Yosemite & Beyond - Risk Factor Style!

[Tyler]

We left Bug’s house on Monday morning and started heading west… I had originally planned on going to NM/AZ but when I saw the forecast of triple digit heat the entire time, decided to divert to the Northwest for cooler temps… it was a good choice!

Took 20 out to Clear Lake and stopped for a bite to eat…

Brian had never done the tourist attraction of the drive through tree so we fixed that…

I remember seeing some video footage of a slide on 101 that was pretty scary… we passed through the area and it looks like the road crews are doing quick work to get things fixed up but it is one way traffic while they do it…

Continuing west, we traversed one of my favorites, Avenue of the Giants (267) to enjoy the shade and impressive trees…

We stayed in the quaint town of Ferndale at the Victorian Inn… gnoshed on a stellar meal at the hotel restaurant – food was excellent and service tops as well…

 

[Tyler]

The next morning, we met up with our friend, Far West Fast Eddie, who led us on a couple of Eureka back roads before having a coffee and breakfast and Black Lightning Motor Café… if you’re ever in the ever, definitely put this on your list of places to visit…

Another local tourist attraction… Paul Bunyon and Babe the anatomically incorrect Ox…

And then a nice cool run up Hwy 1 into Oregon…

And lunch with another FJR friend, Robert, who lives in Brookings…

Until we reached our destination for the evening, Ocean Cove Inn in Yachats… really great place right across the street from the beach…

And dined at the restaurant across the street, Ona, and had one of the best grilled cheese sammiches ever with some tomato soup… yum!

And a quick walk out to view the ocean at dusk…

Visited by the finger of god or something like that…

A good night’s rest and a cuppa joe before heading out…

Can we go now??

 

[Tyler]

There was roadwork right outside the hotel and we spied two other FJRs so fell in behind them and rode along Hwy 1 for a bit… yes, Glen/senecahome, that was us!

In Waldport, we hung a right on 34 for a gorgeous ride alongside the river and very little traffic… the sun came out and it was a glorious day…

Great little place for breakfast… I had a sense of déjà vu as I think I’ve been here before!

Continuing along 34… for OrangevaleFJR and dcarver… :wub:

Took a side road on a whim and, while it was lovely, it was short lived…

Oh well… nothing ventured, nothing gained! Saw lots of bison but these big critters were safely tucked away behind fences…

We had perused the map the evening before looking for detours from the slab and saw Silver Falls State Park as a viable option so that’s where we headed and it was a real treat… not only the road was fantastic but the view of the falls at the north end were just gorgeous…

Tons of scotch broom all over the state… would keep Bugnatr busy for quite some time!

We got to the parking lot and shed our gear… saw some little kids eyeing the bikes so invited them over to check them out and offer a sit… this little guy lit up and, when I asked if he needed help to get on, he said, “No I can do it myself!”

We took the short hike out to the falls, not much more than a half mile…

Rock walls lined with ferns along the path… it was like a rain forest…

And 77 steps down (and back up!)…

Until we came to the falls… it was so beautiful!

You could walk into a cave of sorts and be right under the falling water…

The we hightailed it to a college friend of mine’s house in Lake Oswego where we were treated to a lovely bbq dinner and good night’s sleep… coming up – the journey into Washington and more adventures!

 

[bigjohnsd]

"T" you are killing me.

 

[exskibum]

mmmmmmm, more ride report!

 

[Tyler]

"T" you are killing me.

Hey you get him for the next couple of weeks!

mmmmmmm, more ride report!

Wheeeeee!!! lol

 

[gregory]

Awsome choice going north instead of AZ/NM. Can't wait for the rest!

 

[FJRBandit]

Just freakin' WOW! I know who I'm hiring as my tour guide when I hit the PCH headed to the Land of Plenty.

 

[Tyler]

Awsome choice going north instead of AZ/NM. Can't wait for the rest!

Yeah I thought it was a good choice... and I wasn't wrong...

Just freakin' WOW! I know who I'm hiring as my tour guide when I hit the PCH headed to the Land of Plenty.

C'mon out... I would love to show you around and give you some direction... so much to choose from out this way... we'll chat at SFO I'm sure...

 

[Tyler]

We headed west and then north via 26 and 101 from Lake Oswego heading for Port Angeles… I had never been this far north in WA and was looking forward to seeing some new country… the day started out a little drizzly so we donned our rain gear and headed out… even though the rain stopped, the extra layer helped to stay warm in the cool morning air…we traveled through the lovely town of Astoria… I didn’t take any pictures this particular day due to weather but here are a few from a couple years back…

Our first stop of the day, of course, was for coffee and a little nosh for breakfast… my favorite coffee places are the ones you find in small towns where the locals come in and greet one another and you listen to the day’s gossip being updated… today’s little treasure was All Wrapped Up in Montesano, WA… the Aussie was pleased with the quality of the coffee here… as well as the pastries!

We continued north on 101 which runs along the water for miles and miles… the sun had come out and it was a beautiful day…

And then into Port Angeles for the night…

Duck, duck, no goose…

Native American translation…

Found a good bbq joint and then headed out to the pier to watch the sunset… we were not disappointed…

Ahhhhh…

 

[Tyler]

A good night’s rest and then it was time to head for Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park… it was overcast and cool and continued to get colder as we climbed up in altitude…

Really fun road!

Still snow at the top…

Temperature gauge read 44 degrees…

Lots of lupine still around and lining the road…

We went past the visitor’s center and out to the end of the road… got colder again…

For clarification, there is nothing wrong with the lens of my camera here… that is snow falling! We decided to forego stopping at the visitor’s center and headed back down to warmer temps…

As we headed for the ferry to go over to Whidbey Island, the skies opened up and poured on us for a half hour… we were very lucky as this was the only heavy rain we encountered the whole trip… but I did find out that my Frogg Togg rain pants leaked in the crotch… that is a very uncomfortable feeling! Lol

By the time we got to the ferry, the skies had started to clear and we were joined at the front of the queue by some other riding folks headed to Alaska…

One of the riders had rigged up a nifty traveling system for her pup to join her on the trip…

We were wedged in to the right…

And then they brought in the big guns… yikes that’s close!! When we got to the other end, the attendant tried to get me to go out first… I just shook my head and said, nope, let big daddy go first, tyvm!

Beautiful day for a ferry crossing…

We crossed the island which was very crowded and lots of traffic… I had thought it might be a bit more quaint but I guess the island’s popularity is starting to affect that quaintness… still a pretty place…

We headed over the bridge at Deception Pass and took a look around… great view!

Our destination for the night was Woodinville where we would stay with friends of mine… I also recalled that there were a few PNW folks who lived nearby so a restaurant was suggested and we all met up there… Café Veloce which, of course, has a motorcycle theme!

Good food and great friends… best of both worlds!

Back to Woodinville for a good night’s rest… next up, a day off the bikes and playing tourist!

 

[russperry]

Those A-6's at Whidbey Island NAS are gonna make me tear up. I spent 4 years as a bombardier/navigator in VA-85 flying out of Oceana. Great plane, took me in and out of harms way many times during Desert Storm.

Thanks for including them in your photo story. - they're kind of forgotten in the list of great military aircraft.

Tip of the Spear!!

 

[escapefjrtist]

**LIKEY**

--G

 

[Tyler]

Those A-6's at Whidbey Island NAS are gonna make me tear up. I spent 4 years as a bombardier/navigator in VA-85 flying out of Oceana. Great plane, took me in and out of harms way many times during Desert Storm.
Thanks for including them in your photo story. - they're kind of forgotten in the list of great military aircraft.

Tip of the Spear!!

If we'd had more time, would've gone and checked that out more... is there ever enough time?? :lol:

**LIKEY**

--G

You're coming up soon, G... :wub:

 

[Old Michael]

Great report.

 

[rogdeb]

Really enjoyin' this RR -- Thanks Tyler

Just found ourselves a new ride destination -- Deb's Cafe in Alsea

-- thanks !

 

[puppychow]

Good stuff... really good stuff. Need to find my way to the Olympic peninsula sometime soon.

 

[exskibum]

Beautiful, Tyler! You have a knack for finding the good stuff, and then depicting it beautifully. Thank you for taking us along again.