Day One, Cranbrook BC to Yakima Washington

On the first day I rode from Cranbrook to Yakima. It was mostly a mile maker day and I stayed on the bike as much as I could.

As usual, my trip starts with coffee at KRC.

I stopped at the top of the Kootenay Pass just west of Creston BC to get a photo. It was a pretty cool day as the snow was on the ground just a a little bit above the road. Probably no more than 50 ft above. 

At the bottom of the pass, I turned towards Nelway and crossed in the US. Metaline falls is about 1/2 hour below the border and this is where I first stopped. This little resturant is worth finding and I had a great breakfast

About 20 minutes south of Metaline Falls you can turn West at Tiger. This is a very twisty ride for the first half of the way to Kettle Falls. There are lots of 30, 20 and even 15 MPH corners.

Once in Kettle Falls I headed south along the Columbia River.

I stopped in Davenport to do some online banking and have a cup of coffee. The trees are changing all along the way.

I kept going south and got into Harrington. I thought I could see a short cut to the freeway, it did not turn out that way. I ended up a bit lost, but just kept heading south and west and found a road that got me out to I-90. Once there I pretty much stayed on the throttle until I got to Mosses Lake. I decided to eat supper there, as it was getting late. My original destination for the day was Yakima, but my "short cut" had cost me some time, and I was not going to get in before it got dark. So I decided to make my way and stay at the first Mom & Pop motel I could find. That was in Othello. A nice little motel, not fancy, but clean, and I had a tiger to protect me all night as I slept.

Time for one last ride this fall

The plan is to load up on Monday, so I can head out on Tuesday. I will be gone for 9 or so days. This is the baseline route, but I will see where the roads takes me.

A complete Update when I get home.

One last post of the trip..... some of the Images I processed when I got home.

Some of the Images I post processed when I got home. In no particular order.....

This is almost at the top of the Beartooth Pass

Looking North West from the top of the Galena Pass towards the Sawtooth range of the Rocky Mountains. Stanley Idaho, is just to the far right of the picture in the valley down below.

Idaho wheat field.

The Grand Tetons on the other side of Jackson Lake.

Top of the Lolo to home .... Day 7

After a great sleep, I packed up and headed over for breakfast. The restaurant opens early. There is also a gift shop with lots of items in it that would make great keepsakes.

At the very top there is a tourist building worthy of stopping in. 

At the top and ready to head down the East side. A nice road, but not as good as the West side. 

One last stop in Whitefish at the Macdonalds to get out of the heat. It had been a very warm last three days of riding, and very smokey so I did not take a lot of images. 

Stanley Idaho to the Top of the Lolo Pass..... Day 6

After a great sleep in a wonderful hotel, and quick breakfast I packed up and headed west onto some very curvy motorcycle type road on the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway.

This is the top of New Highway 95. Next time I will ride up Old Highway 95, which is just to the left of this picture. It is the original highway that is very twisty with lots of switchbacks. 

At the bottom of the Lolo Pass. And yes, that sign says 99 miles of Twisty highway, and it is.

All the way along the road you ride either beside, or on, the original trail that Lewis and Clark came through back in the day. Some of that trail is still motorcycle and Jeep worthy, but you best be prepared to take your time, and have spare tires if you go.

I was aiming towards Missoula for the night, but found this Gem about 15 miles west of the top of the pass. I was very fortunate to get a room. I also ate there and the food was very good. I have stayed in a lot of hotels in my days, but without a doubt this was the quietest and darkest place I have every been in.  The lodge and restaurant is open 365 days a year, but if you want to stay there, best get a reservation long in advance. I was just fortunate that they had a cancellation as I walked in the door, other wise there would have been no room at the Inn.

Jackson Hole to Stanley Idaho ..... Day 5

West of Jackson Hole there are two mountain passes that take you into Idaho. Once through Idaho Falls you get into the some serious desert country. This is just before you get to Craters of the Moon park.

 Once through Craters of the Moon, you get to Arco. This is THE place to eat. Dont miss it. They have special parking for Motorcycles and the food is amazing.

 Now I was heading towards Sun Valley. Idaho has many places to get great photographs.

 At the top of the Galena pass looking North West, and eventually into Stanly Idaho.

The Stanley High Country Inn. Defiantly a place to stay. It use to be the private fishing lodge of a Casino owner from Vegas. The owner said that he use to have his buddies up back in the day to go fishing. I sat in the same room having a coffee that The Chairman Of The Board (Frank Sinatra) use to sit in with his buddies and smoke cigars. Not overly expensive, but you best reserve ahead if you want to stay.

She let me park Betty under cover to keep her clean.