Lucky Lab Brew

I'm sitting here in the alphabetic district of Portland @ the Lucky Lab Brewery, drinking beer, eating pizza and chilling. Everything (except my wife, my dog, and my dorky cat) are here. Well, OK, I only have once bicycle, no climbing gear. But shit, I'm close....OK, not really even close, but it's cool, nonetheless.

Did I mention I have a buzz?

An Event Filled Day

6:07 am - Awake. I was worried about getting out of bed early enough. I guess that isn't a problem
6:21 am - Out of bed, but my brain is a litte foggy
6:25 am - Feed the best dog in the work, Fish Sauce
6:30 am - Put in contact lense
6:42 am - Get CD's ready for drive to Portland
6:45 am - Sit in hot tub...Hmm...
6:55 am - Exit hot tub...Brrr....
6:57 am - Get dressed
7:05 am - Get truck loaded

7:09 am - Leave house, Fish Sauce and I are Big Tundra Riding Dirty
7:12 am - QFC donut purchase :)
7:18 am - Starbucks non fat double tall latte
7:20 am - Southbound Road Bound
10:30 am - Hillsboro area
10:45 am - Arrive Beta bike house
10:47 am - Leave Beta bike house for auto parts store for receiver hitch pin
11:08 am - Reciever hitch pin purchase. Met Richard @ the auto parts store. He liked my truck.
11:25 am - Return to Beta bike house, meet seller
11:35 am - Chitty chat motorcycles
11:55 am - Quick 20 yard ride on Beta bike. Looks good. No blue engine smoke, starts right up.
12:10 pm - Load trailer into receiver
12:25 pm - Load Beta bike onto trailer
12:30 pm - Chat motorcycles again, and buy Gary's trials boots for 20 bucks
12:40 pm - Have no cash, return from Well Fargo ATM
12:42 pm - Chat motorcycle straps

12:45 pm - Say Goodbye
12:50 pm - Arbys Turkey/Swiss sandwich order
12:55 pm - Northbound road bound
4:00 pm - Kekland

4:15 pm - Unload stuff from truck
4:30 pm - Clean up Gaerne http://www.gaerne.com/ boots. (pronounced gah-earn-ah)
5:20 pm - Power nap
6:00 pm - Animal feeds
6:04 pm - Dinner prep begins
6:25 pm - Eat Dinner
6:45 pm - Watch movie http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Yes_Men/70000103?trkid=222336&lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=1742694367_0_0
8:30 pm - Watch DVR recorded HBO show, Flight of the Conchords
9:02 pm - Tub time
9:35 pm - Exit tub time
10:10 - Lights out
10:15 - Post movie blog http://suckymovies.blogspot.com/2008/03/yes-men.html
10:23 - Blog about movie blog

So overall, not a bad drive to Portland. Met some really nice people who've decided to get rid of a couple of their motorcycle toys. Mostly hers not his. Fish Sauce always loves a road trip.

The Beta bike is nice. It started right up and is in really good shape. I gave them their asking price as that was more than reasonable. What benefit to I really gain in haggling? None.

Loading the bike was pretty easy, and even with my cheapy straps (not really heavy duty motorcycle straps) the bike sat back on the trailer really well. That trailer is another great Craigslist purchase!

The boots were a total surprise. I didn't really even know what I was buying, as I'd never seen a trials boot. They appear softer and more wearable than an MX or Road boot. Nice rubber platform for your feet. Honestly they looked as if they've only been worn a couple of times, max.

Once I got them home and really inpected them, it was clear they were a little dried out (since they had sat from unuse) but with some light Simple Green scrubbing and a good application of mink oil really cleaned up nice. All leather Italian made trials riding boots? What a huge score! They are the balance oiled model. Very classic.

AAC meeting in Bend OR

The American Alpine Club is having it's annual meeting in Bend OR! This is a pretty cool even, since they have asked some of the best climbers in the country to come out and give instruction, in one of the coolest places to climb, Brian (I broke my girlie ankle) and I are going

Holy FUCKING SHIT! OK, I just looked to see who is showing up! This is gonna be so very cool. Do NOT forget my camera!

Hells Canyon - Next Morning

So I get up pretty early (5:30) and just hang out listening to everything (or nothing depending upon your perspective). I was slightly grimy, so I had a washcloth bath, ate some breakfast, and decided to take a leisurely morning, taking photos, and make my way on to Boise.
On my way from Hells Canyon, I found this spot in the road. It was a nice morning, so I figured I would stop and wait. I waited, and waited and waited. I never saw one. Oh well, time to head on to Boise. I hope its not hot there.

Hells Canyon - Backcountry Bacon

Since I don't have a fridge, I am little limited for food storage. I'd eaten all my pork chops from the night before, so I had to go with what the little merc store had in Imnaha. It wasn't much to be really honest. They DID have 1/2 lb of bacon, so I bought that and a little Dr. Pepper (that I eventually never drank) I will say two things. One, bacon on an open flame makes for some exciting and high-flame shooting grilling. Two, these pieces of bacon with some Tilamook cheddar cheese on a plain bagel were pretty damned good. Especially nice without those pesky little mosquitos.

Hells Canyon - New camp spot

So I head south on the 39, take a right on some road (as I recall I was looking for a specific for road that I never ended up finding. Anyway, I drove to the top of this rough, rutted road looking for a nice spot to spend the night. Oooo...I find a place in the trees. Nice. Get out of the truck, and BAM!

They swarm me like crazy. Oh hell, I just drove all this way and I'm now in hell? However I won't give up. It's getting late in the afternoon (5pm-ish) and I need to find a spot....I dash back into the truck and head more towards an open area @ the top of the hill.

Ahh...top of the hill, little breeze so no mosquitos. Yes...I am saved. Time for some dinner!!

Hells Canyon - Headed South Again!

So I get back on a paved road and start heading south through Hells Canyon. I don't really have a plan of where I'm going or which campground I'll stay, but so far, I've been pretty lucky.

Hells Canyon - Time to find a new spot

So after a 4 hour ride, some lunch, a dip in the stream to clean up, I decide it's time to move to a new area. I like this camp spot, just fine, but there is SOO much of this park to see. Here is my spot. Can you believe I'm gonna leave this? Neither can I. The tall soft weeds were pushed down before I put my tent there. Since I've seen tons of deer, I figured it was a good spot for me too.

Hells Canyon - Time for a Ride

So the next morning, I get up kinda early, and head out for a ride. The plan is to follow this dirt road road for a while and then get on what is called cow creek trail (#1699). According to a chick @ the local sporting goods store in Joesph OR, its a nice ride.

This is early in the ride, I've just crossed over this bridge at icicle stream. With the amount of rain, it was more "river" than stream.

This is my "check out the double track, dude!" shot. The "road" was kinda rough, but certainly ridable for full suspension. Not sure I would want a hard tail on this. Later, it turns to single track, but becomes a little rougher.

After a couple more miles on a gradual uphill, I get to an intersection where I can continue on towards the Snake River (12 miles) or poach (poach as in bikes not allowed therefore I should not ride it) a hike/horse only trail for 5 miles. It's getting hot so I decide time to swing around. I stop @ a spot where folks on horse have set up a camp, right next to Cow Creek.

Only had the legs to set up this shot once. However, it turned out to be one of my favorite photos of this entire trip.

Hells Canyon - A nice camping spot

So I have a nice map of entire Hells Canyon area (it's huge) and find myself a really nice little camp spot about 20+ miles deep into the park, right next to a little stream/river. I have my Olympian propane grill and a tent, my mountain bike. Just missing my dog, and my wife (in that order, yes) and I would be totally set. Oh, I gues my climbing gear, my climbing partner Brian, Fabien and Michelle would be fun. Oh and....hell. SO I scrambled up a little hill and took this photo of the valley where I camped. The double track road below is what I drove in on. While I was here, for 2+ days, I saw only one truck pulling a horse trailer on a road above me. Never saw another soul.

Further South to Hells Canyon

So on my way to Hells Canyon, I drive through the little town of Joseph OR. This isn't much of a town, but has tried to do a little with some tourist appeal (hell, every town is trying to get some of those camera toting, RV pulling tourist dollars) so I figure since I read that Chief Joseph was buried here, I would check it out. So this is the sign to an area that is probably 2000 square feet at best. In the middle is a monument for Chief Joseph. The explaination on the burial states that Chief Joseph was only buried here recently and was ORIGINALLY buried new Wallona OR. I was so disappointed, I could only take a picture of the sign. Oh and as the sign clearly indicates, there is no lake or river access here...

So I've wanted to come out to Hells Canyon, for quite a while. Overall I think this is a really cool place and if you want to get into some back country, away from people (via horse, mountain bike or hike) this is a great place to go. Car camping (4x4), in my opinion is fantastic here. What do I like about it best? There are few people.I've just crossed over into the boundary of Hells Canyon National Recreation area, just outside Imnaha OR. Fortunately this area got an extra ordinary amount of rain in the late spring/early summer so it was pretty lush and green. As I recall it was about 75 degress and wonderful every single day. Fantastic.

Oregon Caddy

Nice car!!

This is outside the ONLY coffee place in Ontario OR. I couldn't decide if this was so much an Eastern OR car or a Western ID car. Either way, it was a classic. You have to admit, it's pretty amazing that this POS even runs. Look at it. Outdated Chevy design, horrible sheet metal, crappy craftsmenship. What we would call good old American iron! Looks like 20 years AFTER this car was built, GM really hasn't changed!

Dennys

We ate here several times. Yea, just like the 60 year old retired folks. Let me tell you, you CANNOT get into this place @ 5pm. Wall to wall blue hairs! Gotta a better shot of waiting until 7pm, and competing with Billy Joe Bob who's got his kids for the weekend. Actually, I refused to eat in these places, for years and years, but I have to admit now, the food ain't that bad, and they always serve breakfast. I had on a couple of instances the Lumberjack Slam. Let me tell you this is a heap of food!

• Three buttermilk pancakes (Yummy!!)
• A slice of grilled honey ham (Not half-bad)
• Two bacon strips (Crispy!)
• Two sausage links (Low cal, not!)
• Two eggs (Over easy, mr hair-netted friend!)
• Hash browns or grits (Hashies of course, I'm from Idaho for Christ's sake!)
• Your choice of bread (Wheat toast, thank you!)

The total was usually under 20 dollars, but well over 20,000 calories. Yea brother. Oh and get this, the Denny's in Ontario OR, was one of the few in the US that actually served BEER!!!

Denny's facts

• Denny’s is the most recognized name in family dining providing good food and service for more than 50 years. With approximately 1,600 restaurants across America and systemwide sales of more than $2 billion, Denny’s is the largest full-service family restaurant chain in the United States.
• At year end 2004, there were 1,603 Denny’s restaurants: 553 were owned and operated by the company and 1,050 were operated under franchise and licensing

1603 locations?

Clouds of Gold

Near nowheresville OR

The clouds were the only nice thing to look at in this mind numbing place in which to drive. If you ever need to go this direction, take a plane.

More Random Oregon Shots

I don't remember where this is.....
A cloudy shot of the Umpqua River Lighthouse near Reedsport, OR

Litehouse Deli - Halibut Fish and Chips!

We stopped @ the Litehouse Deli and Cafe and had some very yummy fish and chips!

Bizzarr-o Beach Experience

Funky Decorations @ South Beach State Park OR

We found some random beach crap and made our own contributions!

Kuri found a rock about the size of her head and packed it around like it was the prize of the world.

You guess.....What was in the box we found on the beach? Great Auntie Mildred!

We tossed her back.

Somewhere south of Lincoln City

Mrs Dirtbagger, in a new jacket and hat, somewhere south of Lincoln city, OR Kuri, in her more traditional and standard jacket and hat, somewhere south of Lincoln city, OR

Pets, Price, Place

On our road trips, we stay at motel 6 for three reasons.

1. Pet Friendly - Very few hotel chains will allow dogs. Motel 6 does. Bravo!
2. Price - Why spend tons of money on a motel room?
3. Place - Most of the time, if a piece of shit hasn't stolen the towels, the rooms are just fine. It's a great place to stay!

Tonight we're in Lincoln City. As far as a Motel 6, it was really nice.

HOWEVER, here is the problem with Motel 6. Cheap low class inconsiderate bastards stay there. Sometimes, they can be really irritating. One night some bastard was trying to wrap something up with one of those giant blue tarps, in the back of his nasty dog fart of a jeep. He crinkled and rattled this tarp until I thought I would kill myself. However, near the stroke of midnight. Fortunately I've learned patience, and he quit.

Oh back to Lincoln City. It was a nice Motel 6. Brand new!

Time to Ramble On

After getting to see some cool things, it was time to head down the road. Kuri had had quite enough of sitting in the truck and was ready to go swimming in the marshy water. Nothing like a wet dog in your truck for a 3500 mile adventure! I think I'd rather wear a cat turd around my neck on a string made of garlic!

Speaking of cat turds, Hootie Dootie didn't go this trip. Basically he's a pain in the ass to travel with. He stays home.