So, how to followup our first grand motorcycle trip down 101 to the redwoods in 2014, well Flip really had a good time in Depoe Bay and he’s the boss of us, so there we go.
The ’08 Club’s new member rides an ’04 Road King, so he is in the club as an ’08 minus 4. All good. We’re sharing a condo just across from the ocean, and after our planning meetings at the Big O Saloon (Thanks, Barbarella (Kathy), we had no clue about where we were going, other than the condo.
Flip is a decider, though. So we hit a wayside, Wanda’s in Nehalem, the Cheese Factory, Pacific City and then GOALLLLLLL!!!!
Beautiful city, people, condo-mates. It’s great to be in Flip’s fan club.
Ready to hit the road! Launch pad is Petco in Warrenton. The second annual Run 101, Depoe Dive edition, commences!On Neahkahnie. Flip is braver than everyone except Carl.Tillamook Cheese Factory celebrating the second annual Run 101.Flip and Laird are ready to have a cool one in Pacific City. At Pelican Brewery in Pacific City. We’re close now.Flip in his never-ending quest to find his mother at Pelican Brewery in Pacific City.Flip got a wild hair to stop at a the wayside JUST before Depoe Bay. Really? Hold it 30 seconds longer. OK, it was beautiful at Boiler Bay.All the beautiful creatures hang out here in Depoe BayFlip sports a braid keeper in mohawk style. Always a fashion plate; always thinking.At our soon-to-be favorite restaurant in Depoe Bay, Gracie’s Sea Hag, head hag and her hagger peruse the options while we wait on our condo to be ready.Touchdown. View from our deck. Not too shabby!First sunset. Just chillin’.
We decided to make our goodbyes Saturday night so we would not be too teary-eyed, but Shawn still came out early to help pack up and send us on our way. We probably blasted Kim and Jana with our revving.
For Laura, this was the best road day, with not only fun highways, but also most excellent views and beautiful ponies all along the way.
Our only real hurdle, other than my parking in Creston, B.C. (another story for another day) was our border crossing. Here are some words for the wise, or wizened. At the border:
• Just proceed to the stop sign, even if there is no vehicle in front of you and the sign says stop here until the vehicle in front moves ahead.
• Do not, under any circumstances have your Nexus card ready on a motorcycle if it means holding it in your teeth . If you are on a motorcycle, you can’t hold them in your hands and shift, so at some point, Carl put our cards in his mouth. DO NOT DO THIS.
• Canadian border patrol do NOT approve of things with possible spit on them. Not even a little bit. He even impugned our Oregon traffic laws as we deigned to move forward since there was no car in front of us. In any case, we were in the wrong, and although he was ticked at us, he was Canadian nice (in a passive-aggressive way) asking if we had stop signs in Oregon, etc.
• So, even though we had prepared for the crossing, we wound up digging for driver’s licenses and answering a bunch of questions. So much for smooth.
Now we are on the poutine trail. Head’s up, U.S. restaurants: You need to offer this Canadian delicacy, but make sure it has bacon attached.
We did have a dandy poutine in Creston, B.C., trying as Kim suggested, pulled-pork poutine. Other spots along the poutine trail failed a little as there was no bacon. We really thought this was one of the four basic ingredients: French fries, gravy, cheese curds and BACON.
In any case, we rolled on, eschewing the ferry trip for a pleasant roll through the mountains to Castlegar. Our Super 8 had a great room with our view was the super slide to the pool. Very entertaining.
Good day.
Heading out of Whitefish, Montana. It was awesome seeing family again after 10 years. Thanks for seeing us off, Shawn.Glacier Harly-Davidson in Kallispell, Montanta. Wish they were open earlier on a Sunday.Heading to Canada and had to stop in Idaho.Umm. Whatever, wiith your trees and water.More Idaho friggin’ beauty.Carl, get your face in the selfie as Flip and I can’t carry the full deal.Poutine at Jimmy’s Pub and Grill in Creston, B.C. This was the pulled pork suggested by sister Kim. It was awesome. Stop 1 on the poutine trail.Pretty, Flip. Now what?Stayed at the really nice Super 8 in Castlegar, B.C. The Black Rooster Classic Bar and Grill served up fine fare.
We had an emotional day Friday, with much laughter, hugs, tears and more hugs. Ten years is far too long to not lay eyes on those you love and share your memories with. At times it was overwhelming.
Day 2 in Whitefish was highlighted by a helicopter tour over Glacier National Park. It was stunningly beautiful … and for some of us terrifying or “head between the knees time.” I wouldn’t trade the experience, but as someone who felt already tested by our motorcycle ride for my MMA (Masters of Motorcycle Administration), I thought this was at least worth an honorary doctorate.
And, did you know they expect the remaining glaciers to melt in 25-30 years? So get your groove on now and see these before they are gone for good.
After touchdown (Dave Matthews’ “Crash” was playing as we landed, just saying) and kissing the ground (kidding, really wanted to) half of us went to downtown Whitefish to shop while the remainder headed to nap, drink, contact the authorities about our awesome knee-knocking adventure.
Before heading downtown, the intrepid shoppers headed to the Whitefish Emergency Services building, which is way swankier than the Whitfish Police Department storefront downtown in the 70s. Our hope was to nab patches to add to our scrapbooks from Marilyn (awesome!). No humans were in residence, but Jana persisted and dispatch sent a fine young officer to hear our plight. Not only was our dad chief of police in the town, but I had designed the patch the most recent design was based on. The officer tried to dig some up, but then gave us names and numbers to maybe get the job done.
Later, there was jet-skiing and hanging out talking and then another amazing dinner.
A beautiful day, a beautiful family. I am so lucky. Fliptastic.
Flip’s ready to take the Glacier Heli Tours copter over Glacier National Park. He’s wide-eyed and bushy tailed, just without the tail.The first explorers taking off.
Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter.Glacier National Park by helicopter. St. Mary’s Lodge below on Lake McDonald.Stalking the Whitefish Police for their patches.Eerily similar to one designed by Laura in the late 70s. Just saying.Frozen yogurt in downtown Whitefish, Montana.Capturing downtown Whitefish, facing south.Having a talking about in Marilyn and Jim’s room at the Lodge at Whtiefish Lake.Good times at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake. We should really hang out more oftent.Family time at Whitefish.Sunset over Whitefish Lake.Sunset over Whitefish Lake.Sunset over Whitefish Lake.Sunset over Whitefish Lake.Dinner at the Lodge. Good times.
