RubiKon Adventures

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Hold the Sails: Washington Coast Motorcycle Escape

Time spent at home on nice weekends is time misspent. It was time to go to the coast and see what nature has to offer. The weekend was looking good, albeit, a bit on the chilly side. However, it was a good time to pack the tent, the sleeping bag, the stove, some warm clothes and the camera. With the mountains still full of wintery wanderlust, no passage could be secured. My soul began to wander towards the coastal regions of the state. I am no matelot, but rather a fully seasoned skipper and my 2 wheeled vessel was tugging me westward. But to sail as the crow flies on this journey would have been a mistake. There is much scenery to plunder and many beautiful ports of call. So it was. I left the hustle and bussle of the Seattle's crowded harbor to make like the wind to the shores of the southern Washington coast. Places like Cape Disappointment, Dismal Nitch, Beard's Hollow and Gray's Harbor beckoned me. More delightful names they could not be, but when the sun is shining on the sea, one would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful place to sail overland in the winter.

Watch the Video Summary

Sailing among ancient trees, the current was twisty and humid.

Awe, the Chehalis River and Rainbow Falls State Park.
Just enough sun to keep the frost off my sails and keep me moving.

We sailed through many small ports:
Yelm, Tenino, Chehalis, Raymond and South Bend.
On one ocaasion, my sails caught too much wind
and a harbor guard flashed his lights in warning.
I wished for some windage to slow my approach.

Enlarge to read. Many have come before...
Some in a lead-lined coffins filled with alcohol.

On a hill lies his resting place
so that he can see the land he so desired to settle.

When sailing over land, one does not encounter normal sea
creatures like whales or dolphins.
Instead I encounter a herd of Elk near Bay City.

Looking across midship, one can faintly see the herd.

Willapa Bay, no finer sailing destination to cleanse one's soul.

Caught in a moment of slack tide.

Not a seagull, but a raptor looking for rodents.
I must admit, my presnece did nothing for the bird's peace of mind.
It took off before I could capture it closeup.

Cape Dissapointment Light House.
If there was disppointment in the area,
I must have missed it. It was gorgeous.

I docked my vessle next to the sea and hiked around a bit.

Off to Astoria, Oregon to spend the night.

Nature had another surprise for me.
It was low tide and the sun was setting

The next day at Lewis and Clark National Park

That area down that way is known as Beard's Hollow.
It was named for Capt. Beard who's ship sank near
the mouth of the Columbia River in 1853.
All hands were lost.
Beard's body was found on the beach near this hollow.

Later that morning I sail back north, again towards Willapa Bay.

No harbor in Seattle can compare to this.

Shortly after leaving here, I find myself in mixed heavy fog and
light sunshine for the rest of the day.

The sun came out for good north of Gray's Harbor and I had a fantastic cruise up the northern coast, touching Quinalt lake breifly before I head back to the Olympic Coast. I got side tracked by some fellow sailors who where out commanding their own two-wheeled vessels. They recognized me and my bike from my you tube videos. It's a small world they said. As one of them just watched my riding videos to Bella Coola B.C. that morning before setting sail.

I knew the weather wouldn't hold for another day, so I followed a fellow BMW R1200 GS rider and his wife (riding two up) back to Port Angeles. I arrived back at my home port on the east side of Lake Sammaish at 9:00. The temperature had just starting dipping below 40 degrees. Thank god for the invention of heated grips.

Until Next Time...

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Long, Blue, Orange, Spiky-Edged Shadows

"Long, blue, spiky-edged shadows crept out across the snow-fields, while a rosy glow, at first scarce discernible, gradually deepened and suffused every mountain-top, flushing the glaciers and the harsh crags above them. This was the alpenglow, to me the most impressive of all the terrestrial manifestations of God. At the touch of this divine light, the mountains seemed to kindle to a rapt, religious consciousness, and stood hushed like devout worshippers waiting to be blessed.” ― John Muir

Every now and then luck wins out. I came home from work and the sky was clear, there was a cool bite in the air. Longing for a quick ride to escape the doldrums of a long work day, I suited up and hopped on Gretchen for a an enchanted ride to the foothills of the Cascade mountains. WOW!! The clouds bordered the edge of the mountains and fresh snow littered the slopes the night before. It was one of those "moments" frozen just for a few minutes while the sun glistened off the clouds as it bid adieu for the day.

Classic Ride

Panoramic Photo (Click to enlarge)

Looking towards Alpine Lakes and the start of the goodies

Clearcuts provide fodder for white snow patches

Mt Si from the old Snoqualmie Winery Site... Now a Park

The snow flowed down the clear cuts
like a cascading waterfall

Mt Si getting ready to bloom

See those mountains... I love them

Looking down into the little town of Snoqualmie

Wish I knew what peak this was... the sky caught fire

Hmmm.. I should learn the names of these peaks

Fire Walk With Me ...
North Bend was the setting for the TV show Twin Peaks

More Fire

A peak poking out from behind as if to say "ME TOO"

Triple snow cascade falls

After the show, it was off to North Bend and the back roads around Snoqualmie, through the town of Fall City and I am back home. 20 minutes later I was home getting dinner and reflecting on the all too brief encounter with the mountains. Spring is still a ways off, but one can always dream.

Until Next Time...