Sunday July 29, 2012 Post Falls to Kalispell, Montana

Click on Pictures to enlarge


This morning our group, which had scattered over the past two days, was once again one.  We left Post Falls Idaho early in the morning and headed north on Highway 95 towards Sandpoint.  Once we were North of Sandpoint, we entered the town of Bonners Ferry.  We decided to take a break and looked for an open gas station, as the first two we found were closed on Sundays.

Amusement and Water Park located South of Sandpoint

Stopped for Traffic Light

Fred and Susan

Stopped for Road Construction outside of Bonners Ferry

Get your motor running, Head out on the Highway

Linda

Susan and Fred

Terry, Carolyn, and Mike

Brian

 

 

Lake Pend Orielle - Sandpoint,Idaho

Lake Pend Oriell- Sandpoint, Idaho

After a break, we again headed north for a short distance before making a right turn on Highway 2 and heading east.  Shortly thereafter, we were in Big Sky Country, Montana.  As we rode east, the scenery was amazing.  Around every corner there seemed to be a lake, waterfall, or river along the road. 

We took another break in the City of Libby, Montana.  As we rode through the city, we were seeing these sculptures on eagles on poles throughout the city.  We soon learned that we were passing through the "City of Eagles."

We arrived in Kalispell in the early afternoon.  We headed out for a late lunch near Flathead Lake and then it was back to the hotel to rest before dinner. 

Once we entered Montana, we entered the Mountain Time zone and lost an hour.  Along with it not getting dark until after 10 p.m., it is a little different here. 

Tomorrow we are heading out to Glacier National Park and then on to Calgary, Canada.  Glacier National Park is one of the more anticipated destinations of our trip and we are all looking forward to it.

Brian 

Friday July 27 and Saturday July 28

Friday was a travel day from Pendleton, Oregon to Post Falls, Idaho.  Unfortunately our camera's memory card decided to call it quits early in the ride, so we really didn't have any pictures to post.  We did experience our first rain drops of the trip as we rode through Spokane, Washington.  Just some sprinkles thankfully.  Hopefully that will be the extent of any fowl weather we might experience during this trip.

We spent Friday and Saturday night in Post Falls.  It gave some in our group a chance to spend time with relatives that live in the Post Falls area, and others, like Linda and I, a chance to catch up on critical stuff like laundry, washing the motorcycle, (it appears to still be bug season in Idaho), getting new SD Cards for the camera, and time just to relax.

While speaking with some other motorcyclists at the hotel, I met Phil.  Phil is a retired school teacher from Ohio, who rode out to Seattle to meet others for a group ride in Montana.  His group was also spending a few days relaxing before continuing on their trip.

The above picture is of Phil's motorcycle, which is a Suzuki Hayabusa.  For those that don't know, Phil's motorcycle is capable of reaching speeds of 180 mph.  The amazing thing to me about Phil is that during our conversation, he mentioned that he is 79 years young.

In my opinion, people like Phil are an inspiration and proof that age should not keep you from doing what you love to do. 

Well that is it for this entry.   On Sunday, July 29, we leave Post Falls for Kalispell, Montana. Th camera has a new memory card, the laundry has been done, and the motorcycle is clean.  Onward to Big Sky Country.

Brian

Thursday, July 26, 2012 - Lakeview to Pendleton, Oregon

I updated the first day with a Group photo that was taken on Monday, July 23, before we departed the AV.

Click on Photos to Enlarge Them.

Today was essentially a travel day.  We needed to cover close to 350 miles and we wanted to do it as quickly as possibly as it has continued to be rather warm. 

We departed Lakeview Oregon at 7 a.m. and headed north on Highway 395.  We made our first stop an hour later to work out the kinks and take a layer of clothing off, as the weather was warming quickly after an early morning chill.

Taking a Break

During the past three days, our pack has been led by John and Barbara as we traveled.  Leaving the rest area, Fred took the lead, because as the saying goes, "Unless you are the lead dog, the view never changes."  Given the chance, Fred set a good pace and we really chewed up some mileage as we headed towards Burns, Oregon. 

Fred leading the way

Carolyn and Mike

George

Terry

Sharon and Steve

 

Fred and Susan

Barbara and John

After a gas stop, we continued on with Terry leading the way.  Linda and I made our way up and down through the group to capture some photos.  Speaking about the photos, I give a lot of credit to the women for the pictures they are taking.  It is a lot easier to drive a motorcycle at 70 miles per hour than be the passenger taking photos at the same speed, while moving and twisting in your seat to get the shot. Thank you ladies. 

We arrived in John Day Oregon around noon, just in time for lunch.  The Outpost Pizza, Pub and Grill was the spot, as the name implied that it had everything we might be looking to grab for lunch.  By the way, if you are ever in John Day, stop by the Outpost.  Good food and good service.  ( A non-compensated endorsement)

Once back on the highway, we continued our push on towards Pendleton with Terry leading the way. 

The terrain we traveled through included desert, sand dunes, mountain passes and wide valleys.  The scenery was constantly changing, yet was consistently beautiful. 

Sand Dunes on the left.....

Mountains and Pastures on the right.

Lake Abert.  Three Years ago, this lake was nothing more than a dry lake bed.

Susan and Fred, Carolyn and Mike, with Terry leading the way. 

L-R- Terry, Mike and Carolyn, Susan and Fred, George.

John insisting that his Garmin, aka "Jill" was not lying after telling him there was a Shell Gas Station in the middle of the campground we had stopped to rest at, even though the closest gas station was in fact several miles away. 

Linda and I stopped at an overlook to wait for the group to take some pictures.  While we were looking down at the town of Long Creek, we turned around and discovered a cow looking down on us, while we were looking down on Long Creek. 

Looking down at Long Creek, Oregon

Cow looking down at Linda and I

Speaking of the animal kingdom.  Whenever you travel on a motorcycle, one of the many adversaries you encounter is the wildlife that decides to cross the road, just as you are coming upon them.  We are not talking about the chicken either.   We encountered four different deer today crossing the road in front of us as we approached.  Things do cause a pucker factor. 

These two deer were found having lunch in a field beside a barn, just on the outskirts of Long Creek. 

 We arrived in Pendleton at 4 p.m.  It was another beautiful day on the road with great people as traveling companions.  Tomorrow we will be headed to Post Falls Idaho where we will stop for two days.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012 Chester, Ca to Lakeview, Oregon

Today was about visiting Mount Lassen.  Although it was going to be a short day distance wise, about 190 miles, we were still on the bikes as when arrived at Lakeview, Oregon at around 6 p.m.  Prior to leaving Chester, Ca., Fred provided complimentary bike detailing for us while Carolyn posed with the finished products.

Who's That Girl?

Fred's Detail Service

L-R,  Brian, Terry, Susan and Mike

Sharon and Steve with their motorcycle

We got on the highway and rode about 33 miles from the town of Chester to Lassen Volcanic National Park.  Lassen Peak last erupted in 1915 and was made a National Park in 1916.

T-Rice, "Whats Up"

 Once we entered the park, we stopped at the Visitor's Center, then began riding through the park.  We first came upon Emerald Lake and then Lake Helen.  The colors of these two lakes were amazing.

L-R, Susan and Fred, Terry, Sharon and Steve, and George

Emerald Lake

Lake Helen

Linda and Brian , Lake Helen in the background.

We then stopped and hiked for about 1.5 miles on a mountainside trail to Bumpass Hell, which is still a very active part of the mountain.  As we hiked, the smell of Sulphur became stronger as we got closer to the area.  When we arrived, we found bubbling mud holes and water, and steam rising from the ground in several spots.

John, Barbara and Susan on the trail to Bumpass Hell.

Steve and Sharon with Lake Helen, on the way to Bumpass Hell.

First sight of Bumpass Hell from Trail.

Bumpass Hell

Boiling Mud at Bumpass Hell

After hiking back to the motorcycles, we continued on through the Park and then headed to Lakeview, Oregon, which was our final destination for the evening.

Lakeview is the same city we stopped in during our trip in 2009, when Linda and I got a front flat tire on the motorcycle.  Since Lakeview did not have a shop that could fix the problem, Fred utilized some duck tape and sealed the leak.  Linda and I rode on this Fred's Macgyver fix for over 230 miles to Reno, Nevada, the closest motorcycle shop.  That was entertaining.

Tomorrow we will be heading to Pendleton, Oregon, riding over 300 miles.