bluekat's Journeys

I wait around for warmer weather, but it never comes. I do chores around the house. I run errands in the car. Cookie and I stop at Cheadle Lake. There's ice. Ice! We take a little walk, hoping to take some photos, but I don't like the angle of the sun. The light is harsh and in my face, so we head home. I think again about digging out the motorcycle. It's still cold. I don't want to pile on all the gear. I'll have to stop and fill the gas tank. I seem to have a dozen excuses not to ride. But it's really beautiful out. Blue skies. I just can't stay home. Inspired by another blogger, I pull out the gear and get ready. See, warmer already. And the bike is ready; she starts right up eager to go. I pick a route that should give me about an hour of riding. It's one of our bicycle routes, "head to Shedd". I puzzle out the best vent-shield-sunglasses-breathguard combination that will give me the best view of the road with the least amount of foggi...

We rode with Santiam Spokes today. We started in Scio at Roger and May's house and road part of the covered bridge route, about 21 miles altogether. Gilkey bridge, hungry hill, then rode out to Richardson's Gap. Bev and Dian rode out to Larwood covering the full 32 mile route. We caught a glimpse of Shimanek bridge, but all but Bill turned back toward Scio. Gilkey Bridge Hoffman Bridge Snow in the hills Interesting foundation remains...wonder what it was for?

Small hiking trip to McDowell Creek. Took the point and shoot, but end up wishing we took the dslr.

I guess we must be restless, because it wasn't long before we had the bikes out and on our way out of town. We head out to Golden Valley Road and other backroads into Lacomb. We wind our way down to Crabtree creek where I finally have to stop and ditch the buff around my neck. Ron takes out the camera and makes a nuisance of himself, before I can get back on the road. We cross Larwood bridge, but don't stop. There is another biker there enjoying the peaceful evening. We head toward Richardson's Gap with the sun glaring in our eyes. South on Richardson's Gap Road past the old Bohemian Hall. I don't know if this is it's actual name. But that's the name I know it by. Beautiful Sunset from Hidden Valley Road.

After a beautiful ride on Saturday, and a lovely ride this morning on the Suzi's we decided to take another short ride on the bicycles. We picked our favorite loop along the South Santiam River. Train trestle crossing the Santiam. We stopped at the diversion dam for a few pics and just to hang out for a bit. The artsy, textural, ooh look at the pretty rocks pic! Fish ladder I don't know how people take this kind of self portrait and come out looking good, but it seems this type of portraiture is required these days. More artsy, funky, knarly root stuff...better known as sweepers or strainers. It really belongs on the outside curve of the river so my kayak can rush right in to its waiting limbs. One more shot of the dam, this time from the opporsite shore. We stopped on the other side to rest after trying to out ride a fellow on a cruiser. Turns out he had a little electric motor - cheater! Really, we were just cheered that he was getting out and riding as much as he co...

It's warm. It's sunny. I decide to ride over and meet Ron after work and maybe go for a little ride around the area. I park at the front gate and wait until he comes out. We stop for hamburgers then head out toward Jefferson. We decide a little covered Bridge tour is in order, so first stop is Gilkey Bridge. I try to pull over before the bridge, but the road is sloped so that I can't get the side stand down. Ok, we park on the other side of the bridge. Looks like a mini-motorcycle riding a motorcycle. Really bad angle for a pic! In 2007 this bridge was damaged by a cherry picker that had left his bucket loose. The bridge was closed for some time which was an inconvenience for local residents. Close up of damaged bridge. Damage to beams. Gilkey Bridge today C50 '81 GS850 After Gilkey we head to Crabtree and on to Hungry Hill Covered Bridge. No pic, sorry. Then over to Larwood. I try to get some photos, but the sun was in the wrong spot and really, we want to ride, not l...