Topic: Gold in them thar hills......... (Read 16376 times)

JCZ · « **on:** February 20, 2011, 10:11:19 PM »

Jeff, Don, Jon, Andy and I all met at Eagles Nest Harley Davidson in Lathrop this morning and headed for the hills. Last night I was watching a Calif. travel show, California Gold when they showed a 44 lb. Crystalline gold leaf.

Crystaline gold is the rarest form of gold (there's also lode, matrix and placer) and goes for as high as $6,000.00 per ounce. It's the largest piece of crystaline gold ever found, was found in our backyard and is still displayed in our back yard......in Murphy, Calif. It was found on Dec. 26, 1992.....what a Christmas present.

By the way, Eagles Nest has a number of new and used CVO's in stock. While there tags show a $5,000 dealer mark up......I know a couple people that has bought from them recently at MSRP, so it is possible but ya gotta do the dance with them.

As I got off of I-5 to go to the dealership, looked over at Mt. Diablo and was very surprised to see the mountain snow capped. It was 30 degrees here in Sac. when I woke up this morning. That's unseasonally cold for us.

JCZ · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:13:28 PM »

Looking a little further south on the coastal range, I noticed that Mt. Hamilton also had snow on top. I've never saw this before.

JCZ · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:15:41 PM »

At the dealership.....the guys started rolling in.

Jeff's bagger is in the shop getting custom paint so he had to ride his SE Springer. It's going to be a very cold day for him without a fairing $:-\$ .

JCZ · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:18:19 PM »

We rode out Hwy. 26 up into the foothills. Stopped at Hawg Dawgs for an early lunch since we didn't have breakfast.

Here's Don.....the proud owner of the yellow bird.

JCZ · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:19:52 PM »

Andy pushing his SEEG......uphill. Why? Just because he can.

JCZ · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:21:41 PM »

While it was very cold (Calif. cold), it was also very sunny......

JCZ · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:24:52 PM »

Getting ready to roll and all of a sudden we notice a lady with a ramp hanging out of a full size SUV. What's the ramp for? Oh wow, she's got a bear in there.

1 yr. old, 135 lb. Newfoundland puppy.

JCZ · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:26:45 PM »

This dogs paws are bigger than a man's fist. They may have been bigger than my size 12s.

JCZ · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:29:00 PM »

A very friendly puppy. Her coat was amazingly soft.

JCZ · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:30:58 PM »

Gold country....also often referred to as the Mother Lode. These are the hills that we ride in often.

JCZ · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:32:29 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:33:44 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:35:48 PM »

snow capped mountains just ahead.

JCZ · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:37:41 PM »

a little break in Sheepranch.

JCZ · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:39:34 PM »

The sign on top of the pump says "Gas $ .18".

JCZ · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:41:36 PM »

Andy's ready to fill the tanks....

JCZ · « **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:43:07 PM »

The playhouse...

JCZ · « **Reply #17 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:44:41 PM »

true to the town's namesake, Sheepranch, the sheep roam freely.

JCZ · « **Reply #18 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:46:15 PM »

Time to roll, guys....

JCZ · « **Reply #19 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:47:45 PM »

yes, we made it up to the snow line.

JCZ · « **Reply #20 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:49:00 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #21 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:50:26 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #22 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:52:10 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #23 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:53:33 PM »

goat trails all the way up and over this mountain.

JCZ · « **Reply #24 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:54:47 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #25 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:56:01 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #26 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:57:18 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #27 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:59:10 PM »

Riding the gold country

JCZ · « **Reply #28 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:01:27 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #29 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:03:38 PM »

As we arrived in Murphy, the local taxi came cruising by.

JCZ · « **Reply #30 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:05:14 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #31 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:06:26 PM »

JCZ · « **Reply #32 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:09:03 PM »

Inside the Murphy Saloon. Mark Twain, Ulysis S. Grant, a couple presidents and other famous people stayed in this hotel in the last century and this.

JCZ · « **Reply #33 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:11:11 PM »

Don found a phone booth so he had to stop to make a quick call.

Thank you Carol, for letting Don come out to play.

JCZ · « **Reply #34 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:18:53 PM »

Jon leading the way to Ironstone Vinyards.

They have a very nice ampathreater built into the hillside, in the middle of all the vinyards. It's were Jon & Susan, Terrie and I saw BB King and Buddy Guy at the same show last fall.

JCZ · « **Reply #35 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:25:42 PM »

and here is the 44 lb crystalline leaf gold. At 1,568 ounces it's the largest piece ever found in the world and is called the Kautz.

Between 1849 and 1880 there were several large masses of gold found in the Mother Lode area of California however, they were melted down and no longer exist. It's the largest piece known to exist today and......in it's rarest form, crystalline.

JCZ · « **Reply #36 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:26:55 PM »

the back side of this rock.

JCZ · « **Reply #37 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:29:33 PM »

It is insured for $3.5 million and yes, it's kept in a state of the art vault.

It's owned by the husband and wife that own Ironstone Vineyards. The couple personally collected all the items in their little museum.....all from the Mother Lode.

http://www.ironstonevineyards.com/

jonga · « **Reply #38 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:29:44 PM »

Thanks for all the great pictures JC, and the invite. I had a great time today as we always do. It was just what I needed to get out and go for a ride with some good buddies. Looking forward to many more rides this coming year. Come on sun keep poping your head out. Great to see everyone.

Jon

JCZ · « **Reply #39 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:32:19 PM »

time to head back down the mountain and for home

JCZ · « **Reply #40 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:35:02 PM »

the valley down below, as we roll out of the hills.

JCZ · « **Reply #41 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:37:08 PM »

Another nice day for riding. Put on a couple hundred miles and had a good time.

Thanks guys, for showing up and sharing it all with me.

VANAMAL · « **Reply #42 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:55:15 PM »

thanks jc- wish i was closer.

Jock · « **Reply #43 on:** February 21, 2011, 12:05:14 AM »

Quote from: VANAMAL on February 20, 2011, 11:55:15 PM

thanks jc- wish i was closer.

HEY! Thanks for stealing my line!

You guys have too much fun!

napalm · « **Reply #44 on:** February 21, 2011, 07:02:26 AM »

Looks like agreat ride....thanks for posting the picture...one day in will thaw in the North East and we will be able to get our scoots out for a ride or two...

napalm

naitram · « **Reply #45 on:** February 21, 2011, 08:51:44 AM »

i gotta stop reading threads like this while its snowing here

miker · « **Reply #46 on:** February 21, 2011, 09:20:03 AM »

Tha JC, nice time of year out there, green as Ireland....

FNGw/08SERK · « **Reply #47 on:** February 21, 2011, 09:59:01 AM »

Quote from: naitram on February 21, 2011, 08:51:44 AM

i gotta stop reading threads like this while its snowing here

I was sitting here thinking the same

Thanks for the pics!

erniezap · « **Reply #48 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:41:07 AM »

Looks like you had a really nice ride!

The Bolvine Gigolo! · « **Reply #49 on:** February 21, 2011, 10:52:48 AM »

Great pic's JC thanks for the invite ( But 10 minutes notice is just a bit to quick for me)

JCZ · « **Reply #50 on:** February 21, 2011, 11:47:08 AM »

Quote from: iselbulls on February 21, 2011, 10:52:48 AM

Great pic's JC thanks for the invite ( But 10 minutes notice is just a bit to quick for me)

What.....you don't log on to the forum on Saturday mornings until 9:50 a.m.

That's sacreligous!

The Bolvine Gigolo! · « **Reply #51 on:** February 21, 2011, 09:27:13 PM »

Quote from: JCZ on February 21, 2011, 11:47:08 AM

What.....you don't log on to the forum on Saturday mornings until 9:50 a.m. That's sacreligous!

Blame Soozie shes helping the daughter with the baby for acouple of days and the house was just to quiet and I slept in!

Harley Guy · « **Reply #52 on:** February 22, 2011, 12:55:54 PM »

Quote from: naitram on February 21, 2011, 08:51:44 AM

i gotta stop reading threads like this while its snowing here

That is the truth - we had another 5-6 inch's last night in Ohio.
.
.
.
Nice pictures and reporth.................

DDavidson · « **Reply #53 on:** February 22, 2011, 11:55:01 PM »

Got a call early Sunday morning around 8:00 am to do an impromptu ride, meeting in Lathrop at 10:00.

I wanted to say "Are you nucking futs?" but JC was right that this could be the last good weekend for awhile, so I did two of the three "S's" headed out the door got gas and made it to Lathrop in about 1 hour arriving at 10:05.

Hawg Dawgs parking lot in Valley Springs, CA. I had the Road Glide hot dog with the snappy skin.

Andy with his Street Glide. JC and Jon discussing JC's camera.

DDavidson · « **Reply #54 on:** February 22, 2011, 11:55:26 PM »

Jeff's Springer CVO.

JC getting a pic of John behind his bike.

DDavidson · « **Reply #55 on:** February 22, 2011, 11:55:49 PM »

My Sony camera sucks because the lens cover now sticks closed, needing two hands to free it, and the control wheel gets turned from the auto setting when you try to do it with one hand on the camera and the other steering.

Sorry for the blurred pic JC.

DDavidson · « **Reply #56 on:** February 22, 2011, 11:56:12 PM »

They make their own potato chips.

DDavidson · « **Reply #57 on:** February 22, 2011, 11:56:50 PM »

This dog looks much larger in person.

DDavidson · « **Reply #58 on:** February 22, 2011, 11:57:16 PM »

She's really a Maltese in a horses body.

DDavidson · « **Reply #59 on:** February 22, 2011, 11:58:28 PM »

Wagons hoooooe!

DDavidson · « **Reply #60 on:** February 22, 2011, 11:58:54 PM »

Stuck lens cover.

DDavidson · « **Reply #61 on:** February 22, 2011, 11:59:42 PM »

Green in them thar hills.........

DDavidson · « **Reply #62 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:00:13 AM »

Toyon?

Hwy 26 to Hwy 12 to Hwy 49 to San Andreas

DDavidson · « **Reply #63 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:01:20 AM »

Out of San Andreas on Mountain Ranch Road to Sheep Ranch Road to Sheep Ranch.

Country store.

DDavidson · « **Reply #64 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:01:53 AM »

Andy talking about pumping Ethyl.

DDavidson · « **Reply #65 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:02:24 AM »

Filler up? That will be $1.80. Here's your green stamps.

DDavidson · « **Reply #66 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:02:58 AM »

Jeff likes the wind in his face.

DDavidson · « **Reply #67 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:03:23 AM »

The roads in this area aren't the smoothest but it is a great area and a great stop.

I was surprised we were here. It was the third time through here for me in the last 6 months.

DDavidson · « **Reply #68 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:03:58 AM »

I like the rural areas that are being preserved.

DDavidson · « **Reply #69 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:04:32 AM »

The sunshine is getting warmer.

DDavidson · « **Reply #70 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:04:57 AM »

One big circle.

DDavidson · « **Reply #71 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:05:23 AM »

Old Timey looking room for the tourists.

DDavidson · « **Reply #72 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:05:48 AM »

JC went down the road to checkout the other buildings and the free ranging sheep.

DDavidson · « **Reply #73 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:06:11 AM »

JC. My camera setting bumped to an incorrect setting.

DDavidson · « **Reply #74 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:06:39 AM »

Waiting to roll.

DDavidson · « **Reply #75 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:07:07 AM »

Chevron gas station.

18 cents a gallon then would be like $5.00 a gallon now.

DDavidson · « **Reply #76 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:07:35 AM »

Chevron is a Bay Area company in San Ramon. Refinery in Richmond, CA.

DDavidson · « **Reply #77 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:08:01 AM »

Back on Sheep Ranch Road to Murphys.

DDavidson · « **Reply #78 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:08:31 AM »

The best snow in the world. Visited snow!

DDavidson · « **Reply #79 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:09:10 AM »

Sheep Ranch Rd crossing San Domingo Rd

DDavidson · « **Reply #80 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:10:05 AM »

JC kept stopping to photograph the riders. Then he'd go back to the front.

DDavidson · « **Reply #81 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:10:56 AM »

Over the shoulder shot of Jeff in the back of the pack.

DDavidson · « **Reply #82 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:11:28 AM »

Didn't trust my aim so took two.

DDavidson · « **Reply #83 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:11:52 AM »

Murphy.

Local transit system. They are more modern thinking by allowing dogs on the system.

DDavidson · « **Reply #84 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:12:21 AM »

Some of us are here.

DDavidson · « **Reply #85 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:12:44 AM »

Others are there.

DDavidson · « **Reply #86 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:13:40 AM »

Looks like Andy's listening to the game on a transistor radio.

DDavidson · « **Reply #87 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:14:12 AM »

Stretching our legs.

DDavidson · « **Reply #88 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:14:42 AM »

Lots of folks visiting Murphys on the weekend for the historical feeling. Lot of wine tasting.

DDavidson · « **Reply #89 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:15:14 AM »

The Nugget. Stopping to say hello to a friend of Andy's.

DDavidson · « **Reply #90 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:15:41 AM »

Jeff wetting the whistle.

DDavidson · « **Reply #91 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:16:04 AM »

Ironstone winery.

DDavidson · « **Reply #92 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:16:34 AM »

Nice buildings and landscaping.

DDavidson · « **Reply #93 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:17:00 AM »

Nice artifacts from the gold mining era.

DDavidson · « **Reply #94 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:17:34 AM »

This hatchet looking tool was mounted like a paper cutter. Still guessing its use.

DDavidson · « **Reply #95 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:18:00 AM »

Quartzite, gold pan, shovel, letter from Reagan to Gorbachev in a wheelbarrow.

DDavidson · « **Reply #96 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:18:27 AM »

Corbin heated saddle.

DDavidson · « **Reply #97 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:19:27 AM »

Over 2 million dollars worth of gold in JC's hand.

DDavidson · « **Reply #98 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:19:52 AM »

Sideview

DDavidson · « **Reply #99 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:20:15 AM »

DDavidson · « **Reply #100 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:21:04 AM »

A gambling game in which you have nine numbers that you have to try to eliminate by rolling two dice using the dice values to select numbers to eliminate. Example you roll the dice through a funnel and get two fours for a value of eight. You select numbers that combined equal eight. Example: six and two. Roll again and the value is three. You can only lay down a three because you previously used the two. Roll again and the value is two. You lose because you have already used the number two. Play continues until you lay down all of the numbers winning the game or you can't come up with the number in which you lose.

DDavidson · « **Reply #101 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:21:48 AM »

Sorry for the blurr.

DDavidson · « **Reply #102 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:22:43 AM »

Amphitheater for concerts and shows.

DDavidson · « **Reply #103 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:23:14 AM »

Tourists. From left is Jeff, Andy, JC, and Jon

DDavidson · « **Reply #104 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:23:39 AM »

Grinder and scales.

DDavidson · « **Reply #105 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:24:01 AM »

Murphys Grade Rd to Angels Camp Hwy 4.

Took Hwy 4 to HWY 99 where Andy and I headed back to the Bay Area, and Jon, JC, and Jeff headed North.

DDavidson · « **Reply #106 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:24:32 AM »

Gassed up in Farmington and bid farewells to our friends.

DDavidson · « **Reply #107 on:** February 23, 2011, 12:25:19 AM »

Camera lens goofing up as I take a pic of Andy right before I turn off onto Hwy 84 into Fremont.

It actually was a great ride and a great day for a ride.

Stopped by Metal Dragon Monday on the way home from SFO and Andy and Ernie came by for some maintenance.

Envithyx · « **Reply #108 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:24:43 AM »

Quote from: D31960 on February 23, 2011, 12:14:12 AM

Stretching our legs.

Your too kind. I saw that and went, stretching my legs my ... what in the world am I doing? I know I was retying up my tail, but it just doesn't look right.

Kinda looks like I'm trying out for the ex-governor's seat. Doh!

GregKhougaz · « **Reply #109 on:** February 23, 2011, 11:10:19 AM »

Quote from: Jock on February 21, 2011, 12:05:14 AM

You guys have too much fun!

No such thing in California, Jock! See you in Lake Tahoe.

Great pictures guys! Looks like another great ride.

Buy early · « **Reply #110 on:** April 12, 2011, 08:44:55 PM »

Great photos, thanks for sharing!

RedEagle · « **Reply #111 on:** April 18, 2011, 01:23:39 PM »

Thanks!....I am looking forwad to riding Cali...Wooo Hoooo geting my travling shoes on...!

1sharprdkg · « **Reply #112 on:** April 18, 2011, 09:19:51 PM »

+Agree looked like a lot of fun. Great pics! Agree with the other guys, I wish I was closer to be able to tag along.

Author Topic: Gold in them thar hills......... (Read 16376 times)