Gluten, Extra Gluten Please (a protein found in delicious wheat)

Managed to stay off all four lane roads today, riding north from Kennewick to Rossland, BC.  The ride on the back roads through wheat country, that healthy gluten laden wheat grown in Eastern Washington, was relaxing and therapeutic.  Unfortunately, we rode through some of the towns that have died from the advent of automobiles, the internet, and America’s mobility both literally and virtually.  Towns such as Kahlotos, now a near ghost town.

We made it to Ritzville, where we enjoyed a delightful breakfast/lunch and dessert at the Cow Creek Mercantile, specializing in pies.  Jon wolfed down a quiche pie and a peach pie ala mode.  Rachelle had a grilled ham and swiss, and I, I chose the cobb salad.

Jon’s pies.

Rachelle’s sandwich.

My Cobb.

We left this I-90 oasis and headed north up through Harrington and Davenport, stopping for a cigar break at Fort Spokane.  After Jon’s mid-day constitutional, we set up our Kermit chairs for a relaxing smoke while Rachelle hiked the grounds in search of history for her report.  Completed, she briefed us the Fort and all the history gleaned from her mile long trek to the kiosks of information scattered on the acreage.

Jon’s historical constitutional.

We departed the historical fort and buzzed up 25 along Lake Roosevelt.  Somewhere just shy of Kettle Falls, Tiger, Rachelle’s steed, dropped its light assembly that resulted in a little roadside repair.  That complete, we rode into Kettle Falls where I spotted a auto repair shop and borrowed a 10mm deep socket to do a proper job.  Sam, the proprietor was kind enough to lend his tools, but Jon wasn’t adequate in camera button pushing to snap a picture.  Thanks, Sam.  No thanks, Jon.

North from Kettle Falls on 25 toward Northport is a spectacular motorcycle road that follows the upper reaches of the lake.  28 miles shy of the boarder we ran into gravel–all the way to the border.  It was a feat of accomplishment, and added to the adventure of the day.  An absolutely wonderful, exciting day on a motorcycle.

Lake Roosevelt, a fire was burning on the other side.

Tiger losing his ass.

Gravel, what an adventure!

There they are, my riding companions.

They’re back there somewhere.

Wade joined us Rossland, BC after doing the Bataan Death Ride from Portland to Rossland in 9 hours, argh.  We enjoyed a little reprieve until chow just down the street.

Jon, the American Ambassador in Canada.  Too much whiskey, too much fun, too much gravel, too much of everything except teeth.

P.S.  He’s still trying to get somewhere–why motorcycles rule.