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Planning routes from Reno to Las Vegas is difficult. It’s a bit more then I would want to ride in a day, but there really isn’t a place that’s “halfway” where I would actually want to stay.

So I usually stay in Mammoth and just deal with the “short day / long day” thing. Today was, of course, the short day.

I took advantage of this and slept in a bit. My friends were off to work and school early, so I had the house to myself. After doing a load of laundry, I finally departed at 10am.

I was surprised at how little had changed in Reno and Carson City as I rolled through. The planned I-580 bypass is proceeding much more slowly than anticipated (it was supposed to be done by now, but has been pushed all the way out to 2011 now I believe).

The Galena Creek Bridge is finally starting to take shape though. It’s going to be a thing of beauty when completed. I sure wish I could have stopped for a picture, but I know the dangers of trying to do that while fighting the traffic in Pleasant Valley.

Gassed up in Minden – one of my favorite small towns that I’ve ever been to.

I’m getting a bit bored with 395 I have to admit. As pretty as it is, it’s also increasing in traffic, and I find myself more occupied with passing traffic then admiring the scenery.

I did have a quest in mind however…

Every single time I’ve covered this stretch of road (has to be approaching a dozens times now, I’ve always wanted to stop at Walker Burger (in Walker, CA) for lunch. But every single time I’ve passed through, it’s been closed for one reason or another.

But today was finally my lucky day…

Complete with “Garden Dining”.

They weren’t kidding either! I placed my order and walked behind the building into a place that was damn near the Garden of Eden…

While I consumed an excellent burger and fries (I keep forgetting to take food photos!!) Stomper was busy practicing his Zen meditation at the Koi pond.

After a lunch that managed to be both filling and fulfilling, I hopped back onto 395, and cruised along until Mono Lake appeared in the distance…

This is my first shot a stitching together a panorama. Please excuse the watermark. I didn’t want to pay $70 for software if the end result was poor. But I think this turned out okay, especially for my first attempt. Click on the picture to see it full-size.

Gratuitous bike shot, with Mono Lake in the background.

I continued along 395 and turned off at the June Lake Loop. It looked like it would be a great ride, but it was not meant to be. For the first time in the entire trip, I was trapped with slow cars in front of me, impatient cars behind me, and never a long enough sightline to get myself clear.

Then, just as the last of the slow cars turned off, and I thought I was finally going to have some fun riding in front of me…

Now, see that Black Dodge truck at the front of the line?

He hates motorcyclists.

Or he’s drunk.

Or he’s falling asleep at the wheel.

I’m not sure which it was, but less than 10 minutes later, I had my first unpleasant encounter with a auto in nearly 1,900 miles of riding.

After clearning the loop and returning to the four lane stretch of 395, I attempted to pass the truck. He was in the right-hand lane. Immediately as I signalled and changed to the left hand lane, he began to drift into the left lane by about three feet. I backed off and he returned to his lane.

Now he’s slowing a bit. I decide that getting around him quickly is the best answer here, so this time I don’t signal (we’re alone out here) change lanes, and hit the throttle hard.

As I come up alongside him, he starts drifting again. Pretty soon I’m right up against the double yellow. I’m up to 90 and climbing, and he has it floored, and has me pinned to the double yellow. Finally I clear him and get back into the right lane. He decides to stay on my tail for awhile, but finally gives up.

One asshat in 2,300 miles. I suppose I should consider myself lucky.

A few miles later I turn off onto the Mammoth Scenic Loop, and remember to pull over long enough to grab a quick shot.

I rode right by the Sierra Lodge three time before I finally found it hidden amongst the trees. I walked across the street to Angels for dinner (no food photos again…sigh).

Before calling it a night, I pondered tomorrow’s ride – my last on the road. I wasn’t sure if I was happy or sad about that, but I knew one thing for sure. I definitely wasn’t looking forward to returning to the Mojave desert.

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