When we started out the first thing that went wrong was that our FRS communication radio wasn't working. I could hear Izumi, but she couldn't hear me. Bummer. It worked about a month earlier, but not now. I think its a problem with the wire to my mike.

I-5 was long and straight. We bolted up to Weed averaging about 80 mph without incident. Once we got onto State Route 97, we slowed down and enjoyed the sights. We filled up at a gas station on the California side of the border. Big mistake. If I would have crossed the border and rode for another 10 miles, I could of saved a lot of money. Its about .20 cents cheaper in Oregon! We passed through Klamath Falls (very pretty) and by the time we got to Crater Lake National Park, it was about 3 PM. I was going to buy a Golden Eagle Pass for $65, but they would only accept cash or check. We were only carrying about $30 between the two of us so we paid the $10 per vehicle charge instead. The park rangers told us that there was an ATM at the gift shop and that when I left I could show my receipt and pay the additional $55 for the Golden Eagle pass.

When we started the drive along the rim, Izumi pointed to the side of the road where there was snow! I expected all of the snow to have been melted by the end of May, but I guess not. We took pictures of us at the rim with the snow and such and then we decided it was time for us to eat. We haven't eaten since we left and even then, all breakfast was a piece of toast. We headed back to the Crater Lake Village towards the entrance and went to the restaurant in the hotel. They also have a less expensive cafeteria, but after riding all day we wanted to set down relax and be served.

The Crater Lake Hotel / Restaurant had just opened on May 21 and they told us that we were the customers to try their special menu, which was a T-bone steak with gourmet potatoes and zucchini. It was good, but being as tired as we were, we were unable to eat most of it and left about half of it on the plate. After paying, we relaxed outside the hotel on the porch, letting the food digest and enjoying the scenery. We then headed to the gift shop to withdrawal some cash to pay for the pass before heading to Crescent City, CA. As luck would have it, the person in front of me withdrew the last of the money it seems, because when it was my turn, the ATM machine said to call attendant because it was out of order! Well, screw the Golden Eagle Pass for now. We both want to get on the road and find our hotel, which was still a good 4 and a half hours away.

We worked our way over to State Route 199, which would take us to Crescent City, CA. Nice road and good scenery. I was also getting very good gas mileage. As we were getting close to Crescent City there were about 3-4 cars behind us when we came to a fork in the road. The sign showed Crescent City to the left, so that's what we took, but after taking the left fork, all of the other cars took a right. By now it was about 8:30 PM, dark, foggy and we were riding through some very big redwoods, the radio was playing a song from the Doors and I was getting low on gas. I normally hit reserve after about 240 miles, but the odometer said 270 miles and I still hadn't hit reserve yet! Good gas mileage, but did I have enough to turn back in case I was going the wrong way? Izumi was scared a bear or cougar was going to jump out and get us. I just didn't want to run out of gas in the middle of nowhere after riding for over 12 hours.

After about 10 miles of Redwood trees, fog, and such, the light of Crescent City appeared. I pulled into a Shell, got gas, and then proceeded to our hotel. There was a Denny's next door, so after washing up, we headed over for some grub, before hitting the sack.

Since we weren't in a hurry to get home, we didn't set the alarm and figured we'd get up when we got up. We ended up waking up at about 8:30 and we were out the door by about 9:30 AM. Before checking out, we walked over to Denny's but there were people lined up out the door so we decided to get something in Eureka, about an hour away.

Cruising down the 101 at around Clam Beach at about 65 mph, I began to pass a car when I looked up on an overpass about a quarter mile away was a CHP patrol car. I was passing a car and decided to continue passing him and move back over to the right lane. I figured that if the officer caught me speeding it was only when I was passing the car, and even then I was still under 70 mph.

I saw the CHP enter the highway. At fist he stayed behind the car I just passed. The car I passed was only traveling about 60 mph, so I don't think the CHP wanted him. Sure enough after about 2 miles, he passed up the car and was getting closer to my rear. I saw some other motorcyclists on Harley's on the other side of the highway. We waved to each other as we passed and it was then the CHP decided to turn on his lights and pull me over.

Izumi didn't know why we were pulled over. We were going the speed limit and the traffic was extremely light. When the CHP walked up to us, he asked for my drivers license and informed me that he "clocked" me going 70 mph. I felt like saying, "Bullshit!", but instead I bit my tongue and handed him my motorcycle-endorsed driver's license. He then asked if I had the registration and proof of insurance. I said I had it underneath the seat and asked if he needed to see it. He said he did, so I unlocked the seat and gave him the registration and insurance.

He walked over to his patrol car and came back about a minute later to inform me that I was going to receive a citation. After I signed the ticket, I told him that this was bogus, that I was not speeding and I had no reason to speed and that if I wanted to speed I would head on over to I-5. He said that I should head over to I-5. In which I replied that our objective was to enjoy the sights and that we were not in any rush to get home. He told me to keep an eye on the speedometer and I told him I was, but it sure didn't do me any good.

It just seems ironic that one of the rare times that I was obeying the speed limit and enjoying the sights without trying to hurry up and get somewhere is when I get pulled over for speeding. Izumi was just as puzzled as I was. In the past when I received a citation, I knew I was in the wrong and paid the fine, did traffic school or whatever. However, this time, the ticket is not warranted or deserved. After arriving in Eureka and stopping for breakfast, I pulled out the ticket and gave it a closer look. He gave me a speeding ticket for going "75 mph" not 70 mph as he said originally when he stopped me. I am totally baffled as to why. And to add insult to injury, he listed the color of my '99 Concours as "Black", when everybody knows that it's "Candy Amaranth Red" or "Purple" or "Barney", but not "Black". Unfortunately for Izumi and me, it was very difficult to enjoy the rest of the ride. That incident kind of took the wind out of our sails.

I planned on fighting this ticket, even though I had no prior experience fighting tickets. The ticket doesn't say anything about radar, but does have what looks like "Paced" in parentheses. If he was pacing me, then it had to be after he got on the freeway and I was definitely going 65 mph, as I was aware he was close behind me and I'm certainly not going to go faster than the speed limit then.

At any rate, I would have lost more money fighting the ticket than I felt it was worth. So I bit the bullet and paid the "revenue" ticket. I hope that fucking bastard cop Rassy ID #8211 of Humbolt Co. CHP, burns in hell. The asshole. I feel so much better now.