Our Last ride in the Wonderful Pacific NW. A.K.A. "upper left hand corner"

About 150 miles each way from Tacoma via I-5 and the Spirit Lake Highway to the Johnston Ridge and Johnston Ridge Observatory and visitors center. The ride on I-5 was a drap but once we exited near Toledo it was great.

Park fees are $8 per person unless you have a National park Pass of some sort.

There are 2 visitors centers for the Mountain. This one from I-5 and another just east of here called windy ridge. I don't think the windy ridge site has much more than a ranger and potties but I understand it's a favorite for bikers. The two locations do not have a joining road.

Some really great pulloff's along the way. This one was about 2 miles below the Observatory. 

North Fork of the Toutle River. This site was destroyed by the blast and is now a great spot for some fall salmon fishing. My friends from Church and I hit this spot 2 or 3 times a year and haul some nice Kings out of here.

What a great year for us and the trips have been amaizing. We will miss the "Upper Left Hand Corner" and now head to the "Lower Right Hand Corner" for some sunnier rides and all new adventures. We will be off line for a while but will post more trips of Florida and points north as soon as we get out.

Next Ride is the Coast to Coast on Nov 11th. Tampa to Daytona.

Plans for a KeyWest to Maine ride in the spring. More on that as we plan. 

Til next time Lopez Island, we will miss you!

I posted this on facebook a couple days ago and said it was one of our fav spots on the planet and it is. Our very first trip to Lopez was about 15 years ago in a catalina 22 sailboat and we just fell in love with Lopez Island, it's village, and "Fish Bay". We rarely go to the islands without a stop here on the way home. We hope you have time to slow down and try one of the best kept secrets in the islands.

 This is the narrow channel that leads you into Fishermans Bay and to the left is the Bay Cafe. One of the best restaurant sunsets you will find in the Islands and the food is fantastic.

Beautiful Church just south of the Airport on the west side of the island.

South end near the Fuel docks. Looks like this was where the Island received it's fuel shipments at one time. Not sure if it's active anymore.

Olympic Mtns in the distance.

Deception Pass bridge at the north tip of Whidbey Island. Just about 10 or 15 minutes off the return trip from the ferry's. Worth the side trip without the commitment of driving the length of Whidbey Island. This is the most feared section of water in the entire Puget sound to pleasure boaters. The tide change makes it impossible for sailboats and slower power boats to pass due to the flow rate.

This bridge is a favorite spot for jumpers that are serious about ending it all :-(

Wendy may have found here new calling for Florida. This guy pulled in at the market and 5 minutes later he was dealing dogs. Sounds like a nice way to work AND be at the beach all day.

"Glamping"?? in the SanJuans Islands. The foots all better and we're back at it and having a ball!

  The foot is better so we went and picked up a pair of new boots and hit the road. Who knows when the sun will go away again for another year so we figure we could put off packing for another week and go get a trip in.


Anyone heard of "Gamping"? I've seen an yurt and canvas tents around from time to time but never thought of giving it a go. WOW what a hoot! I felt like Teddy Rosevelt in Africa except no guns and no one to carry my crap. http://lakedale.com/accommodations/canvas.php

The place we chose was Lakedale on SanJuan Island. It's half way between Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor. A little spendy at $150 per night but I have to say it was worth it. They even bring you 2 hot water bottles at bed time to put at the foot of the bed to keep warm.

 Sleeps 4. lake front with a fire pit and free hot breakfast. What!

 Tent set up 3 seconds. Oh...the zipper did get jamed once...lol

 Friday Harbor ferry docks. We eat at a BBQ place to the right of the pic. Love this place.

 Never Ever Ever go to the San Juan Islands without stopping in at Holly B's on Lopez Island (closed Tuesdays). We've been eating danishes from here for almost 20 years and keep comming back for more. Located on the west side of the island in the village just at the north end of Fishermans bay.
Also for dinner try the Bay Cafe (lunch or dinner) and Breakfast at the "Love Dog" (closed Wednesdays) is great too.

Although I didn't post pix we did ride around Lopez for a day and got some great shots of various bays and camp grounds. We also stopped in at Deception Pass Bridge on the way home.


The weather was amaizing, we put about 350 miles on the bikes and had a wonderful time.

To the Munoz family.

Congrats on the New Church, it is beautiful and it was great to see you even though it was only for a few minutes.

Nice to have my riding partner back!