Cora Haselback, Kim Carr, and I left my house at 7:15 and headed out towards the corner of Branham and Snell to await the rest of the group. As we approached Branham we saw Pam Downs, Jeff Orum, Ted Rosario, and Troy Stenstrom pass by. Just in time. We all waited at the corner until 7:30, and were joined by Franz Kelsch, and Leo Sheikman. We just needed Fran and Jeff Bryan and Mike and Karen McGeough and we would all be here. 13 riders total.

There would be no SAG along this year, so everybody had to carry their own gear. I had my panniers and so had room for my own stuff plus some extra room to help out. Cora had a vintage looking canvas and leather bag named "Little Joe" that fit on her handlebars, and so she was able to carry all of her own stuff. Kim's gear ended up in my panniers for the trip up Mt.Hamilton.

The others didn't show up, though, so we started out anyway. They would catch up later. It was a beautiful day, not quite sunshine yet, just a light overcast which would be good for climbing up over Mt.Hamilton. Once on the climb everyone spread out going their own pace.

Donny at Grant Ranch House.

Cora & Donny.

I was riding with Cora and we worked our way to the back of the group. We stopped in at the restroom in Grant ranch, and then we wandered over and toured the old farm house. Cora was taking pictures and we were checking out the sights. Our tour was started already. After about 15 minutes we continued on up the climb. I was able to talk Cora into letting me hook my long bungee cord onto her bike so I could give her a tow up the hill. Cora reluctantly agreed, but then found that the pull was ok.

Mike, Karen, and Donny on way to Mt.Hamilton.

As we reached the top of the second climb, we caught up with our missing riders - Jeff and Fran and Mike and Karen. They had all come up over Quimby. Mike and Karen continued up with me and Cora, while Jeff and Fran went off the front.

Leo, Mike, Karen, Jeff, Fran, Kim, Donny, Cora, at top of Mt.Hamilton.

Enjoying the fountain.

At the top of the hill, we were met by Kim coming down, so she turned and went back up with us. At the top we found Fran and Jeff, Ted, and Leo. The others had all continued on their way. We weren't in any hurry though, so we all had a soda and some of us went around back and checked out the "swimming pool". This was the fountain, just big enough to lay down inside. It was about 76F at Lick Observatory, so it felt good to get in the fountain. This was going to be a good tour.

Going down the backside, we all stopped to check out the spring that I had adopted. It was running good. I led a short walk out to see the water source, and then we all got going again. Next up was lunch at The Junction. I had the half pound Jerry's burger and fries, while Cora and Kim had quarter pound cheeseburgers and chips.

Lunch at The Junction.

Wild horses in Del Puerto Canyon.

Leaving the Junction behind we were off down Del Puerto Canyon towards Patterson and our motel. It was all downhill but we were going into a headwind so it was still some work. We arrived at about 4:00, about an hour later than last year but then we had done more "touring" today so it was fine. Since this was Cora's first tour, and also her first time down the backside of Mt.Hamilton, she was taking many pictures, trying to capture the view of the desolate landscape on film.

After checking in we all hung around the pool until dinner time. Dinner was a good breakfast at Denny's. We also worked poolside on a jigsaw puzzle that I had brought along. Even working under the pool lights that evening we didn't quite get the puzzle finished, and I ended up packing it away to do later.

Go to the next day.