When I embarked on this little journey I thought it would be an interesting “adventure.” Yesterday certainly lived up to that definition. Going across central Washington on Highway 2 was like riding through hell! By the time I hit Davenport ( a pit!), it was too hot for my motorcycle jacket. I changed into a long sleeve shirt so my arms wouldn’t get toasted too badly and took off.
Central Washington is really desolate. Between Davenport and Coulee City there was a stretch where I literally rode about 40 miles and I did not pass one car going west or did anyone pass me. There were a few cars going East but it was friggin’ deserted. I kept thinking, “This would be a really bad place to have mechanical problems!” Fortunately (knock on wood) the bike behaved beautifully.
Once I got to Coulee City, it was obvious I was going to get to Wenatchee way too early to check in so I decided to take a 55 mile (round trip) detour up to Coulee Dam which I haven’t seen since I was a kid. It was a pretty ride but HOT!
When I finally rolled in to Wenatchee, it was 99 degrees! I parked the bike, covered it up and locked it down figuring whatever was within walking distance, that was where dinner would be. I’m not looking forward to the ride back across Washington.
Today I’m heading for Bellingham where it is supposed to be in the 70’s. I can’t wait. I will stop in Leavenworth, a little Germanic town along the way ( think Solvang, CA) and then on over to the coast. I’m looking forward to a break from the motorcycle for a couple of days.
There are certainly some similarities between this motorcycle ride and my long bicycle rides. They are both a bit grueling in their own way and sometimes in the morning you think about what lies ahead. But, the hardest part is getting out the door and on the bike. Once I’m on the road, I just settle in to the routine and watch the miles tick away. I’m sure I will have a big smile on my face when I pull up to my hotel at Bellingham harbor today.