Tuesday, July 24, 2012 Sonora, Ca to Chester, Ca

Last night in Sonora, our group gained an additional rider and bike.  George rode his trike up from the AV and met us at the hotel.  Welcome aboard George. 

This morning we assembled for another group photo.(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

Almost everyone.......

Smile Susan, No Linda, You Smile.....

After leaving the hotel, we rode for about 5 minutes over to Railtown State Park located in Jamestown.  Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is home to several old trains and the Roundhouse of the Sierra Railway.  Railtown has been used as a movie and television location dating back to 1919, including movies such as Unforgiven and Back to the Future Part III, both of which,  featured scenes filmed at Railtown.  

Blown Up Train Smoke Stack from Back to the Future Part III

List of Movies Filmed at Railtown

Linda, Susan and Sharon Posing for an ad for the Shady Rest Hotel

Susan and Linda dealing with the Paparazzi

After visiting Railtown, we rode over to Jamestown proper and took in the sights.  The Jail we are standing in front of was built in 1898 for $1060.  

L-R, George, Steve, T-Rice, John, Fred, Brian, and Mike

L-R Susan, Barbara, Sharon, Carolyn, and Linda

We finally hit the road for Chester, California via Highway 49 at 11:30 a.m.  It was warm, but not as bad as Monday.  We passed through several historic small towns along the way, including Angels Camp, which gave Mark Twain his claim to fame.  

From the "Historichwy49.com" website.  A young and adventuresome Mark Twain overheard a story in a hotel bar he frequented. That fall of 1865, Mark Twain penned the now famous "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County". It was the literary piece that made Mark Twain a household name.  

 

Barbara and John

T-Rice, Steve and Sharon

John and Barbara leading, Steve and Sharon close behind. 

T-Rice and George, with Fred in the background

Stopped at road construction waiting for the Pilot Car.

Steve and Sharon with T-Rice on their heels.

We stopped for lunch in Placerville then continued on to Chester.  We arrived in Chester at around 8 p.m., just as the sun was beginning to set.   

It was a long day on the bikes.  We traveled almost 300 miles, but it was through some of the most beautiful scenery in California. We rode through mountain passes covered with towering pine trees, along side rivers still being fed by melting snow and descended into mountain valleys of green pasture land full of cattle.  

Tomorrow we will visit Lassen Volcanic Park and then it will be on to Oregon.