DevCon Day 22

Breakfast at the hotel in Rexburg, ID, continued North on Highway 20 in to West Yellowstone, MT. Crystal and I got some hot coco and then did some shopping before we headed in to Yellowstone National Park.

In Yellowstone National Park we stopped to see the Firehole Falls, Fountains Painted Pots, Old Faithful, Old Faithful Inn (We Had Lunch There), and the Continental Divide (Elevation 8391 FT). You need at least a week here to really enjoy the park and some hiking would be nice.

If you go to Yellowstone National Park you should make time to see the Teton Mountains National Park. For some reason I'm drawn to this place, especially Oxbow bend on the Snake River. I have taken many photos of the Teton Mountains here every time I visit the Teton Mountains National Park area. This is my fourth time here.

It was getting late so we headed to Jackson, WY and checked in to our hotel. The Motel 6 here in Jackson, WY is a great place to stay, it is one of the best Motel 6 I have ever visited.

We had dinner at the Lotus Cafe, Crystal found this place on Yelp.

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August 31, 2010 • OR

DevCon Day 21

Breakfast at the Homestead Cafe in Weiser, ID before we headed South on Highway 95. In Payette, ID we continued Southwest on Highway 52.

In Emmett, ID I had to take another route (Back on to Highway 52) because we could not continue down Frozen Dog Road. At Horseshoe Bend, ID we turned South on to Highway 55 and in Meridian, ID We continued West on Highway 84 and stopped for Lunch at the Smoky Mountain Pizzeria Grill in Mountain Home, ID.

After lunch we found the Sun Valley Highway (Highway 20) and rode through the Soldier Mountain Game Preserve.

We stopped at Moon Crater National Park, they say it looks like the moon here. Met John Rodman here at the park, he has a great blog John's USA Motorcycle Odyssey, check out his weblog.

We stopped for the day in Rexburg, ID

Crystal turn down the Taqueria El Rancho Bus and we had dinner downtown at Original Thai Restaurant, Crystal like it a lot and I thought it was OK.

It was a nice easy day and we kept dodging the rain all day.

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August 30, 2010 • Rexburg, ID

DevCon Day 20

Headed West out of Sumpter, OR on Highway 410 after having a great night sleep and a awesome breakfast from our hosts Barb & Jay Phillips the owners of the Sumpter Bed and Breakfast. We Continued West on Highway 7 through Baker City, OR, The headed North East on Highway 86 To Oxbow, OR in the Hells Canyon area.

Before heading up Hells Canyon along the Snake River, we grabs some lunch at Hells Canyon Inn & Cafe. Lunch was good but nothing to brag about.

We cross the state line in to Idaho and headed north on Hell's Canyon Rd along the Snake River to the point of no return at the Hell's Canyon Dam. This was a great ride!

After checking out the Hell's Canyon Dam area, we headed South back down Hell's Canyon Rd and hopped on the Brownlee-Oxbow Highway near Oxbow, OR and continued South along the Oregon state line and the beautiful Snake River. ,

When we reached the Brownlee Dam we crossed the state line in to Idaho, waving good bye to Oregon. Highway 71 took us away from the Snake River Further in to Idaho.

Somewhere in between the Brownlee Dam and Cambridge, ID at the Summers S7 Ranch we were held up with a delightful road crossing of cattle, Crystal mooed the cattle on by and we were on our way after a short break.

Highway 71 took us us to Cambridge, ID, By the way, Highway 71 was a very scenic route, one not to miss. We made our way South on Highway 95 to our Destination for the night in Weiser, ID.

We found a Colonial Hotel, which Crystal dubbed as a X-Files Hotel. the Colonial Hotel was a great and inexpensive place to stay.

We started our laundry at a near by laundromat and grabbed us a late dinner at the Ridge Rock Eatery down the street. This was a good choice and our only choice for dinner.

Another great day!

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August 29, 2010 • OR

DevCon Day 19

We met up with Larry Overman a friend of mine for breakfast at the Apple Peddler Restaurant. It was good to see Larry again and our goal today was to follow Larry to Sumpter, OR and check out his gold mine.

We headed West out of Prineville, OR on Highway 26 with some light rain. Our first stop, was for fuel In Mitchell, OR. We met Hugh Reed, a very interesting person, he talked about his properties, (Basically the whole town) & Henry The Bear. Henry was not there, but his cage was. If you are ever near Mitchell, OR, stop and have a chat with Hugh, you won't be disappointed. You may even get to meet Henry.

Highway 26 is a beautiful ride even in the rain. After twenty miles riding through Umatilla National Forest, we continued West on Highway 7 and five miles South of Sumpter, OR we turned North on Highway 410 and arrived to our days destination.

We had lunch at the Scoop-N-Steamer Restaurant, Larry said he eats here all the time. We met some other bikers there from Portland, OR that rode here just for lunch.

After a really good lunch, we wonder over to Sumpter Valley Dredge Heritage Area, I really like seeing things like this, I had a great time. It is amazing that they build big machine like this in 1935. This is a state park and it is closed in the winters.

We hopped in Larry's Jeep and he took us up to his gold mine, the only way to get there is in a 4x4. This was my first time to walk in a gold mine, and what a blast! This has to be one of the coolest things I have done this year.

The view up there was spectacular! Let it snow!

Larry put us up for the night (Thanks Larry!) at Sumpter Bed and Breakfast, and what a wonderful place! Crystal & I were the only guest for the night and Barb & Jay Phillips went out of their way to make us feel at home. Thank You Barb & Jay!

What a great day, and thanks to Larry for being a great host and guide. There have been may highlights for this trip and today was a great one.

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August 28, 2010 • Sumpter, OR

DevCon Day 18

Crystal and I had breakfast at the hotel and headed out of town North on Highway 62. Highway 62 is a very scenic ride and will take you directly to Crater Lake National Park.

We stopped in Union Creek Resort where Sherri and I stayed last year after visiting Crater Lake National Park. I love this place.

Crater Lake National Park is a beautiful place to visit, if you never been here, make sure it is on your bucket list.

After our visit of the park, we headed North on Highway 97, we stopped in Crescent, OR for fuel, break, and a snack (We did not stop anywhere for lunch). We met three guys riding down from Canada, A father, son, and a friend. They promised to email the video they were taking. Nice guys I hope to hear from them.

We continued North on Highway 97 to Redmond, OR then headed East on Highway 126 to Prineville, OR, our stop for the day.

We found a Hotel, The Econ Lodge for a good rate and checked in for the night.

We had a great dinner at Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant.

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August 27, 2010 • Prineville, OR

DevCon Day 17

Headed North on Highway 5 to make up some time to be able to pick up crystal at the airport in Medford, OR on time. Stop in Shasta Lake, CA for at quick breakfast and fuel. I saw The World's Largest Grindstone in front of the Valero gas station. I'm not sure if this is true, I seem to remember reading or seeing somewhere (Discovery or History Channel) in Michigan where they made these huge Grindstone during War World I.

I continued North on Highway 5 (Blue Star Memorial Highway), Highway 5 run through the Shasta National Forest and Despite the 18 wheelers I-5 is a very scenic ride,

I stopped for fuel in Weed, CA and you could see the Shasta Mountain area very good from there.

I continued North on Highway 5, I took the exit to Yreka, CA to follow the Historic Highway 99 for a short distance then I hopped back on Highway 5.

Just after the Oregon, California State Line I took the exit for Old Highway 99 S, it great ride and a great view.

I arrived early enough to check In to The Courtyard Marriott in Medford, OR next to Medford Airport and shortly Crystal arrived.

Later, Crystal and I had dinner at the 4 Daughters Irish Pub. It was a very good meal.

A great day and it was good to see Crystal!

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August 26, 2010 • Medford, OR

DevCon Day 16

After Breakfast at the hotel I headed North on Highway 29 to Napa, CA and hopped on Highway 121 (Silverado Trail), I Turned Left on Highway 128. Highway 121 & Highway 128 are a great ride!

Somehow I missed my turn on Berryessa Knoxville Rd and rode on Highway 128 (Sage Canyon Road) towards St Helena, CA. I turned around in Rutherford, CA and headed back towards Lake Berryessa. Sage Canyon Road was a great ride, so I did not mind much missing my turn.

Berryessa Knoxville Road was very scenic and enjoyable ride, until I reached North of Lake Berryessa. Berryessa Knoxville Road became very rough and narrowed down to one lane, at one point part of the road was missing and I barely had enough room for my motorcycle to pass through. My average speed for that 30 miles stretch of road was about 30 mph. Even though the road was crapy the area was beautiful.

Once I got to Lower Lake, CA, I turned Right on to Highway 53 on much better road. I stopped for a break and some lunch in ClearLake, CA. I asked one of the local cops where the best place for lunch was and he pointed across the street to the Main Street Bar & Grill. He was right, the Main Street Bar & Grill was an excellent place to eat.

I headed back North on Highway 53, turned East on Highway 20 to Highway 5 and headed north to Redding, CA, where I stopped for the night and checked in to the Local Motel 6.

What a great day!

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August 25, 2010 • Redding, California