10
July 2010
It took a bit longer to get underway this morning, although I thought I
was doing better; it was just after 8 when we pulled out.
We figured we'd ride for a bit before getting gas, but after a while,
it looked like we weren't going through any towns, and by the time we
got to the south entrance of Crater Lake NP, we were sure. The first
group of buildings in the park had a "gas station" sign, though, so we
pulled into the (short, one car on each side) line. They only had 87
octane, but when you need gas, you need gas. And although the park is
in Oregon, there was no attendant to pump for you. (Possibly
disconcerting for native Oregonians?)
Next stop was the visitor center, where the youngest ranger we'd ever
seen was tending to some questioners as we stamped our passports.
Couldn't have been older than 16--or else I'm getting old.
Then out to the north entrance, after skirting around a quarter of the
lake--spectacular scenery, caught in glimpses as we wound around the
twisty road, snowbanks to the right and left. It wasn't hot, but I was
still surprised to see that much snow.
I do like riding in central Oregon, although I'm reluctant to speed
much, still remembering my first trip through the state back in the
late '70s, when I got a ticket for less than 10 over, if I recall
correctly. Not many people passed us, not counting some guy in a
yellow/black Aerostich on an Adventure GS who was really in a hurry (to
get to Redmond?).
Eventually we started thinking about gas again, but passed up
Madras--it wasn't quite time, there'll be another town soon enough.
Except, of course, there wasn't. Finally, Shaniko--it wasn't much, but
there was a ramshackle store with a couple of pumps out front; the lady
said "Pump your own, and tell me what you owe." So we did. (Two gas
stops today, both in Oregon, which requires an attendant to pump the
gas--and neither did.)
Shortly after entering the Yakima Indian Reservation, my main GPS lost
track for a couple of miles. There wasn't a lot of tree cover; I
couldn't see any reason for it, and the other (newer) one didn't,
so...dunno.
At Yakima we got onto I-82; I'm afraid we're going to be on interstates
for a while. Weekend traffic on the 'interesting' roads in this area
make for extremely slow going, and we can't dawdle. So 82 to I-90, and
off immediately at Ellensburg, where we (once again) had reservations
at a Comfort Inn. No grocery stores within reasonable distance, but a
restaurant right next door, good enough.
States: Oregon, Washington
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