Just a note to any followers

I am posting the blog with my iPad and I think some of the features available on a computer may not be available on the iPad. For instance I would love to label the photos so you would know what you are looking at but I can't do that. I hope you can figure out what the pictures are by what the post is for the day. I have still had a few people mention they cannot post a comment. This should help:

1. Click on the word "comments" at the bottom of the post, a box will open, you can leave your comments there, if you can please leave your initials or first name it would help in knowing who is leaving the "anonymous" comment

2. Click on the drop down box labeled "select profile" and choose anonymous

3. Then click the "publish" tab and that should do it.

Also if you click on a picture you can expand it.

Thank you for following along.

Day 8: Tuesday June 5, 2012

Knowing that we were going to have a short ride today we took our time getting on the bikes. About 10:30 we were on our way. We headed out highway 155 toward Coulee Dam and after about 30 minutes we were riding into a cold front and rain. We merged onto highway 2 toward Spokane. The countryside was reminiscent of the plains states with rolling fields as far as the eye can see of alfalfa or some other grass or grain. The temperature dropped to 48 degrees and the wind picked up so we decided to put on the rain gear. When we got into Spokane we stopped for lunch at a great little sandwich shop whose owner was born in Abilene (where Dave lives), small world for sure!! We made a quick stop at Cycle Gear for a couple things then down Interstate 90 toward Coeur d Alene. Total miles rode today 183 total for the ride 2159.

Psalm 121:8 The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Day 7: Monday June 4, 2012

Today was AWESOME!! We left Port Angeles at 9:15am under a light rain and headed toward Port Townsend on highway 20. The temperature was 50 degrees but with the right gear we were very comfortable. When we got to Port Townsend the highway ends so we had to take a ferry to cross the bay and catch the highway on the other side. The half hour ferry ride was very smooth and relaxing. After we arrived on "the other side of the bay" we headed toward the North Cascade Mountains along highway 20. We had a steady light rain all day but not a problem. We made a stop at Deception Pass which was named in 1792 by Capt. George Vancouver because he felt he had been "deceived" by the waterway. The Deception Pass was breathtaking looking down from the overpass into the currents of the ocean coming into the bay. After leaving "the pass" we climbed up the mountain into the clouds and rain. There were very few cars on the road (I don't think many people actually live in this state because the roads are lightly traveled) so traveling in the mountains in the rain was very comfortable. With the light rain where we were we could tell the rains were heavier in the higher elevations. It was apparent due to the 100+ waterfalls and streams we passed while climbing the North Cascades. The Washington coastal ride we did yesterday and the ride into the mountains today was spectacular! The many shades of green and lush vegetation cannot be described in words nor do the photos do what God created justice. You simply have to see this state for yourself! Today was just fantastic! Dave and I felt like school boys while riding a 900+ pound motorcycle in the rain, splashing in the puddles and throwing snow balls! We are ready to do it again. Except we are off to Coeur d Alene tomorrow. Today's high temperature was 57 degrees and the low was 41 degrees. We rode 282 miles today with an overall total of 1976 miles so far.
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day 6: Sunday June 3, 2012

Today marked my return to my birth state (Washington) it only took 52 years to make it back (I was 2 years old when my mom and dad moved to California). We started out under cloudy skies and crossed the Astoria bridge; we were only 8 miles from our hotel until we were in Washington. We continued our trek on highway 101 passing thru many small fishing and lumber towns (which were probably more affluent decades ago) but nonetheless some were very quaint. After about a couple hours of riding the weather changed on us in a flash so we turned around and drove back about a mile to dry land and put on our rain gear then headed back up the highway.
They don't call Washington the "evergreen state" for nothing! During the ride we passed through three different rain forests (Dave and I didn't even know north America had rain forests). Fortunately, God was gracious to us and the rains were in the area either before we rode thru or after we went by. Temperature stayed around 55 degrees today and peaked at 58, not too bad with the right gear. We had lunch today at Lake Quinault Lodge beautiful lake and lodge, looked like a movie set! It was once owned by Ralph Waldo Emerson and President Roosevelt was a visitor there. After lunch we stopped at Kalaloch Lodge which overlooks the ocean at a river mouth. The beach was populated with tons of driftwood which were fallen trees that get washed down the river after rain storms. It was an amazing sight! When we walked back to our bikes there were 3 Harley's that just pulled in and parked next to us. We started talking to the riders and found out they left San Diego on May 22 with rented motorcycles and were headed up to Vancouver BC. We also noticed a distinct accent and discovered they were from Norway and came here to ride the same coastal route that Dave and I are! You meet the nicest people on a motorcycle-even if they ride a Harley. One of the guys wife was very covetous when looking at the comfort level of the Goldwing!! We settled down for the night in Port Angeles and guess what? Just like last night I can paraphrase Sarah Palin-we can see Canada from our hotel! Well that is all for today total miles ridden today 283 total so far 1694 miles.

1 Timothy1:14 The Grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly

Day 5 Saturday June 2, 2012

We went to bed with the threat of rain and we woke to the reality of rain. After a less than appetizing free hotel breakfast (Quality Inn) but great friendly service from the front desk people we decided it wouldn't help to wait out the rain so we got our bikes packed. Due to the rain and a lack of pre-ride thought I decided to put my camping gear in a duffel bag to keep it dry and easier to tote around into the hotels so when the Ross store opened near the hotel I went over and purchased one. After we got all the gear packed and our rain gear on we headed north on the 101. The rain wasn't too hard but steady and the temperature was 55 degrees the bikes handled so well in the rain and windy road. After about an hour of rain it stopped and we rode in a cover of clouds and cool temps. The highest it got today was 61 degrees-perfect! We were able to stop along the way and take some pictures today. We lunched at a great BBQ place in Depoe Bay. It is a dumpy little place but with amazing food and a real nice owner! Everything on the menu was homemade! We continued up the 101 with a brief detour along the capes with a stop at Cape Kiwanda (I could live there, in fact we spoke with a realtor albeit to ask for directions to a public restroom, but the housing was reasonable for views of the bay or ocean) on up toward Cape Meares then back on the 101 toward Seaside. With the threat of rain we didn't want to camp and we were not able to find a hotel room in Seaside so we cruised up the road and landed in Warrenton Oregon for the night. To paraphrase Sarah Palin, we can see Washington from our hotel room! It's late, Dave's asleep and I hope I didn't ramble too much and all this made some sense. Talk to you tomorrow. Oh ya total miles today 253 overall miles so far 1,411.

Day 4 Friday June 1, 2012

After a belly full of food, motorcycle talk with Doug comparing Japanese engineering to German (he rides a BMW) and a good nights sleep we left Fortuna at 9:20am. We took a brief detour to cruise thru Ferndale (Myrna and I would love to live in the Mayberry of today). We headed north on the 101 covered in a marine layer (fog) temperature 55 degrees, we stopped in Crescent City for lunch and the sun came out for awhile. Because of the coastal fog the coastline was not visible so no pictures but loved the look of the fog in the trees and the enhanced smells that emit from the sea and forest There were several areas along the highway where road work was being done so we had delays but that was alright because we are not on a timeline to be anywhere, why you might ask...it's because we are RETIRED!
Well we made it to the Oregon border and stopped at the Visitor Center (really nice). The lady that assisted us said the Oregon Lottery money funds schools and the parks system and the funds can not be used for anything else! I can't speak for the schools but the park facilities are first rate! When we got back to our bikes Dave noticed his rear tire looked low on air. So he checked the pressure and discovered he had a defective valve stem. We rode up the highway to a gas station to get air and fix the issue. I gotta tell you Dave was extremely composed and didn't even say anything outloud that no doubt he was thinking, even when I was taking pictures of him. I'm proud of the boy!! Anyway he replaced the stem and all is good not a major issue! Back on the road we arrive in the town of Gold Beach and true to Oregon (and the reason it is so green here) it started to rain. We pulled off and put on our rain gear and back up the 101. We stopped in Bandon at a grocery store to get a bottle of California wine and take off the rain gear. We were told that Coos Bay was 26 miles up the road and there would be hotels to choose from. After checking into our room we left for Charleston Bay for some seafood that the hotel manager recommended, after a few miles riding we once again got into a light rain-determined to have the world famous clam chowder (or chowdaa) for my friends from the Boston area. Well the chowder was very good (world famous-that can be argued) and Dave thought the cioppino was pretty good but had better. Total miles rode today 275, total for the 4 days 1158 miles on our Goldwings!! Pray for dry weather tomorrow as we head up the Oregon coast.

COMMENTS

Hello, it was brought to my attention that there was a problem with my blog and the ability for those of you reading along to leave a comment. Well I think I have corrected that and please feel free to leave a comment as you wish. You will be posting as anonymous so please add your name or initials after your comment so we know who made the comment. We will be leaving Cali today on our way to Oregon. Thanks for following us!