WOW! This week has been unbelievable. When I last wrote we were leaving Salt Lake City. We had a great day making our way up to Seattle. Through some mountains then some pastures and farming areas then finally through the Yakima Valley where a lot of the grapes are grown for Washington wine. It then started to get a bit chilly, 35 F and my hands were freezing so we decided to stop for the night in Yakima. When we got up in the morning it was cold and the weather report said it was snowing on Snoqualimie pass, the only road to Seattle. We decided to brave it. It was soooooo cold. Maybe I am a wimp but it was cold. At least it was only 100 or so miles to Seattle where we could warm up. It was snowing on the pass but we took it slow and made it. I was happy to be in Seattle where I was to pick up my bike and then head down the pacific coast.
On Thursday we headed out and explored the Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park. It was simply fantastic. In fact, I actually saw a bald eagle. It was on the beach with it's baby. So cool. One does not see those very often, even at all. It was truly thrilling. Then the next day as we were exploring Oregon we saw a black bear. He was just hanging out near a river lumbering around. He was so gorgeous! It was a great day.
We tried our hand at camping, Jeff was not enthused. I hope as we get farther south it will get warmer and I can sell Jeff on the joys of camping.
We made it into California and my bum was getting tired of being on a bike. But we decided to camp in a really nice camp site in the redwood forest. It was great. Jeff is still not sold on camping. Oh well. He is going to make a purchase of some things that will make camping a little easier. We rode on highway 36 that Darryl recommended. It was simply fantastic. I was ready for a break so we decided to spend 2 nights in Fort Bragg on the ocean. The view is simply fantastic and it has been a really nice relaxing day.
We are on the road again on Highway 1 to San Francisco to visit friends and go to some of my old haunts. I lived in SF fo 6 years in the 90's. I love that city.
More later
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Leaving Seattle
We are off. We decided to stay in Seattle one day longer but after a bit of an annoying morning trying to get everything organized and some last minute errands done we are out of here. Jeff and I decided to tour the Olympic national Park and the point. We will see how far we get today. The weather report calls for a high of 55 F and cloudy. Hopefully it will not rain. However, now that I have said that I am sure it will. :-(.
We will be out of computer range for a few days. I am sure that will drive Jeff totally mad. It will be good for both of us, I think.
Samantha
We will be out of computer range for a few days. I am sure that will drive Jeff totally mad. It will be good for both of us, I think.
Samantha
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
In Seattle
Jeff and I are now in Seattle after riding over Snowqualimie pass in a snow storm. It was crazy but an experience. I was totally frozen when we arrived. Jeff a little less so. A few miles later the snow turned to rain and all was well. I went that night to pick up my bike from a friend who had been taking care of it for me. It was cold but not icy so after dinner I rode it home with Jeff following in a borrowed car just in case. It was cold but so GREAT to have my bike back.
Then on Sunday we had a typical day in Seattle. We awoke to 2 inches of snow and still falling. It was beautiful. I love the snow and being in Thailand pretty much all winter I missed snow this year. It soon all melted and was sunny and beautiful. Then after taking Jeff to Pike's Place, the original Starbucks and a really cool Japanese Dollar store ( I am a sucker for $ stores and these are the best. It is a chain of about 5 stores in Seattle right now). Then we came home and it started to thunder and lightening. So we had all forms of weather that day.
Monday, was a day of errands and I got back on my bike. It was fantastic. I had forgotten how awesome that bike is. I am so excited to have it back. It is a Rockster, R1150R80 (the 80 is a special addition that came out in 2004). For me it is the perfect size and so zippy. Especially after riding the RT. It is so nimble and fun to ride. Plus the weather was fantastic yesterday.
It is Tuesday morning now and the weather here is typical for Seattle, a bit cloudy but I can see the Olympics off in the distance and they are shining white with snow. We are going out for a ride to test out the bike to bike autocom system. Jeff has been agonizing about how to set up all the cables for days. I don't really get what the fuss is all about.
We are leaving Seattle on Thursday to head down south. A few more errands to run today and a few more people to see. Then we head out again. I, of course have too much stuff and am trying to figure out how to pack it all. We are going to camp along the way. So I have to figure out how to pack the added equipment. we will probably will make a trip to REI (the Seattle based sporting equipment store) today. Buy the few additional things we might need for the trip.
We are no longer Snow people, I hope that continues. although I am going to get some under Armor today to keem me a bit more comfortable.
Samantha
Then on Sunday we had a typical day in Seattle. We awoke to 2 inches of snow and still falling. It was beautiful. I love the snow and being in Thailand pretty much all winter I missed snow this year. It soon all melted and was sunny and beautiful. Then after taking Jeff to Pike's Place, the original Starbucks and a really cool Japanese Dollar store ( I am a sucker for $ stores and these are the best. It is a chain of about 5 stores in Seattle right now). Then we came home and it started to thunder and lightening. So we had all forms of weather that day.
Monday, was a day of errands and I got back on my bike. It was fantastic. I had forgotten how awesome that bike is. I am so excited to have it back. It is a Rockster, R1150R80 (the 80 is a special addition that came out in 2004). For me it is the perfect size and so zippy. Especially after riding the RT. It is so nimble and fun to ride. Plus the weather was fantastic yesterday.
It is Tuesday morning now and the weather here is typical for Seattle, a bit cloudy but I can see the Olympics off in the distance and they are shining white with snow. We are going out for a ride to test out the bike to bike autocom system. Jeff has been agonizing about how to set up all the cables for days. I don't really get what the fuss is all about.
We are leaving Seattle on Thursday to head down south. A few more errands to run today and a few more people to see. Then we head out again. I, of course have too much stuff and am trying to figure out how to pack it all. We are going to camp along the way. So I have to figure out how to pack the added equipment. we will probably will make a trip to REI (the Seattle based sporting equipment store) today. Buy the few additional things we might need for the trip.
We are no longer Snow people, I hope that continues. although I am going to get some under Armor today to keem me a bit more comfortable.
Samantha
Friday, April 18, 2008
In Salt Lake City
Hi all,
Jeff and I are near Salt Lake City. It is 41 F degrees this morning but supposed to reach a nice temp later. Unfortunately we are leaving this area into Seattle where it is supposed to snow, IN THE CITY! This is simply insane! I realize now that Jeff and I left too early but it was just the way it had to be because of timing of everything. Anyway, we should have a nice day today though. Hopefully, the forecast is wrong for Seattle.
Yesterday through Wyoming was cold, but beautiful. I just love it there. Wednesday was incredibly windy all through Iowa and we got battered around.
Jeff has a cold and feeling kind of poopy. So yesterday he turned over the driving to me. I was a bit surprised but willing. We both realized that it is much more difficult to ride as a passenger! I think all men who ride with a passenger should be a passenger once in a while or at least once because it IS much harder. The wind is stronger the weather is harder and you can't move much at all. Anyway, After 100 miles, Jeff was ready to rent a truck and put the bike in the back because he couldn't believe how horrible it was in the back. I knew it was difficult but after being in the front not freezing my butt off I realize it is nicer to be the driver.
Needless to say I am excited to get my bike on Saturday! It is all ready to go and has been getting some TLC at Ride West BMW this week.
Another comment I have is that however comfortable the RT is, It is so big. I am getting used to it but I think it is a bit big for my liking. I will stick with the S and the Rockster. :-)
Jeff and I are near Salt Lake City. It is 41 F degrees this morning but supposed to reach a nice temp later. Unfortunately we are leaving this area into Seattle where it is supposed to snow, IN THE CITY! This is simply insane! I realize now that Jeff and I left too early but it was just the way it had to be because of timing of everything. Anyway, we should have a nice day today though. Hopefully, the forecast is wrong for Seattle.
Yesterday through Wyoming was cold, but beautiful. I just love it there. Wednesday was incredibly windy all through Iowa and we got battered around.
Jeff has a cold and feeling kind of poopy. So yesterday he turned over the driving to me. I was a bit surprised but willing. We both realized that it is much more difficult to ride as a passenger! I think all men who ride with a passenger should be a passenger once in a while or at least once because it IS much harder. The wind is stronger the weather is harder and you can't move much at all. Anyway, After 100 miles, Jeff was ready to rent a truck and put the bike in the back because he couldn't believe how horrible it was in the back. I knew it was difficult but after being in the front not freezing my butt off I realize it is nicer to be the driver.
Needless to say I am excited to get my bike on Saturday! It is all ready to go and has been getting some TLC at Ride West BMW this week.
Another comment I have is that however comfortable the RT is, It is so big. I am getting used to it but I think it is a bit big for my liking. I will stick with the S and the Rockster. :-)
Sunday, April 13, 2008
On our way
Well Jeff and I left New York Wednesday morning around 10:30 AM. We made nice progress through New Jersyy, Pennsylvania then to New York. We took some big roads and some small. All in all Wednesday was a nice day. Oh yes, we are riding 2 up on Jeff's RT until we reach Seattle and I can pick up my long stored Rockster and continue on. We stayed at a small off the highway hotel near Buffalo, nothing too remarkable there. Except Jeff being the cautious traveler felt that he needed to check the following day's weather, and yes, we were heading straight into snow.
This was not good news for me as I only have a heated vest that really only works with temperatures above 45-50F. We still decided to continue on up to Michigan as the storm looked like it would meet us in the afternoon as we neared our final destination for the day, Jeff's home town, East Tawas, Mi. We decided to go through Canada and it was a really nice ride, a bit nippy but totally do able until about 3:00 PM when we hit a huge area of cloud cover. For the next 2 hours the temp went down degree by degree and I became more and more frozen as we went. Luckily it was only 2 hours and we arrived at Jeff's parents house around 5:30 ish after a mid point stop at starbucks to warm up and thaw. His parents are totally convinced that we are completely insane but motorcycling is always an adventure.
We are staying in Michigan until Monday. The forecast calls for mid 40's to mid 50's F degreesand then warmer. We will also head south to where there is no ice on the roads. We have to abandon our plan to see Yellowstone as the roads are just too bad but I think we can still see the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore. We should get there by Wednesday and the forecast calls for warmer weather there too. :) That is good to hear!
More details to come later.
This was not good news for me as I only have a heated vest that really only works with temperatures above 45-50F. We still decided to continue on up to Michigan as the storm looked like it would meet us in the afternoon as we neared our final destination for the day, Jeff's home town, East Tawas, Mi. We decided to go through Canada and it was a really nice ride, a bit nippy but totally do able until about 3:00 PM when we hit a huge area of cloud cover. For the next 2 hours the temp went down degree by degree and I became more and more frozen as we went. Luckily it was only 2 hours and we arrived at Jeff's parents house around 5:30 ish after a mid point stop at starbucks to warm up and thaw. His parents are totally convinced that we are completely insane but motorcycling is always an adventure.
We are staying in Michigan until Monday. The forecast calls for mid 40's to mid 50's F degreesand then warmer. We will also head south to where there is no ice on the roads. We have to abandon our plan to see Yellowstone as the roads are just too bad but I think we can still see the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore. We should get there by Wednesday and the forecast calls for warmer weather there too. :) That is good to hear!
More details to come later.
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