Today was my first day spent off the bike. My friend Colleen drove me into town and dropped me off at the Pike Place Market. The market houses many vendors selling things from meat, fish, flowers, handmade goods, and all kinds of collectibles. I walked through the stalls that wind down many floors which overlook the Puget Sound. I had to be a tourist and purchase an espresso from the original Starbuck's. The logo at the store was the original which has now been toned down a bit to provide a little more coverage. It was a brisk morning and I spent about an hour winding through the shops. After Colleen's meeting we both went to see the REI flagship store downtown. The building is a huge three stories of retail space with a restaurant and a two story indoor climbing wall. The outside has an inner city forrest with hiking trails to test shoes and other trails to test ride bikes. After working at the REI in Atlanta for three years it was nice to finally get to see the huge facility. We purchased some fresh meat and veggies form the market for grilling tonight at a friends house down the street. This friend rides BMW motorcycles and also has a Rhodesian Ridgeback very much like mine. So we will take Doak, the Ridgeback pictured below, and let the dog play in their field, while the humans enjoy steaks and beer. 

   The little town I am staying in reminds me very much of Highlands North Carolina where my father lives. Everywhere you look there are huge trees with a mountain backdrop. The people here are laid back and very eco-friendly. There are recycling bins on the corners next to the trash cans. I really have enjoyed my time here. It has helped me recharge my batteries for the next leg of this trip. After leaving Seattle on Sunday morning, the six of us will be in some desolate places. We will have to travel north through British Columbia to get to Prince Rupert where our ferry departs. That distance alone will be 1000 miles in two days. But the ferry ride will be a nice and relaxing ride to see the inside passage of Alaska. 

 

Wednesday May 28^th.  Boise to North Bend Washington.

 

Today we made an early start from the Super 8 in Boise Idaho after another free breakfast at the motel. We were on the road around 8am headed north into the middle of Idaho and then in to eastern Oregon. There were clouds looming most of the morning so we decided to put the rain gear on when the clouds became darker. After passing into Oregon we rode through a little rain that lasted almost an hour. After crossing into Oregon the we climbed in the lush green hills with sweeping valleys stretching as far as the eye can see. I led the group on a little side road that wound up the side of a mountain and once at the top provided a spectacular view of Deadman's Pass, We stopped for photos and walked around a bit, then remounted and began the ride again stopping at a couple more scenic overlooks along the way.

 I had found Baker City Oregon on the map a few months ago, so I wanted to stop there and get a photo, if not a sticker or t-shirt. I walked out with just a post card. Baker City was very small and there were no shops that sold stickers, and I didn’t want to make the guys wait in the rain much longer. So we moved on and rode until we came upon Pendelton Oregon, an old western town that still had an old west feel. I stopped into a western wear shop that made hand made saddles and other leather good something I don't usually see back home.We found a nice little Italian café where we all had some sort of Pasta pizza dish for lunch. A nice little setting with outdoor tables where we could enjoy the overcast but dry weather. 

We left Pendelton and soon after I made a planned split from the group and head to North Bend,  Washington where I have friends from Atlanta living now. The rest of the guys went toward Mount St. Helen and then Portland. Soon after I left the other guys I crossed into Washington State. Once again the scenery changes right after you cross the border. Oregon had large trees and huge hills and valleys and then the south of Washington state was chock full of winery vineyards and farmland. This farmland provided some incredible views of the big sky. The openness of this region allows you to see so much of the clouds and the visibility is far superior to the southeast. I worked my way through the farms and grapes and got on to I-90 which runs toward Seattle. The winds picked up and the terrain became much more hilly with huge evergreen trees on both sides of the canyon I was riding through. I passed a handful of ski resorts and then began my decent into the valley which holds North Bend fighting crazy side wind hitting from both side this time and not just the left like the week before. The temperature dropped in to the low 50's and the clouds became thicker, which then turned into a light drizzle. I was only about two miles from my exit so I didn't bother adding a layer of rain protection.  I found Josh and Colleen's house and was greeting by Colleen and her three four legged children Doak, Mickey, and Milo.

The Burins took me out on the town once I got settled and showered. We went to look at Snoqualmie Falls and had a drink in the bar that overlooks the falls. We then drove back into town and had dinner and another local beer at a nice little restaurant. Since we awoke at 5:30 am I am a bit tired tonight and can't write much more, so let the photos do some talking and I will save some stories for tomorrow.  In the morning Colleen will drive me into Seattle and let me walk around town so I can explore it on foot. The exercise will feel good after sitting for a week. 

  The ride today was full of beauty and once again I was taken back by all of it. It would be hard to drive through this region and not be impressed.