Camping with Gumby and Friends
@BCBackRoads (Wayne) invited me and my spouse to join his crew at the BC BMW Valley Riders Last Chance Camp-n-Ride in Oroville Wa.
Since the weather was good and no ArriveCan app was needed. We packed the sidecar and headed over on Friday to meet the crew.
We had originally planned to take the sidecar, the dog and my wife
(Lori) was to ride her bike. But a change of plans and Lori was in the
tub and the dog was out.
All packed and ready to leave the home ranch
35 min later in Darrington Wa
Nehalem
N Cascades Hwy
The missus and Me
Liberty Bell. It was a bit hazy from the Bolt Creek fire. But the
further east we went, the sky turned much more blue and the smell of
smoke dissipated.
After much road travel through Winthrop, Omak, Tonaskat and a couple of
gas and snack stops, we arrived in Oroville at the Osoyoos Lake Veterans
Memorial Park.
We knew we were at the right place when we say a lineup of BMWs of all sizes gather together like a herd of elk in the park.
Unfortunately, I took no pics. I did a lot of video, but that's not ready to post.
Lori doing her camp dance once the tent was up.
We met a lot of new people, and saw a lot of familiar faces. It was
incredible to meet some old acquaintances , make new friends and connect
with those you've only seen in ride reports and pictures.
Of course @MGV8
(Brian was there) with his new LBS sidecar rig. Sorry Brian, no
pictures. Ugh. I shot lots of video. Again, where was my head... oh
well.
We had nice evening get together and made plans for tomorrow. The cool
thing about this group, is that they are all easy going. The next day
there were many rides to choose from. I had already made plans to take
Lori to the ghost town of Molson and then to Bonaparte Lake. These are 2
favorites of hers from previous trips.
We had to take a pic together while we were fresh before the days ride began.
Wayne and Bruce decided to join us on the ride out to Molson, Chesaw, Lost Lake and Bonaparte Lake.
So off everyone went. Some going to Conconully State Park via the
backcountry way, some heading to work (yes, some folks had to pack up
and work on Sat).
Besides my wife, there was other female GS riders there, one of two
Judys in the bunch. She actually was one who had to pack up and go to
work later that day. However, we met up with her and the other Judy and
others in Chesaw later in the day... more and that later.
Who is Gumby?
Gumby is Waynes little sidekick that rides with him on all his trips.
Gumby is exactly who you think he is.
Best ride Gumby has ever had... BMW moto with leading views, safety strap and eye protection.
We went out to Molson, the GrizzLee route
First we had to make a stop at Sidley. An old townsite that straddled the US/Canadian border.
Wayne and Bruce showed up... They let me lead because I know where Im
going and they, being the gentlemen they are, didn't want to dust both
Lori and I on the dry roads. Thanks Guys!!
Bruce giving a big hug to Canada upon his arrival
Lori trying to incite the border guards here as she makes her way across the border without using the arrivecan app.
We arrive at old Molson (Ghost town) just as the Spokane Valley Porsche club arrives.
I offered to trade my hack and all the gear on my bike, plus $20 USD for this ride. But the owner was having none of that.
Using pieces of hardware I found around the townsite, I was trying to manufacture a sidecar unit to bring back to camp.
Here I found the tub. Perfect!
Here is the best I could do for a tug. Love them rear wheels. I don't
think I'd have much wear issues on the tires. By my figuring, I didn't
need to add a sidecar wheel to the tub either. Using some of the local
metal and welder, I think the tub I found would attach nicely and tuck
in neatly behind the front wheel. 
We thought that the local sheriff were after the Porsche club for
speeding. Turns out, we probably should've slowed down on the bridge
back by Sidley lake. After a bribe of $20 and all the pocket change I
had, I told the Sheriff to have a nice lunch on us. Good enough 
Leaving Molson, there is a paved road back to the Chesaw hwy. Since I
was leading, I decided to take the more scenic gravel route to see some
old homesteads.
Yessir, this beauty is probably one of the last sub $1M homes left in
Washington State. A little fixer upper. Live like Laura Ingall's on the
little house on the prairie. Yep, that's a pigeon on top. You could
charge rent or let him stay for free. 
Meanwhile, Wayne is looking at the map and scratching his head saying
"why in hell did I let this guy lead?" Now my bike is dirty, and so is
Gumby dammit!
I told Gumby that we'd be out on paved road soon.
I'd buy him a beer at the Chesaw tavern.
Well, we arrived at Chesaw and saw another part of our group there ahead
of us. They took the paved route. Gumby was still mumbling under his
breath about this. 
The other Judy, and crew were pouring over a paper map. Not sure what
was wrong with the BMW Navigator.. except that maybe with this bunch, me
included, found it technically inferior to navigate by. Hey, I can
barely figure out my iPhone. But paper maps are golden.
All was good as we went in to the Chesaw Tavern to get a bite.
Gumby was not happy. Apparently, that beer I promised him he couldn't
have. He was under age and didn't fit in with the decor of the place. He
did argue that he was born in 1957 and he did argue that he had a
horse named pokey on his ranch at home and the blockheads were watching
his place. But the barmaid wasn't having any of it. So he had to site
outside. I did bring him some ice tea. 
Chesaw is a cool little (very, very little) town. A mercantile store, a
general store with gas, a tavern and a post office. What more could a
person need.
Meanwhile, there was still a commotion going on in front of the Chesaw Store regarding directions on that map. Hmmm...
Off we went, Lori, Bruce, Wayne and myself to head out to Lost Lake and Bonaparte Lake.
As I was in the lead, I took them on some more FS roads. I was a bit
worried that Bruce and his road oriented sidecar rig were going to beat
me to a pulp back at camp. I recall him asking if there was any
washboard roads on the way. I replied, "not when I was here last time a
couple years ago". "Smooth as butter" I said <insert evil grin
here>
But then we turn off on to FS 4867 (Myers Creek Road) and of course it
is laden with washboard. I felt a little worried and guilty.
Bruce lost one of his running lights on his hack and we waited a bit for
him to catchup. He stated that everyone is always trying to turn him
into a GS rider. But so far he has refused... hmmm... next year, boy do I
have another route planned for him. Better bring a winch buddy and a
shovel
Heading to Lost Lake and then to Bonaparte Lake.
We arrived at lost lake campground and found it nearly empty.
I think Wayne made a mental note for a future campout. I know Lori and I
would attend if schedule permitted. Nice group site right on the lake.
No pics... again only video.
We then cruised about 3 miles to Bonaparte Lake via FS rd 050. We passed
by the lost lake guard station and a couple of nice lake docks (private
I assume).
It was in this section where I lost both Bruce and Wayne. After a brief
wait, Wayne showed up and told Lori and I about Bruce's driving light
Vibrating loose.
After a bit, Bruce came rambling down the road mumbling something about GS riders.
I promised him that the way back to camp will be all on pavement. So we reached a truce.
We reached Bonaparte Lake and all was forgotten. What a beautiful place.
Again, I seeded the idea of a group campout here as well.
When lori and I camped here, we heard loons in the late evening hours at our camp.
That's me taking a selfy with Bonaparte Lake behind.
Parting shot....
Ducks kept being persistent in their need to be fed.
There's a saying I've heard "If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it must be a KLR rider"
So we left, opting not to feed the ducks. 
We had a fun ride home on the chesaw-oroville road back to camp. Very
scenic and definitely a worthwhile ride with the fall colors all out in
full display. Yeah, I know..I know... no photos of this. Only video.
Back in camp I see and admire Adrian's R100 GS Bumble Bee. I absolutely love the looks of this bike.
We had a great campfire that night and I'll steal Brian's (@MGV8) photos for this (below).
And a snippet of his Overland hack. Which he graciously let me test ride. I'm jealous.
A great time for my wife and I.
The next day, the missus and I had an
uneventful ride back to Winthrop and through the North Cascades park road
(Hwy 20). The scenery here never gets old.
Take Care, -GrizzLee
