Four strong winds

The GTS is enjoying the view of The Dalles Dam, on the Columbia River (Orin O’Neill photos)

The trip on 395 seemed easier. Maybe because it feels like it goes downhill more often southbound. Or maybe because there weren’t so many trucks, it being a Sunday.

I slept like a log at Rob’s (a long ride on a scooter is quite conducive), and hit the road early. Rob gave me directions to WA 14 that avoided the freeway (available on a new map on the World Famous Scootin’ Old Skool Maps page. Also new is a way to get from Tri-Cities to Spokane without using 395, created by Rob’s brother Rick). I was ready for a nice, scenic trip.

A prairie scooter companion

Somewhere west of Spokane. No, I didn’t take I-90. (Orin O’Neill photo)

The morning TV newscasts forecast near-record high temperatures Sunday. Yes, everyone said, low 90s F is normal in August, but not mid-September. I decided to bungee the Corazzo jacket. The ride south and west would be relaxed.

Rob offered a couch for the night at his home in Tri-Cities, so I could take my time. Going back the way I came would be a treat. Until Ritzville, anyway.

How I spent my Spokane Scoot

My mirrors were full of scooters all weekend (Orin O’Neill photos)

SPOKANE—So what did we do all weekend? There was a meet-and-greet Friday evening, then a short ride to a local pub, including a killer view of Spokane, which looks like a miniature version of the Los Angeles Basin, because it, too, is in a valley.

Feed me a baked potato, stat!

Eastern Washington wind turbines (Orin O’Neill photos)

The sun had not risen at 7:00 am. I rode past the groups of tweakers on NE 82nd, toward the airport. This would be the easiest place to get on I-205 and begin the journey to Spokane.

It’s off to Spokane I go

Northwestguide.com

I’ve been waiting for this all year. Spokane Scoot is this weekend, and I’m gonna ride there. And back.

You think I ride a long way

View Larger Map

Our friend Chuck left Seattle yesterday on an epic 3,000 mile road trip with his new Piaggio MP3-400. As you can see on the above map, his route takes in British Columbia, Alberta and Montana before passing through Spokane and eastern Washington.

And yes, he did bring the MP3 to Rich’s Custom Seats beforehand.

You can follow his progress on One a Day – Mostly Seattle, his daily photography blog…

The Longest Day

Once again, the GTS is a beast of burden (Orin O’Neill photographs)

I’ve been in Portland almost a month. I wasn’t expecting to be here. I wasn’t expecting to be anywhere with a roof, quite honestly.

I got a storage space for the stuff I couldn’t get rid of, and left a few things with friends. Now that I have a place to lay my head, I found I needed those things. Since I don’t have a car, I took the GTS.

Resetting the reset button

The couch, on California Avenue (Orin O’Neill photo)

You may recall I was getting rid of stuff. Well, I got rid of a lot of stuff. Including the roof over my head.