Why Nova Scotia?

Why not Nova Scotia might be the better question. It's one of those exotic sounding places that I've never been to and that's reason enough for me. I plan on leaving around the 8th of May and spending several weeks on the ride. Along the way I'll be camping out, visiting unsuspecting friends , and maybe getting to ride along with them for awhile. Let me know if you're up to either!

CLICK ON THE PICTURES FOR A LARGER IMAGE, THEN USE YOUR BACK KEY TO RETURN TO REGULAR VIEWING.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

May 27 – Beaverton to Spokane – 350 red hot miles today











George and I had breakfast one last time at Tom’s Gastronomical Hotcake Palace this morning, then I packed it up and jumped into the morning traffic heading east. I crossed the Willamette River and rode out I-84 in the opposite direction we’d taken on our way home from the Klickitat run the other day. The Cascade Salmon Hatchery at Cascade Locks caught my attention so I took an early break to stretch and look at the facility. They’re doing a pretty good job I think, without them helping out Mother Nature we probably wouldn’t have any wild salmon left.

Lunch break was in Arlington where I enjoyed the best club house sandwich I think I’ve ever had. It was at one of those little hole-in-the-wall places where the locals eat and it couldn’t have been better. I also gassed the bike, cleaned the bugs off my helmet visor, and then changed out of Big Red into jeans and my 35-year old leather jacket. The temperature had risen steadily all morning and I was beginning to roast.
.
Turning north just shy of Pendleton I continued on into the inferno heading towards Kennewick, WA. After riding awhile I realized the heat was too extreme for even the lightweight leather jacket so I stopped at a rest stop and changed into one of Fast Company’s Draggin Kevlar shirts. Underneath it and my jeans I put on a set of Bohn Body Armor and it made all the difference in the world. The Kevlar has a very open mesh weave to it and allows maximum air flow while providing great protection.
.
Later in the afternoon I stopped off at the Honda dealer in Kennewick, WA. I was hoping to buy one of those clips you use to keep the hose at the gas pump from shutting off constantly. They’re a simple device but by using one you can fill your bike’s tank all the way up, otherwise the damn things shut off early and you end up shy a gallon or so. On a 4 gallon tank that’s not so good. The dealer knew exactly what I wanted but they don’t carry them so I’ll keep looking. As a note of interest they also stock a good selection of Aprilias. He said the locals apparently don’t seem to be ready for sporty bikes yet so they’ve got some great prices if anyone’s interested. I had to drag myself away from there.

After leaving his place I continued straight on to Spokane, arriving at the local Motel 6 around 5:30pm. The room looks like a clone of the last one I stayed at and the ice machine works great so I don’t have to drink my whiskey warm. Unfortunately I had a meatloaf sandwich for dinner so now I have heartburn to deal with. Maybe the whiskey will help?
.
PS – Did I mention George has a guard cat named Traveler? One of the biting kind? He even bites George on occasion. Jeeze… Maybe he should take him to the fish hatchery once in awhile.

2 comments:

  1. When you get out of the coastal states you are not going to have to worry about a clip for the gas as the rest of the states don't have that silly hose combination.
    I worked for awhile by the Tri-cities of Wash. and know what you mean by warm weather. Looks like you are headed the right direction for the "Refreshing " weather.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It seems it's an elective thing even in WA, and so far in ID and MT I haven't seen any. Canada remains to be seen, I'll find out in the morning when I gas up. Weather's good, got lots of stuff to report on today.
    See ya,
    LL

    ReplyDelete