Summer Dream 2006

Does that make you as sad as it does this pair?

A great sendoff breakfast and some last minute sharing. Westward, sunrise behind, very cool mountain air. The ‘deserts’ of Idaho. Swearing to Lil Joe that we won’t rush, this is a two-day trip to Portland, 600 miles. A night in Pendleton, a last night party on the town. But the highways slid by those big black tires in the morning sun. Morning becomes noon and the great ribbon of asphalt, I84 to Boise. A gas stop, back to ride, a gas stop, candy bar and cooooold water. Wheels rolling…. westward.

And the lure of home became a challenge. Daily travels four weeks ago ended when 300 or so miles passed by. Later in the journey it was, see and enjoy and travel, ‘til five or so. The goal of today the same. Travel until five and see where wheels stand. 6000 miles of driving has brought great comfort in many motorcycle conditions. Joe kept egging us on “Hold on seventy old man”; the scenery is boring. And big blue rolled on at seventy, mile after mile, hour after hour. With no detours, no side trips, and yes, the lure of home, the magic hour put us one hundred miles from home. “A piece of cake”, says Joe. “Get us there and I’ll buy the Jack”.

And we three scrambled the final rocks to Timber Creek at 6:30pm. Ironically, the exact time forecast at Boise (IF destiny took us that far). Sadly, in the rush, a couple of good photo opportunities along the way were skipped. The deserts of Idaho and Eastern Oregon, the fields and cattle, the lofty pines of nearing the Columbia, tugs plying the river with cargoes bound east and west. The breathtaking Columbia River Gorge again, the Multonomah Falls, second highest year round waterfall in the nation. 611-feet, ironically the number of miles we drove today, the longest day.

The total journey, 6188 miles
100,000 memories.