New Addition to the Garage

I finally took the plunge and purchased a touring bike - a big, beautiful (in my eyes), yellow Gold Wing. What an incredible machine. I can't wait for the opportunity to ride on some long trips this season including Sturgis.

2008 Ride in Central Oregon

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This ride was my first of any length. I was very impressed with the quality of the roads in Oregon and the scenery. I had no idea that the geography was as varied and that the towns we visited had such enduring qualities.

We spent the first night at a state-run camp ground in Mt. Vernon. We had dinner and breakfast at the Silver Spur. The food and the service was excellent. We then traveled to the John Day Fossil Bed Monument, which was a highlight of the trip.

We then visited towns like Fossil, Antelope, and Shaniko. The latter has a quaint hotel that I had read about in Rider Magazine, but was up for sale by the time we arrived. Finding gas along this route was difficult, so I learned never to pass up a station.

We spend the night in Condon. There are two hotels - the Hotel Condon and the Condon Motel. The latter is far less expensive than the former, but the food and service in the former is worth the money.
We arose the next morning, drove to Arlington, and then picked up I-84 back home.

Quite an adventure - coyotes, wonderful scenery, great roads - lots of twisties - and great company with my traveling companion John.

Curse the Weather Forecast!

The weather forecast for the last day of February called for temperatures in the 50s. Never made it, even without winds of up to 25 mph. But the day was not a waste as a small band of real die hard riders made it to El Gallo Giro in Kuna for lunch. I had heard nothing but good things about this place, and I was not disappointed. The food and the service was great! And we got to know some of our friends from Boise Valley Riders a little bit better.