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Sunny day ride in the neighborhood
Those who read of my Rainy Day Ride in the Season's End thread might be interested in what it's like around here when it's nice. It was nice today, sunny, about 68F temp...ideal for a ten mile out and back. I headed north on Soda Bay Road (aka State 281) until stopping for a couple of pics on the north side of Mt. Konocti. These pics were taken in the hollowed out scar on the face of Konocti that was formed when the mountain exploded 13,000 years ago. Because this place is on the lee side from the prevailing winds it gets way more precipitation than the rest of this area and so there is a miniature rain forest there called the Black Forest. In 100F degree summer heat when you ride through here the temperature drops dramatically and it's a bit surprising to see the moss covered rocks and tree trunks.
The two large moss-covered boulders just to the left of the tree are volcanic bombs which came from one of Konocti's long ago eruptions. Though large they are nothing compared to the many car-size ones that litter the area for miles around. Though it was sunny today the pavement here is still wet. Everywhere else I went today the pavement was dry. On the right of this road lies Buckingham Park, an upscale neighborhood; on the left is the Black Forest and Mt. Konocti.
Here's a pic showing the vast expanse of Clear Lake taken high on the northwest slope of Konocti in a neighborhood called Riviera Heights.
And another shot of Clear Lake which is the second largest natural freshwater lake in California (Tahoe is the largest). It is the oldest lake in North America.
And another from the same spot showing Soda Bay.
You wouldn't believe how just how steep this downhill hairpin is! I had to shoot from astride the bike with a foot hard on the rear brake, absolutely no place to pull over and park.
I took this shot in the tiny resort community of Soda Bay showing the Konocti Blues Cafe which along with the Lakeside Inn English Pub makes two places featuring good food, drink and live music in this tiny burg.
On the return trip I paused to take a shot looking back toward Soda Bay which gets its name from a hot spring on a tiny island in the middle of the bay called Giant Soda Spring.
One block off of Soda Bay Road I took this pic of the Buckingham Country Club golf course, the clubhouse can be seen on the other side of Little Borax Lake...a good spot to eat. Beyond that you can see a little bit of Clear Lake peeking through the trees.
Leaving Buckingham I continue toward home and then turn right to climb high up Konocti in the Riviera West development and shoot back down at Little Borax Lake and the surrounding golf course which is home to the annual Celebrity Quarterback Golf Shootout.
In the background is Buckingham Penninsula which is formed from the material ejected from the ancient explosion of Konocti, now some of the priciest real estate in the county.
The folks who live in Riviera West enjoy panoramic views.
Ol' Rusty can be see parked in the shadows in the cul-de-sac. There's a prime homesite to the right of the house waiting for some lucky family to build.
Another view...
The last three photos were taken from the exact same spot.
Here are the fountains at the entrance to Konocti Harbor Resort And Spa, a world class resort featuring world class entertainment. It's the venue for the annual "Takin' It To The Streets" motorcycle rally around Clear Lake with an outdoor concert following. This year the headliners were the Doobie Brothers, Steppenwolf and Foghat. This event and the Quarterback Golf Shootout are the two biggest events here each year. Clear Lake is also home to several bass fishing tournaments every year as well as the Catfish Derby.
Here's a shot showing a peekaboo of the amphitheater stage taken from Konocti Harbor Resort's Lot F where motorcycles are directed to park for concert events. Cheapskates like me can see and hear the concerts from here for free!
Any NorCal (or anywhere else) XSives get in touch with me if you want to come up and ride the many scenic byways of Lake County!
The two large moss-covered boulders just to the left of the tree are volcanic bombs which came from one of Konocti's long ago eruptions. Though large they are nothing compared to the many car-size ones that litter the area for miles around. Though it was sunny today the pavement here is still wet. Everywhere else I went today the pavement was dry. On the right of this road lies Buckingham Park, an upscale neighborhood; on the left is the Black Forest and Mt. Konocti.
Here's a pic showing the vast expanse of Clear Lake taken high on the northwest slope of Konocti in a neighborhood called Riviera Heights.
And another shot of Clear Lake which is the second largest natural freshwater lake in California (Tahoe is the largest). It is the oldest lake in North America.
And another from the same spot showing Soda Bay.
You wouldn't believe how just how steep this downhill hairpin is! I had to shoot from astride the bike with a foot hard on the rear brake, absolutely no place to pull over and park.
I took this shot in the tiny resort community of Soda Bay showing the Konocti Blues Cafe which along with the Lakeside Inn English Pub makes two places featuring good food, drink and live music in this tiny burg.
On the return trip I paused to take a shot looking back toward Soda Bay which gets its name from a hot spring on a tiny island in the middle of the bay called Giant Soda Spring.
One block off of Soda Bay Road I took this pic of the Buckingham Country Club golf course, the clubhouse can be seen on the other side of Little Borax Lake...a good spot to eat. Beyond that you can see a little bit of Clear Lake peeking through the trees.
Leaving Buckingham I continue toward home and then turn right to climb high up Konocti in the Riviera West development and shoot back down at Little Borax Lake and the surrounding golf course which is home to the annual Celebrity Quarterback Golf Shootout.
In the background is Buckingham Penninsula which is formed from the material ejected from the ancient explosion of Konocti, now some of the priciest real estate in the county.
The folks who live in Riviera West enjoy panoramic views.
Ol' Rusty can be see parked in the shadows in the cul-de-sac. There's a prime homesite to the right of the house waiting for some lucky family to build.
Another view...
The last three photos were taken from the exact same spot.
Here are the fountains at the entrance to Konocti Harbor Resort And Spa, a world class resort featuring world class entertainment. It's the venue for the annual "Takin' It To The Streets" motorcycle rally around Clear Lake with an outdoor concert following. This year the headliners were the Doobie Brothers, Steppenwolf and Foghat. This event and the Quarterback Golf Shootout are the two biggest events here each year. Clear Lake is also home to several bass fishing tournaments every year as well as the Catfish Derby.
Here's a shot showing a peekaboo of the amphitheater stage taken from Konocti Harbor Resort's Lot F where motorcycles are directed to park for concert events. Cheapskates like me can see and hear the concerts from here for free!
Any NorCal (or anywhere else) XSives get in touch with me if you want to come up and ride the many scenic byways of Lake County!
You don't think that maybe that guy on the radio doesn't know what the hell he's talkin' about do you?
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