PNW Spring Break/2008

[Bill_Anderson]

My riding group took our fifth annual Spring Break ride from May 1-4. We spent Thursday night in Maupin, Oregon and Fri-Sat. nights in John Day, Oregon. It had been snowing in the area a few days before our arrival and there was still a lot of snow on the ground above 4,000 feet elevation.

Rather than write a complete narration of the trip, I will post some photos. If anyone has specific questions about our routes or photo locations, they can ask here or send me a PM.

Photo #1: Shaniko, OR. It is nearly a ghost town with the recent closure of the gas station and hotel.

Photo #2: Ice cream break in Shaniko. The lady stayed open for our late arrival. It was probably the most ice cream she sold all day.

Photo #3: John Day Fossil Beds on Hwy. 218 west of Clarno.

Photo #4: Chuck's Little Diner in Prairie City. A must stop for breakfast.

Photo #5: French toast and bacon breakfast at Chuck's Little Diner.

[Bill_Anderson]

By Friday night everyone had arrived in John Day and Saturday we took a day ride.
Photos #1 & #2: scenic viewpoint of the Strawberry Mtns. off US 26 east of Prairie City.
Photo #3: Summit of Dooley Mtn. on Hwy. 245.
Photo #4: Break at Union, OR. on Hwy. 203.

[Bill_Anderson]

We left Sunday, a day earlier than expected due to unanticipated tire wear on several of our bikes. We divided into two groups leaving John Day. Mark Turbo and I broke from our group in The Dalles to take a scenic tour of the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge.

Photo #1: Sheep Rock off Hwy. 19.
Photo #2 View from Rowena Crest looking east toward The Dalles. Washington is on the left, the Columbia River is in the middle, and Oregon is on the right.
Photo #3 & #4: Scenic road off I-84 to Rowena Crest.
Photo #5: looking north across the Columbia to Lyle, WA. We had ridden through Lyle on Thursday on our way to Maupin.

[Bill_Anderson]

The next stop on our scenic tour of the Gorge using the old highway is Multnomah Falls.

[Bill_Anderson]

Next stop: Crown Point. The view from Crown Point is quite famous. The location is often used for photo shoots for car ads.

Photo #1: Mark Turbo at Crown Point.
Photo #2: Me at Crown Point.
Photo #3: Our Ducs at Crown Point.
Photo #4: Looking east.
Photo #5: Looking north across the Columbia to Washington.

[Bill_Anderson]

Last stop on our tour is Widow's Point. Located just west of Crown Point, Widow's Point offers a spectacular view of Crown Point, as you can see in the photo.

[Bill_Anderson]

Randy the X Man has posted a series of videos he took on our Spring Break ride. I will post links here in chronological order.

Day 1: Washington Hwy. 142
http://www.nwbikers.com/VID_Hwy142.html

Day 1: The Road to Maupin. I make a cameo appearance behind the subtitles at the 4:30 mark.
http://www.nwbikers.com/VID_TheRdToMaupin08.html

Day 2: Maupin to Antelope. That is Mark Turbo on his Multi leading the group.
http://www.nwbikers.com/VID_Maupin2AntelopeSB08.html

Day 2: Antelope to Fossil
http://www.nwbikers.com/VID_Antelope2FossilSB08.html

Day 3: Oregon Hwy. 244
http://www.nwbikers.com/VID_Hwy244Or.html

[John]

Good going Bill. Nice video and music. Did you guys camp or stay in motels?

[Bill_Anderson]

Originally Posted by John

Good going Bill. Nice video and music. Did you guys camp or stay in motels?

We are wimps and stayed in motels.