JimmyandPatti’s Weblog

….Harleys!    

So anyway…about 3 weeks ago I’m a bit bored and surfing the web looking for info on the IAFF Motorcycle Group and saw some information on the 2nd Annual NW Firefighter Bike Rally in Republic, Washington. I was daydreaming about the ride and thinking about the comp time from work that I needed to use when Patti said “we do have that free airline ticket”.  To top it off, a friend from the RFD days popped up on facebook and I asked him if he knew anything about the ride.  He said “I’m going, we’ve got a room booked, wanna join us?”.  Next thing I know I’m strapped in on Delta Flight #1639 – destination Republic, Washington (via Atlanta, Portland, Vancouver, Salem, Detroit Lake, Biggs Junction, Kennewick, Moses Lake, Soap Lake, and Kettle Falls).     

Before packing the scooter Wednesday, I got to spend a night each with John in Vancouver and with Michael, Traci, and the girls in Salem.  It was nice to catch up with the kids and we enjoyed some good meals together.  I also met some new friends from Dallas, Oregon who were traveling up to Republic.  We arranged to meet at the Home Depot in Salem and had a great ride to Kennewick, via Detroit Lake and Sisters, Oregon.      

 It didn’t take too long to get warmed up in the eastern Oregon and eastern Washington sunshine.  Riding with full leathers isn’t too bad at highway speeds, but as soon as the kickstand was down the coat was gone!     

   I rode with 5 other bikes from Kennewick to Republic and enjoyed the ride (especially once we hit Kettle Falls….shade, evergreens, and about 10 degrees cooler).  I am surprised I didn’t get nicknamed “wayback”  (at least out loud) due to my tendency to roll back on the throttle a bit and get some elbow room.  After spending the last two years surrounded by millions of people on subways, in airports, and in traffic, it’s nice to enjoy a little  solitude on the open road (although I miss Patti on the back seat of the glide).  We pulled into Republic around dinner time – it was nice to meet some new friends and connect with some old acquaintances from the firefighting days.  Republic is a quaint little town of around 1000 people, although I think the bikes outnumbered the cars by about 30 to 1.    

 I had originally planned on staying two nights in Republic and taking part in the poker run through the northeast woods of Washington, but the more I looked at my WA state map, the more I felt Hwy 20 calling my name. After a late breakfast I made my mind up and bid farewell to my friends, the town of Republic, and the 90 degree weather.     

 The ride west was amazing.  Not only did the temperature drop about 15 degrees, the views were great and the traffic was light.     

 After riding 400+ miles on Thursday, 300+ miles on Friday, and 6 hours in the saddle on Saturday, I was definitely ready to find a spot for the night as I pulled in to Sedro Wooley. The hotel was great, the Teriyaki chicken dinner was perfect, and the 9 hour nap did me well.     

 On Sunday, I continued along Hwy 20 across Whidbey Island and Deception Pass.  The foggy weather dropped the temperature into the low 60′s and I was glad I had packed my scarf and vest.  Timing was great and I caught the noon ferry from Kingston to Port Townsend – enjoying a chat with some other riders.       

 I have seen some pretty neat GPS (global positioning system) units over the years and had been thinking I might need one for the scooter.  This trip confirmed that I’m gonna stick with the ol’ fashioned way of navigation.  A tattered map and a chat with the locals.  Seems to work best for me.     

 As I wound my way south and east and west, I stopped in to the little town of Elma, Washington.  It was nice to rest and enjoyed a double shot of espresso. The barista was friendly and even volunteered to mail my postcards for me. My kinda town.     

   I left Elma in the early afternoon and took Hwy 12 over to I-5.  I had enjoyed the back roads but knew I would need to make up some time to arrive in Vancouver before dark.  Timing was great and I pulled in to VFD Station #2 a little bit after dinner.  When John returned from a fire call he fixed me a plate of shish kabob – great stuff.  Eating in the firehouse brought back a lot of memories – C shift food is the best! (I was an A shifter…but had my share of C shift leftovers!!).     

  The trip breezed by pretty quick, but I did manage to have another day with each of the boys before heading back to DC.  On Thursday, Michael dropped me off at the Amtrak station in Salem at about 630 am and I made a smooth connection to the Portland airport via the Tri-Met Max train (Union Station – Pioneer Square – PDX).  The flight back through Atlanta was uneventful (and packed).  

By the numbers:    

Miles – 1508, Fuel stops – 15, MPG – 47.7

Gatorade – 5 quarts (on the east side). Espresso – 11 shots (on the west side)  

Roads – 17 : (Hwy 22, US 97, I-84, I-82, Hwy 397, Hwy 395, Hwy 17, US 2, Hwy 21, Hwy 20, US 101, Hwy 108, US 12, I-5, I-205, and Hwy 213.    

Counties – 30: Oregon (Marion, Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Linn, Jefferson, Deschutes, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla);  Washington (Benton, Franklin, Grant, Lincoln, Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan, Chelan, Whatcom, Skagit, Island, Jefferson, Mason, Grays Harbor, Thurston, Lewis, Cowlitz, Clark).  

OK, so the bike is topped off, waxed, and back on the stand.  Time to get the maps out again……………