Heading South

Day 1 of a two week journey that has begun on the hottest day of the year, with more heat coming.
Left White Rock, its 7 am and already 70F. Dont worry, it gets much worse. This first day is all Interstate, I5, I90, I84, I82. Crossing the border was a breeze, thank you NEXUS, the regular southbound line was about 30 min, again unusual for a Sunday morning. Mostly Americans returning home after a holiday weekend in Vancouver is my guess.
This is day is spit between ‘this side of the mountains” and “that side of the mountains”.
Getting thru Seattle traffic was a surprisingly light, again I think because of the holiday weekend. Onto I90 in the figurative shadow of Mt Adam and Mt Rainier and past Mt Si, the “Gateway to the Cascades” (100,000 hikers a yr must mean something), followed shortly by Snoqualmie Pass.

Mt Si.
Down into the Kittitas Valley and lunch in Ellensburg. Now on “that side of the mountains” and its getting hot. Walking out of the Palace Cafe (very nice lunch spot) its about 91F. Into the Yakima Valley its all scrub and wineries. Over the Columbia River and ended the day in Pendelton OR. Its 102F as I pull up to the motel.


I hope to have more photos in future posts. Just too hot today.
Coming up will include places you might know, like Telluride, and places you might not know, like Point Imperial.
-Steve

Sounds like you're going to have a great trip. 2 weeks on the road, I envy you. Yes the west coast of the U.S. is experiencing a major heat wave (although that thermometer says 102 not 112). Stay hydrated and enjoy the ride!

Looks like an epic trip! I don't envy the high temperatures currently being experienced in the west! Ours (in New Brunswick) are also well above normal, but not as hot as the BC interior or the US Pacific Northwest.

I am heading east (to Newfoundland and Labrador) in a week or so and I guarantee that temperatures exceeding 100°F won't be an issue...
RDF (Rain, Drizzle and Fog) however, are likely to be part of the experience at times along the coast.

Beginnings of a great trip! Ride safe, stay out of the heat and throw some more pics our way as you can!

~G

Whooshka said:

Sounds like you're going to have a great trip. 2 weeks on the road, I envy you. Yes the west coast of the U.S. is experiencing a major heat wave (although that thermometer says 102 not 112). Stay hydrated and enjoy the ride!

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Typo fixed, thx. Heat stroked fingers.
-Steve

RossKean said:

Looks like an epic trip! I don't envy the high temperatures currently being experienced in the west! Ours (in New Brunswick) are also well above normal, but not as hot as the BC interior or the US Pacific Northwest.

I am heading east (to Newfoundland and Labrador) in a week or so and I guarantee that temperatures exceeding 100°F won't be an issue...
RDF (Rain, Drizzle and Fog) however, are likely to be part of the experience at times along the coast.

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I will trade you some rain at this point. Enjoy your trip.
-Steve

Day 2, and if cooked yesterday, baked today (& not in that good way).
Temps were over 95F by 10am, and the day ended at 100F.
But enough about the heat.
Leaving Pendleton headed for Baker City, which is pretty much south on I84. Deadmans Pass over the Blue Mtns is first up, following the Oregon Trail. For an Interstate 84 does have some FJR friendly curvy bits. And not much construction, thank goodness.
More I84, Baker City to Meridian ID, not so entertaining. The Oregon landscape is barren scrub and little agriculture. Crossing the Snake River, a new state and time zone change with a big change in the landscape. Lots of agriculture, even some animals. Lunch at Goodwoods BBQ. Lots of water consumed.
Still on I84, the final leg to Burley. Some boring stretches, some construction, some crazy drivers. I guess the heat is getting to everyone.
Nothing particularly interesting to take a photo of. Saw a wind generator blade transport at a rest stop, as I traveled by, too late to stop.
A couple of odd motorcycle sightings.
Just into Idaho, was passed by a small loud machine, no lights, no plates, no helmet on the rider. The web tells me that riders 18 and older are not required to wear a helmet in this state.
Around Mountain Home, passed a ratty dual sport riding on street tires. There was a knobby frt tire strapped to one saddlebag and a knobby rear strapped to the other. (No wheels, just tires) The weird part - the rider was wearing what I was sure was a travel pillow around his neck. And hanging below that he was wearing a pair of running shoes which were bouncing around in the breeze.
About 850 miles and 3 states so far.

Best wishes and good luck to Houstonites and the rest of Texas. You have your own weather issues to deal with.
-Steve

Day 3 starts with some sweet relief, its about 65F in Burley at 8 am. Back on I84, then I86 heading for Chubbuck. I15 to Idaho Falls, and finally, some two lane blacktop. ID26 to Swan Valley. Left behind in Idaho was the Potato Museum (of course) and Seagull Bay (isnt Idaho land locked?) At Swan Valley, home of perhaps the last working payphone, onto ID-31, then it becomes WY-22 which has a few features worth mentioning. First, it cuts about 30 minutes off the time to Jackson. Teton Pass with 8400’ of elevation and 10% grades is encountered near Wilson in the Targhee National Forest. And this road became nationally famous when a chunk collapsed on June 8 and was rebuilt in 3 weeks. Left Jackson on WY-191 which tries to follow the Snake River. Heading for Moran, this is ‘a back way’ into Grand Teton National Park. Shortest way, least line ups is what I was told. The fee station is located at the turnoff, just before Moran. On the way there is the Glacier View Turnout. A few miles past the fee station is the Grand Teton Lodge, and the Pioneer Grill, interior decorated in the 1950’s and still unchanged. Ok food, great service. My lunch spot for this day.
20 odd miles further along WY-191 to Headwaters Lodge and Cabins. Cabin 344 for the night and elk steak for dinner at the main lodge. Temps peaked in the mid 90’s today.

The last payphone


On the way up to Teton Pass


The repair


Teton Pass, looking down on Jackson.


Fair warning coming down from the pass (10% grades)


Glacier View Lookout


Wider view


Pioneer Grill

Another view from Grand Teton Lodge Jackson Lake in front.

4 states and one more tomorrow.
-Steve

Day 4. A good day to ride an FJR. Out of the Lodge onto 191 south and onto Teton Park Road to Jenny Lake Visitor Center for a photo. Continue on the Park Road (four legged escort for part of the journey) and back onto 191, again south to Jackson for fuel. About 90 minutes to Pinedale for an early lunch. The first half of the journey is treed, and follows the Hoback river with a few curves and squiggles. The last half is scrub and badlands. Pinedale has a population of 2000 and a natural gas filling station. And a very few restaurants to pick from. Wind River Pub was just OK.
Continuing on 191 to Green River, a 115 mile stretch, is just more scrub. Time for the cruise checklist -
Russell Day Long - check
Comms- Sirius Sat Radio - check
Cruise Control - standard - check
Fuel - adequate- check
Sit back and relax while the FJR does its thing, seats in the upright and locked position.
Arrival in Green River was on time, no luggage lost.
The last leg of this 400 mile day is from Green River to Ballard UT thru the Flaming Gorge Rec Area. This is a very special bit of road that is made for the FJR’s other personality.
Its starts out with a sprinkle of Interstate 80, then a serving of WY-530, a second helping of UT-44, and desert of, you may have guessed 191. You want elevation, we got 7600 ft. You want sweepers, we got sweepers. You want curves, we got a bucketload. 8% grade, 10 switchbacks in 9 miles. If all of that isnt enough, you drive thru a working phosphate mine, and if you are lucky you might get to see an exploding hillside.



Jenny Lake Visitors Center View


Escort out of the park


Welcome to Green River


Farmers need to fuel up too!


Some gorge, and some flame


All 10 switchbacks are marked as 20mph. A couple need to be taken seriously.

-Steve

Thanks for taking us along for the ride. Great pics, the scenery is spectacular.

Great pics. The Green River pic reminds me of back in August,2019 pulling in at 11pm and it was still 111 degrees.
What temps are you experiencing?
Keep sending updates, stay safe.

It makes me dream of comming to America to travel with the bike , but haven't seen all here in Europe yet, so first finish here i think

Rocnsanman said:

Great pics. The Green River pic reminds me of back in August,2019 pulling in at 11pm and it was still 111 degrees.
What temps are you experiencing?
Keep sending updates, stay safe.

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Thx!
After 2 hours in the shade. I am in Moab, too hot to continue today.
-Steve

bonami00 said:

View attachment 7585 It makes me dream of comming to America to travel with the bike , but haven't seen all here in Europe yet, so first finish here i think

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I see your ‘bro’ Jesus, and raise you a creepy Jesus.
Make sure we see pics of your European travels, plse.
-Steve

Day 5 and the heat continues to cook me alive. But for today, its worth it.
Left Ballard on, yes, 191, headed to Rangely CO. Via 40 and then 64, the Stegosaurus Freeway. Didnt see a single one.
Rangely was the setup for CO-139, 72 miles of spectacular goodness to Loma CO. Terrible road surface. Curve after curve after you get the idea. Starts off so what, but you climb to over 8200 ft at Douglas Pass, crossing the Book Cliffs. Tell no one. Keep this road a secret.
From Loma CO I am headed to Moab UT since I am sure I am ending this day early.
A few miles on 50 south out of Loma takes me to I-70 and I shortly cross back into UT.
32 miles to the exit to UT 128 Scenic Byway. 128 by and large will follow the Colorado River. The first bit, to Dewey Campground is ok, you wont fall asleep, but you wouldnt keep it a secret. However, the rest of the route to 191 I can only describe with one word - awe. Like the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls, photos dont capture what you see. You could stop around every corner, and there are many, and see something that will make you feel insignificant. Think of the bottom of the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley having a baby. This is another road to ride and tell no one.
Rolled into Moab and fell into Sweet Cravings Bakery and Bistro for liquids and food. No shade for parking but excellent A/C and help yourself ice water.


Just before the summit of Douglas Pass, looking back the way I came.


Just past the summit, looking where I am headed.


On the new Dewey Bridge, looking at the remains of the old bridge, built in 1919 and burned in 2008.


Still in the same spot on the new bridge, looking the other way.


This one and the rest are taken at various spots along the way to Moab

Note the scale, motorhome on road, left, and people/raft, far right.






5 states, over 1500 miles.
-Steve

Can only put 10 photos in one post, had to add this one.

Forgot about the ‘Mormon crickets’ - saw a couple small waves creeping across the highway.

-Steve

@sapest , lol your jezus is indeed scary, here is the jezus i found in the church of Wissant france

Freakin’ fantastic, very jealous.
Great report and thanks for sharing.
—-David

Sapest,
Thank you for taking the time to both capture and share such beautiful pictures and taking the time to supplement them with some well written commentary. And with those temperatures you’ve cited, I’m of the opinion I can check THAT trip off my bucket list!
Here in Pennsylvania, with the cruise set for 65 on a 45mph two-lane road that meanders through the Appalachian Mountains along some river and/or railroad in the SHADE with only the occasional vehicle (or critter) to distract us, the last thing on my mind is stopping for photos or capturing the experience in writing.
Perhaps the quality of your posts will inspire me to make better contributions to the Forum.

HilltownDave said:

Sapest,
Thank you for taking the time to both capture and share such beautiful pictures and taking the time to supplement them with some well written commentary. And with those temperatures you’ve cited, I’m of the opinion I can check THAT trip off my bucket list!
Here in Pennsylvania, with the cruise set for 65 on a 45mph two-lane road that meanders through the Appalachian Mountains along some river and/or railroad in the SHADE with only the occasional vehicle (or critter) to distract us, the last thing on my mind is stopping for photos or capturing the experience in writing.
Perhaps the quality of your posts will inspire me to make better contributions to the Forum.

Click to expand...

You should try a ride report, you might like it.
And you are welcome, glad to know you are enjoying the posts.
-Steve