My Adventure Begins!

 

Aug 17

Finally sold the car. It was the only excuse from pulling up chocks and heading out.

The first part of the trip is just a shake down.  Heading up to see Gina and Dean and help them (or hinder).  On the way I stopped several times to check the trailor tie downs.  The Motorcycle’s straps kept loosening and although not enough to be alarming, I didn’t like it.  Near Lynwood I stopped at a target parking lot to check and the minute I got into the lot the engine bogged and wouldn’t respond.  I didn’t have much with me so a tow bill later I spent the first night at Gateway Automotive until they could figure out how much to charge me for what I’m sure ended up a simple fuel filter.  Let’s call it a golden filter with some diamonds impregnated ALL OVER IT!  Gieco did pay for the tow at least.

I had done a little research on places to stay.  Funny how you don’t think of all the questions to ask, but my criteria was cheap, safe and comfortable.  Ended up staying at a place that I will benchmark all other places to because it was PERFECT PLUS!  The plus might be construed wrong so let me say that it was well maintained and pretty, had great facilities and secluded, the people were friendly and accommodating… and clothing was optional!  That’s right, a nudist park…. Go figure.

So my first ride was appropriately a modified version of  the Mountain Loop Hwy route from Arlington to Granite Falls, east to Silverton, up a gravel road to Darrington continuing to Rockport then back along the Skagit River  to State RT 9 and south to Lake McMurray where the camp was.

  Weather is ideal in August in the Great Northwest and pictures are easy to take.  If I were a dairyman, this is where I would want to be.

South East of Arlington the Jordan River Valley produced my first surprise.  I didn't realize we had so many foot bridges here.

the rivers are all slow in August but that makes for soothing sounds while camping

This is the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River.  Learn to say that, Gina works for the Stilly Tribe
and their purpose is to protect the river and it's watershed.

The road meanders with the river and is gravel at this point for about 10 miles. The blog's background picture was taken here.

 I'm looking for the paved stuff myself and this corridor below is typical Western Washington

The Scenic Bi-ways here always display a little history as this 700 yr old Doug Fir section tells

 The riding is the relaxing reason for the trip, but before I really get going I offered my help at Double Creek Ranch, my daughter Gina and her husband Dean's dream of the future.  I will be here till the end of August, then head east to Montana.....and so on....and so on