Riding solo after so many days of riding with Bill seemed odd. I was so used to seeing him and his KTM in my vision ahead, that I felt a bit loss not seeing him. I have had the pleasure of Gary’s company on some longer journeys, but never anyone else. A few days collaboration rides with other mates, but that’s usually all and then I’m back to my dedicated solo riding. This was quite different, I not only enjoyed Bill’s company as a rider mate, but gained some valuable tips on riding and some good critiques. His sense of humor and respect for my craziness, made every day a new chapter so, he was missed as I gazed at the road ahead lacking his KTM taillights.

I was not thrilled with these tail lights…;)

This place in Lostine, OR is always worth a photo.

This was a day that I would be yelled at twice. Both times, unwarranted. I was trying to make my ride one of some interest and wanted to avoid I84 for as long as possible, so I left Enterprise on Hwy 82 and went north on Hwy 204 to Weston then on I84 to the bridge at Biggs where I crossed the Columbia over to Washington and then rode to the Bridge of the Gods to cross back over and ride into Portland.

My first lecture was on 204 when I approached some road construction that had a line of traffic and I rode to the front of the line, as I usually do, so that I can talk to the traffic controller and see how much time we are looking at waiting or what’s up. Well, someone got up on the wrong side of the bed. The woman, started waving her stop sign and yelling. When I stopped to hear her, she asked, “just what do you think you are doing?”, to which I replied, coming up to check in with you and see what’s up, but I guess you didn’t want me up there, eh?. She was so pissed she could barely talk. “You can’t do that, there are people waiting, it’s hardly fair.” Ya whatever, it’s not like there are 30 of me, spewed the selfish Donna. But my sane side came through and I apologized for “taking cuts” so the evil eye wounds could heal. Now this is what I didn’t understand. The sign queen told me that’s it ok to ride to the front when they are chip sealing, but NOT ok when they are paving. Hmmm…now how would I know this if I didn’t ride to the front? Wow, talk about an enigma! Finally, the pilot car arrived and we has this silly parade over about a 5 mile stretch when the paving was only being done over about 200 ft. What a waste of half an hour.

After that section, the road was darned awesome, with lots of twisties and GOOD tarmac, so the paving crew proved itself. I continued onto I84 and stopped in Pendleton to recharge my ipod and coffee craving, knowing what lay ahead…Boredom.

When I crossed the Columbia and began riding up the Washington side, the scenery was much better, the traffic less, but the wind just as angry as on the freeway. Wind surfing in Hood River is huge, and with these gale winds, it was suddenly apparent why it was so popular. As I approached Hood River, I could see the Columbia littered with brightly colored sails moving briskly along the surface.

Mt Hood in the background of the Columbia

I finally arrived at the Bridge of the Gods only to get in trouble yet again, this time for holding up the line, as I had to dismount to get some change for the 50 cent toll, since my riding pants pocket only contained Canadian coins. Well, it does take a moment to open my side bag, get my purse, get my wallet out of my purse and get out money. I took my time, after a guy yelled, “come on lady, you are holding up an entire line”. And here I offered the toll woman two twonies, which is $4 bucks in Canada and she replied,”can’t do it, I’m afraid. They don’t let us take foreign money”. So, instead I got into trouble. I wanted to yell out to the guy, “pay my toll and save the grief”, but alas too late for that. Instead he tailgated me to the interstate, where I lost him in 1/10 of a second, moron.

BOTGs

A tour boat near the bridge

Another attempt at art…i thought it was cool 😉

I stopped for a final fill up and got Bill’s text message that he was enjoying happy hour. Grrrrr and I still had about an hour to go to get to my son’s home and any semblance of happy. Get going, girl!!

I was thrilled to get to PDX, play with the grand boys and visit my son and daughter-in-law and have a bit of happy hour of my own. That was awesome.

My family…

Grandson #1 Hayden…look at those eyes!

Grandson #2 Elijah…what a card this kid can be.

Grandma Donna…wow, how strange to say that!

After visiting with the kids, I went and saw my sis at work and then spend a night with my mom. Mom and I had a late dinner at Stanfords only to discover it was “happy hour” after 9pm…wow, how cool is that. All bar food was 1/2 off. Hell, it ended up being the cheapest meal of the trip, including drinks!

I spent the afternoon sweet talking Beaverton Motorcycle into replacing my rear tire. It was worn past the wear bars and a bit squared off and now was as good as time as any before taking on the central OR twisties. They were absolutely fantastic there and Chad Cody, got me in and out in 45 minutes, with not only a new tire, but a washed bike, lubed and tightened chain, and a 100% once over. I was now ready to go and meet Bill.