 Toyota Tundra Limited 4x4.
So far it has taken me everywhere I have wanted to go with ease, almost all of which have been shared on this forum. Since my road travels tend to take me off the beaten path, and very often those paths are unpaved, the added security of four wheel drive is comforting. The back seat is big enough to sit my 5'11'' son comfortably and the bed is big enough to hold the camping gear or sleep in when necessary. Gas mileage is decent for a 4x4 with 18 MPG acheivalbe on the highway.
There are some of us that like to give their vehicles names and I confess to being one of those. Years ago when I read John Steinbecks "Travels With Charlie" I dreamt of getting a truck that I could explore the roads with. Steinbeck named the truck that he traveled in Rocinante and even before I bought the truck I had decided that when the time came I would search and find my Rocinante. Rocinante was of Don Quixote's horse but the Class of '81 grads out there might recognize it as the name of the traveler's space ship in Rush's 'Cygnus X-1' on the Farewell to Kings album.
Rocinante in one of her finer moments after driving the transcontinental railbed near Promontory, Utah. It really does not have a two tone paintjob.
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Roadhound,
Well, your tale is a lot more chilling…and sad…than mine. Maybe the fact that we were obviously not looking for trouble helped. But I have occasionally wondered since why they assumed we wouldn’t tell someone in law enforcement of our experience…at least that is what they must have assumed…or perhaps it was pretty much live and let live in that particular area.
And maybe they were just growing spinach and just wanted us to know we couldn’t pick any!
Are you covered for maps, etc? I can dig through some boxes and I think I can find some more current (maybe 1940-50) stuff.
When are you headed out?
Keep the Show on the Road!
The departure date is fast approaching.
I think I have enough maps to keep me occupied. Thanks for all the time you've put into it. You never cease to amaze me in the information you have at hand and I am glad that I can give you a reason to dig through it.
Thanks again,
Roadhound
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Roadhound,
I have been cleaning out the garage hoping to find my later Redwood Highway stuff.
In the meantime, based on your post, I have to tell this story….
I was single most of the 1970’s and one of my girl friends and I took a trip up US 101 and into the redwoods sometime around 1978. One evening about dinner time we thought a ride into the country side would be romantic. We followed a lovely dirt road into the coastal mountains, and stopped above a lovely green valley to savor the view. Looking down into the valley we noted some “farmers” tending their fields.
We watched for a few minutes, then noted a large pickup start up the road toward us, throwing up a bit of dust. Being a friendly guy, I figured we would wait until they passed by, and say “Hello!” It wasn’t until they were two thirds of the way up the road that I noticed a fellow standing in the back with a rather large rifle and a downright unfriendly look on his face.
They stopped about 100 yards from us, and just stared at us…no wave, no nothing. I took a very big hint and concluded that we had overstayed our welcome on that road! I don’t recall that we went wandering off road too much for the rest of the trip!
True story, and I would do it again, but I wouldn’t stop and pay a lot of attention to farms, or crops, and I wouldn’t surprise any farm workers…..but truthfully, I have no idea what it’s like today.
Keep the Show on the Road!
Dave
I wouldn't take the chance of them just staring me down these days.
The friend I mentioned in the previous post had a brother that was prone to visiting the farms in that area without an invitation. Sometime around 1986 he dissappeared. His remains were discovered about 3 years ago and a year later they were able to determine who it was.
But I do think you are correct that if you stay on the traveled road, and don't go nosing around someplace where you are not invited, you should be safe.
Roadhound
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Roadhound,
I have posted below the turn by turns out of the 1915-16 California Automobile Blue Book for the old old redwood highway between Laytonville and Del Rio (via Harris and Fruitland). The 1916 road, which later became known as the Redwood Highway was yet to open, but was promised for 1916.
I haven’t carefully perused the pre 1916 route, but some of the sites look interesting and usroadman’s bicycle link supports that conjecture. It definitely demands an on site review! I had dismissed it as unlikely for a family outing, but maybe it can be presented as a discovery tour?! I mean who wouldn’t want to ride Rattlesnake Grade, and the Devil’s Elbow?!
As a bit of an aside, usroadman’s link mentions that Fruitland was settled by Swiss farmers who’s fruit crops there turned out to be too far from market to be successful. And the 1911 description of the Mattole Valley was of fruit orchards. So I wonder if the area was favored as a fruit growing site, but failed? It will be interesting to see what you may note of old orchards.
When you, or one of our other alignment pros, have deciphered the turn by turns, you may well have a terrific route to explore and describe.
It's funny that you should mention agriculture in the area. Yesterday I was discussing my desire to explore the area to a friend who grew up in Fortuna and he issued a caution to doing to much off road exploration in that area. Agriculture is alive and well in that area and the farmers do take extreme measures to protect their crop. The bike route looks easy enough to follow with minimal risk of taking a wrong turn and I am still planning on driving it. A longer exploration of the pre-1916 route could be risky if you take a wrong turn.
Roadhound
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usroadman,
Nice item! Leave it to the bicyclists to follow the old roads! Now I have to view / find the "Devil's Elbow" that was bypassed!
Keep the Show on the Road!
Dave
Already found it for ya
40°19'13.65"N 123°50'5.49"W
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Lots to look over....The Dyerville Loop Rd is on the list of 'must do's' as is finding the old route to Orick. I can handle a 20% grade. The least I can do is get a picture of the steel span bridge between Scotia and Del Rio and post it on the forum that I am still the moderator of.
Notes are being taken and a plan is forming! Thanks and keep it coming.
Roadhound
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usroadman,
Thanks for the advice. The town of Scotia looks like an interesting stop. There have been a few stories in the paper about the changes that the town is going through and the sawmill looks interesting.
I'm glad you mentioned Jebediah Smith Redwoods. I had done some online research and considered camping there (if camping is still an option). A drive on a dirt road always has my interest.
Keep,
What a treasure trove of maps you have. Finding the pre-101 route from Cummings through Harris and Fruitland really has my interest but it likely will have to wait until another time. If there is a road it is barely visible on my Delorme Gazeteer and I will need to research further with topo maps.
One thing I did notice is that the "new proposed highway" didn't get as far south as Willits. It looks like they cut over at Cummings and used the existing 317\320 route north out of Willits. The road along the coast is also interesting and I wonder how much of it is still driveable. I will have to study this map some more.
Thanks again!
Roadhound
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I am planning a trip north on 101 between SF Bay Area and Brookings, Oregon, and am putting out the call for any information out their related to old road alignments, recent experiences, sights to see, and places to stay. This will be a trip with the whole family so I will need make it interesting for all. The last time I was through that area was 22 years ago when my wife and I were on our honeymoon so the recollections of what is there is a bit rusty.
Of particular interest are Mattole Road and how difficult it might be on my daughter who is affected by motion sickness. Looking at maps and Google Earth I am of the thought right now that we will only travel the north section as far a Punta Gordo and maybe hike out to the abandoned lighthouse. The road east of that point looks to have to many twists and turns.
I also have to work on a little bit of blackmail with the same daughter, in order to get her buy in to the trip, she is horse crazy and I will need to fit a trail ride into the trip somewhere along the way. Anybody aware of a good trail outfitter in that region?
The other area that I will need help with is old main streets that are worth a visit. I need to factor in some time for the spouse to window shop and browse through stores while at the same time giving me enough photo opportunities to keep me satisfied.
Thanks for your help,
Roadhound
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Rick,
I looked at Gray’s 1907 auto maps and while Mountain House is not on the strip map for the route, it is cited in the text description at the fork…again. More or less interesting….. the 1911 ACSC tour book notes the fork, but not the settlement.
I was hoping there would be some notation, like “gas and oil,” but no such luck.
So Mountain House existed on the road in 1907. (To get earlier touring info you need a bicycle map!) The only other “useful” info is that it was cited as at the base of the grade in 1911 (presumably the grade to the west), and I suppose if you were traveling westward from the flat central valley, the hills may have looked like mountains.
I shot RAW and my typical jpg file setting, and compared the two at 100%. No discernable difference! And both are soft. No amount of post processing is going to put fine detail in either, but I’ll send a tif of the Raw if you want to test your skill!
BTW..is you next intended trip “secret” or can I post on the forum a pre trip map “discovery” for you to check out?
Keep the Show on the Road!
Dave
Send me what you got Dave and I'll take a crack it. You would be surprised what detail is in the image once you know how to pull it out.
No secrets about the upcoming trip I just haven't had the time to do the deep dive into yet. I've gone as far as looking at my Delorme maps and a little bit of online research. I will likely post my plea for help very soon and let it go from there. I've only got three weeks to prepare so I better get movin.
Roadhound
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Rick,
Mountain House is cited by name in the 1915-16 California Automobile Blue Book as being at a fork in the road between SF and Stockton. Eastbound, you took the right fork, and of course westbound, the left fork…at Mountain House. There is no mention of a store, but that is not unusual.
It also appears on my later strip maps, again with no special significance. I’ll see if either the 1911 or 1906 guides I have note Mountain House.
Rather than give me your sharpening process at this point, I think I will first shoot the same scene in RAW and in my standard jpg and see whether I see the difference I’m looking for.
Keep the Show on the Road!
Dave
Thanks for the info Keep. I knew you had more information at your fingertips than I did. At first the description in the 1915-1916 Blue Book sounded backwards to me since I always travel to Stockton in roughly the same direction as Grantline Rd. I suppose back then though you would go north to Byron before heading east to Stockton. It just doesn't seem like the most direct route to me.
You are probably going to think that the RAW image looks worse than the jpg at first glance and it likely will. The difference is that you can do a lot more with a RAW image converted to TIFF than you can with a jpg. Sharpening should always be your last step after setting your black, grey, and white point, adjusting color saturation, adjusting contrast, and lastly resizing the image. What photo editing program are you using these days?
Roadhound
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Thanks Keep,
I'm not sure why they called it Mountain House if anything Low Rising Foothill House would have been more appropriate.
The spot in the map is nothing more than a roadside stop. There is a small store with picnic tables under the trees. It has been a gathering point for bikers of both the pedal and Harley kind for as long as I can remember. Behind the trees there appears to be a few dwellings but they are not visible from the road and I didn't venture back to check what they were. What I am curious about is when did Mountain House become a roadside stop? It'a been there for a long time but I don't find it listed on any of the old maps that I had easy access to.
If you go scroll north-east approximately 5 miles you will see a group of new homes that have been built in the last five years. This housing development is also called Mountain House but is in San Jouquin County as opposed to Alameda County. Incidently, there are 2 other cities in California called Mountain House which makes it challenging if your on the sort isle at UPS.
If you follow the canal northward you will reach Bethany Reservoir which was once a popular sailboarding spot that I spent more than a few hours riding the wind at. A little further north of that is the Clifton Court Forebay which is where the Northern California waters actually start there journey southward.
It wouldn't suprise me if you were correct about the origin of the Grantline Rd name. All of that area was once part of a Mexican Land Grant before Fremont showed up.
In regards to the DSLR kits I have proof that you can take a sharp photo with a kit lens. Many proofs as a matter of fact. Up until the first part of this year all of my wide angle shots were with a kit lens. Quite a bit of an images sharpness, especially when it is viewed across the internet on a monitor, is how it is processed and resized. Ask a 100 photographers what their workflow is for sharpening an image and you will get 100 different answers. After much trial and error I believe I have found a way that works for me and until I find a better way I will stick with it.
I'd be happy to go into more detail on sharpening if you're interested.
Roadhound
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In the 50's, 60's, and into the 70's California constructed aqueducts to carry water from Northern California southward through the Central Valley and into the Los Angeles area. On the eastern edge of Alameda County and the border of San Joaquin county it cut over a section of US 50 near the small roadside stop of Mountain House at 37°45'9.45"N 121°34'35.91"W.
Mountain House is\was between Tracy and Altamont but is not mentioned on either the first or fifth edition of the Lincoln Highway guide. Brian Butko does give it a passing mention in his book on page 269 noting its proximity to the Altamont Speedway of 1969 Rolling Stones concert fame.
#1 is from the west side of the aqueduct, looking east.
#2 is from the Mountain House side looking west.
#3 is from the top of the aquaduct. You can just make out the road on the far left of the frame and the tree from picture 2 on the right side.
The old Mountain House shouldn't be confused with the new Mountain House 5 miles to the north east which is a whole bunch of brand new homes built on what was once prime agricultural land.
Cheers,
Roadhound
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If you're going to burn some expensive gas, then burn expensive gas, in style!
Wishing I was in Indy or Charlotte this weekend ...
... Chris
...and I know just the road to drive it on too. Actually there are two roads that come to mind.
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I am finding that there is so much to see within two hours of my house that I can stay busy and happy on the road for probably the next three or four years!
I've had to scale back my summer plans for a number of reasons but the price of fuel is certainly a factor. Since I like to camp on my trips that helps save some $$$ but I also like the thought of fewer miles and being able to stop more often to better capture the flavor of a location. While last years 1800+ mile\1 week adventure was an experience I will always remember I felt there was so much I missed. Although, I suppose that I would still feel like I missed a lot if I did 1/3 as many miles in the same amount of time.
Roadhound
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Congratulations Keep.
You may not have been the first to travel that exact route but you were the first to document it and give it a name. The path was there, you made it a road.
Job well done.
Roadhound
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WOW! Simply gorgeous. The Grand Tetons in the winter are one of the many places on my list of 'must sees.'
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In any event it's a minor inconvience - except if you're like me and have trouble remembering where you live if your gone more than 2 days. Trying to remember login names and passwords can be trying at times.
That's what Post-It Notes under the keyboard are for. I use to put them on the side of my monitor but ever since I got a flat screen there's not enough room there.
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I have been having the same problems off and on for awhile now. What I seem to notice is that if I access the AR site from the same computer consecutively it remembers who I am. If I move to another computer I have to log in again. Is it possible that the IP address is being cached with the logon credentials? Maybe the flux capacitor needs cleaning?
Roadhound
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I paid $3.69 for premium this week in STL County. No alternatives but to (1) stop cruisin' (2) buy a used 4-cylinder roller skate for city errands (3) do more turnarounds than overnights (4) other?
It's not gonna stop so we just gotta deal with it....Bliss
The average price in San Francisco is expected to hit $4 this weekend. I'm in the suburbs 45 miles away and I paid $3.79 yesterday. It's a good thing I only have to fill up every couple of weeks.
Roadhound Not Us Much
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Hmm, I thought No Hunting tires were a wide-spread phenomenon, but maybe not. Here's what I'm talking about.
Chad
I haven't seen any of those out here in Cal-ee-forn-i-eh. I haven't ever seen one of those before come to think of it. It might just be a South Dakota thing?
Pay Attention To Your Tire Ratings!
in General
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I discovered the same thing last year when I got a flat in the Nevada desert. I think the manufacturers put the lighter duty tire on the trucks because 1.) like you said, most never make it off the pavement and 2.) they get better mileage.
Like you, I will likely go with the LT rated tire when it comes time to replace mine. In a perfect world I would have the LT's on one set of rims and another set of rims with the passenger tires and switch them based on driving needs. I haven't won the lotto yet so I have to compromise and go with a single set of tires.
Roadhound