Mt. St. Helens Picnic Ride

We have road to Mt St Helens several times for a pic nic at Coldwater lake. Today's ride had excellent weather. I thought we would cross the Astoria bridge to Washington and take Hwy 4 to Coal Creek. We would come out at Castle Rock and then we could pic up our sandwiches at Subway.



We ran into some road construction on Hwy 4 and were stopped by flaggers about four times. Then when we got onto Coal Creek we had about 4 miles of fresh chip seal.... What fun! Oh well, I guess that's what makes it a adventure..



Those on our ride today are Doug and Vickie, Jim and Katie, Jim and Ann, Dick, Don, Dave and Mary and last but not least William












These pictures show that we have arrived at the pic nic area at Coldwater Lake.




























As you can see with the tour bus in the back ground this area can get kinda crowded. There were some free pic nic tables but they were in the sun. However Vickie and I did find a shady spot and it was not long before a shady table opened up.























William is in deep thought here


























I told you there was some vacancy























After lunch at Coldwater Lake we road up the rest of the way to Johnson's Ridge










































This is the view point just before the summit. And I think I have come to realize it is actually the best view point. Less people and the view is just as good.

















Yep, it's yours truly






















That is Vickie and I with Mt. St. Helens in the background.















Thanks to Jim T. for taking this photo. It seems that Vickie and I don't get into pictures together most of the time.

















That is Jim T. standing next to his ride.

















Jim and Ann what a great shot.

















Dave, I think Mary had already ran over to the view point.

Some great rides...

Check out the informational map

Jim S. is checking out the Mountain. I don't know where Katie has run off too

Another picture of Jim and Mt. St. Where did my top go?

No we have Don S. on the right and Dave in the middle. That is William on the left and Vickie on the far left. Amazing what you can get people to do when taking pictures.

Hey Vickie. She looks like she is having a good time

Me and Princess

From Left to Right Jim T., Ann, Dick R. and

Jim S.

Ok, I think Jim is tired of getting his picture taken.

Hey Dick! Great ride so far!!

On our way down from the summit. It was probably around upper 70's at the summit and will be around 91 when we get to the bottom. Boy I have become a real wimp in the Hot weather. I can remember when 91 did not seem hot.

The flowers along the road in on the foot hills about 3/4 of the way up were amazing. And they smelled good too!

Nice and green up here!

Great road eh?

TYGH VALLEY CAMPOUT 2009

It's finally here! Tygh Valley Campout. We arrived early on Wednesday. The real bummer for this year is that Jim and Ann will not be attending. Jim and Joy, William and Della and Vickie and Doug have stepped in to fill some really big shoes.

Here is Ned setting up his camp. Ned riding his Road King with matching sidecar.

That is Pam's Trike, but I don't know where Pam went.

The Dick and Jerry have arrived and so has Ollie towing his new Bunkhouse behind his Convertible.

Camps are getting setup and the catching up on the past year begins.

Jerry and Joyce enjoying the shade.

Peggy and Greg with Brian on the right looking on.

WE got some serious BSing going on here between Dick and Ollie.

Greg setting up

Peggy

A Happy Camper!

Jan and Gordon all set up. Its starting to warm up around here. Temps will get around 100 for the weekend.

This is Duane. He had a mishap on the way over from Roseburg. Between Duane and Sam they were able to get the bike on the road and finish the trip to Tygh Valley.

Sam

Mike stopped by for a visit with his brother and family that was visiting from the East coast.

Jim and Joy relaxing.

That is Gary on the left with Roger to his right

That's Dick on the right and Ned on the left. Dick was the first to arrive this year at Tygh Valley.

That is Della on the right with Jim on the left looking on.

Cool morning with a hot cup of coffee. Ahh!

Coffee?

Vickie hard at registering.

Goldwings.! Everywhere you can see.

Ned, reflecting on the day.

Now what kind of Dohickey thinga kabobbler is that?

Goldie has arrived.

Dave, Jim and Mary off to the right.

Ben and Phil

Zack....A bigger chair may be needed here.

William thinking about all those hotdogs he has to cook.

50/50 drawing.

Jim and Della calling out the numbers.

Peppermint Patty checking to see if she has the winning ticket

I think Vickie is worn out from all the registering.

Jim and Mary

Dave and Mary

Katie

Ben

Mary was a big 50/50 winner

Well, it is the Fourth of July!

Breakfast at the Grange in Wamic

Jim and joy's daughter and family

The Wamic Grange

Joyce, Ollie and Jerry

Food was great. Can't beat the price and the new Buffet style

Brekafast at the Grange is a must do.

We road from Wamic to Hwy 35 then the Dufor cut-off to Dufor and back to camp. A short ride but very scenic

Great views of Mt Hood

Peppermint Patty

Back at camp it's time for the Pot luck and all that good food.

William cooked Hot Dogs and there was lots of side dishes and deserts.

Hey ! It's Gus

This looks like we are done eating and time to lay around.

Jim

Dick

Zack doing his thing..

Its early and people are starting to head out

Got to get those bugs off before hitting the road.

No bugs on this bike

Vickie and I did a loop from Tygh Valley to Shaniko, Antelope and Fossil. If you have never been to Fossil you must go. And make sure you check out the the Mercantile store. The GM dealer's showroom holds two cars.

The Mercantile store.

Hanging out in Fossil

Although Jim and Anne were not able to do the campout this year. I did meet Jim in Gladstone one day and we road the Historic Columbia Hwy with a stop at Vista House and lunch at Char Burger in Cascade Locks. Picture of Jim standing next to his bike (left)

That's me. Great View

Two Hog's in Hog Heaven

Jim checking out the great view!

That is Mary saying good bye to Gordon.

Jan and Gordon. One of the last campers to leave. They will be in Alaska next year. We will miss not seeing them.


That's it. We hope you all made it home safe. We will catch up with you on the next ride or in Tygh Valley 2010