Wanderlust - Day One

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Well, wanderlust bit us again last week. About Wednesday we were trying to figure out what we wanted to do for the weekend. Thoughts came of a ride somewhere then camping was thrown into the mix. By Thursday night we had our minds made up to ride to Crater Lake on Saturday and stay overnight somewhere and ride home Sunday.

Friday, since I was off work at noon, I went and bought a few supplies and a new Canon HS 300 pocket camera. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and input, but I had to go with the model Bobskoot recommended. We love our other Canon he recommended and this way the USB cables for both cameras are the same as well.

The rest of the pictures in this post were taken with the new Canon.

Friday night we packed up the bikes and looked over maps. Max was elected to carry the sleeping bags while Lucy carried everything else.

(Two sleeping bags in the blue stuff sack)

(2 bedrolls, 1 tent and everything else in the bags)

Saturday we got up at our normal time, made sure all was secure and headed to Saturday morning coffee. It was a big crowd for a coffee meet up so we were glad we made it prior to riding out.

Jim was there with his Ural and sidecar unit and took another rider, Dani, for a quick jaunt since she'd never been in one. Jim also rides a Triumph Tiger.

(Dani and Jim)

On a side note, this is the same Dani that was our inspiration for our 3-day trip to Wolf Creek a few weeks ago.

While at coffee Andy (another Tiger rider) decided he'd ride part way with us. He also graciously lent me his 'Go Cruise Throttle Control' that he picked up while at Laguna Seca a few weeks ago. It clamps on to your right grip and once the desired speed is reached you use your index finger to press the straight section down to contact the brake lever and hold a steady speed. It was a life saver. I didn't think I was going to use it and urged him to take it back, but he knew I'd appreciate it. Thank you Andy. I'll be returning it to Andy at coffee next week, and I'll definitely be picking one up for myself.

DAY 1: (200 miles, elevation gain from 237 to 3100 ft)

We didn't get away from coffee as early as I expected but before we knew it we were in Oakridge and taking a break for a snack and to fill the bikes with fuel. We said goodbye to Andy at this point. He went off to hunt gravel roads on his Tiger while we headed East over Highway 58 and Willamette Pass to Highway 97 then South. We stopped in Chemult for a break and to get something cold to drink. Troubadour went inside and picked up a few bottles of Powerade Zero. Subconsciously he picked up an orange and a blue one. Hmmm color matching your bikes is not just for toothbrushes. FYI - the orange one tasted better.

(We'd already poured the orange one into the travel bottle)

We saddled back up and headed further South then East on Highway 138 before turning off South one more time in search of a campsite closer to Crater Lake. Apparently Troubadour has good camping karma. The first place we stopped was Farewell Bend campground and for $16 he scored a private campsite with river frontage, no close neighbors and it had potable water and flush toilets with electricity in the bathrooms. Hooray.

It was about 5:30 pm by the time we started unloading the bikes and setting up camp. First thing to do was set up the tent.

(Bikes pulled into the campsite)

(View of campsite from the bikes - tent gets set up on the plateau beyond the picnic table)

(view of tent from picnic table)

(View of river standing by tent)

After setting up, it was time for dinner. Luckily Troubadour has a handy dandy Jetboil system and we had some local Mountain House freeze dried goodies. I say local as they are made by Oregon Freeze Dry in Albany, only 10 miles from home. I present camping food porn:

The first course was vegetable lasagna. The bag serves two and we just shared a bowl and used a nice chewy bagel for soaking up the sauce.

Second course was boil in the bag Cumin and Chili Chickpeas from Trader Joe's (good source of protein)

(that's right, ate it out of the lasagna bowl)

Third course was dessert - Freeze Dried Neapolitan Ice Cream. Yummy.

Someone looks awfully happy to be motorcycle camping.....

After washing up the dishes and tidying camp we had time before dark for a quick self portrait, please excuse the helmet hair.

And then we sat and enjoyed the fire.

By 9:30 we were yawning and decided to turn in for the night. We knew Sunday was going to be a long day. Troubadour tucked the bikes tight together for the night....

.....then we tucked ourselves in too.

Things I learned on Day 1:

1) When your friends tell you to bring bug spray to the mountains heed them well. You will be glad you did;

2) Drink plenty of fluids when riding especially in warm weather;

3) Jetboil systems are a must for motorcycle camping; and

4) A two person tent isn't quite big enough for two large sleeping bags and two person's worth of motorcycle gear.

Up next, Day 2: Another 300 miles and 4,600 feet higher in elevation.

- Au Revoir

I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
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