2022 Summer Play

Seems like I’ve been on the move almost constantly since returning from the Big Chicago Loop tour in June.
    I had great fun with Team Jerry camping on the Oregon coast and kayaking on the Siltcoos River, a quick walk from our campsites.  I volunteered for a couple of multi day trail work “parties” and learned how to build check steps on steep trails and new ways to create water bars.
   After the first of two backpacking trips this summer, I was convinced that my backpack was too heavy and too big.  After several tries I found one that was half the weight of my huge 65L and still easily accommodated several days’ worth of stuff. Ah what a relief!
   I was looking forward to riding with my old ride buddy, Frank, on the Ride Around Washington (RAW), organized by Cascade Bicycle Club.  Frank and I and several other buddies have ridden RAW a number of times over the years and always nice to have buddies to suffer with and hang around camp in the evenings. 
   Alas, it was not to be, for me.  Day one was 87 miles and high temperature of 113 in NE Washington.  I bailed at 65 miles and in the course of being transported back to camp, by dear road bike, Alvin, suffered unrecoverable damage when it was dragged behind the transport vehicle (see photo below). Cascade made good for me and I now am owned by a new road bike, Vincent.
Palouse to Cascades Short Bike Trip
Bike tour? Bike pack? Does it matter?
    From Seattle my brother and I got a ride to North Bend, the beginning of the previously named Iron Horse Trail and John Wayne trail.  I’ve ridden skied it many times in years past.  We rode about 37 miles to Easton State Park.  No not easy miles in spite of a maximum of 2% grade. As we could not find someone to guide us to a hiker biker site, we made our camp in a large turnout nearby. The return “downhill” was somewhat easier but due to the rocky and bumpy trail/road it still was slow going with loaded bikes.
Almost final adventure for 2022, Dinosaur National Monument, Utah
   If you love the outdoors, geology, or paleontology as I do, this is an area worth visiting! I spent 6 days in this area hiking, exploring, learning, and eating with a wonderful group of new friends