This is a continuation of my previous post click Here ( for part one )
This was one of the first times I had ever been to a multi day rally and I didn't know what to expect. Camping was included in the entry fee but I had never camped before so I stayed at the nearby budget Motel
This particular year BMW supplied the bikes for the demo rides. As I rule I don't do demo rides
myself unless I am actually looking to buy that make/model. I generally don't do rides just for the thrill of riding a different bike but here they are all lined up for their prospective riders
They also had vendors there with moto related accessories for sale. You could have also ordered tires before arrival and have your new tires fitted during the weekend, right on site
During this 3 day event organized by Soundrider (link click here) you are able to sign up for talks on various riding techniques by high profile riders. Moto journalist Tom Mehren is the head honcho and he is an authour himself (click here) He was actually our ride leader and he took us on many backroads around Mt Hood as you will see on the following photos which were taken on various rides, over two days
somehow we ended up at Mt Hood
and we had lunch at Timberline Lodge
There was also some ornate artwork on the doors. It was a beautiful, warm August day
and we got a nearly unobstructed view of Mt Hood. Of course I also had to snap a photo of
my Kymco Maxi-scoot to show I was actually there. A few hours later of being disoriented on a few backroads we headed north back to the Gorge where you can see Vista House in the distance
and we made it to the Vista House parking lot
and I had to snap another photo of my scoot
I remember it was very busy that day and I was lucky to grab this spot. I was much younger back then and I walked up to the bridge
and I managed another photo at Stonehenge. I rode to the rally, solo, met a few friends and we all came back together back to the SeaTac area where I continued home back to BC
We left Stevenson, WA around 9am in light rain which stopped near Seattle
I thought it was a great weekend with new friends. Thanks for following along
I'll try again.
ReplyDeleteI think I've taken a picture of the Vista House from the same parking lot. Our family reunion location is only about 1/4 mile to the west and down towards the gorge. Thank you for posting these older trips, it give me a chance to see what I've been missing such as Mt. Hood...
Richard:
Deletewe've been to the Gorge several times. Even stayed in Biggs and visited the Maryhill Museum. I prefer the road on the WA side of the Gorge, more interesting and slower.
I think Mt Hood is usually surrounded by clouds. For some reason it was very clear that day
Columbia gorge always reminded me of the river Rhine in Germany with its similar topography, just sans the castles. We have been to the gorge several times ourselves. The scenic roads along the river are priceless. Thanks for the memories, Bob.
ReplyDeleteSonja:
Deletethere are also some twisty roads in southern WA. That was the first time we rode into Klickitat Canyon. We were taken to so many backroads I don't think I could ever find them again
Bob, one day you need to make a list of all the moto bloggers and authors you've met. David Hough is legendary.
DeleteGood pics of Mount Hood, it was shrouded in clouds/fog when I went through this past Spring, now I can see what it looked like, thanks.
ReplyDeleteDom:
DeleteYou'll just have to come back one day when it is clear. I think I was lucky to see it without clouds. We saw lots of people walking up to the top, while we were having lunch at Timberline Lodge
Nice pic of the falls with your scoot in there.
ReplyDeleteTrobairitz:
DeleteWe had been there in the 70's in our Datsun so it was a long time before I got to see it again. There was not much parking there as it is so busy during tourist season. I was lucky that a car was pulling out for me. The others parked farther away
I love the mostly empty backroads in Washington and Oregon. It's so much better than fighting with the impatient crazies here. The first time I went to that Stonehenge was pre-internet. As a History buff I was so excited to get to see a replica of Stonehenge. When I got there my reaction was….."What!!!!?????" Then I started to laugh because it had been a great ride on my RT80. Your picture brought back the enjoyment of that day.
ReplyDeleteDavid:
DeleteI like SE Washington and Eastern Oregon. There is too much traffic on the Coast. I know, not really like the real Stonehenge and it is also oriented the wrong way but still nice to visit an look at the view of the Gorge below. It is usually very windy on that part of the Gorge
What a boost to the mood, Bob -- sun-filled photos and leaves on the trees. Thanks for putting me "there."
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed the photos of the Timberline Lodge -- architecture and comfort from another era.
What a boost to the mood, Bob -- sun-filled photos and leaves on the trees. Thanks for putting me "there."
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed the photos of the Timberline Lodge -- architecture and comfort from another era.
Bob - she was a nice scoot - loved the colour. I remember stopping to snap a photo of Mount Hood, it was a trucker stopped at the same look out who told me what I was looking at. He always stopped to look at the same spot. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a ride! I love that view from Vista House. :-)
ReplyDelete