Ok, Here are the details...(lines in the store reference the map)We left work, in Lewiston, at about 11:30.
Following the yellow line (next to the green line to be referenced later) we headed towards Enterprise.
Going trough Asotin...Anatone (that's the place with the sign of how many animals live there)... down rattlesnake grade (that's where I saw the bear cub on Saturday) and past the Flora area.
We stopped at Chief Joseph look out a bit after Flora. We looked out over the look out, used the faculties (I know, but I say faculties), and checked on a "geo cache" that Scott knew about. Some pictures were taken here as well.
Continuing down the yellow line...we got to Enterprise...But we didn't stop there, we continued on to Joseph, just another 6 miles...no biggy.
We stopped and looked at Willowa glacier lake. (Formed by Glacial Morain in the last ice age) The Chief Joseph grave site was near here as well. Then stopped and ate at the Texas BBQ/Car Wash and Laundry Mat. It was pretty good. Now it was about 2:00.
After eating, we filled up the tanks and off we went, continuing down the yellow line...
Some where between Joseph and hi way 86 there was another turn off to a "Hells Canyon Lookout". We stopped there and took some pictures and used the faculties.
Then we were off again, down to hi way 86 and turned left, now on the blue line. (There is still a yellow line, I just covered it with the blue line.)
We went past "Oxbow" (not shown on the map) and turned and headed down the river. As we were going down the road we saw a bald eagle fly in and land on a nest in a tree up the hill. We ended up at the "Hells Canyon Dam". Which is also where the road ends.
Again, stopped, took pictures, used the faculties. Now, it is about 5:00. Here we looked at a big map and we say how far away from the end of the trip we were...And boy were we.
Oh, I should mention, that Scott has been to this location several times. However, this is the first time he drove/rode out. He usually floats out on a raft.
Several return routes were considered...Option B was selected. And off we go...headed back out of the canyon. (Now on the blue line.) We stopped at Scotties (sp) to get gas probably some where around that 86.
Then we kept going on 86. Making our way all the way to Halfway. (For more info on Halfway go to Halfway)
Then we turned right headed for cornacopia & beyond and made it to Carson and then a Road Closed sign. Scott thought there was a "shortcut". So, back to Halfway and making a right back on to 86.
On we went making our way through Richland. Stopped briefly at the "hole-in-the-wall" and then almost to Baker City where we stopped at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.
This is where I got my leather jacket out of the saddle bag and put my gloves on. It was starting to get chilly. Finished our way to Baker City where we got onto I84.
And North we went. All the way to La Grande. Here we stopped and got gas and off we went headed towards Elgin...Past the combine grave yard and the "beef fer sale" sign.
Now, by now it is starting to get dusk, the bugs are flying (extra protien...appatiser for dinner). And those pockets of cold air are getting pretty cold. But we continue on.
Passing Minam....and Wallowa...and finally pulling into Enterprise. We stopped at the subway for supper at 9:40ish.
After supper, and trying to warm up. We went over to Chevron to top off before heading back up to Lewiston. Evidently Scott promptly sprayed gas all over the front of his bike (perhaps this is the reason they pump gas for you in Oregon). He blames the gas spray out on being cold and having a convulsion (muscle spasm).(Now comes that green line I mentioned at the beginning.)
This time, there was no stopping...It was a "Let's get there cause it cold" type ride.
Until, of coarse we were coming up on rattlesnake grade. That is where we slammed on the breaks and let the buck deer decide where he was going to go.
Then up rattlesnake... passed Anatone....and Asotin...up the river to Clarkston...Across the bridge into Lewiston...up Bryden Canyon road...Down Bryden Ave...Then I peeled off at 9th Street and was home at a few minutes before midnight.
And thus, some 500 miles later, ended the quick ride to Enterprise Oregon.
I do have to admit. It was fun, no matter how much my back side hurt.
AJ's Crazy Biker Adventures
