Frosty
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I made a three day trip from eastern WA to Puget Sound and back (800+). All but 4 miles on two lane "Blue roads". The mission was to get a custom seat made at Rich's in Kinston WA (seat covered in Seats/Backrest Technical Forum).
I left Spokane first thing and enjoyed the 50 degree dry and sunny morning weather through wheat country on Hwy 2 (sun on my back). Wheat country turns to hilly, dry scab land. Lots of twisties and up/down. Along and over the Columbia River following fruit orchards to Leavenworth. Leavenworth is a Bavarian type town at the start of the Cascade Mts. After 200 miles it is Bratwurst time at the Biergarten (at the end of the big building beneath the peak in the picture). (No beer/Motorcycling - so just an excellent Brat.)
Trip through the Cascades is a scenic winding ride with parts shaded by trees. Over Stevens Pass and eventually exiting the mountains following the Skykomish River. I took a secondary road north before I got to I-5 and was surprised to find much of it rural. About 75 miles north of Seattle I turned west on Rt 20 and headed for Whidbey Island. There is a bridge that crosses Deception Pass. Whidbey island is a nice place and they had a 2 night room for me at the Naval Air Station.
Total for the day was 350 miles and 53.4 mpg.
My plan was to get up in the morning and ride the 17 miles to the Ferry terminal. Thirty minute ferry ride and a 40 minute ride to Rich's. I had not counted on fog... I got to the ferry terminal on time but the ferry maneuvered off shore until the visibility increased to 1/4 mile. That delayed me 30 minutes. The highlight of the 30 odd miles from Port Townsend to Kingston was passing what I thought was another NT going in the opposite direction.
Rich completed my seat at 3:30 and I was able to catch the 4:40 ferry at Port Townsend. Just as we left I started to worry about losing my NT to pirates (see photo - included largely for Sailariel).
Departed Whidbey Island in the morning over Deception Pass and followed Rte 20 east. Route 20 is the North Cascades Highway. It is scenic, twisty and the only bad thing I have heard is that there are too many RVs. In my case there was very little traffic. This time of year the mountains are cool, dry and have very few insects. Exiting the North Cascades I stopped at Winthrop (western motif town) for lunch (had the Fajitas special at Carlos'). The remaining 200 miles was sunny and hot (mid 90's). These are popular motorcycle roads and I saw many.
I left Spokane first thing and enjoyed the 50 degree dry and sunny morning weather through wheat country on Hwy 2 (sun on my back). Wheat country turns to hilly, dry scab land. Lots of twisties and up/down. Along and over the Columbia River following fruit orchards to Leavenworth. Leavenworth is a Bavarian type town at the start of the Cascade Mts. After 200 miles it is Bratwurst time at the Biergarten (at the end of the big building beneath the peak in the picture). (No beer/Motorcycling - so just an excellent Brat.)
Trip through the Cascades is a scenic winding ride with parts shaded by trees. Over Stevens Pass and eventually exiting the mountains following the Skykomish River. I took a secondary road north before I got to I-5 and was surprised to find much of it rural. About 75 miles north of Seattle I turned west on Rt 20 and headed for Whidbey Island. There is a bridge that crosses Deception Pass. Whidbey island is a nice place and they had a 2 night room for me at the Naval Air Station.
Total for the day was 350 miles and 53.4 mpg.
My plan was to get up in the morning and ride the 17 miles to the Ferry terminal. Thirty minute ferry ride and a 40 minute ride to Rich's. I had not counted on fog... I got to the ferry terminal on time but the ferry maneuvered off shore until the visibility increased to 1/4 mile. That delayed me 30 minutes. The highlight of the 30 odd miles from Port Townsend to Kingston was passing what I thought was another NT going in the opposite direction.
Rich completed my seat at 3:30 and I was able to catch the 4:40 ferry at Port Townsend. Just as we left I started to worry about losing my NT to pirates (see photo - included largely for Sailariel).
Departed Whidbey Island in the morning over Deception Pass and followed Rte 20 east. Route 20 is the North Cascades Highway. It is scenic, twisty and the only bad thing I have heard is that there are too many RVs. In my case there was very little traffic. This time of year the mountains are cool, dry and have very few insects. Exiting the North Cascades I stopped at Winthrop (western motif town) for lunch (had the Fajitas special at Carlos'). The remaining 200 miles was sunny and hot (mid 90's). These are popular motorcycle roads and I saw many.
.....just so amazing to hear about your experiences and see all the great photos. Think i've said it before...but, will say it again... for those of us that stick closer to home with our NT's due to family responsibilities and get away for shorter periods of time....these trip reports are a DREAM. cannot get enough of them.....so, keep them coming everyone..... some of us live temporarily vicariously through you 
