FOG OVER THE PUYALLUP VALLEY
September 30, 2011
Yeah, I know it sucks.The summer we almost never had is coming to an end. Never mind that the decent weather seemed to only show up a month or so ago. But, what can ya do?
We have been blessed with some really nice days as we close out September, and I've managed to find time to do some short fun rides: Portland for Chinese Food, around the Hood Canal, along the Kitsap Peninsula, and general running around.
One day last week, the weather cooperated and the sun warmed up early---and I hit the road! There was a little fog hanging over the valley as I rolled out of Bonney Lake, but the skies otherwise were bright blue and clear. I decided that, even after cris-crossing the country this past summer, I really wanted to ride the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway and make some of my favorite stops before the summer disappeared completely. I saddled up, kicked the Road King into gear, and headed south on I-5, then I-205 toward Portland. I’m normally not one for music on my trips, but the run down I-5 can be kind of boring, so I hooked up my MP3 and cranked it up. A little Metallica and Motley Crue never hurts on a freeway run!
Yeah, I know it sucks.The summer we almost never had is coming to an end. Never mind that the decent weather seemed to only show up a month or so ago. But, what can ya do?
We have been blessed with some really nice days as we close out September, and I've managed to find time to do some short fun rides: Portland for Chinese Food, around the Hood Canal, along the Kitsap Peninsula, and general running around.
One day last week, the weather cooperated and the sun warmed up early---and I hit the road! There was a little fog hanging over the valley as I rolled out of Bonney Lake, but the skies otherwise were bright blue and clear. I decided that, even after cris-crossing the country this past summer, I really wanted to ride the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway and make some of my favorite stops before the summer disappeared completely. I saddled up, kicked the Road King into gear, and headed south on I-5, then I-205 toward Portland. I’m normally not one for music on my trips, but the run down I-5 can be kind of boring, so I hooked up my MP3 and cranked it up. A little Metallica and Motley Crue never hurts on a freeway run!
I-5 ALONG THE COLUMBIA RIVER, BETWEEN KELSO AND WOODLAND WA
VISTA HOUSE AT CROWN POINT
l I crossed the Columbia River on I-205, and headed East on I-84 toward Troutdale, a town that sits on the junction of the Columbia and Sandy Rivers. Turning off the freeway, I gassed up and crossed the Sandy River and headed out the Scenic Highway through Springdale and Corbett. This is beautiful country and a great road for riding…nice twisty turns, very little traffic, and some killer views of the Columbia Gorge. About 10 miles out of Troutdale, I stopped at Vista House, which is the visitor’s center at Crown Point. Crown Point is a promontory that sits about 730 feet above the Columbia River, and Vista House was built in 1918 as a rest stop/observatory for travelers before the Interstate was built. From Crown Point the highway drops down through some tight hairpin turns as it winds toward Multnomah Falls…passing Talbot State Park, Wahkeena Lake, Benson State Park, and numerous hiking trails and waterfalls.
MULTNOMAH FALLS
MULTNOMAH FALLS LODGE
A word of advice: DON’T be in a hurry to ride this stretch of road.
I got to Multnomah Falls, and even though it was a weekday, the parking lot was almost full and people were enjoying the almost 80-degree weather. The Falls is the largest in Oregon, at 620 feet, and there are numerous hiking trails and paths leading into the forest. What draws most people’s attention, however, is the footbridge about 100 feet above the lower cascade of the falls. The lodge that sits at the base of the falls was built in 1925, and houses a visitor’s center and restaurant.
After hanging out and staring at the falls for a bit, I threw my leg over the seat and cranked my scoot back to life, and headed east past Ainsworth State Park until I reached the on-ramp to I-84, about 4 miles past the Falls. I blasted back toward Portland. A quick fast-food lunch (love the dollar menus!) and a stop at one of my favorite topless bars for a beer (gotta help out those single moms, then it was time to hit the road for home before Portland’s infamous rush-hour traffic brought everything to a halt.
Usually in the afternoons, I-205 is the quickest route out of town, up through Vancouver, then I-5 and home. Rather than get caught in the snarl of traffic that always happens by Fort Lewis, I took off at exit 88 and headed home by way of Tenino, Yelm, Roy and through Parkland.
I gotta tell ya, this is a great day ride…but if you wanted to hit all the parks, lakes, waterfalls and other cool sights, 2 or 3 days in the Columbia Gorge makes a great mini-vacation!
I got to Multnomah Falls, and even though it was a weekday, the parking lot was almost full and people were enjoying the almost 80-degree weather. The Falls is the largest in Oregon, at 620 feet, and there are numerous hiking trails and paths leading into the forest. What draws most people’s attention, however, is the footbridge about 100 feet above the lower cascade of the falls. The lodge that sits at the base of the falls was built in 1925, and houses a visitor’s center and restaurant.
After hanging out and staring at the falls for a bit, I threw my leg over the seat and cranked my scoot back to life, and headed east past Ainsworth State Park until I reached the on-ramp to I-84, about 4 miles past the Falls. I blasted back toward Portland. A quick fast-food lunch (love the dollar menus!) and a stop at one of my favorite topless bars for a beer (gotta help out those single moms, then it was time to hit the road for home before Portland’s infamous rush-hour traffic brought everything to a halt.
Usually in the afternoons, I-205 is the quickest route out of town, up through Vancouver, then I-5 and home. Rather than get caught in the snarl of traffic that always happens by Fort Lewis, I took off at exit 88 and headed home by way of Tenino, Yelm, Roy and through Parkland.
I gotta tell ya, this is a great day ride…but if you wanted to hit all the parks, lakes, waterfalls and other cool sights, 2 or 3 days in the Columbia Gorge makes a great mini-vacation!