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Recusant Infidel
Hard to believe its been 5 1/2 years since I flew to PHX to ride her to her new home by the beach.
Fond memories of meeting Beemerdons and the chilly January ride home (420 miles just flew by).
Shes spending the next chapter of her life with our son, Jason, in WA. An experienced rider both off and on road, the FJR will be a nice change from his KLR.
Lucilles transitional trip was only 1400 miles over 3 days of riding, but we couldnt have asked for better weather or emptier roads - from start to finish!
We left San Clemente a little after 0400 on Sunday, riding north on I-5 to the Bay Area where we spent some time with my sister & b.i.l.. The forecast for the Central Valley was in the low 100s but our early departure allowed us to miss the triple digits by a healthy margin.
Leaving Concord at 0500, we crossed the Martinez/Benicia Bridge and rejoined the I-5 where the 505 terminates just south of Dunnigan. At Weed we changed to US 97 and enjoyed the ride to Bend, OR where we spent the night at the Cascade Lodge.
Yes, Id recommend a stay here! Friendly staff, spacious clean rooms, immaculate grounds (with a pool if that matters, quiet, and Lucille was parked right outside my window.
I walked a few blocks to breakfast at Sargents Cafe (delish & generous omelette), just past Dutch Bros.
Next I left Bend and headed toward Yakima, stopping for fuel just before crossing the Columbia River. There I met & chatted with a Canadian couple riding their BMWs down to a gathering in OR.
Heading west from Yakima the breeze began to pick up a bit. The TV weather woman in Bend had explained that the stationary high pressure was giving way to a trough moving through, so expect some wind.
From Ellensburg to the Pass it was fun but manageable, as the clouds moved in.
I exited I-90 on WA202, transitioned a few miles later to 203 and enjoyed tree-covered two lane riding all the way to my daughters place in Snohomish. You know how that grin sneaks on to your face when you see the yellow signs with the symbol for twisters and 20 mph next 1mile? Happened several times.
After a couple days at Sarahs I headed down to Maple Valley for Lucilles now garage.
They are moving to Spokane in a couple weeks so Im hoping Jason has time for a few rides west of and in the Cascades before they leave.
I reminded him to give a call if she disappoints - Ill fly back up and ride her home again.
Gonna miss ya, Lucille!
Fond memories of meeting Beemerdons and the chilly January ride home (420 miles just flew by).
Shes spending the next chapter of her life with our son, Jason, in WA. An experienced rider both off and on road, the FJR will be a nice change from his KLR.
Lucilles transitional trip was only 1400 miles over 3 days of riding, but we couldnt have asked for better weather or emptier roads - from start to finish!
We left San Clemente a little after 0400 on Sunday, riding north on I-5 to the Bay Area where we spent some time with my sister & b.i.l.. The forecast for the Central Valley was in the low 100s but our early departure allowed us to miss the triple digits by a healthy margin.
Leaving Concord at 0500, we crossed the Martinez/Benicia Bridge and rejoined the I-5 where the 505 terminates just south of Dunnigan. At Weed we changed to US 97 and enjoyed the ride to Bend, OR where we spent the night at the Cascade Lodge.
Yes, Id recommend a stay here! Friendly staff, spacious clean rooms, immaculate grounds (with a pool if that matters, quiet, and Lucille was parked right outside my window.
I walked a few blocks to breakfast at Sargents Cafe (delish & generous omelette), just past Dutch Bros.
Next I left Bend and headed toward Yakima, stopping for fuel just before crossing the Columbia River. There I met & chatted with a Canadian couple riding their BMWs down to a gathering in OR.
Heading west from Yakima the breeze began to pick up a bit. The TV weather woman in Bend had explained that the stationary high pressure was giving way to a trough moving through, so expect some wind.
From Ellensburg to the Pass it was fun but manageable, as the clouds moved in.
I exited I-90 on WA202, transitioned a few miles later to 203 and enjoyed tree-covered two lane riding all the way to my daughters place in Snohomish. You know how that grin sneaks on to your face when you see the yellow signs with the symbol for twisters and 20 mph next 1mile? Happened several times.
After a couple days at Sarahs I headed down to Maple Valley for Lucilles now garage.
They are moving to Spokane in a couple weeks so Im hoping Jason has time for a few rides west of and in the Cascades before they leave.
I reminded him to give a call if she disappoints - Ill fly back up and ride her home again.
Gonna miss ya, Lucille!
