HIGHWAY 410 IN BONNEY LAKE
The weather gods had been promising a nice day, light clouds breaking out into sunshine, low 70s for temperatures…and I looked out on gray, damp, fog. Figures. I had a couple of errands to run in the morning, and by the time 9 o’clock was creeping up, the fog was lifting and the sun was making a valiant attempt at showing through the cloud cover.
I topped off my Road King at the local Chevron, and hit the road---wasn’t really sure of where I was headed, but I was going somewhere! I rolled down Highway 512 through Puyallup, and even at 9:30am, the smell of corn dogs and onion burgers was wafting up from the Western Washington Fairgrounds. I took I-5 south through Olympia and Chehalis, then jumped off the freeway at Rush Road, and opted for the back road that took me through Napavine, joined SR 603 and cruised easily through Winlock. I was hitting small spots of drizzle and mist as I wound my way south, and when I came to the end of 603, I headed east on SR 411 at Vader and out to I-5.
I topped off my Road King at the local Chevron, and hit the road---wasn’t really sure of where I was headed, but I was going somewhere! I rolled down Highway 512 through Puyallup, and even at 9:30am, the smell of corn dogs and onion burgers was wafting up from the Western Washington Fairgrounds. I took I-5 south through Olympia and Chehalis, then jumped off the freeway at Rush Road, and opted for the back road that took me through Napavine, joined SR 603 and cruised easily through Winlock. I was hitting small spots of drizzle and mist as I wound my way south, and when I came to the end of 603, I headed east on SR 411 at Vader and out to I-5.
Traffic was light and rolling easily on the Interstate at 75-80 mph, and about this time I decided to head to Portland for lunch. As I neared Kelso/Longview, the clouds were starting to break and I could feel the temperature climbing slightly. The wind was coming up off the Columbia River, but the clouds kept dissipating and by the time I got to Vancouver, the sun was dominating the patchy skies.
YOUR HUMBLE NARRATOR
About halfway through Portland on I-5 I hit the traffic, so I took the next exit and headed into southeast Portland near Reed College.
One of my all-time favorite places to eat in Portland is in the Eastmoreland neighborhood, Otto’s Sausage Kitchen and Deli. This place has killer sandwiches, an amazing selection of microbrews, and the best hot dogs and sausages anywhere! They set up a big barbecue out front, grill up the dogs, and have picnic tables on the sidewalk so you can sit, eat and watch the neighborhood go by. Otto’s was started in 1922, and has been in their current building since 1938! The original family operates the store, and they still make all their sausage on site. I had lunch there!
One of my all-time favorite places to eat in Portland is in the Eastmoreland neighborhood, Otto’s Sausage Kitchen and Deli. This place has killer sandwiches, an amazing selection of microbrews, and the best hot dogs and sausages anywhere! They set up a big barbecue out front, grill up the dogs, and have picnic tables on the sidewalk so you can sit, eat and watch the neighborhood go by. Otto’s was started in 1922, and has been in their current building since 1938! The original family operates the store, and they still make all their sausage on site. I had lunch there!
OTTO'S!!!
YOU GOTTA TRY THIS PLACE
After lunch, I cruised through town a bit, enjoying the mid-70 degree temperature and sunshine. Of course, no trip to Portland is complete without a stop for a beer and to see the titties at one of the topless bars.
I headed back out of Portland just before the traffic started clogging the freeways for rush hour (which, by the way, starts about 3pm!), and sailed up I-5 once again toward home. I knew that I would be hitting the Olympia-Tacoma area dead in the middle of traffic hell, so I jumped off the freeway at exit 88 and headed east toward Tenino on SR 507. Cruised on past Tenino, Rainier and into Yelm, then a right turn kept me on 507 as I eased my way through McKenna and Roy, up to the junction with Highway 7 in Spanaway.
I headed back out of Portland just before the traffic started clogging the freeways for rush hour (which, by the way, starts about 3pm!), and sailed up I-5 once again toward home. I knew that I would be hitting the Olympia-Tacoma area dead in the middle of traffic hell, so I jumped off the freeway at exit 88 and headed east toward Tenino on SR 507. Cruised on past Tenino, Rainier and into Yelm, then a right turn kept me on 507 as I eased my way through McKenna and Roy, up to the junction with Highway 7 in Spanaway.
SAILING UP THE INTERSTATE!
Highway 7 (Pacific Avenue)heads north to Tacoma, but I caught the on ramp to Highway 512 and headed back down past the fairgrounds (onion burgers!!!!!) and on home.
Roughly 365 miles since leaving the house, I pulled back into the garage. Hell of a run to get a hot dog…
Roughly 365 miles since leaving the house, I pulled back into the garage. Hell of a run to get a hot dog…
ONE FOR ALL YOU DOORS FANS
REALLY. THE MORRISON HOTEL IN PORTLAND!