About Me

Eugene, OR, United States

Niagra Falls, NY Sept. 24, 2007

Niagra Falls, NY  Sept. 24, 2007
My first helicopter trip! What a rush!

Many thanks to...

Several folks deserve some special recognition for different reasons.

Natalie, my wife, you are SO WONDERFUL! I'll be home "soon." (Next month???)
Josh, my tech guy (son) who puts up with simple, dumb questions asked for the 8th time.
Karla, my graphics person for the neat business cards!
Stacey, for taking care of her Mom!

Jon Hardisty, on the phone motorcycle mechanic!
Travis and the whole crew at University Motors in Fargo, ND.
"Ya'll are great!"
All the guys at Town and Country Motorsports in Murray, KY.
Jason at ASK Motorsports in Columbus, OH.
Greg and his crew at Riders Edge in Gettysburg, Pa.
I appreciate the QUICK service.

My church family at Fairfield Baptist in Eugene, OR who are continually lifting me
to "the throne of grace" for a safe and fun trip!

The wonderful folks of Kingston and Harriman, TN who took great care of me
as a result of Day #75's little "mishap."

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Day #3 July 26, 2007


Day 3
Thursday July 26, 2007

Winthrope, WA to Libby, MT
386 miles today (14,610 -14,996)
987 miles total
2 new states today, ID & MT
4 states total

What a long day it was! I wanted to be on the road early to beat the heat, so I got up at 4:30AM. The sun was just peeking over the eastern hills when I pulled out at 6:45AM. I could already tell it was going to be hot. My goal today was to make Montana.

I can’t remember where I came out of my leather today. Against Don Brunk’s advice, I rode in a T-shirt and chaps today. It was a long ride to Spokane, but the view was incredible. I just love the high desert of eastern Oregon and Washington. I stopped at the Grand Coulee dam for a while and toured the visitors center. Had my picture taken by other tourists. I also met a Nat'l Park Ranger from Hawaii. He works at the Haliaukala Volcano. Nat and I were just there in January. Neat!

I stopped for lunch in Spokane about 1:30PM and had a big chicken salad, drank several glasses of ice tea and water, and just cooled down. The temp at this time was at or above 100 degrees.
I stopped at the Yamaha dealer on the way out of town and purchased oil and a filter for my first “on the road” oil change. This should prove interesting, as I've never changed the oil on the bike before. Ramsey-Waite has always taken care of that for me.

I missed my turn on I-90 to Sandpoint, ID and had to backtrack about 10 or more miles. I hate doing that. I had a LONG wait (30+ minutes) to cross a 4 lane bridge into Sandpoint, ID. I was sitting in the hot sun, with the engine off, several times during the wait. (I would later discover road construction would be a constant on my trip.) The ride into Montana was beautiful! Again, reminds me of Oregon. The terrain was very similar to central Oregon, with the pine trees, the sandy soil, and the roadway shaded by the shadows created by a late afternoon sun. At some point this afternoon I lost a towel, wash cloth, gym shorts and nylon mesh laundry bag. I had them strapped to my ice chest with a bungee cord (travelers automatic clothedryer), but they blew off somewhere along the way!

I stayed at Wildwood RV Park tonight. I am camped next to a Canadian couple on a nice big Goldwing. They take a 3-4 week trip every year on their bike. They gave me some good tips about riding long trips, packing, etc. They were very polite and helpful to me.
They are the kind of people I had hoped I would meet on this trip.

I did have a “close call” this afternoon. I was just pulling up to a stoplight when a big Ford truck decided, all of a sudden, he would pull into my lane for some reason. I think he was going to turn right from the outside lane, but he had to move into the outside lane first. He was a couple of feet into my lane, and I was moving quickly to the curb, before he finally saw me. It was just an accident, but he just pretty near got me!! Yikes!

I should sleep well as I am very tired and wore out from the heat.

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