Headed back to the coast after breakfast on a great two lane roads through tall trees and farms. Then down the coast on the 101 ALL DAY, life is good.
Today's route (click here) .
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Monday, May 30, 2016
DAY 16 LAUNDRY, SHADOWS,AND MY PEOPLE
I left the hotel first to go check out a laundromat just a mile down the road. The desk clerk said it was "ok" but that the clientele was a little suspect. When I got there I found a good sized room half closed off with used plywood and a bevy of fairly new stainless steel front loaders along with two of the clerks suspect clientele. A quick call to the guys and I decided to get started. As I was loading the washer I muttered that I couldn't find my soap. I don't know if it's the long hair, the fact that I haven't shaved recently, or the Harley, probably all three, but this started a conversation with the two occupants of the laundromat. The first guy gave me his Tide to put in the washer and said he would leave me a bounce sheet if he was done before me. The second "suspect clientele" started telling me about his cocaine arrest and how he wanted jail but got probation and now he can't even smoke "legal" dope.
Oh well, laundry done and on down the road, stayed on the 101 until Newport then turned inland on Route 20 to I-5 where we found great lodging at the Phoenix Inn. The 101 is as beautiful as I remembered with busy traffic in the small towns and fast running between towns.
Late this afternoon we saw some dark objects on the pavement, some stationary and some moving, after much discussion and consulting with a local found out these are shadows. They are not usually seen in this part of the country and are apparently a cause for celebration.
Back to the 101 tomorrow.
(Click for todays map)
Oh well, laundry done and on down the road, stayed on the 101 until Newport then turned inland on Route 20 to I-5 where we found great lodging at the Phoenix Inn. The 101 is as beautiful as I remembered with busy traffic in the small towns and fast running between towns.
Late this afternoon we saw some dark objects on the pavement, some stationary and some moving, after much discussion and consulting with a local found out these are shadows. They are not usually seen in this part of the country and are apparently a cause for celebration.
Back to the 101 tomorrow.
(Click for todays map)
Sunday, May 29, 2016
DAY 14-15
DAY 14 Another Ferry Ride
Headed south of Anacortes and found the Port Townsend ferry. We had started in a light rain but it was done by the time we reached the ferry terminal. After an hour wait we boarded for the 40 minute trip across the sound.
Back on land road the inner route of the 101 through the Olympic National Forest, the 108, back on the 101 then turning inland to Longview were we found hotel rooms thanks to a double elimination tournament not a round robin ( losers had left).
DAY 15 MAY 28 2016
Left the hotel and after a short ride up I-5 got off at Castle Rock and headed to the Mt Saint Helens visitor center, after a brief stay continued up the mountain to the St Helen's Interpretive Center a much more interesting stop. You could see areas of devastation and recovery. It was amazing how well the forest was recovering with help from man with replanting. It was 36 years ago this month that the mountain blew. Thanks to advance warning, the mountain grew 9 feet a day before eruption, only 57 lives were lost and it could easily have been much worse.
There was also a sign for elk viewing with regular elk on the right and handicapped elk on the left but we saw neither.
Headed south of Anacortes and found the Port Townsend ferry. We had started in a light rain but it was done by the time we reached the ferry terminal. After an hour wait we boarded for the 40 minute trip across the sound.
Back on land road the inner route of the 101 through the Olympic National Forest, the 108, back on the 101 then turning inland to Longview were we found hotel rooms thanks to a double elimination tournament not a round robin ( losers had left).
DAY 15 MAY 28 2016
Left the hotel and after a short ride up I-5 got off at Castle Rock and headed to the Mt Saint Helens visitor center, after a brief stay continued up the mountain to the St Helen's Interpretive Center a much more interesting stop. You could see areas of devastation and recovery. It was amazing how well the forest was recovering with help from man with replanting. It was 36 years ago this month that the mountain blew. Thanks to advance warning, the mountain grew 9 feet a day before eruption, only 57 lives were lost and it could easily have been much worse.
There was also a sign for elk viewing with regular elk on the right and handicapped elk on the left but we saw neither.
Heading down the mountain stopped for lunch at a small cafe "19 Mile House" and I had a delicious elk burger couldn't tell if it had been handicapped or not.
Heading west to look for a hotel found us all the way to the coast and scrambling to find a room. We got very lucky and found a newly remodeled Quality Inn with a single open floor (out of three floors) and a vacancy. Next door was the Big Foot restaurant with friendly staff, cold beer, and good fresh fish.
Saturday, May 28, 2016
DAY 13
We started the day off with making quick reservations for the ferry and a leisurely breakfast before the short ride to the terminal. Once on the ferry with the bikes parked we were free to head upstairs and explore the ship.
The trip was about 3 1/2 hours with one stop in Friday harbor on San Juan island where we offloaded a handful of cars and gained several. San Juan island has a full time population of about 6000 but can double that with visitors in the summer.
The trip could have been longer and I would have been fine with it, I know it wasn't a luxury liner but standing on the bow with a hot cup of coffee watching the world go by was a great way to spend the day. Didn't hurt that I knew as soon as we landed, and cleared customs, we would be back on the bike.
As the son of a son of a sailor,
I went out on the sea for adventure,
Expanding their view of the captain and crew
Like a man just released from indenture.
As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin' man,
I have chalked up many a mile.
Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks,
And I've learned much from both of their styles.
Haul the sheet in as we ride on the wind that our
Forefathers harnessed before us.
Hear the bells ring as the tide rigging sings.
It's a son of a gun of a chorus.
Where it all ends I can't fathom, my friends.
If I knew, I might toss out my anchor.
So I'll cruise along always searchin' for songs,
Not a lawyer, a thief or a banker.
Jimmy Buffet
I think that works for the boat and the bike, at least it does for me. Leaving the ferry, clearing customs, finding the road, watching the rain, decided to call it a night early. Headed east about twenty miles and ended with a bite to eat and a trip to the Jacuzzi.
The trip was about 3 1/2 hours with one stop in Friday harbor on San Juan island where we offloaded a handful of cars and gained several. San Juan island has a full time population of about 6000 but can double that with visitors in the summer.
The trip could have been longer and I would have been fine with it, I know it wasn't a luxury liner but standing on the bow with a hot cup of coffee watching the world go by was a great way to spend the day. Didn't hurt that I knew as soon as we landed, and cleared customs, we would be back on the bike.
As the son of a son of a sailor,
I went out on the sea for adventure,
Expanding their view of the captain and crew
Like a man just released from indenture.
As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin' man,
I have chalked up many a mile.
Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks,
And I've learned much from both of their styles.
Haul the sheet in as we ride on the wind that our
Forefathers harnessed before us.
Hear the bells ring as the tide rigging sings.
It's a son of a gun of a chorus.
Where it all ends I can't fathom, my friends.
If I knew, I might toss out my anchor.
So I'll cruise along always searchin' for songs,
Not a lawyer, a thief or a banker.
Jimmy Buffet
I think that works for the boat and the bike, at least it does for me. Leaving the ferry, clearing customs, finding the road, watching the rain, decided to call it a night early. Headed east about twenty miles and ended with a bite to eat and a trip to the Jacuzzi.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
DAY 11 LEAVING WHISTLER; DAY 12 EXPLORING A SMALL PART OF THE ISLAND
Woke up day 11 in Whistler and tried to get a little earlier start since there was no breakfast at the lodge. Headed out and immediately found drops of water forming on the windshield. It wasn't raining we had just driven into the clouds. Had a quick breakfast at a Tim Horton's which is a cross between a low budget Starbucks smashed into a nice burger king.
Headed on down the road and found the ferry landing, managed to buy tickets ride immediately on board sailing ten minutes later. Made our way up to the theater like area with nice seats looking out the front picture windows at the passage going by. It was like watching a documentary on the inside passage with the volume off on a panoramic screen.
Once off made our way up island along the eastern coast to Campbell River, self proclaimed salmon fishing capital of Canada. Sitting at the pub next door about 9 PM, still light out, watched to of the seasons first cruise ships negotiating the inside passage. Noticed that across the street on the walkway was a sign indicating the 50th parallel, no wonder it was still light.
DAY 12
Click for map of today's ride
That just about sums it up, great roads, great weather, a little pucker factor, and unbelievable scenery.
Headed on down the road and found the ferry landing, managed to buy tickets ride immediately on board sailing ten minutes later. Made our way up to the theater like area with nice seats looking out the front picture windows at the passage going by. It was like watching a documentary on the inside passage with the volume off on a panoramic screen.
Once off made our way up island along the eastern coast to Campbell River, self proclaimed salmon fishing capital of Canada. Sitting at the pub next door about 9 PM, still light out, watched to of the seasons first cruise ships negotiating the inside passage. Noticed that across the street on the walkway was a sign indicating the 50th parallel, no wonder it was still light.
DAY 12
Click for map of today's ride
That just about sums it up, great roads, great weather, a little pucker factor, and unbelievable scenery.
Monday, May 23, 2016
DAY 10 WHISTLER!!!
Breakfast this morning we were told that there are two ways from Salmon Arm to Whistler. One is mostly highway with lower elevations and faster. The other is into the mountains winding roads, slower speeds, iffy weather, closed most of the year but open now. Do you really need to ask which way we went?
The road didn't really turn interesting until after lunch and we headed south from Lillooet on 99. Suddenly the road became real interesting with deep canyons, snow covered peaks and roaring rivers along the road. Many of the corners had warning signs advising a top speed of 20 KPH which is about 12 MPH but MOST could be taken much faster. The favorite sign was "No Stopping-Avalanche Area" and the usual WATCH FOR, name your animal, we saw signs for deer, elk, wild horses, cows, and bears. The road also had numerous one lane wooden bridges and a few gravel areas were the road had washed out in the winter, what a great ride.
Ended the day in a lodge in downtown Whistler walked around the touristy (sic) area and watched the dirt bikers coming down the ski runs. Ate dinner at probably the only low life little pub in all of this tourist trap area, waitress had plenty of tattoos and a great attitude, good fun too.
Started the day as usual with the radio off listening to the bike making sure everything was right with the world. Finally turned on the radio to hear a live version of Springsteen belting out Rosalita,
Dynamite's in the belfry, baby, playin' with the bats
Little Gun's downtown in front of Woolworth's, tryin' out his attitude on all the cats
Papa's on the corner, waitin' for the bus
Mama, she's home in the window, waitin' up for us
She'll be there in that chair when they wrestle her upstairs, 'cause you know we ain't gonna come
Ah, I ain't here on business, baby, I'm only here for fun
And Rosie, you're the one
not thirty seconds after he started came to a large yellow sign with flashing yellow lights that said ROCKS and I had to just nod my head and say yes, yes it does.
The road didn't really turn interesting until after lunch and we headed south from Lillooet on 99. Suddenly the road became real interesting with deep canyons, snow covered peaks and roaring rivers along the road. Many of the corners had warning signs advising a top speed of 20 KPH which is about 12 MPH but MOST could be taken much faster. The favorite sign was "No Stopping-Avalanche Area" and the usual WATCH FOR, name your animal, we saw signs for deer, elk, wild horses, cows, and bears. The road also had numerous one lane wooden bridges and a few gravel areas were the road had washed out in the winter, what a great ride.
Ended the day in a lodge in downtown Whistler walked around the touristy (sic) area and watched the dirt bikers coming down the ski runs. Ate dinner at probably the only low life little pub in all of this tourist trap area, waitress had plenty of tattoos and a great attitude, good fun too.
Started the day as usual with the radio off listening to the bike making sure everything was right with the world. Finally turned on the radio to hear a live version of Springsteen belting out Rosalita,
Dynamite's in the belfry, baby, playin' with the bats
Little Gun's downtown in front of Woolworth's, tryin' out his attitude on all the cats
Papa's on the corner, waitin' for the bus
Mama, she's home in the window, waitin' up for us
She'll be there in that chair when they wrestle her upstairs, 'cause you know we ain't gonna come
Ah, I ain't here on business, baby, I'm only here for fun
And Rosie, you're the one
not thirty seconds after he started came to a large yellow sign with flashing yellow lights that said ROCKS and I had to just nod my head and say yes, yes it does.
DAY 8 AND 9 CANADA! WHICH WAY ARE YOU GOING?
DAY 8
Following a post breakfast laundry marathon hit the road and headed north. Finally crossed into Canada at the part time crossing of Cascade, on the 395 and headed west on route 3. Stopping for a cup of coffee shortly after crossing the border Jake gave the clerk a US twenty for two cups and received $21.75 Canadian in change. He thought this was due to the exchange rate but I told him I think they had to pay us to drink it.
Route 3 across BC is a favorite motorcycle route and this was obvious by the dozens of bikes we passed in small and large groups. It was another incredible ride over to Princeton then north to Merritt for the night. In Merritt we had our first Canadian/Chinese food served by a Filipino girl, not bad! Still avoiding heading to Whistler to stay away from the holiday crowds (prices) and to ride more of the incredible roads that wander through BC.
DAY 9
After a discussion with some fishermen at the hotel breakfast decided that one more day away from Whistler would be a great idea. Since Whistler was due west we headed north and east after a brief look at the map, unfortunately the paper atlas didn't list the temperature in the mountain passes and it did border on cold! From Merritt took 97c to Kelowna where we made a stop at the Harley Dealer, same dealer as two years ago heading south out of Jasper.
Ken noticed on the map that north of us there was a town called Salmon Arm and he had never seen a salmon with arms and would like too. I immediately gave this a thumbs up as I still remember the grief from bypassing the alien museum in Roswell NM during the great bad decision of 2008.
In for night in Salmon Arm, dinner at The Hideaway Bar and Grill next door were I scored a free t-shirt for asking them to change the tv to hockey from bass fishing. The owner gave us free deserts and sat down joining us for a beer.
Another good day, Whistler tomorrow?
Following a post breakfast laundry marathon hit the road and headed north. Finally crossed into Canada at the part time crossing of Cascade, on the 395 and headed west on route 3. Stopping for a cup of coffee shortly after crossing the border Jake gave the clerk a US twenty for two cups and received $21.75 Canadian in change. He thought this was due to the exchange rate but I told him I think they had to pay us to drink it.
Route 3 across BC is a favorite motorcycle route and this was obvious by the dozens of bikes we passed in small and large groups. It was another incredible ride over to Princeton then north to Merritt for the night. In Merritt we had our first Canadian/Chinese food served by a Filipino girl, not bad! Still avoiding heading to Whistler to stay away from the holiday crowds (prices) and to ride more of the incredible roads that wander through BC.
DAY 9
After a discussion with some fishermen at the hotel breakfast decided that one more day away from Whistler would be a great idea. Since Whistler was due west we headed north and east after a brief look at the map, unfortunately the paper atlas didn't list the temperature in the mountain passes and it did border on cold! From Merritt took 97c to Kelowna where we made a stop at the Harley Dealer, same dealer as two years ago heading south out of Jasper.
Ken noticed on the map that north of us there was a town called Salmon Arm and he had never seen a salmon with arms and would like too. I immediately gave this a thumbs up as I still remember the grief from bypassing the alien museum in Roswell NM during the great bad decision of 2008.
In for night in Salmon Arm, dinner at The Hideaway Bar and Grill next door were I scored a free t-shirt for asking them to change the tv to hockey from bass fishing. The owner gave us free deserts and sat down joining us for a beer.
Another good day, Whistler tomorrow?
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