John Day OR to Vancouver BC (902km)
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This was the day of finals as I took down the tent for the last time, made my last pot of oatmeal, configured the GPS for the last time. I was looking forward to getting home and my body knew the worst was over and started to submit to the various pains accumulated over 5,000km and nights in tents with wind storms and bear scares. Resisting temptation I didn't want to skip out with dreary ride out the Interstates and planning a fun looking route through northern Oregon and crossing Washington. From John Day I took the small squiggle in Hwy 19 north and met up with Hwy 206 to the Washington border. Crossing the very large Columbia River that naturally divides the two states I took Hwy 97 into Washington and took the long and surprisingly rewarding ride through the Wenatchee National Forest with grand pacific mountains the perfect bookend to the southern desert columns I admired a few days earlier. Joining the I-5 in Everett I made the monotonous pilgrimage to the Peace Arch border crossing and a cool evening ride across Vancouver to a welcoming garage and home.
As reassuring as waking up next to your horse
The view for breakfast
Bugs are an occupational hazard
Packed for the final day
Winding roads
Straight roads
A ranch
Half way between the equator and the north pole. I had no idea.
The end of Oregon
Now it's looking like the pacific northwest
A massive rainstorm pulled in for about 15 minutes.
Even the little insignificant stops become sentimental moments at the end of a trip
Great skies opening up
In the border lineup
Across the border and the day is almost done.
In the garage at watches stopped. 33,466km.
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7 comments:
I especially liked your Oregon sunset shot from Day 8. Wow, that was quite a haul in a relatively short time.
You must have been glad to finally get back home! I hear you when you say you felt the effects of the long distance ride. I felt it after only 4 days on my ride into Idaho and Montana.
Can't wait to see you back on the road for a new trip. I enjoyed your story telling, the great pics and especially the self portraits very much. Thanks for letting me tag along for the ride.
Thank you everyone that was along for the ride in spirit. I know all the names that have commented have equally compelling pics and ride stories to share on other blogs and forums so I encourage everyone to click around and keep the support flowing. Except @Zedman - got to keep you motivated (http://bcbeemer.blogspot.com/) to keep it up :)
I'm not sure what direction to take Daily Rider now and might leave it as-is for a while, finish on a high note and all that. Something to think about while watching the rain.
~Dan.
Great pics. I really like the blog. Must have been a great trip.
What a great blog! We love all your photos! Thank you so much for sharing!
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Ride on!
Great Blog
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