First Spring... June 4th 2011

[Bruce H]

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First Spring... June 4th 2011

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When I got this 2007 Dakar it was mostly a stock bike, now a few months later it is ready to ride. In addition to the panniers, trunk, crash bars, hand guards, lights, tool tubes and windscreen I also did the service which included chain & sprockets, tires, engine oil, coolant, spark plugs, fork oil and taking the cams out to do the valves plus what ever else needed to be done.. Wow, a lot of work! Now all I needed was a break in the weather. There have been a few rides around home, most involving rain, what I wanted was some sun and distance... This past weekend was forecast for just that. Lyn had a few days of vacation and I wouldn't be missed at work. It looked like the best and warmest weather would be in the Columbia River Gorge. Thursday afternoon we were off.

Friday morning we awoke to beautiful blue skies in The Dalles...

There are so many places in these canyons to ride, a favorite place for sure. We stayed on the Washington side for most of a day covering from Stevenson, up the hill to Klickitat, east to Bickelton and then back down to the Columbia River at Roosevelt. Exploring the side canyons off the beaten path and roads less traveled kept the day interesting. We didn't have an agenda or any place to be, just here to ride and enjoy the warm sunshine. Sunny spring weather has been a little short this year.

Lyn, stopping along the river...

The air was clear, Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood were the most prominent peaks visible but today Mount St Helens and Mt. Rainier along with Jefferson and what we thought might be Broken Top were also visible. Lots of times in the past when here the air was dirty and these couldn't be seen. It is going to be a nice weekend!

on top of the world...

The next day we explored Oregon, from the Columbia River to Tygh Valley across Sheers Bridge and up the hill to Grass Valley. At the Oregon Raceway Park in Grass Valley today's track time involved motorcycles. Always thought this was a strange place for such a nice race track. Oh well, if in the city I'd never see it. We didn't have a long lens so there aren't any photos but it was fun to watch as they zipped around the track.

school must be out...

after breakfast we went looking for something to shoot...

somebody already shot these?...

a few flowers...

a favorite...

church in the wildwood...

lonely road, nice!...

To boldly go where I have not gone before, that final frontier. This bike is lighter and smaller than my GS Adventurer and will augment my ride areas, what FUN!...

Rice Elevator, 1916...

don't know where they went? just left it along the road...



lots of sun and high eighty's both Friday and Saturday, so nice!

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Thanks for riding along, Bruce & Lyn...

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