Gigantic Steak dinner at Konkolville Hotel, Orofino, Idaho
I was with Ron & BlueKat, we shared our table with two Harley Riders. The air was cool as we headed west on Hwy12 the next morning, and looked at the rolling hills of the burnt landscape east of Lewiston. The first hour of our tour was an excellent twisty road which was the Northwest Passage Scenic Highway. Our plan was to head to Clarkston for fuel and a quick rest stop before heading south on Hwy 3/129.
Lewiston, Idaho (top of the Spiral Highway)
This travels through Rattlesnake Pass where you will see my previous post here .
I am trying post "never been seen before" photos. We have heard so much about this delightful road but it seemed monotonous for the first bit with pavement as far as your eyes could see, and straight as an arrow.
The temperatures were building up and it was only around 10am. There was no traffic so we decided to stop to rest our legs and snap a photo of a barn in the distance. We continue on our way and soon enough the terrain changes and we are starting to swelter in the building heat
Being photographers, as well as biker enthusiasts we stopped at most scenic outlooks, which were mostly gravel. BlueKat got a lot of practice on this trip and while she was a bit meek at first, she became a gravel champion. It was a challenging road with lots of curves and switchbacks
An hour or so down the road it must have been close to 100°f so we decided to stop for a beverage. Boggan's Oasis is about half way from Clarkston, WA to Enterprise, ORegon. In the matter of less than an hour we had travelled through 3 states.
We knew we had a long day of riding so we picked up the pace and headed straight for Enterprise, Oregon with no other stops and directly to the Mexican Restaurant where I had been to before, for lunch
El Bajio, Enterprise, OR
Don't let the outside fool you. They serve excellent food at moderate prices. It looks much better now with their new paint job. It was painted depression black the last time I saw it. Whenever I travel I like to have Mexican Food, and I nearly always order Enchiladas, either chicken or beef
I'm getting hungry just looking at this.
Blogging is about seeing the country and meeting friends. I have fond memories of this trip with my riding buddies; Ron & Bluekat. We spent nearly a week together travelling from southern Washington to Montana to meet Charlie6, then back to central Oregon.
The plans are in the works to meet again during July, 2012, we call it IMBC2012 being organized by Troubadour & Trobairitz (she is the brains). If you wish to join us please let Troubadour know. It will be the weekend of July 21, 2012. I have already "blocked" my vacation time and I plan to head further south after.
I have driven the Hell's Canyon Loop before ( links HERE and HERE . be sure to click the links for some photos.
Hell's Canyon is the deepest canyon gorge in North America, deeper than the Grand Canyon and 9 miles wide. more info HERE
time to check your calendars, book your vacation, and get your bike ready for a great weekend
See you there. I will be leaving Santa Cruz on the 18th so there should be plenty of time to get to eastern Oregon. I'm looking forward to the trip and meeting others.
ReplyDeleteActually leaving home around July 4th and maybe getting back around the end of the month.
DeleteRichard:
DeleteI was waiting for everyone's plans so I could finalize mine. I did want to go farther south to SF. I have a date with Ms M and I wanted to go to Salinas to see Viking Dave again. I don't know anything yet, I'm still looking at maps. Santa Cruz to Salinas isn't that far. My assistant has booked July 13th, so I have to be at work, but then free for the next couple of weeks. If Steel Cupcake joins us, then I may shadow them for a couple of days.
Wow. That looks like fun. I miss road trips in the car, but on two wheels it would be spectacular. I'm afraid my Metro won't be joining you, neither would my Genuine Buddy. What a wonderful trip to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteMartha:
DeleteTwo wheels would be spectacular. I was down there in the car and all the time I was wishing I had my bike. If you had a larger scooter, like a Burgman or Silverwing, you could do it. I look forward to meeting my friends again. Too bad they live so far away
I had to chuckle when I saw your first Lewiston, ID picture. I was in that very spot in 2007 (I think). We were contemplating a move out West and had been exploring a few locales, Moscow, ID being one of them. I pulled out of that overlook without using my turn signal. There were no cars in sight except for the one State Trooper who pulled me over (but no ticket). We always eat Mexican when traveling, too. We refer to it as our ques to find the perfect Fajita. Loved the Hells Canyon pics! If I were closer, you could count me in for that ride!
ReplyDeleteKathy:
DeleteWe just completed riding the Spiral Highway and that is the viewpoint at the top. I thought you were retired ? You could trailer/ride your bikes to Oregon. Keep this QUIET , not many people know that "Oregon has the best roads".
ps: you could still move to Oregon, or ID.
Ok. I will post more constructive comments later, when I have time. But my first thought to your comment that you like Mexican food when travel is because of the built in open space. No fun eating all mexican food when traveling in a car all day. I'm gonna lead though. Hehe
ReplyDeleteSteel CupCake:
DeleteI was hoping that you would lead. You are going to be wearing your tight spandex riding pants, aren't you ?
Does eating Mexican food while riding make you go faster? There has to be a propulsion factor there somewhere.
ReplyDeleteAnd Bob, you are far too kind calling me the brains. But I accept the compliment.
I too am looking forward to seeing everyone again and hopefully meeting some new blogging friends as well. I am not looking forward to the heat, but summer in Eastern Oregon is what it is. It is a drier heat that this side of the Cascades though.
Trobairitz:
DeleteI asked Troubadour who was the smartest, and he said "You", so two people can't be wrong. You are so organized, have all tasks in itemized to do lists, prioritized to make it easier for Troubadour to follow . . . Plus, I don't know where you file all those "quotes", or how you even find appropriate ones for the right situation. You are so modest.
I know it's going to be hot. I need another mesh jacket. The one I wore two years ago was "tight" back then, and I have eaten more since. Plus I need another convertible Mesh pants. Then I need another headset for my radio. I have to check my sprockets and chain. we've only got 4 months to prepare
It would be tough to decide. If there was a Subway and next door was Mexican, I would be stuck trying to decided which door to enter
http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/blog_index.html/the_online_photographer/blog_index.html
ReplyDeleteBob- I thought you might like this website. Excellent subjects and writing.
Martha
Martha:
DeleteThank you. It's been a while since I have gone there. I also gave you a couple of links for my favourite photographer, who still uses 4x5 film equipment
Mr. Luong has a nice life, eh?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Nikon- I was attracted to the Nikon J1 when it first came out, but I've not seen as much good press on it as the NEX.
ReplyDeleteMartha:
DeleteI left a reply on your site. Basically the NEX has a larger sensor and is capable of better IQ and low light performance
Unfortunately I can't go :( maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteDar:
DeleteAW, we are all going to be soooo disappointed. our last get-together was July 2010, you can go back to all of our blogs to see what we had to say. It was great to meet up with everyone. We may have another IMBC in a couple of years.
. . . NOT unless everyone wants to come to Hawai'i in January 2014 and rent scooters.
Bob - maybe we could have a mini IMBC closer to home. My job just isn't that flexible when it comes to time off. Bummer. Hawaii 2014 hmmmm need to think on that one. That will be the year of my 25th wedding anniversary, I need to be dropping hints to Motorcycle Man because we honeymooned in Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteDar:
Deletewe were just disappointed. I was already imagining all of us barrowing down I-5 and being together for a few days, snapping photos and enjoying the scenery. We all have schedules and it is not always possible to line up with everyone, but there will be a next time. I am one of the lucky ones, I have already had the good fortune of crossing paths with you, and also again in May during the rally. Plans are in process, we are taking the first ferry from Tsawwassen on May 26th, and don't HIDE this time
Jachmilli:
ReplyDeleteI would never have know about bicycle fenders until you brought it to my attention, just like those LED lights on the pier the last time. I'm not sure I want a beach cruiser though, as riding in sand is strenuous but thank you for visiting
A good post, i like adventures and road trips as well as good bikes and one more thing good food, the post covers it all. Hope to see largest previa dealer near about.
ReplyDeleteKeep Up!