Day 2 - May 10, 2010

Some of the things that you learn when you try to put together an event such as this has to do with understanding people.  It isn’t difficult if you watch and pay attention.  For instance:

There is a certain facial expression that most folks have when they look at the Pacific Ocean at sunrise.  That look is intensified if the weather is perfect and the air is crisp and cool.  I call it, “Romantic amazement.”  Our new friends from Oklahoma, Dennis and Susan Comito had it.  This was the first time that they have been to this part of the California coast.  Here is what I mean…

There are no signs of worry or tension on the face of someone with romantic amazement.  Their eyes aren’t glassy and dazed, but open and alive – not wanting to miss a thing as they look north and south.  Body posture is relaxed, and you can note the steady, regular breathing as they inhale the heady salt air.  It has a healing quality that folks just sense and it plain to see when you watch people.  It is even more fun when couples share the moment together.  Today had the added treat of a calm sea.  The view from the Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront did its level best to shine – and it did so in every way.  This is a wonderful place to stay, and I will do so again as many times as I am able.

The group started to mill about the bikes, getting them ready for the days ride.  Conversation was lively, and everyone seemed to show the benefits of clean air and a great bed as it relates to a good night’s sleep!  We set about preparing the bikes, and some went to the restaurant for a bite to eat.

A sad note was the plight of our buddy Perry Rock.  Not being a Harley guy myself, I couldn’t tell you the model that he was riding, but it was by far one of the prettiest red motorcycles that I’ve ever seen.  That was balanced by just the right amount of chrome to make it really stand out.  The only problem is that he was having some substantial mechanical problems, and it was soon apparent that it was going to take him out of the ride.  Being 240 miles away from home on a disabled motorcycle poses a unique set of problems.  You see, it appears that most (if not all) Harley dealers are closed on Mondays.  The second is figuring out how to transport it back home.  Here is where the story gets interesting.

Not to sound to deep, but I am always amazed at how circumstances seem to unfold in a particular way.  Gabe Rousette and Ray Vasquez met us here in San Simeon.  They drove up, choosing to trailer their bikes instead of ride.  They helped Perry out by letting him use their rig to get underway, and solve his transportation problem.   It is incredible how things work out, and I am always impressed by such acts of generosity.  Perry, understandably, was very disappointed.  But I reminded him that this was Chrome on the Coast 8, and that the 9^th ride was certainly going to be better.

Today’s plan was to head through Paso Robles to have a private tour and lunch at the Schied Winery.  Some of the group chose not to go, opting instead for continuing straight up the coast.  Travelling in smaller groups was probably best, as this section of Highway 1 has several continuing long term construction projects that make for some delays.

Our group headed south on Highway 1 to Highway 46 (for those following on the map).  The hillsides were lush and green, and rolled out before us as if to welcome our group to this beautiful valley.  We left the hotel at 0930, and traffic was very light.  It was as if we were alone, able to enjoy the road at our own pace.  This road is a major highway – well maintained, wide, with sweeping turns.  As we travelled along we had peeks at the different terrain features, and every so often there was something that one in our group could not make out.

Many of us have CB radios on the bikes.  It is a great way to communicate any number of things – potholes in the road, upcoming turns, and sneaky police officers with radar guns.  I shall not mention her name (for fear of getting punched in the arm) but there was an excited call on the CB about a beautiful sight to the west.  “This is so beautiful.  Does anyone know the name of that lake over there on the right?”  There was silence on the radio as (I am sure), someone tried to figure out what to say.  In a bold and daring move, Mike Clark was the first to chime in; “Uhh, I am not sure – but I think that it is the PACIFIC lake.”  Silence filled the headset.  I started laughing as I looked at the immensity of the Pacific Ocean.  Now, not to make her feel too bad, she was looking directly into a small inlet, and her attention was focused solely on that, and not the “big picture.”  Playful radio chatter ensued, and there was light hearted ribbing as we tooled down the road.  But we won’t be staying on this road too long, as we like back roads better.

We made the turn on Jack Creek road and twisted our way through the smaller wineries in Paso Robles.  Beauty surrounded us, and (as often happens when we travel on weekdays), there was no traffic.  We smoothly made our way through the twists and turns.  The next road was Peachy Canyon.  And peachy it was!  Radio comments were minimal, as people enjoyed the landscape while listening to their favorite music on the headsets.

Soon we were at the Schied Winery.  Scott and Nancy Schied were there to greet us.  I felt as if we were being welcomed into someone’s home, as the warm smiles and handshakes were liberally doled out.  I even got a hug from Nancy, who I fell in love with the first time I met her.  They have a small tasting room as you enter.  We started our experience by sampling the great wines that they make right here at this facility.  Conversation drifted as people relaxed.  Scott is an amazing guy.  You can immediately tell by his personality that he is just right for this kind of job.  He gave us a private tour of the entire facility, following the production line for the wine making process.  His manner is extremely easy going, and he is a wonderful teacher.  Personally, I was in heaven.  Stainless steel and aluminum are my two favorite things, and these are here from floor to ceiling.  If I worshiped stainless steel, this would be my cathedral.  Somehow, at the end of the tour, he made the complex process (and the science of wine making) seem understandable.  We then made our way to the patio area for a great lunch spread.

We said goodbye, but not a sad goodbye.  Scott and Nancy are going to open their tasting room on Cannery Row in Monterey to our group tonight, and we are going to have a great mixer.  We blazed off to the north.

Up until now, the sky seemed like a big, friendly blue blanket.  The sun was its companion, bathing us in a motherly warmth.  We felt snug, and secure in mother earth’s bosom.  Here’s a question; why do clouds sometimes look angry?  These clouds were dark and ominous – they were looming.  (Aren’t the words “dark”, “ominous”, and “looming” scary?)  Well, these clouds were that.

We made our turn onto Carmel Valley Road.  Twists and turns, ups and downs and amazing scenery were plenty.  Then the first drop hit me square on the nose.  I looked at the windshield and saw many more drops.  Then the drops got bigger, and multiplied in number faster than bacteria!!  I won’t go into the details, but we were wet when we got to Monterey.  Surprisingly, Monterey had clear, blue skies.  We started to see the other members of our group who chose to ride different ways.  All of them got rained on as well.  Also, the second half of our group (who started their ride today) met us here in Monterey.

The Clement Monterey is an amazing hotel.  It is tastefully decorated, with first class amenities.  The rooms were elegant, and our room had a fourth floor view of the Monterey Bay.  The staff, especially Jason Ngo, was attentive and professional.  The best part of the hotel was that the Schied Wine Lounge was right across the street.

Bill and I walked up and noted the sign that said “Private Event”.  We looked at each other and Bill noted that we were obviously important people to get that kind of treatment.  Bill is responsible for our contact with Nancy.  They have known each other for years, and when they reconnected, Nancy opened her heart and invited our group up.  The food, the wine, the company were all superb.  Simply, it was a great party!!  Conversation and laughter filled the air, and on the two big screens a slide show that encompassed seven years worth of Chrome on the Coast photographs brought back great memories. 

The days spirits were not dampened by the rain, and the night’s gathering was a special way to officially kick off our tour.