As you head east from North Bend, I-90 starts to climb eventually up to the summit of Snoqualmie Pass (el. 3,022 feet), located about 20 miles from North Bend. Today, there's a respite from the rain, and other than trying to avoid the wet leaves on the local roads, it's a nice day for a ride. After a late-morning cup of coffee at Huxdotter's, I merge onto I-90 for about 8 miles to the exit for Olallie State Park. It's a great opportunity for me to exercise the Triumph, enjoy the outside, and take a few pictures. I park my bike in the main (and only) lot of the park - there's one other vehicle there, a young family whose little boy is fascinated with the Triumph, and an 18-wheeler parked off the main road, probably getting some rest as he or she makes their way across the Pass.
A little information about the park - Olallie State Park is a day-use park in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. You can hike to Twin Falls from the park, see cliff formations that are used by the local climbers (see picture below), access the Snoqualmie River, and see living old-growth trees up to 14 feet in diameter. "Olallie" means "berry" in the native Chinook language, and there are a lot of berries here of various types here.
It's a great park for having a picnic, with a number of tables and cook stands. There are a number of tributaries that come down from the mountain and feed in to the Snoqualmie river. There's also a lucky park ranger who gets to live amongst this beauty.
The nice thing is that this park is a short trip for me, close to town but a world away; as the clouds start to roll in and the batteries in my camera start to fade, I let my Triumph exert itself on the I-90 trip back home.
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15 comments:
Lance,
You're fortunate that you live close to Snoqualmie Pass, and Ollalie State Park looks great. Knowing that more rain is on the way I've been debating on going out for a little while myself. While out this morning on an errand in the truck I saw a lot of people riding. The big conflict for me sometimes on weekends is riding or getting stuff done at home. Maybe I'll do both.
Nice riding country. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Mike. I know what you are saying about the precious weekend time. Interstingly, there's an Olallie park in your area, in the Willamette National Forest. I haven't been there, but it looks nice.
Thanks Canajun - I hope you are finding some good riding this season as well, and I hope your Dyna is doing great!
Dear Lance:
It;s nice to see that someone else beat the rain this weekend. This day-use park looks like an ideal spot to pull over, sip coffee from a Thermos, and perhaps smoke a cigar. Your pictures suggest one of the milder days of the fall. The cold weather is certainly coming.
I blew my chance for a nice fall ride on Friday, and sat through a day and a half of rain. I am going to get out early tomorrow for a riders' outdoor, fall breakfast at a country store and lumberyard, about 60 miles away.
I am alleged to be meeting a bunch of guys for this run, though there is already some grumbling about piles of wet leaves covering the road with a veggie slick. We had heavy storms today with high winds.
Fondest regards,
Jack • Reep 8 • Toad
Twisted Roads
Thanks Jack, you are right - it was mild yesterday, and today rain is forecasted for today. I have gotten into the habit of checking the "hour by hour" forecast from the Weather Channel to find windows of opportunity.
Speaking of cigars, just wanted to let you know that I dropped an e-mail you way (your AOL address on your blog).
Nice little ride report. I am curious about the part where you let the Triumph 'exert' itself on I-90. How fast was the exerting? ;)
I like your thought about going only a few miles and being in a world away. It unfortunately is not very possible here. The scenery is the same for many miles, but there are places not too far away. Just have to go about 60-75 miles instead of 20. Must be nice.
Lance:
I also had a window of opportunity to go for a ride, but in my 'Vette. I put the top down even though it was a bit cool with the wind chill. It's nice not to have to put on a helmet and feel the wind rush across your head. I haven't used the car much during the summer preferring to use the bike. I have another week of insurance before it hibernates so I had to get it warmed up and put in fresh fuel with gas stabilizer in preparation for storage.
I notice you are getting more used to freeway travel with your Triumph. I know you can't reveal your posted speed but I presume: top gear at 8,000 rpms.
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
Hello Danny - thanks for dropping by. Nothing too fast ;) I just thought it was good to let it out a bit.
Thanks Jim - being off the I-90 corridor, I am only 20 minutes to the closest ski area in Western Washington. We're pretty fortunate here to have a good variety of water and terrain.
Bob, thanks for your comments. I will say that I have not hit the rev limiter yet (7500 rpm) in any gear, but I am very happy with the America's response.
Nice photos, so different from the flat lands of South Florida. Beautiful park. We appreciate the opportunity to visit via your blog. We are always amazed at how many cyclists there are in your area.
Heinz N Frenchie, you're always welcome here. When I get too cold here, I always drop by your place on the web!
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