Mount Rainier
Well-known member
This last four days, beginning Wed early, I found my way to the remaining 7 dams from 08 in OR, NV and ID. That completes the 20 dams for 08 and I truly had a great time visiting these dams. The rides to these 20 consisted of four trips in all, with each as rewarding or better than the previous.
The route can be found here:
https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source...amp;t=p&z=6
On this trip, I left early Wed. morning from Kent and headed down I-5 starting at 3:30 a. What a great time to ride the freeways. Just me and the Heavy Haulers.
I picked up US-26 in OR and went straight to Round Butte Dam Overlook, 285 mile all toll. Regretfully the gate to the Park was locked as it was around 9 a and on second look the Park that allows you to the observation point to see the dam about 400 ft below, is not open on Tuesdays and Wednesday. From looking at the 08 photo album that seemed to be a common occurrence last year with other DT Riders.
On to Cougar Dam 107 miles away where there is a lot of construction at the base. The second photo is of the spill way that exits out the cliff face to the right of the dam.
Next to Walterville Dam only 36 miles away and got the photo of the Pond Sign. Many of you may remember from last year, but Google sends you to the locked gated entrance to a private estate which displays a sign directing you away to this pond location. The gate here was also locked.
Next 130 miles to Upper Creek Dam in (Coos Bay) North Bend, OR. Google sent me precisely to the parking lot of a Tribal Dental Clinic. Somehow I know this was not right and the person behind the front desk was most helpful in recognizing the photo she pulled up on damtour.com and knew right where to send me. Only a mile or so off.
Then on to Roseburg for the night. about 75 miles. After leaving North Bend, OR, I met a nice Coos County Sheriff's Deputy, (Don't ask the circumstances that caused us to meet up but he was very nice.) He indicated he wasn't intent on writing tickets but was more concerned about safety. This experience held my attention for the remainder of the trip. Sometime others perspective on matters have a very meaningful impact on ones attitude on things. . I took this as great reminder of the value of knowing your priorities.
I ended up talking to him about Dam Tour as he just purchased his first bike. (An HD) He mentioned that he grew up in Cascade ID. and suggested that I travel OR-126 where I would find a number of dams.
How's that for coincidence? That is the very route I took from just south of Round Butte Dam all the way to I-5 past Cougar and Walterville. All in all a very positive experience. I still can't understand why that super nice divided 4 lane freeway is only 55 mph.
The next morning was an early start as well and down I-5 to Ashland where I got to go the other direction accross OR-66 to Klamath Falls. I first traveled that road from K-Falls to Ashland way back in pursuit of Hyatt dam. And I thought it was a real good Motor Friendly route then. DamDan suggested it was even better going west to east. You're right on there Dan.
From K-Falls on OR-140 CA-139 to Susanville and US-395 to Reno then turned northeast on I-80 to Rye Patch Dam. The reservior is very low there.
On to Winnemucca for the night. Full moon over the Winnemucca Cemetery.
The business owners along Winnemucca Blvd. were a little stressed as the water was to be shut off from 10 p to 6 a that night. Well for me that's not going to work so I bought some bottled water to freshen up with and got a 5 a. start
For those who know this next leg, I don't need to tell you why, but I promptly snuggled in behind the first pick-up truck that came along, which I nicknamed Brunswick, hoping that it would clear the path through the Noah's Ark overflow along that road from Winnemucca to Jordan Valley. (US-95, for 95 Varieties of critters that can go bump in the night, or worse!) Counted no less than two southbound vehicles pulled over nursing damage and the offending deer and antelope lying in the road a quarter mile back. "Steady as she goes there Brunswick. I'm watching you back side."
I was greateful for the incident free run up to Jordan Valley that time of morning as the temps were down as was the traffic. Located the dam in short order and celebrated with a half a donut. It's funny how the heat cements the chocolate ones together. Almost broke a nail prying them apart.
Somehow I don't think the Yamaha design engineers where thinking Dam Tour when they envisioned this great machine. They should really broaden there marketing campaign don't ya think?
New Google route finding aid?
Off to Cascade Dam 165 really fun miles away. A view from the top.
More really great roads ID-55 and US-95 to Lewiston where I spent the night and headed home in the morning early.
After a early start from Lewiston, ID
I arrived home 09/05/09 amidst the only rain of the trip over Chinook Pass that managed to wash most of the bugs right off the FJR.
Great fun this Dam Tour stuff. I know I'll spend the next days, weeks and months into the winter re-living these more than 17K miles following Google along the way to these very very enjoyable Dam Chasing Adventures.
Thanks so much to all the Dam Tour folks that have contributed to the great activity.
Keep going! The best is yet to come....
The route can be found here:
https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source...amp;t=p&z=6
On this trip, I left early Wed. morning from Kent and headed down I-5 starting at 3:30 a. What a great time to ride the freeways. Just me and the Heavy Haulers.
I picked up US-26 in OR and went straight to Round Butte Dam Overlook, 285 mile all toll. Regretfully the gate to the Park was locked as it was around 9 a and on second look the Park that allows you to the observation point to see the dam about 400 ft below, is not open on Tuesdays and Wednesday. From looking at the 08 photo album that seemed to be a common occurrence last year with other DT Riders.
On to Cougar Dam 107 miles away where there is a lot of construction at the base. The second photo is of the spill way that exits out the cliff face to the right of the dam.
Next to Walterville Dam only 36 miles away and got the photo of the Pond Sign. Many of you may remember from last year, but Google sends you to the locked gated entrance to a private estate which displays a sign directing you away to this pond location. The gate here was also locked.
Next 130 miles to Upper Creek Dam in (Coos Bay) North Bend, OR. Google sent me precisely to the parking lot of a Tribal Dental Clinic. Somehow I know this was not right and the person behind the front desk was most helpful in recognizing the photo she pulled up on damtour.com and knew right where to send me. Only a mile or so off.
Then on to Roseburg for the night. about 75 miles. After leaving North Bend, OR, I met a nice Coos County Sheriff's Deputy, (Don't ask the circumstances that caused us to meet up but he was very nice.) He indicated he wasn't intent on writing tickets but was more concerned about safety. This experience held my attention for the remainder of the trip. Sometime others perspective on matters have a very meaningful impact on ones attitude on things. . I took this as great reminder of the value of knowing your priorities.
I ended up talking to him about Dam Tour as he just purchased his first bike. (An HD) He mentioned that he grew up in Cascade ID. and suggested that I travel OR-126 where I would find a number of dams.
How's that for coincidence? That is the very route I took from just south of Round Butte Dam all the way to I-5 past Cougar and Walterville. All in all a very positive experience. I still can't understand why that super nice divided 4 lane freeway is only 55 mph.
The next morning was an early start as well and down I-5 to Ashland where I got to go the other direction accross OR-66 to Klamath Falls. I first traveled that road from K-Falls to Ashland way back in pursuit of Hyatt dam. And I thought it was a real good Motor Friendly route then. DamDan suggested it was even better going west to east. You're right on there Dan.
From K-Falls on OR-140 CA-139 to Susanville and US-395 to Reno then turned northeast on I-80 to Rye Patch Dam. The reservior is very low there.
On to Winnemucca for the night. Full moon over the Winnemucca Cemetery.
The business owners along Winnemucca Blvd. were a little stressed as the water was to be shut off from 10 p to 6 a that night. Well for me that's not going to work so I bought some bottled water to freshen up with and got a 5 a. start
For those who know this next leg, I don't need to tell you why, but I promptly snuggled in behind the first pick-up truck that came along, which I nicknamed Brunswick, hoping that it would clear the path through the Noah's Ark overflow along that road from Winnemucca to Jordan Valley. (US-95, for 95 Varieties of critters that can go bump in the night, or worse!) Counted no less than two southbound vehicles pulled over nursing damage and the offending deer and antelope lying in the road a quarter mile back. "Steady as she goes there Brunswick. I'm watching you back side."
I was greateful for the incident free run up to Jordan Valley that time of morning as the temps were down as was the traffic. Located the dam in short order and celebrated with a half a donut. It's funny how the heat cements the chocolate ones together. Almost broke a nail prying them apart.
Somehow I don't think the Yamaha design engineers where thinking Dam Tour when they envisioned this great machine. They should really broaden there marketing campaign don't ya think?
New Google route finding aid?
Off to Cascade Dam 165 really fun miles away. A view from the top.
More really great roads ID-55 and US-95 to Lewiston where I spent the night and headed home in the morning early.
After a early start from Lewiston, ID
I arrived home 09/05/09 amidst the only rain of the trip over Chinook Pass that managed to wash most of the bugs right off the FJR.
Great fun this Dam Tour stuff. I know I'll spend the next days, weeks and months into the winter re-living these more than 17K miles following Google along the way to these very very enjoyable Dam Chasing Adventures.
Thanks so much to all the Dam Tour folks that have contributed to the great activity.
Keep going! The best is yet to come....
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