Saturday Drive

"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
04/15/2019 at 13:10 • Filed to: backroadtrip, central coast

My buddy and I took his Miata for a drive that took us through all but one of California’s climates.

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Started off taking CA-58 to Soda Lake where he had never been. Tons of people out there enjoying the particularly wonderful weather and super bloom. Tons of BMW motorcycles all day. Like seriously 9/10 bikes we saw were BMW. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky but it was cool enough moving that we kept the top down like 6.5 of the 8 hours we were driving . After stopping at the overlook we took his Miata down a dirt road back to 58. It was fun but my buddy was a bit nervous. We made it and blasted out toward the 58 & 33 intersection .Then we headed south. Stopped in Taft at a wonderful little Taqueria that would make me want to do the drive again just for some good food. After that we headed to a road we found on Google Maps. Hudson Ranch road takes you through Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

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Not only was the road almost empty, but it w as also amazin g t o d rive! Just look at those views. Plus our little mouse friend that just chilled next to us for a bit and then made his own little burrow. You could see all out to the valley and it was breathtaking. This route took us around Mt . Pinos and the little towns along CA95 and Lockwood Valley Rd. The views were too good to be looking through a screen so we didn’t take a lot of photos. Definitely an area I would like to go back to and explore more. It was gorgeous and some of the restaurants and local places looked really neat. Lockwood Valley Rd while mostly a flat road takes you up and down a small pass before hitting CA33. It was a great pass besides almost being taken out by a Sheriff driving half in the wrong lane on the other side of a crest trying to pass a cyclist. Took CA33 into Ojai were we got fuel and gogo juice for ourselves .

After Ojai CA150 to the 101 were there was traffic so we took the access road since swaths of CA192 were closed. We actually moved faster than traffic on the side road. Then we took 192 to Gibraltar Road uo through the mountains and the beautiful houses up there. My god the views though were just.... literall y awesome

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You could see the whole coast line from around Port Hueneme to Gaviota. It was stunning and we stood there for a while taking it all in. Then down the mountain to 154 and up Zaca Station Road to Tepusquet Rd and CA166 back to the 101 and back home. If you are in the area I highly suggest Tepusquet. It is tight and technical and lots of fun.

After a full day of driving we stopped at Trader Joe’s to pick up ingredients for pasta and a bottle of wine. Proceeded to have a wonderful meal and get a little tipsy from the wine since we both were a little dehydrated. Watched Cannonball Run (my friend had never seen them and I am fixing it). Then drank whiskey while watching F1 China. My god what a boring race that was. and disappointing . But was an amazing day!

DISCUSSION (13)

Nibby > CaptDale - is secretly British
04/15/2019 at 13:13

marry him

CaptDale - is secretly British > Nibby
04/15/2019 at 13:18

Well it is the guy I went on a date with. I would like to do more of that.

Nibby > CaptDale - is secretly British
04/15/2019 at 13:18

( ° °)

Chuckles > CaptDale - is secretly British
04/15/2019 at 13:19

One of the things I like about driving the Miata is that when you go on a nice road trip like you did, it ends up not really being about the car. You don't have much separating you from the scenery and so you can really enjoy it.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Chuckles
04/15/2019 at 13:34

Yeah I absolutely love driving the Miata and such. I used to hate convertibles but the more and more I explore back roads as long as they are sporty and relatively stiff and performance oriented then I can see why. I never get to be passenger so it was quite amazing taking roads I have frequented and getting to experience them from the passenger seat. Getting to look around and see everything I missed before.

Chuckles > CaptDale - is secretly British
04/15/2019 at 13:41

If you really want to take in the scenery, try sitting in the backseat of a 4 seater convertible. When you aren't tucked up under the dash and windshield, you really feel exposed. Just make sure nobody crashes.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Chuckles
04/15/2019 at 13:49

I don’t know if you are very tucked under in a Miata though.

Chuckles > CaptDale - is secretly British
04/15/2019 at 13:55

Maybe not tucked in, but the windshield is right there and you have those little windows on the sides.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Chuckles
04/15/2019 at 14:00

I suppose. I’d rather not be in the back seat of a 4 seat vert though.

Chuckles > CaptDale - is secretly British
04/15/2019 at 14:03

My dad has owned a few Sebring convertibles. They're not much fun to drive, but sit in the back on a nice day and it's pretty enjoyable.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > CaptDale - is secretly British
04/15/2019 at 15:33

Looks like a great drive! I particularly love the 58 and 33. I’ll have to check out the others soon while the weather is still nice. I might have to take a trip in early May.

CaptDale - is secretly British > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor
04/15/2019 at 16:59

It was a wonderful drive! If I am not busy I am sure I’d join

CaptDale - is secretly British > Nibby
04/15/2019 at 17:53

Ok nope, I can’t figure out that face