tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86137124494726128812024-03-14T03:12:07.982-07:00Jim's Motorcycling BlogJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-45978425250923625772023-10-26T16:45:00.000-07:002023-10-26T16:45:12.309-07:00Freezeout Saddle<p>During the first full week on October my lovely bride and I flew to
Boston toured Boston for two days then drove north to tour New Hampshire
and Vermont for some leaf peeping. We started the trip eating lobster
on a bun in Boston and finished the trip by eating a whole lobster in
Portland Maine, it was fantastic. And by now some of you may wonder
what leaf peeping and and <a class="postlink elonw" href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/8Nd8je3nUjcsdsZK8" title="Opens in new window">Freezeout Saddle</a> have in common? Leaves and photography. On this trip to took my Canon EOS Rebel SL2 camera with a 18-135 lens.<br />
<br />
We stopped near a covered bridge where I took this photo.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/vZR9F9ST/IMG-4792.jpg" /><br />
<br />
A scenic turn out.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/G20mgwL5/IMG-4882.jpg" /><br />
<br />
We took a tram ride up Loon Mountain. I took this shot with the Canon EOS Rebel SL2.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/MKYfcT6K/IMG-4864.jpg" /><br />
<br />
For what every reason I took a similar shot shot with my Samsung Galaxy S22+ phone.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/NMtr9cwc/20231004-114314.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Later I compared the photos and I was shocked the Canon image was rubbish compared to the cellphone. How about that!?<br />
<br />
Upon returning home with weather was perfect so I decided to ride to
Freezeout Saddle and hopefully find some fall color and get in an end of
season dual sport ride. Here is the route and elevation profile.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/NFNW4kMb/Route-Freezeout-Mt.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/7YVcKpMY/Elevation-Profile-Freezeout-Mt.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I rode this route counterclockwise so the ride along the St. Joe River was into the sun making photography difficult.<br />
<br />
I got lucky here with the sunlight but there were power wires in the original photo but I managed to remove those.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/JzryLLWD/IMG-0655edit.jpg" /><br />
<br />
St. Joe River<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/W4QbhRx7/IMG-0657.jpg" /><br />
<br />
At a creek crossing. Fall colors so far have been elusive.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/1XRxzJRH/IMG-0669.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Somewhere along the way the GPS lost satellite signal and was out for
about 5 miles despite rebooting the GPS and having a clear view of the
sky, aka I was not in a canyon. In the future I will bring my spare GPS
with me because maps won't cut it unless you know where you are and
direction signs are missing and vandalized. I had my phone with me and
downloaded maps to the phone but it is much easier to just plug in spare
GPS. <br />
<br />
I considered a Garmin Zumo XT2 but will pass. Garmin and I have a
philosophical difference on how these things should work. Garmin wants
you to use your phone to create a route on a Garmin app by plugging in a
few places, then Garmin will decide how to get you there. I want
follow a specific route and will plug in enough points to force the darn
device to follow the route I want and I can't see doing that on my
phone. Maybe on a large tablet but not a phone. Back to the photos.<br />
<br />
The road.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/7LrW6mm2/IMG-0671.jpg" /><br />
<br />
At times the ride was challenging with loose gravel to large erosion
ruts with rock. My skid plate came in handy today as did my off road
boots as I felt and heard rock bouncing off the boots and skid plate.
The loose gravel was like riding on marbles.<br />
<br />
The huckleberry bushes provide fall color. Yeah! I like this ride with
its expansive vista. Some rides are in logging areas or in a hall of
trees where the views are limited or logged off hillsides.<br />
<br />
More fall color and it is getting better.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/mDwqKC3F/IMG-0675.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/wjCSN6T3/IMG-0676.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/VLVyYqxq/IMG-0679.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I love this view!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/T3LzhyxZ/IMG-0681.jpg" /><br />
<br />
So far all the photos were shot with my Canon S100 pocket camera.
Remembering my photos from New England I stopped to strip a layer and
take some shots with the Samsung Galaxy S22+ cellphone. The photos I
shot with the cellphone have much more pop and vivid color than the
Canon S100 camera. Wow what a difference. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/BQZfcrR8/20231008-142848.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/MGQCpqfL/20231008-142856.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The mighty DR650. Why is it mighty? Check out the reviews on YouTube about the new <a class="postlink elonw" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-luhqFKxI1E" title="Opens in new window">Honda Transalp 750</a> and the <a class="postlink elonw" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxOWFlkDf-Q" title="Opens in new window">Yamaha T7</a>.
The DR650 is a better bike what I am doing than either of these bikes,
plus I have better suspension, lower center of gravity and and less
weight. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/FH7twjrN/20231008-142945.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/fyCnQCST/20231008-143036.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/HndDNRxh/20231008-143055.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The higher quality cellphone photos are making me think how I can get
better photos on the go in the future. I have all winter to consider
this as dual sport season is likely over until next June.<br />
<br />
Until next year and thanks for following along. <br /></p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-87351376979635727262023-09-26T12:20:00.001-07:002023-09-26T12:20:21.455-07:00Idaho Adventure Ride 2023<p> The inspiration for this seven day ride was to go to a few places I
haven't been before. With that in mind I picked out a few overlooks in
Hells Canyon in Oregon, parts of the Idaho BDR I have not been on plus
Yellowjacket Idaho, a mining ghost town in Idaho.<br />
<br />
Day One<br />
<br />
Here is a map of the route for today and the route goes to some of the
overlooks in Hells Canyon and I intend on camping out tonight.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/nzYHttv1/Day_One_Route.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/nzYHttv1/Day_One_Route.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Enterprise Oregon was my bail out place to stay in case things didn’t go to plan.<br />
<br />
I went down the Old Spiral Highway near Lewiston Idaho at the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake Rivers.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/wxyhfVnW/IMG-0532.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/wxyhfVnW/IMG-0532.jpg" /><br />
<br />
From Asotin Washington I follow the Snake River for a few miles mostly on pavement. There are some very nice homes here.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/y8V3HXrC/IMG-0533.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/y8V3HXrC/IMG-0533.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/mrkccZsd/IMG-0536.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/mrkccZsd/IMG-0536.jpg" /><br />
<br />
This is the north entrance to Hells Canyon North America's deepest river
gorge at 7,993 feet running deeper than the Grand Canyon in Arizona.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/hvLhFfLG/IMG-0538.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/hvLhFfLG/IMG-0538.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/gjFrBv65/IMG-0540.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/gjFrBv65/IMG-0540.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The road left the Snake River and turned to full on adventure just after
the Chief Joseph State Wildlife Recreation Area at the Oregon
Washington border. It was muddy, narrow, rutted and rocky. After 5 miles
of rough it smoothed out then the GPS said go left but the road was
gated and overgrown. After getting back home I looked at the routes on
the GPS and the track and couldn’t figure out why the route on the GPS
didn’t work. I should have dropped a location on the GPS. At one point I
set the GPS to go to Enterprise and it responded that it couldn't find a
way there. I rode on until leaving national forest land and entering
range land. At this point GPS said I’d get to the campground way past my
bedtime so I reset it to Enterprise. <br />
<br />
Here is the lone photo after getting side tracked on Day One.<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/3xVhB3Gf/IMG-0542.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/3xVhB3Gf/IMG-0542.jpg" /><br />
<br />
After checking in at a hotel I went to a restaurant with outdoor seating
and noticed a Janus motorcycle so I snapped a couple of photos and
talked with the owner. He said he liked how they run the business.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/HstjB8WZ/20230910-164305.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/HstjB8WZ/20230910-164305.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/gjHcS1pX/20230910-164312.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/gjHcS1pX/20230910-164312.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The cat lives at the restaurant and it shared its table with me. Nice cat.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/85rjHysM/20230910-174653.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/85rjHysM/20230910-174653.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
Day Two<br />
<br />
Here is the route for Day Two from Enterprise Oregon to McCall Idaho.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/pTNtCw9b/Day_Two_Route.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/pTNtCw9b/Day_Two_Route.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I have been along this route before and it was a good one. I wasn’t
terribly disappointed to miss camping at an overlook at Hells Canyon.
There is an overlook accessible by pavement I have been to several times
and it is called, get ready here it comes, Hells Canyon Overlook. What
is even better is to ride down the Hess Road into the Canyon and up the
other side on the Kleinschmidt Grade and that is exactly what I did.
Great fun and wonderful views.<br />
<br />
Near the top of the Hess road.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/XNfvYB5j/IMG-0545.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/XNfvYB5j/IMG-0545.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Mostly easy going. I think the road was created to install high power
transmission lines as it closely follows the tower installations.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/3RHHs9ng/IMG-0547.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/3RHHs9ng/IMG-0547.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The river in the distance.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/x85YyHGL/IMG-0548.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/x85YyHGL/IMG-0548.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The Kleinschmidt Grade on the other side.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/yNRHp2X1/IMG-0549.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/yNRHp2X1/IMG-0549.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The river, and both roads are visible. <br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/4NFRfXW4/IMG-0550.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/4NFRfXW4/IMG-0550.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Switchbacks are numerous.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/CKTt55k0/IMG-0551.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/CKTt55k0/IMG-0551.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The green spot along the river is an RV park and it is where the Kleinschmidt Grade begins.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/pX3ccr0j/IMG-0555.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/pX3ccr0j/IMG-0555.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Cruising along the Snake River.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/pX3ccr0j/IMG-0555.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/pX3ccr0j/IMG-0555.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Heading up the Kleinschmidt Grade the Hess road is visible and the power wire transmission towers.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/tgNrg59d/IMG-0560.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/tgNrg59d/IMG-0560.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Say goodbye to the Snake River.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/RhydYpTm/IMG-0562.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/RhydYpTm/IMG-0562.jpg" /><br />
<br />
For the remainder of the day the route goes through range land. Cows
don’t qualify for landscape photography so that is the last photo of the
day but the adventure riding is just getting started. <br />
<br />
The road I was on is adjacent to Fawn Creek. Might as well been in the
creek with the water erosion, ruts and rocky surface. Eventually it dead
ended and I took a long detour to McCall Idaho.<br />
<br />
Here is a Basecamp screen shot. The red circle at the top of the map
shows the deviation from the planned route to the track taken. The solid
gray line is the detour I took to Council Idaho.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/X7MQPPfW/Day-two-detour.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/X7MQPPfW/Day-two-detour.jpg" /><br />
<br />
After getting home I reviewed the route on Basecamp, the route on the
Garmin 590 and the track it created. None of them agreed. Basecamp
correctly created a route just north and parallel of Fawn Creek. The dam
GPS decided to take me up Fawn Creek to a dead end. I have the same
maps on the GPS and Basecamp. As I write this I am on hold to talk to a
Garmin Support Product Specialist. <br />
<br />
Garmin said it is a known issue and the fix is to add additional
waypoints. I know this but at least it was worth a shot to call Garmin
to find out if there is a fix. The problem of adding additional
waypoints is not knowing where the deviation will occur. Drop a waypoint
and hope is a poor strategy. <br />
<br />
I think a Garmin XT2 is in my future. Black Friday isn’t that far away.<br />
<br />
Day Three<br />
<br />
Yesterday after completing the day two segment of this ride report I
went searching for Garmin XT2 information. After reading a post on <a class="postlink" href="https://www.zumouserforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=2442" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Zumouserforums</a>
I am skeptical a Zumo XT2 is going to be better. Creating a route on
the unit itself likely means having a detailed map to create the route.
The 30,000 view afford by the maps helps create the route. Maybe I will
get one at Amazon and try it out or head to ADVriders to see if I can
find anything useful in less than 12 hours.<br />
<br />
The only way to have an accurate route is to create it on the device. If
anyone here has an idea, post a comment on this ride report.<br />
<br />
Back to the ride report.<br />
<br />
The plan for the day was to ride from McCall Idaho to Yellow Pine, the
south toward Lowman and Pine Idaho. Where I landed depended on how
difficult the riding was. Google Maps says it is 56 miles from McCall to
Yellow Pine and will take three hours and twelve minutes.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/VNsYGWvQ/Day_Three_Route.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/VNsYGWvQ/Day_Three_Route.jpg" /><br />
<br />
It was a scenic ride to Yellow Pine following Lick Creek and climbing
into the high backcountry. The Zumo 590 lost satellite connection
because the canyon walls are so steep. Hope this is the right way!
Thankfully there are road signs to get me to Yellow Pine. Often they are
all shot to hell, missing or used as firewood.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/sfvtTkVt/IMG-0565.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/sfvtTkVt/IMG-0565.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/L5YBjBFb/IMG-0566.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/L5YBjBFb/IMG-0566.jpg" /><br />
<br />
It is a rugged landscape.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/nryK2jHc/IMG-0567.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/nryK2jHc/IMG-0567.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Even though the camera is set to include GPS location data the data is missing. So I don’t know the name of this creek.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/1t4YYFZp/IMG-0568.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/1t4YYFZp/IMG-0568.jpg" /><br />
<br />
On the other hand I recognized this is south of Yellow Pine.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/8zV9PshS/IMG-0570.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/8zV9PshS/IMG-0570.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Near Scott Mountain and the Deadwood Reservoir a fire made for some long
distance views. The road also got rough with lots of ruts from water
erosion. Later I learned it rain at lot last June making a real mess of
several roads.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/VsrVqXgw/IMG-0573.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/VsrVqXgw/IMG-0573.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/fRK2zCzc/IMG-0574.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/fRK2zCzc/IMG-0574.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Due to slow going I made it only as far at Park Creek Campground near
Lowman Idaho. This was a remote little gem 4 miles north of Lowman. It
was much better than any of the more popular campgrounds along State Hwy
21.<br />
<br />
A photo of the creek near the campground. This photo was taken with my
cellphone and like my other photos location data is missing. Guess I
need a cell signal for the cellphone to record location data.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/NFcfxB3v/20230912-174333.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/NFcfxB3v/20230912-174333.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The riding was difficult in some sections today but the weather was
perfect. It is not often we get clear blue skies in September with very
moderate temperatures. Some years it is just too smokey from forest
fires to ride. I am lucky to be our here in excellent conditions.<br />
<br />
Day Four<br />
<br />
I was through Stanley Idaho last Thursday and the weather was magnificent. Here is the forecast for Stanley one week later.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/j508nDwt/Stanley-Weather.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/j508nDwt/Stanley-Weather.jpg" /><br />
<br />
These days I am seeking new experiences and new places to go while
motorcycling so I choose to go Dual Sport riding in Idaho instead of the
FJR Forum Why Not gathering in Baker City Oregon. The dual sport riding
season is short in Idaho. The Tuesday and Wednesday before Why Not I
was along the Clearwater River road for a great two day ride on the
DR650. I got back from that, finished off the trip plan for this trip,
got the DR650 ready to go, mowed the lawn and left on Sunday the last
day of the Why Not. I waited till Sunday to increase the chance that the
campgrounds would be empty.<br />
<br />
Based on the forecast above for Stanley would have unpleasant at best if I was there this week.<br />
<br />
Today’s ride plan was to go on the IDBR section 2, southern half, from
Lowman to Pine Idaho and find a place to camp. I haven’t been here
before and this elevation graph suggests this is going to be a day
filled with challenges. I am going to go back roughly the same way the
next day.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/QtZV5mxV/Day-4-Elevation.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/QtZV5mxV/Day-4-Elevation.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Here is the route:<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/vTzpXYrC/Day-Four-Route.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/vTzpXYrC/Day-Four-Route.jpg" /><br />
<br />
As expected the route climbed steeply from Lowman to the Banner Mine. If
you are interested the Banner Mine is for sale and it looked abandoned.
<br />
<br />
Just after the Banner Mine the road was unexpectedly washed out.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/QtRS4nm3/IMG-0575.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/QtRS4nm3/IMG-0575.jpg" /><br />
<br />
A close up.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/WbrhSxCS/IMG-0576closeup.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/WbrhSxCS/IMG-0576closeup.jpg" /><br />
<br />
And looking back from the way I came. I walked down to the creek to take this shot.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/13JBhzBM/IMG-0577.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/13JBhzBM/IMG-0577.jpg" /><br />
<br />
And this is where I turned around. If I was in a group I would have
given it a go knowing help is at hand. Solo I don’t take many risks.<br />
<br />
And before you call me out as a weenie consider this is a 4 to 6 foot
drop with a very sharp steep rise on the south side in the close up
photo the rise is not perpendicular to the direction of travel. The
camera lies.<br />
<br />
So I punched in Day 5 on the GPS and headed to the Chinese Wall. <br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/6QbMRQGT/IMG_0580.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/6QbMRQGT/IMG_0580.jpg" /><br />
<br />
A jug handle.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/GhPzKKsW/IMG_0581.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/GhPzKKsW/IMG_0581.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The last six miles of the road to the Chinese Wall was much rougher than
I remember it from three years ago when I was here with Robert and
Doug. I was sweating at 10,400 elevation with a cool breeze blowing. <br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/HkpzhMwV/IMG_0582.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/HkpzhMwV/IMG_0582.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/pXvJmj1q/IMG_0584.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/pXvJmj1q/IMG_0584.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/6pjrbm6m/IMG_0586.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/6pjrbm6m/IMG_0586.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/5yB5P9jB/IMG_0587.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/5yB5P9jB/IMG_0587.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/zDFRPc0F/IMG_0597.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/zDFRPc0F/IMG_0597.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Six miles of rough, rutted, rocky road up and six miles of rough back. I
was spent and I tipped over 100 yards before the end easy stuff begins.
The rear tire slipped out and the bike ran up the embankment and into a
large sage tree. A branch was lodged between the tire and fender. The
bike and I both were ok. It took about 5 minutes to pick it up but in a
bad location it tipped over again. A group on side by sides arrived and
helped me pick it up a second time. Thanks guys! Then one guys asked,
“How do you know about this road?” A motorcycle forum I said and I was
on my way. As I headed to Challis Idaho for the night I decided that
wasn’t the most friendly question to ask. I got the impression he knew I
was an outsider and was protecting his turf. Phhhhht.<br />
<br />
Day Five<br />
<br />
During day four at the top of the Chinese Wall I met a couple on side by
sides. The guy was truly impressed that I could ride a motorcycle up
the difficult road. He was a very nice outgoing fellow. His praise was
much appreciated. <br />
<br />
Here is the route for Day 5.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/ZKSk9J5C/Day-5-Route.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/ZKSk9J5C/Day-5-Route.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The idea for this ride was to go to places I hadn’t been. Being an
adventure ride I was falling short of the goal. I didn’t get to the
Hells Canyon Overlooks and turned around at a road washout. Today was
the last day to ride something different by going to the ghost town of
Yellowjacket Idaho.<br />
<br />
In the hotel parking lot the night before I noticed a fellow with a
fancy looking side by side towing a trailer. I said to the owner that it
is a very unique setup. He thanked me and said he was circumventing the
Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in seven days. His
destination today was to ride to Shoup Montana and campout for the
night. His vehicle was not licensed for the road and he had to ride 8
miles up US 93 to get legal off pavement again at the Morgan Creek road.
I wished him well and off he went while I went to get gas for the day.<br />
<br />
It is easy riding up the Morgan Creek road and after the beating from
the day before I wasn’t complaining. Robert, Doug and I had been this
way three years ago.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/C7tS2KM.jpg" src="https://i.imgur.com/C7tS2KM.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Here is the mining community of Yellowajacket Idaho. There are a couple
of summer homes here. I can’t imagine living here even in summer. It is
miles to a store and if there is a forest fire the escape route is one
way in one way out.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/0yF6wRyP/IMG_0598.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/0yF6wRyP/IMG_0598.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The historic Yellowjacket Guard Station. <br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/90mzhcJt/IMG_0600.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/90mzhcJt/IMG_0600.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/QCfCNvzL/IMG_0602.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/QCfCNvzL/IMG_0602.jpg" /><br />
<br />
And sometimes the signs lie, but not this time. It wasn’t bad but there
were quite a few places where landslides had blocked the road before
being cleared.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/6p2qwjLS/IMG_0603.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/6p2qwjLS/IMG_0603.jpg" /><br />
<br />
A few scenic photos as I head north the Shoup. The photos can tell the story.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/nhyzL43L/IMG_0604.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/nhyzL43L/IMG_0604.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/8Pnc2QWM/IMG_0606.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/8Pnc2QWM/IMG_0606.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/pXdycX9P/IMG_0607.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/pXdycX9P/IMG_0607.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/wBDBR1rQ/IMG_0608.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/wBDBR1rQ/IMG_0608.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/RFRVGj43/IMG_0609.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/RFRVGj43/IMG_0609.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/pLFW39PM/IMG_0611.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/pLFW39PM/IMG_0611.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I arrive a the Salmon River and continue to Shoup.<br />
<br />
There were quite a few landslides along the Salmon River, but the gravel and rock was no match for the water.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/xdnwgqCR/IMG_0624.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/xdnwgqCR/IMG_0624.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Along the Salmon River the I passed the guy and his wife with the side by side towing a trailer. <br />
<br />
The Salmon River<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/SRRqdRg5/IMG_0614.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/SRRqdRg5/IMG_0614.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Robert at Shoup in August 2020. No gas here.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/kZILcXE.jpg" src="https://i.imgur.com/kZILcXE.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Just after Shoup the route goes up Spring Creek Road, starting at 3500’
and topping out at 8500’ feet in 13 miles. Impressive and steep too.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/xdNxz339/steep.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/xdNxz339/steep.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Along the way there were ruts like this but some went every which way. <br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/qvsf82kq/IMG_0625.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/qvsf82kq/IMG_0625.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Back on pavement there is the rock overhang. Notice the yellow in the
rock. I suspect this is why some mining communities are named Yellow
this or that.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/d3gM9Bkk/IMG_0626.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/d3gM9Bkk/IMG_0626.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I arrived in Darby Montana to get gas and find a campground using my
phone. With T-Mobile ya never know when service is available. It was my
lucky day, I had service and used the App My Park Advisor to find a
campground nearby. Six bucks and I had the place almost to myself. Pure
bliss.<br />
<br />
Day Six<br />
<br />
My route today takes me from the Sam Billings Memorial Campground to Grangeville Idaho. N<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/tCkQcKDM/Day-6-Route.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/tCkQcKDM/Day-6-Route.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The Magruder Corridor is a combination of pavement, easy gravel and rutted and rough gravel. It is also long. How long?<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/nc7VPjFb/IMG_0628.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/nc7VPjFb/IMG_0628.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The elevation profile of today's ride.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/4N0Nj1HR/Day-6-Route-Profile.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/4N0Nj1HR/Day-6-Route-Profile.jpg" /><br />
<br />
What caught my eye in this photos was the light in the tree and you can
see grading work was recent. The photo didn't turn out as well as I
hoped. I think my camera isn't what it used to be.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/jS00wMYB/IMG_0629.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/jS00wMYB/IMG_0629.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The grading smooths the road but I found it necessary to stand because
the surface was just sandy enough to cause trouble. All was good at 20
mph while the surface remained consistent which it didn’, so I had to
slow down and recalibrate.<br />
<br />
I didn’t realize how close I was to the grading machine.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/MZgK5b8m/IMG_0630.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/MZgK5b8m/IMG_0630.jpg" /><br />
<br />
He was kind enough to let me by as soon as possible. After passing the
grader the road got rough. In some spots it was easier going than the
graded stuff but in others not so much.<br />
<br />
Easier going.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/8zmpT2fZ/IMG_0631.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/8zmpT2fZ/IMG_0631.jpg" /><br />
<br />
A view.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/T362Md1y/IMG_0632.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/T362Md1y/IMG_0632.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/cJ1sCFQ0/IMG_0633.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/cJ1sCFQ0/IMG_0633.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/j2fTmmrQ/IMG_0634.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/j2fTmmrQ/IMG_0634.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Getting to Grangeville Idaho was just an idea. I was hoping to camp out
but it was Friday night and most turn outs and campgrounds were occupied
or not appealing. It is hunting season here and hunting camps are
everywhere.<br />
<br />
A typical hunting camp may or may not be occupied until the person has time off from work to resume the hunt.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q2_aqTZMWkw/hqdefault.jpg" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q2_aqTZMWkw/hqdefault.jpg" /><br />
<br />
On the way to Grangeville. I am just waiting for the rock to slip.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/d0SK1wsj/IMG_0637.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/d0SK1wsj/IMG_0637.jpg" /><br />
<br />
After climbing Mt. Idaho grade road, which needs repaving, I get a nice view of the South Fork Clearwater River.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/L4PMHcrj/IMG_0639.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/L4PMHcrj/IMG_0639.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
I was tired from a long day's ride and decided on a hotel in
Grangeville. I had points with Super 8, they had rooms and free beer in
the lobby. I made the reservation on the phone and paid for it with
points. It was a great day to be on the DR650.<br />
<br />
Day Seven the last day out.<br />
<br />
Food and water. I was messing around with the idea of camping the day
before and noticed I was in a mining district around Elk River. When I
used to backpack in the ‘70s we just drank the water as is. Water runoff
in mining districts contains heavy metals and I am not talking about
Led Zeppelin. Boiling water kills bacteria, not heavy metal and this was
something I never considered before today. This limited my camping
options a bit, but I got free beer at the Super 8 and it all worked out.<br />
<br />
The route for the day.<br />
<br />
The route today was cobbled together over a Coors beer in the motel
room. I wanted to ride some less travelled road home. On my Idaho map I
noticed this twisty bit of State Hhighway 7 drops from 3000” to 1100’
into Orofino Idaho. I have never been on one before. Let’s go!<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/ncLd4hcJ/Day-7-Route-Grade-Road.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/ncLd4hcJ/Day-7-Route-Grade-Road.jpg" /><br />
<br />
From that I came up with this.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/FzDjfhXs/Day-7-Route.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/FzDjfhXs/Day-7-Route.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
Below is the town of Orofino Idaho.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/fTjndxWL/IMG_0640.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/fTjndxWL/IMG_0640.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I was surprised when the road turned from pavement to gravel. It is a
State Highway. Glad I didn’t make this route when riding my FJR. I just
don’t like riding the FJR on gravel.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/85Jgf9sQ/IMG_0641.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/85Jgf9sQ/IMG_0641.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Today was the last day of Orofino Lumberjack Days. Thankfully my route
took me in the direction the police were telling me to go and that was
up on a paved road.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/R0YjmddP/IMG_0643.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/R0YjmddP/IMG_0643.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I went back to get this photo and stopped to take it. I have been here on the FJR. It is nice.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/rmt7w4Yq/IMG_0645edit.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/rmt7w4Yq/IMG_0645edit.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The Clearwater River.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/YChR7HPH/IMG_0646.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/YChR7HPH/IMG_0646.jpg" /><br />
<br />
A photo along Hwy 3 on the way to Deary Idaho to get gas.<br />
<br />
<img class="postimage ls-is-cached lazyloaded" data-src="https://i.postimg.cc/DwvVP8mc/IMG_0652.jpg" src="https://i.postimg.cc/DwvVP8mc/IMG_0652.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I ended up home and logged about 1300 miles in seven days. It was a
great trip and I learned some things. I also have a couple of ideas
where to go in the future. I need new horizons. Thanks for following
along.</p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-52403843206447458962022-06-30T20:07:00.006-07:002022-07-13T12:06:56.822-07:00Canadian FJR Rally (CFR) and Icefields Parkway<p> Day One.<br />
<br />
I was a late in deciding to attend CFR 2022. Things influencing my
attendance included, wife decided to visit family for a two weeks at the
last moment (its all good), Yellowstone flooded, I got a last minute
reservation, snow prevented riding my mighty DR650 in the Idaho
mountains and I finished a valve adjustment on the FJR.<br />
<br />
My route was one of my favorite rides in the Spokane area, going toward
the confluence of the Spokane River and Lake Roosevelt (formerly the
Columbia River). Excellent twisty roads near Wellpinit through the
Spokane Indian Reservation. I took Josh up this way before the last CFR
and although he likely wanted to go faster I was two up and the deer
are like locust around these parts.<br />
<br />
It is a very scenic ride too. Turtle Lake.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/BZ1mcGhH/IMG-9663-Copy.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Lake Roosevelt at a scenic turnout.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/0jpdgP34/IMG-9666-Copy.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Same spot looking north instead of south.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/qgVnQSvG/IMG-9669-Copy.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Mudget Lake on an over the shoulder shot somewhat edited! <img alt=":D" class="smilies" height="17" src="https://www.fjriders.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif" title="Very Happy" width="15" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/L57vSx6q/IMG-9671.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Vista along Hwy 25 in Washington State. Pretty nice out here. When the
wife and I decide to move from Seattle to Spokane this is what I had in
mind. I can say my mind is at ease at least when it is not winter.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/k4gyt026/IMG-9672-Copy.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Tonight I am sitting on my back porch, enjoying some summer weather,
listening to some Count Basie, and enjoying the view of my green lawn
and 200' of pine trees between lots. It is a nice evening here.<br />
<br />
Hppants retires tomorrow be sure to <a class="postlink" href="https://www.fjriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=166347">wish him Happy Retirement</a>.
He earned it. My wife says she deserved retirement and I always
correct her. She earned it. Nothing was given to us other than the
ability to make good choices, the ability to learn and our health. My
son who is 30, lives in Paris, is an engineer at Amazon and is taking a 9
month sabbatical. He is enjoying life while he is young. A
sabbatical is offered by French law so he is simply taking advantage of
an opportunity. He is one up on me and I am proud.<br />
<br />
Back to the scenery along the lake.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/MT69mcFG/IMG-9682.jpg" /><br />
<br />
In Northport Washington I pick up Steve and gas up.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/nLZ2njZ1/IMG-9691.jpg" /><br />
<br />
End of Day One</p><p> Day Two<br />
<br />
Day one had gone very well. I made it along deer alley, Hwy 25 next the
the Columbia River, without seeing a forest rat and the weather was
outstanding about 72°. Just perfect and I improved the lives of a few
crows when a squirrel committed suicide trying the run through the back
wheel.<br />
<br />
Today's plan was to enjoy Halcyon Hot Springs. I like this place
because you can float round on noodles while the water circulates
counterclockwise around a small island in the warm pool. It is a very
relaxing way to spend a few hours. So I ride from Nakups north on Hwy
23 to the hot springs, pay the entrance fee and go out the the pool.
Much to my surprise the water is not longer circulating around the
island and noodles where not on the pool deck. What a bummer. So I sat
in the warm pool for about 30 minutes and left.<br />
<br />
Plan B was back to Nakusp then <a class="postlink elonw" href="https://www.motorcycleroads.com/motorcycle-roads/canada/hwy-31a-between-kalso-new-denver-british-columbia-canada" title="Opens in new window">ride ride Hwy 31a</a>
between New Denver and Kaslo because it is an amazing road. Even
better the wooden bridges have been replace with concrete, yippie and
about time!<br />
<br />
Near the Fish Lake Rest Area.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/VNdgyzTc/IMG-20220624-150822.jpg" /><br />
<br />
A group of motorcycles were coming so I include them in the next series of photos.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/y8WcxvTm/IMG-20220624-150844.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/3rPPnckR/IMG-20220624-150845.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/h49rRyCh/IMG-20220624-150846.jpg" /><br />
<br />
As I was heading toward Kaslo and there were a couple of wooden bridges,
off the main road, crossing the Kaslo River. I got the idea it might
make for good photo opportunity so on the way back to New Denver I
stopped at one of the bridges.<br />
<br />
I took serveral photos with my Canon PowerShot S100 and the cellphone a
Oneplus 7T. The cellphone features a HDR so the photos come out pretty
well - simply put it takes better photos but with the Canon I can take
photos without stopping.<br />
<br />
Too much motorcycle in this photo and the creek is out of focus. Shot with the Canon.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/9fR05kYk/IMG-9703.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Too much bridge deck. Shot with the Canon.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/CxdLk2XK/IMG-9702.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Profile shot doesn't do much for me. Shot with the Canon.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/QxmHp1Mf/IMG-9699.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I switch to the cellphone. This one is the best of the bunch as the
bike really pops in this photo. The wide angle captured the sky and
made this photo special.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/ncBN5Gm1/IMG-20220624-145102.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Satisfied with the photo I go and continue toward New Denver.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/1zDxFx0w/IMG-9705.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Nice photo of the road shot with the Canon on the go.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/fLv6Hxrb/IMG-9706.jpg" /><br />
<br />
End of Day 2</p><p>Day 3<br />
<br />
I wasn't sure what I was going to do on Saturday, the last day of CFR,
unit ~G suggested riding on Hwy 23 north of Revelstoke. He had been
there before, said he wasn't going, but I should go there. As I had
never been on this piece of pavement it was time check it out.<br />
<br />
What a nice day. From Nakups take highway 23 north to the ferry which
runs hourly on the half hour. It is not good be late for it is a long
wait. Nailed the 9:30 boat. Better yet it is free.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/vBjpjrmn/IMG-20220625-093508.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/bY7799Wc/IMG-20220625-093503.jpg" /><br />
<br />
After getting off the ferry the route continues on Hwy 23 and Upper
Arrow Lake (formerly the Columbia River). I get to Revelstoke gas up
and continue following Hwy 23 going by the Revelstoke Hydroelectric dam
which created, wait for it, here it comes, Lake Revelstoke (formerly the
Columbia River).<br />
<br />
Hwy 23 north of Revelstoke is not very twisty but makes up for it in
remoteness and scenery. The destination is Mica Dam where the pavement
ends with no warning. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/3xWzKDQx/IMG-9717.jpg" /><br />
<br />
See no turns but that is just fine.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/6QvSZJ3s/IMG-9719.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Been a wet year up here and I am not complaining because BC isn't
burning nor is anything in Washington, Idaho or Oregon. It doesn't get
better than this. I was thinking about going up this way in May but the
weather wasn't cooperating.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/QxYnnxKG/IMG-9721.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/Kv0dSDVW/IMG-9725.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The mountains go on and on. The next two photos are the same. The
first is the original while the second one is edited. This is what my
eye was seeing as I was driving along. The Canon Powershot S100 does a
fine job of keeping the image in focus even while riding. When my first
Canon S100 died last year I learned fixing it was not an option so I
bought a refurbished one on Amazon. It works just as good as my first
one. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/L4BcvpV2/IMG-9727.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/28kPKKHv/IMG-9727-2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Sometimes very little editing is needed. These days I rarely use my DSLR because it is just too large to lug around on the FJR.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/Dwtpnjcx/IMG-9732.jpg" /><br />
<br />
A bit farther down the road the kaleidoscope changes again. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/FHq81shg/IMG-9733.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I arrive a Mica Dam and the end of the pavement.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/tJP52Pf2/IMG-20220625-121123.jpg" /><br />
<br />
One the way back a black bear crossed the road. Sorry no photo.<br />
<br />
And a nice shot of Revelstoke Lake. I like the reflection in the lower right.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/90WNsDBV/IMG-9752.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The plan was to catch the 3:00 ferry back to Nakusp. I missed the 2:00
ferry by 10 minutes but wasn't willing go faster to arrive in time for
the earlier ferry. It worked out just fine.<br />
<br />
I got back on time for the evening festivities, group photo, fine dinner
and parking lot social. Ms. Tyler did a very good job MC'ing the
event. Our table raised $225 for the food bank and won the privilege of
first in the buffet line. <br />
<br />
It is always good the is Ray.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/T3WRQPYh/IMG-20220625-174411.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Greg and Tyler relaxing in the parking lot.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/rFHVS4Tv/IMG_20220625_215025.jpg" /><br />
<br />
That is a wrap on Day 3. CFR was a smashing success. Next on to Jasper Alberta and the Icefields Parkway. <br /></p><p> Day 4<br />
<br />
Another beautiful blue sky day with moderate temperatures greeted me as I
packed the bike. The plan was to catch the 9:30 boat and but when I
was a few kilometers out of town I didn't recall packing my phone
charger and cable. So I waited 45 minutes to catch the 10:30 ferry.
Rats.<br />
<br />
Oh well I get to go over Rogers Pass and the entire 557 kilometers from
Nakusp to Jasper is in the mountains with a 7 hours drive time.<br />
<br />
It is all good, very good.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/cCDhXvhD/IMG-9769.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/L4yVdZkD/IMG-9770.jpg" /><br />
<br />
There are plenty of diversions along the way too if you choose to take more time getting there such as the <a class="postlink elonw" href="https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/revelstoke/activ/promenade-parkway" title="Opens in new window">Meadows in the Sky Parkway.</a>
I haven't been to the top yet as the road has been closed by snow when
I have been there. Maybe I will take the wife there this summer in the
cage and we can enjoy some high alpine walks. She is finally
recovering from two surgeries on her rotator cuff, a 16 month journey of
pain pills and disappointment.<br />
<br />
Roger's Pass<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/N0w688Ys/IMG-9774.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Roger's Pass a bit further down the road.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/k4YRHWrt/IMG-9776.jpg" /><br />
<br />
For some reason my lower back was hurting today so I pull over in Golden
BC for gas and lunch at Tim Horton's. Back on the road the pain just
got worse all day. Maybe it is because I installed the Helibar Bridge
and I sit more up right. More on this later.<br />
<br />
Another diversion along the way is the <a class="postlink elonw" href="https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/yoho/culture/kickinghorse/visit/spirale-spiral" title="Opens in new window">Spiral Tunnels</a> a railway featuring spiral tunnels to get over the Continental Divide and Kicking Horse Pass.<br />
<br />
I arrive at Jasper National Park Entrance to get a free pass - it is
Sunday and it is late so I guess no fee, at least today. The drive up
the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise the Jasper is 225 kilometers. It
is all mountains. Beach lovers need not apply. The pavement is smooth
but not twisty but what is lacks in thrilling it makes up in
spectacular scenery second to none. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/xdcXzcNf/IMG-9782.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/15tJ4KRb/IMG-9784-2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/YqZf0Ksm/IMG-9790.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I think this is a photo of Bow Lake.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/q7M8ZJtS/IMG-9791.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The GPS said I would arrive in Jasper at 6:30 or so and I was ready. My
back hurt a new sensation riding the FJR. The late arrival impacted my
photo opportunities as the mountains my west side were in shadows. <br />
<br />
Looking north and east wasn't bad though!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/Gpq4BvmS/IMG-9801.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/ZRnC609Y/IMG-9804.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/DfWcTwCK/IMG-9807.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/Sxm8JSGR/IMG-9814.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I don't have a better story about the ride up. The photos tell the
story and the mountains are the reason I am here. Today July 3rd I was
looking at a map with real time parking availability; all full. Keep in
mind Canada is celebrating it's independence this weekend as well, but
it is a popular place.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/8zwvv2yH/IMG-9822.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Some mountain sheep along a river.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/cHttVrd9/IMG-9837.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/PqxwQS9k/IMG-9841.jpg" /><br />
<br />
A mountain goat.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/13WgXpt7/IMG-9845.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Athabasca River near Jasper.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/vBnD0kvC/IMG-9847.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Hotels in Jasper are $225 Canadian and on up. A less expensive alternative is staying in a <a class="postlink elonw" href="https://stayinjasper.com/" title="Opens in new window">bedroom in a private home.</a>
I found one for $65 US, with a bedroom, shared bath and no breakfast.
Jasper is a rail town and the closer the center of town you are the
noisier it might be. The hotels are on the main drag across the street
from the rail line. The homes tend to be 3 or 4 block from downtown. <br />
<br />
I finished my day off in a Pub where I had dinner and watched parts of
game six of the Stanley Cup. The crowd was rooting for the Colorado
Avalanche who won the game 2-1. No idea why Canadians had a stake in
hockey teams based in the US. They were having fun and that is all that
mattered.</p><p> Day 5<br />
<br />
At the end of day 4 I first decided where I was going the next day,
Tuesday. ~G said I should ride up to Watson Lake a two day ride or
something like that. I choose to not too because my tires only had 1500
miles left on them and the forecast was for rain up north and good
weather to the south. Today I read the <a class="postlink elonw" href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/alaska-highway-closed-north-of-liard-hot-springs-after-road-destroyed-by-washout-1.6508744" title="Opens in new window">Alaskan Hwy</a>
was washed out 4 days later so the forecast was right! So south it was
back down the Icefields Parkway in blue sky weather and perfect
temperatures. Just terrible.<br />
<br />
I can remember the day when having a website or a blog was all the rage.
My Comcast account included web pages for free - how cool was that!
Around the world travelers tried in vain to make a living publishing web
pages. Few did. Today cool kids, like Itchy Boots, are using YouTube
make or supplement a living while traveling. Yet here I am still
blogging away the idea of creating video seems much more difficult and
time consuming.<br />
<br />
I got a good start to the day at about 9:00 at a Tim Horton's for coffee
and a breakfast sandwich. To alleviate the pain in my back I consumed
some Ibuprofen and it along with stopping more often to take photos
seemed to do the trick. One thing I forget about was I was heading
south a less than ideal direction for taking photo. Rats. Oh well.<br />
<br />
No problems with this photo.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/WzvbhGcf/IMG-9852.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/5Nf2JS3X/IMG-9855.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Cellphone photos!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/rF05RVTx/IMG-20220627-100547.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Close up.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/02TDpT53/IMG-20220627-101350.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Far way. I like this one less the darn garbage can.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/x1LHg6cd/IMG-20220627-101356.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Close up without the garbage can but no FJR.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/t4TRZR8y/IMG-9857.jpg" /><br />
<br />
With mountains and water you can almost get a beach.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/VvWsMJYs/IMG-9870.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/05YyhBpg/IMG-9872.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Sunwapta Falls</p><p> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxnNdloyoFs4GK1rdZcU6LWOrA27qLDRKyHZZIYvbgcMLE8G5XjALxbZ_YD2MZrblJTOF5cKC-x80qfkZ3I7A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </p><p>
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/pdZjMyQb/IMG-20220627-102619.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
Bridal Veil Falls?<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/SKq9PcMf/IMG-20220627-115113.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The FJR.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/h439GJkK/IMG-20220627-120429.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Just gorgeous. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/T1hg9GD8/IMG-20220627-143404.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Add the FJR.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/9MQ7mV14/IMG-20220627-143434.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Tangle Falls.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzQaTzHH316ewwkb3yRLFTSo-cstYAEoPOdvBfU6FYtQpgTFkiZrDSMQHT3aY-mi3aKBdpFYPC1RvoWIP8wFg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
Getting near the Columbia Icefields where you can take a <a class="postlink elonw" href="https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/columbia-icefield/" title="Opens in new window">tour.</a><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/V6Mkf7pC/IMG-9876.jpg" /><br />
<br />
In the middle of this photo you can see a parking lot and just about it the tour "bus".<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/dtntVZH4/IMG-9881.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/hvwxZwLX/IMG-20220627-112336.jpg" /><br />
<br />
In July 2002 I took the tour and here are some photos. We had digital cameras back then!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/0ytPdg7v/P7020248.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/q7SrS8mZ/P7020250.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Me twenty years ago. Good grief. I was riding a 1988 BMW R100RT.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/LsnRxyV1/P7020253.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/y867Z6gn/P7020255.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The big loop! My goodness a turn.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/4NYYP8jk/IMG-9895.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Miles and smiles of mountains.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/rw6PgwQ1/IMG-9902.jpg" /><br />
<br />
A grizzly bear and her cub.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.postimg.cc/X7FptscR/IMG-9955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="800" height="366" src="https://i.postimg.cc/X7FptscR/IMG-9955.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><br /><p><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.postimg.cc/nrGNDbt8/IMG-9959.jpg" /><br />
<br />
It was a great trip and if anything I hope I have convinced you to take
the time to ride the Icefields Parkway at the next CFR in Nakups.<br />
<br />
The End.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-45555084749044443592022-04-10T13:39:00.001-07:002022-04-10T13:39:45.058-07:00Rock Creek Washington<p> I watch a lot of YouTube videos about off road riding. YouTube suggested I watch <a class="postlink elonw" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsrSZyZCyK8&t=775s" title="Opens in new window">Rocks & Knolls: Riding the Palouse and the Scablands.</a> So I did. What caught my attention is at the 9 to 13 minute mark. It is called Rock Creek and there is a geology story here.<br />
<br />
The producers posted a track on YouTube so I created a route focusing on
the Rock Creek part of their video. It took me about 1 hour to get to
get off the pavement. On the way I was thinking how crowded many
National Parks and some recreation areas have become over the past 20
years and was very thankful for the remoteness I was about to
experience. We maybe the last generation to experience Yosemite without
a timed permit or get a walk in campsite at Zion. Our kids will accept
reservations as normal and I find that odd. <br />
<br />
I wanted to try riding this area because the mountain roads are still
closed by snow and the mighty DR650 takes me to places the FJR won't go. I have rode the FJR on all
the paved roads in this area but the DR allows to do more, see more and
do it at a slower pace. Also the Rock Lake and Rock Creek area one of
the more visually impressive places in the <a class="postlink elonw" href="http://www.sevenwondersofwashingtonstate.com/the-channeled-scablands.html" title="Opens in new window">scablands</a> near Spokane Washington. The idea is to circumnavigate the creek.<br />
<br />
This is where I start my day on a gravel road.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/0KqkvCE.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Soon a coulee carved by the Ice Age Floods appears. It is the reason I
ride here. Glaciated valley's are U shaped while Coulees carved by
water are squared off at the bottom<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/HFull6I.jpg" /><br />
<br />
At the same location looking the other way with the DR in the shot.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/g0Cs8XZ.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Same place without the DR.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/fSHN9xN.jpg" /><br />
<br />
This photo demonstrates the Coulee's square shape. A lot of water came through here!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/oFm6Iee.jpg" /><br />
<br />
It is not quite the Grand Canyon but it is grand, it is remote and it is one hour from home.<br />
<br />
The road goes down one side of the coulee and up the other. Near the top is this sign. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/kbQfCcI.jpg" /><br />
<br />
In all my years I have never seen a sign warning "Gravel Ends". Though
not on my route I follow the road for a bit to see what could possibly
account for such an odd sign. After a mile or so the surface was not
gravel but sandy - big deal.<br />
<br />
My route took me here to see Rock Lake but there was no view other than this old structure. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/wozKxj6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
So I follow the road,<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/Sbb5EQA.jpg" /><br />
<br />
to Breeden Falls.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/GVi2Xrr.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Take the shot and continue on.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/3B5XmOU.jpg" /><br />
<br />
A gate appears. There are no signs saying motorcycles are prohibited so
I go through the gate and follow the old road. Before the gate the
road was rough and I stood up to negotiate the rough parts but after the
gate, where vehicles have not travel in years, the way is much
smoother.<br />
<br />
Like this.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/rBDuBfg.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Along the way some mule deer cross my path bounding over a fence and
rocks as if they are not there. No photos they were too quick and a
blast from my dual PIAA slimline horns quickened their pace!<br />
<br />
I was at <a class="postlink elonw" href="http://www.bentler.us/eastern-washington/recreation/escure-ranch.aspx" title="Opens in new window"> Escure Ranch </a>the
site of a former Sheep Ranch. It was here I realized leaving late and
an dinner engagement would cut this ride short so I headed home.<br />
<br />
The road home.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/4AnOUy5.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/7Ho14ny.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I don't need to go to Yellowstone NP to see bison they are 20 minutes from home.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/Shx77jV.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I plan on returning to finish the ride when the weather permits.</p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-67631403012041816382021-12-08T11:18:00.003-08:002021-12-08T11:18:42.714-08:00Eastern Washington Clouds<p> Due to dry weather I have had a pretty good spring season on my FJR
riding about 4800 miles since March 1st. Right now I am caregiver for
my wife who had rotor cuff surgery so I am limited to day rides. But
there is some great day riding in Spokane Washington. More good news is
she is recovering well.<br />
<br />
Two days ago I mounted a set of PR4GTs on the FJR. Nothing went right
and because I am dumber than Redfish so it took a long time to overcome
obstacles even those not of my own making.<br />
<br />
The first problem was the front tire valve stem wasn't coming out.
Twist, twist, twist and more twisting. Finally enough of of the stem
was above the stem so gently pulled it out. The valve stem seal
remained inside the stem. Shucks. To remove the seal I had to remove
the valve stem using a 14mm 3/8 drive socket. Said socket was no longer
in my collection having lost it two weeks prior. I had purchased a
replacement but grabbed a 1/2" socket instead. The 1/2" drive 14mm
socket did not have sufficient clearance so it it was off to the
hardware store. With a proper socket in hand I was able to remove the
90° aluminum valve stem and the seal.<br />
<br />
The front tire was mounted without issues. Easy even.<br />
<br />
The second problem was of my own making. I have PIAA auxiliary lights
mounted on the front fender. It is a distraction to remove the lights
and stow them by means other than dangling by the electrical wire. <br />
<br />
I put the front tire back on, then installed the brake calipers only to
find the front tire rotated with difficulty. Removed the brake
calipers, front tire rotates well, reinstalled brake calipers, front
tire does not rotate well. Dam lamps continue to get in the way.<br />
<br />
Somewhere along the line I neglected my care giver duties. Wifey
clearly is not happy. Change gears cause happy wife is a happy life.
How is it there is no quid pro quo for this statement?<br />
<br />
Somewhere along the way I figure the brake discs were offset. No
Redfish brain cells were abused in this exercise. Redfish is too smart
to install the axle collars in reverse. I blame this on my fixation
with stowing the PIAA lights. <br />
<br />
After putting the left collar on the left and right collar on the right,
where they belong, assembly went well less the damn mounting of the
PIAA bracket to the front fender mount. PIAA in there infinite wisdom
choose to use one bolt to mount the bracket. Bad choice. It is a soft
mount with a collar and a rubber grommet. I decided to replace the
nearly stripped hex head bolt (don't ask) with a socket head bolt. My
bolt collection come up a winner only having to cut 1/4 inch off bolts I
had on hand. <br />
<br />
Rear wheel comes off without trouble. Rear tire mounted easily. <br />
<br />
Wifey informs me it is past dinner time. Switch gears, see paragraph 7 above.<br />
<br />
Rear wheel mounts just fine although aligning the slot and projection on the rear brake caliper is fiddly.<br />
<br />
Clean garage, put stuff away, wipe down dirty air compressor, take bike
off center stand to find the front tire is flat. Add air. Valve stem
is leaking so I tighten till leaking stops. Move bike to it's usual
spot. Check tire pressure the next morning. No pressure drop. Yea!<br />
<br />
After all that trouble I am going for a ride. Tell wifey I won't be home till 5-6:00 pm. Maybe quid pro quo was achieved?<br />
<br />
Here is <a class="postlink elonw" href="https://goo.gl/maps/UiGyvgP5aFgvkDG4A" title="Opens in new window">segment one</a> of my ride today. A lazy person's version of Relive.<br />
<br />
I love the clouds in NE Washington and that is what most of these photos have in common.<br />
<br />
Near Creston Washington a community along the Columbia River.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/mXAo7eJ.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ZmubFDN.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Back up near farmland my FJR. I stopped here to reconnect the XM Radio
app on my phone. Each time the connection fails it will not reconnect
without restarting the app. I was listening to Real Jazz channel 67
today. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/IR3vXS7.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Clouds and farm house.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/q9c7W2M.jpg" /><br />
<br />
One the way to Lincoln Washington. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/PQcfily.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I like both these photos.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/3bMmIz1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Field of Canola along Hwy 2 on the way to Grand Coulee Dam.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/iSLs2b4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I stop at Grand Coulee Dam for lunch at the Observation Point. Lunch as a banana and some roasted almonds. Miss May 2022?<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/IvoDYgV.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<a class="postlink elonw" href="https://goo.gl/maps/Lp52hWmgdSY6jbWP9" title="Opens in new window">Segment two</a> of this route.<br />
<br />
The Columbia River after the dam on the way to Cache Creek Road.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/hkCk28k.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Pictures taking fell off dramatically as Cache Creek Road is a twisty
affair as is Bridge Creek Road. I was a day early as there was a
sweeper clearing sand from Bridge Creek road. At least the operator
turned of the sweeper so I didn't have to ride through a cloud of dust.
Hand wave given. The speed limit is 35 but it is very remote out here
but sand on the road kept the speed down a bit.<br />
<br />
More nice clouds.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/F7XwRkg.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ZxbkAGQ.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/4Wlyppn.jpg" /><br />
<br />
My ship has come in. The Ferry crossing from Inchelum to Gifford.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/4dVdyF4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Columbia River from the Ferry.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/rMj1V75.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/PHYWyJ1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Approaching Mugget Lake on get this, wait for it, here it comes, The Mugget Lake Road.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/iq851gk.jpg" /><br />
<br />
End of Story.</p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-55420511171671386162021-12-08T10:37:00.003-08:002021-12-08T10:37:28.888-08:00Bearthooth Pass and Northern Yellowston<p>This is more of a photo journal than a ride report. I don't have
anything significant to say.<br />
<br />
Sharing the photos almost didn't happen but a new to me camera arrived
in the mail one day before departure. My old trusty Canon S100 died a
week prior. The lens would not close and fixing it was not an option.
Seems a good new pocket camera starts at $300 and the quality is unknown
so I just bought a used Canon S100 for $150. Without much time to test
it before leaving and with no options if it was a dud I just took it
along and hoped for the best.<br />
<br />
The goal was ride through Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park, on
to Red Lodge Montana, to the Bighorn Mountains then Lolo Pass and home.<br />
<br />
Friday I slabbed it to Livingston Montana on I-90. It is not a bad
option, the pavement is smooth, little construction, views of snow
capped mountains and crossing the Continental Divide. I pondered other
routes but very hot weather was coming to Wyoming so I wanted to get
east quickly.<br />
<br />
Saturday morning there was a ten car backup to get into the North
Entrance to Yellowstone. The hordes favor the West Entrance and the Old
Faithful and each month in 2021 has set attendance records. I wanted
to do this trip on or before Father's Day cause after than everybody
will be out and about.<br />
<br />
I brought my Canon DSLR with a small telephoto lens to take photos of
the buffalo in Lamar Valley in Yellowstone. The really nice telephoto
lens are serious coin, plus a full frame camera helps along with a
quality tripod - say $7000. <br />
<br />
I really enjoy riding through here to see the buffalo. Here are some photos from the DSLR.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/kzqJ7a9.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/LO2woTh.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/R3y06ID.jpg" /><br />
<br />
This animal was about 100 yards away. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/PKx1ibC.jpg" /><br />
<br />
This fellow was about 20 yards away and started kicking up dirt when I
stopped to snap his photo. I shot this with the pocket camera, you can
see focus is not great but it was click and go!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/Czanm8W.jpg" /><br />
<br />
On to Beartooth Scenic Highway. The name sake peak.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/p3aJIYs.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Rather than summiting Beartooth Pass I go to Chief Joseph Scenic
Highway, also know as Hwy 296 and Crandall Road. How confusing.
Nonetheless this is a great road. <br />
<br />
When I get to the intersection of Hwy 296 and Hwy 120 I turn around so I
can do it again, ride Beartooth Pass and head to Red Lodge. Life is
tough!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/4msFLBZ.jpg" /><br />
<br />
These were all shot with the pocket camera while on the go, then edited for perspective and straightening.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/TsWJ1t4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/7LsEh1z.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/vq4WiEJ.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/0eKEiwN.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/XFG1d3u.jpg" /><br />
<br />
It was a nice day on the pass with temps in the mid sixty's. Not bad at all.<br />
<br />
The intention was to head to Sheridan Wyoming so I could ride Hwy's 14A,
14 and 16 in the Bighorn Mountains. With temperature of 100° with a
stiff wind in Worland Wyoming I decided to pass on the Bighorns. It was
going to be in the mid 90's in Sheridan. Yuck. So I stayed in Red
Lodge instead where where it was in the '70's.<br />
<br />
I was loading the bike at 8:00am to crystal blue skies and 65°. My
destination for the day was Lolo Montana. It was then I decided to ride
over Beartooth and through Yellowstone rather than just hopping on
I-90. It added another 1.5 hours to the ride but it was worth it.<br />
<br />
How could I not go this way?<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ErNegq7.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/Ui8QD26.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Clarity and focus seems pretty good with my used pocket camera.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/4NroODC.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The camera lanyard got in on the action.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/wYeF6v7.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/dJ9HuD7.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ec1V1a6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The license plate on this FJR said Connecticut. The rider was doing some
serious rubber necking and I got the impression this was his first
time.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/wPD2QN3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Waiting for a construction light I took a selfie with the pocket camera.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/APktBjO.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The fuel range reports 441 miles remaining. This feature needs work. <img alt=":D" class="smilies" height="17" src="https://www.fjriders.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif" title="Very Happy" width="15" />
I averaged just over 49 mpg on this trip. I am really pleased with
the fuel economy on my '17. I get 5-7 more miles per gallon than my 09
did.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/6YSsHui.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I pulled over for this shot.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/0N8CaHq.jpg" /><br />
<br />
After leaving Yellowstone it was on to Lolo Montana via I-90 to ride <a class="postlink elonw" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolo_Pass_%28Idaho%E2%80%93Montana%29" title="Opens in new window">Lolo Pass</a>,
the trail used by the Nez Perce Indians and the Lewis and Clark
Expedition. There are several interpretive signs along the road telling
the stories of the people who used this historic trail. I took the
time to stop and read most of them.<br />
<br />
After Lolo Summit the road follows the scenic Lochsa, (Lock-Saw) River. A photo op.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/AVuYZEj.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The river with spring water runoff makes this an ideal time to be here.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/UzkTaGL.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/n4yVgRW.jpg" /><br />
<br />
That's all folks!</p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-12366258317260450292021-03-14T20:38:00.003-07:002021-03-14T20:38:54.149-07:00Scab Lands in SE Washington (the state!)<p> The scab lands in Eastern Washington are a result of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missoula_floods" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="Opens in new window">Ice Age Floods</a> scouring the land of all loose soil about 13,000 - 15,000 years ago.<br /><br />
Using Google Maps you can easily see where the water flowed. Here is an image from Google Maps.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/y0FwKv6.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="67.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/y0FwKv6.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
The brown area is where water flowed carving out the land as it went.
You can see the finger lakes pointing the direction of flow from NE to
SW. Look closer to see the swirl lines in the landscape indicative of
flowing water. If you go to Google maps you will see all this water
funnelled near Palouse Falls and was responsible for creating the
Palouse Canyon and Falls.<br /><br />
So why all the fuss about the great floods? Riding the roads in the
flood zone one sees a pile of rock and cliffs. To many it would be is
unsightly and not very interesting. But when you understand how this
landscape was formed it becomes a fascinating place to be.<br /><br />
I rode Hwy 23 from Sprague Washington to south of Rock Lake. See image above.<br /><br />
Hummocks define the scab lands.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/aEVSUPG.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/aEVSUPG.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Rocks abound with scant vegetation as the soil was stripped away by the floods.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/NdjWVBo.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="46.75" src="https://i.imgur.com/NdjWVBo.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Geology respite. An early 60’s Corvette.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/C5kNS7r.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="32.63" src="https://i.imgur.com/C5kNS7r.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
A small mesa left standing while the area around it is somewhere down river.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/ZQcp5XC.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="58.63" src="https://i.imgur.com/ZQcp5XC.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Pavement is not bad. The scenery is very interesting when you know how it was created.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/AKxPUd8.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="54.63" src="https://i.imgur.com/AKxPUd8.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Columnar Basalt created millions of years ago when lava flowed from
Eastern Washington to the Pacific Ocean. The fractures formed when the
lava cooled. Weak basalt rock was easily dislodged by the great floods.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/h55QwOT.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="50.50" src="https://i.imgur.com/h55QwOT.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Crazy landscape.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/Lu91S9q.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="36.13" src="https://i.imgur.com/Lu91S9q.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
In general Wheat fields cover SE Washington unless flood water washed the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loess" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="Opens in new window">Loess</a> away.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/JTx2SXC.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/JTx2SXC.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Back on the flood zone I got lucky with this shot.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/FhgN4HG.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/FhgN4HG.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
White swans in a brown stark landscape.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/oGEgbR5.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/oGEgbR5.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
I continue on Hwy 23 to 3900’ <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steptoe_Butte" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="Opens in new window"> Steptoe Butte</a> where I took this photo.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/37fDAHr.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/37fDAHr.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
It was a nice day to be on the FJR in SE Washington an area with a rich Geological history.
</p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-86198263907536153352020-08-25T11:36:00.002-07:002020-08-25T11:36:23.419-07:00Epic Tour of Central Idaho<p>Around 2007 and 2008 I road a 1000 cc Vstrom on a couple of the Idaho
Backcountry Discovery Routes (IBDR). Great fun but I grew tired of the
Vstrom as it was a bit much on the gravel roads. 15% out of control 100%
of the time and someday My Time was Gonna Come, cue up some Led
Zeppelin, when the front end would inevitably wash out someday. The
Vstrom went bye bye shortly after buying the 09 FJR but the dream of
riding Idaho dual sport roads lived on.</p><p></p><p></p><p>The reason to ride gravel roads in Idaho is because it has a shortage of paved roads. You won't see much unless you ride gravel road as this photo shows. The upper blue line is Lolo Pass while the lower line is the road from Lowman to Stanley. No paved road cross between the blue lines or go north south for that matter. Dual sport riding country.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/mvv7zOF.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="569" src="https://i.imgur.com/mvv7zOF.png" /></a></div><p><br />
Fast forward to 2018. I move from Seattle to Spokane. Idaho is right
next door and it has some of the best dual sport riding in country. It
wasn't long before the mighty DR650 was in my new garage in my new home.
Idaho was calling.<br /><br />
Family trips 2018 and 2019 got in the way of a week long dual sport
ride. Last year I was hoping to do this ride in September 2019 but the
weather turned unseasonably cold. There was no 4-5 day window of good
weather - it was snowing at many places where I wanted to go. So 2019 my
dual sport dream ride went out the window.<br /><br />
I vowed that would not happen this year leaving July, August and
September open for riding the mighty DR650. The window for riding is
thin. Snow may not melt out till the second or third week of July. By
August the temperatures can exceed 100°, thunderstorms can ruin your day
and smoke from forest fires can spoil a great trip plan. Finding
Goldilocks weather is pretty damn rare. Maybe 1 in 5 years.<br /><br />
The on Dual Sport thread Bugs learned of my trip plan so we decided to
ride this together. His friend Robert joined us. We had 2 DR650s and a
Doug's KLR. Robert's 2002 DR650 with around 40k miles has seen better
days but it is still rock solid and Robert is a mechanic.<br /><br />
So we hatched a plan to meet in McCall and tour some of the best dual
sport routes in Idaho. My sources included personal experience, Mark
Sampson's web page <a href="http://www.bigdogadventures.com/" rel="external nofollow noopener noopener" target="_blank">BigDogAdventures</a> and <a href="https://store.soundrider.com/collections/self-guided-nw-tours/products/sasquatch-dual-sport-adventure-tour-the-idaho-bucket-list" rel="external nofollow noopener noopener" target="_blank">Sound Riders! Dual Sport Tour book.</a><br /><br />
The Garmin 590 comes with City Map North America and it includes all
the Forest Service roads we enjoyed. With a little effort (downplayed) I
created routes for each day and it never let us down. There was one
gap, the road didn't exist on the Garmin map, so the solution was to
split the route in half. This worked well.</p><p></p><p>
So that is the backstory.<br /><br />
Day 1.<br /><br />
I ride down to Lewiston Idaho from Spokane where get off the main road the remainder of the day. Here is <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/w6p1Qt6ExuLpsUpN6" rel="external nofollow noopener noopener" target="_blank">my route</a> from Lewiston along with a image. Google Maps tends to fail on back roads in the winter.<br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/aK3NnxM.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="56.25" src="https://i.imgur.com/aK3NnxM.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Mountains go forever. Nice.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/vkzyBdj.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="51.63" src="https://i.imgur.com/vkzyBdj.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
The Salmon River<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/GMKvdW5.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/GMKvdW5.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
After crossing the river I head back up again. Then just before going
down again here is another view of the Salmon River. And that is where I
am going.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/uDgkR2q.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/uDgkR2q.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
I arrive at the Salmon River road where people are enjoying a float on the river.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/SyhVLZ1.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="70.63" src="https://i.imgur.com/SyhVLZ1.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Then I cross this confounded bridge. Doug says it is a half a
suspension bridge. I say it is warm out and time to climb up again to
cool off.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/7YAn6bm.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="80.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/7YAn6bm.jpg" width="750" /></a><br /><br />
So up French Creek road to find shade and cooler temps. Yep it is a fun as it looks.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/zVDtXuI.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/zVDtXuI.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
After French Creek it is on into McCall to meet with Doug and Robert. I
logged about 350 miles and 230 of that is on backcountry roads. Not a
bad day on the mighty DR650.
</p>
<p>
Day 2.<br /><br />
Did I say this tour was awesome? The weather was absolutely perfect
each and every day with temps from mid 50's in the morning to mid 80's
in the afternoon but at higher elevations it was in the 70's. And no
forest fire smoke. It has been a quiet fire season so far in the
Northwest and we are very thankful. Some years this trip would not be
possible due to weather or fire.<br /><br />
Today's <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/zpW3zrPWiogYDmUU7" rel="external nofollow noopener noopener" target="_blank">route</a> was a bit short, only a 160 miles but it was a good way to start the trip after a long day for all of us the day before.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/u0DcGqx.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="104.53" src="https://i.imgur.com/u0DcGqx.jpg" width="574" /></a><br /><br />
Riding counterclockwise we dispensed with the 45 miles of State and US
highway. The rest of the trip was on backcountry roads, mostly unpaved. <a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://www.fjriders.com/forums/images/smilies/middle.png" title="Enlarge image"><img alt=":finger:" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="100.00" height="30" src="https://www.fjriders.com/forums/images/smilies/middle.png" title="Go Away" width="30" /></a><br /><br />
The mighty DR650 is happy on backroads especially unpaved ones. It has
36 horsepower and will go 60-70 mph all day. I found 36 horsepower is
plenty on a gravel road. It is easy to spin the rear tire and so having
more ponies isn't something I need on a gravel road. My newly resprung
DR worked great. At this point I am happy with the suspension. It might
cost me another $700 to replace the shock and install a fork cartridge.
It would be fun to try a DR with those to feel the difference. Instead I
spent a few bucks on gear so I can carry water the next time I go out
and change where I store my tools.<br /><br />
We leave Hwy 95 at the turn off for the Seven Devil's road and begin to
climb from 1800' to 8300'. Up and up and up. At one point we could see
the Salmon River drainage and the Snake River / Hell's Canyon drainage
from the same spot. Nice!<br /><br />
We stopped at a view point to regroup and take a few pictures.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/ykMLCoE.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="59.25" src="https://i.imgur.com/ykMLCoE.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
The DR is calling let's go, come on let's go.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/QDQOFyX.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/QDQOFyX.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
The Seven Devil's each have names. There is He Devil, She Devil and
Devil's Throne. Not sure why the remaining peaks don't include the word
Devil.<br /><br />
Which Devil this is, oh wait it is Doug!<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/Bw9Pco8.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="57.50" src="https://i.imgur.com/Bw9Pco8.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Here is the me Devil with a peak in the background.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/zizydPC.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="62.88" src="https://i.imgur.com/zizydPC.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
For some reason I thought we could see the Snake River from up here but
it wasn't so. Nearby is the Klienschmidt Grade where the river is
visible. Been there done that including a jet boat trip on the Snake
River so it is great to be here. A new adventure.<br /><br />
The parking lot for the fire lookout tower at Heaven's Gate.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/SZ8o7Qz.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="59.25" src="https://i.imgur.com/SZ8o7Qz.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
With extra time in our day we hike 0.2 miles up the hill to the fire outlook where the views are 360°. It was worth the effort.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/HFFZhNj.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="70.13" src="https://i.imgur.com/HFFZhNj.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Hell's Canyon, deeper than the Grand Canyon, is below the flat spot on the horizon.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/TxSAgUw.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/TxSAgUw.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Robert on the way back to the parking lot. And in the parking lot we
find a Toyota Prius. No way we'd drive that rig up here. The road was
rough in places and the Prius has maybe 7" of ground clearance if that.
Hope they made it back.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/qxNcdCk.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/qxNcdCk.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Devil's on the way out.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/IHY95qO.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/IHY95qO.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
We head to Riggins Idaho for lunch and find a bar with great sandwiches. I have something my waistline would regret. Yum!<br /><br />
After lunch it is up the Salmon River road. It starts out paved then
goes to gravel. Here is Robert crossing the same bridge I crossed
yesterday.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/Ow32XXH.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="47.38" src="https://i.imgur.com/Ow32XXH.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Doug noted it looks like a half of a suspension bridge.<br /><br />
The Salmon River from the bridge.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/zfrle6Y.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/zfrle6Y.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Up the French Creek road we stop several times for photo ops. My favorite is this one.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/GOzcbYr.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/GOzcbYr.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
French Creek road climbs from about 2000' to 4800' through the twisty
section shown here then to 6400' at Burgdorf Hotspring. It is a great
way to cool off.<br /><br />
Doug and Robert along French Creek.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/ZLYWKVz.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="58.63" src="https://i.imgur.com/ZLYWKVz.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/80bnRsS.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="61.25" src="https://i.imgur.com/80bnRsS.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
A view on the way to Burgdorf Hotsprings. We didn't take a dip it is
closed. I was there last year and the water is hot. My body was
submerged with just my head out of the water and my face started
sweating within 15 minutes. Nonetheless the it is a very nice spot and
attracts a lot of adventure riders.<br /><br />
The road from Burgdorf to McCall is paved and we zipped on back to McCall to have dinner and decide on the route for tomorrow.
</p><p>
Day 3<br /><br />
The original plan was to ride north from McCall to Warren and Yellow
Pine via the Warren Wagon Road one of the top notch backcountry routes
in Central Idaho. Unfortunately lodging in Stanley was sold out forcing
us up the road to Challis.<br /><br />
On Monday night we decided on <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/c1hXt89oira1ZivQ8" rel="external nofollow noopener noopener" target="_blank">this alternative.</a>.
This saved us about 50-60 miles making it a long day instead of an real
real long day. It also set us up for a relaxing day tomorrow. All in
all it worked out very well.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/KyFeTEV.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="61.38" src="https://i.imgur.com/KyFeTEV.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Until this trip I have never been to Warm Lake so this was a new
adventure for all of us. I don't know why I was surprise the ride from
Hwy 55 to Warm Lake was all paved but it is. Nuts. Oh well it was a
pleasant ride and Warm Lake was very scenic.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/SylENRO.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="64.13" src="https://i.imgur.com/SylENRO.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/WeeBkyI.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="59.38" src="https://i.imgur.com/WeeBkyI.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Robert with a big smile at Warm Lake.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/MtaCMzd.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/MtaCMzd.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Still on pavement we continue east and climbing 6800' to this viewpoint.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/xPJ7n5L.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/xPJ7n5L.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Near Landmark the pavement ends and the surface is 2-3" of fine silty
sand. No trouble for the mighty DR650. I road a Vstrom here a few years
ago and it wasn't as easy going.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/SdCHVVH.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/SdCHVVH.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
It was a scenic ride back to pavement and for some reason I have no photos of the leg of the ride. Hey a reason to return.<br /><br />
Pavement returns in the form of Hwy 75 and it is on to Stanley Idaho with nice views of the Sawtooth Mountains.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/O3DNSaD.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="50.50" src="https://i.imgur.com/O3DNSaD.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Another picture perfect day.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/RyeMuBt.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="45.88" src="https://i.imgur.com/RyeMuBt.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/FbYqDLt.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="52.25" src="https://i.imgur.com/FbYqDLt.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/JrEMp3t.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="41.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/JrEMp3t.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/rF5t5oL.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="32.25" src="https://i.imgur.com/rF5t5oL.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Folks riding a street bike would consider this a highlight of the day.
Not us for the best was yet to come! Before we go on though we stop for
fuel and lunch. An Ahi Tuna sandwich and it was better than it looks.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/Y4gZgoR.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/Y4gZgoR.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Back on the road to the Chinese Wall the high driveable point in Idaho.
This has been on my bucket list for years. We turn off Hwy 75 to E.
Fork Rd near Clayton Idaho. East Fork Road was fun and paved for a
while. Aspen trees line the road.<br /><br />
Jug Handle Arch? I don't know but there is a Jug Handle Arch near Arches Utah and it is similar to this.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/6HnmOFc.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/6HnmOFc.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Once the pavement ended the road climbs quickly. Happy to have the
DR650 on this road instead of a larger machine. The next photo is close
the the top where it levels off.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/PKUDcyB.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/PKUDcyB.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/WfKxPwH.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/WfKxPwH.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/x9rDTfv.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="49.13" src="https://i.imgur.com/x9rDTfv.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
We climb from 5500' to 10400'. Great fun.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/TWSuUHy.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="47.38" src="https://i.imgur.com/TWSuUHy.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
The might DR650 takes a break at the Chinese Wall.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/DkTSRU5.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="71.50" src="https://i.imgur.com/DkTSRU5.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Notice the helmet is resting a Russell Day Long saddle. Some said the
saddle wings would prevent me from getting back when standing up. It
turns out my legs press against the wings going up hill while standing
up - works great.<br /><br />
Some photos at the Chinese Wall.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/IB03loo.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="52.38" src="https://i.imgur.com/IB03loo.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/8gxkVI5.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/8gxkVI5.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/3yB7liZ.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/3yB7liZ.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Top of Idaho! Well not really but close enough.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/zxzi365.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/zxzi365.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
My DR650. Great bike.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/OK4DRs7.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/OK4DRs7.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/641VLlx.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/641VLlx.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Doug on his way to Challis.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/yiKAmSU.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/yiKAmSU.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Photo options. Do you like this one?<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/RMV0SwC.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/RMV0SwC.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Or this one?<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/JNDoLVI.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/JNDoLVI.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Back on East Fork Road.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/hZX7P24.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/hZX7P24.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
We road on to Challis for the night.</p><p> Day 4<br /><br />
First let's talk about Senas. We had two 20s and a 10s. I had the
owners manual on line and read up on how to get them to connect. It
worked but too often after stringing out and regrouping the damn Sena's
sounded like we were talking under water. Anybody know to to fix this?
We had to reboot the 10s to get things to work but I remember I
restarted my 20s once so I don't know if it is a model difference issue.<br /><br />
Today was to be a day of fewer miles. It didn't quite work out that way and we were better for it.<br /><br />
Here is <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/eRcQJKFTDwv5vAuR7" rel="external nofollow noopener noopener" target="_blank">the route</a> for the day.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/cbJTaR1.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="111.73" src="https://i.imgur.com/cbJTaR1.jpg" width="537" /></a><br /><br />
We didn't intend on going to <a href="https://www.summitpost.org/bighorn-crags/316106" rel="external nofollow noopener noopener" target="_blank">BigHorn Crags</a> but it was the highlight of the day.<br /><br />
The day started off on the wrong foot when Robert and I went to the gas
station and told Doug we'd meet him their. Doug went to the gas station
to the north, our direction of travel, while Robert and I went to one
south of town. We gave Doug a hard time for going to the wrong gas
station! He was out numbered.<br /><br />
North on 93 for a few miles then a left turn on the Morgan Creek road
and the gravel begins. Easy gravel and the road is rather flat. I have
not been here before so again this was new to all of us.<br /><br />
We enjoyed this canyon lined with trees.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/3Zen4Rr.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="66.88" src="https://i.imgur.com/3Zen4Rr.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/8FNckkP.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="71.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/8FNckkP.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/hZX7P24.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/hZX7P24.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/nC3DNPh.jpg?1" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="61.50" src="https://i.imgur.com/nC3DNPh.jpg?1" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Looks nice but not much of a challenge.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/C7tS2KM.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="52.38" src="https://i.imgur.com/C7tS2KM.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
The challenge was about to change. We stopped at an intersection to
regroup and noticed a sign saying Bighorn Crags 19 miles or some such
thing. Doug said let's go and we all agreed. This is how the day got a
bit longer and it was a great choice.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/CiERvgS.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/CiERvgS.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Idaho's version of Half Dome.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/A7vMTrB.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="55.13" src="https://i.imgur.com/A7vMTrB.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
On the way we gained 2600' elevation climbing to 8400'. Four wheel drive recommended and it was great.<br /><br />
Robert at the viewpoint.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/br1V3TC.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/br1V3TC.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
The trailhead was pack with car and after the ride up I was quite
surprised to see so many car up here in the middle of nowhere.<br /><br />
We head out and return to Forney then on up to Shoup. Robert pickup a
backpacker along the way so I started off down the road. A few minutes
later Robert passed me while riding two up. The dude can ride.<br /><br />
The Salmon River near Shoup.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/kcpjVxh.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/kcpjVxh.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Shoup.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/kZILcXE.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="63.25" src="https://i.imgur.com/kZILcXE.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Until a few years ago this place was open and weather it was open or
closed was always a topic of discussion on the Advrider forum. No
worries now, it is closed. Robert is faking filling his tank.<br /><br />
The Salmon River.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/ZGMGwFQ.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="61.12" src="https://i.imgur.com/ZGMGwFQ.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Over the shoulder shot.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/KzB3MBe.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="57.63" src="https://i.imgur.com/KzB3MBe.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Lucky shot with the tree limb to the right.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/Br452g3.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/Br452g3.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/r2AxPBM.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="62.88" src="https://i.imgur.com/r2AxPBM.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Near here the City Navigator North America didn't include the through
road. So for a while we were running on the hope the road went through
as I didn't bother to check other maps such as Google Maps. It all
worked out and I loaded segment two of the route and it worked out fine.<br /><br />
There was a lot of this from Shoup to Painted Rocks State Park.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/Q5oOjvI.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/Q5oOjvI.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Buffalo on a ranch.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/o3gHjTz.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/o3gHjTz.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
I put the camera away for the rest of the day.<br /><br />
Having no reservation for Darby Montana we pulled into a hotel to get
what may have been the last room in town that night. We got lucky. Price
was right and it was, clean comfortable and had hot and cold running
water.</p><p>Day 5<br /><br />
On the way to the restaurant last night we watch a couple of fawns
cross the road in Darby Montana. One made it and the other for some
inexplicable reason decided to follow at the last possible fraction of a
second. The car already in evasive maneuvers had no chance to avoid the
stupid critter and knocked it down. The fawn got back up and ran off
into the field. I suspect the deer try and use their only advantage,
speed, to avoid hazards. Little do they know asphalt offers little
traction.<br /><br />
On the way back from dinner there these deer were relaxing in a public area.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/lGiy7Bw.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="77.02" src="https://i.imgur.com/lGiy7Bw.jpg" width="779" /></a><br /><br />
Not a fan of deer I ran toward them managing only to scare the cat to
the lower right of the photo above. Hunting season is not far off you
stinking forest rats!<br /><br />
A fellow about our age (read old man) walked into the restaurant for
breakfast just before us. One table was available and he invited us to
share it with him. He introduced himself, George he said and he also
goes by the abbreviation ~G. Unfortunately ~G's is favorite subject is,
wait for it, here it comes, is ~G. To make matters worse breakfast took
forever to order and prepare. During the hour plus breakfast we got to
hear about 10% of ~G's life story. The only thing slowing ~G's streaming
flow of conscientiousness was Doug's belief in about AGATT and his
bambi experience.<br /><br />
The food was lousy but it was a long way till lunch. There was no other place in town open for breakfast so we were stuck.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/wOzNEKC.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/wOzNEKC.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />A photo of ~G and his bike.</p><p><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/Is9hcAk.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="59.88" src="https://i.imgur.com/Is9hcAk.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Glad to be done with Darby we were on our bikes and heading down the
road despite ringing in my ears. Next time in Darby breakfast will be
bought at the grocery store.<br /><br />
The Magruder Corridor is our <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/GpDvs3KKdgXWyd696" rel="external nofollow noopener noopener" target="_blank">destination</a> for the day.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/rLtujZr.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="34.75" src="https://i.imgur.com/rLtujZr.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
About 20 miles out of town we stop for a photo opp.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/kiMP71Y.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="96.77" src="https://i.imgur.com/kiMP71Y.jpg" width="620" /></a><br /><br />
The on to Nez Perce Pass, elevation 6600', to read these informational boards.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/6XqjoKb.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/6XqjoKb.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/kauVy9M.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/kauVy9M.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/8nfxegv.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/8nfxegv.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Don't let the word "pass" fool you. There are plenty ridges and up and
downs along the Magruder. After Nez Perce Pass the road goes down to
around 3800' at the Magruder Crossing Campground before climbing again
to 8000' and remaining there for a while.<br /><br />
It wasn't long after Nez Perce Pass and the scenery changed to burnt forest.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/fLAxiDA.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/fLAxiDA.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
I was here 13 year ago and there was some burnt forest then, but that
has all changed. I'd say about 75-85% of the Magruder is in various
stages of regrowth. At elevation the growing season is short so maybe in
a generation or two it will recover.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/h8T7Zat.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/h8T7Zat.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Robert enjoying the ride.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/LlZhDKS.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="61.75" src="https://i.imgur.com/LlZhDKS.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Lots of views.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/Q0Nt5Rh.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/Q0Nt5Rh.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Doug heading out.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/J6tup9J.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/J6tup9J.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Another view.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/SQdGoHV.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/SQdGoHV.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
My mighty DR650.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/dIvrrO4.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="70.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/dIvrrO4.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
You can see the road on the ridge in the distance.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/a0LWOiN.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/a0LWOiN.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Mountain view.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/ILfdYlm.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/ILfdYlm.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/zH8KR8L.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/zH8KR8L.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Back on pavement.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/hFJb8r3.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/hFJb8r3.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Heading to Elk City Idaho. No elk were seen.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/yBScaux.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="49.25" src="https://i.imgur.com/yBScaux.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
We gas up in Elk City and head out to the Elk City Wagon Road but about
5 miles into the ride the gate is closed so back we go and look for an
alternative to Grangeville other than pavement. The state maps we had
were wrong but we found something down the road and took it.<br /><br />
Anybody care to fish?<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/p2HPwxk.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="62.38" src="https://i.imgur.com/p2HPwxk.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
Ah green forest.<br /><br /><a data-ipslightbox-group="undefined" data-ipslightbox="" data-wrappedlink="" href="https://i.imgur.com/GijA3dv.jpg" title="Enlarge image"><img alt="Image" class="ipsImage_thumbnailed" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/GijA3dv.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br />
We found our way into Grangeville for the night at a nice Super 8 and enjoyed some Mexican food that night.<br /><br />
Later that evening I whip up a gravel route for Doug and Robert from Grangeville to McCall and put in on Doug's Garmin.<br /><br />
Day 6<br /><br />
After breakfast I bid Doug and Robert goodbye and headed back home on
pavement. In Lewiston took the Old Spiral Hwy up 1700' to Hwy 95. The
Suzuki handled the tar snakes much better than my FJR.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/ENZ4yaY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://i.imgur.com/ENZ4yaY.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/uwNrlg9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://i.imgur.com/uwNrlg9.jpg" /></a></div><p>End of story.<br /><br />
Here are the tracks (GPX files) recorded by my Garmin.<br /><br /><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cerq7pc23GGNL4BxaqhE24hNbPIF2EWB/view?usp=sharing" rel="external nofollow noopener noopener" target="_blank">Day 1</a>. Lewiston to McCall.<br /><br /><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/14-Lg7Ti6R-z0NaPyKMD4myWbsmw3s2P5/view?usp=sharing" rel="external nofollow noopener noopener" target="_blank">Day 2</a>. McCall, Heavens Gate, Riggins, Burgdorf Hotsprings, McCall.<br /><br /><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J4wv76ACmV1WLSViuUu1lhQwFFSRxFvg/view?usp=sharing" rel="external nofollow noopener noopener" target="_blank">Day 3</a>. McCall, Warm Lake, Chinese Wall.<br /><br /><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h-64CylUf_9yLf4reVPy9W2ZqyLu4LuB/view?usp=sharing" rel="external nofollow noopener noopener" target="_blank">Day 4</a>. Challis, Bighorn Crags, Darby.<br /><br /><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UZ4QCjMDLDXluyNvw7WOUMebQO7sFu8S/view?usp=sharing" rel="external nofollow noopener noopener" target="_blank">Day 5</a>. Darby, Magruder Corridor, Elk City, Grangeville.
</p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-80168796286766976912020-07-30T20:23:00.001-07:002020-07-30T20:24:21.459-07:00Spokane WA to Fort Phil Kearny Wyoming<div class="ipsType_normal ipsType_richText ipsContained" data-controller="core.front.core.lightboxedImages" data-role="commentContent">
Last winter I read The Fetterman Massacre: Fort Phil Kearny and the Battle of the Hundred Slain by Dee Brown. It <a href="https://www.fortphilkearny.com/fetterman-battle-history" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank">documents the battle</a>
where 81 men where lost in December 1866. A very good read to learn
about US relations with the Native Americans. Out of this I decided I
wanted to visit the <a href="https://www.fortphilkearny.com/" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank">battle site</a>.
There are some great roads in the area plus I can pick off the
remaining points on the back of the Rendezvous Red Lodge 2016 tee shirt.
It is always fun to ride to new places. Gee there are lots of reason
for this ride and non of them involve rocks.<br />
<br />
Leaving from Spokane I go over Thompson Pass, see one deer and and
another damn near ran into me. Motorcyclists don't hit deer, a deer hits
motorcyclist. Thompson Pass isn't all that scenic nor is the pavement
twisty. I have no desire to return soon. This one was too close of a
call. Though northern Idaho I-90 is as scenic as Thompson Pass and a
hell of a lot safer.<br />
<br />
Near Thompson Falls.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/Mgob7Dd.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
The Missoula Floods Ice Damn was just west of here by 20 miles or so.
It is easy to see how and Ice Damn could block the Clark Fork River. The
elevation here is about 2600 feet and the maximum water depth of
Glacial Lake Missoula was 4200' nearly topping this canyon.<br />
<br />
The reason to ride over Thompson was to was visit this area and ride
Montana Hwy 200 which roughly parallels I-90 to the north till Helena.
This is one of the roads I have never been on before due to the W word.
Work always provided constraints but I am not working any more so I have
time to do it just a little different these days. Note to you working
stiffs. Don't work any longer than you absolutely have to. I am nearing
65 and over the last two years have developed two annoying aches and
pains that will most likely remain with me for life. Nothing serious but
just annoying and it could be a lot worse. Get out while you can
because soon you will start thinking could this be my last motorcycle?<br />
<br />
I pass along a lot rivers on this day and noticed a several cars at the
river access parking lots. Folks really like fishing here and
recreating on the rivers. The other thing I notice is this:<br />
<br />
Ya heard of urban blight? Well I call this ranch blight. In many cases a
newer building nearby but the old one never is demolished but simply
left to rot. Just observational humor.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/axhZGXQ.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
I leave Hwy 200 and choose Hwy 279 to go over Flesher Pass, again
another road new to me. Nice. This photo is near the summit of Flesher
Pass.
<br />
And this is a nice view from there.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/45JuofQ.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Self explanatory. What is not self explanatory is crossing the
Continental Divide means leaving the Columbia River basin so there no
more commentary on on the great floods in this ride report. Plus I don't
know jack about the geology in Montana and Wyoming other than
Jellystone sits on a hot spot on the earth's crust and the North
American Plate is move SW over the hotspot so someday the hotspot will
be over Billings Montana a fitting place for a hot spot!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/uGMZFQy.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
I ride by Silver City Montana to Hwy 287 with
construction for a few miles riding on dirt. This is not necessary. It
is a four lane road and it is all busted up. Why can't crews complete
one side then route traffic to the new pavement while work on the other
side is completed? I have a answer. Cause this is the way we have done
it for years! I get to Helena hop on I-90 to Bozeman where I spend the
night.<br />
<br />
Day 2<br />
<br />
Last night at dinner I spoke with a local who said tourism at
Jellystone was down due to Covid-19. This conversation was helpful
shaping this trip. I also downloaded the Montana DOT app to avoid
further, I wish I had a S-Ten moments, due to road construction.<br />
<br />
I left the hotel and found myself at McDonald's eating a couple of
breakfast sandwiches along with a cup of coffee in the parking lot.
Didn't notice the picnic tables till later. Oh well. With the bike and
myself well fueled it was down I-90 for a bit to Livingston. It is hard
to avoid I-90 in Western Montana as most of the roads go north and
south.<br />
<br />
Once off the freeway at Livingston good scenery returns following the Jellystone River into Gardiner.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="44.50" src="https://i.imgur.com/eTbmU3q.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
The Roosevelt Arch at the North Entrance to Jellystone. It is a crummy
photo shooting into the sun but the Arch is cool. Rather narrow inside
too showing how small cars where back in the day.<br />
It was a five car wait to enter the park. Last time I was here the line was much longer.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/WR1Zi7v.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
I ride across Lamar Valley to see buffalo. Traffic was light.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/egw9Fqp.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
The beasts are all over including the road. I watched a couple of males
butting heads, their bodies shaking after the collision. Even at 200
yards it was an impressive site. A lady with a huge telephone lens must
have got some great shots of that scene. She had the camera mounted on a
tripod. If those telephoto lenses weren't so damn expensive I'd get one
and do like her, just chill at a pullout with my camera.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="56.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/0MQ1fg7.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Buffalo in the road are an interesting dilemma unless you got a dual
sport bike. One buffalo was just hanging out in the on coming lane with
traffic backed up in both directions. I sat back and waited for an
opportunity to go by. The cars ahead of me cleared out while the buffalo
had two hoofs on the shoulder facing away from me. This was my cue to
ease on by. The beast decided to start moving just I got near. My
response was more right wrist to clear the scene quickly without making a
scene. I turned around to get a photo of this guy to see none of the
traffic had moved since I went by including a couple of Harleys.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/DDlokAO.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
The sole geological feature along the road in the valley.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="63.50" src="https://i.imgur.com/11WAtwD.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Having my fill of Buffalo entertainment it was time to head to Chief Joseph Pass and turn it up a bit.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="45.63" src="https://i.imgur.com/MALQ1fV.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
One the way up to the summit. Curse the power lines but they make this vista possible.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/K2tFojM.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
And on down the other side to see some red rock.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="47.63" src="https://i.imgur.com/woTqGpC.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
On to Cody taking Hwy 14 to Shell Wyoming crossing the basin of no joy
for FJR riders. The road is flat and straight for 100 miles.<br />
<br />
Things change after leaving Shell. This is one of the roads I have
never been on and it is a good one going from 4400' to 9000' at the
aptly named Granite Pass in 22 miles.<br />
<br />
Nice road, great fun and just a few pictures.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/57jC5Ub.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="62.25" src="https://i.imgur.com/ebxZs6B.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="53.37" src="https://i.imgur.com/VPOatuj.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="36.63" src="https://i.imgur.com/kt5i0vU.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
On to Burgess Junction and down down down at a 40mph speed limit behind
a gaggle of cars to I-90 to stay the night in Sheridan. I picked a Best
Western and this one had a bike wash where I knocked off a few of the
darn Wyoming bugs. Nice I liked that bike wash station. Nice place to
stay too with a clean comfortable room right in the downtown area with
good food choices nearby.<br />
<br />
Great day to be on the FJR.<br />
<br />
Day Three<br />
<br />
I pack up and ride into downtown Sheridan for breakfast determined to
avoid McDonald's and breakfast in the parking lot again. Find a place
with a parking spot right in front. Sweet. It is small coffee shop
serving breakfast. Good choice. Great coffee and a darn good burrito.<br />
<br />
The plan today is to visit Fort Phil then go to Red Lodge. The Fort
doesn't open until 10:00am and it is a 30 minute ride from Sheridan so
it was a late start to the day. The choice of going to Red Lodge means I
go back through Yellowstone rather than ride south into Jackson.
Northern route home or southern route home. I picked the northern route
because temperatures were rising and Jellystone wasn't terribly crowded.
I thought it might be nice to see more of Jellystone than Lamar Valley.<br />
<br />
I arrive at Fort Phil take in the video, look a the artifacts, then
check out the site of the Fort. The Fort was destroyed not long after
the Army abandon the Fort. There is a replica stockade wall at the
entrance to the Fort with outlines in the ground marking locations of
buildings. Let's put it this way - to see the Fort was the reason for
the ride but the ride was much more interesting than the Fort. The book I
read last winter was better.<br />
<br />
On to the battle sight 3-4 miles from the Fort. A monument commemorating the battle sight.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="61.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/a3bFPUy.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
And the site itself. It is kinda hard to appreciate 153 years ago men died here and how hard life was compared to today.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="52.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/VSE8WDQ.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Time for fun. Let go ride some roads never ridden, Hwy 16 to Ten Sleep
then across the basin to Cody, Wy to Chief Joseph Pass, ah do I have to
ride it again, Beartooth and Red Lodge.<br />
<br />
Blue skies and puffy clouds on a good road. Nice.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="46.63" src="https://i.imgur.com/LHAIiAS.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="58.88" src="https://i.imgur.com/3Y4IyRr.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Self explanatory.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/70Aw38Z.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
And down the other side.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="45.25" src="https://i.imgur.com/VX8Lkqs.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Hwy 16 is a great road. It has it all. It is remote, good pavement and scenic. And mountains.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="52.63" src="https://i.imgur.com/idsxG8S.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
The photo says it all.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="39.38" src="https://i.imgur.com/dKaxalI.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
A behind me shot that came out kinda nice. Look at those clouds.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/JSTB4zC.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
A pullout. Reminds me of the Badlands.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/LHLprmm.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
We have been here before.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="57.38" src="https://i.imgur.com/0YzQKvy.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Chief Joseph Pass/Highway.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="52.88" src="https://i.imgur.com/9Hx4FMS.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
At the summit there is road construction and I am last in line behind a
string of RVs and autos. Passing is not a good option for the decent so
I pull over to take in the scenery.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="72.38" src="https://i.imgur.com/DG3TyD4.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
I wait for the line to go then I am first in line. It was 10 minutes
before I proceed to enjoy a nice decent passing a few RVs as needed.<br />
<br />
At Bearthooth Pass I wait for construction about 20 minutes so I take some photos.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="59.62" src="https://i.imgur.com/M3lsJns.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Nice view.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/a4Xij1H.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Selfie.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/0eaogHM.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
The Rev'it Cyclone 3 jacket worked great. Love the ventilation. It was good today from 57°-93°. I was comfortable all day.<br />
<br />
Back on the go again to Beartooth Pass.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="48.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/P60QZJV.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="45.88" src="https://i.imgur.com/6INmBsd.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Near the summit.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="64.13" src="https://i.imgur.com/RLgTjQd.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
<div class="ipsType_normal ipsType_richText ipsContained" data-controller="core.front.core.lightboxedImages" data-role="commentContent">
Day 4<br />
<br />
Today the plan is to ride over Beartooth Pass, again oh darn, across
Jellystone's Lamar Valley to see more bison, then taking a leap of faith
on down to Old Faithful and on to West Jelleystone for the night. The
prevailing wisdom is to avoid Jellystone but this year tourism is down
so I am going in!<br />
<br />
The night before I went to the grocery store in Red Lodge to get some
food for lunch. I didn't want to stop in Jellystone for food. This
turned out be a stroke of genius. I forgot what I did for breakfast this
morning.<br />
<br />
On the road to Beartooth.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="56.25" src="https://i.imgur.com/tscHnFr.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
The sun is at my back so good photo ops were plentiful.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/UyqxEZL.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="46.25" src="https://i.imgur.com/JtAgitL.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Look closely at the middle of the photo to see a small mountain lake.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/SOSShWq.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/FsT0QOH.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
I was having a great time. Retired life is a peach. Today it is all
about smiles, taking photos, enjoying scenery. Nuts to miles. This
thought ran through my head all day. It was a pleasant thought and I was
happy to be on the FJR.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="48.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/jnUDE0g.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Photo says it all. As I am retired you are looking at my office chair.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="71.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/IaXk0GT.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
This semi was heading up the pass from the Cooke City side. There are
lots of turns before the summit and then down the other side. Idiot.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="34.13" src="https://i.imgur.com/dKTnFJd.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Hairpin turns and scenery.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/UDJI25t.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Lakes and mountains galore. This is a great road.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="62.88" src="https://i.imgur.com/67bIUQr.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="33.75" src="https://i.imgur.com/GxC1WAo.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="58.11" src="https://i.imgur.com/OXHue7y.jpg?1" width="795" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="45.88" src="https://i.imgur.com/4kSehGp.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
I had to wait 20 minutes for road construction. The waiting place was
photogenic. I left my helmet on to guard against mosquitoes. I couple of
the critters found there was between my jacket collar and helmets. The
Harley riders had it worse.<br />
<br />
Back on the road again this is my view.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="61.12" src="https://i.imgur.com/DWAYTXz.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
And on to......<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/AUYKsuq.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
To see a few beasts.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="69.13" src="https://i.imgur.com/WRpZ07j.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
A nice valley. Notice how many cars are out here?<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="32.25" src="https://i.imgur.com/EU7ljgy.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
A few more beasts.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="40.75" src="https://i.imgur.com/oObvLbn.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
On to Mammoth Hotsprings was a bit crowded. Line for food were long.
The congestion thinned out just beyond Mammoth. I stop at this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWXg47ix4rM" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank">thermal pool</a>. Forgot the name but it was nice and I enjoy lunch here.<br />
<br />
Then on to Old Faithful. I just missed the eruption so I had a little
more than an hour to burn so I took a short walk to nearby thermal
features.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/TgSUZa8.jpg" width="600" /><br />
<br />
I found a front row seat to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsuRB6I4EOo" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank">watch Old Faithful</a>.<br />
<br />
I road back the way I came to West Jellystone where I spend the night. Great day.
<br />
<br />
Day 5<br />
<br />
Today I had some choices. Ride 280 miles Hamilton Montana and finish
the ride off the next day, ride 530 miles to get home via Hwy 287 Hwy 93
to Missoula then slab it home, or ride 619 miles via Hwy 287 Hwy 93
then Lolo Pass home. It was Sunday and Slow Slow Pass wasn't talking to
me. Didn't want to deal with low speed limits, law enforcement or slow
RVs on a Sunday afternoon. So I picked the second option.<br />
<br />
Shortly after leaving West Yellowstone I come up Hebgen Lake the site of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1959_Hebgen_Lake_earthquake#Aftermath" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank">1959 7.5 earthquake</a> causing a landslide blocking the Madison River. The brown spot is where the hill gave way.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="63.50" src="https://i.imgur.com/qoNvnkC.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/O8E4e9p.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
After the leaving Lake Hebgen the road straightens and the mountains
are distant views. No great photo opps but great for working the cruise
control on the 17 ES. The winds also pickup intermittently but the FJR
is a pretty good in a breeze and the new Vstream sport touring screen
does a good job.<br />
<br />
Badger Pass offers a rest stop and a photo op.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="62.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/5OEvk9g.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Typical scenery for the day. After riding some great road earlier in
this trip it wasn't the same. The twist factor was missing.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="36.63" src="https://i.imgur.com/gheOwnA.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
The twist factor returned a Chief Joseph Pass and near the summit of
Lost Trail Pass. RV slowed progress but not for long. Why are there two
yellow lines in the road?<br />
<br />
Near Sulu Montana I find these guys eating gravel along side the rode.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="72.88" src="https://i.imgur.com/lNmeOnj.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Back in the Columbia River watershed I will end this ride report with a geology feature along I-90 outside St. Regis Montana.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="60.38" src="https://i.imgur.com/CP6FI6P.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
These annual layers of sediments, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varve" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank">called Varves</a>, are from Glacial Lake Missoula.<br />
<br />
The End.
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-81910796083645507232020-07-14T09:39:00.001-07:002020-07-14T09:39:33.500-07:00NE Oregon RideWith new tires on the FJR, good weather in the forecast and Oregon
opening up it was time to head to NE Oregon, spend a couple of nights in
John Day for some great twisty road fun.<br />
<br />
Heading south of Spokane into the wheat fields. Good ride nice day.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/XUyhtZx.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Get to Lewiston and stop at a Subway for sandwich - I go in and take it
with me, for I have a place I want to eat this. On to Asotin Washington
and Hwy 129 where road does some <a class="postlink" href="https://www.google.com/maps/@46.3272246,-117.0595126,3a,75y,278.47h,88.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-eEMLvOchIF6uB2iJ5mseA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656">serious twisting</a>. On this day the land is lush and green not burnt as it is in the photo behind the link.<br />
<br />
I stop at the summit for this photo.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/z5QzmZv.jpg" /><br />
<br />
With a name like this it is likely a good road and it is. There is a
road near Spokane called Corkscrew Canyon and it wasn't so ya never
know.<br />
<br />
I stop here to enjoy the sandwich and the view.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/HiwFwje.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/sZKoOQr.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Looking back up the road. I prefer riding down the Washington side and
riding up the Oregon side as the view are better. It was near here
Cav47 and I ran across a bear with a cub a couple of years ago.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/QM92iRu.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The Wallowa Mountains near Enterprise Oregon. The rivers are running
full of water, the grass is green, with snow in the mountains, the air
is clean and the flowers are out. What a great day.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/keSo6hm.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/jwYLWnz.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/8E8LyFF.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The Minam River along Hwy 82 near Minam Oregon. Nice road but not long after this there was a construction delay. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/sYiIvC2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I zip down to Baker City Oregon and head west on Hwy 7 to Hwy 245. Hwy
245 is one of those roads only locals know about. Hard won knowledge.
It is 190 turns in 10 miles and in my book is one of the best roads in
Oregon. It has great sight lines due to a recent forest fire and the
pavement is good. And there is nobody out here so you are not welcome -
go away! <img alt=":D" class="smilies" height="17" src="https://www.fjriders.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif" title="Very Happy" width="15" /><br />
<br />
Puffy clouds today. Nice.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/RPuc2Ug.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/14ZOKAE.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/SGR36Q8.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/IewjpM9.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I find my way to Hwy 26 on the way to John Day.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/6suvBr2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/AIHO8BX.jpg" /><br />
<br />
forgot to add a bit about climbing the twisty road out of Asotin
Washington. Something was not right, something was missing and I could
not put my finger on what. It didn't feel the same as the 09. No it
wasn't the suspension. Anyway I went on to Rattlesnake Canyon and
enjoyed my sandwich and the views.<br />
<br />
At some point before heading up the other side, a twist fest with great
pavement, I flick it to Sport mode and immediately found what was
missing. The tires paid dearly. Flick the switch and the FJR magic
returns. Yahoo! I had been running in Touring mode most of the time
cause I didn't like the snap in Sport mode. By the time the trip was
over I had trained my wrist to avoid the snap. Keep learning and
changing even at 64.<br />
<br />
Back to day two. Here is the <a class="postlink" href="https://goo.gl/maps/YSpvfJm9MxHgwsm49">route today</a>. Breakfast at the <a class="postlink" href="https://www.outpostpizzapubgrill.com/">Outpost</a>
was great and it was open. Social distancing was easy cause the place
was nearly empty and the folks there were all smiling and happy. After
the griddle breakfast I was on the road. This was going to be a
splendid day.<br />
<br />
An over the shoulder shot somewhere along Hwy 26. Dig the rock formations. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/28SRhon.jpg" /><br />
<br />
From Hwy 26 at Mitchell Oregon I head north on Hwy 207. This is a great
road with some interesting pavement. More good scenery.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/L8HNYFF.jpg" /><br />
<br />
An escape. When I was adjacent to the cows I tested the PIAA slimline
horns. They work well and the cows acceleration is pretty good. The
FJR's was better.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/EfvIgUN.jpg" /><br />
<br />
At Fossil Oregon I head west on Hwy 218 for a down and back. This is a
great road with two ridges to summit. Coming back is icing on the cake
as I can check out the pavement surface for loose gravel, a persistent
problem in Oregon, as the shoulders are all gravel. Nuts.<br />
<br />
This is a photo of the entrance to <a class="postlink" href="https://www.nps.gov/joda/planyourvisit/clarno.htm">John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Clarno Unit</a>. Nice place to take a break but not today - I have twisties on my mind.<br />
<br />
The ride so far has been very good, except the FJR ES Suspension took a
leave of absence north of Mitchell, but it is a very nice day to be out
on the FJR. Then this. Today is 6/4. Nuts.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/x8GH1rs.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I ride on for quite a a while before finding the end. And what a mess
it was. Fresh gravel. Yuck. Thankfully this is a down and back for me
today so I turned around just a bit early.<br />
<br />
The shoulder has about the same amount of gravel as the road.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/8ZTT5yu.jpg" /><br />
<br />
No paint, no joy.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/tBBS5b0.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/leZXeTx.jpg" /><br />
<br />
She sure is pretty but she is a bouncy girl sometimes.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/1IBeNrd.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Back on the solid pavement again, bitumen as they called in the land of OZ.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/YkSH6x2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/Lzmod6c.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I head back to Fossil Oregon then north on Hwy 19 to Condon Oregon where
I take Hwy 206 east, another favorite twisty road. Many years ago I
almost crashed on this road due to gravel on the road but got lucky. I
am smarter now and still lucky too.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/qUHaqup.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The fun begins.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/kctA5IW.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/9XW10Xs.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/qPVhBf3.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Love this road.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/PDoV3SJ.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Then back to greener grounds with more trees along Hwy 207. Nice out
here. Lonely even. There were a couple of riders out here and even a
fellow on a FJR near Heppner. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ukVjyoc.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Pasture land.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/MSqm5SL.jpg" /><br />
<br />
And great roads. This is for you Ray - turning up the tease meter here.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/bkQcct0.jpg" /><br />
<br />
A moment later the kaleidoscope changes again.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/wT5HzpR.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Hwy 207 intersects with Hwy 19 and I enjoy the John Day River with some
dirt in the turn ahead. The sand is unusual and due to heavy rainfall
the week before.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ITUSvTe.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/PCfwGkP.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/XtSpuqL.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The geology here is interesting too. Not far from here is the <a class="postlink" href="https://www.nps.gov/joda/planyourvisit/tcpc.htm">Thomas Condon Paleontology and Visitor Center</a>.
It is a nice place to stop and learn about the past. I have been
there a few times and today I am more interested in my immediate future.
<br />
<br />
Entering Picture Gorge.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/OovbU0R.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Lush green fields and rock formations.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/60afCEK.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/o9OtQPH.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Nuts to paleontology today. I am more interested in a gastronomic experience at the Outpost in John Day.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/lJlgcdX.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Day 3<br />
<br />
I stopped at the Outpost again for breakfast because it is good, I am
creature of habit, and John Day is not a large community. Good
breakfast again. I was odd in a pleasant way to be in a restaurant and
feel about 98% risk free. <br />
<br />
Today route is pretty simple. Up Hwy 395 to Walla Walla Washington then take some back roads home.<br />
<br />
Hwy 395 is well a smooth well paved road crossing three ridges, Battle
Mountain summit, Long Creek summit, Ritter Butte summit and Meadow Brook
summit. It also follows a Comas Creek and the John Day River. The
geography makes the road very entertaining for motorcyclist. An as
usual there are few out here.<br />
<br />
High desert in spring.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ZMJcVFH.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/W8E9nM2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Arrowleaf Balsam Root. It bloom in late April through early June.
These flowers are about finished for the year. We have some of these
just outside our backyard. Pretty while they last.<br />
<br />
Back in the forest along Hwy 395.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/1DoE92N.jpg" /><br />
<br />
My creek and river shots didn't turn out so well. This is the only one and it is just so so. I like the tree leaned over.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/rW1WDgj.jpg" /><br />
<br />
North of Pendleton Oregon and south of Walla Walla there is a few Canola fields.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/4C8C3td.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Looking to take the best roads on my way home I choose Hwy 261 which
goes by Palouse Falls. I choose to skip the falls as I left my park
pass in the car. It is a great road and I decide to practice
photography.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/YduZSYf.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The photo made its way to the banner of the FJRForum, quite the honor.
And thanks to those involved. I had no idea until I got a text one
morning from ~G staying he likes the banner photo on the forum. I check
it out and there it is. Wow.<br />
<br />
More geology. The Palouse River used to flow here 15-20,000 years ago. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/JSbpFpD.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The Missoula floods overwhelmed the ridge to the right a few miles up
the road creating a new path then carved out 4-5 miles of basalt rock
between the Snake River an the present location of Palouse Falls.<br />
<br />
Palouse wheatfields.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/bDsx2jO.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/5Gnd4L7.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Then End.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-64280161044131065922020-05-15T11:26:00.002-07:002020-05-15T11:27:48.801-07:00Northeast WashingtonI am getting close to getting the '17 FJR all set up. Mostly just
adding protective vinyl film. I got the bike back from Texas on March
20th and since then have been a a few day rides but I was looking for
more. Northeast Oregon came to mind but I wasn't sure if I would be
welcome there just yet. <br />
<br />
I have been in Spokane now for 24 months and have missed riding along
Boulder Creek Road to Chesaw. These great roads there plus I had a Heli
Triple Clamp to deliver to JuniorFJR who lives in Wenatchee. This
became a special delivery two day ride and the weather was perfect.<br />
<br />
<a class="postlink" href="https://goo.gl/maps/cRheEViT36XpsPkn9">My route</a> is along roads I know well. Springtime is special with wild flowers, lots of water flowing and new growth on the trees.<br />
<br />
The Spokane River at Little Falls Hydroelectric Power Plant <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/i5nRQu0.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The Spokane River ends it journey merging Lake Roosevelt aka the Columbia River and I stopped to take this photo.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/DTLRyD8.jpg" /><br />
<br />
While stop I snap a shot of what's ahead,<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/g7leWl6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
and what is behind.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/pj51yBq.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Mudget Lake is a scenic spot.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ABQ6Xmr.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Today is the first weekend people are allowed to fish and there were lots of people out.<br />
<br />
On the right a fisherman is crossing the road kicking his fish. You
can't see it in the photo. I am slowing down and come to a stop due to
the pedestrian traffic. Don't know why the fellow was kicking his fish.
The fishermen looked at the FJR longingly as if they wish they were
out riding rather than sitting on their arses contemplating the
contents of their fish hook. I was happy to be a motorcycle rider and
not a fisherman today.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/2LeSfvW.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/x7uCv0X.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Purple flower just after Mudget Lake.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/bbZT5YN.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The Columbia River hasn't filled up yet. It won't be long. Parts of
the river are polluted with heavy metals from mines up river. Where the
sand is toxic just stay off the beach, the water is fine, mostly.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/DTLRyD8.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Snow capped mountains in the distance.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/5Rj3vaQ.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The route take me through Kettle Falls and the falls used to look like this pre Grand Coulee Dam.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://digitalarchives.wa.gov/State/Washington/Images/News/KettleFallsFishing.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The Kettle River just north of, wait for it; here it comes, come on you can guess, pause for a dramatic moment,<br />
Kettle Falls.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/dT91haC.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Cabin along Kettle River.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/Uxn09oX.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Boulder Creek Road is the northern most paved road in Washington running east and west just below the US Canadian border.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/vedVpti.jpg" /><br />
<br />
It is quiet out here. Peaceful. Nice.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/O0MMV8l.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ztIf1qu.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Just outside of Curlew I pull over along the Kettle River for a snack and strip off a layer. No photos.<br />
<br />
A heavily cropped and rotated photo as this was a behind the back shot of Beth Lake along the road to Chesaw.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/uZySN6X.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Heading west again photographically speaking.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/DftS1nt.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Beth and Beaver Lakes are located in a canyon with steep mountains on
each side. This explains why the road is so close the lake.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/wYAfvWr.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Back in farming land on the way to Chesaw.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/LdU0j6c.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ID0eIg7.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Coming into Chesaw reminds me of some small mining town in Colorado.
Notice the speed limit sign and caution sign both advise 25 mph.
Quaint.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/1lJ3iRp.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Chesaw has few summer homes and many people were out in their RVs enjoying a grand Mother's Day weekend.<br />
<br />
I head for Mansfield Washington. Just outside of town is Yeager Rock
along with lot of other rocks scatter in the farmland. I am in a
glacial moraine dating back to the last ice age 15-20,000 years ago. <a class="postlink" href="http://hugefloods.com/Pleistocene.html">These rocks</a> were left when the Cordilleran Ice sheet retreated. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/9UgevOC.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/2SY3T2q.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The rocks dot the landscape forcing farmers to work around them.
Farmers have stacked smaller rocks, the rocks they can move, around the
larger ones.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/rX4aRUD.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I roll into Wenatchee catch a nap before meeting with JuniorFJR to drop
off the Heli Clamps. He smoked some very good ribs for dinner and we
talked about retirement and projects. He has several projects going on.
Very impressive. Just before sundown I head back to my hotel and get
ready for tomorrow. It was a nice day to be on the FJR and meet with
JuniorFJR and his wife.<br />
<br />
Day Two<br />
<br />
The idea today was to ride on a couple of roads I have never been on,
see Moses Coulee because I have never been there and see Monster Rock.<br />
<br />
<a class="postlink" href="https://goo.gl/maps/W23XgZR781FtSR2t8">The route today</a>
didn't go to plan because the guy who likes to rant on Garmin managed
to get a couple of waypoints out of sequence taking him on down and out.
Oh well.<br />
<br />
The route takes me along the Columbia River south of Wenatchee. It was
an enjoyable morning with blue skies the river provideng much needed
relief from the brown basalt rocks. Soon I came upon a large river bar
and I immediately knew it was a bar from the Missoula floods. I pulled
over for a photo.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ya02EcH.jpg" /><br />
<br />
While observing the river bar I noticed <a class="postlink" href="https://washingtonlandscape.blogspot.com/2012/02/giant-ripples.html">giant current ripples</a>,
left overs from an Ice Age Flood. Seeing this was unplanned and
reading about geology was starting to pay off. My photo above is not as
nice as those in the link in the last sentence. Maybe it is time to
start using my cellphone camera as it better in many respects.
Progress, 10 year ago, nobody dreamed a cellphone camera could be so
good.<br />
<br />
Moses Coulee, 15 miles west of Grand Coulee, is the second largest
coulee, with walls 800' high and 50 miles long. It is difficult to
imagine hundreds of feet of flood water form this landscape. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/RGaCYY6.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/OXnZ7bz.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I reach the end of the pavement and turn around. No interest in riding the FJR on a gravel road.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/R5YQ1wl.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/qaPynxq.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/JXomNhQ.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I head back to Hwy 28 on the way to Monster Rock. Blindly following the
GPS before realizing the waypoints are out of sequence creating a down
and back. Oh well. I arrive at Monster Rock.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/D9S41uN.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Monster Rock is one of the larger rocks in a field of rocks deposited
when Ice Age Flood waters fanned out into the Quincy Basin. The debris
simply fell out of solution and the depth of this rock field reaches
400'. So I am parked on 400' of debris rubble from a flood. I try to
wrap my brain around this but no luck.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/YFKqjvl.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/USjY9J1.jpg" /><br />
<br />
As a result of the detour I decide to ride up Grand Coulee. It is simply spectacular. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/gUFpJUO.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/LjJBx4A.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/eoh07i0.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The Dry Falls Interpretive Center was closed due to COVID-19. To get an idea of the scale of the Ice Age Floods <a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnYjRtos6L8&feature=youtu.be">watch this</a> 5 minute video. The best part is at 1:00 minute. <br />
<br />
On to Grand Coulee Dam.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/0DsJuwS.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/aEDqYnj.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/avj4b90.jpg" /><br />
<br />
After the Grand Coulee Dam I ride on Peter Dan road for the first time.
It is a nice mountain road going over a slight summit ending up at the
Sanpoil River where it empties into Lake Roosevelt. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/QR0SUwW.jpg" /><br />
<br />
A ride on the Keller Ferry takes me across Lake Roosevelt on to Hwy 25 and home.<br />
<br />
It was nice to be out for a multi-day ride on the FJR again despite COVID-19.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-17871057251998425092020-03-06T17:31:00.000-08:002020-03-22T12:08:03.051-07:00Fly and Ride 17 FJRLast Christmas I bought a 17 FJR in Austin Texas. I left it with a
friend in New Braunfels. So this is my ride it home trip report and I
will post here as time permits.<br />
<br />
On March 3rd I flew from Spokane Washington to San Antonio Texas. I was
one of the last to see my bag appear in baggage claim - I have a lot
nice gear in that bag and surely didn't want to start off on a sour
note.<br />
<br />
March 4th I started working on the 17 FJR. I have to get it sorted out
before Eddie and I go for a ride. First thing I did to day was check the
engine air filter - it looked good.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/lmAAeNO.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
And looks good on the inside too.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/VKF2Rx1.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Next thing I did was remove cruiser pegs from the Canyon Cages. I gave
the pegs to my friend Eddie and he will find a new owner. I would not
dream of selling them to anybody on this forum - that would be evil.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/rL6ZW7i.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
The third thing I did to my FJR today was check the saddle bag latch screws. This is what I found.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/U5s4pBj.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
I found both sides missing one screw and each remaining screw was not
very tight. Off to the store to get two screws which we found a Yamaha
store and the price was free! Eddie knows the parts guy.<br />
<br />
Install four screws with locktite. Problem solved. Thank goodness for this forum for pointing out these screws need locktite.<br />
<br />
The last thing I did to the FJR today was install a Tankslapper vinyl film kit. That took most of the afternoon.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow we go out for a shakedown ride.<br />
<br />
<br />
March 5th daily ditty.<br />
<br />
Today I installed the gas tank ring for my Bags Connection tank bag.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/dM95iPM.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Next was to install my hydration system. The foot peg screws had to be removed with a impact driver.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/K0PKE01.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
To use my heated jacket I had to remove the SAE battery tender cable
and replace it with a coax cable I brought with me. I have an coax to
SAE adapter to use the battery tender. Mickey Mouse appeared after
removing the battery panel and terminals.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/t4T3Ord.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
I decided to address Mickey Mouse later as I was short on time. Adding
an additional battery connector prevents the battery screw from
engaging.<br />
<br />
The negative battery terminal nut was cockeyed and the screw would not
engage, so without terminals installed, I loosely engaged the screw then
put some bubble wrap under the nut.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/OfUtpCv.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
After placing the terminals the screw started then I removed the bubble wrap.<br />
<br />
As with most things it is harder to put things back together than take
them apart. So it was with the battery panel. Some of this was due to
the large Garmin cradle wire loom located outboard of the battery
putting lateral pressure on the fairing. With some trail and error I
finally got it all back together.<br />
<br />
After adding air to the tires we were off for a ride.<br />
<br />
Here are some images.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/k4zyjBL.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/pwB5d47.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/5MciuBa.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/ZucpaNg.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Some first impressions of the 17. It is smooth. This six speed trany is
a nice upgrade and I really enjoy the less clutch lever effort. The
cruise control is top notch - I have never had one before. The Puig
screen was in the highest position all day and for me, 5' 11 3/4" 31
inch inseam, with a Russell saddle, wind noise was an issue, not
terrible but noticeable. I am coming off an 09 with a Cee Bailey tall
screen with a reverse flip and I prefer sitting in a bubble of calm air.
Upon returning to Eddie's I installed a tall Vstream - more on that
after I try it out - thanks Ray! The Puig sure looked good though.<br />
<br />
--G is right. The foot peg lowering kit will be removed tomorrow
morning. The prior owner didn't reposition the gear shift or brake pedal
and lifting my foot to access the controls is unwelcome. I will hold
on to them for now but they hit the ground twice today. I never had
them on my 09 with over 100,000 miles and don't think I will need them.<br />
<br />
We are doing parts of the Tour of Texas and today hit three points.<br />
<br />
LBJ History park near Johnson City.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/EcDIUmk.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Texas Ranger Heritage Center and Tower.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/sMB8VM3.jpg" width="600" /><br />
<br />
Luckenbach Post Office in Luckenbach Texas.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/ocWYBiN.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
We road about 200 miles today. Eddie knows every back road here. Like this one. The pavement is to the left.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/q1d4DlR.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
We had a good day to day and I am looking forward to more.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
<ul class="ipsComment_controls ipsClearfix ipsItemControls_left" data-role="commentControls"><div class="ipsType_normal ipsType_richText ipsContained" data-controller="core.front.core.lightboxedImages" data-role="commentContent">
Here is the daily ditty for March 6, 2020.<br />
<br />
Today I removed the foot peg lowering parts. They lower the foot pegs
by 1 3/4 inches. I think they are the devil's seed. You may have a
different opinion so they are for sale. Price negotiable. I have been
kind of busy today - things have not gone to plan. You won't get them
till I get home because they are in a box with other stuff I sent home
today.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/C0ZY0TL.jpg" width="360" /><br />
<br />
Here is a photo of the pegs in their proper places where my feet can
use the controls quickly. I road the bike a short distance after
removing the foot pegs and immediately felt right at home. Nice!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/0IJ7omT.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/DI24UW2.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Next I bled the front and rear brakes. The rear was very mushy and had a long throw. Not now!<br />
<br />
I mounted the Vstream tall windscreen and went for a short ride. I only
needed to move it a short distance up to find the optimal height. Long
story short I sold the Puig to inmate NTXFJR.<br />
<br />
Plans have changed. My friend Eddie and I planned on going to Big Bend
National Park, but now Eddie can't go. Tomorrow I am off to visit
in-laws in Llano Texas for a couple of day before continuing east.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
Daily ditty for March 7, 2020.<br />
<br />
I am going to rename this trip to it didn't work out as planned. The
plan today was to visit my in-laws in Llano Texas. One of the four kids
was sick but I could stay with my step daughter's step father. That was
the plan created yesterday. This morning Jerrod, my step daughter's
husband calls, to say my step daughter, Lindsey is sick, as is Ben one
of the twins with the flu. Anyway I decide to stay with Jerrod's parents
and visit them and Brody the oldest child. Not long after arriving in
Llano, Brody is getting sick too.<br />
<br />
Anyway it was a good riding day today. Eddie and I rode to Llano today,
then he went back home. I rode about 5 hours including a short lunch
stop in Comfort Texas. Good roads and good weather.<br />
<br />
Guadalupe River Road. Nice!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="57.34" src="https://i.imgur.com/MEYSeff.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/YgMBvuq.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="55.47" src="https://i.imgur.com/SWxretm.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="45.16" src="https://i.imgur.com/hMPjJP6.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/hNjl3uN.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/JkX5byw.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treue_der_Union_Monument" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Treue der Union Monument a stop on the Grand Tour of Texas.</a> a way point of the <a href="https://motorcyclegrandtouroftexas.com/" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas.</a><br />
<br />
Another stop for the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas in Comfort Texas.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/yw31IjU.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
We stopped at High's Cafe in Comfort Texas for lunch.<br />
<br />
Food porn.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/zsnxNpE.jpg" width="480" /><br />
<br />
Artwork at the restaurant.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/mUM7kRR.jpg" width="480" /><br />
<br />
Back on the road again.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/bncxniQ.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/XNGLMbk.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
A back road. Eddie knows all of them. I just had to follow along.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/hLT0IqQ.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Willow Springs road.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/OOx1pE5.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/rukSnyk.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Head_Cemetery" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Baby Head Cemetery</a> a way point on the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
Daily Ditty March 9, 2020.<br />
<br />
On March 8 2020 I spent time with my in-laws in Llano Texas. My grand
daughter Magi, age 6, was helping the twins, age 3, ride a small bicycle
with training wheels. She lifted them on the seat then pushed or pulled
the cycle. It was a pleasure to see them playing together so well.<br />
<br />
I also went for a 3 mile walk and bought my Mom a Birthday card.<br />
<br />
March 9, 2020 went for a ride today and here is my <a href="https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=21ecf5e65728c154b9&hoursPast=0&showAll=yes" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank"> Spotwalla Track</a>.
The straight line exists because I had to update my Android setting to
allow the phone app Bubbler to have persistent location access.<br />
<br />
The Grand Tour of Texas includes Hill Country Motorheads Motorcycle
Museum in Burnett so I stopped for a photo. It was closed today but if
you every have the change do go. It is a fun place with all sorts of old
iron.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/dFVrvaJ.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Soon after this it started to rain with temps in the upper 60 and low 70's. Yuck. My rain gear worked well.<br />
<br />
The next stop was lunch at Classic Rock Coffee Co. & Kitchen in Navasota. It too is a Grand Tour of Texas way point.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/swS6lQH.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Eddie and I had lunch here and he brought a Throttle Rocker with him.
Thanks Eddie! It was a pleasure staying with you and thanks for all your
help.<br />
<br />
Tonight I am staying near the Johnson Space Center and will go on a tour tomorrow.<br />
<br />
When out for Sushi tonight. Very good.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/wmEdrR0.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
The tall Vstream windshield works very well for me. Yes! Love the
cruise control. It allows different hand positions negating the need for
having the bars closer to me like my 09 with the Heli Riser clamp.
Distance today was 330 miles and I feel good and the cruise control
helped out a lot. It is like a safety feature keep the rider refresher
longer. Still getting used to the electronic information display. I wish
I could move have my own screen and select the info I want.<br />
<br />
The 17 FJR came with a Yamaha top case. I have a Givi 45 on my 09. I
like the looks of the Yamaha case and it functions well. I like the
closing mechanism much better than the Givi. The Yamaha case is
certainly smaller. Anybody got opinions on the Yamaha top case?<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
Daily Ditty March 10, 2020.<br />
<br />
Today I played tourist at the Johnson Space Center near Houston Texas. I
spent about 8 hours here and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I was 13 years
old when men landing on the Moon in 1969 so I remember the excitement of
the space program. And as I worked in aerospace for 38 years I
appreciate the technical and engineering excellence of the space
program.<br />
<br />
The entrance to Rocket Park.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/6Hfp81F.jpg" width="480" /><br />
<br />
This J2 engine powered the second stage of the Saturn V rocket.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/TD1KYKT.jpg" width="480" /><br />
<br />
Here is the technical summary.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/IZrNXQX.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Main booster engine for the Saturn V. There was 5 of these on each rocket.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/r7qdWCE.jpg" width="480" /><br />
<br />
Here are the specs:<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/nyBSBmZ.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
This is one of three remaining Saturn V rockets. It was restored and now resides in a very large climate controlled room.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/Qjp76at.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
After looking at the size of the command module used during the Apollo mission I found this amusing.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/tKcABz4.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Astronauts have a different point of view of the planet earth after having spent time in space.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/i3lAHcn.jpg" width="480" /><br />
<br />
The first stage engines.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/EZ6cRNZ.jpg" width="480" /><br />
<br />
The second sage:<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/2qJ1KQI.jpg" width="480" /><br />
<br />
The third stage:<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/eRwmK83.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
The beginning of a phrase that lives to this day:<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/LE277IZ.jpg" width="360" /><br />
<br />
The rocket is huge. This is an impressive display.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/gD3pMSt.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
The exterior of the rocket was restored but these circuit card buckets need just a wee bit of work!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/JutviFz.jpg" width="480" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/Qg8xsrn.jpg" width="480" /><br />
<br />
The Mercury capsule. David Bowie was right, "sitting in my tin can"<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/rKfLFQ3.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
The Lunar Command Module seats just three abreast with not much room for anything else. Good grief.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/5LP7Tsm.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
This was not at the Johnson Space Center.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/gTfOK2q.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
This was in the Thai restaurant I ate at tonight.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
The daily ditty.<br />
<br />
March 11, 2020<br />
<br />
I road from the Johnson Space Center to Hppants house. Like nearly
every day on this trip this one had an unplanned event as well.<br />
<br />
The day started out well enough. I took the coast route. It was a foggy morning.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="58.59" src="https://i.imgur.com/iD9pCXt.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="66.88" src="https://i.imgur.com/XiHZpra.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Gee there is a quip here somewhere but I am tired tonight. Pile on!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/uWVMAOg.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="39.69" src="https://i.imgur.com/kMgrVj0.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Houston, we have a problem.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/MZbVQLV.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Two and half hours into the ride the Yamaha tail bag is gone. I must
have not latched it properly. Must of confused it with the Givi box
which latches securely just be pushing it into place. After quickly
recovering from the initial shock I did an quick mental inventory. I
lost a pair of tennis shoes, smoke visor for helmet, 1/2 cover for the
bike and Rev'it winter gloves, not to mention the box. Now I don't have a
decision to make which top box I will use in the future. <img alt=":)" data-ratio="113.33" height="17" src="https://www.fjriders.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif" title="Smile" width="15" />
Anyway it could have been a lot worse. I don't loose heated gear or
difficult to replace electronics. Later in the day a Cycle Gear replaced
cover and some winter gloves. I have a pair of sandels that will get me
through and the visor was on it's last legs.<br />
<br />
Anyway as Redfish noted above we had a great dinner at Hppants. It was
great to meet the Redfish, Pops, Hppants, Mike and Tom. Had a splendid
time. Great hospitality.<br />
<br />
March 12, 2020<br />
<br />
Hppants, Mike and I were going to go for a ride today. Hppants' job
collided with the COVID-19 virus and those plans were scuttled at
breakfast. Pants felt really low about that. Another unplanned event. Go
with the flow.<br />
<br />
I wanted to go to Barber Motorsports but the weather forecast was
rubbish. Lots of rain. The forecast the way west around San Antonio was
good for two days then rubbish thereafter. So I bailed and started the
journey home. Good news, it was in the low 70's today with overcast
skies - perfect riding conditions. Also who knows of Barber Motorsports
will be open due to the virus so maybe it is time to get home. If I do I
can help my wife post foot surgery.<br />
<br />
Hppants insisted return on the same coastal route I came except go to Gavelston Island via the ferry. So I did. Here is my <a href="https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=21ecf5e65728c154b9&hoursPast=0&showAll=yes" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank"> Spotwalla Track</a><br />
<br />
This is a crawfish harvesting field. The little cones are craw fish traps.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="33.59" src="https://i.imgur.com/rtTX9Sh.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
The beach today. I wouldn't want to be here during a high tide with a storm.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="39.38" src="https://i.imgur.com/nkCCw3c.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="60.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/zD0B3VL.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
The ferry ride at Galveston. That was pretty cool. I only had to wait
about 20 minutes to board. The poor soul going the other way were lined
up about 1/2 mile.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="43.59" src="https://i.imgur.com/5uXCfmJ.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
A auto ferry going the other way.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="64.69" src="https://i.imgur.com/RrdqQaR.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
The architecture on Galveston Island is interesting. High surf goes right under the house.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="47.50" src="https://i.imgur.com/um3NFbQ.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
On the island the first few miles where right on the beach and it was
rather crowded. Hotels on the right side, beach on the left. People
everywhere. Shucks Ocean Shores Washington is utterly deserted compared
to this - of course it is colder there too.<br />
<br />
Well that's it for the night. Thanks for following along.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
Daily Ditty.<br />
<br />
March 13, 2020<br />
<br />
Nearly no unplanned events today, except 2 miles from the hotel there
was a traffic jam for some reason so I took a 45 minute detour to get
around the mess. <br />
<br />
Today the temps were between 71 and 82 with partly cloudy skies,
straight roads, good pavement and a tires full of air, meaning I check
the tires this morning and they are fine.<br />
<br />
I stopped at five Motorcycle Grand Tour Of Texas sites today and mostly
avoided the Interstate although my route was mostly on divided highway
and I am not complaining.<br />
<br />
First stop was at Stephen Austin statue.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/0YJrrVU.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Next stop was at the Vietnam War Memorial in Hallettsville Texas.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/6iYIoiy.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Statue of Liberty is in Halletsville too. Who of thunk? Not a bad
looking bike either. Hey Redfish you can detail my bike anytime.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ArGlcLn.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The Juan Seguin Burial Site also in Hallettsville Texas.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/YCl0JsR.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The Bluebonnets where out in a few places today.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/fBpFkDM.jpg" /><br />
<br />
My favorite stop today was the world's largest Pecan in Seguin Texas.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/qSyCT8p.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Yesterday was a 300 mile day with 2 ferry crossing taking about 1 hour.
Today was about 435 so tomorrow I will step it up a bit more to take
advantage of the good weather.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
oday I crossed a time zone so took the opportunity to make good use of the extra hour by riding about 540 miles today.<br />
<br />
When I started this morning the humidity was 80% and the temp was about 67 degree something I don't experience very often.<br />
<br />
Dig these layer of rock. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/8AgVqli.jpg" /><br />
<br />
About an hour into the ride it started to rain lightly. I got to try
out my inexpensive Bilt gloves I bought in Lafayette and I was quite
surprise how warm there are. Tomorrow I get to test them again as the
temps will be in the lower 40's when I get rolling.<br />
<br />
Not long after the rain quite it cleared off and the land, flatter than a
pancake for the past two days, started to show some shape again. Oh
the joy!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/7YJmjhg.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/Tunfgkf.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Also the prior two days was mostly gray and overcast. The blue sky was a welcome change and I love desert riding like this.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/79mM6W4.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ccR75nj.jpg" /><br />
<br />
My last stop of the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/XVERfqa.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Any old volcano. Not long after this there was columns of basalt rock similar to Eastern Washington.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/kKipj0c.jpg" /><br />
<br />
A yellow caution turn sign and blue sky along Hwy 118 near Fort Davis. Nice road.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/opY6zXb.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/7cbMRFM.jpg" /><br />
<br />
And another turn. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/HdRRa1Q.jpg" /><br />
<br />
After 3 days of riding I arrive in:<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/W9oJJVT.jpg" /><br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
Daily Ditty a day late.<br />
<br />
I ended up in Deming New Mexico on March 14 after a 500 mile day.<br />
<br />
On Sunday March 15 I did it again.<br />
<br />
This was a get down the freeway day. It is what it is. Tonight as I
write this the COVID-19 capturing the national attention and hard
supplies are in heavy demand from coast to coast. TP and cleaning
supplies seem hardest hit. Restaurants, bars, brewpub and wineries are
closed in Washington States. In Oregon restaurants can provide take out.
In California bars, brewpubs and wineries are closed, except in LA
County where only take out will be allowed tomorrow. It is getting worse
by the day. Fear is gripping the nation. Next will motels be closed?
Canada closed it's boarder today to non-Canadians. Canadians are heading
back home from the SW US in mass after being told there health care
coverage was no longer valid in the US.<br />
<br />
This is not the time to be out touring on a motorcycle. So home it is and as quickly as I can with safety a priority.<br />
<br />
Anyway here are some images from Sunday March 15th.<br />
<br />
I have a thing for mountains. This is in New Mexico.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="32.66" src="https://i.imgur.com/RnEZ1WP.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="35.63" src="https://i.imgur.com/UajEDRh.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Hello Arizona.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="69.69" src="https://i.imgur.com/pYY9YT8.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
It is spring in Arizona.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/KjkUJTo.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
This photo was a mistake but it illustrates why I don't like the stock
mirrors. Notice the hand grip is clearly in view. Once my hand is there I
can only see to the side but not what is behind me. Grrrrr. I have FZ1
mirrors on my 09 and they will be on my 17 soon.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="74.84" src="https://i.imgur.com/tbpOvU7.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
The yellow flowers were sure pretty.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="48.59" src="https://i.imgur.com/LqocOJs.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
There was this odd rock formation with boulders like this over an area
about 1 square mile or so. By the time I got my camera out this is all I
got. Sure was an odd place compared to the surrounding area.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/2qB32MO.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/91pvq2i.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
I was on Arizona 85 north when this thing passed me doing about 75 mph. The speed limit was 70 and I was doing about 68. Crazy.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="59.06" src="https://i.imgur.com/bMI5Mc8.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Nice looking peak.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="38.91" src="https://i.imgur.com/Wdcx7IB.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
I landed in Blythe California and I was tired after two successive 500
mile days. The trip was begin to loose it's luster with COVID-19 getting
worse by the day. Stops at museums are not advised or they are simply
closed.<br />
<br />
Rather than update this post I laid out a ride plan on a spreadsheet to
get home. I balanced some fun road with 350 mile days, something I can
ride successively without getting tired.<br />
<br />
March 16, 2020<br />
<br />
Today I rode from Blythe to near Indio California, about 1.5 hours, to
visit a friend who is spending the winter in his RV in Southern
California. His wife made us a great lunch and we shot the breeze for
about 2 hours before I headed to Passadena and get here just in time to
beat a soaking rain.<br />
<br />
Here is my bike in the parking lot.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/WPXdue0.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
All in all it was about 215 miles today and this was a set up to for
the rest of the ride home. The storm will blow out by 9:00pm tonight and
I should have a pretty nice ride tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Today is Monday and I expect to be home on Friday afternoon.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
Daily Ditty<br />
<br />
March 17, 2020<br />
<br />
Today I rode 320 miles but it was a great day. Last nights weather blew
through and left puffy clouds the majority of the day. I started out to
to temperatures in to low 50's.<br />
<br />
I had been thinking about this day the entire trip. I finally got off the freeway today to enjoy this:<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="117.94" src="https://i.imgur.com/oysZptm.jpg" width="407" /><br />
<br />
The Pacific Ocean. Six days ago I was along the Gulf Of Mexico in
Louisiana and Texas. I have been up Hwy 1 before and was thrilled it was
a great day for riding.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/MdCDKvI.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Nice day for photos with a few clouds in the sky.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="65.94" src="https://i.imgur.com/Cwo0KTb.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
The road is cut into steep cliffs so I was checking the Cal Trans app
before I left this morning to make sure it was still open!<br />
<br />
The views are spectacular as it the road. I got to lean the '17 over
pretty good for the first time. The Angel GT tracked just fine.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="56.88" src="https://i.imgur.com/MHuH4Ou.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/MW7Gfv7.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Stopped at the Elephant Seal Vista Point.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/0s4Rxcp.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/gcavNZP.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/wJrbzIF.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
It was nice to have time today to stop and see the sights along the way.<br />
<br />
Big Creek Bridge, Big Sur.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/T5qGOhF.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
A different view farther away.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/0IALaPH.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Gee did I say it was a great day?<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/Zi2qVCM.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
McWay Falls.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/Ldtedrv.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Calendar worthy?<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/nmMYx30.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="64.69" src="https://i.imgur.com/WiR3dx1.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/H3QJWmo.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
I landed in Monterey after a 7 hour day. It was spectacular.<br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
Daily Ditty<br />
<br />
March 19, 2020<br />
<br />
Silver Linings<br />
<br />
Let's continue with the silver linings theme as negativity is weary.<br />
<br />
This morning I heated up a burrito for breakfast. Silver lining I had breakfast.<br />
<br />
I got going about 9:00am and it was 42 with blue skies. Silver lining was the weather was great today.<br />
<br />
I got to see Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox today. Silver lining is fantasy is a good diversion.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/iETWSdp.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Why is it named Babe the Blue Ox when clearly this Ox is male?<br />
<br />
I got to see big Redwood trees today.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="54.84" src="https://i.imgur.com/htPWFDw.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/89Mc9pS.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/wWaUzMf.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/8kRwxP9.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
My Garmin 590 is paired to the Garmin app. It told me Hwy 101 was
closed and told me on a 2.5 hour detour. Silver lining is the Garmin
thought the traffic light controlled one way road on Hwy 101 was a lane
closure. I will refrain from a Garmin rant here, damn my lip is
bleading. I just want an Android Auto Head Unit for a motorcycle than
can be controlled by gloves and connect to my phone.<br />
<br />
I got to see the Pacific Ocean today and that is the silver lining.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="45.31" src="https://i.imgur.com/YSAEC5B.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="52.19" src="https://i.imgur.com/oDEYtVA.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="39.22" src="https://i.imgur.com/RrNBjSt.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="41.09" src="https://i.imgur.com/zW5n3DE.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
I got to ride on Hwy 199 today. Silver lining is its a nice twisty road
and I had a clean pass except for a couple of knuckheads who could not
read the slower vehicles used turn out signs. They were dispatched
quickly not be bee seen again with a well deserved salute.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="55.47" src="https://i.imgur.com/2qRcJWK.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="56.72" src="https://i.imgur.com/AuTc1Nx.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="59.06" src="https://i.imgur.com/5XFTIjv.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
I entered Oregon today. Silver lining is I am fine and closer to home.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="68.44" src="https://i.imgur.com/hP3zCFE.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
I used DoorDash today to have food delivered to my hotel. Was great!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="82.62" src="https://i.imgur.com/ENpppvz.jpg" width="581" /><br />
<br />
To be continued.<br />
<br />
Daily Ditty<br />
<br />
March 20, 2020<br />
<br />
How about more silver linings today?<br />
<br />
Using the McDonald's app on my phone I order breakfast and walk to the
store next door and stand in app order stall 4. Within 5 minutes I have
breakfast. Silver lining is I have breakfast and I am learning to be
more flexible.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="74.13" src="https://i.imgur.com/fupmFR3.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
Today was a blue sky day with some haze and moderate temperatures.
Silver lining is it is a nice day for the final day of this trip.<br />
<br />
My route takes me along the Columbia River Gorge. The Gorge is a
natural venturi and the Silver lining is it is not blowing today.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="34.25" src="https://i.imgur.com/H5bePNC.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
I decide to get off the freeway give you a show of the Columbia River
Gorge. Silver lining this ride report will be better for it!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/3v9Qg6P.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
The white wood guard rail is a used to add character to <a href="https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/scenic-drives/the-historic-columbia-river-highway/" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank">the highway</a>
as this was used back in the day over 100 years ago. Motorist are in
the debt of Sam Hill and Sam Lancaster for this wonderful road. The
engineering alignment generally had a maximum grade of 5% and curve
radius of 200 feet.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/o0a8wgh.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
There are several waterfalls on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. This is <a href="https://www.gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/wahkeena.shtml" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Wakeena Falls.</a><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/adGIznv.jpg" width="600" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/RFlabAu.jpg" width="600" /><br />
<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsetail_Falls_%28Oregon%29" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Horsetail Falls</a><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/yeuMQZD.jpg" width="480" /><br />
<br />
Now back on the freeway on the way to Mosier.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="34.75" src="https://i.imgur.com/fX02zAD.jpg" width="800" /><br />
<br />
The Columbia River. Silver lining I was here today!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://imgur.com/7wjJiCa" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="Image" data-ratio="37.81" src="https://i.imgur.com/7wjJiCa.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/dn0J4w0.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Self portrait. Silver lining is I didn't drop the camera.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/IcKUYcx.jpg" width="480" /><br />
<br />
In Mosier Oregon on Hwy 30.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="59.06" src="https://i.imgur.com/qW6shdI.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
This is for you Hppants. Once Joey told me he wanted to rider every
Rowena Curve when he comes out west despite this being a short but sweet
section of road. Silver lining I am the the Rowena Curves, again, darn.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/CPgJfmJ.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/2SzJUeD.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/WnW3Eg4.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/YtYS6EA.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/1lXeIj2.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
The Ice Age Floods carved these cliffs and created the spectacular water falls. Please take a <a href="http://hugefloods.com/ColumbiaGorge.html" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank">couple of minutes learn</a> about this dramatic landscape. There is also a video in page too.<br />
<br />
Also near Bonneville Dam there was a large landslide and <a href="https://www.pbs.org/video/bridge-of-the-gods-landslide-amtj9r/" rel="external nofollow noopener" target="_blank">here is a 5 minute </a>video from Nick Zentner a Geology Professor at Central Washington University. Nick is a natural at teaching.<br />
<br />
Mt. Hood in the distance. Silver lining was it was a clear day.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="35.16" src="https://i.imgur.com/hFetQpA.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
John Day Dam. Silver lining it didn't breach today? That is dark humor and should be banned from silver linings!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="52.97" src="https://i.imgur.com/iaS2pIf.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Back in Washington State on the north side of the Columbia River. State Route 14 is a nice road.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="53.13" src="https://i.imgur.com/Qjg9fP8.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Interesting rock formation on the right.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.35" src="https://i.imgur.com/60wSS85.jpg" width="637" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/HsSL8Li.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Heading home. Silver lining is I made it home safe and sound.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" data-ratio="75.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/zEvVkzg.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
To be continued. Yeah there is a bit more. <br />
<br />
Daily Ditty<br /><br />
March 22, 2020<br /><br />
The Epilogue<br /><br />
In total I road about 4650 miles. From Lafayette to Spokane, a 9 day
ride, I road 3400 miles for an average of about 375 per day.<br /><br />
The tires on the bike when I bought it made it home. The were are a set
of Pirelli Angel GTs and I believe there were new are nearly new.<br /><br />
At 16,850 miles the front tire measures 5/32" in of tread while the
rear had 8/23" in. Now at 21,500 miles the front tire measure 3/3/2" in
of tread while the rear had 5/23" in. The measurements were taken
adjacent to the wear bars at the near the top of the tire.<br /><br />
The front tire is a starting to square off just a bit while the rear is
has a nice radius. I won't make any other comparisons because my 09 is
GP front suspension and a Penske at the rear while the 17 has ES
suspenders so it is hard to tell how the tires performs with much
different suspension systems. In addition most of the miles I traveled
were on the flat roads.<br /><br />
Front tire.<br /><br /><img alt="Image" data-ratio="120.00" src="https://i.imgur.com/RM0WsgQ.jpg" width="400" /><br /><br />
Rear tire.<br /><br /><img alt="Image" data-ratio="133.33" src="https://i.imgur.com/EokDgB8.jpg" width="480" /><br /><br />
When I left on this trip, our home, recently flooded due to a plumber's
error installing a water conditioner, was waiting for repair. My wife
needed foot surgery to remove a bony growth on her toe and needs a
dental implant.<br /><br />
When I returned home nothing had changed except my wife has a mild case
of bronchitis. No work was done on the house. The work starts tomorrow.
Due to COVID-19 Linda's medical and dental work is postponed until
things return to normal. [Rant] And I don't want to hear the cliché
"This is the new normal." In my lifetime there is nothing normal about
the coronavirus spreading around the world and it will eventually run
its course. [/EndRant]<br /><br />
I had enough going on at the beginning of this trip to tilt the stress
meter. Then while on the trip the coronavirus epidemic explodes
nationwide and the unplanned events impact the trip. As a result I
started to suffer from anxiety. My blood pressure was up during the trip
and to be safe I went to a hospital where I was diagnosed with higher
than normal blood pressure and an EKG test was normal a big Silver
Lining! Yesterday my wife Linda, a former Nurse Practitioner, checked my
BP with an old school tool and found it 134/80. I am still not settled
but I am trying to avoid stressors such as the news. I have started to
re-appropriate farkles from the 09 to the 17 and this has a calming
effect. Silver lining is my situation is much better than many others in
the country and I have a bit of anxiety medication at home.<br /><br />
Hopefully you can find silver linings in your life today. Thanks for following along.<br /><br />
The End.
</div>
</ul>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-48229533575466294412018-06-12T09:10:00.000-07:002018-06-12T09:10:04.133-07:00FJRiders Hat Goes to Dry Falls Visitor CenterI am fascinated by the Great Glacial Floods that shaped the landscape in
Eastern Washington and Northwest Oregon. One of the best places to
learn about the Great Floods is, get ready for it, here it comes, is Dry
Falls Visitor Center. The Grand Coulee was carved out by the Great
Flood. The carving process is illustrated below.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Formation_of_Grand_Coulee.png" /><br />
<br />
Today Grand Coulee is 400 feet deep and 3.5 miles wide. The floods were
were 300 higher so Dry Falls were merely a bump for water on its way to
the Pacific Ocean. Learn more about the Great Floods by <a class="postlink" href="https://wadnr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=84ea4016ce124bd9a546c5cbc58f9e29">visiting this web site</a>. Take few minutes to study the history to increase your appreciation of the Great Floods on this landscape.<br />
<br />
The <a class="postlink" href="https://goo.gl/maps/gRz7WYmvz6q">trip today</a> starts out innocently enough with an railroad museum near Davenport Washington.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/vd9Qnth.jpg" /><br />
<br />
It is straight road in farmland country skirting the lower Okanogan Highlands so there are a few pine trees here and there.<br />
<br />
I arrive at Dry Falls Visitor Center and read this:<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/vGUMuKp.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Zow the water was 300 feet higher than the top of the Coulee.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/iQRTWPW.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/MIep6HX.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/03Mgsqx.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The cliffs are 400 high.....<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/iL3MkTh.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The FJRiders.com hat was impressed.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/MDNXCAe.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ZsdSdhZ.jpg" /><br />
<br />
At the interpretive center I learned about the <a class="postlink" href="http://www.glaciallakemissoula.org/virtualtour/camasprarie.html">Camas Prairie Ripple Marks</a> in Montana created by Glacial Lake Missoula. This was the last piece of definitive evidence supporting the Great Floods theory.<br />
<br />
Now it was time to head north and find some twisty roads so I head north along Banks Lake.<br />
<br />
Remember this cliffs here are 400' tall.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" height="282" src="https://i.imgur.com/wqjJa4y.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" height="309" src="https://i.imgur.com/qjl8JIt.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Steamboat Rock<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" height="289" src="https://i.imgur.com/OTHIbGi.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Neat rock formations. Great Floods are good!<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" height="260" src="https://i.imgur.com/zYbDMGO.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Grand Coulee Dam - named after the Grand Coulee but it was not
understood what formed the Grand Coulee until long after the dam was
built.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/OVMZpyR.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/AlGHS6n.jpg" /><br />
<br />
The best twisty sections are on Cache Creek and Bridge Creek roads.
Bridge Creek is 45 miles long with lots of twisty stuff. This is where
my new Dunlop RS3s got scrubbed in pretty good. The Colville tribe has
set the speed limit at 35mph near the summit. Clearly this is notional.
FJR nominal is perfect for this great road.<br />
<br />
Inchelium-Gifford Ferry.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/pswGvYb.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Clouds to the north. I was heading south.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/5OX2EmI.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Near Hunters Washington.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/06ljCr2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/ITYLDTU.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/uetccYJ.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Self portrait.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/RZ31oKC.jpg" /><br />
<br />
FJR.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/xfv4XSi.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Columbia River near Wellpinit.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/8kozuKF.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/eUv7tCM.jpg" /><br />
<br />
It was a great day to be retired and on the FJR!Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-2389632576710213252018-05-30T21:27:00.000-07:002018-05-30T21:27:29.154-07:00Three Scenic Byways Three States One Day<div>
Today I rode <a class="bbc_url" href="https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/scenic-byways-backcountry-drives/white-pine-scenic-byway/" rel="nofollow external" title="External link">The White Pine Scenic Byway </a>, <a class="bbc_url" href="https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/scenic-byways-backcountry-drives/st-joe-river-scenic-byway/" rel="nofollow external" title="External link"> The St. Joe River Scenic Byway </a> and bits of the Palouse Scenic Byway.<br />
<br />
It was a grand day with temps between 65 and 72 degrees and blue skies.
Three scenic byways and three states in one day equals too much fun.
This retirement gig is very nice. Here is the <a class="bbc_url" href="https://goo.gl/maps/aPUcDuPYZXq" rel="nofollow external" title="External link">route.</a><br />
<br />
Starting in the wheat fields south of Spokane this route includes pieces of <a class="bbc_url" href="https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/LocalPrograms/ScenicByways/Palouse.htm" rel="nofollow external" title="External link">Palouse Scenic Byway.</a>
This Byway is described by the state as a patchwork quilt of rolling
terrain taking you over hundreds of miles of undulating hills, rich
farmlands, and friendly rural communities. A quick look at the map
brings something simpler to mind - the Palouse scenic byway is a cluster
fuk of several roads.<br />
<br />
I entered the town of Potlach Idaho and was struck by how quaint it was.
This is a place I will come back to spend some time. There was a
interesting RV park, nice downtown core and then a dusty field with
folks playing baseball on a dusty field with an audience in the stands.
It was a mixed league with both men and women playing but at distance it
was hard to make out their ages but there were no blue hairs out there.
Mid-week not a school or little league yet people where playing
baseball. How cool is that? Field of Dreams.<br />
<br />
Potalch marks the southern end of The White Pine Scenic Byway featuring
mountain views and farmland. The Palouse Divide Nordic Ski Area is the
summit at 3200 feet and for 2 miles each side of the summit the twisty
road is very good with some frost heaves but the speed limit is reduced
from 55 to 35. The 35 mph is limit was promptly ignored as I was riding
FJR nominal. It became clear as I spend time in Idaho any areas deemed a
hazard was mark with a 35 mph sign. Blah.<br />
<br />
I roll in to St. Maries (pronounced like "St. Mary's") and fuel up. Next
up is the St. Joe River Scenic Byway and this was the highlight of the
day. It was a 90 mile down and 90 mile back road along the, get ready,
here it comes, .... the St. Joe River. Fontanaman loves river roads and
today I got to ride 180 miles of river road in spring time when the
river is flowing with mountain snow runoff. Most excellent except for
some frost heaves and dubious pavement on places.<br />
<br />
For this ride I got my groove on by playing some <a class="bbc_url" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=st.+joe+marcy+playground&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-ab" rel="nofollow external" title="External link">Marcy Playground.</a> And then the scenery improved. So enough of my silly narrative and let's get to the photos.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="tYxZeLz.jpg" class="bbc_img" height="314" src="https://i.imgur.com/tYxZeLz.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
<br />
Same trees different composition.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="cUn5r6d.jpg" class="bbc_img" height="317" src="https://i.imgur.com/cUn5r6d.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="RDQYuS0.jpg" class="bbc_img" height="480" src="https://i.imgur.com/RDQYuS0.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="vUBwM5i.jpg" class="bbc_img" height="409" src="https://i.imgur.com/vUBwM5i.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
<br />
Leaning trees. I should have stopped to get a better shot.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="Ty8I2JQ.jpg" class="bbc_img" height="410" src="https://i.imgur.com/Ty8I2JQ.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="1cOGZkq.jpg" class="bbc_img" height="438" src="https://i.imgur.com/1cOGZkq.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
<br />
Same spot as above but without the road.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="FwPb2wr.jpg" class="bbc_img" height="480" src="https://i.imgur.com/FwPb2wr.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
<br />
Interesting rock cliff to the left.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="QjPDeIu.jpg" class="bbc_img" height="510" src="https://i.imgur.com/QjPDeIu.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="CwQmUUp.jpg" class="bbc_img" height="515" src="https://i.imgur.com/CwQmUUp.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
<br />
End of the line at the Idaho Montana border.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="06qbFy9.jpg" class="bbc_img" height="275" src="https://i.imgur.com/06qbFy9.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
<br />
The road goes to gravel for 15 miles to St. Regis Montana and dumps out a I-90.<br />
<br />
<a class="bbc_url" href="https://imgur.com/nKj4U1c" rel="nofollow external" title="External link"><img alt="nKj4U1c.jpg" class="bbc_img" height="459" src="https://i.imgur.com/nKj4U1c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Home is west west so there is no incentive to ride a gravel road to get
home even when the road is clear of snow. Darn this means I have ride
another 90 miles of very nice very road. I tell ya this retirement life
is really tough.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="fXyKIJP.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://i.imgur.com/fXyKIJP.jpg" /></span><br />
I need to fill in some color on this damn map.</div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-63698873632785940712018-05-30T21:20:00.001-07:002018-05-30T21:47:11.853-07:00A Good Day to Ride Ride Report<div class="content">
I didn't plan on riding today. Got up early this
morning and looked out the window. Damn another blue sky day in Spokane
and the temps will be in the 60's. Check the forecast - no rain in the
forecast. Hell lets go for a ride while the getting is good - it will
be hot this summer so now is the time. <br />
<br />
Check out the Idaho map to find some new roads or scenic byways but none
were close. I am riding Dam Tour which is hosted on Facebook this year
and Nine Mile dam is nearby as are some excellent roads northwest of
Spokane. I whip out a <a class="postlink" href="https://goo.gl/maps/Zt1ysQMCNyv">route</a>
and load it into the Garmin. I have been on these road enough to know a
twisty day is in store. Yeah! While plotting my route I find a road
called Corkscrew Canyon road.<br />
<br />
I was so jacked I stopped to take a photo.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" height="480" src="https://i.imgur.com/waafT2f.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Other than a mild climb up with a few gentle turns the road was
straight. It didn't look to twisty on the map either but I had to give
it a go. <br />
<br />
Lonely tree, puffy clouds and green grass.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" height="356" src="https://i.imgur.com/TXVf2jb.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Long Lake Dam<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" height="480" src="https://i.imgur.com/jxzjU6P.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
The FJR near Long Lake Dam.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" height="480" src="https://i.imgur.com/nVYXvaC.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
The next two pics are Little Falls Reservoir.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" height="480" src="https://i.imgur.com/l4lqnNf.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" height="480" src="https://i.imgur.com/UzQBRYi.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Rode on some good black asphalt pavement just before Wellpinit. Damn
near had a heart attack it was so nice. Reality returns with the usual
rough cheap seal. It is hard on the tires. The Dunlop RS3's, with
9500 miles, are exceeding the mileage of any other tires, mostly PR2's,
Bridgestones and PR4s. The front tire wear bars are still showing so I
am looking for 10,000 miles.<br />
<br />
Good pavement and a turn.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/3OwSt8i.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Cheap seal, blue skies, puffy clouds and a great FJR with 91,000 miles on the clock.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" height="480" src="https://i.imgur.com/2gey3Gq.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br />
Where are we going FJR? Infinity Mr. Fontana. Ok FJR works for me.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/oYzqenR.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Turtle Lake.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/6sEL18R.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Mudgett Lake.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/RitgjeC.jpg" /><br />
<br />
I stop to take a photo of this old barn. A wood roof barn is rare these days. <br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/vUAlqJJ.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/7cmZ0I0.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Well, I've got to run to keep from hiding<br />
And I'm bound to keep on riding<br />
And I've got one more silver dollar<br />
But I'm not gonna let them catch me, no<br />
Not gonna let 'em catch the midnight rider.....<br />
<br />
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/EUIGY8v.jpg?1" /><br />
<br />
Twas a nice day to be retired and riding the FJR.</div>
<div class="postlove" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;">
<span id="like_66571" style="font-size: 1.0em;" title=""></span>
<span class="like" id="likeimg_66571"></span></div>
<div class="signature" id="sig66571">
<img alt="Image" class="postimage" src="https://i.imgur.com/fXyKIJP.jpg" /><br />
I need to fill in some color on this damn map.</div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-65943911231158956102015-10-19T09:00:00.002-07:002015-10-19T09:04:03.082-07:00Post Fire Ride ReportI have not been riding the FJR much this summer. I was on a dual sport
ride in Mexico in March and used up my available vacation time. Couple
that with 60,000 plus miles on the FJR mostly on roads in Washington
State and it adds up many repetitions of riding the same roads all too
often. So this summer I went hiking, did some home maintenance, built a
fence and enjoyed a vacation to the Oregon Coast with Linda my lovely
bride. It was wonderful.<br />
<br />
After a two month hiatus the FJR was calling. The goal was to see some
of the burned areas from the fires in North Central Washington where
thousand of acres burned, hundreds of homes were lost and three
firefighters lost their lives. I wanted to see something different and
ride roads never rode before.<br />
<br />
Out of the house at 7:30 I am heading to Arlington where I can get off I-5 and the real ride begins. Here is my <a class="bbc_url" href="https://goo.gl/maps/vEzY7DcNFuu" rel="nofollow external" title="External link">route for day one.</a><br />
<br />
Ah the North Cascades Hwy. I ought to wire a mike to and talk about my
thoughts as I ride this road again for the NNNth time since 1975 or so. I
feel for you if you can’t ride this grand road on a whim.<br />
<br />
Some falls colors with a power line. I have taken this photo before - it
is a great fall shot less the darn powerline. This photo is a bit
overexposed. Oh well.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2737%252520%252528640x346%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jNDtqPMz2lYen6VlcvgaO6rR4n6zRDBNznsYi5Oetk-b_r4U8alLL1rRT_xqiQiB1SNLN37rf_rtCEOWMTbC6ftfsFjT9w4C4amY15VNbI8JRdy4ecb-WEmjn4hqiXPQ30xWV3G0aSQ/s640-Ic42/IMG_2737%252520%252528640x346%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
The Methow River near Twisp<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2739%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGdbENWJGLYkyHVidjYGousK-Uiad3gZJ3NC4ZD1heD4vJeutQROwNYeYfoKkuHhA7-5O6taRFy43bSgTF_v3Kbq1nRH1H3pe9Up2tn8Z_vAMXJbsyy4gYOU7ijtOC6jpRnHkLl95nWU/s640-Ic42/IMG_2739%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2740%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNx_rHqBmy9B02spO6ED-HHAr0fWf8Pwh_Nmvf8Tk3QEc5RoVSQPtmHxCaK2d09VM7EaU4HtYueGCP7-eDikkZcX1HumI_TnZKjFxRSZ_2-Ms9MWA3qn11HENPtSnj0PEoC2ZmPm9uLY/s640-Ic42/IMG_2740%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
My route takes me on a few roads never rode before such as the B & O
North Road and the Spring Coulee road. It was along here the fire
damage was coming into view. In this photo the fire was stopped by apple
orchards, with the fence posts on the right scorched by fire. Crazy.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2743%252520%252528640x319%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjt4QqW9EUFfv2woqos2gfJ8lX8ji2zgF7Z9OFRnSUhA1IxEGdm4JvEDLclu_OmDZ0Zvh-7uhMjH8_-00AyLfYpVFvzqnqb6xmlHaVfWPpWT9r4gpqyQYCo19noFQ3OcfZFG8lfVN4ko/s640-Ic42/IMG_2743%252520%252528640x319%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2745%252520%252528640x353%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07v55-NVmWvJ9kWLmGKtCGsx6Cv61bbwTp80hqWW8mFsvWYl-nqhBWaqtZPBp6bMjJcVDe7bmNYuN1coeaYGPnZEcIDBgUAVGnsUy7emGVuS_oorJcw8VYgRO6RRnbfuTjU4YcWPTikA/s640-Ic42/IMG_2745%252520%252528640x353%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2746%252520%252528640x304%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bcVtsdGA3i3gb_SuGuBVGpfP8O4iltqhCm2MomIa8D8QZ9KJXAFK1T4SzRo9xPAVMZ85xUqIAADaIeAkpnPIvz6zXcYOBMzDRYDsZKcIJrFHc5lw7R_u2L4qE5cADGXjzhT4-TB7SGI/s640-Ic42/IMG_2746%252520%252528640x304%252529.jpg" /></span>
<br />
<br />
The area east of the city of Okanagan looks like the moon. Cattlemen
who depend on the land are ruined. If their herd didn’t burn, they can’t
feed what cattle they have left. The dilemma is cattle feed is too
expensive and their land is burnt and will not produce grass for at
least two seasons. Most are lucky to have their homes. Replacing a fence
will cost $5000 per mile. Telephone poles have white X’s on them,
meaning they need replacing. It looks like the moon.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2747%252520%252528640x326%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8SLLzU6gIcyMTcE_ABli26cNEBO3RZyrEIu3HKr90Ui8LKPh0_6AXOSW2qPWUbVdbijFyjdPCyztxoxdbzkUAdXYxANXwcIiJSSxbsr8BYtR0U4VOPgf9WE18F3Ri21ZvJTpWMD6rbU/s640-Ic42/IMG_2747%252520%252528640x326%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
What a tragedy.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2753%252520%252528640x296%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1ZQbtxB2ulUZDorNJ2jXeuZ2zEHJ5sLNGOb_IaXFCyZCHYr85nzksqREYEWnnbHTszd7E4jwQZB0IvfaPaZhq9ktul_7bHvtLTV58eqzyuqoNwdTQBC1HFW7MDt_T4Zs4B0dR7uc5RE/s640-Ic42/IMG_2753%252520%252528640x296%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2756%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJr0F_-MIk1m29cfwzDKpGhQ3CioG3jgxytf1ibtAoUwvs6ejo-gzSh1b-E160VdYX3PJL6RLWnXJ1x1ViDbaIPi5Ed5gtaxM3i4E1FggWDq1jY9mt58oTQvqZgGKaQElXG5zdk9ul88/s640-Ic42/IMG_2756%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
A structure saved. There was many structures saved. Even from the
motorcycle at highway speed I could see homes still standing but with
damage from the extreme heat, such as buckled siding.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2759%252520%252528640x314%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSQgFDKWlSHMKpd08pLRQfbxvbR6MgSXpS5O7tKD8EsVb6Fx7O-kLhr_bTx6BwLJRRnmcPLzNiiu20IrBbFEJhuTCgEWrav5ANufsvEBMGBV4ZhSQzR82j_AU5aa_nGE_vriLOhlRNjE/s640-Ic42/IMG_2759%252520%252528640x314%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2761%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30ASE2S01-5BTxeYd5_bJBb9_o351srqKWRFuP5DRY2wkWnLdXrpwTk-IBdcUD6z5w39zAo9GaLZ4f5fxFSavmeN0I_591nEWpDVCsNbjA8hMFqUFGXB_SP2G0sd1xQx56jCdF8L9_GI/s640-Ic42/IMG_2761%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
I am near Conconully when I took this picture. This is what the valley usually looks like.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2763%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTv0fsU9ZnQsz7vqo6nekP0mSg9V0GuymGE5ZvXUgTvWTS2ximcEnQ9qd6CEmWEJ5EmXTO1ghxTzMOESpC4NZXyGO4GjUbbsqy6vRP4BWKOlfCZcibk-nV-Z8LfMuWD9nOLdHwEuHKzo/s640-Ic42/IMG_2763%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
At Conconully Lake.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2764%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiHumUtzDJRRYPCpTMhxsHZB4yHs5cTVGXUxzIc5YPkuMY1UoTz847wu8Xi1Ou3dY3KzmCfyTxrH-f9294-TBn0HxoNrl2eDG-Vel9_AzVtjrQNrtGJ3gWCJV_JGhnq7J95fMiRE-wZ4/s640-Ic42/IMG_2764%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
This is where the road goes from pavement to gravel for 7 miles and area
affected by fires resumes. The gravel road is named Sinlahekin Rd on
Google maps, but it is a Forest Service road. The seven miles of gravel
cuts a significant amount of time to get to Fish Lake Road. Instead of
two down and outs I can ride a loop. I had no problem with the FJR on
the gravel road.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2765%252520%252528640x323%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawAVKNyZ83_NyKWfv1uvnuB02MeULiCLdG3DtF0FoMboCdsS7zouBJsJF4SxHZJF7P3RTlFR2UUdQT81KISg2vTC_j_Ptuy7e32g0-9gwpi116Zq7UtkbcT31Kxn2iCy0zpYXRYOGZWE/s640-Ic42/IMG_2765%252520%252528640x323%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
End of Day One.<br />
<br />
Day Two<br />
<br />
I was planning on a three day ride but it did not work out that way. Oh
well and that was fine. After seeing burned land mile after mile, a few
more miles is sad but repetitive.<br />
<br />
Here is my <a class="bbc_url" href="https://goo.gl/maps/7EczgJuhWex" rel="nofollow external" title="External link">route for day two.</a><br />
<br />
A photo of the Similkameen River near Nighthawk Washington where it was 39 degrees when I rolled through.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2767%252520%252528640x345%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zKSMbSCV3l8FTXjzICPiL7kuW3GeGqHj8bdPEUmvdT0SI0Z1uK_AJdXuFA_c2D6xF0vCf5LdMo1jM_tCPL4b6DiXQe2ejAnBYlig-du5xISnUPeKSzqb43yD58AQPp1QxkqtbfVVWRw/s640-Ic42/IMG_2767%252520%252528640x345%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
I thawed out on my way to Riverside Washington where I take the Tunk
Creek Road. Good choice - this is a
nice little down and back road one I have not been on before. Tunk Creek also was one of the five
named major fires in North Central Washington in late September and the
damage was along the road was dramatic.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2768%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_CjcMGDuXN2q8lArvvDwcjTfpcOFAoiG4yPnoNU-Ajf724Yi8oXgulb7Z1XAd-bnvxSEuXYqw40fWqPj_rno-EyUPXN0iGV3n4FyIc-hAVzbo0cEmZ0t1rtJi28j7WBqFqvBsX0_2lQ/s640-Ic42/IMG_2768%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2769%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBEDRzW3oCDyEwy3iyRjWXyacsylZPPOOIhzVFSkACgZcD0rqOMu-bpeYVMGT41kA5WJqr_Ee6fmcQ3EufJgsAurMRk4LO23F8e7opNjvpev82CmGbrNUIJBV0ZzeUSIGCEc_LujRA2A/s640-Ic42/IMG_2769%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
A few burned cars. I saw a burned garage with a burned car.<br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2770%252520%252528640x213%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCTbIJs5QcqqPXFfJ_u5JcGm4bFfMOD9fD-UFVOVTd7gwUxESutEAy-CEG98sClb2mfzBEb3x_qa17Jl_KNRx8q5PqJN4x8Mn5OeGMHS457TDHyFNpK5pKpleOXUWqa1VGdvkSnxJOr0/s640-Ic42/IMG_2770%252520%252528640x213%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2776%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6N8oaBooUgsvC0OC2g_2NT2JduWtJJYihSy5BnXCNczsO2eK711FkLrucaROPVdDIE99MtzdYolF_rlY-fSU9R6hewyxTlcTbfkQob0YmlOsF9KEWhc95xTJ5yYHP3FdVxy_BHrY3lk/s640-Ic42/IMG_2776%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I returned home via Blewett Pass where I shot a few fall photos.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2777%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15h5D6SOCPaqPgLXNq_5ispnRRQdFHaO5wE8syyt_Jce6lvfB4FEV1mAFcOXOkyceH4PEe27v77FX4ocA2iq0gM65eXuPrzYhrwnTT32pwirUyXpo1hNGMQHxh7uG6LxLdqzy-nBB5XA/s640-Ic42/IMG_2777%252520%252528640x360%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2779%252520%252528640x345%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJOT9tu9DXqlDng6Mt2EmLc0RV8BAv7ok86hxxwsmRrS0_YNko_KG43mdhMghEQoCplmzClrlpfdofVYl8nQ1ykufkaEEYbA8nm9ZyA0LO-S5P_bXaCdQHc0YuJtun5UFEQjFvJuABxA/s640-Ic42/IMG_2779%252520%252528640x345%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2783%252520%252528640x316%252529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhVYk_mAafMkilrCjJpyk5IgR-moBwj498nq2d7hyA0cud_utVeUZ3xAlh9onX0YL5CI6rzUpeJmcO3bSkw8FYq3uPgio4kfuhiny4J9ETHHkftxuurVj1IZyevJNc7XqIEHTK9ZZD7c/s640-Ic42/IMG_2783%252520%252528640x316%252529.jpg" /></span><br />
<br />
End of Trip. Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-90292788409571874272015-03-31T17:08:00.001-07:002015-03-31T19:56:12.426-07:00Mexico Adventure RideOh Mexico how I was looking forward to this trip, Oh Mexico.<br />
<br />
For three years now I have been following Don Stanley's trip reports to Mexico. A resident of the greater Phoenix area Don has made many trips to Mexico and posts his ride reports on the FJR forum. Don loves riding in Mexico.<br />
<br />
As a resident of the greater Seattle area, a web foot, I have followed Don's trip reports with a certain amount of jealousy as he is riding in February and March while it is raining in Seattle. Someday I was going to join him on a trip to Mexico.<br />
<br />
In December 2013 Don announced a trip to see the authentic Mexico. The idea of dual sport riding in authentic Mexico, not tourist trap destinations caught my interest. I am not one for tourist towns. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leavenworth,_Washington">Leavenworth Washington</a> with its phony Bavarian village facade is something to avoid, as it the western themed town of Winthrop Washington on the east sides of the North Cascades Hwy - I prefer Twisp down the road eight miles thank you.<br />
<br />
I have not been on a dual sport bike in 5 years and my son and I road single track in the Washington Cascades about 10 year ago. I used to ride a DR250 - a fun trail bike.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6REAtuXaZhg/VRhBVPKdXAI/AAAAAAAAMAg/vsImYMxco3c/s1600/P8060031%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6REAtuXaZhg/VRhBVPKdXAI/AAAAAAAAMAg/vsImYMxco3c/s1600/P8060031%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Naches Trail at Government Meadows - his DR125 and my DR250 cira 2005. Wonderful place with lots of good memories.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5he9sr2a4E/VRhAzMBQ9XI/AAAAAAAAMAE/fGzj4XSxwbA/s1600/P7190001%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5he9sr2a4E/VRhAzMBQ9XI/AAAAAAAAMAE/fGzj4XSxwbA/s1600/P7190001%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Son on his DR125 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIQqJb8xB94/VRhAzJzJ9KI/AAAAAAAAMAA/SReweTbhQiA/s1600/P7190004%2B(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIQqJb8xB94/VRhAzJzJ9KI/AAAAAAAAMAA/SReweTbhQiA/s1600/P7190004%2B%28480x640%29.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interesting part of the trail!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My son grew up and grew tired of the dirt bike so I sold both of them. <br />
<br />
In 2005 I bought a Suzuki Vstrom DL1000 aka the manstrom and rode it to places such as the <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~jimfontana/trips/Idaho/Magruder/index.htm">Magruder Corridor</a> the <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~jimfontana/trips/Idaho/Lolotrail/index.htm">Lolo Trail Motorway</a> and <a href="http://home.comcast.net/~jimfontana/trips/mexico/index.htm">Copper Canyon Mexico</a>.<br />
<br />
I sold my Vstrom in April 2012. I sold it because:<br />
<ul>
<li>My FJR is a lot better road bike and I road the Vstrom 99% on the road. </li>
<li>The most scenic places in the US have paved roads. Most of the roads were built 100+ years ago and roads were built to all the most scenic places. Generally gravel roads have a fewer scenic places and take forever to get there.</li>
<li>Here in the Pacific NW the best gravel roads are under snow until mid July. After that fire season can bring smokey and hot conditions.</li>
<li>Riding down a gravel road on a Vstrom is like riding 15% out of control 100% of the time. The front end is plowing looking for a way too throw my ass down. </li>
</ul>
So maybe I could rekindle my spirit for off pavement adventures by going on the ride to Mexico.<br />
<br />
In August 2014 the wife gave me the green light for the trip to Mexico. My FJR was not going to cut it so working with Don and Skip Mascorro of MotoDiscovery I rented a Suzuki DR650. Nice!<br />
<br />
In September 2014 while playing golf I hit the turf instead of the ball with a 3 iron damaging my left wrist. I tried home remedies but finally was forced to seek medical treatment in November. It was then I found a had a slightly frayed tendon. The RX was a cortisone shot and a wrist brace for eight weeks. If this did not heal my trip was in jeopardy. By January 2015 my left wrist was well on the way to recovery - Yes! I was thrilled to have dodged a bullet.<br />
<br />
It is February about 3 weeks before this epic trip. I get a email from a friend on the FJR forum saying Don Stanley had crashed his motorcycle. I find a post on the forum; it did not take long to learn Don was out for this trip. Major bummer for Don for his motorcycle season is over. On a personal level I was going to miss seeing Mexico through Don's eyes - he has such a love for Mexico and his enthusiasm would be missed.<br />
<br />
Don's accident started a whole stream of bad juju for this trip and it never quit.<br />
<br />
I was flying on United Airlines from Seattle to McAllen Texas our depart point for this trip. I decide to ship my gear via UPS, seven days prior to the start of the trip to make certain it would be with me for this ride. I didn't want to trust United Airlines - no gear no trip. The gear got hung up in Louisville Kentucky for two days due to a snow storm. I posted pleas for help on the forum for fellow riders to bring some spare gear and they did - the outpouring of support was great. As it turns out my gear, shipped via UPS, arrives at the hotel one hour before I did. Bad juju avoided by sheer luck. Damn good thing too, and although I did not know it, I was going to need some good gear on this trip. Bad juju was narrowly avoided.<br />
<br />
It was raining on the departure day, Tuesday March 10 and the forecast for the next two days was rain then for better weather. This would be a common refrain on this trip - the forecast was always for better weather and unduly optimistic.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4seqR6NjN-Q/VRcqFbfq45I/AAAAAAAAL-U/HxVm9Q-HyrE/s1600/IMG_2136%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4seqR6NjN-Q/VRcqFbfq45I/AAAAAAAAL-U/HxVm9Q-HyrE/s1600/IMG_2136%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting our permits for the motorcycles and ourselves in Mexico. This took two hours and our guides Juan and Alberto were fantastic helping us spoor Gringo's who didn't speak a lick of Spanish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I didn't want to get my camera wet, it rained a lot on this trip, limiting the number of photos.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWN3IIfGzbg/VRcqFaHVsoI/AAAAAAAAL-U/Mo7BNNSwKRA/s1600/IMG_2137%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWN3IIfGzbg/VRcqFaHVsoI/AAAAAAAAL-U/Mo7BNNSwKRA/s1600/IMG_2137%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch stop on day one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Pl9heaYbXM/VRcqMqY9cuI/AAAAAAAAL5k/kCeEHP_44Zw/s1600/IMG_2139%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Pl9heaYbXM/VRcqMqY9cuI/AAAAAAAAL5k/kCeEHP_44Zw/s1600/IMG_2139%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch stop on day one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hoc7Qa3t2Vw/VRcqFyKVTdI/AAAAAAAAL-U/A5ngkcuoyTk/s1600/IMG_2140%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hoc7Qa3t2Vw/VRcqFyKVTdI/AAAAAAAAL-U/A5ngkcuoyTk/s1600/IMG_2140%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right, Russ my roomy, Bob and Bear. In the fore ground is the Dammit Don doll. Since Don could not make the trip Brian brought the Dammit Don doll instead. We put the doll in all sorts of compromised position, including being screwed by a coke bottle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H7dqctmkJMY/VRcqGKOKtdI/AAAAAAAAL-U/cZcCQ17RqLw/s1600/IMG_2145%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H7dqctmkJMY/VRcqGKOKtdI/AAAAAAAAL-U/cZcCQ17RqLw/s1600/IMG_2145%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dammit Don doll with a Personal Locator Beacon - he's gonna need that PLB if he touches my lunch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It rained a lot the first day. We were soaked on arriving at the Hotel Las Palomas de Santiago
Abasolo 105
Villa de Santiago. GPS: N 25º 25.503',
W 100º 09.094' in case anybody wants to go there. The rooms had heat something that we would be missing for the next 4 nights but we did know that then. Too damn bad. The rain was more bad juju.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mn8QuSuT1BY/VRcqGXPhYTI/AAAAAAAAL-U/07O-hOpg0zw/s1600/IMG_2146%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mn8QuSuT1BY/VRcqGXPhYTI/AAAAAAAAL-U/07O-hOpg0zw/s1600/IMG_2146%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underground parking at <span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">Hotel Las Palomas de Santiago. Nice.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d-2paT2PtTA/VRcqGk7Ml4I/AAAAAAAAL98/RHCzW9a3Nik/s1600/IMG_2149%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d-2paT2PtTA/VRcqGk7Ml4I/AAAAAAAAL98/RHCzW9a3Nik/s1600/IMG_2149%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this after dinner. My room was on the second floor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was raining on departure Wednesday March 11. Par for the course. Despite the rain our enthusiasm was still intact.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wrfbnFdiN2I/VRcqHGbbz-I/AAAAAAAAL98/HK-bvAdeyac/s1600/IMG_2151%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wrfbnFdiN2I/VRcqHGbbz-I/AAAAAAAAL98/HK-bvAdeyac/s1600/IMG_2151%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alberto, our guide, and Chris with the scenery in the back ground. The road took us between the crack in the peaks, nice road crummy weather. Bad juju.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4p3tzP5Klw/VRcqHVIvGwI/AAAAAAAAL98/cF--dWrmLss/s1600/IMG_2152%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4p3tzP5Klw/VRcqHVIvGwI/AAAAAAAAL98/cF--dWrmLss/s1600/IMG_2152%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was pretty here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yc__HPOpMKc/VRcqHsP8upI/AAAAAAAAL98/0DHBE5RvpUQ/s1600/IMG_2153%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yc__HPOpMKc/VRcqHsP8upI/AAAAAAAAL98/0DHBE5RvpUQ/s1600/IMG_2153%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like spring time in Seattle and the temps were in the low to mid 50's. Heck this is just like home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DGqTs33iMvI/VRcqH96_ZeI/AAAAAAAAL98/btxIXI30v2s/s1600/IMG_2154%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DGqTs33iMvI/VRcqH96_ZeI/AAAAAAAAL98/btxIXI30v2s/s1600/IMG_2154%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dogs were pretty much on their own. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrXYojiTd24/VRcqINLFlbI/AAAAAAAAL98/-r2ESgWk_qU/s1600/IMG_2155%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrXYojiTd24/VRcqINLFlbI/AAAAAAAAL98/-r2ESgWk_qU/s1600/IMG_2155%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stopped to warm up and have a cup of coffee.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kBkU-AEyj1c/VRcqIZALXyI/AAAAAAAAL98/w4u1vB0Zjmo/s1600/IMG_2156%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kBkU-AEyj1c/VRcqIZALXyI/AAAAAAAAL98/w4u1vB0Zjmo/s1600/IMG_2156%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coffee shop. My Starbucks card was worthless.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMcHL7KJyT0/VRcqIgtPw-I/AAAAAAAAL98/ht1kKvhs7IM/s1600/IMG_2158%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMcHL7KJyT0/VRcqIgtPw-I/AAAAAAAAL98/ht1kKvhs7IM/s1600/IMG_2158%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My roomy Russ on day two. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It rained the rest of the day on Wednesday so I did not take more photos. About 1 mile from our destination, Hotel Magdalena
in Galeana, there was a double fatality accident blocking the road. We sat there while our guides Alberto and Juan evaluated the situation. The local drivers being very resourceful found away around the accident creating their own dirt track paralleling the main road. Cars, trucks and even a <i>flipping yellow school</i> bus went down this dirt bypass, while the bad ass Gringo Dual Sport riders headed back the the gas station a quarter mile away.<br />
<br />
We get back to the gas station and I say to Alberto hey we can do that. If a school bus can do that we can! Not one to hold us back, Alberto said go for it. So Brian and I went for it. It was no problem, just some slippery mud in places but no big deal.<br />
<br />
An nobody took a single photo of the ride along the mud bypass and it was so noted at dinner that night. We agreed to correct that wrong on Thursday morning.<br />
<br />
And we did.<br />
<br />
Thursday morning dawned with blue skies for a change. Hurray. The moral of the group was starting to sink and we need a bit of blue sky to turn things around.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I decided to ride the dirt road bypass on the way out. Everything was going well until the last 100 yards when I choose the wrong line allowing the front tire to run into the right side of tire rut. The result was very predictable - the front tire hit the edge of the rut and sent me flying on my ass. How damn embarrassing. An easy piece of cake and I tip over. Even worse it took three guys to left the heavy DR650 as footing was a problem in the mud. On the plus side it provided some comic relief for the group. That was my only tip over the rest of the ride.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jnNHYffU6e4/VRcqI6dOFVI/AAAAAAAAL98/xeJqWtdOe_E/s1600/IMG_2161%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jnNHYffU6e4/VRcqI6dOFVI/AAAAAAAAL98/xeJqWtdOe_E/s1600/IMG_2161%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bad ass dirt road bypass.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This was easily the best day of the ride. The weather was nice and I had access to my camera. Also our wet gear dried out during the day- a bonus. <br />
<br />
I was learning the DR650 had a very touchy rear brake and the Corbin seat, while better than stock, was good for about 75 miles. I am spoilt seat brat having only Russell saddles on my last four bikes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0P0Gqhzp7e8/VRcqJNDt7NI/AAAAAAAAL98/N0_vFVaLgq0/s1600/IMG_2162%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0P0Gqhzp7e8/VRcqJNDt7NI/AAAAAAAAL98/N0_vFVaLgq0/s1600/IMG_2162%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill abusing his WR450 on the pavement.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqrFCJCqb_s/VRcqJmz6Q-I/AAAAAAAAL98/3bTKY1LupeQ/s1600/IMG_2164%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DqrFCJCqb_s/VRcqJmz6Q-I/AAAAAAAAL98/3bTKY1LupeQ/s1600/IMG_2164%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical secondary road in Mexico.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIRag-jpXzY/VRcqJxpxrLI/AAAAAAAAL98/guBIQ1pLHfk/s1600/IMG_2165%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIRag-jpXzY/VRcqJxpxrLI/AAAAAAAAL98/guBIQ1pLHfk/s1600/IMG_2165%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical secondary road in Mexico is a good place for a GS bike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ovj-_4txAO0/VRcqKOIMNwI/AAAAAAAAL98/2Brn5lRh_0Q/s1600/IMG_2166%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ovj-_4txAO0/VRcqKOIMNwI/AAAAAAAAL98/2Brn5lRh_0Q/s1600/IMG_2166%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My rented DR650.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BDwAUg1AVms/VRcqKb-BUWI/AAAAAAAAL98/kZlzvTprpCg/s1600/IMG_2168%2B(640x457).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BDwAUg1AVms/VRcqKb-BUWI/AAAAAAAAL98/kZlzvTprpCg/s1600/IMG_2168%2B%28640x457%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shot taken on the go. With blue skies the crew was happy! It was Thursday our last blue sky day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-czrVpeDVt6I/VRcqKs_LPMI/AAAAAAAAL98/Gv5ycOFp3sU/s1600/IMG_2176%2B(463x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-czrVpeDVt6I/VRcqKs_LPMI/AAAAAAAAL98/Gv5ycOFp3sU/s1600/IMG_2176%2B%28463x640%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill at the waterfall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wf1LRvl7YCI/VRcqK3bQvKI/AAAAAAAAL98/vbylhI__6M4/s1600/IMG_2183%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wf1LRvl7YCI/VRcqK3bQvKI/AAAAAAAAL98/vbylhI__6M4/s1600/IMG_2183%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-INmTKcuqSuk/VRcqLY0WcUI/AAAAAAAAL98/OXibYj1W3K0/s1600/IMG_2186%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-INmTKcuqSuk/VRcqLY0WcUI/AAAAAAAAL98/OXibYj1W3K0/s1600/IMG_2186%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russ in the foreground and Bear in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfYmrGF82hE/VRcqLmEW-mI/AAAAAAAAL98/UkCutZB1JVo/s1600/IMG_2187%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfYmrGF82hE/VRcqLmEW-mI/AAAAAAAAL98/UkCutZB1JVo/s1600/IMG_2187%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new screensaver.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AeflfMkaN50/VRcqLwHLzbI/AAAAAAAAL98/F2zwDHpc8Y4/s1600/IMG_2188%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AeflfMkaN50/VRcqLwHLzbI/AAAAAAAAL98/F2zwDHpc8Y4/s1600/IMG_2188%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian and I went for a little walk. This is what we found. Waterfalls everywhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v6ClekiM6ik/VRcqUPgBxOI/AAAAAAAAL-U/IlWj1ZPO3n8/s1600/IMG_2201%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v6ClekiM6ik/VRcqUPgBxOI/AAAAAAAAL-U/IlWj1ZPO3n8/s1600/IMG_2201%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wonderful day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPzM3_AR5vI/VRcqMfKEDOI/AAAAAAAAL98/dOnMSta2L9Q/s1600/IMG_2191%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPzM3_AR5vI/VRcqMfKEDOI/AAAAAAAAL98/dOnMSta2L9Q/s1600/IMG_2191%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMx7MM2Wr-M/VRcqMxSBD8I/AAAAAAAAL5s/ybM4J8_YacI/s1600/IMG_2217%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMx7MM2Wr-M/VRcqMxSBD8I/AAAAAAAAL5s/ybM4J8_YacI/s1600/IMG_2217%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juan fixed a great lunch at the waterfall and everybody had a great time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y58E3gQaS9E/VRcqNU71GsI/AAAAAAAAL50/i-Jmg9oJq1k/s1600/IMG_2218%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y58E3gQaS9E/VRcqNU71GsI/AAAAAAAAL50/i-Jmg9oJq1k/s1600/IMG_2218%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The DR650.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So far we had not rode much in the dirt. After a wonderful lunch in a splendid setting that was about to change. As Brian said, Don ordered a dirt bike ride and MotoDiscovery was about to deliver.<br />
<br />
<b>And it was great!</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rAVP4HargYQ/VRcqNY-wuwI/AAAAAAAAL-U/pXFLuhsrH7U/s1600/IMG_2223%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rAVP4HargYQ/VRcqNY-wuwI/AAAAAAAAL-U/pXFLuhsrH7U/s1600/IMG_2223%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian on his BMW</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qpmjqmPCPZ8/VRcqN98i9cI/AAAAAAAAL58/NmLYnAKJi9k/s1600/IMG_2225%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qpmjqmPCPZ8/VRcqN98i9cI/AAAAAAAAL58/NmLYnAKJi9k/s1600/IMG_2225%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of the road surface. Easy riding on the DR650 - the bigger bikes had to take it a bit slower. I was thrilled I was on the smaller DR650.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQmCQUmbhvM/VRcqORNOknI/AAAAAAAAL-U/zoUqTatUQ-Y/s1600/IMG_2227%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQmCQUmbhvM/VRcqORNOknI/AAAAAAAAL-U/zoUqTatUQ-Y/s1600/IMG_2227%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lot of rock and a bit of mud.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-brfI_amAcX0/VRcqO1Lk7lI/AAAAAAAAL-U/SwxDFgkgNb0/s1600/IMG_2229%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-brfI_amAcX0/VRcqO1Lk7lI/AAAAAAAAL-U/SwxDFgkgNb0/s1600/IMG_2229%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill on his WR450 at a small town in the mountains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FtUlB7x436c/VRcqPSz1T0I/AAAAAAAAL-U/htNP7ybDl6k/s1600/IMG_2230%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FtUlB7x436c/VRcqPSz1T0I/AAAAAAAAL-U/htNP7ybDl6k/s1600/IMG_2230%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the elevation increased so did the number of pine trees. There is snow on the mountain top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aW_QqfDXKTw/VRcqP-rZMCI/AAAAAAAAL-M/CzaLBm57X_Y/s1600/IMG_2231%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aW_QqfDXKTw/VRcqP-rZMCI/AAAAAAAAL-M/CzaLBm57X_Y/s1600/IMG_2231%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian on his BMW. He road that sucker everywhere and did not tip over once. Nice!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EpED_KjsnAA/VRcqQEAayzI/AAAAAAAAL-M/R_oOVt2apIE/s1600/IMG_2232%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EpED_KjsnAA/VRcqQEAayzI/AAAAAAAAL-M/R_oOVt2apIE/s1600/IMG_2232%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The DR was a great bike off pavement, so so on pavement. S<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">ome of the guys on the bigger GS bikes were not happy campers with today's off pavement excursion. Of course I was not a happy camper on the paved sections with the DR650.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tvJXkMWGOY/VRcqQbe-Q5I/AAAAAAAAL-M/biLZTsEMQfc/s1600/IMG_2234%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tvJXkMWGOY/VRcqQbe-Q5I/AAAAAAAAL-M/biLZTsEMQfc/s1600/IMG_2234%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We get to the top then descend. It was a rocky road with lots of hairpin turns. The guys on the bigger bike did a great job to get down this road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIi1LtIxh-E/VRcqQm0kEII/AAAAAAAAL-M/AipkwX06hgI/s1600/IMG_2237%2B(640x472).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIi1LtIxh-E/VRcqQm0kEII/AAAAAAAAL-M/AipkwX06hgI/s1600/IMG_2237%2B%28640x472%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From pine trees to cactus in a very short time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfUx0ighLMQ/VRcqQ9DrUcI/AAAAAAAAL-M/wwVL37JCm_g/s1600/IMG_2238%2B(640x469).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfUx0ighLMQ/VRcqQ9DrUcI/AAAAAAAAL-M/wwVL37JCm_g/s1600/IMG_2238%2B%28640x469%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow in the mountains, cactus in the foreground.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was getting late in the day. Spending the entire afternoon on a dirt road left the group stretched out quite a bit and it took time to regroup. We were about 30 miles from our destination, Real de Catorce, when the sun went down.<br />
<br />
We were riding like the wind and it was not raining, still some were not thrilled about riding in the dark. My ass was tired of the seat on the DR so dark was the last thing on my mind. I wanted off this damn bike and the sooner the better.<br />
<br />
It is 15 miles of hand laid cobblestone from the main road to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_de_Catorce">Real de Catorce</a>. We road it in the dark. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aA-rqBfooL8/VRcqRECDRwI/AAAAAAAAL-M/GtWQKCbeWTU/s1600/IMG_2239%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aA-rqBfooL8/VRcqRECDRwI/AAAAAAAAL-M/GtWQKCbeWTU/s1600/IMG_2239%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russ at the entrance to the 1.5 mile long tunnel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3iy8Am2qtI/VRcqRWddY7I/AAAAAAAAL-M/SvZbpjJXoOQ/s1600/IMG_2240%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3iy8Am2qtI/VRcqRWddY7I/AAAAAAAAL-M/SvZbpjJXoOQ/s1600/IMG_2240%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russ - we are thrilled to be at our destination. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_NBF3uzEYM/VRcqR5sfscI/AAAAAAAAL-M/P6Bn3pgbPog/s1600/IMG_2244%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_NBF3uzEYM/VRcqR5sfscI/AAAAAAAAL-M/P6Bn3pgbPog/s1600/IMG_2244%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the cobblestone. Inside the tunnel the road surface is brick pavers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It had been a terrific day. Juan and Alberto were working hard to find interesting routes and worked even harder keeping us on the routes. Like herding cats. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had a great dinner that night and called it a night. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We stayed at the Hotel El Real in Real de Catorce on Thursday and Friday nights. Although we had the option for tours or riding someplace everybody took an off bike day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JvKydiQ3ccE/VRcqUQjdwJI/AAAAAAAAL-M/AAsE6W_aH4E/s1600/IMG_2266%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JvKydiQ3ccE/VRcqUQjdwJI/AAAAAAAAL-M/AAsE6W_aH4E/s1600/IMG_2266%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hotel El Real and the MotoDiscovery chase truck. Real de Catorce is built on a hillside and the streets were steep. At nearly 9000 feet we were huffin' and puffin' climbing the hills.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Russ and I went for a walk in the morning. It was in the low 50's, rather chilly and somewhat unexpected. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ffyLvlCDlfc/VRcqSKkbw_I/AAAAAAAAL-M/Y9wAak70mHQ/s1600/IMG_2249%2B(640x383).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ffyLvlCDlfc/VRcqSKkbw_I/AAAAAAAAL-M/Y9wAak70mHQ/s1600/IMG_2249%2B%28640x383%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Typical street in Real</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Xdoceb2Lck/VRcqSZmrfdI/AAAAAAAAL-M/gFE3ygmBesg/s1600/IMG_2250%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Xdoceb2Lck/VRcqSZmrfdI/AAAAAAAAL-M/gFE3ygmBesg/s1600/IMG_2250%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A play on the name Starbucks. Don't tell anybody at Starbucks - I am sure Howard Schultz the Starbucks CEO would sue them.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDW5JLVy8Ec/VRcqSmSkIOI/AAAAAAAAL-M/bqm-kqYB7Z0/s1600/IMG_2251%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDW5JLVy8Ec/VRcqSmSkIOI/AAAAAAAAL-M/bqm-kqYB7Z0/s1600/IMG_2251%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The coffee shop - I had a double espresso.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VtMiTXvvXA4/VRcqSyF6RWI/AAAAAAAAL-M/kwRIJvL086o/s1600/IMG_2252%2B(640x468).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VtMiTXvvXA4/VRcqSyF6RWI/AAAAAAAAL-M/kwRIJvL086o/s1600/IMG_2252%2B%28640x468%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The coffee shop interior was very nice as was most of the interior places in Real. Quite the contrast to the exterior.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNaQEd3U44M/VRcqTIm2tuI/AAAAAAAAL-M/peieW_l8aCg/s1600/IMG_2253%2B(640x476).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNaQEd3U44M/VRcqTIm2tuI/AAAAAAAAL-M/peieW_l8aCg/s1600/IMG_2253%2B%28640x476%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The church had services scheduled all day Friday.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_LZidHb9PU/VRcqTsTGG5I/AAAAAAAAL-M/dK0QFpNDUgk/s1600/IMG_2260%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_LZidHb9PU/VRcqTsTGG5I/AAAAAAAAL-M/dK0QFpNDUgk/s1600/IMG_2260%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dark clouds headed our way. We got back to the hotel just before it started raining hard.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wkziaz7eM2g/VRcqTzuFeYI/AAAAAAAAL-M/wCy5co6hAYU/s1600/IMG_2261%2B(640x470).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wkziaz7eM2g/VRcqTzuFeYI/AAAAAAAAL-M/wCy5co6hAYU/s1600/IMG_2261%2B%28640x470%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Real is an old mining town and has been restored. It is now a tourist town with many places to buy things I don't need. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BVhP0IEA2u8/VRcqbjsLG6I/AAAAAAAAL9I/_ojXBTHhubo/s1600/IMG_2264%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BVhP0IEA2u8/VRcqbjsLG6I/AAAAAAAAL9I/_ojXBTHhubo/s1600/IMG_2264%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Real de Catorce</span></td></tr>
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After going out in the morning to see the town I read a book the rest of the day. It was a good book and I was happy to relax but it was cold in the hotel lobby were most of the guys spent the day. I finally went to my unheated room and crawled into bed with extra thick blankets to read my book to warm up - I was chilled to the bone. <br />
<br />
From prior days my riding gloves were wet and had not dried at all so I laid them over a lamp with a 60 watt incandescent bulb. It took 12 hours for the gloves to dry. I had give up on drying my boots but did manage to get my socks dried.<br />
<br />
Russ was not so lucky with his gear as it was not water proof, nor did he have rain gear. His gear remained wet the remainder of his trip. When I was concerned about not having my gear for this trip Russ stepped up and brought some extra gear. I am not sure his spare gear was water proof but I was thrilled to use my gear. The forecast for the rest of the trip was for rain. Bad juju was here to stay.<br />
<br />
By 7:00 pm I was long past ready for dinner and was stilled chilled to the bone. The group met in the lobby and went back the same restaurant as the night before mainly because it had a nice fire place and the bar was open.<br />
<br />
During dinner I finally warmed up and after dinner the bar at our hotel was open. It was <i>fabulously </i>warm, inviting and the interior decorations were stunning. I bought a fifth of tequilla offered drinks to all. We had a great night sampling some fine tequila but were all careful to not over do it for Saturday was a riding day. <br />
<br />
And what a day it would be. More bad juju was heading our way.<br />
<br />
We left Real de Catorce on Saturday morning. It was foggy and fog was as good as the weather got.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jw3HrLRQ-zQ/VRcqUnOcJII/AAAAAAAAL7c/QDmblGuMHv0/s1600/IMG_2276%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jw3HrLRQ-zQ/VRcqUnOcJII/AAAAAAAAL7c/QDmblGuMHv0/s1600/IMG_2276%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">1.5 mile tunnel leaving Real.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
Somewhere along the 15 mile cobblestone road Alberto lost a camera mounted on his motorcycle.<br />
<br />
Shortly after joining the main road Bill's WR450 dropped a valve and it starting raining. More bad juju. I felt bad for Bill because he trailered his WR450 all the way from Ontario Canada. He was out on the fourth day of ride, not counted the off bike day.<br />
<br />
The weather got worse. The cloud deck was nearly at the valley, the mountains were socked in and it was raining hard. I was tired of the sad seat on the DR650. I found opportunity with Bill's WR to get off the damn bike and ride the truck. This weather was shit and I was only interested in getting to the next hotel to find some heat.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1tQABWv2mw/VRcqVAjpgHI/AAAAAAAAL-M/DZhmqG1Gf8A/s1600/IMG_2282%2B(640x326).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k1tQABWv2mw/VRcqVAjpgHI/AAAAAAAAL-M/DZhmqG1Gf8A/s1600/IMG_2282%2B%28640x326%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stopping point midday on Saturday. Just look at the cloud deck and the group decided to go in</span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></td></tr>
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Bill accepted my offer to ride the DR. The group decided to head up into the mountains, <i>yes the blasted mountains in this soup.</i><br />
<br />
I told Bill first gear in the DR was tall and the rear brakes were sensitive and prone to locking the rear tire. Bill soon found the front brake was as sensitive when he used them and tipped over.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed my truck ride with Juan learning something about Mexico and listening to his stories. Much better than riding the DR in this slop. About an hour into the truck ride and we run into Bill heading down the hill. The group had turned around due to cold, wet and visibility issues. We returned to the road the way we come the truck bring up the rear.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dqvBB6I0Ktc/VRcqVVDcAnI/AAAAAAAAL7k/D0kHo10PFsQ/s1600/IMG_2283%2B(640x329).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dqvBB6I0Ktc/VRcqVVDcAnI/AAAAAAAAL7k/D0kHo10PFsQ/s1600/IMG_2283%2B%28640x329%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stopping point midday on Saturday.</span></td></tr>
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</td></tr>
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Bad juju was with Russ my roomy all day. It had rained like hell and a the end of the ride he was pulled over on the side of the road when a car hit his motorcycle and knocked him and the bike to the ground. Fortunately the car was going at a low speed so Russ was not hurt and damage to the bike was just a bent hand guard.<br />
<br />
Our hotel for Saturday night, Spa Hacienda La Florida
Outside of Jaumabe
Tamaulipas, had no heat and a leaky thatch roof. We stayed here because there was virtually no other choices in the area. The group's spirits were low. The forecast was for more rain. I am tired of bad juju but it was not done with us yet.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtelC947o1g3nikxTk6gEyGVGBWnIfkemeohze9Fnk5B6k6wwN4XWHRGFBBDQSJoMbec_riSpDCe7bwjsN5TMOBLqxPjfQE-R4ROD_ZawSNfq8hL-Zai2Qh7f1xeiJ2fHF55FwPmdjEgo/s1600/IMG_20150315_091230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtelC947o1g3nikxTk6gEyGVGBWnIfkemeohze9Fnk5B6k6wwN4XWHRGFBBDQSJoMbec_riSpDCe7bwjsN5TMOBLqxPjfQE-R4ROD_ZawSNfq8hL-Zai2Qh7f1xeiJ2fHF55FwPmdjEgo/s1600/IMG_20150315_091230.jpg" height="468" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our cabin for the night.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NAhK8u9102M/VRcqV99zW-I/AAAAAAAAL-M/lYlvRo9bzuc/s1600/IMG_2284%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NAhK8u9102M/VRcqV99zW-I/AAAAAAAAL-M/lYlvRo9bzuc/s1600/IMG_2284%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cabin interior. No hangers, not closet but we were lucky having 3 bed so it became the closet.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shIYY_XbGd4/VRcqV2GFXVI/AAAAAAAAL-M/n05UY1AyXvQ/s1600/IMG_2285%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shIYY_XbGd4/VRcqV2GFXVI/AAAAAAAAL-M/n05UY1AyXvQ/s1600/IMG_2285%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The bathroom. It did have hot water at the shower, not the sink. Wonderful. </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The lack of heat in the room with zero opportunity for his gear to dry off was the last straw for Russ, he decided to head back to the border on Sunday. If I had a way to get my luggage back I might have joined him. If not for a non refundable non transferable airline ticket back to Seattle I would have joined him. I decided to see the trip through. The weather forecast was not favorable.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubgoDfjIhL7viPzV3KGfPm_nTK-TTMxsuyTVzJ67x6XkQ6D_lAWoFdwpYiPWmDnSVc_KUeSwu23wmzZds3EyGUTMo0OHlz90qzzm1GRuzNse6fNepkEn0vm6TJ_FD9VmSanvNbleLyFU/s1600/IMG_20150314_164804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubgoDfjIhL7viPzV3KGfPm_nTK-TTMxsuyTVzJ67x6XkQ6D_lAWoFdwpYiPWmDnSVc_KUeSwu23wmzZds3EyGUTMo0OHlz90qzzm1GRuzNse6fNepkEn0vm6TJ_FD9VmSanvNbleLyFU/s1600/IMG_20150314_164804.jpg" height="474" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bill and Alberto. Bill was in good spirits despite dropping a valve in his DR. I took some comfort in having a rental bike. As you can see it was cold out. In the lower 50's. Bill was well prepared.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuv9Bc6Yz8AWtvQD0nYY0wU6ltJnbJQ5dl4Z9_2HsYIUFN2d83-zeXV8TmlyoNwZ3kjsQY0YPBH24uM3KKFtoUSlcRLEd6ZzlU-yI8Ln23cnM2DXAeAEUMlX4TjJO_kLcrdNQlbQlLbs/s1600/IMG_20150314_163120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuv9Bc6Yz8AWtvQD0nYY0wU6ltJnbJQ5dl4Z9_2HsYIUFN2d83-zeXV8TmlyoNwZ3kjsQY0YPBH24uM3KKFtoUSlcRLEd6ZzlU-yI8Ln23cnM2DXAeAEUMlX4TjJO_kLcrdNQlbQlLbs/s1600/IMG_20150314_163120.jpg" height="474" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The high plain - a normally arid place was soaking wet and darn cold. We ate dinner here - outdoors.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
The only redeeming thing about Spa Hacienda La Florida was the hot rock total body massage and the people were very nice - the food wasn't bad either but it was served out side. Unfortunately I did not sleep worth damn this night. Trucks using jake brakes were a constant companion all night. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipC3AN57RDJ5kUmycYn6R9ZSmEn1qIA5hKX4rn-v0o298BmlaaKRwAAZN8rHcTBsXY_GvDYHfE9zaBlM1UTtscZMFlWRfA5lTI5Pd4erdiUZBNlDIIS7d7fQT2hR2ftBeHD4AMdp5U8rk/s1600/IMG_20150314_163054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipC3AN57RDJ5kUmycYn6R9ZSmEn1qIA5hKX4rn-v0o298BmlaaKRwAAZN8rHcTBsXY_GvDYHfE9zaBlM1UTtscZMFlWRfA5lTI5Pd4erdiUZBNlDIIS7d7fQT2hR2ftBeHD4AMdp5U8rk/s1600/IMG_20150314_163054.jpg" height="470" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View of a deary and raining day.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
On Sunday we headed to the El Cielo Reserva de la Biosfera and the little town of Gómez Farías. Alberto said there was heat at the next hotel. I was thrilled.<br />
<br />
After Russ left for the border the rest of the group split up for the day. Some wanted to take the short, more direct, as the crow flies dirt route while Darrel, Bob and I decided to take the longer paved route with Juan as our guide. Bill his WR450 mia was riding with Juan. My motivation was to get to the next hotel. The weather that day was better but it looked socked in in the mountains so I choose to ride the paved route to the hotel.<br />
<br />
And it proved to be a good choice. Juan led us to a nice little town where we stopped for lunch. While enjoying lunch a young girl invited us to a arts and crafts building where people had recently taken a class to learn to carve bamboo into objects. Bill and I bought some of their work. Juan also told stories and we got to learn more about Mexico, not just what we hear on the nightly news.<br />
<br />
Bill and I shared the bike that day and the weather wasn't too bad, cloudy but not a lot of rain. The DR was a fine off pavement machine but it's on pavement manners were lacking. I was happy to be off bike and give Bill a chance to ride.<br />
<br />
The dirt donks that day had a tougher go of it. The attempt over the mountains was aborted due to rain, poor road conditions low visibility. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
We arrive at Cumbres Inn near Gomez Farias. During the ride we had come off the high plains dropping a lot of elevation. The outside temp about 65 degrees and slightly humid it was, dare I say, pleasant outside.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYtG0aNjnZ4/VRcqW1ZxnhI/AAAAAAAAL74/qdyJFFsg2z4/s1600/IMG_2287%2B(640x471).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYtG0aNjnZ4/VRcqW1ZxnhI/AAAAAAAAL74/qdyJFFsg2z4/s1600/IMG_2287%2B%28640x471%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our hotel for Sunday and Monday night - a virtual palace. It even had heat although we didn't need it as we were at lower a elevation.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w2GslsLEPSc/VRcqWT62WaI/AAAAAAAAL-M/TxKex9fBJ0M/s1600/IMG_2286%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w2GslsLEPSc/VRcqWT62WaI/AAAAAAAAL-M/TxKex9fBJ0M/s1600/IMG_2286%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cumbres Inn - the wi-fi and phone service was a bit spotty as was the restaurant.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zLRTrJf2t9c/VRcqXB5SF9I/AAAAAAAAL8A/JWOyyAqLvuw/s1600/IMG_2289%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zLRTrJf2t9c/VRcqXB5SF9I/AAAAAAAAL8A/JWOyyAqLvuw/s1600/IMG_2289%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The DR at Cumbres Inn</td></tr>
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<br />
Well my room at Cumbres Inn was very nice. I was able to get my gear mostly dried out.<br />
<br />
The original plan was to ride to the a difficult dirt road to the top of <a href="http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Cielo">El Cielo Reserva</a> and have lunch. Alberto said this road was most difficult so most of the group decided to ride in a pickup truck with bench seats. Bill road the DR up the road while I road with the group in the pickup. My choice was based on having a stiff back and wanting my gear to dry out. <br />
<br />
This turned out to be a mistake. To begin with the road had only one moderately difficult muddy section near the town of Alta Cima. The rest of it was a piece of cake for the DR. Riding in the back of the pickup on a padded bench seat for the 2 hour ride up and 2 hour ride back was harder on my old bod just trying to hold on the the canopy supports. My left wrist got sore from all the hanging on but within a day or so was better again. Bill said this was his best day so I am glad he enjoyed it. This day was a meh.........<br />
<br />
Here are few shot to the trip to Alta Cima and our destination in the mountains.<br />
<br />
And although I did not get a photo, teenage kids with huge grins were riding small motorcycles, without helmets, on the road the bad ass Gringo GS riders decided to avoid.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IrWxlBnUJ0Q/VRcqXbdON0I/AAAAAAAAL8I/X7dqIUcixqE/s1600/IMG_2292%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IrWxlBnUJ0Q/VRcqXbdON0I/AAAAAAAAL8I/X7dqIUcixqE/s1600/IMG_2292%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenic turn out</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P7ZXIIX_76o/VRcqXj4w6YI/AAAAAAAAL9w/k62Xk-_3SAo/s1600/IMG_2294%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P7ZXIIX_76o/VRcqXj4w6YI/AAAAAAAAL9w/k62Xk-_3SAo/s1600/IMG_2294%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBvSArqjvCQ/VRcqYGI7xDI/AAAAAAAAL8Q/SccqzR_1yZ8/s1600/IMG_2295%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBvSArqjvCQ/VRcqYGI7xDI/AAAAAAAAL8Q/SccqzR_1yZ8/s1600/IMG_2295%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree at the scenic turnout.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8u51eeRHhTs/VRcqYpsVrAI/AAAAAAAAL8Y/kcm0n12yaJo/s1600/IMG_2296%2B(640x479).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8u51eeRHhTs/VRcqYpsVrAI/AAAAAAAAL8Y/kcm0n12yaJo/s1600/IMG_2296%2B%28640x479%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truck with bench seats and canopy.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gn52FYGjkQ4/VRcqZDTXJ-I/AAAAAAAAL90/J5sIS26g3Hc/s1600/IMG_2299%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gn52FYGjkQ4/VRcqZDTXJ-I/AAAAAAAAL90/J5sIS26g3Hc/s1600/IMG_2299%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The destination for the day.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfiAm7Udwrc/VRcqZl03l6I/AAAAAAAAL9s/-GXVCg9gTV0/s1600/IMG_2301%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfiAm7Udwrc/VRcqZl03l6I/AAAAAAAAL9s/-GXVCg9gTV0/s1600/IMG_2301%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The destination - there were rental cabins up here. There was also a crew clearing the vegetation using machetes. Things could be worse...... JSNS!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-25tGyGEqmS8/VRcqaGTc94I/AAAAAAAAL9o/lYPc8DS538s/s1600/IMG_2302%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-25tGyGEqmS8/VRcqaGTc94I/AAAAAAAAL9o/lYPc8DS538s/s1600/IMG_2302%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BBQ'n Dammit Don.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hVflZcSoKss/VRcqacDZTFI/AAAAAAAAL9k/Q0TzqApmoEw/s1600/IMG_2303%2B(555x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hVflZcSoKss/VRcqacDZTFI/AAAAAAAAL9k/Q0TzqApmoEw/s1600/IMG_2303%2B%28555x640%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging Dammit Don by Barb Wire.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CIgpo0PaBMg/VRcqajXbHLI/AAAAAAAAL9c/VtTVfHonGHo/s1600/IMG_2305%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CIgpo0PaBMg/VRcqajXbHLI/AAAAAAAAL9c/VtTVfHonGHo/s1600/IMG_2305%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juan provided everybody with a terrific BBQ.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uw9gKRogil0/VRcqaz89AkI/AAAAAAAAL9Y/_ciEXp1nS3A/s1600/IMG_2308%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uw9gKRogil0/VRcqaz89AkI/AAAAAAAAL9Y/_ciEXp1nS3A/s1600/IMG_2308%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An attraction. An ant trail. This trail was about 100 yards long - it went from the road to the trees behind me in this photo. The ants were bringing leaves into the ant hole.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbn6MnFfo1g/VRcqbA6WBwI/AAAAAAAAL9Q/8nm9odFZ_7s/s1600/IMG_2310%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbn6MnFfo1g/VRcqbA6WBwI/AAAAAAAAL9Q/8nm9odFZ_7s/s1600/IMG_2310%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ant hole about the size of a quarter. These ants were industrious little bastards. On days like this you just want a little gun power to relive your more youthful days.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f8X9bWr1EIs/VRcqbepe_VI/AAAAAAAAL9g/nu5Wi9R3Ors/s1600/IMG_2313%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f8X9bWr1EIs/VRcqbepe_VI/AAAAAAAAL9g/nu5Wi9R3Ors/s1600/IMG_2313%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegetation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nmFdYGEgr8g/VRcqb6cLIaI/AAAAAAAAL9E/m23Zj2vSvLw/s1600/IMG_2316%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nmFdYGEgr8g/VRcqb6cLIaI/AAAAAAAAL9E/m23Zj2vSvLw/s1600/IMG_2316%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabins in the El Cielo Reserva Biosphere.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hWi3_gIpSKE/VRcqcA54PAI/AAAAAAAAL9M/tplAROePOZc/s1600/IMG_2321%2B(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hWi3_gIpSKE/VRcqcA54PAI/AAAAAAAAL9M/tplAROePOZc/s1600/IMG_2321%2B%28640x480%29.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dammit Don doll in another compromised position.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It was a two day ride back to the border. On Tuesday night we stayed at Hotel Sta. Engracia near Ciudad Victoria. The place had a lot of history but due to changing political and economic conditions has become quite run down - a shame indeed. The highlight was the free margaritas served upon arrival, good food and the place had heat.<br />
<br />
Wednesday was a non descriptive day riding the DR back on main highways back to the border. Bill and I shared the ride on the little DR.<br />
<br />
At lot went right on this trip. I did not get Montezuma's revenge, I did not get robbed, I did not fall except for the one tip over, I came home in one piece as did the DR650,<br />
<br />
Our guides Alberto, Juan and Ken were great! The made lots of good lemonade out of an unusual batch of lemons, creating something from nothing and making the best of difficult situations. I tip my hat to them. <br />
<br />
My gear arrived and I was really thrilled with that - it would have had a miserable trip without it. I met some nice people, enjoyed some good times, suffered some bad times and learned a lot. <br />
<br />
I am still trying to process what I learned. I learned I am very fortunate to have a nice home with a lovely wife and have to the possessions I have. Many in Mexico have much less. I did not feel bad about returning to work and my problems seemed a little smaller when I returned home. <br />
<br />
For me the rain made this trip a bust. Two weeks of vacation gone alone with a significant amount of cash could have been better spent many other ways. I could have had new FJR. I could have spent two weeks riding my FJR in the Western US with friends.<br />
<br />
I learned I was not in good enough shape for this ride. I am not in the shape I was in ten years ago. Even when my son and I road single track we would ride for the day, come back to the car, throw our dirty riding gear in a large plastic bin and drive home. The next day was not another riding day but a day to relax, clean the gear and the bikes. Not so on a multi-day dual sport trip.<br />
<br />
I am done dirt / adventure riding. I plan on sticking to paved roads in the US because I really enjoy that more. There are many places I have never been and I want to do that with my wife when I am retired in a year or two. <br />
<br />
The ultimate take home is, if not for this trip, I would have still harbored ideas of off pavement adventure riding. The lesson learned is I enjoy road riding more. I have changed and I am content with that. Sometimes it takes a fry pan upside the head to learn what you really enjoy and perhaps things from the past are best left in the past. This trip was my frying pan.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-91677197205497970592014-11-03T20:11:00.001-08:002014-11-03T20:11:21.288-08:00Leavenworth Drive Report<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">Last weekend I rode across Stevens Pass to find some great photo ops along the Tumwater Canyon outside of Leavenworth Washington. It was a great photo op with cloudy skies and a bit of fog - the lack of sun meant no shadows or high contrast situation to deal with. Unfortunately I didn't have time to stop and take proper photos. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">So I returned a week later in the cage with my lovely bride and the dog. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">Near Stevens Pass. Obviously it was not an ideal day to be on the motorcycle so taking the cage was a good decision. The caption for this photo is, "Hey I thought this as a fall colors drive report." Welcome to Washington in late October.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1321.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8z-5SmGG3SnmeoITpsJNEkTjfef_nSRL592lwsHR5sd-zVN1is3id-p9fPGSPBiSXmWzwPObx7qfrgQAwgYJHd2KTe9dJtmJgOPGelMueOyfDDxdAFgh1Eh-LIjazWKhKBf7R9ubAQn8/s912/IMG_1321.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">Odd contrast......</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1327.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioO-O0Jgm5m4GlE-05B22LdQ1uvlkNl0BBRnYDj7MNJL81ZDDz7Ac6cPu5vRpy6UEfwIbmlcSvJULyBZPTErduV1DmsGJlP6hrDAqtGZ4EuLTBnDHbMoazvY6J9KLENWgMVCyBiwpBOh4/s800/IMG_1327.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">About 25 miles east of Stevens Pass</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1328.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8I51dSKwOENkUf_i5gF9EVE0le8_ymzBIXdh2-OpiWi3R8gCeV37YuF0SmzSyBQ8yTHCY62WtAofGhOL6oNfWK73klAVtMgJORVr1mmw3KCfufWyU6aD8VVLCT9CEJ0dGhwbChM_gJE/s800/IMG_1328.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">I found a parking lot in Tumwater Canyon and walked around trying to find a few photo ops. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1338.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAOfr0xt0O6Ty8ht960054n8zISpc24xHb00x0cKsyomvjsRpVOclWomORH6bP922kfxkBmCoMVsrmXZ2E68QNGOfdc2qozXv0NooBj6brVO1j2gu6jZES6uIBqkbwxkE5bfRcdMeNsE/s800/IMG_1338.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">For this trip I brought my Canon DSLR two lens, graduated neutral density filters and tripod.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1352.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Sas2G_lCBnrHSCqdnrpIA4Y47XH_8STMlZec3Vt9DxHMuP3cxn5SH87U4fNvw-F9-ynn_WIuNv5EasxK9eYBdXLcRdh2_wmT9P72TvVbMOxyCGP7YeU11Nbr21PjA4voUERMNr6LYik/s800/IMG_1352.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1353.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fK-HOiv3PJ3Up4mPWKoA4i88fshjDGzwbbeEfnWYIVhZ6cPLeKm9fXNEIHTpBR2BXQrBqgPe-y9aJqHO-G6aYLNhXkkHFdcpvUcb9NIRUUUdz3DUD641_-M0Mb8Jf2mHVumJXUCM9D4/s800/IMG_1353.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1355.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEK6jiUb-5A3Qn7gvujZCxkI5CcyH9GsUKbIYlRBaINfxyzXtIms0ApSVN5c81H8f-IeWxfAirtwBW4a8D29AlU7j1CI4Kgq8Lttvs0vu0t2CAeHxoNCLPJJFuaEi7D53reG25Ly6kc8/s800/IMG_1355.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1361.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwSiV3gmhvPE99wTvAadOux_wf0PL5VnlG3X7_H0se_wZY83cFWhbRXmeKLhsDAiMZU-_g3he_NiUjnIklqCSd7d3hIr1P_BlMrwl5XDw-oxTRZGev6RD2i1eTN6dIZ4Av4cJqh5opB4/s912/IMG_1361.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">The Wenatchee River. The sun was out creating a high contrast so I used my filters in attempt to minimize contrast.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1364.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX2ScwqZWaWtHi-NNy-wbForn073HQjejEj-5dmArwuZsU4ULq2wvMbrsFiFVePA9H3TvKk8GlA_TqBA3495OwHRENjcojhSvY1MogAMlZey7_pRByjtSaBq8HgDXru5Pr3vieUeh3Fk/s800/IMG_1364.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1368.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lKWKay4hyphenhyphenvpGDWojo-cmhZS5OcUd9kHyRhDb7cdLQIP-9hTuKeUzz_O9EMGKd8jxXjf8aWc7BgKBR8fMW4XO_pP3bQv4b39qfLRLcKHz_KrW8R8yNtkGda_A_TVcusHSq_PY6-7YR2g/s1024/IMG_1368.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1370.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-neW4J8HDsxtt8sp84xlySKqglHSLVYpC4e-LJ29FBh5fQuIpguBkSzY2IlI5H18OEA2TKngYi4kaX_DRAetHMPYEQK9aFkzoUH3bx8If5-BTi2DQ0-d8ZymIRSfxNZdV_sidjgluzAs/s800/IMG_1370.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">This great scenery is can be seen while riding the motorcycle along Hwy 2. Nice!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1376.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6xBL-7yUCsI-9vPBYyOJ4K3qXIFfWQS-INrShKyjKvHF0Bt4AIaMJgaGk472moPWoQVGFETfZhk-USzuUtFKDAQBUt-IoIwtYmH_fs49mV3IPuu38cEJ1E2C8ibHbE9oPkBnXwx6i0A/s800/IMG_1376.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1378.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUi7H0FysZ20SQ3046bvlf0BU3mLl8-4s5kOQGH7qmOEkJfFXaBHB4qcBVNbIARkUFPOIl5iVbTxL_4qLY7CbNOCjNsAeC3l8Fa_-b-dMNtD1g33zeJQDe_4yIywF90PfZ1bCEv29xmE/s1024/IMG_1378.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1385.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNzkaSoJYj-0O-BruPucH3EUcfZ_osjvZ608LWQUvNKNbmlA8x_qR90Dd56qG3Z4tUXKVgs73i-GDUqfldbdyjWwbXyIKd-ois-OB6ctMLytRfQ_Hl3ft9VPkKGq7kR1vwrp12z4rbvI/s800/IMG_1385.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1390.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39K5NFvPAU5BisKm557QmU0hegfnkjZsYvdxHyNM0MfSy4ehYaYqutxPsY_iQoHTEMLj9DrSXDKNjXlADqbn1qZdhEIKSguW5E8JfOxH6E255JqtRqJnYNN1V0-1Jvn8R_HjP4q5DY0M/s800/IMG_1390.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1396.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqZEUVfMWbeHlrBntm2eJ05iTB26MrLFujKz_C1qeWH_NsuaJv5sqT5zQvLWN5NMYo-amrqa8NGq_gLzfj7QsgP4dCdKrbFAl37DCzyBur6-j9uUPhPIkUahj0YRndgBSqF9CzZLErDQ/s912/IMG_1396.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1397.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVDdtPqudxi_L408SozNISFQKYbxUvtd7xVULFFTZ5Qjn9YbwVBMYgWC9s_InpruRD4dp1am2CaZZAT7lzKmhBgEgslO_XVewdp3LISFO6JIG6Xy4PF2MttKMb2bnvfPWF4z-7Hv-Hbw/s800/IMG_1397.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1399.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKmaPqNjTEBe1s8R3zscLI2TLbJ52coYQ_XRpUch4tBStBAutEYTFuECh9AgXMgVlVVmTZOe6PpsgsWf1M680lkP-xxHyVZ1Zq4QenzErrYJi1WXF9hPdHIG3AzNoei-otk6RWnTYWQE/s800/IMG_1399.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">I want to return some year when there is fog like I experienced a week ealier.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1400.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MS3FtOY0oQrPvCEfcx8wB8DnmTXMJ_O_vYT-OVeA0IPNVtB3Fr3f7fmXtkuyF4qnTaUCItsoZv6Urg60pjgpLgzsb0LM3sPR7PEsDJg8dck0fphEGBwr5SBy0PSAql9QoM-_Kvo0TZk/s800/IMG_1400.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1401.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGGtcNM8ckzUmSvCbf1PX26hQnvsafiblrlpKkzPteK1Q0I5CjVBryRXxUmCzdSrFisijC8EUr0uVtzz9trbjtaq9_PSVhFmIeLHcyu-WQ95HrcStRsfAwMthoOOVLrQyGxmXhdiP1io/s800/IMG_1401.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">We went to Leavenworth for lunch and then for a walk along the Wenatchee River.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1411.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwW-9QkuqzKiFIrv4LUT3APZcy95Atyg3vgQGay3D6TgyDDu8Q6n8mhwU3iqKHrZYqjBVe9M_MhRj6l1iCExIUjs_TNyQXFlPkC3_hmFJX-Dfxys6dIjqxkr3nwp9v6kh0SyXkbsHod7M/s800/IMG_1411.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1422.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyGBubJ2QY47iDOOuz5sA-tu5_58cUzurf_P9cNnY3E6DUDik_ChSejsWc2gYDCv1T73eGtxGNdUWKZdb-W2RRcyfetnEye2betcv4m7anvcOb0YZOH_SeLg-RRZtbMN85e6g0r-ltus/s800/IMG_1422.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;"><img alt="IMG_1424.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHm5RyEWnWa7-BC8COWIFTz2bhHB1aucOmyIvEhNfh3DuQvVdm3mdQIe19QQYPHbu3v84PBoeJ7ucwVlF09AwU09xaCqtkTNd8RjLJwU8v3s6WrlV1sbBU-Dk4N7o-d7fq_2Ac8V_pGM/s800/IMG_1424.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px;">Time to go home. We go over Blewett Pass and it starts raining in Cle Elum where we get on I-90 for the slog back to Seattle. Slog is the right word for it rained very hard nearly all the way, so hard the freeway speed was reduced to 55 due to standing water. Another good reason to bring the cage on a typical fall day in late October</span>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-36000848899257313172014-10-20T21:22:00.001-07:002014-10-24T19:38:20.158-07:00Cacade Fall Colors PT 2<div style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px; padding: 0px;">
The idea for this ride is a continuation of the theme get it while you can. The weather is closing in fast in Western Washington but Sunday was a great day for a riding some of the high mountain passes. We bagged Steven’s, Blewett, Chinook and Cayuse Passes today. We road the <a class="bbc_url" href="https://goo.gl/maps/IRBDe" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da;" title="External link">route</a> clockwise route because only damn fools would brave Hwy 2 traffic on Sunday afternoon.</div>
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I was off to meet riding buddies in Monroe. There was some low clouds a bit of fog and a great sunrise. I even got a few pictures. Imagine that.<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1949.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OcgEpDQnuOo/VEW8HzCN0sI/AAAAAAAALH4/2kOtHC6Hso0/s800/IMG_1949.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Not a great photo but it does show the nice sunrise.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1950.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PDVMNPSKVIQ/VEW8H3whSPI/AAAAAAAALH8/NCcKKJC9Ih0/s720/IMG_1950.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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The scene going across the Snohomish River on Hwy 522 was jaw dropping. I should have turned around to stop and take a good photo.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1952.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M1bkC7NUahA/VEW8H_SY3sI/AAAAAAAALIA/_e3k8DcqSsk/s720/IMG_1952.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1953.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T_OH2mF_TQk/VEW8IzvsDUI/AAAAAAAALIM/UEcTNAiAjEc/s720/IMG_1953.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1955.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B4myPeGpbxM/VEW8KK7bPnI/AAAAAAAALIY/Apg3X_KuGek/s720/IMG_1955.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Save the best sunrise pic for last.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1954.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zE8oAyBucyc/VEW8JonGW3I/AAAAAAAALIU/nQZFptSoITU/s720/IMG_1954.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Stop in Monroe to pickup a couple of friends. The sunrise was gone but the light was still messing with the clouds.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1956.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DJmFO20FEyE/VEW8LG_3GlI/AAAAAAAALIg/3mjNzUsKbUQ/s720/IMG_1956.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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I was riding shotgun. You can see the tips of the mountain peaks above the road in this photo.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1957.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SU9Cxxiz-3Q/VEW8MCR4qXI/AAAAAAAALIw/5Dp9-lI1uM4/s720/IMG_1957.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1958.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QnjmrJ9rXbQ/VEW8MRWXxoI/AAAAAAAALI0/gafRsq3rQv0/s800/IMG_1958.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Near Index, Washington.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1961.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hr27hN4F0kI/VEW8Mc2PjKI/AAAAAAAALI4/xrbdXyyG-lk/s912/IMG_1961.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Approaching Stevens Pass.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1963.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9VXsCGX41zo/VEW8NY06o8I/AAAAAAAALJA/YcM-mH7BKVs/s800/IMG_1963.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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This photos is burred and I kind of like it that way as it add to the realism.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1968.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Tr5e3AQXJE8/VEW8O3un4DI/AAAAAAAALJM/yYGbEcRgp7c/s720/IMG_1968.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Nice fall colors.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1970.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zbQCs3fYGqg/VEW8P6D3P6I/AAAAAAAALJY/YYc7ovZl1CA/s800/IMG_1970.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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And a little fog and it was spectacular. The lack of sun made photography easy. No high contrast or shadows and the trees were the focus of all the color. A very unique day.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1971.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZH2sL90RiA4/VEW8PRhM1jI/AAAAAAAALJU/rc-DpSyeeQM/s576/IMG_1971.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Nice....<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1974.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FoRp4TNNV2s/VEW8Q0owFqI/AAAAAAAALJk/Hd7hnoOGcXY/s720/IMG_1974.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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No fall color but I like the perspective of this photo.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1979.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--GqpFDCXDJM/VEW8Q5I9BII/AAAAAAAALJs/uYg7hrw08Ww/s720/IMG_1979.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Along Tumwater Canyon along Hwy 2. Let’s just say I am going back here on the next foggy day to just take pictures. It was really nice. I should have stopped but we had a long day ahead of us and I only had my pocket camera.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1989.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kpKLbI33cZk/VEW8Ry7GAnI/AAAAAAAALJ0/m-nhUVVX8jo/s1024/IMG_1989.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1992.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7aXoaRUbfN0/VEW8SeoGoWI/AAAAAAAALJ4/bUYQJWz3ynk/s1152/IMG_1992.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1993.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x4Wny9bohFw/VEW8TaNZbzI/AAAAAAAALKA/vnHAOVWqzqs/s720/IMG_1993.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1994.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jQPImC0A8AY/VEW8VCF6YvI/AAAAAAAALKM/he5E7JhRH7w/s1024/IMG_1994.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1995.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tEKbezesZ40/VEW8VkSgsuI/AAAAAAAALKU/fGUbhtjPMa0/s800/IMG_1995.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Not to shabby for moving down the road.....<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1998.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-f4anYaJWdxk/VEW8WLQv2TI/AAAAAAAALKc/tIMoFux877c/s912/IMG_1998.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1999.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8PDVyrO_BjI/VEW8Wab3hCI/AAAAAAAALKg/A3d4Pc6cmfA/s800/IMG_1999.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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We go over Blewett Pass and then to Yakima and Naches. Along the way to Chinook Pass on Hwy 410 fall fun foto opportunities reappear.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2002.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EiASP5K0Zuc/VEW8Xiu-nvI/AAAAAAAALKo/jrF6ZQ2v7PU/s720/IMG_2002.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Near Nile Road.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2003.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y0tSU1JrBOY/VEW8ZgTIbhI/AAAAAAAALKw/0qN1qmZJFV0/s912/IMG_2003.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2004.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9yvpLFttoQ4/VEW8bZazZUI/AAAAAAAALLA/Rs8C4RVnMu4/s720/IMG_2004.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2005.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5TPi2dqbZj8/VEW8bq3980I/AAAAAAAALLE/9X54Pk0xuRk/s720/IMG_2005.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2006.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wJTy80km6oM/VEW8bw6zXuI/AAAAAAAALLI/VR_WI2nK9lY/s800/IMG_2006.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2007.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GHlVF9yrRsE/VEW8elVLICI/AAAAAAAALLk/8n9mH0ElXCk/s800/IMG_2007.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Climbing back into clouds near Chinook Pass.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2008.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Hkwvp7k27qs/VEW8eJkPz7I/AAAAAAAALLg/M0LwA7m6TEE/s912/IMG_2008.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2009.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jFXNJ4w4V-4/VEW8esh_iRI/AAAAAAAALLc/uZpQbvcLRks/s640/IMG_2009.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2010.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aJIjwnjpQZY/VEW8e5bQvkI/AAAAAAAALLo/sG0VRB21eEU/s640/IMG_2010.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2012.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0qzKhcQ65Hg/VEW8f3uzkNI/AAAAAAAALLw/rutrD3eauwI/s800/IMG_2012.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Brian at Chinook Pass taking photos of Mt. Rainier.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2013.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_e_9_5kQaBE/VEW8hzmuN4I/AAAAAAAALME/NK50BB7fNEA/s720/IMG_2013.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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The trip ends with a couple of fall fotos of Mt. Rainer.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2019.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-au4kt3OkAco/VEW8hi1ngDI/AAAAAAAALMA/ZAcbOrHQOac/s720/IMG_2019.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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This one includes all the clouds.<br />
<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_2026.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y012_XEar9M/VEW8iH6-EAI/AAAAAAAALMI/aoRDdXZbnhQ/s720/IMG_2026.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-44953137020927054042014-10-06T18:48:00.002-07:002014-10-06T18:48:34.719-07:00Fall Colors Cascade Mts<div style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3999996185303px; line-height: 17.9200000762939px; padding: 0px;">
On Sunday Roctober 5th, the I went for a ride in the Cascade Mountain passes about 75 miles from my garage door. The weather forecast was promising, clear skies and afternoon temps in the mid '70's. Wow! Given the winter weather we get in Western Washington the saying get it while the getting is good is appropriate. So not one to turn down a good offer I took advantage of the opportunity to see some fall colors in the Cascade Mountains.<br /><br />Beyond the nice forecast, fun on the FJR, the inspiration for this ride was to see some fall colors near Oak Creek along US 12 near the intersection of State Hwy 410 and US 12. The climate along Oak Creek is similar to some areas in California with Oak trees along the Tieton River.<br /><br />So while the getting is good go get it. Here is the <a class="bbc_url" href="https://goo.gl/maps/8x5h3" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da;" title="External link">route.</a> So I did.<br /><br />Here are some photos:<br /><br />Tipsoo Lake with Mt. Rainier<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1878.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rB8EcwVKooM/VDIL_2ZmhKI/AAAAAAAALHI/YfOaVjUaJ8Y/s720/IMG_1878.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />Not sure where I took this photo but I like it.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1884.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6JgFrKgzA_w/VDIFXHY9DAI/AAAAAAAALEw/4ceTn6U5ot0/s720/IMG_1884.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />Hwy 12 along the Tieton River<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1886.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0FgPs8ca8MY/VDIFXCktLQI/AAAAAAAALGs/S7Nw6gg1OJA/s720/IMG_1886.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />I had to get off the bike for this shot along Hwy 12.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1891.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NL3UWHoIvu8/VDIFZnUqHFI/AAAAAAAALE4/tikbuNrcZg8/s720/IMG_1891.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />I moved a few feet from where the shot above was taken to change the perspective.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1892.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qz0GNzzVD-k/VDIFb741HNI/AAAAAAAALFE/eIF7PIIoNWo/s720/IMG_1892.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />Two FJRs. Mine is the first one in this pic. It has 60k on it now.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1893.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e-y1ttzE1Ic/VDIFcQgvOAI/AAAAAAAALFI/9k-Amr5f9TI/s720/IMG_1893.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />After coming up on a combination truck filled with ears of corn moving slower than sin and with zero hope of passing legally I decided to turn around to take these photos.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1894.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bckHqXuHcuo/VDIFeR7eWNI/AAAAAAAALFQ/MreoYtz_yjk/s720/IMG_1894.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />Zoom in a I get this which is what caught my attention from the road. Still it does not do justice being there in person.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1896.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bqAl42be3oY/VDIFgQqG7LI/AAAAAAAALFo/oJWPgV752cE/s720/IMG_1896.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />And even closer.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1897.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9CVvpYaa1ek/VDIFgeQdMdI/AAAAAAAALFs/ZpQHK1unAOU/s720/IMG_1897.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />A little farther on up US 12 near White Pass.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1899.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZslMJA1KOGg/VDIFgfPFS5I/AAAAAAAALFk/LCzNpJjer1Y/s1024/IMG_1899.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1900.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-70xnlcYpQGM/VDIFhkz4U7I/AAAAAAAALGY/hCQqU2E8Iwc/s800/IMG_1900.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />After summiting White Pass views of Mt. Rainier along Hwy 12.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1902.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ufQxxbucGPw/VDIFh5lmsSI/AAAAAAAALGI/ruRb36QXwa8/s720/IMG_1902.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1906.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WUwwV7b8hAg/VDIFiHGBezI/AAAAAAAALGE/iBGCDlGDwFE/s720/IMG_1906.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />Not much fall color in these photos. It was a bit early in the season but near White Pass, elevation 4500', I see a bit of color.</div>
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1911.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X27iP5NwAxM/VDIFiW7FJJI/AAAAAAAALGU/I72EXUGsJ24/s800/IMG_1911.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />Mt. Rainier along US 12.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1913.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XxWa-4g1C6Q/VDIFi1L0u3I/AAAAAAAALGQ/FFFH4y0ys30/s720/IMG_1913.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1914.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jV9FDyt4IMw/VDIFjR8hR1I/AAAAAAAALGc/K_ml5iOdFTc/s800/IMG_1914.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />Mt. Rainier along Hwy 410.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1915.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZyEWBx80M2w/VDIFkf4GHVI/AAAAAAAALGk/WAWRM1c2adg/s720/IMG_1915.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />Any day to get out on the Cascades passes in Rocktober is a good day to be out on the FJR. Dancing Days are Here Again!</div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-13563555461544148472014-06-20T17:21:00.000-07:002014-06-20T17:21:02.351-07:00Unofficial Dam Tour - Western Oregon<div style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; padding: 0px;">
Day 1</div>
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I decided to do the Unofficial Dam Tour this year and it was a good choice. Dam tour often takes you to road along river and rivers are twisty. Need I say more?<br /><br />The point of this trip from June 18 and 19 is to celebrate solstice and bag the remaining dams in Western Oreeeegun!<br /><br />The route of <a class="bbc_url" href="https://goo.gl/maps/FGrnk" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da;" title="External link">day one.</a><br /><br />The photo fest begins.<br /><br />Mt. Adams<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1341%2520%2528600x358%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ls6ad2ILGMo/U6OuiIpgMII/AAAAAAAAK-4/u1OOO0fOMUo/s600/IMG_1341%2520%2528600x358%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />I-84 along the Columbia River Gorge<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1343%2520%2528600x279%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dfMLceRZ-UQ/U6OuiH4mrkI/AAAAAAAAK-4/8BGaNyvycDY/s600/IMG_1343%2520%2528600x279%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1344%2520%2528600x214%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TXVVkKpT-fs/U6OuiK88N2I/AAAAAAAAK8E/P3x5F7htwss/s600/IMG_1344%2520%2528600x214%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1345%2520%2528600x333%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tMdc_Q5jqhU/U6OuizC8XzI/AAAAAAAAK8Q/KRug9qcW8pA/s600/IMG_1345%2520%2528600x333%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1346%2520%2528600x331%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O83WxRMgk9E/U6OujcTGRvI/AAAAAAAAK8g/HdDIp2YIrbM/s600/IMG_1346%2520%2528600x331%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br /><br />Then it was to the Rowena Crest along Oregon Hwy 30 just south of I-34 near The Dalles. The the view point you will see this:<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1349%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VaJl9Kx2d3U/U6OukShAbWI/AAAAAAAAK8w/8jjAYLLXpcM/s600/IMG_1349%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1350%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_vr_XamxIoM/U6Oukh78hWI/AAAAAAAAK80/C46X8Ncw5xU/s600/IMG_1350%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1351%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rKUiS7dS9Pw/U6OulObynCI/AAAAAAAAK-g/lWPbx9HZU4o/s600/IMG_1351%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />And what it looked like from the crest on this day:<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1354%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-J-YiUylNzcQ/U6Ould4NENI/AAAAAAAAK-k/5JktmmL4wFc/s600/IMG_1354%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1356%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kBU1X8O2-PI/U6OulxxujEI/AAAAAAAAK9w/1DfyqB3j4Vg/s600/IMG_1356%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />Highway 35 views of Mt. Hood - nice clouds.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1359%2520%2528600x364%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0sopw3E4wPY/U6OurCEhhDI/AAAAAAAAK-0/94XjrKu3rzM/s600/IMG_1359%2520%2528600x364%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />Snaggle Tooth aka Mt. Hood<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1367%2520%2528600x406%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-w-uARDRvxGA/U6Oumf_MmCI/AAAAAAAAK9U/48rl63bCEt0/s600/IMG_1367%2520%2528600x406%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />After picking up Timothy Lake dam I head down FS 42 and this is a goat trail. It is baaaaad.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1372%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wJZ3rfUmb4k/U6OumueR1OI/AAAAAAAAK9c/prdgjbq3fDc/s600/IMG_1372%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1375%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--uWpk6WsHAA/U6OunAfhv6I/AAAAAAAAK9k/l8dSpDzY378/s600/IMG_1375%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />After forest service road 42 and 46 I am riding along state highway 22 happy to see a road with 3 painted lines again.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1377%2520%2528600x463%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7DmwLNas_B0/U6OunsloT4I/AAAAAAAAK9o/oXBTGgTlTio/s600/IMG_1377%2520%2528600x463%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />Sahalie Falls<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1389%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lAyNThS5jGo/U6Ouo5xSOFI/AAAAAAAAK-A/cypmjMRXCFU/s600/IMG_1389%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />Lake at the dam..... dam I forgot what lake. Smith Lake.....<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1408%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EVABSRuTBXw/U6OuoclPs0I/AAAAAAAAK98/t-Pahe_ThaE/s600/IMG_1408%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />End of Day 1<br /><br />Day 2<br /><br />I stayed the night in Corvallis Oregon which set me up to ride Hwy 34 today. In Alsea I stopped at Debbie's Restaurant (<a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.eatatdebs.com/" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da;" title="External link">http://www.eatatdebs.com/</a>) to bag a great breakfast - the pancakes are highly recommended.<br />The cook, I imagine it was Debbie, recommended taking the Alsea-Deadwood Hwy and Lobster Valley Roads and connect with Highway 34 and not miss many of the good twisties. The advice fell far short of the excellent breakfast. The analogy is giving up a great road for hogs eating swill. I missed 20 miles of Hwy 34 and the best 20 too. Dam!<br /><br />Here is the <a class="bbc_url" href="https://goo.gl/maps/H4301" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da;" title="External link">route for Day 2.</a><br /><br />Hwy 101 bridge at Newport Oregon.</div>
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1410%2520%2528600x300%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GTY3-03rzxM/U6OupDuNcuI/AAAAAAAAK-E/tY_N-tvXfjw/s600/IMG_1410%2520%2528600x300%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />Ollala Reservoir<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1412%2520%2528600x366%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k_gDjZC73mM/U6OupTqoBjI/AAAAAAAAK-c/iW1SLewJcYY/s600/IMG_1412%2520%2528600x366%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />After bagging Ollala Reservoir Dam I more than made up for the bad advice by riding Hwy 229 see the <a class="bbc_url" href="http://oregonmotorcyclist.com/ridepage.php?page=hwy229" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da;" title="External link">Oregon Motorcyclist</a> for a great description this fun!<br /><br />I like these out of focus shot as they give the allusion of motion.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1413%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qlY-YjWqz_w/U6Oupn2tqTI/AAAAAAAAK-Q/gCIby3EBuAo/s600/IMG_1413%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /> </div>
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Speaking of motion forward progress was mostly impeded from here to just north of Vancouver Washington. It was between 12:30 and 2:30 and traffic was no fun. So I stopped at Drift Creek Covered Bridge to get of the drone of traffic along Hwy 18.<br /><br />The sign says the bridge was demolished in 1997 and rebuilt in 2001. This is a historical structure? It was built in 2001 after being demolished. Rubbish I say. This is like taking a board track motorcycle from 1915, destroying it and appropriating a new motorcycle as a board track racer.<br /><br /><span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1422%2520%2528600x443%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-58brQ4ncpck/U6OuqfN9b-I/AAAAAAAAK-s/rkBituAb_uk/s600/IMG_1422%2520%2528600x443%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br /><br />I road home a most uninspiring route - slabbing it home. Yuck. Nice trip otherwise.</div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-57931007635166500932014-06-03T06:49:00.001-07:002014-06-10T21:08:59.406-07:00Silver City NM to Seattle<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Day 7</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">This is the ride report for the group ride on Friday May 30th.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">There was a lot of riders with AJ leading. It was a dark stormy night, oops wrong story.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Anyway I assumed the sweep and finally joined up with Don Stanley. The day before I came down Hwy 191 and today we were going up instead. Al right!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Hwy 191 the darned long twisty road I have every been on. Some say the Tail of the Dragon would be zit on this 90 mile twist fest. They'd likely be right too.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Hwy 191</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Jes Saying Enough Said</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">The African plains in eastern AZ.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Don</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Notice the cut in the top right of the photo. The road goes there.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">It was a great ride. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">End of Day 7</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Day 8</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Off bike day. Did not ride except to get gas. Nice day spent in town having lunch with a friend from the forum.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">End of Day 8</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Day 9</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Did not sleep well - nuts. On the road at 4:00am Central time and road to Redland CA via the freeway. I was up riding at 4:00 to beat the heat or as much of it as I could. It was going to be 105 or so in the Phoenix area.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Here are a couple of photos. The scenery is typical of every mile I road that day.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0970%2520%2528600x297%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zw0PBU79ppc/U41O1MhJBcI/AAAAAAAAKsg/WgzIGFJV62Y/s600/IMG_0970%2520%2528600x297%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0971%2520%2528600x203%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TTKMep4R_w0/U41O1PegNuI/AAAAAAAAKsc/QpjuXZqlBXI/s600/IMG_0971%2520%2528600x203%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">It was hot when I got to Indio. How hot was it? This hot and this was moving at 70 mph.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0978%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0uzHkAo-6LQ/U41O2DKYDOI/AAAAAAAAKso/B3N-_bu4TGM/s600/IMG_0978%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Made it to Redlands at 12:45 Pacific time and enjoyed a couple of beers.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><br /></span>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; padding: 0px;">
Day 10<br />
<br />
The goal today was ride some of the twisty roads in the Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead area and work our way from the east to west. I am using Butler Maps of Southern California. This is a good resource though I wish the author's of Destination Highways would at least publish the Destination Highways So Cal map. Over the last few years all they have done is promise the So Cal book and map and so far it is vaporware. They are publish app crap of existing product I already own.<br />
<br />
Today's route.<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="01-Route%2520%2528600x483%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kL2CAse5fQU/U41Z6tuKb_I/AAAAAAAAKuY/jv0RNFnHy1w/s600/01-Route%2520%2528600x483%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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A profile of our elevation gain and loss..... Crazy.<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="01-Profile%2520%2528600x365%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VO1Z-XWyLVo/U41Z6RYK0qI/AAAAAAAAKuU/uRgRQ0debmA/s600/01-Profile%2520%2528600x365%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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With such elevation gain or loss like this you'd expect roads like this. And there are. We started on Hwy 38 then to Hwy 18.<br />
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Hwy 38<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_0980%2520%2528600x372%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KGS01bApE-Y/U41Z7KTozdI/AAAAAAAAKug/4LtohL3Vm5c/s600/IMG_0980%2520%2528600x372%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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I suspect this was a landslide at one time. Makes for a nice photo.<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_0982%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BOnhQSPQaHA/U41Z74FCfVI/AAAAAAAAKuo/hdWlfc1Cpfo/s600/IMG_0982%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Put a bit of foreground interest into the photo and it is even better.<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_0983%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9BTUtjj9kfo/U41Z95WUYdI/AAAAAAAAKu0/3H44GTrywY8/s600/IMG_0983%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Darn lanyard got in the way along Hwy 18.<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_0991%2520%2528600x424%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wqySe0Qm5bQ/U41Z9yxBlwI/AAAAAAAAKu8/w3xa6Q_M8nk/s600/IMG_0991%2520%2528600x424%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Hwy 18 loses about 3000 feet in 5 miles. Wow! We ride down to the valley floor then back up.<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_0992%2520%2528600x369%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ADEjnBQcxz0/U41Z-pd-EDI/AAAAAAAAKvA/FDsglUBi81o/s600/IMG_0992%2520%2528600x369%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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A dry lake.<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_0996%2520%2528600x398%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kC5LGGpcZgw/U41gvqqiHnI/AAAAAAAAKwg/YmD6dI-SjeM/s600/IMG_0996%2520%2528600x398%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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After riding up Hwy 18 heading into Big Bear where we found a lot of congestion. Still we found a few nice places for relaxing and some photos:<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1000%2520%2528600x467%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P0ysl1xR79Q/U41gv7YOqhI/AAAAAAAAKws/_4RSmujyEfQ/s600/IMG_1000%2520%2528600x467%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1001%2520%2528600x435%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NevcbDjux78/U41gvz9Fq8I/AAAAAAAAKw0/W6aoKK7HHJ4/s600/IMG_1001%2520%2528600x435%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1002%2520%2528600x359%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-feRHIQKX_V8/U41gwvALSoI/AAAAAAAAKw4/8lOf1upAxMA/s600/IMG_1002%2520%2528600x359%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1003%2520%2528505x600%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oWQ8AV0Yujw/U41gx-vvD4I/AAAAAAAAKxA/v7ZyeRmYDS8/s512/IMG_1003%2520%2528505x600%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1004%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0QFVf85E3Is/U41gzObU13I/AAAAAAAAKxI/VwEvq2gvflw/s600/IMG_1004%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br />
My FJR<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1009%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-acZr_7Zb2ew/U41gzkFhOdI/AAAAAAAAKxQ/DDisb9rfZEs/s600/IMG_1009%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Rim of The World Hwy (rather conceited to give it this name if you ask me - still it is a nice road - there was so much pollution in the valley it could have been the rim of a toilet bowl <span rel="lightbox"><img alt="smile.png" class="bbc_img" src="http://www.fjrforum.com/forum//public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" title=":)" /></span> )</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; padding: 0px;">
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1012%2520%2528600x312%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EDGDIUuZKbQ/U41g0PxWaqI/AAAAAAAAKxY/cPqUmNDVEoI/s600/IMG_1012%2520%2528600x312%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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After this we changed up the ride due to congestion and fear of following school buses so we headed down Hwy 138. Nice pavement greeted us and and only a few cars. Nice. We liked it so much we ran down then back up then down again. I got some photos of George the second time down.<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1017%2520%2528600x327%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yJp66j4ixmw/U41Z_IDmJ4I/AAAAAAAAKvI/vYpVTemFYIM/s600/IMG_1017%2520%2528600x327%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1020%2520%2528600x373%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3JMQPISIjhI/U41aAYS-YSI/AAAAAAAAKvQ/JLRBKK0zXEo/s600/IMG_1020%2520%2528600x373%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1024%2520%2528600x440%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2RvzNe43udo/U41aBF-qozI/AAAAAAAAKvc/2-H6L_w8E9Y/s600/IMG_1024%2520%2528600x440%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1026%2520%2528600x264%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RPV34M_Kpfk/U41aBtCn60I/AAAAAAAAKvg/XTD8ZUuzVhw/s600/IMG_1026%2520%2528600x264%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1030%2520%2528600x361%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FIEgBhajvZQ/U41aCZMEE4I/AAAAAAAAKvo/pXz5CNnlh8o/s600/IMG_1030%2520%2528600x361%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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For Tyler!<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1032%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GKy1xFuY3OQ/U41aD0lj4AI/AAAAAAAAKvw/8FN6ahFTqAg/s600/IMG_1032%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Silverwood Lake<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1033%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lY2I0-bcgkQ/U41aE4FUU5I/AAAAAAAAKv8/_tBoWL-k72k/s600/IMG_1033%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1034%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dIhqIzMIYXE/U41aFY1oIDI/AAAAAAAAKwA/ej0Si81x1BM/s600/IMG_1034%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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Must be the home of an ex-politician.<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_1036%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VB7WcAzNEgk/U41aGaDEzhI/AAAAAAAAKwI/APCR4BQt_Ug/s600/IMG_1036%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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End of Day 10<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Today we road Angels Crest Hwy, Angels Forest Highway, the Little and Big Tujunga Canyon Roads and Hwy 33. What a day! </span><a class="bbc_url" href="http://goo.gl/maps/jtl44" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" title="External link">Our Route</a><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The day before we go all hung up in Bear Valley traffic. Today was completely opposite - no traffic at all and we started out by riding the Angeles Crest Highway east to west so the sun was at our back. As it turn out the pavement is best on the east side by a small margin too! </span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">I have been wanting to ride this road since 2007 - it was closed then. Another item checked off my bucket list. What a road. Easy sweeping corner for 50 miles with exceptional scenery. This should be a must on every motorcyclist wish list.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Let the photo’s begin.....</span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1039%2520%2528600x266%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CAKfEDhvFYY/U4_7gAcM_EI/AAAAAAAAKyM/nopOqUAU7zA/s600/IMG_1039%2520%2528600x266%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1041%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wqvOY99EpgM/U4_7gGBA12I/AAAAAAAAKx4/9ntYIGYom14/s600/IMG_1041%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">More sweepers - wonderful!</span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1043%2520%2528600x360%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UUn8ULQqcrE/U4_7gBt3bkI/AAAAAAAAKyQ/v3H6ZrV9J10/s600/IMG_1043%2520%2528600x360%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1046%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_uZX6YJ5uPg/U4_7gksLukI/AAAAAAAAKyE/ExM__G9Dh9U/s600/IMG_1046%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">This is is not a sweeper.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1047%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JAZ6cENsMTA/U4_7hN7ooII/AAAAAAAAKyk/mjBOPQQPJv8/s600/IMG_1047%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1053%2520%2528600x352%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KJ_8T-FTyq4/U4_7hEAYMLI/AAAAAAAAKyU/FZSkNpI7fiU/s600/IMG_1053%2520%2528600x352%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">A double tunnel.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1054%2520%2528600x428%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z-PAUvErjxQ/U4_7hivItrI/AAAAAAAAKy8/55LMyCPPxxQ/s600/IMG_1054%2520%2528600x428%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The we went back to pickup the Angeles Forest Highway road. </span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1055%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SZZB0JSsHmE/U4_7hk8PnrI/AAAAAAAAKyg/0f4if5rORVw/s600/IMG_1055%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1060%2520%2528600x429%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M1qNfQCvbtQ/U4_7iLD94qI/AAAAAAAAKys/n_8erdgQ4uQ/s600/IMG_1060%2520%2528600x429%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The cactus were in full bloom.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1064%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--JZ10rc9eX4/U4_7i1rHXGI/AAAAAAAAKzk/gg18vSbC3hg/s600/IMG_1064%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The road is below - nice view point.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1066%2520%2528600x505%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YzgKJTojq7I/U4_7jI12xRI/AAAAAAAAKy4/8Q2wxcXJjMY/s600/IMG_1066%2520%2528600x505%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1067%2520%2528600x398%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c_NcY2pb_UA/U4_7jU2xMwI/AAAAAAAAKzU/2mNSmq-y0m8/s600/IMG_1067%2520%2528600x398%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Nuts to where we are it is about where we are going and that is the Big and Little Tujunga Canyon roads for more big sweepers.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1083%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-r7oFJYGUDQM/U4_7j6-WynI/AAAAAAAAKzQ/awrGJW-CD3I/s600/IMG_1083%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">And a hairpin.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1084%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HGHvfFqFpGc/U4_7ky6C7tI/AAAAAAAAKzo/BEhYo7iFEjM/s600/IMG_1084%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">And a view.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1085%2520%2528600x378%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-INLvVk8Rvfs/U4_7lpLWo6I/AAAAAAAAKz4/QNODzFosRo4/s600/IMG_1085%2520%2528600x378%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Then onto Ojii to ride Hwy 33</span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1087%2520%2528600x485%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Objiv2SbwYY/U4_7k_o9pII/AAAAAAAAKzg/Z_kY9SK8aug/s600/IMG_1087%2520%2528600x485%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Where you get some flowers with your twisty road.</span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1095%2520%2528600x316%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P3jL-3B1drU/U4_7lst1B2I/AAAAAAAAKz8/C4n4nRZgDQs/s600/IMG_1095%2520%2528600x316%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">And some views:</span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1096%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P3nc2i-3TC4/U4_7l-HY_fI/AAAAAAAAK0A/r6seO4wdKoA/s600/IMG_1096%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">End of Day 11 - a magnificent day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Day 12</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">No roads for old FJRs (or new ones) or the story of an goat road, a wicked downhill descent and a goat road.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">We bit of more than we could chew and using Butler maps exclusively may lead you to roads you’d rather skip. With Destination Highways the book has great prose describing the road in great detail so you know if it is a goat road or a well paved asphalt. Now if the authors at Destinations Highways had released the Southern Cal book an maps we would have skipped two goat road and a downhill descent of a a road we should have road up.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Here is </span><a class="bbc_url" href="http://goo.gl/maps/nBECv" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" title="External link">the route.</a><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The first goat road was had patches of cow manure from a recent cattle drive. I was thinking of George’s clean FJR was we dodged cow poo. I wasn’t sure if it was cow dung or scatt but it added another dimension to the poor pavement surface. At least it was not crowded and we made pretty good time plus we gained elevation escaping the heat in the valley.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The tree lined road kept views to a minimum. So not too many photos of goat road one.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1103%2520%2528600x444%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--NgOxKjmkQw/U5SYIfvj3_I/AAAAAAAAK00/u2LSs2kjk7A/s600/IMG_1103%2520%2528600x444%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1108%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rW5-tM4UWFk/U5SYIBy7mBI/AAAAAAAAK0g/zAy0clc24Dw/s600/IMG_1108%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The goat road joins California Hwy 190 and it is a 18 miles of steep down hill twisty pavement that is in marginal shape. Not easy but more scenic than goat road one.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Try to photo a harpin turn like Tyler without a wide angle lens.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1114%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-beZ35p8scDU/U5SYIajl-bI/AAAAAAAAK0w/g0v4iQBBVRE/s600/IMG_1114%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1120%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-71CNE0x-Jrw/U5SYJPUxUsI/AAAAAAAAK08/ZCyovpzsgB8/s600/IMG_1120%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1122%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--04TUjrLvKs/U5SYJ9yLg6I/AAAAAAAAK1M/k_GCedoLtQc/s600/IMG_1122%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1123%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M7x7DaCNxl4/U5SYKEPwFTI/AAAAAAAAK1I/IhuyOqbv-H8/s600/IMG_1123%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1124%2520%2528600x437%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xM6zGFBehHE/U5SYKRwSxAI/AAAAAAAAK1Q/PCerJA3r1UM/s600/IMG_1124%2520%2528600x437%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1129%2520%2528488x600%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-va2vAis0kfA/U5SYKwZ0zaI/AAAAAAAAK1Y/e5W_981dthE/s512/IMG_1129%2520%2528488x600%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Next it was one to goat road two where we were tailed by the police and had no idea of the speed limit. When the road got real bad we were able to slowly put some space between us and the law. Now that is a bad road. My advice is to stay away from the Yokohl Valley Road.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">We stopped for lunch and realized we needed to change the route and headed to a posh casino resort for some well deserved relaxation.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">End of Day 12.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Day 13</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The reason to stay the night at the </span><a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.chukchansigold.com/" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" title="External link">Chukchansi Gold Resort Casino</a><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"> was to save coin compared to the hotels in Oakhurst California, to have everything we needed for the night in one building and to be near the entrance to Yosemite. It was great! </span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><a class="bbc_url" href="https://goo.gl/maps/5uFX8" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" title="External link">The route</a><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"> for today is Tioga and Sonora Passes and spend the next night in Sonora making this a very doable 240 miles. And we will be on good pavement compared to the day before. Yes!</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">So let’s start the photo gallery for this ride.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Our first stop was near Yosemite Valley.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1132%2520%2528600x440%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jalAleBm3kw/U5Zvf_DzUlI/AAAAAAAAK38/YecsUqifx6E/s600/IMG_1132%2520%2528600x440%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">I was here in June 2003 on my 1988 BMW R1000RT.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="P6290108.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Zbed_mnlWv8/U5aAcbii-gI/AAAAAAAAK4Y/bl7f2B4BTLk/s720/P6290108.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1136%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FCtP1RBj4hc/U5Zvfxd8FDI/AAAAAAAAK14/WoFZ9OtMLnY/s600/IMG_1136%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1146%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fuz__P1xbZk/U5Zvg7ZJgNI/AAAAAAAAK2M/WHIDjrlPqbo/s600/IMG_1146%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Bridalveil Falls</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1142%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U8qNcu6ZT-w/U5Zvf5CO1nI/AAAAAAAAK2A/2iU-wiqulBU/s600/IMG_1142%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Did not take the time to get the name of this monolith.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1164%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-utml-h7idC0/U5ZvhOD5kII/AAAAAAAAK4E/lh1s2vWa70Q/s600/IMG_1164%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1165%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hntk5q1PNHg/U5ZvhVKf4DI/AAAAAAAAK2c/FeTBjA0w3mc/s600/IMG_1165%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">On the road to Tioga Pass</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1170%2520%2528600x430%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PsUUmPyvgqU/U5ZvhiP05pI/AAAAAAAAK2Y/zGOIbm2H3fg/s600/IMG_1170%2520%2528600x430%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1171%2520%2528600x412%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VLBbbXJF_Tk/U5ZviCTvlvI/AAAAAAAAK30/UsBGgtL37b0/s600/IMG_1171%2520%2528600x412%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1172%2520%2528600x469%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BgaAhRtRpn4/U5ZviZSv_OI/AAAAAAAAK3I/mWgnioFg4S0/s600/IMG_1172%2520%2528600x469%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1191%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gv-wc5Q5QsU/U5ZvihDe_II/AAAAAAAAK2o/wRDjRF6KlW8/s600/IMG_1191%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Half Dome</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1199%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hQLDOZSUWWA/U5ZvjCjusdI/AAAAAAAAK20/AZZ93eINf5E/s600/IMG_1199%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Guess Who</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1212%2520%2528600x409%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Tmai0UB5F5g/U5ZvjhKxA0I/AAAAAAAAK3E/SsOH9REtTk8/s600/IMG_1212%2520%2528600x409%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Tuolumne Meadow</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1221%2520%2528600x242%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u-vUFcIwdfk/U5ZvjrHJtRI/AAAAAAAAK24/SAbSmmOuQE0/s600/IMG_1221%2520%2528600x242%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Not bad for a behind the back shot!</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1232%2520%2528600x397%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7QHM-1Jcmtc/U5ZvkI7TqrI/AAAAAAAAK3M/qezrAK0gVn8/s600/IMG_1232%2520%2528600x397%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Sonora Pass my favorite!</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1247%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NeWIK8pgHKc/U5Zvkd_kuiI/AAAAAAAAK3Y/xW5_9UTf_Ts/s600/IMG_1247%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Dig this crazy road.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1250%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6btoCcDySZI/U5Zvk3WtRCI/AAAAAAAAK3k/anvg6btEIUo/s600/IMG_1250%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">For Tyler</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1256%2520%2528600x302%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PgMYk9b-fe4/U5ZvlHfwfaI/AAAAAAAAK3s/hv-gQcz2gpg/s600/IMG_1256%2520%2528600x302%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1257%2520%2528600x298%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fqjnebxcmOM/U5Zvl8vzv0I/AAAAAAAAK3o/QyV8cJRU7Sc/s600/IMG_1257%2520%2528600x298%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">In June 2003 I took this photo at this very spot and below it up to a 20x24 photo and framed it. Today the photos sits above the fireplace in my home. I compared the 2003 and 2014 photos. Very little has changed.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1261%2520%2528600x457%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QRYHKsTqw-8/U5ZvmJFwTQI/AAAAAAAAK3w/tqK0nZ5_k54/s600/IMG_1261%2520%2528600x457%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">End of Day 13.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Day 14</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">We decide to make significant northward progress to get out of the heat in the Central Valley which are around 93 to 100F. A bit much for a couple of slugs from Washington State.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><a class="bbc_url" href="https://goo.gl/maps/3y0Kj" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" title="External link">The route.</a><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">We started with a roller coaster ride on Hwy 49 driving for an hour or so until we stop for breakfast at the Old Well Cafe in Drytown. The patrons and owner where very un-PC. The owner and cook was wearing PJ bottoms. It was like comedy show with your meal. A couple walks in and the lady says oh isn’t this place quaint. The cook went off sarcastically saying the place is quaint, the food is quaint, the people are quaint. What a hoot. </span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1262%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FIYFU1omSWM/U5aI_nJAryI/AAAAAAAAK40/y9AKi_UPn4E/s600/IMG_1262%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The highlight of the day was riding the Oroville to Quincy highway a wonderfully twisty road paved with asphalt my favorite surface - I hate cheap seal. Time to haul ass and we did.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1265%2520%2528600x456%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xcPTfRgM2gs/U5aI_k5yCoI/AAAAAAAAK44/JZIy15OPSCk/s600/IMG_1265%2520%2528600x456%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">I was enjoying myself so much and riding well I didn’t take a lot of photos. This is a must ride road.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1266%2520%2528600x370%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GROYF1TuEdA/U5aJA4zghxI/AAAAAAAAK5o/Kwefe3uSaGE/s600/IMG_1266%2520%2528600x370%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Next we are off to Mt. Lassen where I take a few more photos.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1268%2520%2528600x399%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x8im-k_LFQg/U5aJAMWhA_I/AAAAAAAAK5E/RZ0iwdpc4Vs/s600/IMG_1268%2520%2528600x399%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The cloud caught my attention.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1269%2520%2528600x405%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H32DId9XNzM/U5aJAYW56ZI/AAAAAAAAK5I/ufyiUKo6QWg/s600/IMG_1269%2520%2528600x405%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1275%2520%2528600x424%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--s7hOHEm2D8/U5aJA0h4MdI/AAAAAAAAK5Y/knXJD1Tbv7Y/s600/IMG_1275%2520%2528600x424%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The lake near the summit at Mt. Lassen was just thawing out.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1277%2520%2528600x272%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KQZJmH-mZ6U/U5aJBNh6PHI/AAAAAAAAK5U/aRZbk0hT8-A/s600/IMG_1277%2520%2528600x272%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1292%2520%2528600x497%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rBna5m6qyZ0/U5aJBxujrCI/AAAAAAAAK5k/6kuTAHmTvXA/s600/IMG_1292%2520%2528600x497%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">We find a hotel in Ashland Oregon to end the day.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">End of Day 14.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">D</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">ay 15</span><br />
<br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">My mother in law had fallen dislocating her shoulder so my wife was in Yakima. Rather than riding home to an empty house I decide to ride to Yakima and help out. The meant I was be going alone after Ashland but I could pickup a couple of dams along the way.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">I left --G and Ashland at 5:00am to ride this </span><a class="bbc_url" href="https://goo.gl/maps/X6ZS0" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" title="External link">route.</a><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">My route take me north of Crater Lake. Along the way I cross a bridge and take a photo of this reservoir at sunrise.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1303%2520%2528600x342%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_6ezVQ1exM8/U5fGbwIVzJI/AAAAAAAAK6I/skjXGvhQWVg/s600/IMG_1303%2520%2528600x342%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><a class="bbc_url" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/damtour/" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" title="External link">Dam Tour</a><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"> is a great way to get off the beaten path and in this case the beaten path is Hwy 97. My route takes me to the Prineville reservoir where you will be on this road.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1307%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mcWI6iggKdE/U5fGb69Qq_I/AAAAAAAAK60/OMBrwE-6H0g/s600/IMG_1307%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1308%2520%2528600x399%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-THKq-S3QRb0/U5fGbzAzH-I/AAAAAAAAK6M/_q2vigEHQss/s600/IMG_1308%2520%2528600x399%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1310%2520%2528600x437%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RJrOtYcJBb0/U5fGcmW5WDI/AAAAAAAAK6c/9akQbxnu1qo/s600/IMG_1310%2520%2528600x437%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Mt. Jefferson</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1311%2520%2528600x324%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZI6jbTN_R6o/U5fGctcavVI/AAAAAAAAK6Y/C563pCWtleQ/s600/IMG_1311%2520%2528600x324%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The small tree provide some foreground interest so this is a better photo.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1314%2520%2528600x353%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IYZ5OCuwVOg/U5fGda1pxrI/AAAAAAAAK6s/NnkZCUmv9Ag/s600/IMG_1314%2520%2528600x353%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Mt. Hood - I call it Snaggle Tooth.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1322%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-67eRZF5sQwc/U5fGdl99R_I/AAAAAAAAK6o/HfU0tdr6yD0/s600/IMG_1322%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">End of Day 15.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Day 16</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">I leave Yakima and take Hwy 410 home to ride over Chinook Pass. Been here and done that. This ride is in my backyard.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Approaching Chinook Pass from east to west.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1331%2520%2528600x418%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5lNIBtEnDRw/U5fShGsbefI/AAAAAAAAK7M/wSxoQiww_Tk/s600/IMG_1331%2520%2528600x418%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Tipsoo Lake near the crest of Chinook Pass at 5430 feet is not quite thawed from it’s winter slumber</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_1334%2520%2528600x386%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ao65zHp57HE/U5fShFwj2zI/AAAAAAAAK7Q/HkHjn7hLVSc/s600/IMG_1334%2520%2528600x386%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">End of Day 16.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Side out, ride over, the end, period.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Thanks for following the posts.</span></div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-62352745907631557802014-05-26T20:37:00.001-07:002014-06-01T15:43:08.326-07:00Seattle to Silver City NM<div style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px; padding: 0px;">
I will post my daily ride reports from Seattle to SW-FOG 2014 in this thread.<br />
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I left Seattle at 3:45am and road the freeway to Kennewick Washington taking the slab the entire way. Stop for gas and breakfast at McDonald's. Also I meet up with my riding buddy.<br />
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The destination for the day is Meridian Idaho but along the way we take a detour to Owyhee Dam so I can bag my first Unofficial Dam Tour dam of the season. It was all slab today except for the detour to the Owyhee Dam and what a nice detour it was. Along the river people are out camping, fly fishing, and big white dog standing up in the back of a pickup truck with the wind in it's face and it all unfolds in front of us as we motor down the road. Pretty country out here long the river below the dam.<br />
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Temps today varied from 43 at Snoqualmie Pass to 82 in Ohyhee Lake a fine day for riding.<br />
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First dam of the season.<br />
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Ohyhee Lake<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="IMG_0581%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HA-K2dIdXFg/U4FbqxhqDPI/AAAAAAAAKf0/juWEkhkVJjY/s600/IMG_0581%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br />
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The River below the dam.<br />
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<span rel="lightbox"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Day 2</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Today we road from Meridian Idaho to Spanish Fork Ut. </span><a class="bbc_url" href="http://goo.gl/maps/xgNgL" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" title="External link">The route</a><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The day started like this.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0590%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Aj5fHeWyWYc/U4KDen6aQ5I/AAAAAAAAKgY/UpaxdvkuY8c/s600/IMG_0590%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">DCarver complained the Day 1 post was lame, Candy Butt worthy even, and it was. So to beef up the content I took a few freeway photos and detoured to Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls Idaho.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Slabbing I-84. Good pavement well at least compared it I-90 along Snoqulamie Pass in Washington.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0591%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hS7r_SsMvBE/U4KDeVTP0vI/AAAAAAAAKgg/BHnaoSOZKJ0/s600/IMG_0591%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Vast empty spaces along I-84. Nice for a city boy.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0593%2520%2528600x445%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8cX2bM27tUo/U4KDepj9PJI/AAAAAAAAKgU/C3o12_qNqjw/s600/IMG_0593%2520%2528600x445%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0594%2520%2528600x435%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jtayXeQHHm8/U4KEMcKwrGI/AAAAAAAAKgo/jv7RDWtkB6k/s600/IMG_0594%2520%2528600x435%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Then I got the bright idea to go to Shoshone Falls. Why not it was only five miles off the freeway and we had some time to burn.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0603%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3C_58CzZbyg/U4KEO1MrABI/AAAAAAAAKg4/htV0R6NKN9Y/s600/IMG_0603%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0608%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8g-1NTJWwx4/U4KEOOhJqxI/AAAAAAAAKgw/WF1OpEurBMA/s600/IMG_0608%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Dig the crazy geography in what is essentially range land. This is the Snake River from the Shoshone Falls overlook.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0610%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HmvU5s59A2c/U4KEQ9A0LwI/AAAAAAAAKhA/LoC1udMr4zM/s600/IMG_0610%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Scenic view along I-84 near the Idaho Utah border. </span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0618%2520%2528600x391%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-p5t6kLw0GfQ/U4KESAGB4dI/AAAAAAAAKhI/dZTlHjAHzLc/s600/IMG_0618%2520%2528600x391%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">An oasis otherwise know as a rest stop. The sign says this was Lake Bonneville 20,000 years ago and it was land locked. We now have moved from the Columbia River basin to the Salt Lake basin where water cannot escape.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0619%2520%2528600x451%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XBienHbTkb4/U4KEUm4xrQI/AAAAAAAAKhU/RE3i_FckOH4/s600/IMG_0619%2520%2528600x451%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">I-84 scenery in Utah.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0623%2520%2528600x408%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wxlRq_idg8c/U4KEVMjmp-I/AAAAAAAAKhY/UxiWe_wT7C4/s600/IMG_0623%2520%2528600x408%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The Wasatch Mountains near Snow Basin off I-80.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0624%2520%2528600x142%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RcrnXPcgXiA/U4KEVQycjaI/AAAAAAAAKhg/rOICdjHXv84/s600/IMG_0624%2520%2528600x142%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Riding US 40 on the way to Provo just outside of Heber City.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0628%2520%2528600x401%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xheLg9_PZes/U4KEW6Z3z6I/AAAAAAAAKho/Y0hAd0gDnek/s600/IMG_0628%2520%2528600x401%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0630%2520%2528600x380%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gfUB2kHk4hE/U4KEZjPl1DI/AAAAAAAAKhw/gyMAOcDSxEE/s600/IMG_0630%2520%2528600x380%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">End of Day 2</span></span></div>
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<span rel="lightbox"><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Day 3</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Day 3 started out much the same as Day 2. We had breakfast but was a free breakfast at the hotel.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The ride starts on Hwy 6 east then to Hwy 31 and nice twisty affair going up to 9800 feet then plunging to Hwy 10 along mining towns then on to Hwy 72 another great twisty road. No freeways today! We also road Hwy 12 both directions and landed in Torrey Utah. </span><a class="bbc_url" href="http://goo.gl/maps/bemZj" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" title="External link">Here is the route.</a><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The first photos is near the summit of Hwy 31 at 9800 feet. No names to the passes here. All the signs say Summit with elevation noted. </span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">I like how the highway plunges way with the mountains in the background.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0634%2520%2528600x340%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kqU7a21Ahgk/U4PzjZqhnwI/AAAAAAAAKiU/J66g8Q6T_aw/s600/IMG_0634%2520%2528600x340%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">My FJR near the summit of Hwy 31 otherwise know as the Skyline Road and it is. This is great road. Highly recommended. </span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0637%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_jT65g4QEJk/U4PzpFO4_uI/AAAAAAAAKik/Wqn6JYptD1o/s600/IMG_0637%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Hwy 31 near the summit.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0639%2520%2528600x441%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xAzfYzU-cHo/U4PzpBB3hxI/AAAAAAAAKig/bev-n0PMN94/s600/IMG_0639%2520%2528600x441%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">A frozen lake on the south side of the summit of Hwy 31.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0640%2520%2528600x441%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cHrcTzyQbik/U4Pz6ktBzJI/AAAAAAAAKis/gl034WPEiqo/s600/IMG_0640%2520%2528600x441%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0641%2520%2528600x310%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--HolLsVUx0I/U4Pz8ysCOnI/AAAAAAAAKi0/k-Ek3xuO94k/s600/IMG_0641%2520%2528600x310%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0642%2520%2528600x369%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2i76vmJQPpc/U4Pz9NowAWI/AAAAAAAAKi8/YiL-aduOJHM/s600/IMG_0642%2520%2528600x369%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">A year ago mudslides made a mess of the south side of Hwy 31. Likely brought on by thunderstorms. Think twice before camping along this river.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Hwy 31 end joining Hwy 10 and we are in the arid flatlands and coal mining country. Odd to be in beautiful mountain country to drop in to flatlands. Oddly enough one of the mountain lake is called Electric Lake and it feeds the coal fire plants to create electricity powering this post.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">We soon are on Hwy 72 heading to Torrey Ut.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0655%2520%2528600x414%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7qFPZHbmZiI/U4Pz-B8K8bI/AAAAAAAAKjE/Zxi6_7Ny_40/s600/IMG_0655%2520%2528600x414%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0659%2520%2528600x300%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HGUU0k8Ex-8/U4Pz_6qK0NI/AAAAAAAAKjM/qewEKB40XuQ/s600/IMG_0659%2520%2528600x300%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Forget Subway stop at the General Store to have a sandwich like this.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0665%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ihREHOmaKQ4/U4P0BMbg6UI/AAAAAAAAKjU/3ABEz2OOiyw/s600/IMG_0665%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">It was 1:00 and our room was not ready yet so we drop some gear at the hotel and headed toward Escalante to ride one of the best roads in the country, Hwy 12! Yea Haw!</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">With temps in the mid 70’s is was a perfect day, even better than this photo.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0666%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WnHlk9BmQ4k/U4P0CseQMMI/AAAAAAAAKjc/e8GANwq4DR4/s600/IMG_0666%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0675%2520%2528600x388%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DOk2C4_ydjI/U4P0EM2QjeI/AAAAAAAAKjo/slFkYr38WZA/s600/IMG_0675%2520%2528600x388%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Photographing a great road with harmless puffy clouds.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0676%2520%2528600x370%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ucW96TLeNcs/U4P0EQDl1BI/AAAAAAAAKjs/ZxbT2b0U77Q/s600/IMG_0676%2520%2528600x370%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0681%2520%2528600x402%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u6ZDmradn_w/U4P0FWiXLlI/AAAAAAAAKj0/qpjn8JJ8VSE/s600/IMG_0681%2520%2528600x402%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">I decided to pull over to take this photo - a good decision!</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0687%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kXEkMH8fPvQ/U4P0IHRHlWI/AAAAAAAAKkE/jbR5Jo8AK4s/s600/IMG_0687%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The Hogsback on Hwy 12.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0689%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VnUh-t0hFEA/U4P0H5wByfI/AAAAAAAAKkA/YBWyQzWug3s/s600/IMG_0689%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Calf Creek is at bottom of the canyon. Hiking to Calf Creek Falls is great fun but not on this trip.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0697%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kyJN9bR85As/U4P0Jo9T0wI/AAAAAAAAKkM/gw3jB9LAGl0/s600/IMG_0697%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">And old tree.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0701%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oigH1fIZADQ/U4P0Nvuag9I/AAAAAAAAKkY/NRQddlk5tQc/s600/IMG_0701%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The road falls way leaving great scenery for us to enjoy.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0710%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2jx7fHshpmo/U4P0N49Ce5I/AAAAAAAAKkc/8JGn4GGUmnc/s600/IMG_0710%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Twisty alert!</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0711%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZVcr9zFhACk/U4P0OiRwAAI/AAAAAAAAKkk/pK54XP5w_6E/s600/IMG_0711%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0712%2520%2528600x322%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t4EM33S4GJg/U4P0cqDw1KI/AAAAAAAAKks/1L-4qJ5H7Eo/s600/IMG_0712%2520%2528600x322%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Look closely and you will see the road.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0713%2520%2528600x378%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6umEvvhIdvM/U4P0d3nGEmI/AAAAAAAAKk0/3DDY_8MH5w8/s600/IMG_0713%2520%2528600x378%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">No road here but nice scenery and a great day!</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0714%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SG16FdydWQQ/U4P0gxsC_2I/AAAAAAAAKk8/Mvou7VlHb_I/s600/IMG_0714%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Back to the road views.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0715%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--T3NUyjxE0E/U4P0ptpCBeI/AAAAAAAAKlM/bawmInzy5vY/s600/IMG_0715%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Is this awesome or what?</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0716%2520%2528600x391%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tO8RKkX5Pp8/U4P0pq-X6EI/AAAAAAAAKlI/GkYNS2vcswU/s600/IMG_0716%2520%2528600x391%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0717%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EDgPLVMcLlU/U4P0sAisN2I/AAAAAAAAKlU/4C76BojaOZ0/s600/IMG_0717%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0718%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UlSPsUAYgYc/U4P0vETKC8I/AAAAAAAAKlo/uPuSHiQShHM/s600/IMG_0718%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0729%2520%2528600x430%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6ri2rME0Y6o/U4P0vkFW_XI/AAAAAAAAKlk/JLlBx_-G-fU/s600/IMG_0729%2520%2528600x430%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0736%2520%2528600x423%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jC9eYyvnLis/U4P0vgDWUtI/AAAAAAAAKls/cgSij93IkgE/s600/IMG_0736%2520%2528600x423%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The Hogsback, again.</span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0761%2520%2528600x459%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YuP7GCKrZfA/U4P0yLBGJqI/AAAAAAAAKl0/dUkH53Y-UaE/s600/IMG_0761%2520%2528600x459%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"><img alt="IMG_0774%2520%2528600x466%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dlozQfCbIYQ/U4P03U-2yqI/AAAAAAAAKl8/VIK1F1evbKA/s600/IMG_0774%2520%2528600x466%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><br style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;" /><span style="font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">End of Day 3</span></span></div>
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<span rel="lightbox"><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Day 4</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">This is an off bike day. Last year when I went to Colorado I never took a break, everyday going to a new destination. At the end of the trip I had the sensation I was blowing by everything I came to see. So one of the reasons for going to Torrey UT beside riding Hwy 12 was to to have an off bike day. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">In 2006 I road my Vstrom down the Notrom trail to the Burr road. One of the other options was to ride to Cathedral Valley but short of time I put it on my bucket list. So we went GS’ing in a Liberty Jeep in a loop through </span><a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/cathedralvalley.htm" rel="nofollow external" style="background-color: white; color: #0f72da; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" title="External link">Cathedral Valley</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"> in Capitol Reef National Park.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">The start of the jeep trip.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0783%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZYxoYzhROz4/U4ZqAY1StkI/AAAAAAAAKms/bjXenGon2BU/s600/IMG_0783%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">This is a self guided tour. Just rent to jeep. This is very nice. No need for a Vstrom and the jeep has A/C, plus a get to ride the FJR to during the trip rather than the Vstrom.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">We had a newspaper with description of the various scenic stops.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Our jeep and some scenery.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0785%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tjKhGxrjH6A/U4ZqAtAG9rI/AAAAAAAAKm4/0pRuKxgMszg/s600/IMG_0785%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0790%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7cSJfve9pks/U4ZqAsGT0yI/AAAAAAAAKm0/X_VCOQXMFRc/s600/IMG_0790%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">This place makes the Painted Hills in Oregon look silly.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0792%2520%2528600x319%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xoDL9g0GpgE/U4ZqB-VWopI/AAAAAAAAKnA/01NpP4Tje88/s600/IMG_0792%2520%2528600x319%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0794%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pG9feRpZ718/U4ZqD1tpeZI/AAAAAAAAKnM/S5X3cokBBxo/s600/IMG_0794%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0795%2520%2528600x360%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ehE776q8bLo/U4ZqD-4pcXI/AAAAAAAAKnQ/ezLlAMxdMqc/s600/IMG_0795%2520%2528600x360%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0796%2520%2528600x417%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FYMgBOLsWX4/U4ZqEhAgZwI/AAAAAAAAKnY/qHW2IMXgMPo/s600/IMG_0796%2520%2528600x417%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0797%2520%2528600x288%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WF5eAmuApS4/U4ZqGeFr-AI/AAAAAAAAKng/G6Ka3eV9qe0/s600/IMG_0797%2520%2528600x288%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Looks like a couple of breasts. </span><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="smile.png" class="bbc_img" src="http://www.fjrforum.com/forum//public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" title=":)" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0800%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ohbnGY-GYXE/U4ZqHJFr9iI/AAAAAAAAKns/cKsq5MUyeiY/s600/IMG_0800%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0802%2520%2528600x303%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZR59JrEQliQ/U4ZqHcuFvLI/AAAAAAAAKnw/NIz9X5szPt8/s600/IMG_0802%2520%2528600x303%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0804%2520%2528600x317%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TOAs1ohIguM/U4ZqIcOv6pI/AAAAAAAAKn4/t60UCL8x7gc/s600/IMG_0804%2520%2528600x317%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">The Temple of the Sun is the name of this big rock!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0808%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RC9qV9Scamg/U4ZqKmDIdnI/AAAAAAAAKoI/_YqLhAx4gDE/s600/IMG_0808%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">A little vegetation with your rocks?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0813%2520%2528600x430%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xtKTXtymI5s/U4ZqKreZGSI/AAAAAAAAKoE/_jpdoueiWfo/s600/IMG_0813%2520%2528600x430%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Temple of the Sun</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0817%2520%2528600x374%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OEIk08YQOYM/U4ZqLWWs9aI/AAAAAAAAKoQ/mrr1o0QSfM8/s600/IMG_0817%2520%2528600x374%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0819%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qwo5n8E0PEo/U4ZqNt7EB5I/AAAAAAAAKok/NeDlkZa-BlI/s600/IMG_0819%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0823%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U-V3zX70xDI/U4ZqOY0iyKI/AAAAAAAAKog/VHPW956YrOY/s600/IMG_0823%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0826%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BKO4YPYjhKs/U4ZqOWh43bI/AAAAAAAAKoo/W3jhcrHV9yQ/s600/IMG_0826%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0828%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8LoKe8DckpQ/U4ZqQMtx6uI/AAAAAAAAKow/mkeNnJ0BmGc/s600/IMG_0828%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0829%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8KwyBa3r45g/U4ZqRt1MDWI/AAAAAAAAKo8/B2GhIrHH-eo/s600/IMG_0829%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0836%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3SDdSYoj3ug/U4ZqRucJamI/AAAAAAAAKpA/RRLkLaevcnE/s600/IMG_0836%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0843%2520%2528600x378%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UbZpFlCgGms/U4ZqSjKZozI/AAAAAAAAKpI/O8PigyU1xYg/s600/IMG_0843%2520%2528600x378%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0850%2520%2528600x448%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8e8kzpFfF6A/U4ZqVCcQb_I/AAAAAAAAKpU/KrEHM0laN5g/s600/IMG_0850%2520%2528600x448%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0851%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6oCaX5VFEj8/U4ZqVcM9ByI/AAAAAAAAKpg/rHMtIBC0gtI/s600/IMG_0851%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0853%2520%2528600x348%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EufpEadjcRg/U4ZqVZxVpUI/AAAAAAAAKpc/97uacnCNIb8/s600/IMG_0853%2520%2528600x348%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0858%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-26OuQmHzCTQ/U4ZqXtFaZfI/AAAAAAAAKpo/o7r1ppH395c/s600/IMG_0858%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0863%2520%2528600x440%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ePY_3xDSOUw/U4ZqYroXXnI/AAAAAAAAKp0/iAxBiK_ZvhQ/s600/IMG_0863%2520%2528600x440%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">And now we start to go up and see where we have been.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0866%2520%2528600x397%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ot9iqzePzIU/U4ZqY7bzRHI/AAAAAAAAKp4/XymvpLmejxg/s600/IMG_0866%2520%2528600x397%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">End of Day 4</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Day 5</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Today we road from Torrey Utah to Holbrook Az. As was warm in Page AZ we took the quicker route and left at 5:50am. </span><a class="bbc_url" href="http://goo.gl/maps/0nEBn" rel="nofollow external" style="background-color: white; color: #0f72da; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" title="External link">The route.</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">The only photo I shot today was for dam tour. Here I am at Glen Canyon dam near Page AZ.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0879.JPG" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fZwTEH6MUD0/U4ZppUTseJI/AAAAAAAAKmU/v7bpgv4HiNY/s720/IMG_0879.JPG" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span rel="lightbox"><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Sorry about the weak day five ride report. It was a slog down Hwy 89 in places with temps around 90 all day and the day ended riding 90 miles on I-17. Day 6 will be better.</span></span><br />
<span rel="lightbox"><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><br /></span></span>
<span rel="lightbox"><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Day 6</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Did you guess our route? If not </span><a class="bbc_url" href="http://goo.gl/maps/8HKUV" rel="nofollow external" style="background-color: white; color: #0f72da; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" title="External link">here it is.</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">It was a slog down the desert landscape until we reach elevation near Alpine Az on the Coronado Trail aka Hwy 191. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Highway 191 after Alpine is high speed turns on good pavement. Here are a few photos.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0880%2520%2528600x448%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wPLOSp3wnZo/U4ua7xB57uI/AAAAAAAAKrQ/sO_1kuChu7c/s600/IMG_0880%2520%2528600x448%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0881%2520%2528600x419%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sDqG7itd2dw/U4ua70bgKAI/AAAAAAAAKrE/x9OzqHP7JYY/s600/IMG_0881%2520%2528600x419%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">There was a fire here in 2011.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0883%2520%2528600x400%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m5gB_rVcA28/U4ua7u-EKTI/AAAAAAAAKrA/naXncm-kwCA/s600/IMG_0883%2520%2528600x400%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0884%2520%2528600x418%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8ZRhb-YqpW8/U4ua82sGvKI/AAAAAAAAKrU/Bbjvyh9c9BA/s600/IMG_0884%2520%2528600x418%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">After the summit the good pavement and long turns gives way to rougher pavement and much tighter turns. Ninety miles of twisties - whoa! I know of no road that is so twisty for so long.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Photos of this twisty fest......</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0889%2520%2528600x391%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ziOy8RmcIBk/U4ua9AUGUTI/AAAAAAAAKrg/MtbJEiJe2Hk/s600/IMG_0889%2520%2528600x391%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">A hairpin....</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0891%2520%2528600x304%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RijWVcUpid0/U4ua9nmPHsI/AAAAAAAAKsE/ilIFNfzw1kk/s600/IMG_0891%2520%2528600x304%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">Sand and tar snakes....</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0897%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KSqFKnuZFaA/U4ua-HU4DYI/AAAAAAAAKrk/rhDfxIO15Tc/s600/IMG_0897%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0901%2520%2528600x448%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ltPyuos6LhY/U4ua-0MMHKI/AAAAAAAAKsA/XVoSeRv8d4Y/s600/IMG_0901%2520%2528600x448%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">This plateau looks like an African plain.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0906%2520%2528600x424%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZtbPNeamb5A/U4ua_HkMOGI/AAAAAAAAKr4/O942GtMx0Gw/s600/IMG_0906%2520%2528600x424%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">After leaving Hwy 191 at Clifton and the largest copper mine in America we pickup Hwy 78 where we found excruciatingly slow at 30 mph and a wonderfully twisty road.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span rel="lightbox" style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;"><img alt="IMG_0908%2520%2528600x264%2529.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ATR7HQHv818/U4ua_UQjhgI/AAAAAAAAKr8/7pJ70W5_sts/s600/IMG_0908%2520%2528600x264%2529.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">After this we road in to Silver City.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 17.920000076293945px;">End of Day 6</span></span></div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-2717451422404997332014-01-18T19:54:00.002-08:002014-01-18T20:07:05.103-08:00First Ride of 2014<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">First Ride of the Year</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Having not rode since the end of October, riding once again is becoming a priority. I used to ride more during the winter but these days freezing fog and rain keeps the bike parked.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Early this morning it was about 40 and foggy in many places in Western Washington. I had a lazy morning then decided to go shopping for household stuff. The run to the store was in glorious sunshine. That was all it took. I was on the bike by 1:00pm riding with no destination in mind.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Course it did not take long before a destination came to mind. Dewatto Bay is a winter time favorite. Here are some photos from 2011.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="Image" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_r1665OtFWE/TWMVwMm2V_I/AAAAAAAAGEU/O4k7z4o94Rw/s800/IMG_7074.JPG" style="border-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="Image" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wtXkWHvJmSo/TWMVvSUpb4I/AAAAAAAAGEM/PDroOCiE9QY/s800/IMG_7072.JPG" style="border-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">With high humidity fog is always a threat in winter time when a high pressure system is present. Sure enough it was not long before I noticed fog along my route. So I scanned the horizon and found found clear skies west of Mt. Rainier so I changed my destination to Orting and Eatonville for photo ops of Mt. Rainier. </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">I decided to stay away from roads that are mostly shaded and this lead to riding roads less traveled. Nice.</span></span></span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Mt. Rainier near Orting Washington</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="Image" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Iv9jOuBuyaI/Uts94A0Kx2I/AAAAAAAAKZk/pJ8daKD8Dc0/s720/IMG_0017.JPG" style="border-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">I decide to head to Eatonville and the twisties section of Hwy 7 near La Grange. Along the way I stop for another Mt. Rainier photo op.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="Image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_I9u3AztfS4/Uts94PfvoLI/AAAAAAAAKZo/DK1nT73ARq8/s720/IMG_0019.JPG" style="border-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">And a zoom shot:</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="Image" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lpBkdDQeLr8/Uts93dm9X7I/AAAAAAAAKZY/WgCWOZhxxzE/s1024/IMG_0020.JPG" style="border-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">On the way to Eatonville the temps drop 5 degrees. With the low angle of the sun the roads often remain wet in winter and makes visibility difficult in some areas. When the road got twisty I could not see the road surface very well so instead of a spirited ride I remained in tourist mode. </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">It was getting later in the day and the chill remained. I didn’t bring my heated jacket - nuts.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Another photo op of Mt. Rainier near the Alder Cut Off road. This is a great shot in spring when the field is green. By the way the place is for sale. Foreclosure price unknown. </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="Image" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uIWcJ_9_gzs/Uts95EFilzI/AAAAAAAAKZs/g-Aadr_KiVI/s720/IMG_0021.JPG" style="border-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">I continued to ride road on ridges instead of valleys to get the most warmth from a rapidly sinking sun. About a half hour from home I remembered I left my heated jacket in the saddle bags so I pulled over. Sure enough there was the jacket and controller. I suited up and turn the heat on high. I was great first ride of the year.</span></span>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8613712449472612881.post-72126235942629715142013-10-21T22:52:00.002-07:002013-11-15T07:39:20.783-08:00Fall Colors Ride Report<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The past week has been foggy in usually soggy Seattle. Fog and moi do not get along well. I prefer rain for at least I can see the sky. Liquid sunshine is better than none at all.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">So to get out of the fog I headed east. Fog socks in the Puget Sound lowlands so one only has to get above 1500 feet elevation to get out of the fog. The mountains and eastern Washington are clear. The trick is to leave at the right time so I don’t hit black ice in the mountain passes. Monitoring the WSDOT web site for statewide temps the day before is an excellent method to determine departure times.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">So with a plan at hand (get out of the fog) and an 8:00am departure time designed to avoid black ice I will now shut up get on with the photo essay ride report.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Here is the </span><a data-cke-saved-href="http://goo.gl/maps/mIq39" href="http://goo.gl/maps/mIq39" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">route.</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;"> I choose this route because Hwy 410 is the quickest way to get elevation to escape the eternal grey.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Near the Green River Bridge on Hwy 169 near Black Diamond.</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1789%2520%2528600x401%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ro-oBZxq-YU/UmX54LHYMSI/AAAAAAAAKNM/wa5e5fj8yYM/s600/IMG_1789%2520%2528600x401%2529.jpg" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ro-oBZxq-YU/UmX54LHYMSI/AAAAAAAAKNM/wa5e5fj8yYM/s600/IMG_1789%2520%2528600x401%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1790%2520%2528600x421%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z0yXxqtAEmE/UmX54JgDc-I/AAAAAAAAKNQ/cY-MctsDjv0/s600/IMG_1790%2520%2528600x421%2529.jpg" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z0yXxqtAEmE/UmX54JgDc-I/AAAAAAAAKNQ/cY-MctsDjv0/s600/IMG_1790%2520%2528600x421%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Tractor along a back road near Enumclaw. The photo is a bit crooked will you forgive me?</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1796%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wAfVnotdDWs/UmX54L0_SwI/AAAAAAAAKNU/iROpeWu1IV8/s600/IMG_1796%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wAfVnotdDWs/UmX54L0_SwI/AAAAAAAAKNU/iROpeWu1IV8/s600/IMG_1796%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">The fog starts to lift near Mud Mt Dam as expected. Enjoy the show! I did.</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1799%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nTP0NePyN2U/UmX54vfBOTI/AAAAAAAAKN0/gmQW26IBRos/s600/IMG_1799%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nTP0NePyN2U/UmX54vfBOTI/AAAAAAAAKN0/gmQW26IBRos/s600/IMG_1799%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1803%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AcC2YW5dmpY/UmX55JPG4JI/AAAAAAAAKNs/YXhsHFstBos/s600/IMG_1803%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AcC2YW5dmpY/UmX55JPG4JI/AAAAAAAAKNs/YXhsHFstBos/s600/IMG_1803%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1806%2520%2528600x431%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B2hG8UZSb04/UmX55SrMiNI/AAAAAAAAKNo/XkBvrYHKuIY/s600/IMG_1806%2520%2528600x431%2529.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B2hG8UZSb04/UmX55SrMiNI/AAAAAAAAKNo/XkBvrYHKuIY/s600/IMG_1806%2520%2528600x431%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Now out of the fog the next photo op is the million dollar shot of Mt. Rainier. This is better than summer shots due to the low angle of the sun.</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1810%2520%2528600x365%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SFuJqP1ULUk/UmX56QPt0MI/AAAAAAAAKOc/ItUuf34FrC0/s600/IMG_1810%2520%2528600x365%2529.jpg" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SFuJqP1ULUk/UmX56QPt0MI/AAAAAAAAKOc/ItUuf34FrC0/s600/IMG_1810%2520%2528600x365%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Near Chinook Pass.</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1819%2520%2528600x254%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bPHZ2lnXDgQ/UmX56jU0SlI/AAAAAAAAKN8/AezSqCgtD_g/s600/IMG_1819%2520%2528600x254%2529.jpg" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bPHZ2lnXDgQ/UmX56jU0SlI/AAAAAAAAKN8/AezSqCgtD_g/s600/IMG_1819%2520%2528600x254%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Tipsoo Lake at Chinook Pass before winter slumber. Chinook Pass is closed from mid November to Memorial Day. (typical)</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1815%2520%2528600x374%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K88PXZTlGX0/UmX56ejD7VI/AAAAAAAAKOE/JNoz4ZJfKc0/s600/IMG_1815%2520%2528600x374%2529.jpg" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K88PXZTlGX0/UmX56ejD7VI/AAAAAAAAKOE/JNoz4ZJfKc0/s600/IMG_1815%2520%2528600x374%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Near Ohanapecosh Campground Hwy 123</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1820%2520%2528600x437%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G_-L80-afxM/UmX57NDkXoI/AAAAAAAAKOo/YpDnRTLN2sQ/s600/IMG_1820%2520%2528600x437%2529.jpg" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G_-L80-afxM/UmX57NDkXoI/AAAAAAAAKOo/YpDnRTLN2sQ/s600/IMG_1820%2520%2528600x437%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Mt. Rainier near White Pass US Hwy 12 - nice eh?</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1822%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IRxgHp71uGw/UmX57f6hUEI/AAAAAAAAKOU/-yQ2F--kCjs/s600/IMG_1822%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IRxgHp71uGw/UmX57f6hUEI/AAAAAAAAKOU/-yQ2F--kCjs/s600/IMG_1822%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">After White Pass summit the fall colors started to kick in.</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1823%2520%2528600x447%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Wl7DlXbQ2E8/UmX579beV2I/AAAAAAAAKOg/wi3hREVqbnk/s600/IMG_1823%2520%2528600x447%2529.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Wl7DlXbQ2E8/UmX579beV2I/AAAAAAAAKOg/wi3hREVqbnk/s600/IMG_1823%2520%2528600x447%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1824%2520%2528600x486%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cszm3aRRh7c/UmX58PrvXRI/AAAAAAAAKPE/OP373CwBYbI/s600/IMG_1824%2520%2528600x486%2529.jpg" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cszm3aRRh7c/UmX58PrvXRI/AAAAAAAAKPE/OP373CwBYbI/s600/IMG_1824%2520%2528600x486%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1826%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d3L18DnjnjQ/UmX58Kf2LOI/AAAAAAAAKOk/hv4FWdqHVC8/s600/IMG_1826%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d3L18DnjnjQ/UmX58Kf2LOI/AAAAAAAAKOk/hv4FWdqHVC8/s600/IMG_1826%2520%2528600x449%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">I finally pulled over to take a real photo figuring this colorful tree was worth a good shot. All photos on this trip were taken with a Canon Powershot S100. It is a pocket camera and I am enjoying the space it saves vs. my Canon Rebel.</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1831%2520%2528600x409%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cCfCstenGq8/UmX58U4OfxI/AAAAAAAAKPA/_6Njjk2B6Sk/s600/IMG_1831%2520%2528600x409%2529.jpg" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cCfCstenGq8/UmX58U4OfxI/AAAAAAAAKPA/_6Njjk2B6Sk/s600/IMG_1831%2520%2528600x409%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Hwy 12 east of White Pass - the hills are on fall fire.</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1835%2520%2528600x300%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z9_69gKqhBM/UmX58_5OpxI/AAAAAAAAKO8/Mhh6i--8hH8/s600/IMG_1835%2520%2528600x300%2529.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z9_69gKqhBM/UmX58_5OpxI/AAAAAAAAKO8/Mhh6i--8hH8/s600/IMG_1835%2520%2528600x300%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Dig this crazy scenery.</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1838%2520%2528600x463%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RX9AV1OdA64/UmX59hKb1RI/AAAAAAAAKPk/uSdO_dpSm6o/s600/IMG_1838%2520%2528600x463%2529.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RX9AV1OdA64/UmX59hKb1RI/AAAAAAAAKPk/uSdO_dpSm6o/s600/IMG_1838%2520%2528600x463%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Going into the sun along Hwy 12 east of White Pass.</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1839%2520%2528600x343%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IwPiYr6jpd8/UmX59ypnc7I/AAAAAAAAKPI/AneOzLlZ0Fk/s600/IMG_1839%2520%2528600x343%2529.jpg" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IwPiYr6jpd8/UmX59ypnc7I/AAAAAAAAKPI/AneOzLlZ0Fk/s600/IMG_1839%2520%2528600x343%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1840%2520%2528600x320%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LG0G0otmgsM/UmX5-MHv_iI/AAAAAAAAKPs/Z_4DiFhTXn8/s600/IMG_1840%2520%2528600x320%2529.jpg" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LG0G0otmgsM/UmX5-MHv_iI/AAAAAAAAKPs/Z_4DiFhTXn8/s600/IMG_1840%2520%2528600x320%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Near Oak Creek along Hwy 12.</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1842%2520%2528600x292%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cVB1ov3O0qE/UmX5-Egb2nI/AAAAAAAAKPY/p1Hqm3Flxok/s600/IMG_1842%2520%2528600x292%2529.jpg" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cVB1ov3O0qE/UmX5-Egb2nI/AAAAAAAAKPY/p1Hqm3Flxok/s600/IMG_1842%2520%2528600x292%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1843%25" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--9mrfW43A3c/UmX6Bip76_I/AAAAAAAAKQo/tmfSWN26pBE/s600/IMG_1843%25" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--9mrfW43A3c/UmX6Bip76_I/AAAAAAAAKQo/tmfSWN26pBE/s600/IMG_1843%25" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1844%2520%2528600x441%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UMSFo3zSXJ0/UmX5_Eiu5XI/AAAAAAAAKPo/2pDWwdaBBjA/s600/IMG_1844%2520%2528600x441%2529.jpg" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UMSFo3zSXJ0/UmX5_Eiu5XI/AAAAAAAAKPo/2pDWwdaBBjA/s600/IMG_1844%2520%2528600x441%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">My backyard!</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1846%2520%2528600x359%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DNnifuPy4zM/UmX5_fAjxAI/AAAAAAAAKPw/rYruVaArYiE/s600/IMG_1846%2520%2528600x359%2529.jpg" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DNnifuPy4zM/UmX5_fAjxAI/AAAAAAAAKPw/rYruVaArYiE/s600/IMG_1846%2520%2528600x359%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1848%2520%2528600x456%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kP_MZPjiFnQ/UmX5_mTwx_I/AAAAAAAAKQE/bOXCHpnd3Uw/s600/IMG_1848%2520%2528600x456%2529.jpg" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kP_MZPjiFnQ/UmX5_mTwx_I/AAAAAAAAKQE/bOXCHpnd3Uw/s600/IMG_1848%2520%2528600x456%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">After finding a non ethanol fuel dump in Yakima I headed up the Yakima River Canyon Road. I was in tourist mode all day so the stroll along the Yakima River was fitting.</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1855%2520%2528600x245%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r8D-9yGgZrU/UmX5_z0z_OI/AAAAAAAAKQA/TVe-pdSxFiw/s600/IMG_1855%2520%2528600x245%2529.jpg" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r8D-9yGgZrU/UmX5_z0z_OI/AAAAAAAAKQA/TVe-pdSxFiw/s600/IMG_1855%2520%2528600x245%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1856%2520%2528600x307%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IlaeuKDWeeU/UmX6AoqOqGI/AAAAAAAAKQI/hN4PDiJMGho/s600/IMG_1856%2520%2528600x307%2529.jpg" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IlaeuKDWeeU/UmX6AoqOqGI/AAAAAAAAKQI/hN4PDiJMGho/s600/IMG_1856%2520%2528600x307%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1867%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-owv_gU9AHQw/UmX6A8BDneI/AAAAAAAAKQg/ftQ18yCGzVY/s600/IMG_1867%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-owv_gU9AHQw/UmX6A8BDneI/AAAAAAAAKQg/ftQ18yCGzVY/s600/IMG_1867%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Fishing in the Yakima River Canyon is a popular activity.</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1869%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rXjsapXkkTo/UmX6BLgU5ZI/AAAAAAAAKQU/UqhJdY_C-Ac/s600/IMG_1869%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rXjsapXkkTo/UmX6BLgU5ZI/AAAAAAAAKQU/UqhJdY_C-Ac/s600/IMG_1869%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">I pulled over for this shot!</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1875%2520%2528600x352%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mbtBLkvcUYQ/UmX6BkEjjdI/AAAAAAAAKQw/0oNV9leoQEQ/s600/IMG_1875%2520%2528600x352%2529.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mbtBLkvcUYQ/UmX6BkEjjdI/AAAAAAAAKQw/0oNV9leoQEQ/s600/IMG_1875%2520%2528600x352%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">After the Yakima River Canyon I enjoyed lunch at the Red Horse Diner in Ellensburg, went on to Thorp to see the historical Thorp Mill. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">After visiting Thorp, a 3 minute affair because the Thorp Mill was closed, I set off on a route of seldom traveled county roads and I-90 to return home. At Snoqualmie Pass I stopped at Gold Creek Recreation site. It was 68 degrees at 3000 feet elevation.</span><br />
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<img alt="IMG_1878%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" data-cke-saved-src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EA7fe4RpU0w/UmX6B3atCKI/AAAAAAAAKQs/Gpfec3lY0NM/s600/IMG_1878%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EA7fe4RpU0w/UmX6B3atCKI/AAAAAAAAKQs/Gpfec3lY0NM/s600/IMG_1878%2520%2528600x450%2529.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; cursor: default; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; vertical-align: middle;" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">About 3 miles from North Bend along I-90 I ran into fog again and in North Bend the temp was 47 degrees.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">EOF</span>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184980179608329454noreply@blogger.com0