BigJohnSD, "Dr Thompson" (Scott), and Fontanaman Pacific North West 2025

[bigjohnsd]

Looks like an awesome trip John. I thought the September Western trip was canceled because of dog sitting issues?

We missed the Baker City Shindig due to Dog Sitting, this is the retribution trip.

[fontanaman]

After a spirited ride over North Cascades,

~G

On the North Cascades Hwy is there any other way to go besides spirited?

[bigjohnsd]

Day 4 - 13 September 2025, Omak, WA to Bellingham, WA via the North Cascade Highway, Artist Point, and other fun roads. 325 miles, 7.0 hours riding 1 hour off the bikes.

We left Omak at 0800, rode to Okanaogan, then Twisp, and on to Winthrop, then continued on The North Cascade Highway to the summit and the Washington Pass Observation Site where we stopped for a few photos. After a short break we headed West again on the North Cascade Highway and stopped at the Diablo Lake Vista. More Photos. We sped down the hill to Sedro Wooley before heading to Mt Baker/Artist Point. After a short viewing hike and photo session we headed down to pur motel for the evening in Bellingham. Our new riding buddy Brad, who lives in Bellingham, picked us up and took us to dinner at the Rock and Rye Oyster House.




Brad, ready to join his new Internet friends


George and Scott patiently waiting to leave.







On the Road again.
Nearing the top!






Alps, Schmalps, SkooterG!

L-R Scott, Jim, George, John

Photo by Brad


L-R Brad, Scott, George, Jim



at the Diablo Lake Overlook

First good look at Mt Baker



A closer view



A little "Food Porn" from tonight.









Thanks Brad!

Tomorrow we plan to make our way over to the Olympic Peninsula.

Stay Tuned!

[wheatonFJR]

After a spirited ride over North Cascades,

~G

On the North Cascades Hwy is there any other way to go besides spirited?

Well, if wifey is on the back, its 40F and just fkn pouring... it tempers things a little bit. Lol. Kudos to George and my Black driver for enduring it along with us. It was a fun run though...getting east of the monsoon, warming up and looking at those peaks made it well worth it. Lol.

Glad you guys had a great run!

Edit: Awesome photos...reminds me of good times.

[bigjohnsd]

Day 5 - 14 September 2025, Bellingham, WA to Port Angeles, WA via Cape Flattery, WA - 290 miles, 7.5 hours riding 2.5 hour off the bikes including the ferry.



We left Bellingham in a drizzle and headed towards the Port Townsend Ferry via WA 11.
We caught the 1015 ferry and were soon headed out onto the Olympic Peninsula bound for Cape Flattery. We walked out to the end of the point, about .8 miles down hill, took a few pictures and then slowly climbed back up to the bikes. I felt all of my 73 years.
After Cape Flattery we returned to Port Angeles and our motel. We then walked another mile to dinner and Ubered back.
A few highlights

Desolation Pass


Ferry - last on



The WEAX cleared as we headed out towards Cape Flattery


Scott and Jim ready for the trek


It started easy, but soon the root strewn path got steep and wet









But worth the walk in the end, it took us an hour and a half to make the trek out and back.

Perfect WEAX for our ride!





And this beautiful lake on our way back to Port Angeles

Todays food porn

Smoked Salmon Chowder - a little light on Salmon and heavy on potatoes


Coconut Shrimp - Excellent
Oysters - not as good as last night
Salad - good

Jim and Scott reportedv that the Halibut was excellent


Scott's Cheesecake was excellent! I had the last bite he couldn't finish.

Tomorrow we will head for Astoria, OR.

Stay tuned!

[Hppants]

You guys are really stepping it up, dinner wise! Look at you with your cloth napkins and shit. Right on!

I'll have to remember to pack a clean shirt when I ride with ya'll.

[bigjohnsd]

You guys are really stepping it up, dinner wise! Look at you with your cloth napkins and shit. Right on!

I'll have to remember to pack a clean shirt when I ride with ya'll.

You only live once! Spending their inheritance. Planning for the last check to the nursing home to bounce....

[bigjohnsd]

Day 6 - 15 September 2025, Port Angeles, WA to Astoria, OR via US 101 - 250 miles, 5.5 hours riding 4.5 hour off the bikes.



We left Port Angeles at 0700.


The first 50 miles were fantastic, good scenery, little traffic on 101 and great curvy roads. Breakfast was at Kalaloch Lodge, an NPS Lodge right on the coast.

Not food porn worthy, but hot, filling and satisfying. The scenery made it all worthwhile.




We stopped a few hours later for Flat Whites at the Black Crow.




101 frequently takes you close to the ocean


The mighty Columbia River at Astoria!


We watched a LNG fueled RoRo Car Carrier come under the bridge from the Columbia Monument.


Pretty Comfortable!



Scott did all the work while Jim and I took in the view.

Truly a beautiful day! Kind of rare at Astoria.

The Columbia Monument from our hotel


We spent an hour getting educated at the Maritime museum.


The Coast Guard trains their rescue boat crews and captains here at Astoria in the Columbia. The toughest bar to cross in the world.

Fishing, is still important in Astoria


Nice view from the room


Supper was Fish and Chips at the dive bar across the tracks from our waterfront digs.


Tomorrow we will head for Mt Hood via a cirquitous route.

Ice Cream is in our future! Stay tuned!

[Auburn]

here is a great breakfast place in Astoria Pig N Pancake https://www.pignpancake.com/locations--menu.html

We always stop in for breakfast there when passing through.

[wheatonFJR]

here is a great breakfast place in Astoria Pig N Pancake https://www.pignpancake.com/locations--menu.html

We always stop in for breakfast there when passing through.

Sounds awesome. Travelers Rest needs one.

[fontanaman]

This has been an awesome ride. Hwy 112 is in rough shape and no road for an FJR ES. I got pitch around pretty good by unwelcome chassis movement. Great road in serious need of rebuilding.

A few days before I left on this ride I was swinging a 5 lbs pick trying to remove a Japanese Maple root ball. I failed and since then my left shoulder has been popping a bit. Ibuprofen has helped as did the smooth pavement yesterday where I got to sample the FJR passing abilities.

[Toter]

This has been an awesome ride. Hwy 112 is in rough shape and no road for an FJR ES. I got pitch around pretty good by unwelcome chassis movement. Great road in serious need of rebuilding.

A few days before I left on this ride I was swinging a 5 lbs pick trying to remove a Japanese Maple root ball. I failed and since then my left shoulder has been popping a bit. Ibuprofen has helped as did the smooth pavement yesterday where I got to sample the FJR passing abilities.

At this stage in life, swinging a 5 lb. pick, attacking roots and stumps, is a task best left for young guys, with you observing with checkbook in hand! Screwed up shoulders are a PITA.

[bigjohnsd]

Day 7 - 16 September 2025, Astoria, OR to Government Camp, OR via Cannon Beach, OR, Tillamook OR, Mt Hood Timberline Lodge - 256 miles, 6.5 hours riding 2 hours off the bikes.

We had a late start - 0830 from Starbucks it was on our route.


Todays travels

We stopped several times along 101 South of Astoria for pictures, Scott doesn't get to see the ocean often, it is a long ways from Rapid City, SD.



This stretch reminds me of the Apostles along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia.

Scott and Jim

the Easterly breeze was blowing the spray behind the breaking waves.



Our first real stop was in Tillamook


We just had to honor Mssr "Pants

Scott went "Whole Hog"with a Three Scoop Sampler! Jim and I restrained ourselves.


The single scoop of Espresso Chip was mighty fine, my first ice cream in many months and it was quite good, thanks Joey!

It was a beautiful day to travel the coast, mid-70s F and a little breeze.


A little further South, at Beaver, OR, we turned inland and headed East towards Salem on the Blaine Rd, then the Upper Nestucca Rd. A great run through the coastal mountains.



The road was a tight twisty generally smooth Goat Trail.

After crossing I-5 South of Portland we hastened through the heat (we saw 90F) and then rode up to our ultimate days objective, Mt Hood.


Which was pretty barren. Both Jim and I remarked on the near total absence of snow, there is usually enough for snowboarders and skiiers even this late in the summer.

Jim broke off when Scott and I headed to the Timberline Lodge.
as he has been and skied there many times.




One hell of a view from the Lodge!


Mt Jefferson in the distance.



We are in Government Camp for the evening. Tomorrow we head for John Day, OR and a few days riding "In the Box" IYKYK!

Stay tuned.