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



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



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



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



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.



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


(BlueKat (Kari) in action)



I even found a moment to snap their family portrait



another photo of my V-strom



Here's Ron on Princess, his Honda Nighthawk 750



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.



to celebrate we all ordered the special blended strawberry lemonade



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


(Ron ordered this)


(Bluekat/Kari had that)


(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 . . .

Time flies when you're having fun

We arrived in Abbott Valley, Montana on Monday evening and spent two action packed days with Dom and his family and headed south through Idaho, Washington on our way to eastern Oregon. Dom has already posted a detailed report of our activities complete with photos so no use to duplicate his efforts. You can read about his days 5 & 6 Here and Here

I also took photos of my bike in similar settings


(Leaving Two Medicine viewpoint)


(on the way to St Mary's)


(final approach to St Mary's)

The absence of cell phones and internet access forced us to experience the simpler things such as talking and enjoying huddling around the fire and imagining how things must have been during the "old days" without proper plumbing or electricity. I mentioned before that this homestead cabin is 100 years old .

After dinner on our last night at the cabin there was a spectacular sunset and all of us ran to grab our cameras to capture the light before it was gone. Here is my version



Morning came too soon, and after breakfast, it was time to say our good byes



We wanted to get an early start as it was a long way to Orofino, ID via: Missoula and Lolo Pass. After a quick lunch we finally made it to the Visitor's Centre





After a short rest we continued on our way and had to stop for the "sign photo"



Here you see the "Princess" and my Wee. We take turns riding lead and Bluekat was going too fast to be able to stop on the gravel approach . The speed limit on the Montana side is 70 mph, but as soon as you enter Idaho it changes to 50 mph and this area is heavily patrolled . She admits that she has gotten used to Montana speed limits

I think that the Lolo Pass route is closer to 120 miles, it is only 99 miles of twisties on the Idaho side and follows the river most of the way


(notice gravel surface)

All of the scenic viewpoints are gravel and during these past two days Dom has weened us onto gravel, most likely on purpose. Even the driveway into the cabin is a steep downhill gravel driveway. His famous words of wisdom is to use only your rear brake. Pretend the front brake doesn't exist.



It was another long day in the saddle with few photos. We left at around 8am and didn't pull into Orofino until nearly 6:30pm with minimal stops.


(low sun angle and gravel pullout)

This is typical of the scenery we have been seeing all day. The road just winds its way along the river for hundreds of miles. If you like twisties then these are the roads for you but does get fatiguing after hours on the road. We will be glad to get to our hotel where we get to cook our own steak dinner.



Only 12 miles to go . . .

A full day on the road

After a quick continental breakfast in Ritzville, WA our plan was to get on the road quickly and make the fewest stops possible in order to get to our destination in time for dinner. Just before we left I sent a text message "eta 7 hours" to our gracious hosts who were intending to wait until we arrived for dinner. Preparations were underway and we didn't want to be late. Of course we forgot the time zones and another lost hour, and we also didn't count on getting lost while trying to find our way. The miles rolled by



and soon we were in Idaho . We also took the longest scenic backroads along the way which also conspired to make us late . Before long we had made it to Montana



There are three of us travelling together; Bluekat (& Ron) and myself . (Ninja, Nighthawk & Wee). It felt like a long day. We only stopped for fuel and a quick snack at Subway and only one overlook



the Moyie River Canyon, for photos of the stunning bridge



Bluekat was riding lead and her sharp eyes noticed the "overlook sign" . The stop was a welcome relief from the heat where we could shed our riding attire and take a short refreshment break, and stretch our legs.

When I sent my text message at 8am ("eta 7 hours"), the intention was to arrive at around 4pm, give or take a bit. With the time zone change, and our getting lost, and taking the longer route we were nearly given up for lost. It seems that our host Charlie6 (Dom)
had been waiting by the roadside, waiting to guide us in.

We had finally made it, and this is our first glimpse of Dom and Vikki



I feel it was an honour to have been able to spend a few days with him and his family while they were on vacation near Kalispell, MT . This was to be our home for the next few days. An isolated homestead cabin over 100 years old, retrofitted with electricity and indoor plumbing.



It was not an easy place to find had Dom not been waiting for us. There is no internet service, nor was there any cell phone signals. We had been cut off from the outside world for the duration of our stay, unless we went into town and snagged some free wifi from somewhere



with our bikes safely tucked away for the night we could focus our attention to our marshmallow roasting bon fire and generally just chatting the night away as we admire the moon and the stars above.



early to bed and early to rise. No visual distractions, no electronic gizmos to fuss with. Back to the simple life of times past. Dawn will bring a new day, and a new adventure



All is well in Abbott Valley, Montana

An early start

I rolled out of my driveway before 6am and headed south down the highway towards the US/Canadian Border. Traffic was light and I was the first bike in line. I got through in less than a minute. The Border guard said that in an hour the line would be backed up the hill. I made my first pitt stop just north of Everett to check emails and have a quick bite



Because I was so close to home I didn't take any photos but I kept rolling along and soon found myself in Leavenworth. From the weather forecasts I knew that it was going to be very hot so I only wore my T-shirt and shorts under my riding clothes. I was nearly freezing as I rode over Steven's Pass



My plan was to have a quick bite and pitt stop but I didn't want to waste time for a sit down meal, so I mounted my V-strom and kept rolling down the road. I was really getting hungry and an hour and a half later I was really, really getting hungry. This was a Sunday and I noticed that all the eating places in these small towns were not open. I wanted to take Hwy 2 then switch over to Hwy 28 taking backroads to my intended destination for the night . All the while I was getting farther from civilization I was in continuous scan mode for places to eat. There were lots of fruit stands but I wanted real food



I even headed north for about half an hour so I could take less travelled route through farmlands. Luckily as I exited east towards Waterville I noticed the gas station had a Subway attached



Needless to say I stopped for nourishment before continuing my journey East



Even though I have never been to Kansas, the landscape has that Kansas feel. There were violent gusts of wind which nearly blew me off the road several times. I had to slow down below the speed limit when I noticed those dust swirls



For about the last 50 miles I only noticed a couple of vehicles going in the opposite direction, and a handful of bikes. Going my direction, I was the only vehicle. I got to thinking that if something went wrong I would have no help. There is also no cell service on these lonely roads. I decided to play it safe, gear down and slow down a notch, and be more aware of the wind.

I also noticed a few abandoned buildings along the way but most were in places too dangerous to stop. There is little shoulder and they are cambered too much



I did manage to stop at the Dry Falls Viewpoint. The last time I was in this area it was just after sunset and drove right past. Today I stopped for a few photos and to use their facilities. During the times of the Glacial Ice Age this was the largest waterfall in the world, and carved this canyon which is many miles long .



I arrived in Ritzville, WA just before 4:30 pm, so that makes over 10 hours in the saddle with barely an hour for stops . I was chilling out on the bench outside enjoying the warmth of the sun and downloading my photos when



BlueKat and Ron show up on Sam and a very dirty Princess

Resetting life's trip meter

Today is a special day for me. It is my BIG birthday, a day where in the past, a person was put out to pasture and live to do nothing. Last week a friend sent me an email because he had somehow remembered that my BIG birthday was coming up and asked if he could take me for breakfast. We could go anywhere my heart desired and order anything that I fancied. Because it was my special day I decided to dust off my 'Vette and wear my normal summer attire. I just didn't feel like ATGATT



I don't like to ride with the top down during the heat of the day, the morning felt cool and it was refreshing to feel the wind in my face. When I got there Robert asked me where I wanted to go . Last year I remembered we went to a Cuban Place on "The Drive" It's not always about the money or the price of things and we ended up at



this fast food place where you are served on paper plates



I am a sucker for bacon & eggs. After we finished socializing and getting caught up on world events I headed home. Today our family is coming over for a BBQ and I am the BBQ'r, so I will be the one who has to cook my own meal. I just didn't feel like going out to a restaurant. I am also off work next week and I have been getting my bike ready for my trip. By having my special meal at home I can continue to tweak my packing. I did purchase a new magnetic tank bag for more storage which came with two, stacked compartments but it was so high I didn't feel comfortable having to peer over to see my tach and speedo so I am only using the bottom base. I really like the map pocket on the top



I think my bike is more roadworthy now with the Richland Rich fork brace and I also have my new Gear Indicator to eliminate the false 7th gear syndrome. I also relocated my RAM mount for my GoProHD sports cam and simply attached it to the Madstadt windshield bracket. This eliminates the ugly tethers I needed when using the Fat Gecko suction mount.



I am still learning to travel with less. I think I have everything I need and my side cases still have room should I purchase anything along the way.



so here my bike sits, waiting for the morning tide when we will cast off on another 2-wheeled adventure . I hope I made the right decision about my tires. In anticipation of this trip I purchased a set of Michelin Anakee2 tires (front & rear). I have 12K kms on these OEM tires and I thought that I should put new ones on. My mechanic at EMS said they still had good tread so he suggested that I just use them and replace the tires when I get back, so that is what I am doing.



nearly forgot to reset my Garmin. I like to keep track of my mileage and start off with a clean slate

It seems so easy. A couple of clicks and the trip has been reset to Zero, like it never happened.



I wished that we could do this with our lives, a couple of clicks to rewind us back 20 or so years. I will be up at the crack of dawn and be rolling down the highway. New sights to see, new roads to conquer, and new people to meet.

I should be able to post a few postcards along the way

see you on the road . . . back next week