Oregonagain.

[Old Michael]

Last ride report.......before WFO.....probably.

This is from my July 4th run up to bag the Thompson Reservoir Dam

near Silver Lake, which is near...nothing.

I worked so hard Monday through Thursday, that I was able to take Friday off.

Up 5 to 97 to 140 East to Lakeview and 395. (Some day I'm gonna ride

the entire length of 395 in a day. It goes from eastern Oregon aaaaall the way down

to San Berdoo - almost 800 miles. Maybe three days.)

Where was I?

395 up to 31, and then northwest to Silver Lake.

It appears that I could've taken a more direct route, but I'm not fond of goat trails or dirt roads.

If I knew someone in Oregon, I coulda got info on some of the back roads

up through the Winema National Forest maybe.

The rest of the route in a few minutes. Here are some pics of the first leg.

Just after getting underway, I saw a sunflower field, so I pulled off to snap a pic.

Heading north, singin' Tori Amos favorites, I passed this happy couple.

They prolly weren't married.

A familiar sight going north on 97.

I was in Oregon by late morning, and then of course, there was this little incident on 140.

(I noted it in another report, so we'll not rehash it here.)

Being the upbeat fellow that I am, I reasoned that it would be foolish

to let a little thing like that ruin my trip.

Oregon. Luv ya.

YOU try going just 55 on this, fercryingoutloud.

It's really quite nice out here.

Did you know that Oregon is the 9th largest state? I measured it.

There were thunderstorms about, but they only added to the beauty of the scenery.

Went to the left of the puddle here.

I stop a lot, huh?

I made a brief video (complete with narration!) of this stop.

Posted it on YouTube!. Not too many hits yet.

I thought it a bit odd for there to be a hayfield out here.

Moving along. The little road out to the dam.

And KAPOW! Another dam! Thompson Resevervoir. (Not a particularly impressive one.)

Okie Dokie. On the hell up 31 to La Pine (Hey Ray!) and up 97 to Mooseonagooseville Bend.

I got a bit wet from some passing thunderstorms, but it was actually refreshing and welcome.

It did however, keep me from getting out the camera.

I'd planned on making it to Eugene, but it was late and I was muy tired-o,

and I just couldn't pass up a friendly-looking BW in Bend.

Mt. Bachelor looping, Highway 58, and out to Mr. Ocean tomorrow.

 

[madjackdog]

I made a brief video (complete with narration!) of this stop.

!
I loved the narration! Almost Shakespearean.

 

[Old Michael]

Saturday morning. No time to watch Mighty Mouse. Gotta get gone.

I noticed on my map that there was a "Scenic Loop" that ran west out of Bend and then down to Hwy. 58.

(Yes, I'd not pre-planned a route.)

So, off to the loop.

Glad I came this way.

Devil's Lake I think. The ex probably has a cabin nearby.

A man standing in the water wearing rubber britches.

Another man standing in the water. :blink:

The Crane Prairie Reservoir.

Gotta move. They're coming in.

Next, it was east on 58 (across the Pacific Crest Trail, I think) and toward Eugene.

Lava. You'd hate to tumble down that hill naked.

Aftermath of a fire. Oregon leads the nation in forest fires - and produces 95% of all the hazelnuts grown

in the U.S. In case you were wondering.

Summertime at the lake. I can't pass up a boat ramp.

Oregon is, of course, also the home of Intel....and Nike.........and semi-pro basketball (The Trail Blazers).

Another speeder. Sheesh. What a maroon.

I think this is still east of Eugene.

Cripes! It's late. I'll wrap it tomorrow.

Hwy. 126, the coast, and wild animals in that part.

G'nite all.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Yoiu are my hero Mike. That many miles, stopping for great pics and policemen waving you over -- how do you do it? I'm tired this weekend and I doubt I work any harder than you do. Wonderful pics and been to a lot of the places pictured. Good notes too!

We produce a lot of hay. Locals say the hay on the east side of the cascades is higher quality than the west side. Costs more too. Don't know why. But found out when I owned some goats.

Eugene is in the Willamette Valley which produces most of the grass seed in the US as well.

I gotta get the hell off call and get on the road. Thanks for the reminder you aren't old until you act it.

 

[bikesniffer]

Love your ride reports, always makes my day...

Greeting from Alfredo

 

[Bustanut joker]

But found out when I owned some goats.

Ah ha! You owned Goats?... We need to talk

Nice stuff old man. Guess I need to take a ride and show you some dams from these parts ****! all we have are beaver dams... Nevermind

:jester:

 

[dcarver]

As usual, Michael, I'm thorougly enjoying your RR.

Oh, and soon as I learn PhotoChop, this pix will be somewhere..

 

[FJRONAMISSION]

Good stuff OM....... as always...

B

 

[FJRBluesman]

OM - You da MAN!

Great rides pix etc. Awesome!

 

[madjackdog]

You do good work, OM. Keep it up.

 

[Old Michael]

Okay, crap, I didn't meant to drag this out. I mean, this wasn't exactly some kinda epic journey.

And I've included probably too many photos here, so it might be slow loading.

A couple of shots just before making it to Eugene.

When you see someone walking a cat, you take a picture.

And then this gal riding this neat-looking BMW. She waved,....and winked I'm sure.

So I kind of skirted Eugene, just looking to get onto 126 for the run to the coast. As I look on a map now,

I'm thinking I might have tried taking Route 36/48 from just north of Drain out all along the Smith River.

It looks awfully squiggly, and roads that follow rivers are typically very nice.

Ah, hindsight.

I think this is near a town called Veneta. Or maybe further along in Mapleton?

Anyhoo, by midday I found myself on the coast and rolling into lovely Florence, Oregon. They had a July 4th shindig

happening, so I pulled over and wandered a bit, camera in hand.

Loved this particular boat.

From across the inlet.

Groovy bridge.

They've got a little of everything in this freaking state.

What alarms you here?

On down the road, in and out of cooling mist and fog. I figured I'd just follow 101 south to Coos Bay, and then take

42 back inland to near Winston/Roseburg.

On the way, I stopped here for a little while. Ended up staying and reading everything.

If you ever get the chance ....

And this....

Continuing.

When are they gonna finish that bridge?

Saw this at the Best Western in North Bend or Coos Bay I think. Probably laid over waiting for

a clutch lever to come in.

Last stop on 42 near Winston I think.

Contemplating this whole motorcycle riding thing.

Not really. :lol:

Late afternoon found me back on I-5 heading south.

Now everybody, me included, slams I-5 for its dreariness, but I gotta tell ya, I actually enjoyed this part of this

particular ride. Early evening. Golden light. Warm air. Mid summer. Gliding along at speed listening to

some very good music.

It brought to mind forum-member Gramps' video (which I've watched about 20 times).


I followed Butch and Candy on their HD for quite awhile.

Sweepers, up and down the hills near the OR/CA border.

They were moving - for an Harley I mean. 85-90mph.

(Butch and Candy aren't their real names. I gave them names I thought were appropriate.)

Got a nice wave and thumbs up from them when they pulled off near Hornbrook I think.

Getting dark. Quite a few big rigs on the road.

Good night Oregon.

Looking south toward home.

West.

A few hours in the dark, and I'm back where I started.

Okay. Finally over.

Thanks for taking the time.

See ya'll at WFO?

 

[user 6393]

odot has a sign? I mean aside from the ubiquitous "danger" symbol???

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppppp!

I love Oregon, sigh, thanks for the pics!

 

[MEM]

I had to look this one up(Florence, Nova Scotia). Here's a little-known fact about little-known Florence, NS - which is only 403 miles from me:

""The "Lick-A-Chick" (a chicken restaurant) is located in Florence." :bleh:

Your ride reports never disappoint, OM

 

[user 6393]

Lick A Chick?

*ROTFLMAO*

 

[tcfjr]

Very cool, as usual...

 

[Niehart]

I was afraid that was Thompson Reservoir Dam in the video.

All ways good stuff OM!

 

[MEM]

Lick A Chick?

*ROTFLMAO*

If you can't trust Wikipedia, who CAN you trust ?!

 

[Old Michael]

The "Lick-A-Chick" .... in Florence.

Well............................... (showing incredible restraint) - they've got that going for them.

Thanks for the kind comments, including from you Canadian vixens.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

Home sweet home.

Thanks Mike. great pics. Looks like you found my favorite restaurant in Florence. The only part of I-5 I like is between here and Cali -- unless it's winter. The road along Smith river was a secret to me until a local told me about it. runs from Reedsport to Eugene. Some of the pavement is supposed to be rough. I was thinking of scouting it out on the KLR and see if the Feej could do it faster later... I'll let you know. Maybe somebody else already tried it and can tell us.