[Blackdog]

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I have already shared my basic ride plan on another thread. I have the route planned as well and it takes us through some pretty amazing places. I look at this and say to myself – “It is not possible to see this much of the world in 18 days.” Then I smile and answer – “yeah it is – you’ve done it before. Besides, you just read about Cousin Jack and Dusty Boots and others who have been probing much of the route already this year”.

I am posting this both to share information with those that may want to ride some or all of these segments someday (I realize many of you have – but more info never hurts) – and, so I have an online reference I can call up from the road. Penny and I will forgo most camping this time – we are staying in mostly Motel6 or Park Lodges – one exception is Bobby Whittaker’s Motorcycle campground in Belle Fourche, SD for a couple of days of my first Sturgis – and with friends our last night on the road near Markleeville, CA.

We will ride part or all of these scenic Highways/Byways. We also have plans to meet/ride with some folks from both here and my Indian riders ride group.

HEAD OUT ON THE HIGHWAY –
[/b]
Overall Western Map[/b], [/b]CA[/b], [/b]OR[/b], [/b]WA[/b], [/b]ID 1[/b], [/b]MT[/b], [/b]WY 1[/b], [/b]WY 2[/b], [/b]ID 2[/b], [/b]NV[/b][/b]

[/b]1) Far West:

Start ~ 600Miles Blast Up California Highways
Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway (Start at Mt. Shasta, CA) – California/Oregon

[/b]
[/b][/b]
2) North West:

Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway – California/Oregon (Crater Lake)
Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway – Oregon (exavid – to the coast at Coos Bay)
Southern Oregon Coast - Oregon
Central Oregon Coast - Oregon
Northern Oregon Coast – Oregon (Fort Clatsop)
Historic Columbia River Highway – Oregon/Washington (CJ and Red)
Mount Hood Scenic Byway - Oregon
Olympic Peninsula (Olympic National Park) – Washington (4evermetric)
Straight of Juan de Fuca Highway – Washington
North Cascades Highway (North Cascades National Park) – Washington (Jluvs2dive)
Sherman Pass Scenic Byway – Washington

[/b]

[/b][/b]3) Rocky Mountains:

International Selkirk Loop – Washington/Idaho
Pend Oreille Scenic Byway – Idaho (not sure we’ll do this one or not)
Going To The Sun Road (Glacier National Park) - Montana
US89 Glacier NP to Yellowstone NP – Montana/Wyoming
Beartooth Highway – Montana/Wyoming
Yellowstone - Wyoming
North Fork of the Shoshone (Chief Joseph Highway) – Wyoming
Teton Park Drive (Grand Teton National Park) – Wyoming
Big Horn Mountains Scenic Byway – Wyoming
Black Hills – Wyoming/South Dakota

[/b]

[/b]4) Central Plains:

Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway – South Dakota (Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse)
Belle Fourche – Sturgis – Deadwood – South Dakota (Sturgis Motorcycle Rally)

[/b]

[/b]HOMEWARD BOUND[/b]

5) Rocky Mountains:[/b]

(Heading back across Wyoming from Sturgis - Yellowstone and others again - head south starting in Idaho)

Mesa Falls Scenic Byway – Idaho
Craters of the Moon National Monument – Idaho
Arco, Idaho (First Nuclear powered US City) Looks like nothing there – just a good stopping point.
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6) Far West[/b]

Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway – Nevada (not sure we’ll do this one or not)
June Lake Loop – California
Tioga Pass/Big Oak Flats Road (Yosemite)
Home

My excitement is building as my woman and I head out on our most excellent adventure. This Friday!:action::shock:

 

[Cousin Jack]

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Hey, Blackdog!

Have you any rough idea of when you'll be in the Columbia River Gorge? Red and I can reach the Gorge from Ellensburg via Hwy 97, about a hundred miles....... easy-peasy......97 comes down into the Gorge, at Maryhill, a museum and architectural oddity that defies description! Then we can ride down the Gorge with you for awhile..... would help us to know when you're gonna be close!

 

[Blackdog]

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Cousin Jack wrote:

Hey, Blackdog!

Have you any rough idea of when you'll be in the Columbia River Gorge? Red and I can reach the Gorge from Ellensburg via Hwy 97, about a hundred miles....... easy-peasy......97 comes down into the Gorge, at Maryhill, a museum and architectural oddity that defies description! Then we can ride down the Gorge with you for awhile..... would help us to know when you're gonna be close!

Hi CJ!



Well, We are coming up the OR coast Monday 7/27. By days end I hope to be on the National Holy Ground ofFort Clatsop and then if everything works out cross the Astoria Bridge and ride northof Columbia - looks like 101 - 401 - 4to Kelso, WA.



Tuesday 7/28 we wake up - hopefully be on bike by 7AM and headed Down the Gorge. Since I've never been - don't know how long. Mapquest give me a 2.5 hour net ride time Kelso to Maryhill and we'll have breakfast and scenery stops along the way. What do you advise for connecting up based on your travel distance and time? Also which side of the Gorge to do first? Decisions. decisions.... :cheeky1:

 

[Cousin Jack]

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Well, this is just a personal preference --a factyou should bear in mind! -- I'd go up the Oregon side, taking in the historic Columbia River Gorge Highway and the scenic waterfalls. I'd then continue to and through the Dalles to Biggs Junction, where'd I cross the river and climb the gorge side to Maryhill. We could meet you at the entrance to the Maryhill Museum itself, or closer to the riverbank at Maryhill St. Park. If you had the time, I'd do a favorite loop of mine, Hwy 142, up the Klickitat River to Goldendale, and then back down to the Columbia (lovely set of twisties along 142....shhhhh......don't tell anybody!). We would then ride down the River with you on the Washington side, Highway 14, one of the greatest motorcycle delights in the world (shhhhh! ..... don't tell anybody!).

Red and I would probably head back before Vancouver; we're allergic to cities....... but, gee, a night in a tent with my smiling wife..... don't know if I could stand the hardship!

:cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1:

Here's an interesting variant if you're so inclined....... say you come up the Columbia River Gorge and meet us as described..... but then, if you're tired of the river, I could take you inland to lovely Yakima, and then we could head for the mountains on Highway 12 over White Pass......you'd hit Hwy I-5 at Napavine, follow it north to Chehalis, and then travel Highway 6 (a good motorcycle road) to the coast at Raymond (Willipa Bay) where you'd latch on to 101....... don't mean to muddy the waters, just stir the pot! Highway 12 over White Pass is a lovely road, and features the best view of Mt . Rainier goin'............

Regardless, we'll kinda make plans to be somewhere near Maryhill, Biggs Junction on 7/28..... please call us to confirm! Looking forward to it!

 

[Cousin Jack]

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Whoops! Forgot the time! We'll plan on standing tall at Maryhill or Maryhill State Park about noonish, 7/28!

We're easy to spot......

Beauty and The Beast......

Honda ST1300...........

Fuzzy Seat!

 

[Dusty Boots]

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I agree with CJ, best to do loop anti-clockwise! Drive back on the unhurried bliss that is 14.

I see that you are planning on doing hwy 14/16/20 over the Bighorns. If you are not hauling a trailer with you, I strongly suggest taking 14A instead, they both meet up at Burgess Junction but the west end of 14A is quite a piece of road, other than the frost heaves at the very start of it. Quieter stretch of Hwy to boot! I*f you are feeling a little 'peckish', I can wholeheartedly recommend stopping for a bite to eat at the rustic Bear Lodge Resort, just before Burgess Junction. Oh ya, watch out for moose while travelling over the Bighorns, no matter which route you take.

Have funand ride safe! ... remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. Sometimes more!



Dusty

 

[Blackdog]

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Well how can I go wrong with two masters agreeing in directions!!!

Counter-clockwise it is. BIG question - how is cell service (I'm Verizon) in the Columbia Gorge?

I'm thinking as Penny and I wander in and start seeing the lay of the land a bit we can call you Mel and sort if give you a status of where we are - will give you a better idea of our progress.

I love my wife dearly but she is a "measure the angle of the sun three times and take at least three shots to make sure you get one (or not :cheeky1 type gal" and methinks the camera (and new camcorder) wil be clicking and whirring. We may have to meet you two days later - no j/k.

I'm all up for doing a "favorite Loop" of Cousin Jack's! It doesn't get any better than sharing the road with you.

We're pretty easy to spot as well - a 6'4" 300 pound bearded guy on a black Goldwing with a 6'2" (shhhhhhh - sheinsists only 6') blonde haired, blue eyed Swedish gal on Pillion (now you know why her ride group handle is "Sequoia"..)

Yep - this ride is shaping up to be a great one and we haven't even left yet!!!

Also, thanks for the info Dusty - that will help a lot when we get there - I love "preferred roads". :waving:

 

[2slim]

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Hey Blackdog, sorry I won't be able to ride with you. Somebody has
to work. Won't be able to do much extended riding until next month.
Garnet mining with my next to the oldest daughter and her husband
in Northern Idaho. Until then, I have to stay close to home.

CJ's easterly route suggestion, from Maryhill, is right on the money if you have time.
Some of us know about that little Washington 14 secret, but we won't tell. :action:


Enjoy the ride and be safe Blackdog!!!! :toast:

 

[Blackdog]

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2slim wrote:

Hey Blackdog, sorry I won't be able to ride with you. Somebody has
to work. Won't be able to do much extended riding until next month.
Garnet mining with my next to the oldest daughter and her husband
in Northern Idaho. Until then, I have to stay close to home.

CJ's easterly route suggestion, from Maryhill, is right on the money if you have time.
Some of us know about that little Washington 14 secret, but we won't tell. :action:


Enjoy the ride and be safe Blackdog!!!! :toast:

Thanks 2slim - sorry we can't hook up - but maybe another time. From what I've seen of Columbia I'll want to go back. Thanks for lettig me in on "the secret"...:action: