Whitney Portal Road, starting at 3700’ in Lone Pine, winds itself to the
top, gaining 4300’ in altitude in 11 miles. A beautiful ride, the only snow we
found was at the top, where the road ends, and various hiking trails begin. The
views of Mt. Whitney are awesome, and standing at 8000’, you still have over
6000’ of mountain towering over you. It was on this road that Humphrey Bogart,
playing killer Roy Earle in High Sierra made a name for himself. Running from
the law, alongside Ida Lupino, he escapes on foot, finally being taken out by a
sniper. Footage of the movie are playing through my head as we go up the
mountain, dodging various rocks and boulders littering the road. But riding
through the slush at the end, we get off and walk around, streams running, snow
melting, and about 20 cars parked, their occupants taking to the trails. It is
in the high 40’s, and it is evident spring time is here. Except it is
Valentine’s Day, February 14th, and the signs of the severe drought are
evident. Where the road should be closed, we find it open, where snow should
be, we find empty road, and where the road should end, a gate to stop you, it is
open, just a sign stating “road closed” that none of us at the top obeyed. A
sign that at first we were going to honor, but urged on by a couple in a truck,
we followed them to the top. And boy are we glad we did, as the most beautiful
part of the ride was the last two miles to the top. How sad to have ridden over
900 miles this weekend, and have missed the view. And the ride. And to replay
Roy Earle’s futile escape in my mind. Many thoughts about that ride that day,
and finally after 9 years, the Tiger can now say it has been ridden in snow.
So, how was your Valentine’s Day?
While Boston is buried in snow, we have just the opposite extreme here in
So Cal. Weather in the 70’s and 80’s, no rain or snow, and the countryside
reflects it. Where Lake Isabella once was, trucks are driving around. It is
barely visible in the 30 mile ride around it. The wild flowers are all in
bloom, the rain we had last month hastening spring time, and even trees are
budding. The air feels warm, and even though the calendar says February, the
weather says May. And as many motorcycles are out riding, we also pass many
snow birds coming from Mammoth down 395, maybe they should have booked a week in
Boston instead if they wanted snow. But we are thankful now for the great
weather, but being warned for what is going to be a dry summer.
When we came upon the Road Closed sign, the road began a steep ascent up
the mountain. Stopping to obey the sign, we never would have the incredible
view, and views if we turned back. But braving the narrow paved road, various
boulders and rocks all over parts, and snow in the shaded areas, the ride was
definitely worth the risk. a ride not many would have taken, as who rides to
Lone Pine in winter, or up the side of Mt. Whitney the highest peak in the lower
48 states in February. But the road called, we followed, and we are better for
the ride. The next day we passed the same couple, who advised us of a road
outside of Independence, Onion Valley Road, which dead ends at 9600’! But a few
miles from the top, we turned around, as common sense tells us never ride where
you may be alone in the hills, especially when bear sighting signs are
everywhere. And no one knows you re riding there. And so we have another ride
for this spring, and another reason to visit the area. And a chance to ride up
over Kennedy Meadows, and a 6200’ pass. Springtime,when a young man’s heart
turns to spring, and motorcycle rides. How appropriate that the newsletter form
Dave in Pennsylvania mentions spring is soon arriving. Only 3000 miles and two
seasons apart....with the road that made Bogie a star my film lesson for the
weekend.
But a must stop in Lone Pine is the film museum. Where westerns have been
made since 1920, and even Tremors was filmed in the valley, the large worms were
on display. As was Roy Earle’s 1937 Plymouth, and suddenly my movie world of
black and white had color. But just up the road, the Manzanar Interment Camp
sits, a testimony to another time in US history, where 11,000 Japanese were kept
prisoners during WWII. Spend the day visiting both sights, and come away with a
new feeling for America, from movies to real life, sometimes the film version
cannot touch the truth for realism. Guilty by ancestry, at a time when it was
easy to tell the bad guys from the good guys, by the colors of their hats.
But we kept thinking of the Road Closed sign, and how close we had come,
and what we would have missed if we turned back at that point. The blessings
were ahead, and often in life we miss blessings that ware there, but we are
afraid to go further in faith to receive them. It is along the road, on the
road that great things occur, that blessings and miracles multiply, and we see
the hand of God. Just ask one Saul of Tarsus, and his meeting with Jesus. And
how it changed his life, and has impacted ours. How Philip met the eunuch, and
he came to Christ, and was baptized. On the road. The good Samaritan was on
the road when he came upon a wounded man, he could have passed by, but didn’t.
How many good Samaritan hospitals have you passed by while riding? Moses was on
a 40 year road trip, food and footwear provided free of charge, and look how it
has affected history. Even the disciples argued over who would be the best
while on the road. And of course, the most famous road trip of all time, a
young Joe and Mary travelling to Jerusalem when Jesus was born. Yes, the road
plays an important part in life,we are all on one, and the word road is
mentioned 85 times in the New King James. The road you are on is important, as
are the decisions you make while travelling it. And where you end up makes all
the difference.
Many say no to Jesus along the way, even though the signs point to him.
Many look for short cuts, detours when trouble strikes, while others just stay
home, “it’s dangerous out there.” Really, did you know more people die from the
flu each year than while riding motorcycles? Maybe you should be riding, it is
safer! And more exciting, but really you should turn to Jesus. It is not too
late to change the road you are on. The season of salvation is upon us, today
could be it. No one expected snow in Boston to this magnitude, or sunshine and
clear roads up Mt. Whitney. Better to trust he who controls the weather than he
who tries to predict it.
When the pavement ends, the road continues, as does the ride. Don’t
abandon Jesus just because the road is smooth, and straight. He is with you for
the entire ride, and when the going gets rough, the heavenly suspension he
guides us with keeps going. I never understood why crooks in the movies head
for the high ground where there is no means of escape. Guess it makes a good
ending, but in life the high ground we seek is heaven, our true escape. But we
still have roads to ride here, and places to see. Don’t see them alone, when
you can ride with Jesus. 85 times the road is mentioned in scripture, and
everyday in my life. The road you are on is your choice, the course you take
yours also. Jesus is the life, and the way to heaven. Even the highest
mountains are the footstools to God, at 8000’ we are still on the bottom rung.
But climbing everyday in faith, riding with Jesus, and looking forward to heaven
even more. We came within two miles of missing a great blessing, how close do
you come every day and choose to turn around? Did I mention the mountain lion
that ran across the road in front of us? The road you are on does make a
difference.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com