Daffodil Hill destination for motorcycle day trip

Saturday was the day for our first motorcycle ride of the season. There were three sidecars and one solo bike that took on the challenge of the ride to Daffodil Hill. I have never been there and didn't know what to expect.

What I did know is on your first ride of the season there are many precautionary steps to take before you ride. The week before my first ride, I like to wash and wax the bike real good, so the bugs and road grime might not stick. I start the motor and let it warm up then I check my oil. Next I check all three tires for the correct amount of inflation. It seems as though I always have to add air after not riding for a couple of months even though the bike is stored in the garage that is insulated.

One more quick safety note that a lot of us don't think about: I just read an article in the American Motorcyclist magazine about a road trip a gentleman took when he hit a rugged pot hole. Soon afterward he had a blow out. It's good to check your tires carefully after you hit something hard. Be safe, first. I always figure I am riding with precious cargo.

Back to our trip, the clock made it to 9:30 a.m. and it was time to hit the road. It was still a little chilly but we were all dressed in lots of layers. Daffodil Hill Ranch is 72 miles west of Douglas County in Amador County outside Jackson, Calif. The ride took us out Highway 88 through Hope Valley past Caples Lake which was covered in snow, past Kirkwood, Silver Lake and Cook's Station. Right after we passed the fire station we made a right turn on Shake Ridge Road which is a twisty turny narrow road lined with pine trees and a few homes. It was a lot of fun on a motorcycle but you would enjoy in your car also. Not too many miles to go and we hit traffic where you make a left at a fork in the road to go to Daffodil Hill.

We made it there early before the large crowds of visitors were there. Only about a third of the flowers were blooming that day but since I didn't know what to expect, I thought it was spectacular.

Over 250 varieties of bulbs are there and not just daffodils. I saw hyacinths, tulips and crocuses too. The flyer says they plant between 7,000-8,000 new bulbs every year in the six acres they have devoted to this show for the tourists.

They do not charge anything to go in but they do have donation pots around for anyone who would like to contribute.

Daffodil Hill Ranch is open right now until about the middle of April from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you go on the weekend, it will be crowded and you can call for more information at (209) 296-7048.

This was definitely a wonderful first road trip of the season. Thanks Dad for leading the tour.

If you are interested, the Nevada Wandering Wheels Motorcycle club meets at the Round Table Pizza the second Thursday on the month for a social gathering at 6 p.m.. and at Jethro's in the Gardnerville Ranchos on the fourth Saturday of the month at 8:30 a.m. with a ride following our breakfast and short meeting. You can call me for more information. We'd love to have you check us out.

-- Lisa Welch is a Johnson Lane resident and can be reached at 267-9350.