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Hi and welcome to my motorcycle trip blog. Here you will find motorcycle trip reports primarily based in the State of Washington and Idaho. Born and raised in Washington I have over 50 years of motorcycle experience. Enjoy the ride.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Cacade Fall Colors PT 2

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 route clockwise route because only damn fools would brave Hwy 2 traffic on Sunday afternoon.

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.

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Not a great photo but it does show the nice sunrise.
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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.
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Save the best sunrise pic for last.
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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.
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I was riding shotgun. You can see the tips of the mountain peaks above the road in this photo.
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Near Index, Washington.
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Approaching Stevens Pass.
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This photos is burred and I kind of like it that way as it add to the realism.
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Nice fall colors.
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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.
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Nice....
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No fall color but I like the perspective of this photo.
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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.
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Not to shabby for moving down the road.....
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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.
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Near Nile Road.
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Climbing back into clouds near Chinook Pass.
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Brian at Chinook Pass taking photos of Mt. Rainier.
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The trip ends with a couple of fall fotos of Mt. Rainer.
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This one includes all the clouds.
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Monday, October 6, 2014

Fall Colors Cascade Mts

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.

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.

So while the getting is good go get it. Here is the route. So I did.

Here are some photos:

Tipsoo Lake with Mt. Rainier

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Not sure where I took this photo but I like it.

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Hwy 12 along the Tieton River

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I had to get off the bike for this shot along Hwy 12.

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I moved a few feet from where the shot above was taken to change the perspective.

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Two FJRs. Mine is the first one in this pic. It has 60k on it now.

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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.

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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.

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And even closer.

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A little farther on up US 12 near White Pass.

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After summiting White Pass views of Mt. Rainier along Hwy 12.

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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.

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Mt. Rainier along US 12.

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Mt. Rainier along Hwy 410.

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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!

Freezeout Saddle

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 Hampshir...