"The Oasis of my Soul"... A Lifelong Journey on the road...

[beemerchef]

A fun taste of Seattle.... WA

A fun taste of Seattle… WA

Noah… RattytoAustin… this one is for you guys! Thanks for the company and the entertainment… also for Woody from “Woody’s Wheels” for introducing us to a delightful friend of yours… Meg.
It was a fun day… quite different from the ordinary… There will be more of those I am sure as we are moving near by tomorrow waiting for some mail to follow me…
Maybe too many pictures today?… Oh well… enjoy them in the Blog…

Be well… as always…

… and remember, if in your area, would love to cook for you… I can do that!

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

Just like a maiden voyage... WA

Just like a maiden voyage…. WA

No having my usual Internet connection has been enjoyable… seems like “we” have much more time… a double edge sword however… the jury is still out. This feels as part II of the Journey… everything has been fixed… redone… realigned… I just wish I was more mechanically inclined as I have, it seems like, done my share of damage and ill repairs…
The sights are incredible… camping by ourselves… only silence… only the birds in concert…
Sunsets on the hills… and more on the Blog…

You be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

More of Washington State...

More local riding and stuff… WA

The word on everyone’s mind is HOT… 104 degrees today… uncomfortable after being used to some cool weather. Have to watch Spirit closely, stay under cover or keep moving. After a day at Dauntless, having the sidecar’s disc brake reworked on, great results by the way, courtesy of Jay, we even went up the pass to… I thought… lay on the snow and cool off. But no more snow! All has melted, except on the peaks of course.
More on the website…

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

Mt St Helen weekend... WA (part I)

Mt St Helen weekend… WA (part I)

What a coincidence to be on the same route and destination as the Northwestern Moto Guzzi riders… we end up camping close by and enjoying their food and company… Learned a couple cooking tips… after all these years… a ride to Mt St Helen…
Today however I have written some thoughts about Life and this Journey following some interesting conversations with other riders… tomorrow will be about the weekend… all on the website. Lets think about this as a two part… to Mt St Helen…

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

Up Mt St Helen... WA (part II)

Up Mt St Helen… WA (part II)

Does not seem that I can write it all in one page or so… too many pictures also… It was a great weekend being close by the Northwest Guzzi riders… a great and kind group of riders… After all, I was the outsider!
I will leave my feelings toward Mt St Helen for the next time… eerie… transcending deep thoughts… ground zero of a 9/11 with Mother Nature responsible for such destruction and taking so many lives…
In the meantime you can check out how to make an omelet in a ziplock bag… and the sights of this Tropical like forest we have been in… all on the website.

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

Seeing Mt St Helen is believing!... WA

Seeing Mt St Helen is believing… WA

We finally have made it to the Olympic Peninsula which will start riding tomorrow… seems to be a lot of riders going around… most heavily packed… must be a destination…
But today is about the last day up Mt St Helen… I promise this is the end of it… with the salmon and a little dish of my own… a favorite that I have been craving since I left Georgia…
All on the website…
Enjoy and be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

Olympic Peninsula... WA

Olympic Peninsula… WA


The forecast is rain and more rain… I do ride in the rain and so does Spirit… This would be a good time to test his cover at higher speeds and of course his raincoat! We end up in Port Townsend yesterday, today’s plan was to see the ocean, also the rain forest maybe as there is so much to see here. This forecast is of the same for the coming three days… in the meantime you can read about yesterday, the ride, meeting some BARF riders and the worse of the 10 best voted cheeseburger! I just cannot figure that one out yet…
The roads are great here, the feel of the land even better, the locals are friendly and the view, well… you will have to see the website for it.

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

Lake Cushman and back... WA

Lake Cushman and back… WA

Miles and miles of logging roads to ride around here, we did some with Jim for most of the day as the rain was on and off sparing us a bit.
It is relaxed… laid back… not much of a choice as the rain gear never dries out. Better days are in the forecast to ride on the other side of the Peninsula ans see the Ocean again.
The rig is doing great, solid, and as Jim rides an identical one we took some time to inspect each other’s ride…
There is an oyster Farm just across the street… we had some… and more, all on the website.
You be well… send us some sunshine.

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

Th SUN is back... WA

The SUN is out… WA

It is news when the SUN is out… added energy from its rays… smiles are all around… on the ride we went, up Hurricane Ridge, real energizing. I say we, as besides Spirit, Mike with his V Strom joined us… and… smart, rode behind us! At least he did not have to wait.
Many riders out today, I can tell they are camping from the gear strapped on… have no clue where they are going… I think it is the sunshine… everyone must be in shock… feeling great!… as we are. Even the ones stopped are not talking!!!
A chicken recipe template… figure that one out!… and more pictures on the website.

Till next time and always… be well.

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The Olympic Peninsula loop... WA

The Olympic Peninsula loop… WA

A long riding day for us considering we stop often… for Spirit you know… and what a great day it was! With the windshield removed I am still amazed at the difference in the handling, speeds and gas mileage…
The loop is awesome and I do now understand why so many bikes pass by here never to be seen backtracking. Beautiful coastline, Indian Reservation little town, friendly people… how can they not be when they see Spirit wearing his Doggles…
I even made an illegal U turn right on 101, never seeing the Ranger parked across the road… decided I better have an excuse and ask her for some phony directions before getting a ticket… she was laughing her head off when she saw him!!! Spirit… the savior… not a word about the U turn!
And much more of this great day on the website…

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

The road to Neah Bay and more... WA

The road to Neah Bay and more… WA


What a day! How come many had told me to skip 112 to Neah Bay when I find it one of the most picturesque and challenging road on the Peninsula?… Trying to keep it a secret?
Some sand sculptures in Port Angeles… and the best meet? Zak and Duchesse… 3 years on the road… this is when one can say “a picture is worth a thousand words”.
Breakfast with some great Adv Riders before their 3 to 4 day take off for a big circle of the land here… what else?… Just have to see it all in the website…

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

Neah Bay.... WA

Neah Bay… WA


Just have to post another picture of Duchesse and Spirit in their respective vehicles… It is just too good to pass it up!
After parting we made it to Neah Bay, an excellent riding road that will keep you on your toes all the way to the end. The end?… calm, serene… isolated, a true retreat if you want to get away from it all.
We are already packing today some (I am anyhow!) as we will be leaving the area tomorrow morning… we have been in the Seattle area for over a month! I has been good to us… Columbia River… Oregon’s High Deserts will be our next destination as we are slowly headed back south for the winter… no rush!
More picture on the website…

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

To the Columbia River... OR/WA

To the Columbia River… WA/OR

A couple days by this river and on to some BLM land in Oregon’s High Deserts, south of ****’s Canyon (???), near the town of Oxbow, which actually is right on the Idaho/Oregon border. I have stopped just wandering toward the next destination, sometimes not knowing where to stop is bringing up some unpleasant surprises, like hours of “finding” that right spot! With all the information available on the Internet and Map software, there is no reason no to.
Pretty busy area here, buses… RV’s… all sightseeing the falls, the hydro electric plants, the windsurfers, the Lewis and Clark trail which is everywhere… We joined them! Playing Tourist for a couple days, enjoyable and at the same time learning some facts about this area.
You can read all about the first part of our stay on the website…

Enjoy… and be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

More of the Columbia River... WA/OR

More of the Columbia River… WA/OR

Once again we have been transported to the Desert. Oregon’s High Deserts, on the Snake River bordering Idaho, near the town of Oxbow. Once again this morning I am listening to the silence while sipping on my home roasted Coffee… watching the sun slowly making its mark. I could not help being emotional as the landscape slowly changed yesterday. Yes, the bright greens are gone, the cool temperatures of the Olympic Peninsula have warmed up, but I now realize that the Desert is my element. This is where I feel at home.
Today’s Blog is the continuation of our loop by the Columbia River, a couple days ago, about 300 miles back. Beautiful water falls, wind surfers braving 30 to 40 mph winds as we also did!
Enjoy the pictures… and be well.

Ara & Spirit

 

[TexasShadow]

Re: More of the Columbia River... WA/OR

Yes, the bright greens are gone, the cool temperatures of the Olympic Peninsula have warmed up, but I now realize that the Desert is my element. This is where I feel at home.

I can empathize, Ara. I remember feeling the same not just when I was in the desert, but in it's polar opposite, surrounded by the never-ending lush green of Arkansas. I found myself craving the browns, beiges and sparse vastness of the open spaces and arid (even semi-arid) country in Texas and NM (even Utah).
It also reminded me that I was born and grew up on the wrong side of the continent.

Yet...... even the mountains and high deserts of NM, Colorado, Arizona and, yes, even Oregon, have an overlapping ecology and climate, almost a perfect marriage of desert-like and temperate land. A sense of wildness, untamed, unsettled and a juxtaposition of new and old geography. Whereas the Northeast and southeast seem overgrown, old, tired and worn out. Like a barren old woman sitting in her rocking chair waiting for time immortal to end. She's raised her children and they are all gone; now its time to pull the cloak around herself and weather away. Oddly enough, I see an element of this in the people that live there, too. Whereas the west.... the land and the people are still wild at heart and vibrant.

From a favorite song:
"You've come a long way, I know, you got a longer drive ahead
through the bones of a buffalo, through the claims of the western dead
and just like the spokes of a wheel you'll spin 'round with the rest,
you'll hear the drums and the brush of steel,
you'll hear the call of the west."

Call of the West, Wall of Voodoo

 

[beemerchef]

Ah! There you are... my friend that I have never met... yet.
My spirit has opened up these days, there is renewed energy in this old body which is making it turn the clock around. There is Peace and Serenity... I just wish so hard that the whole world could experience this and set aside their commute... hair raising days... the unhealthy life that most "have" to put up with... as truly it is only in their mind they think they have to! The possesions tying everyone down seem so frivolous here... there is not a single need that is not fulfilled with nothing in our name! Just amazing...
I had some plans to spend the winter in the Napa Valley... or Santa Barbara... to fill my proffesional void... a couple days a week for about the three to four winter months (do not worry Big Bend... I will be there...), but... I think it is going to be... MOAB! The best of both worlds... and if I get lucky I will get to ride the canyons filled with a bit of snow!
You be well...

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

Hells' Canyon... OR/ID

****’s Canyon… OR/ID


Sometimes all falls in place even better than imagined. Along the Snake River, by a little town called Oxbum, the BLM campsites are the best I have ever experienced. It is 6am, nice and cool, even during the day the heat has not been too bad, this would be actually the time to ride. The nice breeze has taken the smoke away, the nearest camper is about one mile away, that might change on the weekend, and again, long overdue, I can listen to the silence…
So many different destinations from here. We did ride to ****’s Canyon Dam, the little town of Halfway, will probably get up the Mountains a bit later on today toward Joseph and check out the Lookout, which road has just reopened yesterday.
This the Oregon High Desert with an incredible variety of terrains which holds its own against any other Desert.
Our first days here, on the website…

Be well… Ara & Spirit

 

[Nico]

I recently learned of your travels and am barely able to catch up! Piecing together old links and reviewing new blogs, I feel I've missed quite a bit of your travels, even though I have probably read them all. Like many here, I long for the days when I am once again ready to leave everything behind or more likely, have nothing at all but a bike, some cash and a raging case of wanderlust. I've taken off a year here and there to travel, mostly hiking and backpacking and hitching in Europe, but the one thing I've wanted to do is to do it via motorcycle! Sadly there isn't enough time to see everything here in the States AND the rest of the world in a single lifetime, but I'll see it all eventually as will you. Take care and I hope to meet you on the road sometime!

Nico

 

[beemerchef]

Halfway, to Joseph and some thoughts... OR

You are right about one thing, a Lifetime will never be enough... we just need to be glad to be able to see and feel what is here NOW!!! Hope your dreams to happen... make them happen if that is what YOU want...

Halfway, to Joseph and some thoughts… OR

Camping here by the Snake river in such isolation and serenity seems to have brought up so many thoughts regarding life itself and the path that I am on. I write about it, they are personal thoughts, friends have asked me how can I expose them all so publicly, I do, there is nothing to hide… If anything they might help others dig deep into themselves and in turn communicate them with their own friends and loved one, maybe appreciate their own path a bit more and take the time to “smell the roses”! It brings up such a calm feeling when one can really stay in touch with themselves without the burden of the daily grind… something to try. It will only bring up the reality of it all… maybe help taking some decisions that might not have been otherwise!
The riding also continues here, such little traffic, such beautiful roads where the sights and the smells take over any other present senses.
Halfway is a great little town… all with some pictures here…

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

A Diamond in the rough... OR

I finally found the original Ford Bronco…

Diamond in the rough… OR

I always try to come up with a title that would be fitting… this one is! Seems like I just can’t sit back in this area… between going to Halfway to eat at Mimi’s… riding along the Snake River… Hells Canyon… an old friend in Joseph… the Farmer’s market… an organic Peach Orchard… it just does not stop! Tomorrow was planned to be a totally, I call it, “veggie” day… you know, do nothing day… but it is HOT again, unbearable during the day and it is time to move a few miles to some cooler temps… Just a few miles!
In the meantime my front Ohlin shock has decided to sip oil again… might have to take a quick run to?… Portland?… Bend?… Clarkston?… to have it fixed… If anyone knows of an Ohlin service shop near by… please let me know…
Enjoy the colors on the website…

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

More Halfway... OR

More Halfway… OR

With still much unexplored roads in this area we have just moved to some cooler grounds. No surprise as I understand now why they call it “Hells Canyon”… a bit unbearable… when you are riding and hot air hits your face… it’s time to go on. We have settled near Halfway, maybe we are just getting too comfortable near this small town. Population… 350. Still working on the logistics about getting 3 new tires and a front shock fixed from a small oil leak… The logistics about living on the road!
Another recipe… a failed dinner (not mine!)… all on the website.

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

Life in the slow lane... OR

Life in the slow lane… OR

Waiting for tires… they seem to vanish a bit faster by their end and so, staying local… Back to the Peach Orchard and getting healthier by the minute on this diet of fresh and delicious produce available around here. I almost feel like I am going to a cleansing of both the soul and the body! The temps are not letting down, they are calling for some clouds soon which will cool things off, in the meantime Spirit has a real hard time with the heat… and then he also has a real hard time with the cold! Life is rough for short hair dogs. Will need to find a good source for some warm coats for the winter coming up soon. Finally posting a few pictures from our visit to the Interpretive Oregon Trail Center where I learned a lot about the hardships of the Pioneers… “rough” does not begin to describe their own Journey.
All on today’s website…

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[beemerchef]

A bunch of old buildings... OR

A bunch of old buildings… OR

More than $20 million dollars have come out of this town while busy with more than 1000 miners! We stopped downtown… on the dirt road where now silence was the only dividend of that fortune found years ago. Some buildings still stand with no one around… much to think about!
A summer recipe considering all the fresh produce I cannot get enough around here… and that about does it for today!

Some of the pictures have been processed with a new HDR software I have been trying… time consuming. The jury is still out… what do you think?

Be well…

Ara & Spirit

 

[TexasShadow]

I LOVE the self-portrait of you and Spirit!!!

 

[jhansen]

Nice Hat there Spirit!