Because I know that Jan was tired, and worn out, I also know he meant to say...Ontario, OREGON....not Ontario, Colorado.Be safe buddy. I will see you on Thursday for that new rear tire.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
Agreed, now to get back to a more relaxed pace, take more photos.
I've made the trip between Farmington and Northern, UT several times. You practically drove through my backyard. lol Thought I heard a low flying sidecar rig come by. 😉
Driving in western Utah is pretty sketchy. Riding anything without a cage is... exciting. Over 1,300 arrests for people driving in excess of 100mph last year. That was down from over 1,500 the year before. Utah drivers earned us the nick-name "Utards". lol
Great to read you survived the adventure. 🍻
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
Left Ontario, OR, heading North - Northwest on I-84. Temps were more moderate today. The high was 91.
Starting to see interesting places to stop and investigate for photo opportunities.
Deadman Pass rest area caught me attention.
The rest area itself was clean, some shade, But there, was a sign indicating an overlook three miles up a side road. Let's go check it out.
Since I was the only vehicle making its way to the overlook, hope I don't have a flat.
..parked near the boulders and walked out to take a look... guess a few too many people wanted to drive right to the edge of the overlook
OK, interesting sample of Oregon country.
Needing gas, Turned off at Arlington, only to be stopped outside of town by a slow moving freight train. Finally cut off the motor and waited, like everyone else. There are only two gas stations in town. One had its entry blocked while a crew was sealing the blacktop. Hidden a few blocks further away was the other station.
Stopped to photograph the John Day Dam on the Columbia River.
Riding East to West, on I-84, did not realize how strong the winds would be. It really killed my gas mileage. My only previous experience riding the Columbia River Gorge was going West to East. That year I was told the more scenic side of the river, was Rt 14 on the north side. I have to agree, Rt 14 is a two lane, slower pace route with several small towns, vineyards, parks, etc.
The large number of wind surfers and people kite surfing on the river was amazing. White caps on the water indicated a windy great day for those activities. A little too far away to capture any decent photos.
Here is my B&W photo for the day.
OK, the question to those who know the area. What is a the name of that mountain, maybe on the Oregon side, one can see in the distance?
A few minutes later, those fast moving clouds on the right totally wrapped the mountain, blocking it from view.
Am in Woodland for the night. Tomorow I'll meet up with a great friend who holds a new rear tire for me. We'll get it mounted before sending me on my way to the Alaska Marine Highway terminal in Bellingham.
Life is good, live like there is no tomorrow.
Jan, that mountain of which you enquire, is probably Mt. Hood. It is the most visible mountain on the Oregon side of the Columbia River.
Others in the area are Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, then Mt. Rainier.
You are right, taking Hwy 14 on the Washington State side of the Columbia River is the more scenic, slower two lane road, vs the higher speed Interstate 84 on the Oregon side.
And if you had taken Hwy 14, you could have stopped at Maryhill's Stonehenge Memorial
https://www.maryhillmuseum.org/outside/stonehenge-memorial
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
Those are great looking picture's, its being about 40 years since I ride along the Columbia River on my 82 FLTC which I still have. A lot of great scenery out there. Jan good luck with your trip. You're in good hands with Miles.
Thanks for taking us along! Love the photos and narration! Safe travels. Looking forward to your next post.
Short Update: Jan arrived in my little town, and we went directly up to my shop. Did the complete rear tire change, made a few minor adjustments on his rig, then had lunch at a local diner, then sent him on his merry way up to Bellingham, WA. where he will take the ferry tomorrow afternoon, heading for A L A S K A
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
The Perfect Pitstop. Penske would be proud! 😎
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
Rose early to meet up with FM in Tenino for a tire swap. The man ordered a new run-flat tire to replace the one that picked up a roofing screw in Angel Fire.
With the red wing high off the ground, dropping the old wheel was piece of cake. Then we drove the new and old tires to Les Schwab for a dismount and remount. No balancing. The actual swap went quick, the problems was there were a half dozen customers ahead of us.
Back at FM's abode, installing the re-shod wheel went quick. But not before we attended to a few other small idetails that were easy to do with the rig high off the ground. FM is meticulous about how you are to maintain your ride. Items I would normally overlook, he spotted and would not let me leave on such a big adventure without attending to them. So he did.
Am not showing you photos of FM's workshop knowing that your drooling would be excessive with envy. His man cave, nestled in a green grove of quiet serenity, has everything one might need to properly service your steed. I simply was so focused on MF's workshop that I forgot to take any pictures. Rumors of my being an absent-minded old foggy are untrue... now, today I ride south or was it north??
Oh, all rumors are flat out lies. I have never had any memory lapse. Not here, not at the Sandpit Cafe, or anywhere... That's my story and I'm sticking to it,
After a quick lunch at the Sandstone Cafe, then back on the road, heading north on I-5, hoping to missed the congested traffic around Seattle. So much for hoping. Construction, rush hour, too many eighteen wheelers, and one injured motorcyclist lying on the pavement waiting for life flight., it took longer than the normal to reach Bellingham. By the time I arrived at the ferry terminal, the office was closed.
Plan to be there early in the morning when they open to confirm if I have a Friday reservation or not.
Have stayed at more than a few budget priced motels on this trip. All I ask for is a clean, safe room, where I can update the trip report, and sleep without worrying if my rig will be there in the morning. The Days Inn in Bellingham does not fit that bill. Cannot recommend it.
Tomorrow we'll learn if we sail or not...
Miles, thank you for thinking ahead and ordering that tire for me. That is a major worry off my mind. Now off into the wild...
Jan
Jan, there are better places to stay in Bellingham. If you don't feel comfortable, leave that dump and go somewhere more secure. The money spent on an upgrade, is worth the peace of mind.
And, it was the Sandstone Cafe....not the Sandpit. 😲
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
True FM, once I had unloaded everything to repack for the ferry, was too tired to find another place to lay my head. That plus the barely dressed working girl and her bodyguard knocking on the door across the hall.
La Agave Mexican Restaurant next door has good food.
