Sedona and Holbrook AZ

Dear Reader,

I thought it would be a good idea to visit Sedona and then Holbrook's petrified forest.... oh dear another mistake ....
First of all I had forgotten it was Sunday and the world and his wife where heading down to the canyons and gorges of Sedona - they were everywhere... all the parks were showing "car park full" signs, they were parking on the side of the narrow road... I did manage to get some shopping done and then return north.   

Then I headed for Holbrook and as usual the wind started and the temperature rose - why would I not expect that.....

Found the site and have taken a cabin with a fridge, microwave and an a/c unit... sorted...

I found this photo on the camera from the night I spent in Beaver....

So here I am in the middle of the desert and l can still hear the lonesome train whistles...

Anyway I should not be here and will return to Flagstaff on Tuesday morning....   silly Brit ...

One good thing is that they have a cowboy cafe on site the does meals and breakfasts....

Nite nite

Hiding in the woods in Flagstaff

It's a nice REI tent I bought whilst here - I don't really want to take it home!! Any offers? I finish in LA...

Flagstaff Arizona

Good morning dear Reader,
Well yesterday was a knackering day, I rode from Beaver in Nevada to Page in Utah then Page to Flagstaff Arizona - I think that's right. The first bit was fine with good roads, lots a forests and views, but then once I reached Page and refuelled and then turned South..... well the heat went up and up and the side winds did too.... and we got stopped at roadworks and were just sat there in the middle of nowhere for 30 minutes with no shade, OMG is all I can say... at one stage the winds kept alternating from the left over to the ride - I was all over the road... I was so thankful to see the hills and forest as I approached Flagstaff....

I arrived at Woodys Mountain campsite a physical wreck... I just about managed to put the tent up and I hit the sleeping bag and fell fast asleep, even with the endless trains running by the site...

After a great shower this morning and a borito and coffee, and at least three pints of water I am starting to feel better. I am currently lounging on a lounger at the back of the laundry, in the shade with a breeze and reading my e-Reader - I think the book is entitled "those two idiots" and is about a motorcycle trip through Europe, Turkey, Iran and Pakistan... well that as far as they have got so far....

I will be riding out to Holbrook tomorrow and will then decide where next.... the heat is a great factor so I will need to look at the options.... but for the moment I am chillin if that is possible in this heat - mind you they all flock to Flagstaff as it is in the mountains and away from the high heat further South....
I suppose one could get used to it - eventually - still better than freezing temperatures - I suppose...

Speak later

Flagstaff Arizona

Dear Reader,

No update tonight - I rode too far(320 miles), in 100+ temperatures, the last 120 across deserts with high winds - totally knackered. Managed to scare myself fartless....

Staying here for two nights - so no riding tomorrow .....

ATVs and Leviathans of the Road

Beaver Utah

Good evening dear Reader,

After such a busy day yesterday and a reasonable night, today was going to be a short one.   I left the campsite at about 7:30 and ventured into town in search of breakfast.  I found a charming little cafe and was immediately invited to sit down and chat with an elderly gentleman and we discussed many things over two eggs, hash browns and toast.  I nice chap who was driving a modern Jaguar of some mark.  He is a working poet now and has published a book - apparently  containing an ode to Tony Blair - that might be worth reading.  William Grimbald I think he said his name was - I must look him up.  He certainly new his history too.

I then departed to get fuel and get back on the road to Beaver in Utah.  Those of you that are following these 'adventures' on a map - I left Ely on the US-50 and then took the Scenic By-way (their description not mine!)  The US-21 took me through Garrison and Milford.  Not very scenic just more and more of nothing for a far as you could see but plenty of passes to climb over and the valleys; well they were just stupidly hot… Never mind your Death Valley, these were certainly over 100 degrees…. And by the time I reached Milford for more fuel the wind had picked up…. Arghhh

I am now sitting a the shade at a campsite and watching these vast RVs arrive - Leviathans of the road and usually towing and equally large vehicle behind….    Someone once told me that comfort starts at about $500,000 and they use about $160 of fuel a day…..!!!

We now have about 10 ATV buzzing around the campsite - all togged up with headsets and ballon tyres… "Lets off road"….  Oh yes and flags on long aerials… just in case..  Over the air I could that they had "have a copy - so let roll". And off they went...

I took some short videos whilst riding today and will try to post them at sometime….

Ely Nevada

Good afternoon dear Reader,
What a dreadful night at Dayton State Park - all a bit run down and the restroom some 300 yds away, no showers and my tent was so close to the US-50 it was like camping on the central reservation of the M25..... Not much sleep at all.

I was out of bed and all packed up ready to go by 6:15am. Off onto the "Loneliest Road" in the USA the US-50. It was reasonably clear all the way to Fallon with most of the traffic heading the other way towards Reno / Carson City. I stopped at Fallon for some food and water - I wish I had topped up with petrol too!!!

Then on to US-50 to Ely - miles and miles of bugger all.... as I approach the town of Austin I was running on fumes, so switched to reserve just in case... There were two sets of roads work that cost us about 25 minutes each... waiting in the heat. Finally found a Chevron Gas station just in time. Onwards through more and more miles of wilderness and mountain passes. I found another gas station at Eureka so topped up just in case.... onwards now to Ely a total of 351 miles today (6 hours with stops) but I could not be helped : this is Nevada....

Got to a campsite and had a hot shower and jumped up and down on the laundry, and ahhh a flushing toilet..

Tomorrow I will be heading to Beaver in Utah and then south to Flagstaff Arizona where I am booked in for two nights. A rest day is needed.

The view from my tent:

Dayton State Park Nevada

Good afternoon dear Reader,

An early start this morning (7:45) so missed at lot of the hot weather by mid day. I rode over empty roads through the endless forests and lakes. Stopped at Susanville for a bit to eat and some tea...

Then the long boring ride to Bordertown and then Reno Navada..... Managed to escape incident on the interstate through Reno to Carson City and finally got to the campsite at Dayton State Park about 2pm. Nothing to write home about I promise. Except that's it is very very hot - no showers and the rest room is miles away from the campsites.

Tomorrow will be a very long day as I will be riding to Ely on Route 50 - said to be the loneliest road in the US.. Miles and miles of bugger all - well we have had a few of those this trip.... I will stock up on Water and fuel at Fallon. And will go for a early start again.

Good afternoon to you...

Mount Lassen California

Good evening dear Reader,

What a excellent stay with Greg and Kirsty at McKinnleyville. Managed to shake off most of this cold, rest up and recharge my batteries, and get a flight around the area in his Cessna aircraft - how cool was that. Thanks to both of you - see you when you get to the UK.....

I hit the road this morning at 9am and rode on the 299 to Redding and then on to Mt Lassen. I did stop at Weaverville for an excellent hot lunch.

Arrived at the camp site at 2:30 which sounds early but that's 5 hours riding which in the increasing heat was enough.

Looking at the map this afternoon I have decided against riding through Death Valley, and against booking into Lake Tahoe (they want $100 for a primitive tent site) - that ain't happening.... so I am heading for a State Park near Carson City... and then to ride Route 50 to Ely for the night - then crossing over from Nevada into Utah just above Cedar City....

So that's that, in done with the thinking for today....

Nite nite all

McKinleyville - Day 3

Dear Reader,

Still here in McKinleyville.  Although still getting over this cold, I was invited to stay another day, a generous offer that I could not refuse.

Yesterday was a brilliant surprise, we took a tour around the town and had to walk around and a great breakfast.  It was the annual Oyster Festival yesterday and the town was alive and busy.  Then off for a further tour of the area in the car and we ended up at a remote airfield in Samoa and there in a lockup was Greg's aircraft.  After thorough pre-filght checks it was all aboard and down the runway and up, up and away.   We flew over the area and circled around, a brilliant flight - a little bumpy in places but nevertheless great.   We put down for fuel at Arcadia Airport and having topped up the tanks, the starter motor would not engage (!)… So we parked up the plane and got a lift back to the house.   Later Greg and the other guys that use the aircraft returned and sorted out the issue.

Later that day we all went out for a meal at the local very popular 6 Rivers Brewery - another excellent meal and I have now got my appetite back.  We returned to the house as Greg and Kristy were going out to celebrate her birthday, I decided that the best this was to stay home and rest.  I actually had another early night, and slept extremely well and did not hear them arrive home in the early hours of this morning…

I had decided to ride to Mt Lessen this morning but was persuaded to stay another day and rest….  So this morning we all drove into town for a cooked breakfast (eggs and hash browns for me) delicious.

Greg and Kirsty have now gone to recover the aircraft back to Samoa and then collect an item for his bike from Fortuna.

I decided to stay in the house and am now listening to Money Box Live on Radio 4….

Tomorrow I will ride to Mt Lessen and stay overnight and then of Tuesday I will ride to South Lake Tahoe…. and then decide where next..  but heading towards Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam and Flagstaff…

Thank you to my daughters for the Fathers Day wishes and the card….

Speak later...

McKinleyville California - Day 2...

I was not expecting this today....  great day... Many thanks Greg - you are full of surprises...

McKinleyville California

Good afternoon dear reader,

This cold gave me a sleepless night, but I do feel better today although still a little exhausted.  I packed up in slow time this morning, but was still on the road for 9:15.   After a quick ride down the Interstate then onto the 199 for a very pleasant ride through the forests and canyons, so much nicer than the Bear Camp road the day before..  

I finally got to stop for lunch at the historic Hiochi Cafe, I am not sure why its historic but apparently it is, take my word for it.   Ofter that we were onto the 101 again heading south to Greg's House at McKinleyville.    I arrived just in time for Greg to swoop into the drive in the Sheriff's car, fully suited and booted.   So all sorted, washing in the machine and cats spoken too..  I will sort out the routes for the next few riding days later:  Redding, South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, LA and Flagstaff.

Enough is enough for today.  Greg has popped back to the Airport to continue his duty and I am just relaxing in the quiet.  It good to stop, unfortunately stopping can be habit forming.   I must sort out some sort of timetable to get my where I want to be and get back to LA for about the 26th July…

Nite nite..

Grants Pass Oregon

Good evening dear reader,

Had another quiet night - a pizza was delivered on time and I managed to eat 6 of the 8 portions.  Not bad for me.    I watched some rubbish TV and then fell asleep.  I woke this morning feeling decidedly 'wobbly', but I've got to get on with it.   I had a lovely refreshing bath and then packed the bike.   I think I left my big chain and lock behind the room door - ah well less weight.

Called into the local pharmacy at Bandon and got some 'Meds' and fruit and then back on a windy by pretty coast road - the 101.  The pills they sold me are so big that I had to ask if they were suppositories......  I rode as far at Gold Beach and then stopped for some breakfast - coffee, eggs and hash browns.  Then I thought I would take the Scenic Byway from the coast to Grants Pass via Agness…….. oh not a good idea, the first 20 miles were fine and then the signs started to appear that this road could be closed in bad weather…..   Well, bad weather or not the road just had long sections missing or filled with gravel and big holes where the road was slipping away…. Not my best choice of road, but fortunately with no one to see me I was able to take it very slow of the rough bits.    52 very twisty miles later the nightmare ended… as it had done for a couple of suicidal squirrels on the road and it was a straight run to the campsite ( and yes more gravel )….

I have taken the first batch of pills and I think I feel a little better, but exhausted.  So an early night tonight me thinks.   Tomorrow I will be riding into California and visiting Greg, a fellow biker that I met at Overland Expo in Flagstaff, no fuss just a beer or two and then sleep.   I will figure out the next stage of the route tomorrow, but I think I will be heading for the Lake Tahoe area,  but not too many miles each day ; especially when I am feeling a bit knackered….

No I must get something to eat before it gets dark…. Its not raining and the sun is very warm and will be getting warmer as I travel East….

Nite nite

Man Flu is a real and present danger....

Coos Bay Oregon - Day Two

Good afternoon dear Reader,

Having spent 14 hours in bed until this morning - I still felt like hell this morning - my nose is still blocked, I was cold and shivering but also sweaty and clammy skin - what a state... and to top it off it was pouring with rain and very misty this morning.

Good job I have not got to go too far today. I rode to the Honda Garage in the pouring rain and handed over the bike for its oil change and check up. They had managed to get a replacement Speedo cog and that in now fitted too. All in all just 2 hours later I paid the bill and left. Well done guys. Funny to have a Speedo again....

Back to the Motel, back in bed and looking at the maps ready for tomorrow. I am going to take a leisurely short run down the coast and then inland to Grants Pass. The forecast for there is 79 for tomorrow. I do hope I am feeling better tomorrow. In the meantime a pizza is due at 7:30pm and I must get on with unpacking and sorting the panniers and their contents : again. Sorry no pictures today... to sick...

Coos Bay - Cream Crackered

Hi dear Reader,
A very long sleep in the campsite in the woods - just too many trees stopping the sun getting through.... so it was quite cool, snuffling and coughing. Despite having loads of time to pack and leave and even by packing slowly I was still on the road 9am.

I stopped for tea and hash browns as I approached Coos Bay as the check-in at the Motel was for 3pm. This cold is getting worse so nuts to it I rode into the Motel 6, and pleaded sickness and insanity, so they let me move into a room early...

I took everything off the bike and rode it around the corner to the car wash and let Peter work his magic on Madiba. I collected it an hour later - nice job.

I need to get some food and drugs for my dubbed up nose... So I then walked into town to find a cafe and a Safeway's, it turned out to be about 2 miles to Safeway's, I stopped for a panini and coffee which I was just unable to finish... Then the 2 mile walk back to the Motel... Totally buggered now.

I consulted Dr Nigel and he recommended going to bed at 4:30pm and staying there... plus more spray up the nose.... and watching Friends on the TV and later a film.

So from my sick bed it's good night.... or good afternoon.

Off to the Honda Dealership in the morning - I will try to there for 8am... I think it will be about a 3 mile walk back and the 3 miles back again (up hill)....

Some art work and a historical train in Coos Bay....

South of Coos Bay Oregon

Good evening dear Reader,
After another excellent overnight stay with Steve and Miriam at Newport. We did a quick tour in the rain to the view points, (in a car) did some beer shopping, and got in a very tasty Chinese meal. The evening passed very relaxed in front of a log fire, even the three dogs were very chilled. I sorted out emails and backed up photos, and even got to video chat with my wife - don't ask me which app I used: not a clue.

I slept very well again and got up at 7am. We had a great breakfast (they are really excellent hosts), and I packed the bike - still too much stuff!!! Then it was time to leave 09:00 and to face two of my worries in one go: steep downhill with switchback and on big gravel... 🤨🤨. But I made it and rode over the bridge at Newport and away down the 101 South.

About an hour out it started to rain: not a lot but enough.... I reached Florence and stopped for a cup of tea at the same place I did in 2016... This was as far north along the 101 that I got that year.

I drove through Coos Bay where I will be returning to tomorrow to stay a couple of nights and hopefully get the bike serviced and the speedometer fixed. Then on Thursday I will head for ?????? before meeting up with Greg Bickle in McKinleyville California... By which time I with be about to start Week 7 of my rampage around the USA. I will need to check out the map and get a general idea of where I am headed. I intend still to visit: the Hoover Dam, ride through Las Vegas, Sequoia National Park, Mono Lake, The ET Highway🤨, Sadona, Prescott and even stay over in Flagstaff for a couple of days. As you can tell I am just browsing pages in my map book.

I have now had a cold for a couple of days and the pills Steve gave me ate holding it back: just.

It is now 4pm and it will soon be time for me to don my chefs hat and apron so that I can prepare this evening tasty tin.... Beef Stew.

Bye for now ... here are a few pictures... I might even trim the beard this evening !!

N

Newport Oregon

Dear Reader,

It's now 9pm and I am too tired to blog. Staying with Steve Carr and his partner at Newport for a couple of nights. Had a wonderful meal and now finding it hard to keep my eyes open.

Today's ride was wet wet wet, with a little sun.
Met another biker on the road and had lunch.

This is a wonderful house in a great location.

Nite nite

The Astoria Bridge

Best of a clear and non windy day.....

Bay Centre north of Astoria Washington State

Good afternoon dear Reader,

I started off with a good breakfast at the site and then rode North up the 101.  About four miles out the rain started and then just got heavier and heavier..  I stopped at a Cafe to don the waterproof jacket and have a hot drink.  This is the view from the window.

I did take another photo from a view point but that in on the other camera so I will have to sort that later.  I am currently in the camp laundry sorting out my clothes and getting everything dry.

Back on the road again and more rain, then I got to the fabulous bridge at Astoria - but the crap weather and visibility means I have to resort to another photo from the WWW, which I will sort out later.  Thank god that the wind was low otherwise it would have been a nightmare, I remember a couple of bad crossing of the Severn Bridges, one even blew the bike over - much to the amusement of my fellow riders....

So I am now trying to get dry and warm ready for a return 

trip South tomorrow.  I have had an invite to stay with another bike traveller at Newport so I will check the maps later and see it that is doable (a dreadful word).  The forecast for the next two days is more rain.  So it will have to be South, and I will have to miss out the Olympic Park as I won’t be able to see bugger all... and it ain’t much fun riding in the rain...

So, now for another coffee - it’s free here....

Nite nite

My first erection - of the new tent......

Lincoln City Oregon

Dear Reader,

That was a busy day but I got things done. I had a leisurely pack up this morning with more conversations with a chap who is interested in bike travel. He took pictures of the bike and even wanted a picture on me!! We may well see the results on FaceBook. I rode down to Gresham to sort out the phone bill but arrived to early for them - they weren't going to open until 10am. I so sat in the cafe next door and had coffee and a bun. It looks like a family run business as soon I was in conversation the Dad, Wife, Sister, niece and son….. The phone shop opened and at last I was able to pay my $30 bill with a $3 surcharge for not paying on-line - cheek. I also managed to contact Coos Bay Honda and the bike is booked in for next Wednesday. Hopefully they can get the part for the speedometer.

Then back on the bike and off to Keizer near Salem to find the REI store, as last night the zip on the tent failed and I was left holding the zipper un-attached to the tent. I managed to located the store and got a REI two man tent; I should note that a US two man tent is bigger then a UK two man tent (I wonder why). Anyhow, having erected it I could probably have got away with a one person tent. Never mind, more space for the kit and me. Alas the Coleman Phad X2 will not be coming home. I had served me well on many a trip. I did remember to save some of the aluminium poles for David as one of his broke on our last trip to Morocco.

This site is quiet except for the screaming kids, but the site does have a kitchen that will be serving breakfast in the morning. Oh good. I managed to get myself very grubby because I could not stand the state of the bike wheels anymore, so I have given them a reasonable clean, so off the the showers, did some washing, cooked supper and sorted the route for tomorrow. I will be going North from here to Astoria and abouts, then I might ride around the Olympic National Park and stay over before returning South. I will try to remember to stop and take some photographs…. as well as get some engine oil.

I hope the weather clears up a bit, it was forecast for rain today but that held off, but it is quite chilly at present. I have been wearing my heated waistcoat for the last few days. Looking forward to heading South to the hot stuff.

Nearly time for bed and new tent.

Nite nite

Cascade Locks Oregon.

Good evening dear reader,

I had a very slow start to the day, tea and a banana, and a long chat with the chap camping next door.  I left at about 10am and headed for Hermiston to pay for the SIM card.  I found the shop but they were not playing today !!!  So I left and found a Honda bike shop and got some oil, and located the local Western Union shop at the local Safeways.  Apparently you can also pay the the SIM there… oh no.. Western Union had never heard of Metro PCS…..  How can it be so difficult to pay a bill.   Well the next port of call will be the Metro PCS shop just outside Portland in Oregon, wish me luck.

Another thing that has stopped was the Garmin Mapping system.  Apparently I should have received an Email from them under the GDPR rules and that I should have agreed to share my data… No such email, hence thee mapping stopped working…. I has taken 30 minutes to try to locate the appropriate website to tick a single box…. Oh how I love technology….  But here I am - sorting out a route for tomorrow on the Garmin including the phone shop, writing a blog on the laptop and trying to get the Garmin mapping to work via my iPhone !!!   Arrgghhhh

Anyhow the ride today was bit boring and almost uneventful…. I took the minor road that followed the interstate and by the time I go nearly to my destination I was running on petrol fumes…. Manage to squeeze the fumes to a gas station and stopped for a cuppa.   The back on the road for the last run down the Columbia Gorge to Cascade Locks.

I spent some time chatting to a nice chap who want to start Bike Travel.  Now I am just siting and trying to sort this lot out, before checking the chain and oil on the bike - no reply from Honda Coose Bay yet.  Tomorrow I should be near the Pacific Coast… hopefully having paid the phone bill….

I cheated with this photo….

Nite Nite 

Pendleton Oregon

Good evening dear reader,

Another day of two halves, the start was fantastic riding along side the river and through the canyons to Lewiston and the second half was through miles and miles of grain fields.  After getting fuel at Walla Walla I noticed that the Speedo had stop working - bugger….  Its probably the nylon wheel/cog that sits next to the front wheel.  Ah well onwards and upwards to Pendleton where I am now.

It is very hot a present but I have the shade of a fence to protect me.   I stopped on the way at a Walmart to get fruit, tea bags, sugar and boot polish (you have to have standards)..

I must remember to check the oil in a minute.     I had to call the telephone company to renew my monthly contract, but having spoken to a very nice lady in the Philippines for nearly 30 minutes it transpired that I can't pay using their App or on-line as I don't have a Zip Code for my Credit Card……. But I can pay at a shop without a Zip Code - so off to Hermiston tomorrow on my way to Hood River area.  The I need to decide either North to Astoria or West to the coast...

I hopefully will get to Coos Bay early next week so I should be able to get the bike serviced and the speedo sorted at the Honda Dealership.

Another quiet night planned once I have cooked some grub..

Nite Nite.

Kamiah Idaho (Just)

Dear Reader,

A short day it was, challenging, interesting, scenic but short. I have just noticed that we have jumped a time zone and so the trip was even shorter that I thought..

I left the wonderful Cascade Lake site at about 8am, the sun was just getting above the trees, the lake was still and it was beautiful. I left a note for Bernie the camp host and I wanted to say thank you and goodbye and that I may well meet him again in July as he is changing sites over in Oregon.

The road from Cascade was empty this morning and was extremely scenic, for most of the way it was following the Salmon River. I rode through many deep canyons and climbed up one very very long hill (the peak was at over 4,000 ft, we could only just make it in 3rd gear. So from the 55 onto the 95 and some more fabulous landscapes. I arrived at Grangeville and Gertie Garmin did a very strange thing, she took me over the minor roads through the prairies and wheat fields rather than onto the 13, ah well it would only have only made a few minutes difference but as I had already gained 1 hour onto Mountain Time.. there you go.

I apologise again for the lack of photos today, but a combination of: I was just amazed at the scale of the canyons, the lack of stopping places at the right place (the Kodak moments are usually found on the steep downhill sections) and finally I was bloody cold.

So, now at a site and have had a good hot shower and done the washing, and now catching up with the emails as I have not had wifi for 2 days.

Planning for tomorrow is still at the committee stage!!! But I suspect that I will be going across to the Wall Walla area via Lewiston (i.e East)

Cascade Lake - Day two

Dear reader,

This is such a great location that I have decided to stay for a 2nd night. All the day trippers and weekenders left yesterday afternoon and the site is very quiet (except for the couple down the hill that talk very loud all the time). Last night was quite cold and I ended up putting on more clothes, and I can't find my woolly hat that I use, probably in and washroom somewhere back down the line.

So this morning I had a great lie in until 7:30 and a very slow start to the day. I took a walk along the edge of the lake and then set about changing the rear brake pads on the bike, they certainly needed it. Success as I am not the best mechanic in the world but carry tools just in case I meet someone that knows what they are doing. Then to test them out I rode into the small town of Cascade to get some fruit and supplies and also to have a cooked breakfast at Grandma's. The food was great when it arrived but the place was full on families with children, lots of children. I took nearly a hour to rustle up a mushroom, eggs and hash browns. Ah well it was very filling. Then back to the campsite to just chill, with the occasional mug of tea.

Tomorrow is a very short run up the valley - about 180 miles or so, then turning left into Washington State in a day or so.

It has been a very cathartic sort of a day, so very quiet here and warm, although the wind did get up this afternoon but it appears to have dropped a little. I forgot to take the laptop and mobile with me this morning to send and receive any emails, so that will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon maybe.

It was my 29th Wedding Anniversary today - so I have missed that again. Next year being the 30th I promise to be home for that one. I did however pre-arrange for the red roses to be delivered.
I am very aware of the days and the distances travelled and that I need to slow a little, as I don't need to be in LA until the earliest of the 26th July. This would give me time to sort out the bike and all that is going home with it, and the stuff that I will be taking home on the plane. Just taking it a day at a time. Mind you I could roam around Arizona and California for a week or so as the weather is much warmer there!!

I think it must be time to warm up some grub for this evening - nothing special - looks like a tin of Beef Stew compliments of Dinty Moore…. And the good news is that the chatty couple are packing up to leave….

Nite nite all

Cascade Lake Idaho - Day One

Dear Reader,

Now for all you non-biker travellers, just look at the 4 photos below and see what we travellers have to put up with….  Life on the road is not easy….

Anyhow, I started off in good time this morning having slept remarkably well.   Did a bit of minor roads before being pushed onto the Interstate for the next section to Mountain Town.  I met up with Joshua Martinez for a coffee in the same McDonalds where we met 2 years ago as I passed through.  We exchanged pannier stickers, and chatted for ages before he had to go and get ready for work as their was the local Air Forces Base open day and it was all hands to the pumps.  It was good to meet you again Josh, and if you are ever in the UK - do look me up.

As I was leaving the town I noticed that the local High School was raising money by washing cars, so, I parked up and gave them the honour of given Madiba a bit of the bath….  It does look better now.  So I left there and had to take the I-84 to Boise.   I don’t like cities much and now I know why, just endless street full of Malls, food shops and Medical Practitioners !  Oh yes and Churches - God does have the best houses and car parks…

Finally out of town onto the 55 heading North.  Big roads with sweeping bends and great hills and views.  The road got narrower as I climbed and finally arrived at Cascade State Park, which where I took these pictures.  Now the decision today is: shall I stay here another day or should I pack up and ride North to Kamiah and then left to Lewiston in Washington State?   I need to think and that a little, maybe I could stay as I have loads of time and the rear brake pads on the bike need replacing…….   By the way - if you getting this late it is because there is no signal or WiFi here…

Nite nite..

And the kids giving Madiba a bath

Beartooth Pass - well one side of it..

Twin Falls - Idaho

Good evening dear reader,

After the storm had passed over last night I decided to get on the road even earlier than usual, and try not to have to pack up the tent and stuff in the rain.  So after the early morning rest room call, I started to strike camp.  I was on the road by 6:30 and the roads were clear and the weather grey.  But as expected with my luck the rain started just a few miles down the road and it was bloody cold.  I soldiered on untilI got to Ashton and just had to stop for a hot drink.  Then off again until Idaho Falls - enough is enough I thought and pulled into a Camp site - all booked as it's Friday.. Bugger - so after a complimentary cup of hot coffee, use of his internet to book the next site and some fuel for the bike I headed to the next town on Twin Falls.  

As expected the rain then stopped and the winds started to blow all the way, and especially the last 25 miles which were hell…. Scared myself fartless I did…

Finally I rolled into Jerome just north of Twin Falls…. The sun is shining but the wind is still with us.  Tomorrow promises to be a "nice day" - but we will see..

The plan tomorrow is to start to head back North via Mountain Home and meet up for a coffee with Police Officer Joshua Martinez who I met 2 years,  and then on to Boise but if the weather goes crap again I might to revise everything and head South or West.

I have again chickened out and rented a cabin for the night - at least all the kit is now dry (Tent, Groundsheet, Sleeping mat, damp sleeping bag, and wet socks from Wednesday). Thank god for the Sealskin socks that I have been carrying around for weeks…. And the cabin has a heater !!  Yippee...

Yellowstone Park Wyoming

Good morning dear reader,

I excelled myself today and I won't be doing it again!!! Read on…

I had planned to ride through Yellowstone park and then come out on the west side. I set off in great weather and headed for the park via the 212 from Laurie…. I passed through Red Lodge and everything was looking good, I then started to climb over Beartooth Pass which had recently been opened…. Up Up and up above the snowline and then ALL STOP - they had closed the pass on the Montana side…. Bugger, so I had to ride all the way back down and back track past Red Lodge before picking up the 78 to Columbus - It was beautiful up there but added over a hundred miles to the route.

From Columbus I had to ride to Bozeman and the take the road South to Big Sky and followed that down the edge of the Park down to West Yellowstone. I forgot the mention that on the way I passed through 3 heavy thunder storms, and on the 2nd one it was heavy rain and hail stones -….. aaarrrggghh…. But that was not all, as I got into another storm as I approached West Yellowstone and this time the temperature fell very quickly, and on top of that I ran out of petrol and had to stop and switch the reserve -all those hills were taking their toll.

I finally arrived at the campsite, wet, cold and in much need of a Cabin… but at over $140 a go that was now out of the question. I have pitched the tent on what looks like a piece of rough ground and headed for the Camp Store where I am now as yet another storm is over head…. I hope the tent is not under water !!! There will be no cooking tonight.

So all in all I rode for 410 miles and sat in the saddle for just over 9 hours….. I wont happen again… Now to look at tomorrows route !!! They say that yet another storm is coming in… So I will need to look at riding to better weather….

Had enough today - going to bed….

Nite Nite