Ride to Pioneertown

Jesse and I met Reid at the 76 & 15 around 245pm Friday for a ride up to Pioneertown. Jesse had reserved a room at the Pioneertown Motel for the 3 of us. We got there around 630. We were slowed down a bit by riding the dirt road that paralleled the train track & Freeway just east of Cabazon for awhile.

We finished most of the 18 pack we brought in before heading over to the legendary Pappy & Harriet's bar & grill. The epicenter of P-Town. Each of us had a different cut of beef from the outdoor grill (only the 2nd swingin' steak I've ever seen) and washed it down with bourbon cocktails. The band on stage kept time with our chewing, we shot some pool, and witnessed a special brand of frontier justice when "security" dragged out an over-imbibed leatherneck from 29 Palms. Great bar, excellent bartender, good music, crowd, and atmosphere galore. Definitely will go back next time I'm passing through Yucca Valley.

Next morning Reid came-to in his tent (way too early) just outside the door where Jesse and I were still slightly comatose. Thankfully my 24 oz Bud Chelada was waiting for me in the fridge and in an hour or two we were on the road again.

First stop Sat morn was Water Canyon Coffee Co. for joe & a bagel. Feeling re-newed we headed east on the 62, our destination: The 29 Palms Inn (on the eastern edge of the town by the same name). The bartender's pride really showed in his expertly crafted bloody mary. A walking tour of the grounds with a brew or two and we were ready for our moto-tour of Joshua Tree National Park. After gassing up and filling my empty saddle bag with ice & cans we pulled into the east entrance (not sure why they call it the north entrance) but unfortunately the toll booth was closed so we couldn't pay (oh darn!). A couple of "rest stops" through the park, crossed 10, rolled through Box Canyon (another rest stop) and we arrived in Mecca.

We purchased a tub of shrimp ceviche at the gas station which went well as an appetizer with the drinks we had at Capt'n Jim's in Salton City.

From Salton City we decided to head for the 8 but could not resist the call of Imperial County's best beef - prime rib at The Town Pump in Westmoreland. It was freakin' delicious and I can't wait to go back!

Belly's and gas tanks full we zig-zagged the farm roads south and west till we hit the 8. Pulled off at Ocotillo (tradition) to gear up for the mountain passes back home. I told my wife I'd be home by dark and I sure was. We dropped into the top of the clouds just west of Pine Valley – Spectacular scene!

Thank you Jesse for coming up with this awesome ride idea. Reid, I know you better now than I did before (is that a good thing?).

It was a 32 hour party on 2 wheels. Cheers!!