Ben and I left our hotel just north of Vancouver WA headed to McDonalds for a quick breaky. Downing that quickly we hit the highway, anxious for home. Essentially there was nothing unusual on that last leg. Traffic was good, weather was great, riding was easy. Getting through Canada Customs was quick and soon I was on the final stretch into Chilliwack and home.
The last half hour was bittersweet. Nearing home after a time away is always sweet. Ending a great holiday with great guys is somewhat sad. but I'll always have the colorful memories and the pics.
So, until the Knights of the Open Road ride again...
- slugdog
Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Days of the Knights (Day 9)
Ben and I went to the Tall Town Cafe and Bakery, the same place we'd been for supper. It is the kind of place that the locals gather on a Saturday morning to catch up on all the scuttlebutt and goings on and doings. I would describe the ambience as "early stuff and memorabilia." After eating too much we left Lakeview and headed out for the day's ride through eastern California and Oregon. Although the drive was uneventful, it was nonetheless still beautiful. I travelled through desert sage brush, dunes, more mountain passes at snow level, and eventually on to Vancouver WA. One more sleep till I'm in my own bed again.
I read Bob's blog (PositivelyParkinsons) about relevance. I thought about similar things as I drove through small town after small town. Their common denominator was the obvious fact that their best years were behind them, way behind them. Their glory has faded leaving only the shells of buildings in various stages of decay, and even the ones still in use betray a lack of care and attention. It's like they're all in palliative care. The scary thing is this is the heart and soul of the US.
I read Bob's blog (PositivelyParkinsons) about relevance. I thought about similar things as I drove through small town after small town. Their common denominator was the obvious fact that their best years were behind them, way behind them. Their glory has faded leaving only the shells of buildings in various stages of decay, and even the ones still in use betray a lack of care and attention. It's like they're all in palliative care. The scary thing is this is the heart and soul of the US.
Friday, June 24, 2011
The Days of the Knights (Day 8)
After breakfast we left Hawthorne and headed to a town named Fallon where we gassed up again. The countryside is all desert although it wasn't as hot as previous days. Near Gerlock we had to stop for roadwork, something we have encountered every day. We talked to a truck driver who said that Cedarville where we could gas up again was 60 miles away. As it turned out, it was 90 miles and we were running on fumes when we rolled into Cedarville for lunch around 2:00. We ate at Janet's Country Hearth Restaurant and Bakery. I got a giant maple glazed long-john donut for 85 cents! (pic to follow)
We left Cedarville around 3:00 and proceeded along what we thought was the right road. after about 30 miles the pavement ended. Wrong road. We backtracked to where the road had forked. The map showed a gravel road as a shortcut, so we took it. After a mile or so of rough riding and gravel, the road narrowed as it wound through the bush only to end at a private gated-off road. So we backtracked once again and spying a third road marked as a forestry road, we knew this was our shortcut. We headed along this rough gravel and dirt road. Needless to say we were covered in dust in no time. The road climbed higher and higher. At about 6 miles along the 16 mile shortcut we encountered snow on the road-- enough to stop our progress and force us back down the same rough rutted road. Once down we drove the 27 miles back to Cedarville to get back on the right road. In total we travelled and extra 87 miles and lost 2.5 hours. We gassed up again and headed for Lakeview Oregon, arriving at 7:00. Although our day didn't go as planned, it was an adventure... The stuff memories are made of.
We left Cedarville around 3:00 and proceeded along what we thought was the right road. after about 30 miles the pavement ended. Wrong road. We backtracked to where the road had forked. The map showed a gravel road as a shortcut, so we took it. After a mile or so of rough riding and gravel, the road narrowed as it wound through the bush only to end at a private gated-off road. So we backtracked once again and spying a third road marked as a forestry road, we knew this was our shortcut. We headed along this rough gravel and dirt road. Needless to say we were covered in dust in no time. The road climbed higher and higher. At about 6 miles along the 16 mile shortcut we encountered snow on the road-- enough to stop our progress and force us back down the same rough rutted road. Once down we drove the 27 miles back to Cedarville to get back on the right road. In total we travelled and extra 87 miles and lost 2.5 hours. We gassed up again and headed for Lakeview Oregon, arriving at 7:00. Although our day didn't go as planned, it was an adventure... The stuff memories are made of.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Days of the Knights (Day 7)
We set out from Stovepipe Wells at 8:30 and headed down the road to Artist Drive and then further down the road to the Devil's Golf course and then on down to Badwater. It is literally "down" the road as Badwater is the second lowest place on earth at 279 feet below sea level, second only to the Dead Sea at 400 feet. They are very similar in that both are beds of salt crystals. The area is bleak, and sun scorched. It was there at Badwater we determined that Bob, Ralph and Jim would go their direction while Ben, Jerry Martin and I went ours. After hugs and prayer for safety, we headed up out of Badwater and headed for Tunopah. We had lunch there and it was time to say goodbye once again as Jerry and Martin headed east and we headed west. I also scored when I found one of those small general stores that sell stuff cheaper than anywhere else. I know this sounds silly, but try buying a pair of heavy denim jeans anywhere! I found some in Tunopah! Ben and I set out from there and arrived in Hawthorne Nevada at about 5:00. Although it is a town where they make bombs and bullets, it is
pretty quiet.
pretty quiet.
The Days of the Knights (Day 6)
We left Sonora and had a beautiful ride az we headed for Yosemite National Park. We had had heard that due to the massive snow pack this year, the waterfalls were spectacular. We stopped for gas at Crane Flats and Bob had a power nap. We were told that Ralph had been sick last night and so we joked that he was suffering Maureen's revenge. At the restaurant the night before, Ralph, out of the blue, asked the waitress if her name was Maureen. Of course it wasn't. It was Natalie. So maybe she did something to Ralph's food! Anyway, Ralph was a trooper. By the way, what's with Vegemite? Say Vegemite, now say Yosemite. Weird eh?
Anyway we had a spectacular ride through Yosemite. At the highest points there were 10 and 12 foot snowdrifts along the roads. The temperature was degrees C. at one point we stopped at a rushing waterfall for pictures. While we were there Jim was interviewed by a local reporter and photogrpher about why bikers from Canada were there when we have such spectacular waterfalls. Meanwhile Ralph ralphed over the bridge at the falls. Poor guy. Maureen's revenge...
We then set out from Yosemite toward our next destination, Stovepipe Wells. As we descended into Death Valley the temperature rose higher and higher. By the time we arrived at 4:15pm the temperature was 120 F (48 C). With the winds gusting, the words blast furnace were quite fitting descriptors. Some of us did laundry, setting our clothes out to dry... They dried in no time. one sidebar to the day. As I was finishing up last night's blog a lady appeared in the business lounge where several of us were. She had cash for gas but no credit card. She needed someone to use their card so she could get gas. No one would help her. So I tried, but the gas sttion had blocked use of the card so she had to wait all night in her car till the gas station was open and she could buy gas. I looked in the morning but she was gone.
Anyway we had a spectacular ride through Yosemite. At the highest points there were 10 and 12 foot snowdrifts along the roads. The temperature was degrees C. at one point we stopped at a rushing waterfall for pictures. While we were there Jim was interviewed by a local reporter and photogrpher about why bikers from Canada were there when we have such spectacular waterfalls. Meanwhile Ralph ralphed over the bridge at the falls. Poor guy. Maureen's revenge...
We then set out from Yosemite toward our next destination, Stovepipe Wells. As we descended into Death Valley the temperature rose higher and higher. By the time we arrived at 4:15pm the temperature was 120 F (48 C). With the winds gusting, the words blast furnace were quite fitting descriptors. Some of us did laundry, setting our clothes out to dry... They dried in no time. one sidebar to the day. As I was finishing up last night's blog a lady appeared in the business lounge where several of us were. She had cash for gas but no credit card. She needed someone to use their card so she could get gas. No one would help her. So I tried, but the gas sttion had blocked use of the card so she had to wait all night in her car till the gas station was open and she could buy gas. I looked in the morning but she was gone.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Days of the Knights (Day 5)
Today we set out from South Lake Tahoe with the objective of riding some of the great mountain backroads that surround this beautiful place. Armed with maps and gps units we set out to follow the twisty roads we knew were there.
But things never go as planned. After a few nice runs we stopped at the Cozy Cabin Cage in West Point for a coffee break. We then deliberated and set out for the town of Arnold.
This is where technology failed us. Apparently roads look better on a gps than in real life. Or to put it another way, dirt and gravel don't show up on a gps like they should. So as we travelled along the pavement suddenly ended and we were facing the prospect of several miles of gravel -- something no motorcyclist likes to deal with.
As if that weren't bad enough, the short gravel stretch turned into a long gravel stretch, which in turn descended into a long dirt stretch, complete with grader and copious amounts of dust. In all we probably travelled an hour in the dirt and gravel and another hour trying to find out way out. We finally emerged in an unknown place and still had to ask directions for Arnold.
To make a long story short we did arrive finally, and enjoyed a fine milkshake to quell the 36 degree temperatures and wash down the dust we had eaten. We headed out from Arnold and arrived a little while later in Sonora. Wrestling touring bikes on dirt and gravel is tiring work!
Perhaps the moral of this story is don't always trust technology. It can be and often is wrong.
But things never go as planned. After a few nice runs we stopped at the Cozy Cabin Cage in West Point for a coffee break. We then deliberated and set out for the town of Arnold.
This is where technology failed us. Apparently roads look better on a gps than in real life. Or to put it another way, dirt and gravel don't show up on a gps like they should. So as we travelled along the pavement suddenly ended and we were facing the prospect of several miles of gravel -- something no motorcyclist likes to deal with.
As if that weren't bad enough, the short gravel stretch turned into a long gravel stretch, which in turn descended into a long dirt stretch, complete with grader and copious amounts of dust. In all we probably travelled an hour in the dirt and gravel and another hour trying to find out way out. We finally emerged in an unknown place and still had to ask directions for Arnold.
To make a long story short we did arrive finally, and enjoyed a fine milkshake to quell the 36 degree temperatures and wash down the dust we had eaten. We headed out from Arnold and arrived a little while later in Sonora. Wrestling touring bikes on dirt and gravel is tiring work!
Perhaps the moral of this story is don't always trust technology. It can be and often is wrong.
The Days of the Knights (Day 4)
We left Oroville and made several beautiful drives on mountain passes and park roads. Once again we were cut off by snow when we attempted to travel through. Who would have thought that we would still encounter snow at this late date?!
But this trip is all about the riding. It is not a sight-seeing trip. So if we see something we want to see better, then we'll have to come back! To understand what this kind of riding is like, think of downhill slalom skiing combinded with a roller coaster. There are curves and dips all driven to one's own inner cadence. Being fully focused on the road and engaged in the ride brings an escape unrivalled in my experience.
Temperatures began to rise today, hitting 100 degrees F.-- a foreshadowing of what is yet to come further south. The rides today were among the best any of us have ever done. You may wonder, what determines how good a ride is? The weather, the scenery, the road conditions, the amount of traffic, the layout of the roads themselves and how well they are built. Add in to that mix the psychological state of the rider and it can all be amazing. If the rider is psyched out by the corners, it can be a very hard ride indeed. If one is "in the zone" it is amazing.
So to wrap this up, eventually we arrived in beautiful Lake Tahoe, a place I've heard a lot about and now finally visited. It too is a place of contrasts, with expansive mansions owned by the rich and famous, right down to the ramshackled houses found anywhere. Nevertheless a beautiful place.
But this trip is all about the riding. It is not a sight-seeing trip. So if we see something we want to see better, then we'll have to come back! To understand what this kind of riding is like, think of downhill slalom skiing combinded with a roller coaster. There are curves and dips all driven to one's own inner cadence. Being fully focused on the road and engaged in the ride brings an escape unrivalled in my experience.
Temperatures began to rise today, hitting 100 degrees F.-- a foreshadowing of what is yet to come further south. The rides today were among the best any of us have ever done. You may wonder, what determines how good a ride is? The weather, the scenery, the road conditions, the amount of traffic, the layout of the roads themselves and how well they are built. Add in to that mix the psychological state of the rider and it can all be amazing. If the rider is psyched out by the corners, it can be a very hard ride indeed. If one is "in the zone" it is amazing.
So to wrap this up, eventually we arrived in beautiful Lake Tahoe, a place I've heard a lot about and now finally visited. It too is a place of contrasts, with expansive mansions owned by the rich and famous, right down to the ramshackled houses found anywhere. Nevertheless a beautiful place.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Days of the Knights (day 3)
When we set out for Klamath Falls we had no idea what the day would bring. We rode some great roads around Klamath including some of the roads in the state parks. Hwy 15 was one of those roads. it was a great ride, winding through great vistas, offering challenging corners and beautiful straightaways. The road climbed as it wound so that soon we were high in the mountains. This road was a high mountain pass road, and was to bring us up and over and down further south.
It all looked promising until we had to stop abruptly. The road was blocked, rendered impassible by snow, still thick on the ground. We dismounted the bikes and were standing and joking around about trying to get through when suddenly two cars appeared and pulled up to us. In the cars, were what appeared to be two young Hispanic couples, one with a baby. Jim went and talked to them and they seemed game to try to plough ahead even though there was no chance they could do it, and it only got deeper up ahead. determined to carry on with their plan for a picnic, the fellow threw his Lincoln Continental in gear and plowed forward... about 8 feet until he was high-centered and stuck! (I have a movie of it I will insert here once I'm home). They spoke no English, we spoke no Spanish.
We tried to push him out but to no avail. At one point we asked if they had any rope, and he proceeded to open his trunk and produce a set of jumper cables. He only attached one clamp to one car before we told him it wouldn't work... After some digging and having everyone lift as the young wife apply the gas we were able to get him out and on their way. As for us, we retraced out steps back down and had lunch in the town of Weed, named after Abner Weed.
We eventually ended up in Oroville and encountered an interesting family at the hot tub. But that is for another blog.
It all looked promising until we had to stop abruptly. The road was blocked, rendered impassible by snow, still thick on the ground. We dismounted the bikes and were standing and joking around about trying to get through when suddenly two cars appeared and pulled up to us. In the cars, were what appeared to be two young Hispanic couples, one with a baby. Jim went and talked to them and they seemed game to try to plough ahead even though there was no chance they could do it, and it only got deeper up ahead. determined to carry on with their plan for a picnic, the fellow threw his Lincoln Continental in gear and plowed forward... about 8 feet until he was high-centered and stuck! (I have a movie of it I will insert here once I'm home). They spoke no English, we spoke no Spanish.
We tried to push him out but to no avail. At one point we asked if they had any rope, and he proceeded to open his trunk and produce a set of jumper cables. He only attached one clamp to one car before we told him it wouldn't work... After some digging and having everyone lift as the young wife apply the gas we were able to get him out and on their way. As for us, we retraced out steps back down and had lunch in the town of Weed, named after Abner Weed.
We eventually ended up in Oroville and encountered an interesting family at the hot tub. But that is for another blog.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
The Days of the Knights (Day 2)
The name, The Knights of the Open Road had it's origins with some of the group being dubbed that while on a cross Canada trip in 2008. It has stuck ever since. You can also follow this trip by reading Bob Kuhn's blog at http://positivelyparkinsons.blogspot.com/2011/06/journey-begins.html
The day started out raining as we walked back to the Almost Home restaurant for breakfast. There was a cardboard cutout of John Wayne. I should have had my picture taken with him just as I did with Clint Eastwood last year. (See older blog post).
After stuffing ourselves we waddled back to the Motel 6, packed up our stuff and put on the rain gear. I came to find out later that I left part of my CPAP machine (electrical transformer) in the room. *sigh* I must be getting absent minded.
I donned my fluorescent orange HelleHansen rain gear, making me look like a road construction cone, and after gassing up, headed for Roseburg. In Roseburg we stopped to refuel our bikes with gas and our bodies with coffee. From there we continued on toward Klamath Falls and my "divine encounter."
It was continuing to rain as we wound and wove our way through the twists and turns of Umpqua National Park. I was following Bob and Jim, and being followed by Ben as we snaked along the 30 and 45 mph. curves. As I entered one 30 mph corner I ws hugging the center double line. Suddenly my back wheel slid out from under the bike tipping me onto my left side. I turned the front wheel slightly to the right as I felt the slide and both heard and felt the grind of the footpeg and the peg on the highway bar as they ground into the pavement. Sparks flew out behind as the metal momentarily met asphalt. But the turn of the wheel and the hitting the pegs as the bike went over were enough to put me upright again, and straightening out, I continued on. I called it my divine encounter because later, Ben who saw it from behind, said it was like the hand of God just reached down and straightened me back up after going onto my side. I'm grateful God was there.
We continued on through more rain, climbing to an elevation of 5900 ft., seeing snow on the sides of the road as we traveled past Crater Lake to our lunch at Diamond Lake Junction. there we met Arlene and had had the hand-pressed, homemade bacon cheeseburger.
We finally arrived in Kalamath Falls at about 3:30, got unpacked and soaked our old weary bones in the hot tub. Yes folks, life doesn't get much better than this... (once I figure out how to load pics from my iPad I'll post them)
The day started out raining as we walked back to the Almost Home restaurant for breakfast. There was a cardboard cutout of John Wayne. I should have had my picture taken with him just as I did with Clint Eastwood last year. (See older blog post).
After stuffing ourselves we waddled back to the Motel 6, packed up our stuff and put on the rain gear. I came to find out later that I left part of my CPAP machine (electrical transformer) in the room. *sigh* I must be getting absent minded.
I donned my fluorescent orange HelleHansen rain gear, making me look like a road construction cone, and after gassing up, headed for Roseburg. In Roseburg we stopped to refuel our bikes with gas and our bodies with coffee. From there we continued on toward Klamath Falls and my "divine encounter."
It was continuing to rain as we wound and wove our way through the twists and turns of Umpqua National Park. I was following Bob and Jim, and being followed by Ben as we snaked along the 30 and 45 mph. curves. As I entered one 30 mph corner I ws hugging the center double line. Suddenly my back wheel slid out from under the bike tipping me onto my left side. I turned the front wheel slightly to the right as I felt the slide and both heard and felt the grind of the footpeg and the peg on the highway bar as they ground into the pavement. Sparks flew out behind as the metal momentarily met asphalt. But the turn of the wheel and the hitting the pegs as the bike went over were enough to put me upright again, and straightening out, I continued on. I called it my divine encounter because later, Ben who saw it from behind, said it was like the hand of God just reached down and straightened me back up after going onto my side. I'm grateful God was there.
We continued on through more rain, climbing to an elevation of 5900 ft., seeing snow on the sides of the road as we traveled past Crater Lake to our lunch at Diamond Lake Junction. there we met Arlene and had had the hand-pressed, homemade bacon cheeseburger.
We finally arrived in Kalamath Falls at about 3:30, got unpacked and soaked our old weary bones in the hot tub. Yes folks, life doesn't get much better than this... (once I figure out how to load pics from my iPad I'll post them)
The Days of The Knights (Day 1)
These are the days of the Knights of the Open Road June 2011
I left home at about 7:00 am and headed to Lynden to meet the rest of the guys. I arrived there at the appointed gas station at 8:00 and proceeded to gas up and get a coffee. It turned out I got. It for free because when I went to pay with my credit card the clerk informed me that they didn't accept debit or credit for under $5. I had no cash, so she gave it gratis!! Good start.
Bob, Jim and Ralph showed up at about 8:25, gassed up and we were on our way!
The next time we stopped for gas my card was declined, so Jim paid and while enjoying a coffee at Starbucks I called the credit card company and got things sorted out. Traffic was good and we arrived at the Motel 6 in Salem Oregon at about 4:30. We were told there would be a cot. When I phoned I was told there were no cots here. Ben and Bob will be sharing a double bed. Can you say Planes, Trains, and Automobiles?
Ben arrived at about 6:00 and we went for supper to the Almost Home restaurant. We also discovered that it is against the law to ride without helmets in Oregon, something we had done for the short jaunt to the restaurant.
At the restaurant we were joined by two friends of Jim's from Calgary, Martin and Jerry. Jerry broke the news over dinner that had dumped his bike in a corner. He was a little sore and the bike got a little banged up, but it is still driveable.
So our total today from the border was 554km. From home was another 30 or so for about 600km today. The plan is to do about 500 tomorrow. Bob and Ben get to sleep in the double bed. Let the good times roll!!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
T'is Another Night Before The Days of the Knights
This is like deja vu all over again. My first blog post a year ago was the night before my long anticipated motorcycle trip. Today is the day before I leave again on another trip, this time through Washington, Oregon and California.
I've been looking forward to this for a long time... about a year... or, since the last trip ended. I'm anticipating wonderful scenery, lots of fun and laughs, and good camaraderie with the rest of the aptly named "Knights of the Open Road." We lose one knight, George, and gain another, Ralph. George will be missed, but Ralph brings his own brand of unique Ralphness.
It will be fun... The adventure awaits...
I've been looking forward to this for a long time... about a year... or, since the last trip ended. I'm anticipating wonderful scenery, lots of fun and laughs, and good camaraderie with the rest of the aptly named "Knights of the Open Road." We lose one knight, George, and gain another, Ralph. George will be missed, but Ralph brings his own brand of unique Ralphness.
It will be fun... The adventure awaits...
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