Milestones

[Old Michael]

Orgasmic ale?

I'd figure it holds ......a good head?

[SIZE=8pt](sorry)[/SIZE]

 

[BikerGeek99]

Orgasmic ale?I'd figure it holds ......a good head?

[SIZE=8pt](sorry)[/SIZE]

Hell, old man, I figured at your age a word like 'orgasmic' would be enough to induce spasms and make you a dribbling puddle of goo curled up in the corner!

If we woulda had transportation other than the bike, I'm sure I woulda tried one of everything that they had that I've not had the opportunity to try. They had some beers that were SSTTRROONNGG (I typed it like that 'cause I woulda been seeing double after a couple of them) that I just couldn't try, but we had a hoot there anyway. If you're ever in the area, stop in. And say hey to Enrique for me. And if it's Tuesday, wear a Hawaiian shirt!

 

[BikerGeek99]

We learned a few things. First, on Tuesdays, the Rogue places in Newport have what they call “Aloha Tuesday.” If you wear a Hawaiian shirt in there on a Tuesday, your first pint is free! (We didn't know this and didn't have any Hawaiian shirts with us anyway, so oh, well.)

The second thing we learned was that there is something out there called “Rogue Nation.” I could tell you more about it, but I'd have to kill you. Yes, we joined Rogue Nation, and were sworn in by the President of Rogue Nation. (He's the guy in the hat & shades.)

My kinda place.

Me likey oatmeal stouts.

Unfortunately (or, perhaps, fortunately), they did not have any open rooms that evening, so thanks to the miracle of modern technology, we made a hotel reservation and departed. The bike parked along the road, with a cool mural in the background.

I coulda spent more time there.

I really like the vibe Newport has.

We wound our way through the hillsides in Newport, got to our hotel, and repeated our Routine: unload the bike, take our crap to our room, unpack our crap, change out of our riding gear, and try to figure out what to do for dinner. We started walking for a bit, and on my iPhone found what looked like a decent place and headed it towards it. The area where the restaurant was located was another cool little area, with the ocean just down the road.

Hmm... Looks and sounds quite promising!

Being right along the coast, and with the sun having gone down, the air had a crispness to it that brought out a hunger for a cup 'O chowdah. So, here's some food porn for ya.

You have to admit, what could ever make chowder better than BUTTER!! Yes, it was good. Really good. REALLY, really good.

Mmm... A shrimp sammich...

Oh, yeah...

While we were eating, we were discussing destinations for the next day. I mentioned Eureka, CA at one point, and a couple next to us struck up a conversation. Turns out they are car geeks and own a Morgan! If you don't know what a Morgan is, check it out – they are some really cool cars! They had been on the road a couple of weeks themselves and were heading to their home the next day. We told them about our adventure and just had an incredibly pleasant chat with them. It was very, very nice – they were just cool people to chat with.

Heading to the restaurant, we'd passed this Irish pub and just had to stop in. Sooze's grandmother was referred to as Nana, so we HAD to stop in. Wouldn't want to be haunted by Nana or anything.

Read it.

Learn it.

Live it.

The patrons were a mix of locals and travelers. Being an Irish pub, the conversations were unabashed and … well, we both laughed our asses off, chatting with our bar tender and fellow patrons.

We walked back to our hotel and enjoyed a good night's sleep.

Miles ridden today: not many. 160 or so, but that included hanging out with dad at the Harley dealer waiting for the bike to get serviced, and starting down the Oregon coast.

I really want to go back to Newport. I just caught a really good vibe from this place and felt very comfortable there.

Today marks the halfway point for our little adventure. This marked day 11 of what would be a 22 day ride. And what a place to mark that milestone in the ride!

 

[Bokerfork]

Sorry for chiming in so late, but until a RR reaches 10+ pages I figure it probably ain't so great.

At any rate, I'm very much enjoying your little adventure. Thanks for the updates.

Now, before it's too late, head down 101 to 36 for TWN's favorite ride.

Mark

 

[BikerGeek99]

July 21, 2010.

After an awesome stay in Newport, Oregon, much as I coulda stayed for a spell, it was time for us to continue our moseying down the left coast.

The morning was pretty much typical for the coast: cool and overcast.

Just for grins, before leaving town, we rode back to the area where the restaurant was from last night.

We took a quick look-see, and continued south on 101.

The geological features along the Oregon coast really intrigue me. There are rocks jutting up out of the ocean – or, perhaps, worn down by the ocean – which break the incoming waves, creating a contrast between the gray sky, black rocks, and white sea-water froth.

There were also areas without the rocks.

We came across a few groups of riders, probably on vacation since we were out and about on a weekday.

We tagged along behind these guys for a bit.

As the morning wore on, the skies started to clear.

The clearing skies presented more scenic views as we rode along 101.

 

[BikerGeek99]

Did I mention that the scenery along 101 through Oregon is something to behold? The blooming purple flowers, the lush greenery stretching towards the water, and the Pacific Ocean itself.

We continued following that other group of bikes.

There are people out there who are numb to this scenery. If you are one of these people, move to Ohio for a while, then come back and you'll be able to appreciate it.

Ya hear me? Ohio! Northwest Ohio, at that, sucker. THEN tell me how boring views like these are.

Toledo! You'll get stuck in Toledo. Or worse, Detroit!

Dunno if you remember or not, but we like lighthouses. They're cool. There's one in particular that Sooze wanted to see. Really wanted to see. REALLY wanted to see. Riding along the coast, we saw the signs for it and headed in.

Jutting up from the water, or worn down by the water, I don't care. I love stuff like this.

A wider perspective.

This is the former keeper's house which is now a B&B. A B&B which isn't for those traveling on a limited budget.

The bike was there, too.

The bridge we would be going over after our departure.

Perspective.

I never really payed attention to what the tides were doing, but I'd guess this was low tide.

 

[BikerGeek99]

If you don't know of it, we were at the Heceta Head Lighthouse. We had a ways to go this day and didn't spend a whole lot of time poking around, but we did just see this one on a show about haunted lighthouses. We'll be back. We hope you will be, too. It's worth the time.

Stuff you can only see along the coast.

The keeper's inn. We'd love to stay here sometime.

Arm out? Check.

View screen flipped around? Check.

Arm around Sooze? Sooze? SOOZE?! There she is – check!

And-a-1, and-a-2, and-a-3...

Me experimenting taking artsy-fartsy pictures.

Using the tripod, I set the camera up on a log to take our picture. The wind was blowing and blew a big-ass blade of grass into frame. Oops.

Take 2!

We couldn't really get a good look at the lighthouse itself, but you can kinda see it here. From the inn, go left at the same elevation towards the edge of the cliff. You can kinda see it poking around among some trees.

 

[airboss]

Oh, I donno kind of like this one, kinda Artie.

OK, culture class over.........back to our regular programing.

and the regular progaming is good, really good. :clapping:

 

[BikerGeek99]

At dinner last night, the couple in the Morgan told Sooze to be sure to take pictures over-the-shoulder because the views from the direction opposite of our heading offered up some terrific views, so that's what Sooze did!

101 wound away from the coast a bit and treated us to more of the Pacific Northwest's lush forest.

And then back out to the coast!

And then back into some greenery.

Dunno how to describe this feature, or what it really is, but it makes for an interesting picture, if you ask me.

I had to explain to Sooze how this railroad bridge works.

We both spied the lone tree sticking up on the top of this rock. We thought it was cool. Didn't see any hippies in the VW bus, though, but that reminds me of a sticker I saw on-line somewhere that said, “Kick A Hippy.” That made me laugh.

Rocks. Trees. Ocean. Cool...

I'm gonna bore you some more with the views we were treated to. I was absolutely loving every damn second of it.

 

[BikerGeek99]

This was just some amazing scenery to behold first-hand.

Guys, let me just say that the Oregon coast on U.S. 101 is one helluva sight to behold.

Note I'm not blabbering on right now, because I'd only take away from the scenery.

This was what we kept seeing, mile after mile, turn after turn, all around us, all the time.

Someday I think it'd be cool to go north along this stretch.

Luckily, we didn't see any of these 4-legged critters this trip. (I did see a few elk down in Arkansas last year at SFO, but luckily our ride leader was on his A-game that day and the elk were safely avoided.)

 

[Khunajawdge]

Note I'm not blabbering on right now, because I'd only take away from the scenery.

Note; This is why lane splittin' is legal in Californicate!

 

[BikerGeek99]

Note; This is why lane splittin' is legal in Californicate!

Ah, lane "sharing."

Saw guys doing it, was temped several times, but...

I just wasn't willing to take on a task that is, as was uttered over beerz at WFO, an acquired skill.

I haven't acquired that skill, and didn't really feel the need to put ourselves into what could be a situation which could result in an unpleasant outcome (especially while being a couple thousand miles from home), so I didn't try. Besides, we weren't commuting - we were on vacation! What's the rush, dude.... h34r:

 

[Bungie]

Dammit, just when I think I have a handle on the second leg of Steve 'n Rob's excellent adventure between Vancouver Island and Taos you go an post this up.

If you were here I'd jimmy kick you.

 

[BikerGeek99]

Even though the skies were clear and beautiful, the temperatures were not very high today. Maybe in the mid-60's. That'd be mid-60's Fahrenheit. For you Krazzy Canooks and whatnot who are using that wacky Celsius thing, that'd be … uh … somewhere between scalding-your-short-ones-because-your-smart-ass-kid-flushed-the-john-downstairs-while-you-were-in-the-shower and the chill in bed the night you forgot your wife's birthday because you went bowling. Not that I'd know anything about either of those, of course.

And, being on the ocean coast, there was always a constant wind, which we really only felt when we were off the bike, but it helped to kick up some waves and provide more stuff to take pictures of.

Cool bridge, coming up!

Crossing the bridge. This was kind of cool – there was a breaker-wall kind of thing with an opening for boats to get out and about.

Detroit, bitches. If you get bored with stuff like this, you are shunned to Detroit for a decade. Moral of the story: don't take scenery like this for granted. Unless you like Detroit's scenery. If you do like the scenery that is Detroit, you need to share your meds, get outta the house more, or get your head examined. Or all three.

If you live in Detroit, don't get yer panties in a bunch. I had to pick SOMEplace to shun people, so why not there? I've picked on Cleveland enough and have actually come to like Cleveland. And, while I have friends in the area around Detroit, it still ain't pretty up there. This, however, is kinda purty.

I wouldn't mind hanging out in this area sometime taking sunset pictures.

Or here.

Here just might work, too.

Wonder what it would be like to kayak out around these rocks...

 

[BikerGeek99]

If you were here I'd jimmy kick you.

I can run faster scared than you can pissed, old man.

:assassin:

I really wanna go back to this area and spend more time exploring. Lots more time...

 

[BikerGeek99]

As we continued down 101, I started to see some things that, well, I wasn't quite sure what was going on. Hmm...

I wish we coulda gotten more pictures of this. We rode through an area where there were wildfires! The bushes right along the road were scorched, there was a smell of smoke and burning stuff in the air. The terrain on both sides of the road was blackened from the fires, and we could still see smoke from the smoldering spots rising in the area.

Didn't last long, though.

Don't like this? Detroit. Or ELSE!

After enduring hours and hours, and miles and miles of the torture that is U.S. 101 in Oregon, we found ourselves riding past the state line into state number 11 – California. I guess the Governator chose not to splurge on signs declaring Welcome To California! I damn near missed it, except for the bikes pulled over to take picture in front of it.

We found some big-ass trees in California, that's for sure.

And a change in the coast. Where'd this fog crap come from?

Since we'd crossed into the Grand Republik Of Kalifornia, as the clouds crept in, the sun was hidden, and the air suddenly had a bit of a chill. I found a spot to pull off 'cause I figured if I am feeling a chill, Sooze is prolly freezing back there.

Sooze added a layer under her riding jacket, and we continued.

 

[gregory]

Andy,

Anytime you wanna ride the 101, North or South, I am there with ya!

 

[Khunajawdge]

What's the rush, dude.... h34r:

I don't know how a Harley registers engine heat on its dash? I am ignorant of that feature? Do know though that "if" I sit in grid lock traffic on my Gen I FJR1300, I will have roasted legs below the knees when the temp gauge hits 5 Bars! To Defeat this unique "feature", while owning an '05 FJR 1300, I wear Icon knee/thigh protectors, have done quite a bit to the bike itself (Cromiet mod, extra heat shield under raised tank etc.) to mitigate heat output, but it ain't ALL good. I must admit :dribble: , that the only way to stay kewel in 100+ degree California summer road heat is to keep moving (even when the traffic isn't), this is salvation! Spilttin lanes is mandatory! The ELK are just a "sign" of how different it is out here on the left coast (oh & I am a "tree hugger").

 

[BikerGeek99]

Andy,
Anytime you wanna ride the 101, North or South, I am there with ya!

Sounds good, bud!

 

[BikerGeek99]

What's the rush, dude.... h34r:

I don't know how a Harley registers engine heat on its dash? I am ignorant of that feature? Do know though that "if" I sit in grid lock traffic on my Gen I FJR1300, I will have roasted legs below the knees when the temp gauge hits 5 Bars! To Defeat this unique "feature", while owning an '05 FJR 1300, I wear Icon knee/thigh protectors, have done quite a bit to the bike itself (Cromiet mod, extra heat shield under raised tank etc.) to mitigate heat output, but it ain't ALL good. I must admit :dribble: , that the only way to stay kewel in 100+ degree California summer road heat is to keep moving (even when the traffic isn't), this is salvation! Spilttin lanes is mandatory! The ELK are just a "sign" of how different it is out here on the left coast (oh & I am a "tree hugger").

My point was, we're on vacation in an area of county we've never seen and sometimes it's nice to just sit and look around at the subtle differences in scenery between the mid-west and where we were. That's what I consider to be the difference between Vacation Mode and Commuting Mode. On a bike for both? Yes. Completely different mindset? Totally.

As to the rest of your comment, dude - I live in Ohio, one of the other 49 states where lane sharing is not legal, so I guess my skin is tough enough to just deal with the heat as we worked through traffic. I have no problem with lane sharing and I wish it were legal here! But, it isn't, I'm not familiar with it, and, as the saying goes, Ride Your Pace. Not lane sharing was My Pace.

Quick edit to add: Harley's, except for V-Rods, are air-cooled so we don't have engine temp gauges (unless you put an an oil temp thingy where the dipstick goes, which I don't have). Although, the Ultra does have a kinda-sorta-accurate thermometer in the dash, which only tells me what I usually already know: it's either hot out or it's cold out.