Many of the timber laden mountain slopes and peaks had those wisps of fog hanging on them. Several times I restrained myself from stopping to takes photos. The speed limit for most of the canyon is 55 mph with just the right amount of slow developing sweeps and curves. As with many canyon roads, especially on the Friday night of a holiday weekend, slow driving folk can be persistent obstacles. After passing some of these folks, I didn’t want to stop for photos and have to start all over with the passing game. It's a dilemma that has two options. I guess the only solution is to take most of a day going through the pass making many stops for photos.
I stopped in Tillamook to pick up a few things at the store then headed up the coast in the light coastal drizzle and wind. Breaking out from the protection of a wooded area just before the road drops next to Tillamook Bay, the onshore ocean wind gave the bike a hit which allowed me to lean into it yet still go straight. It’s generally a surprise and a fun one at that. Looking left out onto the bay at the peninsula that juts out from Cape Meares, I could see the gray out-of-focus look that an oncoming squall reveals.
Arriving in Garabaldi on the north end of the bay, it has that misty and quiet look that a fishing town has at the end of a work day. Around some more curves north of town and past the tide pools which are now covered with high tide, the road gently drops down near a serene looking Lake Smith. The drizzle has all but stopped; it’s getting darker and I’m almost to the house so I stop to record the scene.
Posts
Lovely photos as always Mike. Funny that you should mention the "whether to stop" dilemma as that's something I suffer from too. My wife says I'm a typical guy, not stopping for anything but I'm trying really hard to change!
ReplyDeletegood ride report.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to stop and take pics, and with the Ural...passing cars is not really an option. : )
"Feels like Germany..." I guess that's why I feel so much at home at the we(s)t coast.
ReplyDeleteGeoff,
ReplyDeleteThank you. That dilemma is tough when you combine riding with photography. Sometimes you just want to ride but then you see a potentially nice shot and the struggle starts. That's good that you're trying to change for your wife. It looks to me like you're stopping at the right times and taking great pics! Thanks for stopping by, Geoff!
Charlie6,
You too take great photos of the landscape in Colorado. Thanks for stopping by!
Sonja,
That's great news that the Northwest feels maybe like Germany. I've also heard that our weather is similar to England's with the fog and rain. You've ridden through some great looking areas lately!
Nice write up and pics on your ride to the coast. I love the photo of the lake and lush foliage. It sure can be hard to stop when you get positioned for a nice ride ahead of the traffic. I want the photos, but I find it too easy to keep riding instead. It's an ever present dilemma. What a great ride home, sunshine and no traffic.
ReplyDeleteKari,
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yeah, both the rides to and from the coast were nice for different reasons. I think I might have to ride through there more often this summer. We've been making that trip for years and never explored it in detail. On the bike would be a great way to do that.
Mike
ReplyDeleteAs I am usually in "Photo Mode" I let everyone pass, then I don't get stressed when I have to stop for a photo or two. I stop at every scenic viewpoint or overlook. This is particularly important on unfamiliar roads. Many times I overshoot a great scenic photo op and have to turn around. Other times I just try to back up along the shoulder, just depends on traffic and safety. It's just simpler to go slower in the first place.
We have two major ferry terminals here and if you are trying to catch the ferry and notice a lot of vehicles going the same direction you get into an "Indy 500 slalom Mode" . Every car you pass is greater assurance that you will make it on board. I have missed a ferry by two cars. If only I passed two more cars along the way.
bob
Wet Coast Scootin
Bob,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you brought up the subject of going slower. I was afraid that my post made me appear to be a speed-freak. As I mentioned, the speed limit is 55 but you always come up to people going 45 or 50 when the actual cruising speed that most are doing is 60. I only pass on the LONG straight-aways when I have plenty of room. Then you know what happens, you come up to another group going slow and the people you've just passed end up right behind you. All this kind of makes for a fun "game" and then you see a photo op and thus the dilemma.
We've been going through this pass for 10 years in the car but on the bike it's way more fun!
Your description of making it onto a ferry is interesting. That must get wild at times!
Mike:
ReplyDeleteI find that I don't always wish to be the trailblazer (Lead vehicle). Much more relaxing to go with the flow. You can't win, there is always someone further ahead who is going exactly the speed limit, just like those in the fast lane who think they are speed enforcers.
I remember one time while driving across Canada in Northern Ontario. Two lane road (one lane each way), twisty, little chance to pass. Every time we exited a corner I was ready to push the "pedal to the metal" and each time they sprang like a slingshot, but slowed again to half speed at the next curve. It must have been 20-30 miles and just as I was about to pass on a straight stretch a sign appeared "slow to 30 mph". We were entering a small town and the car pulled into a petrol station.
bob
Wet Coast Scootin
I'm afraid I don't share Bobskoot's patience. I really try, but no luck. Katie says that cars ahead of me become prey to be hunted down and passed. Of course, I do so prudently and safely. Once past I don't want them ahead again, like you. I've even bypassed rest stops because of it. I know, it's a sickness.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the post. It's been a bit since your last one and I missed you a bit.
hello... hapi blogging... have a nice day! just visiting here....
ReplyDelete