Day 6 (Bike Prep/Twin Lakes)

Scott had planned on taking me out on the lake across the street from his house, but before that, we spent a bit of the morning doing some bike prep and clean up.  We leave tomorrow for Glacier Nat'l Park, in Montana, and the first part of our journey.

Bikes are cleaned and my chain maintenance done, final packing and prep tonight, 7 am departure tomorrow/Saturday morning.  Now it's time for the lake!  Twin Lakes...

Time to launch the boat, Scott's new Lund 1775...really nice!  The boat launch is about one minute down the street from his house.  You can see how crowded it is.  

From house to launch...15 minutes!

Capt'n Boyle!

Some of the shoreline along Twin Lakes...great scenery!

Going from Upper Twin Lakes to Lower Twin Lakes...narrow and shallow, but Capt'n Boyle is a master of navigation.

Capt'n Boyle lets me take the helm...SWEET!  This boat can move pretty good!  Almost 40 mph...not bad for a 'fishing' boat!  

I can't believe Scott's this relaxed with me Capt'ning his new boat!!!  

Scott cooling down with a dip in the middle of the lake.

Here's some of Scott's neighborhood...nice lakefront homes!

Then it was back to the house, enjoying a couple biers, getting ready to BBQ...Life Is Good!

Day 5 (Coeur d' Alene)

Thursday was much needed chill day.  Scott took me into Coeur d'Alene for some sightseeing.  Nice, clean town.  One thing I have noticed up here in Idaho is that people are very friendly.  Everybody says 'hi' to you...it's pretty cool!  Here's some pics from the marina area...

Enjoying a bier in the marina resort...

Me testing the waters...75 degrees!  

The pic is grainy, max zoom, and then zoomed again when editing, but lots of seaplanes here...

I found my boat...Life Is Good!

Some nice 'boats' down in the marina...I like the 40' Carver!

But this is probably more my speed...

...but I did find this one I really liked...$$$$$!  My initial impression of Coeur d' Alene is thumbs up!  Nice people, incredible scenery, awesome lake...just not sure I could handle the winters.

Later in the evening Scott, Claudette, & Amanda treated me to a great dinner at Capone's in Hayden, ID.  After that we retired (pun intended) to Scott's home/back patio, to watch the many deer come in from the treeline to feed on the field grass...pretty cool!

Day 4 (Yakima/Rathdrum)

After a much needed restful night's sleep, it was up early, bikes packed, and on the road to Scott's home in Rathdrum, ID.

Scott retired in September 2013, moved to Rathdrum, and is living 'the dream'.  The road into his place runs along Twin Lakes and it is beautiful!  Thick pines surround the lake, his home, and the entire area (pics later).

Upon arrival at his place, we pulled into his shop, at the rear of his property, parked the bikes, and proceeded to relax the rest of the evening on his porch.  The BBQ'd pork chops he prepared were incredible!

Here's Scott in his shop after we dismounted the bikes...

Day 3 (Crater Lake/Mt. Rainier...or not)

It was up early to pack up the campsite and head up the mountain to 'the crater'.  I generally like to have some fun riding the mountain roads, but portions of the road up to Crater Lake are not to be messed with.  One mistake and you are over the edge and it is literally straight down...a LONG way down!  Once up there, I was the only one there.  Talk about peaceful!  Here are a couple pics I took before hitting the road...

...leaving Crater Lake and Oregon, next stop was supposed to be Mt. Rainier in Washington.

I crossed into Washington at Briggs Point, temps were 110, and it was taking its toll on me.  The heat literally beats you down, hours of riding with temps in the 100+ range, with full gear on, will mentally drain you...not a good thing on a motorcycle.

My riding partner happened to call (taking phone calls in your helmet is cool!), he was on the road to meet me for the ride to Rainier, we decided to meet in Yakima to discuss options.  I pulled into the Sun Country Motel, was met by Scott and a Canadian (Tom), who was on his own adventure, riding from Ontario to the California Coast, via the northern US, and then back via a Canadian route.  Here's a pic of Tom and his VStrom.

After a dip in the pool and over a few Corona's, we discussed the following day's options...

Option 1:  Ride to Mt. Rainier for a 'drive by', then on to Idaho and his place in Rathdrum.  

Option 2:  Head straight to Scott's place and R&R for 2 days.  

I chose Option 2 and 5 hours less driving time!!!

Day 2 (Lassen/Crater Lake)

It was up early at Scott's, my destination for the evening was a campsite I had reserved at Crater Lake Nat'l Park, in Oregon...however, I wanted to do a 'drive by' through Lassen Volcanic Nat'l Park, before heading up into Oregon.  It was going to be another long day.

The roads up into Paradise are nothing to write home about, but as you leave Paradise, the ride takes on a different perspective as you begin to climb in elevation.  Nice sweepers into the hills...

Eventually the road begins to parallel Lost Creek and the scenery is beautiful, but no time to stop for pics, I need to get to Lassen!  I did stop for this pic, I think tunnels are cool, and yes, I do hit the horn as I go through!

Lassen Nat'l Park...

...incredible motorcycle roads, top 5 that I've ridden to date.  Long sweepers, tight twisties, and 'to die for scenery'.  Awesome!

One thing I've gotten used to are the construction delays that are indigenious to mountain areas.  This delay was for clearing a boulder that had fallen onto the road.  The stop sign guy was personable and he and I talked while we waited for the 'follow me' truck.

Done with my Lassen 'drive by', next up Crater Lake, Oregon.  This next segment of road was torture! Hwy 97 North into Oregon and eventually Washington.  OMG.  First, the temps soared above 100 and in Oregon the speed limit is 55...and it is enforced!  I did not personally find this out, but I did see a number of cars pulled over and being isssued citations.  Finally, I was so hot, I threw caution to the wind, and the speedo went to the 90's.  I figured if I got pulled over, the back of the squad car had to be air conditioned!  

Finally some temperature relief as I climbed in elevation and arrived at my destination for the evening, Crater Lake Nat'l Park Campground...

...and the campsite I staked out was steps from the restaurant patio with some decent craft biers on tap!  Campsite all set up...

...it was time to hydrate and relax!

Some of the fun of being on the road on a motorcycle is that people are inquisitive about your travels and conversations are easily started.  I met Joyce on the patio, while having a bier, and learned about her adventure.  She is hiking the Pacific Coast Trail, started in Mexico, is 1800 miles into it, and is hoping to finish in September.  She is 65 yrs young!  Here is Joyce and her husband Loren, who met her at the campground, will spend a day together, before she is off continuing her journey.  Loren, if you read this, remember, I want an autographed copy of your new novel!  After visiting with them for a bit, it was off to my campsite...

...and time for a fireside nightcap!

Departure!

Well the day finally arrived!  Months of preplanning, mock packing, and anticipation.  A bit of background on this trip.  I have always loved exploring on my bikes.  Coming from Iowa, there isn't much of anything to explore, but once I moved to New Mexico, there were mountains, and I loved riding through them.  The seed was planted.

Fast forward to the present...I guess this trip has been in the works for years, but with commitments to work and family, it just wasn't going to happen.  Then with retirement looming, the wheels began to turn.  I threw it out there, looking for a partner to ride along, found a more than capable compadre in Mr. Scott Boyle, who I've ridden with before, and who is also recently retired.  A plan was hatched, refined, and finalized.  So with out further adieu it's time to hit the road!

The bike was prepped, packed, and facing out of the G'Raj Mahal, ready for departure...

Destination for Day 1 (Sunday/7-27) was to Paradise, Ca where I would stay with an old friend and workmate, Scott Jeffers.  Scott retired 11 years ago, moved to Paradise, Ca and I hadn't seen him since.  

Road wise, this figured to be one of the longest days in the saddle and I wanted to be on the road early, as temps in Cali's Central Valley soar into the hundreds in the summer.

So up at 5 am, my lovely wife Patty, who I can't thank enough for allowing me to embark on this journey, prepared a nice breakfast to get the day started.  Then it was on to the G'Raj Mahal to saddle up...

Goodbyes and "I love you's" were said and then it was time to mount up...

The requisite departure photo and I was off...

...it took about 7 1/2 hours to get to my buddy Scott's home in Paradise.  No pics of the Central Valley travels, as there is nothing to see along Interstate 5/99 except the occasional cow pasture, with accompanying smell, and signs blaming politicians for California's water crises.

Here's my friend Scott Jeffers, fellow FAA retiree, and incredible host.  We reminisced about the 'old days' over perfectly grilled steak and twice baked potatoes...and of course plenty of Guinness!