tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107350415799503382024-03-12T18:33:22.921-07:00Trobairitz' TabletTrobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.comBlogger482125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-59510478761764931362018-12-31T20:40:00.000-08:002018-12-31T20:40:16.353-08:00What a Year!<div style="text-align: justify;">
2018 was quite a year.</div>
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I must apologize that it has been 6-months since my last blog post, but it seems I don't have a lot of time for puttering on the computer much anymore.</div>
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I must make more of an effort in 2019 to read more blog posts (I feel so out of the loop) and post more blog posts.</div>
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Since my last post at the beginning of June we closed on our house in Monmouth, then sold our house in Corvallis. For a whopping two weeks we were land barons, according to our realtor, because we owned two houses. Of course that came with two mortgages for those two weeks. <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> also started his full-time job with Team Oregon.</div>
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I have now been with the Department of Justice 8-months and I still enjoy what I do, so that is a good thing.</div>
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I had one great ride in August before our move. Troubadour and I were privileged to host <a href="http://loveofamotorbike.blogspot.com/">BeemerGirl</a> and Oilburner for a weekend of back-road riding, merriment, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tater_tots">tater-tot </a>consumption, and <a href="https://www.crownroyal.com/canadian-whisky/crown-royal-regal-apple/">Crown Royal Apple Whiskey</a> sipping.<br />
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That Sunday morning after eating pumpkin scones, we spent an hour or more linking our Sena intercoms before heading off for a figure-eight ride of the hills to the south west of Corvallis. Here are a few pictures from our ride that day.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2DHTTr1PEcWHWYDlRoML4lstXlrsQeazd7v7FxQIici4U6_Uuc511b8bo5GJpN58RUweqnAxnrgaLhDaW4xxOjYhoZ4PBoLsUXAoWH1FvwQ3PKBiRc0xykSj9dJRHyn99wPqNqZMhmo/s1600/38634418_10214254550310226_7882288848233824256_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2DHTTr1PEcWHWYDlRoML4lstXlrsQeazd7v7FxQIici4U6_Uuc511b8bo5GJpN58RUweqnAxnrgaLhDaW4xxOjYhoZ4PBoLsUXAoWH1FvwQ3PKBiRc0xykSj9dJRHyn99wPqNqZMhmo/s640/38634418_10214254550310226_7882288848233824256_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Linking the Senas - Photo by BeemerGirl)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkFiy2HewcHzX3DVhleGpkmaDyEfK2FCmQrkuizKGgW16Fkj6JLtkpNpPvRVKnn254FtzBmsRLWNEY03P1quFYVbLowFfdWcVlElAkrbZIKVHROGOZMpwzbFNls0QX9VZ3An8l_PMHLo/s1600/38482618_10214258410406726_172174389809250304_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkFiy2HewcHzX3DVhleGpkmaDyEfK2FCmQrkuizKGgW16Fkj6JLtkpNpPvRVKnn254FtzBmsRLWNEY03P1quFYVbLowFfdWcVlElAkrbZIKVHROGOZMpwzbFNls0QX9VZ3An8l_PMHLo/s640/38482618_10214258410406726_172174389809250304_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Stopped at <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/alsea-falls-trail-green-peak-falls-trail">Alsea Falls</a> - photo by BeemerGirl)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtxgRKth5AkbpQQoechok6obix9Bt_Ngl94Uz455N5OSuUkSPh37Hg8qd_23JbyiYyepfYOygY89Ft-o_-t1ag7UDlAzI98JpweWqjSFuDgSpuF8pbEB5UQChPjrKiQIDGsFFPhmfCOI/s1600/38649324_10214258410886738_8803013412817731584_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtxgRKth5AkbpQQoechok6obix9Bt_Ngl94Uz455N5OSuUkSPh37Hg8qd_23JbyiYyepfYOygY89Ft-o_-t1ag7UDlAzI98JpweWqjSFuDgSpuF8pbEB5UQChPjrKiQIDGsFFPhmfCOI/s640/38649324_10214258410886738_8803013412817731584_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Parking Lot of Alsea Falls - Photo by BeemerGirl)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AOtvipfvN4FHDVmK-FjdwnQIynKAL6is952rE6I-36YLi2mOfzjRe1J8eRgbH46zaa8OK8QPQT_QGDcBwuYNMwC4bfFettaGGFyzM5Yd4PJbN9tXRAdVV0RqAsppjPIa9hGWOmpzrZM/s1600/IMG_7229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AOtvipfvN4FHDVmK-FjdwnQIynKAL6is952rE6I-36YLi2mOfzjRe1J8eRgbH46zaa8OK8QPQT_QGDcBwuYNMwC4bfFettaGGFyzM5Yd4PJbN9tXRAdVV0RqAsppjPIa9hGWOmpzrZM/s640/IMG_7229.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Stopped to check BeemerGirl's tire pressure)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCS9yaZHpByj8dMnmJbA1BAD4a3xB_7JAettZ0pG6FY5aS4Xip2gAvJfIynPz6y30AuxmhjOIjS9ZRrhTpKDoxwcTvN4f-YRG3rvuWZqtkVakkGZyJ_JL_QkEAos3hVCEdAjRVg09PpLk/s1600/IMG_7228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCS9yaZHpByj8dMnmJbA1BAD4a3xB_7JAettZ0pG6FY5aS4Xip2gAvJfIynPz6y30AuxmhjOIjS9ZRrhTpKDoxwcTvN4f-YRG3rvuWZqtkVakkGZyJ_JL_QkEAos3hVCEdAjRVg09PpLk/s640/IMG_7228.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The view when we were stopped in the above photo)</span></b></td></tr>
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Sadly work, house projects, household chores, and grocery shopping, etc has kept me off the bike since then. Where I used to have Friday afternoons off for grocery shopping and house cleaning, now I do not, so it falls to the weekend. Hard to pack a weeks worth of groceries in the trunk monkey of the bike.</div>
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We have had one set of visitors at our new house too. <a href="https://blog.machida.us/">RichardM</a> and <a href="http://artieandleinenga.blogspot.com/">Bridget</a> stopped by when they were on their travels. Not only did they see the new digs, we had a lovely diner at <a href="http://www.marcopolosalem.com/">Marco Polo </a>in Salem. Always a pleasure when they come to town.</div>
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It seems that we are hardly ever home on the weekends and now we are in winter. The low temperatures can be a little frosty. I could have commuted by bike in the summer, but something about sitting in stop and go traffic in our state capital for 20 minutes just trying to get out of town was not appealing. I have a different parking space now that takes me on a different route than it did this summer so maybe next year?</div>
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Most of my commute has been in the Fiat, which we've had for 4 years last month. While it was great for that 3-mile commute in Corvallis and in town grocery getting, we've found it is not the best for commuting in the dark torrential rains or icy mornings. The all-wheel drive of a Subaru is more suited for my needs now. On bad mornings I have been appropriating Troubadour's daily driver - the trusty Subaru Forester. That just made me realize how unsuited the Fiat was.</div>
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Long story short...... <strike>my</strike> our new 2019 Subaru Crosstrek arrives Thursday January 3rd. We should be able to pick it up on Saturday. Bye-Bye little Fiat, we've had a great run. I chose a Cool Khaki Grey color, which I think looks blue most of the time. It is a hard to find color so we had to wait a few weeks for one with the options we wanted. Here is a picture of what it will look like.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPROI4-9HvqvuN9LHBtMPSKcSxdfFH4exqcAvqJqKCMQgfKjydbwxESF-UTcjzFeivKYdAkAQ05H6fk9bfB0ZAKO3asmrN7uye7e3u78zWn7SwW0p-H6JaIUXVKzRfYGhQXk1FJ1SBlyI/s1600/image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPROI4-9HvqvuN9LHBtMPSKcSxdfFH4exqcAvqJqKCMQgfKjydbwxESF-UTcjzFeivKYdAkAQ05H6fk9bfB0ZAKO3asmrN7uye7e3u78zWn7SwW0p-H6JaIUXVKzRfYGhQXk1FJ1SBlyI/s640/image.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(2019 Subaru Crosstrek in Cool Grey Khaki - Photo by MotorTrend.com)</span></b></td></tr>
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So far no huge plans in 2019. We had thoughts of attending the motorcycle show in Vancouver in January, but PolarBear let his passport lapse so we may forego that since we can't go with friends. We haven't made hotel reservations so my guess is we are a little late. In the alternative we might be remodeling the kitchen here in our new place. We enjoyed the Ikea cabinets we installed in the Corvallis house and can do that here too. For a larger kitchen this one sure isn't as functional and doesn't have as much storage as we were used to.</div>
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We also are in the planning stage for a camping trip to Washington in May to visit with Troubadour's brother and his family. May will be two years since we've seen them and the neice and nephew are growing fast.</div>
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Of course we'll ride when we can. We are hoping that since we sacrificed 2018 to the new job and moving Gods that we will be rewarded by the riding Gods in 2019.</div>
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A very Happy New Year to everyone. I shall try and catch up with your blogs soon.</div>
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<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
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<b> <i>Just living is not enough, one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.</i>" Hans Christian Andersen</b></div>
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Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-57266584144168110592018-06-09T07:21:00.001-07:002018-06-09T07:21:47.742-07:00Still Here, Working.... and Even Riding<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>CATCHING UP</u></b></div>
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Hello all. Just a quick post to say that I am still around reading blogs when I have time. I used to be able to read them every day on my lunch break but without internet access during the day, I seem to only have time on Sunday mornings. So I do apologize for missing a lot of your posts and not keeping up like I used to.</div>
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My job is going well. I have been there 7 weeks already. Where did the time go? It has been a bit of a learning process, but I managed to find just the job I wanted without knowing it when I applied. No longer am I on the front lines answering phones and dealing with clients walking in the door as well as handling everything else. I am in the back behind locked doors, in my cubicle doing calendaring, finalizing of court documents before filing, etc. Pretty much a keyboard jockey and I am good with that. Fortunately, there is a good group of people there that have made the transition easier.</div>
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I am even getting used to using the Windows computer at the office after having only used Macs for 17 years. Using Outlook for mail and calendaring was all new to me.</div>
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<b><u>SELLING THE HOUSE</u></b></div>
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We are under contract with our house with a closing date on or before September 1st. A friend's mom made us a formal offer and we accepted. Technically I think we're in escrow. No need to find a realtor or formally list the house. Since we are in escrow this frees us up for actively looking for a place to buy in Salem. We have been looking at listings online and went and looked at one with our realtor. Unfortunately it just wasn't quite right and the property taxes were really high for some reason. The realtor we are working with in Salem is confident she will find the right house for us. Hard when most out there are over 1500 square feet and we are now living in 912 square feet and don't really want to go too much larger. Realistically we know we'll end up at about 1300 or 1400 though. Anyone want to come visit? I think we'll have a spare room.</div>
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<b><u>RIDING!!</u></b></div>
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Yes, I have been out on the bikes. Not as much as I'd like with prepping the house for sale, but anytime on two wheels is a good time.</div>
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Most recently on Memorial Day, Monday May 28th, four of us went out plonking through the woods on our dual sports looking for gravel. We found it. On a nice warm sunny dry day. The pollen count was high and the dust swirled higher behind the bikes. </div>
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After tail gunning for 5 hours my gear was so dirty I stripped it off in the garage in front of the washer and dryer. Didn't even want it in the house. It has since been through the washing machine, hung to dry, and is race ready again. Not bad for 7-8 year old gear.</div>
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We met for coffee at 9 and headed out at 10. We got home just after 3. Here are a few pics.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHdyhc0aE9l4uyhGzL5cGEE6pUd79MIyzJtBtHA8b81Pn39pWWE1JviC0LAaJJpcf-RWkf-qNIWRHTQ1J92zS2dyESy42vUe0vahsovYWemwBfC9mHFWuDIuky1ulq9On0NDxfqdNJhQ/s1600/IMG_7203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHdyhc0aE9l4uyhGzL5cGEE6pUd79MIyzJtBtHA8b81Pn39pWWE1JviC0LAaJJpcf-RWkf-qNIWRHTQ1J92zS2dyESy42vUe0vahsovYWemwBfC9mHFWuDIuky1ulq9On0NDxfqdNJhQ/s640/IMG_7203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour-DRZ 400, My TW 200, Jeff-DRZ 400, and Andy/PolarBear-Tiger 955)</span></b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6NVjqj0grxP0jQKsNVH7w3iBHYiPGtvU6CYfTAKKkbaLm0bsJcI_CsDI3QcdKRAPTn1E0zkPsgcm2S2xohZ5rKCaoxqnlAI73zPkN2NE4LDicGcdd5dUnxs6NEWZTl9TniHfFsgyKKE/s1600/IMG_7203.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><br /></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gMblUTr6Oo3p3Pn6enJafyG6TCiruUoE9q4l3L14yr2xxAVhLl1sMdbsqLx0Kz2qeqIQm4q1KENiJA_ukK0d03yqyybA61Pz4rz2A395aVHBfMckivpi6y3cR3bPp2pqdWMqgCBZONg/s1600/IMG_7204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gMblUTr6Oo3p3Pn6enJafyG6TCiruUoE9q4l3L14yr2xxAVhLl1sMdbsqLx0Kz2qeqIQm4q1KENiJA_ukK0d03yqyybA61Pz4rz2A395aVHBfMckivpi6y3cR3bPp2pqdWMqgCBZONg/s640/IMG_7204.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(First stop on the corner of Maxfield Creek Rd and Kings Valley Highway)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijk7Q9tuRnNoYBM3JPCKkGwFUv28u5mQR9pbQkhsdaJY5CO6XAsuNg-HJigRcxdjd7vCwADVz-XEr8jrNOw_NjQXGm3s3SfQfaiXSfO4JzaLe3UYU4W0LirJqvgprB-QwYQDjBuGIu9ZQ/s1600/IMG_7209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijk7Q9tuRnNoYBM3JPCKkGwFUv28u5mQR9pbQkhsdaJY5CO6XAsuNg-HJigRcxdjd7vCwADVz-XEr8jrNOw_NjQXGm3s3SfQfaiXSfO4JzaLe3UYU4W0LirJqvgprB-QwYQDjBuGIu9ZQ/s640/IMG_7209.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour's DRZ-400 at a stop along Gage Rd. FYI - Gage Rd = gravel road fun)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQjnW2S2zV_ODRzMuQd_Mygt6LM_C_z3_rnNU2R_V90ovwuJbNHdGpLsQV7oE80ad4HLxrCnNxZyEhX8AhLp-8MXnveesHTzwJJhyphenhyphenHauhZPcxg1t8AHu2m9l0aZ-AP7bV6Zu-3zmgU2g/s1600/IMG_7210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQjnW2S2zV_ODRzMuQd_Mygt6LM_C_z3_rnNU2R_V90ovwuJbNHdGpLsQV7oE80ad4HLxrCnNxZyEhX8AhLp-8MXnveesHTzwJJhyphenhyphenHauhZPcxg1t8AHu2m9l0aZ-AP7bV6Zu-3zmgU2g/s640/IMG_7210.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Stopped at Fort Hoskins for a snack and restroom break - bikes/gear are looking dirtier)</span></b></td></tr>
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From Fort Hoskins we did another stint of 10 miles or so of gravel. Between that and Gage road I was really getting used to standing on my pegs for better control and speed in the gravel. Something I hadn't been comfortable doing before, but was enjoying. Although it does use a different set of muscles and I was a wee sore the next day.</div>
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We took some back roads to Clem Rd. Not only is Clem Road gravel, but it is the road where the TW dropped its chain last time out. We faced that daemon and had no issues.</div>
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Clem road ends at Highway 20 and we turned west for a quick 2 miles to Burnt Woods and the general store where Jeff and I could fuel up since we had little tanks.</div>
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PolarBear got a call from work and had to take off home then head out to a call. Damn work getting in the way. So the three of us continued on to Woods Creek. A favorite loop we've been on many times before but we were riding it in a counter clockwise direction this time. Those steeper descents I wasn't a big fan of were now steeper ascents. Joy. And this time instead of a lot of puddles we just had a lot of craters or pot holes where the puddles used to be. Pick your line and go.</div>
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We stopped at our usual place for a drink of water and to soak up some sunshine. This is where I took my favorite picture of the day.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbR6HSQGW39gpQodA2goFcz4HVgpXE0ry3TTbNMLJMuwfsujpDxrUl6ni2LkieiLE9dm3L7hRu9xOx9aIMplQeqoG-2ogQGraIZgyjkp6aghVxrQ_UFV1vl9PAOvu2R3RUlrL6SFMDu-I/s1600/IMG_7224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbR6HSQGW39gpQodA2goFcz4HVgpXE0ry3TTbNMLJMuwfsujpDxrUl6ni2LkieiLE9dm3L7hRu9xOx9aIMplQeqoG-2ogQGraIZgyjkp6aghVxrQ_UFV1vl9PAOvu2R3RUlrL6SFMDu-I/s640/IMG_7224.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour soaking up the sunshine)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyf5X_gAWBffH5YFB-OEssYORMej0i6gO0wfGk8ENp1U4ShzyBiACgPwotJvTH3lay8QVcYnTRKLwSYgpxsfL9cQ5XnRZ3lDaTJxN9tX5Y971Dck9LmJRc5mOff1ATVswQOwbW1W-lJo/s1600/IMG_7214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyf5X_gAWBffH5YFB-OEssYORMej0i6gO0wfGk8ENp1U4ShzyBiACgPwotJvTH3lay8QVcYnTRKLwSYgpxsfL9cQ5XnRZ3lDaTJxN9tX5Y971Dck9LmJRc5mOff1ATVswQOwbW1W-lJo/s640/IMG_7214.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Looking out towards the hills)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXx8cHFqaDIGvi-eblCeFrMqbQ7Ydzi9aIrTemNw0ioCSDpvmn7xKksJiGybUMAhqQp6iWF2T_W_le6fTym_HGG0CCLuufQd5I-t-iaSobnwSY0UwTSDyCZDujzLIZ5GF6HKuEazOQGh4/s1600/IMG_7218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXx8cHFqaDIGvi-eblCeFrMqbQ7Ydzi9aIrTemNw0ioCSDpvmn7xKksJiGybUMAhqQp6iWF2T_W_le6fTym_HGG0CCLuufQd5I-t-iaSobnwSY0UwTSDyCZDujzLIZ5GF6HKuEazOQGh4/s640/IMG_7218.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(More scenery)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcmdo3Nh4wArD6Wo-fHBIIv72Y_-jk0RRJ3FRRmKhp69XQVTomAv4r1OXpQ_-TihqtETzsmkckeLcQn70dTR0tk-cYyq0NFW4-NpNhnlHfGBVF_JoQCI8Qmn-e8LzNE6U6NxIlpUDaGY/s1600/IMG_7226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcmdo3Nh4wArD6Wo-fHBIIv72Y_-jk0RRJ3FRRmKhp69XQVTomAv4r1OXpQ_-TihqtETzsmkckeLcQn70dTR0tk-cYyq0NFW4-NpNhnlHfGBVF_JoQCI8Qmn-e8LzNE6U6NxIlpUDaGY/s400/IMG_7226.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The wild flowers were blooming)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
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From this stop it was an easy gravel descent back to the highway. One side of the hill is long and a lower grade and one side is short and steeper. Troubadour and I talked and we think we prefer it the usual way. Long climb, steeper descent. I think there was just better flow that way.</div>
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Once back on the highway we went east into Philomath towards Corvallis. Just outside of Corvallis we had to detour in stop-and-go traffic because of an accident up ahead, but we made it home.</div>
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We arrived home about 3 pm. Tired, dusty, and ready for a cold beverage.</div>
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With weekends taken up with packing and looking at houses, I am not sure when I will get back out on two wheels. This summer is kind of a wash, but by the fall, which is usually perfect weather (and no allergies) our weekends should be our own again.</div>
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<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>"<i>Time is the only one of life's resources, that when it's all spent, you wish you had spent more of it foolishly.</i>" - Robert Brault</b></div>
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Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-23443023866236018882018-04-20T07:00:00.000-07:002018-04-20T07:00:02.509-07:00Catching Up.......<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, since my last post was a month ago, I figured I'd best post up a little something.</div>
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<b>CATCHING UP ON BIKES</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID8J9IiSri6xmCE9gbctdt5T_Hz8Xgom20DEZOuWnZ7hxThjpnGRu9VPhyD7gHLW_KMZunL24PXoozMWYEn6BO09xYQBbfLpDws5G4_D8q8Ho0eYOxEf7exehF-xlN4JhpYCWb8o22WY/s1600/snail-48182__340.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID8J9IiSri6xmCE9gbctdt5T_Hz8Xgom20DEZOuWnZ7hxThjpnGRu9VPhyD7gHLW_KMZunL24PXoozMWYEn6BO09xYQBbfLpDws5G4_D8q8Ho0eYOxEf7exehF-xlN4JhpYCWb8o22WY/s200/snail-48182__340.png" width="200" /></a>On March 30th, a few weeks after our <a href="http://trobairitztablet.blogspot.com/2018/03/one-hundred-miles.html">group ride to Sublimity</a>, <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> and I made a mad dash back there to get the actual work done on the Versys 300x. We were racing the clock to be there for our 3:00 pm appointment and just made it.</div>
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While the Versys was in for the tail light recall fix, the techs also installed the new center stand spring. Apparently it took 3 techs and even then was so difficult they checked with the parts department to make sure the correct part was ordered. A design flaw perhaps? Let's hope it doesn't come flying off this time. Might have to put a safety wire on it since it doesn't have an inner safety spring.</div>
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Racing rush hour traffic across the valley we rode straight home without stopping. As a result there were no pictures that day. We did luck out with a mixture of clouds and sunshine though.</div>
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<b>CATCHING UP ON WORK</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KXoqTp1BbhFs_LntO4L_oy89TZSp5dx0Y8jI6Nq3x1YmRQ-UHnPSVCJ1oWTK1LqoKbFyjle7xFv72AGWSCoCbBESC_usLQCUbmlRMp3t_9y-caHWkX0IqAiDrh1rDn3KK3OKHPSUoYI/s1600/31044832_2212111835465704_4422505168738713600_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KXoqTp1BbhFs_LntO4L_oy89TZSp5dx0Y8jI6Nq3x1YmRQ-UHnPSVCJ1oWTK1LqoKbFyjle7xFv72AGWSCoCbBESC_usLQCUbmlRMp3t_9y-caHWkX0IqAiDrh1rDn3KK3OKHPSUoYI/s200/31044832_2212111835465704_4422505168738713600_n.jpg" width="150" /></a>On a different note, my Legal Assistant job of 17 years ended on February 28th. It was a sad day, but I was surprised with balloons, flowers, and even a vegan cake had been ordered in my honor. It sure was weird walking out of there at noon that day.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Since then I have put out many resumes and had a few interviews. I am pleased to say that I am once again gainfully employed or I will be when anyone reads this. I am writing this on Thursday April 19th, but will have it scheduled to be posted on Friday April 20th, my first day as a Legal Secretary for the Oregon Department of Justice Trial Division.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_LVVvxrXQY8wPS8488i8wy4fHe8uUm5M4mh96bjwEJZnLW51uSk4mDDlefrmN9by5bT2QrPBGUA-hV2IZP4gdL9ieJBk5qsUSF_8Ihuoj_9iAB6uPhehJl9jy_WdTgjadc1qg9QIZkA/s1600/30708805_2212111888799032_352353043880083456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_LVVvxrXQY8wPS8488i8wy4fHe8uUm5M4mh96bjwEJZnLW51uSk4mDDlefrmN9by5bT2QrPBGUA-hV2IZP4gdL9ieJBk5qsUSF_8Ihuoj_9iAB6uPhehJl9jy_WdTgjadc1qg9QIZkA/s200/30708805_2212111888799032_352353043880083456_n.jpg" width="150" /></a>I was officially hired on April 2nd, but they weren't going to be ready for me until the 20th. That was a long 3 weeks to wait. It is a Monday to Friday 8 am to 5:00 pm schedule, with 10 paid holidays a year plus vacation pay and sick pay accrual.</div>
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The new job is also located in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem,_Oregon">Salem, Oregon</a> (our State Capital), approximately 40 miles (64 km) northeast of Corvallis. For now I shall have an hour long commute each way depending on traffic. And while I lose my flexibility in coming and going like I had working for my prior employer, I do gain a higher wage, job stability, full benefits, and participation in <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/PERS/pages/index.aspx">PERS</a> (Public Employee Retirement System). </div>
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<b>CATCHING UP ON LIFE</b></div>
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The new job comes with a few life changes as well. Normally I beat <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> home and get dinner ready and on the table by the time he gets home. As of tomorrow he will beat me home by about an hour. Time for Troubadour to brush up on his cooking skills.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIX7bQpsI8Zu9vUoCVB2NKK8v2HwNc_tVRnfnNGgfyoOSy4K5c1IbRGl-25j5jS7ui1ObxR-iNetxKyArT_PvXVfcUxNy3KeewUDa8zFiZ773E-WVUw7rXCIuG9FYR9jAWCmv__mKJL4Q/s1600/single-arm-sign-post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIX7bQpsI8Zu9vUoCVB2NKK8v2HwNc_tVRnfnNGgfyoOSy4K5c1IbRGl-25j5jS7ui1ObxR-iNetxKyArT_PvXVfcUxNy3KeewUDa8zFiZ773E-WVUw7rXCIuG9FYR9jAWCmv__mKJL4Q/s200/single-arm-sign-post.jpg" width="200" /></a>Also, as many of you have read here before, my night vision is crap. So our plan is to sell our house and move to Salem by the end of Daylight Savings Time so I will have a shorter commute in the dark. We have been wanting to relocate anyway because of the two-story houses they built behind us and the neighbors we now have living beside us. This job is just the push we've needed.</div>
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We have spent many of our days off prepping the house for sale. Baseboards along the floor and trim around all the doors has been installed, but at least Troubadour got a new rechargeable cordless nail gun out of the deal. After that came painting, lots of painting, which included the new interior doors we'd never bothered to paint after installing. Things are nice and bright with all that white now.</div>
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We still have a few things to paint, silicone to remove and replace around the tub, and general decluttering to stage the inside. Warmer weather has just returned which means we can weed the shrub beds and get fresh bark mulch delivered.</div>
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Soon this place will be good to list. Our goal is to list it prior to the end of May.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>SUMMARY</b></div>
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So that is a quick catch-up of what has been going on here. Sadly with all that is going on, it probably means less riding for me this year. I don't have any earned vacation at a new job and won't for 6 months so there aren't any extra days to take off to attend the Black Dog rally or Dog Face rally with <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour </a>and <a href="http://buddstravels.blogspot.com/">Polar Bear</a>. Maybe next year.</div>
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We still hope to be riding on the weekends when Troubadour isn't teaching or we aren't doing moving activities. Technically I could commute by bike, but I am not so sure they'd appreciate the helmet head in the office. We'll see.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXz_38NjuRWe6P2deiUIslyMt5y8cyBcbpPgqpJ8j_Wl66Vvn_XaKzz3Y3QPLPIbKTd-Xxe25Y3yTGN8e_-Jam1XsJuXuHlKr3hbRcu3TnXgmB0x-XS_J83d3yu1IEyhb_lxTC4jK3oiA/s1600/30728761_2212112112132343_7056998023175340032_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXz_38NjuRWe6P2deiUIslyMt5y8cyBcbpPgqpJ8j_Wl66Vvn_XaKzz3Y3QPLPIbKTd-Xxe25Y3yTGN8e_-Jam1XsJuXuHlKr3hbRcu3TnXgmB0x-XS_J83d3yu1IEyhb_lxTC4jK3oiA/s200/30728761_2212112112132343_7056998023175340032_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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We are not sure how Basil will take the changes, but as long as we keep his food bowl filled I think he will be fine.</div>
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<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>" <i>You must welcome change as the rule but not your ruler.</i>" </b><br />
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<b>- Denis Waitley</b></div>
</div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span></div>
Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-65885479644899667332018-03-13T08:32:00.001-07:002018-03-13T08:32:35.985-07:00One Hundred Miles<div style="text-align: justify;">
One Hundred Miles / One Hundred and Sixty Kilometers..........</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
That would be the sum total of miles ridden on the bikes on Saturday. This time of year in Oregon we expect rain, rain, and still more rain. Luckily this year hasn't been too bad.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We woke up at about 6:30 am Saturday morning and the temperature was 31˚ F (-0.5˚C). By 8:45 when we left for coffee the temperature had risen to 37˚F (2.77˚C) and the sun was shining. We had no real plan for the day other than ride to coffee and ride somewhere after.</div>
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We knew we wanted to stay on the valley floor so that the temperatures would be warmer and we could soak up any sunshine. The forecast was for cloudy skies moving in by noon.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Two other folks also rode to coffee, Andy (aka <a href="http://buddstravels.blogspot.com/">PolarBear</a>) was there on his orange Triumph Tiger and Aarron was there on his <a href="https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/cruiser/models/stryker/specifications">Yamaha Stryker</a>.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
A plan was hatched to ride north to Independence and possibly have lunch. With <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> in the lead, me second, Aaron, then Andy tail gunning, we set off.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day for a ride. There was still a chill in the air, but it wasn't cold dressed in thermal long underwear and all the liners in our riding gear. I am sure heated grips helped a little too.</div>
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We parked in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence,_Oregon">Independence</a> and I managed a few pictures. While three of us did a u-turn and parked together Aarron opted to park across the street so he didn't make it into the pictures.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53r2DhHJWLHK8EhATQ3pA_pPCSDdPUoN2Hoe3Z8n3TNH5RBlPTpXXSMFla8mfbp5nGx3WZyb4-RPc56BZBnmnpnwUygutRAGbLWMJFSN1lUs4O2v8iikhK_iVJ4q-ElJLgDRoSyo0uFs/s1600/IMG_7168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53r2DhHJWLHK8EhATQ3pA_pPCSDdPUoN2Hoe3Z8n3TNH5RBlPTpXXSMFla8mfbp5nGx3WZyb4-RPc56BZBnmnpnwUygutRAGbLWMJFSN1lUs4O2v8iikhK_iVJ4q-ElJLgDRoSyo0uFs/s640/IMG_7168.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour's</a> Triumph Tiger 955 and my Kawasaki Versys 300x)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I had to snap a picture of our two bikes before the picture of the Versys sandwich.......</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOHO1rvvaLlUp4TuuSXX44aCBfn4-mQlCVPOdzLuBDYh7FwJxF_bmaCBGPQxAdGDXKClBXF_5cbOXvpicOuycl16-m466XFS2A1ON8sQetl_qNZ4ZzXfJ9pInmsNFU6Jmb79DyrtZldQ/s1600/IMG_7166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOHO1rvvaLlUp4TuuSXX44aCBfn4-mQlCVPOdzLuBDYh7FwJxF_bmaCBGPQxAdGDXKClBXF_5cbOXvpicOuycl16-m466XFS2A1ON8sQetl_qNZ4ZzXfJ9pInmsNFU6Jmb79DyrtZldQ/s640/IMG_7166.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(One of these things is not like the other)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Aarron suggested a diner across the street for lunch. Troubadour and I have gotten pretty good at finding plant based options to eat at just about any type of restaurant. Heck, even BBQ joints have baked potatoes. Well, at this diner we had the option of a very overpriced salad, no thank you, or french fries/tater tots/onion rings. So we ordered one side-order of tater tots and one side-order of onion rings to share between the two of us.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now, while they were house made, they were the greasiest tater tots and onion rings you could ever imagine and I am pretty sure that because they were house made, they weren't vegan. But we were hungry, so we ate them. It was hard getting them down because of the grease but we did it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While eating we tried to figure out our next destination. We wanted to get across the valley to the east and over I-5. This would keep us in the valley and would have some interesting back roads.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With PolarBear in the lead we set off. We eventually made our way to <a href="https://www.poweryamaha.com/">Power Motorsports</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublimity,_Oregon">Sublimity</a>. This is the motorcycle dealer where I purchased the Versys 300x last April (wow almost a year already). I thank PolarBear for leading us there since we were thinking of it anyway. I still needed to order a new spring for the center stand and I also wanted to scheduled the bike in for the tail light assembly recall.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Aarron snapped a picture of our four bikes in the parking lot.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Z6r3pj8g9HGRXVuZNl9Fx0TdJIf1D2kGbCSbsjMcZVMJLJO2fhPEdBOtWCm_uP68T8m6rG_yiST7-6qrMKJmRafMeC8OLtFrP0O_Kwvj-M2kwZ-we6yJZghNFBAvICC_Cg7cgW9igfc/s1600/29063437_10215626124467477_4575542154939596800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Z6r3pj8g9HGRXVuZNl9Fx0TdJIf1D2kGbCSbsjMcZVMJLJO2fhPEdBOtWCm_uP68T8m6rG_yiST7-6qrMKJmRafMeC8OLtFrP0O_Kwvj-M2kwZ-we6yJZghNFBAvICC_Cg7cgW9igfc/s640/29063437_10215626124467477_4575542154939596800_n.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Blatantly stolen from Aarron's facebook page)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We wandered around for well over an hour - maybe two. I ordered the spring for the center stand for $10 and service department ordered the recall/replacement tail light assembly. They will call when in so we can schedule a date to get things fixed. Wonder if they'd install the center stand spring as part of that?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As we were strolling through the dealership, Polar Bear decided to try on a Can Am Spyder for size. Troubadour then hopped on the back to give him an idea of what it would be like with a passenger. And in true buddy fashion he couldn't help but ham it up for my camera.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnJY5E_zhZWSYE5b1jpMADOYx9ZKMrvVMs6BEaxbAuxrkIpPgsA5HaCKY9wQ1kCpvwIlRHR4vWBFnaUGrQ6fTafN_kHt7_tjyANQnyr_qO58lTcRw7Yg19mnnV7Eudn-3J0f8otU5gPo/s1600/IMG_7171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnJY5E_zhZWSYE5b1jpMADOYx9ZKMrvVMs6BEaxbAuxrkIpPgsA5HaCKY9wQ1kCpvwIlRHR4vWBFnaUGrQ6fTafN_kHt7_tjyANQnyr_qO58lTcRw7Yg19mnnV7Eudn-3J0f8otU5gPo/s640/IMG_7171.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(PolarBear and Troubadour - best buddies)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The sun came and went as we were looking at bikes. By the time we were ready to leave just after 3:00 pm, the sun was shining brightly and the temperature had climbed to 64˚F (17.7˚C). Layers were shed and we set a course for home with PolarBear in the lead.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We arrived home safely just before 5 pm with 100 miles (160 km) on the trip meter. It was a great day to be out on two wheels.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was happy that there were no incidents on the ride and nothing came off my bike. The last time I'd ridden the Versys I lost the spring on the center stand, and the last time I rode the TW200 the chain came off. Saturday was a good day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I apologize for the lack of photos. We only made two stops on Saturday - once for lunch and once at the motorcycle shop. Not a lot of photo opportunities. Maybe one day soon we'll take a photo ride since the trees are starting to bloom. Spring color is just beginning.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>" <i>You can always tell when two people are best friends because they are having more fun than it makes sense for them to be having.</i>" - Author Unknown</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span></div>
Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-67503489918923539582018-02-14T09:09:00.000-08:002018-02-14T09:09:01.161-08:00TLC for the TW200<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two weeks ago my 2009 TW200 received some much needed attention. Thank you <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> for taking care of the wee beastie.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As you might have read in my previous post (link <a href="http://trobairitztablet.blogspot.com/2018/01/january-gravel-road-ride.html">HERE</a>) the chain came off the rear sprocket the last time I rode it in January. On its way off it managed to bend a few bolts.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUILIT4MnVM4rUCkDABjNNHyYedNnLTyLKVfT-OZEYKV1pkQtRZYYrbpnssQT9L4hIfZy4AT8gOhhYQkiHk2YcAyQPgvWnK4VIcmAwYAVTrrZMNlXznMNVdHxbophkbSIhTrw2wKgULbs/s1600/IMG_7082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUILIT4MnVM4rUCkDABjNNHyYedNnLTyLKVfT-OZEYKV1pkQtRZYYrbpnssQT9L4hIfZy4AT8gOhhYQkiHk2YcAyQPgvWnK4VIcmAwYAVTrrZMNlXznMNVdHxbophkbSIhTrw2wKgULbs/s640/IMG_7082.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Bent bolts on the TW200)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With great effort, Hubby was able to remove them. I think he used a <a href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=BFH">BFH</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZWOeE6JlmVb4vOGWm9MHgBcHNpzgvyOsVSRsvi0AmVNcHbldHlXrV8ZNu-7USob8yXUPxV5APViW4aCjfpT9fQKZ9THXF-0dKJKuX8bCJ081_fJpRgszIfNVBb0u2V8WK-5gE2GYXPw/s1600/27720585_10213128166211449_1061790548_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZWOeE6JlmVb4vOGWm9MHgBcHNpzgvyOsVSRsvi0AmVNcHbldHlXrV8ZNu-7USob8yXUPxV5APViW4aCjfpT9fQKZ9THXF-0dKJKuX8bCJ081_fJpRgszIfNVBb0u2V8WK-5gE2GYXPw/s640/27720585_10213128166211449_1061790548_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The top two are bent, the bottom one has smooshed threads)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">In doing research online, Troubadour discovered that the word on the </span><strike style="text-align: justify;">street</strike><span style="text-align: justify;"> forums is that the stock chain is crap and should be tightened after every ride or swapped out for a better quality one. And, if you were to go from the stock 50 tooth rear sprocket to a 47 tooth, the gearing would be a little better for the highway without losing too much torque down low for the off road bits.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Done. A chain and sprocket were ordered and delivered within a week. Ordering the sprocket and chain were easy compared to finding proper bolts locally. We needed a shorter shoulder on them since the new sprocket was a smidge thinner. After searching several places we finally ended up at <a href="https://www.farmstore.com/">Wilco</a> and bought the correct bolts.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OwkiYFit44wD6J3Ux1JjF1pphFvsJ6JqoLxMuANFSgoRiwCVQtHrOAKatOsNpaXVKx7XxOuW3VrUe1ydHA8zNw7-49dWRqOaNPqncWowNZfzrJQ6yOclE3JCNQq_m7dnlX8C-T0p0v8/s1600/27661446_10213128166011444_966230197_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OwkiYFit44wD6J3Ux1JjF1pphFvsJ6JqoLxMuANFSgoRiwCVQtHrOAKatOsNpaXVKx7XxOuW3VrUe1ydHA8zNw7-49dWRqOaNPqncWowNZfzrJQ6yOclE3JCNQq_m7dnlX8C-T0p0v8/s640/27661446_10213128166011444_966230197_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Left - old rear sprocket - Right - new rear sprocket)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ctlUWvyzgNp4g1vul9RAQOdd8j4rHG7ercLi79T24ZEIRhU9ifDtDADns_nICF-8Efhqa8wZ_5jTFSVeAv3TaG0VOQYkSpzI88HK7tV-2qhtLK7Gje3Rh9iV8FK2yWoSeeBSbu0pCQ0/s1600/27718356_10213128166091446_1403014719_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ctlUWvyzgNp4g1vul9RAQOdd8j4rHG7ercLi79T24ZEIRhU9ifDtDADns_nICF-8Efhqa8wZ_5jTFSVeAv3TaG0VOQYkSpzI88HK7tV-2qhtLK7Gje3Rh9iV8FK2yWoSeeBSbu0pCQ0/s640/27718356_10213128166091446_1403014719_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(New chain and new rear sprocket)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaGaurfQUnAoIxQPqhKsqsSvPC79SSltkubLZsvoZ1KCt96j3qOg2Qvw0YF2KXyPutpInwqDmGGA_5YfrkQcNSrkK8_2v_-JF5o5pSWfTgBd5BBL1LD9J9W52pO5CKO0i2BwEZKLuGB8/s1600/IMG_7165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaGaurfQUnAoIxQPqhKsqsSvPC79SSltkubLZsvoZ1KCt96j3qOg2Qvw0YF2KXyPutpInwqDmGGA_5YfrkQcNSrkK8_2v_-JF5o5pSWfTgBd5BBL1LD9J9W52pO5CKO0i2BwEZKLuGB8/s640/IMG_7165.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Ta-da, shiny new chain and rear sprocket on a very dirty bike)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Now, I do have to fess up. It was quite chilly the day that Troubadour wanted to work on the TW, so I was a wimp and hung out in the house where the ductless system throws out nice warm air. My time spent inside was not in vain. I made scones for my mechanic. If it was summer I'd pay him in cold beer, but for now scones warm from the oven do the trick.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxG3o929ra9Aj2CmB2P6hROMFuLDVYsEA-2aWMvPXEqUdbzIJrg5xQRraMVN_Imnb6KYV7SO9NiYWXtpKTLQD_DB4i6uJxqpoeeMvUbtpYBzm5yw7xeE5Ttd6c8EQ9djwk_jzB9lmc9g/s1600/IMG_7163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxG3o929ra9Aj2CmB2P6hROMFuLDVYsEA-2aWMvPXEqUdbzIJrg5xQRraMVN_Imnb6KYV7SO9NiYWXtpKTLQD_DB4i6uJxqpoeeMvUbtpYBzm5yw7xeE5Ttd6c8EQ9djwk_jzB9lmc9g/s400/IMG_7163.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Lemon blueberry scone)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Now I just need to find some time to take the TW out for another gravel road adventure. </span><a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: justify;">Troubadour</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> took it on a short shake down ride for a few miles and filled the tank for me. Thank you Troubadour. I am race ready. Well, as fast as a TW200 can race.</span><br />
<br />
<b>- Au Revoir</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>" <i>We can do no great things, only small things with great love.</i>" - Mother Teresa</b><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-74895607300245038812018-02-06T05:13:00.002-08:002018-02-06T05:13:24.239-08:00Last Sunday of January Hike<div style="text-align: justify;">
On Sunday January 28th <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> and I decided we needed some exercise and hiking sounded like a fine idea. As usual, the hardest decision was figuring out where to go. We knew we didn't want to drive too far away and rain was forecast to the south. We chose to hike in the Oregon State University (OSU) Research Forest, aka <a href="http://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/mcdonald-dunn-forest">McDonald-Dunn Forest</a>. It is located north of Corvallis and contains nearly 11,250 acres of forest. We've been up there many times on our mountain bikes and hiking too. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On this day we chose a gate located off Tampico Rd. It is one we've not started from before. We were going hiking in the Dunn Forest starting on Rd 400. The parking area is the 'P' just to the right of center of the photo below.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihK1SzMPuxGVjNZkycnRZHGObahWd4k1cJM7AU9LX3k9al-tDjM5yQcUJWDlnHA4twHl-CSI6_Vk7Bdd69SXR2QvzkHe6gghi9zu07EEMiIOCnJFNvbh44iatfREI8L3ntEMkR44vhA7E/s1600/DunnForestMap+Reduced+Size.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihK1SzMPuxGVjNZkycnRZHGObahWd4k1cJM7AU9LX3k9al-tDjM5yQcUJWDlnHA4twHl-CSI6_Vk7Bdd69SXR2QvzkHe6gghi9zu07EEMiIOCnJFNvbh44iatfREI8L3ntEMkR44vhA7E/s640/DunnForestMap+Reduced+Size.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Hiking in Dunn Forest)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have a book called <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Corvallis-Trails-Exploring-Heart-Valley/dp/0870710990">Corvallis Trails: Exploring the Heart of the Valley</a></i>, that we reference for hikes in and around Corvallis. It describes this one as moderate and not busy. We were thinking of one other trail, but it was listed as difficult and we haven't been out walking much lately.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A 1/4 mile up Rd 400 and we turned right on Rd 420 to do the loop counter clockwise.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieNmCT3SixoYldQjPVAi-7BAlb-iEZ_GtoVoVSUoPLOFMYhyeXk4KjmDFpG91YFExmyZww0hnnHGzc5gurgGJCt8Ma62ECag9HulsP8XdvrSHhSHermj_UwFQ634GCqc6JChJ4SFHeZA/s1600/IMG_7089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieNmCT3SixoYldQjPVAi-7BAlb-iEZ_GtoVoVSUoPLOFMYhyeXk4KjmDFpG91YFExmyZww0hnnHGzc5gurgGJCt8Ma62ECag9HulsP8XdvrSHhSHermj_UwFQ634GCqc6JChJ4SFHeZA/s640/IMG_7089.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">( A perfect day for a hike in the woods)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-q7g8m3079HqCubadJjTQGKiajmNfrlzCar6Pn2AIevse3wEqrh1Qt0ADGmll9qHOL7zqxurTy2vwCnR_xo19uMtKhBKB0QswbkXVuzQ0aPeD_W9Mapf4AFxlVN2F1PaK9GwcKtkYxw/s1600/IMG_7092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-q7g8m3079HqCubadJjTQGKiajmNfrlzCar6Pn2AIevse3wEqrh1Qt0ADGmll9qHOL7zqxurTy2vwCnR_xo19uMtKhBKB0QswbkXVuzQ0aPeD_W9Mapf4AFxlVN2F1PaK9GwcKtkYxw/s640/IMG_7092.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Notice the mist down the left-hand fork)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">We took the left fork thinking it was the correct way. It ended a half mile down. As we turned around Troubadour noticed a snail shell on the ground.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX5ugw3Kz76ShDXLyCkMCTkEo-5TuclbOnSSBYQx8j8zt33mXsRSRmMp5X5_sxSlu2KxuQm9wfq1pqPzyoXpCF20lM_ZMTwNRcd-uMFBfALvX6DFgAX2Dadc3-q3cLsM6YrGwPBppORg/s1600/IMG_7097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX5ugw3Kz76ShDXLyCkMCTkEo-5TuclbOnSSBYQx8j8zt33mXsRSRmMp5X5_sxSlu2KxuQm9wfq1pqPzyoXpCF20lM_ZMTwNRcd-uMFBfALvX6DFgAX2Dadc3-q3cLsM6YrGwPBppORg/s640/IMG_7097.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Hello Snail)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">We walked back to the fork and took the right hand road. It is all gravel roads in this area and not trails, but they aren't always marked very well.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The mist was on the move and soon we were in the midst of the mist.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgwCd2HmeUnlb2WBoK6AXStQm44e6oJDn1uEhJUxt6clHNJqH0msaeMe0lEUSBCSoqdyDTkS7OFhwQDuSMfGvDqICph0K6uNJVW2hAxfW57gVn-MukzxCkcUOQuS36_TG1VJ5f0lq1wc/s1600/IMG_7103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgwCd2HmeUnlb2WBoK6AXStQm44e6oJDn1uEhJUxt6clHNJqH0msaeMe0lEUSBCSoqdyDTkS7OFhwQDuSMfGvDqICph0K6uNJVW2hAxfW57gVn-MukzxCkcUOQuS36_TG1VJ5f0lq1wc/s640/IMG_7103.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Misty morning on the mountain)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As fast as the mist rolled in, it rolled on past leaving the sunshine to stream through the trees.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9FDZqJzMoSade_3OLCEv1TC6gvIMfk3QsKipdlvN9BVh0Wxi9Y5B0X6qidklE67kvnd6JAbu-4oTTzuS0_U3ehpxa464IeAbErruj_kUFuBIQg2DIX4hjggLlQry0mrVdAkAgfjbh3g/s1600/IMG_7109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9FDZqJzMoSade_3OLCEv1TC6gvIMfk3QsKipdlvN9BVh0Wxi9Y5B0X6qidklE67kvnd6JAbu-4oTTzuS0_U3ehpxa464IeAbErruj_kUFuBIQg2DIX4hjggLlQry0mrVdAkAgfjbh3g/s640/IMG_7109.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Sunshine lighting up the forest)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The forestry program at OSU does active logging in both the MacDonald and Dunn forests. Certain areas show evidence of past harvests.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRWorgJbj5WHnQMP6NGJ946F0Vf8iyNFcg2IEDCcglZ-F89qatHwIJNXPlkCoXlPgf5mKbreSuBWOCw6xAt_f9Zgr0mfMvKdOAutk-jsAS_6f3j5avidP3mOhY9lWaub14WbkmRSz7EU/s1600/IMG_7111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRWorgJbj5WHnQMP6NGJ946F0Vf8iyNFcg2IEDCcglZ-F89qatHwIJNXPlkCoXlPgf5mKbreSuBWOCw6xAt_f9Zgr0mfMvKdOAutk-jsAS_6f3j5avidP3mOhY9lWaub14WbkmRSz7EU/s640/IMG_7111.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Nature is reclaiming one of its own)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">At one point we turned onto Rd 300 and it was along there, I think, that we came upon a drainage pond of sorts. There were many salamanders in and near the water. We had to be careful of where we stepped.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56SV432CtCWCqa2_kleE2sl-eLdmJMcWFVDZXUMdpTLbBtjEB9BwkhRHIaklMJsTdeql9gUqbv6tDo2DLbmKAWPm_WTrthoCqoUQt9KF9rIkpLhvGgzZSAUsi5MXYJ18aWmCr-LpGAQs/s1600/IMG_7113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56SV432CtCWCqa2_kleE2sl-eLdmJMcWFVDZXUMdpTLbBtjEB9BwkhRHIaklMJsTdeql9gUqbv6tDo2DLbmKAWPm_WTrthoCqoUQt9KF9rIkpLhvGgzZSAUsi5MXYJ18aWmCr-LpGAQs/s640/IMG_7113.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Salamander heading in for a swim)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVNRMKLQ93dezOnDgbWiVONGcj_fWdt1MRpfrxTZmcRtZzJXpPddD-IccPLiSJWXpqXQBPDKquAQFckhNZ6KEJneY-ioj2Kikre9Vd1675bJ6b2pr7b5s-MRu2tiu3gU-aWO-UkyN1zs/s1600/IMG_7116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVNRMKLQ93dezOnDgbWiVONGcj_fWdt1MRpfrxTZmcRtZzJXpPddD-IccPLiSJWXpqXQBPDKquAQFckhNZ6KEJneY-ioj2Kikre9Vd1675bJ6b2pr7b5s-MRu2tiu3gU-aWO-UkyN1zs/s640/IMG_7116.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Hello Mr. or Mrs. Salamander)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqI67JYuvUNlWnYiM8HRn5HOWs1q9Ap5RunYo1NY55wQvGfLphRboyYVSqOGSbE4jYj9jaDTNgwM34gD8-_w4FenpvzjTmvLseJ_j3KdLUFxXcTy-YEpF-htKLxWxZYY54bGDyFRv_FLw/s1600/IMG_7118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqI67JYuvUNlWnYiM8HRn5HOWs1q9Ap5RunYo1NY55wQvGfLphRboyYVSqOGSbE4jYj9jaDTNgwM34gD8-_w4FenpvzjTmvLseJ_j3KdLUFxXcTy-YEpF-htKLxWxZYY54bGDyFRv_FLw/s640/IMG_7118.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Even the <a href="https://www.almanac.com/content/woolly-bear-caterpillars-and-weather-prediction">Woolly Bear Caterpillars</a> were out - odd to see them this time of year)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Along Rd 300 we came to a ridge where we could see all the way across the valley to the </span><a href="https://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/cascade_mountain_range/#.WniSqzLVSV4" style="text-align: justify;">Cascade Mountain Range</a><span style="text-align: justify;">. At first we could see the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(Oregon)">Three Sisters</a> to the southeast and then <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Jefferson_(Oregon)">Mount Jefferson</a> came into view when looking a little further north.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlV0TD9VciwZ36IQi2Q4uVxNC3pNYRKLXIF9zFRoVc0rGg_Xd0r-gFCk7-Y65-0WByVoPyzBHnDTfI4gUQSXXFi8mQAdL8nIBTPyjbhHlee7XYtvb7LvNk_mT63V18ihVj0-VeP9U6U6U/s1600/IMG_7130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlV0TD9VciwZ36IQi2Q4uVxNC3pNYRKLXIF9zFRoVc0rGg_Xd0r-gFCk7-Y65-0WByVoPyzBHnDTfI4gUQSXXFi8mQAdL8nIBTPyjbhHlee7XYtvb7LvNk_mT63V18ihVj0-VeP9U6U6U/s640/IMG_7130.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Left - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Jefferson_(Oregon)">Mount Jefferson</a> / Right- the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(Oregon)">Three Sisters</a>)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-uIUXfi0Gsx_iNXf2wGVranT4tS0_9kBXyKbZa7Ml18pbszQWE0NO5_lrhBqOjPTlaD5498rhb5P8IIWodlHM6VrM9l0dgChgvNWrPt0-DpYimwOvqePbHLfQPJO7biR8coN2u8ci6k/s1600/IMG_7127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-uIUXfi0Gsx_iNXf2wGVranT4tS0_9kBXyKbZa7Ml18pbszQWE0NO5_lrhBqOjPTlaD5498rhb5P8IIWodlHM6VrM9l0dgChgvNWrPt0-DpYimwOvqePbHLfQPJO7biR8coN2u8ci6k/s640/IMG_7127.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A zoomed in view of Mt. Jefferson)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOWwcKrCjDQvo_LHY7eRFtzY8XXhufvCSqJ4-SkhNnSvnijLU_A7YpHw0gJK8WuPg-LYTRr6Rg7q-WXu-0bNze2j30AuaQKX2eu5iV8lZ1t2XQTDMcJorkbVU5mUxJzJdOFB_nmujq70/s1600/IMG_7123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOWwcKrCjDQvo_LHY7eRFtzY8XXhufvCSqJ4-SkhNnSvnijLU_A7YpHw0gJK8WuPg-LYTRr6Rg7q-WXu-0bNze2j30AuaQKX2eu5iV8lZ1t2XQTDMcJorkbVU5mUxJzJdOFB_nmujq70/s640/IMG_7123.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(And the Three Sisters)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">At this point we were about half way and at another fork in the road. We stopped for a few minutes and snacked on <a href="https://www.larabar.com/our-products?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4JWBt66P2QIViWV-Ch3tHA3dEAAYASAAEgI9AfD_BwE&dclid=CJzliLiuj9kCFUdjfgodaCICxQ">Lara Bars</a> before turning to go down Rd 400, which would loop us back to the trail head. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPGhMnV4gb-z8okrkHbYbpbEmK6k_ciuaPhRxqW6cS7rVmeBlZ5KCN3OgjTNe6OA8K3vgLdbAKG1bYMugSzFSo-OYRzNpzP3GvNenWe4RYi4b8CVLY765C2jzKlJfdibv9dZTNGcrr40/s1600/IMG_7135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPGhMnV4gb-z8okrkHbYbpbEmK6k_ciuaPhRxqW6cS7rVmeBlZ5KCN3OgjTNe6OA8K3vgLdbAKG1bYMugSzFSo-OYRzNpzP3GvNenWe4RYi4b8CVLY765C2jzKlJfdibv9dZTNGcrr40/s640/IMG_7135.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour making a wooden cairn)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT99Hb2lm2bKmSdMnt83y6ES9gm_95Vb8Mksz1DGa74mHyDALYw3-oGTZuzp0fKeeodYvRHtr57H2C5eQoXnd7YUrsM4G3z331hqfqSowo6Qe1uMytZP5jRNfjd-l9nBr1TwbcPeGmVr8/s1600/IMG_7141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT99Hb2lm2bKmSdMnt83y6ES9gm_95Vb8Mksz1DGa74mHyDALYw3-oGTZuzp0fKeeodYvRHtr57H2C5eQoXnd7YUrsM4G3z331hqfqSowo6Qe1uMytZP5jRNfjd-l9nBr1TwbcPeGmVr8/s640/IMG_7141.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A picture of Troubadour taking a picture)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbVqKaQoidejWmdDtvstIWiasU12hOJzVd2Zz5d5NKGEnkPpbRJ9y0LEFkN7FAXJ_6YyyxxTcpkS6uU9Rsv9aC9r7R72SRI1QiBeIzhj_4iLpbltRdFLvSpric6HSTcRvBJTd6IFg3Go/s1600/IMG_2777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbVqKaQoidejWmdDtvstIWiasU12hOJzVd2Zz5d5NKGEnkPpbRJ9y0LEFkN7FAXJ_6YyyxxTcpkS6uU9Rsv9aC9r7R72SRI1QiBeIzhj_4iLpbltRdFLvSpric6HSTcRvBJTd6IFg3Go/s640/IMG_2777.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Had to have at least one selfie - photo by Troubadour)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5pCWGBefhopTOLuFilAuzcfvRn7SRs2OsjTFsOkBGW0CDpXb-Bu0eUObD7YSZSqbprewoQlHFiRJnWiZKXX2kVbESNJ8TUpZ5YXBVnCEvTKa3R3KxBpSgH83FQW6U2g1_wuTzMrFRO4/s1600/IMG_2765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5pCWGBefhopTOLuFilAuzcfvRn7SRs2OsjTFsOkBGW0CDpXb-Bu0eUObD7YSZSqbprewoQlHFiRJnWiZKXX2kVbESNJ8TUpZ5YXBVnCEvTKa3R3KxBpSgH83FQW6U2g1_wuTzMrFRO4/s640/IMG_2765.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Panoramic by <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a>)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we started walking down Rd 400 you could see further north and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Hood">Mount Hood</a> came into view.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2pZEbqhgbOOaviRx-l0QA4l4O0v9IGZDnWGiRoi-32U6HGSeeD4npxUIx1PIx-3_YlF8-UskbF45QcgCvW_9skeYStXG-qlrsUGKUkFXjxzuSbF3UMf-5A5kEDEIqx0Y6iNwrfSHyoI/s1600/IMG_7146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2pZEbqhgbOOaviRx-l0QA4l4O0v9IGZDnWGiRoi-32U6HGSeeD4npxUIx1PIx-3_YlF8-UskbF45QcgCvW_9skeYStXG-qlrsUGKUkFXjxzuSbF3UMf-5A5kEDEIqx0Y6iNwrfSHyoI/s640/IMG_7146.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Left - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Hood">Mt. Hood</a> / Right - Mt. Jefferson)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">We'd been steadily climbing since the trail head. By our estimations we were about half way through the loop and the gravel road started its winding path down the mountain. This is where we'd wished we'd have brought the trekking poles with us to make it a little easier on the knees. It was quite a steep grade at first but eventually leveled off to an easy walk down. There were little uphill rises here and there but it was mostly downhill.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We came upon a little stream running through a culvert under the gravel road.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlMSm5a3ARNfSm7fjiuMaNK0SkBXPTY_9f0okEM-15P4pTJ2ehbsX5Elb0R9p16I2QrMUCw2v7wXqy1yw03AvRjLdvbPR-Q9J-qC-UqgU2K_wbk_l9Ca4rG2nyBnn-7NT1b791Yo1vXc/s1600/IMG_7154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlMSm5a3ARNfSm7fjiuMaNK0SkBXPTY_9f0okEM-15P4pTJ2ehbsX5Elb0R9p16I2QrMUCw2v7wXqy1yw03AvRjLdvbPR-Q9J-qC-UqgU2K_wbk_l9Ca4rG2nyBnn-7NT1b791Yo1vXc/s640/IMG_7154.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Winter rains bring rushing water - a look down stream)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyI2QqOjmSBnOU0mKO5VNhg5squ2uj1NVPSclDh9RDouhwdvtm337T1iCm5FJWbhpiAkEIwUUv-lrzZvykjhKYtvgFZQTYTEhC7dlgrp66ZPIENSAUfBvaTtfuET0ZcqECgabQEKgq6M/s1600/IMG_7158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyI2QqOjmSBnOU0mKO5VNhg5squ2uj1NVPSclDh9RDouhwdvtm337T1iCm5FJWbhpiAkEIwUUv-lrzZvykjhKYtvgFZQTYTEhC7dlgrp66ZPIENSAUfBvaTtfuET0ZcqECgabQEKgq6M/s640/IMG_7158.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(And a look up stream)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">The above picture was taken after <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> was down by the water. He'd spotted something bright pink on the stump.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd42erJd2VcUFQATo8rIOtCQabFXvfd_Fg1kK5bbNNjLEHzCbCA1S7SH9TrsxJnEO5ddhLdu9x1P_KkqwYg4lAVUs2dOSpR6DgALgs_cdhJycMpvhlH6YbPheM7g5R7sJOAZ1zUt1qkg/s1600/IMG_7156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd42erJd2VcUFQATo8rIOtCQabFXvfd_Fg1kK5bbNNjLEHzCbCA1S7SH9TrsxJnEO5ddhLdu9x1P_KkqwYg4lAVUs2dOSpR6DgALgs_cdhJycMpvhlH6YbPheM7g5R7sJOAZ1zUt1qkg/s640/IMG_7156.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Treasure? Out here in the forest?)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Occasionally when hiking we will see a rock someone has written a motivation phrase on or painted brightly for someone to find. Troubadour found himself a pink elephant. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD8lKlQNREBNK8umkQlcNu5TIF6G4Eb_ub1TJPfzW-6cywxj-moYNXuZK683eLWpesdcCm6-EAhGMfje4Pr9ndm1gHG2ngFqN1Gw_kkiKUgkFG2ZaUUqdlOWsYep1pQM6k_FsaW2P9oM/s1600/IMG_7159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD8lKlQNREBNK8umkQlcNu5TIF6G4Eb_ub1TJPfzW-6cywxj-moYNXuZK683eLWpesdcCm6-EAhGMfje4Pr9ndm1gHG2ngFqN1Gw_kkiKUgkFG2ZaUUqdlOWsYep1pQM6k_FsaW2P9oM/s640/IMG_7159.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Smile or 5-mile? Either way we smiled and were about at mile 5 of our hike)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I played around a little in iPhoto, I think I like the black & white version better even though it isn't as vivid.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpBiOuzcXJtyn_uDw3ap8eTgnamHg9oxiE4_KGKKKTVqw_u-kC1SQjwlo89rn8mgmMkVw3XhyphenhyphendD0yBTZdmOf4hrEwMWpfGqI6e0sKWKZRSRQGY0qzUqmXyps-bNuJUxGifECG72OapZ8/s1600/IMG_7159+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpBiOuzcXJtyn_uDw3ap8eTgnamHg9oxiE4_KGKKKTVqw_u-kC1SQjwlo89rn8mgmMkVw3XhyphenhyphendD0yBTZdmOf4hrEwMWpfGqI6e0sKWKZRSRQGY0qzUqmXyps-bNuJUxGifECG72OapZ8/s640/IMG_7159+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Same photo in black and white)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Another push up a hill and back down again. Last picture of the day was on one of the uphill sections to show the scale of the trees.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xFFrlrkETW4YizVfeGyM46hqKeBwoB4jYtc4f4jDDKi9Vs5Qv79RP8lCV90CumWEpMWH-2DvoEaejDoE4FQ1N09Rp6D-49nB3bMAgAB3ZElj0maPEnwr24s5oX6ERtJK4hGWKeqLboo/s1600/IMG_7161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xFFrlrkETW4YizVfeGyM46hqKeBwoB4jYtc4f4jDDKi9Vs5Qv79RP8lCV90CumWEpMWH-2DvoEaejDoE4FQ1N09Rp6D-49nB3bMAgAB3ZElj0maPEnwr24s5oX6ERtJK4hGWKeqLboo/s640/IMG_7161.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Tall trees in the forest)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">We made it back late in the afternoon. When all was said and done we'd hiked 7.2 miles (11.58 km). Not bad considering we forgot to warm up or stretch before setting out. And yes we were a little sore the next day or two, but it is the beginning of the year and the hiking will get easier.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>" <i>And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.</i>" - John Muir</b></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-29865115768331432642018-01-29T16:18:00.000-08:002018-01-29T16:18:27.207-08:00Rock the Crash Bars.....<div style="text-align: justify;">
My own take on "<a href="https://youtu.be/bJ9r8LMU9bQ">Rock the Casbah</a>" by the Clash. And the song that kept going through my head as we were discussing installing the crash bars on the Versys.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sometime before Christmas we ordered a <a href="https://www.t-rex-racing.com/">T-Rex Racing</a> skid plate and <a href="http://www.twistedthrottle.com/sw-motech-crash-bars-engine-guards-for-kawasaki-versys-x-300-17">SW Motech</a> Crash Bars for my Versys 300x. While the skid plate arrived right away, the crash bars didn't arrive until a week or so ago. Last Saturday after coffee, we finally got around to installing them.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Luckily, <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> did an oil change for me a few days prior. I've now got 1,000 miles (1,609 km) on it and was a wee overdue for the first oil change.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Please note before you continue reading that the skid plate and crash bars are the cleanest part of the bike. It hasn't had a bath since.......ever. No spa days in sight either since it is still winter.</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-a_z3kPuNXu0EWauTOn8INGzz_IMqwiWRNPeubMnhp3VDiEBQ7w72xzP6iCcrpTk6IkVvNR0gMoef83-36Hmt23FYU1HZ013udV-A05VZg2leej9v-Caxotjnn0nJqrFoUOFQqLwgKg/s1600/IMG_7002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-a_z3kPuNXu0EWauTOn8INGzz_IMqwiWRNPeubMnhp3VDiEBQ7w72xzP6iCcrpTk6IkVvNR0gMoef83-36Hmt23FYU1HZ013udV-A05VZg2leej9v-Caxotjnn0nJqrFoUOFQqLwgKg/s400/IMG_7002.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(T-Rex Racing Skid Plate)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHa2LUQY1PRO_R2qVPBnt0XBhnkJNoZXc3I0yLXXZOA4URwzfJdmymKmNiANz1KYjaAlk7RJj_W5C-dufHtAiQV0vASafLBE8Q0frfsRVnDhALF-d4mBiSGkZKmXWMfVR8m6iBeOtZd8Y/s1600/IMG_7004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHa2LUQY1PRO_R2qVPBnt0XBhnkJNoZXc3I0yLXXZOA4URwzfJdmymKmNiANz1KYjaAlk7RJj_W5C-dufHtAiQV0vASafLBE8Q0frfsRVnDhALF-d4mBiSGkZKmXWMfVR8m6iBeOtZd8Y/s400/IMG_7004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Alternate view of T-Rex Racing skid plate)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">It was fairly easy to install - 3 brackets and a few bolts all provided. The brackets weren't labelled and there were no paper instructions, but there was a video online that we referenced. The lower plastic cover on one side was removed for the oil change, so there wasn't as much prep work. The skid plate also uses existing mounting points and they provide new bolts.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqbBY9T6sWe8qLoGteFlb9Sv4FkgGeeH-VhthWkz-vnk5OIB72H4mz4ylr9J55mNMpu89uH-Jn0xrhFw-_IB6HkIX1l4UTK96yjFyi7Rt7VU3em-hqrA4P3Oj9liSuSiEeexxGbuTh5M/s1600/IMG_7057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqbBY9T6sWe8qLoGteFlb9Sv4FkgGeeH-VhthWkz-vnk5OIB72H4mz4ylr9J55mNMpu89uH-Jn0xrhFw-_IB6HkIX1l4UTK96yjFyi7Rt7VU3em-hqrA4P3Oj9liSuSiEeexxGbuTh5M/s640/IMG_7057.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Prior to install, nice exposed exhaust and oil filter)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9dlWzEwqp2QzyofdYJoX98Hiw0qgroD0C2BrTM899Q-ibOSzhByL-LNretIipvhtvaKQ9V3JzJ9VYs3ArC3GEfA3SyBBA5vES7gxzTzXuLYFcz76-wRKCRGAGXEN8c2C5caqg5gePq0/s1600/IMG_7061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9dlWzEwqp2QzyofdYJoX98Hiw0qgroD0C2BrTM899Q-ibOSzhByL-LNretIipvhtvaKQ9V3JzJ9VYs3ArC3GEfA3SyBBA5vES7gxzTzXuLYFcz76-wRKCRGAGXEN8c2C5caqg5gePq0/s640/IMG_7061.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(With skid plate installed)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">See.....cleanest part of the bike........</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next up were the crash bars. Two pieces and a little bag of install necessities. I must say that I was impressed with how well packaged these were when they arrived. Inside the box everything was double wrapped in bubble wrap and taped closed. No way were they even going to get a scratch before arriving.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuz783cs6VApzL97gYJyMH4yEhT8VcAy9Gp-2LCFmNV7gwNyBdBgZcDD7zsqKpMpUUoJzWw_ln3pmltgxf3bb-eUconiAp6WgJ0lawriAgEO8WHCP1XpPrHzMAyc2bNse-WmpKPdNQg-M/s1600/IMG_7044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuz783cs6VApzL97gYJyMH4yEhT8VcAy9Gp-2LCFmNV7gwNyBdBgZcDD7zsqKpMpUUoJzWw_ln3pmltgxf3bb-eUconiAp6WgJ0lawriAgEO8WHCP1XpPrHzMAyc2bNse-WmpKPdNQg-M/s400/IMG_7044.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(SW Motech Crash Bars for Versys 300x)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraj_uaW_GtCpQse4rMazp7_cqG19I2dP8WDOh3vrhWKlmGa1L6D0NCYnXJCrADfV5mfuW3MMeFa0Opzej7kebaqxWjbXQLh6L9fKspb7ejixmbAemAmragfXi8bB5CdMktVFvHc7u1IE/s1600/IMG_7046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraj_uaW_GtCpQse4rMazp7_cqG19I2dP8WDOh3vrhWKlmGa1L6D0NCYnXJCrADfV5mfuW3MMeFa0Opzej7kebaqxWjbXQLh6L9fKspb7ejixmbAemAmragfXi8bB5CdMktVFvHc7u1IE/s400/IMG_7046.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(All the bolts, nuts and washers required for install)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Luckily the bars came with paper instructions. The hardest part was breaking loose the main engine bolt. Even the impact driver didn't want to loosen it. Luckily Troubadour finally muscled it loose and from there it wasn't hard at all. Unscrew this, take out old bolt, add a spacer and new bolt/washer..... rinse, repeat.....</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDQbEzTOzfiRhUV3yMsIYv600VFTinKt3GbUYrtGdcv70QcUw8WiHalP5wnnNDcS1XfsZTM18Vmxh3PcYoxv61PJbbyY6QpeTZW1QETlza7UrKJSAgk5ZUTNaTlgxArMKohMe6MkksQE/s1600/IMG_7065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDQbEzTOzfiRhUV3yMsIYv600VFTinKt3GbUYrtGdcv70QcUw8WiHalP5wnnNDcS1XfsZTM18Vmxh3PcYoxv61PJbbyY6QpeTZW1QETlza7UrKJSAgk5ZUTNaTlgxArMKohMe6MkksQE/s640/IMG_7065.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A dirty Versys 300x before the install)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlBOTlt4MuWiGC1g1UIZZCUHgg_9F_h8VaCeR8Eq8DAijhebmp34fyRyTkf5Sz1aeTeyqQRjkq49Nuq8GxvTkRX9SAyw3FjTD60HbMNdf6y9xWHdHTQWk-G-DOeXcUIBZBqUKzPbN8LM/s1600/IMG_7068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlBOTlt4MuWiGC1g1UIZZCUHgg_9F_h8VaCeR8Eq8DAijhebmp34fyRyTkf5Sz1aeTeyqQRjkq49Nuq8GxvTkRX9SAyw3FjTD60HbMNdf6y9xWHdHTQWk-G-DOeXcUIBZBqUKzPbN8LM/s320/IMG_7068.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(SW Motech Crash Bars installed)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15E0e0d5E6G4UWzg0oYyPqDGD1xBHVkjtUAzU1CQ7YDmfcC9_FT0n3HNMX2JeMeEphA7JwRJF40y1FaEk7lDYMA109enHgh0ENENGIMjunZTtwOgNzkvSl5jPDDj7hQgk8OjLneV1YH0/s1600/IMG_7064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15E0e0d5E6G4UWzg0oYyPqDGD1xBHVkjtUAzU1CQ7YDmfcC9_FT0n3HNMX2JeMeEphA7JwRJF40y1FaEk7lDYMA109enHgh0ENENGIMjunZTtwOgNzkvSl5jPDDj7hQgk8OjLneV1YH0/s320/IMG_7064.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Left side before)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQkyKIud6-26QxvBn2FH1xwmds_9hUTMYmZFV1Gw-MKtTZyk1LcSR7zDInOh2fKsidZhDOYt1NkJJeRWMJgcDXqa7n7v-4WKCCd0i0-7Jh7tPLCGeV7XZbqIZ2P1W_RYVrQaPT9WODWE/s1600/IMG_7073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQkyKIud6-26QxvBn2FH1xwmds_9hUTMYmZFV1Gw-MKtTZyk1LcSR7zDInOh2fKsidZhDOYt1NkJJeRWMJgcDXqa7n7v-4WKCCd0i0-7Jh7tPLCGeV7XZbqIZ2P1W_RYVrQaPT9WODWE/s640/IMG_7073.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Left side crash bar installed)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKN8d_gkb4OsjM9wwPJtbfARrm6vIQTkyGaYmuaLIby-ON1EC0iQOO14w36Df7nnn2OK8DzDh-khN4yB638qIW4wtz2Lx7z4Lfe8rxkYs2FNjbZpc1OPEtyIj92lL_ArCUnstO-4AQJcc/s1600/IMG_7066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKN8d_gkb4OsjM9wwPJtbfARrm6vIQTkyGaYmuaLIby-ON1EC0iQOO14w36Df7nnn2OK8DzDh-khN4yB638qIW4wtz2Lx7z4Lfe8rxkYs2FNjbZpc1OPEtyIj92lL_ArCUnstO-4AQJcc/s640/IMG_7066.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Right side prior to install)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96vqk_oHTQxLQ5wyoLPToq_EVVLQ9llAC6Buuc_yPvX6MUPFVUlRqpBoybDawKDaejcngnZZCEdVKNWfS6ezjciInvhXyXRj2QueKbknZmqmlZmMQj_xLPKAj84wfLv0eVvLXzCbo76g/s1600/IMG_7069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96vqk_oHTQxLQ5wyoLPToq_EVVLQ9llAC6Buuc_yPvX6MUPFVUlRqpBoybDawKDaejcngnZZCEdVKNWfS6ezjciInvhXyXRj2QueKbknZmqmlZmMQj_xLPKAj84wfLv0eVvLXzCbo76g/s640/IMG_7069.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Right side after install)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJeqN5vjQ9vty6sNAgQKN14Ulr191ZuJcHF_Bo40Mb0zQVPNlafoua94YbOd2kAdklsHgXa1eflnKTELg_YoXOSannT5midcjLdgwvMLRl59u3ctCB0081HP3uIQ99J4LvJ8TeAIsDbU/s1600/IMG_7080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJeqN5vjQ9vty6sNAgQKN14Ulr191ZuJcHF_Bo40Mb0zQVPNlafoua94YbOd2kAdklsHgXa1eflnKTELg_YoXOSannT5midcjLdgwvMLRl59u3ctCB0081HP3uIQ99J4LvJ8TeAIsDbU/s640/IMG_7080.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Skid Plate and Crash Bars installed)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">And, I couldn't forget to thank my </span><a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: justify;">mechanic</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> and handyman extraordinaire.......he prefers scones. This time it was cardamon with crystallized ginger and dates. Yumm.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzMMox1bqGwaCdtAmZiU35CHs-6ef77f_HL275i3yFcGQgUUCSHedv-y_RyTotbhD5Xo0BWD49Ky0XjQtpuCSKMwFHY4yuMbTzPOH-9YZZRCT3O8QvDaN27PoRBAa3ALRphsfVOseaok/s1600/IMG_7083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzMMox1bqGwaCdtAmZiU35CHs-6ef77f_HL275i3yFcGQgUUCSHedv-y_RyTotbhD5Xo0BWD49Ky0XjQtpuCSKMwFHY4yuMbTzPOH-9YZZRCT3O8QvDaN27PoRBAa3ALRphsfVOseaok/s400/IMG_7083.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now I just need another nice day to get out and ride. Alas, it is still winter.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
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<b>" <i>Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat</i>." - Author Unknown</b></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-38395963919445869472018-01-14T09:58:00.002-08:002018-01-15T19:51:03.432-08:00January Gravel Road Ride<div style="text-align: justify;">
So far we have lucked out with the recent weather in Oregon. While it is winter, we haven't had any snow in Corvallis and the days of rain have definitely been less frequent than last year. We'd been eyeing the weather forecast for this weekend and following three days of pretty good rain were a few days of sunshine.</div>
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We made a plan to ride to coffee and then tootle around some gravel roads after and see where the day would take us.</div>
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We left the house just after 9 am. The temperature was 44˚F (6.6˚C) and the fog was thick. The 5 mile ride to coffee wasn't that pleasant. I had my yellow lensed glasses on to see better but the condensation on the visor (and my glasses) by the time we got to coffee was not fun.</div>
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We sat around and chatted until 11:30 when the fog burned off and the sun came out to play. Four of us were heading off together for a wee adventure: Andy, aka Polar Bear was on his orange Triumph Tiger, Brad, aka <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> was on his Suzuki DRZ 400, his buddy Jeff, aka Lefty, was on his Suzuki DRZ 400. I Trobairitz was on my <strike>trusty</strike> mostly trusty Yamaha TW200.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamL2h1VLiTSkjYNgWxkkDbZ6v7H8wxN3BH9nTjYOvjXDzqzbYjt0CJprivjU5d06zTGbR85VSA5s2t_VnnuQG5A__qUhxRGc5ik-DXgtKYxr__b1DDCyr8JpfEcxeNLKnWBTiElzxUw/s1600/IMG_7012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamL2h1VLiTSkjYNgWxkkDbZ6v7H8wxN3BH9nTjYOvjXDzqzbYjt0CJprivjU5d06zTGbR85VSA5s2t_VnnuQG5A__qUhxRGc5ik-DXgtKYxr__b1DDCyr8JpfEcxeNLKnWBTiElzxUw/s640/IMG_7012.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Brad, Andy, and Jeff getting ready to ride)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We took the back roads to Philomath and then headed west to Woods Creek Road. It is a road we know well and enjoy its gravel and elevation changes. We meander up then down. I usually worry about the downhill side as it doesn't see a lot of sun and can be quite muddy. This time it was the uphill climb that was rather muddy, but the downhill side was fine. There were a few large puddles, probably the largest I've ever ridden through. Nice to know my Sidi Livia Rain boots are still waterproof after all these years. Jeff found out the hard way that his boots weren't quite sealed.</div>
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We made a few turns and stopped at a clearing where we've stopped a few times before. It gave the guys a chance to water the tree stumps and take a break. We were on a ridge so we could see the other hills around us.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXgCFH1BCwhN-E0Io642N3mDxR3svYvK9RLN_CUEE46iWBkvtZu5ORXk4CDgulhlssGwOvl1cXYK9UlYA7JNWtOhJ03z3UZvDM-z4uf9p2Hi-IRTY05nvn3w7sGE04ZX1otPRTLHZrQ/s1600/IMG_7015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXgCFH1BCwhN-E0Io642N3mDxR3svYvK9RLN_CUEE46iWBkvtZu5ORXk4CDgulhlssGwOvl1cXYK9UlYA7JNWtOhJ03z3UZvDM-z4uf9p2Hi-IRTY05nvn3w7sGE04ZX1otPRTLHZrQ/s640/IMG_7015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(My TW 200 with tail bag - the packhorse of the day)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Hfj9iOa7OJfl00RaIZxCAMKUeVfVT-6KNVrAzuqB6rEDXnqHuhehyHoZUct8SH3APPjUlO89dfaaNXc9wlfzlD0lkwoJBbQi7O87ATv2Wo2XRVDvfRpHOa6dPPIlJPZUagUiTigeAw/s1600/IMG_7016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Hfj9iOa7OJfl00RaIZxCAMKUeVfVT-6KNVrAzuqB6rEDXnqHuhehyHoZUct8SH3APPjUlO89dfaaNXc9wlfzlD0lkwoJBbQi7O87ATv2Wo2XRVDvfRpHOa6dPPIlJPZUagUiTigeAw/s640/IMG_7016.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A view of the coastal mountains)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAO5DTYAJl2eQ0cn9BrDNH4X1rTuvJyzeFbM8VLhOunsMAeVWOkfsSZdUTJ7Sz-FP4A4lzGeeBNNJ6q6r43CqeE_8V5ZVR_y9gbIsapXY6pLLwiH_y8q3OTkp32MaLlZhyphenhyphenws-9stkDw/s1600/IMG_7017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAO5DTYAJl2eQ0cn9BrDNH4X1rTuvJyzeFbM8VLhOunsMAeVWOkfsSZdUTJ7Sz-FP4A4lzGeeBNNJ6q6r43CqeE_8V5ZVR_y9gbIsapXY6pLLwiH_y8q3OTkp32MaLlZhyphenhyphenws-9stkDw/s640/IMG_7017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The view without the bikes)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgto8uEOU0B0owr5O3v9qzXMiCHg9vE28I3sJJ-U1o1tm8PXhxZLlA7YNgNQZgOtE5jhL8AYZWHaW18bQjwn9BbEzCKHdBZLdQtTTNKWSfG5sSz4Etw_g9p_BF0PavO7uqYemRYHX7Rvw/s1600/IMG_7018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgto8uEOU0B0owr5O3v9qzXMiCHg9vE28I3sJJ-U1o1tm8PXhxZLlA7YNgNQZgOtE5jhL8AYZWHaW18bQjwn9BbEzCKHdBZLdQtTTNKWSfG5sSz4Etw_g9p_BF0PavO7uqYemRYHX7Rvw/s640/IMG_7018.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a>'s DRZ 400)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0cnuH7U4f62NvtonpWlzRPmlJcy20cO86XiiiIZRBz_4d4TmK_zFcFUsJzm4aFzNnKwpDgwYwVglgkip0-BYWHeXJ6xlwxXYvR3mZ3kru06hUmbwPL5HkwSP8928PP1Ct0pHiAoOOa8/s1600/IMG_7020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0cnuH7U4f62NvtonpWlzRPmlJcy20cO86XiiiIZRBz_4d4TmK_zFcFUsJzm4aFzNnKwpDgwYwVglgkip0-BYWHeXJ6xlwxXYvR3mZ3kru06hUmbwPL5HkwSP8928PP1Ct0pHiAoOOa8/s640/IMG_7020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(From the left - Polar Bear, Troubadour, and Lefty in the helmet)</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">While we were here a gentleman rode up on his Triumph Scrambler Street. Nice looking bike. We chatted for a bit and before he left Lefty asks him to take a group photo of us.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_vMxY6Z-PegEqyEcs6rGxDF-mbYVNEviOpBB5mWwteEZU75dHbyKT6Iiofd04Wdv3swz_CxKW0_wAYrM0vFATDKOvhFAvb17vA-Qw6O68yHWw025a6ci-AvCjZKncDJKxXPv3pxRKH0/s1600/IMG_2518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_vMxY6Z-PegEqyEcs6rGxDF-mbYVNEviOpBB5mWwteEZU75dHbyKT6Iiofd04Wdv3swz_CxKW0_wAYrM0vFATDKOvhFAvb17vA-Qw6O68yHWw025a6ci-AvCjZKncDJKxXPv3pxRKH0/s640/IMG_2518.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour, Polar Bear, Trobairitz, Lefty)</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">From the clearing we rode into </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnt_Woods,_Oregon" style="text-align: justify;">Burnt Woods</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> where we could stop for fuel. Well, Lefty and I needed fuel, Troubadour has a Clark tank on his DRZ and Polar Bear's Tiger is a fuel tanker so they were good.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagcj9rwj_Qp53bC-7hm9XG6D_zknyxZFwjthcMMBafK4j5XhuO91Abk_vBdAuiFnjoDRJnJD3VTRjH_JWLmKGN-7LTs-vn1TTy6VEgUl7iZjb6kOILFwrLeYZ-YgbPFw2i4hSmBoigz4/s1600/IMG_7023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagcj9rwj_Qp53bC-7hm9XG6D_zknyxZFwjthcMMBafK4j5XhuO91Abk_vBdAuiFnjoDRJnJD3VTRjH_JWLmKGN-7LTs-vn1TTy6VEgUl7iZjb6kOILFwrLeYZ-YgbPFw2i4hSmBoigz4/s640/IMG_7023.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour and Polar Bear)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyl2p4ha2GxJTp6gDbAyzsoy39mFOdSgyHjbpAltaoRtRPWXaC7_0NA5ZNzNToJ88Oeujy6DWXg3klCnquM6_1gxgAqerwzfk2BXilCOCXavy4ZioukuZiLeXFhDY3ZOjVH71xl3GcGM/s1600/IMG_7022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyl2p4ha2GxJTp6gDbAyzsoy39mFOdSgyHjbpAltaoRtRPWXaC7_0NA5ZNzNToJ88Oeujy6DWXg3klCnquM6_1gxgAqerwzfk2BXilCOCXavy4ZioukuZiLeXFhDY3ZOjVH71xl3GcGM/s640/IMG_7022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Polar Bear basking in the rare winter sunshine)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNR8JMcb5p3-gmoXqEoI5rDOKUNqQSwfBduqaitbiIo5Mf_TZgbpDEg9dB69Lsc83BIYgWmhNith2Pfy3pNdP5QoMjB0Efv1lUfFtFiLJ4x3iYIFaNvwM6X1Q9UuzpfLQ9aBEKZqa4CHY/s1600/IMG_7024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNR8JMcb5p3-gmoXqEoI5rDOKUNqQSwfBduqaitbiIo5Mf_TZgbpDEg9dB69Lsc83BIYgWmhNith2Pfy3pNdP5QoMjB0Efv1lUfFtFiLJ4x3iYIFaNvwM6X1Q9UuzpfLQ9aBEKZqa4CHY/s640/IMG_7024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Lefty after fueling up his DRZ 400)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
At Burt Woods we turned East onto Highway 20 for two miles and then turned North on Clem Road. I was last out this way in May 2016. In fact it was just after Clem Road when I hit reserve on the TW and was almost out of gas. (Notice I fuelled up at Burnt Woods this time). I wrote about that ride <a href="http://trobairitztablet.blogspot.com/2016/05/may-day-dual-sport-ride.html">HERE</a>. </div>
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It was a mile or so up Clem Road when the ride went a little pear shaped. We were headed uphill after a left hand corner when I heard a loud "bang" and then nothing. The bike was running but I had no forward momentum. I called to Troubadour and Lefty on the Sena radios that I was stopped. Polar Bear rode up behind me and said my chain had come off. I said "my chain came off?" Which the other guys heard in their helmets and turned around. Polar Bear's battery had died on his Sena so they couldn't hear him talking to me.</div>
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I was sitting there with my hand on the front break not wanting to lift my foot off the muddy road to use the back brake. Troubadour had to steady the bike while I put the kickstand down and could get off the bike. Nothing like being stuck uphill on a muddy road between two blind corners and the road doesn't have a shoulder. I can't think of a safer spot, can you?</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHHunzBZXFBr2sv7jfpNhBTzBvKTbaqiJgMfV59osl8-QCObDMiDqi6zoCa-Aw4oZslA8UcABXRVp2WBrAKExJkIG60CvNkYB8Mp_5PSlBBg09ATglkvonskNDWj4SFdAKAEojKFdNi4/s1600/IMG_7025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHHunzBZXFBr2sv7jfpNhBTzBvKTbaqiJgMfV59osl8-QCObDMiDqi6zoCa-Aw4oZslA8UcABXRVp2WBrAKExJkIG60CvNkYB8Mp_5PSlBBg09ATglkvonskNDWj4SFdAKAEojKFdNi4/s640/IMG_7025.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Chain came off the rear sprocket)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
While I was unlucky that the chain came off, I was lucky in two things: 1) the chain didn't come off at highway speeds a few short miles before; and 2) it didn't come completely off and kill the bike. Troubadour has a nice little tool kit on his DRZ so the guys went to work.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMJEMOS8jQqcQraio05qolGn6AOQR58x4gihkRWjcZMm8qcaq6_znb2pjSXGEp4-_DIFuQtc-HRlEz2vVpxFqOyqSVveTm3BIV2ny0ggHnBItyLT7OHlFM6KvT7MhgKBLs8R9ssM72FM/s1600/IMG_7027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMJEMOS8jQqcQraio05qolGn6AOQR58x4gihkRWjcZMm8qcaq6_znb2pjSXGEp4-_DIFuQtc-HRlEz2vVpxFqOyqSVveTm3BIV2ny0ggHnBItyLT7OHlFM6KvT7MhgKBLs8R9ssM72FM/s640/IMG_7027.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour and Polar Bear fixing the TW - Lefty turning off the Go Pro)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-MEm9hOs1VHh3I3s4u07GuhsCRLBusB8pFwn48govdyBdn12weVsLWY6TPCIt1LSUClmFHPltrU0ZYOuy3ei5x9n_Q92qfKNfTNO1Hh3gqVg1Qv-p5V-mkM80oCwD_o8JZ1tzFvnb8U/s1600/IMG_7028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-MEm9hOs1VHh3I3s4u07GuhsCRLBusB8pFwn48govdyBdn12weVsLWY6TPCIt1LSUClmFHPltrU0ZYOuy3ei5x9n_Q92qfKNfTNO1Hh3gqVg1Qv-p5V-mkM80oCwD_o8JZ1tzFvnb8U/s640/IMG_7028.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour working on the muddy TW)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qDi9RV52b-sJAYCFeGVkLzOc_XJ2TQCywwukjDzgTQ1ursBInf92AGdAy1tC6iNcayzq-IMvQD3fus7eZQozLsInieXczVmNLRd4TgHvcHeo5a4r6NNeQ1JxXrMeM-jtgO2_elGzY90/s1600/IMG_7030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qDi9RV52b-sJAYCFeGVkLzOc_XJ2TQCywwukjDzgTQ1ursBInf92AGdAy1tC6iNcayzq-IMvQD3fus7eZQozLsInieXczVmNLRd4TgHvcHeo5a4r6NNeQ1JxXrMeM-jtgO2_elGzY90/s640/IMG_7030.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A view down the hill from where we'd been)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-zY0lgoUBYkL_b8BeOH8QeavwMjBlsGgqQLy-GCivRePGEEt2KNSlozFg_3CYdGoOvCuEZIWTNVf6MsB4q1DEAiuFQuxXCWyxtPHbeUAV2XDOOw-vWr5n60xvOOTuoBoHYPZq0qax2k/s1600/IMG_7032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-zY0lgoUBYkL_b8BeOH8QeavwMjBlsGgqQLy-GCivRePGEEt2KNSlozFg_3CYdGoOvCuEZIWTNVf6MsB4q1DEAiuFQuxXCWyxtPHbeUAV2XDOOw-vWr5n60xvOOTuoBoHYPZq0qax2k/s640/IMG_7032.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour's DRZ and a view up ahead of where we were going)</span></b></td></tr>
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The guys got my bike race ready - thank you gentlemen and we motored forward. I couldn't believe in the time we were there not one vehicle came down that road. Last time we were on it there was quite a bit of traffic. Luck was on our side.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We linked up more gravel roads and took the back way into <a href="http://trobairitztablet.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-rain-finally-paused-ride.html">Fort Hoskins</a>, where we used the restroom facilities and had a snack. It was about 2:30 by this time. Our destination was the <a href="http://www.yeastybeasty.com/">Yeasty Beasty pizza</a> place in Monmouth. You may remember that name from our Polar Bear ride two years ago. You can read that post <a href="http://trobairitztablet.blogspot.com/2016/01/yeasty-beasty-new-years-day-ride.html">HERE</a>. Because of the time of day we decided not to take the longer gravel route, but to take some tarmac into <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monmouth,_Oregon">Monmouth</a>.</div>
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We arrived and found parking out front. It was now 3:30 so Polar Bear said his goodbyes. He had a longer ride home and was chasing daylight. Troubadour, Lefty, and I went in for a bite of pizza. The food was not great, but we were hungry. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH34R8q56wgOcyL-Fq8Jr9DCwuuRgoXr5lmElLibZS1rV8M_53mtRwrdRtvyv47vxkOLlTCGtYbjHVKuamPtMV74L5tUiCdBGKgcGQLsQjZsCfTg8aQ_F7wkUW-3LOqh0uRkE173ndRUo/s1600/IMG_7033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH34R8q56wgOcyL-Fq8Jr9DCwuuRgoXr5lmElLibZS1rV8M_53mtRwrdRtvyv47vxkOLlTCGtYbjHVKuamPtMV74L5tUiCdBGKgcGQLsQjZsCfTg8aQ_F7wkUW-3LOqh0uRkE173ndRUo/s640/IMG_7033.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Mini Greek veggie pizza with no cheese)</span></b></td></tr>
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While eating we discussed the best way to head home. We were heading south to Corvallis, but Lefty was heading back to Albany, which is about 11 miles east of Corvallis. We decided to head back the way we came on Helmick Road until it intersected again with Highway 99. Our goal was to do as little of the highway as possible and in that we succeeded. After linking with Highway 99 we went about a block south and Lefty turned left onto Suver Road and we turned right onto Airlie Road. About a mile in we stopped at De Armond Rd (a gravel road of course). We have passed that road a lot of times before, but we weren't sure where it went. </div>
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When stopped Troubadour checked the map on his phone, while I took a few pictures.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPg0e4N_uQJvmQMJjBfhrmzJB-6liE1VxKOtqkCR30bw4FscycvUUh0ahEejwD0ZVCVM8sFZM4rOHpiscKbQqoOn-1jW4lMpH5DROh16pfqwRRsR3WtCVLUc6E0Oxa7vJuL9X3IelcAc/s1600/IMG_7038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPg0e4N_uQJvmQMJjBfhrmzJB-6liE1VxKOtqkCR30bw4FscycvUUh0ahEejwD0ZVCVM8sFZM4rOHpiscKbQqoOn-1jW4lMpH5DROh16pfqwRRsR3WtCVLUc6E0Oxa7vJuL9X3IelcAc/s640/IMG_7038.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour checking his phone during the golden hour)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZE01TycijHkhvdJZfVLEMxifGHfUirsQk536mpBjQtZtPRu9K0RMJTIO6DVGzuncfvGQXMshuBoOxV5GqtDxvob5NZxQ32i4IjinR-UU6I8f8FudtDCc2wFJMFrWhpt-nXjxJREwN450/s1600/IMG_7036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZE01TycijHkhvdJZfVLEMxifGHfUirsQk536mpBjQtZtPRu9K0RMJTIO6DVGzuncfvGQXMshuBoOxV5GqtDxvob5NZxQ32i4IjinR-UU6I8f8FudtDCc2wFJMFrWhpt-nXjxJREwN450/s640/IMG_7036.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">( A selfie with cockeyed glasses, I had to pull them out a bit to keep them from fogging up)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFV14OvbCa2giWMYrlrvrk4lSWmUxN3RwHREnMNZ7wNhbJP0uiTYGwRcfZwCQeUZ87pQBwKRbf5W6VBA-UjluUCE2HrgNZd68PLdypT1-5q65Qo_nASktdpc0LmIYtXQikp50mat9OALI/s1600/IMG_7043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFV14OvbCa2giWMYrlrvrk4lSWmUxN3RwHREnMNZ7wNhbJP0uiTYGwRcfZwCQeUZ87pQBwKRbf5W6VBA-UjluUCE2HrgNZd68PLdypT1-5q65Qo_nASktdpc0LmIYtXQikp50mat9OALI/s640/IMG_7043.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Last picture of the day was the sun reflecting off a pond in a field while we were stopped)</span></b></td></tr>
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I am pretty good remembering directions so Troubadour read them off to me - right on Rifle Range Road, right on Coffin Butte Road and left on Tampico Road, which would take us back to Highway 99 just a lot further south and mostly gravel. Got it. It was a nice little route that we will take in the future. We popped out on Hwy 99 and continued to leapfrog side roads all the way into Corvallis. It was just getting dark when we got to town.</div>
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We pulled in the driveway at 5 pm to 50˚F (10˚C). Almost 8 hours since we'd left the house and yet only about 100 miles (160 km) on the odometer - most of them gravel. It was a good day.</div>
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No one got hurt and everyone made it home safe. I think everyone might be checking their chain tension today though.<br />
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<b><u>Update:</u></b> As linked on <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/2018/01/new-years-ride-cline-butte-and-beyond.html">Troubadour's blog</a> - Lefty put together a short video montage of part of our ride. It gives you an idea of some of the terrain. A link to YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuJi__dQHaM&feature=youtu.be">HERE</a>.</div>
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<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
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<b>" <i>People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost.</i>" - H. Jackson Brown</b></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-79775109262373988162017-12-24T10:53:00.000-08:002017-12-24T10:53:01.426-08:00An End to 2017<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9lE1oncsydexTm26vHjJIOPfR5zinosfbP7aW4HqgkRGiF-oT3FdAuQ8NLX1kFSLKZRZ0dQn8rZ6HU-0L-2b1J4u_EDjLttHC5c-vIzIEpsBRo_7qbDjxApfwhInsjRLUg1Ey3BOwA/s1600/Goodbye-2017-Images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9lE1oncsydexTm26vHjJIOPfR5zinosfbP7aW4HqgkRGiF-oT3FdAuQ8NLX1kFSLKZRZ0dQn8rZ6HU-0L-2b1J4u_EDjLttHC5c-vIzIEpsBRo_7qbDjxApfwhInsjRLUg1Ey3BOwA/s320/Goodbye-2017-Images.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>(Stock image from interweb)</b></td></tr>
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As the end of the year approaches, I figured I'd best post up a quick blog; it has been almost two months since my last one.</div>
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Nothing exciting has been keeping me away from posting, just the opposite in fact. Days consist of going to work and coming home. Our weather has been pretty chilly and we just finished a good 10-day stretch of freezing temperatures, luckily no snow.</div>
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As 2017 comes to a close I look to 2018 and the changes it will bring. My boss is retiring after 41 years of being an attorney. I have worked for him for 17 of those years. As of January 1st I will be actively looking for employment so that when I am done at the office at the end of January I will have another job to go to.</div>
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We are also hoping to put our house on the market in the spring. Long time homeowners beside us have sold and it has become a rental complete with 7 children, 3 large barking dogs, 7 chickens, and a pig. Yes, a pig. We are in city limits and didn't sign up to live beside a farm. So combined with the two-story monoliths they built against our back fence it is time to go.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoq9v3V6WRuJKOCC2h0w5IYwMAGqyI-uKSqRWoHg2txv0xPB8hQWJ2TqDYQ2Byg5m1grdxwYwzIx6F1w8dZd-x2IMG9A86YddAtyuUif21S6GSFIKNnIKjn-Fz1ZkepHs5-ocAmHnwg/s1600/IMG_7007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoq9v3V6WRuJKOCC2h0w5IYwMAGqyI-uKSqRWoHg2txv0xPB8hQWJ2TqDYQ2Byg5m1grdxwYwzIx6F1w8dZd-x2IMG9A86YddAtyuUif21S6GSFIKNnIKjn-Fz1ZkepHs5-ocAmHnwg/s640/IMG_7007.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Two story houses - photo taken this morning - we miss the forest)</span></b></td></tr>
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Weekends are now spent finishing up home projects such as installing baseboards and trim around the doors. That will be followed by painting and of course the never ending yard work.</div>
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We have come to the conclusion that moving will be a good thing. We have been in our house over 11 years and we bought it to flip it in two years. It wasn't supposed to be our forever home. We are looking forward to a 2-car garage and a laundry room in the house. I don't really like going into the garage to do laundry when it is below freezing. Brrrr. Our current one-car garage is not heated.</div>
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We are not sure how Basil will feel about a move, but I am sure he will enjoy a quiet area with more room to roam.</div>
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As for motorcycles, we still have four sitting in the garage. With our weather and other obligations they haven't been moving at all unless it is to shuffle their order in the garage or start them to make sure the carbs aren't gumming up in the TW200 and DRZ400.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuz3W2DnI1i1UNW-UAPWYpzaQgmOE7Tyjt59byKC7dfxwHtQvH8J691litHtnPswuwudaHfKI_jazgAIkYzL3CxmvuDsBOfBMuqK1OeL2IHOtbp-QVQDMMtxUvQ6q0vCaPEHXEFODgA/s1600/IMG_2456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuz3W2DnI1i1UNW-UAPWYpzaQgmOE7Tyjt59byKC7dfxwHtQvH8J691litHtnPswuwudaHfKI_jazgAIkYzL3CxmvuDsBOfBMuqK1OeL2IHOtbp-QVQDMMtxUvQ6q0vCaPEHXEFODgA/s640/IMG_2456.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(On the way to Marys Peak, photo by Troubadour)</span></b></td></tr>
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I did order a skid plate from <a href="https://t-rex-racing.com/catalog.php?item=1366">T-Rex Racing </a>for the Versys 300x, which we received, but haven't installed yet. SW Motech <a href="http://www.twistedthrottle.com/sw-motech-crash-bars-engine-guards-for-kawasaki-versys-x-300-17">Crash bars/engine guards</a> have also been ordered from Twisted Throttle. They are out of stock, but hopefully will ship before spring.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcVTvsrZNlUvbtEA0D-xdwZCRwM7eW8kNNR176WUiGvPugO2zPPUHph6dwrkNRuE3C18MkbWQ8DDR-pWyJVz7y9oUyMsRodr5hpSWZOYBxBr2yesEHkvU8GIANdZSlLOtqVRk2doW6A/s1600/IMG_7002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcVTvsrZNlUvbtEA0D-xdwZCRwM7eW8kNNR176WUiGvPugO2zPPUHph6dwrkNRuE3C18MkbWQ8DDR-pWyJVz7y9oUyMsRodr5hpSWZOYBxBr2yesEHkvU8GIANdZSlLOtqVRk2doW6A/s400/IMG_7002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>(T Rex racing skid plate)</b></span></td></tr>
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We hope to do more riding and camping in 2018. Of course, every year it seems we hope to do more riding and somehow life just gets in the way.</div>
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Happy Holidays to all of you, and the very best wishes for 2018.</div>
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<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
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<b>" <i>If you are in a bad situation, don't worry it'll change. If you are in a good situation, don't worry it'll change. </i>" - John A. Simone, Sr.</b></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-57449577072744611102017-11-08T10:05:00.001-08:002017-11-08T10:05:14.156-08:00Autumn Hiking - Inspired By SonjaM<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unfortunately there isn't any two-wheeled content in this blog post, but at least we got out and saw some fall color.</div>
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Inspired by <a href="https://2wheelersrevisited.blogspot.com/">SonjaM and Roland</a>, and their many hiking adventures, we decided to drag our arses off the sofa on Sunday afternoon and go for a wee hike. We grabbed our rain jackets and some water, hopped in the Fiat and set out. We opted for the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/william_l_finley/">William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge</a>, which we've been to several times before. It is around 10 miles (16 km) south of Corvallis. No bicycles, jogging, or dogs allowed because of the wildlife, so this means less people.</div>
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As we were driving through the refuge heading east towards the Woodpecker Trail trailhead we saw a heard of <a href="http://www.oregonwild.org/wildlife/roosevelt-elk">Roosevelt Elk</a> in a field to the south. They were a fair ways away so the pictures didn't turn out great, but in the second one below you can see a large bull elk with a great rack in the center of the photo.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZATIiLwd35PZSvaXi5GctrjnjlKmQRNlPym4GP4oAv3-NcfnlW9AQMmzVu4wl5yyoq67XHypoLLGfpCR-B9OLt1TUhdGQLg6CIlQaXv8l3gAzNrv02PN5SmGoCMA2p3X4mj99zudKAA/s1600/IMG_6938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZATIiLwd35PZSvaXi5GctrjnjlKmQRNlPym4GP4oAv3-NcfnlW9AQMmzVu4wl5yyoq67XHypoLLGfpCR-B9OLt1TUhdGQLg6CIlQaXv8l3gAzNrv02PN5SmGoCMA2p3X4mj99zudKAA/s640/IMG_6938.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A heard of Roosevelt Elk at Finley Wildlife Refuge)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVe02R8YdzRWG-B1EJhKEBWx9F7g0y4qN6DeruHc6SeDxB3do91D8_qkn0vPP8lPVbHgIwawjXTuIbSfPUtekA5QROxV0FkNnn_PaQe6D3uAsqdCFQf0z-imvwtqeZbGb8Fx4QhyLxhQ/s1600/IMG_6946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVe02R8YdzRWG-B1EJhKEBWx9F7g0y4qN6DeruHc6SeDxB3do91D8_qkn0vPP8lPVbHgIwawjXTuIbSfPUtekA5QROxV0FkNnn_PaQe6D3uAsqdCFQf0z-imvwtqeZbGb8Fx4QhyLxhQ/s640/IMG_6946.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Check out the rack on the bull elk in the center)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZgEQ3nUZ-SJyIK6OzQoYiYKFB_K8bNm0IN5eNx0-3hU34P5qMeH66Wm4tkqVO0LJUDMT1taycCbUZa6CXJ0eFLN640LIxZhQCzFDQFCipPIdIN7LJ_bnd3AQm_2S2xlVpZgSwMtxRg/s1600/IMG_6945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZgEQ3nUZ-SJyIK6OzQoYiYKFB_K8bNm0IN5eNx0-3hU34P5qMeH66Wm4tkqVO0LJUDMT1taycCbUZa6CXJ0eFLN640LIxZhQCzFDQFCipPIdIN7LJ_bnd3AQm_2S2xlVpZgSwMtxRg/s640/IMG_6945.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A bit of information on the Roosevelt Elk - photo taken at the information kiosk)</span></b></td></tr>
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A little further up the road and we were at the Trail head. The Woodpecker Trail is a 1.1 mile (1.77 km) loop. Intertie Trail also intersects with the Woodpecker Loop to connect the Mill Hill Loop. We opted to wander down it and back before finishing the Woodpecker Trail. It added an additional 1 mile (1.6 km) and different scenery too. If you are interested, a trail map can be found at this <a href="https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_1/NWRS/Zone_2/Willamette_Valley_Complex/William_L._Finley/Documents/WLF_TRAIL_MAP_JUNE13_2012.pdf">LINK</a>.</div>
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One of the first bits of interest along the trail is the old growth oak trees. This one has a viewing platform built around it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv85-KwmE9Q1ZwXD5HVKAoUiGas19JnDc5MN3vOjmYpmdroj8UNKDueMIRtS2-iMVLRZIARlm8QzSRUPdPqT7NEjs7lK4zcvgTDo5iHy0avEgLTHEYdDPUob_PJ6u4GSLJ8xZSdiGB5Q/s1600/IMG_6947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv85-KwmE9Q1ZwXD5HVKAoUiGas19JnDc5MN3vOjmYpmdroj8UNKDueMIRtS2-iMVLRZIARlm8QzSRUPdPqT7NEjs7lK4zcvgTDo5iHy0avEgLTHEYdDPUob_PJ6u4GSLJ8xZSdiGB5Q/s640/IMG_6947.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Old growth Oak tree)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxf1m-R3J-0QJOoW583D_vs0fEbWDEWO7T3mayaynOCLA08Lt3HCEllaAkE6t7au8dEUnAMbZXAxNE5mE5TfejJDT_UsbTKENPNcXN0RSqjTOdppLI4unQile_ele6RkDpc6bk-6wGxw/s1600/IMG_6951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxf1m-R3J-0QJOoW583D_vs0fEbWDEWO7T3mayaynOCLA08Lt3HCEllaAkE6t7au8dEUnAMbZXAxNE5mE5TfejJDT_UsbTKENPNcXN0RSqjTOdppLI4unQile_ele6RkDpc6bk-6wGxw/s640/IMG_6951.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(View of the valley looking south east - rain in the distance)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0ZPzXTyCsVKprh-1MXldOKRTFfYqH1moAty2k-hVkCV0CeV1fJthzacTCjMNNoBq6m1whUw7CNMTr3zVTzC706DIUKNULiw-QSr_zdS3fQdh5CMZmFy0M4_SwofA1NzBeFGOxM0aEQ/s1600/IMG_6954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0ZPzXTyCsVKprh-1MXldOKRTFfYqH1moAty2k-hVkCV0CeV1fJthzacTCjMNNoBq6m1whUw7CNMTr3zVTzC706DIUKNULiw-QSr_zdS3fQdh5CMZmFy0M4_SwofA1NzBeFGOxM0aEQ/s640/IMG_6954.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour checking out the rainbow)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79bErxcGYqzE9GjyE2kg_nZUBHJpV2TSdDnJfQpONIMDTzrSiICrHUW1yRNPG4tjya45N0vjDUwy2G0TK8ZQr7Ab_junaZpxEF0dQ2Z_0npaXss6Iw8yNpkAT0U40NwxkrK6hC-1eSg/s1600/IMG_6956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79bErxcGYqzE9GjyE2kg_nZUBHJpV2TSdDnJfQpONIMDTzrSiICrHUW1yRNPG4tjya45N0vjDUwy2G0TK8ZQr7Ab_junaZpxEF0dQ2Z_0npaXss6Iw8yNpkAT0U40NwxkrK6hC-1eSg/s640/IMG_6956.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A full rainbow against an ominous sky)</span></b></td></tr>
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A little bit further up the trail and <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> stopped to take a picture of some white berries. I have no idea what kind they are. I took a picture of him taking the picture.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqnR_iNNJbRPAJxETlqt3i5c4ktvetMJhtaVRP76LUVevdMLRYI8TDEcYNytuaS_Av0kx-eYoVelEqVa7kuLlApqcCbJ924QNdMAlpa4anQUEyBBcMm2xGe4FgBoZdZN11AbCac_fHQ/s1600/IMG_6961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqnR_iNNJbRPAJxETlqt3i5c4ktvetMJhtaVRP76LUVevdMLRYI8TDEcYNytuaS_Av0kx-eYoVelEqVa7kuLlApqcCbJ924QNdMAlpa4anQUEyBBcMm2xGe4FgBoZdZN11AbCac_fHQ/s640/IMG_6961.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour taking artsy pictures with his phone)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaXtNxLNBnTT2uTzJcYROiQNUHtEG41gGKlXI7cCvO_hy6UxWPsAXUGwGlsO7JPZufGED1OVgloJIlnc-wZSdSZ77aoyqC89UpQgvmEhJYvq0BSkSiUafHbu2YbKdvPLYa3YBcmXDSw/s1600/IMG_2644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaXtNxLNBnTT2uTzJcYROiQNUHtEG41gGKlXI7cCvO_hy6UxWPsAXUGwGlsO7JPZufGED1OVgloJIlnc-wZSdSZ77aoyqC89UpQgvmEhJYvq0BSkSiUafHbu2YbKdvPLYa3YBcmXDSw/s640/IMG_2644.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Photo by Troubadour - the one he was taking in the picture above)</span></b></td></tr>
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Several bridges and boardwalks are located along the trail to traverse seasonal creeks and boggy areas.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdWS9p5UxXF9v0VpdtWW4wtz1ZK45GgxTPPgZPGdYQ-2eGUKC6_XCSzQFz-C1v_cwVy_p3JP4HdAnz0HbFKdlxZ7FCM29V95pWZQz4YSXt2vz14gQWWFwNA4VRuXhoMZHglSZWudpjw/s1600/IMG_6963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdWS9p5UxXF9v0VpdtWW4wtz1ZK45GgxTPPgZPGdYQ-2eGUKC6_XCSzQFz-C1v_cwVy_p3JP4HdAnz0HbFKdlxZ7FCM29V95pWZQz4YSXt2vz14gQWWFwNA4VRuXhoMZHglSZWudpjw/s640/IMG_6963.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(One of the many bridges along the trails)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsdcp0SjR9VIKzPfxIH-p1Fcd0Q7NLO-7BFNmedsCa07m2lGp7oKB9Nuc8QptnfIWlsULyLgpbrntZhpqCZtwNfAi_G2prjP5VZcCWtcDz8vNRIRoG80hgI5oSqacdLUgtuk6yTtKcA/s1600/IMG_6966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsdcp0SjR9VIKzPfxIH-p1Fcd0Q7NLO-7BFNmedsCa07m2lGp7oKB9Nuc8QptnfIWlsULyLgpbrntZhpqCZtwNfAi_G2prjP5VZcCWtcDz8vNRIRoG80hgI5oSqacdLUgtuk6yTtKcA/s640/IMG_6966.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Many different types of leaves falling to the ground)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBsSD5zdaX-DAOTUPIy5nvtjL-EkLkAIr_lKcqEU_H58q_sZ1ySCZt_B-V4wmr-OiowssUVWptvepTOxqlCL7FYko-ti2TIBMO1-JKHkUKL1_WRNW1GQ_F1Zy0Pu9CobTpaVE0lBLfA/s1600/IMG_2647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBsSD5zdaX-DAOTUPIy5nvtjL-EkLkAIr_lKcqEU_H58q_sZ1ySCZt_B-V4wmr-OiowssUVWptvepTOxqlCL7FYko-ti2TIBMO1-JKHkUKL1_WRNW1GQ_F1Zy0Pu9CobTpaVE0lBLfA/s640/IMG_2647.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(So many leaves covering the trails)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4qFVP_QWxfR-jw7jRy7W-4q7ZCJi4yJYnn2ayEx3G5e8n_FujDB5EAil21nbv91dykM8KMcTlp17F-vHed4e6DzuLgV7ZQzldPRI5dwYdX5wvId0PvdARkTqkMtIkroeY-88uf8Rtw/s1600/IMG_2655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4qFVP_QWxfR-jw7jRy7W-4q7ZCJi4yJYnn2ayEx3G5e8n_FujDB5EAil21nbv91dykM8KMcTlp17F-vHed4e6DzuLgV7ZQzldPRI5dwYdX5wvId0PvdARkTqkMtIkroeY-88uf8Rtw/s640/IMG_2655.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Me hamming it up with a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_macrophyllum">Big Leaf Maple</a> leaf - as big as a fig leaf)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once we were on the Intertie Trail the foliage began to change. Things were more green and the ferns were large and lush. The trail was bordered in little tiny green plants leading the way, so pretty in the sunlight</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhtULnTNadOHyDbeIAcsgg-uUyd9VMXaN42UWjJRQogMux3-tolIxed3w4TMQKd3oIneDqM5ySDe_UA5w-NW-GYS88u9PK2xLGI9KRUT2BIB9PSQMGwHN6rjzqEEe3x3REQb4syG0wA/s1600/IMG_6968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhtULnTNadOHyDbeIAcsgg-uUyd9VMXaN42UWjJRQogMux3-tolIxed3w4TMQKd3oIneDqM5ySDe_UA5w-NW-GYS88u9PK2xLGI9KRUT2BIB9PSQMGwHN6rjzqEEe3x3REQb4syG0wA/s640/IMG_6968.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Sunlight streaming through the trees)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY_7pzbbHrwGYGT6rWNy3loqE4HFnTdeJ_kgzbDc5QpIPFoAPY9-NcPMLQ0onAu1w1pPqPCrhK-YL_T4Erzhrl-1ogHRFH5rzPZcxtS0hm0SPUGy9xX11mYNOK-wLZT3HTfbi5G2otw/s1600/IMG_6972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY_7pzbbHrwGYGT6rWNy3loqE4HFnTdeJ_kgzbDc5QpIPFoAPY9-NcPMLQ0onAu1w1pPqPCrhK-YL_T4Erzhrl-1ogHRFH5rzPZcxtS0hm0SPUGy9xX11mYNOK-wLZT3HTfbi5G2otw/s640/IMG_6972.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Follow the green path.......)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Along the Intertie trail we saw another large oak. This one is an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_garryana">Oregon White Oak</a>. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqIc7SsEDCkRS2-mI3g5P1HqwGRdD21-86xiCDA3K88FpaRALYNzWshjURdUAcooTpiAdkPdc1nF5BhqWuzd1mmpw9yP-2miCGjIyJRo92HZvYCToaqlZ4xvX0-fSaX7OwyNYIxSrlg/s1600/IMG_6976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqIc7SsEDCkRS2-mI3g5P1HqwGRdD21-86xiCDA3K88FpaRALYNzWshjURdUAcooTpiAdkPdc1nF5BhqWuzd1mmpw9yP-2miCGjIyJRo92HZvYCToaqlZ4xvX0-fSaX7OwyNYIxSrlg/s640/IMG_6976.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Oregon White Oak - do you think they need the "Oregon" in the name?)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDGeWxyzBqsV8eNxfnCaIOcqzBlT24O1mz8VLGS7PcpMMXLbMF9Dirjv7Ezt3UsVLVcdSz7_88PCQzu2T81t8aDKBn_Fl1d01wqe8ffbXs6NZNKAVcJECqeIQCsEy8mSp5rsZFgvfdA/s1600/IMG_6978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDGeWxyzBqsV8eNxfnCaIOcqzBlT24O1mz8VLGS7PcpMMXLbMF9Dirjv7Ezt3UsVLVcdSz7_88PCQzu2T81t8aDKBn_Fl1d01wqe8ffbXs6NZNKAVcJECqeIQCsEy8mSp5rsZFgvfdA/s640/IMG_6978.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Sunlight streaming through the trees - getting later in the afternoon)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With all of the rain and wet weather this time of year comes different types of mushrooms and fungus. While we always have a few varieties in our yard, the more interesting ones can be found in a forest setting.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMveV3GL0deSrTXqrbO8xfWtASpaL6JbUGGZYaQ3D0RYczX6OBvJ_WI7aIcuiat-tw2cTIGPgmOONnlNyYgn6EZBQwG_wItTjsRj1ZK2LFKaOqGbhvSZzbLwdShEjEhVRbOG7UXMCNw/s1600/IMG_6979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMveV3GL0deSrTXqrbO8xfWtASpaL6JbUGGZYaQ3D0RYczX6OBvJ_WI7aIcuiat-tw2cTIGPgmOONnlNyYgn6EZBQwG_wItTjsRj1ZK2LFKaOqGbhvSZzbLwdShEjEhVRbOG7UXMCNw/s640/IMG_6979.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Pretty red color on theses mushroom caps)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0kwo-U95agZiUJ01kj4J1cdGEgF2ASo80a8Rhhpno6gwd4w5nF6vpGWY0M29Mr3OdMkAzL4oTnn_XNnInPn6jYfw9nEBaE_2N_ScjY19RiMCg7uatHI7_qVxj0nAeiKgcX_hZMJ95Q/s1600/IMG_6981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0kwo-U95agZiUJ01kj4J1cdGEgF2ASo80a8Rhhpno6gwd4w5nF6vpGWY0M29Mr3OdMkAzL4oTnn_XNnInPn6jYfw9nEBaE_2N_ScjY19RiMCg7uatHI7_qVxj0nAeiKgcX_hZMJ95Q/s640/IMG_6981.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">( A different variety - these were the size of portobellos)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another view of the path strewn with leaves. Not much color on the trees anymore, mostly on the ground, but still bright.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasQ0aHFGgwR4AmLidyFPuzg_o8a5Nphe-RVZgVc50_b3wCRJaMeqPsyAgFduQGV7HAfs6g_CbVQ0Ug1cMrCIeX2wn1z07rYB97O_aDYvB7mje4gnSeNOfh_QPNS-dFLMlUW3qB_o6xw/s1600/IMG_6984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasQ0aHFGgwR4AmLidyFPuzg_o8a5Nphe-RVZgVc50_b3wCRJaMeqPsyAgFduQGV7HAfs6g_CbVQ0Ug1cMrCIeX2wn1z07rYB97O_aDYvB7mje4gnSeNOfh_QPNS-dFLMlUW3qB_o6xw/s640/IMG_6984.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">( A leaf strewn path through the woods)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMe_f365fvq0aywtkbd8JAe8bEOpamG3EZ96rSOFOamNtNgDNgwtgG2dg5rYj1jcTRHGW5kViiBpn79RMK_rNZHY-GTz96NIxIE3CCOznbZXX_yHQnhlpyp_arJpUaJeGo9hPE87SwQ/s1600/IMG_6989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMe_f365fvq0aywtkbd8JAe8bEOpamG3EZ96rSOFOamNtNgDNgwtgG2dg5rYj1jcTRHGW5kViiBpn79RMK_rNZHY-GTz96NIxIE3CCOznbZXX_yHQnhlpyp_arJpUaJeGo9hPE87SwQ/s640/IMG_6989.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Not sure what type of plant this was, but the small thistle type blooms were really bright)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Along the way we also saw several bird varieties. A </span><a href="http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/varied-thrush" style="text-align: justify;">Varied Thrush</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> was the brightest, but we also saw a </span><a href="http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/stellers-jay" style="text-align: justify;">Steller's Jay</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> and a </span><a href="http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/red-breasted-sapsucker" style="text-align: justify;">Red Breasted Sapsucker</a><span style="text-align: justify;">. The sapsucker is a woodpecker - we had to see at least one woodpecker on the Woodpecker Trail. Unfortunately most were too far away to photograph. The clearest picture I had was the one of the Varied Thrush below.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEabQhVXXeAu8gbLwaVV2ADxRWNpk7jRNUH30oqOrPpqYc_AkaZl5BZ4w7HV8ZU5AjIHBeYkrOuCxk7aiPmYC7vaMzVwOwGiLUDlXLNn5oarr4T-0WmSrbDcs9NhezLTUTeR8jvJXSg/s1600/IMG_6991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEabQhVXXeAu8gbLwaVV2ADxRWNpk7jRNUH30oqOrPpqYc_AkaZl5BZ4w7HV8ZU5AjIHBeYkrOuCxk7aiPmYC7vaMzVwOwGiLUDlXLNn5oarr4T-0WmSrbDcs9NhezLTUTeR8jvJXSg/s640/IMG_6991.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Varied Thrush)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTFAuvUaGThHRFuUHTHqwSxf3jVWmxzOxvCyx4SjaDKZwOySq18Wm8zVhZ9uklHOikojOxu57lXo2RbCfACe80kcPZ5B6gy2_y4VcFe9VR8myr5xB6Nr045zqVvDagaJgQWPlPplaew/s1600/IMG_6994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTFAuvUaGThHRFuUHTHqwSxf3jVWmxzOxvCyx4SjaDKZwOySq18Wm8zVhZ9uklHOikojOxu57lXo2RbCfACe80kcPZ5B6gy2_y4VcFe9VR8myr5xB6Nr045zqVvDagaJgQWPlPplaew/s640/IMG_6994.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Oak gall attached to a fallen leaf)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The photo above is of an oak gall. According to the Oregon State University Website: "<i>there are several cynipid gall wasps that make galls on oaks in the Pacific Northwest.</i>" More info at this <a href="http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nurspest/oak_twig_gall_wasp.html">LINK</a>.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
It has been several years since we've seen oak galls. Normally we see them on the Bald Hill Path near our house.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The oak gall photo was the last one I took of the day. We returned to the car and headed home for dinner. I had chili bubbling away in the crock pot/slow cooker. A nice way to end a fall hike considering the temperature was only 44˚F (6.6˚C). </div>
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<b>* * * * *</b></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I haven't posted any pictures of Basil in a while so I thought I'd add two to the bottom of this post. The first one is a typical Basil pose. Giving you the "stink eye". In this case it was aimed at <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> who was taking the picture. The second picture is Basil relaxing in front of the living room window, basking in the filtered sunshine. Belly up - a favorite position of his when sleeping. He seems to sleep even more now - he is 12.5 years old. Where did the time go?</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uXF_utClHAqPs8IC2st6ti6ge5RStoOzvyVsZeeHBzs6rGJsy9Jjoe_AxcTLJj-2VgtnwwRHwrVw7qbIrYnMGUwNmxToNAsu3lkyVpcS2UXh0af7HyrRUUZodb_mk8xUqbajrV3oPw/s1600/IMG_2341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uXF_utClHAqPs8IC2st6ti6ge5RStoOzvyVsZeeHBzs6rGJsy9Jjoe_AxcTLJj-2VgtnwwRHwrVw7qbIrYnMGUwNmxToNAsu3lkyVpcS2UXh0af7HyrRUUZodb_mk8xUqbajrV3oPw/s640/IMG_2341.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Basil - sitting on the back deck glaring at Troubadour)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFM2ILlCxM-Qnc3qHR6qjv3JRlVGdc-c9tCcX2CRUOys_yRtX2KypA8UcavK9v3qZ0huBaU7LS1BMMysKf7kgeFEUjkQdDLyPkLGe1H_qmioJDpMQBo7qps4ojpKk0FU0xHp-_fUXUQ/s1600/IMG_6925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFM2ILlCxM-Qnc3qHR6qjv3JRlVGdc-c9tCcX2CRUOys_yRtX2KypA8UcavK9v3qZ0huBaU7LS1BMMysKf7kgeFEUjkQdDLyPkLGe1H_qmioJDpMQBo7qps4ojpKk0FU0xHp-_fUXUQ/s640/IMG_6925.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Basil doing what he does best - napping. And he lets you rub his belly)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>- Au Revoir</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>" .... <i>I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as Autumnal sunshine by staying in the house. So I have spent almost all the daylight hours in the open air.</i>" ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne, (10th October 1842)</b></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-23830116706420476172017-09-20T13:09:00.002-07:002017-09-20T13:09:45.219-07:00After Saturday Coffee Ride<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last Saturday on September 15th <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> and I rode our motorcycles to <a href="https://www.triedandtruecoffee.co/">coffee</a>. A much needed series of rainstorms was forecast to begin on Sunday so we figured we'd best ride while the weather was perfect.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We left the house just after 9 am. The temperature was a balmy 54˚F (12˚C). I admit to having my grip heaters on low on the ride there. My hands were cold before I put my gloves on, it wasn't due to the air temperature.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Only six of us attended coffee, five on bikes. Melissa would have ridden had her Triumph Daytona started. I know, a Triumph that won't start....unheard of. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We lingered at coffee with folks talking of a ride, but no one really wanting to lead one or plan one. Slowly people left to do other things. Troubadour and I were the last to leave and decided to take some back roads to Fort Hoskins for a picnic lunch/snacks. <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> was thinking ahead and packed a bag of goodies before we left the house.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We didn't notice it too much heading to coffee but while we were sitting there enjoying our drinks the wind had blown wildfire smoke from the east into the valley. It was getting pretty thick. Once again this summer our air quality was rated as "unhealthy."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We arrived at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Hoskins">Fort Hoskins</a> and were pleasantly surprised that there was only one other car in the lot and no one at the picnic table shelter. And, because we'd risen in elevation the smoke wasn't as thick.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPcxgEo1quJNxzq6O42TzaSyT9Tot0h-7ITNmiO_dIr-ImJv2_LovapnKWUrs2_9cM7YqGteo4O1YLeHTY4vyVzV8YTDqhAq1S_oWie6BH8ItJqyD3ySko-N0OSHO3p2fQCHnT5tfKg/s1600/IMG_6916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPcxgEo1quJNxzq6O42TzaSyT9Tot0h-7ITNmiO_dIr-ImJv2_LovapnKWUrs2_9cM7YqGteo4O1YLeHTY4vyVzV8YTDqhAq1S_oWie6BH8ItJqyD3ySko-N0OSHO3p2fQCHnT5tfKg/s640/IMG_6916.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The bikes at Fort Hoskins)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_3j5MZnH7oC_N8LkLDSm5WUHv-2wzHOAoMKY6_qc_9mRDfLNgX8YY08uGu4SzqfNJR3oFeGXl3XJPhDOhFKwrYnLhMMu4aVaDZX6p661vnXnYctC-5pm5pKpUzmY-x3J0fZ6XrBRBw/s1600/IMG_6913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_3j5MZnH7oC_N8LkLDSm5WUHv-2wzHOAoMKY6_qc_9mRDfLNgX8YY08uGu4SzqfNJR3oFeGXl3XJPhDOhFKwrYnLhMMu4aVaDZX6p661vnXnYctC-5pm5pKpUzmY-x3J0fZ6XrBRBw/s640/IMG_6913.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Our view from the picnic table - notice the smokey air and dry fields)</span></b></td></tr>
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Notice the difference in the picture below. Taken from the same spot back in October 2016, blogged about <a href="http://trobairitztablet.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-rain-finally-paused-ride.html">HERE</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj-IB0NUODFRol4jN2gkxfMhQ1uzmlBSYgj6i6tzLUj6DlNkm6GFNLbmi_LxgSnCB9o3ofG-v1_OW6i_g7WC_tleL2uEM3uBP3vF3Dukv1oYGT4eiTKKpccjLXS4CggwSTnb23hHCxQ/s1600/IMG_6391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj-IB0NUODFRol4jN2gkxfMhQ1uzmlBSYgj6i6tzLUj6DlNkm6GFNLbmi_LxgSnCB9o3ofG-v1_OW6i_g7WC_tleL2uEM3uBP3vF3Dukv1oYGT4eiTKKpccjLXS4CggwSTnb23hHCxQ/s640/IMG_6391.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Same view taken October 2016)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were enjoying the mild temperatures and slight breeze. Some folks came and went as they checked out the old <a href="https://www.co.benton.or.us/parks/page/fort-hoskins-historical-park">Commander's House</a> seen in the photos above. Originally built at the Fort in 1857, it has been restored within the last few years.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We relaxed and enjoyed the peace and quiet for several hours. It was nice to be able to sit outside and talk without the three barking dogs next door, construction noise from the houses being built behind us, or the other neighbor's cigarette smoke wafting through our yard on the breeze. Made us wish for country living, but not the extended commute.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At one point we took the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Oregon-Atlas-Gazetteer-Delorme/dp/0899333478">Oregon Atlas & Gazetteer</a> out of Troubadour's saddlebag and pondered what route to take home.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We opted for the back way via Maxfield Creek to Airlie Rd, to Berry Creek Rd, Soap Creek/Tampico, Sulphur Springs, etc. A twisty route, but not with any gravel since they paved Berry Creek.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were clipping along Maxfield Creek at a pretty good pace. I was enjoying the suspension of the Versys smoothing out the bumpy country road and tar snakes. Just after a right hand turn I heard and felt a banging. I said out loud to <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> on the radios, "something is not right, I am pulling over." He was riding lead and I didn't want him to wonder where I'd gotten to. I knew I couldn't have ridden over anything that would have stuck in a spoke so my thoughts turned to the center stand.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Troubadour turned around to help me see what was up.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We stopped about in the center of the screenshot below, where the long straight stretch is just to the right of the time estimate. It was only about 5 miles from the park.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vKmBRI8WduIuGzADQIPxKXgFv8QOm2fco0iCXuIM4afazs-gsXGH2ocvI7ymvqRZ9lhw7f1X__NkcycTtcPgHd7JL6B43xqSUSm6wAWzkYVb0T0I5wK1tIlsE-x1gWr8IY4mBqMARA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-09-20+at+9.11.39+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vKmBRI8WduIuGzADQIPxKXgFv8QOm2fco0iCXuIM4afazs-gsXGH2ocvI7ymvqRZ9lhw7f1X__NkcycTtcPgHd7JL6B43xqSUSm6wAWzkYVb0T0I5wK1tIlsE-x1gWr8IY4mBqMARA/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-09-20+at+9.11.39+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Fort Hoskins to Airlie road via Maxfield Creek)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sure enough, I'd lost the spring off the center stand. Having never owned a bike with a center stand before, this wasn't even something I'd thought about before Saturday. The center stand was a Kawasaki part that we ordered at the time of purchase and that Troubadour installed for me. He mention that he was surprised it had come off since he'd had a heck of time installing it as the spring was wound so tight. He thought maybe it was so tight it pulled the hook straight allowing for it work its way out over the bumpy road.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Neither one of us had <a href="https://ziptie.com/zip-ties-cable-ties-tie-wraps-plastic-ties.html?size=99&st-t=adwords&vt-k=8%20inch%20cable%20ties&vt-mt=b&vt-ap=1t2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgcWhz8a01gIVXoezCh0ltAnsEAAYAiAAEgJyG_D_BwE">zip ties</a>/<a href="http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/cableties.php">cable ties</a>/<a href="https://www.new-line.com/clamps/hose-wrap-sleeves-and-jackets/nylon-cable-ties-zap-straps">zap straps</a> in our bags. Trust me, we do now. For some reason I was carrying around a broken helmet lock in my Givi tail bag. A pin was broken in the lock mechanism, but the cable was still good and that is what Troubadour used to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_rigging">jury rig</a> the center stand in place.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnC70TRs1xYxSQRhFkoGh-sOQ18kjyhL6-Xu-Lbe1t7CZJ6w-iLMAuoM7l0KIWrkkS7ybO60PxqCPiCXEoXNDswYB4YAsllwOSIf6wbFrOOlk6BPRn4G5ypUwlxoZQKUEwUZxseaTcQ/s1600/IMG_6917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnC70TRs1xYxSQRhFkoGh-sOQ18kjyhL6-Xu-Lbe1t7CZJ6w-iLMAuoM7l0KIWrkkS7ybO60PxqCPiCXEoXNDswYB4YAsllwOSIf6wbFrOOlk6BPRn4G5ypUwlxoZQKUEwUZxseaTcQ/s640/IMG_6917.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Kawasaki Versys 300x center stand rigged to stay up)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7APBGW2GTMLVL3i_3-kELKuCQuvhR_h0__QJELz1LIlyurlN6srGpZ67NbQKDUOjNPO2Td0Ji7-P9DOuPJHZSY0yG3iOvTyOUn8vdiXDh36Ye6Ii514RImBkgIReYJaH5GEWqaSQAUQ/s1600/IMG_6918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7APBGW2GTMLVL3i_3-kELKuCQuvhR_h0__QJELz1LIlyurlN6srGpZ67NbQKDUOjNPO2Td0Ji7-P9DOuPJHZSY0yG3iOvTyOUn8vdiXDh36Ye6Ii514RImBkgIReYJaH5GEWqaSQAUQ/s640/IMG_6918.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(It looks close to the chain in the photos but had lots of room)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Troubadour decided he'd walk the road towards the corner to see if he could find the spring. I didn't think he'd find it but he figured he'd give it a shot. While he was searching I took the opportunity to take a few photos.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJHY1_1217pLhNEaJJj7x8O8PlT2r8MJldk3kZIYcuvRw5grlyz7WPokP_fDODgzGHBxeiRYA68DEDQCCWv2CPe7DmzsPOd_rUJw7X4bTiTmRdxX2mDXeD4usipImDJCP6k91iRj0dg/s1600/IMG_6919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJHY1_1217pLhNEaJJj7x8O8PlT2r8MJldk3kZIYcuvRw5grlyz7WPokP_fDODgzGHBxeiRYA68DEDQCCWv2CPe7DmzsPOd_rUJw7X4bTiTmRdxX2mDXeD4usipImDJCP6k91iRj0dg/s640/IMG_6919.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The bikes on Maxfield Creek Rd)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjie1n89lvFj8W28tvRdPnR_rry5Ll6-rjGzVPTQqC2LN3cvQr9X54-EwWqnESdW5L_mIz0qvmYMQtlsQMbz29zGjSd1x84ZXDaPCMaRxT8WuRrZeS4dPyIKX_c39d5xF_eavAELPtQ/s1600/IMG_6921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjie1n89lvFj8W28tvRdPnR_rry5Ll6-rjGzVPTQqC2LN3cvQr9X54-EwWqnESdW5L_mIz0qvmYMQtlsQMbz29zGjSd1x84ZXDaPCMaRxT8WuRrZeS4dPyIKX_c39d5xF_eavAELPtQ/s640/IMG_6921.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Close up of my Versys 300x - that really needs a bath)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWnmHE3AFPwVD-n1gH4yfxo5-M9sbYRfcawZjboZqbxyENPEWDpeKwH4zGoNbhAQRKFEbcboSoQAfaG869u-R1NLeL_RH8Jpz9ABSyk4rfJGvt5LV5Kggk9qn9rvErmTien1B5ctosw/s1600/IMG_6922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWnmHE3AFPwVD-n1gH4yfxo5-M9sbYRfcawZjboZqbxyENPEWDpeKwH4zGoNbhAQRKFEbcboSoQAfaG869u-R1NLeL_RH8Jpz9ABSyk4rfJGvt5LV5Kggk9qn9rvErmTien1B5ctosw/s640/IMG_6922.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Lucy looking all shiny)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6q_300JILhgFiK2qgxCnYFQoQzZuyqrPvEwZ3a6wdBKf8Kz_BxDYy6cdhjep6YbIe-bdfZIKL9wupFJCcNK8W37pJP7UpqREgwbACb1w4cgbHk7dWCHdo8e4XrE2-HAMQzEpycxgzQ/s1600/IMG_6923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6q_300JILhgFiK2qgxCnYFQoQzZuyqrPvEwZ3a6wdBKf8Kz_BxDYy6cdhjep6YbIe-bdfZIKL9wupFJCcNK8W37pJP7UpqREgwbACb1w4cgbHk7dWCHdo8e4XrE2-HAMQzEpycxgzQ/s640/IMG_6923.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Still a little smoke in the air)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2uwVIntgw8DMBGS3WpTzuzDyMk4plWbMErNTaKF6_ZtdPp_AX9MfhZDAQCcIhIMMazwRAMUFSQ4VyNIpsarnyJkNk9cD2V73j9HYXRIQ-DvWE9SdGz1W_Ad3gtRPOgA0FKwUwbHSwg/s1600/IMG_6924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2uwVIntgw8DMBGS3WpTzuzDyMk4plWbMErNTaKF6_ZtdPp_AX9MfhZDAQCcIhIMMazwRAMUFSQ4VyNIpsarnyJkNk9cD2V73j9HYXRIQ-DvWE9SdGz1W_Ad3gtRPOgA0FKwUwbHSwg/s640/IMG_6924.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour is back there somewhere looking for the spring)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: justify;">That was the last picture and last stop of the day. We got back on the bikes and aimed for home, still using our originally planned route of back roads. It was a nice leisurely ride and we arrived home just after 5 pm. The cable held and Troubadour has since secured it with a zip tie until we can order a new spring.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Totals for the day:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
60 miles ridden (96 km)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 motorcycle part lost (new spring from Kawasaki is only $10)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 spare part used</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 deer spotted on the side of the road</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1 spicy ginger chai latte drank by Trobairitz</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2 cups of house coffee drank by Troubadour </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3 bananas, 2 apples, and 3 bottles of water consumed</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Many hours spent enjoying each others company.</div>
<br />
<b>- Au Revoir</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"<i>Luck never gives; it only lends.</i>" - Swedish Proverb</b><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-81854531706317470752017-08-16T09:46:00.001-07:002017-08-17T08:00:00.709-07:00Anniversary Dual Sport Ride<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last Thursday August 10th was our 21st wedding anniversary. We both took the day off work to go for a motorcycle ride. What better way to celebrate the day, than on two wheels with a picnic lunch.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The night before we were both looking at different maps trying to link together some gravel roads in the foothills west of Corvallis. <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> and I left the house about 11 am and fueled the bikes in Philomath and headed west on Highway 20 then turned north on Kings Valley Highway. We stopped at the <a href="http://www.ritnercreekcoveredbridge.com/">Ritner Creek Covered Bridge</a> for a quick break and to look at the maps again.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kXExZX9GjBnw6D9xkGk-rRNOrIkFqOvggBkpNTrIU3q_x9pdxaaObNlvbnA1pEee20LrwtfQ-8p2TCk26rSaJePjUw4YNip9qekbuzi6ARrgk-ANwmV8CCElg8SQtVAJy9dNf-0P3w/s1600/IMG_6899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kXExZX9GjBnw6D9xkGk-rRNOrIkFqOvggBkpNTrIU3q_x9pdxaaObNlvbnA1pEee20LrwtfQ-8p2TCk26rSaJePjUw4YNip9qekbuzi6ARrgk-ANwmV8CCElg8SQtVAJy9dNf-0P3w/s640/IMG_6899.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(DRZ 400 and the Versys 300x)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CnSJC-E4gVmtI1aCfZhSC4wfjsWs0poKrqfH0yYNvz51eXM9yU0aqEKWDaRLhr9EGd1DgVRbn_r9-mvHFm9TZUPIR1TyVrsOcbSZFBIyWsOTku2kIi6tIm-UkH5eB5cRuqdGJe4bQA/s1600/IMG_6900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CnSJC-E4gVmtI1aCfZhSC4wfjsWs0poKrqfH0yYNvz51eXM9yU0aqEKWDaRLhr9EGd1DgVRbn_r9-mvHFm9TZUPIR1TyVrsOcbSZFBIyWsOTku2kIi6tIm-UkH5eB5cRuqdGJe4bQA/s640/IMG_6900.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Ritner Covered Bridge)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeDWDoKHtLIy1vi2ITBjFYaMC0fG2prc44WQjqHXDXQ-dk5lXZG6A-NJ1onQeVUDmE4gtvwMyHCSbe_egodtDlCqTu4-6k3HIC3whIceeRv1t-rLyWZktDZxMN7DuTSJNRDfFYq4xew/s1600/IMG_6901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeDWDoKHtLIy1vi2ITBjFYaMC0fG2prc44WQjqHXDXQ-dk5lXZG6A-NJ1onQeVUDmE4gtvwMyHCSbe_egodtDlCqTu4-6k3HIC3whIceeRv1t-rLyWZktDZxMN7DuTSJNRDfFYq4xew/s640/IMG_6901.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Versys 300x, notice we've taken the Kawi stickers off the front fairings)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We went north a mile or so further before turning left onto a gravel road. I haven't done a lot of gravel on the Versys but so far it is way better than the Gladius ever was off tarmac.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unfortunately we couldn't get to where we wanted to go. The forestry service is closing all of our back roads and gravel roads due to fire danger and the upcoming <a href="http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/states/OR.htm">solar eclipse</a> on Monday August 21st. We are in the path of totality and the State is expecting one million visitors for the event. (<i>Update - why we aren't leaving the house for the weekend and Monday-Tuesday next week </i>- <a href="http://www.kgw.com/news/eclipse/eclipse-traffic-already-hits-central-oregon/464948514">LINK</a>)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We re-routed and ended up at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Hoskins">Fort Hoskins</a> where we took another short break, snacked on bananas and tried to determine what roads might be open.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
From Fort Hoskins we took Hoskins Road, a 9 mile long gravel road, to link us to Mary's River Road and and the Summit Highway - another twisty bit of tarmac. Luckily the loaded log trucks behaved themselves and stayed to their side of the narrow road.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL-VtNRotJDq75Rw01WqKmJlPjqqJ9auE-PtFtV_J5OBYb1VEHhy8XhEqbAMo-oP-MLjLKxQ7_wMjrD65pMHkLoHoKcGROW-fwopEY_nRiPl3QNSbPMMf5zYhL1WEgNYkQwOtaI8XAg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-08-16+at+9.20.43+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL-VtNRotJDq75Rw01WqKmJlPjqqJ9auE-PtFtV_J5OBYb1VEHhy8XhEqbAMo-oP-MLjLKxQ7_wMjrD65pMHkLoHoKcGROW-fwopEY_nRiPl3QNSbPMMf5zYhL1WEgNYkQwOtaI8XAg/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-08-16+at+9.20.43+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Fort Hoskins to Summit Highway - the blue route)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once on the Summit Highway we were on one of the roads we drove while in the Fiat the weekend prior, which also had a stretch of gravel a few miles long.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We went to <a href="http://www.campingroadtrip.com/campgrounds/campground/campground/25344/oregon/lincoln-county-moonshine-park">Moonshine Park</a> to check out the camping section and thought we'd have our late lunch there. Unfortunately it was $3 a vehicle to park and it was really busy and almost uncomfortable really. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIIr7_exo5m3ChSlbUwKP8NjdDclll0g8MgAhLNlk3wwC-ss1-GTnC1szlYcMNZH1FiVYAqUMjEtXAtcMnVuGTMjsHw735e_n93FmLcU5EXBeq44aWuFJ872AShu9PICtSj0lRUWd7Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-08-16+at+9.23.37+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIIr7_exo5m3ChSlbUwKP8NjdDclll0g8MgAhLNlk3wwC-ss1-GTnC1szlYcMNZH1FiVYAqUMjEtXAtcMnVuGTMjsHw735e_n93FmLcU5EXBeq44aWuFJ872AShu9PICtSj0lRUWd7Q/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-08-16+at+9.23.37+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Summit Highway to Moonshine Park)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We were hoping to go north, but once again the gravel road we wanted was closed, so we had to adapt our route and went southwest again instead.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We headed west through Logsden towards Siletz and found the <a href="http://www.co.lincoln.or.us/parks/page/twin-bridges-park">Twin Bridges Memorial Park</a> where we stopped for half an hour or more.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0dwHsnIPIIYXeL3N-JMaG-shZZfmb8bW-ho9b7yhyWXAxDtP29lHmU6rNBt4zsbGGOLBQBCE3Np5Av8VPcZnDyjtBxpPnCaS-KJ64nAOwzLAJK6QmADH9eA4zefuE19NtdhiR_QwPw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-08-16+at+9.27.04+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0dwHsnIPIIYXeL3N-JMaG-shZZfmb8bW-ho9b7yhyWXAxDtP29lHmU6rNBt4zsbGGOLBQBCE3Np5Av8VPcZnDyjtBxpPnCaS-KJ64nAOwzLAJK6QmADH9eA4zefuE19NtdhiR_QwPw/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-08-16+at+9.27.04+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Moonshine Park to Twin Bridges Memorial Park)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqGwIKyhSdbGWqyGzp8ctkcwTeA_DvqlmCM7eS3phnDQwghUGhtczLzyZjw4GCq420FhYFfIwEW8BxyI-kW8fcHF83yDr1CZxE0F2Bppm3nSY6rvdBY84DH_9QEv8VGUpaoe0xri2Rw/s1600/IMG_6903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqGwIKyhSdbGWqyGzp8ctkcwTeA_DvqlmCM7eS3phnDQwghUGhtczLzyZjw4GCq420FhYFfIwEW8BxyI-kW8fcHF83yDr1CZxE0F2Bppm3nSY6rvdBY84DH_9QEv8VGUpaoe0xri2Rw/s640/IMG_6903.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Twin Bridges Memorial Park - Lincoln County)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH8rxrjHqSHxvVXx1tORq8Sppd9eVUr_oTR4gm77q6v762HeBoWR8vHAr_vFD3AGDTHBZh0UpsKAVnT4alcFOm4k7-dyKG97r9RBuFuKNf3EEMI9Y0vszypH7dwvErS21MHO-1Z0uAw/s1600/IMG_6904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH8rxrjHqSHxvVXx1tORq8Sppd9eVUr_oTR4gm77q6v762HeBoWR8vHAr_vFD3AGDTHBZh0UpsKAVnT4alcFOm4k7-dyKG97r9RBuFuKNf3EEMI9Y0vszypH7dwvErS21MHO-1Z0uAw/s640/IMG_6904.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A picnic in the park - everything is nice and green in the coastal mountains)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKMYJ3d1xDyrHSQw9b8Nryv1WFV-GnGzF0Q-_eC_DkERqLRDGz0jJlwCsro4IdrCuM20nB1j68vxsy_S70qzcx0YDh_R30QdBBV3k3EbDeA_YP7hw3GEygf9EXgZ0ldaYEOcCGucWIA/s1600/IMG_6906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKMYJ3d1xDyrHSQw9b8Nryv1WFV-GnGzF0Q-_eC_DkERqLRDGz0jJlwCsro4IdrCuM20nB1j68vxsy_S70qzcx0YDh_R30QdBBV3k3EbDeA_YP7hw3GEygf9EXgZ0ldaYEOcCGucWIA/s640/IMG_6906.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The bikes having a rest in the shade)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPpBMI-mGhTO0SSKT23LqSeX0SrFQBXZrmaY6rsKrZrlrZDJm4GfkLnV9Jq6sCrg-iO_Kfant4qfxHDKR_CMqaXXPPyugtVpesFdkkj5yc13ZY0pkCZeCArgzfyJR0PMBgllDJ7HP6A/s1600/IMG_6908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPpBMI-mGhTO0SSKT23LqSeX0SrFQBXZrmaY6rsKrZrlrZDJm4GfkLnV9Jq6sCrg-iO_Kfant4qfxHDKR_CMqaXXPPyugtVpesFdkkj5yc13ZY0pkCZeCArgzfyJR0PMBgllDJ7HP6A/s640/IMG_6908.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Suzuki DRZ 400 and Kawasaki Versys 300)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GMqBmXCjE7CLTEupH2q7hJdbfdJjZ_PNMZhKNZ5R8Jtr8IC8UvZpGnIcS9yxcPxx1J5KXhyphenhyphen12QpyYt58JepAoNs7TDdOLxT8qQ5ncsVM0JXG7gSotskakF-kbC1J_H6P6H44ZvQB0w/s1600/IMG_6910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GMqBmXCjE7CLTEupH2q7hJdbfdJjZ_PNMZhKNZ5R8Jtr8IC8UvZpGnIcS9yxcPxx1J5KXhyphenhyphen12QpyYt58JepAoNs7TDdOLxT8qQ5ncsVM0JXG7gSotskakF-kbC1J_H6P6H44ZvQB0w/s640/IMG_6910.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A nice little spot to rest on a sunny day)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
From the park we did another 5 mile stretch of gravel on Sams Creek Road to connect with Highway 20. At Highway 20 we turned east towards <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddyville,_Oregon">Eddyville</a> and then took Highway 180 the long twisty way to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blodgett,_Oregon">Blodgett</a>, which is back on Highway 20. We try to stay off the main highway as much as possible and prefer the twisty back roads that kind of parallel the highway in sections.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMmqGEOmvcSCywD65usvW7V3w-yL6L2JycmRChaGoWZqgAz6zge0yBF58aqDvXi1QtyRF0swXY3irVHzexvCRa5VFgUb2IeFRC_ZFN1h01E6nf9_XrxcU1D-BC0vTM4gOnT9TFsIl5w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-08-16+at+9.12.47+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMmqGEOmvcSCywD65usvW7V3w-yL6L2JycmRChaGoWZqgAz6zge0yBF58aqDvXi1QtyRF0swXY3irVHzexvCRa5VFgUb2IeFRC_ZFN1h01E6nf9_XrxcU1D-BC0vTM4gOnT9TFsIl5w/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-08-16+at+9.12.47+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Eddyville to Blodgett)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At Blodgett we took Highway 20 east to Corvallis (13 miles) and were back at the house by 5 pm. Our total for the day was 6 hours and 113 miles (181 km), a nice relaxing afternoon. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now the Versys really needs a bath, it is completely covered in road dust from following Troubadour over the gravel roads, but at least it was earned dirt and not from sitting in the garage.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I do wish I had of stopped a few times along the gravel roads and taken pictures to show you the conditions and scenery, but I know for next time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was a good day to be out on the bikes together.</div>
<br />
<b>- Au Revoir</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>" <i>A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance, and tenacity. The order varies for any given year.</i>" - Paul Sweeney</b><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-87056094670412982912017-08-09T14:46:00.000-07:002017-08-09T14:46:02.982-07:00Drift Creek Suspension Bridge<div style="text-align: justify;">
We've been experiencing quite a dry spell here in Oregon with no measurable rain in the valley in two months. A far cry from the 50 inches of rain we experienced last winter. We've seen average temperatures in the high 80's to low 90's and one heat wave where we saw temperatures soar to 109˚F (42.77˚C). We haven't been doing too much in the way of riding. A few forest fires have sprouted up around Oregon and combined with the smoke from the fires in Washington and British Columbia we've had air advisory warnings whenever the winds shift.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On Sunday August 6th we did decide to take the Fiat and heat northwest towards the coast for a little hike. We'd been reading about the Drift Creek Suspension Bridge and Drift Creek Falls for quite a while now and decided it might be time to check it out. They are located just east of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_City,_Oregon">Lincoln City</a> in the coastal range, approximately 9 miles up a windy one-lane forestry road from the Drift Creek Covered Bridge which I blogged about back in June 2011 in this post ---> <a href="http://trobairitztablet.blogspot.com/2011/06/finally-ride.html">LINK</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The drive up was fine and we managed to find a place to park in the parking lot, not on the side of the road like some folks had to do. The trail is 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip and an easy hike - trail map <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5424825.pdf">LINK</a>. Unfortunately, when it is an easy hike it is classified as family friendly and is busy. A lot busier than we expected for 1:00 pm on a Sunday afternoon. Note to self - only do moderate and difficult hikes on the weekends.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The trail is a winding path through the woods, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) downhill to the creek. We stopped for a few pictures on the way down.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaH2AxhMpfN6h3kSyPs-i9n8kGNWy4oP_3isHA-mpaCGcnF-DLDfwk36BcUolBYBkadOGkpfxgln_-8DJEjhf4njeR4rHoSCVKKKm_L62bTZ3TVUgXGNTHr-gnuUdNzR3du-iaCi2KA/s1600/IMG_6864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaH2AxhMpfN6h3kSyPs-i9n8kGNWy4oP_3isHA-mpaCGcnF-DLDfwk36BcUolBYBkadOGkpfxgln_-8DJEjhf4njeR4rHoSCVKKKm_L62bTZ3TVUgXGNTHr-gnuUdNzR3du-iaCi2KA/s640/IMG_6864.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Heading down the hill - nice easy trail)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKU1qcZPUtZXZyx6qmLTY6MjszVbC-bpDZb-x9PR_tMtAFCaGkddhgUbjv5G01ybzA4KYkele77R8GK88JfkJ5rwO00Z4lvEGJVE14_PvF4VDIhFskUnIU3UKqwpN2-udLoH50Snh1pw/s1600/IMG_6867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKU1qcZPUtZXZyx6qmLTY6MjszVbC-bpDZb-x9PR_tMtAFCaGkddhgUbjv5G01ybzA4KYkele77R8GK88JfkJ5rwO00Z4lvEGJVE14_PvF4VDIhFskUnIU3UKqwpN2-udLoH50Snh1pw/s640/IMG_6867.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Nature was reclaiming some of the downed trees)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bQEo-Ym1KZe6aBQP0SEO57fiEsrmMP-ziqC4xFKCWks8BN7GzOvjiX8m6hVRrBoeDqru5nKGyXDJMYhkXyUpXIPY6b5DmIU2o-ywnLAFMEgoRqVsPDLSPY_dtt2zjyvPZhkHdbdIvA/s1600/IMG_6868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bQEo-Ym1KZe6aBQP0SEO57fiEsrmMP-ziqC4xFKCWks8BN7GzOvjiX8m6hVRrBoeDqru5nKGyXDJMYhkXyUpXIPY6b5DmIU2o-ywnLAFMEgoRqVsPDLSPY_dtt2zjyvPZhkHdbdIvA/s640/IMG_6868.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(We crossed a few small bridges)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnaHHJwccRzMNYz9P0G3-AZq8eIKKI31HA3dGBN9VbjTp-kq62L3WF3cOLbq291q_9YOAdKAgZhyphenhyphen5WTL4Lt1bXJVty79UBLHjFsSpv5O4yWx7C_zc8REt_IhjX8ojxs_s1Sq5P8CnYQ/s1600/IMG_6870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnaHHJwccRzMNYz9P0G3-AZq8eIKKI31HA3dGBN9VbjTp-kq62L3WF3cOLbq291q_9YOAdKAgZhyphenhyphen5WTL4Lt1bXJVty79UBLHjFsSpv5O4yWx7C_zc8REt_IhjX8ojxs_s1Sq5P8CnYQ/s640/IMG_6870.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Which meant creek crossings - water level is low)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNxroO6J3fR8CnLen5nc4ffc2KwwUuV7u5fVfOrajYQNN3RY0gNDXP3XFdNc1YvQdzm4TVZ-JhDO7X_18UpMT7xZ1ow6gwiItivlwcr2Sndz3nwhLxl5-D0HCxS2cx0gsJ54BfOCuRQ/s1600/IMG_6872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNxroO6J3fR8CnLen5nc4ffc2KwwUuV7u5fVfOrajYQNN3RY0gNDXP3XFdNc1YvQdzm4TVZ-JhDO7X_18UpMT7xZ1ow6gwiItivlwcr2Sndz3nwhLxl5-D0HCxS2cx0gsJ54BfOCuRQ/s640/IMG_6872.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Interesting stump of a decomposing redwood tree)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the 1.25 mile marker you arrive at the suspension bridge. The suspension bridge was built in 1997, is 3 ft wide, and spans 240 feet (73 meters) across the canyon. More info about the building of the bridge <a href="http://www.sahale.com/drift.htm">HERE</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLC20shI_RGCcTV4Bt4U44izBdeQRBztT99a4hE3Iy-HaxLmgXVZF4fEKk9yhzyg8o4M21nI7yCq004GMXiRdyNdG-u8r98h5x8qxuGtL8e-6hnpO2g_R3nTk3mGLnmJsyoh0wJu8dag/s1600/IMG_6873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLC20shI_RGCcTV4Bt4U44izBdeQRBztT99a4hE3Iy-HaxLmgXVZF4fEKk9yhzyg8o4M21nI7yCq004GMXiRdyNdG-u8r98h5x8qxuGtL8e-6hnpO2g_R3nTk3mGLnmJsyoh0wJu8dag/s640/IMG_6873.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Our first view of the bridge)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBF_bP1xIvxP3L7jke2VOCW8ny5PweVvDMbEqRNFAJVOsCyCp9qybNlyV3ziakABnP4JN8AT7CILp8Tw3C1acKgf195xB0QwLL65mKlBHchGiklC4yrmLnMOxPG8u0_rqvIuxbPaE1Pg/s1600/IMG_6876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBF_bP1xIvxP3L7jke2VOCW8ny5PweVvDMbEqRNFAJVOsCyCp9qybNlyV3ziakABnP4JN8AT7CILp8Tw3C1acKgf195xB0QwLL65mKlBHchGiklC4yrmLnMOxPG8u0_rqvIuxbPaE1Pg/s640/IMG_6876.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> on a suspension bridge)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF_oocSTJ4bJRIvXLkrlIySRCnVFN5daWuuSN3fIG253p3tR6DKT0Tz8cW7x38J-ucrCkcZ17fK2ubDs_qS6VHLQvUHpg7zqNY-JAaBkHNqDJ3I0LE7W5XFhMdUYMETaHTNBbgHWJwQ/s1600/20668121_10211706502510745_1992239322_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF_oocSTJ4bJRIvXLkrlIySRCnVFN5daWuuSN3fIG253p3tR6DKT0Tz8cW7x38J-ucrCkcZ17fK2ubDs_qS6VHLQvUHpg7zqNY-JAaBkHNqDJ3I0LE7W5XFhMdUYMETaHTNBbgHWJwQ/s640/20668121_10211706502510745_1992239322_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Me on the bridge - photo by Troubadour)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_9yxoA7mCeC0e9VsoNoGx3vbVKusnDWcvKXxdxueeWfrRy-Zaz3DjqZDKIllidY2vRMwIf7fqbhbg-E5zW-ZLDza_equJtmooxxoFSMiUqUNGMxuMgcJgF4iAgBIQiGI3jI9g6i2hA/s1600/IMG_6877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_9yxoA7mCeC0e9VsoNoGx3vbVKusnDWcvKXxdxueeWfrRy-Zaz3DjqZDKIllidY2vRMwIf7fqbhbg-E5zW-ZLDza_equJtmooxxoFSMiUqUNGMxuMgcJgF4iAgBIQiGI3jI9g6i2hA/s640/IMG_6877.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Looking over the edge at Drift Creek Falls - not a lot of water this time of year)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFCGcNPA3xverJiWqRrA2L_Ugfo42SXz9sfuw30urHkncDSnfD7LqlVt2kKeN8umsIucvPeBf2FgpDjhNUes4CjoxPN744II4QqBMyuOAINkp7lIVvhAi5c-U5q2ojWygyJHbD32rEA/s1600/IMG_6882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFCGcNPA3xverJiWqRrA2L_Ugfo42SXz9sfuw30urHkncDSnfD7LqlVt2kKeN8umsIucvPeBf2FgpDjhNUes4CjoxPN744II4QqBMyuOAINkp7lIVvhAi5c-U5q2ojWygyJHbD32rEA/s640/IMG_6882.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The other end of the bridge</span></b>)</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Because of other hikers we couldn't linger on the bridge. Once on the other side we walked towards the edge a little for a better view of the falls and the span of the bridge.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3dAGWTxDZGusCtGafKJGToBRT4jcZtO-G0FcUNMghfbjdmSSTW138-CY-4oyzOuhoNPLD1tLAqMR4tcaXT-UH_PyFHBcMufpgBAr_oguXazomqRjwyfP3yEDN4CD8lDRGJGAE5mkYQ/s1600/IMG_6885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3dAGWTxDZGusCtGafKJGToBRT4jcZtO-G0FcUNMghfbjdmSSTW138-CY-4oyzOuhoNPLD1tLAqMR4tcaXT-UH_PyFHBcMufpgBAr_oguXazomqRjwyfP3yEDN4CD8lDRGJGAE5mkYQ/s640/IMG_6885.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Drift Creek Suspension Bridge)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFdqI1A3XNMSSsJqFcNQ2ANxSFHLdabGgEpsuQ_U65BdZL1nqlc_TDHLSsVqHtFCH33dSLmu5yD8QiHwX1cXsplScvhL_loKCYy7rRe98RzJufZvIdJit0nZcuAl9JKYXpNbDarAxmg/s1600/IMG_6894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFdqI1A3XNMSSsJqFcNQ2ANxSFHLdabGgEpsuQ_U65BdZL1nqlc_TDHLSsVqHtFCH33dSLmu5yD8QiHwX1cXsplScvhL_loKCYy7rRe98RzJufZvIdJit0nZcuAl9JKYXpNbDarAxmg/s640/IMG_6894.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Drift Creek Falls and Suspension Bridge)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJyI7dvmCNp9b1OZg0j1LJfBn7FHdxJWP07ZzZQsvHbrP8D9XWWipLyZunk3bBLBnLbBlK6O6nnTd69F5AnCXXbEb-uYsHTKL88T9GvFnamo9rSQ4JkAHPRmyxLuo8oEBIrlTeFl5-w/s1600/IMG_6889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJyI7dvmCNp9b1OZg0j1LJfBn7FHdxJWP07ZzZQsvHbrP8D9XWWipLyZunk3bBLBnLbBlK6O6nnTd69F5AnCXXbEb-uYsHTKL88T9GvFnamo9rSQ4JkAHPRmyxLuo8oEBIrlTeFl5-w/s640/IMG_6889.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour pondering the falls)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WPVhPgJzXMn6v8EI0zuRUSmn7c-lvRsJd-_9bKBelVLmlFXxnUvRoqCI2cXy9JfInuEvza7Bk7A26ho_e5oWBiiUyxvx3mQqvLxsqTdZvheqIN-rtndiA-13nqqQByEdFq1QyFENog/s1600/20668604_10211706503790777_2074120687_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WPVhPgJzXMn6v8EI0zuRUSmn7c-lvRsJd-_9bKBelVLmlFXxnUvRoqCI2cXy9JfInuEvza7Bk7A26ho_e5oWBiiUyxvx3mQqvLxsqTdZvheqIN-rtndiA-13nqqQByEdFq1QyFENog/s640/20668604_10211706503790777_2074120687_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Photo by Troubadour - he turned around and caught me with the camera)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqj6UBz93PZfxdikD02844KpvHlyrff7NetbDicy-nbd6-N6V0I2Z43VszVyO0HnKGZk5pvg1R99WFreJ1QrRPLoUx5TLkZUuGnjd6SoMmVbWRU4-Nb0-lXz814lLprV3grQrwI-Wow/s1600/20731276_10211706504190787_1567818080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqj6UBz93PZfxdikD02844KpvHlyrff7NetbDicy-nbd6-N6V0I2Z43VszVyO0HnKGZk5pvg1R99WFreJ1QrRPLoUx5TLkZUuGnjd6SoMmVbWRU4-Nb0-lXz814lLprV3grQrwI-Wow/s640/20731276_10211706504190787_1567818080_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(I figured I'd stop being cheeky and stand up)</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">From here it was a short 0.25 mile downhill walk to the creek. Unfortunately we'd found the rest of the people bottle necked at the rocky shoreline. We chose not to linger, but instead turned right around and started hiking back up towards the bridge as fast as we could to get out of the way. We were surprised at how many people were heading down there.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was a pretty easy hike on the way back up and we were actually catching up to people. We stopped at the bridge to wait for folks to cross and <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> ventured a little closer to the edge of the canyon for one last picture of the falls.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkN1VHpGUKs9SJZ89BlC4swtDqne4iL-pynCtNbde71AloLDG2jtzuTqokb_MTpBiFRKDySUgA-Xg0_OarAQ0qyCx54Xj3IYzlhcNnObC1ocNaYqsM3vhhnMEk-6jdiIcyKYe-9gWmw/s1600/20645942_10211706503430768_650053383_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkN1VHpGUKs9SJZ89BlC4swtDqne4iL-pynCtNbde71AloLDG2jtzuTqokb_MTpBiFRKDySUgA-Xg0_OarAQ0qyCx54Xj3IYzlhcNnObC1ocNaYqsM3vhhnMEk-6jdiIcyKYe-9gWmw/s640/20645942_10211706503430768_650053383_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Drift Creek Falls, Lincoln County, Oregon)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We made it back to the trail head in what felt like record time. For some reason it didn't seem to take us as long going up the hill as it did going down. Usually it is the other way around.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Once at the trail head we had a snack and decided to follow the one-lane forestry road 16 miles west to where it intersects with Highway 101 along the coast. It was a beautiful road, perfect for motorcycles with a lot of gravel spur roads just begging to be explored (just not in a Fiat 500). We definitely need to go back on two wheels for closer examination of those gravel roads.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We took our time getting to the coast, and after a short half a mile of coastal traffic turned southeast on Highway 229, the Siletz Highway. A nice twisty way to avoid the tourist traffic on Highway 101. We hadn't been on this highway since July 2013 (blogged about it <a href="http://trobairitztablet.blogspot.com/2013/07/bikes-berries-basil-more.html">HERE</a>) and had forgotten how much fun it could be. At <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siletz,_Oregon">Siletz</a> we turned east on Highway 410, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logsden,_Oregon">Logsden</a> Road. More twisties and even a stretch of gravel made us wish we were on the bikes. One more turn east onto Highway 180, the Summit Highway took us <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blodgett,_Oregon">Blodgett</a>, Highway 20 and home.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We arrived home just before 7 pm. It was a nice relaxing day, although we decided we had more fun exploring the back roads than on the actual hike.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>"<i>There's sunshine in the heart of me, </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>my blood sings in the breeze;</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>The mountains are a part of me,</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>I'm fellow to the trees</i>." - Robert W. Service, "<i>A Rolling Stone</i>" (1912)</b></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-9313777605579054772017-07-18T18:14:00.000-07:002017-07-20T04:55:40.952-07:00240 Miles, 2 Lattes, 4 Barn Quilts, and a Dozen Lamborghinis, Oh My!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Several weeks ago after being inspired by a barn quilt picture taken by <a href="http://toadmama.com/">ToadMama</a>, I started researching to see if there were any barn quilts within a days ride of Corvallis. I found the web page for the <a href="http://www.tillamookquilttrail.org/map.htm">Tillamook Barn Quilt Trail</a>. Tillamook is about 90 miles northwest of Corvallis and is famous for its creamery and <a href="https://www.tillamook.com/cheese-factory/index.html">cheese factory</a> as well as being on Highway 101 at the coast. We made a mental note that it might be a fun ride one day to see how many barn quilts we could see.<br />
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We thought that might be a good option for a last hurrah before sending ScooterBob off to Princess ScooterPie. So, <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> took a peek at the maps to see how we might get there all while avoiding as much traffic as possible. The last time we were there on bikes was in October 2014 when we went to the air museum ---- blogged about in this <a href="http://trobairitztablet.blogspot.com/2014/10/day-ride-to-tillamook.html">LINK</a>.<br />
<br />
Saturday July 15th was the day. We made a quick stop in Corvallis and then headed west towards <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philomath,_Oregon">Philomath</a> to fuel the bikes. From Philomath we headed west on Highway 20 then turned north onto Kings Valley Highway which lead us to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas,_Oregon">Dallas</a>. Troubadour seamlessly lead us through Dallas and before long we were waiting to turn west onto Highway 22. And we waited, and we waited. There was so much traffic it took us a bit before we could pull out and I think I even bounced off the rev limiter on the Versys. Sure wished for the v-twin power of the Gladius at that point, but we made it.<br />
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After 12 miles on the highway we turned north towards Willamina where we could take a back road further north/west. We were looking for Bible Creek Rd, a one lane twisty forestry road heading northwest. We missed the turn and ended up on Bald Mountain Access Road. It too was a twisty one lane forestry road, it just took us further east that we were expecting. Longer ride in the forest for us and a gravel section too, bonus.<br />
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The photo below is where we stopped to check out the map to make sure we were heading in the right direction and that the road would for sure intersect with the one we were aiming for - Nestucca River Road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5UDWBxX_5tXdR2reuhDbbbblXh0yfFAn4Fc7ujI4l6ACjBW9WPFBArpVA_Ly_IDHVzBp0KAzpy_0UJwsZlbfueaTJl4VC6BY0wM1U41BJ5gB0aUc0wIthuvAvSSQfhQKjL1vXfwc3Q/s1600/IMG_6837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5UDWBxX_5tXdR2reuhDbbbblXh0yfFAn4Fc7ujI4l6ACjBW9WPFBArpVA_Ly_IDHVzBp0KAzpy_0UJwsZlbfueaTJl4VC6BY0wM1U41BJ5gB0aUc0wIthuvAvSSQfhQKjL1vXfwc3Q/s640/IMG_6837.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Bald Mountain Access Rd looking back at where we'd been)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcehdm_sthxfyLFdcEv5tjErRLKVpU1l6EZX2IN5UDqLDBBYoweifL_6wHS5GybvmkMJlW2oUQdfbPDAXp5kb59ee8qJbO0M5GX-tc23qBFDdKGNI7LC6mz0_VesW05h1lAfbSi81FA/s1600/IMG_6838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcehdm_sthxfyLFdcEv5tjErRLKVpU1l6EZX2IN5UDqLDBBYoweifL_6wHS5GybvmkMJlW2oUQdfbPDAXp5kb59ee8qJbO0M5GX-tc23qBFDdKGNI7LC6mz0_VesW05h1lAfbSi81FA/s640/IMG_6838.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Bald Mountain Access Rd looking at where we'll go)</span></b></td></tr>
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We eventually came out on Nestucca River Road and stopped at the same information kiosk we stopped at in 2014. We rested a few minutes, drank some water and ate an apple for a late lunch. The kiosk is right where Bible Creek intersects Nestucca River Road. It was a happy accident that we missed our original turn since Bible Creek was closed and a detour in place. From there it was a nice easy ride into <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaver,_Oregon">Beaver</a> where we made a left turn (north) onto Highway 101. Heavy traffic on that stretch of highway made it seem like the longest part of the ride.<br />
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The first stop in Tillamook was <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/five-rivers-coffee-roasters-tillamook-2">Five Rivers Coffee Roasters</a> at the north end of town and across from the Tillamook Cheese Factory. It was easy to find, easy to park. It was a nice building with lots of natural wood inside and was complete with a pretty picnic area out back off the highway. We each ordered a 12-oz vanilla soy latte. Unfortunately I forgot to order them extra hot and with an extra shot of espresso. They weren't very warm or strong. Live and learn, the place had great ambience though.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsPcX1z7PjPDbN55jbNLn2JR4xsIgD9Mqnj14RfrbIH_yMY9b98H0klcs9TXSKGUjD4a9tm5Fr-ZnHotHqhBoiPhILXN8YR_EOf6d1C8rgNw4fQf5GcjBkKgyZ7kjuShM8NXSEdsi8A/s1600/20187595_10211537594848159_265933553_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsPcX1z7PjPDbN55jbNLn2JR4xsIgD9Mqnj14RfrbIH_yMY9b98H0klcs9TXSKGUjD4a9tm5Fr-ZnHotHqhBoiPhILXN8YR_EOf6d1C8rgNw4fQf5GcjBkKgyZ7kjuShM8NXSEdsi8A/s640/20187595_10211537594848159_265933553_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The picnic area at Five Rivers Coffee Roasters - Photo by Troubadour)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsYsAKmErEk2suJgjSWjfa8ka5hTMTBedmXhzWKjO9VFvD4K6Z_izEwg6NRxiV7xqlXym-ckdLvFroMBVWlFSSK_hyphenhyphenSHTU154uA3Ieu-R7Ce_29Lj_8gOvTRycM7_x8UzX6I0KG5V4w/s1600/19989267_10211507428294014_7491543092411202335_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsYsAKmErEk2suJgjSWjfa8ka5hTMTBedmXhzWKjO9VFvD4K6Z_izEwg6NRxiV7xqlXym-ckdLvFroMBVWlFSSK_hyphenhyphenSHTU154uA3Ieu-R7Ce_29Lj_8gOvTRycM7_x8UzX6I0KG5V4w/s640/19989267_10211507428294014_7491543092411202335_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Parked at Five Rivers Coffee Roasters in Tillamook, Oregon)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We stopped and rested for a bit and discussed not only the barn quilt trail, but also the smell of <strike>dairy air</strike> derriere. One thing about riding in the land of cows is the smell. Oh, the smell. As Troubadour had his phone out taking the picture above a group of exotic cards drove by heading south. There were about a dozen in all different colors. PolarBear guessed after seeing a picture on Facebook that they were <a href="https://www.lamborghini.com/en-en/models/huracan">Lamborghini Huracans</a>. Not too sure why they were all headed south but it was cool to see. They all had a label on the side like it was an event, but I can't remember what they said and it is too hard to see in the photos. All car photos by Troubadour. EDIT - Thank you to Kari, aka Bluekat for the following link on the Lamborghini tour. <a href="http://www.kgw.com/news/lamborghini-giro-adventure-travels-through-astoria-and-portland/457921600">LINK</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZnAXbwGWkjShvVbr1N3Ahqepd6rKrL7N35rjlUVpF0nEyBK6vJTI-2KpJz34sN1QniHlVkyzaKD1jhaA9WyYvPVcNeNSV8m7-ElQ1IVCacs76HLwe4wWUq1Gq8FfmQ0fbYTnXEhIuQ/s1600/19961338_10211508928491518_2346167432924790149_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZnAXbwGWkjShvVbr1N3Ahqepd6rKrL7N35rjlUVpF0nEyBK6vJTI-2KpJz34sN1QniHlVkyzaKD1jhaA9WyYvPVcNeNSV8m7-ElQ1IVCacs76HLwe4wWUq1Gq8FfmQ0fbYTnXEhIuQ/s640/19961338_10211508928491518_2346167432924790149_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Lamborghinis on parade - a red one)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBXPiO7bOUj6yt9mnZVONA3jMmIlz0SZ71GYlH2AuAFvG0ElAP2A_oFgHFz96xOcpw_HJVcjMRkcw8-_cKXm_2mbkZk-ckPV-taZbJzRoGqSsfDfYLmt9eFH9TRqjisPoGpQvB3F9zg/s1600/19990101_10211509870835076_6668641122315630606_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBXPiO7bOUj6yt9mnZVONA3jMmIlz0SZ71GYlH2AuAFvG0ElAP2A_oFgHFz96xOcpw_HJVcjMRkcw8-_cKXm_2mbkZk-ckPV-taZbJzRoGqSsfDfYLmt9eFH9TRqjisPoGpQvB3F9zg/s640/19990101_10211509870835076_6668641122315630606_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(And a blue one)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaI1gpbgUZcZvNn0QdVQObjyw2aVg2nW9KGfnX_krfJuR3wqS19b8V-h37XhNdameoHRnKf1HU0LMJ5yLfea6W1SgxbX2mS9r6OQKEit-ROgUSs6onMngluA1ug8iNkUt6MiZfMeAyw/s1600/19990525_10211509865714948_4351244955179887141_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaI1gpbgUZcZvNn0QdVQObjyw2aVg2nW9KGfnX_krfJuR3wqS19b8V-h37XhNdameoHRnKf1HU0LMJ5yLfea6W1SgxbX2mS9r6OQKEit-ROgUSs6onMngluA1ug8iNkUt6MiZfMeAyw/s640/19990525_10211509865714948_4351244955179887141_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(And a black one - there were also green ones)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While stopped we took a look at the map and figured out a route that would give us the most barn quilts. First off the following.....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qWokvGXK2G7GR1lo1lZyH_ZI8q_3XYi1D3Y6reK56mnVD5Zw1JAnVvfgKvcDK3Bvlbwg7p36Cykg8P8_hwQgQZvWOHj8filqdS7ysEH2UTRY0W0luy0_wZz-hv2tI_wgWzm1zqHRqQ/s1600/IMG_6840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qWokvGXK2G7GR1lo1lZyH_ZI8q_3XYi1D3Y6reK56mnVD5Zw1JAnVvfgKvcDK3Bvlbwg7p36Cykg8P8_hwQgQZvWOHj8filqdS7ysEH2UTRY0W0luy0_wZz-hv2tI_wgWzm1zqHRqQ/s640/IMG_6840.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(ScooterBob admiring the barn quilt)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBqrMECG2WD_k6IDiHarqFMrJ_UE88swCR00i2aoHSDvt_8bw9qvwjaDZCkS5NIsx6umOJdnp1phOt0rDkqcO350YswtvtaJnRXLkpfiO8WV-ijjnLGTP-BtRi2MnH0wn2JTQZRK5yQ/s1600/IMG_6844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBqrMECG2WD_k6IDiHarqFMrJ_UE88swCR00i2aoHSDvt_8bw9qvwjaDZCkS5NIsx6umOJdnp1phOt0rDkqcO350YswtvtaJnRXLkpfiO8WV-ijjnLGTP-BtRi2MnH0wn2JTQZRK5yQ/s640/IMG_6844.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The Tiger, the Versys, and ScooterBob in Tillamook)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While stopped at the barn above <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> noticed a little rubber ducky on the ground. He nestled it in the cables of my dash and it is now my little talisman.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJkE1_dAJv-kDrzwz_40-4czhx4psDg-qJTWC2qRWiKu2dk9zZf8sQzABf2hmm2eU34sl39aY0cAoWTKtRcauouzhO0qu5y9cclO2rl4aeC5Z6OpnYoMqIDyGNDpCsaloijQ-XaayIg/s1600/IMG_6847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJkE1_dAJv-kDrzwz_40-4czhx4psDg-qJTWC2qRWiKu2dk9zZf8sQzABf2hmm2eU34sl39aY0cAoWTKtRcauouzhO0qu5y9cclO2rl4aeC5Z6OpnYoMqIDyGNDpCsaloijQ-XaayIg/s640/IMG_6847.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Rubber Ducky you're the one....)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As I mentioned in my ScooterBob post on Wet Coast Scootin (link <a href="http://wetcoastscootin.blogspot.com/2017/07/scooterbob-gies-to-tillamook.html">HERE</a>) ScooterBob decided to base jump off my tail bag after the above photos were taken and was subsequently banished to the ground lest he pull a Humpty Dumpty and we had to put him back together again. We fought really high winds all day and didn't want to take any chances with another wind gust.<br />
<br />
Back on the bikes we quickly realized that just because it was called a barn quilt trail didn't mean they were all on barns. We bypassed the ones on the side of metal sheds and ugly outbuildings and ones that were really hard to get to or you had to ride into a dairy farm to see. We did stop at the fairgrounds below for its colorful 'barn' quilt.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOBrs8FcaZde4dCOfJ8BEvO8ncpKji1RwrpyjjQIq26A4M0I6hfmKCMc5rfjYwFCAk6QyScYo14y71okcHqC9A2KURR6BiywlaoZppTTjjqANvxs0ONqdRc8Qo3yJyn6tYqoTXcqujw/s1600/IMG_6850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOBrs8FcaZde4dCOfJ8BEvO8ncpKji1RwrpyjjQIq26A4M0I6hfmKCMc5rfjYwFCAk6QyScYo14y71okcHqC9A2KURR6BiywlaoZppTTjjqANvxs0ONqdRc8Qo3yJyn6tYqoTXcqujw/s640/IMG_6850.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Barn quilt at the Tillamook County fairgrounds)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we were riding along we came to the conclusion that for a couple of vegans going into farm country for barn quilt pictures maybe wasn't the best idea. Damn, your food stinks when it is growing. We decided to cut the trail a little short and if there was easy access to barn quilts on the way back to Highway 101 we'd get them. There were two more.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwxxWpvqynW4Fy9TQMNxOLa43SKl84gI7ZlWAo6J_ioI8Tr-pOYfSqJRF-W1d9LcHeQEcOr1QyIK8X0Icniafl3FHGDD6_SdCyuZGJnMX7i7BTlKiYeHbGDgAvvOvb_ggcW1JmvQtHQ/s1600/IMG_6854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwxxWpvqynW4Fy9TQMNxOLa43SKl84gI7ZlWAo6J_ioI8Tr-pOYfSqJRF-W1d9LcHeQEcOr1QyIK8X0Icniafl3FHGDD6_SdCyuZGJnMX7i7BTlKiYeHbGDgAvvOvb_ggcW1JmvQtHQ/s640/IMG_6854.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Another barn quilt - further off the road)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEyqy4gJxbfJk9wCFKvXknlaYa6YffjOTWSPko-wewcr92cNwh3CpQniff13f7eF2B84vGLSosXCVUjWqHyOnpfiyTB82TDdXt7Ip5WynURyLtJA7ccMRRJFvLFcCxPUh04nHFBA_mQ/s1600/IMG_6855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEyqy4gJxbfJk9wCFKvXknlaYa6YffjOTWSPko-wewcr92cNwh3CpQniff13f7eF2B84vGLSosXCVUjWqHyOnpfiyTB82TDdXt7Ip5WynURyLtJA7ccMRRJFvLFcCxPUh04nHFBA_mQ/s640/IMG_6855.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A little harder to capture at that distance)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0shCOsfnhz-hlUNlLGEtLW-EL2KSS78RFLa6FeJ5KVlAH_JidPM0X0Xwc6yAoWyw-LOJHue9kvE22oaNLcjxA-02Ltea6WxvNLkKxEVoxzUXD0ZImpMSWGq_Vp1pu6rzHbMwxpK9LQ/s1600/IMG_6856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0shCOsfnhz-hlUNlLGEtLW-EL2KSS78RFLa6FeJ5KVlAH_JidPM0X0Xwc6yAoWyw-LOJHue9kvE22oaNLcjxA-02Ltea6WxvNLkKxEVoxzUXD0ZImpMSWGq_Vp1pu6rzHbMwxpK9LQ/s640/IMG_6856.jpg" width="608" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(One last barn quilt - just couldn't get the truck out of the picture)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xRCGRDK9k6u9vuhxwwi-juNPTC2krzurD5BkKDtZEy2bfDF3CSpE63s6tFD4VMFcFei4DWqRprbAZVgUwh8RwvgPtOi9OWwijyEwtG74mr2tpnpfzZ0Sk-RWhqQAO0LoYx1qYZIkYA/s1600/IMG_6859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xRCGRDK9k6u9vuhxwwi-juNPTC2krzurD5BkKDtZEy2bfDF3CSpE63s6tFD4VMFcFei4DWqRprbAZVgUwh8RwvgPtOi9OWwijyEwtG74mr2tpnpfzZ0Sk-RWhqQAO0LoYx1qYZIkYA/s640/IMG_6859.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(And across from that barn quilt - cows!)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We made it to Highway 101 and turned south. We decided to ride south to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebo,_Oregon">Hebo</a> where we would turn onto Highway 22, the Three Rivers Highway. Traffic wasn't even doing the 55 mph speed limit for the 19 mile stretch between the two towns. At times we were lucky to be doing 45 mph. We were glad when we turned off that the rest of the traffic stayed on Highway 101.<br />
<br />
The stretch of highway between Hebo and Valley Junction is such a beautiful section of two lane back road with smooth asphalt and sweeping curves along the river. At one point we did stop for a rest and a snack since it was after 5 and lunch was only an apple. Luckily we still had some trail mix and a couple of Cliff Bars. The last pictures of the day were taken along Highway 22 where it intersects with Hiack Creek Rd.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlBwk25R9Fbz19vvGZfnfMjI2hSH3zMO-VT1sikDGa-JtaZbfVcjvLMK-Bz2EMeJLGQXgEm40YkCaxoauMKlsFTRakuyivugzathkIgHZhKebSPP2k2SEcynliLE26ScVQIiz0iBs0w/s1600/IMG_6861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlBwk25R9Fbz19vvGZfnfMjI2hSH3zMO-VT1sikDGa-JtaZbfVcjvLMK-Bz2EMeJLGQXgEm40YkCaxoauMKlsFTRakuyivugzathkIgHZhKebSPP2k2SEcynliLE26ScVQIiz0iBs0w/s640/IMG_6861.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> taking a rest)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaCF_xbLNxnHFLE0BMn3UVoDrt1hfb3Q_Fg1PnYjIlVdTODAA4scDRv7PzqEDI0EUiW9r8t-Wzr0Ik0GyAExdu7WjAuvE6SuHkvkb2JN4Md7N97dbvfE6Erxtd29Qw7YGPjbZ4VRQ_Q/s1600/IMG_6862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaCF_xbLNxnHFLE0BMn3UVoDrt1hfb3Q_Fg1PnYjIlVdTODAA4scDRv7PzqEDI0EUiW9r8t-Wzr0Ik0GyAExdu7WjAuvE6SuHkvkb2JN4Md7N97dbvfE6Erxtd29Qw7YGPjbZ4VRQ_Q/s640/IMG_6862.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The Versys 300x now sporting OEM hand guards, center stand, and heated grips)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We made one more stop at the <a href="http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=185">Fort Yamhill State Heritage Area</a>. A State Park just before Valley Junction. It has some informational displays regarding the 27 different tribes of Native Americans that were moved from their land to the neighboring Grand Ronde Indian Reservation. There were also picnic areas and restroom facilities. From there it was an uneventful ride home. We headed east along the highway and then south to Corvallis. We arrived home at 7 pm with approximately 240 miles (386 km) on the odometer 8 hours after leaving the house. The Versys averaged 65 mpg for fuel economy and I made it on one tank of gas! It is nice that it has a 4.5 gallon fuel tank. One gallon more than the Gladius and I can go almost 100 miles further on a tank.<br />
<br />
On Sunday we boxed up ScooterBob and he was mailed off to <a href="http://scootermayhem.blogspot.com/">Princess ScooterPie</a> yesterday. He should arrive in Victoria within a week or so.<br />
<br />
Also on Sunday we were lucky that Don and Karla from <a href="http://www.twoveganstwowheels.com/">Two Vegans Two Wheels</a> were traveling home to Bend though Corvallis. We were able to meet up for coffee and hang out for an hour or more. We visited like old friends, but forgot to take any pictures. Next time!<br />
<br />
<b>- Au Revoir</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>" <i>This coffee tastes like mud! Well, it was ground this morning.</i>" - Old Vaudeville Joke</b><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span></div>
Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-32252084331025985782017-06-21T09:49:00.000-07:002017-06-21T09:49:16.113-07:00Riding to the Coast for Coffee<div style="text-align: justify;">
Saturday June 17th we busted our butts weeding the shrub beds in the backyard. We decided that Sunday needed to be a ride day because all work and no play.........</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It used to be that we'd ride to eat. Pick a destination based on a restaurant choice and point the bikes in that direction. Since going vegan over 6 years ago that proves to be a bit more difficult so Troubadour had the idea of riding for coffee. There are a lot of little coffee shops within a days ride. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> left the destination planning up to me so I chose the Siuslaw Coffee Roasters in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence,_Oregon">Florence</a> as our destination. Temperatures in the valley were going to top out at 86˚F (30˚C) and Florence was forecast for a high of only 70˚F (21˚C) We decided on a route that had some back roads, some gravel roads, and a little highway riding too (no way to avoid the highways). This would be my longest journey on the Versys 300x to date - 195 miles (313.8 km)</div>
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We set off down Bellfountain Road to Territorial Road then headed west on Highway 36. A left turn put us onto Poodle Creek Rd. A nice twisty back road that heads South where it intersects with Highway 126.</div>
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We turned west on Highway 126 and then turned right onto a gravel road to take us to the Wildcat covered bridge. We'd actually been there once before - almost a year ago to the day and it was under construction at that time. Having been built in 1925, it was long overdue for some TLC. Last years blog post --> <a href="http://trobairitztablet.blogspot.com/2016/06/one-covered-bridge-and-two-gravel-roads.html">LINK</a>.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGStyipwLfFycNBJVkwdD1JUKgPBF8A3P39f1QxT8X4X83mUNTBYmVJFngMW0GIZf-yEPiLpwJmFnPQR0DklKtKhsT3tOphL5J0qgG3ErbAp9fRaYMVoNDF7onnoRaDxYabu7LXzgbHg/s1600/IMG_6804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGStyipwLfFycNBJVkwdD1JUKgPBF8A3P39f1QxT8X4X83mUNTBYmVJFngMW0GIZf-yEPiLpwJmFnPQR0DklKtKhsT3tOphL5J0qgG3ErbAp9fRaYMVoNDF7onnoRaDxYabu7LXzgbHg/s640/IMG_6804.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(ScooterBob at the <a href="http://www.covered-bridges.org/bridges/wildcat.htm">Wildcat Covered Bridge</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0x00dHnGqA7OypMBstKds2qVnMdcpHSWiCi0SYBVJz12LGMvRwVLe6xK1UUKCoXvQBO7-7Fg05RSPyrt9qYy0WxokMp5dzxdaOm1yHoa1vguKBdoUYXe0n-urYrPJBPHu0Ul0PUVPA/s1600/IMG_6805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0x00dHnGqA7OypMBstKds2qVnMdcpHSWiCi0SYBVJz12LGMvRwVLe6xK1UUKCoXvQBO7-7Fg05RSPyrt9qYy0WxokMp5dzxdaOm1yHoa1vguKBdoUYXe0n-urYrPJBPHu0Ul0PUVPA/s640/IMG_6805.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">( Looking a little right you could see a railway bridge)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
There were quite a few people down by the river and some were in kayaks, and others were swimming. That water must have been cold though as the river is in the foothills of the coastal mountains.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We got back on the bikes and decided to take the gravel road, which turns into Stagecoach Road, until it intersects Highway 36 at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swisshome,_Oregon">Swisshome</a>. It is a lovely one lane gravel road that twists and turns and undulates along the river for about 15 miles.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Troubadour recently bought a <a href="https://www.360fly.com/">360Fly camera</a> and was having some issues turning it on. We stopped in a bit of shade while he fiddled with it. I took advantage of the break and pulled my camera out of my pocket.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSuPdyxPX8g7Q3pN9adrVum8ewd9gbu6DYy9v8OoGmfrWoHCUyfDblMcIc3z3-todFOkfEf8rCKPgCFKVYH2HSWSxuhZ7k9CS21RWPPGZw0E-D3TtOfb4FibvRWrxjEfArkAqo7j10g/s1600/IMG_6810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSuPdyxPX8g7Q3pN9adrVum8ewd9gbu6DYy9v8OoGmfrWoHCUyfDblMcIc3z3-todFOkfEf8rCKPgCFKVYH2HSWSxuhZ7k9CS21RWPPGZw0E-D3TtOfb4FibvRWrxjEfArkAqo7j10g/s640/IMG_6810.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Gravel road heading west - view from the Versys cockpit)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMWqdxxBFOnviy_P8TA_PeZDbeKSIMWF86xORDqEjy63uAFpK4BWBcNsKoy8NbesQNg34L_RtTqjYQev8LUctbCaPrJD6thbNXhFh827vCYxwUYFELMiK1-VkWQGMS1oMbu4UnFX57A/s1600/IMG_6811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMWqdxxBFOnviy_P8TA_PeZDbeKSIMWF86xORDqEjy63uAFpK4BWBcNsKoy8NbesQNg34L_RtTqjYQev8LUctbCaPrJD6thbNXhFh827vCYxwUYFELMiK1-VkWQGMS1oMbu4UnFX57A/s640/IMG_6811.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Where we'd been - a view of the Versys mirror)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf69xoVvkaQPsRl55SB7PhzLhPbHOPZ3sanIR0KchpOl8guq5k2JkJfnTGEED6tQfyEgQEd-xklLDrK7bmoKzPdjCHBCbaj-eTMW6A1reMCx7OKwKu4-gCPsggrfzvnn4nWYr4N9VnA/s1600/IMG_6812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf69xoVvkaQPsRl55SB7PhzLhPbHOPZ3sanIR0KchpOl8guq5k2JkJfnTGEED6tQfyEgQEd-xklLDrK7bmoKzPdjCHBCbaj-eTMW6A1reMCx7OKwKu4-gCPsggrfzvnn4nWYr4N9VnA/s640/IMG_6812.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Even had time for a selfie - I'm wearing my Rev'it mesh jacket and HJC helmet)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICm58V163a_YeeXeaX_gmy3aikMc25PhIBUJMcQEKYT4fAWJ-O2jS9TrMAQJ4TlxeF-IANj3tomhT50tq0r9CttdTX7kINyrk-OZLSy9IhCARBmP5XGTvW1fwPmomprYR1a1c9RHp3Q/s1600/IMG_6813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICm58V163a_YeeXeaX_gmy3aikMc25PhIBUJMcQEKYT4fAWJ-O2jS9TrMAQJ4TlxeF-IANj3tomhT50tq0r9CttdTX7kINyrk-OZLSy9IhCARBmP5XGTvW1fwPmomprYR1a1c9RHp3Q/s640/IMG_6813.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> fiddling with the 360Fly camera)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
He managed to get it working and we were off. The camera is quite something. If your computer's operating system is compatible or you are on your smart phone you can actually look around while watching the video and look at the scenery, not just the direction the camera appears to be pointed. He has posted a few videos on Facebook, hopefully he will find time to blog a few clips as well.</div>
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Stagecoach Road comes out on Highway 36 which we took west to where it intersects with Highway 126 and took that along the river to Florence. We stopped at the <a href="http://www.coffeeoregon.com/">Siuslaw River Coffee Roasters</a> in Old Town by the river. As we were pulling up two motorcyclists were leaving so we had parking out front. The outdoor seating was just to the left of the bikes.</div>
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I went inside and purchased us each a 16 oz iced vanilla soy latte. They seemed rather weak, but they were cold. We sat outside and enjoyed the view of the historic <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siuslaw_River_Bridge">Siuslaw River bridge</a>, which opened in 1936, and did some people watching too.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2isnsUSjdRMqQqi4t2150Rmhgw_vQGwg_05Y2zsq1Zuwc3rJgxcksRLDjfAn9vwbMDSZ1g0c9ArNzqnWdpT9DkBRjFYuv-pOhkFtYdvBNfDL2G-AyDfP9g5t8Rs-j4Zpjn00YWiOVQ/s1600/19397179_10211227445854628_8474967067983958398_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2isnsUSjdRMqQqi4t2150Rmhgw_vQGwg_05Y2zsq1Zuwc3rJgxcksRLDjfAn9vwbMDSZ1g0c9ArNzqnWdpT9DkBRjFYuv-pOhkFtYdvBNfDL2G-AyDfP9g5t8Rs-j4Zpjn00YWiOVQ/s640/19397179_10211227445854628_8474967067983958398_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The bikes at the Siuslaw River Coffee Roaster in Florence, Oregon)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsAx_i1PsqlAmLER6B0KjnqEV_Wsk5WZVGn6MhSL-EJv7ukdzMUkd-hrmUvRBFBtd4VGo1kbCx-MmjjIF4YSFmhLy7b70B330xPJsadNapKQew9SvT5vW9VtRie-P1bFAbU6QjN96uA/s1600/IMG_6814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsAx_i1PsqlAmLER6B0KjnqEV_Wsk5WZVGn6MhSL-EJv7ukdzMUkd-hrmUvRBFBtd4VGo1kbCx-MmjjIF4YSFmhLy7b70B330xPJsadNapKQew9SvT5vW9VtRie-P1bFAbU6QjN96uA/s640/IMG_6814.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(ScooterBob posing for the camera)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WoLGUXfyFMk28c71bGCLbiL0qqCXg7X7OmbCkL75BagUDbRltFXewezFVklGyyaBLfbF9RREyPLdkM7bsjCM097YJDVbE6i_q5ttbE9ZSrsMlHQ8QD58eN2vPFTb0nCPNVXznW1EPg/s1600/IMG_6817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WoLGUXfyFMk28c71bGCLbiL0qqCXg7X7OmbCkL75BagUDbRltFXewezFVklGyyaBLfbF9RREyPLdkM7bsjCM097YJDVbE6i_q5ttbE9ZSrsMlHQ8QD58eN2vPFTb0nCPNVXznW1EPg/s640/IMG_6817.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Historic bridge over the Siuslaw River)</span></b></td></tr>
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Too soon we were back on the bikes and heading east towards home. We retraced most of our route except for the large gravel area as it would have taken us out of the way and we weren't keen on the extra stretch of Highway 126. It is the major highway between Florence and Eugene and there is always a lot of traffic on the weekends, especially RV's.</div>
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We did stop twice along the way. Once for a potty break (damn coffee) and once to give us a break from the constant buffeting of the wind. Troubadour's knee was giving him grief and my sits bones were sore - not much padding on <strike>my arse</strike> the Versys seat. </div>
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We arrived home at 6:30 pm, 7 hours after leaving the house. Not a bad day to be out on two wheels.</div>
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<b>- Au Revoir</b><br />
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<b>"<i>Why not seize the pleasure at once, how often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation.</i>" - Jane Austen</b></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-33692397530024622022017-06-02T13:31:00.001-07:002017-06-02T13:31:50.707-07:00Visiting Bloggers, Camping, and Saturday Coffee<div style="text-align: justify;">
This post will encompass the last three weekends. I haven't had time recently for much blogging so I will put it all together and try not to make it too long. Lucky for you I haven't taken many pictures.</div>
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<b>FRIDAY MAY 12</b></div>
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A busy weekend for us. Blogging friends <a href="http://blog.machida.us/">RichardM</a> and <a href="http://www.everydayriding.org/">ChrisL</a> both arrived in Corvallis this day. It just so happened that Richard was to arrive in Oregon when Chris was landing at the Portland airport and was able to give him a ride to Corvallis.</div>
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Richard also brought ScooterBob along to officially pass the torch. We made sure to go out for a yummy dinner at <a href="http://www.evergreenindianrestaurant.com/">Evergreen Indian Restaurant</a> while they were both here. If we look tired it is because Chris, Troubadour, and I <a href="https://www.nobonespdx.com/">ate </a>and shopped our way through Portland on this day (Saturday) and this was also after a late dinner and past my bedtime.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyka9CYvxRjcMVYamxah_s4WHv77gwNfR7Gde2uYgQW8FUIAw0UBnSE9pawG04ckCAV1VoGsHjkLcfB4nsUWmM1Cda0aBCuyaaQVmn9VDOsImqtjfoGBZsZpONo9ED-9CjcLKasVHdQ/s1600/unnamed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyka9CYvxRjcMVYamxah_s4WHv77gwNfR7Gde2uYgQW8FUIAw0UBnSE9pawG04ckCAV1VoGsHjkLcfB4nsUWmM1Cda0aBCuyaaQVmn9VDOsImqtjfoGBZsZpONo9ED-9CjcLKasVHdQ/s400/unnamed-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour,</a> Trobairitz, ChrisL, RichardM, and ScooterBob - photo by Richard)</span></b></td></tr>
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Richard was a champ and even gave Chris a ride back to Portland on Monday since he was headed that way anyway to pick up his RV. Troubadour and I both had to work Monday.</div>
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<b>FRIDAY MAY 19</b></div>
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A camping weekend. About every other year we try and get together with Troubadour's brother, sister-in-law, and niece and nephew for a camping trip. You may remember camping in Kalaloch on the Olympic Peninsula from the year before last. LINK ----> <a href="http://trobairitztablet.blogspot.com/2015/05/camping-at-kalaloch.html">HERE</a>.</div>
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This year was at the camping area in <a href="http://www.cityofanacortes.org/washington_park.php#.WTG5pHflSV4">Washington Park</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacortes,_Washington">Anacortes, Washington</a>. We were far enough north in Washington that we were actually north of the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island. Anacortes is an hour or so (depending on traffic) north of Seattle on Fidalgo Island.</div>
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We arrived later than anticipated as it took us 3 hours to go the 50 some odd miles from Seattle to our exit at Mount Vernon. Yes, 3 hours to go 50 miles. Sigh. It was a long day.</div>
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By the time we got our tent and stuff set up we had just enough time for a campfire and a quick visit before bed.</div>
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Saturday we took the kids down to the playground in the day-use/boat launch area and let them burn off some energy. The kids and the brothers even attempted kite flying, but there wasn't quite enough wind.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobtsb8ATizDMR2lRsFNlx3FEEIrRpFNuV2JzisOIblshNGJow2j9xS54xmyZynw3lRh4l9hIlkXXZwcPBEqDtFx4TzzDY3PYLNWhhgPns1iQW-0VvaTtW4TagnBWrnJ0vxkwQ6u1TUA/s1600/IMG_6718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobtsb8ATizDMR2lRsFNlx3FEEIrRpFNuV2JzisOIblshNGJow2j9xS54xmyZynw3lRh4l9hIlkXXZwcPBEqDtFx4TzzDY3PYLNWhhgPns1iQW-0VvaTtW4TagnBWrnJ0vxkwQ6u1TUA/s640/IMG_6718.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Washington Park day-use/boat launch, Anacortes, WA)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZjkIP7RNWuqlANb2-e-Q88Q2XewiENHfFNoPMWyBg8b7eTd_tRCYtPE0LGZ4DxzoTWSB2ySH08UhIs3xkqxOFzbWll87X0b83EMp5hD9uzwTWh-xCv8QAehMgHpInuMD-uOuF44NgA/s1600/IMG_6721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZjkIP7RNWuqlANb2-e-Q88Q2XewiENHfFNoPMWyBg8b7eTd_tRCYtPE0LGZ4DxzoTWSB2ySH08UhIs3xkqxOFzbWll87X0b83EMp5hD9uzwTWh-xCv8QAehMgHpInuMD-uOuF44NgA/s640/IMG_6721.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Kites in the air - I think Troubadour is on the play structure on the right)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ISmdOZYGFgCWTI3bs2354zGUQKgkXBaV3doG4d2Cml8FiUqOkBZLWEks9XG68sh6NqS8xmrWoK71lEPhs_ssKvv2PQdWHoEWPrhyphenhyphenAUjyRnWdQa2vLLag_1_DOM6se4ARrWhezRCVmA/s1600/IMG_6729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ISmdOZYGFgCWTI3bs2354zGUQKgkXBaV3doG4d2Cml8FiUqOkBZLWEks9XG68sh6NqS8xmrWoK71lEPhs_ssKvv2PQdWHoEWPrhyphenhyphenAUjyRnWdQa2vLLag_1_DOM6se4ARrWhezRCVmA/s640/IMG_6729.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour's brother Bear getting a kite ready)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJXaJ03Htm44oh3wXjExqSwPbZEsPRphF4JFa1GRwE5jVyp570y0MF_Csuy2Py9y6AVWtHiiMVqGS4-ikY4LHDlQEemFs2exuiu89ewl1EkLnFpFK10bmKs4-GqtR-fxH_jp7zqgg8Q/s1600/IMG_6730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJXaJ03Htm44oh3wXjExqSwPbZEsPRphF4JFa1GRwE5jVyp570y0MF_Csuy2Py9y6AVWtHiiMVqGS4-ikY4LHDlQEemFs2exuiu89ewl1EkLnFpFK10bmKs4-GqtR-fxH_jp7zqgg8Q/s640/IMG_6730.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Nephew Little Bear rocking the rings)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sWlLJ94APefMkfrVlgKEDwb_PyhTtXgP02y9FhpSBaSPglhwxGfdgalMXna6NU9k-7RX6EWeQgHXa2DF76H3e1e-AJPqjcv5_WB3xwINp-xVYa0x9FeDqKYW6TM9PVMGCsqdWOkxZg/s1600/IMG_6740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sWlLJ94APefMkfrVlgKEDwb_PyhTtXgP02y9FhpSBaSPglhwxGfdgalMXna6NU9k-7RX6EWeQgHXa2DF76H3e1e-AJPqjcv5_WB3xwINp-xVYa0x9FeDqKYW6TM9PVMGCsqdWOkxZg/s640/IMG_6740.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Niece Faith and Troubadour having fun)</span></b></td></tr>
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After playing and warming up in the sunshine we walked back to the campsites and had some lunch. From there it was a nature walk. There is a 2 mile road that goes around the park. Unfortunately they tout it as a walking trail too, which would be fine if there weren't so many cars on the one-lane road. Luckily it was one-way traffic. We spend our time dodging cars and taking different paths to view the water or walk through the trees.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4G4X7ef5ljqeRh6ZaBpjvvDm5MtvA-UcrQs5XVjFt_0Sp_PkzRyq6CEdRJl2RI81qv9wZzJFPPmDxoQ37PHyHp0gq5ZSoB17rCXDAbPnO98a-dXXWWqLCDppuHiK1JmYT61BkI6HEA/s1600/IMG_6745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4G4X7ef5ljqeRh6ZaBpjvvDm5MtvA-UcrQs5XVjFt_0Sp_PkzRyq6CEdRJl2RI81qv9wZzJFPPmDxoQ37PHyHp0gq5ZSoB17rCXDAbPnO98a-dXXWWqLCDppuHiK1JmYT61BkI6HEA/s640/IMG_6745.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A view of one of the many surrounding islands)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLoUUnawU6K0NWRfpKgiNiHZMv0DZAO22VMXeW_WFQB8Htr-ZMknXk1cJC9ar3FJo6AIO-1i97dYvyMyrTPB8mlbgSFIm6TPX739T3Y6I2QtKt0BQlXapqFsfPdZiQ0NHIgd5vegFow/s1600/IMG_6753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLoUUnawU6K0NWRfpKgiNiHZMv0DZAO22VMXeW_WFQB8Htr-ZMknXk1cJC9ar3FJo6AIO-1i97dYvyMyrTPB8mlbgSFIm6TPX739T3Y6I2QtKt0BQlXapqFsfPdZiQ0NHIgd5vegFow/s640/IMG_6753.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Many boats were in the water)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnQ8SQFqrYXuI5sXXZsIM2nmPuB-Y6GEc00JiOqI1xMIdO_aEvWShaNGzfXFx73ZqExEdKE_bzm4Zd15KavS4RWF2hn3rim51RD_yU57OQwlaIAPUN9V565XdVIVmuj5IDhtOCRRM0g/s1600/IMG_6755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnQ8SQFqrYXuI5sXXZsIM2nmPuB-Y6GEc00JiOqI1xMIdO_aEvWShaNGzfXFx73ZqExEdKE_bzm4Zd15KavS4RWF2hn3rim51RD_yU57OQwlaIAPUN9V565XdVIVmuj5IDhtOCRRM0g/s640/IMG_6755.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Lots of boats)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTsq3Z-1qPnU5W8xWNgk7PkruiIpmH6DmsbBDUlWG23zyDTdbnKExbQEC0uUconC575lF7UfqPe1YBaZnzGswPtjvkkaqzvHWjRe2tLsB4jtnjsK_drhWt-cmuWZvb0rlREGFEMArTA/s1600/IMG_6756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTsq3Z-1qPnU5W8xWNgk7PkruiIpmH6DmsbBDUlWG23zyDTdbnKExbQEC0uUconC575lF7UfqPe1YBaZnzGswPtjvkkaqzvHWjRe2tLsB4jtnjsK_drhWt-cmuWZvb0rlREGFEMArTA/s640/IMG_6756.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> soaking up the sun and enjoying the view)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHETTgelu-0qrEQe5i-MirjcGGZB5UxuBBHFoP0W5FRFL1VToiXfCF9DJhDMwIjHKa0bm7WkJbRb-t6tHN0fgNHfgBpdB6AQCeBjKZKCD-1EOb0fV-KEM7PXeG0AMpzj1RLZ1rZnojRg/s1600/IMG_6757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHETTgelu-0qrEQe5i-MirjcGGZB5UxuBBHFoP0W5FRFL1VToiXfCF9DJhDMwIjHKa0bm7WkJbRb-t6tHN0fgNHfgBpdB6AQCeBjKZKCD-1EOb0fV-KEM7PXeG0AMpzj1RLZ1rZnojRg/s640/IMG_6757.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The spring wildflowers were in bloom)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaLEJlh4DjfqQrqt6jdynsLoGxCT6z5MHaEfEU5v3hNaatzhF-0gKWB2Xg8SoSg_BGurriCP9ESqg-IoWnYOtD2k7ziyfv9HidII7gcAWRo0-gJpxC-RcOUHWXvgEdxhdFe3xx0ulTg/s1600/IMG_6758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaLEJlh4DjfqQrqt6jdynsLoGxCT6z5MHaEfEU5v3hNaatzhF-0gKWB2Xg8SoSg_BGurriCP9ESqg-IoWnYOtD2k7ziyfv9HidII7gcAWRo0-gJpxC-RcOUHWXvgEdxhdFe3xx0ulTg/s640/IMG_6758.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(There were a lot of wild shrub roses smelling pretty and reminding me of BC and Alberta)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71A0siv-cBUgsyd33fVADbzt9Y0pZJKL89oqqXJozulH8nSHfMGSBiGwE62VcASdbgB349qW5Wz1URQjHW8pMxJ_c_VVXmVW-fqCBf5qhAr-yoL_LssHoa4HlTOmU1UcyRVHPGWBGBw/s1600/IMG_6763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71A0siv-cBUgsyd33fVADbzt9Y0pZJKL89oqqXJozulH8nSHfMGSBiGwE62VcASdbgB349qW5Wz1URQjHW8pMxJ_c_VVXmVW-fqCBf5qhAr-yoL_LssHoa4HlTOmU1UcyRVHPGWBGBw/s640/IMG_6763.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(We think the snowy mountains might be on Vancouver Island to the west)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gxx0CxoAGH5uJX9UAXy5fnMDBpavX4YuH2I8wgXazFDe1nRs-axz9ZrxQm2BdeNvgSo5z7IE9Is_t1jM8nFl6LRpKGrBZgZB6Mlvd4UIKKR1aVRxflTRmPt37_e6pt30Ft-yoyWODw/s1600/IMG_6766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gxx0CxoAGH5uJX9UAXy5fnMDBpavX4YuH2I8wgXazFDe1nRs-axz9ZrxQm2BdeNvgSo5z7IE9Is_t1jM8nFl6LRpKGrBZgZB6Mlvd4UIKKR1aVRxflTRmPt37_e6pt30Ft-yoyWODw/s640/IMG_6766.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(One of the trails through the woods)</span></b></td></tr>
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Back at camp the squirrels were getting closer. The one below ran up a tree when it spotted the in-laws dog. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5X1aaRJfApfNGy1MXnW7-wVot8U9iY9RIAjJnADuG6rMMl5U3GJ9Drk2UAI99oI0ulajrmK1yquxpceTykN0-JLIeDv0yxaLY3MB-ltESPMsBOS5O9EQl6dbUurqVc6lraH0PED2rg/s1600/IMG_6776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5X1aaRJfApfNGy1MXnW7-wVot8U9iY9RIAjJnADuG6rMMl5U3GJ9Drk2UAI99oI0ulajrmK1yquxpceTykN0-JLIeDv0yxaLY3MB-ltESPMsBOS5O9EQl6dbUurqVc6lraH0PED2rg/s640/IMG_6776.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A bold brown squirrel)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigO3G0hX59aQOt7kwPpX9gk8XnOfEjR0a_FwOtER2umadFnpzwdNRCU2YNIb8s9PeMKr1PW0JOgmQZh6nlo7Hzh-_WRdwTAQpC1EwomoiIzs9WnGWFFZkBWWpvYkaae0AM_BL4UqmCoA/s1600/IMG_6778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigO3G0hX59aQOt7kwPpX9gk8XnOfEjR0a_FwOtER2umadFnpzwdNRCU2YNIb8s9PeMKr1PW0JOgmQZh6nlo7Hzh-_WRdwTAQpC1EwomoiIzs9WnGWFFZkBWWpvYkaae0AM_BL4UqmCoA/s640/IMG_6778.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Hello squirrel)</span></b></td></tr>
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One of the funniest things we saw while camping was a squirrel running down the road in the campground with a face full of marshmallows he'd stolen from a camper. Well, that or the deer ripping open a bag of hot dog buns and having a feast. That was at the campsite beside us, we were smart and kept our food locked in the Subaru when not eating. The campground critters appeared well fed.</div>
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<br />
On Sunday we went for a drive. We crossed the historic <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deception_Pass_Bridge">Deception Pass Bridge</a> (which was crammed full of tourists) and ended up in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Harbor,_Washington">Oak Harbor</a> on Whidbey Island, located a little south west of Anacortes and the home to a Naval Base. We found Windjammer Park right by the water. We stayed long enough to all get a little sunburned. Our campground was in the tall evergreen trees and was quite chilly. It was nice to sit in the sun and warm up and take off a few fleece layers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK63AjtxPfA7FlSFfZu6Br-_OUEVqRdFfYy4KMrMYujI8-ZL5nZkietWhObmU_mYk_ENcWt9J3bzzuUfVS5SRSFAq0zBQws9cKVchHfFgXn4KP7U6-Sa-0gxosdenrY6qYQN-INCLoyQ/s1600/IMG_6779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK63AjtxPfA7FlSFfZu6Br-_OUEVqRdFfYy4KMrMYujI8-ZL5nZkietWhObmU_mYk_ENcWt9J3bzzuUfVS5SRSFAq0zBQws9cKVchHfFgXn4KP7U6-Sa-0gxosdenrY6qYQN-INCLoyQ/s640/IMG_6779.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Windjammer Park, Oak Harbor, WA)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj969uF5Z1GxBTIVsEWCOzQt-qSFjcLYg_eOL5g9eUmgr_vlqu0vWJTB8Fy3rLcjrmMxfI4G7cyX8cY4jTC1ZK3O6dBNA8LeKIBGG4qdJr966k6bUJ6Cyk9YmKRQDkFtoULCcxkxJvi8g/s1600/IMG_6782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj969uF5Z1GxBTIVsEWCOzQt-qSFjcLYg_eOL5g9eUmgr_vlqu0vWJTB8Fy3rLcjrmMxfI4G7cyX8cY4jTC1ZK3O6dBNA8LeKIBGG4qdJr966k6bUJ6Cyk9YmKRQDkFtoULCcxkxJvi8g/s640/IMG_6782.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Pretty views of the water)</span></b></td></tr>
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Looking a little northeast a large structure caught our attention. We weren't sure what it was at the time and my best guess using Google is that it is part of the Naval Air Station's Seaplane Base. I guess there are actually two Naval bases on the Island.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKwaqEH2fE6x4G4TcjvdidRN7SpyzxoqK9x1OpBxbhvuJB85IzGYXiyfzg4td1_oJYndASfYX3QnhjMVvRdkcXZvaK9tLuAnkjoipcFO85DZmcdzs4vACsSwJjwAV0mGm8j05KjUJrg/s1600/IMG_6783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKwaqEH2fE6x4G4TcjvdidRN7SpyzxoqK9x1OpBxbhvuJB85IzGYXiyfzg4td1_oJYndASfYX3QnhjMVvRdkcXZvaK9tLuAnkjoipcFO85DZmcdzs4vACsSwJjwAV0mGm8j05KjUJrg/s640/IMG_6783.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Interesting view with the mountains behind it)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtJ5XAm6ZXcbO5mnOMBOyz8dJ8wixEp_ShG0vHXdMagb5o79PwNtu6P3-zn1rbT8RW9i6W6BATqIrc0xdcSK5aj2siydZiSvlXjL_FEuzElQDl90h2DsWDrV2W-rtSjP0SybyNbg0_w/s1600/IMG_6784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtJ5XAm6ZXcbO5mnOMBOyz8dJ8wixEp_ShG0vHXdMagb5o79PwNtu6P3-zn1rbT8RW9i6W6BATqIrc0xdcSK5aj2siydZiSvlXjL_FEuzElQDl90h2DsWDrV2W-rtSjP0SybyNbg0_w/s640/IMG_6784.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A closer view with the Canon camera zoomed in)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As we were walking back to the parking lot I noticed the windmill. A large Dutch population moved into the area in the 1890's, 40 years after the Irish settled the area. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2lLoU1BJSbocAUL0Y7d9eqRQWob0yfNSHXv4wSHq9WiD4eWEU4ae4fM8lZD0jXrQcOW8rhOIMAtoDBHugismNWfwsc6Mmizr7v9tP4nF_lwErs224tuPhVeMT2xd1jcPRlzIV1e7Gw/s1600/IMG_6787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2lLoU1BJSbocAUL0Y7d9eqRQWob0yfNSHXv4wSHq9WiD4eWEU4ae4fM8lZD0jXrQcOW8rhOIMAtoDBHugismNWfwsc6Mmizr7v9tP4nF_lwErs224tuPhVeMT2xd1jcPRlzIV1e7Gw/s640/IMG_6787.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Windmill in Windjammer Park, Oak Harbor, WA)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We relaxed for the rest of the day at the campsite and headed home on Monday. Another long drive with heavy traffic through Seattle and Portland. That'll learn us for not leaving earlier.<br />
<br />
Tuesday night we were lucky enough to go out for dinner with <a href="http://blog.machida.us/">RichardM</a> and his lovely wife <a href="http://artieandleinenga.blogspot.com/">Bridget</a>. This time it was Thai food at the Woodsman Restaurant in Philomath, and again we stayed up past our bedtime. (We get up at 4 am, so we try and be in bed by 9 on a work night). We always enjoy their company when they are in town. Below photo courtesy of Richard.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiFgfYmA-50f8ANUxr9LrDzCb8_KkFhaTwZf59HayTqtUWFppHJYmyu0Yrh95Zl831AI0-lyRqzsldW6xOg2_Dlr3etMIm3D86NpRwtqEoOfhfthC2bfoAgJqFTW8G06Ioc6QuyeGFw/s1600/IMG_2160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiFgfYmA-50f8ANUxr9LrDzCb8_KkFhaTwZf59HayTqtUWFppHJYmyu0Yrh95Zl831AI0-lyRqzsldW6xOg2_Dlr3etMIm3D86NpRwtqEoOfhfthC2bfoAgJqFTW8G06Ioc6QuyeGFw/s640/IMG_2160.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a>, Trobairitz, Bridget, and Richard)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>SATURDAY MAY 27</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While we initially had a longer motorcycle ride planned for last Saturday, we ended up staying at Saturday Morning Coffee longer than anticipated. It was almost noon and we were hungry for lunch so we just went home.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I believe these are the same pictures I posted over on Wet Coast Scooting. Not a large turn out for coffee but we've recently changed venues and that hasn't sat well with some of the folks.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpzREuP2GLD0X_BleB-CKax8P_ZuSbBpJzZD6amFWgJApwsi5-y3MFKDBvERhrE_j-zPyw8ELoXoCsl5KJlETRw0gBcFSKY9881TR2hJUTi44ACgXqoGd2nAmEhoLrFMRNYSPyTXSRA/s1600/IMG_6790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpzREuP2GLD0X_BleB-CKax8P_ZuSbBpJzZD6amFWgJApwsi5-y3MFKDBvERhrE_j-zPyw8ELoXoCsl5KJlETRw0gBcFSKY9881TR2hJUTi44ACgXqoGd2nAmEhoLrFMRNYSPyTXSRA/s640/IMG_6790.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Tiger 955, Versys 300, Daytona 675, Tiger 955, Monster 1200, and ScooterBob)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOScwDpcUGE17_dK3rBYDWR7OM6T5OzpDvy2VT75fi8lwY1n9UVn8zWmNKeZ4yzT9I_xd-_GD18dUzeRnRd14lkz1re71sY8PTodgy9Ut81JLxKSCrSjgEtx5fKyj9TNFAG5uXNz1K-w/s1600/IMG_6792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOScwDpcUGE17_dK3rBYDWR7OM6T5OzpDvy2VT75fi8lwY1n9UVn8zWmNKeZ4yzT9I_xd-_GD18dUzeRnRd14lkz1re71sY8PTodgy9Ut81JLxKSCrSjgEtx5fKyj9TNFAG5uXNz1K-w/s640/IMG_6792.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(What is this creature that has wandered into the paddock?)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcSrPJSIVgC8XlsM7ELiNXwK7z4RPtbD2sLav-mz8qI-PCNdItsjbs6R3ekw7tsSD3UmtMWf5keSCcmW-Ai74daWA7q_ByrYq2EoFC2-889UA8_XmCRC5eWClfSeKN47_e887eBk8Eg/s1600/IMG_6793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcSrPJSIVgC8XlsM7ELiNXwK7z4RPtbD2sLav-mz8qI-PCNdItsjbs6R3ekw7tsSD3UmtMWf5keSCcmW-Ai74daWA7q_ByrYq2EoFC2-889UA8_XmCRC5eWClfSeKN47_e887eBk8Eg/s640/IMG_6793.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour. <a href="http://buddstravels.blogspot.com/">PolarBear</a>, Melissa, Josh, and ScooterBob at Tried & True Coffee, south Corvallis, OR)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have hopes/intentions for a three-day trip to Southern Oregon at some point this summer and if all goes according to plan we'll get pictures of the bikes and ScooterBob with 12 different covered bridges we haven't seen before. Now, if we can only find a three-day weekend where it isn't too hot down there. We were going to go last September, but the temperatures were around 100˚F (38˚C) and we just weren't keen on that much riding in that heat.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fingers crossed we can make it happen this year.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b>
<b>" <i>After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.</i>" - Author Unknown</b><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span></div>
Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-64251952182219576612017-05-11T08:35:00.000-07:002017-05-11T08:35:27.763-07:00You Know........<div style="text-align: justify;">
You know you're vegan when the Vehicle Identification number (VIN) on your brand new motorcycle has the word KALE in it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thank you to Troubadour for pointing this out.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1dUYz6K7muN20nR5zaUHeEPCVZEVocJ1xTVCFxzFGGEXIMpE0OJFitkGWvvQoHA5hrtUPANGiwF1Yc8yPBclhoA2PyYYXNsiH8sEfswkqjobGpfVbi3NiVnCYdyurrO-RFcDjMUQFw/s1600/IMG_6715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1dUYz6K7muN20nR5zaUHeEPCVZEVocJ1xTVCFxzFGGEXIMpE0OJFitkGWvvQoHA5hrtUPANGiwF1Yc8yPBclhoA2PyYYXNsiH8sEfswkqjobGpfVbi3NiVnCYdyurrO-RFcDjMUQFw/s400/IMG_6715.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Partial VIN of the Versys)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Oh, and need I mention the rains have returned. We did enjoy 3-4 days of sunny weather though - while we were at work. And here we are almost half way through month 8 of rain........</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>" <i>Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will.</i>" - James Stephens in <i>The Crock of Gold</i></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span></span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-83468228293252682642017-05-03T10:39:00.001-07:002017-05-03T10:39:13.451-07:00No Sparkle Farkles<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, it has been a few weeks now since I purchased the Kawasaki Versys 300x. Unfortunately I haven't been back on the bike since.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The week after my initial ride, I had a lower wisdom tooth and molar pulled that went dry socket. Not good for putting on a helmet or when cold air blows in. It has finally healed enough to get back on the bike.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While in <strike>dental misery</strike> riding-limbo a few things arrived for the bike. <a href="http://www.poweryamaha.com/">The dealer</a> initially forgot to order the hand guards and center stand, but after a friendly reminder phone call from <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a>, I was able to pick them up on Saturday.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We also ordered some Oxford heated grips from <a href="https://www.revzilla.com/?gclid=CKmns6-h1NMCFUGRfgodGukCrg">Revzilla</a>. Thank you to those that reported how well you were enjoying yours. When ordering, Troubadour noticed that the adventure ones would be too large so he ordered the sport version instead. I have only ever had the grip heaters that fit under the stock grips so this will be new to me. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now we just need to find the time to install everything. <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> was teaching a <a href="https://team-oregon.org/">Team Oregon</a> class all last weekend and he works overtime this Saturday. I am sure we'll find time soon.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlrna6q7cRP2raOLZTOcGUAXXbEMLojxLPlXYtBPB4sSXJXymRUu3HJoggyXZlpwnqPpKUOcUt0XLq5tTONWWEN1A33unMM6dwKwQsb_Kju9GtAxcBj8jidfvNbJ7QTwEo44OoamGdg/s1600/IMG_6713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlrna6q7cRP2raOLZTOcGUAXXbEMLojxLPlXYtBPB4sSXJXymRUu3HJoggyXZlpwnqPpKUOcUt0XLq5tTONWWEN1A33unMM6dwKwQsb_Kju9GtAxcBj8jidfvNbJ7QTwEo44OoamGdg/s640/IMG_6713.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Is it still a farkle if there is no sparkle?)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the other things that has occurred in the last week or two is that Max went to his new home. I am sure Jeremy will treat him well. He seemed quite pleased and plans to keep it for a long time.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94zc0qJs4h0M78hUCyMlo9HZhkpF8fZ62i-wXNp6TFrYUVT447cgZkdvdS3zLYP-VzKqunMGJuHe4n7plcAaBFiT5gxjAiEBx-6bPrhNQQWHD_CnQjgL4bO2bfEEECOmTqw69Xi1CqA/s1600/IMG_6710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94zc0qJs4h0M78hUCyMlo9HZhkpF8fZ62i-wXNp6TFrYUVT447cgZkdvdS3zLYP-VzKqunMGJuHe4n7plcAaBFiT5gxjAiEBx-6bPrhNQQWHD_CnQjgL4bO2bfEEECOmTqw69Xi1CqA/s640/IMG_6710.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Jeremy getting ready to head off into the sunset. Bye Max)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Springtime has finally arrived in Oregon. While we still have more rain than we'd like, at least our temperatures are warmer. Here is a picture of our Crabapple "<a href="http://www.jfschmidt.com/royalraindrops/">Royal Raindrops</a>" that is blooming in the front yard. Such a pretty time of year. Even with the clouds, the blooms make our days brighter.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xDasoSVYawkEYGKXJm6pwm9OClEsjSiTGbS9PuboZ_OJYLcY-ZetArUmJHj14rBTWxJXiinQOsiB8AE8qZcr-lCJDTHwHr37OVzTiuEAEIXGSdr2RZY5o6vMxr0yijaCOPJCtmxuPQ/s1600/IMG_6716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xDasoSVYawkEYGKXJm6pwm9OClEsjSiTGbS9PuboZ_OJYLcY-ZetArUmJHj14rBTWxJXiinQOsiB8AE8qZcr-lCJDTHwHr37OVzTiuEAEIXGSdr2RZY5o6vMxr0yijaCOPJCtmxuPQ/s640/IMG_6716.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="http://www.jfschmidt.com/royalraindrops/">Royal Raindrops</a> Crabapple)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>- Au Revoir</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>" <i>He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.</i>" - Harold Wilson</b><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-11080815453050164402017-04-16T14:25:00.001-07:002017-04-16T14:26:50.794-07:00Versys 300x - First Ride Impressions<div style="text-align: justify;">
Having brought the <a href="https://www.kawasaki.com/Products/2017-Versys-X-300-ABS">Versys 300x</a> home last Saturday April 8th, my first opportunity for a ride was the next day. The forecast called for rains to start late afternoon, but we wanted the temperatures to warm up a little since I wouldn't have heated grips. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was close to noon when we set off. I'd been fighting a cold so thought it best to keep it to a short shake down ride. While it was sunny, it was rather chilly. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We decided on a familiar route south of Corvallis. South on Bellfountain Rd to the parking lot of the <a href="http://www.muddycreekcharterschool.org/">Muddy Creek Charter School</a>. Six years ago my <a href="http://trobairitztablet.blogspot.com/2011/03/signs-of-spring.html">first ride on Max</a> was to the same location. We were a little later in the year this time and the blooms were mostly gone from the plum tree.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdocRyyStVntrJPWh_5Q0DeGlf-zpZv-i_DlPAt428ZPtUvoZ7q0RewrIuiVuJD279FMtMrjMUbOdr0TsM5fmGwhcH3NlsF3UJ5mYYqx7uAuhQtkqISD_znzVfip7AXz2KgfG4ufF7Q/s1600/IMG_6701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdocRyyStVntrJPWh_5Q0DeGlf-zpZv-i_DlPAt428ZPtUvoZ7q0RewrIuiVuJD279FMtMrjMUbOdr0TsM5fmGwhcH3NlsF3UJ5mYYqx7uAuhQtkqISD_znzVfip7AXz2KgfG4ufF7Q/s640/IMG_6701.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(First ride on my 2017 Kawasaki Versys 300x)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrM9RkDsCMFMPeWj1_N83aaASJ92P7TR2SAuEYD5ZXAH0Zt8TJk-Ef-q54nRy8I_ZYoIRqrHfalSj1g5cLpCYRmt8z9Bu6O7Yxg3repxsuJ1nmh1STGWD9ZyqmIrcNtLKtuhPhYdYAA/s1600/IMG_6702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrM9RkDsCMFMPeWj1_N83aaASJ92P7TR2SAuEYD5ZXAH0Zt8TJk-Ef-q54nRy8I_ZYoIRqrHfalSj1g5cLpCYRmt8z9Bu6O7Yxg3repxsuJ1nmh1STGWD9ZyqmIrcNtLKtuhPhYdYAA/s640/IMG_6702.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>(It was chilly and I couldn't be bothered to take my helmet off)</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZQ2tFmohXzJDNQWq2Lm1ZQQq0Or8Q6z5o2wZf5ICRVw57WQGyoY3XIn9jl788bsk2nyVMtRj9zV1mE3vIUP8XAkd-1GAy_BYn5DFfUJSNt33SADpIu8ck8KW-oCRZ8mWLHTku0e46g/s1600/IMG_6703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZQ2tFmohXzJDNQWq2Lm1ZQQq0Or8Q6z5o2wZf5ICRVw57WQGyoY3XIn9jl788bsk2nyVMtRj9zV1mE3vIUP8XAkd-1GAy_BYn5DFfUJSNt33SADpIu8ck8KW-oCRZ8mWLHTku0e46g/s640/IMG_6703.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Trobairitz on a Versys - I had my gloves off from taking pictures)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghe0vEBWo7Wd7wP0tbVoRZ73NBX2ayO9CaeVuxLCqCzaqwcenfmx9cD0n1PbYYS3hyV9BSHCzSTeWMNIfd9kajKlPzgWNeKcxn7bhLqdEPK4KdeYaGvTrm2B0co3KujQ4-z_XXnVXvkQ/s1600/IMG_6708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghe0vEBWo7Wd7wP0tbVoRZ73NBX2ayO9CaeVuxLCqCzaqwcenfmx9cD0n1PbYYS3hyV9BSHCzSTeWMNIfd9kajKlPzgWNeKcxn7bhLqdEPK4KdeYaGvTrm2B0co3KujQ4-z_XXnVXvkQ/s640/IMG_6708.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A Kawasaki Versys 300x and a Triumph Tiger 955)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We got back on the bikes and continued further south on Bellfountain Rd to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine,_Oregon">Alpine</a>. We stopped at what once was the Alpine Community Center, but is now <a href="http://queenbeehoneycompany.com/">Queen Bee Honey</a>. This also used to be a meeting place for group rides when folks were coming up from Eugene to do the <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/alsea-falls-trail-green-peak-falls-trail">Alsea Falls</a> twisties (South Fork Rd).</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsTyP9pzHiprvTTpk89iUTKUItKgDzDzPmTTC8XuHwyQHJI-DO7L8OonMxsF9ht3zbTo1i3Spj_cNasaUDNRgo4dYQF_oUk7bQufqINsbwHZfUJdxhx3znmcH9BeyQUWY6mLOcNkTOw/s1600/17857591_10210584592503696_722670002_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsTyP9pzHiprvTTpk89iUTKUItKgDzDzPmTTC8XuHwyQHJI-DO7L8OonMxsF9ht3zbTo1i3Spj_cNasaUDNRgo4dYQF_oUk7bQufqINsbwHZfUJdxhx3znmcH9BeyQUWY6mLOcNkTOw/s640/17857591_10210584592503696_722670002_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Stopped for a break at Queen Bee Honey)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5ExTGYqr4edV-AYoRCmhxrWrChKJS0CJ35XZwpMwChOX0vDgIIsObJ5oUjz-kSq1H7SJxWuWh9xRRt8rc87NKyIWDPziqp4Biq99YmgWAgVhxkndtHYs8-lfNQpNMew3sphUqyk81A/s1600/17858098_10210584592583698_1769485149_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5ExTGYqr4edV-AYoRCmhxrWrChKJS0CJ35XZwpMwChOX0vDgIIsObJ5oUjz-kSq1H7SJxWuWh9xRRt8rc87NKyIWDPziqp4Biq99YmgWAgVhxkndtHYs8-lfNQpNMew3sphUqyk81A/s640/17858098_10210584592583698_1769485149_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Front view of the Versys 300x)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2_OCTgL_xdrcEKkNDTdljFQFQjMCJ3_HT4nqgBhKRH9enkzcVer8NbLlSp8LTtDLQR6mfxKh0tkGo29cgI30e1a2PkpYpwcGvKSGH9TzYv12qyTAni3LQ1mS2-ugMWVlr8dhW4Zg2Q/s1600/17888126_10210584594223739_810232648_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2_OCTgL_xdrcEKkNDTdljFQFQjMCJ3_HT4nqgBhKRH9enkzcVer8NbLlSp8LTtDLQR6mfxKh0tkGo29cgI30e1a2PkpYpwcGvKSGH9TzYv12qyTAni3LQ1mS2-ugMWVlr8dhW4Zg2Q/s640/17888126_10210584594223739_810232648_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(And one more shot of the bikes)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> was taking pictures I noticed a honey bee land on my helmet, and then another one. What else would one expect when stopped at a honey company?</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyiSAmtuDFWcmmaNEbFW6l5aKgtmEiSlaec6CR-dnyv4odLGBHkeaj-mhL436cOuAlzqoG6dTuU78E-r-B6R1CFl9cbkZEY7TXavpPxwLDhleHuO8eTjxrNuTIG-uUtoV_E9Hn7gOFQ/s1600/17758008_10210584594423744_2087394438_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyiSAmtuDFWcmmaNEbFW6l5aKgtmEiSlaec6CR-dnyv4odLGBHkeaj-mhL436cOuAlzqoG6dTuU78E-r-B6R1CFl9cbkZEY7TXavpPxwLDhleHuO8eTjxrNuTIG-uUtoV_E9Hn7gOFQ/s640/17758008_10210584594423744_2087394438_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(This helmet is the bees knees)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZo5rc442qlSkX204c1Ix7tYCfTorvYUcbessKLBc9aURmnZatps0HIlTERR4aWIMMhFRdAkXXaHB2TpfqgoPae4pHoQq4x9q42AoQrh2oq4bhvzo0kdp5XdpiLn_TB_AdpJTC_3jYw/s1600/17857676_10210584594703751_41152835_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZo5rc442qlSkX204c1Ix7tYCfTorvYUcbessKLBc9aURmnZatps0HIlTERR4aWIMMhFRdAkXXaHB2TpfqgoPae4pHoQq4x9q42AoQrh2oq4bhvzo0kdp5XdpiLn_TB_AdpJTC_3jYw/s640/17857676_10210584594703751_41152835_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(No bees were harmed in the making of this blog post)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
From Alpine we back tracked to Muddy Creek Charter School and turned west on Decker Road. We then turned right onto Ervin Road to see how the Versys would handle its first bit of gravel and to scrub in the new tires a little quicker. It handled the gravel just fine and I think I went a little faster than I would have on the Gladius. This looped us back to Bellfountain Road where we turned north and then onto another short stretch of gravel before arriving home. We arrived home with 85 total miles on the odometer. I'd officially ridden 45 miles (72 km) which is longer than the 40 miles Troubadour did when riding it home from the dealer. Not bad since I was just going a wee distance with the way I was feeling.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With no heated grips and the cold air whipping up through my dirt bike helmet, I was happy to be home where it was warm. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While I love my Gladius, and I will be sad to see it go, I know that it isn't the proper tool for the job anymore. The Versys 300x handled the gravel very well. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I liken it to a pair of shoes. While your favorite pair of flashy dress shoes may fit well and you love them, they aren't the proper shoes to go for a hike. Max is my flashy pair of shoes, he just doesn't do well hiking after Triumph Tigers in the woods.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So far we have a Givi rack on order so that I can put my <a href="http://www.giviusa.com/givi-products/cases/monokey-cases">Givi Monokey</a> top case (aka '<a href="https://youtu.be/Rx6WB5YJia8?list=RDl8oPVVGYQ40">trunk monkey</a>') on the bike and are debating what kind of heated grips to get. Whether to get grip heaters like I have on Max and the TW 200 or Oxford heated grips. <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> also offered to put the hyper-lites on the bike so that is coming at some point as well. And..... we are still waiting for a call from the dealer to tell us the hand guards and center stand are in.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am already looking forward to the next ride.</div>
<br />
<b>- Au Revoir</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i><b>"What do you suppose? </b></i><br />
<b><i>A bee sat on my nose. </i></b><br />
<b><i>Then what do you think? </i></b><br />
<b><i>He gave me a wink. </i></b><br />
<b><i>And said, "I beg your pardon,</i></b><br />
<b><i>I thought you were the garden.</i>" - English Nursery Rhyme</b><br />
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-20613709217544708742017-04-10T18:33:00.000-07:002017-04-10T18:33:38.625-07:00Let the Good Times Roll<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think that I am friends on Facebook with most of the folks who read this blog and therefore this won't be surprising news, but if you haven't yet heard I finally made a decision and bought a new motorcycle on Saturday April 8th.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The new addition to the family is a 2017 Kawasaki Versys 300x ABS in graphite grey. I just couldn't do the green. It has been a long process deciding between the Honda CB500x and the Versys300x. We had to wait for the Versys to actually hit the showrooms here in Oregon. In the end, the Versys won due to the 19" front tire, gear indicator, rear rack, and all for $1200 less than the CB500x. And it actually weighs about 40+ pounds less than the CB500x.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the past two weekends we visited our <a href="http://www.poweryamaha.com/">preferred dealer</a> a total of three times. The first was to make sure they did in fact have them in stock. They did have a green one in ABS that was on a test ride and promptly sold and also a grey one just being prepped that was non-ABS. For $300 we figured we'd opt for ABS if we chose to purchase.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eg6YwvUimyt84lpup-YDkavepu0tSuj4cnJ8-l_tXvB3B6WU09HvSS4sOKd0o2B2SqVR4B4CDVjDYwoBU9j6ts9jqLzazYm38mbpvl31Q0jHZCXubPjUDLhwgLRP8mrdyOL27PUlcQ/s1600/17690916_10210494508771659_33435229_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eg6YwvUimyt84lpup-YDkavepu0tSuj4cnJ8-l_tXvB3B6WU09HvSS4sOKd0o2B2SqVR4B4CDVjDYwoBU9j6ts9jqLzazYm38mbpvl31Q0jHZCXubPjUDLhwgLRP8mrdyOL27PUlcQ/s640/17690916_10210494508771659_33435229_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(2017 Kawasaki Versys 300x in non-ABS)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC-xvOsTpOWVYwKd6DuJ7UE87G8YA0VacKi1PIOdeqX49FuhdNL8rbtwIK2WRhyEAQYjwGAekLt-AIcA-XjxI6t0xPmuPUXUaRf9PIBjWVvswZ5EoYqOSnIr4ZofIsJYFV2Rnj2bung/s1600/17742107_10210494508571654_1048064832_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC-xvOsTpOWVYwKd6DuJ7UE87G8YA0VacKi1PIOdeqX49FuhdNL8rbtwIK2WRhyEAQYjwGAekLt-AIcA-XjxI6t0xPmuPUXUaRf9PIBjWVvswZ5EoYqOSnIr4ZofIsJYFV2Rnj2bung/s640/17742107_10210494508571654_1048064832_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(First time sitting on a Versys 300x)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzxhGQu26Ow7d89Jwgem511kWh68llQwf6lKyZwnjDIDtDH2n75nRytP8TwIQ8Pa8sWUvYTHwLu0FyltJY9dYdu7KMqw1F8ObdvlRPXSBLfH8BgybhkZ9tPCptxIbqNBJKg-oyY1VNw/s1600/17757862_10210494508171644_61843595_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzxhGQu26Ow7d89Jwgem511kWh68llQwf6lKyZwnjDIDtDH2n75nRytP8TwIQ8Pa8sWUvYTHwLu0FyltJY9dYdu7KMqw1F8ObdvlRPXSBLfH8BgybhkZ9tPCptxIbqNBJKg-oyY1VNw/s640/17757862_10210494508171644_61843595_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Felt pretty good)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The second visit was on Friday to see if they had unpacked a graphite grey with ABS yet for a test ride. They hadn't but they did volunteer to bring one in for us from their warehouse in Salem and prep it for Saturday afternoon. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Saturday morning we went to coffee, had lunch at <a href="http://www.marcopolosalem.com/">Marco Polo</a> in Salem, then drove out to Sublimity to the dealer for our third visit. Our weather had been iffy with a huge storm going through on Friday. <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2017/04/wind_gusts_hit_91_at_marys_pea.html">Mary's Peak saw wind gusts of 91 mph</a> (146 kph). Luckily the weather was a little better on Saturday. Still windy, but at least there were sunny breaks between the squalls.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We arrived sometime after 1 pm and the grey ABS model wasn't quite prepped so <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> took the non-ABS model for a wee test ride while the sun was shining. Well it was shining for part of the test ride, then another shower came through.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When he returned to the dealer he noted the only thing I might have issue with is the short gearbox and having to shift more frequently on take off than I was used to with Max. We talked about it and discussed things and determined that this bike was best suited to how we planned on riding. The suspension is enough to smooth out the bumpy roads, it has the 19" front tire so we can put a more dual sport/gravel oriented tires on it, it has a gear indicator (which I was used to from Max) and it also came with a rack. The dealer offered to throw in the Kawasaki hand guards and gave us 10% off on the center stand order. We did not pay any freight or PDI charges, just MSRP. We also chose to do the DMV paperwork ourselves which also saved us their $115 documentation fee.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few years ago Lori, aka <a href="http://loveofamotorbike.blogspot.com/">BeemerGirl</a>, told me that she believed it was bad luck to ride your own bike home from the dealer. I believe her after my own experience with the 2009 Bonneville back in 2012. I rode it home from the dealer and just couldn't bond with it. So with that in mind <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> was nice and suited up between rain storms and rode the Versys home for me to ward off any bad <a href="https://goodjujucompany.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/the-meaning-of-juju/">ju-ju</a>. He stopped part way home and snapped a few pictures with his phone.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbGeCmgoVdLGAAHGjGS7ebcr1bjU810kD4_GvnOStvr_Byee_afEFgEzPpTA4HKOpkNDu3bKLQI_QQ1slG43bd-CT7ipILe7Qgl90_K7N59QGT-wH6Hijcp_eiSxYhEclOcuCFDAP_Q/s1600/17821249_10210576693746232_919770394_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbGeCmgoVdLGAAHGjGS7ebcr1bjU810kD4_GvnOStvr_Byee_afEFgEzPpTA4HKOpkNDu3bKLQI_QQ1slG43bd-CT7ipILe7Qgl90_K7N59QGT-wH6Hijcp_eiSxYhEclOcuCFDAP_Q/s640/17821249_10210576693746232_919770394_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(2017 Versus 300x on the way home)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00alelgLDjwO-KHjKbOswsZo2B6zOqT9XlCS_LO4lhNLs7YZssSO8YXztudrQxCsnxFPzhJ_o63BzB5FpIcrOBe-AHu2rmL0j_hT1lEPDo_qrI6mANqAGPpQDaiIyOGppBJI5lILENA/s1600/17841633_10210576693266220_866902674_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00alelgLDjwO-KHjKbOswsZo2B6zOqT9XlCS_LO4lhNLs7YZssSO8YXztudrQxCsnxFPzhJ_o63BzB5FpIcrOBe-AHu2rmL0j_hT1lEPDo_qrI6mANqAGPpQDaiIyOGppBJI5lILENA/s640/17841633_10210576693266220_866902674_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(I was following along in the Fiat 500)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQNHEY-c1LiRl_Ak-Nh8byodaQqbHXGX1fUwUI2FPAjX9FE2b3iEP_-EaGPAbCqlCYnQJLxqNJyQroxPpHBr3jByfd6-Y5jOi4gimlWZBB9f_DzZiE-bZo5dOibvj4jsfEjI74xa-ow/s1600/17857383_10210576693546227_1689000689_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQNHEY-c1LiRl_Ak-Nh8byodaQqbHXGX1fUwUI2FPAjX9FE2b3iEP_-EaGPAbCqlCYnQJLxqNJyQroxPpHBr3jByfd6-Y5jOi4gimlWZBB9f_DzZiE-bZo5dOibvj4jsfEjI74xa-ow/s640/17857383_10210576693546227_1689000689_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Outside an abandoned building)</span></b></td></tr>
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We arrived home with exactly 40 miles on the odometer. There was less than a half mile on it when he pulled away. A few more pictures were taken as it sat in the driveway on Saturday afternoon.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOHQS0ax8hShXtDW_fS4PLKJNg2KzMPp2Myv0kHWb1jtCbKVhz4ZIVX-AtH7MLxt4L5AqHFCRytVEtR3IBHECN97p_4Y9wz9-pwbqRLAm-wiXBCXzUPax2ZnPQwejFg2BiKISh3xj2A/s1600/17820897_10210576694026239_908742283_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOHQS0ax8hShXtDW_fS4PLKJNg2KzMPp2Myv0kHWb1jtCbKVhz4ZIVX-AtH7MLxt4L5AqHFCRytVEtR3IBHECN97p_4Y9wz9-pwbqRLAm-wiXBCXzUPax2ZnPQwejFg2BiKISh3xj2A/s640/17820897_10210576694026239_908742283_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Mission control - 40 miles on the odometer averaging 57.7 mpg)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqWdOAZzE3Cz2d92XcvHRWGscMf-ig7BZ7Hl_AfY5zT2PEyb508PIPASrckqmvDlrA2t9o2lZmKc7SoP8o-kdg5poGo9hD6nziZSNBNK6m6noYNNS0Rz6-tgx_S6_ndlPQxsuV5ezmQ/s1600/17842509_10210576694466250_1891243073_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqWdOAZzE3Cz2d92XcvHRWGscMf-ig7BZ7Hl_AfY5zT2PEyb508PIPASrckqmvDlrA2t9o2lZmKc7SoP8o-kdg5poGo9hD6nziZSNBNK6m6noYNNS0Rz6-tgx_S6_ndlPQxsuV5ezmQ/s640/17842509_10210576694466250_1891243073_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(2017 Versys 300x in the driveway)</span></b></td></tr>
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On Sunday we managed to go out for a ride before the rain returned. I'll post up a trip report and first impressions in my next post.</div>
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Max is for sale if anyone would like a gently used 2009 Suzuki Gladius with 11,000 miles on the odometer........... just saying'.</div>
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<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
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<b>" <i>I went to a general store but they wouldn't let me buy anything specific.</i>" - Steven Wright</b></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span></div>
<br />Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-45914656245942035462017-04-03T18:17:00.003-07:002017-04-05T08:24:29.855-07:00A Soggy Hike to Abiqua Falls<div style="text-align: justify;">
Saturday April 1st dawned overcast with only a 10% chance of rain. In Oregon that meant it was raining within the hour. Not a heavy rain, but a heavy mist that saturated everything.</div>
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When the weather is poor we typically stay off the bikes, pedal powered and motorized.</div>
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We opted to go for a hike to <a href="http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Abiqua_Falls_Hike">Abiqua Falls</a>. A few folks that <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> works with had mentioned it, so we thought we'd go see. It is located east of Salem just outside of the metropolis of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotts_Mills,_Oregon">Scotts Mills</a>, population 357. Abiqua Falls is a 71 mile (114 km) drive from Corvallis.<br />
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Also by the falls is the <a href="http://www.riderplanet-usa.com/atv/trails/info/oregon_14722/ride_4c51.htm">Crooked Finger OHV</a> area. Luckily we took a right turn into the OHV area to see if they had restroom facilities (they didn't). Turns out this was the correct route to the falls and we almost missed the turn.<br />
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Rumor had it that the last two miles of road to the trailhead needed to be hiked because it was a one-lane rough forestry road best traversed by Jeeps and 4x4 pickups. We found out a good driver and a Subaru can make it as well - thanks Troubadour. Although I do admit to closing my eyes a few times; there was only one really rough section and then it wasn't too bad the rest of the way.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ75vBFyRnF9nS1QvcYdzAdMFWZ6MpM3wh4imHx_-nvrl0H5bB09JOD5HPZZb9-Lyx3_8XhbzRBcgos8YqM3JYNva5KCQwQ9Gw2CeVjMK2YNQJaJo0R9a9yehlEhVve9hv5J-MJhgVuQ/s1600/17629790_10210505670770702_8651865220193289768_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ75vBFyRnF9nS1QvcYdzAdMFWZ6MpM3wh4imHx_-nvrl0H5bB09JOD5HPZZb9-Lyx3_8XhbzRBcgos8YqM3JYNva5KCQwQ9Gw2CeVjMK2YNQJaJo0R9a9yehlEhVve9hv5J-MJhgVuQ/s640/17629790_10210505670770702_8651865220193289768_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Almost to the trailhead and the road smoothed out a little)</span></b></td></tr>
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We arrived at the trailhead. Although there were no signs, there were other vehicles parked on the side of the road. We stopped, put on our rain jackets and had a quick snack to sustain us. It was about 2 pm and we hadn't had any lunch. We also set up our trekking poles. Last year we splurged and bought ourselves each a set of <a href="https://www.rei.com/product/863073/black-diamond-trail-ergo-cork-trekking-poles-pair">Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork</a> trekking poles from <a href="https://www.rei.com/">REI</a>. This would be our first outing with them. Typically we forget them at home.</div>
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The trailhead at the parking area was quite steep so we walked a little further down the road to a wider trail.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylM0FEsYnOVXzc_PzF2F19gzG-UHKVzIo8buH7Qv4DzK2y_EDMjgwYZfVxNS_lVPGD-BX0raebUllqodzhWvPSlVDfQ7ZAaCFuxtsjaCh0O5gnXrh_XR6ymT4McEL_s4jgr2kKAvtBg/s1600/IMG_6643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylM0FEsYnOVXzc_PzF2F19gzG-UHKVzIo8buH7Qv4DzK2y_EDMjgwYZfVxNS_lVPGD-BX0raebUllqodzhWvPSlVDfQ7ZAaCFuxtsjaCh0O5gnXrh_XR6ymT4McEL_s4jgr2kKAvtBg/s640/IMG_6643.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A wider start to the trail)</span></b></td></tr>
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Pretty soon it narrowed and started to descend.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsoxQnubGckXBz6PiJMTkAhYu0lta5TnwrgEhYrG7rmSrpAzW2WG-4ylJZTwLbVdde6hTw4SgiTm7WQw4rrC3F9rMm6Myfz_vHoyXPCQGo41heP2P-_tVhRyQXnHp5YkuM99j_L8h5Q/s1600/IMG_6644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsoxQnubGckXBz6PiJMTkAhYu0lta5TnwrgEhYrG7rmSrpAzW2WG-4ylJZTwLbVdde6hTw4SgiTm7WQw4rrC3F9rMm6Myfz_vHoyXPCQGo41heP2P-_tVhRyQXnHp5YkuM99j_L8h5Q/s640/IMG_6644.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Looking back up at where we'd been)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikArC0krL8_Dui5BhOH_7f5lUQYRPexeBOWd3e1agY1bDyZolrOJSGLXMpC7__6hNbK-hrss3883wZ2szdGSGFaKKf2L1530QrWnTZFuZzt6JQbc1w-21xj0nSe_EYw7z-F184xXw03g/s1600/IMG_6645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikArC0krL8_Dui5BhOH_7f5lUQYRPexeBOWd3e1agY1bDyZolrOJSGLXMpC7__6hNbK-hrss3883wZ2szdGSGFaKKf2L1530QrWnTZFuZzt6JQbc1w-21xj0nSe_EYw7z-F184xXw03g/s640/IMG_6645.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Looking down at where we needed to go)</span></b></td></tr>
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From where Troubadour is standing in the photo above, you couldn't really get down the cliff, so we back tracked a little and found the main route down. Boy were we glad we had those trekking poles. The reviews on the hike were not wrong, it was quite a steep descent to the river. There were even ropes strung from the trees to help folks repel down and climb up the embankment. We took a few photos when we reached the river.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg11Orru8MWqbU7c6Y5-Oh8fKBpIU5syVsoEwQ26Kpuv33C6XNSrTAQJFgsbp_f00jQGCuHfW6ZxSBgAxEDDlbWor5l0VYF7ujG_0tMNeNhwQ2IfJfhCMyAF50EFH3K2aYmXZkaNtPQ/s1600/IMG_6651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg11Orru8MWqbU7c6Y5-Oh8fKBpIU5syVsoEwQ26Kpuv33C6XNSrTAQJFgsbp_f00jQGCuHfW6ZxSBgAxEDDlbWor5l0VYF7ujG_0tMNeNhwQ2IfJfhCMyAF50EFH3K2aYmXZkaNtPQ/s640/IMG_6651.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour on a trek, notice how steep the embankment)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7gwDOFqr3kgaMX0llulWlDfOmC7urwnwk3qrjPWyXxh-19Xa13JN-A6c4p92DtyBzThAqbnKFEysBW_jsYOvp_qBvUpfiV7gF-oNSmx7I9t_h-TYiG6g2bOmfG8MxMUVWobYfOb7cQ/s1600/17425827_10210505671210713_4437510767464548226_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7gwDOFqr3kgaMX0llulWlDfOmC7urwnwk3qrjPWyXxh-19Xa13JN-A6c4p92DtyBzThAqbnKFEysBW_jsYOvp_qBvUpfiV7gF-oNSmx7I9t_h-TYiG6g2bOmfG8MxMUVWobYfOb7cQ/s640/17425827_10210505671210713_4437510767464548226_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Me taking pictures of the river, photo by Troubadour)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_JzP2LVy1f_I0-Hgesbdz1uEH2amVIgXKJ7kqoYbK6zV1RSM1L6E_3fLOLuTgfv-9aDrqKqFhYTk05tSmRoPO0KvX4PoEc_11Cw0jyeqd7kN3sqDQETT0xfssdjiIppRFABVlQCacA/s1600/IMG_6654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_JzP2LVy1f_I0-Hgesbdz1uEH2amVIgXKJ7kqoYbK6zV1RSM1L6E_3fLOLuTgfv-9aDrqKqFhYTk05tSmRoPO0KvX4PoEc_11Cw0jyeqd7kN3sqDQETT0xfssdjiIppRFABVlQCacA/s640/IMG_6654.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The <a href="http://nativeplantherald.prairienursery.com/2015/02/ten-things-to-know-about-trilliums/">Trillium</a> were blooming along the path)</span></b></td></tr>
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From where we arrived at the river we had two options. Take the rocky path along the shore or a goat trail a little higher up the bank. Troubadour opted to test my mettle a little and chose the goat trail. We followed that along for a little ways, did I mention how much I loved those trekking poles. About half way to the falls I was worried with how high we were climbing and how small the footholds were. If I wasn't so scared of falling I would have taken a picture. When the fear of death and/or taking a tumble down the hillside cast a shadow on the beauty of the scenery, I opted to very carefully make my way down to the trail at the shoreline.</div>
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Down at the river we took a few pictures of the trail. Doing the limbo every so often to get under the fallen trees makes for a good work out.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaX52oaaAnq9-gJtNCtKkwSiaWaFetL27Bc1hdI6LU5zq1UhWKisOVQ4xMeBMqg8UDbxen6vtR20d3JSlt961OWnPIAiP0Yrg1zQo-J8qDp6KCOWJ_trpTGcr_j-KP1GfZW_WX33e1JQ/s1600/IMG_6655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaX52oaaAnq9-gJtNCtKkwSiaWaFetL27Bc1hdI6LU5zq1UhWKisOVQ4xMeBMqg8UDbxen6vtR20d3JSlt961OWnPIAiP0Yrg1zQo-J8qDp6KCOWJ_trpTGcr_j-KP1GfZW_WX33e1JQ/s640/IMG_6655.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Fallen tree we just scrambled under)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblt6-PctCarfHrcWHYG7wUFcNn3r_pp1fZ-yZ1w3yf4WTL21UcfImRe1u4iUpMJPD27jjYFVXB_sBWgA495FjtzUuu8TkYBhBrFDLh7G8ck70Utx39eKJSQqUdVr4hYdQ9wti08EejQ/s1600/IMG_6656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblt6-PctCarfHrcWHYG7wUFcNn3r_pp1fZ-yZ1w3yf4WTL21UcfImRe1u4iUpMJPD27jjYFVXB_sBWgA495FjtzUuu8TkYBhBrFDLh7G8ck70Utx39eKJSQqUdVr4hYdQ9wti08EejQ/s640/IMG_6656.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(More of the path up ahead)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3ZV1L8-BYlV_j082AD9ALKWgOSPHx6tOWZm1fKOSnsj4rlaWQ9zGuknExwPJa3Z9AnnV3Qn-3HuWKdTs6bMk8woQH3Imh2eFj4hxzC7DPsRpgDihWFf7MBKj0fNx0wKA0QH1Anve8g/s1600/IMG_6657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3ZV1L8-BYlV_j082AD9ALKWgOSPHx6tOWZm1fKOSnsj4rlaWQ9zGuknExwPJa3Z9AnnV3Qn-3HuWKdTs6bMk8woQH3Imh2eFj4hxzC7DPsRpgDihWFf7MBKj0fNx0wKA0QH1Anve8g/s640/IMG_6657.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Stopping for more pictures)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgbn8iL1fnt6P1UrOzCNvkfoSgWc2CKVsXasN5uXX4BD-GE5VrYvyTOEq_4v7dum_JMt8BRpRgNUJNdnyh6SxhEljPOf8TZrErxbaqCjpUqJ6bA1dHc9waOQnkyfDqGj0PsN5izUjwA/s1600/IMG_6659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgbn8iL1fnt6P1UrOzCNvkfoSgWc2CKVsXasN5uXX4BD-GE5VrYvyTOEq_4v7dum_JMt8BRpRgNUJNdnyh6SxhEljPOf8TZrErxbaqCjpUqJ6bA1dHc9waOQnkyfDqGj0PsN5izUjwA/s640/IMG_6659.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> in the picture for reference of the scope of cliffs above us)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The sound of the falls were getting louder and louder so we knew we were getting close, but the anticipation still didn't even do the falls justice when I first peeked around the rocks. There among the basalt cliffs was Abiqua Falls.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYSutkRUe6YH-RCSs8_mp6KbFq1wuI4O_Gl3ipYIjdcmGoCnpgZ5O-iWgS9Na9oABBb6_71I-Tx-NQpBICK72knxx4gW9yNEVmkbsgdOz6lRD4w9pdshv6PwwPmqDGRXEXEOXxmXzaw/s1600/IMG_6664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYSutkRUe6YH-RCSs8_mp6KbFq1wuI4O_Gl3ipYIjdcmGoCnpgZ5O-iWgS9Na9oABBb6_71I-Tx-NQpBICK72knxx4gW9yNEVmkbsgdOz6lRD4w9pdshv6PwwPmqDGRXEXEOXxmXzaw/s640/IMG_6664.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>(Abiqua Falls, Marion County, Oregon)</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LcKWNjKbqPGYYko8AQknD1Clr3Co4DDLPeV0wIEXitSl68aNVNmLny4PTmA0P0wxiaQcr-QsW6HQ-OUrY8lP_ZLGTHdD8hzJrcuTJ6XyX7PwvVORk2v_SSfRKTm11oPzbDKFa2x8ig/s1600/IMG_6669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LcKWNjKbqPGYYko8AQknD1Clr3Co4DDLPeV0wIEXitSl68aNVNmLny4PTmA0P0wxiaQcr-QsW6HQ-OUrY8lP_ZLGTHdD8hzJrcuTJ6XyX7PwvVORk2v_SSfRKTm11oPzbDKFa2x8ig/s640/IMG_6669.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(And of course a selfie - <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> & Trobairitz)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvFHOrnOPVPlGMZX6w6jZHptbl5mvyb9iW8ISIXGrar05d8HWTXc_v0Ivy8Jiq19XMiqa7r7c-nWYb_igj0aiu1sFAbrZ83tGhQ0H5piVUEVlAZrNQYlBodiaan_MwAkgut5MOPh3Qw/s1600/IMG_6682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvFHOrnOPVPlGMZX6w6jZHptbl5mvyb9iW8ISIXGrar05d8HWTXc_v0Ivy8Jiq19XMiqa7r7c-nWYb_igj0aiu1sFAbrZ83tGhQ0H5piVUEVlAZrNQYlBodiaan_MwAkgut5MOPh3Qw/s640/IMG_6682.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The mist coming off the falls makes for gorgeous greenery)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEewvjirdhBNGMy49Mc9kmC7TQYpqmpVP456MlPUrZyuSxakKcWRzXV-f7bbliI5MujKTaaSoT8rrwhYkR2xm-ADQMUZEJSGnRIyPuVwsxBY4DRT5BC-MV-MLMRzn5hCaCUG_S8Zb0Jw/s1600/IMG_6686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEewvjirdhBNGMy49Mc9kmC7TQYpqmpVP456MlPUrZyuSxakKcWRzXV-f7bbliI5MujKTaaSoT8rrwhYkR2xm-ADQMUZEJSGnRIyPuVwsxBY4DRT5BC-MV-MLMRzn5hCaCUG_S8Zb0Jw/s640/IMG_6686.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Abiqua Falls)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
While I was taking the above picture Troubadour looked up and noticed that all the mist was condensing on the foliage on the cliffs above and dropping in large droplets of water. The droplets appeared to be moving in slow motion and you could reach out and catch them in your hand. That is what Troubadour is doing in the picture below.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgh07-3Il6drDXFkM6QdSUtpPNKx2Nt3VPg-R4lImi-qy8Qqi7oqb1mVIiJlBvIDH-DRvSdj9dSAW85h63qQELnJlfbLniWtmOu-NNReVpbK5_vTEeVTJh86yu-ukDetNvsGH42KvtQ/s1600/IMG_6687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgh07-3Il6drDXFkM6QdSUtpPNKx2Nt3VPg-R4lImi-qy8Qqi7oqb1mVIiJlBvIDH-DRvSdj9dSAW85h63qQELnJlfbLniWtmOu-NNReVpbK5_vTEeVTJh86yu-ukDetNvsGH42KvtQ/s640/IMG_6687.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour catching water droplets - my favorite photo of the day)</span></b></td></tr>
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I attempted to catch a few myself. While it was way cool and we were laughing and smiling like children, I didn't try it for too long. I was more worried about my balance on the slippery rocks and falling ass over tea kettle into the water.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cwa44Wpl3aWPI6LHSVHxhyCOOtdrSYKcV01vq00SA97vtumWdKm_-jbDqCWGnDDgLREXeSJixBsbYkuObfZF-EK8i0GOUdaoYpOa7H4Ed0_NlvZ29-YmufcvSwEu03tAAvMAnIHuQw/s1600/IMG_6693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cwa44Wpl3aWPI6LHSVHxhyCOOtdrSYKcV01vq00SA97vtumWdKm_-jbDqCWGnDDgLREXeSJixBsbYkuObfZF-EK8i0GOUdaoYpOa7H4Ed0_NlvZ29-YmufcvSwEu03tAAvMAnIHuQw/s640/IMG_6693.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Me admiring the Falls - photo by Troubadour)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEd59rUx8h3R7kGDlImOA_WFYOYmxYUM768vMpGTV6VkvcjzC3s2r8hkkIZS-ymxAtB2Ue5nuuZ_TDw-QGBoauCFUiwn_fEYagopYa89u_Axn6lZjZV9CR6ckuhSXO_B0sH6ik2i3Fmw/s1600/IMG_6695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEd59rUx8h3R7kGDlImOA_WFYOYmxYUM768vMpGTV6VkvcjzC3s2r8hkkIZS-ymxAtB2Ue5nuuZ_TDw-QGBoauCFUiwn_fEYagopYa89u_Axn6lZjZV9CR6ckuhSXO_B0sH6ik2i3Fmw/s640/IMG_6695.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(One last peek at Abiqua Falls)</span></b></td></tr>
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Our jackets were getting pretty soaked from the mist and it was chilly out at only 48˚F (8.8˚C) so we decided to head back. This time we opted to take the rocky shore route the entire way until we reached the trail up the embankment. It was slow going but we were glad to have the trekking poles and in some cases I used the poles and the rope concurrently.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQi8B3rHRVu0tddjtqq4uHhHFNlUDObvUMH1y6LRoUDI-F5F0utfRLW04T62rKAlyXxj0BP1Mv70MhG5n2THTAE0z6Xjv3iVwaHWXKi_5tjDlTqPCdFWNQrXzvruTL2i3EpyuTza66w/s1600/17626341_10210505672770752_2585042367998977631_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQi8B3rHRVu0tddjtqq4uHhHFNlUDObvUMH1y6LRoUDI-F5F0utfRLW04T62rKAlyXxj0BP1Mv70MhG5n2THTAE0z6Xjv3iVwaHWXKi_5tjDlTqPCdFWNQrXzvruTL2i3EpyuTza66w/s640/17626341_10210505672770752_2585042367998977631_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Rope in one hand, trekking pole the other - the struggle was real)</span></b></td></tr>
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It didn't seem to take us as long to climb back out. We were huffing and puffing a bit but weren't too sore thanks to the trekking poles Normally our knees would be sore, but this time only our hips a little bit. Once back to the car we took off our rain jackets and snacked on some apples. Sufficiently rested we got back in the Subaru and started driving towards the main road. Troubadour stopped at one of the OHV staging areas (where quads had been tearing it up earlier) and played in the Subaru a little. I took pictures from a safe distance.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKpvh2NkT5z7DBMqyBybzwduLt0ywMjtPULOYhH9OnbgsMv-RTmC_Z8YCb2URYvJO8-UsJUKWuirbt6oRPjDOEX0G9OSoTfN6QB7PPXBFTOuZtu7udtq1hyphenhyphenYiTWI30CZ-ZUi8Wn0r2w/s1600/17425981_10210505672930756_4431571938680697370_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKpvh2NkT5z7DBMqyBybzwduLt0ywMjtPULOYhH9OnbgsMv-RTmC_Z8YCb2URYvJO8-UsJUKWuirbt6oRPjDOEX0G9OSoTfN6QB7PPXBFTOuZtu7udtq1hyphenhyphenYiTWI30CZ-ZUi8Wn0r2w/s640/17425981_10210505672930756_4431571938680697370_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour in a dirty Subaru)</span></b></td></tr>
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It was sunny in the valley by the time we got out of the foothills and mist. We arrived home sometime after 6 pm. Tired, but we'd had a good day.<br />
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Later, while looking up <a href="http://thatoregonlife.com/2016/03/salmonberry-abandoned-railroad/">another hiking spot</a> on the computer, we accidentally found aerial drone footage Abiqua Falls and though you might like the video. It even shows the river above the falls.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a1M0lTaq9oU?list=PLCxdyYE_djRCZah9_Oh-OdOiFQPCrsfyf" width="480"></iframe>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>" <i>Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. As age comes on, one source of enjoyment after another is closed, but Nature's sources never fail.</i>" - John Muir</b></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span><br />
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<i style="text-align: justify;"><b>Addendum</b> -</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> I read in the news this morning (April 5th) that from October 1st to date, the mid-Willamette Valley where we live has received 51 inches (129.5 cm) of rain. Yes, it has been soggy. We usually receive 40 inches of rain for an entire year, not 6 months.</span></div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-20353103265100051582017-03-13T11:39:00.002-07:002017-03-13T11:39:31.036-07:00First Ride of the Year<div style="text-align: justify;">
I know it has been entirely too long since I've posted up a blog, but the dry weather days and blog worthy material have been pretty much non-existent these last few months.</div>
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Last Friday we had a beautiful sunny day. Unfortunately I had to work in the morning, but we were able to get out for a nice long walk in the afternoon and soak up some much needed <strike>vitamin D</strike> sunshine.</div>
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While Saturday was a mixed bag of rain and showers, yesterday was another dry day. While not as warm as Friday it was still dry and in the high 50's in the morning.</div>
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What to do, what to do? We had the option of motorcycles or bicycles since we knew we wanted to be on two wheels. Troubadour deferred to me for making the decision and I chose bicycles. Why you might ask? Well, after such a rainy winter I just couldn't put all that gear on for a motorcycle ride. I wanted to wear minimal gear and enjoy the outdoors. That, and I was worried about the mud up in the hills if we rode the little dual sports.</div>
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So, having decided on bicycles I had to decide where. I chose the 7 mile (11.26 km) <a href="https://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=BGW051-078">Vineyard Mountain Loop</a> at Lewisburg Saddle Trailhead just north of town. I believe the last time we were up there I was on my hybrid bike and had to do a lot of pushing on the uphills. Not so this time on my trusty Cannondale Tango 7.</div>
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First step was getting the bikes off the racks in the garage, putting some air in the tires, and then Troubadour mounted our fenders. A nice set of front and rear SKS, made in Germany. <a href="https://www.rei.com/product/859839/sks-shockblade-ii-29er-front-fender">Shockblade II</a> for the front and <a href="https://www.rei.com/product/859838/sks-x-blade-29er-seatpost-rear-fender">X-Blade</a> for the rear. He'd had his mounted at some point last year, but this was the first time they'd be mounted on my bike.</div>
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We left the house about 1 pm and were at the trailhead in about 10 minutes. Unfortunately parking was scarce. It seemed everyone wanted to be outside and play in the dry weather. Someone pulled out and we were able to park on the side of the road. Good thing Troubadour has mad parallel parking skills.</div>
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We chose to ride the loop clockwise, which means you start off on a downhill grade, end up with a long uphill grade, but also end on a long downhill grade. Easy start and finish and a long slog in the middle. We stopped for a few <strike>rest breaks</strike> pictures along the way.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAez7fQXj5TAE_mN_vII-JN20qQDZnCSw0w_Y1H7kbzo3zXb7jZL6GuvIPG4jd3TptW7KW80LruABimGhWCu9FtIhnzkiqZAPIN6NlW6BIwzFviyh30pi83RTE28TQg2b9J5Qn_qPlAA/s1600/IMG_6624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAez7fQXj5TAE_mN_vII-JN20qQDZnCSw0w_Y1H7kbzo3zXb7jZL6GuvIPG4jd3TptW7KW80LruABimGhWCu9FtIhnzkiqZAPIN6NlW6BIwzFviyh30pi83RTE28TQg2b9J5Qn_qPlAA/s640/IMG_6624.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Vineyard Mountain Loop, MacDonald Forest, Corvallis, OR)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRov2kbGrKBPbvloRYJj0JMsYKb2BJ8QP55rRQfVJxsZ-6SPRwA1x_MArocuXzyFUD9td68DvWbz11yiMg67OVAOFyihhSR-xs-k7b2LlIkkDuWP0N17EpyW-h6RvMcQ1iOXMuksXvPA/s1600/IMG_6625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRov2kbGrKBPbvloRYJj0JMsYKb2BJ8QP55rRQfVJxsZ-6SPRwA1x_MArocuXzyFUD9td68DvWbz11yiMg67OVAOFyihhSR-xs-k7b2LlIkkDuWP0N17EpyW-h6RvMcQ1iOXMuksXvPA/s640/IMG_6625.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Apparently our winter storms brought down trees)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3J6jzwt21vj977gIEsSA78M5dBFGy9MSdMXvV2ieqSo5-huz5mnGTf1YftsLfbMdf6bG77hgMgacnSgm_4-u95wc7pMwRyM99_v5K7NjLyK9JDhKdbVlVYf6cIJDNG_fRYGX0QvipKw/s1600/IMG_6626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3J6jzwt21vj977gIEsSA78M5dBFGy9MSdMXvV2ieqSo5-huz5mnGTf1YftsLfbMdf6bG77hgMgacnSgm_4-u95wc7pMwRyM99_v5K7NjLyK9JDhKdbVlVYf6cIJDNG_fRYGX0QvipKw/s640/IMG_6626.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Some stops had a nice view of the valley)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ayFcdzAnMVwz-qftm4cPEqfvet8rimcgvkbgffQNde4e9-84YOGHsk_DH1r0rUpUHLcoylygKKB3x3R5ma-2WG-peergX0-t15_iZtSrEQ420DcrAsV2BGfUDoY7PscOAOdhc-d3_A/s1600/IMG_6629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ayFcdzAnMVwz-qftm4cPEqfvet8rimcgvkbgffQNde4e9-84YOGHsk_DH1r0rUpUHLcoylygKKB3x3R5ma-2WG-peergX0-t15_iZtSrEQ420DcrAsV2BGfUDoY7PscOAOdhc-d3_A/s640/IMG_6629.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The research forest is managed by Oregon State University)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0hs0vNc4vcDCvyty1nuqc0_spTH88BMrqC6bKveu_dyb8lOe50wnlBipVZAsHB9VSVp4ox3LjPqDtYYH0OhdOi17_ZOWv9-xmWdnpfA2mbys1zYsdteG9uSHwwtuJQhtoFcay1UuDA/s1600/IMG_6630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0hs0vNc4vcDCvyty1nuqc0_spTH88BMrqC6bKveu_dyb8lOe50wnlBipVZAsHB9VSVp4ox3LjPqDtYYH0OhdOi17_ZOWv9-xmWdnpfA2mbys1zYsdteG9uSHwwtuJQhtoFcay1UuDA/s640/IMG_6630.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A close up of the informational plaque)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrLhQxo_CfCVspckLbj06IC3kMLaptYQvzKKbzkLGN92eF_JWg6GBhVCk0zICzOE0hCBRGZp2JW8C1WhULwP4MFL4I3kJ913hQSE1dKBIO9t0oRI9HGm9FnvUBGipqkH71PG86GVpMw/s1600/IMG_6631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrLhQxo_CfCVspckLbj06IC3kMLaptYQvzKKbzkLGN92eF_JWg6GBhVCk0zICzOE0hCBRGZp2JW8C1WhULwP4MFL4I3kJ913hQSE1dKBIO9t0oRI9HGm9FnvUBGipqkH71PG86GVpMw/s640/IMG_6631.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour on his Trek waiting for me as I took the above few pictures)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Troubadour beat me to the top of one particular long uphill stretch and took the few pictures below as I huffed and puffed.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqywIy86fHHrYQ6cZ-YsFoqlwfKqYyC-d1IjOyashw64NpLi_9v7cqJ7MqY210BIvwo2IqKY9wvvbIffR0b7nJLNjTw-nNuC8DKj-SzDQYxoYuObQDkxyAMhHWYGfhz58fkMxKaZPLpw/s1600/IMG_1865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqywIy86fHHrYQ6cZ-YsFoqlwfKqYyC-d1IjOyashw64NpLi_9v7cqJ7MqY210BIvwo2IqKY9wvvbIffR0b7nJLNjTw-nNuC8DKj-SzDQYxoYuObQDkxyAMhHWYGfhz58fkMxKaZPLpw/s640/IMG_1865.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Trobairitz huffing and puffing)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jJd7wMrR_4Ii0KWvmYcZab9IdZIMejgjorrAt5FkbPEkX-z8h6mXDPzIKG1-T9YIhkQDrMhhBoUoXFEOyO6V1fOYYzisp6q5D6svZEhDmfBoI1AYTC5Q34SitPAfuJgSjz0PCtAdrw/s1600/IMG_1867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jJd7wMrR_4Ii0KWvmYcZab9IdZIMejgjorrAt5FkbPEkX-z8h6mXDPzIKG1-T9YIhkQDrMhhBoUoXFEOyO6V1fOYYzisp6q5D6svZEhDmfBoI1AYTC5Q34SitPAfuJgSjz0PCtAdrw/s640/IMG_1867.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Just keep spinning, just keep spinning.......)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_W_7WL2lSIaHVZ1xh6uASczAogvP_vAqRHg69i0MH-6eZKs2eSGy0_CdQdliEkx2J6e2-BdwfAVGdHQ79Rm1_RSL1CEBjB8omzn7SHAQa54F7R8i3rOEbWaRQOncePNOASuwlpzfDw/s1600/IMG_1870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_W_7WL2lSIaHVZ1xh6uASczAogvP_vAqRHg69i0MH-6eZKs2eSGy0_CdQdliEkx2J6e2-BdwfAVGdHQ79Rm1_RSL1CEBjB8omzn7SHAQa54F7R8i3rOEbWaRQOncePNOASuwlpzfDw/s640/IMG_1870.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Ta-da, made it)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQWTSyugVIxvwWmX3hyphenhyphen4k4_rhYUWVa_TWbESkjIzqwfBHwp7ufo0oV-KpjCYS5hMjGqOO1kgx3rAoKScWHe6s3DXHmlC-lEBcsHAiJ37Ah9AiGwv3ht2setnkV5Il4OdjKrV_0vp9sg/s1600/IMG_6632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQWTSyugVIxvwWmX3hyphenhyphen4k4_rhYUWVa_TWbESkjIzqwfBHwp7ufo0oV-KpjCYS5hMjGqOO1kgx3rAoKScWHe6s3DXHmlC-lEBcsHAiJ37Ah9AiGwv3ht2setnkV5Il4OdjKrV_0vp9sg/s640/IMG_6632.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The long hill I'd just ridden up, the hill goes way beyond those trees)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbxRB_LSY2-YaLxhX_ToLhjuHR7o2v__8EsfeeJcbgAck1_qc1v29_az5z-T1hhpxm5h21RI_W60hAJiklCkN07LIGc1khm4AzXvseQc2d9ulOAWpY7coxC-xmc1ir_T1DGM6WICBtg/s1600/IMG_6634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbxRB_LSY2-YaLxhX_ToLhjuHR7o2v__8EsfeeJcbgAck1_qc1v29_az5z-T1hhpxm5h21RI_W60hAJiklCkN07LIGc1khm4AzXvseQc2d9ulOAWpY7coxC-xmc1ir_T1DGM6WICBtg/s640/IMG_6634.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour & Trobairitz - helmet selfie)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Where we stopped was at the junction at the end of the loop where we would start heading back towards the car, we still had some more uphill to go so we stopped at the cap house for a quick photo opp.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9D2O1KrVgQ1fM2xf7g6k8IqQKyE2UADfw7p0GgUGexTQRxU45q9B1fVlfq4HeCMtF65iiW68riInxL81N4RbEaxYbb02KLgyVHe0EgZjZcPR-Ww215R86w7zp3wObV0UkB0nBkYxcjQ/s1600/IMG_1871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9D2O1KrVgQ1fM2xf7g6k8IqQKyE2UADfw7p0GgUGexTQRxU45q9B1fVlfq4HeCMtF65iiW68riInxL81N4RbEaxYbb02KLgyVHe0EgZjZcPR-Ww215R86w7zp3wObV0UkB0nBkYxcjQ/s640/IMG_1871.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">("Built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Cap House was designed to store blasting caps for various projects, such as stump removal on road clearing projects and rock quarrying.")</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0haC8NqHP1ZS378ljD8KOSaVxrYHmkEhObNCzGb635SSAPGoZgdGfQxdnjpies_6cX03L-R-98GoK3LAPtQVsAoIHlYQ4OE6oIDmUccIH5GLJr4diujwLEVDMM686S-X41kj9NJvwQ/s1600/IMG_6635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0haC8NqHP1ZS378ljD8KOSaVxrYHmkEhObNCzGb635SSAPGoZgdGfQxdnjpies_6cX03L-R-98GoK3LAPtQVsAoIHlYQ4OE6oIDmUccIH5GLJr4diujwLEVDMM686S-X41kj9NJvwQ/s640/IMG_6635.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The bikes at the abandoned Cap House)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznPjN-BSxFON83s1vtGxRUWww9Ar2bkiGl8Oy_o1RmsgM52s5iCfO6VhvnFGo9YYiDwrP_nt0RNL1Qj1Q56AfsO0FPZEjMyH_eMA6gzdKc1uuCt8VIuUuXhO2GG-V3gArTydIp632wA/s1600/IMG_6637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznPjN-BSxFON83s1vtGxRUWww9Ar2bkiGl8Oy_o1RmsgM52s5iCfO6VhvnFGo9YYiDwrP_nt0RNL1Qj1Q56AfsO0FPZEjMyH_eMA6gzdKc1uuCt8VIuUuXhO2GG-V3gArTydIp632wA/s640/IMG_6637.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Close up of the bikes)</span></b></td></tr>
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We finally made it over the hill and on one of the downhill runs I was out in front and stopped to wait for Troubadour. Not because I was faster than him, but because he'd stopped to try and identify a bird call. We think it might actually have been an owl. Anyway, it gave me a chance to snap a few pics of him as he caught up.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4ZMKkPDHhnGcsRyunNjELW0cUGcSN445lm1io6V0HhrjUyfJ90fpHI34i5UiWiZgvIYc6G1qJbrzno9152hhNiZ8QGb4DqxLGPNu12DzaXN1qzHKChIOHf8iHqxk0RJWvyArGHB0_w/s1600/IMG_6640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4ZMKkPDHhnGcsRyunNjELW0cUGcSN445lm1io6V0HhrjUyfJ90fpHI34i5UiWiZgvIYc6G1qJbrzno9152hhNiZ8QGb4DqxLGPNu12DzaXN1qzHKChIOHf8iHqxk0RJWvyArGHB0_w/s640/IMG_6640.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour on a Trek)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJytI_ZLbH6bRUYfyvakBv1DDSJsTo3FHpKIH9nD5Qd84KPDDS2ud4QhwOchEhqn6SEjysAaeg0jCoE-qGJlaOlaMmeyQxjsJa_JEtkf5sfXCOgOkWzEc9RedemEkMeJfvx6-lPdIyQ/s1600/IMG_6641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJytI_ZLbH6bRUYfyvakBv1DDSJsTo3FHpKIH9nD5Qd84KPDDS2ud4QhwOchEhqn6SEjysAaeg0jCoE-qGJlaOlaMmeyQxjsJa_JEtkf5sfXCOgOkWzEc9RedemEkMeJfvx6-lPdIyQ/s640/IMG_6641.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Hamming it up for the camera - no hands downhill - now that's balance)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIv0l360RqV_9ieY1woTzOqYxKLptpjVAcbJOVoFXqLXd0JqBqMHeaXLJg-1Sa0QjI7Wk1WGwDwCBndU29TdcE5A42nryuqEtAkiqVPoPrS6FiA2G-d8fYTLB7LfiqCMTNTO7QWUZOMw/s1600/IMG_6642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIv0l360RqV_9ieY1woTzOqYxKLptpjVAcbJOVoFXqLXd0JqBqMHeaXLJg-1Sa0QjI7Wk1WGwDwCBndU29TdcE5A42nryuqEtAkiqVPoPrS6FiA2G-d8fYTLB7LfiqCMTNTO7QWUZOMw/s640/IMG_6642.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(He caught me)</span></b></td></tr>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was all downhill from the above photo so we didn't stop for any more pictures. We did slow down when we approached two riders on horseback. Didn't want to spook the pretty horses. We made it back to the car and the indicated temperature was 63˚F (17.2˚C). Nice.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was a good opportunity for a shake down ride to evaluate our level of fitness. While Brad had a wee 5 mile (8 km) ride on Friday, this was the first time I'd been on my bicycle since September.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Surprisingly I feel pretty good today. And I was quite proud that I'd ridden the whole way this time. While I might have stopped a few times to catch my breath (I have exercise induced asthma) I was able to get back on and ride after just a minute or so and keep going. No pushing this time, yay.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hopefully it won't be as long between posts and two wheeled riding next time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>"<i>Get a bicycle. You won't regret it. If you live.</i>" - Mark Twain "<i>Taming the Bicycle</i></b>"</div>
<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span>Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-91372653303777221812016-12-26T11:14:00.001-08:002016-12-26T11:14:08.194-08:00Snow Hiking<div style="text-align: justify;">
With no plans for the Christmas holiday <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> and I decided to go for a hike. Where to go we pondered. We finally decided to see if we could get all the way up <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marys_Peak">Marys Peak</a> to the parking lot. We could see the Peak from our house and knew there would be snow, but we weren't sure how much, and if we could make it in the Subaru. The year we bought the Subaru we couldn't get to the parking lot because of the deep snow.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
According to the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/siuslaw/recreation/recarea/?recid=42311">Siuslaw National Forest</a> website: "<i>at 4,097 ft (1,249 meters) of elevation, Marys Peak is the highest peak in the Oregon Coast Range. It is the highest point in Benton County and ranks 11th in the State for prominence</i>."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We set out a little after lunch, the temperature having warmed up above freezing and the sun high overhead.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We took the back roads to Highway 34 and up the twisties to the turn off. The road was a little frosty in places and soon enough as we watched the outdoor temperature on the dash drop to freezing and we encountered snow.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbl04_cUlF2EsthpGxoQyS_j2yO-rz_Z8uIR7tiFzqwafsQjRspcJnCfx1VhRetqHKhKGiMed7yDNIyMxCueAxsHTCAv00UPeEahjY0TIhvyBEeZ_eYQVDr-UeNPIqwlWKeQz-Oi0mw/s1600/IMG_6572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbl04_cUlF2EsthpGxoQyS_j2yO-rz_Z8uIR7tiFzqwafsQjRspcJnCfx1VhRetqHKhKGiMed7yDNIyMxCueAxsHTCAv00UPeEahjY0TIhvyBEeZ_eYQVDr-UeNPIqwlWKeQz-Oi0mw/s640/IMG_6572.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The road to Marys Peak, Benton County, Oregon)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We made it to the parking lot with out any issues, the trusty Subaru never missed a beat. I was surprised at how many people were there. And even more surprised to see folks sledding down the hills. I would never have thought of that. Most folks had dogs with them as well who were enjoying themselves and running around playing.</div>
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We pulled on some extra layers, mittens, and knitted caps and walked around the parking area and took a few pictures.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYL7IWuhR8J0tZcgM-xqyH-LFn3sOhcUVf3XjtDzzPIAku1GEcL7T2HfnQWRsebSgeH97HKfq9bIqZjg_juqY4yBk0SDWWwvYmYDaVLKrcIh6z9X43PLc_dvoJZpSTp-qJ4Bh7ctykw/s1600/IMG_6575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYL7IWuhR8J0tZcgM-xqyH-LFn3sOhcUVf3XjtDzzPIAku1GEcL7T2HfnQWRsebSgeH97HKfq9bIqZjg_juqY4yBk0SDWWwvYmYDaVLKrcIh6z9X43PLc_dvoJZpSTp-qJ4Bh7ctykw/s640/IMG_6575.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Subaru in the snow)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrj2uldFrfDZhmUy8XgqobrwIQHgp9VhTMgazTyeZMrd0sSi4Cm2VrVxq32HNEAqGQJN5rNh_r_KdGaut3qTXBG4LY_tCRBxhuNB5O36jxvLg9PmU-1alhdjSqm1x1lGR5KbpVIGoTw/s1600/15724042_10209653483666557_1618691423_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrj2uldFrfDZhmUy8XgqobrwIQHgp9VhTMgazTyeZMrd0sSi4Cm2VrVxq32HNEAqGQJN5rNh_r_KdGaut3qTXBG4LY_tCRBxhuNB5O36jxvLg9PmU-1alhdjSqm1x1lGR5KbpVIGoTw/s640/15724042_10209653483666557_1618691423_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Panoramic by <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a>)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJgvIOqiwZjrrvaQZOG1C0-IgDEOQlX7LVHeiSzVK_7wr9diST44BqWE1z6Zw6YPgeCnDjH9jBtlGlZZTKzxj_K7aT4hd6deU80vk1OzL1bulG81j9GxE1sg2pCE8qSb6YSNOzaYqWQ/s1600/IMG_6576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJgvIOqiwZjrrvaQZOG1C0-IgDEOQlX7LVHeiSzVK_7wr9diST44BqWE1z6Zw6YPgeCnDjH9jBtlGlZZTKzxj_K7aT4hd6deU80vk1OzL1bulG81j9GxE1sg2pCE8qSb6YSNOzaYqWQ/s640/IMG_6576.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Notice how small vehicles and people look compared to the trees)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvDjIk3U_ed6Q0EwwCfsriCB_34sZagbzmQZ5HlqKVWMUkS_6-N3SRhdS5V_tgDC2SLrMPOXBLsz3V5XECV5SXvHvcwa0KWMvw_Lu7aTAspap2hkxszlUKTGBs_HkaCtFGL-tbu7HMA/s1600/IMG_6583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvDjIk3U_ed6Q0EwwCfsriCB_34sZagbzmQZ5HlqKVWMUkS_6-N3SRhdS5V_tgDC2SLrMPOXBLsz3V5XECV5SXvHvcwa0KWMvw_Lu7aTAspap2hkxszlUKTGBs_HkaCtFGL-tbu7HMA/s640/IMG_6583.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Looking a little north-east over the valley to the Cascade Mountains)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IMfWq8eZBIZ8h9Ly3eyrqq3g39q0tla-MYSGniyMWOZ12Nm6VlaPWnqUF9Cs9S41h4VtXQtcs2uHgsDI_tsme5VEFLNdejySB3bXAObua7FwumSHqpbuv_aL8SYo6ezKhKAnnkRdqA/s1600/IMG_6584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IMfWq8eZBIZ8h9Ly3eyrqq3g39q0tla-MYSGniyMWOZ12Nm6VlaPWnqUF9Cs9S41h4VtXQtcs2uHgsDI_tsme5VEFLNdejySB3bXAObua7FwumSHqpbuv_aL8SYo6ezKhKAnnkRdqA/s640/IMG_6584.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Looking a little south-east over the valley to the Cascade Mountains)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUTkuTscwyKOKvHdEbVlJmOTH-WO83uEQ2yk8cIsO9HrJ86IbZLEjkL-Qk_YkjS2qrd-rlEhvVPM46XrW6SLD3KDkc9W6oGoGvgD2IUhlf6hyRMG4Kju5NFjhKCOU9-9nAaBbuecN_A/s1600/IMG_6587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUTkuTscwyKOKvHdEbVlJmOTH-WO83uEQ2yk8cIsO9HrJ86IbZLEjkL-Qk_YkjS2qrd-rlEhvVPM46XrW6SLD3KDkc9W6oGoGvgD2IUhlf6hyRMG4Kju5NFjhKCOU9-9nAaBbuecN_A/s640/IMG_6587.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(More beautiful snowy trees)</span></b></td></tr>
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Now, it is a little hard to tell from the following picture, but there is a path that turns into a gravel road that goes across this hill and around to the right where it climbs to the peak. On the peak is a set of communication towers, a picnic table and a 360˚ view. This was our destination, a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) round trip hike.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jZWh0AcFk2J8eXRJRqSfadCnALKBeoKWsgXJewadA-0cZJx_EhQTnabSdHE4kIgk-ovpaSIU8VZbr6LUx622PjSUZV11ricTtegGrdT3ahkN97zhAdO1q2p2nJlPl65BofWT_AnUAQ/s1600/IMG_6577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jZWh0AcFk2J8eXRJRqSfadCnALKBeoKWsgXJewadA-0cZJx_EhQTnabSdHE4kIgk-ovpaSIU8VZbr6LUx622PjSUZV11ricTtegGrdT3ahkN97zhAdO1q2p2nJlPl65BofWT_AnUAQ/s640/IMG_6577.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Folks sledding at Marys Peak, Christmas Day 2016)</span></b></td></tr>
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It was slow going with the steep grade and walking in snow but we were determined. Part way up I took a look back at the parking lot and this was the view.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uhyphenhyphenvqtmtLKcpZnsUn-NyHC20laXhLl5kFgNpuT7T719OmD3QNcjEJexnwZiFfqekJqqmIQDZ2w1HDTTP6sUuCvwe1glioMnsODuHATUabWMtv_F8UJtfJLBijF9CGdKpHKbmPfE6SQ/s1600/IMG_6590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uhyphenhyphenvqtmtLKcpZnsUn-NyHC20laXhLl5kFgNpuT7T719OmD3QNcjEJexnwZiFfqekJqqmIQDZ2w1HDTTP6sUuCvwe1glioMnsODuHATUabWMtv_F8UJtfJLBijF9CGdKpHKbmPfE6SQ/s640/IMG_6590.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Looking back at the parking lot from part way up the hill)</span></b></td></tr>
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Onward we trudged looking in awe at the ice covered trees and shrubs, snapping pics along the way.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMmbdZbZ1FlOChNgB-jkVNDXRr__GguSF8AkmKBAeOaT5SlYCMTTUlXPOSOr_DYU9PqY7qhLFSRuSAn7RSeDtumCdPkkm3D6CzcJCkMYf4gAYY3jb173hcjmM7MYv3C7F9G8RA8SN0A/s1600/IMG_6591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMmbdZbZ1FlOChNgB-jkVNDXRr__GguSF8AkmKBAeOaT5SlYCMTTUlXPOSOr_DYU9PqY7qhLFSRuSAn7RSeDtumCdPkkm3D6CzcJCkMYf4gAYY3jb173hcjmM7MYv3C7F9G8RA8SN0A/s640/IMG_6591.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Random picture on the way up)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VfidE5r-mmEn8ZeiQ4BSUcRztjDIE3o1wK0qwfm-fkex7tWjf4bsbgz7rJIjczf81GTFg8U7lBI_vbMTyhFiM9t2j8rAdHDM5Tuf4wVUtErFrDLedpkfFxiL_InNiBmGnuY2x-h8FQ/s1600/IMG_6594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VfidE5r-mmEn8ZeiQ4BSUcRztjDIE3o1wK0qwfm-fkex7tWjf4bsbgz7rJIjczf81GTFg8U7lBI_vbMTyhFiM9t2j8rAdHDM5Tuf4wVUtErFrDLedpkfFxiL_InNiBmGnuY2x-h8FQ/s640/IMG_6594.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Looking back at where we'd been - part way to the Peak)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfHGUzarDiMkcMAeWNYIzE2oSpPiV5nsyyg-gGNFd3NDn4ud_Yg2tXKxjwjuqJKLs4UbrA8vZKYvCi5PRKuwjzvLAXPAmOs625QYS_tF64FbIwxFjVSO3kLGNJQE3AKDAM4PDcKvBLw/s1600/IMG_6593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfHGUzarDiMkcMAeWNYIzE2oSpPiV5nsyyg-gGNFd3NDn4ud_Yg2tXKxjwjuqJKLs4UbrA8vZKYvCi5PRKuwjzvLAXPAmOs625QYS_tF64FbIwxFjVSO3kLGNJQE3AKDAM4PDcKvBLw/s640/IMG_6593.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(More random snowy trees)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsm64akCC7tFpw4y2Q5wbUqn1SRloJnTzsP-GBI3rRGebXCRYxyVyBLORFuH-AH5-R0HmPAUFW2iv6wMRbuOpOebmPWDjq2pCF5cJwgrc5vXnZO4Egc20BO1mJcA59p7rSW2dXS5fzxw/s1600/IMG_6595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsm64akCC7tFpw4y2Q5wbUqn1SRloJnTzsP-GBI3rRGebXCRYxyVyBLORFuH-AH5-R0HmPAUFW2iv6wMRbuOpOebmPWDjq2pCF5cJwgrc5vXnZO4Egc20BO1mJcA59p7rSW2dXS5fzxw/s640/IMG_6595.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(This shrub was covered in ice crystals)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
With only a little huffing and puffing and a few breaks for pictures we made it to the peak, which we had all to ourselves. The wind was kicking up and the clouds were rolling in so we didn't linger too long. Just long enough for a few pictures and of course a selfie.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSR5T8IP8n0aheIp9hztNFFORLywn5aj2NJ4Oydv9TXVOIu5l3z70aPKzoMafDNEk-2QIKI5ZrcDPoRXny5UpAjm-gZP04Iy7DGfG9SLFIV0Lc3Pinr2XSQ7bwWKq4Ze6Vb3B-TWW5w/s1600/15713265_10209653483946564_1078323138_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSR5T8IP8n0aheIp9hztNFFORLywn5aj2NJ4Oydv9TXVOIu5l3z70aPKzoMafDNEk-2QIKI5ZrcDPoRXny5UpAjm-gZP04Iy7DGfG9SLFIV0Lc3Pinr2XSQ7bwWKq4Ze6Vb3B-TWW5w/s640/15713265_10209653483946564_1078323138_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Panoramic at the top - photo by <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a>)</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEied72qWqWPebIiR_TDy-RmgBL0sQAuOWbVYYhuF70Ap50oI_OqDHGk6VEhoVialovRTgF2aOmkJ3vABCvg20Wtk7OES4rnBwEf4vTz46CwOOVq06-_SiiSnFfRRSYwQ7XiDuk1G4II6A/s1600/IMG_6601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEied72qWqWPebIiR_TDy-RmgBL0sQAuOWbVYYhuF70Ap50oI_OqDHGk6VEhoVialovRTgF2aOmkJ3vABCvg20Wtk7OES4rnBwEf4vTz46CwOOVq06-_SiiSnFfRRSYwQ7XiDuk1G4II6A/s640/IMG_6601.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Zoomed in view of the valley and Cascade Mountains to the east)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNTDZ5LAT2X8H4RaBOtZsn3Ucb0393Ix5hcAc-u7kEt4ZY0iO2rXNvgJlsFA3WU7311mwMyPi8EMpu85L79t0AiXxm_YPRN15gPz_GPM6zdRl0rpAWM8gTX6yCCTsm4xKNIgQYlVnXw/s1600/IMG_6602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNTDZ5LAT2X8H4RaBOtZsn3Ucb0393Ix5hcAc-u7kEt4ZY0iO2rXNvgJlsFA3WU7311mwMyPi8EMpu85L79t0AiXxm_YPRN15gPz_GPM6zdRl0rpAWM8gTX6yCCTsm4xKNIgQYlVnXw/s640/IMG_6602.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Fenced in Bonneville Power Administration <a href="http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/tower-stirs-marys-peak-debate/article_fcb9aec3-3b1b-5e9f-b576-386089b88996.html">communication towers</a> at the top of Marys Peak)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DFTdKSIDBIsAjuDPB7W8raYq1Bp7UA_lkWOZJ2fUDPRuGtw2IiI4IJbu-StjWjZ_X9WYILLtkbyZWMDmEZ9FSz9P-UGAtgYzskYBgNsSh7F-7wNxX8hHvUhGJPLDUteEzTe-QpfM4w/s1600/IMG_6603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DFTdKSIDBIsAjuDPB7W8raYq1Bp7UA_lkWOZJ2fUDPRuGtw2IiI4IJbu-StjWjZ_X9WYILLtkbyZWMDmEZ9FSz9P-UGAtgYzskYBgNsSh7F-7wNxX8hHvUhGJPLDUteEzTe-QpfM4w/s640/IMG_6603.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The ice on the fence was sticking out 4-5 inches horizontally)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoNZUW-SdbZMTRcN2_s6JUSlGIY0P7paARZGFgVdv8GaRMeOzIrUxUw7S2zCzMyQVeX5CW6wc83SPCchZJaV77aC5kA-VLch6wXrZvSjgTA7ueb8aBmo42sKja7GZd0Hd5hXYhgvJrQ/s1600/15712971_10209653483986565_490372512_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVoNZUW-SdbZMTRcN2_s6JUSlGIY0P7paARZGFgVdv8GaRMeOzIrUxUw7S2zCzMyQVeX5CW6wc83SPCchZJaV77aC5kA-VLch6wXrZvSjgTA7ueb8aBmo42sKja7GZd0Hd5hXYhgvJrQ/s640/15712971_10209653483986565_490372512_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour took a picture of my taking a picture of the fence above, notice the clouds rolling in)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe57d23DJ67YFMmyUj9_kuSEDGy0iWmoLLzkWvwK5eZUysUPKb5y2L9ceohvK201DF0K6y2Ghp6A6TNQEje2CfN38OSiqfcLBS0XMxo8el0TqReUAaoCG-QNshPXTzHdoLYIEyubw16A/s1600/IMG_6605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe57d23DJ67YFMmyUj9_kuSEDGy0iWmoLLzkWvwK5eZUysUPKb5y2L9ceohvK201DF0K6y2Ghp6A6TNQEje2CfN38OSiqfcLBS0XMxo8el0TqReUAaoCG-QNshPXTzHdoLYIEyubw16A/s640/IMG_6605.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Ice crystals coated everything at the top even dormant grasses)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxpP_sCsHRbX8GV8pF3B8TvxptLKfvK5hR_OFu1pE4kAsUJ7QQmwI42NFSQ1n3BM6RE2yIcug-MHyblm7YdN-zsxvCgwiGFUaQnXNbMWnDmES8AI3dIjdU_SKaWyz8k7VGfyUJcf1AA/s1600/IMG_6598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxpP_sCsHRbX8GV8pF3B8TvxptLKfvK5hR_OFu1pE4kAsUJ7QQmwI42NFSQ1n3BM6RE2yIcug-MHyblm7YdN-zsxvCgwiGFUaQnXNbMWnDmES8AI3dIjdU_SKaWyz8k7VGfyUJcf1AA/s640/IMG_6598.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(And the obligatory selfie - Troubadour and Trobairitz)</span></b></td></tr>
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Brrrr, after the selfie taking we started the walk back down. I looked back at the towers and took one more picture of it with the blue sky background.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-lxTcx0rx_B5kbSMbuW8hRhWH13ANx1CSpWuvsNIjsSAYUpDIsPUvBE7g0tatt950WyG-Usat0FjdfXE-VLc2eiwT2I2mqL5tE3J-qeeznA8FfAlLDZqV2Q0vmoItt4XOlenSMR9fw/s1600/IMG_6608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-lxTcx0rx_B5kbSMbuW8hRhWH13ANx1CSpWuvsNIjsSAYUpDIsPUvBE7g0tatt950WyG-Usat0FjdfXE-VLc2eiwT2I2mqL5tE3J-qeeznA8FfAlLDZqV2Q0vmoItt4XOlenSMR9fw/s640/IMG_6608.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Looking up at the BPA communication towers on the Peak)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElsNKjjSl5fm-K-PC1f0r860RDcl3hbL-Y7gv7oFkVuZOP2km_we0JI5PtJJSzajmsw3aWaBd_LfyruKMAVSqos1CcQ6JETsPG3bC9_dRxhqkfb_h0u6m-O42H7RI6_Ica206bQcMyg/s1600/IMG_6613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElsNKjjSl5fm-K-PC1f0r860RDcl3hbL-Y7gv7oFkVuZOP2km_we0JI5PtJJSzajmsw3aWaBd_LfyruKMAVSqos1CcQ6JETsPG3bC9_dRxhqkfb_h0u6m-O42H7RI6_Ica206bQcMyg/s640/IMG_6613.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Walking down off the Peak, heading back to the car)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOgHT0KSumiyO0VmLFix_6WWzWX1CT_RBcxu6ODIdqGp0Mpvqui9vaHTvh1rdhoEfr1f77OsieuK4wFNjtehVfiDu2j9ZXs_ZQf05LsrGVOWrCECEdSs6QMwPMyZD8otJoFH66tXSeA/s1600/IMG_6614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOgHT0KSumiyO0VmLFix_6WWzWX1CT_RBcxu6ODIdqGp0Mpvqui9vaHTvh1rdhoEfr1f77OsieuK4wFNjtehVfiDu2j9ZXs_ZQf05LsrGVOWrCECEdSs6QMwPMyZD8otJoFH66tXSeA/s640/IMG_6614.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A close up of the icicles on one of the trees)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdAS95sSLnNS0xrDX2RVB4ZgR5bxQyy9MPfiFD96e-SQD6w0BujCtfx_dY_oY_Vf0nU9Q9JlhmKfmQwdFdW9haEBdKwdzfT-njA93wnnUe1UblG3fqATER2oMF3QlyZn25W-UgKbkNQ/s1600/IMG_6620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdAS95sSLnNS0xrDX2RVB4ZgR5bxQyy9MPfiFD96e-SQD6w0BujCtfx_dY_oY_Vf0nU9Q9JlhmKfmQwdFdW9haEBdKwdzfT-njA93wnnUe1UblG3fqATER2oMF3QlyZn25W-UgKbkNQ/s640/IMG_6620.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Further down we walked, still in awe of the view across the valley)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXTt1gQMnNHkkCw969HODBMxEd4_ZC30x3rtsfzgn0Oh3sJ5p1gcaZ0Uyp3SyY8gNVhDVcmTX8byNB5w4S_j-aI_Gv_sqA1EN-bIM8R0m0wZiqhMk61pSjPtwyS1_rQkF-8cSrFtWmg/s1600/IMG_6621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXTt1gQMnNHkkCw969HODBMxEd4_ZC30x3rtsfzgn0Oh3sJ5p1gcaZ0Uyp3SyY8gNVhDVcmTX8byNB5w4S_j-aI_Gv_sqA1EN-bIM8R0m0wZiqhMk61pSjPtwyS1_rQkF-8cSrFtWmg/s640/IMG_6621.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(One last picture as the sun disappeared and we hurried our steps to the car)</span></b></td></tr>
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We made it down to the car and noticed that with the sun disappearing behind the clouds the people had also dispursed. There weren't nearly as many cars in the parking lot.</div>
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We headed out and made it home around 5pm. </div>
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I think this was the perfect way to enjoy snow - not on the valley floor where one has to shovel it and commute in it, but up on the Peak where one can visit it if they choose to.</div>
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<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
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<b>" <i>If the October days were a cordial like the sub-acids of fruits, these are a tonic like the wine of iron. Drink deep or be careful how you taste this December vintage. The first sip may chill, but a full draught warms and invigorates.</i>" - John Burroughs "<i>Winter Sunshine</i>"</b></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span></div>
Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-63516721600336363362016-12-14T16:06:00.002-08:002016-12-14T16:07:15.575-08:00Remembering Sunshine......<div style="text-align: justify;">
Remember back in the summer when we were complaining that it was too hot? Yeah, we shouldn't have done that.</div>
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October sucked in regards to weather and we broke records for high levels of rainfall. November didn't shatter any records but, while it was drier than October, it was still quite wet. December can't seem to make up its mind. Should it be 45˚F (7.2˚C) and rain, or maybe 32˚F (0˚C) and freezing rain or random snowflakes?<br />
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As I sit at my computer, the boss having sent me home at 1:30 pm worried about road conditions, it is slushing outside. Not really snow, not quite hail, not quite rain, and it is adding up. The below photo was taken around 2:30 this afternoon through our living room window with my iPhone.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HCePvFevWEEKZgtu6LtUsL3uTXNRt_W_GPIKeaZgf2G0ADmlwt3vlq90ssfEWKRbEvaXd3eXnn1mBhYhccdIzxn5FSlyAr6bAlhsgmcRWTc0_hNYL5b3nRKa77WoEJ0KM8J_yjClVw/s1600/15571081_1507076649302563_1026833101_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HCePvFevWEEKZgtu6LtUsL3uTXNRt_W_GPIKeaZgf2G0ADmlwt3vlq90ssfEWKRbEvaXd3eXnn1mBhYhccdIzxn5FSlyAr6bAlhsgmcRWTc0_hNYL5b3nRKa77WoEJ0KM8J_yjClVw/s640/15571081_1507076649302563_1026833101_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Fiat in our driveway, an inch of slush will shut down the town)</span></b></td></tr>
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All this wet weather hasn't been very motivating to hop on two wheels, but it does make us think fondly of that warm summer weather.</div>
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Back in August <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> and I didn't make big plans for our 20th wedding anniversary. Not only did it fall mid-week while we were working, but we just couldn't think of anything grand to do with the summer heat. Instead we chose to go play at the coast that Friday. Not an overnighter just a day on the sand.</div>
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I never posted a blog about it so I thought I'd post about it now as I reflect fondly on the warm summer sun.<br />
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<b>FRIDAY AUGUST 12, 2016</b></div>
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We left <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvallis,_Oregon">Corvallis</a> and headed southwest along Highway 34 to the coast. The pace wasn't very fast since the ODOT was doing some seal coating/chip seal along the way. We took the Fiat 500 so we could pack along picnic supplies, blankets, and the kites.</div>
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We arrived in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldport,_Oregon">Waldport</a> on Highway 101 and turned south to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yachats,_Oregon">Yachats</a> to enjoy lunch at the <a href="http://www.thegreensalmon.com/">Green Salmon Cafe</a>. One of the only places to get vegan eats in the land of seafood. While most of it is assembled from prefab processed foods, at least it is an option. We sat outside in the beautiful sunshine. Not as warm at the coast compared to the heat of the valley. I had the Tempeh Reuben sandwich while Troubadour partook of the Tofurkey Italian Sausage. We may have purchased a few vegan danishes to go as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCnBD2WnF5UVrJRFvuwmxtfP7CMoIOV8whtm-lk7AMDoBGve6mnCygRDks-mG3d28HdnUy1uNpGah_WsTXz0SYQcJjcQhD_BOOPgI8UXYtFo7rINZFawoHtejT0HzUXsCEGlA0QjEYg/s1600/IMG_1066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCnBD2WnF5UVrJRFvuwmxtfP7CMoIOV8whtm-lk7AMDoBGve6mnCygRDks-mG3d28HdnUy1uNpGah_WsTXz0SYQcJjcQhD_BOOPgI8UXYtFo7rINZFawoHtejT0HzUXsCEGlA0QjEYg/s640/IMG_1066.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(My Tempeh Reuben sandwich - Green Salmon cafe, Yachats)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtqpJutkjNEqXmZw6kKmxKH4aEW1CPFFUta8z3azIr55PaTCFJFh854zXJJ691S1rPGdKTGXtG7RsJH5zxECrcww-gu1tsz0H_yil5PdDebPHuoZinmQ0o6BRHiS9WCJ8R94PRxf4kA/s1600/IMG_1065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtqpJutkjNEqXmZw6kKmxKH4aEW1CPFFUta8z3azIr55PaTCFJFh854zXJJ691S1rPGdKTGXtG7RsJH5zxECrcww-gu1tsz0H_yil5PdDebPHuoZinmQ0o6BRHiS9WCJ8R94PRxf4kA/s640/IMG_1065.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour's Tofurkey Italian Sausage, Green Salmon Cafe, Yachats)</span></b></td></tr>
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From Yachats we drove south on Highway 101 along the coast and stopped at one of our favorite little hideaway beaches. The wind was up, but the sun was out, and the sand was warm on our bare feet. Not too hot, and not too cold.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10fwpYl_tYJnQhTdL-Y4QDUGPFkclNdBKy7eyctn81KmPG1_3LxdEtbFct61CKJ12uAMAQogdjpaLwyOyVEte3V9XeilLfwcWC4NdB97zzfCDws18znULxTvuU_bYqIQKHJNy7CYUNA/s1600/IMG_6250.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Summertime at the Oregon Coast)</span></b></td></tr>
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As we broke out the kites, the mist started to roll in, which made for some interesting pictures. Warm sand and a cool breeze was a good combination.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2HnyKSxBEzh1IaRNjljvwSY24pkf2a8dom8V4xF7QpaguZz5CvlsmkofN0hLo6B0Xbj5_fsPIc0oSO46GcO53CfxWfLnf0SSJGbgiZMAwYTCs2DO-fftqgy8pSaj5mt51Myy5dbsnQ/s1600/IMG_6248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2HnyKSxBEzh1IaRNjljvwSY24pkf2a8dom8V4xF7QpaguZz5CvlsmkofN0hLo6B0Xbj5_fsPIc0oSO46GcO53CfxWfLnf0SSJGbgiZMAwYTCs2DO-fftqgy8pSaj5mt51Myy5dbsnQ/s640/IMG_6248.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>(Mist rolling in)</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJA0trF6oLVz_2z2iwZF8DZSepyhWxX2thmYnuvD5Utl9VAnN5W8xg_GBJgh-TvC1By0us9mlQ-lHXJhGGSTdM7oKpmv9NtfYUdafG5CalyKJIdmrN44aH6AuXQ-HygHplXZzOcgy3w/s1600/IMG_6249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJA0trF6oLVz_2z2iwZF8DZSepyhWxX2thmYnuvD5Utl9VAnN5W8xg_GBJgh-TvC1By0us9mlQ-lHXJhGGSTdM7oKpmv9NtfYUdafG5CalyKJIdmrN44aH6AuXQ-HygHplXZzOcgy3w/s640/IMG_6249.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Troubadour flying his kite)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76X88tklrmPWYlMiJTEPOm1LK2BGeazMTSC5QrefCadZjmSydWugTVmZtBsPeLfq5ANejgg7mmvzQbO9ricSe7mGCfzW6PJxb-2ja7MUEd7xMxC_Gv46UYbAbavnM__i84RfX_qMzjw/s1600/IMG_6245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76X88tklrmPWYlMiJTEPOm1LK2BGeazMTSC5QrefCadZjmSydWugTVmZtBsPeLfq5ANejgg7mmvzQbO9ricSe7mGCfzW6PJxb-2ja7MUEd7xMxC_Gv46UYbAbavnM__i84RfX_qMzjw/s640/IMG_6245.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Even more mist rolling in)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboj2JWWF6L1gZSZPdcod95cvuBEtgkj2wQWigxulr4S0UxYFIChlRca8Ds1c31j6qM9X2H1ljC6jzE-Z0uUAX-hZgbMgVWOi_gRj3QfrPfkg2oWNZXfwqnkgucS-6JmZXo1qkA8JUVQ/s1600/IMG_6251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboj2JWWF6L1gZSZPdcod95cvuBEtgkj2wQWigxulr4S0UxYFIChlRca8Ds1c31j6qM9X2H1ljC6jzE-Z0uUAX-hZgbMgVWOi_gRj3QfrPfkg2oWNZXfwqnkgucS-6JmZXo1qkA8JUVQ/s640/IMG_6251.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Hold on Troubadour)</span></b></td></tr>
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While Troubadour was flying his kite I decided to explore the sea critters along the large rock closer to the water. The rock was covered in barnacles and mussels, and around the base at sand level were the sea anemones. Here is a link to a pdf guide titled <i>Oregon's Rocky Intertidal Areas</i> "tidepools" published by Oregon State Parks. <a href="http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=main.loadFile&load=_siteFiles%2Fpublications%2Ftidepool.pdf">LINK</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Looking down at the California mussels and Gooseneck Barnacles)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsp9sABSnZVGZdmybODT5el5BsbVoLh2rgQDsuqkReJ9O2-goiUYVEBWK39BhRxQW9RC11N149XTN6efwmYd-NApKe_C85sV3S2l1DUnekm93EpRMF-RuNi2x3IbQoqt0Q9DJ7j5sLg/s1600/IMG_6268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsp9sABSnZVGZdmybODT5el5BsbVoLh2rgQDsuqkReJ9O2-goiUYVEBWK39BhRxQW9RC11N149XTN6efwmYd-NApKe_C85sV3S2l1DUnekm93EpRMF-RuNi2x3IbQoqt0Q9DJ7j5sLg/s640/IMG_6268.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthopleura_xanthogrammica">Anemones</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_mussel">mussels</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goose_barnacle">Gooseneck barnacles</a>)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBq5nyf-Npn6zeyZb0-DB2hct0j3z8_SL9NPpF_wEv-R4r6lxKIWwVBHGPp-no7123DSdL_6j0kCEuhrg5BB9eGK5lbrrncvKXfkZc3aZ8HTmVeKICyS7RjRy6GDx9l4jhRURmB6kkw/s1600/IMG_6269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBq5nyf-Npn6zeyZb0-DB2hct0j3z8_SL9NPpF_wEv-R4r6lxKIWwVBHGPp-no7123DSdL_6j0kCEuhrg5BB9eGK5lbrrncvKXfkZc3aZ8HTmVeKICyS7RjRy6GDx9l4jhRURmB6kkw/s640/IMG_6269.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Anemones close until the tide comes in to conserve moisture)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHh-V9DXwqEzqNKkS4rHXFS9M8r7vEwWazSDUmqa-Dp5H07qSUwh88tgGe2MrxrN5ZwLi61XQzo7fEOGLGbq_U0ojA0wM6VbZ176b9Gfx5CNieD8YUNRfEfwiNx4kHVsdo_1TwjUicwg/s1600/IMG_6272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHh-V9DXwqEzqNKkS4rHXFS9M8r7vEwWazSDUmqa-Dp5H07qSUwh88tgGe2MrxrN5ZwLi61XQzo7fEOGLGbq_U0ojA0wM6VbZ176b9Gfx5CNieD8YUNRfEfwiNx4kHVsdo_1TwjUicwg/s640/IMG_6272.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(All different shades of green)</span></b></td></tr>
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As the sun was blocked out by the mist, we started getting a little chilly from the wind and decided to head back to the car and check our guide book for hikes on the coast instead.<br />
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We discovered where there was a hiking trail to get to <a href="http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=86">Heceta Head Lighthouse</a>. Heceta is pronounced "huh-see-tah". You park on the side of the highway and hike a 2.6 mile round trip route (4.18 km) rather than driving further south and parking at the visitors center/State Park. Sounds good. I can't count how many times we've driven down Highway 101 and never knew about it. <br />
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Heceta Head is located 13 miles north of the city of Florence. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heceta_Head_Light">Heceta Head</a> is the most photographed of all of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lighthouses_in_Oregon">Oregon's 11 Lighthouses</a> and was built in 1894. "<i>Bricks for the tower were shipped from San Francisco to Florence and hauled over the hills on wagons. The 2-ton Fresnel lens, with 640 delicate, hand-ground prisms was off-loaded onto the cape by surf boat</i>."<br />
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You can visit all but one of Oregon's Lighthouses - the infamous Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, which is located 1.2 miles (1.9 km) offshore. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tillamook_Rock_Light">LINK</a> on more info on that one.<br />
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As we were getting out of the car I discovered my camera battery had died so the remaining pictures are all courtesy of <a href="http://troubadourtriumph.blogspot.com/">Troubadour</a> and his iPhone 4s.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF19j5CCFRe31cmNsuNmgSi58rMJDHAULWTM-ukoBTcC3x6ipzjkKK-Vonrpc8FR7_7ddyi6Du_EJIokQIYq8Y2qu2PBQfAwAtWrf_HLyCujvg5zNs-ByUlY6Ld_9V1XDoptaGscpjw/s1600/IMG_1081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF19j5CCFRe31cmNsuNmgSi58rMJDHAULWTM-ukoBTcC3x6ipzjkKK-Vonrpc8FR7_7ddyi6Du_EJIokQIYq8Y2qu2PBQfAwAtWrf_HLyCujvg5zNs-ByUlY6Ld_9V1XDoptaGscpjw/s640/IMG_1081.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Trail to Heceta Head Lighthouse from Highway 101)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Sunshine and mist filtering through the trees)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQ1pzRDxD2SuoGG8FZ9kgNPEMkLmbNVcuNmJVK1TwdZu2olyE5zBfXJPG8ZI4sDQC9EdJm0jDjsMMTTxs62znTKTv2orIKVYWFIYGot7B3IGegj-QYOTaSBonsqOkjuU0bzDONuXPsw/s1600/IMG_1106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQ1pzRDxD2SuoGG8FZ9kgNPEMkLmbNVcuNmJVK1TwdZu2olyE5zBfXJPG8ZI4sDQC9EdJm0jDjsMMTTxs62znTKTv2orIKVYWFIYGot7B3IGegj-QYOTaSBonsqOkjuU0bzDONuXPsw/s640/IMG_1106.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Nature's Majesty.....so pretty)</span></b></td></tr>
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I never realized that there was such a hill climb between the highway and the ocean. Up and up we climbed. There were even several sets of stairs. It is quite damp and muddy in some areas and others where the sun would come through were dry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bJTnVegY2lix7SZGwi2ltMvOiACB-mkCx4wYZBjQqieHc_L83_Wu_0REg7wGxBMo0DZL2IBUN8D7W3ZHuvjpyUoO9naXKS1wvhX9qyntpsZa1HeDV9L3XaeD_SJnw5fjumqHN59n9A/s1600/IMG_1121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bJTnVegY2lix7SZGwi2ltMvOiACB-mkCx4wYZBjQqieHc_L83_Wu_0REg7wGxBMo0DZL2IBUN8D7W3ZHuvjpyUoO9naXKS1wvhX9qyntpsZa1HeDV9L3XaeD_SJnw5fjumqHN59n9A/s640/IMG_1121.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(We always manage to find mushrooms on our hikes)</span></b></td></tr>
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Here and there along the trail were spur trails leading to views of the Pacific Ocean.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2nIwMLLCSbx6Rhg_9kfuyXrrXS14_XqMhBAncy7aBWon_GqsLbhyphenhyphenWiHRAs24vLT4y7DPY-Lp2lFg_TciVoU2B3ZZtlncl3tCsnnklEK_uERBwQJV69XP-JCsguP9S8rqSNYfIRzrAA/s1600/IMG_1125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2nIwMLLCSbx6Rhg_9kfuyXrrXS14_XqMhBAncy7aBWon_GqsLbhyphenhyphenWiHRAs24vLT4y7DPY-Lp2lFg_TciVoU2B3ZZtlncl3tCsnnklEK_uERBwQJV69XP-JCsguP9S8rqSNYfIRzrAA/s640/IMG_1125.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>(View of the Pacific Ocean north of Heceta Head Lighthouse)</b></span></td></tr>
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After some huffing and puffing we caught our first view of the lighthouse.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfRwWjfHDfKwhdCm1CN9aoJQnzdcJwKAyJ3jNzrBXteMy3uLWtNIt2KJwUUgAaCMAkNOIUzU-rgJCoR3HrOXgmGQOyr-oF-S0zCiBauQ0zXl2OYsOMYTY7yqVwAiJrztZUGhr9spYjw/s1600/IMG_1137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfRwWjfHDfKwhdCm1CN9aoJQnzdcJwKAyJ3jNzrBXteMy3uLWtNIt2KJwUUgAaCMAkNOIUzU-rgJCoR3HrOXgmGQOyr-oF-S0zCiBauQ0zXl2OYsOMYTY7yqVwAiJrztZUGhr9spYjw/s640/IMG_1137.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A zoomed in view)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTBI-oenRJ30CW1I1trp4y-Wa4fPJffReCSYzkqy1MRCqpTco9dFxQG6rRRoN51JBU21P9iel5nNLMpPLBbqXFRTcw9AevchaqI9pp54gQ8VJnKvia0AwdCXePlPTxoS3XPCjZC-sAw/s1600/IMG_1210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTBI-oenRJ30CW1I1trp4y-Wa4fPJffReCSYzkqy1MRCqpTco9dFxQG6rRRoN51JBU21P9iel5nNLMpPLBbqXFRTcw9AevchaqI9pp54gQ8VJnKvia0AwdCXePlPTxoS3XPCjZC-sAw/s640/IMG_1210.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Down a path and we arrived at the lighthouse and oil shed)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr75HcDHTfouehnfhLKqXXzedonEEYEcW85gbqbwhJsWVKmWfvv8G5yFET2afTzjZmoGzcEtIP1THTOKEdHZ4ijMkJ3kwxah38-jSf5nLepsy8i79XQQ3x-ZTKxhl0c6PkNt4ZngBQjg/s1600/IMG_1158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr75HcDHTfouehnfhLKqXXzedonEEYEcW85gbqbwhJsWVKmWfvv8G5yFET2afTzjZmoGzcEtIP1THTOKEdHZ4ijMkJ3kwxah38-jSf5nLepsy8i79XQQ3x-ZTKxhl0c6PkNt4ZngBQjg/s640/IMG_1158.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A view at the base of the lighthouse)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNcgsOY41uf1cp2sLOh4-AFyQdRoBlUqVzlwb4caxS479rEdenNTokXhh9AZaHfxFvnm7rToOZwgs1FsCgaMxYL5CczAaFakKFhdQ5f3A33AjH-J_1Ld060AzgBM00GWOTkcdN4KONg/s1600/IMG_1175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNcgsOY41uf1cp2sLOh4-AFyQdRoBlUqVzlwb4caxS479rEdenNTokXhh9AZaHfxFvnm7rToOZwgs1FsCgaMxYL5CczAaFakKFhdQ5f3A33AjH-J_1Ld060AzgBM00GWOTkcdN4KONg/s640/IMG_1175.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A view of the Pacific Ocean from the lighthouse)</span></b></td></tr>
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Unfortunately we arrived too late in the day to actually climb to the lens of the lighthouse. From the lighthouse point we could look a little south towards the highway and visitor's center and the old caretakers cottage, rumored to be haunted.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79hdgK9ZKitW1CN_WJFrNpBQyCa-G1DiK2VK5aeOLoI7LyKCCPcBpg6gS6mJK0fu0aBFafkK1jCAGaDqmk-DlG81ral9F6lfdydVwnY8B2YTuyUOxsiPUbWUO4Ju3bCWJEd1F0EkqJg/s1600/IMG_1185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79hdgK9ZKitW1CN_WJFrNpBQyCa-G1DiK2VK5aeOLoI7LyKCCPcBpg6gS6mJK0fu0aBFafkK1jCAGaDqmk-DlG81ral9F6lfdydVwnY8B2YTuyUOxsiPUbWUO4Ju3bCWJEd1F0EkqJg/s640/IMG_1185.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Old caretakers cottage and Highway 101 over Cape Creek Bridge)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_xkYqQG2RAeohef4tpsUMy2ilNTDA5achK7hMtjcegUVM9guFtkwsiRQznSJ6HMTSdoYQzlCP0gqjEEbqZKPAKVHvdF2lmsEydYmBfUdxrsiNtRMBk9yT2tQ6hPWd06aTjMGqpEDPw/s1600/IMG_1183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_xkYqQG2RAeohef4tpsUMy2ilNTDA5achK7hMtjcegUVM9guFtkwsiRQznSJ6HMTSdoYQzlCP0gqjEEbqZKPAKVHvdF2lmsEydYmBfUdxrsiNtRMBk9yT2tQ6hPWd06aTjMGqpEDPw/s640/IMG_1183.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Creek_Bridge">Cape Creek Bridge</a> over Highway 101 opened in 1932)</span></b></td></tr>
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We decided to walk towards the Visitor's Center and the Bed &Breakfast, which was actually one of the old caretaker's homes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJqOt8qMQVeZL2gKevuBare2QdgFNbWI7QNy42LCvoC1UeTq0ZFIDrV8pJXw1EoLZ2XeBgVzT2BNlP-XC34w4PluoaZweHyfsODSDJ_xtQ_t7580gx00pwTZPHQAFbcLHAVotXL0GXw/s1600/IMG_1187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJqOt8qMQVeZL2gKevuBare2QdgFNbWI7QNy42LCvoC1UeTq0ZFIDrV8pJXw1EoLZ2XeBgVzT2BNlP-XC34w4PluoaZweHyfsODSDJ_xtQ_t7580gx00pwTZPHQAFbcLHAVotXL0GXw/s640/IMG_1187.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Trobairitz and the caretakers cottage - there used to be two residences inside the fence)</span></b></td></tr>
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From the cottage we could look back up the winding road to the lighthouse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaD7SLTPmCbOKl23tB0vmh2uUsr8K_ibf8zblz3QsIYBukoDNk_Cc5PtnW5OjJpdP_PbKxmZx6Z43QatginP2O03KJz3sp3MYJJMBTDg50kX7Az7dIh13DazaSDJZTbmTp2437ml2KQ/s1600/IMG_1202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaD7SLTPmCbOKl23tB0vmh2uUsr8K_ibf8zblz3QsIYBukoDNk_Cc5PtnW5OjJpdP_PbKxmZx6Z43QatginP2O03KJz3sp3MYJJMBTDg50kX7Az7dIh13DazaSDJZTbmTp2437ml2KQ/s640/IMG_1202.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(Heceta Head Lighthouse viewed from caretakers cottage)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlsf5c1J4QoJztx_WYKOOKRFmDKaFgnPwff2LXqQlql9LUI3iAkQ70SdB3SllqGyzMz1-7d2tGO-RuB7xd9Gl5voaKt_f4wyLrMAh1EUMhrK0KJxzhyphenhyphenQoE9w9I2JfEhF5YCebd7ns_w/s1600/IMG_1195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlsf5c1J4QoJztx_WYKOOKRFmDKaFgnPwff2LXqQlql9LUI3iAkQ70SdB3SllqGyzMz1-7d2tGO-RuB7xd9Gl5voaKt_f4wyLrMAh1EUMhrK0KJxzhyphenhyphenQoE9w9I2JfEhF5YCebd7ns_w/s640/IMG_1195.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(A view showing the terrain to get to the lighthouse)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFp2Ni7JmmMmX7quxhq2-uBszZ07H51ZQABeXitfK8NmXn0s9ZFpbwSMEW1BdG1X5vg7HOrnYabNH-_9VvHLH69oj5nhLQ5mVr0Q_DzljS8q9Rs0Emaz5xSMgVWa4rkSBLzE2XdXDSEg/s1600/IMG_1206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFp2Ni7JmmMmX7quxhq2-uBszZ07H51ZQABeXitfK8NmXn0s9ZFpbwSMEW1BdG1X5vg7HOrnYabNH-_9VvHLH69oj5nhLQ5mVr0Q_DzljS8q9Rs0Emaz5xSMgVWa4rkSBLzE2XdXDSEg/s640/IMG_1206.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(The thistles were in full bloom along the road between the cottage and lighthouse)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanYFe5UjlUbyOvXcCX6youZABSYBHzJ980H3cel6acek1EK646YtAjDcwertg8-TP-BIPIvut0RjeuhMkx6-WfAqWfGIpiMdGL4GKrG2KYxHerZdT34zRRofQAAnA9vYnq4aQzIkRzg/s1600/IMG_1238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanYFe5UjlUbyOvXcCX6youZABSYBHzJ980H3cel6acek1EK646YtAjDcwertg8-TP-BIPIvut0RjeuhMkx6-WfAqWfGIpiMdGL4GKrG2KYxHerZdT34zRRofQAAnA9vYnq4aQzIkRzg/s640/IMG_1238.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(One last look at the lighthouse as we hiked 1.3 miles back to the car)</span></b></td></tr>
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By the time we returned to the car our bodies informed us that we hadn't done near enough hiking this year. Heading south into Florence we pondered whether to drive to Eugene for dinner. Thinking of city traffic on a Friday night we opted to take Highway 36 around Triangle Lake. We stopped along the way for a picnic dinner and those vegan danishes from the Green Salmon for dessert.</div>
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We arrived home around 8:30 pm. Tired but we'd had a good day. Fond memories as I sit here and look outside at the slush adding up.</div>
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<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
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<b>" <i>Those who can laugh without cause have either found the true meaning of happiness or have gone stark raving mad.</i>" - Norm Papernick</b></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span></div>
Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10735041579950338.post-59462352135754259542016-11-17T10:00:00.000-08:002016-11-17T10:00:19.367-08:00Winds of Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-XSUTqYHJ1Cxr89k6mnMbmg08KJ_f2DOO0m8ubjPG9LYUazc9FuQSYMsWaVrVMxHt3pEOEINZY1_KdFQM3EyOcbPFSnPxAoLiZfN_T-AWNaWwPNtIIfLX1GOG86dvJFlaRrK5-eJag/s1600/change.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-XSUTqYHJ1Cxr89k6mnMbmg08KJ_f2DOO0m8ubjPG9LYUazc9FuQSYMsWaVrVMxHt3pEOEINZY1_KdFQM3EyOcbPFSnPxAoLiZfN_T-AWNaWwPNtIIfLX1GOG86dvJFlaRrK5-eJag/s200/change.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Regular readers of this blog (I think there are at least one or two) have probably come to realize that my intended next bike purchase <strike>is</strike> was to be the 2016/2017 Honda CB500x.</div>
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My intentions the last few months have been to sell my 2009 Suzuki Gladius and then purchase a new more upright adventure styled motorcycle. Unfortunately our fall weather has been uncharacteristically wet and used bikes have not been selling. </div>
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I'll try again in the spring. What makes this easier to take is that there aren't any 2016 CB500 Xs for sale in the state with ABS. If I am going to buy a new one I may as well pay the extra $300 for ABS and I like the color better anyway. Women are fickle creature you know.</div>
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So, as I wait <strike>not so</strike> patiently for any scrap of information about the 2017's, Honda has remained silent in that regard. Dealers seem to know nothing about the next years model of CB500x and Honda's website only lists 2016 and 2015 for that model. Hmmmm</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkcDdaz6YaBZwlHfjYLKCg77tZzljzfQZ1Kou-5uAgS9sAhzBQ5oQVHHWajyojwvdecpSOPash8D-AzLX118ca7OTI-vKxbF7j0A6vGEFjJg1TZ58jnObY5TW0JDTCUwuH7fb_CulIQ/s1600/Bone.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkcDdaz6YaBZwlHfjYLKCg77tZzljzfQZ1Kou-5uAgS9sAhzBQ5oQVHHWajyojwvdecpSOPash8D-AzLX118ca7OTI-vKxbF7j0A6vGEFjJg1TZ58jnObY5TW0JDTCUwuH7fb_CulIQ/s200/Bone.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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With all of the new information being released out of the <a href="https://eventegg.com/eicma/">EICMA</a> I thought for sure we'd hear something. One dealer in the Portland metro area did tell us they were waiting for a shipment. Of what? 2016 holdovers? 2017s? Throw me a scone here. (I'd say <i>throw me a bone</i>, but you know, I'm vegan)</div>
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I even tried sending Honda Motorcycles USA a Facebook message inquiring about when they would be releasing information on the 2017 CB500x. I finally heard back from them, but instead of actually answering my questions on when and if we'll see 2017's, I get this cryptic response: "W<i>e apologize for the delayed response. We have some news this week that you will probably be interested in. Stay tuned! (thumbs up)</i>"</div>
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So, as I sit here with a triple shot of espresso coursing through my veins and my fingers drumming on my desk, I start delving further into the releases of the EICMA. More than one small displacement "adventure bike" was unveiled at the show. A Suzuki <a href="https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2016/11/09/2017-suzuki-v-strom-250-first-look-fast-facts/">V-Strom 250</a>, a BMW <a href="http://www.cyclenews.com/2016/11/article/2017-bmw-g-310-gs-first-look/">G 310 GS</a>, and a Kawasaki <a href="http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2016/11/nimble-2017-kawasaki-versys-x-300-abs-headed-to-u-s-market/">Versys 300x</a>.</div>
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I am really intrigued by the Versys 300x. Not only did they announce that it was coming to the USA, but they already have it listed on the Kawasaki website. <a href="https://www.kawasaki.com/Products/2017-Versys-X-300-ABS">LINK</a> And it seems to tick more boxes than the CB500x. They actually are producing it with a 19" front tire and 17" rear tire, gear indicator, light weight, ABS, and a 4.5 gallon fuel tank. It too is a parallel twin. The only box that isn't ticked when compared to a CB500x is that it is a 300cc motor. I'd rather it was 400cc-500cc, but it is based off the Ninja 300 so you'd think that would be more than ample power for how I ride. An added bonus would be if I could get some TKC-80's for it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(2017 Kawasaki Versys 300x - photo from Kawasaki.com)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijz2n0FgvqaE-7R3OWxe56JsJQyCU1XgbTxzZNoYE2ac1uUMixfBRVqf6ishvktomJIAo78EqhQyOgZer8TvdBEcrmEPd6caGSkt59h1O2EUYkZQff6KVIbTk3YcKV23VigtAiLutslA/s1600/lsgwd1xn.mvs-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijz2n0FgvqaE-7R3OWxe56JsJQyCU1XgbTxzZNoYE2ac1uUMixfBRVqf6ishvktomJIAo78EqhQyOgZer8TvdBEcrmEPd6caGSkt59h1O2EUYkZQff6KVIbTk3YcKV23VigtAiLutslA/s640/lsgwd1xn.mvs-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(2017 Kawasaki Versys 300x - photo from Kawasaki.com)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBOeHuv6ohA-zXSEDKFg2_QSfTKpgB5Ysa9q8ix4DDtifx4hiCeVA_SWGF0ZGjmS_1cVwHqCj3TTs6waW24OXy02aBA7zoaAdvbPbiBzgGD4Q1Is9qSH018hE1PyWjvIJvrRCL1-goQ/s1600/t1gai5ai.lmy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBOeHuv6ohA-zXSEDKFg2_QSfTKpgB5Ysa9q8ix4DDtifx4hiCeVA_SWGF0ZGjmS_1cVwHqCj3TTs6waW24OXy02aBA7zoaAdvbPbiBzgGD4Q1Is9qSH018hE1PyWjvIJvrRCL1-goQ/s640/t1gai5ai.lmy.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(2017 Kawasaki Versys 300x - photo from Kawasaki.com)</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0FMrnRgqxsVb80QwZE452OKjljoHGIL_b7_7Srs2hAfr3cQCXbz4LzVjmAqgW7ViV4F8ZXmja3RLZq5piXZi5R8mMZPwy-0lctl9GnOWtIoaKR0BwE1PnWGTo0dvy7Hg7ZeyTdwzKg/s1600/dbvq3yb1.mmg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0FMrnRgqxsVb80QwZE452OKjljoHGIL_b7_7Srs2hAfr3cQCXbz4LzVjmAqgW7ViV4F8ZXmja3RLZq5piXZi5R8mMZPwy-0lctl9GnOWtIoaKR0BwE1PnWGTo0dvy7Hg7ZeyTdwzKg/s640/dbvq3yb1.mmg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(2017 Kawasaki Versys 300x - photo from Kawasaki.com)</span></b></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2B3u3COg4e60_o2boE6rED-ufS7CMXf2sfGkwVXDhM13iJFuWxQlsR_hR0MojT4S9WgMYHsbLHIxrBAeuXNKhjICRKrFEg_GLEePL16u79BPC4lS5KDTB8E45Sd4KTRyEjkc14ellA/s1600/q5c4enyz.tmh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2B3u3COg4e60_o2boE6rED-ufS7CMXf2sfGkwVXDhM13iJFuWxQlsR_hR0MojT4S9WgMYHsbLHIxrBAeuXNKhjICRKrFEg_GLEePL16u79BPC4lS5KDTB8E45Sd4KTRyEjkc14ellA/s640/q5c4enyz.tmh.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(2017 Kawasaki Versys 300x - photo from Kawasaki.com)</span></b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
This sounds like a good excuse to go and visit our favorite Kawasaki dealer to see what they know about the new Versys 300x. At one point I was leaning towards the 2016 Versys 650, but just didn't want anything that heavy/bulky.</div>
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The Versys 300x would also be less expensive that the Honda so I'm thinking that might mean more funds for farkling too.</div>
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The winds of change......they be blowing.</div>
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<b>- Au Revoir</b></div>
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<b>"<i>I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure." </i>- Unknown</b></div>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc;">.</span></div>
Trobairitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.com35