Short ride report for 8/7/05 - Columbia Gorge
Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 7:56 pm
I needed an excuse to break in a new mill, so I loaded up my girly friend and we headed out from Milwaukie via back, windy roads, had brunch in Boring (it was boring 
) and then worked our way to Corbett and into the good stuff. I spaced bringing my GPS, but at least I remembered my camera, since it was an awesome day.
We stopped before the Vista House for the obligatory Kodak Moment, then hung at the Vista House and made our way down by Latourell and the falls. Just after that I sighted a gravel road that went up, so we figured what the heck, and started our way up. It went up, and up, and up and up, eventually placing us on the upper plateau above the Gorge. The gravel road suddenly changed to new pavement and then we turned left making our way up to Larch Mountain, since I'd never been there before. Nice road and scenic, but the summit is incredible (after a brief hike). Too bad it was a bit hazy, but was still worth it. On the way up, the bike went on reserve - doh! So coming back down, we limped the thumper along and fortunately made our way to Corbett again for gas. After a water break for us and gas break for the bike, we wound our way on back roads through Sandy, down to Barton, Carver and then back home. All told about 120 miles of fun.
Oh, did I mention I bought a new bike?
-Tom
CLICK HERE to view the pix
) and then worked our way to Corbett and into the good stuff. I spaced bringing my GPS, but at least I remembered my camera, since it was an awesome day.
We stopped before the Vista House for the obligatory Kodak Moment, then hung at the Vista House and made our way down by Latourell and the falls. Just after that I sighted a gravel road that went up, so we figured what the heck, and started our way up. It went up, and up, and up and up, eventually placing us on the upper plateau above the Gorge. The gravel road suddenly changed to new pavement and then we turned left making our way up to Larch Mountain, since I'd never been there before. Nice road and scenic, but the summit is incredible (after a brief hike). Too bad it was a bit hazy, but was still worth it. On the way up, the bike went on reserve - doh! So coming back down, we limped the thumper along and fortunately made our way to Corbett again for gas. After a water break for us and gas break for the bike, we wound our way on back roads through Sandy, down to Barton, Carver and then back home. All told about 120 miles of fun.
Oh, did I mention I bought a new bike?
-Tom
CLICK HERE to view the pix