Homeless sleep on grass.

Thursday the 14^th

Half a day in Spokane Washington State

Spent the morning being shown around the centre of Spokane by Hugh’s friend Anne and Michael. Lovely city with a very vibrant snow melt river running through it. In 1974 Spokane held the World’s Expo. We were shown many interesting features and buildings. Some restored to their magnificent glory and past deco style as in the Fox theatre. Had morning tea at Anne and Michael’s house then said our farewells and on the road again to Missoula Montana. Lost an hour on the time zone.

Rory had been updating the seat on his bike with much foam and duct tape over several days but today he got serious. He added what seemed like all the foam from a queen size mattress and two cushions. Then taped it on with a carton of gaffa tape. See photo. We are wondering if some homeless person in Spokane is still looking through parks for his mattress?

Back to USA

Wed 12 Kelowna BC to Spokane Washington State.

My last post came up with today’s date also. It really was Tuesday that we left Seattle but the post automatically puts today’s date on it.’

Today we left Kelowna and travelled for many kilometers along the shores of Lake Okanagan. It reminds me a little of Queenstown NZ but it has summer fruit orchards on the land around. Travelled again through a mountain range pass as high as the snow line with the last of the winter snow still melting. The stream running alongside us is small but grows larger as we go. Eventually becoming a river.

We cross the border again back into USA and Washington State. We take some minor roads this time and through farming land, some poor others more prosperous. A shorter ride today into Spokan a city of about 450,000 people. We meet a couple who are Hugh’s friends and they take us to a fish restaurant overlooking the Sookane River. We walk to the restaurant and cross the river twice on walking bridges. It is fast wide, and in the middle of the city. A small power generator building built in 1922 is humming. A little further on the river is louder as it crashes over falls. From the dinner table the flood lights highlight the white water falling over the rocks. A special place to celebrate with friends over a classy meal.

We are one and a half weeks into our adventure and have already hit the northern most point and turned south. Time to slow a little and look for some extra rides in the area. Myabe Yellowstone Park?

From Seattle to Kelowna Canada

Tuesday the 11th

Leave Seattle in morning, roads are busy, made it to Canadian border at Sumas and passed through the border check without problems and rode onto Abbotsford, British Columbia, through a wide valley with steep mountains and some snow caps. The valley was interesting from a farming point. The smells were varied, from the many dairies with the cows still in barns, ploughed fields, hay cutting and raking. The scene was different again. Stopped for a sandwich lunch at Hope, with a wide flat flowing river across the road and snow capped mountains again close by. After checking with locals we took the mountain pass to the Okanagan River.
The trip turned to high tension when at the near top of the climb we realized we were low on fuel in the bikes and still too far to run to the next town. Stopped at the peak and threw some snow at each other debated whether to use the gallon of fuel we had in the vehicle. Decided to see how far we could drive only to realize we had a long downhill run. So into neutral for 25 kilometers and saw a sign to Peachland. Had to use power for the last few meters and one bike actual ran out a few meters from the fuel bowser. Enough excitement for one day. Started at 8.15 am and go to our hotel at Kelowna at 7.15 pm.

The photo above is of lake Okanagan which is 200 Klm long, about 3 Klm wide and 1.6 Klm deep. Fresh water and in a dry climate that has a warm spring summer season. There are many vineyards here and also cherries, apples, berries and fruit orchards. It seems unatural given the high mountains and abvious snow fields close by. Altitude about 800 feet. A very popular reirement area and the town and surounds are modern and fresh.

Lay Day In Seattle

Monday 10^th

Lay day in Seattle

Great to have a day off the bikes. Let the bum recover. Some of us had a Boeing Factory tour. Interesting 43 Hectare building 5 stories high with at least three models being built. Some turn out a complete plane every 3-5 days. Some parts and large section of fuselage are flown in from Japan and other countries in oversize jumbos. Three large paint sheds complete the planes. They have a new model 787 which is a twin engine plane with over size seating and isles. No cameras allowed.

Visited the markets in Seattle and had lunch overlooking the large harbor. (No truth in the rumor we are eating our way to Canada, rather than riding to Canada, as suggested by one rider’s partner.) Visited the Pikes fish market and watched the fish vendors throwing large fish to the filleting and packing crew. Very entertaining, but too quick to catch on camera.

Woke to see wet streets and light rain. How lucky are we? The bikes are under cover and we didnt have to ride today. Rain cleared early.

(Spell check by Microsoft word (about time some would say))

Into Washington State

Sunday the 9th

Mothers day. Hope all you mothes back home had a good day.

The photo is of a new dodge pickup at a fuel stop north of Salem. Cummins diesel with a five speed outo and suspension lift. Big tyres and all the leather and electric everything. Worth about US$42,000. Not an uncommon site. Petrol here is about 85 cents a litre.

We Left Lincoln City Oregon and rode about 340 miles to Seattle (Wash) via Portland (Or).

This time on interstate 5 as the country opened out more into low hills and green flattish country. Saw what was probably mount St Helens behind Portland. It looked like a great big icecream with snow all over the volcanic shaped inverted cone.

Portland looked interesting as we passed through it travelling over a high bridge over a large river (probably Salmon river). Definitely worth another look.

The afternoon got quite warm, especially when we stopped. The traffic got heavey 30 miles out from Seattle even down to a 5 lane crawl. Would not like to commmut given this was a Sunday afternoon. Very large sprawling city. We are staying down town. It tested the navigator to get here. Will stay two nights.

Gribbs's on the mend

Sat 8th May

This photo is of the coast in Oregon at a point close to the largest seal colony in the world. The sea is very calm. Just one of many spectacular coastal views.

Graham has been riding with Ken in the SUV for a while with we thought the flu and a stiff neck. We decided to take him to a doctor in Lincoln City. After running several tests the Dr declaired nothing contagious and he is comming good with some pills. Started to perk up today the 9th even pointed out our short commings, a good sign.
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Timber House Eureka

Rory & Hugh outside a timber house in Eureka, built to look like a stone house in 1885. It was built by a timber King William Carson but is now an exclusive mens club.

The detail in the outside of the house is fantastic and must cost a fortune to keep up. Opposite this house was a largish timber house about 100 years old but similar to many in the area.