So last night I had too good of a time at my buddy Scott's NFL Draft party. The beers turned to Grey Goose, my plan to get picked up by my wife at 9:00 turned into going to a bar and crashing at his house. I had also planned to work Friday but I was sick. I am in the Air National Guard (part time) and since I had duty last weekend and had worked 11 straight days, so I was feeling a bit run down. Six hours of drinking may or may not have had anything to do with it The wife was somewhat unsympathetic to my physical state and I had thought about going into work after I showered but then it hit me... I can go on a freeking ride! I was thinking about going to Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge and figured I could spend the night and hit the hot spring up there. So I packed the bike and used my new Wolfman Enduro Saddlebag and Enduro Duffle. It was my first time using them. Everything fit well and I was on my way. I left Redding and hit 299 E toward Alturas. I was on the road at 10:00 am and it was still a bit cold. By the time I hit Burney, I was rethinking my plan. I stopped and got a big greasy breakfast at the Blackberry Patch Here's the view from my booth





Two cups of coffee, two glasses of water and an orange juice. Plus my Camelbak on the way up - yep, you guessed it. Not the slightest urge to pee. I got back on the road and after about 5 miles I stopped for gas. It was then that I decided that I should leave Hart Mountain for another time. It was still cold and I was nursing the hangover. I decided to go to Big Bend which is about 20 miles off 299. There's some dirt to ride out there and a hot spring. I made a good choice here. Here are a few of the views on the way. That's Mount Shasta







The road to the hot spring (Kosh Creek is the official name of the spring, I think) was very rough with lots of slippery mud and plenty of puddles. I made it to the spring to find that I had it to myself and it was in perfect condition. The temp was about 104 (best guess).







So I had a nice soak for about 45 minutes and decided that I was ready to get going. (um...the local custom is clothing OPTIONAL) I got dressed and headed out. I chose to go a different way out to avoid going up hill through all the mud. Some things can't be avoided though and I hit this





These were after I got unstuck mid way up on my first run. The road crosses a creek and makes a turn and I wasn't "on it" becuase of all the mud - bad idea. Another shot Not a big mud fan today. Here's the last pic I took on the road heading home.



I think the ride was just what the doctor ordered. I feel a bit sore now from the ride as it covered 178 miles but I rode off the hangover and burnt 8 hours of sick leave. I don't condone abusing sick leave or alcohol but sometimes you just gotta to it!

 

Nice recovery plan!! That hot spring looked like a great destination. Thanks for posting the pics.
Dan