PNW Spring Break 2010 - Ducati.ms

Bill_Anderson · May 26th, 2010, 1:43 am

We took our annual Spring Break Ride on May 21-24. We used to take these rides in mid April, but we keep moving them back a week in the hopes of findnig good weather. This year was no exception to bad weather and we were riding just below the snow line in several locations.

These were my 2nd-5th days on a bike since my accident near Weaverville during last year's Spring Break. Due to the lousy weather and my having to continually play catch-up to the group, I did not take as many photos as usual. Here are some of the few that I did take.

Day 2
Photo #1: Boggans Oasis on the Grande Ronde River at the foot of Rattlesnake Grade. This is where we ride to eat pie, around 400 miles one-way from the Seattle area. The canyon was very green due to the late spring rains.

Photo #2: Looking south. The road winds up the south rim of the canyon and passes from Washington into Oregon about 2/3 of the way up to the top. One of our guys had to stop for pigs in the road near the top.

Photo #3: Looking north, the way we rode in and the way we will ride out.

Photos #4-5: Intersection of Idaho Rts. 13 and 14 at the bottom of Holman Grade east of Grangeville. That is the South Fork of the Clearwater River.

Bill_Anderson · May 26th, 2010, 1:47 am

Day three
On the ride from Orofino, ID to Colville, WA., we took a detour on the St. Joe River Rd. east from St. Maries to the former railroad town of Avery. When the Milwaukee Road abandoned its mainline from the Midwest to Seattle, the town all but died.

The road continues east and crosses the Bitterroot Mtns. into Montana, where it joins I-90. It was closed farther up due to snow.

Bill_Anderson · May 26th, 2010, 1:49 am

Day four
Photos #1-3: Our ride home from Colville involved taking the Inchelium ferry across the Columbia River.

Photo #4: We rode Tribal Road #140 across the Colville Indian Reservation between Nespelem and Omak. Part of the route paralled the Columbia River.

Bill_Anderson · May 26th, 2010, 1:52 am

The final leg was across the portion of Washington State Hwy. #20 known as the North Cascades Highway. This route is not kept plowed and is closed during the winter.

Photo #1: Darkwing Duc parked at a trailhead rest stop.

Photos #2-5: The Diablo Dam overlook is a mandatory stop to take in the view.

Bill_Anderson · May 26th, 2010, 1:52 am

I hope you enjoyed the photos. How does it feel to resume riding after a year's absence by jumping into a four day, 1,480 mile road trip? I am no sorer than usual, just a bit more tired