Meeting people

whilst on the road. I don't have any problems with this. I love to meet people. Most often they are friendly and open up to you too. I think it has something to do with being on motorcycles and travelling far from home.

I got a late start one morning not long ago as I left Bend, Oregon and headed towards Sisters where I thought I could get a quick meal but I was wrong and the mistake may have been to continue on my way without substanence. That's the problem when you are riding alone and make the wrong choices. I knew there would be no place to eat until after I finished Hwy 242 and back onto Hwy 126 so I did stop to buy some granola bars and a sports drink, just in case


Lava fields at the Dee Wright Observatory (notice I am parked alone)

I wrote about my day --> HERE <---

I spent a lot of time here just absorbing the scene, walking about and taking photos. I was not in a hurry and had no place to be . I had a relaxing time with my camera. As I was on top of the observatory looking down at my bike I noticed that someone had parked very close, next to me so naturally I headed down the stone stairs to see a most beautiful Honda Goldwing



Meet Don & Beth from Dublin, CA. He just happens to be the Historian and Editor of CA2Q GWRRA ( ca2q-gwrra.org ) Tri Valley Wings and they were recently voted "Couple of the year 2012).

I may have the story wrong but he started his ride SOLO and had just come back from Yellowstone NP and his wife flew in and now they are riding 2-up for the next week heading down the Coast towards home. We went back to the Observatory and poked around a bit more and we also chatted a bit about this and that. It's amazing how friendly people can be when they are on vacation.



It was very hard to take photos due to the harsh sun angles and extreme shadows but we managed to get a shot of the three of us. Don had ridden here before and he told me to be more cautious on my way down as the road was more twisty on the downhill section so I did take things a bit slower and managed to record some video of the switchbacks.



That's how it is on the road. You meet new friends but soon you have to part and be on your way and you wonder if your paths will ever cross again. If I had a Goldwing and I lived near Dublin I would certainly attend their club meetings which are on the 3rd Saturday of each month at Coco's in Dublin, CA

Here they are ready for take-off



Again I am alone to ponder my day and which direction I should go. Actually my plan was to continue West to Highway 126 but by the time I reached the Junction to snap this photo I was starving and my stomach was starting to hurt



I pulled my bike over to the side and as I snapped this photo of the signs, I noticed two bikes pass very quickly heading West. I thought nothing of it but in a flash they were gone. I made my left turn and on a long straight stretch I pulled over to the shoulder to consult my maps and ponder my next move. Not far would be the turnoff for the Aufderheide and I wanted to ride south and snap a photo of the box canyon sign then turn around. I was hungry but made the decision to just eat my granola bars later when I found a place to stop.

As I was heading west I was scanning for places to get food, stores cafes, anything. Then I saw it, nearly too late to stop. I pulled on the binders and slowed enough to pull into the parking lot of this cafe



As I pulled into the lot I noticed two bikes so I gave them a bit more room and parked farther to the right. I was to find out later that these were the two bikes that passed me earlier as I was busy snapping photos

I couldn't help but walk over to the bikes on my way into the cafe and saw the Ontario license plates. You know how it is, you see bikes parked outside of an eatery and when you walk inside you are scanning to see if you can determine who owns them. There was also another Yamaha there with a solo rider and I think I spotted him too

I was hungry and after I ordered I noticed that they were closing around 2:30p so I just made it in time. When you have no one to talk to as you are waiting for your meal you tend to play with your camera, so I snapped one inside



I also noticed a table for 4 over to my right and I was just trying to find a way to meet them and then an opportunity came up as one of them was trying to snap a photo of 3 of them, and I voiced up that I would snap a photo of the 4 of them.



Meet Phil & Gini from Sault St Marie, Ontario. We all got along like long lost friends. It turns out that Phil had just retired the week before and he wanted to take a long ride on his Yamaha FJR as a celebration of his retirement. Of course it felt more like a vacation and only when he returns home and not have to go to work will the feelings of retirement kick in. His friend Gini wanted to take this trip too, so on short notice he purchased a brand new Motoguzzi Norge for this trip. He also order a top box but it came late so they had to delay departure for a day so he could get it installed.


my meal with soup

We got a lot of chatting done before our food came along then it was time to eat. After our meals we headed outside for our final good-byes. Both are riding two up


Gini & Lena on their Motoguzzi Norge

and


Phil & Ada on their Yamaha FJR

I don't know why but they wanted a photo of the 3 of us beside my V-strom


Phil, Bob & Gini

I mentioned to them that I had just finished riding Hwy 242 and that it was a great road so they were interested to try it on. I told them they wouldn't regret it but they could turn around somewhere if they were pressed for time. They had reservations near Portland for the night


getting geared up to leave

I wished we had more time to talk. That's always how it is. A quick stop, a short visit, and then you have to leave. Time to move on and wonder IF you will ever meet again



They have many miles to go. From Portland they plan to ride hwy 101 down the coast all the way to San Diego. From there head East eventually ending back home to Sault St Marie, Ontario. No definite timetable but Phil mentioned he had to be back by the Labour Day weekend in September



and then they were gone . . .



I hope they have a safe journey and make it home with lots of memories