It's now day 4. After a good night's rest, we headed out in a marine layer of clouds around 7:15am for the Clark County Courthouse in Vancouver. Shortly that marine layer was gone. Knowing that it was in a major metropolitan area, we didn't know what we would find for parking. Arriving at the courthouse, the parking was a bit limited and the courthouse is a modern building with no markings on the building. However, there was a signpost that identified the building. A fellow drove up in a Mercedes and engaged Andy in conversation. It turned out he was a chapter X member. After exchanging pleasantries, we were off for a breakfast stop at, yes, McDonalds.
#18 Skamania County - Stevenson
Following our nice breakfast, we headed up WA14 about 40 miles to Stevenson (home of the annual Dual Sport Rally) where we easily found the courthouse. It was starting to get warm, but this was only a pre-cursor.
#19 Klickitat County - Goldendale
We rode up WA14 to US97 and then a short 20 miles to Goldendale. At this point it was getting hot, so we refueled first and re-hydrated and plotted our next stop. The original route had us take a run to Yakima and then to Prosser; but that would be 120 miles. We decided to save Yakima county for the last day and get it from the north via Ellensburg plus it would allow us to ride the Yakima Canyon Road.
Arriving at the courthouse (we're now at the halfway point), there was lots of parking and we snapped our pictures.
#20 Benton County - Prosser
Leaving Goldendale, I led us east on the Goldendale/Bickelton Highway (really twisty where it crosses Rock Creek) to a re-hydration stop in Bickelton at the little market. It was then another hot ride on Glade Road into Prosser where we captured our photos at the courthouse.
Leaving the courthouse shortly after 2pm we started looking for a place for lunch (yes it was late, but we like riding!). Just around the corner we found a great little burger joint which also served hand-dipped ice cream (Davey's Burger Ranch 1305 Meade Ave, Prosser, WA 99350 (509) 786-2720). It rivalled Miner's in Yakima and shouldn't be missed on a trip through the area. Google the name for reviews. It was also air-conditioned which as a relief in the 90 degree temperatures.
#21 Franklin County - Pasco
After a nice refreshing lunch, we hopped on I-82 and headed a short distance to Pasco where we easily found the courthouse, hopped off, and took our pictures. Did I mention it was continuing to be hot?
#22 - Walla Walla County - Walla Walla
Leaving Pasco, we followed US12 south and then east with a fuel stop in Touchet. We then rode on into Walla Walla and snagged our pictures. This courthouse is dedicated to Christopher Columbus.
#23 - Columbia County - Dayton
We're really now on a roll and are ticking off courthouses fairly rapidly. The next one was in Dayton and we rolled into town, flipped a u-turn on US12 (no traffic) and snagged our pictures. It was a quick stop and we were off for Garfield county. But not before I lined the Wing up in the gunsight of one of the protective cannons. They also had some nice tapestries commemorating the courthouse on many of the light poles.
#24 - Garfield County - Pomeroy
It was again a very short ride to Pomeroy where we snagged the Garfield County Courthouse. It had an attractive lady of justice on the cupola. Pomeroy was special for me as my dad graduated high school in Pomeroy.
Bonus Stop - Pataha Flour Mills
At Pataha which is just down the road from Pomeroy, we stopped at the Pataha Mill, which is owned by some friends of ours and operated as a historical site and restaurant. We were able to have a very brief visit with our friend before heading off for Asotin County.
Heading west on US12 we came into Clarkston before heading down WA129 to Asotin where we grabbed a quick picture as darkness was now looming before us. WA129 south of Asotin is a motorcyclist's dream road and is called the Rattlesnake.
After refueling in Lewiston, we decided to ride the Old Spiral Highway out of Lewiston to the top of the 195 grade. It was a very, very twisty ride up in the twilight with lots of magnificant vistas.
We then rode in the dark to Colfax on a cooling evening. It was too dark to photograph the courthouse, so we saved it for the morning. We grabbed a 9pm dinner at the local subway, cooled off and then retired for the evening at Angela's dad's condominium.
Today was a long day from 7:15am to 9:15pm and 477 miles. It would be the longest leg of the trip. Rest was going to feel good.
No comments:
Post a Comment