Friday, August 29, 2008















































Thursday, August 28, 2008

We're filling up on the complimentary breakfast in Klamath Falls, getting ready to head north to Sisters, Oregon. Only about 200 miles today. We're getting to be old-pros at this.


It was only 50 miles to Crater Lake and the road took us through lots of cattle and horse country. It seems that's what they grow most around here. Very pretty country.


Once we were inside the Crater Lake National Park, we stopped at a viewpoint to see a spectacular deep gorge. That's Susie and Mary sitting on the ledge.




Then, of course, it was time to stop for coffee. Can you believe we found a restaurant and espresso bar on top of this mountain!



Ron and Murray getting friendly with a local gold miner.


Then we arrived at the most beautiful lake we've ever seen. The pictures can't possibly do justice to the brilliant blue of the water. Crater Lake is an average of over 1,100 feet deep. We were at about 6,000 foot elevation.






Ron and Debbie with Crater Lake in the background.


Our next stop was the local Harley dealership in Bend, Oregon, then on to lunch at Applebee's.


After lunch we began the last 15 miles to our destination, Sisters, Oregon. That's the Sisters Mountains in the background. The town of Sisters is themed after an old western town. It's really a lovely town, lots of hanging flower baskets and quaint buildings. It's quite a destination place, with lots and lots of tourists around, including us.

Here we are at the Ponderosa Best Western. A beautiful hotel, they even had Llamas in a pasture in front of the hotel.





After checking in, we headed back the mile or so to town. Unfortunately, it pretty much closed up at 5 p.m. so the girls just walked through while the guys were washing the bikes. Here they are coming by to pick us up.


Ron's brother, Larry, and friend, Mike, met us in Sisters today. They rode their bikes over from Coos Bay and will ride back home with us all tomorrow. Tomorrow will be our last entry into this blog. Our part of the trip will, sadly, be over. After the Labor Day weekend, Murray, Nancy, Chuck, Mary, Dave, Susie and George will be riding back to Crestline in Southern California, leaving Ron and Debbie all alone, and lonely, and alone, oh well. Next year.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

We're in the lobby of the Casino, having our morning Starbucks fix and waiting to get on the road again. By the way, the road song for the day, "Born to be Wild".

This beautiful bronze statue of Wild Horses stands in front of the Casino in Reno.

Taking the last pictures of the Casino and getting ready to ride.

That's Ron under there. He got a new "mean" look mask, just like Murray and Nancy.


We traveled for 170 miles without stopping today. Long, straight, boring roads. This is one of the guys going over 90 miles an hour. You'll have to guess who it is.


Scenery didn't change much for almost 200 miles. It's pretty dramatic, though. Weather was very mild in the desert, we even wore our jackets for most of the day.


After the 170 miles non-stop trek, we stopped in Alturas, Oregon for gas and then to a little donut shop for, of course, donuts and breakfast sandwiches. That's our new friend, Ken, behind the register. He was quite a character. We even met a lady there that lives in Reedsport, which is just 30 miles north of Coos Bay. Quite a friendly lot.


Isn't that the biggest apple fritter you've ever seen in your life!



We all gathered around the table (notice the purple crocheted doily in the center) and had a good time together before heading out for the last 100 miles to Klamath Falls, Oregon. The scenery improved dramatically. It became farm land, lots of horses and cattle and alphafa fields, etc. Very pretty.

We arrived in Klamath Falls at about 1:30 p.m. and checked into a beautiful Best Western. The lobby is filled with stuffed wild animals, it's very "woodsy" feeling, like you're in a lodge in the mountains.


Ron and George in front of the hotel.


Debbie and George in the lobby.


The dining room at the hotel. First time we've ever been to a hotel that offers not only a free breakfast, but also a free dinner and fresh, hot cookies in the evening.

The last thing we did was hit the pool and cool off from the trip. That's Ron, Chuck and Mary in the hot tub, making bubbles. Tomorrow we're off to Crater Lake and Sisters, Oregon.