Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
My B-I-L is an avid fly fisher, and his favorite river was one of the ones hit by our recent flooding. His fishing buddy also rides, and so an in person inspection of the river was obviously required, utilizing our tool of choice, motorcycles.
We met for breakfast in Fife, at Mitzels.
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And yes, Rick is parked in the Disabled Parking slot.
Because of time limitations, this is just going to be a freeway run, but at least we are out on 2 wheels. Temp is holding around 36 degrees, and it is foggy. We all have heated gear, Rick just hasn't had time to wire in his harness. I have mine set on full, and it is not getting warmer. I am surprised to see at least 10 other bikes on the road, it is nice to know we are not the only crazy ones.
We stopped in Kelso for fuel, and to stretch, and I found one of my favorite foods in the gas station store.
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The sun is out, the fog is behind us, and the temperature sign says 42 degrees. It actually feels warm, but the gauge on my dash never goes over 40 degrees.
Exit 32, we ease over, stop, and cross the freeway, turn right, and pull into the Kalama RV park.
We rode past the restaurant/office, and the dirt and mud are everywhere.
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Piles of gravel interspersed with scoured down basins, where it used to be level and green. The road to the boat launch is gone. They are rebuilding, and repairing, and will be open by spring. The restaurant is ruined, but they are tearing all the damaged material out, and will restore it.
We said good luck to the owners, and headed east on the Kalama River Rd, to Mahaffeys campground. This is more of what you might charitably call a fish camp.
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Most of the trees along the river are gone, a large pit was scoured out of the middle of the campground, (no pix, it had already been filled with 350yds of rock and pit run) and most of the water and electrical was washed up and out of the ground. They are rebuilding, but it will not be the same.
We continued east along the River Rd. , and saw many places covered in mud, and houses that are being fixed. Any house that was at least 15 ft above the channel was OK, but the flooding varied, depending on how narrow the canyon was. I can see why these folks are not leaving, this is a beautiful area to live, and the river has a great rep for fishing. Lots of rules have to be followed, and several different agencies have jurisdiction here, basically you can not drop rip rap to protect your property.
Rick had to work, so he had headed west and north, when Greg and I left Mahaffeys. After our run up the canyon, we turned around, and did the same. Time for a late lunch, so we took exit 49, Castle Rock, and noticed we had 2 choices for burgers. Burger King and C & L Burgers and Espresso. Easy choice, C & L.
#ad
Good choice, great burgers, and reasonable prices. 3 booths and a couple of doubles, and a table outside, but I will come back and wait, if I have to.
Back northbound into the fog, speed is posted at 70, but we were holding up traffic at 75 mph. Even through the construction zones, where it drops to 60, most drivers are rocking along at 15 to 20 over. We stopped for the last stretch at the Scatter Creek Rest Area, one last draw on my Thermos, and in for the run home.
254 miles, temp never over 40 degrees on my readout, and it was still a good day to ride.
We met for breakfast in Fife, at Mitzels.
#adAnd yes, Rick is parked in the Disabled Parking slot.
Because of time limitations, this is just going to be a freeway run, but at least we are out on 2 wheels. Temp is holding around 36 degrees, and it is foggy. We all have heated gear, Rick just hasn't had time to wire in his harness. I have mine set on full, and it is not getting warmer. I am surprised to see at least 10 other bikes on the road, it is nice to know we are not the only crazy ones.
We stopped in Kelso for fuel, and to stretch, and I found one of my favorite foods in the gas station store.
#ad#adThe sun is out, the fog is behind us, and the temperature sign says 42 degrees. It actually feels warm, but the gauge on my dash never goes over 40 degrees.
Exit 32, we ease over, stop, and cross the freeway, turn right, and pull into the Kalama RV park.
We rode past the restaurant/office, and the dirt and mud are everywhere.
#ad#adPiles of gravel interspersed with scoured down basins, where it used to be level and green. The road to the boat launch is gone. They are rebuilding, and repairing, and will be open by spring. The restaurant is ruined, but they are tearing all the damaged material out, and will restore it.
We said good luck to the owners, and headed east on the Kalama River Rd, to Mahaffeys campground. This is more of what you might charitably call a fish camp.
#ad#adMost of the trees along the river are gone, a large pit was scoured out of the middle of the campground, (no pix, it had already been filled with 350yds of rock and pit run) and most of the water and electrical was washed up and out of the ground. They are rebuilding, but it will not be the same.
We continued east along the River Rd. , and saw many places covered in mud, and houses that are being fixed. Any house that was at least 15 ft above the channel was OK, but the flooding varied, depending on how narrow the canyon was. I can see why these folks are not leaving, this is a beautiful area to live, and the river has a great rep for fishing. Lots of rules have to be followed, and several different agencies have jurisdiction here, basically you can not drop rip rap to protect your property.
Rick had to work, so he had headed west and north, when Greg and I left Mahaffeys. After our run up the canyon, we turned around, and did the same. Time for a late lunch, so we took exit 49, Castle Rock, and noticed we had 2 choices for burgers. Burger King and C & L Burgers and Espresso. Easy choice, C & L.
#adGood choice, great burgers, and reasonable prices. 3 booths and a couple of doubles, and a table outside, but I will come back and wait, if I have to.
Back northbound into the fog, speed is posted at 70, but we were holding up traffic at 75 mph. Even through the construction zones, where it drops to 60, most drivers are rocking along at 15 to 20 over. We stopped for the last stretch at the Scatter Creek Rest Area, one last draw on my Thermos, and in for the run home.
254 miles, temp never over 40 degrees on my readout, and it was still a good day to ride.
