Washington State Tour

[Vilhelm]

Taking a week to go run around in Washington State this week, was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on places to see, stay, eat, and of course get the best and coldest beer? No real plan as to where I'll be or when, but it looks like some of the towns/cities we'll be passing through could be: Packwood, Ellensburg, Leavenworth, Chelan, Winthrop, then back over to the I-5 corridor and headed south towards home. Any Info is appreciated.

[Y2K]

Not sure what way you are doing the loop but you might want to turn at Randle (West of Packwood) and loop down around the East side of Mt.St.Helens to Cougar with a side bar up to windy ridge.
From Cougar you can go on to Woodland at I-5 or take 503 South through Amboy and Battle Ground stopping at well known biker stop Nicks Tavern in Amboy.
Great food and biker friendly,it's an old loggers hangout but these days there are more bikers there than loggers.



Here's a link to some pics I took up at the mountain last weekend.
http://www.v2-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3454

From Cougar down to I-5 you would pass three lakes,Swift,Yale and Merwin.

Here's a couple pics I took from my boat at Merwin.






Here's a map
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp...te=wa&zipcode=

[Vilhelm]

Thanks Y2K, thats the way we're headed cept going north through Amboy, then by the reservoirs, my mom used to sail at Yale reservoir back in the early 70's (seems like forever ago), Ill be sure an stop at Nick's, looks like my kind of place. The link to the photos is great, beautiful pics! I remember camping and fishing at Spirit Lake before the mountain got it and ol' Harry. Nice to see its coming back finally.

[Y2K]

I'd meet and greet ya at Nick's since it's just a few miles from my place but of all things I'll be heading down to your neck of the woods for a week.
We leave tomorrow morning and will ride down 101 to Port Orford where we have a room booked for the week.
Then it's day rides everyday,Crater Lake,the Redwoods and just poke'n around on the coast.

[Vilhelm]

Have Fun in Port Orford! Bring some rain gear, the weather on the coast has been nice for the most part, cloudy and wet in the mornings, sunny and breezy the rest of the day. Sunday may be a wet one everywhere here though.

[geezerglide]

Hi Vilhelm,

We went to leavenworth last weekend and on sunday afternoon it was friggn gridlock!! worse than 26 coming over the mountain from Bend. I think everybody must head for Seattle at noon. (But it was ok with some creative riding and u turns), just be ready for a slow go.

[Y2K]

Originally Posted by Vilhelm

Have Fun in Port Orford! Bring some rain gear, the weather on the coast has been nice for the most part, cloudy and wet in the mornings, sunny and breezy the rest of the day. Sunday may be a wet one everywhere here though.

We always pack for all weather situations so we'll be ready.
Keep an eye peeled for deer and elk up along the lakes,most especially in the morning and evening but I've seen elk cross the road in mid afternoon up there.

[Steelhorse]

Originally Posted by Y2K

We always pack for all weather situations so we'll be ready.
Keep an eye peeled for deer and elk up along the lakes,most especially in the morning and evening but I've seen elk cross the road in mid afternoon up there.

There have been several sitings of a sasquatch in that area!!

[Vilhelm]

Originally Posted by geezerglide

Hi Vilhelm,

We went to leavenworth last weekend and on sunday afternoon it was friggn gridlock!! worse than 26 coming over the mountain from Bend. I think everybody must head for Seattle at noon. (But it was ok with some creative riding and u turns), just be ready for a slow go.

I'm hoping to be through there on a weekday, with luck won't be so bad. Still can't be any worse than the tourist trap traffic where I live, I can't wait to hit the road!

[Y2K]

Originally Posted by Steelhorse

There have been several sitings of a sasquatch in that area!!

I know that guy,he's OK....hangs out at Nick's sometimes.

[shovel13]

watch the traffic reports for the seattle area as it seems they have a lot of construction going on up there on the interstate which affects all of the other roads.
if you are near Grand Mound/Rochestor area the Junction bar and grill is a good place to eat and drin... err rehydrate.

i think i ate at the place Y2K mentioned while i was working in his area a few years ago and it was pretty good food.

[Rsh2Jgmnt]

Incredible photographs, thanks for posting them. I can't believe that I live so relatively close here in Seattle and having had no idea whatsoever what an incredible job the lake and mother nature have done towards recovery. You have opened my eyes to this.

[davidg33]

Man - St. Helens is coming around - been forever since I've been up there....We go to Packwood and Mt.Rainer every year - beutiful place.
Thanks for the pics - cool to see some hogs in nature

[sniper uk]

lived in seattle for a while..a few years back....(working there)
went to mt rainier with wife & kids one day..what an awesome place.
i read in a book.." the pacific northwest is america,s best kept secret"
loved the place....hope to return someday....to do a road trip on harley..

[skydrifter]

Originally Posted by sniper uk

lived in seattle for a while..a few years back....(working there)
went to mt rainier with wife & kids one day..what an awesome place.
i read in a book.." the pacific northwest is america,s best kept secret"
loved the place....hope to return someday....to do a road trip on harley..

I don't know how much of a secret it is anymore but it is a great corner of our country . We have it all Mountains ,lakes ,ocean rivers ,and the crown jewels the San Juan islands.
A great spot to stop is Whistling Jacks on Chinook Pass they have cabins and rooms great food and biker freindly.Its one of my favorit rides when Mt Rainer is out and not covered by clouds, have fun and be safe..