NOTE: Roger was kind enough to send this write-up that he attended with the GWTA shortly after our ride, it gives more perspective to the good time that was held there.

Portola Rail Museum Ride
8-21/22-04

It was one of those days you knew was going to be just great. We met at Mervyn's in Milpitas,..... 5 bikes, 2 Suvšs 13 Adults, & 2 Little ones.

Roger A, Virg/Sue M, Dave R/Terri B, Don/Janis E, Jim/Corrine J, Craig/Andrea F, Tony/Ria Diaz...(Daughter of Craig/Andrea,... & 2 grandchildren).

The ride up to West Sacramento, (Via 680 & 80), was nice,.... a little cool towards Benicia. At the intersection of Hwy 680/80 they had 2 lanes closed on 80,.... what a Huge traffic jam..... we had a chance to practice balance, and clutch control..... took a good 45 min to pass thru this area.

We gassed up at the Shell truck stop on West El Camino street in West Sacramento, 120 miles. Here we met up with Carl/Ella Le Mier, Jim Kramlich, and the son Troy Allen, (On his R/W Valkyrie,... of course). They had been paiently waiting for us. Don/Janis Engle were planning to leave us and head for Modesto at this point,.... and Carl & Ella were only going to ride up to Marysville, and also head back home,.... Well they both decided to ride to Oroville with us and have lunch. We were having fun.

After lunch, and the goodbys to Carl/Ella & Don/Janice. it was a nice ride up the Feather River Canyon. we had the road to ourselfs. Nice scenery, pleasant weather, and good company.

We arrived in Quincy about 4 PM, and as we checked into the Gold Pan Motel, the most puzzling thing happened,...... The couple at the desk asked where we were going to eat dinner. I mentioned that we were going to Janice's Cantina & Steak House at the other end of town,.... They tried their best to discourage us, telling us how bad the food was, why,... the mexican food was so bad, the husband had even got up and walked out last week. Sometimes it's hard to tell what peoples motives are.... they wanted us to go to Moons Restaurant, or even Mt. Tomba Inn that was 25 miles out of town.... Only 4 weeks ago I had eaten at Janice's with 27 of the Kawasaki group (NCVC -ed).... It was very good at that time.... and I couldn't believe things had changed.... Janice was still there and she did the cooking & serving. Virg/Sue, Jim/Corrine decided not to go,.... the rest of us ate at Janice's. The food was very good, we even ordered up some scones, which they call sopapillas, and serve with honey. Sopapillas are included with all dinners. Very good indeed !!

If you understand peoples motives.... you can better understand them,.... I just don't understand the managers at the Gold Pan Motel.

Sunday we arrived in Portola at the Rail Museum about 9:30 and waited for them to get ready for us. They were short a Locomotive Engineer, so the Caboose Train didn't start running till after we were done at noon. Our Instructor was Norman Holmes, who founded the Museum.

We had Big Fun,.... first we operated WP 608 Built in May 1940 for the Union Pacific. It is 1200 hp & 12 cylinders. This is called a switcher.

Then we operated WP 921D Built in Jan 1950 for the Western Pacific. It is 1500 hp & 16 cylinders. This is a road freight locomotive which has a distinctive carbody and is often referred to as a 'covered wagon'. Very hard to see behind you when backing up.

Little Gabriel sat on grandpas lap operating the Locomotives, and was also awarded his own Certificate suitable for framing.

Many were anxious to head back to the Bay Area, so as soon as they were done operating the Locomotives, they headed out. Andrea collected up the Certificates and will hand them out at the next chapter meeting. The son took A23 down to Hwy 49, then to Hwy 80 and back to Roseville. He arrived home about 3 PM Sunday, he had to be at work by 11 PM that night.

It was just Jim Kramlich and myself now,...... we spent some more time at the Musuem, then over to the Station Cafe, I had told the owner early in the morning that instead of 14, we may only have 3 or 4 for lunch, we were down to just the two of us.... It was ok, they were very busy, and just barely had room for us.

Jim and I rode down to Virginia City, and rode the Tractor Tourist Train around the city, hearing all the interesting facts about its history. Lots of things to buy in the little shops, good thing about the motorcycle is you canšt carry too much, keeps the souvenirs to a minimum. We then continued on to Minden, stayed the night, and Monday rode Hwy 88 down to Jackson where we had a very good lunch at Mel & Veras Diner. This is the most scenic road across the Sierras.

We then rode over to Sutter Creek, and visited the Sutter Gold Mine. It gives you quite a sinking feeling as your riding down the mine shaft, and your going farther and farther down till there is just a little speck of light behind you where the entrance is, then it disappears to darkness. You take a deep breath, and figure others have returned to the surface. We had a nice tour that lasted one hour. It's not cold like a cave,.... in fact, in can get quite hot. Back at the entrance to the mine we watched a movie about Gold Mining in California. Then we each went our separate ways home. Jim back to West Sacramento, and me back down Hwy 88, to the Bay Area. An enjoyable trip with good friends.

GWTA Chapter 'C'
Tour Director, Roger Allen

Back to the 2004 Calendar or the NORCALVOYAGERS.ORG Home Page