Everything was pretty much planned out. I had the bike serviced, put new Metzlers on, getting packed and excited for the trip. I was heading to Sturgis with Crochammer and Canuck Rider. Then a few days before it was time to leave, boss told me she decided to take vacation and I would have to work. Needless to say, I was a bit pissed off and disappointed...but we won't go there. I was able to get a few days off together and it coincided with the Mountain Madness ride -- the western Washington riders had a day ride headed up the Olympic Peninsula to Hurricane Ridge. Mom lives nearby in Gig Harbor, so I headed west to join them.
Had to work Friday morning, but headed out in the afternoon from Spokane. Took I-90 in a sprint to Ellensburg, turned left and dropped down to Yakima. It was late, and it would take longer, but I wanted to take Hwy 12. Hwy 12 was a great road, through a beautiful canyon west of Yakima, into elk country, over the mountain pass with a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier. West of Mt. Rainier I turned north on Hwy 7. Hwy 7 turned out to be a delightful surprise -- fun road, lush forest, some twisties and no cars. I'm sure the cars must be there in the daytime, though.
Shot of Mt. Rainier taken well after sunset.
Got in late to mom's place on Friday night. Plan was to ride with the Volusia Riders group on Saturday, visit with family and head to grandma's on Sunday, and head home Monday.Western Washington Mountain Madness Ride 2007
The plan for the ride was to meet up in Purdy (just north of Gig Harbor) at the tavern, head north on 16 & 3 to Port Townsend. A few others would meet us there. From Port Townsend we were to head west on the 101 to Port Angeles for lunch, then due south into Olympic National Park and up to Hurricane Ridge.
A few of the shots from the meetup in Purdy. (I have to thank Counter Steer/Charlie for most of the photos from the ride).
Maintaining the image...bikers behind bars (or just a bunch of bikers at the bar @ 8am)
DanEboy and I
aVOL2 (Julie) and her husband Rick arrive.
I try to contain my excitement upon seeing Julie.
The bikes lined up and ready to roll.
After some breakfast and socializing we head north for Port Townsend. Sal & Duffy are coming across on the ferry and Big d will meet us there.
During a stop along the way, while we hang out for a while, the biker chic shows off her new colors.
We take over the Safeway parking lot in Port Townsend, run to McD's for more coffee and wait for Duffy & Sal.
And then we follow Big d out of town and to Port Angeles for lunch at the Crab House.
After lunch, a few blocks down the road, we are turning into Olympic National Park. Hurricane Ridge road is about 17 miles, with lots of twists, a steady climb and some fantastic scenery. We started under sunny skies and eventually climbed into the clouds. Along the way you are treated to views of the water below, the forests and mountains above. Of course, we rode, we enjoyed but did not stop to take pictures. I did snap a few on the way back down the hill.
What kind of bike is that?
I suppose even the deer take a moment on occasion to enjoy the view...or, maybe it was just impressed by all the nice "Harleys."
Not a very good picture, but you get the idea...trees and forests as far as you can see.
I headed home to Gig Harbor, down Hwy 101 along the Hood Canal. Stopped for a couple shots along the way.Western Washington...all green, all the time.
The next day, Sunday, was with family in the area. In the afternoon we headed for Grandma's in DuPont (near aVOL2's). Along the way, made a stop to check out the Grand Opening of the Eagle Leather store, and bought a new jacket. Liked my current jacket, but the Creston Rally a month before had been my first extended highway riding, and I had discovered the value of a snugger fitting jacket. That Michelin-man look on the interstate didn't seem so cool, and it was a bit annoying. The old jacket still works great for colder weather because I can comfortably fit something warm underneath.
Finally get a woman on the back of my bike...and it's my mom. Mom put on my spare helmet & jacket for a ride home from DuPont to Gig Harbor.
North Cascades Highway
When the time came to head home I decided to take the North Cascades Highway (20). From Gig Harbor I headed north to Bremerton, took a 45-minute ferry ride to downtown Seattle, spent a little time at the waterfront & Pike Place Market, then headed north on I-5 to Highway 20. Weather was dry, but rather gray in Seattle, but I had blue skies once I hit the North Cascades.
Seattle skyline, under gray skies, from the Bremerton ferry.
Seahawks (Qwest) & Mariners (Safeco Field) playgrounds.
Highway 20, the North Cascades highway, heads east from I-5 over the jagged Cascade mountains and drops into the Okanogan region in central Washington. The road is not challenging, but offers lots of gentle curves and abundant scenery...if you like forests & mountains, seasoned with some rivers, lakes and roadside waterfalls.
I wonder which way the wind normally blows?
Eventually the mountains give way to the grasslands of the Okanogan.
As the sun set on the river behind me, I decided to head south to Wenatchee and spend the night. I needed to work the next afternoon, but was only a few hours from home and there was a road I wanted to check out. Wenatchee is apple and pear country, home to Tree Top. In the morning I headed out through the orchards, south to Blewett Pass, and then hopped on I-90 for the last few hours. As it turned out, Blewett Pass was not the road I was thinking of, but was still a nice ride.
Much of Eastern Washington is desert, with a landscape formed by volcanic flows "several" years ago. Despite being desert it has become a top agricultural area...all made possible by the Columbia River and a few pipes.This picture is taken overlooking I-90 crossing at Vantage, WA. The Columbia has been tamed over the years by the 30 or so dams built on the river.
A shot of the Wild Horse Monument at the same viewpoint. 
