The last few days of this journey will take me over some well known country. Reno to Klamath Falls, OR takes you up through northern California via Susanville. I always enjoy this leg as it takes me through some nice NorCal country. Lots of pine trees and junipers. Easy on your senses if the road isn't particularly challenging. A nice ride with sunny skies and the last of the reasonably warm weather I will see.
Klamath Falls to The Dalles takes you up US97. This is a route that can best be described as the spine of Oregon and Washington. In Oregon it is very straight and very flat until it gets to the Columbia Gorge and it has to wind its way down to the river to intersect I-84. You will see lots of pine trees and high desert country. Kind of like riding in Texas with trees and sagebrush. I peel off about 60 miles from the Oregon/Washington border onto SR197 that took me to The Dalles. This was the highlight of the ride as not long after you leave US97 Mt Hood pops up and soon after Mt Adams and Mt Ranier. You run along a high plateau that winds its way down and out of the Deschutes river drainage. Then runs along the plateau with some really nice views until you have to wind down to the Columbia. A really visually appealing and fun ride. Especially after droning along on US97. The terrain in this part of Oregon is famous for some fabulous riding country. John Day and Baker City will host various groups all summer riding the area. Take my word for it, there is some fantastic riding in this part of Oregon.
Tomorrow takes me home. I will ride down I84 to Portland then take a right to I5 and on home to Bothell, WA. This will suck but it keeps me off the snowy passes. It will be chilly (mid 40's to mid 50's) and I know that slab like my wife's face. If there is an upside, it should be dry, I may get to stop at one of my favorite lunch places in Longview and I will be home. Or, it will decide to rain and I'll be trapped in a traffic jam. Hoping for the best.
This is pretty much the end of my travelling blog. I may post more later on about impressions, good and bad, about gear, about the motorcycle, about roouting, and/or anything else I find interesting. I hope you will as well. Thanks for reading and following on my journey. It has been a heckuva 3 weeks and I have enjoyed it immensely.
Klamath Falls to The Dalles takes you up US97. This is a route that can best be described as the spine of Oregon and Washington. In Oregon it is very straight and very flat until it gets to the Columbia Gorge and it has to wind its way down to the river to intersect I-84. You will see lots of pine trees and high desert country. Kind of like riding in Texas with trees and sagebrush. I peel off about 60 miles from the Oregon/Washington border onto SR197 that took me to The Dalles. This was the highlight of the ride as not long after you leave US97 Mt Hood pops up and soon after Mt Adams and Mt Ranier. You run along a high plateau that winds its way down and out of the Deschutes river drainage. Then runs along the plateau with some really nice views until you have to wind down to the Columbia. A really visually appealing and fun ride. Especially after droning along on US97. The terrain in this part of Oregon is famous for some fabulous riding country. John Day and Baker City will host various groups all summer riding the area. Take my word for it, there is some fantastic riding in this part of Oregon.
Tomorrow takes me home. I will ride down I84 to Portland then take a right to I5 and on home to Bothell, WA. This will suck but it keeps me off the snowy passes. It will be chilly (mid 40's to mid 50's) and I know that slab like my wife's face. If there is an upside, it should be dry, I may get to stop at one of my favorite lunch places in Longview and I will be home. Or, it will decide to rain and I'll be trapped in a traffic jam. Hoping for the best.
This is pretty much the end of my travelling blog. I may post more later on about impressions, good and bad, about gear, about the motorcycle, about roouting, and/or anything else I find interesting. I hope you will as well. Thanks for reading and following on my journey. It has been a heckuva 3 weeks and I have enjoyed it immensely.