SE Washington Day Ride

[Fontanaman]

Today I rode the FJR about 270 miles in 6.5 hours. I choose a route south of Spokane through the Palouse wheat fields then on to some of the channeled scablands scoured out from the Ice Age Floods 15-20000 years ago.

It was about 45 degrees when I left at 10:00am and I was happy to have my old Gerbing heated jacket. I zipped down Hwy 195 south of Spokane noticing the recently planted wheat is coming in. Hopefully enough rain will fall to end the drought to get the winter wheat the start it needs to survive winter. This year wheat production was down about 50% from 2020.

One of the highlights of this ride is State Hwy 194 to Almota along the Snake River. Here are a few photos.

A hairpin turn with a few trees aka fall foliage.

For once I stopped at the Lower Granite Dam visitor center to see a few fish in the fish ladder view window. I also talked to the guy who counts fish. JSNS.

On the south side of the Snake River (aka Snake Lake) there are some nice county roads. They look like this:

I took a detour from my planned route into the town of Pomeroy Washington in search of lunch. Not much was found as Pomeroy is a dying town with the majority of stores in the downtown core shuttered. Sad indeed.

Back on route my next destination was Hwy 261 a favorite as it features 15 miles of twisty pavement with a a decent elevation increase and it crosses a coulee.

Near Palouse Falls above a Coulee. The road drops down into the Coulee and continues up on between the FJR and the yellow sign.

Here are a few photos of scablands in Eastern Washington.

A coulee.

I like the lack of traffic out here.

A roller coaster. It is blurry because it is extremely cropped.

To finish up this post here is some fall colors.

It was a great day to be on the FJR.

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

Wow, just beautiful.  I'm jealous as hell.  That pavement looks absolutely perfect.  Our Minnesota/Wisconsin pavement is usually so beat up from the freeze/thaw cycles that it's like driving in a plowed field.  To top it off, you are riding my favorite year, color scheme-wise, of FJR.

   Too bad you had to ride those roads in rush hour traffic...

 

[Fontanaman]

Wow, just beautiful.  I'm jealous as hell.  That pavement looks absolutely perfect.  Our Minnesota/Wisconsin pavement is usually so beat up from the freeze/thaw cycles that it's like driving in a plowed field.  To top it off, you are riding my favorite year, color scheme-wise, of FJR.

   Too bad you had to ride those roads in rush hour traffic...

Thank you.  I like the raven color.  It is wrapped in vinyl film.

Yeah the traffic south of Spokane is just brutal. 

Some of the roads are a bit beat up but no so much as it slows me down.

 

[escapefjrtist]

**Like** !!

~G

 

[Auburn]

Very nice

 

[Niehart]

Just wondering how you put up with all the traffic Jim.

 

[juniorfjr]

Just wondering how you put up with all the traffic Jim.

Looks just like I5 near Lynwood.

 

[Fontanaman]

The traffic south is Spokane of awful - stay away. The roads are a bit straight but I know where the good stuff is.

 

[Panman]

The traffic south if Spokane of awful.  The roads are a bit straight but I know where the good stuff is. 

Now that the smoke is gone. 

 

[Fontanaman]

Now that the smoke is gone. 

To be sure the are the environment over here is harsher than the west side.  It is colder, hotter and there is more smoke over here.  Despite these challenges I enjoy myself riding over here.  The traffic on the west side is just no fun and that is not seasonal. 

 

[Panman]

Yeppers way to much traffic if you are anywhere near the Everett, SeaTac area, I always go east of that mess. Wednesday I herded the M/H through that mess going home, and a mess it was!

I still want to get over your way and have you show me all the stuff I haven't found.

 

[wingshot]

Nice, going to try and get out before snow hits.

 

[tinbender280]

Today I rode the FJR about 270 miles in 6.5 hours. I choose a route south of Spokane through the Palouse wheat fields then on to some of the channeled scablands scoured out from the Ice Age Floods 15-20000 years ago.

It was about 45 degrees when I left at 10:00am and I was happy to have my old Gerbing heated jacket. I zipped down Hwy 195 south of Spokane noticing the recently planted wheat is coming in. Hopefully enough rain will fall to end the drought to get the winter wheat the start it needs to survive winter. This year wheat production was down about 50% from 2020.

One of the highlights of this ride is State Hwy 194 to Almota along the Snake River. Here are a few photos.

A hairpin turn with a few trees aka fall foliage.

For once I stopped at the Lower Granite Dam visitor center to see a few fish in the fish ladder view window. I also got to me the guy who counts fish. JSNS.

On the south side of the Snake River (aka Snake Lake) there are some nice county roads. They look like this:

I took a detour from my planned route into the town of Pomeroy Washington in search of lunch. Not much was found as Pomeroy is a dying town with the majority of stores in the downtown core shuttered. Sad indeed.

Back on route my next destination was Hwy 261 a favorite as it features 15 miles of twisty pavement with a a decent elevation increase and it crosses a coulee.

Near Palouse Falls above a Coulee. The road drops down into the Coulee and continues up on between the FJR and the yellow sign.

Here are a few photos of scablands in Eastern Washington.

A coulee.

I like the lack of traffic out here.

A roller coaster. It is blurry because it is extremely cropped.

To finish up this post here is some fall colors.

It was a great day to be on the FJR.

Love riding in SE Washington. Good roads and minimal traffic. Beautiful country

 

[Dan06FJR]

Today I rode the FJR about 270 miles in 6.5 hours. I choose a route south of Spokane through the Palouse wheat fields then on to some of the channeled scablands scoured out from the Ice Age Floods 15-20000 years ago.

It was about 45 degrees when I left at 10:00am and I was happy to have my old Gerbing heated jacket. I zipped down Hwy 195 south of Spokane noticing the recently planted wheat is coming in. Hopefully enough rain will fall to end the drought to get the winter wheat the start it needs to survive winter. This year wheat production was down about 50% from 2020.

One of the highlights of this ride is State Hwy 194 to Almota along the Snake River. Here are a few photos.

A hairpin turn with a few trees aka fall foliage.

For once I stopped at the Lower Granite Dam visitor center to see a few fish in the fish ladder view window. I also got to me the guy who counts fish. JSNS.

On the south side of the Snake River (aka Snake Lake) there are some nice county roads. They look like this:

I took a detour from my planned route into the town of Pomeroy Washington in search of lunch. Not much was found as Pomeroy is a dying town with the majority of stores in the downtown core shuttered. Sad indeed.

Back on route my next destination was Hwy 261 a favorite as it features 15 miles of twisty pavement with a a decent elevation increase and it crosses a coulee.

Near Palouse Falls above a Coulee. The road drops down into the Coulee and continues up on between the FJR and the yellow sign.

Here are a few photos of scablands in Eastern Washington.

A coulee.

I like the lack of traffic out here.

A roller coaster. It is blurry because it is extremely cropped.

To finish up this post here is some fall colors.

It was a great day to be on the FJR.

Wow what a gorgeous post. I grew up on a wheat farm out of Walla Walla and went to college at WSU. I'm very familiar with all the roads in the area you traveled and they are great. I've ridden some on my FJR and many others in the car. Wish I was there to ride with you. Have lived near Tacoma for 40 years. Others are correct, traffic is awful here. You just have to go off away from the freeways to find places to ride. My FJR is a 2006 with 25,000 miles. Thanks again. Dan

 

[Tyler]

Good stuff, Jim!!

 

[Fontanaman]

Have lived near Tacoma for 40 years. Others are correct, traffic is awful here. You just have to go off away from the freeways to find places to ride. My FJR is a 2006 with 25,000 miles. Thanks again. Dan

Hi Dan06FJR. I lived on the westside for 62 years. The best uncrowded riding these days is south of Olympia between I-5 and the Coast Range. Delphi road, Waddell Creek road, Independence road, Bunker Creek road, Lincoln Creek road, Pleasant Valley are quite nice. This time of year they are slippery with leaves.

Down that way you will find the road with an unforgettable name.