Saturday, July 16, 2011

Spiral Highway, Lewiston, Idaho

When we first discussed planning for our Montana trip, the main purpose was to meet Dom, Martha & family. Since we were so far away from home, it also gave us a chance to search out talked about, motorcycle roads. We see them mentioned on all the m/c forums. Names such as Lolo Pass, Going to the sun highway, Beartooth Pass and the famous Spiral Highway

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We left Orofino, ID early on Friday morning after a hotel supplied continental breakfast of waffles and boiled eggs and headed west towards Lewiston. An hour later we were there wondering where this road was but we eventually found it

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It is officially known as Lewiston Hill, with the nickname Spiral Highway

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since the road spirals its way up the steep hill. The road climbs 2,000 ft in 10 miles

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we chose to ride this road from the bottom up as it is easier to negotiate the corners under acceleration, rather than using brakes and compression braking.

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we spent a lot of time here, as we are all photographers we had to stop anyplace we could for better perspectives

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(BlueKat (Kari) in action)

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I even found a moment to snap their family portrait

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another photo of my V-strom

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Here's Ron on Princess, his Honda Nighthawk 750

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another photo of my Wee at the viewpoint on the top of the hill, with Lewiston in the background

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Today we arrived in Stevenson, WA to spend our last night together and Ron & Kari generously offered to treat me to a belated 65th Birthday meal at one of my favourite restaurants.

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to celebrate we all ordered the special blended strawberry lemonade

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notice the PINK straws, they must have known we were coming

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(Ron ordered this)

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(Bluekat/Kari had that)

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(and this is what I had)

Friends, food, riding & photography. It was a great week that seems too short. In the morning, after breakfast we will go our separate ways. Thank you for photos and memories of a great week together. I can't wait until next time . . .

5 comments:

  1. Oh thanks, Bob, it's sneaking up on 11:00 PM and now I'm hungry for Mexican food.

    My troubles, aside, it sure looks like you've had nearly a perfect ride.

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  2. Now we have the answer to what you meant by "BIG birthday". (Okay, so I'm a little slow)

    Was the Spiral Hwy as fun as it looks? And it's nice that you got in what looks and sounds like a great riding vacation.

    Richard

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  3. Great idea riding the Spiral Highway UP! It looks like there are some interesting elevation changes just between curves. Was this like a Gary road that had to be ridden a couple times? One for pictures/photo ops and one for pure enjoyment?

    -Steel Cupcake

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  4. If you had a little rum in that lemonade, then you would really have something. Ah, but you were driving, darn.
    Lovely trip, I'm jealous
    Take Care
    Jim

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  5. That was a spectacularly fun road. We should have run it again! First road I've been on that reminded me of riding the track in ART class - pure curvacious fun! (The second road to do that for me...hwy 207)

    Nice catch on the straws! I didn't even notice at the time.

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