Late start today. Didn’t hit the road until 9:00. It was another chilly start but I opted to keep the jackets stowed away for now. Crossed Snake River, jumped on I-84 and headed towards Boise. We crossed Snake River several times and each time the view was amazing. We started in more corn fields and a few small stockyards but half way to Boise the terrain turned to fields of yellow grass and green/brown shrubs.
We made good time getting into Boise, traffic was busy but moved quickly. Pulled off for the first gas stop of the day. Grabbed a fresh bottle of water and as I rested for a minute an older gentleman came over for a chat. He let me know that I’d soon be crossing “The Blues”. The Blue Mountains are anything but blue so not sure where the name came from.
Wasn’t long before we crossed the border into Oregon and before much longer the Pacific Time Zone. I pulled off in Baker City for gas and to start looking for some lunch. After filling up I decided to check the radar. The smoke has gotten worse and it’s hard to tell if it’s overcast or just smoky. Looked like a small bit of rain was coming so I decided to push on to La Grande to get past it, another 40 miles down the road.
Lunch was a little place called Lucky’s. Food was tolerable but not great. Back on the road we soon hit the Blue Mountains. More mountain curves with just a few that were slow going. We climbed to the summit then made our way back down the other side. The trees and rock walls of the mountains turned to bright yellow grasslands with the occasional corn field. Not much out here at all.
At some point in my travel through Oregon I passed an orangish Mercedes (I think). Older model that sat very low. Very distinct decal on the back window, don’t know what it was but became recognizable. With all my stops for gas, lunch and rests I must have passed him five times. After the first time he’d always stick his hand out the window and throw me a rocker salute, maybe it was a hook ’em, I’ve got Texas plates. I’d throw back a shaka and motor past him.
My original plan was to cross into Washington just south of Walla Walla. At lunch I decided to take a different route. The sign I was going to hit sits on the other side of a stoplight intersection. Not a bad location as I can still pull over but I wanted a faster route to Spokane, my target for the day. It was already after 1:00 by the time I’d finished lunch and it was another 250+ miles to go. I’d found another sign that had a pull off and the road there followed Snake River for several miles.
But as fate and my own neglect would have it, we crossed the river instead of following it. Another large bridge and no sign to get a photo of, just like last time. There’s a good sign just down the road from camp that I can get. Problem is it sits in the middle of the highway right after a bridge. I may not be able to get the bike in the photo but I will get a photo.
My path through Washington this time was nothing but rolling fields of bright yellow grass. Miles and miles of it all the way to Spokane. The smoke has cleared up and is only clouding the distance and the trees have begun to return as we near town. We got into Spokane right around rush hour. Traffic was heavy and slowed to a near stop a few times. Took a while to make the last few miles.
We’re actually in Spokane Valley, a suburb of Spokane. Camp is a nice place but the airport is near so planes fly over. I’ve only seen a couple so far and they’re high enough by the time they reach us that they aren’t terribly loud. The train tracks on the other side of the fence line are another story though. Only a couple of trains have gone by and it’s all quiet now so hopefully it’ll stay that way until morning.
Met another biker/camper checking in today. Miles, from the San Antonio area. He bought an older Suzuki, tore down and rebuilt everything but the engine which is only 650cc (Libby is 1750cc). He’s been on the road for the last week just exploring the country with all his gear, including a skateboard, strapped to the sissy bar. His saddle is cardboard thin but he says after the first day it doesn’t bother him. I didn’t ask his age, however, I’d wager he couldn’t buy me a beer.
I’m in Washington to decided to have dinner a local brewery. Nice little place called Snow Eater. Had myself a Cubano, a panini style Cuban sandwich, and Snow Ghost, a Belgian wheat beer. Both were quite tasty. Headed back to camp after dark. All is quiet here now. A couple new neighbors have moved in but all are inside doing their own thing. It’s been a long day, we covered 600 miles today, more than I thought. I’m exhausted and just about ready to crash.
Tomorrow we’ll start with completing the mission for this trip. One way or another I get the photo I need. I can’t come to Washington twice and get it. A radar check in the morning will determine where we head. No rain will send us back into Idaho and into the Rockies. Any rain in the mountains will mean I probably head back south. The back tire has a lot more miles on it now but I don’t want to test it’s ability to grip wet roads in the mountains. We’ll see in the morning.
The Motorcycle Diaries of an Easy Rider 