Apr 8, 2013 - On the way home

After arriving at Redmond last evening, we had supper, then returned to Jon's apartment to rest. As I mentioned in the last post, our trip from Port Angeles to redmond was fine. Minimal rain and mostly long patches of sun. We hit the ferry right, so didn't need to wait long at all -- and it was a smooth crossing to Edmonds. Today, we got moving on time and headed home to Grandview. Nancy drove part of the way since I was a bit tired. Nice drive, but patches of busy traffic.

Aug 8, 2012 - day 28 travel to Seattle

My desire to get in one more day of fishing was tempered by the fact that the day started cold and raining. Won't miss that. Travel to Seattle on Alaska Air was fine, clear view of Mount Ranier, really spectacular and hard to believe it's real. Had 3 boxes of frozen fish on board, stashed in a cold locker at the airport for transport back to Wisconsin tomorrow.

Aug 8, 2012 - day 29 back to Wis (flying)

Wimped out, shipped the bike back via Allied van lines and flew back to Wisconsin on SW with 100 pounds of frozen salmon and 40 pounds of frozen halibut. Bike will arrive around middle of month. Not cheap but the incremental cost wasn't that bad and my neck needs a rest after holding up a helmet for many days and getting pounded by the waves in Sitka. Just a few things to do back home also (understatement clearly). Will post some more pics as I can. Already planning on next years bike/fishing trip to Seattle/Sitka. Guess I'm nuts.

Jul 30, 2012 - day 21 more golf in day 22 and 23

More golf with Steves friends, a bunch of retired Boeing guys. Great group been playing together for 40 years. Shot 88 and won 20 bucks. Life is good. Bobs in Fairbury Nebraska and once again has conned a couple of ladies into doing his dishes. He must be paying them big bucks. More golf next day, again in the 80's and won some money. Go figure, borrowed clubs and strange courses and shooting below my handicap, thats golf.

Jul 29, 2012 - day 20 at Steves in Redmond

No packing up camping this AM thankfully. Played golf with Steve and a very nice Microsoft VP and his wife. Shot 87 not enough to win money as Steve shot 36 on back 9. Bobs in cheyenne wyoming and has conned a couple of ladies into washing his dishes (my job). Cant be his good looks!

Jul 5, 2011 - Day 44 Home again

Hi all, yes, I am back home safe and sound. In the last three days I rode through some of the most scenic parts of the country and even attended a rodeo in Idaho on the 4th July. At the rodeo they had those who served in the military stand and be recognized. After that, this young cowboy sitting near me made a beer run and handed me one, saying 'Thanks for your service'. In America's heartland, you find monuments and signs everywhere acknowledging people who have served in the military. The weather was just perfect even though it started...

May 20, 2011 - Preparations

Well, it's taken weeks of preparation but the start of my trip is in two days. Put on about two dozen modifications to make the bike just right for the trip. Given that I will be camping for much of the trip, it tripled the amount of stuff I have to carry. As you can see, not everything fit. The disconnect in the attached map is because I do not know the route we will take when we tour the southern states. A little apprehensive at this point but very excited as well. Click on first picture then you can sequence through the others quickly....

Jul 11, 2010 - Redmond, WA

The day started off on a high note with Janice’s specialty breakfast. Since it is one that she learned from her mom, I like it especially well also. After breakfast Janice took us on another drive. This time we headed south on rural roads to find Snoqualmie Falls State Park. A short walk from the parking lot brought us to an overlook. Evelyn and I were amazed at the size of the falls. I don’t know what to compare them to, but they had to be almost 100 feet wide and 200 feet deep. The roar of the water was impressive. The canyon was very...

Jul 10, 2010 - Redmond, WA

Janice fed us yummy omelets for breakfast. Then she led me to Sears. The tire that Big Brands “fixed” twice still had a slow leak. In addition, I had just developed a loud racket in my left front hub cap – I thought a lug nut had come off. We got there just before the rush and I was able to get right in. The noise was caused by the grease cap that had come loose. They wanted to put a new one on, but they could not get one. The old one is back on and sticking so far. They put a new plug in the old puncture and that is also holding up. I was...

Jul 9, 2010 - Redmond, WA

Today was to be our long pull to reach my daughter’s home before supper time. Little did I realize just how long it would actually be. I though I would be smart and abandon the coastal route in favor of I-5. That was supposed to take ¾ of an hour off the trip. Instead, it took us through Portland, OR at about 5 MPH. It was a long hot stretch and no where as pretty as along the coast. From the point where the coastal route merges into I-5, things went downhill! Traffic was stop-and-go from the entrance to Olympia all the way to Tacoma. From...

Jun 25, 2008 - WA, Redmond Microsoft Hdqs

Went out to Microsoft Hdqs this morning. Have a great Visitor Center with all the stuff that has gone on since Bill Gates started Microsoft. Strange as everything in the place I remember as it all happen in the last 35 or so years. Gates will step down this week as President and will turn all his energy to running his Foundation. Great Guy that he has the most money of any person in USA and is going to spend most of it on the world problems. Sure did bring back memories of when I was in my 30’s and got the first IBM PC. Wow!! Have things...