Day 8: Monday June 6, 2022

Once again when we woke this morning the skies were dark and gloomy, but not raining.  We looked north toward Glacier National Park and it was hidden in clouds, so we put on the rain gear.  We rode off to dry roads…for 11 miles, then the rain started. As we got closer to the park the rain increased.  I was able to get a couple pictures along a river before the skies opened up. For the entire ride through the park the temperature dropped to 46 degrees and the rain fell and fall it did!  This was the heaviest rain we’ve had so far on the trip. We made it out of the park and the rain let up. We stopped at a river confluence that was a muddy ride down the hill.  The snow melt confluence was moving swiftly and the rushing water sound was overwhelming. We made it up the muddy hill without incident.  Once we turned east on Hwy 2 we entered the plains and farmlands of Montana and dry roads. Highway 2 is a lightly travelled straight two lane road with a posted speed limit of 70mph.  It was nice to open up the throttles and sit back and cruise.   We made it to Shelby for lunch. After lunch we continued east with storm clouds to our south and north with a window directly east. About 10 miles from Havre pronounced “Have-Err” the temperature dropped and the rain started falling.  

We decided to make it a day and checked into a hotel in Havre. 

Miles rode today:  269  total for the trip:  2095

Psalm 121: 1-2.   I lift my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 

                                             The Confluence 

                                          Looking back toward Glacier National Park

    

                                              Main Street Shelby Montana

 

Day 7: Sunday June 5, 2022

 

After a great night of rest we once again woke to rain. After a hot breakfast at the hotel we packed our bikes huddled for a prayer and road off together for the first 60 miles then Eric and Rob went south as Dave and I continued north on Hwy 95 toward Bonners Ferry. The rain was stronger today so the “pitter-patter” of rain on our helmets was a bit more intense.  We climbed into northern Idaho passing many rivers and green valleys.  We knew there were mountains out there but they were covered in clouds. After riding through Bonners Ferry we turned east onto Hwy 2 and a bit more intensive rain. The roads were well maintained and lightly travelled. We crossed into Montana and the Mountain Time Zone losing one hour. There wasn’t a “Welcome to Montana” sign so there wasn’t a photo op greeting. We rode into the town of Libby and stopped for lunch at Antlers Restaurant. Dave and I realized it was the same restaurant we stopped at 8 years ago when we rode through Libby.  After lunch I noticed an elderly couple trying to negotiate the doors so we assisted them. The husband Clarence was pretty feeble and mentioned he fell on ice a few weeks ago. We assisted him down some steps while his wife went to get the car.  I asked Clarence how old he was and he stated he was 80 years old. When his wife arrived with the car he affectionately called her “Honey”. I asked Clarance what “honey’s” name was and he said it was Verna with a “V”. I told him my wife’s name is Myrna with a “M” 😂. I blessed them both before they left and Clarence stated to me to be careful of the traffic in Kalispell as it’s much worse than Libby. I wanted to laugh, but instead I thanked him for the words of caution and I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was from California and I’m very familiar with traffic.  

Because of the rain and clouds there wasn’t much to photograph so pictures are limited today  

Unfortunately so far on this ride we have not seen any Elk until we arrived in Libby so I finally got a photo of two elk near our bikes.

We stopped in Kalispell MT for the night.

Mileage today was 228 miles total so far 1826 miles. 

Job 42:10. After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. 

Day 6: Saturday June 4, 2022

After a good nights sleep we woke to rain…again.  The Best Western hotel had several riders staying the night. We spoke with four guys riding Harleys that came in from Vancouver and two couples riding BMW’s that also rode in from Vancouver. Surreptitiously, they all knew each other. The Canadians saddled up and rode off in different directions while we huddled up as we have every morning and prayed for traveling mercies. After filling up our gas tanks we headed north on hwy20 up to the mountains amidst the rain and clouds. Due to the continuous rain we didn’t stop much for pictures, mostly because the mountains were hidden in the clouds and the riskiness of stopping on the winding roads. We did eventually descend the mountains and arrived in these beautiful green valleys with cattle grazing and crops growing, including acres of apple trees.  

This trip was Rob and Eric’s first long distance ride and Rob’s first time of riding in the rain.  After several days of riding these big 930 pound machines in the rain Rob’s confidence and skill set for riding his Goldwing grew each and every day. Dave, Eric and I are extremely proud of him!  Tomorrow, the four of us will separate as Rob needs to make his way home for work and Eric being the good friend that he is will ride back with Rob.  Dave and I will continue our ride with no real plans.  Each day will be an adventure as to where we go and stay the night. Having the four of us ride has been very enjoyable for me and I will miss the camaraderie  and banter.  Ride safe my friends!

Today’s ride ended in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho after 223 miles.  We were done riding for the day so after getting settled in the Springhill Suites we called an Uber to take us to dinner.  We ate at Dardenay a restaurant/distillery.  We were so surprised at the quality of food, and amazing prices. Especially after seeing the building and grounds.

Total trip miles are: 1598 

Job 5:10. He provides rain for the earth; He sends water on the countryside. 

Bardenay Restaurant Grounds

                                        

                                                Bardenay Restaurant 

Day 5: Friday June 3, 2022

Today started out as an adventure. We woke to rain so we all geared up for wet riding and the realization that not all of us were going to be able to take the ferry together from Port Townsend to Coupeville to catch highway 20 through the North Cascades. The ferry did not have room for 4 motorcycles at the 0930 trip so Dave rode over to the ferry to catch the 0800 trip.  He feasted on breakfast while he awaited our arrival.  Dave was able to get a photo of me coming off the ferry.  We all gathered up and around 1030 we were kickstands up and headed into the mountains.  Due to the rain our ride was slower and more deliberate.  The next big awakening happened when we were at a traffic light in Burlington WA.  I was the lead bike stopped at the intersection waiting for our signal to change when all of a sudden a vehicle to my right started making a left hand turn on a yielding green light and a vehicle to my left was proceeding with the right of way green light straight through the intersection.  The cars collided causing the turning car to spin around and settle about 10’ feet from me.  My adrenaline was pumping pretty heavy and the feeling of helplessness just sitting on the bike frozen with no where to go was a bit unnerving.  There didn’t appear to be any severely injured drivers so when our light turned green we drove around the vehicles just as a police car was arriving. We rode on and had rain off and on sometimes coming down pretty hard.  The ride into the North Cascades is breathtaking and because of the rain we were sometimes in the clouds or just below them which made the scenery magical.  The trees, rock formations and countless waterfalls around every corner was amazing.  We rode to the summit and the temperature dropped to 46 degrees with rain.  It was chilly but not bad because we were all geared up.  There was still a lot of snow along the road and we rode past crystal blue pools of melting snow that unfortunately we couldn’t pull over and take photos of for safety reasons.  After descending the mountains we rode by acres of apple orchards before arriving at our hotel for the evening.  We met two couples from Vancouver BC who were riding BMW bikes and four other guys from Vancouver BC that were riding Harleys.  The funny thing was they all knew each other but did not know they were riding into the USA.  When I asked them how it was crossing the border into the USA the riders on the BMW's said it was quick and easy with the only question being from the customs agent "why you riding today, it's raining?" 

We arrived at our hotel in Omak WA at 5:50.  We rode 235 miles today.  

Genesis 1:31  And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.

                                            On the ferry to meet Dave

                                            Dave's $25 Breakfast

                                             Deception Pass

                                             Red, White and Blue

                                            Mazama WA 

Day 4: Thursday June 2, 2022

This morning we got on the road early to cloudy skies and about 52 degrees. We filled our tanks in Warrington OR for $5.19 a gallon, yesterday we paid our lowest price for gas in Newport OR for $4.99 a gallon. We crossed the bridge in Astoria and entered Washington.  The Astoria bridge was shrouded in clouds and we were not able to see much until we descended to the lower miles long causeway.  While we were on the causeway we noticed two seabirds flying inches off the water along the causeway that appeared they were in a race.  We caught up to them and I slowed down and paced them at 40mph. It was amazing watching them fly along us. We rode along the coast on Hwy 101 until it turned inland into the rain forests. Again we passed through many small settlements with posted variable speed limits changing what seemed like every few miles. We also passed several deer grazing along the shoulder of the road and one time scampering across the road. Fortunately the deer behaved themselves as we slowed down when passing by them. Today's ride again was once again peaceful and filled with amazing scenery from the coastal tide pools to the dense evergreen forests. I truly believe God’s favorite color is green. The variety of shades of green and texture is immeasurable. We made a stop at Olympic National Park South Beach Campground for a break and photo ops. The place is a great small campground a few feet above the beach.  We later stopped for photos at Crescent Lake an absolutely beautiful lake. I noticed north of us in the direction we were headed the skies were turning black and it appeared we were going to be riding into rain. Rob, Eric and I put on rain gear and we forged onward. After a couple miles the skies opened up and we were in a downpour. After about 20 minutes the rain let up and we were riding into dry weather.   

We arrived at our bay view hotel in Port Townsend WA after 9 hours on the road and 325 miles.

Psalm 49:13 shout for joy you heavens, rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains!  For the Lord comforts His people and has compassion on thee afflicted  

                                            Astoria Bridge Causeway (Bridge is covered by clouds)

                                            

                                            Olympic National Park South Beach

                                            Crescent Lake

                                            Bay View Room